City Council

BZINUTIES OF THE REGULARZU SCHEDULED ?LIEETINC OF THE SCEENEGTADV CITY COUNCIL The City Council Meeting was called to order by the City Council President Margaret King at 7:04 p.m. in Room 209, City Council Chambers at City Hall. Ms. King called upon Rev. Dave Chetram to provide the invocation. ;?;Is. King called on Philip Morris to lead the Pledge of Allegiance. The Deputy City Clerk called the roll and the following mernbers of the City Council answered to be present: Present - Council members, John Ferrari, Margaret King, Ed Kosiur, John Mootooveren, Leesa Perazzo, Marion Porterfield, and Vincent Riggi Also Present - Deputy City Clerk Chad Putman, Corporation Counsel Carl Falotico and Mayor Gary McGartby At this point, Ms. King asked if there were no objections, she would like to take agenda item nurnber 5 &. 7 out of order. There were no objections. Resolution No. 2015 - 13 - A Resolution Celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr. - Angelicia Morris, Executive Director of the Schenectady County Human Ri&ts Commission was on hand and extended her gatitude for the recognition by the Mayor and City Council. The resolution was moved by Ms. Porterfield and seconded by Mr. Mootooveren. The resolution passed unanimously. Resolution No. 2015 - 14 - A Resolution Recognizing the Schenectady City School district's 2015 Teacher of the Year: Kristen Olochnowicz. Ms. Olochnowicz and her daughter were on hand and extended their gratitude for the recognition by the Mayor and City Council. The resolution was moved by Mr. Riggi and seconded by Mr. Mootooveren. The resolution passed unanimously. PUBLIC BEARINGS: 1, Regarding Amending Chapter 204-61 (3) o f the Code 06 the CiQ of Schenectady with Regards to Electronic RIIessage Board Rate of Change. David Giaealane, Schenectdy - Noted the eight second standard i s set by the New Yo& State Depadment o f Transporlation, He noted the reg~llationshave additional items for consideration such as the prohibition of two digital signs within 200 feet o f each other, He added the depa~ment recommendations were the result of a thm\vay traffic study and not localized traffic patterns. He also noted that seniors tend to be bothered more by digital s i p s than younger drivers. 2, Regarding Amending Chapter 264-14 of the Code o f the GiQ of Sclrenectady with Regards to the 6-3!'c.-aterfront Mixed-Use Commercial District Regulations. Schenectady City Council Minutes January 26,2015 1 Page 2 sf 9 Bob Mantello, Schenectady - Noted his support for the proposed amendment to the City Code related to the C-3 Mixed-Use district. He encouraged the Council to allow the project to proceed which would bring jobs and more tax revenue to the City. Stephan Mesick, Schenectady - Noted his Union and IDA affiliations along with his support of the proposed C-3 Mixed-Use district zoning change. He noted the project is a large investment in the City and that the schools will benefit from. Jason Planck, Schenectady -Noted his focus on the availability of handicap parking in the district. He referenced a handout which summarizes Federal and State regulations. We noted Schenectady County has 26,000 individuals with disabilities and 23,000 senior residents. He added half of which live in the City of Schenectady. He noted the increasing number of disabled and senior residents will require access to more handicap parking in the future. He added the developers have an obligation to incorporate the bike path and designated parking for the attraction. He noted the seduction of handicap parking spaces %om five-percent to two-percent will result in fewer spaces. He also noted an increase in parking spaces to five-percent would create 10 new handicap parking spaces. He closed by noting concerns related to the location of snow durnping during the winter months as it related to handicap parking in the district. Bobby foviuieua, Schenectady - Noted he has been a developer in the Capital Region since 1978 and that he supports the proposed C-3 Mixed-Use district zoning change. We noted Schenectady can't afford to lose this river Front development opporlunity. He noted the Planning Commission approved the proposed changes 8-0. He closed by noting his hat is off to the Galesi Corporation and affiliated parties for their work on the casino project. John Polimeni, Sekenectadigi - Noted his supporl of tire poposed C-3 Mixed-Use district zoning change. He added the Planning Commission approved the changes by a vote of 8-0. He closed by encouraging the Council to passed the proposed changes. Chuck Steiner, Schenectady - "Good evening, I'm Chuck Steiner, President of the Chamber of Schenectady County representing nearly 1,000 business members. Thank you for allowing me to speak tonight on behalf of the proposed C-3 Waterfront-Casino Zoning Amendments. The Chamber believes the entire Mohawk Harbor Project is a win for the City, the County of Schenectady and its businesses and residents. The proposed C-3 Waterfront zoning ret7isions have been developed after lengthy consideration with the developers, the City planning staff, the City Planning Comission, which approved the new zoning by an 8 to O vote, and importantly input Erorn the public. We would also like to note, that we believe that these revision are keeping with the parameters of 2008 WaterEront Mixed Use DistMct Zoning, approved by the City Council, According to the 6-3Water60nt Dist~ehzoningsection A, one o f the specific purposes o f this distrr;ct is to ""To encourage flexibility in the desim of land development, preservation of unique enviromental feabres and maintenance o f the aesthetic quality o f waterkont areas by establishing apprognate design that promote a more creative and imaginative desim for development of ~raterfiontareas than i s nomally possible under ~onventionalzoning distdcts," "The suggested zoning changes, developed seer lenghy considesa"llon and Input &om the public, the Galesl Group, Rush Street Gaming and