City Council

April 6, 2021 CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS City Council Meeting 7:00 PM (via zoom) P.H. – Capital Budget Amendment for Geyser Road Trail P.H. – NYS Power Authority Energy Service Program P.H. – Saratoga Springs Community Development Citizens’ Advisory Committee for the 2021 Annual Block Grant Action Plan 7:00 PM CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL SALUTE TO FLAG PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD / 15 MINUTES PRESENTATION CONSENT AGENDA 1. Approval of 3/1/2021 Pre-Agenda Meeting Transcript 2. Approval of 3/15/2021 Pre-Agenda Meeting Minutes 3. Approval of 3/15/2021 Pre-Agenda Meeting Transcript 4. Approval of 3/16/2020 City Council Meeting Minutes 5. Approval of 3/16/2021 City Council Meeting Transcript 6. Approval of 3/2/2021 City Council Meeting Transcript 7. Approval of 3/23/2021 City Council Meeting Minutes 8. Approval of 3/23/2021 City council Meeting Transcript 9. Approval of 3/29/2021 City Council Meeting Minutes 10. Budget Transfers – Debt Services 11. Budget Transfers – Insurance 12. Budget Amendments – Regular (Increase) 13. Approval Payroll 3/19/2021 $499,131.81 14. Approval Payroll 3/26/2021 $467,032.70 15. Approve Payroll 4/2/2021 $529,534.09 16. Approval Warrant – 2021 21APR1 $635,376.66 17. Approve Warrant – 2021 21MWMAR3 $192.92 18. Approve Warrant – 2021 21MWMAR2 $86,030.41 MAYOR’S DEPARTMENT 1. Discussion and Vote: Accept $200.00 Donation from Athena M. DiLorenzo-Ryan Proceeds from her Athena’s Basketball Camps City Council Meeting 4/6/2021 2. Discussion and Vote: Accept $2,000 Donation from George and Martha Parker 3. Discussion and Vote: Accept $10,000 Donation from Saratoga County Children’s Committee for Camp Scholarships 4. Discussion and Vote: Accept $5,500 Donation from Stewart’s Holiday Match 5. Discussion and Vote: Authorization for the Mayor to Sign Youth Service Project Amendment to the Agreement with the County of Saratoga 6. Discussion and Vote: Recreation Department Templates 7. Discussion and Vote: Capital Budget Amendment for Geyser Road Trail 8. Discussion and Vote: Approval to Pay Invoice to GPI for Geyser Road Trail Project 9. Discussion and Vote: Mayor to Sign Change Order #3 – Wm Keller for Geyser Road Trail 10. Announcement: UDO Final Draft Release 11. Announcement: The Land Use Boards Seeks Interested People to Serve 12. Proclamation: Celebration of National Community Development Week 13. Proclamation: Bringing Awareness to Fair Housing Month ACCOUNTS DEPARTMENT 1. Appointment: Barbara Brindisi as Commissioner of Deeds FINANCE DEPARTMENT 1. Update: City Finances 2. Authorization for Mayor to Sign Addendum #3 with Crown Castle for Recreation Center Ethernet 3. Discussion and Vote: Authorization for Mayor to Sign NYPA Master Cost Recovery Agreement for Energy Efficient Street Lights 4. Discussion and Vote: Budget Amendments – Capital Budget Geyser Road Trail 5. Discussion and Vote: Budget Amendments – Capital Budget for NYPA Master Cost Recovery Agreement for Energy Efficient Street Lights 6. Discussion and Vote: Budget Amendments – Benefits 7. Discussion: Budget Transfers – Benefits 8. Discussion and Vote: Budget Transfers - Payroll PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT 1. Discussion and Vote: Approval to Pay Invoices #5402217699, 5402219095, 5402173892 to Morton Salt in the Amount of $21,441.34 2. Discussion and Vote: Approval to Pay Invoices to Mahoney Notify-Plus, Inc., in the Total Amount of $4,596.25 3. Discussion and Vote: Canfield Casino Rental Agreement 4. Announcement: Yard Debris Notice PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENT 1. Set Public Hearing: Amend Chapter 225, Section 225-81 of the City Code 2. Set Public Hearing: Amend Chapter 225, Section 225-94 of the City Code 3. Discussion and Vote: Authorization for Mayor to Sign Contract with Saratoga County for Reimbursement of COVID Vaccinations 4. Discussion and Vote: Authorization for Mayor to Sign MOU with Upstate Concierge Medicine, PLLC 5. Discussion and Vote: Authorization for Mayor to Sign Lease Agreement with Ricoh 6. Discussion and Vote: Authorization for the Mayor to Sign Agreement with Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga, Inc. SUPERVISORS Matt Veitch Page 2 of 12 City Council Meeting 4/6/2021 1. Buildings & Grounds Committee Update 