City Council

MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED AlEETING OF THE SCIIENEGTABU CITY COUNCIL The City Gou~lciIMeeting was called to order by the City Council President Margaret King at 7 9 5 p.m, in Room 209, City Council Chambers at City Hall. Ms. King called on Rev, Dave Chetram to provide the invocation, LMs.King then called on C h s Morris to lead the Pledge of Allegiance. The Deputy City Clerk called the roll and the hllowing members of the City Council answered to be present: Present - Council members, Margaret King, Ed Kosiur, John Mootooveren, Leesa Perazzo, Marion Porterfield, and Vincent Riggi Excused - John Ferrari ,4Lso Present - Deputy City Clerk Chad Putman, Csvoration Counsel Cmf Falotico and Mayor Gsrry McCad-lhy At this point, Ms. King asked if there were no objections, she would like to take agenda item number 10; I I , I2 dt: 13a out of order. There were no objections. Resolution No. 2015 - 63 --- A Resolution Recognizing Beverly Lewis-Salley during 2015 Women's History 1Month. - Beverly Letvis-Salley accepted the resolution and extended her gatitude 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 - 54 --- A Resolution Recognizing Schenectady County Cornunity College Women's Bowling Team as the 2015 NJCAA Champions. - Team members and Coach Ray Ross were on hand and extended their gratitude for the recognition by the Mayor and City Council. The resolution was moved by Mr. Kosiur and seconded by Ms. Porterfield. The resolution passed unanimous1y. Resolution No. 2015 - 65 ---- A Resolution Recogntizhg Scherrectady CaunQ Co CoUege Men's Bowlkg Team as the 2015 NJCi12r Championsi-- Team members and Coach Ray Ross were on hand and extended their gatitude for the recoeltion b y the b1ayor and City Council. The resolution was moved by Ms. Mootooveren and seconded by MI-, Rig@ The resolution passed unanirnousi y. ResoIaticlra No, 2015 - 66 - A Resolution Recogn;hixlg the kgcmlls or &larch as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Health Month,- A representative from the Pride Center of the Capital Region was on hand a11d extended his gratitude for the recogition by the Mayor and City Council. The resolution was moved by Ms. Perazao and seconded by Ms. Porkerfield. The resolution passed unanimous^ y, Schenectady City Council Minutes March 23,2015 1 Page 2 of 7 PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1, Amending the Scheneetady City Code, Chapter 68 regarding the Housing Standards and Review Board Steve Markham, Schenectady - "I am a member of SLIC, Schenectady Landlords Influencing Change. Rekrring back to Novernber 20,201 2, Gaette article by reporter, Kathleen More, the headline reads, "Review Board eyed for code violations. City- landlord disputes would be beard". This article begins with ""Schnectady may soon have a board to mediate disputes between the expanded code enforcement depart-ment and city landlords". To hrther quote, 'The board was supposed to rule on any complaints regarding code violations or rental certificate inspection failures for muIti unit dwellings. The goal according to the city's code was to give landlords a way to appeal code enforcement decisions without going to court." The article also states, ""The board has the power to uyihold, modify or eliminate any code violation or inspection failure'" It goes on to say, ""T addition to determining whether an inspection went beyond the city's codes, the h a r d could also determine that some violations were not serious enou& to require sanctions." This infomation was publicized hllowing SL1C's request for the City to reinstate this long-dormant board that was still on the books since its creation in 1991. According to the above article, Councilwoman Leesa Perazzo said, '7t teems to rnake sense'" and planned to bring up the issue at a hture meeting for "changes and tweaks". It's been over two years since that initial article was published. Last week, we finally received the proposed revision of the Housing Standards Review Board. The Tern, "tweak", does not begin to describe what was done to this board! For example, in cornpanson to the abo.r~eGazette description of the board, the revision now states: Item 68-1 Creation: purpose to: receive comments from the public related to the housing standard requirements of New York State and the City of Schenectady, as well as the operations of Code Enforcement and Buildings Department, Also: Item 68- 10 Powers: (A) Rules and regulations. The board is authorized to rnake and adopt such written rules and regulations as may be necessary for the proper enforcement and interpretation of this chapter and to secure the intent thereof, Such rules and regulations shall not be in conflict and to secure the intent thereof. Such rules and regulations shall not be in conflict with the provisions of this chapter or my other ordinance of the city nor shall they have the effect of waiving any provisions of this chapter or any other ordinance. We ask, what exaedy does all this verbiage m e a n m a t purpose does it seme?"' Chris Morris, Schenectady - '"I am the Director of SLIC. Nowhere in the drastlcafly altered version of the Housing Standards Revkw Board do we find m y reference to the very reason SLIC was requesting its reinstatement in the first place! That would