the City, WILL ENABLE a MORE CREATIVE AND IMAGlPjATTVE project, a project that no one would hate believed possible when the orrginal zoning plan was created. The proposed changes WILL STILL as the ol7gkal Section 264-14 states, ""provide for a desirable mix of water-dependent and water-eAanced recreational opporlunities, business and residential uses which complement each other and take advantage 06 the unique location chasacteristics o f the ?Mohawk River."' Imps~skmklythis pro-ject as we know. i s taking an abandoned brokvnfield that was totally inaccessible to the public and provided KO tax base, to a multi-dimensiand project that will offer our residents and v~sitorsa place to work- live and play. Section X also states, dwe-ierprraent needs " T o promote oppudunities for increased tourism," Agaln- this project with a harbor, 2 hotels, the bicycle path, restarants md the casino are in Pine with. the purpose of the original conception f i r the d i s t ~ e tzoning. Schenectady City Council Minutes January 26,2015 1 Page 3 of 9 but, now a specific project is being proposed and the appropriate changes are needed. I'd also like to note that Section A notes that one of purposes of the district is "To encourage coordination with public agencies and private organizations involved with tvatefiont planning or waterfront-related devefopment.'The Chamber is proud that wearea part of a community that embraces public input and we applaud that the public, the City, Metroplex, the County, Calesi Croup, Rush Street Gaming and all the private / public partners involved in this project are working together, to make the necessary revisions. so this remarkable project can begin! Again, we applaud the hard work, long hours, and serious consideration that went into these proposed changes and we strongly urge the City Council to adopt the 6-3 zoning at its next meeting on February 9th, so this game changing project for Schenectady can move fornard." Jim Salengo, Schenectady - ""Im the Executive Director of the Downtown Schenectady Improvement C o p The Mohawk Harbor site lies just outside of our district, but the potential positive impact of this nearly half-billion dollar investment on Dotvntown Schenectady is enornous. In addition to the jobs and revenue it will bring to Schenectady. It will mean more tenants in apartments and condos to patronize downtown's services, shops, restaurants, and entertainment. It will attract more visitors looking to discover the many sites and businesses in Downtown Schenectady and this entire area. It will turn a massive, vacant brown field site into a vibrant destination that recomects Schenectady to its river&ont and further elevates the significant Erie Boulevard corridor. I attended the Planning Commission meeting on January 14. It was a lengthy, involved session with very good community input and a healthy discussion among the commissioners during a line-by-line review of the proposed changes. The fact that the commission voted 8-0 to recommend these changes speaks volumes to the process. At the same meeting, the City's Corporation Counsel made it very clear to everyone In attendance that C-3 uraterfi-ont zoning amendments were developed in partnership between the City and the developers. I believe it was pmdent for Council members to seek input from the Planning Commission before comi~lg to a decision on these zoning changes, and you have now received their recommendations. I urge the City Council to adopt the (2-3 zoning revisions at its next meeting on February 9th so that this transformational project for Schenectady, do\vntown, and our entire region can move fonvard. Thank you.'" Gloria Kishton, Schenectady - Noted that her comments are unrelated to her position with the Schenectady Heritage Foundation. She noted the C-3 district has been in existence since 2008 and was the result of the Comprehensive Plan. As such she noted the changes being addressed relate to the connprehensive 2008 plan. She noted her focus on public access easement to the waterfront, She wants to ensure that public access is waranteed in relationship to the developer's site plans. BiII Farrbicrn, Seheneetady - Noted he i s the Vice President of NBT Bank and asked the Council to supporl the proposed 6-3 Mixed-Use d i s t ~ e tzoning changes* Chris Sprtrragen, Sehenectady - President of Schenectady's Hardware &: E l e c t ~ cand that he supgods the proposed 6-3Mixed-Use dlstdci zoning changes. We noted the developers are investing a great deal of money into the project and should have simificant input on the finished product, Biilly McDonald, Sclrerrectady - Noted his family owned restaurants in the City and added his suppod for the proposed 6-3 Mixed-Use distrrct zoning changes. Jay Nisls, Schenectady - Koted the proposed development is a mamelous oppomnity which received the New Uork State Gcrkemors "Blessing with the award o f the casino project, He encouraged the Council to move the project fomad. He then noted other examples o f detrelopment projects by Re4ol-m Architecture and Ga6esi Group in the City, He noted We4fom Architecture incorporates a human eye wrth cons~deratrunof people Isuildnng and cvorking in the buildings, He added the motto o f the State sf Xew Uork is excelsior which translated means every higher, Schenectady City Council Minutes January 26, 2015 / Page 4 of 9 David Ciacalone, Schenectady - Noted there will be a casino on the development site and his concerns lie with what is in the best interest of the City. He noted the Comprehensive Plan calls for enhanced river views and he is concerned about a 100 foot building going up just 40 feet from the river bank. He added the original developers plan called for a 40 foot building on the site which is reflective of what use to be on the old ALCO site. He added the ALCO site did have sections which were 100 feet tall. He noted concern about the residents of Goose Hill having obstructed views of the river if the developer is allowed