City Council

OFFICE OF CITY CLERK SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK AGENDA FOR THE COUNCIL CAUCUS AND THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, August 28, 2023 Room 209 7:00 p.m. FINAL CONSIDERATION 01 Council Member AN ORDINANCE Pursuant to Section 101 of the Second Class Cities Law Abandoning a Portion of Larch Street Votes Required 6 ORIGINAL CONSIDERATION 02 Council Member A RESOLUTION Adopting the Post Issuance Compliance Policy Votes Required 4 ORIGINAL CONSIDERATION 03 Council Member A RESOLUTION Adopting the Amended 2023- 2024 Annual Action Plan Votes Required 4 ORIGINAL CONSIDERATION 04 Council Member A RESOLUTION Approving the City's Annual Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Report for 2023 Votes Required 4 ORIGINAL CONSIDERATION 05 Council Member A RESOLUTION Authorizing the Sale of Vacant Land in the Town of Rotterdam Identified as SBL 60.17-2-26 for $20,000.00 Votes Required 4 1 Friday, August 25, 2023 Page 1 of 2  Monday, August 28, 2023 Room 209 7:00 p.m. ORIGINAL CONSIDERATION 06 Council Member A RESOLUTION Authorizing the Settlement of a Claim by American State Co. a/s/o Jeffrey Briere Votes Required 4 CONTRACT & SUPPLY 07 Council Member A RESOLUTION Authorizing an Agreement for "Sludge Transportation and Disposal - 2023" to County Waste Recycling Service, Inc. Votes Required 4 2 Friday, August 25, 2023 Page 2 of 2  CITY COUNCIL SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK RESOLUTION NO. Councilmember offered the following: An Ordinance Pursuant to Section 101 of the Second Class Cities Law Abandoning a Portion of Larch Street WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the City of Schenectady to abandon a portion of Larch Street as described hereinbelow; and WHEREAS, a public hearing with regard to the proposed abandonment was held on April 24, 2023 without comment; and FT WHEREAS, there is no municipal use for the property: NOW, THEREFORE BE IT, ENACTED, by the Council of the City of Schenectady, in a regular meeting convened as follows: DRA All that portion of the City Street as designated on the Official Map of the City and known as that portion of Larch Street as follows – Beginning at a point in the easterly line Lansing Street, at its intersection with the southerly line of a paper street known Larch Street, said point also being the northwesterly corner of the lands now or formerly of Elysian Consulting Group, LLC, as described in a deed filed in the Office of the Schenectady County Clerk as Liber 2040 at Page 955; Thence from said point of beginning, along the southerly line of a paper street known Larch Street and along the northerly line of lands now or formerly of Elysian Consulting Group, LLC as described in a deed filed in the Office of the Schenectady County Clerk as Liber 2040 at Page 955 and along the northerly line of lands now or formerly of TK Sons Properties, Inc. as described in a deed filed in the Office of the Schenectady County Clerk as Liber 1927 at Page 980, North 81°01’01” East a distance of 150.00 feet to a point; Thence North 8°58’59” West, a distance of 50.00 feet to a point in the northerly line of a paper street known Larch Street; Thence South 81°01’01” West, and running along the northerly line of a paper street known Larch Street, a distance of 150.00 feet to a point in easterly line Lansing Street; Thence, along the easterly line Lansing Street, South 8°58’59” East, a distance of 50.00 feet to the point and place of beginning – is hereby closed, abandoned, and discontinued, effective immediately. 