City Council

MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETINGOF THE SCHENECTADY CITY COUNCIL – JANUARY 9TH, 2012 The meeting was called to order by Council President Denise K. Brucker at 7:05 P.M. in Room 209, City Council Chambers at City Hall. Ms. Brucker called upon Rev. Bill Levering of the First Reformed Church, to deliver the Invocation Ms. Brucker then called upon Walter Simpkins to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. The City Clerk called the roll and the following members of the City Council answered to being present: Present - Councilmembers Leesa L. Perazzo, Carl Erikson, Margaret C. King, Vincent J. Riggi, Barbara J. Blanchard and Denise K. Brucker. Absent - None Also Present - Mayor Gary R. McCarthy, City Clerk Eileen M. Versaci and Corporation Counsel John R. Polster. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1. Housing and Community Development Needs as Part of the 2012 Consolidated Plan’s Citizen Participation Process. Ms. Brucker invited all who wished to speak on Public Hearing #1 to come forward (7:10 p.m.). The following speakers rose to be heard and their remarks are summarized: Jason Planck, City of Schenectady - To have a public hearing about the RFP process and issuing it on the same day is not responsible not respectful to the community that you must serve and seek advice in how to implement the plan according to the Federal Regulations. I have said for last 10 years that the City needs to have an affirmative action plan for person with disability and minorities that live in the City. The Mayor and his staff have not appropriate the C.D.B.G. monies to assure that person with disabilities have meaningful access to all programs, activities, and services of said grant. For last 5 years the City and County have had a contract to handle the affirmative action services for which has not live up to the contract requirements and have failed to assure equal access to these grants. The City still has not done affordable and accessible plan for access to homes or rentals units in the city, nor implement procedures designed to fulfill the 1999 Supreme Court Olmstead Decision, to maximize community integration of persons with disabilities. The City of Schenectady people with disability are living in poverty 4 times hirer than non-disability and the state rate is only 3 January 9, 2012 City Council Minutes Page 2 of 11 times. With the New York State unemployment rate sits at 70% is too high with Schenectady County dead last in the New York State’s County, and not having a plan to help is poor planning and misappropriation said grant. Also, not following the 5 year plan which was adopt in 2010 is not appropriate for which collaboration with community must be done to help achieve those goals set forth in the 5 year plan. In conclusion, C.D.B.G. contract needs to be review and the goals must be met and not allowed to be overlooking to point of just going through the motion of getting something done on paper. Ted Ward, City of Schenectady - I would like to address the City Council on the issue of CDBG Budget that it should have more public collaboration with a dialogue that is more public. This should be more open to the public. Thank you. Mary McClaine – Declined to speak. Ellis Pepper, BNI - Better Neighborhoods, Inc. - Thank you for the opportunity to comment on CDBG funding. As the Assistant Director of Better Neighborhoods, Inc. I would like to take a moment to comment on Housing Counseling services we provide through our Homeownership Center. Better Neighborhoods, Inc (BNI) is a Homeownership Center that provides access to safe, affordable housing in Schenectady. We build newly constructed homes, rehabilitate existing structures and assist potential homebuyers and current homeowners through one-on-one pre-purchase counseling, post-purchase counseling, and foreclosure prevention counseling. We have been able to provide these services for years, supported in part through CDBG funds. For the current funding year, you increased our funding to make up for a significant loss in HUD Housing Counseling funds. We appreciate your support of this vital and important program. These funds allowed us to leverage more than $2.6 million in local, state, federal and private funds to support our mission. Our primary goal is to enable low/moderate income (LMI) residents to own and occupy housing in the target areas we serve. From January, 2009 through November 2011 the BNI Housing Counseling staff conducted one-on-one homeownership counseling to more than 750 potential and current homeowners. Counseling sessions for potential homebuyers includes all aspects of the homebuying process. The most important aspect of the counseling sessions is the extensive discussion that focuses on what a potential homebuyer can afford. Counselors review all costs associated with homeownership, consider all aspects of the household budget, and ensure that the client receives the best, most affordable mortgage. Counselors will discourage homeownership until a client is truly in a position to afford the home over the long term. Sessions for current homeowners in mortgage default or foreclosure include an extensive review of their household budget, correspondence with their lender/service, coordination with legal services when necessary, and ongoing budget and credit counseling. Counseling sessions calculate to a per client cost of $606. From January, 2009 through November 2011, BNI Housing Counselors assisted 70 first-time homebuyers complete a January 9, 2012 City Council Minutes Page 3 of 11 purchase in Schenectady. These