to constmct buildings that are 1OO feet tall. Regarding signage he noted the original application called for 12-15 feet of signage and that has increased to 20,000 feet of signage and no one h a w s what that is going to look like. He reflected the argument that the signage will be behind STS Steel and therefore it needs to be larger but he questions if the end result would be gaudy. We closed by noting there are so many facts that are unknown there is no reason why the approval can't be slotlied down. Also see attached ernail with attachments sent to the attention of the City Clerk in an email dated 01!26/15. John Roth, Schenectady - Noted he is a Schenectady business man and added his support for the proposed C-3 Mixed-Use district zoning changes. MaryAnn Ruscitto, Schenectady - Noted she is with the East Front Street Association and is for the casino. She noted the East Front Street neighborhood is part of the 6 3 district and prior plans called for the building of a harbor on the site. She noted the ALCO site had large parking lots that extended into the Stockade neighborhood. Regarding the request for boat access and public easement to the river she does not believe it's fair for Stockade residents to ask this of the developers She added some residents of the Stockade fought against including boat access within River Front Park which borders the new development. With regards to the size of the buildings she noted the buildings will be beautihl and the developers are rehabilitating a brown-field. She added East Front Street Association is very excited and in total support of the proposed C-3 Mixed-Use district zoning changes. She closed by thanking Mayor McCarthy for meeting with the East Front Street Association and responding to their questions. Doug Sayles, Schenectady - Noted he is a resident of Front Street and is focused on the vision of the site coming from Freeman's Bridge and down Erie Blvd. He noted Price Chopper on Nott Street is the same scale as the proposed development. He noted the importance of having an integrated plan with an estimated 2.8 million visitors expected to visit the site. Peter Stearns, Schenectady - Noted his Union affiliations and thanked the mernbers for working outside throu& the challenging winter months. He added 60 of his members live in the City. He noted the proposed development will have a positive impact on the City of Sehenectady with more to come, He encouraged the Council to suppod for the proposed 6-3 Mixed-Use distrret zoning changes. Dr, Giuseppe Veglio, Sclrenectady - Noted he is the okvner o f the Paul Mitchell School in downtown Schenectady. He noted his suppod for the proposed C-3 Mixed-Use d i s t ~ c tzonhng changes. He encouraged the City Council to pass the proposed changes. Phillip Rlarris, Schenectady - Noted he has a residence on Front Street and has ;switnessed the positive changes taking place in downtown Sehenectady for the last 13 years. He noted the proposed 6-3hfixed- Use d i s t ~ c tzoning changes are the result of a csmprsmise between the development team and the City Plannmg commission^ He noted it has been a civil process =d the Council has the choice before them to do the ri@t thing, Rich L'azger, Schenectady --- Noted he owns property at 216 % Union Street and that he supports the project. He noted he b as questions related Is the (5-3-Mixed-Use district related to public access, We nofed he retired eight months ago and moved into the Stockade. He noted the importance of public access to the river within the district. H e noted the rtverfionr de\elespment txizli be a great project and often people fear what they can't see or don't understand. He noted the district is already a C-3 Mixed- Schenectady City Council Minutes January 2f3,2015 1 Page 5 of 9 Use district and expects the process to continue. We noted the Council will review the recommendations and public feedback at the next Committee meeting and then vote at the next Council meeting. He closed by asking the developer for more sketches of the proposed development. David Buieko, Seheneetady - Noted he is the COO of the Galesi Group and that he proposed district changes are not about the casino. He noted it's all about the harbor development. He added the time- frame is important and that the site has 40 plus pieces of equipment prepasing the site at this time. He noted the City has been terrific throu& the process and he sat through the Planning Commission meeting on the proposal that lasted four-hours. He noted the site has incorporated the bike path and the harbor which is about facilitating public access to the riverfi-ont. He noted the development will be a vibrant community with residences and retail. He noted the proposed C-3 Mixed-Use district zoning changes will inform the build. We closed by thanking his fiends in labor, business and the community for their ongoing support for the project. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Ms. King asked for a motion to approve the minutes from the January 12,202 5 Council meetings as submitted by the City Clerk; Mr. Mootooveren made a motion to approve the minutes. Mr. Riggi seconded the motion. COMMUNICATIONS: C'onnlnu~licaliorlsPresenied to the Cit\ Councii for Alonday Januarv 26, 20 15 Official: From the Mayor a list of appointments dated January 26,201 5 From Christopher Wallin, City Engineer recommending the award for the ""Golf Course Tree Removal'kontract be awarded to D&L Tree Service. From Raymond Senecal, Fire Chief recommending the award for the "Rescue 1 Utility Body" to Wilde Fire Equipment Go. Inc. From Paul LaFond, Diredor of Wakr & Waskwater recommending the amlard of the four contracts for WP@P L a b o r a t u ~Upgades Project be awarded to the lowest responsible bidders. From Paul LaFond, Director of Water & Waste\vater recommending the award of the ""Chlo~ne Gas -- 201 5'' eontract be awarded to JCT Jones Chemical, Inc, From Paul LaFsad, Director of '1Yater & Wastewater recommending