3 Approved as to form this 28th day of August, 2023. ____________________________ Andrew B. Koldin, Esq. Corporation Counsel FT DRA 4  CITY COUNCIL SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK RESOLUTION NO. Councilmember offered the following: A Resolution Adopting the Post-Issuance Compliance Policy WHEREAS, the City of Schenectady has issued and, in the future, may issue obligations on a tax-exempt and/or tax-advantaged basis; and WHEREAS, the Internal Revenue Service encourages issuers of tax-exempt and tax-advantaged basis obligations to adopt post-issuance compliance policies to ensure compliance with the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (hereinafter, the “Code”); and FT WHEREAS, the City of Schenectady desires to adopt a written post-issuance compliance policy to ensure that the City is in compliance with its obligations under the Code: NOW THEREFORE BE IT, D RESOLVED, the City Council adopts the “Post-Issuance Compliance Policy for Tax-Exempt and Tax-Advantaged Bonds and Continuing Disclosure” attached hereto and made a part hereof. RA Approved as to form this 28th day of August, 2023. __________________________ Andrew B. Koldin, Esq. Corporation Counsel 5  CITY COUNCIL SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK RESOLUTION NO. Councilmember offered the following: A Resolution Adopting the Amended 2023-2024 Annual Action Plan WHEREAS, the City of Schenectady is required under Title 24 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 to submit to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) an Annual Action Plan, which carries out the City’s Consolidated Plan and provides a concise summary of the actions and activities that it will pursue for its use of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME), and the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) program funding; and FT WHEREAS, on May 8, 2023, the City Council adopted, by Resolution 2023-086, the 2023-2024 Annual Action Plan; and WHEREAS, since the adoption of Resolution 2023-086, the final allocation was modified to a total of $3,532,935.00 in CDBG, HOME, and ESG funding: D NOW THEREFORE BE IT, RA RESOLVED, the City Council adopts the attached amended “City of Schenectady 2023-2024 Annual Action Plan,” with proposed funding totaling $3,532,935.00; and be it further RESOLVED, that the Mayor or his designee is authorized to execute all necessary contracts pursuant to the implementation of the 2023-2024 Annual Action Plan. Approved as to form this 28th day of August, 2023. __________________________ Andrew B. Koldin, Esq. Corporation Counsel 6  CITY OF SCHENECTADY 2023 CONSOLIDATED PLAN SUMMARY Budgetary allocations are subject to change based on final HUD Allocations FUNDING Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) New Fiscal Year $ 2,102,401.00 Program Income $ ‐ TOTAL $ 2,102,401.00 Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) $ 187,003.00 TOTAL $ 187,003.00 HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) New Fiscal Year $ 1,243,531.00 Program Income $ ‐ TOTAL $ 1,243,531.00 TOTAL AVAILABLE FUNDING $ 3,532,935.00 CATEGORY ALLOCATIONS Emergency Solutions Activities…...… $ 173,000.00 $ 173,000.00 from ESG Housing Assistance Activities……………… Public Service Activities……...………..… Public Works Activities……………………. Administration…………………………… TOTAL: …………………………………. $ $ $ $ FT 1,466,935.00 $ 1,181,354.45 from HOME 369,500.00 1,030,500.00 493,000.00 $ $3,532,935.00 0.00 $ $ $ 285,580.55 from CDBG from CDBG from CDBG 62,176.55 from HOME 416,820.45 from CDBG 14,003.00 from ESG DRA CDBG HOME ESG Award Estimated Award Estimated Award $ $ $ $ $ $ $ 2,102,401.00 $ 2,102,401.00 $ ‐ $ 1,243,531.00 $ 1,243,531.00 $ ‐ $ 187,003.00 $ 2,102,401.00 2,000,000.00 102,401.00 1,243,531.00 1,150,000.00 93,531.00 187,003.00 420,480.20 5.12% 621,765.50 8.13% Estimated $ 187,003.00 $ 190,000.00 $ ‐ $ (2,997.00) ‐1.58% 3,532,935.00 3,532,935.00 3,532,935.00 3,340,000.00 0.00 $ 192,935.00 5.78% 7  2023 EMERGENCY SOLUTIONS GRANT ALLOCATIONS = $173,000.00 2023 Proposed Plan 2023 Proposed Plan Organization Project Goal Funding Source Requested Funding 2022 Final Plan (Final Award) (Estimated Award ) Homeless Housing and Bethesda House Inc. Housing ESG $ 65,000 $ 44,400.00 $ 45,000.00 $ 