City Council

MINUTES OF THE REGULAmY SCHEDULED R3EETING OF THE SGHENECTADY erTy COUNCIL February 23,2015 The City Council Meeting was called to order by the Gity Council President rMasgaret King at 7:06 p.m. in Room 209, City Council Chambers at City Hall. Ms. King called on Rev. Richard Frank to provide the invocation, Ms. King then called on Andy Brick to lead the Pledge of Allegiance. The Deputy City Clerk called the roll and the following members of the Gity 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 McCarthy At this point, Ms. King asked if there were no objections, she would like to take agenda item number 10, 11, 12, 13 & 14 out of order. There were no ob~ections. Resolution No. 2015 - 39 - A Resolution Recognizing the Month of February as Afriean- American Histow 14Ionth. -- A representative with T.E.A.M. 6.0.was on hand and extended his gratitude for the recognition by the Mayor and City Council. The resolution was moved by Ms. Porterfield and seconded by Ms. Perazzo. The resolution passed unanimously. Resolution No. 2015 - 40 - A Resolution Recognizing the Schenectady Gity School District 2015 Spelling Bee Champions. - Students from Paige and Zoller elementary schools were on hand and extended their gratihde for the recognition by the Mayor and City Council. The resolution was moved by Mr. Kosiur and seconded by Mr. Mootooveren. The resolution passed unanirnously. Resolution No. 2015 - 41 - A Resolution Recognizing Participants of Bridges to Youth. - Students involved with the Br;idges to Youth Conference held in December: 2014 were an hand and extended their gratitude for the reeogrritlovt by the Mayor and City Council. The resolution was moved by Ms. Psderfield and seconded by Mr, Mooboveren, The resolution passed unanimously. Resolution: No, 2015 - 42 A Resolution Recsgnking National Silver Gloves Boxing ---. Tournament Champions Jah-yae Brown and Nasir Mayfield, --- Jah-yae Brown, Nasir Mayfield arid Vincent Kittle were on hand and extended their gatitude for the recornition by the Mayor and City Council* The resoiution was moved by Mr. Mootooveren and seconded by r\n;s, Porlafield, The resolution passed \manimously, Resolution No, 2015 - 43 --- A Resolution Reccrgzzkiag the Union College B4en9s Hockey Team as the bvirrrrers o f the 2025 Mayar9s Cup, - Coach Rick Bennett and Union College hockey team players were on hand and extended their gratitude for the recognition by the Mayor and City Council, Schenectady City Council Minutes February 23, 201 5 i Page 2 of 5 The resolution was moved by Ms. Perazzo and seconded by Mr. Mootooveren. The resolution passed unanimous1y. PUBLIC HEARINGS: Amending the Schenectady City Code to amend the zoning of select parcels on State Street and Brandyine Atrenue from ""6-2" Mixed Use Commercial District to ""PMD" Pfamed Mixed Use Development District Andy Brick - Noted he represents Atlantic Development which has projects thougbout the Northeast and is looking to expand into New Uork State. More specifically he noted the planned development on the comer of State Street and Brandwine Avenue. He noted the developer's application to the City calls for a planned mixed use development district at that location which requires a zoning change. He added the vacant lots and adjacent buildings are in a high visibility location. We noted the planned development zoning change has the support of the Plaming Commission and residents in the area. He noted he would be available for questions as needed. Charles Steiner - President of the Schenectady County Chamber of Co support of the proposed zoning changes related to the development planned for the comer of State Street and Brandyine Avenue. He noted the pro~ectincludes the redevelopment of 3 acres into a mixed us multipurpose building with green space. He noted the developer would be taking a bliated area and would make it a welcoming gateway into the City. He added the developer has a solid track record related "r other projects in the Nogheast. He noted the developer-plans on working with the City on this $6 million dollar investment and the Chamber supports the proposed zoning changes. A P P R O U L OF MINUTES: Ms. King asked for a motion to approve the minutes fiom the February 9,2015 Council meetings as submitted by the City Clerk; Mr. Mootooveren made a motion to approve the minutes, Ms. Perazzo seconded the motion. Official: From the Mayor a list o f appointments dated Febmasy 23,201 5 General: A !&tm from the Amel.ican Legion: 27' Uivisim Post 1001to the City o f Sclrencctady extending their gatibde for the rentat money to srappod their post. A letter fiom tl?e h e l - i e m Legion, 27" DDivi~IolrPost 1005 to the City of Schenectady extending their gatitude for the rental money to support their post. A letter from the American Gold Star "bfothers,Chapter 7 to the City 06Scheneetady extending their gratitude for the generous donation, A letter h r n the Scheneetady Veterans o f WW%%, Korea and Vietnam to the City o f Schenectady extending their gratitude for the rental money to support their post, Schenecirady City Council Minutes February 23, 2015 f Page 3 of 5 Petitions: None COMMITTEE REPORTS: Ms. Porterfield, Health & Recreation - Noted the Committee met on Thursday, February 19 at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall and there were 18 plus community and City representatives in attendance. She noted there was a discussion on the capital knding in the budget related to playground equipment. She noted various neighborhood and park groups discussed plans for park improvements. She noted the Chair of the Recreation Advisory Commission was also present at the meeting along with other recently appointed Commissioners. She noted the Commission would be meeting in preparation for the summer season and would be following up with ail interested neighborhoods. PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR (LEGISLATIVE ITERSS) Ms. King invited all who wished to address the Legislative Agenda to come %ward: Seeing no speakers come foward, Ms. King declared the Privilege of the Floor on the Legislative Agenda closed. INTRODUCTION OF AND ACTION UPON LOCAL LAWS, ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS: Mr. Riggi made a motion that Council approves the Consent Agenda and the motion was seconded by Mr. Mootooveren. Consent Agenda - Ordinance No. 201 5 - 02 ..................................... Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2015 - 44 ......................................Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 201 5 - 45 ......................................Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 20 15 - 46 ......................................A d o p t Unanimously Resolution No. 20 15 - 47 ......................................Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 20 15 - 48 ...............................s.....Adopted Unanimously ResoIution No. 2015 - 49 ...................................... A t e Unanimously Resolution No, 20 L 5 --- 50 adUnanimously Resolution No, 20 15 --- 5 1 ...................................... A d o p t Unanimously Resolution So.201 5 - 52 ............... A d o p t Unmimously Resolution No. 201 5 - 53 .....................................iiiPd~ptedL'nanimousty PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR., Ms, King invited all who wished to address the City Council on any matter o f City business to come fon2;rard,The following speakers rose to be heard and their remarks are summa~zed: Joy Hall, Sehenectady - Noted concerns re-elatedto snow removal by City plows and an increasing number o f potholes OM City streets, She asked the City to plow the side streets and for residents to park their cars in their driveway to assist with snow rernok al, John Howard, Schenectady - Noted he is a resident o f Schenectady m d was a City ernplotee stadkg in May, 2014. He added he was hired as a seasonal employee with the SN-4)" crew and while emplojed secured his CDL.Then in Decem"ser sf 2014 he reports he was transferred to the GVaste Depadment in order to extend his employment beyond his orrginal seasonal position hire. Schenectady City Council Minutes February 23, 2015 i Page 4 of 5 Then he noted after calling in sick during some of the most recent figid weather be was teminated. He was told the union could not advocate on his behalf because of his seasonal eqloynzent status. He noted he then attmpted to meet with the Mayor regarding his termination on several occasions but no meeting occurred. He closed by noting he has since fbllowed up with the Schenectady County Human Rights Commission and that he will be filling a complaint with the New Vork State Division of human rights. Marva rsaacs, Schenectady - Noted a recent article in the Schenectady Gazette that feabred several local officials who were behind on their school taxes. She expressed her disappointment and concern that the article only pictured persons of color despite Caucasians being named as well. She noted the paper should picture everyone reported in the article. She then noted City staff did clean the streets of snow and advised residents to stop shoveling snow into the roads. Tony Buonome, Schenectady - Noted concerns related to the Oak Street Bridge. He added the railroad should be more concerned with regards to repairing the bridge and wonders why it is taking so long. He noted the design phase started last year and the constmction phase was scheduled to start this year. He then noted Helderberg and Chrysler Avenue are in t e ~ b l e shape and in need of repair. We noted in the last 23 months the Oak Street Bndge has been closed and as a result he bas used more gas as a result. We noted this is like an additional tax. He then advised the City to consider purchasing parking meter kiosks that accept bills and not just change or credit cards. He closed by suggesting an idea for a new sales tax and using the revenue for road repairs. 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 Ms. Perazzo-- Noted OSHA will be hosting safety trainings on March 4 and March 5 at Steinmetz Community Center. She noted there is a $200 fee and registration is required. Interested parties can contact 372-4409. She then noted McTap is also offering a training course as well on March 6,2015. She reflected on the ceremonial resolutions presented at the start of the City Council meeting and noted a diverse community representation was on hand. She add the resolutions recognize some of the great activities the community is engaged in including some of the youth in town, She then extended her condolences to the loved ones impacted by the recent shooting and suicide that took place in Schenectady this past week. Mr. Ferrari- Noted a nen3initicllive with the Dokvntown Schenectady Improvement Coqoration (DSTC) related to honoring veterans and active duty service araemkers in the City of Sehenectadp. He noted the initiative includes personal images on barnas which would be displayed on poles in the downtown eokdor. He noted thee main c ~ t e to~ a parlicipate including the veteran or service member was born in the City o f Scheneetady, gaduated from Schenestady Hi& School or lives sn the City, He noted a fee o f $300 and the veteran or service member (or family menzber) u~ouidthen receive the banner at the conclusion o f the program in November 20 L 5,He encouraged interested padies to contact Colleen Merays at the DSIC for more infomation, her, 59ootooveren --- Noted the Enhanced STAR exemption dedlinc: i s on hfareh 1,2015.Me encouraged residents to file as soon as possible and follorv up with the City assessor"^ office with any questions. Bar, Riggi --- Noted concerns related to the clearing offire hydrants in the City, H e questioned the benefit ofthe City union challenging the Sheriff Departmenr's work crews for diggng out the hydrants. He noted safety should be the most impufiant concern, He then noted issues related to snow removal near Mont Camel, Congess Hill md on Broadway in Bellecue. He noted many Schenectady City Council Minutes February 23, 2015 I Page 5 of 5 of the side streets are one-way due to the buildup of snow. We then asked the Mayor about implementing a snow emergency process next year based on a set of uniform rules. He noted the snow build up impedes emergency vehicles. We then thaked the City staff including police, fire: and the office of general sen~iceswho have been working outside during this difficult and cold winter. Mayor BlcGarthy - Noted the diversity and energy of the youth and others in attendance tonight at the City Council meeting in relation to the ceremonial resolutions. We then noted on Sunday the City kicked off the HOMES p r o g m which will host monthly events through the spring. He added the next round offoreclosures will be taking place in an effort to get more residential properties back on the tax rolls. We then noted the City will host the 10" annual restaurant week with participating restaurants in downtown and across the City. He encouraged residents to take advantage of the great meals at a great price. Adjourned: Seeing no I;itdher 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 Ms. Riggi and the meeting ad~oumedat 8: 10 p.m. Schenectady Deputy City Clerk