City Council

MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETING OF THE SGHIENEGTADU CITY COUNCIL April 13,2015 The City Council Meeting was called to order by the City Council President Margaret King at 7 9 4 p.m, in Room 209, City Council Chambers at City Hall. Ms. King called on Rev. Emmanuel Adams to provide the invocation. Ms. King then called on Richard Homenick to lead the Pledge of Allegiance. The Deputy City Clerk called the roll and the following members of the City Council answered to be present: Present - Council members, John Ferrari, Margaret King, Leesa Perazzo, Marion Porterfield, and Vincent Riggi Excused - Ed Kosiur & John Mootooveren Also Present - Deputy City Clerk Chad Putman, Corporation Counsel Carl Falotico and Mayor Gary McCa&hy At this point, Ms. King asked if there were no objections, she would like to take agenda item number 8, 9, & 10 out of order. There were no objections. Resolution No. 2015 - 79 - A Resolution Reeognizing Friday, April 24, 2015 as Arbor Day in the City of Sehenectady - Representatives from ReTree Schenectady where on hand to accept the resolution and they extended their gatitude for the recowition by the Mayor and City Council. The resolution was moved by Ms. Porterfield and seconded by Mr. Riggi. The resolution passed unanimously. Resolution No. 2015 - 80 - A Resolution Recognizing the Week of April 19 - 25, 2015 as National Crime Vietims Rights Awareness Week - Advocates representing victims of crime were on hand and extended their gratitude for the recognition by the Mayor and City Council. They also reported a ceremony to remember victims will take place on April 26'h at 12:OO noon at the Central Park Rose Garden and all are welcome. The resolution was moved by Mr. Riggi and seconded by Ms. Perazzo. The resolution passed unamimously, Resolution No, 2015 - 81 --- A Resolution EZeeognhhg Former Gourrciilman Joe Notar - Family members were on hand and extended their g a t i k d e for the recognition by the Mayor and City Coundl. The resolution was moved by Ms, Perazzo and seconded by Mr, Riggi. The resolution passed unanimous1y. PUBLIC HEARINGS: APPROVAL OF ,MIXUTES: Schenectady City Council Minutes April 5 3, 2015 1 Page 2 of 6 Ms. King asked for a motion to approve the minutes from the March 23 and April 6. 2015Couneif meetings as submitted by the City Clerk & Deputy City Gkrkj Mr, Rig& made a motion to approve the minutes, Mr. Fenari seconded the motion. Communications Presented to the Gitv Council for Monday April 13,2015 Official: From the Mayor a List of appointments dated April 13, 20 15 A letter from Christopher Wallin dated April 13: 201 5 recommending the contract for theb'2015 Paving Prosam" be awarded to Callanan Industries, Inc. A letter from Christopher Wallin dated April 13,2015 recommending the contract for the "Central Park Pavilion Roof Replacement - Alternate Bid" be awarded to Mid-State Industries, Ltd. A letter from Gfistopher Wallin dated April 13,2015 recommending several contracts with vendors for ""Fertilizer and Pesticides for the Municipal Golf Course 201 5 Season". General: A letter h r n the Jewish War Veterans of the U.S.A., Post 106 in Schenectady, NU, dated March 25,2015 extending their gratitude for the donation. Petitions: A petition to close the Grout Park tunnel: with 55 simatures presented to the City Council by Mont Pleasant Neighborhood Association President, Patricia Smith. COlMMITTEE REPORTS Marion Porterfield, Wealth & Recreation - Reported she attended a meeting related to Grout Park usage and noted the discussion will continue. She also reported the Recreation Advisory Commission is also meeting and moving forward. She noted the Chair, Rich Patierne is present tonight. She added later that David Fronk, Director of Operations and herself attended the 12309 Neighborhood Association meeting in relation to City parks. PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR (LEGISLATIVE ITEMS) Ms, King invited all who wished to address the Legslative Agenda to come fonvard: Seeing no speakers come forward, Ms. King declared the Prrvifege of the Floor on the Legislative Agenda closed, %NTROT)G(?TIONOF AND ACTION &POX LOCAL LA%VS,0WE)IXi'ANCESAND RESOLUTIONS: Ms. Pnflerfieid made a motion that Council approves the Consent Agenda and the rnotion was seconded by hjls, Rig&* Consent Agenda - Ordinance No. 28 15 - 04 ...................-.-.- - *. - -. Adopted Unanimously * * a a a Ordinance No,20 15 - 05 .....,............. - - - -- -- - ~. .sL4doptedUnanimously ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ -* = RessBution No. 201 5 - 82 ........ =..,.......s.sas.se ~-L4doptedUnanimously ~e~ .=-*a- ResoIutLon NO. 20 15 - 83 ....................... ~-Adoptei;B ~ s r-jnanlmously e - . ~ * . ~ . ~ * ~ Schenectady City Council Minutes April 13, 2015 / Page 3 of 6 Resolution No. 20 2 5 - 84 ...................................... m e Unanimously Resolution No. 2015 - 85 ...................................... Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2015 - 86 ......................................Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2015 - 87 ...................................... Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 20 15 - 88 ...................................... Adopted Unmimously Resolution No. 2015 - CS - 9 ................................ Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2015 - CS - 10 ..............................Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 201 5 - CS - 11 .............................. Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 20 15 - CS - 12 ............................. Adopted Unanimously PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR: ~uils.