the award of the "H$rofluoeili& Acid- 20 2 5 contract be awarded to Thatcher Company o f New Uork, Inca From Paul LaFond, Director o f Water & dvastewater recommending the award of the ""Sodium Hyprocl-rloite - 24)15'kcontraet be awarded to Surpass Chemical Company, General:: None Petitions: None Schenectady City Council Minutes January 26, 2015 1 Page Ft of 9 GOPIMITTEE REPORTS: Ms. Perazzo, Finance - Noted the ledslative agenda includes a resolutions related to re- appropriating 2014 funds to settle payrrtents related to pre-established labor agreements. She noted that City union employees work hard and it's important to uphold these ageements. PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR (LEGISLATIVE ITEMS) Ms. King invited all who wished to address the Legislative Agenda to come fornard: Mary IIIcGlain, Schenectady - (Item #1 1, 12 8i 1) "Item #I 1 is for the purchase of chlorine gas. The material is a state mandated chemical for the treatment of City water. Council has no choice but to spend the money. The cost is only S 18,980. As for item #12 the purchase of fluoride, the chemical is not mandated. According to my research, fluoride is a by-product of hazardous waste. But every year, Council insists on spending the money for it even though all other cities. towns and hamlets don't use it in the Capital District. The cost for the matekal this year is $40,272. I considered the purchase of fluoride an unnecessary expenditure and the item should be removed from the City budget. As for item #I, this is what I would have preferred that the Mayor talk about in his State of the City. Message such as how inany union contracts were negotiated last year and how much pork went into them? Tax expenditure is the thing that affects the home owner in Schenectady, not development. There is a big difference between the word development and the word income. Without more income the homeowner's taxes increase. Developers don't pay taxes for 10 years so how does development pay for the pork that Council votes to put in the union contracts such as tonight's item iil. I want the unions out of my pocket. If the unions always want more for themselves then it should be easy for union members to understand that I want to keep what I have for myself. They should be thankful for their jobs and what does the City expect to get from the casino project? Council signed an eight year agreement with the county for limited funds. The financial expert voted no against the eight year contract. The non-experts voted yes. That eight year contract was a negative for the City. I don't make the negatives. I just talk about theme9> Seeing no speakers come forward, Ms. King declared the Privilege of the Floor on the Legislative Agenda closed. INTRODUCTION OF AND ACTION UPON LOCAL LAWS, OmINANGES AND RESOLUTIONS: Mr, Koslur made a motion that Cotmeil approves the Consent Agenda and the motion was seconded by Mr. Mootooveren. Resolution No. 2015 15 ..................................... ad Unanimously Resolution No. 201 5 - 16 .................... . .. .....*.A d o p t Unmimously Resolution No. 2015 - 17 .............................. A d o p t Unanimousf y Resolution No.20 15 --- 18 .................................... - A d o p t Unanimously Resolution No. 201.5 - 19 ............................ adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 201 5 - 20 ......................................Adopted linanlrnousiy Resolution No. 20i5 - 2 I ...................................-,*AdoptedUnanimously Resolution So,207 5 - 22 ............................... .*.*21 d o p t e UnanIrn~u~Iy ~esolutionNo. 201 5 - CS - k ..............................-Adopted Unanimously RssoIutlsn No.201 5 - CS - 2 .............................. Adopted li'nanimously Schenectady City Council Minutes January 26, 2025 1 Page 7 of 9 Resolution No. 201 5 - CS - 3 ................................Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2015 - CS - 4 ................................ Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2015 - CS - 5 ................................ Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2015 - GS - 6 .............................. Adopted Unanimously PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR: ftlls. King invited all who wished to address the City Council on any matter of City business to come fornard. The following speakers rose to be heard and their remarks are summarized: Anthony Cavota, Schenectady - Noted the Mayor's State of the Gity addressed the positives. He noted this is true in downtown and with regards to business revitalization. However, he noted the police department has a few bad apples and it's wrong for the Mayor and the Gazette to report that crime is down in the Gity. He said it's not and noted recent events as an example. He added 28 hours after the State of the City there was a shooting. He asked how the Mayor can say that crime is down. He closed by noting the residents of Hamilton Hill deal with crime. Mama Isaac, Schenectady - Noted an artist died in Schenectady by the name of Mr. Wilson recently. She noted she met him one year ago when the neighborhood association was contacting residents about cleaning up their property. She noted he was sick at the time and that she and other volunteers helped him to clean his property, She expressed her condolences to his son. Jason Planck, Schenectady - Noted for the last four weeks he has been asking about the City Development Block Grant (CDBG) which is due soon along with the City's five-year plan. He noted the due date is May 1Yh and without a plan the City stands to lose money. He noted without action the residents are looking a tax increase and he wondered what will happen with the money set aside to enhance the police and neiaborhoods. He noted the City does not have a five year plan yet and it's due in three months. He reminded residents that STAR tax exemptions are due by March 1 and he advised everyone to