City Council

November 21, 2023 CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS City Council Meeting 4 74 Broadway Saratoga Springs, New York 6:00PM 7:00 P.M. - P.H. - Amend Chapter 136 - Outdoor Dining (Accounts Item #7) P.H. - Weibel Avenue PUD Amendment (Accounts Item #6) P.H. - Amend Chapter 225 to Remove Time Limit Parking Signs on Joseph Street {Mayor's Item #9) 6:00 PM CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL SALUTE TO FLAG PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD/ 15 MINUTES CONSENT AGENDA 1. Approval of 11/13/2023 City Council Meeting Minutes 2. Approval of 11/6/2023 Pre-Agenda Meeting Minutes 3. Approval of 11/8/2023 City Council Meeting Minutes 4. Approve Mid-Warrant 2023, 23MWNOV2 $120,740.99 5. Approve Warrant 2023, 23NOV2 $539,942.96 6. Approve Payroll 11/03/2023 $967,571.56 7. Approve Payroll 11/09/2023 $478,017.03 8. Approve Payroll 11/17/2023 $757,063.54 9. Approve Budget Transfers - Fire Department 10. Approve Budget Transfers - Regular 11. Approve Budget Amendments - Recreation MAYOR'S DEPARTMENT 1. Mayor's Recognition: Saratoga Springs High School Girls Varsity Tennis Team 2. Announcement: Appointment of Seamus Brody to Open Space Advisory Committee 3. Announcement: Appointment of Otis Maxwell to Zoning Board of Appeals 4. Announcement: Appointment of Pamela Polacsek to Community Development Citizen Advisory Committee 5. Announcement: Appointment of Ria Curley to Saratoga Springs Arts Commission 6. Announcement: Appointment of Mark Pingel as Chair of Planning Board 7. Announcement: Appointment of Sarah Burger as Alternate to Planning Board 8. Announcement: CDBG Application Opens December 1st City Council Meeting 11/21/2023 9. Announcement: Homelessness Task Force Meeting is Monday, November 27th at 6:00 p.m. in the Music Hall 10. Discussion and Vote: Amend Chapter 225 - Remove Time Limit Parking on Joseph Street 11. Discussion and Vote: Authorization to Submit Grant Application to the Capital Region Transportation Council 12. Discussion and Vote: Authorization for Mayor to Sign Change Order 7 with Callanan Industries for Missing Links 13. Discussion and Vote: Authorization to Accept County Trail Grant Award for Railroad Run Lighting Project 14. Discussion and Vote: Authorization to Pay Delta Development Invoice in the Amount of $51.15 ACCOUNTS DEPARTMENT 1. Award of Bid: Compliance Audit Services 2. Announcement: Business Milestones 3. Announcement: Special Events 4. Appointment: Mark Graham as Commissioner of Deeds 5. Announcement: Downtown Advisory Committee Update 6. Discussion and Vote: SEQRA Evaluation for Weibel Avenue PUD Extension 7. Discussion and Vote: Adopt Weibel Avenue PUD Extension 8. Award of Bid: Extension of Bid for Landfill Operation, Monitoring, and Maintenance 9. Award of Bid: Fire Suppression Services to SRI Fire Sprinkler, LLC 10. Award of Bid: Professional Services for Veteran's Memorial Field House to CHA Consulting, Inc. 11. Discussion and Vote: Amend Chapter 136 of the City Code Articles IV, IVA, V, VI, and VII FINANCE DEPARTMENT 1. Announcement: Update City Finances 2. Announcement: Participatory Budgeting Cycle Two Update 3. Discussion and Vote: Budget Transfers - Payroll & Benefits 4. Discussion and Vote: Budget Amendments - Payroll & Benefits PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT 1. Discussion and Vote: Authorization for Mayor to Sign Contract with CHA Consulting for Professional Services for Veterans Memorial Park and Field House 2. Discussion and Vote: Authorization for Mayor to Sign Contract with SRI Fire Sprinkler, LLC for Fire Suppression Services 3. Discussion and Vote: Approval to Pay Invoice #VSW2023-1 to Saratoga Downtown Business Association in the Amount of $3,000 4. Discussion and Vote: Approval to Pay Invoice #2023-101 to BriteBiz.com 5. Discussion and Vote: Authorization for Mayor to Sign Application to Renew Saratoga's Tree City USA Recognition 2023 PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENT 1. Announcement: Fire Station 3 Update 2. Set Public Hearing: Amend Chapter 225, Article IX, Section 225-79 SUPERVISORS Matthew Veitch 1. Saratoga County Budget Update 2. Funds for DPW Capital Transportation Improvements Page 2 of 12 City Council Meeting 11/21/2023 Tara Gaston 1. Public Health Trends 2. Saratoga County Funds Distribution ADJOURN Page 3 of 12 City Council Meeting 11/21/2023 November 21, 2023 CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS City Council Meeting 4 74 Broadway Saratoga Springs, New York 6:00PM PRESENT: Ron Kim, Mayor Dillon Moran, Commissioner of Accounts Jason Golub, Commissioner of Department of Public Works Jim Montagnino, Commissioner of Department of Public Safety STAFF PRESENT: Heather Crocker, Deputy Commissioner of Finance Stacy Connors, Deputy Commissioner, Accounts Joe O'Neill, Deputy Commissioner of Public Works Matthew Veitch, Supervisor (arrived at 7:14 p.m.) Tara Gaston, Supervisor EXCUSED: Minita Sanghvi, Commissioner of Finance Angela Rella, Deputy Mayor Jason Tetu, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Public Safety 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 6:02 p.m. CONSENT AGENDA Commissioner Golub moved and Commissioner Moran seconded to approve the consent agenda as attached. 1. Approval of 11/13/2023 City Council Meeting Minutes 2. Approval of 11/6/2023 Pre-Agenda Meeting Minutes 3. Approval of 11/8/2023 City Council Meeting Minutes 4. Approve Mid-Warrant 2023, 23MWNOV2 $120,740.99 5. Approve Warrant 2023, 23NOV2 $539,942.96 6. Approve Payroll 11/03/2023 $967,571.56 7. Approve Payroll 11/09/2023 $478,017.03 Page 4 of 12 City Council Meeting 11/21/2023 8. Approve Payroll 11/17/2023 $757,063.54 9. Approve Budget Transfers - Fire Department 10. Approve Budget Transfers - Regular 11. Approve Budget Amendments - Recreation Ayes - All (Commissioner Moran, Commissioner Golub, Commissioner Montagnino, and Mayor Kim) Nays- O SUPERVISORS Tara Gaston Public Health Trends Supervisor Gaston reported the flu, RSV, and COVID are increasing in Saratoga County. If experiencing any symptoms of these, people should isolate. Saratoga County Funds Distribution Supervisor Gaston reported a donation of $25,000 will be made to Saratoga PRIDE. This will allow them to create additional programs for the youth. MAYOR'S DEPARTMENT (part 1) Mayor's Recognition: Saratoga Springs High School Girls Tennis Team Mayor Kim introduced Tim O'Brien and Kevin Krotty, coaches of the Saratoga Springs High School girls' tennis team. The team is undefeated. The coaches introduced the members of the team. Announcement: Appointment of Seamus Brody to Open Space Advisory Committee Mayor Kim appointed Seamus Brody to the Open Space Advisory Committee. His term will run from 11/21/23 - 11/21/28. Announcement: Appointment of Otis Maxwell to Zoning Board of Appeals Mayor Kim appointed Otis Maxwell to the Zoning Board of Appeals. His term will run from 11/21/23- 12/31/27 and will be replacing Emily Birkman. Announcement: Appointment of Pamela Polacsek to Community Development Citizen Advisory Committee Mayor Kim appointed Pamela Polacsek to the Community Development Citizen Advisory Committee. Her term will run from 11/21/23 - 6/30/26. This is a re-appointment. Announcement: Appointment of Ria Curley to Saratoga Springs Arts Commission Mayor Kim appointed Ria Curley to the Saratoga Springs Arts Commission. Her term will run from 11/21/23 - 10/31/2025. This is a re-appointment. Announcement: Appointment of Mark Pingel as Chair of Planning Board Page 5 of 12 City Council Meeting 11/21/2023 Mayor Kim appointed Mark Pingel as chair of the Planning Board effective 11/21/23. Announcement: Appointment of Sarah Burger as Alternate to Planning Board Mayor Kim pulled this item from his agenda. Announcement: CDBG Application Opens December 1st Mayor Kim announced the CDBG application