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: Anthony Garota, Schenectady - Noted the City is like the wild-wild-west. He added recently there have been two school shootings and thankfully no students were injured. He noted there was another shooting last night and a girl was hit by a car. He asked what the City going to do about it. He suggested the City issue a curfew similar to Halloween night and ensure resident youth ages 13 and younger are at home by 9:00 p.m. He noted be is glad that Facebook exposed a police investigation and added people want to knour the truth. He closed by noting public safety is important and the City needs to have more cops on the street. John Polimeni, Schenectady - Noted he is the President of the Board of Directors for Better Nei&borhoods which is slated to receive a $17,000 cut in CDBG fdnding in 2015-20! 6. He noted the grant money is used to fund home buying progrms, educate consumers and compliment the Mayor's H.O.M.E.S. program. He urged the City Council to restore the $17,000 in funding to the Better Neighborhood organization in the 201 5-2016 CDBC funding allocations. Joy Hall, Schenectady - Noted public safety concerns. She noted people are standing in the street talking to drivers and double parking. She added public safety vehicles are unable to get through when this happens. She noted people in wheelchairs need be off the street but the sidewalks need to be in better repair for the disabled to use. Mary McClaine, Schenectady - "My comments tonight were prepared for the March 23,201 5 City Council meeting. I was ill and not able to attend. The comments were in response to the Gazette's report that Schenectady has the h i b e s t tax rate in the Capital Region and the mayor "earned the problem on the school district, Did the s c h o t distset tell. City Council to give a $4,000 yearly, lifetime bonus to members ofthe trades unions? Did the school distr?;cttell City Council to buy software t"or the tax officemid the school d i s t ~ e ttell you to spend $40.000 to put fluclrrde in the d ~ n k i n gwater when the other nearby cornmmities stopped the practice 6 years a g o w i d the schoot dtstget tell you to pay medical coverage for part-time elected officials? Officials in other places don"t receive it. Did the school district tell you to make a. deal with the ne-er-do-well, keep him home for a p a r with pay and then retire hirn?Tax dollars are paying for that deal. Did the school distict hell you to sell the mayor's ear and keep 35 ears for city employees? According to the mayor, Utica receir es $5 miillon more than Schenectdy and yet liiiea has three ears, one for the Mayor, another for the Fire Chief and a third fbr the Police Chief, HOWdo 1 Iknow?I called Utica, Did the school district tell you to put the senio1-aty system in the PBA contract? It disc~minatesagainst the rookie police officer and it costs the city too much money, Did the school d f ~ f i l ~ e p a x to sign an ei&t year contract with the county? The tell city l i s t $3 million and there won't be anything corning from the caslrrro until the eight year Schenectady City Council Minutes April 13, 2015 / Page 4 of 6 contract is up. Folks, as long as Democrats are in office our taxes will never go down. Four seats are up for City Council this year, It's a m;tl'otlty, Look elsewhere for representation.'" Roy Neville, Schenectady - Noted he is the President of the Alliance for Mental IHness and is on hand to speak about the recent tragic fire on Jay Street. He noted many of the residents of the two buildings impacted by the fire are lo?v income individuals and have physical and/or mental health disabilities. He suggested the City should put more focus on properties which house this population because they are often less able to advocate for themselves. He added the City should focus on ensuring that sprinklers, smoke alarms and fire extinguishers are present and in working condition in these properties. Sabrina Heilmann, Schenectady - Noted that her f m i l y dog was viciously attacked and killed near Guilderland Avenue. She noted neighbors attempted to help and called the Police. She reported animal control arrived and the owner of the dog was arrested. She noted the viscous dog however was allowed to remain in the residence and she does not understand. She added the dog is a public safety issues and now the homeowner has been released and she is deeply concerned. She closed by asking the City Council to review City policy in relation to this situation in an effort to prevent this &om happening again. Rich Patierne, Schenectady - Noted he is the Chair of the newly fomed Recreation Advisory Commission which bas met a few times. He noted the commission will conduct a needs assessment of all the City parks and will send recornmendations to the Mayor's office. He added the assessment visits will start the week of April 20 and will take commission representatives through Hamilton Hill: Woodlawn, & Mont Pleasant neighborhoods. He added a specific assessment date will be set for Central Park because of the size and scope of the park. He then noted the County will be hosting a Family Fun Day at Steimetz Park on July 25 and he encouraged residence to save the date. He closed by acknowledging the loss of former Council member Joe Notar and the legacy he left behind. Judy Rightmyer, Schenectady - Noted she is with the Capital District Tobacco Free Coalition and she is present to talk about results from a recent study conducted by SUNY Albany. She said the study looked at the availability of fresh produce and tobacco products in a given neighborhood. She noted the study found that in