City Council

MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETING OF THE SCHENECTADY CITY COUNCIL July 9, 2012 The Meeting was called to order by the Council President Denise Brucker at 7:07 p.m. in Room 209, City Council Chambers at City Hall. Ms. Brucker called upon Father Dominic Isopo to deliver the invocation. Ms. Brucker called upon County Legislator Tony Jasenki 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, Marion Porterfield, Carl Erikson, Margaret C. King, Vincent Riggi, Barbara Blanchard and Denise K. Brucker Absent – None Also Present –Deputy Clerk Charles W. Thorne, Corporation Counsel John Polster and Mayor Gary R. McCarthy. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1. Amending Proposed Changes to Chapter 194 of the Code of the City of Schenectady Regulating the Activities of Street Vendors in the City of Schenectady. Ms. Brucker invited all who wished to address the Public Hearing to come forward. Brandon Snooks, Schenectady – Requested information on what is need to operate a food truck in the City of Schenectady. Seeing no more speakers to come before the City Council, Ms. Brucker declared the Public Hearing closed. 2. Creating the Composition and Mission of the Energy Advisory Board. 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. 3. Amending Proposed Changes to Chapter 144 of the Code of the City of Schenectady to Add Additional Requirements for Dog Owners with Convictions of Loose and/or Dangerous Dog Within One Year in 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. 4. Amending Propose Changes to Chapter 93 of the Code of the City of Schenectady Regarding the Civilian Police Review Board. Ms. Brucker invited all who wished to address the Public Hearing to come forward. Eunice Choffi, Rotterdam – Stated she was generally in favor of the proposed changes but felt an advisory board should be created. Seeing no more speakers to come before the City Council, Ms. Brucker declared the Public Hearing closed. 5. Amending Proposed Changes to Chapter 161 of the Code of the City of Schenectady Regarding the Trash Placed at Curbside for Pickup by the City of Schenectady. Ms. Brucker invited all who wished to address the Public Hearing to come forward. Mary McClaine, Schenectady - I picked this basket up from the curb and use it when I got to the farmers market. I got the idea when I lived in the Amish Country (York, PA). Amish women always carry baskets to market, I am a gleaner. I live beside four apartments. There is a frequent change over of tenants. tenants leave items behind. One day there was a violin in a case on top of the garage heap. I took it and brought it to one of my flea market venues. The man who bought it runs a music program for teenagers who are recovering from drug addictions. As he left with the violin he said to me, “It is going to a good home.” On another occasion, it had started to snow. From my kitchen window I could see a large picture leaning against a garbage can. It was 15” x 18”, done in pastel colors in a gold frame. I went and took it out of the bad weather. At my convenience, I brought it to another flea market venue. The man who bought it lived in Michigan and said he planned to hang it in his bread and breakfast hotel. A council member said he doesn’t want anyone going through his garbage. Who needs it? There are better pickings elsewhere. Something very interesting has surfaced from this issue. Citizens learned that the section of ground between the sidewalk and curb belongs to the City. So where is the City when it’s time to shovel snow, cut grass, weed and water? Does the City claim the property only when it suits its needs? And we also learned that the City sells our stuff and receives a substantial return on it. So, why did we need a garbage fee? One more important issue, people who go from garbage can to garbage can are working. It is a way to earn a living. I doubt they have medical coverage paid for by taxpayers. Does Council want to take away some one’s livelihood? Regardless of the outcome of this issue, I won’t pay attention to it. An unjust law is no law at all. 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 June 25, 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 dated July 9, 2012  From the Commissioner of General Services, a letter recommending the award of purchase of one cab and chassis with air compressor and dump body to H.L. Gage Sales in the amount of $129,850. From the Commissioner of General Services, a letter recommending the award of purchase of one cab and chassis with full panel rack body to H.L. Gage Sales in the amount of $57,980. From the Commissioner of General Services, a letter recommending the award of purchase of one trackless municipal tractor with diesel engine to Joe Johnson Equipment in the amount of $114,800. General: None Petitions: None COMMITTEE REPORTS: None PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR (LEGISLATIVE ITEMS) Ms. Brucker invited all who wished to address the Legislative Agenda to come forward. Tony Jasenki, Schenectady County Legislature, Rotterdam – Spoke in favor of central dispatching and stated it would improve public safety and decrease costs. He used mutual aid fires and automobile chases that cross city and town lines as examples of situations that would be handled safer and more efficiently. He estimated that the City’s savings during the first year will be $195,000. P.D. Voorhis, Schenectady – Commented on the condition of Liberty Park. 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: Resolution No. 2012 – CS-16 (Roll Call Vote) Adopted 4:3 Voting AYE: Perazzo, Erikson, King Brucker Voting NO: Porterfield, Riggi, Blanchard Ms. Porterfield – Asked for an analysis to be done comparing the purchase price of the trackless tractor vs. contracting out the plowing Mr. Erikson - responded to Ms. Porterfield by stating the purchase price is within $1,500 of state purchases made two years ago and a contract would not match the purchase price when amortized over the life of the equipment.  