City Council

MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETING OF SCHENECTADY CITY COUNCIL August 10, 2015 The City Council Meeting was called to order by the Council President Margaret King at 7:06 in Room 209, City Council Chambers at City Hall. asked for a moment of silence in memory of Rev. Emmanuel Adams in Iue the invocation. King then called on ,"~~"L<1.L"',U member John Mootooveren to lead the Pledge of Allegiance. 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, John Mootooveren, Leesa Perazzo, Marion and "'-./V'UU,",'H member Ed Kosiur Mayor were no objections, would to take agenda item 1 were no objections. King also asked there were no objections, she would like to turn the floor over to Council member Marion Porterfield to present Resolution No. 2015-190 - A Resolution Honoring Naimah Jones from 2ih City agenda. were no objections. Ms. Jones was on hand and she extended gratitude by the Mayor and City Council. Resolution No. 2015 - 196 - A Resolution Recognizing Michael Perdomo. - Mr. Perdomo was on hand and extended his gratitude for the recognition by the Mayor and City Council. He then spoke about some of his challenges and successes. Resolution No. 2015 - 197 - A Resolution Recognizing August 15-16,2015 as the Polish Harvest Festival, to be held by the St. Adalbert's Church, and Recognizing the Polish Experience in Schenectady. - Representatives from st. Adalbert's and the Polish Festival were on hand and extended  Council Minutes l<U'-'U", 1 2015 2 of9 Communications Presented to the City Council for Monday August 10,2015 Official: the a list of appointments dated August 1 5. Letter from the City Engineer, Christopher Wallin recommending the award of "City Schenectady Police Translucent Skylight System Replacement" to Mid-State Industries, LTD. General: None Petitions: None COMMITTEE REPORTS to a on savings from improved efficiency. She a to do a She spoke on the resolution support of the Import Export Bank. She noted the bank has been in existence more than 80 years and helps retain jobs in the and locally. She noted GE for example is looking at financing options in France due to the lack of resources in the Import-Export Bank thus the funds would be used to create jobs in France. She noted Congressman Paul Tonko spoke in the effort to restore the Import-Export Bank but the measure continues to held up the majority party the House of Representatives. She closed by encouraging residents to contact Congress and urge the representatives to restore the bank. PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR (LEGISLATIVE ITEMS) Ms. King invited all who wished to address the Legislative Agenda to come forward:  Minutes 51 3 of also found money for bike paths and now there is new a to idling snow trucks. Taxpayers are told the purpose of this new expense is to save money. spend it on gimmicks two months from now? According to Monday's paper the Mayor thinks streets are too expensive to be fixed so he is using taxpayer money for the parks. I was in the room when the former director of operations offered his proposal for a new city garage. It was all about saving money. Build this garage and the city will save money, he said. I'm not swift with figures but even I knew what he was proposing didn't add up. If the city was really interested saving money at the time, Council would have taken away his city car for tax payers, paid for. Tonight's agenda item #24 isn't going to save money for taxpayers. I do see possibility of contributions to the 2015 political war chest. If Council really is serious about saving money, then take out the budget line that gives medical coverage to part-time elected officials. Currently, five members receive the coverage, the same members who approve the budget. interest administration are unprecedented. I don't want tax payer dollars spent on item No to item " P.D. Voorhes, ~nP'fi\l,~rVISln(:onlPl~e more detail is noted the revocable permit related to the Fireside restaurant. Regarding the Bank noted Tough Traveler has customers overseas and that tariffs are an no other 01-',"''''''''''''' come Tnr'U<l1C£l Ms. declared the Privilege on the Legislative Agenda closed. INTRODUCTION OF AND ACTION UPON LOCAL LAWS, ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS: Mr. Mootooveren made a motion that Council approves the Consent Agenda and the motion was seconded by Mr. Ferrari. Consent Agenda -  Council Minutes F>U\..U<>, 10, 2015 I 4of9 2015 - A Resolution No. 2015 - 216 - Authorizing the Sale of 2140 Broadway. The motion was moved by Ms. Perazzo and seconded by Mr. Mootooveren. 5:1:1 Voting AYE: Ferrari, King, Mootooveren, Perazzo, & Porterfield Voting NAY: Riggi Absent: Kosiur Ms. Perazzo - Noted the church on Broadway is beautiful but it closed over three years ago with an outstanding tax bill to the City for $38,000. She noted contact with a Stewart Shop representative who reported the company is committed to preserving as much of the interior items and stain glass items as possible. She noted Stewart's is prepared to purchase the property and thus put it back on the tax rolls. She noted the sale will be a benefit to the City and the by noting she proposed development. :Mr. Riggi proposed sale church property on Broadway to Stewart Shops is problematic. He noted the area is congested with nearby gas stations and the comer is a bad for a new Stewarts. He recognizes the proposal would go in front of the Planning Commission for approval but he would like to see