City Council

September 8, 2022 CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS City Council Meeting 474 Broadway 12:00 PM (via Zoom) 12:00 PM CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL SALUTE TO FLAG PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD / 15 MINUTES CONSENT AGENDA 1. Nothing at this time. MAYOR’S DEPARTMENT 1. Nothing at this time. ACCOUNTS DEPARTMENT 1. Nothing at this time. FINANCE DEPARTMENT 1. Discussion and Vote: Rescind Warrant 2022, 22SEP1 $1,811,755.61 Approved 9/6/2022 2. Discussion and Vote: Warrant 2022, 22SEP1 $1,809,755.61 3. Discussion and Vote: Warrant 2022, ADAC $2,000 PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT 1. Discussion and Vote: Resolution for WIIA Grant Application for Waterline Improvement Project 2. Discussion and Vote: Resolution for WIIA Grant Application for Waterline Improvement Project - SEQRA PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENT 1. Nothing at this time. SUPERVISORS 1. Nothing at this time. ADJOURN City Council Meeting September 8, 2022 September 8, 2022 CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS City Council Meeting 474 Broadway 12:00 PM (via Zoom) PRESENT: Ron Kim, Mayor Minita Sanghvi, Commissioner of Finance Dillon Moran, Commissioner of Accounts Jason Golub, Commissioner of Department of Public Works Jim Montagnino, Commissioner of Department of Public Safety STAFF PRESENT: Angela Rella, Deputy Mayor Heather Crocker, Deputy Commissioner, Finance Stacy Connors, Deputy Commissioner, Accounts Jason Tetu, Deputy Commissioner, DPS EXCUSED: Joe O’Neill, Deputy Commissioner, DPW 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. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Kim called the meeting to order at 12:07 p.m. FINANCE DEPARTMENT Discussion and Vote: Rescind Warrant 2022, 22SEP1 $1,811,755.61 Approved 9/6/2022 (22-400) Commissioner Sanghvi advised a warrant was prepared by the Accounts Department with the name 22SEP1 for $1,811,755.61. The amount of the warrant certified at the September 6, 2022 City Council meeting was for $1,809,755.61. One vendor was inadvertently imputed with the warrant name ADAC for $2,000. The warrant titled 22SEP1 for $1,811,755.61 needs to be rescinded and the City Council needs to approve two separate warrants – 22SEP1 for $1,809,755.61 and ADAC for $2,000. Correcting this will create a proper audit trail. Commissioner Sanghvi moved and Commissioner Moran seconded to rescind warrant 22SEP1 for $1,811,755.61 which was approved on September 6, 2022. Page 2 of 5 City Council Meeting September 8, 2022 Ayes – All Discussion and Vote: Warrant 2022, 22SEP1 $1,809,755.61 (22-401) Commissioner Sanghvi moved and Commissioner Moran seconded to approve warrant 2022 22SEP for $1,809,755.61. Ayes - All Discussion and Vote: Warrant 2022, ADAC $2,000 (22-402) Commissioner Sanghvi moved and Commissioner Moran seconded to approve warrant 2022 ADAC for $2,000. Ayes – All PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT Discussion and Vote: Resolution for WIIA Grant Application for Waterline Improvement Project (22-403) Commissioner Golub advised the grant consultant notified them that an addition resolution was required for the grant application for the waterline improvement project. The new resolution has been distributed with the agenda an e-mailed to each Council member. Commissioner Golub moved and Commissioner Moran seconded to approve the resolution for the WIIA grant application for waterline improvement project. Mayor Kim stated he is not sure this needs to be approved, as this is just to apply for the grant. Legal has not had a chance to look at it. He is not comfortable voting as this as he has not looked at this. Commissioner Golub stated that is fine with him as long as they can get the application in tomorrow. Mayor Kim stated Tina Carton also has some concerns with this. Commissioner Golub stated this was on the last agenda and asked that the city attorney look at these and bring forward any concerns beforehand. Bringing up concerns at this point is problematic. Tony Izzo, city attorney advised there was an application for a grant made last year without being put to a Council vote and if it was approved then it went to Council for a vote. Commissioner Moran stated if a Council member makes an application for a grant, the City receives the money for grant, then brings it to the Council for approval and it is voted down; doesn’t that make the City look bad? This would be a waste of everyone’s time. Commissioner Golub advised this is the same resolution approved Tuesday night but this is for the waterline. He asked Tony Izzo if anything in this resolution gives him pause. Commissioner Moran asked if this grant requires matching funds. Commissioner Golub advised matching funds are required. Commissioner Moran stated if the City is making a commitment of matching funds, the Council should give approval. If no funds are required, then he can see the mayor’s point. Commissioner Moran asked what the matching funds would be if the City got this grant. Page 3 of 5 City Council Meeting September 8, 2022 Commissioner Golub advised the City agrees to provide the balance of the project not provided by grants through bonding or other means. This is an eight or nine million project. Ayes – All Resolution is as follows: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY WHEREAS, the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation (NYS EFC) provides grants to assist municipalities in funding water quality infrastructure