City Council

MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETING OF THE SCHENECTADY CITY COUNCIL August 13, 2012 The Meeting was called to order by the Council President Denise Brucker at 7:15 p.m. in Room 209, City Council Chambers at City Hall. Ms. Brucker called upon Father Richard Carlino of St. Anthony’s Church to deliver the invocation. Ms. Brucker called upon Father Richard Carlino to lead the Pledge of Allegiance. The 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, and Denise K. Brucker Absent – Barbara Blanchard Also Present –City Clerk Charles W. Thorne, Corporation Counsel John Polster and Mayor Gary R. McCarthy. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1. Proposed changes to Chapter 186 of the Code of the City of Schenectady to Ban Smoking in City Parks. Robert Sanders, Schenectady – Questioned the Council’s priorities in introducing a ban on smoking in the park. He understood restricting smoking in the field or playground areas but stated that many areas of the parks are isolated and smoking should be allowed while walking or fishing. He stated he was totally against the ban. Nancy Towler, Schenectady – stated if the Council was serious about air quality there are more toxic practices that should be banned such as charcoal grills and automobiles. Jeannie Orr, Niskayuna – Spoke in favor of the ban, noting many other communities have already banned smoking in parks. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Ms. King made a motion to approve the minutes of the July 9, July 23, and the amended minutes from April 9, as submitted by the Clerk. Mr. Riggi seconded the motion. COMMUNICATIONS: Official: From the Mayor, a list of appointments dated August 13, 2012 General: None Petitions: Schenectady City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 4 August 13, 2012 COMMITTEE REPORTS: None PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR (LEGISLATIVE ITEMS) Ms. Brucker invited all who wished to address the Legislative Agenda to come forward. Albert Morris, Schenectady – Representing Schenectady Hardball Association and he would like his organization to be included with the cricket groups developing Grout Park. Rohan Sahadeo, Schenectady – Representing SSBC and he would like his organization to be included with the cricket groups developing Grout Park. Jacquie Hurd, Schenectady – Discussed the process that the Bellevue Neighborhood went through to arrive at the final plans for the Hillhurst Park Rehabilitation, Upgrading and Beautification. She emphasized the input that the community had with both the City and the County regarding decisions for the final plans. 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: Ms. King made a motion that Council approves the Consent Agenda and the motion was seconded by Mr. Riggi. Consent Agenda – Resolution No. 2012 – 163 Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2012 – 164 Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2012 – 165 Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2012 – 166 Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2012 – 167 Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2012 – 168 Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2012 – 169 (Roll Call Vote) Adopted 6:0 Voting AYE: Brucker, Erikson, King, Perazzo, Porterfield and Riggi Absent: Blanchard Schenectady City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 4 August 13, 2012 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: Kevin Chaires, Schenectady – Complained about broken tables, equipment and general disrepair of Mont Pleasant Park. Lorrie Robinson, Schenectady – Presented a petition to the Council and the Mayor asking to create jobs and training programs for minorities. Deb Rembert, Schenectady – Complained that her son’s car was impounded and asked the Mayor for help recovering it. She also complained that her landlord is unable to make repairs to her home because of high taxes. Tony Buonome, Schenectady – Understood that the City’s hands are tied regarding the two dangerous dogs that came into the City from Pittsfield, but encouraged the City to find a solution to keep the dogs out and said that it wasn’t right the dogs are allowed to come to Schenectady. Postelle Smith, Schenectady – Is a food service provider at Jerry Burrell Park. She stated that the bathrooms and tables at the park are in disgusting condition and the bathrooms are not usable. She said Central Park is not like that. She has complained to park administration and nothing has been done. Klisia Ramdeth, Schenectady – Spoke regarding the stray dog problem in the City of Schenectady and supports a county-wide animal shelter. Sherry Pederquist – Good Sheppard K-9 Rescue – Stated that the SPCA in Montgomery County is not large enough to address the problems Schenectady is facing with stray dogs. She said Schenectady needs a county-wide animal shelter and it could be revenue generator. Leah Maynard, Rotterdam – Asked the City to consider being part of a county-wide animal shelter. As a volunteer with a dog rescue association she is constantly receiving calls form people who are moving and can’t keep their animals. A shelter could provide a home for these animals. Jacquie Hurd, Schenectady – Complemented Vince Riggi and the City for responding to a situation in front of her house, on a Sunday during a storm, involving an unsafe tree. City crews responded, barricade the street and stabilized the tree, which could have fell and taken out power or injured someone. Robert Sanders, Schenectady – Questioned why there is no sidewalk in front of Uncle Sam’s Chocolates. He also challenged Ms. Porterfield to a candidate debate. John Betta, Sr., Schenectady – Suggested setting up wind vanes in the park so people could smoke downwind of others and develop activities using the cigarette butts. Fred Lee, Schenectady, Neighborhood Watch – Spoke promoting National Night Out. He stated that the Schenectady Neighborhood Watch assists the Police Department on approximately 100 missing youth searches a year. He suggested that caregivers always have a current photo – updated once a year. An abduction must be declared initiate an Amber Alert, but the Schenectady Police acts immediately in the case of a missing child. Ronald Ratcham, Schenectady – Commented on trash picking through the City. He stated that many usable items are disposed of and cost the City money by entering the trash cycle. He thinks that the law is unenforceable and will create scofflaws Schenectady City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 4 August 13, 2012 Treasure Clayton, Schenectady – Spoke in support of the Gun Buy Back Program in Schenectady. Stated that she had spoke to an 11 year-old neighbor who said all of his friends have guns. Ed Babca, Schenectady – Spoke out in favor of a Medical Hospitality House and chastised the Council for failing to establish one. Jonathan Finn, Schenectady – Spoke about sidewalk problems in Mont Pleasant particularly the unsafe conditions around the bridge on Altamont Avenue near Watt Street. The vegetation blocks the sidewalk forcing pedestrians and cyclists to move into traffic. 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 – Sated the Finance Committee would be considering the issue of County Sales Tax Distribution. Mr. Riggi – Congratulated the Goosehill Neighborhood Association on the Community Garden and applauded the work of the Neighborhood Watch, especially their work searching for missing children. Ms. Porterfield – Attended a cricket match and saw youth and families involved. Relayed a request for lights at the basketball courts through the night. Residents are concerned about the impact of the foreclosures on the City. Ms. King – reminded everyone the Annual Steak and Lobster Fest for the benefit of the Schenectady Day Nursery on Thursday night Ms. Perazzo – Supports Clean Sweep, a volunteer clean-up of Schenectady. Mayor McCarthy – Thanked everyone for their support for the Cricket play in Grout Park. Also stated he would look into the street and park problems that were brought up during the meeting. RECESSED: Seeing no further business to come before the City Council, Ms. Brucker recessed the meeting at 8:42 p.m. A true record By Charles W. Thorne Schenectady City Clerk