2. Government Review and Efficiency Update Tara Gaston 1. COVID-19 Update 2. Health & Social Services Committee 3. Technology & Resiliency Committee ADJOURN Page 3 of 12 City Council Meeting 4/6/2021 April 6, 2021 CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS City Council Meeting 7:00 PM (via Zoom) PRESENT: Meg Kelly, Mayor Michele Madigan, Commissioner of Finance John Franck, Commissioner of Accounts Anthony Scirocco, Commissioner of DPW Robin Dalton, Commissioner of DPS STAFF PRESENT: Lisa Shields, Deputy Mayor Deirdre Ladd, Deputy Commissioner of Finance Maire Masterson, Deputy Commissioner, Accounts Joe O’Neill, Deputy Commissioner, DPW Eileen Finneran, Deputy Commissioner, DPS Vincent DeLeonardis Matthew Veitch, Supervisor Tara Gaston, Supervisor RECORDING OF PROCEEDING The proceedings of this meeting were taped for the benefit of the secretary. Because the minutes are not a verbatim record of the proceedings, the minutes are not a word-for-word transcript. PUBLIC HEARINGS Capital Budget Amendment for Geyser Road Trail Mayor Kelly opened the public hearing at 6:55 p.m. Mayor Kelly advised the City Council voted to sign an MOU with CDTA to install bus stations. No one spoke. Mayor Kelly closed the public hearing at 6:56 p.m. NYS Power Authority Energy Service Program Mayor Kelly opened the public hearing at 6:56 p.m. Commissioner Madigan advised this to amend the capital budget to amend the bond. The City will save $33,000 annually over the time of the bond and will save $300,000 annually thereafter. Page 4 of 12 City Council Meeting 4/6/2021 No one spoke. Mayor Kelly closed the public hearing at 6:57 p.m. Saratoga Springs Community Development Citizens’ Advisory Committee for the 2021 Annual Block Grant Action Plan Mayor Kelly opened the public hearing at 6:57 p.m. Mayor Kelly advised the City Council heard recommendations at the March 29, 2021 City Council meeting. They will be voting on this at the next City Council meeting. No one spoke. Mayor Kelly concluded the public hearing at 6:58 p.m. and left it open. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Kelly called the meeting to order at 7: 00 p.m. PUBLIC COMMENT Mayor Kelly said the public comment period is limited to a total of 15 minutes and individuals are limited to two minutes. Mayor Kelly opened the public comment period at 7:01 p.m. No one spoke. Mayor Kelly closed the public comment period at 7:01 p.m. PRESENTATION 2021 Open Space Plan Launches Tina Carton advised the Open Space Plan launch has been updated (presentation attached). They are going to engage residents and property owners. They hired consultants (MJ Engineering) to help update the plan and develop conservation tool. The steering committee has been put together and includes members from the Open Space Advisory Committee, New York State Office of Parks Recreation and Historic Preservation, City Center Board, Saratoga PLAN, Saratoga Springs City School District, the Recreation Committee, and City staff. The first step in updating is gathering community feedback; this is where we are now. A dedicated website will be launched – www.saratogaspringsopenspaces.com. There will be a survey in bedded in the website. All surveys are due back by April 16th. CONSENT AGENDA Mayor Kelly moved and Commissioner Dalton seconded to approve the consent agenda as follows: 1. Approval of 3/1/2021 Pre-Agenda Meeting Transcript 2. Approval of 3/15/2021 Pre-Agenda Meeting Minutes 3. Approval of 3/15/2021 Pre-Agenda Meeting Transcript 4. Approval of 3/16/2020 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 5 of 12 City Council Meeting 4/6/2021 5. Approval of 3/16/2021 City Council Meeting Transcript 6. Approval of 3/2/2021 City Council Meeting Transcript 7. Approval of 3/23/2021 City Council Meeting Minutes 8. Approval of 3/23/2021 City council Meeting Transcript 9. Approval of 3/29/2021 City Council Meeting Minutes 10. Budget Transfers – Debt Services 11. Budget Transfers – Insurance 12. Budget Amendments – Regular (Increase) 13. Approval Payroll 3/19/2021 $499,131.81 14. Approval Payroll 3/26/2021 $467,032.70 15. Approve Payroll 4/2/2021 $529,534.09 16. Approval Warrant – 2021 21APR1 $635,376.66 17. Approve Warrant – 2021 21MWMAR3 $192.92 18. Approve Warrant – 2021 21MWMAR2 $86,030.41 Ayes – All MAYOR’S DEPARTMENT Discussion and Vote: Accept $200.00 