City Council

MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETING OF THE SCHENECTADY CITY COUNCIL June 25, 2012 The Meeting was called to order by the Council President Denise Brucker at 7:29 p.m. in Room 209, City Council Chambers at City Hall. Ms. Brucker called upon Madelyn Thorne 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 – Council members Leesa 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 #9 out of order. Resolution 2012-129 Ms. King moved the resolution and it was seconded by Ms. Perazzo. Roll Call Vote 6:0 6 Ayes 1 Abstain Mr. Riggi explained his vote by stating the appointment of City Clerk is a political appointment and he felt to be consistent he would abstain. He stated that his abstention was in no way a reflection on Mr. Thorne. Ms. Brucker invited Madelyn Thorne inside the rail and she held the Bible as Mayor McCarthy administered the oath of office. Mr. Thorne thanked the Council for their selection and stated that working on behalf of the residents of the City has been a gratifying experience. PUBLIC HEARINGS: None APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Ms. Perazzo moved the minutes of the City Council meetings of June 11, 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. COMMUNICATIONS: Official: From the Mayor a list of appointments (dist 06/25/12). General: None Petitions: None COMMITTEE REPORTS: Ms. Porterfield – In regard to Public Safety stated that handout cards should be created with simple instructions on how to identify and reporting utility poles outages. Ms. Perazzo – Spoke in favor of the idea. PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR (LEGISLATIVE ITEMS) Ms. Brucker invited all who wished to address the Legislative Agenda to come forward. Tony Buonome, Schenectady – Had questions on how the proposed electric charging station will work. Would there be universal plugs? Would City vehicles be given preferential treatment when there is a line at the station? Seeing no other speakers to come before the City Council, Ms. Brucker declared the Privilege of the Floor on the Legislative Agenda closed. INTRODUCTION OF AND ACTION UPON LOCAL LAWS, ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS: 2012-CS-14 Mr. Erikson moved the resolution and it was seconded by Ms. King Roll Call Vote 7:0 Ms Porterfield, who called for the roll call vote, explained she had investigated the minority hiring requirements contained in the contract and was satisfied that they met with Federal guidelines. Ms. King made a motion that Council approves the Consent Agenda and the motion was seconded by Ms. Blanchard. Consent Agenda – Resolution No. 2012 – 130 Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2012 – 131 Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2012 – 132 Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2012 – 133 Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2012 – 134 Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2012 – 135 Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2012 – 136 Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2012 – 137 Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2012 – 138 Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2012 – 139 Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2012 – 140 Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2012 – CS-14 Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2012 – CS-15 Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2012 – 141 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: Harry Brand, Schenectady – Complimented the Code enforcement Department on the work they are doing. He suggested the City look at its own buildings for violations. He also questioned the integrity of the auto repair billing that the County is invoicing the City. Marva Isaacs, Schenectady – Is upset about dog insurance and licensing, she favors all owners meeting the same standards. Tony Buonome, Schenectady – Stated he smells a lot of outdoor fires in his neighborhood. Mary McClaine, Schenectady – Congratulations Mr. Thorne, all the best to you. Mr. Mayor, Members of the Council – this is your folly. Schenectady's fleet of vehicles. I am going to tie-in this expense with the comments that were made at the last council meeting regarding consolidation. If consolidation means paving money than the Council is looking in the wrong place. Members need to go to Amsterdam and ask their counterparts how they addressed medical coverage for part-time city officials in order to save money. Or go to Albany and ask the members of the Common Council how they handled the issue of fluoride. For beautification drove over to Saratoga to see how they beautify city. It rains there too, but their City doesn't have the high weeds Schenectady has. It's called pride – not excuses. This Council has good role models all over the Capital District, who can tell you how things are run in their cities. Which brings me back to this fleet of cars. Get rid of them. Private sector companies do not supply emergency cars  for their workers, hospitals don't have them, cities and towns don't own them. Schenectady should not own them either. These kinds of expenses keep our taxes high. Since January no official has said we are going to work to lower taxes in Schenectady. The mayor keeps telling us there is value in Schenectady homes. A home owner can ask any price for his home. It's the administration's responsibility to lower taxes so that people will want to buy here and continue to live here. Start by initiating a 10% tax reduction on all city homes. Take the waste out of the contracts. Stop needless spending. And sell the cars. Nothing will improve if the taxes don't come down. Don't ask us to be patient – do what citizens want - lower taxes. Paul Kazmerek, Schenectady – Complained about police tactics when arresting one of his neighbors. Seeing no other speakers to come before the City Council, Ms. Brucker declared the Privilege of the Floor closed. Miscellaneous Business of the Council Mr. Riggi – Thanked Carl Falotico for drafting legislation against trash picking. He noted that 2,200 TVs were picked up by the City and without the recycling payback benefit it represents a substantial cost to the City. He also stated that the graffiti on Hegeman Street since Memorial Day. Ms. Perazzo - Congratulated Chad Putnam on a successful event Saturday. She also reminded everyone to add information to 911ai for better response to emergencies. She extended her condolences to the Bangkok Bistro following the tragic accident in their kitchen. Ms, Porterfield – spoke in regard to the recent shooting at Jerry Burrell Park and other senseless community shootings. She promoted the gun buy-back program on the coming weekend. Mayor McCarthy – Stated that $50,000 is in the 2012 budget for maintenance to City Hall and crews have been waiting for the weather to provide the opportunity to begin projects. He also promising trash recycling, stating it is one source of revenue we can all control and contribute to. Ms. Brucker – extended her condolences to staff and associates at Bangkok Bistro. ADJOURN: Seeing no further business to come before the City Council, at 8:07 p.m. Ms. Brucker adjourned the meeting. A true record By Charles W. Thorne Deputy City Clerk