City Council

OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK SCHENlECTmV, NEW YO= AGENDA FOR THE COUSCIL CAUCUS ANT) THE CITY COUXCIL MEETING July 28,2014 Room 209 7:00 P.M. 1. By Councilmember M s , Perazzo A RESOLUTION Authol?izing an SLDC Lien to be Discharged. 2. By Gouncllmernber Mr. Mootooveren A mSOLIITION Authorizing the City to Accept the Edward B p e Memokal Justice Grant. 4 Votes 2014 - 179 3. I3y Councilmember Ms. Perazzo A RESOLUTION Authorizing the Mayor to Enter into an Inter- Roll Calf: 6:1:0 municipal Agreement wtlh the Town AYE: E ~ k s o n ,Gng, o f Niskagruna Regarding Assessor Kosiur, Sewices- h4oolouveren, Perazzo, & 4 Votes 2014 - 186 Pofiedleld NAY: Riggi 4, By Couneilmem"se~ %fs,Porterfield A mSOLIITIC)N Calling fora Public Headng Regarding Changes to Chapter 186 o f the Code Regarding S"ri=tmet;i,Park Fees. 4 Votes 26814 - 180 5. By CounciIrnernber Mr. Riggi A RESOLUTION h e n d i n g Resolution 20 14-160. 4 Votes 2014 - 181 6. By Councilmember Mr. Rjggi A mSOLUTION h e n d i n g Resolution 20 14-161, 4 Votes 2014 - 182 7. By Councilmernber Mr. Riggi A =SOLUTION Autho~zingthe Settltlemenl of a Tax C e f i i o r ~wi.th Mian Associates. 4 Votes 2014 - 183 8. 13y Gouncil~nember Mr, Kggi A mSOLUTION Authorizing the Settlement of a Tax Cedior& with Mahoutchian Enterprises LLC. 4 Votes 2014 - 184 9. By Councilmem"oer &IreRiggi A mSOLUTION Authortztng the Sektlernerat o f a Tax Gediora~ Brought by Corn Royale Ap LLG. 4 Votes 2014 185 -.  3TINUTES OF THE REGULAmU SCHEDULED R1EETIING OF THE SGHENEGTADY CITY GOUiVGlL July 28,2014 'he Gity Council Meeting was called to order by the Gity Council President Margaret King at 7 9 2 p.m. n Room 209, Gity Council GhaKlbers at City Wall, As. King called upon Rev. Moon Hawk River Stone to provide the invocation. As. King called on Mama Isaacs to lead the PIedge of Allegiance. -he Deputy City Clerk called the roll and the following members of the City Council answered to be rresent : Present - Council members Mr. Erikson, Margaret King, Ed Kosiur, John Mootooveren, Ms. Perazzo, Marion Porterfield, and Vincent Riggi. rlso Present - Deputy Gity Clerk Chad Putman, Assistant Corporation Counsel Carl Falotico and dayor Gary McCarthy. IPPRO'VAL OF MINUTES: Ms. K h g asked for a motion to approve the minutes from the July 14,2014, rneeting as submitted by the Gity Clerk, with one correction noted by Mr. blootooveren; Ms. Porterfield made a motion to approve the minutes and Mr. Mootooveren seconded the motion. Official: From the Mayor a list of appointments dated July 28, 2014. General: None Petitions: None iMs, Porterfield, Health & Recreation --- Xored she supports the call -for a public hearing related to Steinrnetz Park Fees. She extended her grratrhrde to the Goose Hill Neighborhood Association and Camille Sasincwski for their efforts related to the park. 'RIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR (LEGISLATIVE ETEhIS) Is,King inkited all who wished to address the Legislative Agenda to come: Fonvard: P-D, Pl'scsrlris, Schenectady - Voted she disagrees ulth fke City's plan to contract with the town of N ~ s k a j u n afor assessment sen71ces She noted the school d~stl-ncti s in chaas md added the Mayor u as a City Gounell member and former board member for Mef?-splex. She noted the Grfy ichenectady City Council Minutes July 28, 2074 I Page 2 of 6 has vacant buildings which need to be renovated and suggested Niskayuna is experiencing problems at Mansion Square. Jason PIanck, Schenectady - Noted the tax cerLiorari regarding Main Associates accounts for a 59 percent tax reduction for the years 2009 througb 2013. He noted these reductions include rehnds to the school district and county. He noted this certiorari is evidence of the need for a city wide reassessment. He then indicated the Claims Committee u ent into executive session illegally on July 21 due to the lack of sufficient notice and information given to the public. We noted the City would be in trouble if the Gazette or someone else decided to investigate. Carmella Ruseitto, Schenectady - Noted she was the previous treasurer for the Schenectady Nei&borbood Watch, She noted the group had a lot of money and that she decided to get out of the s o u p for personal reasons. She wonders where all of the money went that was in the treasury. She noted the group use to hold hndraisers and members vlroufd buy their own t-shirts and used police radios. She questions the decision of the Police Department to k n d the purchase of similar equipment with hnds from the JAG program. ,eeing no krther speakers come fornard, Ms. King declared the Pfivilege of the Floor on the .egislative Agenda closed. NTRODUCTION OF AND ACTION UPON LOCAL LAWS, ORDINANCES AND lESOLUTIONS: 4r. Kosiur made a motion that Council approves the Consent Agenda and the motion was seconded by 4r. Mootooveren. Consent Agenda - Resolution No, 20 14 - 178 ................................... M o p e d Unanimously Resolution No. 20 14 - 179 ....................................M o p e Unanimously Resolution No. 20 14 - 180 ................................... adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 20 14 - 181 ....................................Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2014 - 182 ....................................Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2014 - 183 ....................................Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 20 14 - 184 .................................... A d o y e Unanlrnousl y Resolution No. 20 14 - 185 ...........................Adopted Unanimouslqi -4 Resolution ,-luthoriz;ing the Mayor to Enter into an Inter-ib1uaicipaI Agreement with %he Town of Niskayuna regarding Assessment Services, 2813 - 186 The motion was moved by Ms, Perazzo and seconded by Mr. Mcrotoo.veren. 6:1:0 Voting AYE: Edcson, King, Kosirn-, Mootooveren, Perazzo, and Pofierrfeid Voting NAY: Rlggi Abstain: None &lr.Kosilar - Noted t h i s ageement is in line with the Governor's effort to encourage shared services betucen mmicipalitisc and that he supports the resolution, Mr, Riggi -Noted the current Assessor had reported to him his interest ra prowding per diem assessment sen ices to &he City after his reslgnatisn takes effect on August 1. 2014- He noted he chenectady City Council Minutes July 28, 2014 1 Page 3 of 6 would like to see the current Assessor provide this senlice which he believes would be cheaper for the City than the proposed contract with the town of Niskayuna. RIIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR: Is. King invited all who wished to address the City Council on any matter of City business to come >ward.The following speakers rose to be heard and their remarks are summarized: P.D. Voorhis, Schenectady - Noted recent vandalism in Vale Cemetery and encouraged residents to contact cemetev officials if a relative" stone was i q a c t e d . She noted a semi-truck recently wedged itself under the tibe&y Street railroad bridge corning from Erie Boulevard. She added the driver was released and it was reported the Department of Transportation was on hand to inspect the bridge for damage. She questioned way there was nothing in the paper about the incident. Jason Planck, Schenectady - Noted his support of a city-wide reassessment and added the Mayor has reported a reassessment would cost the City $3 miltion dollars. He questioned the accuracy of this fiwre noting the previous reassessment was done in-house and that the dollar amount is being used as a scare tac"cc. He advised the City to break the reassessment down into sections and stretch it out over a five year period, He added Schenectady homeowners are experrencing the bn;mL of the tax burden. He then noted Schenectady County is one of the worst counties in the state with regards to affordable housing and that the City is not in compliance with hir;ing persons with disabilities. Tony Buonome, Schenectady - Questioned when the Oak Street Bridge repairs will take place and when the bridge will be reopened to vehicle traffic. He advised the City to stop the trains from passing under the tracks in an effort to speed up the time line for the bridge repair. He noted attending a town hall meeting Congessman Paul Tonko hosted back in early 2014 and that be was advised at the time that key officials need to have a meeting to expedite the bridge repairs, Rebecca Gigal, Niskayvna - Noted her dog recently died follouring a dog on dog attach in the City. She called on the City to address dangerous dogs in the City by maintaining records of these dangerous dogs. She noted her support of Council member Mr. Riggi's advocacy regarding alerting residents where these dangerous dogs are located. She does not agree the argument that this alert registry of dangerous dogs would diminish properly values and she encouraged the City to review this proposal firrther. k4ar.c.a Zsaaes, Schenectady - Noted the Hamilton Hill Nei&burhood Association hosted a suceessl"trl nei&borhood block party and she extended her appreciation to all those in\otved with the event. She mentioned specilic individuals, goups and businesses including Pmce Chopper, SfCM, Scheneetady Bike Rescue and others. She then thanked the Mayor and City Council for the ceremonial resolution recomizing Bethel AME congegation on its 62 anniversary. GarmeEIa Rusittcr, Schenectady - Noted she had walked over to the Front Street pool about two meeks ago and was surprised to see the pool i s closed on Sundays, She noted she spoke with the fife guard on duty and was told the change in hours had to do with budget cuts passed by the City Council, She noted it would make more sense to have the pool open on the weekends and closed on a t r e k day when more children and parents would be available to