process opens on December 1, 2023 and will run through January 31, 2024. Announcement: Homelessness Task Force Meeting is Monday, November 27th at 6:00 p.m. in the Music Hall Mayor Kim announced the Homelessness Task Force will meet on Monday, November 27 at 6 p.m. in the Music Hall. They will be reviewing the final report. ACCOUNTS DEPARTMENT (part 1) Announcement: Business Milestones Commissioner Moran announced and congratulated Saratoga Arms in celebrating 25 years in business. Commissioner Moran announced and congratulated Sweet Mimi in celebrating 10 years in business. Announcement: Special Events Commissioner Moran announced the following special events: • Thursday, November 23, 2023 - Christopher Dailey Turkey Trot annual SK fundraiser for the Christopher Dailey Foundation. Start time is 8:30 a.m. in front of City Hall. • Thursday, November 30, 2023 - Victorian Street Walk from 6 - 9 p.m. Broadway will be closed from Ellsworth Jones Place to Washington Street. • Saturday, December 2, 2023 - Grafters Gallery Retired Thoroughbred Visit from 1-3 p.m. Therapeutic Horses of Saratoqa will be visitinq with two of their horses in front of the store, helping to raise awareness/fundraise for the Retired Thoroughbred Foundation. Appointment: Mark Graham as Commissioner of Deeds Commissioner Moran appointed Mark Graham as a commissioner of deeds. Announcement: Downtown Advisory Committee Update Commissioner Moran announced the first meeting was in January 2023. The goal is to facilitate a comprehensive communication and safety plan. Commissioner Moran chairs this Committee with Todd Shimkus. The work between the Police Department and the community is essential to the safety of the community. Commissioner Moran will look to codify things learned this past year within Chapter 136 licensing process. As technology is identified, the Committee will look to implement it. FINANCE DEPARTMENT (part 1) Mayor Kim will present the Finance Department agenda on behalf of Commissioner Sanghvi in her absence. Announcement: Update City Finances Page 6 of 12 City Council Meeting 11/21/2023 Mayor Kim announced $13.8 million in sales tax has been collected year to date with the projected amount being $18.1 million; mortgage tax collected year to date is $1.7 million, which is down $318,000 from the revised budget, and occupancy tax collected to date is $603,000, which is also down. Announcement: Participatory Budgeting Cycle Two Update Mayor Kim announced voting for participatory budget cycle two is coming soon. Voting is scheduled for December 2 through December 10. All information can be found on the City's website. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY (part 1) Announcement: Update of Fire Station 3 Commissioner Montagnino advised the training facility in station 3 is currently in use. The concrete aprons leading up to the bays have developed cracks. It has been determined the cracks go all the way through the eight inches of the concrete. An e-mail has been received from Hueber Breuer regarding the concrete aprons and advised of the remedial work plan. Remedial work will be done at no cost to the City and will take approximately two weeks to complete. A curing time of 27 days must occur prior to a heavy load being able to go over the aprons. Commissioner Moran asked if a reason was given as to why the aprons failed. Commissioner Montagnino advised there are competing theories. Set Public Hearing: Amend Chapter 225, Article IX, Section 225 -79 Commissioner Montagnino set a public hearing for Tuesday, December 5, 2023. Mayor Kim recessed the meeting at 6:34 p.m. Mayor Kim called the meeting back in order at 6:59 p.m. PUBLIC HEARINGS Amend Chapter 136 - Outdoor Dining Mayor Kim opened the public hearing at 6:59 p.m. Sam Brewer of Saratoga Springs stated he appreciates the City's willingness to increase the opportunity to dine outdoors. He cautioned the City to be mindful of