City Council

January 1, 2024 CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS City Council Meeting City Hall – 3rd Floor Music Hall 1:00 PM CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL SALUTE TO FLAG MAYOR’S DEPARTMENT 1. Appointments 2. Remarks ACCOUNTS DEPARTMENT 1. Appointments 2. Remarks FINANCE DEPARTMENT 1. Appointments 2. Remarks PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT 1. Appointments 2. Remarks PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENT 1. Appointments 2. Remarks SUPERVISORS Matthew Veitch 1. Remarks Michele Madigan 1. Remarks ADJOURN City Council Meeting 1/1/24 January 1, 2024 CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS City Council Meeting City Hall – 3rd Floor Music Hall 1:00 PM PRESENT: John Safford, Mayor Minita Sanghvi, Commissioner of Finance Dillon Moran, Commissioner of Accounts Jason Golub, Commissioner of the Department of Public Works Tim Coll, Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety STAFF PRESENT: JoAnne Kiernan, Deputy Mayor Heather Crocker, Deputy Commissioner, Finance Stacy Connors, Deputy Commissioner, Accounts Joe O’Neill, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Public Works Daniel Charleson, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Public Safety Matthew Veitch, Supervisor Michele Madigan, 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 Safford called the meeting to order at 1:28 p.m. MAYOR’S DEPARTMENT Mayor Safford appointed JoAnne Kiernan as deputy mayor for the City of Saratoga Springs. JoAnne is a CPA in the public and private sector; served nine years on the school board; served as treasurer of the Woodlands/Water’s Edge Homeowners Association, and on the board of Kelly’s Angels. Mayor Safford appointed Susanna Combs as the executive assistant to the mayor. Susanna also served as executive assistant to former Mayor Meg Kelly. Mayor Safford appointed Dave Harper as city attorney. Dave has resided in the City of Saratoga Springs since 1982. He received his law degree from Albany Law; is an Army veteran, worked in the County District Attorney’s Office for 23 years; and is the attorney for the City Center Authority. Page 2 of 5 City Council Meeting 1/1/24 Mayor Safford appointed Tony Izzo as assistant city attorney. Tony is a born and raised Saratogian. Tony graduated from Union College and is acting City historian. Mayor Safford acknowledged and thanked the following (former and current officials included) for attending the 2024 Inauguration Ceremony: Senator Jim Tedesco, former Mayor A.C. Riley, former Commissioner Chris Mathiesen, former Mayor Meg Kelly, former Commissioner Jim Montagnino, former Commissioner Robin Dalton, David Yuken, and Mike Brandi, and Councilwoman Barbara Kerr. Mayor Safford thanked all who attended today. He stated every citizen is important and he is here to help citizens ‘sing their song’. He challenged everyone to question what will Saratoga Springs look like in 10 years. He would like to add ‘harmony’ to “Health, History, and Horses”. The words liberty and justice for all should be done every day. He challenged the City Council and the City to work together in harmony. FINANCE DEPARTMENT Commissioner Sanghvi re-appointed Heather Crocker as deputy commissioner. Heather has a background in policy research. Commissioner Sanghvi re-appointed Samantha Clemmey as executive assistant of finance. Samantha is a graduate of Skidmore College, worked as a legislative intern and a campaign organizer. Commissioner Sanghvi stated this is a great honor and responsibility. It is the people’s support, encouragement, and disagreements that keep them going. She has achieved many accomplishments over the past two years in the community such as funding the third fire station, Code Blue, re-instated an assistant police chief, and introduced participatory budgeting. All of this was accomplished while replenishing reserves. The IT Department works diligently to secure us from cyber-attacks. The City is growing and needs have to be taken care of in a fiscally responsible way. Commissioner Sanghvi stated she is looking forward to working with her new and old colleagues. PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT Commissioner Golub wished everyone a happy new year. Commissioner Golub re-appointed Brooke VanBuskirk as his executive assistant. Commissioner Golub re-appointed Joe O’Neill as deputy commissioner. Joe has a strong commitment to the City and has makes a positive impact to the City. Commissioner Golub stated