45,695.00 Eviction Prevention Program Bethesda House Inc. Day Program Drop‐In Center Housing ESG $ 35,000 $ 21,700.00 $ 22,250.00 $ 22,600.00 Homeless Management and CARES, Inc. Housing ESG $ 30,000.00 $ 19,700.00 $ 20,250.00 $ 19,690.00 Information System (HMIS) D Safe, Inc. Safe House Housing ESG $ 50,000.00 $ 32,900.00 $ 33,500.00 $ 32,570.00 Schenectady Community Action Program, Inc. (SCAP) RA Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re‐Housing Program Housing Page Total ESG $ 90,000.00 $ $270,000.00 54,300.00 $ $173,000.00 55,000.00 $ $176,000.00 57,310.00 $177,865.00 FT 8  2023 HOUSING ASSISTANCE ALLOCATIONS = $1,466,935 2023 Proposed Plan (Final 2023 Proposed Plan Organization Project Description Funding Source Requested Funding Award) (Estimated Award ) Better Comunity Neighborhood Homeowner Occupied Housing Funds will be used to assist ten (10) income eligible homeowners with CDBG $ 480,000.00 $ 200,000.00 $ 200,000.00 Inc. (BCNI) Rehabilitation housing rehabilitation services, particulary code violations. Funds will be used for salaries/fringes and nonpersonnel costs in support of Better Community Administrative/ Operating Costs BNI's housing programs including housing rehabilitation, in the Hamilton Hill HOME $ 80,000.00 $ 27,000.00 $ 25,000.00 Neighborhoods, Inc. (BCNI) neighborhood. Habitat of Humanity of Habitat Single Family Homes Funds will be used to build one single family homes in Schenectady HOME $ 330,000.00 $ 81,000.00 $ 75,000.00 Schenectady Funds will be used to provide closing or down payment assistance to a Better Community Second Mortgage Program maximum of 10% of the purchase price for an owner‐occupied house for low HOME $ 100,000.00 $ 108,000.00 $ 100,000.00 Neighborhoods, Inc. (BCNI) and moderate income persons, citywide. (10 Homes) Funds will provide tenant‐based rental assistance and security deposits to Bethesda House Inc. Tenant Based Rental Assistance Program HOME $ 78,500.00 $ 78,500.00 $ 75,000.00 D resident families of the City of Schenectady. (10 families) Capital Improvements for 1103 Waverly Funds will be used for Capital improvements to increase accessibility in Wildwood Programs, Inc. HOME $ 30,000.00 $ 30,000.00 $ 30,000.00 Place residential group home supporting people with disabilities. (5 Individuals) RA Funds will be used for demolition, rehabilition or construction of CDBG $ 300,000.00 $ 85,580.55 $ ‐ Rehabilitaion, new construction or Department of Development approximately six (6) blighted and abandoned properties or lots throughout demolition, of houses the city. HOME $ 300,000.00 $ 235,088.95 $ 213,000.00 Funds Obligated to the City of Troy as per the HOME Consortium Agreement City of Troy Constortium Agreement HOME $ 497,412.40 $ 497,412.40 $ 460,000.00 (7 Families, ) FT Funds Obligated to the Town of Colonie as per the HOME Consortium Town of Colonie Constortium Agreement HOME $ 124,353.10 $ 124,353.10 $ 115,000.00 Agreement (10 Families) Page Total $ 2,320,266 $ 1,466,935 $ 1,293,000 9  2023 NRSA PUBLIC SERVICE ALLOCATIONS‐ $84,500.00 Requested 2023 Proposed Plan (Final Organization Project Description Goals Funding Source 2022 Final Plan Funding Award) Homebuyer Education and Funds will be used for personnel costs for a Homebuyer Education and Better Community Neighborhoods, Inc Foreclosure Prevention Foreclosure Prevention Program, providing pre‐purchase and default Housing CDBG $ 50,000.00 $ 37,500.00 $ 37,690.00 Program housing counseling, intervention and assistance to low and moderate Funds will be used to pair artisan makers with workforce development Albany Barn Inc. Workforce Development Economic & Work Force Development CDBG $ 26,000.00 $ 15,000.00 $ 18,840.00 programs to train workers in creative trades. (5 Individuals) Funds will be used for personnel and nonpersonnel costs for Project ArtReach, providing educational and cultural programming for primarily Hamilton Hill Drop‐In Arts & Crafts Center