City Council

OFFICE OF CITY CLERK SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK AGENDA FOR THE COUNCIL CAUCUS AND THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, April 11, 2022 Room 209 7:00 p.m. ORIGINAL CONSIDERATION 01 Council Member A RESOLUTION Calling for a Public Hearing on the Proposed 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan Votes Required 4 ORIGINAL CONSIDERATION 02 Council Member A RESOLUTION Accepting a $2,500 Grant to Create Historic Design Guidelines Votes Required 4 ORIGINAL CONSIDERATION 03 Council Member A RESOLUTION Confirming the Appointment of Haileab Samuel and Janice Rouse-Brown to the City of Schenectady Civilian Police Review Board and Mary Ann ruscitto as a Stand-by Alternate for Sheila Rivera Votes Required 4 ORIGINAL CONSIDERATION 04 Council Member A RESOLUTION Establishing Rules of Decorum for City Council Meetings Votes Required 4 ORIGINAL CONSIDERATION 05 Council Member A RESOLUTION Authorizing the Lease of 26 Broadway Unit 201 and Appropriate Spending per the Schenectady Economic Empowerment Center's (SEEC) Budget Votes Required 4 1 Friday, April 08, 2022 Page 1 of 3  Monday, April 11, 2022 Room 209 7:00 p.m. ORIGINAL CONSIDERATION 06 Council Member A RESOLUTION Establishing the Central Park Tennis Court Rental Fees Votes Required 4 ORIGINAL CONSIDERATION 07 Council Member A RESOLUTION Authorizing the Sale of a Vacant Lot Located at 25 Grove Place Votes Required 4 ORIGINAL CONSIDERATION 08 Council Member A RESOLUTION Authorizing the Sale of 821 Strong Street Votes Required 4 ORIGINAL CONSIDERATION 09 Council Member A RESOLUTION Authorizing the Sale of 819 Davis Terrace Votes Required 4 ORIGINAL CONSIDERATION 10 Council Member A RESOLUTION Authorizing the Sale of a Vacant Lot at 1164 Hilderbrant Avenue Votes Required 4 ORIGINAL CONSIDERATION 11 Council Member A RESOLUTION Authorizing the Sale of a Vacant Lot Located at 1325 Fourth Avenue Votes Required 4 ORIGINAL CONSIDERATION 12 Council Member A RESOLUTION Authorizing the Sale of 2037 Wabash Avenue Votes Required 4 2 Friday, April 08, 2022 Page 2 of 3  Monday, April 11, 2022 Room 209 7:00 p.m. ORIGINAL CONSIDERATION 13 Council Member A RESOLUTION Confirming Appointments to the ARPA Advisory Committee Votes Required 4 ORIGINAL CONSIDERATION 14 Council Member A RESOLUTION Authorizing the Issuance of Revocable Permit No. 667 to Crane Properties, LLC for a Sign & Planters That Will Encroach the City's Right-of-Way at 727 Crane Street Votes Required 4 CONTRACT & SUPPLY 15 Council Member A RESOLUTION Awarding the Bid and Contract for the "Crack Sealing City Streets 2022" to Sealcoat USA, Inc. in the Amount of $98,700.00 Votes Required 4 CONTRACT & SUPPLY 16 Council Member A RESOLUTION Awarding the Bid and Contract for the "City of Schenectady Manhole Frames and Covers and Catchbasin Frames and Grates" to EJ USA, Inc. Votes Required 4 3 Friday, April 08, 2022 Page 3 of 3  CITY COUNCIL SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK RESOLUTION NO. Councilmember offered the following: RESOLVED, that the City Council will conduct a public hearing in relation to: Proposed 2022-2023 HUD Annual Action Plan Said Public hearing shall be held on Monday, April 25, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. at Council Chambers, Room 209, Schenectady City Hall, 105 Jay Street, Schenectady, New York, for the purpose of receiving public comment relative to amending the Proposed 2022-2023 HUD Annual Action Plan; D and be it further RA RESOLVED, that copies of the proposed allocations be made available at the City Clerk’s Office and the City of Schenectady website at www.cityofschenectady.com for public inspection beginning no later than April 20, 2022; and be it further RESOLVED, that all interested parties may also be heard by submitting written comments to the FT City Clerk via www.cityofschenectady.com/158/City-Council, by email at smykoo@schenectadyny.gov, or mail at City Clerk, 105 Jay St., Schenectady, NY 12305, by 12:00 p.m. on April 22, 2022; and be it further RESOLVED, that the City Clerk shall have the following notice published in the appropriate manner: NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Proposed 2022-2023 HUD Annual Action Plan On Monday, April 25, 2022 at 7:00 p.m., the Schenectady City Council shall conduct a public hearing