City Council

OFFICE OF THE G1TY CLERK SGNEXECTADU, NE%YUORK tICENL)A FOR THE GOFjNGlL CAC'GUS AYlD TEE CITY COtlKClL MEETING June 23,2014 Room 209 7:OO P.M. AN 0RL)ZNANCE: Amending Chapter 167 of the Administrative Code Regarding Gomerclal Property Inspections. PULLED 2. By Councilmember Ms. Perazzo ilN ORDINANCE Amending Chapter 2 10 of the Administrative Code Regarding Rental Certificates. 4 Votes 2014 - 15 3. By Councilmember Mr. Mootooveren AN ORDINANCE Amending Chapter 248 o f the Administrative Code Regading Oversized Vehicles. 4 Votes 2014 - 14 4. By Csuncilrnem"Qer hlr. Mootooveren AN ORDINANCE Arnendlng Chapter 22.18of the Admsntstratirie Code Regarding Parking Meters.  AN ORDINANCE amending Chapter L 86, Parks and Recreation INTRODUCED ONLY With A RESOLUTION CALLING: for a Public Hearing Regarding Changes to Chapter t 86 of the Administrative Code Regarding Fees fo"or~ensicesat City Parks, 4 Votes 2014 - 151 6. By Councilmember Mr, Kosiur A RESOLUTION Authorizing the Acceptance of Audit Results for Roll Gall: 6:O: t Fiscal Year 201 3 for the City of AYE: Ertkson, King, Seheneetady. KOSIUI,Perazzo, Porterfield, Rig@ 4 Votes 2014 - 163 NAY: None Abstain: Lulootooveren 7, By Couneilmmber Mr. Riggi A RESOLUTEON Authorizing the Sale oCParcel 30.76-2-25. 4 Votes 2024 - 152 8. By Councrlmenzber Mr, Rig& 4 RESOLUTION Aurhonzlng the Sale o f 219 Brandjw~nt:Ave. 4 Votes 2614 - 153 9 By Counc~Pmem"e?er \Ire Rig@ 4 RESOLUTION Authirnrrng the Sale o f -41 5 Surnm~bAbe, 4 Votes 2014 - t53 10. By CouncIIrnember Mr. Rig@ A RESOLUTION Authorizing the Sale of 1062 Bridge St, 4 Votes 2014 - f 55 I I , By Couneilmemba Mr. Eggi A RESOLUTION Authorizing the Sale of 1177 Hllderbrmdt Ave. 4 Votes 2014 - 156 L 2. By Council.member R'llr, Rig@ A mSOLUTIC)N Autho~zingthe Sale o f Parcel 49.70-2-5.1. 4 Votes 21114 - 159 13, By Councitmember &lr,E g g i A RESOLUTION Authorizing the Sale of 1664 Foster ,4ve. 4 Votes - 2014 258 14. By Councilmember Mr. Riggi A RESOLUTION Authorizing the Settlement of a Claim Brought by Sarah Couch. 4 Votes 2014 - 159 15. By CouncaOmember Xlr, Rig@ A RESOLUTION Authorizing the Sel-tiemento f a Tax Certsorari Proceeding Regarding 163 Jay St. 16. By Councilmember hlr, Rig@ A RESOLUTION Authorizing the Settlement of a Tax Ce~ictrari Proceeding Regarding 844 Harnpton Ave. 4 Votes 2014 - 161 16A.* By Councilmember &lrIr. &lootooveren A RESOLUTION Proclaiming June 27th, 2024 as -4nup Jalota (King of Bhajans) Day in the City o f Schenectady, 4 Votes 2014 - 162  MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETING OF THE SCHENECTADY CITY COUNCIL June 23, 2014 The City Council Meeting was called to order by the City Council President Margaret King at 7:03 p.m. in Room 209, City Council Chambers at City Hall. Ms. King asked Rev. Dave Chetram Shree of Ganesh Mandir of Schenectady who provided the invocation. Ms. King called on Marva Isaacs 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 Carl Erikson, Margaret King, Ed Kosiur, John Mootooveren, Leesa Perazzo, Marion Porterfield, and Vincent Riggi Also Present – Deputy City Clerk Chad Putman, Asst. Corporation Counsel Carl Falotico and Commissioner Wayne Bennett. PUBLIC HEARINGS: None APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Ms. King noted the minutes from the June 9, 2014 meeting are in development and available for review in draft form as submitted by the Deputy City Clerk. No motion was made to accept the minutes at this time. COMMUNICATIONS: Communications Presented to the City Council for Monday June 23, 2014 Official: From the Mayor a list of appointments dated June 23, 2014. General: None Petitions: A petition asking that the application for a Gaming License to operate a casino on the site of the former ALCO plant in Schenectady be disapproved by the City Council with 173 signatures. COMMITTEE REPORTS: Ms. Porterfield, Health & Recreation – Noted ongoing efforts to install new equipment in City parks, more specifically Jerry Burrell Park including a soccer field and handball equipment. She noted the Hamilton Hill neighborhood association in conjunction with the park committee is looking for feedback on these efforts. Mr. Riggi, Claims – Noted the committee has been reviewing tax certiorari’s which has reveled the need for a City reassessment. He added, currently only those who have grieved there taxes Schenectady City Council Minutes June 23, 2014 / Page 2 of 6 are receiving a break on their assessment. He would like to see this concern added to the Committee agenda for further discussion. PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR (LEGISLATIVE ITEMS) Ms. King invited all who wished to address the Legislative Agenda to come forward: Jason Planck, Schenectady – Spoke on rental certificate legislation. He noted the plan to shift cost onto the City is wrong and if the City is taking on this responsibility