more details on the proposal. He noted there was another on the property was $11 than what Stewarts offered, but he added it would the property could remain a church. He closed by noting there must be a better location 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: Anthony Carota, Schenectady - Noted he spoke with residents about needs in Hamilton Hill. He added they need better street lights and more presence from the neighborhood watch group. He noted local pastors are a positive for the community. However he noted a negative in relation Mayor  Council Minutes r\u~,U"t 0,2015 50f9 a public hearing related CDBG funding. to Marva Isaacs, Schenectady Noted she sent an order to National Grid related to two lights or out on Schenectady Street. She noted she has given them the pole number and house number and there has been no response. She then noted her heart goes out to the police who was injured on the Job. She added she hopes he is recovering nicely. Steve Markham, Schenectady - "We would like to introduce you to SLIC, a landlord advocacy group based in Schenectady, NY representing a large number of area rental properties ranging from single family to large multiple dwellings. We share similar concerns and challenges stemming from years of experience and exposure to the workings and policies of the systems involved with operating rental properties in our community. Our goal is to affect changes in these systems that will not only make them more "landlord friendly", but will enhance the tenants' quality as well. In turn, these initiatives will develop a more conducive environment for a "positive" Schenectady. We focus on each of the following three areas: government, tenant assistance programs organizations, the court a we the leaders entities to present them and proposals we will lead to improvements. Our monthly meetings provide information, education, and "tools of the trade" through professional presentations, workshops and networking. We encourage landlords to avail themselves the knowledge and procedures to help them to maintain their properties and survive the on-going challenges of rentals. We properties order, carefully screening prospective <vUUH<", instituting a detailed lease, monitoring each tenancy and property maintenance, and finally, understanding proper legal procedures when needed. Only through consistent vigilance and proper managing can landlords hope to sustain a foothold in Schenectady's proper system. They're urged to participate in our on-going efforts to help them succeed in the business of providing much-needed desirable housing in Schenectady. Increased business success will lead to a more positive atmosphere for growth potential and foster future investments in the City of Schenectady. Chris Morris, Schenectady - She noted according to our mission statement SLIC strives to assist landlords in the City of Schenectady. She noted there are certain challenges including torcerneIlt and resources to complete uU,",".F,L  Council Minutes ""',"".len 20151 6 of9 Arlene Stankavich, Schenectady - "Here are some of the LJH.'LJI'ul courtroom: are not are and a perspective. It seems only the landlord is held to the "letter of the law", the tenant, the tenant advocates, or legal aide. tenant is deferred the infraction. We feel there should be more attention and adherence to the concept of "tenant responsibility and accountability" as per their lease. Signed rental leases are not always honored. Judges may arbitrarily decide to disallow certain conditions a lease despite signatures of both tenant and landlord. Landlords are urged to accept payment plans. Plans are set up to allow tenants an opportunity to pay up back rent, but often result in current rent and future rent not being paid requiring the eviction all over again. Rental certificates aren't always acknowledged as definitive proof of satisfactory condition of residence at the beginning of tenancy. The required inspection and resulting certificate are supposed to be the landlord's "protection" against certain tenant-related but not always so. Our organization stands for education and change in the rental system. through indentifying and highlighting issues can we hope to foster any steps toward it is our concerns public and attention and we out to asking for an opportunity to meet with the whatever format most acceptable. to our Please note we attached mission statement We also to you that we circulated a petition for signatures of those support date 165 have signed, representing 1,047 rental units. These kept on purposes. Additionally, this letter is being distributed to other entities throughout the area such as Schenectady City Court Judges, Mayor UU,'UH.0U U.H'-'H,and NYS Office of Judicial Conduct. look forward to any response. Thank you." Beth Petta, Schenectady Noted her intentions to extend her gratitude for the support and assistance related to the historic street sign initiative she chaired in recent years. The initiative took place in the GE Plot and Union Triangle neighborhoods. She added the experience was amazing and she received support from local and out of town residents along with Union College. She noted the DSIC acted as the fiscal agent for the project and also received a grant from Schenectady County. She noted the old street signs were given to donors in exchange for was  Minutes 2015/ 7 of project. But neither Council members, nor I 1S a photographer Geographic Magazine. shakes his head in disbelief at the way the City