sidewalk access and ADA compliance. Mayor Kim concluded the public hearing at 7:00 p.m. and kept it open. Weibel Avenue PUD Amendment Mayor Kim opened the public hearing at 7:00 p.m. Patrick Cogan of the Building Department stated this issue is returning to the agenda. The PUD had an expiration clause that if Zone B had not received approval and development by 2012 then it reverts to the zoning that was in place at the time. The development did not happen by that date and the zone in place when enacted was no longer an available zone. It was going to revert to a non-existing zone. They are asking Council to examine the expiration clause. Page 7 of 12 City Council Meeting 11/21/2023 Commissioner Moran stated what the applicant would like to do seems harmonious with the intent of the City's zoning clause. They need to understand the definition of warehouse. He is pulling this from a vote this week and bringing it back to the next meeting. Sam Brewer of Saratoga Springs stated this parcel should be developed, however a traffic circle should be installed at the south end of Weibel Avenue. Mayor Kim concluded the public hearing at 7:08 p.m. and kept it open. Amend Chapter 225 - Remove Time Limit Parking Signs on Joseph Street Mayor Kim opened the public hearing at 7:08 p.m. Marion Ross of 10 Joseph Street stated she sent two e-mails and have attended three public hearings regarding the time limit parking signs on Joseph Street. These signs pose an inconvenience to visitors. A majority of the neighbors in the neighborhood did not sign the petition in favor of the signs even though the Council may have been led to believe otherwise. This Council approved these signs and this Council should remove these signs. Mayor Kim advised e-mails were received both in support and against this. These e-mails were submitted to the clerk. (attached) Mayor Kim closed the public hearing at 7:11 p.m. PUBLIC COMMENT Mayor Kim advised there are new rules to public comment. People have 4 minutes to speak. At that time, the speaker will be asked to stop. He asked all to be kind; not interrupt; and exercise free speech. He also asked the speakers to be factual. The Council members may respond if they choose. He will also hold a public comment period at the end of the City Council meeting. Mayor Kim opened the public comment period at 7:11 p.m. Rose Tate of Saratoga Springs asked when the City Council is going to honor King Tut. Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga should be included in such an honor. Mounted and K-9 police officers should be honored. After attending City Council meetings for a year, there is no answer to inquiry of having a traffic study and air quality study of Lincoln Avenue. She asked if the City is leasing the property the third fire station is on. Mayor Kim advised there is an agreement between the City and NYRA for the City be able to use this land but no money has been transferred. Samira Sangare of Saratoga BLM stated she is happy Lexis' one charge has been dropped. She supports a free Palestine. Saratoga BLM talks about the liberation of all people. Eileen Finneran of Saratoga Springs stated she has a couple questions for Commissioner Moran regarding an audit on his agenda. Commissioner Moran stated the item is being pulled due to the documents not being completely flushed out. Eileen Finneran thanked Mark Torpey for his many years of service on the Planning Board. It has been a long time that Chief Dolan has been on leave and his reputation has been besmirched. Page 8 of 12 City Council Meeting 11/21/2023 Lexis Figuereo of Saratoga BLM stated he heard the democrats blame Saratoga BLM are the reason mayor Kim and Commissioner Montagnino lost. He wonders if the people of Saratoga Springs were duped. They met with every Council member except Commissioner Montagnino. They elected him and stood by him. They didn't stop their relationship with Commissioner