City Council

MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETING OF THE SCHENECTADY CITY COUNCIL February 25, 2013 The Meeting was called to order by the Council President Margaret King at 7:00 p.m. in Room 209, City Council Chambers at City Hall. Ms. King called on Marva Isaacs 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 Denise Brucker, Leesa Perazzo, Marion Porterfield, Carl Erikson, Margaret C. King, and Vincent Riggi Absent – Barbara Blanchard, Councilmember Also Present – Deputy City Clerk Chad Putman, 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 16 out of order. There were no objections. Resolution No. 2013 – 30 - Ms. Brucker read and presented a Resolution honoring February as American Heart Month in the City of Schenectady. This resolution is calling on all Citizens to join the City Council and the Mayor in reaffirming our commitment to fighting cardiovascular disease. The resolution was moved by Ms. Brucker and seconded by Ms. Perazzo. The resolution passed unanimously. The Mayor also provided and read a similar Resolution recognizing the impact of Heart Disease on Women and the “go red for women” campaign to bring awareness to this cause. Katherine McCarthy, Senior Regional Director of the American Heart Association accepted this Resolution and expressed her gratitude, while reminding the public of common symptoms associated with heart disease. The resolution was moved by Ms. Brucker and seconded by Ms. Perazzo. The resolution passed unanimously. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1. Amending Chapter 138 of the Administrative Code of the City of Schenectady Regarding Fence Permits. Seeing no speakers signed up to speak City Council, Ms. King declared the Public Hearing closed. 2. Amending Chapter 228 of the Administrative Code of the City of Schenectady Regarding Paving Permits. Seeing no speakers signed up to speak City Council, Ms. King declared the Public Hearing closed. 3. Amending the Zoning Ordinance to Include Provisions for Medical Hospitality Houses. Tony Buonome, Schenectady – Mr. Buonome expressed his support of the City Council passing an ordinance to include provision for medical hospitality houses. He added, families need a place to stay when immediate family members are hospitalized due to illness. Seeing no other speakers signed up to speak City Council, Ms. King declared the Public Hearing closed. Schenectady City Council Minutes February 25, 2013 Page 2 of 6 APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Ms. King asked for a motion to approve the minutes of the February 11, 2013 meeting as submitted by the Clerk; Ms. Brucker made a motion to approve, Ms. Porterfield seconded the motion. COMMUNICATIONS: Official: From the Mayor a list of appointments dated Monday, February 25, 2013. General: Letter received from the Schenectady County Council of Veterans’ Organizations on February 15, 2013, extending their gratitude to the Mayor and City Council for the receipt of a rental check. Petitions: None COMMITTEE REPORTS: Finance – Mr. Erikson – Regarding agenda item #7 (Equity in School Funding), there will be a “Information & Advocacy Night” on Thursday, February 28 at 6:30 pm at Mount Pleasant Middle School Library. Objective of the meeting is to inform attendees of how to best communicate with elected officials on this issue. Mr. Erikson then highlighted the success of the HOMES program and the open house - press conference event which was held on February 24 at City Hall. He invited Joel Bazoine with Key Bank and Kurt Endres with Prosperity Mortgage to elaborate on their company’s participation in the HOMES program. Mr. Bazoine noted Keybank has been part of the HOMES program since day one, recently closed on their 100th home and will be offering grant financing starting on March 1, 2013. Mr. Endres identified his company as an Independent Mortgage Bank and noted they have been pulled into the HOMES program to offer FHA203K loans which allow a purchaser to establish a mortgage loan which also includes anticipated renovation costs. PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR (LEGISLATIVE ITEMS) Ms. King invited all who wished to address the Legislative Agenda to come forward. The following speakers rose to be heard and their remarks are summarized: P.D. Voorhis – Thanked the City for recognizing Heart Month. She also reported she appreciated the information provided by the Schenectady School District Superintendant, Larry Spring. She added there is a history of the City expecting GE to step in and write a big check when financial problems fell onto the City. Mary McClaine – “Legislative item #8 calls for the execution for a new contract between the City of Schenectady and Open Stage Media. I would suggest before the City enters into a new contract with OSM, Council makes certain that the City will receive a good product because it is Schenectady City Council Minutes February 25, 2013 Page 3 of 6 not a good product now. The programming has not been good since the project was taken away from Mr. Harden on November 9, 2011. I have raised concerns at least 10 times regarding one thing or another. Initially, I called Mr. Philip Morris. He told me he was waiting for new equipment to arrive. On another occasion I went to see him regarding open stage media. He was gracious enough to speak with me even though I hadn’t made an appointment. Another time, I called Ms. Perazzo. She said “we can do both” referring to the garbage schedule that was flashing on the screen. No you can’t because double messages were infringing on the speakers 3 minutes. I called Barbara Blanchard. The camera people were filming the backs of the presenters who spoke at committee meetings. Also – programming did not match the printed schedule. The schedule read a 2am Wednesday re-play of City Council meetings, I turned it on one morning, there was nothing on the screen. On another occasion, there were balloons flying across the screen when speakers were at the lectern. Mr. Harden never would have done something like that. He is too much of a gentleman. I know from my college courses that everything that goes on the screen is done deliberately. Taping needs to be addressed. The camera man pulls the camera away from the lectern. It looks like the speakers are halfway across the room. The sound goes with it. Side angle shots look like they are taped from the hallway. I could go on and on. One more thing, the amplifiers don’t work. Please invest in new ones. If the city is going to pay for programming, then insist on a good product.” Seeing no other speakers come forward, Ms. King declared the Privilege of the Floor on the Legislative Agenda closed. INTRODUCTION OF AND ACTION UPON LOCAL LAWS, ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS: Ms. Perazzo made a motion that Council approves the Consent Agenda and the motion was seconded by Mr. Erikson. Consent Agenda – Ordinance No. 2013 – 04 ......................................Adopted Unanimously Ordinance No. 2013 – 05 ......................................Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2013 – 31 ......................................Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2013 – 32 ......................................Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2013 – 33 ......................................Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2013 – 34 ......................................Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2013 – 35 ......................................Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2013 – 36 ......................................Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2013 – 37 ......................................Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2013 – 38 ......................................Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2013 – 39 ......................................Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2013 – 40 ......................................Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2013 – 41 ......................................Adopted Unanimously Ordinance No. 2013 – 42 – A Resolution in Support of Assembly Bills A88 & A824 (Amended to include S3655) The motion was moved by Ms. Perazzo and seconded by Ms. Brucker 5:1:1 Voting AYE: Brucker, Erikson, King, Perazzo, Porterfield, Riggi Voting NAY: none Absent: Blanchard Schenectady City Council Minutes February 25, 2013 Page 4 of 6 Resolution No. 2013 – 43 – A Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Execute a Contract between the City of Schenectady and Open Stage Media. The motion was moved by Ms. Brucker and seconded by Mr. Erikson. 4:1:1 Voting AYE: Brucker, Erikson, King, and Porterfield Voting NAY: Riggi Present: Perazzo Absent: Blanchard Mr. Riggi – Reported concerns that he is being asked to vote on a contract he has not been able to review. Also noted he would like to know how much Time Warner sets aside for public access services and if this amount could be used to offset some of the expense to the City. Mr. Riggi voted “Nay” due to the lack of information he has on the Resolution related to this contract. PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR: Ms. King 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: Donnie Birch, Schenectady – Reported he is trying to understand City Policy. He has been listening to people regarding the Civilian Police Review Board. He has questions about oversight and the Mayor running the show. He noted he will be running for Mayor and that he would like to create a Civilian Intelligence Agency which would include video surveillance on police officers. He plans on developing petitions, a newsletter and will “light this place up”. Jason Plank, Schenectady – Highlighted the retirement of the Schenectady County Human Rights Commission, Executive Director and this is an opportunity for City Council to take a look at its Affirmative Action. He reports asking Ms. King to bring up the issue of Affirmative Action and exploring if 20 hours per week is enough of shared time provided by the Schenectady County Affirmative Action staff member. He noted the Affirmative Action oversight of the Erie Blvd and Nursing Home projects failed. He then stressed the importance of jobs to reduce crime rate. He asked the City to review its policy of responding to alarms and explore having private security companies respond to all calls as a cost savings measure. He recommended the Alarm Monitoring Association as a national resource. He ended by stating one-million dollars in costs associated with responding to false alarms, is equivalent to 3% property tax and by addressing this issue the City could reduce taxes for residents. Kevin Chairs, Schenectady – Expressed his concerns related to increasing amounts of garbage being dumped in the Hamilton Hill area near the Mason Hall. Regarding the planned change to Chapter 138 of the Administrative Code related to fence permits, he expressed his concern about the number of permits needed within the City and residents being constrained by personal budgets. Lorrie Robinson, Schenectady – She noted Jobs in Schenectady are hard to get. Adding you need to go online, and for some residents this is a barrier, and she is not aware of resources to help. She would also like to see a Price Right open up in the Hamilton Hill area which would create jobs and reduce transportation barriers. Tony Buonome, Schenectady – Spoke about the City Assessor and he asked for leniency on the residency requirement adding that the current Assessor is doing a great job and she is easy to talk to. He then spoke about the cost of false alarms on the City asking for clarification on figures given the City is already paying for these employees to be on the clock whether they are Schenectady City Council Minutes February 25, 2013 Page 5 of 6 responding to calls or not. He closed with a general announcement that tax exempt people have a deadline of March 1. Mary Ann Ruscitto, Schenectady – Spoke in support of the Dog Census however suggesting it could be done more efficiently and not cost the City $22,000. Suggestions include asking police and/or fireman to include in their report if they see a dog in a residence or on a property. Adding this could also be done by the Building Inspectors and this information could then be passed onto the City Clerk’s office. Another suggestion is to ask neighborhood associations to turn in a list of homes with dogs, some of which are likely not licensed and the Clerk’s Office could follow up. Lastly suggesting the Dog Catcher report unlicensed dogs if this is not done already and to include the SPCA or other non-profits on a Census if one is conducted. P.D. Voorhis, Schenectady – Reflected on the Court system being overwhelmed, standing room only, with leaking roofs, and the