City Council

MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETING OF THE SCHENECTADY CITY COUNCIL December 10, 2012 The Meeting was called to order by the Council President Denise Brucker at 7:04 p.m. in Room 209, City Council Chambers at City Hall. Ms. Brucker called upon John Polimeni 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 Brucker, Absent –Barbara Blanchard, Council members Also Present –City Clerk Charles W. Thorne, Corporation Counsel John Polster and Mayor Gary R. McCarthy. At this point, Ms. King asked if there were no objections, she would like to take Agenda Item number 8 out of order. There were no objections. Ms. Perazzo invited members of the team and their supporters inside the rail to accept the resolution. Resolution 2012-221 – Recognizing the Notre Dame Bishop Gibbons Cross Country Team and Their Achievements of the 2012 Season, including the winning of their first State Championship. Coach Jonathan Broderick thanked the Mayor and the Council for recognition of their accomplishments. Ms. Perazzo moved the resolution and it was seconded by Mr. Erikson. The resolution was passed unanimously. PUBLIC HEARINGS: None APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Ms. Perazzo made a motion to approve the minutes of the November 26, 2012 and amended minutes of the October 22, 2012, meetings as submitted by the Clerk; Ms. Porterfield seconded the motion. COMMUNICATIONS: Official: From the Mayor, a list of appointments dated December 10, 2012. A letter from the Schenectady Police Benevolent Association thanking the Council for their support of updating the Police Department Patrol Fleet. Schenectady City Council Minutes December 10, 2012 Page 2 of 4 General: Bellevue Preservation Inc. will be sponsoring the 13th Annual Bellevue Community Wide "Christmas in Bellevue" on Thursday December 13th beginning at 6pm to light the tree and place a wreath at the Veterans Monument at Westinghouse Place. Petitions: None COMMITTEE REPORTS: Finance - Mr. Erikson - reported that there is no increase in the DSAD Assessment rate the Council was approving. He also stated that the distribution of the Rose Garden fees will be discussed next cycle. City Development and Planning - Ms. King thanked all who expressed interest in servicing on the Land Bank Property Disposition Board. Government Operations – Ms. Perazzo stated she met with SLIC representatives and there are ongoing discussions regarding the Housing Standards Review Board. PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR (LEGISLATIVE ITEMS) Ms. Brucker invited all who wished to address the Legislative Agenda to come forward. Tony Buonome, Schenectady – Questioned the life expectancy of the police patrol cars and asked what kind of life other communities are getting from their patrol vehicles. Harry Brand, Schenectady – Asked why the Police vehicles are being leased rather than purchased and wanted to know who is responsible for maintenance. He also questioned what the Upper Union Street BID does and how to receive more information on the legislation that comes before the Council. Mary McClaine, Schenectady – My statement tonight is based on the comments made by the Mayor during the December 3, 2012 Committee Meeting regarding the purchase of the City cars. He said, (quote) “the City will buy new cars, keep them for one year and then sell them the following year because (quote) there is no cost on maintenance for a new car during the first year of ownership and (quote) the savings on maintenance will be used to pay for new vehicles every year. Maintenance on equipment is a substantial cost to the City; (unquote) In other words save on maintenance. Maintenance costs the City too much money. That is the thinking of City officials in December. Now, let’s go back to this summer. In July, five Council members voted to purchase a piece of equipment for $114,000 the machine is to be used to clean the snow from the sidewalks around the City Schools. Period. That kind of work can be outsourced. A private contractor with the proper equipment could have bid on the work. Instead, Council voted to buy the equipment for the City workers. Equipment means insurance, gas and guess what? Maintenance. So what is it going to be Council – either save on maintenance such as the City cars – or pay the maintenance for the snow plow? If your vote tonight is “yes” to buy 10 vehicles in order to save on maintenance costs then Council needs to cancel the order for the snow plow that will be used to clean the schools’ sidewalks. It can’t be both ways. So far, none of it makes any sense. My vote would be “no” in cases, no cars, no snowplow, and get ride of the cowboys who bang up the cars. Merry Christmas. Schenectady City Council Minutes December 10, 2012 Page 3 of 4 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 Ms. Perazzo. Consent Agenda – Resolution No. 2012 – 222 ....................................Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2012 – 223 ....................................Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2012 – 224 ....................................Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2012 – 225 ....................................Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2012 – 226 ....................................Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2012 – 227 ....................................Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2012 – 228 ....................................Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2012 – 229 ....................................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: Don Birch, Jr., Schenectady – Explained his occasional lack of focus at the podium was due to injuries sustained during an arrest in December 2010. He also complained that he has been called out of turn, sometimes never at all and not allowed to speak when arriving too late to sign up while others have been allowed. Harry Brand, Schenectady – Asked how much money is made on recycling and whether it is more profitable to put recycling all on one truck. He stated he has seen trash left on the sidewalks when it falls from the containers. He also complained about seeing city trucks on extended breaks. Tony Buonome, Schenectady – Questioned where the $2.3 million reported in the Gazette came from and said the City must have been aware of it before the budget was passed. He recently complained about the mess that was left in his neighborhood when a house was moved out of and complimented the City workers who had to come in and clean up the mess. P.D. Voorhis, Schenectady – Gave a breakdown of charges on a National Grid bill. Elmer Bertch, Niskayuna – Stated Vince Riggi and Jason Cuthbert recently appeared on his OSM program to discuss the Sales Tax Agreement with the County and the Council and Mayor to participate on the program. Lorrie Robinson, Schenectady – Complained that today’s teens are lost, saying more community programs are needed. Seeing no other speakers to come before the City Council, Ms. Brucker declared the Privilege of the Floor closed. MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS OF THE COUNCIL Schenectady City Council Minutes December 10, 2012 Page 4 of 4 Mr. Riggi – Stated that 54 citations have been issued for annoyance violations and complimented the Police Department for their efforts to raise the quality of life in neighborhoods. He stated the vehicles contract is least to buy; he also stated the warranty on the Dodges is Five-year, 100,000 miles. He wished all Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. Mr. Erikson – Stated the police vehicles contract is a Four-year lease with a $1 buyout at the end. He also said that the details supporting the legislation that is passed on Council nights is discussed and available at the previous Committee Meetings. Ms. Porterfield – Said she talked to many downtown business owners and while many were complimentary of the job done by the organization many were not aware of what they do. She suggested that business owners become involved with the organization. Ms. Perazzo – Appreciated Mr. Brand’s comments on recycling and said single-stream recycling has been investigated and does not offer any advantages at this time. She also announced the Mont Pleasant Neighborhood Association Christmas party to be held at Ferrari’s Restaurant. The Mont Pleasant Neighborhood Association made 30 wreaths for neighborhood businesses. Ms. King – Wished everyone a Happy Holiday. Mayor McCarthy – Stated that he discovered first hand that 911ai works. He was involved in an auto accident and his family was notified through 911ai. He wished everyone Happy Holidays. Ms. Brucker – Wished all Happy Holidays and complimented those who decorated their homes saying it adds to the festive spirit. ADJOURNED: Seeing no further business to come before the City Council, Ms. Brucker adjourned the meeting at 7:56 p.m. until Monday A true record By Charles W. Thorne Schenectady City Clerk