the inspections should take place annually. Regarding the Audit he reports the Affirmative Action goals were not met and he has been asking for a study for eight years. Regarding the Affirmative Action Advisory Board he noted the City does not have the legal authority to investigate and the dialogue needs to be open. David Giacalone, Schenectady – Spoke on the parking meter legislation. He noted the proposed ordinance is filled with grammatical errors which were brought to the Corporation Counsel and City Councils attention. He noted he spent several days rewriting the ordinance and he would appreciate the Council taking a look at his suggestions. Mary McClaine, Schenectady – Item #2 “Amending Chapter 210 regarding Rental Certificates. I have read the print out for rental certificates, page 10 reads; Exterior property areas. Yards, courts and lots shall be kept clean and free of garbage, refuse and other conditions which may threaten the health and safety of the occupant. To date, a clean exterior has not been a mandate for tenants or landlords. I think the exterior conditions of a property should be included with every inspection. If the grounds are not kept clean, revoke the rental certificate. Over the past 9 years, I have been all over the City carrying petitions for one thing or another. I see many beautiful places. Last week I was in a section of town and didn’t see a piece of litter anywhere. Renters need to be as responsible as home owners. We all need to pull our weight because we all live on the same planet. This code change will help combat the litter problem in the City and Council should vote for the change.” Seeing no further 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. Porterfield made a motion that Council approves the Consent Agenda and the motion was seconded by Mr. Kosiur. Consent Agenda – Ordinance No. 2014 – 16 ......................................Adopted Unanimously Ordinance No. 2014 – 17 ......................................Adopted Unanimously Ordinance No. 2014 – 18 ......................................Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2014 – 151 ....................................Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2014 – 152 ....................................Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2014 – 153 ....................................Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2014 – 154 ....................................Adopted Unanimously Schenectady City Council Minutes June 23, 2014 / Page 3 of 6 Resolution No. 2014 – 155 ....................................Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2014 – 156 ....................................Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2014 – 157 ....................................Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2014 – 158 ....................................Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2014 – 159 ....................................Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2014 – 160 ....................................Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2014 – 161 ....................................Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2014 – 162 ....................................Adopted Unanimously A Resolution Authorizing the Acceptance of Audit Results for Fiscal Year 2013 for the City of Schenectady. 2014 - 163 The motion was moved by Mr. Kosiur and seconded by Ms. Perazzo. 6:0:1 Voting AYE: Erikson, King, Kosiur, Perazzo, Porterfield, and Riggi Voting NAY: None Abstain: Mootooveren Mr. Erikson – Noted in follow up conversations on the audit there are several relevant questions he and others have that are not covered in the scope of the audit. Moving forward he would like to City Council to be more involved in the development of the RFP in an effort to address some of those questions. Overall he added the audit is a good one. Mr. Riggi – Noted he has more question but overall the audit has positive outcomes. Mr. Mootooveren – Noted he is still looking for reports he has requested but has not received. 