City Council

OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK SCWENECTADY, NEW' YORK AGENDA FOR THE c o E N e I L eAueus A%wD THE CITY COUNCIL MEETIKG November 10,2014 Room 209 7:00 P.M. 1. By Couneilmaber Ms. Perazzo AN OmINANCE amending Chapter 192 of the Administralive Code of the City of Schenectady Regarding the Sale of Tobacco Products. INTRODUCED ONLY with A RESOLUTION CALLING FOR a Priblic Hearing Regarding Changes to Chapter 192 of the Administrative Code of the City of Schenectady Regarding the Sale of Tobacco Products to take place on November 24, 2014. 4 Votes 2014-254 2. By Councilmember Ms. Perazzo AN OmINANCE amending Chapter 264 & 183 of the Administrative Code of the City of Schenectady Regarding Convenience Stores and Second Hand Cell Phone Stores. INTRODUCED ONLY with A RESOLUTION Call FOR a Public Hearing to amend Chapter 183 of the Code for the Gity Of Schenectady as it Relates to Convenience Stores and Second Hand Cell Phone Stores and Chapter 264 of the Code for the Gity Of Schenectady as it Defines Convenience Stores and Second Wand Cell Phone Stores. 4 Votes 2014-255 3. By Councilmember Ms. Perazzo A RESOLUTION Authorizing the Execution of a Collective Bargaining Ageement Between with the CSEA Union. 4 Votes 2014-256 4. By Councilmember hls, Berazzo A RESOLUTION Calling -EOr a Public H e a ~ n gin relation to Approvkg the 2014 Downtown Special Assessment District (DSAD) Budget, 4 Votes 2014-257 5. By Councilmember Mr. Riggi A RESOLUTION Authorizing the Sale of 108 B r a n d ~ i n eAvenue. 4 Votes 20114-258 4. By Councitmember Mr. E g g i A RESOLUTION Authorizing the City Of Schenectady to settle a Tax Certiorari for 1733 Van Vranken Avenue, 1251 Broadway, and 1 122 State Street. 4 Votes 2014-259 7 , By Councilmember Mr. Riggi A RESOLUTION Authorizing the City Of Schenectady to Settle a Tax Certiorari for 1622 Christer Avenue. 4 Votes 2014-260 8. By Councilmember Mr. Nggi A RESOLUTION in Recognition of ail Veterans and in Observance of Veterans Day. 4 Votes 2014-251 9, By Councilmember :Mr, E;osiur A RESOLUTION Recomizing November 21"tth,2014 as the: Date o f the Great Arnerrca Smokeout, 10, By Councilmember hls, Perazzo A RESOLUTION Recopizing Scheneetady Firefi&ter Alex h o w l t o n as Seheneetady County's Paramedic of the Yeas 4 Votes 2814-253 1I. By Councilmember Ms. Porterfield A RESOLUTION Au~ardingthe Bid and Contract to "Furnish and Install Chiller Tower at the City of Scbenectady Police Department, 53 1 Liberty Street" to T r i - C o d y RefPigeration, Inc. 4 Votes 2014-6s-16 12. By Councilmember Ms. Porterfield A RESOLUTION Awarding the Bid and Contract for "'Snow and Eee Control, Plowing and Mauling Snovir 2014-2015" to Carver Gonstmction Co., Inc. 4 Votes 2014-6s-17 13. By Gouneilrnernber Mr. Kosiur A RESOLUTION Authorizing the City to Enter Into a Contract with the U.S. Departrment of Housing and Urban Development to Secure Grant Funding. 4 Votes 2014-262  3ZIIKUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED 3ZE;ETENG OF THE SCHENECTADV CITY COGNGIL The City Council Meeting W% called to order by the City Council President Ma~rgaretKing at 7 9 3 p.m. in Room 209, City Council Chambers at City Hall. Ms. King asked f i r a moment of silence in lieu of the iniioeation. ,Ms. King called on Bob Becker to lead the PIedge of Allegiance. The Deputy City Clerk called the 1-011 and the following members of the City Council answered to be present: Present - Council members, Margaret King, Ed Kctsiur, John Mootooveren, Leesa Perazzo, Ibfarisn Poulerfiefd, and Vincent Rig@ Also Present - DepuQ City Clerk Chad Putman, Corporation Counsel Carl Falotiteo m d Mayor Gary McCarthy At this pail, Ms. King asked if there were no objections, she would like to take agenda itern nmber 8, 4 & 10 out of order. There vvJere no objections. ResoIution No, 2014 - 251 - A Resolution in Recognition of all Veterans and in Observance of Veteran9s Day. Representatives from the armed sewices Gvere on hand and extended their gatirude for the recotgnition by the Mayor and City Council and highlighted November, 3014 also marks Ihe 239'" arsniver-sary o f the Marine Corp. The resolution cvas moved by Mr. Rig& and seconded by Ms. PorterGeld. 