Montagnino because of his report on Darryl Mount. There has been no violence at any City Council meeting. Mayor Kim closed the public comment period at 7:27 p.m. MAYOR'S DEPARTMENT (part 2) Discussion and Vote: Amend Chapter 225 - Remove Time Limit Parking on Joseph Street (23-605) Mayor Kim moved and Commissioner Moran seconded to amend Chapter 225 to remove time limit parking on Joseph Street. Ayes- 3 (Commissioner Moran, Commissioner Golub and Mayor Kim) Nays- 1 (Commissioner Montagnino) Discussion and Vote: Authorization to Submit Grant Application to the Capital Region Transportation Council (23-606) Mayor Kim moved and Commissioner Moran seconded to submit a grant application to the Capital Region Transportation Council. Mayor Kim advised the project is called the West Avenue Corridor Study. Ayes- 4 (Commissioner Moran, Commissioner Golub, Commissioner Montagnino, and Mayor Kim) Nays- O Discussion and Vote: Authorization for Mayor to Sign Change Order 7 with Callanan Industries for Missing Links (23-607) Mayor Kim moved and Commissioner Moran seconded to authorize the mayor to sign change order 7 with Callanan Industries for missing links program. Mayor Kim advised the amount of the change order is $5,455.53. Ayes- 4 (Commissioner Moran, Commissioner Golub, Commissioner Montagnino, and Mayor Kim) Nays- O Discussion and Vote: Authorization to Accept County Trail Grant Award for Railroad Run Lighting Project (23-608) Mayor Kim moved and Commissioner Moran seconded to accept the County Trail Grant Award for Railroad Run Lighting Project. Mayor Kim advised the City has been awarded $10,000 in grant funds and has a $10,000 match. Ayes- 4 (Commissioner Moran, Commissioner Golub, Commissioner Montagnino, and Mayor Kim) Nays- O Discussion and Vote: Authorization to Pay Delta Development Invoice in the Amount of $51.15 (23-609) Mayor Kim moved and Commissioner Moran seconded to pay the Delta Development in the amount of $51.15. Page 9 of 12 City Council Meeting 11/21/2023 Ayes- 4 (Commissioner Moran, Commissioner Golub, Commissioner Montagnino, and Mayor Kim) Nays- O SUPERVISORS (part 2) Matthew Veitch Saratoga County Budget Update Supervisor Veitch reported a capital project to rehabilitate the Nelson Avenue Bridge over the Kayderosseras is being put on hold to look at a full replacement and expansion of the shoulders for bicyclists. The public hearing for the budget will be on December 6th at 4:30 p.m. and the vote will be taken on December 13. Funds for DPW Capital Transportation Improvements Supervisor Veitch reported they approved a project at Law and Finance Committee in the amount of $50,000 for the Department of Public Works to put into their capital transportation improvement fund. ACCOUNTS DEPARTMENT (part 2) Award of Bid: Compliance Audit Services Commissioner Moran pulled this item from his agenda. Discussion and Vote: SEQRA Evaluation for Weibel Avenue PUD Extension Commissioner Moran pulled this item from his agenda. Discussion and Vote: Adopt Weibel Avenue PUD Extension Commissioner Moran pulled this item from his agenda. Award of Bid: Extension of Bid for Landfill Operation, Monitoring, and Maintenance (23-610) Commissioner Moran moved and Commissioner Montagnino seconded to extend the bid for Landfill Operation, Monitoring, and Maintenance to Barton & Loguidice for an additional year under the same terms, conditions, and pricing as in bid# 2022-42. Ayes- 4 (Commissioner Moran, Commissioner Golub, Commissioner Montagnino, and Mayor Kim) Nays- O Award of Bid: Fire Suppression Services to SRI Fire Sprinkler, LLC (23-611) Commissioner Moran moved and Commissioner Golub seconded to award the bid for Fire Suppression Services to SRI Fire Sprinkler, LLC according to unit bid pricing, not to exceed appropriations. Ayes- 4 (Commissioner Moran, Commissioner Golub, Commissioner Montagnino, and Mayor Kim) Nays- O Award of Bid: Professional Services for Veteran's Memorial