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: Joe Rodriguez, Schenectady – Noted he continues to attend the Council meetings as an advocate for Moyston Street. He extended his gratitude to the City Council and City staff for their good work. He noted Moyston Street has its share of graffiti and he has spoke with the Code Enforcement office related to his concerns. He closed by noting garbage in the streets as an additional concern on Moyston Street. Jason Planck, Schenectady – Noted he would like to see curb cuts added to the streetscape in and around Jerry Burrell Park. He noted he asked for curb cuts ten years ago when there was money and the work was never completed. He added Crane Street was one of the streets funded and now all the money is gone. On June 22 he noted the Supreme Court ruling related to the Homestead Act will be celebrating its 15 year anniversary. He added the City has yet to conduct a study on affordable housing. With regards to affirmative action he noted contracted employers have to have seven percent compliance regarding the hiring of persons with disabilities. He added persons with disabilities can work as flag-persons, drivers, supervisors, and work in human resources. Tony Buonome, Schenectady – Noted concerns related to the contract the City has with the YWCA regarding the management of City pools. He noted language in the resolution which only requires the YWCA to have the pool open for two hours per day. Other language he noted allows Schenectady City Council Minutes June 23, 2014 / Page 4 of 6 the YWCA to permit members of the YWCA other than City residents to use the facilities. He then referenced a comment by Metroplex Director, Ray Gillon related to flooding in the old Alco plant. He then noted concerns about garbage along VanVranken Avenue which has been left behind after the City trucks have gone through collecting garbage. He closed by noting concerns related to holes in the streets. Sabreen Salahuddin, Schenectady – Noted there is a significant amount of trash around 810 State Street where she is running a business. She noted people are dropping trash and the neighbors are leaving debris around the building. She noted the landlord of the building is intimidated by the tenants and is not able to confront them on the behavior. She is asking for direction on what to do. Sharon – Linn Schmidt, Schenectady – President of the Mont Pleasant Neighborhood Association; “We have good news: The vacancy rate in the Crane Street Business District is decreasing. We have a new beauty shop and opening soon are a boutique, clothing store, cell phone store and bar. The diner will open soon under new management. As I worked gardening around some of the trees on Crane Street this past Saturday, I witnessed traffic and pedestrian volume which would encourage any shop owner. We recently were privileged to have Linda Macfarlane, Executive Director, the Community Loan fund, speak at out June meeting, to talk about low cost loans for micro businesses, home ownership, and home repair, as well as not-for- profit projects. We have at least one lady who is interested in starting a cottage industry. We will need a veterinarian, pet grooming, a dentist, an accountant, lawyer and small manufacturing. I think we can thank some of our City officials for the increased activity in filling our empty shops. We need to improve the response time to loud music complaints in our residential areas. When we purchase a home, the deed usually comes with a covenant of quiet enjoyment on ones property. A recent incident took at least three hours of neighbors calling the dispatch center, even reaching out to the Sheriff’s office, to be told there were no patrol cars available. Not till about 1 a.m. did an officer become available to pay a visit to the home from which the booming and extremely high decibel of noise emanated. We don’t blame the police officers who are responding to more urgent matters, they are frustrated also. But when children can’t get to sleep, when neighbors threaten each other, when good people are at the mercy of those who do not respect the rights of others, there must be a better way. Perhaps (a solution can be found) through neighborhood watch, auxiliary police, or public announcements. The laws are there to be obeyed, it’s just a shame we don’t have the resources to enforce them. We need to come up with a better solution.” David Giacalone, Schenectady – Noted concerns related to parking kiosks and added New York State law does not allow a municipality from preventing residents from parking at broken meters. Therefore, he added if someone does park at a broken meter they would be expected to walk a longer distance to a kiosk to pay for parking. He noted he is also concerned about the base price for the meters starting at $1.00. He believes the fee does not reflect the slow installation and set up, of the parking kiosks, the Mayor promised. He would like the City to talk with area business owners to inquire about the parking fees impact on their customer base. He then questioned why the kiosks are not being installed on upper Union Street. Mary McClaine, Schenectady – “I am really angry over the plea deal given to the rogue cop. Anyone who had something to do with it is amoral. I have 14 nieces and nephews and I recently mentioned that 2 of my nephews are union carpenters. Another nephew holds a degree in culinary arts. One day on his way to school, he got himself into trouble. While waiting for a red light, he pointed a gun out of the window of his vehicle. A policeman was behind him and saw the incident. The officer followed my nephew to campus, pulled him from his truck, cuffed him Schenectady City Council Minutes June 23, 2014 / Page 5 of 6 and brought him to jail. He spent two nights in jail until his mother could pay the $10,000 bail for his release. Within four months he was back in court and got a record for the incident. It was a toy gun. What did the Schenectady officer get for brandishing his gun? He got to stay home with pay for one year. He got to wait until he had enough to retire before going to court. He got a paid life-time pension plus medical coverage. His was a real gun. This plea bargain is gutter politics, Schenectady Democrats do it best.” 