City Council

January 4, 2022 CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS City Council Meeting 474 Broadway Saratoga Springs, New York 7:00 PM P.H. – Weibel Avenue PUD Amendment 7:00 PM CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL SALUTE TO FLAG PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD / 15 MINUTES PRESENTATION CONSENT AGENDA 1. Approval of 10/19/21 City Council Meeting Transcript 2. Approval of 10/5/21 City Council Meeting Transcript 3. Approval of 11/1/21 City Council Meeting Transcript 4. Approval of 12/20/21 Pre-Agenda Meeting Transcript 5. Approval of 12/7/2021 City Council Meeting Transcript 6. Approval of 12/9/21 City Council Meeting/UDO Transcript 7. Approval of 9/21/21 City council Meeting Transcript 8. Approval of 9/7/21 City Council Meeting Transcript 9. Approve Warrant – 2021 21DEC3 $230,994.91 10. Approve Warrant – 2022 22JAN1 $171,302.32 MAYOR’S DEPARTMENT 1. Announcement: Deputy Mayor 2. Announcement: City Attorney 3. Announcement: Establishment of Infrastructure Committee ACCOUNTS DEPARTMENT 1. Announcement: Deputy Commissioner of Accounts 2. Announcement: Establishment of Office Hours 3. Discussion and Vote: Authorization for Mayor to Sign Contract with ANP Transcriptions for Transcript Services 4. Award of Bid: Horticulture Supplies to Dehn’s Flowers City Council Meeting 1/4/2022 5. Discussion and Vote: Resolution – Extension Senior and Individual s with Disabilities and Limited Income Exemption (Opt-in) FINANCE DEPARTMENT 1. Announcement: Deputy Commissioner of Finance 2. Remarks: Inauguration Comments PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT 1. Announcement: Deputy Commissioner of Public Works 2. Announcement: Commemorating the Work of Thomas McTygue on the Carousel in Congress Park 3. Remarks: Inauguration Comments PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENT 1. Announcement: Deputy Commissioner of Public Safety 2. Remarks: Inauguration Comments 3. Discussion and Vote: Authorization for the Mayor to Sign and Send a Letter to the Saratoga County District Attorney Regarding a Grand Jury Investigation Pursuant to Criminal Procedure Law Article 180 Re: the Darryl Mount Matter 4. Set Public Hearing: Creation of a Civilian Review Board in Accordance with the Recommendations of the Police Reform Task Force SUPERVISORS Matt Veitch 1. Remarks 2. Board of Supervisors Organizational Meeting January 5, 2022 Tara Gaston 1. COVID-19 Update 2. Remarks ADJOURN Page 2 of 8 City Council Meeting 1/4/2022 January 4, 2022 CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS City Council Meeting 474 Broadway Saratoga Springs, New York 7:00 PM PRESENT: Ron Kim, Mayor Minita Sanghvi, Commissioner of Finance Dillon Moran, Commissioner of Accounts Anthony Scirocco, Commissioner of DPW Jim Montagnino, Commissioner of DPS STAFF PRESENT: Angela Rella, Deputy Mayor Heather Crocker, Deputy Commissioner of Finance Joe O’Neill, Deputy Commissioner, DPW Jason Tetu, Deputy Commissioner, DPS Matthew Veitch, Supervisor Tara Gaston, Supervisor EXCUSED: Stacy Connors, Deputy Commissioner, Accounts 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 HEARING Weibel Avenue PUD Amendment Mayor Kim opened the public comment period at 6:55 p.m. No one spoke. Mayor Kim concluded the public hearing at 7:00 p.m. and left it open. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Kim called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Page 3 of 8 City Council Meeting 1/4/2022 PUBLIC COMMENT Mayor Kim advised there are new rules to public comment. People have 2 minutes to use or lose it. He asked all to be kind; we are a community. He also asked the speakers to be factual. The Council members may respond if they choose. He will also be starting a question period at the end of the City Council meeting. The public must register to present their questions. Mayor Kim opened the public comment period at 7:02 p.m. Nora Brennan Saratoga Springs congratulated the Council. She stated a resolution was passed last year regarding systemic racism. The words are nice but actions are better. Without action, there is no respect. Angela Kaufman of Saratoga suggested that some people don’t have access to internet and some people disabilities that don’t allow them to submit questions on line. Please think about providing these people with the ability to have another format to submit questions. She appreciates the commitment to investigating Darryl Mount’s death. She asked the Council to demand the district attorney drop all charges related to the July 14th protest. Samira Sangare of Halfmoon congratulated the Council. She stated that just because they have relations with them doesn’t mean they are not going to hold them to the same standards. Lexis Figuereo of Saratoga Springs congratulated the Council. He thanked the Council for not having the public be met by five police