attend. She asked the Council to follow up further* Spero ZorrBas, Schenecrad: - Noted Woodlacin Park has experience ssgnrficant~mprovements thanks to the Caty staffrn the Office of General Sewrces, He noted City stafftook great pnde 1n resurfacing the concrete pad and constmeting a ne.l.i pavslion whrch 1s attached to the 016 pool cheneclady City Councii Minutes July 28, 2014 / Page 4 of 6 house. He added the park is hosting a pilot of the SICM free lunch program and summer youth program for kids and it is going very well. He noted the program runs on Tuesdays: Nlednesdays and Thursdays from I 1: a.m. to 5:00 p.m. He closed by noting the Woodlawn Neighborhood Association will be hosting its annual cookout in \iTiToodfawnPa& on August I3 and a free m o ~ i e night for kids on Auwst 16". Frank \Ticks, Scbenectady - "Ihave not attended the last three meetings so the Council, Mayor and speakers from the floor could focus on proposed casino related issues. I t h a k the Mayor Ibr conducting the wedding of my good friends on May 23, and graciously inviting my fi-iends to explore the building. T%ey posed .for many picklres on the circular stairnays. The Mayor is also to be commended for s u ~ r i s i n gMona Golub with Patroonship for her 25 years of bringing in outstanding musicians for the free concerts that had been initiated by Mayor Karen Johnson. Also noted the audit for 2013 shotlred the Police Department was $600,000 over budget, and it was driven by excessive police overtime. The Schenectady Police Department has history of police overtime scandals, including a police officer charging overtime when not on duty. An even more serrous abuse is fabricating a tra-ftic ticket, and then giving false testimony in courl. It can also corrupt the District Attorney's office and the City Court. The ease in point is Patrick Morrjis with a base salary of $71,899 increased to $136,624 with overtime. Upon issuing a fab~eat-ion,the victim is offered, and should refirse, to agree to a Lesser ?Fabrication. Partick Morris then provides false testimony in City Court. Traffic Court Judge &;lark Blanchfield teminates the session because of overtime. The victim confronts Patrick Morris outside the courlroom with his false testimony, and Patrick Morris says he can't talk about it. The matter reconvenes at a later date. Officer Jonathan Moore who has nothing, and could have nothing to support P a t ~ c kMoore's farise testimony, but who had threatened the victim, as observed by another citizen, makes a second coud appearance. Assistant district attorney, Kevin Gheung, has to argue for a conviction for a fabricated violation. The ethical position would be to rehse. Instead, Kevin Gheung resorted to the kind of trickery that is most egregious for a prosecutor. Traffic Coud Judge Mark Blanchfield, who had been a candidate for Supreme Court, had an ethical responsibility to reject, and to inform Kevin Cheung that his trickery was not allowable. Mark Blanchfield shows he is unfit to be judge. Recommendations: The problem is that unscntpulous police offices, such as Patrick Morris, can now fabricate offenses. The result can be to drive up police overtime costs, and also compting the Justice system including the office of the Distfict Attorney and the City Court. Solution: The problem can be solved by simply requi~ngpolice officers to have evidence to suppofi any traffic ticket that they may issue.'" eeing no other speakers to come before the City Council, Ms, King declared the Pfivilege o f the Floor iosed regarding City Business, IISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS 01;THE COGNGIL, Mr, Eggi ---- Thanked the dog osner :rho spoke during privilege o f the floor and encouraged the City not to wait for dangerous dog 1egisl;alronto move through the State Legislature. He noted pubiic safety is the number one priority. Me noted the dangerous dog alert in a given nei&borhood could be similar to a deer crossing sign found on the road side. He then noted concerns related to a zoning issue at 569 Ontario Street and also on Cleveland Avenue, He noted the property owners are m m k g a car repair business and body shop at night and that the City needs to intervene, He then noted concerns related to the cwent condition o f the Schensctady Little League field in preparation for the street naming ceremonq taking piace rn Bate August. He noted the BelTevue Veighhorhnnd As~ilciation~ 9 1 1he hosting its 15" annnuai picnic in the park OM A U ~ W9,S~He noted the Shentfrs Depafment be on hand to issue Ch~ldSafe ID"s and ;chenec";dy City Council Minutes July 28; 2014 / Page 5 of 6 there will be free .food and music. He noted the Bellewe Farmers Marke"Es taking place every Thursday and he encouraged residents to attend. Mr. Erikson - Announced his resignation h r n the Scheneetady City Council. He noted his family and obligations at work are the priority and that