homebuyers invested a total of approximately $5.5 million in the local real estate market. During last fiscal year, fifty three percent of the homes purchased by our clients were previously non-owner occupied. The cost of providing this most needed of services to the community added significant value in creating educated homeowners and restoring homes to the tax base. In addition to being a stabilizing influence on our real estate market and a cornerstone of the tax base in Schenectady, owner-occupants are significant assets when it comes to building strong communities. Homeownership counseling educates potential homeowners so that their “American Dream” does not turn into a nightmare. According to the Homeownership Preservation Foundation, a study done in 2005 by William C. Apgar of the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University, a foreclosure could impose direct costs on local government agencies totaling more than $34,000 and indirect costs to nearby property owners (in the form of reduced property values and home equity) of as much as an additional $220,000. Between January, 2009 and November 2011 we helped 65 homeowners save their homes from foreclosure. Using these numbers and considering the per client counseling cost of $606, BNI has saved local governments and homeowners more than $24.5 million with counseling services that cost less than $40,000 ($606/homeowner) over the past two years. Since September of 2010, BNI has experienced loss of funding from several key sources. Five administrative staff remains on partial layoff and the City of Schenectady increased our CDBG funds to help keep our counseling staff on full- time. This along with a one time bequest from the estate of a long time supporter helped us maintain our level of service in 2011 and leverage more than $8 million in other funding and investments for Schenectady. BNI is unable to absorb any further cuts and will be forced to consider significant layoffs in the Housing Counseling Program without continued support from CDBG funding. Not only would Schenectady lose the services provided by the Housing Counseling Program but also the ability to leverage other funds as mentioned above. Rev. Phil Grisby, SICM –Schenectady Inner City Ministry. Good Evening Mayor McCarthy and members of the City Council. Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the City's proposed use of federal funds through the Consolidated Plan process. I am Rev Phillip Grigsby, Director of the Schenectady Inner City Ministry and a city resident and tax payer. While I mostly want to comment on some housing issues, I want to thank and remind the members on the importance of support for activities in the city's parks through this process. Our Summer Lunch Program is only a part of what needs to go on in the parks. The city's support of activities in Jerry Burrell, Quackenbush, and the expansion into Steinmetz and Hillhurst are very important. Hopefully this initiative can be maintained and expanded. Also, we all know that the competition for funding now is very severe; but I hope the Mayor and Council will continue to support the current level of public services activities funding as fully as possible. I hope that the City would continue to seek for resources for important public safety activities from grants rather than through the limited CDBG funding. In terms of housing issues, I want to thank the Mayor and Council for your leadership in improving January 9, 2012 City Council Minutes Page 4 of 11 the code enforcement activities of the city. Hopefully then this will require fewer CDBG resources with greater efficiencies. I believe, however, that code enforcement is only one part the picture for improving housing in our community. It needs to be combined with other strategies. The housing needs are great, as you know, from last year looking at the 200 worst houses. Unfortunately the list is beyond the 200. The regular housing needs are so great that I hope with CDBG funds that the City will wind down the Green housing initiative in favor of programs for increasing homeownership and demolition. In terms of homeownership, I was glad to see the Mayor's initiative with the realtors for a greater focus on promoting housing sales. I and some others would welcome the chance to work in partnership on this. In particular, there was a program idea we talked about last year called "Live Where You Work" that I hope we can make progress on. The meetings were focused on the Northside, or Goose Hill. It was not just because I live there but because it seemed to have the right ingredients for such an effort - an affordable housing program, potential key employers, a mix of owners and renters, a good location, and great potential. Whether or not with ConPlan funds I hope this could be a city priority. I support the land bank concept and legislation and hope that the City is successful with the state; this should provide resources for demolition. If not successful I hope that we can work together to see what resources could be possible for greater demolition since the needs are so great? Finally, I encourage the City to keep and hopefully enhance funding for housing counseling activities with the nonprofit community. Preparation for homeownership is a very important ingredient and this activity leverages other support. Thank you for your consideration. Vickie Hurewitz, BNI – Mayor McCarthy, City Council members thank you for the opportunity to speak at this public hearing on Community Needs for expenditures under the Consolidated Plan. I am Vickie Hurewitz, city resident and