City Council

OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK AGENDA FOR THE COCSCIL CAUCUS AVD THE CITY COUXCIL 33EETING October 14,2014 Roorn 209 7:OO P.&l. I . By Councilmember PUBLIC HEARING Regarding the Proposed 2015 Operating Budget for the City of Scheneetady. 1. By Gounciimernber Ms. Perazzo A RESOLUTION Authorizing the Issuance of Revocable Permit No. 585. 4 Votes 2014-227 2. By Councilmember Ms. Perazzo A RESOLUTION Authorizing the Issumce of Revocable Permit No. 586, 3. By Councilmember Ms. Perazao A RESOLUTION Authofizing the Corporation Counsel to Bring a Lawsuit to Recover Emergency Demolition Costs. 4 Voles 2014-229 4. By Councilmember Mr. h~ootooveren A RESOLUTION Appointing Julia HoIcomb to the Civilian Police Review Board as the Representative for Schenectady United Neighborhoods. 4 Votes 2014-230 5, By Councilmember R'lr, ,Wootooveren A RESOLUTION Authorizing the Acceptance of the State Homeland Secufity Grant. 4 Votes 2014-231 6. By Councilmember Mr, Riggi A RESOLUTION Authorizing the Settlement of a Claim brou&t by Phillip Clayton. 4 Votes 2014-232 7. By Councilmember Mr. Riggi A RESOLUTION Authorizing the Settlement of a Tax Certiorari Brought by L&S Realty. 4 Votes 2014-233 8, By Councilmember h3r*Riggi A RESOLUTION Aurho~zingthe Sel-tlernent of a Tax Cerliorafi Brou&t by Nicholas Davidson, 4 Votes 2014-234 9. By Councilmember 3Zr,Riggi A RESOLUTION Author?izingthe Settlement o f a Claim Brort&t by Lucian Rizzo. 4 Votes 2814-235 p2> *";> e- 10. £3 y Councilmelnber Mr. Riggi A RESOLUTION Authorizing the Settlement of a Claim Brou&t by Stephen Scribner. 4 Votes 2014-236 I I . By Councilmember Mr. Riggi A RESOLUTIOIV Authorizing the Settlement of a Clairn Brought by Verizon, 4 Votes 2014-237 12. By Councllrnernber Mr, Riggi A RESOLUTION Authorizing the Sale of 1025 Stanley Street. 4 Votes 2014-238 13. By Councilmember Mr. Riggi A RESOLUTION Authorizing the Sale of 1215 Albany Street. 4 Votes 2014-239 14. By Councilmember Mr. Ftiggi A RESOLUTION Authorizing the Sale of 702 Congress Street. 4 Votes 2014-240 15, By Councilmember 91s. Perazzo A RESOLUTION Honoring the Goose Hill Neighborhood A w a d Recipients. 4 Votes 2014-224 16, By Councilmember Tsillr, Riggi A RESOLUTION Deelafing October to be Italian Amerrcan Hel-itage Month. 1'7. By Councilmember Ms. Porterfield A RESOLUTION Declaring October to be Domestic Violence Awareness Month. 4 Votes 2014-225 18, By Councilmember Mr. Kosiur A RESOLUTION Declaring October to be Breast Cancer Awareness Month. 4 Votes 2014-226 19. By Councilmember Mr. Mootooveren AN ORDINANCE Regarding a Moratorium on Convenient Stores. 4 Votes 2014-22  itiffWfjTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETING OF THE SCHENEGTADY CITY COUNCIL @% October 14,2014 ?-he City Council Meeting was called to order by the City Council President Margaret King at 7:09 p,m. in Room 109, Gity Council Chambers at City Wall. AMs.King called upon Rev. Dave Ghetrarn of Shree Canesh Mandir of Schenectady to provide the invocation. Ms. King called on Mama fsaacs 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, Margaret King, Ed Kosiur, J o h Mootooveren, Leesa Perazzo, Marion Porlerfield, and Vincent Rig@ Also Present - Gity Clerk Charles Tborne, Coqoration Counsel Carl Falotico and Mayor Gary McCa~hy At this point, Ms, King asked if there were no objections, she would like to take agenda item number 15, 16, 17 & 18 out of order*There w m no objections. Resolution No, 2014 - 223 - A Resolution Declaring October to be EtaIiaa American Heritage Month. Sons of Italy President Peter Sperano and representatives from the Italian Amerrcan community were on hand and extended their gratitude for the recognition by the Mayor m d City Council, Mr. Sperano then invited residents to attend a ceremony on October iiithat 10:I)O a.m. in Veterans Parts with a reception to iollow at the hi111 or! Hamburg Street. The resolution was moved by Mr. Riggi and seconded by iLls. Perazzo. The resolution passed unanimous1y. Resolution No. 2014 - 224 - A Resolution Honoring the Goose Hill Neighborhood Award Recipients. Good Neighborhood Award recipients fro& the Goose Hill neighborhood were on hand and extended their gratitude for the recognition by the Mayor and City Council. The resolution tvas moved by Ms. Perazzo and seconded by Ms. Porterfield. Tfie resolution passed unanimous1y, - Resolution No, 2014 225 - A ResofuGon Declaring October to be Domestie britolearce Awareness BZsrrth. Representatives from the YiVCA were on hand and extended their gatit-ude for the recognition by the Mayor and City Council. Representatives added the YWCA has hosted a shelter h r the v~ctarnso f domestic violence for nearly 40 years and appreclaees the support of the Crty. The sesuSutLon was moved by Ms. Por&eri-jeldand seconded by Mr. Mootooveren. The resolmion passed