he does not bave enou& time to maintain his Council member responsibilities as well. He added he has enjoyed his time as a Council member and that he learned a great deal from his experience. He noted he would like to see more people get involved in local gov ent and that this would be his last meeting. &Is. Perazzo --Noted her support of the a ~ e e m e n tbetween the City of Schenectady and the Town of Niskayuna regarding tax assessment services. She added this will give the current City Deputy Assessor, who holds an MBA time to complete requirements before stepping into the City Assessor position in approximately 6 moz~ths.She then extended her gratitude to the Schenectady Police Department and Parkview residents for their quick response to recent graffiti tagging which took place in Bellewe. She noted the graffiti was covered by the homeowners. She then invited the public to attend an Italian movie festival taking place on Friday nights at PenecsaqsRestaurant on Jay Street. She noted in the ease of rain the movies ulill be shown on Saturday evenings. Ms. Porterfield --- She noted she will be looking into the concern b r o u h t forward durrng privilege ofthe floor tonibt regarding the Front Street pool being closed on Sundays. She then added that the Hamilton Hill Nei&borhood Association Block Party was a g e a t success and a positive event for the community. She added members of the Schenectady Police Department will be participating in a basketball tournament with area youth on Saturdays from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in Jerry Burrell Park. She closed by extending best wishes to Council member Mr. Erikson. Mr. Kosiur - He recognized the departure of Council member Mr. Erikson and his leadership on the Finance Committee during his term of service. He then noted a recent water main break on Watt Street and he thanked City residents and departments for their quick response. He then spoke to a specific incident involving a grandmother who was faced with eviction following a broken water main at the residence. He questioned what options a resident would have in this situation and asked that the topic be addressed at the next Committee meeting. He then noted the pedestrian lights at the Comer of Albany Street and Brandywine bave gone up and will improve pedest24an safety at that corner. He then noted the Schenectady school distfict will be holding public meethgs regarding the redlstneting plan on July 29 at Schenectady High School. He encouraged residents to attend and provide tzlput. He t h n noted he would like to see the Park Advisory Committee reinstated to address concerns in City parks. He then gasie examples of some o f those concerns including food rn-~cksleaking 016 and using gas generators near the kiddy play land. He closed by noting the Woodlawn Nei&borlaood Association will host its annual picnic on Augwst 13 and that it \vi;ilB be held in Woudiawn Pafk this year. Mr, Mootoovererr - Noted Mont Pleasant ivill be hosting a nei&borhood garage sale on August zndand pernits can be purchased for $2 0 throu& the Neibborhood Association. He added the Mont Pleasant hierchant Association will be hosting a customer appreciation event on the same day. He thanked City staff for installing the pedestrran safety lights in at the corner ofAlbany and Brandy~vine.Regarding the Police Depafimenk SAG fbmdkg, he noted specific items will be purchased for the Seighborhood Watch group, He closed by thanking Council member hlr. Erikson fbr his senrice on the City Council. Ma-jor h1cCartIey - Thanked COMPICI~ member Carl Enkson for hrb sewlee on the @ ~ t y Cuuncrl. Wegardmg the Front Streetppvsl he noted there mas a recent pump that was broken and he was ichenectady City Council Minutes July 28, 20q4 / Page 6 sf 6 not sure if that is why the pool was closed on the above noted Sunday. He noted he would be following up on that hrther as welt as the zoning issue raised by Mr. Riggi. Regarding dangerous dogs he noted the Court system maintains those records and that those records can be made available to the public by the court. He added he does not suppofi identify-ing an entire block as host to a dangerous dog but would support a results oriented approach. Ms. King - Congratulated %Ion8Colub on her receipt of the Patroon Award presented to her by the M a p r at the Music Haven Gala held recently, She then noted Schenectady residents should know the Central Park pavilion is safe and clean, Prior discussions related to pavilion renovations will be explored during the budget negotiation process but that residents should not be concerned about safety issues white using the pariilion in the meantime. business to come belFore the City Council, Ms. K k g asked for a motion to Seeing no h ~ h e r adjourn the meeting. The motion was moved by Mr. E ~ k s o nand seconded by Mr. Mootooveren and the meeting adjourned at 8: 12 p.m.