volunteer at Better Neighborhoods. I am speaking for Better Neighborhood's tonight. Better Neighborhoods not-for profit in Schenectady whose mission it is to provide affordable housing, promote homeownership, stimulate economic development and empower the people of the neighborhood it serves. Better Neighborhoods believes there is a need for a housing rehab program in the City to stabilize neighborhoods and preserve our housing stock. We also believe there should be a Live Where You Work/Own Where You Rent program to encourage homeownership amongst those who are already enjoying what Schenectady has to offer, that is residential and employment opportunities. Better Neighborhoods is aware that there currently is a rehab program in place but feel that federal HOME regulations make it too restrictive. The housing rehab program that Better Neighborhoods is proposing would use CDBG funds which are less restrictive than the HOME funds. This program would allow homeowners to apply for funding to make minor repairs such as exterior painting, fixing porch railings and stairs and interior work that need to be done. We envision being able to serve 30 homes with this funding. CDBG funds could also be used to offer down payment assistance to those who work and/or live in Schenectady as tenants. Major employers such as Ellis Hospital, Golub, and Union could be brought in as January 9, 2012 City Council Minutes Page 5 of 11 participants in this program. There is also a pressing need for economic development funding in the City of Schenectady. Money is needed for small business creation, job training and retention. Recently the Authorities Budget Office released a report raising some questions with the Schenectady Local Development Corporation which administers a revolving loan fund under the Consolidated Plan for short-term business loans primarily for low-and-moderate income persons. I hope that the Council will take a look at this situation going forward into the New Year. Seeing no other speakers to come before the City Council, Ms. Brucker declared Public Hearing #1 Closed at 7:20 p.m. 1. Making Changes to Violations and Penalties Section 264-127 of Article XVIII of the Zoning Ordinance. Seeing no speakers to come before the City Council, Ms. Brucker declared Public Hearing #2 Closed at 7:21 p.m. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: Ms. King moved that the minutes of the City Council Meeting of December 27th, 2011 be approved as submitted by the City Clerk. It was seconded by Ms. Perazzo. Hearing no objections, Ms. Brucker declared the minutes approved as submitted. COMMUNICATIONS: Official: From the Mayor a list of appointments (dist 1/09/12). General: None Petitions: None COMMITTEE REPORTS: Councilmember Perazzo - We received a letter regarding broadcasting policy and we did discuss that in Government Operations Committee. There was a wide range of opinions and it was decided moving forward in 2012 that the Garbage Schedules would be removed from the screen when people are speaking. So watch for changes and please give us feed back. PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR: (LEGISLATIVE ITEMS) Ms Brucker invited all who wished to address the City Council on any item of the Legislative Agenda to come forward. Seeing no speakers to come before the City January 9, 2012 City Council Minutes Page 6 of 11 Council, Ms. Brucker declared the Privilege of the Floor on the Legislative Agenda closed. Consent Agenda – Resolution No. 2012 – 04 Adopted Unanimously PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR: (CITY BUSINESS) Ms. Brucker invited all who wished to address the City Council on any matter of city business to come forward. The following speakers rose to be heard and their remarks are summarized: Jason Planck - Schenectady, New York - I want to congratulate the new Council Members and welcome back the re-elected members. What we need to do is work on jobs and moving forward. We just had the public hearing for the Community Block Grant and these things will have to be worked at together. We negotiated a contract with the County for an Affirmative Action Office and did not have a Public Hearing; we negotiated two millions dollars in funds without any Public Hearings. We need to go back to a five year plan that was passed in 2010 and we need open discussion on how we can spend this money and what direction we are actually going to go. We need more accountability, thank you. Ed Guider - Schenectady, NY - It has been several years since I have talked to you about domestic and sexual violence. Things are not much different. In 2010, Schenectady had the highest rate of Domestic Violence of any County in the State. The Police Department gets 500 domestic disputes calls every month and at least 60 of those are repeat offenders, people that are already on probation. I don't know if you ever felt a fist slam into your month or your head or if you had been dragged across the floor by your hair or if you have been on the floor curling up and someone kicked you in the stomach or in the head or if any of you have been the victim of a rape or a sex assault. When these things happen, your sick, your scared, your angrier and you would not want anyone to know, your afraid of being pregnant, your afraid that he will come back and believe me those feelings never go away. This is the kind of thing that happens in Schenectady everyday. Most businesses have a plan and that is something that Schenectady does not have and that is something as a Council you can do, not all of you have to just one of you makes up your mind to help, there