City Council
Regular MeetingSchenectady, NY · August 9, 2021
Minutes
MINUTES OF THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETING
OF THE SCHENECTADY CITY COUNCIL
August 9, 2021
The City Council Meeting was called to order by the City Council President John Mootooveren at
7:00 p.m. in Room 209, City Council Chambers at City Hall.
Mr. Mootooveren asked Reverend Mark Thompson to offer the invocation.
Mr. Mootooveren then called on Council Member John Polimeni 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: Carmel Patrick, John Polimeni, Marion Porterfield, Karen
Zalewski-Wildzunas, and John Mootooveren.
Also Present – Mayor Gary R. McCarthy, City Clerk Samanta R. Mykoo, and Corporation
Counsel Andrew Koldin.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Mr. Mootooveren asked for a motion to approve the minutes from the July 26, 2021, Council
Meeting as submitted by the City Clerk. Ms. Porterfield made a motion to approve the minutes
and Ms. Patrick seconded the motion.
COMMUNICATIONS PRESENTED TO THE CITY COUNCIL
Official:
From the Mayor, a list of appointments dated August 9, 2021.
General:
From Burk Ketcham, a letter regarding the Ellis Hospital merger with St. Peters requesting they
protect the availability of abortions.
From Haley Viccaro, an email stating that she strongly disagrees with changing the City Council
start time from 7 p.m. up to 5:30 p.m. Secondly, she stated that moving the City Hall hours to 8
a.m. to 4 p.m. year-round seems to limit the ability for residents to conduct city business and get
in touch with staff as needed. Lastly, she added that the Federal COVID relief funding should
have public input so that everyone has a say and a fair and balanced chance for some funding.
Petitions:
A list of 16 signatures from Nick Malandrucolo to have opposite street parking and a stop sign
on the end of Broad Street and Austin Place.
Schenectady City Council Minutes August 9, 2021 / Page 2 of 4
COMMITTEE REPORTS
City Development & Planning – Ms. Porterfield spoke about the tabled item regarding the
amendment of the 2020-2021 Annual Action Plan budget and contract with BCNI. She relayed
her discussion and concerns with the BCNI Elmer Gardens project and the funding that would be
received as part of the development fee. She and Mr. Mootooveren met with members of BCNI
and after some discussion had developed a plan to have a community development agreement
that would make sure that the funds would continue to benefit the community.
Finance – Mr. Polimeni explained the details for use of the American Rescue Plan Act funding
(ARPA). He spoke about the guidelines and limitations of ARPA funding.
PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR (LEGISLATIVE ITEMS):
Mr. Mootooveren invited all who wished to address the Legislative Agenda to come forward or
otherwise submit their comments to the City Clerk:
Seeing no speakers to come forward, Mr. Mootooveren declared the Privilege of the Floor regarding
Legislative Items, to be 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 moved
by Ms. Zalewski-Wildzunas and seconded by Mr. Polimeni.
Consent Agenda
Ordinance No. 2021-12 .........................................Adopted Unanimously
Resolution No. 2021-169 .......................................Adopted Unanimously
Resolution No. 2021-170 .......................................Adopted Unanimously
Resolution No. 2021-171 .......................................Adopted Unanimously
Resolution No. 2021-172 .......................................Adopted Unanimously
Resolution No. 2021-173 .......................................Adopted Unanimously
Resolution No. 2021-174 .......................................Adopted Unanimously
Resolution No. 2021-175 .......................................Adopted Unanimously
Resolution No. 2021-176 .......................................Adopted Unanimously
Resolution No. 2021-177 .......................................Adopted Unanimously
Resolution No. 2021-178 .......................................Adopted Unanimously
Resolution No. 2021-179 .......................................Adopted Unanimously
Resolution No. 2021-180 .......................................Adopted Unanimously
Resolution No. 2021-181 .......................................Adopted Unanimously
Resolution No. 2021-CS-08 ...................................Adopted Unanimously
Schenectady City Council Minutes August 9, 2021 / Page 3 of 4
PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR:
Mr. Mootooveren directed all who wished to discuss any items for City Business to come forward or
otherwise submit their comments to the City Clerk.
Diana Hogan – Narrated her experience with dealing with an individual from Focus
Construction. She is in danger of losing her home which she has contracted to purchase. She is
seeking assistance from the City regarding this matter.
Paul Callahan – Spoke about the City foreclosures process that was once four years before
homeowners were foreclosed upon that are now a two year process; if you are two years behind
on your taxes, you may lose your home. He asked the City to allow considerations for
individuals based on their ownership of the properties and circumstances of the foreclosure.
There should not be a one size fit all situation.
Mary Ann Ruscitto – Spoke about a property located at the corner of River and Front Street
being a nuisance; the garbage cans are always left on the sidewalk. She has reported this issue to
the Code Enforcement Department and nothing was resolved.
John Polster – Communicated similar issues with which Paul Callahan spoke about previously.
He said that there are many times which the circumstances will prevent residents from turning
the situation around in a timely fashion. He asked that discretion be granted to Corporation
Counsel as it will benefit the City to work out an agreement where the property can be redeemed
by the property owner.
Seeing no other speakers come forward, Mr. Mootooveren declared the Privilege of the Floor to be
closed.
MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS OF THE COUNCIL:
Carmel Patrick – Complimented the Stockade Neighborhood Association and the Schenectady
Historical Society for the Stockade Art and Garden Tour this past weekend. They partnered with
Living Resources and displayed the art of many of their clients.