projects that protect or improve water quality and/ or protect public health; and WHEREAS, the City of Saratoga Springs is responsible for the collection, filtration and distribution of drinking water in the City and has identified a need for the upgrade and replacement of water mains along Clement Avenue, First Street, Greenfield Avenue, Alger Street, Clinton Street, State Street, and Third Street; and WHEREAS, the City of Saratoga Springs is submitting an application to the NYS EFC Water Infrastructure Improvement Act (WIIA) Grant Program in an effort to secure 2022 NYS Water Grant funding assistance for a total estimated project cost not to exceed $5 Million; and WHEREAS, the City of Saratoga Springs would finance the non-grant portion of the project through bonding or other means; and WHEREAS, the City of Saratoga Springs does not currently have the funding to pay for 100% of the capital upgrades to the water mains and it is necessary to obtain New York State funding assistance for this important water infrastructure project. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS, NEW YORK: 1. That the Mayor, or approved representative, is authorized to submit a City of Saratoga Springs Water Grant application to the NYS Environmental Facilities Corporation for a total estimated project cost not to exceed $5 Million; and 2. The City agrees to contribute local matching funds for the balance of the Project cost not provided by grants, through bonding or other means; and 3. Upon award notification, that the Mayor, or approved representative, is authorized to execute the grant assistance contract, submit project documentation, and otherwise act on all matters related to the project and state assistance; and 4. That the City Comptroller is authorized to create a capital expense account, recognize grant revenue, and appropriate the funds into the correct capital project budget. 5. That this resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption. Discussion and Vote: Resolution for WIIA Grant Application for Waterline Improvement Project – SEQRA (22-404) Commissioner Golub advised the grant consultant advised there is an additional line that needs to be added to the resolution. The revised resolution has been distributed to each Council member and attached to this agenda. Commissioner Golub moved and Commissioner Moran seconded to approve and adopt the revised resolution for the WIIA grant application for waterline improvement project. The resolution is as follows: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY WHEREAS, the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation (NYS EFC) provides grants to assist municipalities in funding water quality infrastructure projects that protect or improve water quality and/ or protect public health; and WHEREAS, the City of Saratoga Springs is responsible for the collection, filtration and distribution of drinking water in the City and has identified a need for the upgrade and replacement of water mains along Clement Avenue, Frist Street, Greenfield Avenue, Alger Street, Clinton Street, State Street, and Third Street. WHEREAS, the City of Saratoga Springs is submitting an application to the NYS EFC Water Infrastructure Improvement Act (WIIA) Grant Program in an effort to secure 2022 NYS Water Grant funding assistance for a total estimated project cost not to exceed $5 Million; and WHEREAS, the WIIA Grant Program requires that applicants must comply with the requirements of the State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) Act. WHEREAS, pursuant to Title 6. Department of Environmental Conservation, of the Official Compilation of New York Codes, Rules, and Regulations (NYCRR), Part 617. (c) (2) of the State Environmental Quality Review lists the “replacement, rehabilitation or reconstruction of a structure or facility, in kind, on the same site, including upgrading buildings to meet building, energy, or fire codes unless such action meets or exceeds any of the thresholds in section 617.4 of this Part” as a Type II Action. WHEREAS, the proposed action does not meet or exceed any of the thresholds in section 617.4 of NYCRR. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS, NEW YORK: Page 4 of 5 City Council Meeting September 8, 2022 1. The water main pipe replacement project constitutes a Type II action pursuant to Title 6 NYCRR Part 617.5 (c) (2). 2. That this resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption. Mayor Kim asked the city attorney if he is okay with this resolution as he has not seen this SEQRA resolution or an opportunity to review. Commissioner Golub explained this was on the last agenda and just has one line added. Tony Izzo advised if this is a SERQA finding and one or more Council has not had a chance to review, it shouldn’t be voted upon if not reviewed. Mayor Kim asked if the second part is required to go forward with the application. Commissioner Golub confirmed it is. Commissioner Moran confirmed this resolution just confirms the Council will comply with SEQRA. Commissioner Golub stated that is correct. Ayes – 4 Abstention – 1 (Mayor Kim) Commissioner Moran asked for all Council members to not add items to their agendas after a pre-agenda meeting. That will go a long way to resolving some of these issues and provide time to review documents. ADJOURN There being no further business, Mayor Kim adjourned the meeting at 12:28 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Lisa Ribis Secretary to the City Council Approved: 11/15/2022 Vote: 5 - 0 Page 5 of 5