City Council

MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETING OF THE SCHENECTADY CITY COUNCIL March 26, 2012 The Meeting was called to order by the Council President Denise Brucker at 7:10 p.m. in Room 209, City Council Chambers at City Hall. Ms. Brucker called upon Reverend Daniel Ling of the First United Methodist to deliver the invocation. Ms. Brucker called upon Eunice Choffi 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 Ms. Brucker asked, if there were no objections to she would like to take Agenda Item # 12 out of order. Resolution NO. 2012-49 Ms. Perazzo called upon members of the League of Women Voters. The representatives thanked members of the Council for the resolution and spoke about the activities and causes of the group, highlighting their efforts at the Board of Elections in drafting and educating poll workers. Ms. Perazzo moved the resolution and Mr. Riggi seconded. PUBLIC HEARINGS: Regarding an Ordinance amending the Land Bank Chapter 72 of the Code of the City of Schenectady. Ms. Brucker invited all who wished to address the Public Hearing to come forward. Seeing no speakers to come before the City Council, Ms. Brucker declared the Public Hearing closed. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Ms. Perazzo moved the minutes of the City Council meetings of March 12, 2012 be approved as submitted by the City Clerk. It was seconded by Mr. Riggi. Hearing no objections, Ms. Brucker declared the minutes approved as submitted. March 26, 2012 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 COMMUNICATIONS: Official: From the Mayor, a list of appointments dated March 26, 2012 General: A thank you letter from the Polish-American Veterans of Schenectady for receipt of a rental check. A thank you letter from The 27th Division Post 1002 American Legion for receipt of a rental check. 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: Jason Planck, Schenectady – Spoke in regard to the changes in the Ethics Ordinance. He suggested that on the job non-performance problems be treated as thief and the employee can be fired for committing a crime. He also stated the ethics legislation needed to be broader reaching. P.D. Voorhis, Schenectady – Objected to the resolution recognizing Women’s History Month being in so late in March. 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: Mr. Erikson made a motion that Council approves the Consent Agenda and the motion was seconded by Ms. Perazzo. Consent Agenda – Local Law No. 2012 – 01 Adopted Unanimously Ordinance No. 2012 – 03 Adopted Unanimously Ordinance No. 2012 – 04 Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2012 – 50 Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2012 – 51 Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2012 – 52 Adopted Unanimously March 26, 2012 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 Resolution No. 2012 – 53 Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2012 – 54 Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2012 – 55 Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2012 – 56 Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2012 – 57 Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2012 – 58 (Roll Call Vote) Adopted 6:0 Voting AYE: Blanchard, Brucker, Erikson, King, Perazzo and Riggi Voting NO: None 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: Lorrie Robinson, Schenectady – Objected to the lack of jobs available in the City of Schenectady. Kevin Chaires, Schenectady – Spoke on the number of vacant buildings in the City. Kristoffer Recinos, Schenectady – Spoke to encourage more jobs and employment opportunities be created. Jason Planck, Schenectady – Spoke on job creation and the lack of availability of apprentice programs. He objected that the Affirmative Action Officer was not in attendance. Jennifer Wells, Schenectady – Stated that the City could be doing more to provide jobs. She cited partnering with Habitat for Humanity to rehabilitate buildings. She noted places like Riverside Park and other areas along the Mohawk River are in need of repair from storm damage. Joy Hall – Stressed the need for traffic safety law enforcement saying that the streets are not safe to walk. She also said sidewalk conditions make it difficult for the disabled to get around. Ken Santiago, Schenectady – Requested help from the Council for noise and dust problems that are being caused by auto repair by his next door neighbor. He also thanked Vince Riggi for his assistance in trying to resolve the problem. Nathan Baum, Schenectady – Informed the Council of the poor condition of the Babe Ruth field on Golf Road. He also said that sponsors and volunteers are needed. He asked Council to consider allowing more use of the Central Park fields for the High School Junior Varsity teams. Mary McClaine, Schenectady – There is no justification for City employees to drive city cars to their homes. Anyone who says otherwise is bluffing or telling stories. My husband worked on Nuclear Energy for ten years. Is there a more March 26, 2012 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4 serious emergency than to have something go wring at a nuclear site? General Electric never gave him a company car for emergencies. What GE had was a conscientious employee who moved fast when the phone rang. There were no cell phones in those days. He slept beside the telephone. When the phone rang, he was out the door and drove the family car to the site. And the phone did ring in the middle of the night. What kind of emergency in this City could compare with a nuclear mishap? The policy of this city to have employees drive home city cars is unwarranted. Why has it taken so long for anyone to understand such a flawed policy? I’m talking about 35 cars – that was the number given to me, the last time I asked. The cost of 35 cars being driven by City employees is a heavy financial burden to the taxpayers. It should not be. I took the Liberty to call several hospitals to ask about their policies for emergencies. Albany Med., Samaritan Hospital, St. Mary’s, Ellis, 1-employees are on call as needed. 2-Use own cars for emergencies. The practice of employees driving home city cars cannot continue – the sooner the better. No more city cars for anyone. Bill Drake, Schenectady – In response to Mr. Baum he stated that he had organized a group of volunteers a few years ago and they were able to paint and restore a local ball field. He then complained about the loose garbage and trash in the streets. He also complained about motorcycles consistently drag racing up Union Street. He wondered how the Police Department covers the as short-staffed as they are. Treasure Clayton, Schenectady – Expressed her concern about the rate of student suicides. She stated living conditions contribute to depression, which contributes to the suicide rate. She asked Council to help communicate. She also criticized the lack of CDBG funding received. Samuel Tolliver, Schenectady - Complained about the trash and lack of safety in the parks, in particular Jerry Burrell Park. Flora Romanowski, Schenectady – Criticized the amount of fluoride in the water supply. She stated that researchers who disagree with adding fluoride to the water supply are blacklisted and discredited. She stated new research proves fluoride to be not effective. P. D. Voorhis, Schenectady – Spoke about a past County law suit. Arik McNamara, Schenectady – Spoke against adding fluoride in the water, citing health risks. He encouraged that the City consult with professionals. Miscellaneous Business of the Council Mr. Riggi – Stated that the situation being experienced by Mr. Santiago is not acceptable and if there are not laws on the books to address the situation we need them. He also stated the burned out building on Broadway needs to come down. Mayor McCarthy – Stated the building inspector determines whether or not a building is unsafe. He stated that while the Fire or Police department is still in March 26, 2012 City Council Meeting Minutes Page 5 control of a site the process to demolish it on an emergency basis is simpler. After control is returned to the owner the process is more encumbered and costly. Adjournment: Seeing no further business to come before the City Council, Ms. Brucker declared the meeting adjourned at 8:31 p.m. A true record By Charles W. Thorne Deputy City Clerk