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 Ms. Porterfield – Thanked City staff for donation to the young girl’s project. She announced that on Sunday, July 6, at 2:00 p.m. there will be a narrated tour in Vale Cemetery. The event will feature individuals who helped in the Underground Railroad movement. The event will be starting at the caretakers building and tickets are $7.00. For more information you can call 346- 0423. Mr. Riggi – Noted concerns related to loud music. He added the Stewarts on corner of Chrysler and Norwood Avenue there is a couple that lives next store and people pull up to store leaving there radio’s blasting and the neighbors are having a hard time sleeping. The Chief of Police has looked into the concern and there are limited options for Stewarts regulating their customer’s behaviors. He noted the neighbor is a WWII Veteran and in need of support related to this concern. He expressed the need for enforcement in the City with a focus on quality of life issues. He then checked in with Assistant Corporation Counsel regarding Union Inn and the flooding in the basement. He noted the inn’s owners are innocent victims with the drainage problems that have surfaced after the new development went in next store. He noted the owners have stopped paying taxes and asked what could be done to rectify this complicated issue. He advised that the City should use caution when considering authorizing this developer to do more work in the City. He then noted St. Anthony’s festival was this past weekend and it was sad to see the damage the church suffered after the recent fire. He noted the church is accepting donation to assist with the rebuild. Mr. Mootooveren – Noted the Mont Pleasant Neighborhood Association will be on summer recess in July and August. He noted there are opportunities for volunteers to help out with summer projects including painting park equipment and neighborhood landscaping. For more information residents can contact the neighborhood association president for more information. Regarding the Schenectady County Library at 99 Clinton Street he noted registration and open enrollment is open for day programs for kids. Regarding the County Library located at 1331 State Street he noted they will also offer programs for kids. He encouraged parents to utilize these programs for youth. Mr. Kosiur – Noted school is out this week and asked that drivers watch for children. He noted the City pools will be opening up in the next week with more information to come. The SICM free lunches are also starting up in area parks. He encouraged residents with children 18 years of age or younger to utilize the program. Regarding Hillhurst Park he noted Mr. Riggi and himself worked on increasing the number of parking spaces around the park to help with access for residents. As Director of the Youth Bureau he noted receiving many calls about summer programs. He noted several local organizations are still accepting applications for youth to participate. He noted scholarships are available. For more information residents can contact the Youth Bureau. He noted Steinmentz and Woodlawn Park will also be hosting summer youth programs and free lunches for youth are available at these locations as well. Schenectady C ~ i yC O U ~ G I I klinules June 23. 2014 i Page 6 of 8 51s. Perazzo - Koted Ste~nmetzPark \v,xitll be hosting a nbhnr~i ~ t i i n gon Siindaj, July229 at 7 1 30 am. She encouraged the comvnurn~tyto partrclpate ~nthe et ens, 31s. King - Uoted h l a ~ o rMilcCafihq was at the Conference of l f a p r s -in Dallas, Texas and was u;~akleto attend t o n ~ h t ' smeerrng f he noted on Monday, June 30, there t v ~ i ibe a Ser&borhood Code Enforcement compl~ancek ~ c k - o f f e . ent~ %filch tvtll also focus on the stan o f the ae~ghbnrinnodcEnvasslng to mcrease ithe number of dogs I-icensed in the Ctty. She encouraged the C ~ t yCoune~lto parl~clpateIn this m~portante\ ent 'Acljourned: Seeing no hfiher business ro come before the City Council, l/fs. King asked for a nlotion to adjourn the meeting. The mot~onwas rno-ced by htr. Kos~urand seconded bq Mr. Eriksva and the meeting recessed at 8:01p.m.