file tax grievances with the City related to property assessments. He noted the City Council has a history of reducing assessrnents based on settlements which has left inequalities in property assessments across the City. Joy Hall, Schenectady - Noted safety concerns for residents and drivers on Erie Boulevard, She asked residents to keep the City clean of trash. Mary McClain, Schenectady - ""These comments were prepared for the January 12 Council meeting. I wanted to say something about Liberty Park, Illness prevented my being here. The people in this City have been very good to me including the policemen, ijremen, city- staE, etc, Even Mr, Kosiur has always gone out o f his way for me, To a11 1 m very gratehl, The woman who wrote the fetter to the editor in praise of the City workers learned what I knew 35 years ago. There are good people in Schenectady. The Council woman also t)iou&t the Letter was notewodhy o f the City workers she said. "We do more with Jess.'' I want to bump the thou&t up a notch. W e have just been through a holiday. How many people thou&t to put a few dollars in an envelope and give i t to those workers who clean this building"?is i s a large public building and it looks spic and span year round. Does anyone say thanks to those who keep it that way? Regading beautification; the Mayor said, "%me people only see the negative." When negative exist e v e c day in one's nei&borhood it isn't avoidable. I reporled a negative in my nei&bor"bd 4.5 years ago, 7t"s still here, Does GounciI eare"?up~hermore, the City may have paid for 8.5 miles of black top but not every inch ofthe street was covered and I can grove it. Not prettq~,Another item, this i s a copy o f the comprehensive plan. How many Council members read it? It% satso Council's job to review it periodically, Hawe you done it? It cost $95,000to prepare it. Council approved it and it's Council's responsibriity to enforce it. For Belleview, the action plan reads; a beau"rhl, clean and geen community. For FVoodlawn. the action plan reads; Scheneciady City Council Minutes January 26, 2015 1 Page 8 of 9 a beautiful, clean and green community. For Hamilton Hill, the action plan reads; a beautikl, clean and green community. You get the picture, it has not happened. A Lot of money was spent to renovate Steinmetz Park. Six weeks after the ribbon cutting and hoopla had died down, I visited the park. It was not being maintained. Now the City has received over $300,000 dollars to renovate Liberty Park. Please withhold money for maintenance. In September E stood down there to catch a CDTA bus. That plot of sound had more cigarette butts than blades of grass. And a mouse was foraging for food. Who should clear that area? Until all the litter is removed from City property this taxpayer will remind Council the City is dirty and you can bet on it.'" Jean Carney, Schenectady - Noted she is the President of the Schenectady Civic Players which she indicated is one of the oldest theaters in the Country which opened its doors in 1928. She added the theater has hosted over 400 productions and thousands of patrons. She noted the theater has hosted a capital campaim which has raised hnds for the installation of a new lobby with an elevator. She added the project will create better access for the elderly and those with disabilities. She noted the ground breaking will take place on January 29 at 12:30 p.m. and all are welcome to attend. Kathleen Collar, Gloversville - Noted she volunteers with a organization that serves dogs in need. She added the mission of the group is to bring Christmas to the dogs in the form of &nations, supplies and other items. Sbe noted often the items are donated to area dog shelters and rescues. She noted she has made several attempts to donate over $3,100 in supplies and items to the Schenectady City dog shelter. She noted that the Schenectady Police Department has told her she is not authorized to make a direct delivery to the City dog shelter but they would be al~ailableto accept the donations at the Police station. She added this would be in direct conflict with her mission and would send the wrong message to her donors who expect her to deliver the items directly to the dogs. She noted she has worked out an arraignment with City Council member Vince Riggi to bring the donation to the City Council meeting and he will deliver the items to the City shelter. She added not allowing volunteers into the shelter does create an atmosphere of distrust but added its clear the Animal Control Officers do care about the dogs. 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. Kosiur- Noted the Super Bowl i s taking place on Sunday along with a hndraiser for Jack's Place at the Elks Club on Casrnen Road in Guilderland, He noted the pancake breakfast mns from 8:00a.m. to 1200 p.m. and tickets are $8 for adults. &%re aggi- Noted his qpreciation for the donations &om Kathleen Collar to henefjt the City dog shelter. He noted the snow i s corning and he encouraged residents to allow the street crews to do their job md for residents to driw safe. M s . Porterfield --- Noted her appreciation for the donations 4;;om Kathleen Collar to benefit the City dog shelter. &layou McCartlly ---- Noted perhaps there was a mis-communication related to the donations for the City dog shelter and he apolog;ized. He noted Moody" has affirmed the City of Schenectady's General Operating Bond rating at A3 and removed the negative outlook, He thmked Finance GO~M~~SS Deborah ~OM~~DeGenova for her efforts, He noteed the City" snow crew would be out cleaning the streets pending the predicted snow stom md he encouraged residents to avoid any unnecessary dlgting, He also asked residents to shovel a o m d fire hydrants, Schenectady City Council Minutes January 26, 2015 1 Page 9 of 9 Ms. King - Gongatulated Union College's hockey team on winning the Mayor's Cup against RPI (Troy) on January ~ 4 ~ . Adjourned: Seeing no further business to come before the City Council, Ms. King asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion was moved by Mr. Kosiur and seconded by ~tlls.Porterfield and the meeting adjourned at 5:32 p.m. Schenectady Deputy City Clerk SLCTZOW ISM PIIRIaIBG PlSSE'"sGEM LRSfDt\G FAC I t 1 1ikS % 106.1 Required* W%eri: prkirru, is pn.