Field House to CHA Consulting, Inc. (23-612) Page 10 of 12 City Council Meeting 11/21/2023 Commissioner Moran moved and Commissioner Montagnino seconded to award the bid for Professional Services for Veteran's Memorial Field House to CHA Consulting, Inc. in the amount not to exceed $246,590. Ayes-4 (Commissioner Moran, Commissioner Golub, Commissioner Montagnino, and Mayor Kim) Nays-O Discussion and Vote: Amend Chapter 136 of the City Code Articles IV, IVA V, VI, and VII Commissioner Moran pulled this item from his agenda. FINANCE DEPARTMENT Discussion and Vote: Budget Transfers - Payroll & Benefits (23-613) Mayor Kim advised of the following budget amendments : lines 1 - 2 to cover utilities; lines 3 - 6 for DPW project labor; lines 7 - 8 is for DPW overtime; lines 19 - 22 transfer from EMT incentive to SAFER holiday pay; lines 23-26 for DPS to cover additional costs; lines 27 - 28 for DPS to cover wages of injured police officers; lines 29-30 to cover overtime for highway duties; and lines 31 - 34 are to cover gas and oil shortfalls with engineering tech. Mayor Kim moved and Commissioner Moran seconded to approve the previously mentioned budget amendments. Ayes-4 (Commissioner Moran, Commissioner Golub, Commissioner Montagnino, and Mayor Kim) Nays-O Discussion and Vote: Budget Amendments - Payroll & Benefits (23-614) Mayor Kim moved and Commissioner Golub seconded to approve budget transfers - payroll & benefits - to put lines 1 & 2 medical loss ratio rebate owed to employees balance by increased revenue collected from rebate medical loss ratio; lines 3 - 4 medical loss ratio rebate to cover rebate owed to employees City social security portion balance by increase revenue collected from rebate medical loss ratio. Ayes-4 (Commissioner Moran, Commissioner Golub, Commissioner Montagnino, and Mayor Kim) Nays-0 PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT Discussion and Vote: Authorization for Mayor to Sign Contract with CHA Consulting for Professional Services for Veterans Memorial Park and Field House (23-615) Commissioner Golub moved and Commissioner Moran seconded to authorize the mayor to sign a contract with CHA Consulting for professional services for Veterans Memorial Park and Field House valid until 12/31/2024 in the amount in not to exceed $246,590. Ayes-4 (Commissioner Moran, Commissioner Golub, Commissioner Montagnino, and Mayor Kim) Nays-O Discussion and Vote: Authorization for Mayor to Sign Contract with SRI Fire Sprinkler, LLC for Fire Suppression Services (23-616) Page II of 12 City Council Meeting 11/21/2023 Commissioner Golub moved and Commissioner Moran seconded to authorize the mayor to sign a contract with SRI Fire Sprinkler, LLC for fire suppression services according to unit bid prices valid until 11/1/24. Ayes- 4 (Commissioner Moran, Commissioner Golub, Commissioner Montagnino, and Mayor Kim) Nays- 0 Discussion and Vote: Approval to Pay Invoice #VSW2023-1 to Saratoga Downtown Business Association in the Amount of $3,000 (23-617) Commissioner Golub moved and Commissioner Moran seconded to approve payment of invoice #VSW2023-1 to Saratoga Downtown Business Association in the amount of $3,000. Ayes- 4 (Commissioner Moran, Commissioner Golub, Commissioner Montagnino, and Mayor Kim) Nays- O Discussion and Vote: Approval to Pay Invoice #2023-101 to BriteBiz.com (23-618) Commissioner Golub moved and Commissioner Moran seconded to approve payment of invoice #2023-101 to BriteBiz.com in the amount of $4,098. Ayes- 4 (Commissioner Moran, Commissioner Golub, Commissioner Montagnino, and Mayor Kim) Nays- O Discussion and Vote: Authorization for Mayor to Sign Application to Renew Saratoga's Tree City USA Recognition 2023 (23-619) Commissioner Golub moved and Commissioner Moran seconded to authorize the mayor to sign the Tree City USA application. Ayes- 4 (Commissioner Moran, Commissioner Golub, Commissioner Montagnino, and Mayor Kim) Nays- O ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Moran moved and Commissioner Golub seconded to adjourn the meeting at 7:51 p.m. Ayes - All (Commissioner Moran, Commissioner Sanghvi, Commissioner Golub, Commissioner Montagnino, and Mayor Kim) Nays- 0 Respectfully submitted, Lisa Ribis Secretary to the City Council Approved: 12/19/2023 Vote: 5 - 0 Page 12 of 12 Zimbra lisa.ribis@saratoga-springs.org Public Comment for N ov 21 City Council Meeting From : meljoytho@comcast.net Tue, Nov 21, 2023 10: 12 AM Subject: Public Comment for Nov 21 City Council Meeting To : public comment <public.comment@saratoga­ springs.org> Cc : 'James Montagnino' <james.montagnino@saratoga­ springs.org>, 'emilybergmann' <emilybergmann@gmail.com>, 'Taryn Matusik' <TarynMatusik@hotmail.com>, 'Diana Flynn' <dkf@aya.yale.edu> CAUTION: This email originated outside of the City network. Please contact IT Support if you need assistance determining if it's a threat before opening attachments or clicking any links. This comment is submitted for the Council Meeting Public Hearing titled "Amend Chapter 225 - Remove Time Limit Parking Signs on Joseph Street (Mayor's Item #9)'' Dear City Council Members: We are writing to strongly oppose the proposed amendment to remove the time limit parking signs from Joseph Street. The current parking restrictions, put in place just before the start of the school year, have been an unqualified success. The public safety hazards of impassible residential streets, blocked fire hydrants, etc. have been eliminated, while calm and quiet have returned to our West Side neighborhood. Moreover, SSHS students seem to have adapted very well to the new parking reality- we have observed much more carpooling, and none of the nearby streets without restrictions have been burdened with additional parked cars. This is working! We understand that a very small but vocal minority of residents on Joseph Street (including one whom the meeting minutes indicate actually lives south of the affected area) have asked the Council to remove the signs on their street. Seven Joseph Street residents representing four of the homes where the restrictions are in place signed our petition earlier in the year requesting the time limit restrictions. While we do not live on their street, we drive on it a lot and have noticed how much safer the road is now without groups of student pedestrians and long lines of their parked cars. We thank the Council for getting this right with its vote in July to establish the two-hour restrictions, and urge you not to backtrack now. Thank you, Melissa Thompson-Flynn Diana Flynn 155 Ash St. Zimbra lisa.ribis@saratoga-springs.org Re: Public Comment for N ov 21 City Council Meeting From : Emily Bergmann <emilybergmann@gmail.com> Tue, Nov 21, 2023 12: 13 PM Subject: Re: Public Comment for Nov 21 City Council Meeting @l3 attachments To : public comment <public.comment@saratoga­ springs.org> Cc: James Montagnino <james.montagnino@saratoga­ springs.org>, Taryn Matusik <TarynMatusik@hotmail.com>, Diana Flynn <dkf@aya.yale.edu>, Ron Kim <ron.kim@saratoga­ springs.org>, minita sanghvi <minita.sanghvi@saratoga­ springs.org>, jason golub <jason.golub@saratoga­ springs.org>, dillon moran <dillon.moran@saratoga­ springs.org>, Angela Rella <angela.rella@saratoga­ springs.org>, Melissa T hompson <meljoytho@comcast.net> CAUTION: This email originated outside of the City network. Please contact IT Support if you need assistance determining if it's a threat before opening attachments or clicking any links. I agree wholeheartedly with the below email and would also add that this step was not designed to be anti-student. In fact, saying one is inconvenienced by having their contractors have to move their cars once or twice a year because of the two hour limit, so therefore lift the parking restrictions, seems a very singular approach to this problem. It is in fact pro student to ask the school