Complete Streets Advisory Board

SARATOGA SPRINGS OPEN SPACE COMMITTEE DRAFT MEETING MINUTES MEETING OF JULY 25, 2018 [IN AGENDA ORDER] 5:00 P.M. SARATOGA SPRINGS CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS PRESENT: Chair Tom Denny, David Miller, Maureen Roberts, Beth Wurtmann, Tim Holmes. ABSENT: Suzanne Kwasniewski, Erica Gifford. CITY STAFF: Tina Carton, Parks, Open Lands, Historic Preservation/Sustainability Coordinator. OTHERS PRESENT: John McMahon, resident of Saratoga Springs. RECORDING OF PROCEEDING: The minutes are not a verbatim record of the proceedings. CALL TO ORDER: Chair Tom Denny called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. PUBLIC COMMENT-15 MINUTES No opening public comment. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The committee voted to approve the 6/27/2018 meeting minutes, with the date amended (Holmes, Miller). Unanimous vote. POCKET PARKS a.Flat Rock Centre. This proposed pocket park, by action of the Mayor and Council will be included in a proposed parking structure development behind City Hall. In general discussion it was agreed that the Open Space Advisory Committee could support the idea of the pocket park once further details were obtained by the committee. b.Waterworks. The merits of the suggested Waterworks Pocket Park were revisited. 1|Page  SARATOGA SPRINGS OPEN SPACE COMMITTEE DRAFT MEETING MINUTES MEETING OF JULY 25, 2018 [IN AGENDA ORDER] 5:00 P.M. SARATOGA SPRINGS CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS c.Other possible City-owned parcels. It was agreed that the many opportunities to preserve key parcels would be facilitated by the Natural Resources Inventory. NATURAL RESOURCES INVENTORY (NRI): UPDATE Tina Carton released LaBella Associates had been selected as the successful bidder as Consultant for the NRI. Tina reported that Commissioner Madigan was supportive of the process and in order to expedite had identified matching funds for the DEC grant. At the September 11th meeting of the OSAC, the team from SUNY Albany will meet with the committee to lay out their work plan and assignments. Chair Tom Denny advised that OSAC members should study the 2002 Open Space Plan to prepare input for the September 11th session. DISCUSSION OF TOM’S PRESENTATION AT CITY COUNCIL Chair Tom Denny reported that he was tentatively scheduled to address the Mayor and Council at the regular municipal meeting of August 7th, but was considering whether it might be better to postpone. It would be possible to include an outline of the Waterworks Pocket Park in the presentation of the OSAC’s work. After discussion the committee members present agreed that Tom might best decide closer to the August 7th meeting on the substance of the presentation and also on whether to postpone. FUNDING – QUESTIONS ABOUT POSSIBLE BOND ISSUE. FUNDING IN 2019 BUDGET FOR CONSULTANT TO WORK ON REVISION TO 2002 OPEN SPACE PLAN - REQUEST TO CITY COUNCIL Commissioner Michelle Madigan joined the meeting. She informed the committee on recent bonding activity by the City and noted that capital needs had somewhat increased the debt level. She expressed that this is a leading fact in considering further bonding. Bond issue referendum. Finance Commissioner Madigan noted that the inconclusive message received by OSAC on Mayor’s office letterhead might not be a complete legal opinion, nevertheless it seemed clear that in the forthcoming general election in November, with the City Charter question on the ballot no other questions may appear. City Attorney Tony Izzo joined the meeting. Commissioner Madigan reviewed the Open Space Bond history and noted that there was a balance of about $200,000 yet available. OSAC Chair Tom Denny asked advice on how to fund OSAC activity. 2|Page  SARATOGA SPRINGS OPEN SPACE COMMITTEE DRAFT MEETING MINUTES MEETING OF JULY 25, 2018 [IN AGENDA ORDER] 5:00 P.M. SARATOGA SPRINGS CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS Commissioner Madigan pointed out that action by the Council might or might not be included under bond limits, and that OSAC should make recommendations to the Mayor and Council. With regard to the Open Space Plan update, a direct budget request would be in order. Committee members suggested that a realistic number for updating the 2002 Open Space Plan might be in the $100,000 range. The Commissioner welcomed a realistic approach and timeliness to be included in the 2019 budget. She expressed that another Open Space Bond referendum could be in order in the future. She voiced support for the committee’s approach to pocket parks and encouraged communication from OSAC to the Mayor and Council as in the case of the suggested Waterworks pocket park. Chair Tom Denny thanked Commissioner Madigan for her decisive action which completed the needed resources for the Natural Resources Inventory, providing momentum toward the updating of the 2002 Open Space Plan. Committee members observed the NRI’s role in reviewing City-owned properties. The Commissioner and committee members agreed that added perspectives of usefulness could be attained. Mike Sharp, Deputy Commissioner of Finance joined the meeting and was greeted by all. The Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner asked that in the OSP update budget request, an outline of objectives and costs be prepared. Commissioner Madigan and Deputy Commissioner Mike Sharp left the meeting. Chair Tom Denny reviewed the key points of the meeting with the Commissioner: 1.) No referendum on Open Space bonding in November 2018. 2.) Consider using the balance of bond funds. 3.) Prepare budget request for the 2019 City Budget, planning to submit by the end of August. Additional observations by committee members: in the Open Space Plan updating process, consider including a public information – education component. Tony Izzo recalled action in 2001 in support of the Open Space referendum and that public endorsement was strong. Mr. Izzo suggested the 2001 Mayor and Council minutes as an informative resource. PUBLIC COMMENT John McMahon, resident of Saratoga Springs asked how the OSAC had been formed. Mr. Izzo related that in 2001, the City Council had added to the City Code passed Chapter 110 Environmental, Parks and Open Areas Protection Program and legislated formation of the OSAC in accordance with the public referendum. Mr. McMahon expressed interest in the committee’s work, having had municipal experience in Tully, NY. 3|Page  SARATOGA SPRINGS OPEN SPACE COMMITTEE DRAFT MEETING MINUTES MEETING OF JULY 25, 2018 [IN AGENDA ORDER] 5:00 P.M. SARATOGA SPRINGS CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS ADJOURN There being no further business, a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:37 p.m. was unanimously approved (Wurtmann, Miller). NEXT MEETING: THE NEXT MEETING OF THE OSAC WILL BE ON SEPTEMBER 11, 2018 5PM, LOCATION TO BE CONFIRMED. Respectfully submitted, Timothy Holmes on behalf of the Secretary Draft 2018 07 27 4|Page