Marion Porterfield – Thanked everyone who attended the March for Jesus and the Churches
that coordinated this event. She thanked Cycle Schenectady and the Electric City Bicycle Rescue
for organizing the Bicycle Bash.
Karen Zalewski-Wildzunas – Announced that Music Haven will be holding three shows on the
last three Sundays in August; it’s an excellent venue in Central Park. Mohawk Harbor will also
have a few free concerts, please look at their website for details. She then announced the
beginning of Schenectady Restaurant week, details of can be found on the Downtown
Schenectady Improvement Corporation’s website. She then added that she is looking forward to
having further discussion around illegal gun issues that is plaguing all of New York. One
approach is to push the State of New York to take action to having safe streets. Lastly, she said
that she looks forward to having Home Rule granted to us to address traffic issues in the City;
there is technology available to enforce the rules of the road to make our streets safer.
Mayor Gary R. McCarthy – He thanked everyone for coming out to the public meeting and
announced that with the uptick of Covid everyone should use some common sense. Wear a
mask, wash your hands frequently, and maintain a social distance.
Schenectady City Council Minutes August 9, 2021 / Page 4 of 4
John Mootooveren – Encouraged everyone to get the Covid vaccination and follow the CDC
guidelines when out in public.
Adjourned:
Seeing no further business to come before the City Council, Mr. Mootooveren asked for a
motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion was moved by Ms. Porterfield and seconded by
Mr. Polimeni. The meeting was adjourned at 7:43 p.m.
A true record
By Samanta R. Mykoo
Schenectady City Clerk
Agenda
OFFICE OF CITY CLERK
SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK
AGENDA FOR
THE COUNCIL CAUCUS
AND
THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Monday, August 09, 2021
Room 209
7:00 p.m.
FINAL CONSIDERATION
01 Council Member AN ORDINACE Amending Chapter 18-1 and
87-8 of the Code of the City of Schenectady
Votes Required 4
ORIGINAL CONSIDERATION
02 Council Member A RESOLUTION Requesting the New York
State Legislature to Enact Special Legislation
Authorizing the City of Schenectady to Use
Speed Camera Enforcement Technology
Votes Required 4
FINAL CONSIDERATION
03 Council Member A RESOLUTION Authorizing the Amendment
of the 2020-2021 Annual Action Plan Budget
Votes Required 4
ORIGINAL CONSIDERATION
04 Council Member A RESOLUTION Confirming the Appointment
of Julia Holcomb to the City of Schenectady
Civilian Police Review Board and Victoria
Cooper as a Stand-by Alternate
Votes Required 4
ORIGINAL CONSIDERATION
05 Council Member A RESOLUTION Supporting the Capital Region
Aquatics Center
Votes Required 4
Friday, August 06, 2021 Page 1 of 4
Monday, August 09, 2021
Room 209
7:00 p.m.
ORIGINAL CONSIDERATION
06 Council Member A RESOLUTION Establishing a Standard Work
Day and Monthly Credit for the New York
State Retirement System for Elected and
Appointed Officials
Votes Required 4
ORIGINAL CONSIDERATION
07 Council Member A RESOLUTION Authorizing the Mayor to
Enter into a Contract with Better Community
Neighborhoods Incorporated for the Elmer
Gardens Project
Votes Required 4
ORIGINAL CONSIDERATION
08 Council Member A RESOLUTION Declaring that the City Council
as the Lead Agency and Opening a Thirty Day
Public Comment Period Regarding the Zoning
Change for 1020 McClellan Street
Votes Required 4
ORIGINAL CONSIDERATION
09 Council Member A RESOLUTION Refferring a Zoning Change of
1020 McClellan Street to the Planning
Commission
Votes Required 4
ORIGINAL CONSIDERATION
10 Council Member A RESOLUTION Authorizing an Option
Agreement with DePaul Acquisitions, LLC to
Purchase Six City Properties
Votes Required 4
ORIGINAL CONSIDERATION
11 Council Member A RESOLUTION Authorizing the Transfer of
917 State Street to Bethesda House
Votes Required 4
Friday, August 06, 2021 Page 2 of 4
Monday, August 09, 2021
Room 209
7:00 p.m.
ORIGINAL CONSIDERATION
12 Council Member A RESOLUTION Authorizing the Sale of 313
Front Street
Votes Required 4
ORIGINAL CONSIDERATION
13 Council Member A RESOLUTION Authorizing the Sale of 718
Beaver Street
Votes Required 4
ORIGINAL CONSIDERATION
14 Council Member A RESOLUTION Authorizing the Sale of 1004
Stanley Street
Votes Required 4
ORIGINAL CONSIDERATION
15 Council Member A RESOLUTION Authorizing the Sale of 1318
Santa Fe Street
Votes Required 4
ORIGINAL CONSIDERATION
16 Council Member A RESOLUTION Authorizing the Sale of 2421
Avenue B
Votes Required 4
CONTRACT & SUPPLY
17 Council Member A RESOLUTION Accepting the Bid and
Authorizing the City to Enter into a Contract
for the "Installation of Emergency Aftermarket
Equipment for the City of Schenectady Police
Department Vehicles"
Votes Required 4
Friday, August 06, 2021 Page 3 of 4
Monday, August 09, 2021
Room 209
7:00 p.m.
CONTRACT & SUPPLY
18 Council Member A RESOLUTION Accepting the Bid and
Awarding the Contract for "Rosa Road/
Wendell Avenue/ Nott Street Intersection
Improvement Project - PIN 1760.62" to
Callanan Industries, Inc.
Votes Required 4
Friday, August 06, 2021 Page 4 of 4
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