unanimously. Resalution Xcr, 2814 -- 226 - A Resolution Declaring October to be Breast Cancer Asvareness 3tonth, Chief Seneca1 and represeatattlrves &om the Sehenectady Fire Department were on hand and extended their gatntude for the recagn~t~on by the W a p r and Crty Councrl, The department has facrlltated a grogam proudly weanng t-sh;rts promoting breast cancer awareness for the last three fears, d Ms. Pera~raT i e i-esoluhion passed Fie re>s~ictrtrnwas m o ~ c dby hjr Kos:ur dnd ~ e c i ~ n d cby :lnammousl;d Scheneciady City Council Minutes October 14, 2014 1 Page 2 of 6 Then Deputy Cbtef Mareno annomeed a recent padnership w ~ t hthe American Red Cross and the Hamilton H1t1 Neighbctrhood Association which altowed volunteers to ~nstall smoke detectors in homes and provide fire safety education to residents on October 10, 1, Regarding the Proposed 2015 Operating Budget for the City @of Schenectady Seeing no speakers come fornard, Ms. King declared the public beaflng closed. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Ms. King asked for a motion to approve the minutes &om the Sqtember 22,2014 meeting as submitted by the City Clerk; hir. Kosiur made a motion to approte the minutes, &Mr.Rig@ seconded the motion, C omniunic;rtionu Prc.set~tc.cito the C i r ~Council for Tiltsda?, Octohcr 1-4, 21) 14 Official: From the Mayor a list of appointments dated Ocbber 14: 2014. General: None COMMITTEE REPOIRTS: Mr. Rig@ --- Responded to a comment made a"tthe last meeting regarding the Council lowermg taxes with tax eet-tiorafi7sfor commercial properties m d not residential. He noted the tax cediorads do not directly lower taxes they lower propedy assessment values, He noted the Council is able to grant tax certiorari's when the owners are able to protide proof throu& the certiorari process that their assessed values are too hi&, He closed by re~leratingthe need for s city wide reassessment and that assessment and taxes are two different h n g s , PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR (LEGISLATIVE ITE%IS) %fs,Krng tn\ ited all who w~shedto address &he Legislative Agenda to come forward: Seeing no speakers came forward, M s . King declared the Prslv~legeof the Floor on the Legislative Agenda closed, IWTRBBUCTIQN OF AND ACTIQX OFON LOCAL LAWS, ORBIiQaANCES-4XD R ESOLZ7'FlONS: r, Riggi made a motion that CounciI apprw-ies the Coment Agenda and the motion was seconded by r. hiootooveren,  Schenedady City Council Minutes October 14,2054 1 Page 3 of 6 Consent Agenda - Ordinance Ko, "tyI-4 - 22 ................... ...........vA4doptedUnanimously Resolution Xo. 3014 - 227 ....................................Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 20 14 - 228 ....................................Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. "014 - 229 ....................................Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2014 - 230 ................................. Adopted Unanimously Resolution Nu, 20 I4 - 23 1 ....................................'4dopted Vnanimously Resolution No. 20 14 - 232 ................................. adopted Unanimous1y Resolution Xo. 2014 - 233 ....................................Adopted Unmimously Resolution No. 2014 - 234 ....................................Adopted Unanimously Resolution No, 202 4 - 235 ......................*.............Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2014 - 235 ..... adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 20 14 - 237 ....................................Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 20 14 - 238 ........................ ...i4dopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2014 - 239 .............................. Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 21)14 - 240 ....................................Adopted Unilmtimousty PRIVILEGE OF THE mOOR: Ms. King invited all who wished to adciress the City Council on any matter of City business to come hnvard. The .following speakers rose to be heard and their remarks are summarized: Joy Hall, Schenectady - Noted there are three immediate problems which need to be addressed. She noted E a t e m Avenue needs to be paved all the way to the end. She noted more walk li&ts need to go up at cerlain intersections in the City. She closed by noting the time an the Erie Blvd tvalk li&ts for pedestrians need to be corrected and that drivers need to stop speeding. P*; Anthony Carota, Schenectady - Noted as a resident and citizen of the City of Schenectady he 29; 3 : \; never thought he would get involved in polities. We noted the City is maintaining dogs in a shelter which is inhuman and that City administration believe the conditions are acceptable. He noted residents of New York are protesting the treatment of these dogs by the City. He added City officials believe its