>viditd. acceisihle parking :paces 'ik~llbe pmk~nrdin crlm-,ll:-liice s i l h 1 akiz I 106. f .except as required by ~ ~ through Where -t:iori: than one parking Caciiit:i is pmkirled on a site. the number iif parking s p i e s required ?a be a*>:essible sheii be caieuiaied separately fur each piirisling facility. Exceptriin: lkic sectten does not aslply In parking ~pdcesused exkIustteiy for buses, trucks, other dellteqv \eh:cies, Lsrv mforcemenl vek~clesor teh~e~larimpound and mifor p 7 l s *here ,ohacies~edby the put;Ilc sre prmsJe;1wl:h ais aiccssrbBepassenger loadrng zoqe F-"ltikE f t@61 ACCESSIBLE PARKIIhG SPACE"; I tO6.l.b Access aisles. J%ccessibiepasiting spaces shall be in cuilibmtance with ICC/14NSI A1 i7.1 except that ilspac-cesshall be provided with access aide.; at leal8 feet (2440irinrj in width. space provided fbr rrecupailries in i;roups R-2end R-3, 1106,2 Groups R-2 and R-3,li.io perseeL hiit not less khan cone. of each type of p i ~ k i c g which are required to have ificressib6e, Type A or Type B dweiiing or steeping units, .;bail be awesibic. Ni~crs:p-xking is provided within or beneath a building, accessible puking spaces shdi also be provided within or beneath :Re building. B 106.3 'iaespilal outpatient fscilities. I m psrcent o f patient a d visitin- parking spaces provided to serve hospital outpatient facilities sliall be d-i~ezJible. i,.*,-a 1 llKt.4 Rel~aioi1il;;riionfacilitfkq and outpatient pihyqielpf therapy FacilitCes* rwentq percent but not less than one, of the poflron of pattent and vltrtor paking spaem senlng reltabtlitation farriitres, and nu@atlent physicai therapy Facllitres shalt he aecersrhle I IQ5.5qignsge, Lath z~ceirrblr.;ari~ngqpacr: <hallhe urm tdcd ttrth crgner drinla>i)logthe inremarinnhi -j.rnt=o.oi.f,accc-srR~PrlyF ~ c h access aisle shaii "o provgdi?d wtth sggrrage readtag "NO PARKING 4NV71ME"" SI@Sshall be pennmeatfj installed ah a clear be@ of kctween 61) ~ncl~es i 1519 ~ m and) 84 inr,hrs (7185 liai abave grade chaii not rillerltre tr~tilan accessrblrt rwte froiir an acce- ~ i 4 e I Im.6 h.oesrtirre. A.c~~;ssible ~~rRY16p spaces shaii he iocafed cm the :skirPr-n acce.-sibiemirte of tw\,ei k r n adjxrni- pmkinp to an riceessibie biiiiiiing entrmee. in parking facilities that ds?rot serve a pi~rtrlieirlarbrri'lding accesi;ibie parking spaces shall be leicared afi the shortect mute h : : ~ acctx&ie ,.r*iesirian ens:mrr the parking f~:iliiy.Where btlildngs ha*-- nuliipir ztcv;ces,ihie entrmces \\h-h aiijnccnt psking. occc.;.iihie puking spaces ;~hal; t, *, n:: dispersed :ind !i>t:abed :rr.gtc -he ficcz-;ilbie. enrranccs I . in intiii~levelpiirking structure.;, fix e w r i ilglit r:r frxtirm i,i'elght aci.i.cci?r:e $pace% at dine shall be m .1 i<:c-aiii~nhaving a mininium i.cnis;ei clewace o f 48 inches (24%) mm) mainmined a!osig the tehicrslar rmute connecting rhz space with a designated cinmmcz and zx~:.Such i i p ~ e sare permitted i?n ~3neIe~el. 3.,Accrsbihle parking space.; hail be permined ?v Ire isxca:ed in diiTere-iipzxkting faciiities if ai!;mritiaiiy eqtiivaicak or gzea-r accessi$iiit~ ih prc..r;iled in terms i.fdis!mn fr~91 az acce:sii.ie cnrranr:e i>ra::z~;rcc~, parking fee use- cr::nr-nieacc. illM-7 Passenger lopding zenes. Pa3sengi:r loding tones chail be designed and csnstmc~cdirr axcordmce with ICC'!RSSI is 1 17 i . , 1 If%-7.% Coatinuoias loading zones, Whcri: Fa-;eagr; ii.adiag Jonesare.prciv!&il. one pB<,eg;c:c: ii:il;ding i O r i e ct,enl c~r-~~nuoii;. ?(& iirieiir feet iSO.4 m i marinrun: of hirating zone space shall be xcessibir. I D@6=7.2Mcsdirai facilities. ,' p~zv;efigerigiadiflgtone ?ha11 be provided a ;ipi :+c:esrihle cntwnce to iicer~sedm&$xi 3rd iorg-le-.i-i z.me "'-r -11, ,.,.,'"?"< , i . . ~.x'.*! ". z,"c:. ;:c*% ." ' 'L*L w;leit t,-&:l‘l.: -be . ,*r !~l*j;:;:lfp: *irjx!a: ,-*r s4vcf*'+i;<xr:- y<n;>:jI < :;tc$cey~:<<yjq24 kl#:>srs 1 106"7."3Vale* psrkine~1 ~,:~.s,:c~gcc !toz~<:;rtg : * - p%:! ~ ;t:i bc p,.~~ i&:,i*K~ , : ~ : ~ l ~cc-' p:ir&%tpz I:;::.;. TSe L $ Department of iusis~c(!M.fii>si~rsi new reguldirir?~under k!e 4niei1cana with Di?ndirxiii:ti %et(4DAj in ZOlP rJle ~ L : W a f h t >t&em d I%& govemmnla t f !I of #he 1041, h &:kt $3 pirhlt~d c b ~ ~ ~ n m ~ ~ i , i md c-~rnmzrcrdficiiiiies 6 ritie 181') rlie rcguidriiin"t nciude ihe **ew2Oiii ADA '.:mirdxds h r t~iins Accessible i)esign,ouirtfuring minrmrinr ir~lmsibiigt)-rrqulmnenB for buildme and Fz~c~lrttes Fu'stmg F a c ~ i i t t i ~ hew coilsIru~tronprove&&mdst m a t minrwum stand=& ~ 7 t h very few zrcepfmns, alt,wttenc are aixt subject to ilnd requrrements slrhoil& the? ma%be more rfTeeted bt exi-ring structural colcindi:iians Fxlsrrng bui:ditlgs fziacilriies kirtch are not undcrgosng placined alterdwns are kieued a ltttle drRerently I rle It Program Accese state and ~walgoiernment agenctes that oRer proprams, S ~ ~ ~ L or &~vitia tn ~xrstingf.dl:zfiries rwed to nrake sure that papie with Jss&~irtres R S , c m gain 3cce5s md omicrpte m rkesk xtrvsries There we a varrety crfibat(s that agencies can enniim access to pmgmns. hut making druchdd i m p r o ~ m i ~is b<;@enn&%%wy r tic i l l i3trric.r Kenwrd Both cornmercs& fsriraes w d pubi~eaecomma&~onsmust foilow stuldzds fm qew cunshud~enaard &&&tons Additrmdlv, puhlte zwrnrn&t~ow jprtvdte bwmnessa rh& ;ui:open to the genasl w b l r ~ ,tthe relzil stom, =taurant$, banks, par"*tngg a q , and many athns) must remove Dm- when tt is "readily achtevdlrle' to do so, iearitiy aeiehtevabte rne~muns'"cmriy a:compltsh&le md able to he uut wt&unt much d;fliculr). or exg.en.is; '* Pfireatrng lcccsctble parktng *5 0th rearfriy achrevabie, and is nins~derr-dz cop prronry hccawe it mlllrks many m p i e wrth iircabrl~tresla