Donation from Athena M. DiLorenzo-Ryan Proceeds from her Athena’s Basketball Camps (21-110) Mayor Kelly moved and Commissioner Madigan seconded to accept the donation of $200.00 from Athena M. DiLorenzo-Ryan. Ayes – All Discussion and Vote: Accept $2,000 Donation from George and Martha Parker (21-111) Mayor Kelly advised this donation is for scholarships for children in need. Mayor Kelly moved and Commissioner Franck seconded to accept the donation of $2,000 from George and Martha Parker. Ayes – All Discussion and Vote: Accept $10,000 Donation from Saratoga County Children’s Committee for Camp Scholarships (21-112) Mayor Kelly moved and Commissioner Madigan seconded to accept the donation of $10,000 from Saratoga County Children’s Committee for camp scholarships. Ayes – All Discussion and Vote: Accept $5,500 Donation from Stewart’s Holiday Match (21-113) Mayor Kelly moved and Commissioner Dalton seconded to accept the donation of $5,500 from Stewart’s Holiday match donation. Ayes – All Discussion and Vote: Authorization for the Mayor to Sign Youth Service Project Amendment to the Agreement with the County of Saratoga (21-114) Page 6 of 12 City Council Meeting 4/6/2021 Mayor Kelly moved and Commissioner Madigan seconded to approve the youth service project amendment to the agreement with the County of Saratoga. Ayes – All Discussion and Vote: Recreation Department Templates (21-115) Mayor Kelly moved and Commissioner Dalton seconded to approve the Recreation Center ice rink program templates from the Recreation Commission. Ayes – All Discussion and Vote: Capital Budget Amendment for Geyser Road Trail (21-116) Mayor Kelly advised this is for the installation of bus stations at the intersection of Rt. 50 and Geyser Road. Mayor Kelly moved and Commissioner Madigan seconded to approve the capital budget amendment for Geyser Road Trail. Ayes – All Discussion and Vote: Approval to Pay Invoice to GPI for Geyser Road Trail Project (21-117) Mayor Kelly moved and Commissioner Madigan seconded to approve the payment of invoices to GPI for Geyser Road Trail project. Ayes – All Discussion and Vote: Mayor to Sign Change Order #3 – Wm Keller for Geyser Road Trail (21-118) Mayor Kelly moved and Commissioner Dalton seconded to approve William Keller change order #3 for the Geyser Road Trail. Ayes – All Announcement: UDO Final Draft Release Mayor Kelly announced the final draft of the UDO is scheduled to be released on April 19 th with a presentation with a presentation at the April 20th City Council meeting. Announcement: The Land Use Boards Seeks Interested People to Serve Mayor Kelly advised the land use boards are mayoral appointments. People who are interested in serving on one of the land use boards can complete the application on the City’s website. Proclamation: Celebration of National Community Development Week Mayor Kelly read the following proclamation into the record: A PROCLAMATION OF THE CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS, NEW YORK WHEREAS, in 1974 the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development implemented the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program for the purpose of providing local governments with resources to assist low and moderate income persons; and WHEREAS, since then the City of Saratoga Springs has administered the CDBG Program to identify, prioritize and resolve many pressing local problems. The Program has made a great impact in our city, creating jobs, funding housing and public building rehabilitation, building affordable housing, and establishing homelessness prevention initiatives, support services, and infrastructure improvements; and Page 7 of 12 City Council Meeting 4/6/2021 WHEREAS, this year the CDBG Program celebrates its 47th anniversary. Our city has been a participant for 27 of those years, and has received more than $11.5 million in CDBG funds, NOW, THEREFORE, I, MEG KELLY, Mayor of the City of Saratoga Springs, am pleased to join with my fellow Saratogians in expressing our appreciation to our own Community Development Department, and to all the agencies and individuals who work hard every day to bring the information and resources of the CDBG Program to our citizens. I hereby recognize and proclaim the week of April 5-9, 2021 as NATIONAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT WEEK. Proclamation: Bringing Awareness to Fair Housing Month Mayor Kelly read the following proclamation into the record: A PROCLAMATION OF THE CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS, NEW YORK WHEREAS, this April marks the 53rd anniversary of the passage of the Fair Housing Act of 1968, which sought to eliminate discrimination in housing opportunities and to affirmatively further housing choices for all Americans, regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or disability. Since then, New York State law has added further protections based on religion, marital status, sexual orientation, age and military status, and the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 added protections for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking; and WHEREAS, the ongoing struggle for dignity and housing opportunity is not the exclusive province of the Federal government. Vigorous local efforts to combat discrimination can be as effective or even more effective than Federal efforts; and WHEREAS, illegal barriers to equal opportunities in housing, no matter how subtle, diminish the rights and freedoms of every American. It is our obligation as free citizens to do our part in providing equal housing opportunities to all men and women, and to support both the letter and the spirit of State and Federal Fair Housing Laws, NOW, THEREFORE, I, MEG KELLY, Mayor of the City of Saratoga Springs, hereby recognize and proclaim the month of April 2021 as FAIR HOUSING MONTH. Mayor Kelly moved and Commissioner Dalton seconded to add an item to her agenda to make an alternate appointment to the Design Review Committee. (21-119) Ayes - All Appointment: Design Review Committee Mayor Kelly appointed Tad Roemer as an alternate to the Design Review Commission. ACCOUNTS DEPARTMENT Appointment: Barbara Brindisi as Commissioner of Deeds Commissioner Franck advised Barbara Brindisi is the new Assistant City Clerk in the Accounts Department. He appointed her as commissioner of deeds. FINANCE DEPARTMENT Update: City Finances Commissioner Madigan advised WNYT reported an agreement was reached on the state budget and she believes VLT money will be fully restored for the City of Saratoga Springs. The federal government delivered the Federal Rescue Plan. The City of Saratoga Springs has a $7.7 million dollar allocation from this plan. We are waiting from reimbursement for the Geyser Road Trail from the state. Our next potential cash flow crunch is June. She would like to hear from the departments how they are working with the current budget and meet with each department to see if any amendments are needed. Authorization for Mayor to Sign Addendum #3 with Crown Castle for Recreation Center Ethernet Commissioner Madigan pulled this item from her agenda. Page 8 of 12 City Council Meeting 4/6/2021 Discussion and Vote: Authorization for Mayor to Sign NYPA Master Cost Recovery Agreement for Energy Efficient Street Lights (21-120) Commissioner Madigan advised the City will bond $2,870,000. Commissioner Madigan moved and Mayor Kelly seconded to authorize the mayor to sign NYPA master cost recovery agreement for energy efficient streetlights as included with the agenda. Ayes – All Discussion and Vote: Budget Amendments – Capital Budget Geyser Road Trail (21-121) Commissioner Madigan moved and Commissioner Dalton seconded to approve budget amendments – capital budget Geyser Road Trail as included with the agenda. Roll Call: Commissioner Franck – Aye Commissioner Madigan – Aye Commissioner Scirocco – Aye Commissioner Dalton – Aye Mayor Kelly - Aye Discussion and Vote: Budget Amendments – Capital Budget for NYPA Master Cost Recovery Agreement for Energy Efficient Street Lights (21-122) Commissioner Madigan moved and Mayor Kelly seconded to approve budget amendments – capital budget for NYPA Master Cost Recovery agreement for energy efficient streetlights. Roll Call: Commissioner Franck – Aye Commissioner Madigan – Aye Commissioner Scirocco – Aye Commissioner Dalton – Aye Mayor Kelly - Aye Discussion and Vote: Budget Amendments – Benefits (21-123) Commissioner Madigan moved and Commissioner Dalton seconded to approve budget amendments – benefits as included with the agenda. Ayes – All Discussion: Budget Transfers – Benefits (21-124) Commissioner Madigan moved and Commissioner Dalton seconded to