neighborhoods where tobacco products where more readily available there was a higher rate of use. She added in neighborhoods where fresh h i t was more readily available that tobacco there was a lower incidence of tobacco use. She noted the study shows a comelation between availability and use. She added this is evident of a social Justice issue. She encouraged the City to explore options to reduce the availability of tobacco in nei&borhoods by r e s ~ e t i n gthe number of tobacco licenses to retailers, limiting the number o f locations where tobacco can be sold and increase oversight, She closed by noting other states are taking action and capping the number of tobacco retarlers in their community, Seeing no other speakers to come before the City Council, Ms. King declared the Privilege ofthe Floor closed regarding City Business. KIISGELLANEOUS BUSINESS OF THE COUNCIL hlr, Eggi - Extended hrs condolences to the famil~esof k m e r Council members Joe Nutar and Joe Allen and added their gassing i s a loss to the community, Regarding the recent vicious dog attack reporled by the Ms. Heilmam he noted the ineadent i s hearlbreaking, He noted the incident is the result sfan irresponsible dog owner, He noted that he is a pet owner and i t i s hard enough to lose a dog to a natural death, let alone v i a a tragic esent like tL41s. Me asked what the Coune11 and Cnty can do to prevent a simr'8a.r tragedy from happen~ngagann. He then reflected cfi Mr, NevrBle" comments regarding the tragnc fire on Jay Street. He added although the law bid S~henectadyCity Council Minutes April 13, 2015 / Page 5 of 6 not require the property ournerto have sprinklers in the building, a loca1 law should supersede. Me noted more stringent recammendations would likely not be popular with Landlords but in this case it could have helped to make the tragedy less tragic. He then noted concerns related to the condition of the City streets and the number of potholes out there. He added he has not seen the roads in such bad shape in 50 years. He noted there are widgets for vehicles which can monitor excessive braking as an option to identifjr and address potholes more quickly. He added repairs to vehicles and related claims against the City are very expensive. He closed by stating it's not cost effective for the City to leave the potholes unaddressed. Ms. Porterfield - Noted she will be hosting a Town Hall with veterans on April 25that 3:00 p.m. with special guest speaker, Dr. Leroy Gillman. The event is in collaboration with NYS Council of Veteran Organizations and will be held at the Church of Cod, 920 State Street. If residents would like more information she encouraged them to contact her by phone or eniail. She then reported the Red Cross will be giving out free smoke detectors on April 25 and if residents are interested they can find more information on her Facebook page. Ms. Perazzo-- Extended her condolences to the families of former Council members Joe Notar and Joe Allen. She then reflected on Ms. I-l'eilmann3 shared tragedy regarding the loss of her family dog following a vicious dog attack. She noted she shares Ms. Heilmann's concems and would like the City to review the code related to removing dangerous dogs from a residence following an attack, She reported the Community Loan fund will host a presentation on April 15 at 6:30 p.m. on behalf of the Minority Contractor Technical Assistance Program (MCTAP), She also noted the Give Graffiti the Brush campaim will kick off with the warm weather. She encouraged residents to contact her by email or phone with specific locations that need to be addressed due to graffiti. Mayor McCarthy - Extended his condolences to the families of former Council members Joe Notar and Joe Allen. He added Joe Wotar was on the City Council for 16 years and was one of the longest serving council members. With regards to the vicious dog attached he noted he would review the specific situation in the moming with his staff. He then highlighted Scheneetady High School's music program which was recognized as one of the best in the nation. We added Bill Ziskin, one of the school's music faculty members was recently nominated for a Tony Award. He then congratulated Sara Mae Hickey, owner of Puzzles Bakery & Cafe on a very successful ribbon cutting in downtown Schenectady. He added the City's Municipal Golf Course will host its ceremonial opening on Apht 16 and will raffle off a pro-driver with proceeds to benefit the Amerrcan. Red Cross, He noted the local Red Cross has sewed the City t h e e times following recent tragedy, fuVirfi regards to pot holes he noted City persomel are working on catching up on filling in the potholes and added the paving season will be stading shortly foilswing the passage ofthe paving contract at the Council meeting held toni&t, He then thavlked Richard Patieme, Chair of the new Recreation Adviso~qiCommission winch has held a few meetings and i s in the process o f working with members to audit City parks, He noted the City parks are a resource for City residence and he i s pleased lo see the trend toward more park improvements. Ms, King --- Extended her condolences to the families o f former Council menr"Pers Joe Notar and Joe Allen, She noted both were honored tsiith the Patroon Award by the Mayor and the City of Schenectady i s a better commmity because of their years sfservice. Adjourned: Schenectady City Counci! Minutes April 13, 2015 1 Page 6 of 6 Seeing no firrther business to come before the City Council, Ms. King asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion was moved by Mr. Riggi and seconded by Ms. Porterfield and the meeting adjourned at 7:57 p.m. Schenectady Deputy City Clerk