get m &e door ' Safe tiarbor ihe 2010 reeiatrons include a 'safe h & f fur feanlrgs &at dm& comply with ihe 1491 standards, hut may not meet the new ZDlO gmdards For example A retail binre s parking tot has s totd of 250 p;srkmgymces, m ei>mpitancewS;h IWI s w i u d s , &e 11% ~rtcllliieseven eccessrhle spaces oac of vrhrch is van-acasibie fise 205 0 st?sd~tfdswould rCqnire mo tm-acccssibfespaces, bvt the store d i m nor have ro ndtq i& parktng Iot to pmvrde the ajd-ldrtiund?paire unt;I the fa? iindergm 3 planned diterarzon (re-stnptng, te-~urfaLinga c 1 after M a c h 15 2012 If the lot 8s oitered aNer that ttme, tt will then be hmu& into m p l r m %I& the 2010 standards, to the maxrmum extent feasrble Huu many &ces~tblepaffitng spaces me needed? One at cveq ,rx ecsraible parktng spaces w ftact~dnthereof, rniish be %m-a~tes\r/lir For example A parJmmng?ntw r h 400 to?! .;pa~krneeds crglrr accsssrble SpAes, and ;:.i*,of those es&f %pacerrcra.ir be rim-aassibie Icc~sgble.ioam must connect to the shortest aossrble zccesslble route to the ac~ess~hle buridlne entrance or f'3crl;rh. *htv \crve - 20, plus I for each f 1% or iracrron thereoi: over 1000 :ih ~ r e a p d m g r m r i t ) -enis niulttpleburfdrngs or xcasiblc enwmces, d ~ u s s b l pe d m g sp-9 should be dispersed to cn&le p q i e to pa& mar a trrrmy ~~cessibie entrances ;ts ~t-q-ihleFw erarnple A shopp'ng center has filteen stores, exin with a separate 'Re- 8s one large parklng lot wlrh 1000spaces e?.c :HCCLP. ?CC:SSI~LC pli-king cpaies jhg,uk! k Jfkpe~sedfib prtwrdr: sdme iptwnc fi7r piiiiple to park ciow ta the ddri-rercrlr ltcres pilli bi*crz s ~ ~ l i r - i t ( : t-g ia~ii*tie-* rdc t i l i Im e bb iin-g or mtrmvt ii~-~e.i;:hk .p"-tts -wii he ;n>bprti u ?ether .r & be r i i n r k r tit opa,z< crow feel ri daiemirned according ir# each ,>C& epw& p d m g facti?bws Far exampic: A >portsSabilirn bas an djsitgacent palring inr with I(;& snd a sep"mte p k m g lot cecerd bjuckc 3wi.krrv wrll;: an a d d ~ t r n dUriO <paces riK adj-t lot needs 20 a@cess#ble>paces (four of whrch wed *obe van-access~bie)wd the ternate iol ncx& 25 dhess*bis (P<%IPSt 8 t i ~ iif which need tr: k van a ~ m s i b l e i* m e r&ces,tbie s p u s m d to br: as near as jw?ssrhle t? Ike Iaciciirrres rhev srrYde the I<&~"s%iCle spaces ,i?tii~drngnrsz % u*-arcaifblci an be Ioc%fcd*nei.e bt d - j a e ?r~t ~rile ,taaiiarn h rs irny~iianlhn?accesrthle ktrui#irt% be nm:rrnidned, and ~uhdmripxiilds cm be espei~faljychJ!enping k?alii~x of iscrrrlher mi4 ~ ~ t h e r cm.iitinns Acrc.rib:e pwkinp >pait",&;FIc", and rciutes ;hi;rrid ire nurriraand :n gmxt repair and kcpi c i e s i-ii sntv*. icz, ui falIcn icaf butid-up (hPcr i.aiirs,i Nhcr Requtr~metr?s Chad Putman From: Chuck Tharne Sent: Monday, January 26,2015 6:57 PNI To: Chad Putman; Peggy King; teesa Perazzo; Marion Port.eAeid; John Ferrari; Ed Kosiur; Vincent Riggi; John Mootooveren Subject: Fwd: Comments for the 6-3Amendments Attachments: NYSDOT-GVEMS pdf; C-3pubhearCollageDAG jpg Fonvarded message ---------- ---.,,,,----.. From: David Giacalone < Date: Jan 25,2015 5 5 3 PM Subject: Comments for the 6 - 3 Amendments To: Chuck Thome i C ~ u m e ~ s e h e n c c t a d ' v r r v . g o v ~ cc: Dear Chief Clerk [Chuck]: Attached is a photo collage that 1 want to submit to City Council members as part of toni&httspublic hearing. 1 believe many of the images speak for themselves, and hope I will have time at the heaning to address the corresponding issues. Also. I am anaching the 3-page DOT Criteria for Regulating Off-Premises Commerciai Efectronic Variable Message Signs (CEVMS) in New Yo& State, that have been referred to by the Development staff and Planning Commission as the basis for their recommendation to go down to a minimum of 8 second intervals for changes on etectronic signs and message boards, rather than 60. It clearly would not be inconsistent with the State standard for a local government to keep or adopt a longer minimal intewal. And, the Criteria suggest the need for additional provisions in any ordinance regulating such signs. The DOT CEVMS Criteria memorandum states: these are only minimum standards and "local ordinances will govern if they are rnore stringent.'" if the driver can see rnore than one CEVMS at the same time, on either side of the rode, the signs MUST be 300Yfeet apart. older drivers especially have trouble with the variabte signs I maximum hr;rghtness levels for night and day must be faitowed L the study that NYSD87 and FMWA did joinlfy, where they found that there were no statistically signiscant increase in crashes at existing GEVMS sites, invoived ""GEVMS sites on freel~ays and expressways", not on other types 05: highwys, such as city streets, Given these factors, I believe that the C-3 provision on CEVMS should incorporate the safeguards currently in Adicle IX, #264-6i(I), ~ncludingthe requirement of a special use pernit, including a publie hearing to demonstrate no sarbstaprt~alimpact upon rke nature and character of the sumundang nei&borhoud, upon h a f i e conditions and any other matter stffecrmg health, safety or general welfae afthe public. The existence of" s ntt~btiiudeof r r p s and bright I~ghls,novel or confusing traffic conditions (such as gedtlng aceiemated to a roundabout), and. many senlor citizens as customers, suggests clearly that a cmrno d~stnctmay need closer scntnny rather than being exempted fiom scnrklnj D~vd 61ac31one 16 $Vdri'ashh@onAve. $3 Schenectady, XI' 12305 Unlike conventtonal statrc btilboards, Commercral EfectrontcVartabfe Message Signs (CEVMS) have the ability to constantly convey different informatton to motorists, thereby increasing driver curiosity. They also have the potentfat to attract increased attention through therr brightness and temporal changes of light The following are statewide minimum criteria for regulating off-premises CEVMS in New York Srate; local ordinances will govern if they are more stringent, CEVMS that change adverttsifig copy once