City Council

hZIiUUTlES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETING OF THE SGHENECTADY CITY c o u N e I L February 9,2015 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 Half. Ms. King called for a moment of silence. Ms. King called on Jim Salengo 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, John Ferrari, Margaret King, Ed Kosiur, John Mootooveren, Leesa Perazzo, Marion Porterfield. and Vincent Riggi Also Present - City Clerk Charles Tkome, Corporation Counsel Carl Falotico and Mayor Gary McCarthy At this point, Ms, King asked if there were no objections, she urould like to take agenda item number 17 out of order. There were no objections. - Resolution No. 2015 23 A Resolution Reeogniizing the Charitable Aetion of Jenny Karpen - Jenny Marpen was on hand and extended her gatitude 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 HEARINGS: None APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Ms. King asked for a motion to approve the minutes fiom the January 26,2015 Council meetings as submitted by the Deputy City Clerk; Ms. Porterfield made a motion to approve the minutes, Mr. Fen^a~seconded the motion, Official: None General: None Schenectady City Council Minutes February 9, 2015 / Page 2 of 4 COMMITTEE REPORTS: Ms. Perazzo, Finance - Noted a recent presentation by City officials related to implementation of online payments for taxes. She noted the expectation for a launch of this new service in the spring. Ms. Perazzo, Cov ent Operations - Noted the Council has been talking about interest rates for horne owners who fall on hard times and in arrears. Noted the Council is looking at an educational initiative via printed materials to assist horne owners. Ms. Porterfieid, Health & Recreation -Noted the Committee will be hosting a meeting on Thursday, February 19 at 5:30 pm at City Hall related to the City parks improvements. PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR (LEGISLATIVE ITERIS) Ms. King invited all who wished to address the Legislative Agenda to come fornard: Seeing no speakers come fornard, Ms. King declared the Privilege of the Floor on the Legislative Agenda closed. INTRODUCTION OF AND ACTION UPON LOCAL LAVC'S, OmINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS: Mr. Kosiur made a motion that Council approves the Consent Agenda and the motion was seconded by Mr. Mootooveren. Consent Agenda - Ordinance No. 20 15 - 0 1 .......................................Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 20 15 - 24 ......................................Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 201 5 - 25 ......................................Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 20 15 - 26 ......................................Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2015 - 27 ......................................Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 201 5 - 28 .....................................Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 20 15 - 29 ......................................Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2015 - 30 ..................................... A d d LJnanlimously Resolution No, 2015 - 3 1 adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 20 15 --- 32 ...................................... A d o p t Unanimously Resolution KO,2015 - 33 adopted Unanimously Rescliution KO. 2015 - 5.2......................................A d o p t Unan~mously Resolution No. 201 5 - 35 ......................................A d Lnanimously Resolution No. 201 5 -- 16 .................................... A d o p t Unanimously Resolution 50, 20 15 --- 37 .....................................a i 4 d ~ p e d Unanimously Resolution No, 2015 - 38 .................... . ...*** *AdoptedUnanimously A Local Law Amending Chapter 264, Section 14 of the Schenectady City Code establishing a Waterfront BIixed-Use District, 2015- 01 ,"Is, Porterfield made a rnotion to amend this legislation by removing section 264-14(H)(3), i~iZlLchreads "Electron~cSIP disp'iaj cannot change more than every 8 seconds mkess otherwise mthonzed by the Planning Commissrsn,"' Gnen that e a I ~ e r:rtonr&t ~ h r sCosanc~dpassed csmprekensite leg~slationwhich allows electric sign displays to change wery 8 seconds C i t y m, ide, this section is dupl~cat~r e and unnecessary, Schenectady City Council Minutes February 9, 201 5 / Page 3 of 4 The motion was moved by Ms. Pcrnerfield and seconded by Mr. Kosiur. 7:O:O A Local Law Amending Chapter 264, Seetion 14 of the Schenectady City Code establishing a t.Vaterfri.ontMixed-Use District. 