to fix their parking problem that they have had for years. It is pro student to ask the school to provide parking for the minors that are required by law to be there. Having minors park off campus and walk to school in all types of weather and with no clear pathway sometimes due to snow etc, is not in fact in these minors best interest. The school is responsible for their safe passage to and from school. Below are pictures just as a reminder of how unsafe Joseph Street has previously been for students and residents alike. Please continue to uphold the current parking signs as it is in the best interest of the community at large. Removing the signs will only lead to someone getting hurt - be it a resident or a student walking in the street. We can do better than that and we currently ARE doing better than that. Thank you for your time. Thank you, Emily Bergmann 202-427-2877 On Nov 21, 2023, at 10: 12 AM, meljoytho@comcast.net wrote: This comment is submitted for the Council Meeting Public Hearing titled "Amend Chapter 225 - Remove Time Limit Parking Signs on Joseph Street (Mayor's Item #9)" Dear City Council Members: We are writing to strongly oppose the proposed amendment to remove the time limit parking signs from Joseph Street. The current parking restrictions, put in place just before the start of the school year, have been an unqualified success. The public safety hazards of impassible residential streets, blocked fire hydrants, etc. have been eliminated, while calm and quiet have returned to our West Side neighborhood. Moreover, SSHS students seem to have adapted very well to the new parking reality- we have observed much more carpooling, and none of the nearby streets without restrictions have been burdened with additional parked cars. This is working! We understand that a very small but vocal minority of residents on Joseph Street (including one whom the meeting minutes indicate actually lives south of the affected area) have asked the Council to remove the signs on their street. Seven Joseph Street residents representing four of the homes where the restrictions are in place signed our petition earlier in the year requesting the time limit restrictions. While we do not live on their street, we drive on it a lot and have noticed how much safer the road is now without groups of student pedestrians and long lines of their parked cars. We thank the Council for getting this right with its vote in July to establish the two-hour restrictions, and urge you not to backtrack now. Thank you, Melissa Thompson-Flynn Diana Flynn 155 Ash St. Rose Tait, Saratoga Springs, 11/21/2023 When will the City honor King Tut, a 20 year veteran of Saratoga Springs PD mounted unit who passed on October 25. Animals mourn too. What about officers Glenn Barrett and Aaron Moore who partnered with King Tut, Apollo, and Jupiter. One horse was punched in the nose, a most sensitive area of a horse on Caroline Street. T herapeU_!icHor3es of Saratoga is a wonderful group who should be included. In such an honor. ��,JO_ You should honor our mounted and K9 police officers. You have one K9 officer supervising Wright Street, Frank Sullivan Place, and Nelson Avenue. If+#: v If � You must think he's spider man to do all that. Y OU INSTALLED A DRINKING APPARATUS FOR A DOG PARK, Y OU SHOULD. HONOR OUR MOUN TED AND K9 Officers. After attending City Council Meetings for about a year, 1'm disappointed there's no answer to why Lincoln Avenue can now have 2 - 3 hours stop and go traffic by changing gate 9, a pedestrian only exit to a main exit when Governor Hokul says no gas cars, no gas stoves, no gas furnaces because of emissions. Yet Lincoln Avenue has had no air quality or traffic studies done. Looking at the budget, I'd like to know: IS FIRE STATION 3 BUILT ON LAND LEASED FROM NYRA? IF SO, WHY DIDN'T THE CITY BUY LAND FOR THIS PERMANENT FIXTURE ISTEAD OF LEASING? T he budget is huge - I'd like answers.