in a 24-hour pertad, ot less frequently, wit!:be consrdered static srgns and will be treated like conventionai hrllbclards with the exception that the brightness crlterian contained rn thrs document will be appried to all CEVMS, In addttion ta the criterra contained In t h ~ sdocument, CEVMS are subject to the provisrons contained in 17 NYCRR Part 150 and ail other appltcable Federal and State regolatrans and agreements regarding advefi~singsigns adjacent to hrghways The purpose of these crtterra ts to supplement extsting requ~rementsfor conventtonal brllboards to consgder the untque attrrbutes of CEVMS, *If accident rates increase at a CEVMS focatidn and NYSDOThas a reux1naMe engineering basif that the CEVMS w m a contributingfactor, NYSDOT will revoke eaisting CEWMS permits for all locoZions and issue new permits with a longer minimum message duration time. Studies have shown that it takes at least six seconds to read and comprehend a billboard. NYSDOT believes eight seconds is a more appropriate minimum static time due to the extra complexity involved with processing an electronic medium. Unlrke trr-vamn type hrllboards, w b ~ c hreqtirre trme for the comm-rentscornprisrng t h e srgn face to physic ail^ change, CEVMO have the capabilrly to change rnslantaneouriy Gwen that the change OF k c e s s one of the elements ahrclr can lead to motorrst dlr;bracf~on,e s ~ c r a i l ya m n g older drtvers, we want to mlnrmrre tkrs drstraction as muck as possible Page l Spacing = If more &an me CEV bre h % h w 8thc sfwsmust be atkwt 3w apart on other *lf accident rates increase at a CWMS lacarion and NYSWJf has a reasonable engineering basis t h e the C W M S was a contributingfactor, spacing requimments wlfi be revised prospectivelyfor uli new insta/fatkns, Any distraction to a driver rs tnherentiy problematic, and alloinr~nga motarist to see face changes on two different CEVMS simuftaneously,ar sequentially, may be even more distracttng than a face change on a single stgn. As such, stgns should be spaced so that a driver IS not tnfluenced by more than one CEVMS a t a given moment. *ffaccident rotes increase ot a C E V M lamtion and lVVSDOf has a reasonable engineer@ basis thct the CEVlMf was o contributingfacter, NYSMlT wi!i revoke existing CEVMS permits for all kcotions and &sue new permits with a revised maximum brightness. The brightness of CEVMS rs not only potentrally distractrng due to its ability to attract increased attent~on,but may also create problems with dark adaptation among older drivers. In order to minimize these dangers, the brightness of this techno!ogt( should be constrained such that CEVMS do not appear brighter to drivers than exrsting static billboards. To this end, NYSDOTengaged the services of the RPI Lighting Research Center (LRCJt o perform measurements of existing static billboards and two existing CEVMS located in the city of Albany. The LRC's field work, combined with computer simulations, found that the luminance of a conventional biflboard is not likely to exceed about 280 candelas per square meter (cd/m2)during the nighttime (assumingtypical fighting practice as represented by the Illuminating EngineeringSociety of North America and billboard industry recommendations). The nighttime luminances of the studied CEVMS in Albany fell befow this level, with the exception of the off-highway reading for the eastbound sign. (The on-highway reading felt below the level.) The daerme Iurnrnanees measured by the LRC ranged from 540 cdlrnL(purple] to 231CIO cd/m"whrte), wrth seven of the nine readings falling belaw 42W cd/rn2 The two readings taken af the studred CEVMS In 915any were 3810 cd/rn2 (yellow) and 5170cdlrnZ(irghi green) A review of billbard ~ndustryrnforrnarron anirne yrelded t h e folbwtng infomation: ia genera4 1,500NITS provides readable text in outdoor doyirght* while groyscoie ond wtDPOor vdeo require up to 5,000 N i l s f0r (3cceptabBecolor rsepth. jBpter B g l a l B~Ilkardsj L"i;ottl)fire'ssecond-genemlian LED brlibsr?riJs ailraw outdoor operators to choose between o super- bright; super-vivid 1,500 NITdoyt-rme serlrng /or maximum impact or a seMrng as low m 5,000 fi4\11S> whtch ts approartate in many stiuooons and can save outdoor ODeaakors up to 40perceot on energy billsis, {Warchfrce iaigrtai O ~ l d o ~ r ] (Note: I NIT = 1 cd/mZ) Gwen the readings taken by the IRC, and the billboard rndustry" own Igterature, ftmrtrng the maxlmum nrghttime brrghtness to 280 cdfm2, and the maxrmum daerme brrghtness to SOOO cd/m2, best meets the Department's goal. Our onlrne search indtcated that numerous munfcrpalitresaround the countrJ have codified 5000 cd/m2 as the maxrmum daytrme brgghtness for CEVMS Prohibited Locatiotis = No speciai prdribitions/conventIonaf MItboard regulasm apply, with the exception of adding a 500C prohlfiition arwnd to@daziw an conlrdted- hi s* *lf accident rates increase at o CEVMS location and NYSDOThus a reasonable engineering basis that the CEVMS was a contributingfactor, the prohibited locations will be revised pro$pediv&y for all nnew installationr, Much research has shown that ftts ImpoRant lo not overburden drivers wtth too much addrttonai rnformatton while they are engaged rn the dr~vtngtask A 2006 report released by the Matronal Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHISA) concfudedthat nearty 80 percent of crashes and 55 percent of near-crashes lnvoived some form of drtver inattention wrthsn three seconds before the event. A 2001 study by the Unrvers~tyof North Carolrna Highway Safety Research Center found drfferent age groups appear to be d~stractedby different things, wtth drivers over age 65 more d~stractedby objects or events happening outsrde the vehicie A safety study conducted jotntly by NYfDOI and FWWA d ~ dnot expose any statrstically srgnificart Increase tn crashes at existfng CEVMS sites on freeways and expressways NYSDOT w1l1conttnue ta monitor crash rates at CEVMS sites rn order to tdenttfy any negatrve trends. STS