be the appeals process and the power o f the board to pass judment on code violations issues. We feel the original intended benefit md purpose o f this board have been obliterated and replaced by ineffectual, non-specific n~ol-ds.From what we are seeing in this proposal, we can only come to the conclusion. that the City just doesn't choose to refirnquish any control in regasd to Code Enfoxement rulings and doesn't want to allow for any formal arbitration process. This impression only solidifies and fbrtkers the sense o f intimidation and oppression that many express. We are seeking fair and just legislation encouraging us to "'help" the city, rather than "%ghtWit! UYkirnately, evayone3 goal is lo improve the oaierall quality o f the City's rental properties. FVe need to establish more security rmd su~tainabi%ty in this business and create greater keentibe for firturc: investment, Only through cooperation, co~~ab~ri%ijiin and a like-msnded vision can we hope to achaeve our Scheneclady City Council Minutes March 23, 2015 / Page 3 of 7 collective goal. In closing, SLIG asks the Council to address the issues we have expressed regarding this re\rision by going back to the ""drawing board" and work to restore the "appeals" and ""powers" sections of the Housing Standards Review Board as initially created. We understand that the board would have to take into consideration the concerns of City Council, the Mayor, and the Building Inspector regarding the importance of ""life safety" violations and would not suggest unwamnted interference in such matters. We also ask that the board be allowed to deternine the most expeditious and reasonable steps to best carry out an "effective'" mission. Thank you for your attention. We, in SLIC, look fonsfardto your response in the weeks to come.'" 2. Regarding the Possible Closing of the Pedestrian Tunnel behveen Watt Street and Grout Park Patricia Smith, Schenectady - Noted the pedestrian tunnel has been an issue for a long time. She noted in the past the tunnel served a purpose but now it's an escape route for c ~ m i n a lactivity. She added the tunnel contributes to drug related activities and makes Grout Park unsafe. She noted the area is littered with trash and tagged with graffiti, She shared reports of residential break-ins in the area and families leaving the neighborhood due to safety concerns. She added vacant properlies are also vandalized in the area of the tunnel. She noted she has a petition with 58 signatures on it in support of the tunnel being closed. Donna Foley, Sebenectady - Noted she supports the closing of the pedestrian tunnel. She noted it use to be a safe walk-way for students to take to school or to the playsound but that has changed. She noted the tunnel is now venue for drug and criminal activity. She noted the area is not accessible to police patrolling the neighborhood and is a haven for litter and vandals. She noted she lives in the neighborhood and following recent residential break-ins she secured a home security system. She closed by noting the hnnel has a negative impact on the quality of life for residents in the neighborhood. She hopes the DOT will agree with the residents and close the tunnel. Linda Kelleher, Schenectady - ""Im speaking tonight as a concerned resident of the Central State Street Neighborhood. As the President of Central State Street Neighborhood Asso~iationand as the delegate to Scttenectady United Nei&borhoods, 1 try to remain vigilant about city issues especially public safety issues, Public safety is an ongoing concern ofcity residents. The tunnel at Grout Park is a public safety issue for nearby residents, residents o f the north end o f the CentraHState Street Weiaborhood and residents ofthe Town o f Rotterdam*It once served to link nei&borhoods now i t has become an escape mute for csminals and vandals. I understauld that this is an issue for DOT and that members of the Mont Pleasam Keighborhood Associat~onare gathernng signatures from nearby residents on petitions to submit to DOT. The escape route must be closed off. I suppod the efforts ofthe Moat Pleasant Neiglrhorhood Association and the city adminis.tration and Council should also supgcsfi their eb-"ortsto close off the tunnel at Grout Park to promote public safety in the city. Thank you,'" Joe KelZeher, Scherrectady .--- Read a letter on behalf o f Fred Lee, President o f the Sckenectady United Neighborhoods and Schenectady Nei&borhood Watch, ""Scheneckady Neighborhood Watch i s always concerned .vi irk enhancing public safety for all of the residents and guest o f the City sf Scheneckady and Schenectady County, There are numerous stnictural suggestiions rl~arwe can and Diave rrrade to ard In accompiishisag that goal, The closnng of this runnel would be a good step pi this arena. When 1-890 Schenectady City Council Minutes March 23, "b015 I Page 4 of 7 opened this tunnel most likely represented a concession to residents about dividing a nei&borhood. Mmy of those residents have moved on Long ago, It has however become a tool of criminal activities in the southeast section of the city and town of Rotterdam. l personally became aware of its existence, ten years ago, when I participated in a ride along with Schenectady Police Depastment to serve oa the Civilian Police Review