in relation to the above-referenced matter. Said public hearing shall be held in Council Chambers, Room 209, Schenectady City Hall, 105 Jay Street, Schenectady, New York, for the purpose of receiving public comment relative to the above-referenced matter. All interested parties may also be heard by submitting written comments to the City Clerk via www.cityofschenectady.com/158/City-Council, by email at smykoo@schenectadyny.gov, or mail at City Clerk, 105 Jay St., Schenectady, NY 12305, by 12:00 p.m. on April 22, 2022. Copies of the proposed 4 allocations will be made available at the City Clerk’s Office and the City of Schenectady website at www.cityofschenectady.com for public inspection beginning no later than April 20, 2022. Approved as to form this 11th day of April, 2022. __________________________ Andrew B. Koldin, Esq. Corporation Counsel DRA FT 5  CITY COUNCIL SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK RESOLUTION NO. Councilmember offered the following: A Resolution Accepting $2,500 Grant Award to Create Historic Design Guidelines WHEREAS, New York State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation (OPRHP), through the Certified Local Government program, awarded the City a grant of $13,000.00 to procure services for the creation of the Historic Design Guidelines which was previously accepted by the City of Schenectady January 24, 2022; and D WHEREAS, to conduct a proper study and produce through and effective guidelines $15,500.00 is needed for which a $2,500.00 grant has been awarded by Schenectady Heritage RA Foundation, Inc. to fill the funding gap to procure services for the creation of Historic District Guidelines; and WHEREAS, these guidelines will provide information and guidance for residents in any of the five (5) locally designated historic districts on: general information of the FT architectural styles present in each district, the types of projects that require review and approval by the Historic District Commission, the process for applying to the Historic District Commission for approval, and the types of physical building treatments considered appropriate or prohibited as they relate to the standards of historic preservation: NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the City Council does hereby authorize the acceptance of the grant funds from Schenectady Heritage Foundation, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $2,500.00; and be it further RESOLVED, the Mayor, or his designee, is authorized to enter into an agreement to effectuate receipt the grant funds, the terms of said agreement to be set by the Corporation Counsel. Approved as to form this 11th day of April, 2022. __________________________ Andrew B. Koldin, Esq. Corporation Counsel 6  CITY COUNCIL SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK RESOLUTION NO. Councilmember offered the following: A Resolution Confirming the Appointment of Haileab Samuel and Janice Rouse- Brown to the City of Schenectady Civilian Police Review Board and Mary Ann Ruscitto as a Stand-by Alternate for Sheila Rivera WHEREAS, the City of Schenectady Civilian Police Review Board currently has two D vacancies; and WHEREAS, pursuant to Schenectady City Code Section 93-3, Mayor Gary McCarthy RA has appointed Haileab Samuel and Janice Rouse-Brown to fill the vacancies and appointed Mary Ann Ruscitto as a stand-by alternate for Sheila Rivera, subject to confirmation by the City Council: NOW, THEREFORE BE IT, FT RESOLVED, that the City Council hereby confirms the appointment of Haileab Samuel and Janice Rouse-Brown to the City of Schenectady Civilian Police Review Board and Mary Ann Ruscitto as a stand-by alternate for Sheila Rivera. Approved as to form this 11th day of April, 2022. ____________________________ Andrew B. Koldin, Esq. Corporation Counsel 1 7  CITY COUNCIL SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK RESOLUTION NO. Councilmember offered the following: A Resolution Establishing Rules of Decorum for City Council Meetings WHEREAS, Schenectady City Code §28-8 states that, during City Council meetings, the presiding officer shall preserve decorum; and WHEREAS, the City Council has a long history of allowing residents and non-residents alike the opportunity to address legislative items and general city business through privilege of the floor; and D WHEREAS, the City Council has provided general decorum policies to members of the public when members of the public have signed up to speak during meetings; and RA WHEREAS, the City Council seeks for formalize those decorum policies into rules: NOW, THEREFORE BE IT, FT RESOLVED, that the City Council establishes the following rules of decorum during City Council meetings: 1. All members of the public wishing to address the City Council during the meeting shall sign in on the applicable log. 2. No members of the public shall be added to the applicable log after the meeting has started. 