Resolution No. 2012 – CS-17 (Roll Call Vote) Adopted 4:3 Voting AYE: Perazzo, Erikson, King Brucker Voting NO: Porterfield, Riggi, Blanchard Mr. Erikson - Thanked Mr. Olsen and Mr. Lafond for their time spent explaining and reviewing the operation and condition of the pump station and the need for repair. Ms. Porterfield - stated she was not convinced of the need for the station repair. Ms. Brucker - Stated that Mr. Olsen and Mr. Lafond made themselves available to any Council members who needed more detailed explanation of the project Ms. King made a motion that Council approves the Consent Agenda and the motion was seconded by Ms. Blanchard. Consent Agenda – Resolution No. 2012 – 142 Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2012 – 143 Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2012 – 144 Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2012 – 145 Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2012 – 146 Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2012 – 147 Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2012 – 148 Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2012 – 149 Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2012 – 150 Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2012 – 151 Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2012 – 152 Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2012 – 153 Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2012 – 154 Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2012 – 155 Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2012 – 156 Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2012 – 157 Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2012 – 158 Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2012 – 159 Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2012 – 160 Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2012 – 161 Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2012 – 162 Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2012 – CS-18 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: Joe Rodriguez, Schenectady – Complained about the high assessment rates in the Vale and Hamilton Hill neighborhoods, stating the homes ate not worth the assessed value. Kevin Chaires, Schenectady – Complained about the condition of the sidewalks and streets in the Hamilton Hill Neighborhood. Lorrie Robinson, Schenectady – Stated that Union College, Price Chopper and Ellis Hospital should pay taxes. He also suggested that advertising space should be sold on city property. Marva Isaacs, Schenectady – Spoke on how successful the recent Hamilton Hill Block party was and thanked the Mayor, Sheriff Dagostino, Marion Porterfield and others who supported the event. Mary McClaine, Schenectady – The Mayor said, “The next Chief of Police will live in Schenectady.” And then what? Will he stay in the City until his retirement or will he be able to move away after 6 years of service? That is how the current PBA Contract reads for the other members of the Schenectady Police force. Give the Citizens all the details of the contract Mr. Mayor. No repeats of the Farstad debacle. No one knew anything and the man walked away with $74,000 of taxpayers’ dollars, thanks. To all last year’s City officials who made it possible. The Mayor also said he plans to re-organize the police force. Will he remove the seniority system from the PBA contract? That is where all the pork is? The seniority system means that the officer who earns the highest hourly wage is the first person to be asked to work the overtime. If he doesn’t want to work the shift, the second highest wage earner gets asked and so forth down the line. These kids of over-the-top expenditures keep our taxes high. Unions in the private sector cannot operate that way. The business owner lets those who cost the company the least amount of money work the overtime. In the case of the Police Force, those people would be the rookie policemen. Young men with small children who can use the extra money. Giving overtime work to the lowest wage earners will save the city a lot of money. Lastly, Council members have asked Chief Chaires to help with the litter problem in the City. The man is leaving. I have a 7-point plan that addresses the litter problem. I was also passed over for four members who now sit here. So, I am not going to let you pick my brain. You figure it out. P.D. Voorhis, Schenectady – Spoke on the Supreme Court rulings of the past week. 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. Erikson – Commented on the variety of food available in Schenectady restaurants. He is happy that Central Dispatch is moving forward. He also noted the differing opinions on the Council as evidenced by the two split votes on the purchasing contracts tonight. Mr. Riggi - Expressed concern that 700 properties have to be maintained when the foreclosure is complete. He noted that City employee James Clay was honored at the Goosehill Picnic. He stated that minor quality of life issues need to be addressed and unsafe buildings need to be demolished. He announced Trout Unlimited would be conducting fishing lessons in Central Park for children Ms. Porterfield – Stated she was part of a productive meeting with the Police Department concerning the confrontation with Police in Hamilton Hill. She also thanked everyone who participated in the cash mob on June 29. Mayor McCarthy – Stated that the building on Broadway is one of many that need to be demolished and part of an ongoing legal process of identifying owners and forcing them to remedy the situations. ADJOURN: Seeing no further business to come before the City Council, at 8:16 p.m. Ms. Brucker adjourned the meeting. A true record By Charles W. Thorne Deputy City Clerk