New Year’s resolutions at the core are about hope and the hope to do better. He hopes this administration carries hope forward and creates impactful changes in the future. Government is to shine light on the future. The Department of Public Works’ team is a group of the hardest working men and women. They think about how to do more and how to lead. They employ the unhoused and developing new revenue resources. He hopes the new administration is brave enough to lead, the courage to make impactful change, and has the vision of where they can go as a community. PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENT Commissioner Coll stated he is honored and humbled to be the next commissioner of public safety. He thanked the former officials that attended today and for their support. Commissioner Coll stated she just took an oath of office to uphold the Constitution and the laws of this City – that is what he intends to do. Page 3 of 5 City Council Meeting 1/1/24 Commissioner Coll appointed Daniel Charleson as deputy commissioner. Dan has a 29-year record in public safety, retired as captain and acting major with the New York State Police, and holds a master’s degree in public administration. His most recent detail was providing protection for Governor Hochul and the first family. ACCOUNTS DEPARTMENT Commissioner Moran acknowledged Otis Maxwell, Pat Tuz, and Sarah Burger who were in the audience. Commissioner Moran re-appointed Stacy Connors as deputy commissioner. Stacy has a background in motivation and leadership. Commissioner Moran congratulated all at the table. He asked the community to think about why the members of the Council do what they do as they aren’t paid enough to do this, they get criticized, it affects their families, and it affects their health. They are here for the community and answered the call. To criticize without contribution doesn’t do any good. Commissioner Moran thanked the citizens for their faith in him. SUPERVISORS Matthew Veitch Supervisor Veitch acknowledged his family members who are in attendance. He stated he is honored to have served as supervisor of the City of Saratoga Springs for 16 years. He looks forward to continue to work with Commissioners Sanghvi, Moran, and Golub; and congratulated Mayor Safford, Commissioner Coll, and Michele Madigan. Supervisor Veitch stated the County just started a new $30 million dollar airport terminal project. The Sewer Commission is starting a sewer study for the possibility of running a sewer line down Route 9. Last year $300,000 was allotted for City projects and was put to good use. The County is ready to assist the City in hosting the Belmont Stakes. Projects that need to be worked on include the unhoused, getting the homeless shelter certified with the state, and a dedicated facility. Supervisor Veitch stated it has been challenging over the years to get an earlier closing time for the downtown bars. There hasn’t been support for it in the past; however, it is time to try again. He is in the running for vice-chair of the Board of Supervisors. He hopes there is less conflict and more collaboration, which leads to positive outcome, and to remember they are here to serve others. Supervisor Veitch stated his goal is to work with the City Council and do his best for the City of Saratoga Springs. Michele Madigan Supervisor Madigan thanked everyone for attending and wished everyone a happy new year. She congratulated Mayor Safford, Commissioner Coll and the re-elected officials. She is grateful to the voters for bringing her back after having served 10 years as commissioner of finance. Supervisor Madigan stated she wants to build a strong working relationship between the County and the City of Saratoga Springs and create a stronger sense of unity. She will work to tackle homelessness and demonstrate compassion to create a community to be sure no one is left behind. She is hopeful the County will be able to do something regarding earlier bar closing times to keep the downtown safe, residents and visitors safe, and keep the first responders safe. Page 4 of 5 City Council Meeting 1/1/24 Supervisor Madigan stated she looks forward to working on the public’s behalf. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Sanghvi moved and Commissioner Moran seconded to adjourn the meeting at 2:11 p.m. Ayes – all (Commissioner Moran, Commissioner Sanghvi, Commissioner Golub, Commissioner Coll, and Mayor Safford) Nays - 0 Respectfully submitted, Lisa Ribis Clerk Approved: 5 - 0 Vote: 1/16/2024 Page 5 of 5