Board. After about 30 minutes in the back of a squad car, we received a call that there was an a m e d robbery in progess at the convenience store located near the -el's erltrance. The victim state that the perpetrator ran down the street and thou& the tunnel. On the far side an eyewitness on the south side said he obsenred a male mming through back yards and that he had pitched an object in one of the backyards. We spent over an hour with flashli&ts searching for what was presumed to be a gun. The incident required duplicate sets of police cars on both sides of the expressway, for fear the criminal circled back, We would recommend the h-innel be equipped with strong gates, equipped with locks availllhle to Public Safety Officers, in the event the tunnel needs to accessed, to serve as a pass throu& for fire and m a m a d e or natural disaster situations. We recommend that this be accomplished behre the summer season, since there is nomally an increase in actik7ity." APPROVAL OF kEINUTES: Ms. King asked for a motion to approve the minutes from the March 9,201 5 Council meetings as submitted by the City Clerk; Ms. Porterfield made a motion to approve the minutes, Mr. Mootooveren seconded the motion. Official: From the Mayor a list of appointments dated Mal-ch 23,301 5 General: None Petitions: None 68&I&illTTEEREPORTS: None PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR (LEGISLATIVE ITEMS) Ms, King invited all who wished to address the Legislarive Agenda to come fonvklrd: Jason Plarrck, Sckrenectady -- Noted concerns related to the proposed le@slationregxding Best Yalue Purchasing, He noted the ,Affirnati\ie Action Committee was supposed to review and provide feedback and he does not believe this occumed. Me noted the best value purchasing practice discr?lminatesagainst persons with disabilities. He referenced the Erie Blvd project and noted the City committed malfeasance and the round-about contract was not an oversi&t. He then referenced specific sections in the proposed legislation inci-udimg62-3through 62-5,He noted the secnons do not give preference to Scheneetaby baed businesses and small businesses are excluded, He added Council Scheneclady City Council Minutes March 23, 2015 / Page 5 of 7 member Mootoovep-en asked that the language in section 62-5 read ""siatl'?rather than "should". He asked again where the recommendations from the Affimative Action Committee are and noted the City has to comply. He closed by noting that 50 percent of the recipients benefiting from safety net sewices awarded by the County Department of Social Semites live in the City of Scbenectady. Seeing no other speakers come foma-rd, Ms. King declared the Privilege of the Floor on the Legislalive Agenda closed. INTRODUCTION OF AND ACTION UPON LOCAL LAWS, ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS: Mr. Kosiur made a motion that Council approves the Consent Agenda md the motion wzlls seconded by &Mr.Mootooveren. Consent Agenda - Local Law No. 20 15 - 03 ................................. .e..AdptedUnanimous1y Ordinance No. 20 f 5 - 03 .......................................A d Unanimous1y Resolution No. 2015 - 67 ................................... Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 20 15 - 68 ..................................... A d o Unanimously Resolution No. 20 15 - 69 ......................................A d ot Unanimously Resolution No. 202 5 - 70 ......................................Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 201 5 - 71 .................................. Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 20 15 - 72 ....................... . .........*. A d Unanimously Resolution No. 2015 - 73 ............................**.*. A d o p t Unanimously Resolution No. 2015 - 74 .................................... A d o Unavrimously Resolution No. 207 5 - 75 .....................................M o t e Unanimously Resolution No. 20 15 - 76 ......................................w e d Unanimously Resolution No. 20 15 - 77 ......................................Adopted Unanimously PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR: Ms. King invited all who wished to address the City Council on any matter of City business to come fomard. The following speakers rose to be heard and their remarks are summarized: Anthony Carota, Sehenectady - Noted his thoubts are with the victims of the Jay Street Fire. He then noted it is a joke how .the Mayor has handled the situation. We noted the City should house the victims by using the $400,000 it's currently using lo demolish the burned out buildings. He then congatulrzted the media and Fire depadrrzed. He noted the City is impacted by crime. shootings m d robbeples and the innocent are k i n g victimized. He closed by noting the ballis in the Mayor's court. Jason Ptanek, Scheneetady - Noted an article in the Albany Tiirnes Union which regon"ked Schenectady has the highest propert.; taxes in the region- He noted the City's admtnisl-ratisn blames others rather than taking responsibililg. for it, Me noted the Council agenda has several tax cediorar^lson the agenda which i s evidence s f the need for a City-wide reassessment. He noted with regards to the PILOT progams the City i s in the practice srftrmsfe~ng jobs and not creating them, He noted