City Council

MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETING OF THE SCHENECTADY CITY COUNCIL February 13, 2012 The Meeting was called to order by the Council President Denise Brucker at 7:14 p.m. in Room 209, City Council Chambers at City Hall. Ms. Brucker called upon Reverend Al Tomkins of the Calvary Tabernacle to deliver the invocation. Ms. Brucker called upon Brian Wright to lead the Pledge of Allegiance. The Deputy City Clerk called the roll and the following members of the City Council answered to be present: Present – Councilmembers Lisa Perazzo, Carl Erikson, Margaret C. King, Vincent Riggi, Barbara Blanchard and Denise K. Brucker Absent – None Also Present –Deputy Clerk Charles W. Thorne and Corporation Counsel John Polster. At this point of the meeting Mr. McCarthy asked, if there were no objections to he would like to take Agenda Items # 9, 10 and 11 out of order. Resolution NO. 2012-11 Ms. King called upon Susie Walsh to join her inside the rail, to accept a resolution recognizing and honoring her accomplishments as the 2011 Schenectady School District Teacher of the Year. Ms. Walsh thanked the Council and stated Schenectady High School is one of the most underrated and amazing places to work. Ms. King moved the resolution and Mr. Erikson seconded. Resolution NO. 2012-12 Ms. Perazzo called upon members of the Schenectady County Commission of Human Rights to join her inside the rail, to accept a resolution recognizing Martin Luther King Day in the City of Schenectady. Angelicia Morris thanked the Council and the Mayor on behalf of the Human Rights Commission. Ms. Perazzo moved the resolution and Mr. Riggi seconded. Resolution NO. 2012-13 Ms. Perazzo presented to the members of the Schenectady County Commission of Human Rights a resolution Recognizing and Commending the Historic Achievements of African-Americans and declaring February, 2012 Black History Month. Brian Wright thanked the Council and the Mayor on behalf of the Human Rights Commission and encouraged them to continue to enhance diversity. Ms. Perazzo moved the resolution and Mr. Erikson seconded. Presentation to Members of the Woodlawn Association – Ms. Brucker presented Certificates of Appreciation to members of the Woodlawn Association and area merchants for their volunteer and fundraising efforts benefiting February 13, 2012 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 Woodlawn Park. Spero Zoulas spoke on behalf of the volunteers and thanked the Association, Council, Mayor and Congressman Tonko for their support. PUBLIC HEARINGS: None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Ms. Brucker moved the minutes of the City Council meetings of January 9 and 23, 2012 be approved as submitted by the City Clerk. It was seconded by Ms. Blanchard. Hearing no objections, Ms. Brucker declared the minutes approved as submitted. COMMUNICATIONS: Official: From the Mayor, a list of appointments dated February 13, 2012. From the Director of Water & Wastewater, a letter recommending the award of the “Hydrofluosilicic Acid” to the lowest responsible bid, made by Thatcher Company of New York in the amount of $52,000.00. From the Director of Water & Wastewater, a letter recommending the award of the “Chlorine Gas” to the lowest responsible bid, made by JCI Jones Chemicals, Inc. of Sarasota, Florida in the amount of $18,250.00. From the Director of Water & Wastewater, a letter recommending the purchase of “Ortho Phosphate Corrosion Inhibitor” to the lowest responsible bid, made by ESC Environmental, Inc. of Glenville N.Y. in the amount of $61,200.00. General: None Petitions: None. COMMITTEE REPORTS: Mr. Erikson – Commended the Water Department in regard to the bidding process for chemicals this year. He noted they achieved a savings of $8,000 by increasing the number of bidders for the contract. PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR (LEGISLATIVE ITEMS) Ms. Brucker invited all who wished to address the Legislative Agenda to come forward. The following speakers rose to be heard and their remarks are summarized: Marion Porterfield, Schenectady – Spoke in favor of Agenda Item No. 7, extending the moratorium on the acceptance and/or approval of site plans, zoning February 13, 2012 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 variances or special permits for the operation of halfway houses in the City of Schenectady. Seeing no other speakers to come before the City Council, Mr. McCarthy declared the Privilege of the Floor on the Legislative Agenda closed. INTRODUCTION OF AND ACTION UPON LOCAL LAWS, ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS: Resolution No. 2012 – CS - 01 (Roll Call Vote) Adopted 5:1 Voting AYE: Brucker, Erikson, King, Perazzo and Riggi Voting NO: Blanchard Resolution No. 2012 – 14 (Roll Call Vote) Adopted 5:1 Voting AYE: Blanchard, Erikson, King, Perazzo and Riggi Voting NO: Brucker Ms. King made a motion that Council approves the Consent Agenda and the motion was seconded by Mr. Riggi. Consent Agenda – Resolution No. 2012 – 15 Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2012 – 16 Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2012 – 17 Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2012 – 18 Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2012 – 19 Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2012 – 20 Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2012 – 21 Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2012 – 22 Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2012 – CS-02 Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2012 – CS-03 Adopted Unanimously PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR: 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: Donald J. Birch Jr., Schenectady – Complained about Schenectady Police Department’s treatment of residents. Kevin Chaires, Schenectady – Expressed his concern regarding trash, outside of normal refuse, not being picked up and accumulating in his neighborhood. Laurie Robinson, Schenectady – Expressed concern, as a tenant, about losing her trash pick-up if her landlord is in arrears on his taxes. February 13, 2012 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4 Deborah Rembert, Schenectady – Complained that Schenectady High School students are being arrested for offenses that are handled by school disciplinary systems in other school districts. Samuel Tolliver, Schenectady Contractor – Spoke saying outside contractors rather than city contractors are receiving jobs and contracts throughout the City. Molaine Gilmore, Schenectady – Spoke on the lack of jobs in Schenectady; believes that the Affirmative Action Office’s “hands are tied.” Treasure Clayton, Schenectady – Said minority contractors are not receiving contracts. The City needs to be held accountable for hiring minorities. Bobby Willis, Schenectady – Asked for more jobs for women and people of color, saying hiring statistics don’t match the population of the City. Jason Plank, Schenectady – Expressed concern over the assessment reductions being given through the Claims Committee. He also stated that the Affirmative Action Office is not working properly. Harry Brand, Schenectady – Is upset that the 10 highest paid City employees are on the Police Department. He also stated that City employees should stop taking vehicles home. Courtney Erickson, Schenectady – Spoke on volunteerism and in favor of supporting local contractors. Joy Hall, Schenectady – Complained about motor vehicles speeding through downtown. She said she saw several cars hit in recent weeks. May McClaine, Schenectady – I would like to say something about an issue that has been in the news lately and that is the Animal Protection Foundation. I was not aware of such a group. A friend’s father passed away a couple of years ago. The family requested that memorial contributions be sent to the APF. I sent in a check. Ever since I have been bombarded with their junk mail asking for more donations. The group has a very aggressive marketing operation. I live in Schenectady. If the group will not accept animals from the City they should be forbidden from soliciting contributions from its residents. There are two properties in the city with the same problem. The backyard is not big enough for children to play in. In one case the homeowner moved away from the problem. In the other case, the property belonged to the City and City Council voted to sell it to a lady who wanted it for a day care center. I invite everyone to go and look at the property. It is easy to find. It’s on lower Eastern Avenue across from the school yard. As you look at the property picture a mother waling up the stairs carrying a baby, a bag of pampers and a purse. Then ask yourselves – is that a good place for a day care center. I don’t think it is. The moral of the story is – the conditions on that property wasn’t good enough for one of their own but Council voted to make the property available to the community’s children. This can only happen because everybody gets along. Getting along doesn’t constitute the welfare of the community. February 13, 2012 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 5 Martha Isaacs, Schenectady – Complained that the empty Council seat should be filled. Rev. Ted Ward – Asked that Council address the lack of jobs, stating minorities are still fighting the same fight. Miscellaneous Business of the Council Mr. Erikson – spoke encouraging minority contractors to bid on city contracts and encouraged contractors to work together in an effort to obtain larger contracts. He also said they should contact City departments to be added to the bidder lists. He also referenced the recent article on City overtime pay and suggested that the city look into establishing a policy limiting overtime questioning a person’s effectiveness of when working longer hours. He congratulated Susie Walsh on receipt of the Teacher of the Year Award. Ms. Perazzo – reminded residents to sign up for 911ai. By opening a free online account lifesaving additional information is available to emergency responders. Mr. Riggi – Regarding the minority contractor concerns, He stated the City needs to “take care of its own.” He said the situation has existed for years and the situation needs to be reviewed. Mayor McCarthy – thanked the minority contractors for voicing their concerns. He also promoted the upcoming Schenectady Restaurant Week. Ms. Brucker – was also concerned about the problems the minority contractors are experiencing and encouraged them to utilize MCTAP. She said all need to work toward a solution. Adjournment: Seeing no further business to come before the City Council, Ms. Brucker declared the meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m. A true record By Charles W. Thorne Deputy City Clerk