approve budget transfers – benefits as included with the agenda. Ayes – All Discussion and Vote: Budget Transfers – Payroll (21-125) Commissioner Madigan moved and Commissioner Dalton seconded to approve budget transfers – payroll as included with the agenda. Ayes - All Page 9 of 12 City Council Meeting 4/6/2021 PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT Discussion and Vote: Approval to Pay Invoices #5402217699, 5402219095, 5402173892 to Morton Salt in the Amount of $21,441.34 (21-126) Commissioner Scirocco moved and Commissioner Dalton seconded to approve payment of invoices #5402217699, 5402219095, 5402173892 to Morton Salt in the amount of $21,441.34. Ayes – All Discussion and Vote: Approval to Pay Invoices to Mahoney Notify-Plus, Inc., in the Total Amount of $4,596.25 (21-127) Commissioner Scirocco moved and Commissioner Franck seconded to approve to pay invoices to Mahoney Notify-Plus, Inc. in the amount of $4,596.25. Ayes – All Discussion and Vote: Canfield Casino Rental Agreement (21-128) Commissioner Scirocco moved and Commissioner Madigan seconded to approve the revised Canfield Casino rental agreement. Ayes – All Announcement: Yard Debris Notice Commissioner Scirocco announced leaf and lawn clippings must be placed in a bag or re-usable bin beginning May 15th. PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENT Set Public Hearing: Amend Chapter 225, Section 225-81 of the City Code Commissioner Dalton set a public hearing for Tuesday, April 20, 2021 at 6:55 p.m. Set Public Hearing: Amend Chapter 225, Section 225-94 of the City Code Commissioner Dalton set a public hearing for Tuesday, April 20, 2021 at 6:55 p.m. Discussion and Vote: Authorization for Mayor to Sign Contract with Saratoga County for Reimbursement of COVID Vaccinations (21-129) Commissioner Dalton moved and Commissioner Madigan seconded to authorize the mayor to sign the contract with Saratoga County. Ayes – All Discussion and Vote: Authorization for Mayor to Sign MOU with Upstate Concierge Medicine, PLLC (21- 130) Commissioner Dalton moved and Commissioner Madigan seconded to authorize the mayor to sign MOU with Upstate Concierge Medicine. Ayes – All Page 10 of 12 City Council Meeting 4/6/2021 Discussion and Vote: Authorization for Mayor to Sign Lease Agreement with Ricoh (21-131) Commissioner Dalton moved and Commissioner Madigan seconded to authorize the mayor to sign lease agreement with Ricoh. Ayes – All Discussion and Vote: Authorization for the Mayor to Sign Agreement with Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga, Inc. (21-132) Commissioner Dalton moved and Commissioner Madigan seconded to authorize the mayor to sign agreement with Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga. Ayes - All SUPERVISORS Matt Veitch Buildings & Grounds Committee Update Supervisor Veitch reported the auction for 31 Woodlawn Avenue building has opened. This will run through April 28th. Information can be found at auctionsinternational.com website. Government Review and Efficiency Update Supervisor Veitch reported they are working on three projects: rewrite of the code of ethics; consolidating and reviewing County codes and local laws; and records management and retention. Tara Gaston COVID-19 Update Supervisor Gaston reported the 7-day rolling positivity is 3.2%. Vaccination numbers look good with at least 40% of the county has at least one dose of the vaccine. We have had one additional death in the County and have 23 hospitalized. Today is the first day 16 and 17 year olds are eligible for vaccines with parental permission. Health & Social Services Committee Supervisor Gaston reported they discussed the potential social center to create something like the old Friendship House. They are working with Pitney Farms to develop a commercial kitchen to be used by individuals for small businesses and to teach people how to cook. Technology & Resiliency Committee Supervisor Gaston reported they are looking to updates to the County website. They will also be working on a resiliency plan and how they respond to a crisis within the County. Page 11 of 12 City Council Meeting 4/6/2021 ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Mayor Kelly adjourned the meeting at 8:17 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Lisa Ribis Clerk Approved: 4/20/2021 Vote: 5 - 0 Page 12 of 12