7he resolution passed & > ssy- unmimously. Resolution Ncz, 2014 - 252 - A Resolution Recognirting November 20, 2014 as the Date of the Great American Smokeaut, Jeanl Orr with the NYSTO~~CCO Free Coalition was on hand and extended her gatitude for the suppoit by the Mayor and City Council. The resolution was moved by Mr. Kosiur and seconded by Mr. Mootooveren. The resolution passed unmimously. Resolution No, 2014 - 253 - A Resolution Recognizing Seheneetady Firefighter Alex b o w l t o a as the Scheneetady CounQ"s Paramedic o f the Year, :Mr. Knowlton extended his - uatirude for the recogition by the Mayor md City Council and noted hrs apprecratisn 06 his fellow colleagues at the Fire Depa-men%, The resvIut~onwas moved by Ms. Peraazo and seconded by I f r - Mootooveren- The resolution passed wanlrnously, -\PPRQVAL OF 5IESF;T"ES: Ms. Klng dsked for a rnvtlorr to apprsiie the msnutei; frem the October 27 & October 3 I. 3014 m d e ,a rnotaon t' Corailcrl meetings as submrrted b.y he Deputy Crry Clerk, Mir %QZtirrtt)c~vere~ ~ppn).:e " f ~ emrnures, "tfr Koill~r.etimded r h ~ rnot-icq Schenectady City Council Minutes November 10, 2014 / Page 2 of 5 GOMMKNIGATIONS: OEciaf: From the hifayor a tist of appointments dated November f O,20 t 4. A fetter dated November 5. 2014 from Gkristopher Wailin, City Engineer recommending the award of the ""Furnish and Install Chiller Tower at the Schenectady Potice Deparlment"' contract be sward to Tri-County Rehgeration, Inc. in the amount oCS62.682.00. A letter dated November 5. 20 13 fiom Chstopher Wallin, City Engineer recommending the award of the ""Snbv and Ice Control, Plowing and I-lauling Snow 2014-201 5" contract he award to Canrer Construction, hc. to be charged to the 20 14-20I 5 operating budget. General: None Petitions: None CO&f'ik1lTTEEREPORTS: &Xu. Riggi, Claims - Noted the City Council i s moving on a reso1;rtion to sell a vacant parking lot located at 108 Brandwine to the Af&an Islamic Center. PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR (LEGISLATIVE ITEMS) Ms. King invited all who wished to address the Legislative Agenda to come fortvard: Richard RIcIlra\y-Ackert, Schenectady - President of the City's CSEA union extended his appreciatiol~to the Council, Mayor McCarthy and city depadrnent heads that assisted with the multi-year contract negotiation which is on the agenda toni&t. He noted the ageement passed with 95 percent union support. He closed by noting the ageement is a positive qtep fom ard for the hard wiirkrng union members. Bliriarrr Aobq, Scheneetady - Xoted he rs the President ofthe Afghan isi~mii:Cerstw and that acqurnng the property has been a twenty year dream ofthe center. He noted their intert'I O ~ Sare to be nei&horly and they intend to keep the space maintained, He thanked the Cotznell and the ,Mayor fur "tar support, Samal Shah, Scheneetad:~- Noted he is the Imam of the ilf&an BsLamic Center and that he i s new to the area- He noted that City officials have been very suppsdrve through the: process of purchasing the property from the City He looks forward to uorking rz&iththe City and budding h:s curnrnunrty to make Scbenectady a better place for ail. 3rd. b l s K ~ n gdeclared the Pntdege o f he FFloor 3n the Leg~sI:it;ie See~ngno other i.peakers come fin% Igenrda ~I~vied. Schenectady City Council Minutes November 10, 2014 / Page 3 of 5 INTRODUCTION OF AND ACTION UPON LOCAL LAWS, ORDIXANGES AND RESOLUTIONS: r. Kosiur made a motion that Council approves the Consent Agenda m d the motion was seconded by Mr. Mootooveren. Consent Agenda - Resolution No. 20 13 --- 254 ....................................Adopted t'nanimousty Resolution No. 20 14 - 25 5 ....................................Adopted tinmirnously Resolution So. 20 L 4 - 256 ....................................Adopted d'nanimously Resolution No. 2014 - 257 ....................... Adopted Unanimous1y Resolution No. 20 14 - 258 ...................................,?idopted Lnanimousty Resolution No, 2014 - 259 ............................... Adopted Unanimous1y Resolution No. 20 14 - 260 ...................................z4doptedUnanimous1y Resoiutivn No. 20 t 4 - 26 1 ................................. Adopted Unanimously Resolution No, 2014 - CS - 16 ........................... Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 20 t 4 - C S - 17 ............................ *'4dopted Unanimously PRIVILEGE OF THE E O O R : Ms- King invited all who wished to address the City Council on any matter o f City business to come foward. The fotlowing spea3cers rose to be heard and their remarks are summarized: Stephanie Bandosik, Schenectady - Noted she is a resident of the Bellevue neighborhood and that she is concmed about the lack of secuity in her community. She noted she is a dog ocvner and there are loose dogs that c o n h n t her and her dog while out walking in the ner&borhuod. She noted she has contacted the Police Department and has been directed by the non-emergency responkr to call lihe Schenectady Animal Gclntrul office and when she does she reaches an cm~wiSring machine. She also reported that while out avalking her dog she has ~onfrsnted suspected individuals involved in drug deals who are hanging out in fbnt of vacant propefiies. She noted she has threatened to call the police on these individuals and that her intentions are to keep her neighborhood safe. John Murray, Schenectady - Noted he is a shdent at Schenectady County Community College and is concerned about negative activities happening in Liberty Park next to the college. He noted as a skdent ofthe college he \v,t.alksthrou& the park and is harassed by individuals who are loikermg and engaging in illegal activities. He asked City officials to take action to clean up the park and create a safer environment for students. He reports notikng the Police Depadmenl complaints have been ~rr;nored. and feels that h ~ s Rachel Curtis, Sefnenectady - Noted that she rs affilaaced wrth the Sehenectady Inner City %finistry - summer lunch program. She thanked the City for their ongalng support and the staff ;ravitlc*edtwtb gettrng the parks ready for the summer program, She also extended her appreciation to the P o k e Department and ccsmmuntty partners avhn ensure the program as a wccess. She noted the summer Imch progiim served o ~ e r 45,000meals wrth the asslstance o f .iolunteers and the mubrk unrt tvhlci.; alone semed 14,008 meals, She closed by asking City officlais for their continued support o f the program next year and encc)uraged community members to voIunteer for the 20 L 5 summer lunch progam, Vickie Salvo, Schenectaby - Yoted that she along wazh 20 other are interested an voiunteenng at the Scnenectad;~ dog shelter She .aored that $he 13at*are c7f sdd.,eronal l,oiunteer-r.,who iiiri~uldbe rekcbe dogs m d that tkcre 16?: r;ct redson ii,r the City to pu; 461 d ~ g b srtere+ed .r% t r d n s ~ o n ~ n g per yedr tn deep  Schenectady City Council Minutes November 10, 2014 / Page 4 sf 5 Aatfiony Cavota, Schenectady - Noted his apology for prior comments he has made at City Council meetings. He noted he d ~ dnot show the appropriate level of respect to City officials. He expressed concerns related to crime in the City and recent shocttings which took place near S u m i t Towers and the Sunctco gas station. He would like to see City ofticiais take p"de in the community and spend more time in Hamilton Hill, Mont Pleasant and Vale Neighborhoods. Kim Aron, Schenectady - Noted that she was impressed with. the care and treatment a Gity Animal Control Officer sfionred to a dog the City had custody of m d transported to the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society recently, She then commented on the recent closure of the City dog shelter due to the P w o outbreak. She noted the contamination should have been prevented but now that the shelter is closed she would like to see it stay closed. She noted the dogs are now receiving proper vet eare and exercise. As a tax payer she noted her expectations regarding the City dog shelter including; appmpriate vet care, the City allowing volunteers into the shelter to assist ~ i t h the care of the dogs, and ensure the dogs get appropriate amounts of exercise. She closed by noting animal advocates would be willing to hndraise fbr Gity Council candidates who want to help make these chmges and she thmked Mr. Riggi fbr his efforts in tq$ng to set up a meeting beween City officials and animal advocates. Stefan &uger, Schenectady - Reported he has been in attendance at City Council meetings since July as an advocate for improvements at the City dog shelter. He then commented on the handling of the Pamo outbreak at the City dog shelter and suggested some type of quarantine be set up for the dogs at intake to prevent a similar outbreak in the future. He closed by noting the City website was last updated on October 26 with regards "c dogs in custody at the City dog shelter m d he would like to see the site updated, Carol Johnson, Scheneetady - Noted die City dog shelter has in-proper intake procedures and offjdals ignored the advice o f the dog advocates and that is why the shelter is now shut down <& & %* following a Parvo outbreak. She noted the animal advocates have helped to save the Gity $40,000 in one year but officials continue to refkse help from these volunteers. She noted despite the denial for assistance the animal advocates remain persistent and await the call from the City for help. She noted the care of the dogs in the shelter has improved with the increased number of staff. She closed by noting the advocates are kvilling to ignore the past but wonders when City officials will be ready to do the same. Joy Hall, Schenectady - Noted there are vicious dogs in the City housing projects. She noted walk Ii&ts need to be Installed on Lark Skeet and the City needs to fix sidewalks before someone gets hurt. She closed by noting that something needs to be done ahour drivers speeding nn the City* Seeing no other speakers to come before the City Ccruncil, hfs, Krng declared the Privrlege o f the Floor closed regadrag City Business. 