3. All comments shall be limited to three minutes. 4. All comments shall be directed to the presiding officer. 5. Prior to beginning comments, it is requested that the speaker identify him/her/theirself. 6. If a speaker seeks to include in the record of the meeting a written statement that summarizes or expands his/her/their oral comments, it must be submitted to the City Clerk. Otherwise, the Clerk will prepare the record based on oral comments only. 7. During the privilege of the floor for the legislative agenda and public hearings, speakers shall keep their comments focused upon the items under consideration on the agenda. 8. Privilege of the floor shall not be an opportunity for debate and shall not be an opportunity for a back-and-forth exchange with Council Members. 9. Proper decorum shall be observed during the public comment period by everyone present, which includes members of City Council, City employees, the speakers themselves, and other members of the public who are present. 10. Speakers shall refrain from profane, vulgar, inflammatory, threatening, abusive or disparaging language, or racial, ethnic, or homophobic slurs, disruptive outbursts, and other conduct that disrupts or interferes with the orderly conduct of the business of the meeting. 8  11. Personal attacks on Council Members, the Administration, City staff, other speakers, or members of the public, which are unrelated to City business, shall not be tolerated. 12. While clapping and other signs of support for a speaker’s remarks are allowed, it should be done in a way that does not interfere with the meeting or prevent others in attendance from observing or hearing the deliberative process. 13. Signs and posters shall be small enough so it does not impair the view of other members in the audience. 14. If any violation of these rules occur, the presiding officer may declare the speaker out of order. A majority of council may also compel such a decision or overrule the presiding officer’s decision. 15. If a person who violates a rule does not immediately stop the violation, the presiding officer may call a five-minute recess. 16. Inappropriate actions after the recess may constitute removal from the meeting and/or charging the person who violates the rules with disorderly conduct in accordance with the Penal Law. Approved as to form this 11th day of April, 2022. D ____________________________ Andrew B. Koldin, Esq. RA Corporation Counsel FT 9  CITY COUNCIL SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK RESOLUTION NO. Councilmember offered the following: A Resolution Authorizing the Lease of 26 Broadway Unit 201 and Appropriate Spending Per SEEC Budget WHEREAS, the City has previously approved the allocation of $100,000 in CARES funds to partially fund the Schenectady Economic Empowerment Center (SEEC); and WHEREAS, the City of Schenectady wishes to enter into a lease agreement with 26 Broadway Partners, LLC to lease the approximately 522 square foot space known as Unit 201 located at 26 D Broadway, City of Schenectady, New York, to be used as the SEEC, which includes access to additional conference, meeting and training rooms at 432 Franklin Street, 1 N Church St., and 136-140 Erie Blvd. RA in the City of Schenectady: NOW, THEREFORE BE IT, RESOLVED, that the City Council authorizes the Mayor to enter into a lease agreement for the FT approximately 522 square foot space known as Unit 201 located at 26 Broadway, City of Schenectady, New York, to be used as the SEEC, which includes access to additional conference, meeting and training rooms at 432 Franklin Street, 1 N. Church St., and 136-140 Erie Blvd. in the City of Schenectady, the terms of which shall be set by the Corporation Counsel; and, be it