will be a lot of people out here that will be behind you and will help you too. Thank you Spero P. Zoulas - 225 Kings Road, Schenectady, NY - I am a Schenectadian and a resident of Woodlawn Neighborhood. I am here to today to extend my gratitude to the City of Schenectady for the assistance with Woodlawn Park in our development efforts and our upcoming dinner fund raiser. As many of you may know, I represent a group of volunteers for the Woodlawn Park. We have been working on this project for the past nine months, we posted three park clean up January 9, 2012 City Council Minutes Page 7 of 11 days over the spring and summer and we recently indicated a Adopt a Park Program. A couple of special thank you, one to Denise Brucker who has gotten in and got her hands dirty and really helped with the clean ups. Thank Vince Riggi for coming out as well, Peggy King for coming out and seeing what concerns we have and specially Mayor McCarthy; he has had a couple of meetings with us to help guide us. I would like to remind you of the fund raiser that will be this Wednesday night. A spaghetti dinner at the church is next to the big Bingo Hall on State Street. Thank you Raishon Artis - 47 Marshall Avenue - I want to speak about City Contracts, I have been dealing with Marion since I talked to the last administration. Things have gotten a little better, but there are things that are still not right. There are things that have to be straightened out. Another things I want to mention is "Emergency Contracts” I believe you guys have to check on these. You have to realize that with emergency's it is not required and it should be. Mary McClaine - January 9, 2012, RESUME For 32 years I have been engaged in the life of the city. Activities include the following • cooks for HIV patients (Damien Center) • bakes for the homeless guests (Bethesda House) • makes financial commitment to SICM food pantry • donates and delivers toiletries to battered wives shelter • brings magazines where they can be used (hospitals, teachers, YWCA) • maintains city island garden (Grand Blvd & Nott Street) • picks up litter and cigarette butts from city streets • attends neighborhood meetings, council meetings, committee meetings, public etc... • writes letters, addresses issues of local interest (i.e. requested pilot from Union College) • prepares by-monthly position statements for city council presentations • presents programs on specialized topics (i.e. flag etiquette) OTHER • lector - St. John the Evangelist church • mentor in city's school programs • initiated collection for city's free medical clinic (Green Market) • recruited exhibitors for Art Attack Week-end • arranged Christmas parry for Boys and Girls Club in pre-school program VOLUNTEERISM • tour guide for Executive Mansion (Albany) • docent for Holocaust Exhibit (Union College) • tour guide for Yaddo's Artist Retreat (Saratoga) • volunteer St Clares gift shop • MAKES TIME FOR GOD LEADERSHIP • former president -College of St Rose Alumni (Schenectady Chapter) January 9, 2012 City Council Minutes Page 8 of 11 • former president -Schenectady County Republican Women's Club • former president - Halfinoon Button Society • former vice-president - Goosehill Neighborhood Association • former hospitality chairman -American Association of University Women • former chairman -sharing and caring committee - SCRWC • former president - Hillandale Garden Club OCCUPATION • taught school • currently -small business owner with a specialty EDUCATION • holds BA degree -College of St Rose • earned certification to teach religion • completed 6 years of Drama Studies (diploma) • attended 3 campaign training sessions (national, state, local) OTHER CITY RELATED ACTIVITY • read: Comprehension Plan Consolidated Plan PBA Contract Patriot Act (lightly) • foils for information AWARDS • received Personality of the South award HOBBIES • the whole world is my hobby PROMISE • 100% commitment to the office of city council member Marra Isaac - Duane Avenue - I am here to talk about Marion Porterfield, she is very active for the Community and she is the best person for the job, she should be appointed to the Council Seat. Bharath Arjoov - 831 Emmett Street - I am an executive member of the Guyanese American Association of Schenectady, we are a growing minority in Schenectady and we are the third largest minority in Schenectady and we would like representation. I would like to thank the Mayor for what he has done in Hamilton Hill and I would like him to continue with the progress. Angela Tatem - 1455 Dorwaldt Blvd. Schenectady, NY - I am supporting the appointment of Marion Porterfield to the City Council. Marion is an asset to the City; she has been my mentor both professionally and personally. I know of no other person that is more loved and respected by the people of Schenectady than Marion Porterfield. Thank you. David Kaczynski - 119 Front Street, Schenectady, NY - I have been a resident of Schenectady for 22 years, I am here to speak on behalf of Marion Porterfield to January 9, 2012 City Council Minutes Page 9 of 11 file the vacant seat on the City Council. Marion has earned this seat and I believe that she could fill this seat. Thank you Rev. Ted Ward - 1115 McClyman Street - I would just like to advocate for Marion Porterfield for the appointment to the City Council. I really believe that Marion is an example of what Hamilton Hill can give to the City, with her leadership, others will follow. I believe that with Marion Porterfield sitting on the Council she is going to change lives. She is a doer and she gets things done. In summation this is