Project ArtReach Local Neighborhoods CDBG $ 40,000.00 $ 32,000.00 $ 32,980.00 low and moderate income youth in the Hamilton Hill neighborhood. (75 Youth) Page Total $ 66,000.00 $ 84,500.00 $ 89,510.00 DRA FT 10  2023 PUBLIC SERVICE ALLOCATIONS = $297,750.00 Requested 2023 Proposed Plan (Final Organization Project Description Goals Funding Source 2022 Final Plan Funding Award) Funds will be used for Jerry Burrell Park summer programming including day and night programs Jerry Burrell Drop‐In Summer YMCA consisting of arts and crafts, fitness, nutrition, swimming lessons, sports and education. (200 Local Neighborhoods CDBG $ 30,385.00 $ 18,000.00 $ 18,846.00 Program individuals) Capital District Center for Funds will be used to support the CDCI effort to support individuals with disabilities with the Disibilities Support Services Local Neighborhoods CDBG $ 20,405.00 $ 5,000.00 $ 4,715.00 Independence services they need to maintain independent and self‐sufficient lives. (10 Individuals) Ancient Order of Hibernians John F Funds will be used to pay for the Schenectady Senior Center which will provide lunch, educational Schenectady Senior Center Local Neighborhoods CDBG $ 48,850.00 $ 20,000.00 $ 18,846.00 Kennedy Division and recreational activities to Seniors within the City of Schenectady. (300 Individuals) Funds will be used for personnel and nonpersonnel costs for a park program providing families Quackenbush Park, Hillhurst and Boys and Girls Club of Schenectady and youths with increased opportunities including sports programs, swimming lessons, arts and Steinmetz Parks Recreational and Local Neighborhoods CDBG $ 147,741.00 $ 100,000.00 $ 94,230.00 Inc. crafts, nutrition education, prevention education, family programs and special events at Educational Enrichment program Quackenbush, Hillhurst and Steinmetz Parks. (300 Youth) Funds will be used to provide a full‐time presence at the new Mt. Pleasant Library to asisit Schenectady Community Action Mt. Pleasant Outreach residence to navigate various social services resources available to low and moderate income Local Neighborhoods CDBG $ 30,000.00 $ 15,000.00 $ 14,134.00 Program Inc. residence. Funds will be used to provide an introductory Craft Skills & Employment Training programs that will specifically designed to provide this training to those who are unemployed, dislocated or Affirmative Action Office Empowerment Center Local Neighborhoods CDBG $ 174,000.00 $ 20,000.00 $ 37,690.00 disadvantaged,this program will qualify them for entry‐level employment in the construction industry. (20 Individuals) Schenectady Youth Boxing & The funds will be utilized to provide support to a coalition of small, non‐profits organizations Schenectady Youth Coalition Local Neighborhoods CDBG $ 204,120.00 $ 95,000.00 $ 94,230.00 Fitness Inc. currently providing services and support to youth within the City of Schenectady. (300 youth) Funds will be utilized to address food insecurity through Moble Pantries and Home food D Schenectady Inner City Ministry Making Food Available Local Neighborhoods CDBG $ 75,000.00 $ 7,000.00 $ ‐ deliveries (30 Individuals) Schenectady Hindu Temple and Guyanese Communtiy Center Youth Funds will be used to host after school youth programming at the Guyanese Community Center Local Neighborhoods CDBG $ 50,000.00 $ 5,000.00 $ ‐ Community Services Programming (50 Youth) Page Total $ 780,501.00 $ 285,000.00 $ 282,691.00 RA FT 11  2023 PUBLIC WORKS ALLOCATIONS = 1,030,500.00 Requested 2023 Proposed Plan (Final Organization Project Description Goal Funding Source 2022 Final Plan Funding Award) Funds will be used for personnel and nonpersonnel costs for code enforcement Code Enforcement Program Delivery Housing CDBG $ 100,000.00 $ 100,000.00 $ 100,000.00 activities in low and moderate income neighborhoods. (1000 Houses) Funds will be used for the rehabilitation or reconstruction of approximately Street Rehabilitation and