officers; it sets a different tone. Now, maybe they can have conversations without shutting the streets down. He hopes they keep their campaign promises. Lisa Barbarino of Saratoga Springs congratulated the Council. She stated as a teacher they just went through diversity training. Mayor Kim closed the public comment period at 7:12 p.m. CONSENT AGENDA Commissioner Montagnino moved and Commissioner Moran seconded to approve the consent agenda as follows: 1. Approval of 10/19/2021 City Council Meeting Transcript 2. Approval of 10/5/2021 City Council Meeting Transcript 3. Approval of 11/1/2021 City Council Meeting Transcript 4. Approval of 12/20/2021 Pre-Agenda Meeting Transcript 5. Approval of 12/7/2021 City Council Meeting Transcript 6. Approval of 12/9/2021 City Council Meeting/UDO Transcript 7. Approval of 9/21/2021 City Council Meeting Transcript 8. Approval of 9/7/2021 City Council Meeting Transcript 9. Approve Warrant – 2021 21DEC3 $230,994.91 10. Approve Warrant – 2022 22JAN1 $171,302.32 Ayes – All MAYOR’S DEPARTMENT Announcement: Deputy Mayor Mayor Kim announced the appointment of Angela Rella as deputy mayor. Announcement: City Attorney Page 4 of 8 City Council Meeting 1/4/2022 Mayor Kim announced they looked at legal services in the City and how it can be improved. They expect to have a plan within the next week to make things more effective and be more effective. Announcement: Establishment of Infrastructure Committee Mayor Kim announced the federal government has passed a plan regarding infrastructure. He is going to reach out to the community to find out what they think we should be looking at. He appointed former mayor Joanne Yepsen to chair this committee and asked each Council member to appoint someone. ACCOUNTS DEPARTMENT Announcement: Deputy Commissioner of Accounts Commissioner Moran announced the appointment of Stacy Connors as his deputy commissioner. As the public is aware, Stacy joined the department a few weeks ago to assist with the transition. Announcement: Establishment of Office Hours Commissioner Moran announced he will hold office hours every Saturday. People need to contact Deputy Commissioner Connors to pre-register. Discussion and Vote: Authorization for Mayor to Sign Contract with ANP Transcriptions for Transcript Services (22-001) Commissioner Moran advised that New York State law states a transcript is required of a meeting when the meeting is held via Zoom. In the event the City returns to City Council meetings via Zoom, this contract will be in place to provide transcriptions of those meetings. Commissioner Moran moved and Commissioner Montagnino seconded to authorize the mayor to sign a contract with ANP Transcriptions for transcription services, not to exceed $10,000 for the year 2022 and as included with the agenda. Ayes - All Award of Bid: Horticulture Supplies to Dehn’s Flowers (22-002) Commissioner Moran moved and Commissioner Scirocco seconded to award the bid for Horticulture Supplies to Dehn’s Flowers for an amount not to exceed line appropriations and according to unit bid price. Ayes - All Discussion and Vote: Resolution – Extension Senior and Individuals with Disabilities and Limited Income Exemption (Opt-in) (22-003) Commissioner Moran advised this resolution makes it possible for senior citizens and persons with disabilities to have their 2022 property tax exemptions renewed without filing a renewal application. The last line of the resolution has been changed to read, “A copy of this resolution shall be forwarded to the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors and Saratoga County Real Property Tax Services.” The resolution is as follows: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS, NEW YORK Page 5 of 8 City Council Meeting 1/4/2022 EXTENSION OF SENIOR AND INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES AND LIMITED INCOME EXEMPTION (OPT-IN) BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of Saratoga Springs, New York as follows: WHEREAS, the state disaster emergency has resulted in limited hours in municipal offices or limited staffing requirements and rendered seniors and individuals with disabilities homebound; and WHEREAS, many seniors and individuals with disabilities do not have the ability to file their real property tax exemption applications in person due to safety precautions and lack the ability to file such applications online; and WHEREAS, Governor Kathy Hochul has issued Executive Order 11.1 declaring a disaster emergency in the State of New York, which grants local governments the ability to adopt a resolution extending the exemption status for those seniors and individuals with disabilities entitled to certain real property tax exemptions. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED as follows: 1. That the City Council shall extend the 2021 exemption status for subdivisions 7, 7-a and 8 of section 459-c, subdivisions 5, 5-a, 5-b, 5-c and 6 of section 467 of the Real Property Tax Law, as to allow those individuals receiving the senior exemption and those persons with disabilities and limited income exemptions through 2022 without requirement of a renewal application. 2. The extension is subject to an exception which may require a renewal application, if it is believed that an owner of real property had previously qualified for the 2021 exemption and has since changed their primary residence, added another owner to the deed, transferred the property to a new owner or the owner has died. 3. A copy of this resolution shall be forwarded to the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors and Saratoga County Real Property Tax Services. Commissioner Moran moved and Commissioner Sanghvi seconded to adopt the resolution – Extension of Senior and Individuals with Disabilities and Limited Income Exemption (Opt-in) as described. Ayes – All FINANCE DEPARTMENT Announcement: Deputy Commissioner of Finance Commissioner Sanghvi announced she has appointed Heather Crocker as her deputy commissioner. Remarks: Inauguration Comments Commissioner Sanghvi thanked her family, friends, and volunteers. She will give this position her best. Her goal is to strive for greater civic engagement, accountability, and transparency. She also provided a short synopsis of the City’s fiscal status. PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT Announcement: Deputy Commissioner of Public Works Commissioner Scirocco announced he re-appointed Joe O’Neill as deputy commissioner. Joe has been in this position since 2017. Announcement: Commemorating the Work of Thomas McTygue on the Carousel in Congress Park Commissioner Scirocco stated the carousel has been enjoyed by all for 20 years. It is appropriate that the City recognize Tom for his efforts with a commemoration and a plaque for his efforts. This carousel was originally located in Kayderosseras Park. Tom led the charge to purchase it for $150,000 in 1987. A community disagreement started regarding the placement of the carousel. In 2001, DRC approved the carousel in Congress Park. Remarks: Inauguration Comments Commissioner Scirocco thanked the voters for his re-election. Page 6 of 8 City Council Meeting 1/4/2022 PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENT Announcement: Deputy Commissioner of Public Safety Commissioner Montagnino announced he appointed Jason Tetu as his deputy. Remarks: Inauguration Comments Commissioner Montagnino stated it is time to act. He is humbled and grateful to be able to service. The report he promised regarding Darryl Mount has been delayed due to being hospitalized with COVID. He plans to have a report ready for mid-February. Discussion and Vote: Authorization for the Mayor to Sign and Send a Letter to the Saratoga County District Attorney Regarding a Grand Jury Investigation Pursuant to Criminal Procedure Law Article 180 Re: the Darryl Mount Matter (22-004) Commissioner Montagnino advised this will provide for a non-criminal investigation. The district attorney is the only person able to do this under New York State law. Commissioner Montagnino moved and Commissioner Moran seconded to authorize the mayor to sign and send a letter. Ayes – All Set Public Hearing: Creation of a Civilian Review Board in Accordance with the Recommendations of the Police Reform Task Force Commissioner Montagnino set a public hearing for Tuesday, February 1, 2022 at 6:30 p.m. SUPERVISORS Matt Veitch Remarks Supervisor Veitch congratulated the council on their elections and wished all a happy new year. He made remarks he planned to make at the inauguration. The issue of the homeless continues in our City. They all share a common goal to make the City the best it can be. 2022 County Organizational Meeting, January 5, 2022 Supervisor Veitch reported the County’s organizational meeting will be held tomorrow at 4 p.m. They will elect their chair and vice-chair of the Board of Supervisors and he will be assigned to committees. Tara Gaston COVID-19 Update Supervisor Gaston reported the positivity rate is running at 20 – 22%. The positivity rate is no longer helpful so they are looking at hospitalizations as a better measure. The County received KN95 masks from the state. They are giving the City 19,000 of those masks. The City also received today a small number of home rapid COVID tests. They will distribute these tests this Saturday at Geyser Road Elementary from 1 – 3 p.m. You must show proof of city residency. Page 7 of 8 City Council Meeting 1/4/2022 Remarks Supervisor Gaston reported she is looking forward to the new administration. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Sanghvi moved and Commissioner Moran seconded to adjourn the meeting at 8:10 p.m. Ayes - All Respectfully submitted, Lisa Ribis Clerk Approved: 1/18/2022 Vote: 4 - 0 Page 8 of 8