2015 - O l (Amended) Voting AYE: F e m a ~ ,King, Kosiur, Mootooveren, Perazzo, & Porterfield Voting NAY: None Abstain: Riggi 6:O: 1 Ms. Perazzo - Thanked the City staff and members of the Planning Commission involved in the development of this local law. She noted this project is a multi-million dollar project taken on be a developer with a proven track record in the City and she voted in favor of the local law* kls, Porterfield - Noted she took time to review other similar projects in the country and their success. She added she is extremely comfortable voting in favor of this local law. Mr. Ferrari - Noted .thou&thl consideration and consultation with City residents and added it's an honor to vote in favor of this local law. Mr. I2iggi -Noted he does not have enough of a visual concept related to the development and does not feel comfortable voting in favor of the local law at this time. He added he does not feel qualified at this juncture and he wonders why the Council has not been more adequately provided with visual aids related to the planned development. As such he reported be would abstain from the vote. PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR: Ms. King invited all who wished to address the City Council on any matter of City business to come forward. The following speakers rose to be heard and their remarks are summarized: Joe Piazzo, Schenectady - Noted on February 15 there will be a fib screening of Ghost Town at 200 p.m, at the Islamic Center at 21 Lansing Road in Seheneetady, He noted this interesting dcreumentaq tells the story o f the conflict: between Israel and Palestine, He noted be was inspired by the directorescourage and learned a lot about the issues related to the region. He noted the event is free and open to the public. He added the event IS a hndraiser to help with dist~buting the film and for kes related to applSP?;ngfor entry into film fealrsials, He then noted a separate film entitled Voices o f f h e ,Ytc)erkde which was previewed at Proctors in December, He added the film includes two yews o f oral history from various Stockade residents. He closed by noting the film 6s available on the Stockade Association website and can be purchased to benefit the association. P,D, Vocrrktis, Schenectady - Noted she was not aware the Council President was reappointed for another year, Pu'oted she has read Council President Peggy Kings book u kieh spoke to differences "obveen community and four-yeass colleges. She noted two year schools are a new incamation and ofien focus on techica1 pmgamming, She noted her concerns center around progressive education and two leaders in the field$.She then noted her intenrions to address a June 26 FOIL request wh~chshe reports the City has yet to be responded to, She added the records do exrst but wlkh the new regme in place she is bang told the reports have r aponzed, Schenectady City Council Minutes February 9, 2015 1 Page 4 of 4 Seeing no other speakers to come before the Gity Council, Ms. King declared the Privilege of the Floor closed regarding City Business. i"b1ISCELLANEOUSBUSINESS OF THE COUNCIL Ms. Porterfield- Noted there will be a movie on Februafqi 13 at the High School entitled the E E ~ofSummer, in celebration of Black History Month. She added the film reflects on the civil rights movement of the 1960's and is free to the public with a start time of 6:30 pm. She noted the film was lvritten by a woman born and raised in Schenectady and the film will be followed by a Q & A. She Iater noted there will be a second public hearing on February 1I" at the Bridge Church. She encouraged residents to attend who want to provide input related to CDBC funding allocations. Mr. Ferrari- Noted the Millennia1 Council will be hosting its second meeting on February I 1 at 6:30 p.m. in Gity Hall, room 1 10. He noted interested residents ages 18-40 can mail their resume to his attention. He then noted Cuffs Cakes, a new business on Umer Union Street opened today and be encouraged residents to try their p r ~ d ~ c t s . Mr. Riggi --Noted with the ongoing snow forecast he asked residents not to plow or shovel snow into the streets. He then noted the Belleme Presemation League cancelled its meeting set for February 12 due to the sno.ini and cold, He added the Belleme's Famers Market is Looking for vendors to participate in the grouring market &om June to September. We noted if interested residents can contact 393-0401 or reach him directly. Mr. Kosiur - Noted applications ifor the CDBG are now available online along with additional information. He then noted the deadline for seniors to fife for the enbanced STAR exemption is March 1. He closed by encouraging residents to drive safe. Mayor hlcCarthy - Thanked the City Council for moving the local law ahead. He then noted the success that sirnilar projects in Baltimore and Philadelphia have experienced with Rush Street Gaming. He noted conversations with mayors from both cities who reported to be very pleased with the outcome of their projects which gives him confidence in the de\relopment coming to the riverfront. Regarding the snow and pending forecast he noted City crews are staying ahead of it and he encouraged residents to contact his office with concerns. He closed by asking residents to clear their sidewalks and around nearby fire hydrants for public safety. &Is, a n g - Thanked those in attendance for coming out to the ~neetlngdespite the weather. Adjourned: Seeing no kdher husiness to come before the City CouneiY, Ms. King asked &r a motion ro adjourn the meeting, The motion was moved by Mr. Kosiur and seconded by Ms, Mootooveren and the meeting adjourned at 732 p,m.