further RESOLVED, that the Commissioner of Finance is authorized to appropriate funds in order to carry out the intent of this resolution. Approved as to form this 11th day of April, 2022. ____________________________ Andrew B. Koldin, Esq. Corporation Counsel 10  CITY COUNCIL SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK RESOLUTION NO. Councilmember offered the following: A Resolution Establishing the Central Park Tennis Court Rental Fees WHEREAS, Schenectady City Code §186-25 authorizes the City Council to set the fees for use of the 17 tennis courts at Central Park by resolution; and WHEREAS, the City Council has determined that the fees for the rental of the tennis courts at Central Park should be modified: D NOW, THEREFORE BE IT, RA RESOLVED, that the City Council establishes the following rental rates for the tennis courts at Central Park as follows: Rental Category Per Court Hourly Fee Public Agencies (including school districts) $5.00 FT Non-Profit Organizations $5.00 Residents $12.00 Non-Residents $15.00 Commercial Entities $18.00 Approved as to form this 11th day of April, 2022. ____________________________ Andrew B. Koldin, Esq. Corporation Counsel 11  CITY COUNCIL SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK RESOLUTION NO. Councilmember offered the following: A Resolution Authorizing the Sale of a Vacant Lot at 25 Grove Place WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the City of Schenectady to sell parcel numbered SBL # 49.25-2-23; and WHEREAS, there is no municipal use for the property: NOW, THEREFORE BE IT, D RESOLVED, that the City Council authorizes the Mayor to enter into a contract to transfer the RA title of parcel numbered SBL # 49.25-2-23 to Govindranauth Lachman and/or assign for the sum of One Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($1,500.00); and be it further RESOLVED, that the terms of the contract for sale shall include a clause requiring the vacant lot be consolidated with adjoining property, as well as any other terms deemed necessary by the FT Corporation Counsel. Approved as to form this 11th day of April, 2022. ____________________________ Andrew B. Koldin, Esq. Corporation Counsel 12  CITY COUNCIL SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK RESOLUTION NO. Councilmember offered the following: A Resolution Authorizing the Sale of 821 Strong Street WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the City of Schenectady to sell parcel numbered SBL 49.40-3-47.1; and WHEREAS, there is no municipal use for the property: NOW, THEREFORE BE IT, D RESOLVED, that the City Council authorizes the Mayor to enter into a contract to transfer the RA title of parcel numbered SBL # 49.40-3-47.1 to Debbie NY Inc. and/or assign for the sum of Thirty Eight Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($38,500.00); and be it further RESOLVED, that the terms of the contract for sale shall contain a clause requiring that purchaser pay $500 at closing for building, electrical, plumbing and other applicable permits, that FT rehabilitation of the property begin within thirty days of the purchase, and that total rehabilitation of the property, requiring compliance with the State Building Code and securing appropriate building permits with necessary inspections be completed within six months of purchase, as well as any other terms deemed necessary by the Corporation Counsel. Approved as to form this 11th day of April, 2022. ____________________________ Andrew B. Koldin, Esq. Corporation Counsel 13  CITY COUNCIL SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK RESOLUTION NO. Councilmember offered the following: A Resolution Authorizing the Sale of 819 Davis Terrace WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the City of Schenectady to sell parcel numbered SBL 49.53-3-28; and WHEREAS, there is no municipal use for the property: NOW, THEREFORE BE IT, D RESOLVED, that the City Council authorizes the Mayor to enter into a contract to transfer the RA title of parcel numbered SBL # 49.53-3-28 to Naiwantee Dulichand and Goukarran Dulichand and/or assign for the sum of Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000.00); and be it further RESOLVED, that the terms of the contract for sale shall contain a clause requiring that purchaser pay $500 at closing for building, electrical, plumbing