City Council

OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED OF THE SCHENECTADY CITY October 26, 2015 Meeting was called to order the Council President Margaret King at Chambers at to provide King then on Councilwoman Marion Porterfield to lead the Pledge of Allegiance. Clerk caned the and the following members of the City Council answered to be present: Margaret Perazzo, Marion were APPROVAL 5 Communications Presented to the City Council for Monday October 26, 2015 Official: From the Mayor a list of appointments dated October 26, 2015.  October 2015 2 to afirlrp,oc P.D. Voorhis, to Barrett Street and advised it would be to it a street removing parking on street to address the traffic pattern. Regarding agenda item #5 she noted she needs more information on the orsemem letter for MEGA. She also noted needs more information on agenda item regarding She noted that she preferred the elimination of parking meters than the installation new kiosks. She noted she appreciates the ability to go to Upper Union Street to do business without needing to bother with parking meters. She closed by noting that C-SPAN had a report recently on citizens losing their right to trial-by-jury adding she has spoken about this in the past. come forward, Ms. King declared the Privilege ofthe Floor on the Legislative INTRODUCTION OF AND ACTION UPON LOCAL LAWS, ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS: rnrH,r,n was seconileo .................................... Adopted Unanimously 1 Unanimously Unanimously r l f ...·.,."''' Resolution No. 2015 - 283 .................................... Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2015 - 284 .................................... Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2015 - 285 .................................... Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2015 286 .................................... Adopted Unanimously  Minutes October 201 I 30f9 attorney not need to with affinnative action law. Regarding downtown he noted that transferring jobs from Erie Blvd. to State Street is not creating new jobs, he added, your just moving jobs. said the Council has not held a public hearing on CDBG funding which is required. He added city does not have an affordable housing program. same noted the away PILOTS and tax breaks to developers. Marva Isaacs, Schenectady - Noted the Hamilton Hill Neighborhood Association will host their annual awards on November 14. She added that she has tickets available for purchase. P.D. Voorhis, Schenectady - Noted that globalization is a big thing. She added this is not about taking away trial-by-jury. She wishes residents would do a write-in for Mr. Magoo as a protest statement. noted there been several trees taken down along with parking meters and and is doing work and it's happening at night. She noted she she is thinking in relation opportunity to address UU'JH''''' so I am going to summarize my thoughts. UF.'wU,,"'U they vote a Republican mayor, taxpayers not take a salary. Keep the job. Mr. oversee is the city cars. Keep one for the mayor. council's but eliminate medical coverage for part-time elected officials. Regarding comments made by the council woman at the last meeting, "beauty is in the eyes of the beholder". I lived in the Williamsburg area of Virginia for 10 years. The interior ofthe building is decorated in the Colonial Williamsburg style. Outside is a different matter. The colored benches on the lawn of this historic building were not donated to the city. The benches are on loan and will be removed by the group who put them there when the weather turns cold. From the council member's remarks, one can conclude the benches are there to make a political  October 2015 4 of is a maintenance urr.rv,o... environment is not an place stress importance of paying bills first and exploring talents second. '-'VBVVL programs helped him to develop artistic side but he needed something more relatable, with regards to artists with similar interests and backgrounds to his. added music is therapy, can be made into a career, and that it's important for programs to be available to inspire youth. noted there are plenty of negative influences in the community and more alternative opportunities. He added the community is making every effort to community while not being saddled with debt as they are getting started. :Sctlcnectadj - Noted he is requesting the City Council to forgive the debt of Center. He noted he has two children who have benefited from for noted the offered at history working to re-open Noted she was and raised Schenectady and at age of human services. She noted as a child there were plenty of She noted now that Carver is closed resources for youth are a that is looking to buy the building, develop a plan developing programs for neighborhood youth. She noted the new Carver won't duplicate other available programs but will offer new resources and opportunities. She noted the group is asking for the City Council's support and to forgive a debt in relation to the old center. She added this would not be a hand out but rather a hand up so that youth can benefit from planned resources. are F,UJ,H£J"L0 are to  201 marketing department Health the Street. I lived Hamilton the group by the many fundraising activities we have as bake sales and carver. I have been very outspoken and passionate about cause, received donations from friends because of it. When I look out of my 6th floor window at work, I can clearly see all the revitalization efforts in downtown Schenectady. All the new facades, the new businesses, etc. Unfortunately, when I look up towards Albany Street, is not as good. lack of revitalization and investment in Hamilton Hill is vividly I see dilapidated houses and empty lots. There are so many vacant store fronts, but Hamilton We, supporters of the Miracle on Craig Street, are the old Community and positive things, to stay the streets, to $1 to ;COv(tu"COwe a problem. helping friendship Baptist, children are our future and she asked for Jaya Sundaresh, Schenectady - "This is one of the most diverse cities in America. You know this, I know this, we all know this. That's why it's disturbing that those who have access to city government, to the institutions of power in this town, are overwhelmingly white. We can change this. There is something we can do tonight that can help to bring more young people of color into the cultural can set brown and black kids on a positive  October 5 James McFarland, :ScJleIlec1tad season. He noted politicians life. noted the news have coverage time someone being shot. Noted the is moving into the city, but the residents .