addition of two judges who need space and clerks. Stated she does not feel the police are doing a good job and the City will have to make a decision soon between a new court room or a new police station. She added taxes are not going down. She referenced a comment by the Metroplex Director regarding the “100 plan” being a failure despite public opinion and that it was her idea of building an arch over the State Street span covering the train tracks which is now the most photographed design in the City. Jay Hall, Schenectady – Spoke about cars turning without a signal and that the City needs signs so cars only turn on green. She added the City needs to fix up the sidewalks and side streets, especially near the museum. She would also like to see walk lights on Broadway and Erie Blvd. Mary McClaine – “There were approximately 14 items on the legislative agenda for the February 11 City Council meeting. It is impossible for anyone to address even a fraction of that many items in just 3 minutes. I wanted to speak to the 2013 budget re-appropriation item, but I knew that I would have run out of time. So I am going to do it tonight and couple the item with the issue of residency. Residency has a component to it. People who live in Schenectady are your constituents. How will Council treat them, like step-children, Cinderalla’s, different strokes for different folks approach? That is what you did with your re-appropriations vote on February 11th. You took money from one constituent and gave it to another. The new Finance Commissioner received a bonus and the same salary as the one who left after years of experience working for the City. The bonus was a payback for loss of sick time which she acquired in another City for a different employer and Schenectady taxpayers footed the bill. Her high salary did not take into account that she must train to learn Schenectady’s complex financial system. On the other hand, Council took away $8,649.00 from the new Junior Accountant’s salary, a kid fresh out of college and probably in debt with student loans. Do you know what you did to his earning power by taking that much money away from his budgeted salary? You have delayed the good he did for himself for earning a four year college degree. How many years is it going to take for him to make up that loss – 3 years, 4 years, 6 years? I have been passed over four times for four different Council members who sit in those seats today. I will never accept this kind of representation for myself. Anyone who does is hurting the rest of us.” Eunice Chouffi – To the Mayor and Council Members, thank you for lowering the number of members of the Schenectady Civilian Police Review Board from 11 to 9. Hopefully this will help the Board to meet its quorum so that it can carry on with the business meeting and review cases. The legislation for the present Civilian Police Review Board was adopted in June 2002. But two years before the citizens rallied for the creation of this Board. Many meetings took place to establish this legislation – chapter 93 of the City Code. The citizens who labored on this legislation worked diligently. The present board was doing well until a few months ago when some members had to leave and they were not replaced by their respective organizations. I feel Schenectady City Council Minutes February 25, 2013 Page 6 of 6 strongly that Schenectady should have a Civilian Police Review Board. Without one, circumstances could slip backward and then the City could be sued for various reasons as it happened in the past. I urge the Council members, especially the three on the Public Safety Committee to contact the organizations who are delinquent to “speed up” with their appointments. Also I urge the Mayor to choose his appointments very soon. This will be a tremendous help in assuring that Schenectady still has a Civilian Police Review Board. Jonathan Finn – Thanked the Mayor for all the services we have in the City. He added, he was at a Habitat for Humanity meeting and there will be an event entitled, “Bowl 2 Build” which will be taking place on April 14th. The event is a fundraiser to help build two homes in the City. More information is available online at the Schenectady, Habitat for Humanity. Seeing no other speakers to come before the City Council, Ms. King declared the Privilege of the Floor closed regarding City Business. MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS OF THE COUNCIL Mr. Riggi – Spoke about a recent letter to the editor regarding State Trust – Senior Enhancement confusion. He encouraged seniors to call assessor’s office for more information. He asked the Law Department to investigate further and Mr. Polster noted the law is clear in that if the senior is in possession of their life estate they remain eligible for the exemption and the child’s income is not counted. Mr. Riggi added, senior exemptions for next year are due by March 1 and he extended well wishes to a resident who recently sustained injuries following a fall. Ms. Porterfield – Highlighted the Hamilton Hill Neighborhood Association Community Awards dinner will be taking place on Saturday, March 23 at 5:30 pm at Proctors Theatre Fennimore Gallery. Tickets are $15 and contact number is 518-728-8419. Then reminded residents about U-Matter Schenectady, which had a kick-off press conference this week and that surveyors will be coming to homes throughout the City to conduct health and social service surveys. She encouraged residents to participate by completing the survey. Mayor McCarthy – Reminded residents if they do have a U-Matter Schenectady surveyor come by their house to take time to complete the survey, the information collected will be used to help identify and distribute funds to needed programs and services. He then spoke about Resolution number eight which is dealing with the payment of OSM services and highlighted the number of services offered related to government access and broadcast of meetings. He closed by thanking the community and partners for participating in the HOMES open house and press conference on February 24, noting a spike in home sales since January 1, 2013 and adding the redevelopment of the City will take time. ADJOURNED: Seeing no further business to come before the City Council, Ms. King asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting, moved by Mr. Erikson and seconded by Ms. Perazzo at 8:05 p.m. A true record By Charles W. Thorne Schenectady City Clerk