and other applicable permits, that FT rehabilitation of the property begin within thirty days of the purchase, and that total rehabilitation of the property, requiring compliance with the State Building Code and securing appropriate building permits with necessary inspections be completed within six months of purchase, as well as any other terms deemed necessary by the Corporation Counsel. Approved as to form this 11th day of April, 2022. ____________________________ Andrew B. Koldin, Esq. Corporation Counsel 14  CITY COUNCIL SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK RESOLUTION NO. Councilmember offered the following: A Resolution Authorizing the Sale of a Vacant Lot at 1164 Hilderbrandt Avenue WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the City of Schenectady to sell parcel numbered SBL # 49.34-2-9.12; and WHEREAS, there is no municipal use for the property: NOW, THEREFORE BE IT, D RESOLVED, that the City Council authorizes the Mayor to enter into a contract to transfer the RA title of parcel numbered SBL # 49.34-2-9.12 to Teekah Lachman and/or assign for the sum of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00); and be it further RESOLVED, that the terms of the contract for sale shall include a clause requiring the vacant lot be consolidated with adjoining property, as well as any other terms deemed necessary by the FT Corporation Counsel. Approved as to form this 11th day of April, 2022. ____________________________ Andrew B. Koldin, Esq. Corporation Counsel 15  CITY COUNCIL SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK RESOLUTION NO. Councilmember offered the following: A Resolution Authorizing the Sale of a Vacant Lot at 1325 Fourth Avenue WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the City of Schenectady to sell parcel numbered SBL # 49.54-2-3; and WHEREAS, there is no municipal use for the property: NOW, THEREFORE BE IT, D RESOLVED, that the City Council authorizes the Mayor to enter into a contract to transfer the RA title of parcel numbered SBL # 49.54-2-3 to Parsuram Koobeer and/or assign for the sum of Two Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($2,500.00); and be it further RESOLVED, that the terms of the contract for sale shall include a clause requiring the vacant lot be consolidated with adjoining property, as well as any other terms deemed necessary by the FT Corporation Counsel. Approved as to form this 11th day of April, 2022. ____________________________ Andrew B. Koldin, Esq. Corporation Counsel 16  CITY COUNCIL SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK RESOLUTION NO. Councilmember offered the following: A Resolution Authorizing the Sale of 2037 Wabash Avenue WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the City of Schenectady to sell parcel numbered SBL 48.60-2-51; and WHEREAS, there is no municipal use for the property: NOW, THEREFORE BE IT, D RESOLVED, that the City Council authorizes the Mayor to enter into a contract to transfer the RA title of parcel numbered SBL # 48.60-2-51 to Ginnel Gumani Fashions LLC (“Ginnel”) and/or assign for the sum of Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00); and be it further RESOLVED, that the terms of the contract for sale shall contain the following clauses: that the parcel remain on the market for further offers until Ginnel receives all required approvals by the FT Planning Commission and/or Board of Zoning Appeals, with a 48-hour waiver provision, should a legitimate offer be submitted, allowing Ginnel to pursue an intended use that does not require approvals or terminate the contract; that purchaser pay $500 at closing for building, electrical, plumbing and other applicable permits; that rehabilitation of the property begin within thirty days of the purchase; that total rehabilitation of the property, requiring compliance with the State Building Code and securing appropriate building permits with necessary inspections be completed within six months of purchase; and any other terms deemed necessary by the Corporation Counsel. Approved as to form this 11th day of April, 2022. ____________________________ Andrew B. Koldin, Esq. Corporation Counsel 17  CITY COUNCIL SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK RESOLUTION NO. Councilmember offered the following: A Resolution Authorizing the Issuance