City Council

MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETING SCHENECTADY COUNCIL September 14,2015 Council Meeting was called to order by the Council President Margaret King at p.m. Room 209, Council Chambers at City HaIL Ms. asked Rev. with Bethel A.M.E. Church to provide the invocation. King then called on Camelle Sasinowski 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 Council members, John Ferrari, Margaret King, Ed Kosiur, John Mootooveren, Leesa Riggi Putman, Corporation Counsel Carl Falotico and Mayor Gary Resolution No. 2015-229 A Resolution Recognizing the City Trashers Softball Team. Macejka and representatives the Trashers Softball team were on hand and they extended their and and seconded Mr. Mootooveren. "'''U'HAC<VH passed Resolution No. 2015-230 - A Resolution Recognizing Groups and Individuals who Adopt a Park. Representatives from neighborhoods, city parks and volunteer groups were on hand and they extended their gratitude the recognition by the Mayor and City CounciL The resolution was moved by Mr. Kosiur and seconded by Ms. Porterfield. The resolution passed unanimously. Resolution No. 2015-231- A Resolution Recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month. A representative  20151 a rnr.'..arr. .... ' a paved within the last cuts completed on a street under moratorium shall potentially ",rr,?'f",crPY'f'U restoration methods above and beyond City Standards to ensure Requirements to pavement restorations or repairs to the nearest seam and/or curb edge. are in line vUU"Hh'_0 neighboring municipalities and will reflect that the City is both listening to residents and increasing focus on preserving our public roadways to the highest standards possible. Thank you." Andrew Leja, Schenectady Noted he is an attorney representing National Grid. He noted that he shared concerns with the Corporation Counsel and intends to facilitate a follow up meeting with CounseL He then noted the proposed change to the ordinance includes a for events such as a gas leak. He noted the is vague and a concern for his client as to on my street conditions left on my street after the new to of There are scars. about problem. one from the has been back to fix it code states work must meet the satisfaction of the City Engineer. The Engineering Department told me, they are not about beautification. They fix things I submit to you, when the does a project, the neighborhood should look better after the work is completed than it did before. Pay attention to all the points stated in the two codes. That is how the City will beautified at the present time, the City code is being ignored by the Engineering Department and everyone else in the City." APPROVAL OF MINUTES:  2015 i COMMITTEE REPORTS Marion Porterfield, Health & Recreation - Noted Recreation Advisory Commission has recommendations related to the provision of playground equipment as reserved in the budget. She added neighborhood parks are slated for new playground equipment. She closed by thanking the Commissioners for their time and efforts. Leesa Perazzo, Government Operations Noted the agenda included a resolution of support for the Department of Housing and Urban Development's HOME Investment Partnership Program. She noted that congress is proposing to cut funding for the program by over 90 percent. She noted the resolution is a strong endorsement against those cuts. She added the program benefits local organizations including Habitat for Humanity, Better Neighborhoods, Bethesda House and others. She noted these organizations need the funding to do really important work. PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR (LEGISLATIVE ITEMS) to on agenda items 16. Item - Is a monthly State Retirement system for appointed to print-out regulations apply to elected or appointed officials. Is there elected officials were left out of tonight's agenda item? Is this resolution agenda? in I was never aware that part-time elected officials are also entitled ...'"'-'VL'. H"' .... to resolution runs with does come from for public employees? Do they fudge hours full-time jobs and use the time for City Council work? I'm asking? A previous Council member was here for 14 years. Does that mean taxpayers are going to pay her for 2 retirement packages? Somebody, explain this one please. Item #8 - I want to go on record in support of reaffirming Woodlawn Preserve status as a City park. I pushed hard to keep it the way it was several years ago, City fathers wanted to sell the land for development. Thank heavens it didn't happen. Item #3 Playground equipment for various City parks Council must also appropriate money to keep the parks in good order. I pulled this weed from the flower bed in  51 Unanimously .AClODtea Unanimousl y rI,vnf"p'rI Unanimously 241 .................................... Adopted Unanimously 5 242 Unanimously 5 - 243 Unanimously 5 Unanimously 5 A Resolution No. 2015 - 245 - Confirming the Appointment of Curtis Eatman to the City Schenectady Planning Commission. resume believes the is not open related to Mayor's appointment Eatman to the City's Planning Commission. He added that he knows someone who is interested the appointment as well. He noted that Mr. Eatman, although he has experience in property tax analysis, he does not have any planning experience. He suggested the opening on the commission be advertised to the general pUblic. For these reasons he voted no.  5 5 6 HV<U'"" there l"\.,lU\.U<. Mohamed Harez, on problem gambling geographic area. He noted cost per problem gambler, plus bankruptcy's and associated crimes. He added problem are also at their jobs, and noted that Mayor was aware all these potential risks and still went ahead with the casino plan and development, a mistake. closed by noting again the risks related to addiction and crime. added the City does not have a contract with the casino to offset these expenses. Mary McClaine, Schenectady - want to respond to announcement made by the Council President at Council meeting regarding respect. Madame President, you opened the door on this one. There is among you a Council member who misrepresented himself throuout the 3 race. venue, he the voters that he was a successful business man. won the race, the press reported he didn't even have a job. The individual shouldn't padded and the are employees. The press reported that Proctors A employee voted wants "':H'UvlU Council members receive medical coverage at four votes to pass a bUdget. Council members an annual budget. Council members don't pay ,,,,,-,val'- status which means pay half their <1;j~,C;;j:,I;;U Madame President, is earned. It is not automatic. UVvH'F, no other JfJ"''''''''''l to come before the Council, Ms. declared the ofthe closed regarding MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS OF THE COUNCIL Mr. Ferrari - Noted his appreciation for all those involved and who attended the festivals over the weekend including the Greek Fest, Italian Festival, Stockade Art Show and City Health Fair. He then expressed concern related to the Facebook video of a women engaged in drug related  20151 6 of OIIlmJ!SS][OlllerS on ,",Vln.''''''"'''''''_'' to family former recently. She noted Ms. Blanchard efforts Community Loan Fund is celebrating u~.".. ",.., a Business Development at the First Reformed Church. Mr. Riggi He extended his condolences to the family of former Council member Barbara Blanchard who passed away recently. He noted concerns related to particular paving company's doing business in the City who are paving over City sidewalks. He noted this violates City code and it leaves homeowners responsible for covering additional costs including citation tickets and replacing the sidewalk. He noted this is why the permit process is in place which is to protect the homeowner and make sure contractors and homeowners are acting in accordance with City code. He about attending the over the weekend and having a great time. He then announced S1. Josephs will host its annual October Fest in Veterans Park on September 1 at wrap up on ':)elJlel'nOer Mayor McCarthy ,....:.,-nmr-,.. Blanchard He noted the Council did a nice job recapping all the festivals one the best weekends in downtown during the year compliments the other. He then thanked the City Council for their support to City parks. noted ongoing efforts to address City parks with a focus on the neighborhoods. He noted Proctors is hosting "A Gentlemen's Guide to Love & Murder" which has been teching at the theatre for the month preparation for its national tour. He encouraged residents to get their tickets for the th show which opens on September 19 • He noted the City continues to address blight in the neighborhoods with plans to demolish 100 dilapidated properties in the City. He noted the demolitions compliment the HOMES program. He closed by thanking the City Council and those who came out to speak at the meeting.