one (1) mile of CDBG eligible streets and include ADA improvements required Engineering Department Facilities Improvement Economic Development CDBG $ 400,000.00 $ 250,000.00 $ 250,000.00 under Federal Law and where specified by the City in various CDBG target Program areas. (4,000 Individuals) Funds will be utilized for upgrades to City Parks including, Jerry Burrell, Engineering Department Park Improvements Local Neighborhoods CDBG $ 400,000.00 $ 369,500.00 $ 300,000.00 Steinmentz and other city parks as needed. (4,000 Individuals) Funds will be used for personnel and nonpersonnel costs in support of SNAP Schenectady Neighborhood and property management activities, providing for the stablization of in‐rem Office of General Services Housing CDBG $ 330,000.00 $ 100,000.00 $ 100,000.00 Assistance Program (SNAP) properties taken through foreclosure to stop deterioration and retain marketability. (150 Houses) Funds will be used for the partial repayment of the Section 108 Loan Property Section 108 Loan Guarantee Program Guarantee Program's principal and interest for property acquisition and N/A CDBG $ 56,000.00 $ 56,000.00 $ 56,000.00 Acquisition/Demolition demolition for the removal of citywide blighting conditions. Funds will be used to provide job training to youth through streetscape Youth Streetscape City of Schenectady beautification projects in the NRSA and Mt. Pleasant Neighborhoods. (4,000 Economic Development CDBG $ 75,000.00 $ 75,000.00 $ 30,000.00 Beautification Program Individuals) D Building improvements to Funds will be used to fix for structural repairs and necessary improvements to Safe House Inc. Local Neighborhoods CDBG $ 30,000.00 $ 30,000.00 $ ‐ McIntosh House residential spaces (50 Individuals) Health and Safety Funds will be used fornecessary upgrades to the Fire Suppression System, fire YWCA of Northeast New York Improvements to YWCA Local Neighborhoods CDBG $ 171,690.00 $ 50,000.00 $ ‐ door and improvements to the residential rooms (55 Individuals) RA Main Campus Page Total $ 1,361,000.00 $ 1,030,500.00 $ 836,000.00 FT 12  2023 ADMINISTRATION ALLOCATION = $471,000.00 Organizati 2023 Proposed Plan (Final 2023 Proposed Plan Project Description Funding Source 2022 Final Plan on Award) (Estimated Award ) Departme Funds will be used for oversight, management, monitoring and coordination of the CDBG, CDBG $ 351,820.45 $ 335,000.00 $ 353,003.40 nt of Administration Costs ESG and HOME programs. Salaries/Benefits = $347,151 (CDBG) + $62,176.55 (HOME) + HOME $ 62,176.55 $ 57,000.00 $ 59,012.95 Developm $14,003 (ESG). Nonpersonnel Costs = $5,000 (CDBG). ESG $ 14,003.00 $ 14,000.00 $ 13,605.00 Departme Administration and Funds will be used for administrative and program delivery costs associated with nt of CDBG $ 25,000.00 $ 25,000.00 $ 25,000.00 Program Delivery Consolidated Plan activities. Finance Affirmative Departme Action/Minority Funds will be used for affirmative action, minority recruitment and contract compliance nt of CDBG $ 40,000.00 $ 40,000.00 $ 40,000.00 Recruitment/ Contract activities serving the City of Schenetady. Finance Compliance Page Total $ 493,000.00 $ 471,000.00 $ 490,621.35 DRA 9669.45 FT 13  CITY COUNCIL SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK RESOLUTION NO. Councilmember offered the following: A Resolution Approving the City’s Annual Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Report for 2023 WHEREAS, the City of Schenectady annually submits a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) report to New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC); and WHEREAS, the current MS4 report ended on March 9, 2023: NOW THEREFORE BE IT, FT RESOLVED, the City Council approves the City’s annual MS4 report for 2023 attached hereto and made a part hereof. D Approved as to form this 28th day of August, 2023. RA __________________________ Andrew B. Koldin, Esq. Corporation Counsel 14  CITY COUNCIL SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK RESOLUTION NO. Councilmember offered the following: A Resolution Authorizing the Sale of Vacant Land in the Town of Rotterdam Identified as SBL 60.17-2-26 for $20,000.00 WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the City of Schenectady to sell parcel numbered SBL # 60.17-2-26, known as 5 Sartoli Avenue in the Town of Rotterdam; and WHEREAS, there is no municipal use for the property: NOW, THEREFORE BE IT, FT RESOLVED, that the City Council authorizes the Mayor to enter into a contract to transfer the title of parcel numbered SBL # 60.17-2-26 to the Town of Rotterdam and/or assign for the sum of Twenty Thousand Dollars ($20,000.00); and be it further D RESOLVED, that the terms of the contract for sale shall include any other terms deemed necessary by the Corporation Counsel. RA Approved as to form this 28th day of August, 2023. ____________________________ Andrew B. Koldin, Esq. Corporation Counsel 15  CITY COUNCIL SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK RESOLUTION NO. Councilmember offered the following: A Resolution Authorizing the Settlement of a Claim by American States Insurance Company a/s/o Jeffrey Briere WHEREAS, American States Insurance Company a/s/o Jeffrey Briere filed a supplement to claim (2021-087) with the City of Schenectady; and WHEREAS, the City Council previously approved a settlement of claim 2021-087 on January 23, 2023 by Resolution 2023-011; and FT WHEREAS, the Office of the Corporation Counsel has recommended that it would be in the best interest of the City to settle the supplemental claim to this matter; and WHEREAS, the settlement proposal was accepted by the City Claims Committee: D NOW, THEREFORE BE IT, RA RESOLVED, that the Office of the Corporation Counsel is authorized to enter into a supplemental settlement with American States Insurance Company a/s/o Jeffrey Briere to settle the claim for $253.80, the terms of which shall be set by the Corporation Counsel. Approved as to form this 28th day of August, 2023. ____________________________ Andrew B. Koldin, Esq. Corporation Counsel 16  CITY COUNCIL SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK RESOLUTION NO. Councilmember offered the following: A Resolution Authorizing an Agreement for “Sludge Transportation and Disposal – 2023” to County Waste Recycling Service, Inc. WHEREAS, the City of Schenectady seeks the annual transport and disposal of approximately 10,000 tons of dewatered sludge cake from the City’s Water Pollution Control Plant; and WHEREAS, a request for bids for sludge transportation and disposal was solicited for a two-year agreement with the option of an additional two years after the initial two-year term; and FT WHEREAS, a responsible low bid was received on August 9, 2023 from County Waste Recycling Service, Inc. in the amount of $155.00 per ton. Funds for “Sludge Transportation and Disposal – 2023” will be charged to the Operating Budget Code G8130-448; and NOW BE IT THEREFORE D RESOLVED, that the Schenectady City Council, acting as a Board of Contract and Supply under RA Section C5-9 of the City Charter, confirms and ratifies issuance of an agreement to County Waste Recycling Service, Inc. of Clifton Park, NY for “Sludge Transportation and Disposal – 2023” at a cost of $155.00 per ton; and be it further RESOLVED, that the Mayor, or his designee, is authorized to enter into an agreement with County Waste Recycling Service, Inc. for “Sludge Transportation and Disposal – 2023” at the price bid by County Waste Recycling Service, Inc.; and be it further RESOLVED, that the Commissioner of Finance and Administration is authorized to charge the cost and this work to Operating Budget Code G8130-448. Approved as to form this 28th day of August, 2023. __________________________ Andrew B. Koldin, Esq. Corporation Counsel 17  D 18 RA FT  D 19 RA FT  D 20 RA FT  D 21 RA FT  D 22 RA FT  D 23 RA FT  D 24 RA FT