the GE battery plant i s reducing jobs and he advised the City to- reduce the PILOTS. He also advised that Price Chopper headquaflers on Notk Street i s benefiting from a PILOT tvhich he adkissed should be reduced in order f i r the City to capture more revenue. He then asked why the City i s establishing PILOTS for luxury apartments and the ALCO site. He added that 50 percent o f the DSS recipients live in the City. He closed by noting the City and County sales tax agreement i s an old fornula and zests the c ~ t j$4-5m~i%iun dollars per year. Schenectady Gity Council Minutes March 23, 2015 1 Page 6 of 7 Joy Hall, Schenectady - Noted the City needs to fill the potholes on the City streets. She is also concerned about seniors crossing Cross Street and asked for walk lights to be installed. She closed by noting that speeding and crime are both issues in the City, Joe Kelleher, Schenectady - Congratulated the City Council members who won the election this past November and also apologized for any campaign literature that may have of-fended his challengers. He then noted his support of the victims of the Jay Street Fire and noted he had an oppodunity to visit the crises shelter following the fire. He then noted he has a new job at the Veteran Miracle Center as the Spiritual Assistant. He noted the organization is located in Albany, NY and can be reached by phone: 5 18.486.8398 or email: info@\mcalbany.org. He closed by noting his efforts to collect clothing for the veterans closet and flags for the Amedcan. Legion Niskayuna, Post 1092. Stefan k-uger, Schenectady - Noted he is with the Rotterdam Rescue g o u p and has been in regular attendance at City Council meetings in relation to advocating for dogs in the City shelter, He noted the City Facebook page is slow to update and sometimes it can take up to six or seven days before a stray dog is posted. We added there is a second Facebook page, but he is unsure if it's affiliatd with the City and he noted he cannot ""Like" the page. He added be the Rotterdam Rescue group of volunteers wants to help the Gity care for the dogs in the shelter and he hopes the group has not been pushed out after their adt~oeacy.He closed by sharing an interaction one of the Jay Street Fire victims had with one of the City's Animal Control Officer which he reports was an unprofessional hteraction. Seeing no other speakers to come before the City Couneit, Ms. King declared the Privilege of the Floor closed regarding City Business. IIIISCELLANIEOUS BUSINESS OF THE COUNCIL Mr. Riggi- Thanked the speakers who came out regarding the pedestriai~tunnel public hearing. He noted the neighborhood feelings about closing the tunnel are clear. He then announced the Belleme Nei&borhood Association will meet on April 9t%t 7pm at St. Paul's Church at 1911 Fairview Ave. He noted Schenectady Police Chief Brian Kilcullen will be the guest speaker, He then extended his gratitude to the Police and Fire Deparrtment for their ongoing service in reflection to the Jay Street fire. He noted his son gave him a copy of a 1937 City Go~lncilmanual for his birthday which illustrated changes in tax rates and salaries. Ms, Perazzo Noted there will be a hdraising event, Lau@ter Saves Lives (comedy tour) taking place on April 4 at the Proctors - GE Theatre. The event starts at 8100 p,m, and tickets are $30,Proceeds will benefit the Scfieneetady Firefi&ters Cancer Foundation. Mr,KOSIUL" - Noted the Woodlawn Nei&bsrhood Association will host its monthly meeting on March 25 at 7:00p.m. at the Hibemian Hall on State Street. He noted Mayor Gary iMcCibrt:hy tvill be the guest speaker, He then noted the Good Friday Gross Walk in Mont P~easankwill take place on April 3rd, at 10:00 a m . at Holy Name o f Jesus National Catholic Church, 1040 Pearl Street. The walk will end at the hosting church. The Bridge C h s f a n Church, 735 Crane Street, around 11:45 a.m. &.layorBIcCarthy --- Wished Council member lrtnce Rig@ a happy bidhday. He then thanked the first responders for their ongoing service related to the Jay Street f i e , He also extend his appreciation to City personnel, City Co~~dicll and the comrnul~ityfor their effor-;s and patience as the Jag Street fire site i s demoed and cleaned up. We noted the site is more stable and the efforts continue to get the businesses back up as soon as possible. He expects the cleanup to cost the City an estimated $490~~100 and added Leavrng the burned orat bu4Ydings as blight in doivntotvn? was nor an option. He noted the gropedies mould have had a negatitre impact on adjacent Schenectady City Council Minutes March 23,2015 / Page 7 of 7 property values. We closed by noting Scheneetady is an example to other municipalities in the state with regards to the Cities handling of tragc fires and related demolition. We appreciates the Gity Council's ongoing support. *Ms.King - Extended her appreciation to the Mayor and Gity personnel for their hmdling of the Jay Street fire and related cleanup. She then wished Council memher Vince Riggi a happy birthday. Adjourned: Seeing no further business to come before the Gity Gou~lcil,Ms. King asked t'or a motion to adjourn the meeting. "The motion was moved by Mr. Kosiur and seconded by Mr. Mootooveren and the meeting ad,joumed at 8:04 p.m. Scheneetady DepuQ Cllry Clerk