of Revocable Permit No. 667 to Crane Properties, LLC for a Sign and Planters That Will Encroach the City’s Right-of-Way at 727 Crane Street, Schenectady, New York WHEREAS, Crane Properties, LLC would like to install a sign and planters that will encroach the City’s right-of-way at 727 Crane Street, Schenectady, New York; and D WHEREAS, the city Engineer recommends the issuance of a permit for the sign and planters; and RA WHEREAS, said revocable permit shall be subject to standard conditions that include, but are not limited to, the required indemnification of the City for any and all lawsuits stemming from the installation of these items securing and maintaining liability and casualty insurance, and the maintenance of the encumbrance on city property; and FT WHEREAS, said permit shall be subject to revocation at the discretion of the city Engineer: NOW THEREFORE BE IT, RESOLVED, that the City Engineer is hereby authorized to issue Revocable Permit No. 667 to Crane Properties, LLC for the sign and planters that will encroach the City’s right-of- way at 727 Crane Street, Schenectady, New York, subject to such terms, conditions and restrictions as may be justified in his expert professional opinion to safeguard the interests of the City. Approved as to form this 11th day of April, 2022. __________________________ Andrew B. Koldin, Esq. Corporation Counsel 18  CITY COUNCIL SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK RESOLUTION NO. Councilmember offered the following: A Resolution Awarding the Bid and Contract for “Crack Sealing of City Streets 2022” to Sealcoat USA, Inc. in the Amount of $98,700.00 WHEREAS, sealing the cracks and joints on roadways prevents water and subsequently ice from entering the asphalt and accelerating the degradation of the roadways; and WHEREAS, while City crews can perform this task with in-house equipment, it is more D efficient for the City to contract out mainline roads which require more advanced maintenance and protection of traffic patterns such as Erie Boulevard, State Street, and Broadway and focus City personnel on secondary roads; and RA WHEREAS, the Purchasing Department solicited and received bids for the “Crack Sealing of the City Streets 2022,” and a low bid was received on March 30, 2022, from Sealcoat USA, Inc. of Yonkers, NY in the amount of $98,700.00: FT NOW, THEREFORE BE IT, RESOLVED, that this Council, acting as a Board of Contract and Supply under Section C5-9 of the City Charter, authorizes the City to enter into a contract with Sealcoat USA, Inc. for “Crack Sealing of the City Streets 2022” in the amount of $98,700.00, the terms of which shall be set by the Corporation Counsel. Approved as to form this 11th day of April, 2022 __________________________ Andrew B. Koldin, Esq. Corporation Counsel 19  D 20 RA FT  D 21 RA FT  CITY COUNCIL SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK RESOLUTION NO. Councilmember offered the following: A Resolution Awarding the Bid and Contract for the Purchase of “City of Schenectady Manhole Frames and Covers and Catchbasin Frames and Grates” to EJ USA, Inc. WHEREAS, the City repairs and replaces sections of its storm and sanitary sewer manholes throughout the city as a part of its paving program; and WHEREAS, in order to continue this replacement, the purchase of manhole covers and D frames and catch basin frames and grates are necessary to replace the worn and damaged ones; and RA WHEREAS, the Purchasing Department solicited and received bids for the purchase of “City of Schenectady Manhole Frames and Covers and Catchbasin Frames and Grates,” and received one itemized bid on March 30, 2022, from EJ USA, Inc. of East Jordan, MI, the tabulation for which is attached hereto and made a part hereof: FT NOW, THEREFORE BE IT, RESOLVED, that this Council, acting as a Board of Contract and Supply under Section C5-9 of the City Charter, authorizes the City to enter into a contract with EJ USA, Inc. for the purchase of “City of Schenectady Manhole Frames and Covers and Catchbasin Frames and Grates,” as shown on the tabulation attached hereto and made a part hereof, with the terms of said contract to be set by the Corporation Counsel. Approved as to form this 11th day of April, 2022. __________________________ Andrew B. Koldin, Esq. Corporation Counsel 22  D 23 RA FT  D 24 RA FT