handled project. I told Council plenty of time so the problem would be corrected. of budged. you did budge, you were because the street to be unsightly. The City was right there. The project should have been done to meet the goals of the Comprehensive Plan: Beautify neighborhoods. Unfortunately, Council has turned the City over to the jezebels and they are working 2417 to make the City look ridiculous. For instance, right outside this building, your political horne, located on Jay Street. New lines were marked off for parking spaces in front of the area where the burned-out buildings were tom down. One side of the street has fresh white painted parking lines. On the other side, the lines are wearing off. Why wasn't the whole street done? The City was right there. Whey wouldn't City Council want the city streets to look nice and clean and bright all at the same time? I refuse to believe the City paint and man hours to freshen up one of the City's important streets. Lastly, I want the guardrail in front of Ellis Hospital out of my neighborhood. Someone pulled a become a Neighbors room was on to a "",''''''''''"n He noted has been a volunteer with the organization for Jln~CH)r Judy Atchinson is doing incredible work reaching out and neighborhood youth. He encouraged the Council to the organization and garden. noted the neighborhood youth have been able to engage or the Lv"LUvHLJ would like to more about the David Giacalone, Schenectady - Provided the Council with two handouts related to concerns he has regarding public access to the Mohawk River around the casino development. He noted the development is impeding public access and he is advocating that public access be restored. He noted that the same casino developer in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia increased public access with regards to similar developments on river fronts and former brown field sites. He noted the developer created a large promenade in Philadelphia and he encouraged the City to retain the C3 access  Minutes r\U\.IU;:'l 20151 8 of she received a FOIL request related to the building she ..""r'PHr""" a report 6, 1988. She noted the names ofthe building inspectors. added the idea of a tri-county code enforcement agency is scary. She asked how do you assess a non-existent building at 126 Franklin Street She noted she has received a tax bill from New York State because she has an income of $2,000 over the standard deduction. She noted as a result she is expected to pay $56 in taxes and her annual income is around $10,000 per year. She noted that she does not get STAR because she does not own her apartment. She added she does not get food stamps. She noted the grounds are not kept clean. She noted rents are going up and/or they are subsidized. She noted the housing project in Hamilton Hill will be subsidized but in a crime district Elmer Bertsch, Schenectady - Noted he intends to talk about the IDA. Noted there was a recent meeting held at 8:00 o'clock in morning. He noted the meeting started with a public hearing and no one showed up. He added the public hearing was about developing a PILOT for will be on Street. He noted the PILOT be difficult to accurately account for what the taxes taxes are two high now, are the structure of the IDA meeting was in essence skirting public added some of the language the proposal includes, purchase land was set by fair market value and sold to the highest qualified bidder. noted also on the agenda was the sale of one acre City property near the new casino site. He noted the IDA approved money to complete an environmental study of this was reportedly discussed with the William Rivas, Schenectady - Noted is on-hand to advocate for the Carver Community Center an effort to raise funds to purchase the property. He noted there is an auction taking place this week and he is concerned about the neighborhood loosing the facility. He added the neighborhood is in crises and the Carver Center once provided needed programs for area youth. He noted he is trying to find a way to postpone the auction of the property and he is asking residents to donate money to help restore the center. He noted there are individuals who are dedicated to do what they can to save the center. Without Carver, he noted the neighborhood would lack this important center.  Minutes 10,2015/ 9 9 Ms. Porterfield - she appreciates hearing resident concerns and she thanked them taking the to speak at meeting. She added this past weekend was filled with nice events including the Naimah Jones (author) event at Proctors. She also highlighted the recent Central Park planned renovations which were announced over the weekend. She closed by noting that green space is important for community health. Mr. Riggi- Noted he attended the Bellevue neighborhood event and was impressed with how clean the park was the following day. He added another park in the neighborhood was used by area residents and was left in disarray with trash and garbage on the grounds. He closed by can see the difference when have respect for the park. Mayor McCarthy Phil Steck helped to secure at to taking Adjourned: a to Mootooveren and seconded by Mr. Schenectady Deputy City Clerk  A bike-peel Path is not d~u te Public Ac~ a t Mohawk Harbor. _ ._ ---_._-------_._- _ .- .--- Why Does Rush Street Deny Schenectady Riverfront Public Access? But. Not Philadelphia: At almost 2000 ft. long [R]. SugarHouse has by far Phil, delphia's longest public promenade. And .. . l~~~~~~==~~==='==~======~~!l