31ISCELLAYEc;DW BtySElb;i'ESSOF THE COUNCIL Xlr, Riggi - Noted perhaps the C'ommissroner can speak to the safety concerns of the BeIle.~?rt: resident and added we can"t allow these eonfrontat~onals~tuat~ons to happen in the rl"lty=He noted the Cit? can't afford to lose good residents. Regard~ngthe Crty websrte he rs not sure why there as a lag w ~ t hthe postmg of dogs ~nthe Clty shelter, He noted th~sshould be an easy fix, He then asked why there u as not a press release on the Crane Street rahberj and added the resrdents hare a nght to know Me then ctsngratuiated Ed K O S I U ~ John Fe~ranon thew recent City and Council e1ectl:x-i W I ~ ,H e then rcikrenced 3 negat1.i.e v-i;h;ierfiorn their campaign uhrch h~yhilghted741":o \r.ite on :he l 09 i u a ~He addcd the 3yer ~naccureteltreports :hat he I., .,ppi>w"sdf;,nerghborhi-i-odreviral~ratnonbecause he erured agaansk the hndlng for t5e demolit~on Schenectady City Council Minutes November 10,2024 i Page 5 of 5 projects. He noted truth In advertrsing is important and he is disturbed by comments made to him by Ray GlIIen twth hletroplex, We noted ~ n t e p t yis imgodaat and that he does not belong to a political party ~ncfudtngthe Alliance Party. He closed by ask~ngfor an apology for the negatitre flyer. Mr. Kosiur - Noted his appreciation of the voters who came out and supported his campaim for the City Council. He noted the youth turnout was very low on Election Day. He thanked the men~bersof the City CSEA union for their involvement and support for the contract approved by the M a p r and Council. He extended his appreciation to the SICM summer lunch proycm and the SCORE youth progam and noted over 3015 youth were senred this past summer. We noted the USMC has started to collect items throu& the Toys for Tots progam. He noted the program is looking f"ornew toys and books. Regarding negative political mailers fie asked Mr. Riggi to hold all City Council candidates accountable and not just one party. He then apologized to Mr. Riggi and then noted the political sims are gone. ~lifs.Perazztl - Noted the contract for the City CSEA union members has been appmved. She noted the budget process was not in the forefi-ont o f f ouncif meetings and newspaper articles howex er the Council spent four ~veeksmeeting in review of the budget, She noted the final prociuct was an accomplishment and that the outcome was a. fair budget, She noted tfie CounelI was able to identi@ safe ways to cut the budget md minimize the tax increase to less than one- percent, nifayor iiilcCarrhy - Noted the 108 Loan was a lenghy negotiation with federal oS-i:"rcialsand the DSS building was a key componen"io securing an agreement for the hading. He noted the property demo'litton on Broadway was the start of several demolition projects slated within the City and that the bidding process has starzed, He r~otedthe Land B a d is in receipt of hnding to assist with rernoving the worst blight in the City and other municipalities are looking to Scbenectady as an example. He noted that City residents ape getti~lgfull value out of the police and tire department personnel. We added the City is also in receipt of one million dollars to complete a b ~ k epath that winds throu& the City of Scheixectady. We noted the h d i n g will assist with the tvalk-ability of the City. He noted the City also entered into a shared grant application for the arts with the Cities of Albany and Troy. He noted regional applications increase the chances of being awarded the funding and increases the Cities visibility beyond the region. Regarding political mailers he advised political candidates not to take it personnel when negatike rna~lerscome out, Seerng further busrness to come befcjre the Crty Cnuncrl, izifss, KIM^ asked for a motmas sc: recess the meetang, The moiron was moved by Wr,Kos~urmd seconded by Ms, Per:srszzo and the meettng adjourned at 8:02p m.