ok to cover up issues raised by the residents. Sooner or later, he noted there will be a rebellion of voters in response to the Mayor's tactics of taking away homes and businesses from the residents who can't afford increasing taxes. &lama Xsaacs, Scheneetady - Extended her thanks to the Mayor and City Council for helping at a recent event. She then noted on October 18 at 5:30p.m, the Hamilton Hi11 Nei&borhood Association \.;dl1 host its annual awards dinner. She added all are invited to attend the event whlck is t&mg place at the Mlbeanian Hail on State Street. Tony Brronsnre, Selrenectdy - Addressed the Mayor with questions related to the Oak Street Bridge. He noted the bridge has been closed for the last year and a half and he would like an update, Stephen &ueger, Schenecrady - it'sted he 1s s volunteer wnth Rotterdam Empire Rescue and has been lattend~ngmeetings for the tast few months. He noted he was present for the presentataon by the Commrss~onerelated to tmpruvernenrs h e Ctty made at the Crty dog shelter. He noted more needs to be done. He noted the Crty"s Antrnal Control Officers (ACO's) ha\.&- recerr,ed trai;nmg at the Mohau k Hudson Htlrn~glSoc~etywhrch included obsari rng evaluat~ons He noted h r i CCIPC~TIIthat obsened trainmg rs nor the sipme as hm$s-cPnand he 1s womed about the iZCO's ;shatthrrg theaset%rsin danger by dorng these ei-aluatnsjn, He noted "1e 21ty 1s not tak~ngr oiuntceis mhnu i:~cairescue gotaps up on tfielr ~jffer10 %emore rnv\,lved .ivith the City"s  Schenectady City Counctl Minutes October 14, 2014 i Page 4 of 6 dog shelter. He ~vouldlike to know more about the adoption process and what rescue goups the City is currently tvorking with. Patty Rafez, Scheneetady - Noted she is interested in sitting doun with the City Council in an efi>rt to have a list of questions anstyered. She noted it's time for the City to show improvements in follittv up to what the animal rights group have demonstrated was wrong with the dog shelter. She noted advocates are concerned and tvould like to see the shelter for themselves. She would like to know why volunteers are not being used despite the availability of waivers. She dosed by noting the no trespassing s i p s at: the City dog shelter do not make the advocates feel good about the conditions and care the dogs are receiving in the City dog shelter. 3Zohammed Hafez, Schenecttldy - Noted he has some simple charts related to the 2015 budget proposal and that he heard taxes are set to increase three percent. Regading the first chart, he entitled it the Destructive Chart. We noted the chart illustrates if the City raises property taxes the homes become unaffordable. He then showed a second chart, entitled the Gonstmctive Ghast tvhich demonstrates that homes become more affordable when the City reduces property taxes. We advised the city to reduce taxes for the next three to four years. Ronald Garret, Schenectady - Noted he had a disturbing expe~encehe wanted to share with the City Council, He reported Living at I04 OdelX Sh-eet and h a t he has owned the home since 2010, He read a note that talked about his years of community volunteer senice and military sewice for the country. He then talked about an incident which occurred on September 25,2014 a o u d 12:00 noon. He noted Ire and a hture relative went into a convenient store to ask for change. He was told to go to the bank to get change. He repot-ts hdher questioning the store owner at which time he was called a raclatly derogatorq. name by the store owner md told to get out. He closed by noting the Council is now at;vare of the incident and he would like to see something done * *@ about it. He added the owner should not be in business, Seeing no other speakers to come before the City Council, Ms. King declared the Privilege of the Floor closed regarding City Business. iMISGELLAiVjEOUS BUSINESS OF THE COUNCIL Mr. Rig@-Asked the Mayor to respond to questions related to the Oak St. Bridge raised earlier by a resident, He then questioned the stakis of snow plowing contracts related to plowing the City streets with the season approaching. Regarding volunteers at the City dog shelter, he asked "now the City is able to utilize vslmeers for other tasks in the City but when it comes to the City dog shelter. vnlunteers are not aldir\r,ed. He added the animal advocates have been reasonable and the City could at least allow the advocates to inspect the Cify dog shelter for the puqoses o f trmsparency. He then thanked the Council for passing several ccremon~alresolutions toni&t and emphasized the resolurion recognizing breast cancer and that he iost two asters due to breast cancer, He later shred a story about Julia Holcomb that while she was serving in the military o~er sea's she made sure that her [axes were pad. He noted she wrll be an excellent addition to the: GaviIian Pcrlrce Review Board, Ms, PorterBeld --- Recognnzed the goups tn rece~pto f the ceremon~alsesuiutions can ton~ght's City Csuncrl agenda, She added the f ihy Hail clock tower rs rllurn~natedIn purple ir@t thrs month "i bnng awareness to Dornest~cV~oienclePrevent~cmmasnth. She then thanked the Schenectady F ~ r eDeparLment and the Amencan Red Cross for facilttcrtrng rhe prdsgrsm over the i , c =r k c ~ drelased to ~i?s~alIa"lib~n 'Xi l of fire dekec"ors in homes ~nHare~~ltor? I-infMShcthen tkznked \far* a L c I c ~ ~ c ~fi:r; engagng tvrtl-r neignborc t t ~aecure part~c~pation i the prograx Regard~ng" b l r  Schsneetady City Council Minutes Bclaber 14, 2034 i Page 5 of 6 Garret" cexpe~enee,she noted she was not sure what the Council could do, that she was somy this happened to Mr. Ganet and noted Scbeneetady has a diverse community. Mr. Kosiur - Noted his congatulatttions to Julia Hofcomb on her appointment to the Clii~ilian Police Review Board. He added she is an outstanding community member and will be an asset to the board. We also thanked Bob Irfaney for the nomination ikom the Schenectady United Nei&borhood i'lssoeiation. Regarding the Oak Street Bridge he noted the bridge closure is an issue kith redistricting school zones. He noted the &layor and related parties are working on the issue to resolve it as quickly as possible. He then noted a recent ride along he had with the City's Code enforcement office. He reported visiting convenient stores, one in-particular on Albany Street that was selling stolen merchandise and lacked the appropriate license and permits. He added the Code Enforcement depaflment is doing their job in addition to addressing issues and concerns that are raised by City residents, the Mayor and the City Council. Mr. illootooveren - Noted there was a public hearing held toni&t on the budget and there were no speakers which he noted is unfortunate. He noted the cument budget proposal raising taxes by thee percent. However, he added the budget has not yet been approved and the Council continues to revietv it v e v cttrefuily and taxes have slot been raised. He then noted the Hindu Festival of ti&t would be taking place on October 18 at 6:00 p.m. at the Hindu Temple on State Street and he invited residents to attend. Mayor McCarthy - Regarding the Oak Street B ~ d g e ,he noted the City Council approved the resolution related to the design phase and the pro~ectshould be ready for remediation next constmetion season, He noted the Broad~vayshow Newsies is open at Proctors and that the show w a in town -for several weeks teching for their national tour. Looking ahead, he hopes that Proctors wi"; be able to attrac-m reshows to do sirn~larurork. He noted this brings in show employees who generate business t'or local shops and restaurants. Today, he noted he hosted a press conference to unveil a solar array project worth 701 1 kilowatts of power using 3000 plus FP* "$*$ -2- solar panels. He noted the installation is one of the largest in the state, He noted this weekend the City will be hosting an open house for the HOMES progam and will be showing properties. We noted the program helps to ensure a higher rate of tax collection which ultimately improves City resident's quality of life. He noted the cunent budget proposal takes into account an 11.5 percent uncollectable tax rate. He noted with an improved tax collection rate residents would experience a reduction in taxes. Moving fornard he noted there will be a continued focus on getting ride of bli&ted pt-operly, attracting new homeowners and ~ncreiastngtax coIIeetron. He closed by noting the G ~ t iys under less fiscal stress than rn previous years past. We noted he appreciates &he Councrl and the residents support. Last week, he noted the C ~ t ywas awarded a $3.2rnrllion dollar 5ran-trelated to the lead safe "euousrng program. 'The purpose sfthe grant rs to ensure chrfdris-nwill not be exposed to the 111 effects of lead based pant, T h ~ iss troublesome in older homes he noted. He added the grant wllI be an oppol-tunity for residents ro apply for htund~ngto remediate the lead Faint In therr homes- &Is,King - Added to the Maqi-?r"scomments on Newsies, and noted the producer ofthe chow talked about how much they enjoqed being rn Schenectady dunng the course of tiaenr stay. She closed by reflectrng on the breast cancer awareness resolution and noted early detecticrn is key, sffojlow~ngup uaah health care sennces forsscreenrngs, She stressed the impcri--tr%nce  Scheneclady City Council Minutes October 14, 2014 1 Page 6 of 6 Seeing no h ~ h e r bus.iness to come before the City Council, Ms. King asked far a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion was moved by Mr- Kosiur a.nd seconded by ;Ms. Poderfietd and the meeting adjourned at 8:07 p.m. c &ZT* d By Charles Thorne Scheneetady City Clerk