a person that will be an asset to the community. Thank you Walter Simpkins - 7 Seneca Street, Schenectady, NY - I am a supporter of Marion Porterfield, also I just want to talk about leadership in the City, it is time for leadership to become inclusive, we have a community out there that needs to be represented and its time for someone to step up to the plate. Thank you Vickie Hurewitz - 837 De Camp Avenue, Schenectady, N Y - I am a resident and local activist, like the speakers that preceded me I am in support of Marion Porterfield candidacy for the City Council. I have known Marion for years and have found her to be a passionate advocate for the City and Marion is very well informed on many complex issues that face us, she is well known and well liked here in town. Marion is a Schenectady native and has grown up here. Marion has worked for the past year at no charge to the City and I think Marion would be great on the Council. Thank you Rev. Phil Grisby - SICM - and a City resident I did not have time before to commend you on your elections and taking office, I could not be here when you were being sworn in and I wish you well on that. I would like to report on a quality of like issue that happened at my home. The officers that responded were very polite and efficient and came to the house very quietly; I know the Mayor will like that because he is working on response time. So I thank the Commissioner and Chief for the work on improving the response time and efficient of the force. Thank you. Joy Hall - Schenectady, NY - First of all, I'm glad you were elected and now the big problem is safety. Cars going to fast for City Streets and parking in the street is tying up traffic. Put more walk lights. Ebony Boulmar -I am a homeowner and I reside in the Woodlawn area, I am also a Social Worker in the Schenectady City School District, I want to say that I am not here to speak on behalf of Marion Porterfield, I am here to speak for the City of Schenectady, because ultimately it is the City of Schenectady that is going to benefit from Marion being appointed to the City Council. Every time I see Marion she is working, doing what ever needs to be done. Marion Porterfield is needed to bring diversity and balance to this Council. Thank you January 9, 2012 City Council Minutes Page 10 of 11 Joseph Skinner - 412 Summit Avenue - Schenectady, NY - Good evening Mr. Mayor and members of the Council, by this time you are probably bored hearing about Marion, so I really won't speak about Marion. I want to talk about being a staunch Democrat, I was a Democrat before I went to College, and I grew up a Democrat. My Mother taught me that the Democratic Party was the Party for the poor, the working poor, and the middle class. I grew up being a loyal democrat and being loyal to the party. I believe that the appointment of Marion is the Democratic Party doing the right thing. I am in support of Marion and I am in support of the Democratic Party doing what's right. Miriam Cajuste, Affirmative Action Manager - I am here to announce the Fire Fighter Exam, the dead line is January 17th, and I am also here to let everyone know about the information session that the fire chief is having at the Veeder Avenue Station No. 1. This session will be on January 11th, at 5:30 pm at the fire station on Veeder Avenue. You must call my office to RSVP and my number is 388-4233 ext 44171. The Fire Chief and his deputies are waiting to answer any and all questions that an applicant may have. The minimum requirement to take the exam is a high school diploma. Thank You Seeing no other speakers to come before the City Council, Ms. Brucker declared the Privilege of the Floor on City Business closed. MISCELLANEOUS: Mr. Erikson - I do notice that the window is open, we are supposed have Ed Montgomery come to our Committee Meeting and explain what has to be done and how we can save money on our heating. The second thing there has been a number of speakers to talk about the vacancy. The dialogue is good and we have a good problem in Schenectady, there is only one seat and we have multiple people who are qualified and interested in filling that seat. This vacancy will be filled by the six members of this body, and if you are interested be sure to let the six members of this body know who you are. We are looking for a good fit for this seat and I encourage anyone interested in this seat to please contact all the six Councilmembers. Thank you Mr. Riggi - Tomorrow night there will be interviews held in Room 110, starting at 6:00 pm, so if anyone is interested please show up, we will have a sign up sheet for you to sign up, if you have a resume being it with you. Is good to hear the people that support Marion and that lets us know how the public feels. This is a big decision that we have to make, we are going to do what takes thousands of votes to do, that is a lot of power for one year and then it is up to the voters, I think it is important that it is an open process, and that is what I was trying to bring forth with these interviews. I want the best person possible seating in that seat. On another point, there are some graffiti problems on the North end of town and I have had some phone calls, I know this is a problem all over, but I have had January 9, 2012 City Council Minutes Page 11 of 11 two phone calls, and Mr. Mayor I will give you the addresses. This is a quality of life issue and we have to keep after this. ADJOURMENT: Seeing no further business to come before the City Council, Ms. Brucker declared the meeting adjourned at 8:20 P.M. A TRUE RECORD BY EILEEN M. VERSACI CITY CLERK