City Council

MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETING OF THE SCHENECTADY CITY COUNCIL August 28, 2017 The City Council Meeting was called to order by the City Council President Leesa Perazzo at 7:04 p.m. in Room 209, City Council Chambers at City Hall. Ms. Perazzo asked for moment of silence in support of the victims of Hurricane Harvey. Ms. Perazzo then called on Marsha Mortimer to lead the Pledge of Allegiance. The City Clerk called the roll and the following members of the City Council answered to be present: Present –, Council Members - Leesa Perazzo, John Polimeni, Marion Porterfield, Vince Riggi and Karen Zalewski-Wildzunas Absent - Council members Edward Kosiur and John Mootooveren Also Present – City Clerk Charles Thorne, Acting Mayor Police Chief Eric Clifford & Deputy Corporation Counsel Rachel Ward. At this point, Ms. Perazzo asked if there were no objections, she would like to take agenda item number 17 out of order. There were no objections. Resolution No. 2017-246 – A Resolution Recognizing August 26, as Women's Equality Day. Karen Bradley, of the Schenectady County Library, and Marsha Mortimer accepted the resolution. Along with presenting the resolution, Ms. Porterfield donated copies of "Winning the Vote: The Triumph of the American Woman Suffrage Movement" to the library. The resolution was moved by Ms. Porterfield and seconded by Ms. Zalewski-Wildzunas. The resolution passed unanimously. PUBLIC HEARING None APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Ms. Perazzo asked for a motion to approve the minutes from the August 14, 2017, Council meeting as submitted by the City Clerk and Ms. Zalewski-Wildzunas made a motion to approve the minutes and Ms. Porterfield seconded the motion. COMMUNICATIONS PRESENTED TO THE CITY COUNCIL Official: From the Mayor a list of appointments, dated August 28, 2017 General: None Petitions: None Schenectady City Council Minutes August 28, 2017 / Page 2 of 5 COMMITTEE REPORTS None PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR (LEGISLATIVE ITEMS) Ms. Perazzo invited all who wished to address the Legislative Agenda to come forward: Cynthia Sanders - Stated she lives on VanVranken Avenue for eight years and the home next to her has been vacant for seven. Code Enforcement has done nothing. A leaking water pipe has done damage to neighboring properties. Nydylan Raymor - Stated she lives on VanVranken Avenue and cars race up and down the street. There is not enough lighting and the street is dark. She asked what to do to get help. Robert Sanders - Addressed agenda items 16 and 17, the resolutions condemning racism and recognizing women's equality. He stated groups should not be singled out , all should be the same. Jamaica Miles - Stated that resolution 16, condemning racism, doesn't address local issues and has no action attached to the resolution. Mary McClaine - I find the wording on 2 agenda items problematic – Item 17 – Women’s Equality Day. How can this legislature body even broad the issue of women’s equality? When the Council Woman was given a salaried / medically covered city Council seat even though she already had 2 other jobs. What’s equitable about one woman having 3 jobs and other women being passed over? Sounds like greed to me. Item 16 – all the words after (and) read “Response from the Trump Administration.” - If Council members have something to say to the President of the United States they should do it on their own time, with their own stationary and using their own stamps. That is what I do. I have written to the President five times so far. Four times during the campaign and once as President. I got my opening when he said “move and don’t worry about your house.” Anyone who worked for G.E. during the 60’s and 70’s understands that concept very well. The company was moving families all over the country. But my letter to the president had more to do with keeping people here in upstate New York rather than leaving the area. I asked the president to consider building his presidential library in this area. I don’t know how many of you have visited such a library. I have. The replica of the Oval Office looks real. Presidential libraries are jewels in anyone’s district plus potential for more jobs and bonanza from tourism. Senator Schumer should stop agitating the President but rather cajole him in to build the presidential library in New York State. If the truth be known, council brought harm to the shores of the Mohawk River when they voted for a casino. People who are winning at the casino are being followed home and robbed in their driveways. Your hands are not clean. Chad Putman/Ellie Pepper - Read an alternate resolution to item 16. Copy attached. Walter and Wanda Sanders, of 323 Germainia Avenue, asked for property clean-up at neighboring 325 and 327 Germainia Avenue. Seeing no other speakers come before the City Council, Ms. Perazzo declared the privilege of the floor, regarding the legislative agenda, to be closed. Schenectady City Council Minutes August 28, 2017 / Page 3 of 5 INTRODUCTION OF AND ACTION UPON LOCAL LAWS, ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS: Mr. Kosiur made a motion that Council approves the Consent Agenda and the motion was seconded by Ms. Zalewski-Wildzunas. Consent Agenda Resolution No. 2017 – 247 ....................................Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2017 – 248 ....................................Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2017 – 249 ....................................Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2017 – 250 ....................................Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2017 – 251 ....................................Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2017 – 252 ....................................Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2017 – 253 ....................................Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2017 – 254 ....................................Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2017 – 255 ....................................Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2017 – 256 ....................................Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2017 – 257 ....................................Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2017 – 258 ....................................Adopted Unanimously Resolution No. 2017-259 - A RESOLUTION Authorizing the Settlement of a Tax Certiorari by Management Consulting and Engineering, Inc. for 1113 State Street. Ayes - 4, Ms. Porterfield, Ms. Zalewski-Wildzunas, Mr. Polimeni, Mr. Riggi No - 1, Ms. Perazzo Absent - Mr. Kosiur, Mr. Mootooveren Resolution No. 2017-260 - A RESOLUTION Authorizing the Settlement of a Tax Certiorari by Management Consulting and Engineering, Inc. for 1331 Lower Broadway. Ayes - 4, Ms. Porterfield, Ms. Zalewski-Wildzunas, Mr. Polimeni, Mr. Riggi No - 1, Ms. Perazzo Absent - Mr. Kosiur, Mr. Mootooveren Resolution No. 2017-261 - A RESOLUTION Authorizing the Settlement of a Tax Certiorari by Management Consulting and Engineering, Inc. for 1725 VanVranken Avenue. Ayes - 4, Ms. Porterfield, Ms. Zalewski-Wildzunas, Mr. Polimeni, Mr. Riggi No - 1, Ms. Perazzo Absent - Mr. Kosiur, Mr. Mootooveren PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR: Ms. Perazzo 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 - Stated that the Council cannot condemn racism because racism is a form of human nature and you cannot condemn human nature. Schenectady City Council Minutes August 28, 2017 / Page 4 of 5 Robert Sanders - Talked about his experience of being involved in a primary election for City Council against Marion Porterfield. He stated that it was difficult and the Democratic party blasted him with mailers. He said Mr. Farley has an opportunity to run again in two years. Tony Buonome - Stated that cars are not stopping for the four-way stop on his street and skateboarders are in the street. He said a car drove through so fast it actually shook his car. He expressed concern that someone will be hurt. He also spoke in support of the veterans and expressed respect for the flag. Patricia Smith, Mont Pleasant N'hood Assoc. - stated the Neighborhood Association is now a 501c3. She also said, that loud parties are a common complaint in Mont Pleasant and quality of life issues need action. Jamaica Miles - Said more police is not the answer for the problems in impoverished neighborhoods. She stated that the police emblem is a symbol of hate. Stephanie Bandosik - Stated that loose dogs are a safety concern. Dogs running in the parks are dangerous for other dogs. She added that having a dog is not a right, it is a privilege. Mary McClaine - I left the August 14, 2017 City Council meeting before it was adjourned. Thank goodness, otherwise I would have been overcome by the hot air blowing through the chambers during miscellaneous business. A council member said hard work could get someone a City Council seat. The councilman would not know political work if it slapped him in the face. 38 years ago, I went door-to- door with Candidate Jim Tedesco as he campaigned for votes. The Councilman was nowhere in sight. I addressed and stuffed envelopes with Jim’s parents at campaign headquarters. The councilman never was there. I financially supported Republican Candidates. I attended the Republican Lincoln Day Dinners. The councilman wasn’t there. I was a former President of the Republican Women’s Club. They asked me to run. After 29 years with the Republicans I asked the party for an endorsement to run for office. The party endorsed a blank. I lost by one vote. I know about the proxies’ councilman. I wanted to force a primary. The councilman begged the party to stop me. My petitions were challenged and I was thrown off the ballot. The councilman took picture s of the island garden that I maintain and put the picture on his Face Book page. Why? I didn’t want anything to do with his candidacy. In 2006, he opposed me as a write-in candidate. Write-in candidates don’t need to collect signatures. No hard work there. My name was on the ballot that year because I had 1,000 signatures and I got every signature by myself. The prize for winning a City Council seat is Medical Coverage at taxpayers’ expense. The councilman signed up for his medical benefits even before he took the Oath of Office. His eye was on the prize. Toshena Haynes - Objected to Mr. Kosiur's statements regarding the handling of Damoni Farley's petitions Seeing no other speakers come before the City Council, Ms. Perazzo declared the privilege of the floor, regarding general City business, to be closed. MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS OF THE COUNCIL Ms. Porterfield Rebutted the speaker felt the need for a resolution for women's equality or tot condemn racism weren't necessary. Schenectady City Council Minutes August 28, 2017 / Page 5 of 5 Mr. Polimeni - Thanked the Council for approving the budget reallocation for the Police Department, stating it should realize cost savings in the future. Police Chief Clifford - Reiterated appreciation for the budget reallocation for the Police Department. Ms. Perazzo – Remembered Commissioner Bennett, saying he leaves an unfillable hole. She also reminded everyone that next Monday is the Labor Day Holiday. She stated that the next round of home demolitions needs to focus on homes within the neighborhoods and not on the corridors. Adjourned: 8:51 p.m. Seeing no further business to come before the City Council, Ms. Perazzo asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion was moved by Ms. Porterfield and seconded by Ms. Zalewski- Wildzunas. The meeting was adjourned at 8:21 p.m. A true record By Chuck Thorne Schenectady City Clerk