~"",...." are committed to their community. He added the group is looking for a hand up and not a hand out. noted he is willing to give a vote while asking for the right to life and saving the children. He noted the residents are committed to their community. He closed by noting a dollar doesn't does. Beyan Smith, Schenectady - Noted he has been a resident since the age of 9, that he is an entrepreneur and musician. Being African and having benefited from programs as a youth at it was a place to learn about life and culture. He noted he wanted to share his point of He noted Carver was a place where friends added as to L "'",""-'''' outcome get. But the future and realize there is more and the children can look forward to a more positive, structured, and ~AU'VAIJ,'Hn'~ ellvlroI1lm(~m. We should be teaching the young that "sky is the limit". The project that this team here is putting together is not only a great idea but a breath taking moment. Many of us growing up the community didn't have positive role models, programs or resourceful centers for individuals we could utilize to better ourselves or to assist us with feeling whole or find ourselves within. If we did have a program we joined, 9 out of 10 times we were bussed just couldn't there, or better yet were misunderstood by the individuals that ran  October 5 happening Schenectady he is not asking for a favor but rather they are who are. He noted center is a HJV'''JL ,",VJeUUH.H,Hq youth and community. Noted to a community center including employment, jobs and a place to gather. is about and death he added, noting the recent violence is evidence that a community center is needed. He noted the community needs something more than a church. He added this is demonstration of what the people of Schenectady care about. He reiterated the request for to a debt and a person donation to the effort. He closed by noting is not a request but rather an opportunity for the Council to see the leadership that exists in the can success, of public support, a and ownership the neighborhood. At one point Carver """,J""'''' and expanded resources to different parts community, resources that still exist was representative, well informed, and fully capable of implementing and maintaining a thriving community center that was an anchor for the community's well-being. This is the legacy we seek to continue and it is important that we are the people to make it happen because communities like ours can only change from the inside out, paired with the support of our local government. They say "a society can be measured by how it treats its most  October 5 8 9 he knows the through the program and the noted diversity is important part our community. Noted the He noted without opportunity these kids other neighborhoods as welL added he appreciates having the opportunity to on the effort. noted he has worked with school programs in the past youth have benefIted from these opportunities. Seeing no other speakers to corne before the City Council, Ms. King declared the Privilege of the Floor MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS OF THE COUNCIL about the Community Fathers conference which took place recently. cu.u'UU"h and showed the impact of community and the importance cucvu,.. cu.'''''''' and was able to see 'm',....."u"" the starting UU.UH'''JH Hill Arts Center and the Miracle on Craig Street. Noted the event supporting and are on now. She for corning out on behalf of the Miracle on Craig Street and added IS and believes the She was able to benefit her youth and added the center corne back a new form. She place related to the miracle. She added the group is engaged in _~~'uU"'"' out to other funding sources for support. She asked for the support of as a noting there has been support the community builder's project and they would like the same support. She added this is a long campaign and the group is in it for the long hauL She noted that she has spoke with parents who have had children who have benefited from the program in the past. She closed by noting the effort needs the support of the city. Ms. Perazzo - Noted she appreciates everyone who carne out to speak on behalf ofthe Miracle  201 9 aPlJrecl<lliWU to speakers. then noted the Chief was a misrepresentation of his character. noted the noted situation continues to be the city and added the property is currently bankruptcy court. He added the situations complexity requires patience but will include an end result that will allow the to acquire site control. noted ideally the funds raised by the group would be available for programming and would not be needed to acquire the building. He noted when we look back it will be a Miracle on Craig street. He thanked everyone for their partnership. He then noted October 31 is Halloween and trick-or-treat time runs from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. He added the timeframe allows youth to get out early but asked residents to tum offlights by 8:00 p.m. He encouraged to check out the website for safety tips provided by the 3 and thanked everyone the he appreciates the u,-"u>,,- Adjourned: By Charles Thorne Schenectady City Clerk