City Council

OFFICE OF CITY CLERK SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK AGENDA FOR THE COUNCIL CAUCUS AND THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, November 13, 2023 Room 209 7:00 p.m. ORIGINAL CONSIDERATION 01 Council Member A RESOLUTION Calling for a Public Hearing of the Downtown Schenectady Assessment District (DSAD) 2024 Budget Votes Required 4 ORIGINAL CONSIDERATION 02 Council Member A RESOLUTION Calling for a Public Hearing of the 2024 Upper Union Street Business Improvement District Budget Votes Required 4 ORIGINAL CONSIDERATION 03 Council Member A RESOLUTION Authorizing the City to Enter into an Agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice, Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program (JAG) Votes Required 4 ORIGINAL CONSIDERATION 04 Council Member A RESOLUTION Authorizing the City to Enter into an Agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice for the 2023 Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Votes Required 4 ORIGINAL CONSIDERATION 05 Council Member A RESOLUTION Authorizing the Sale of a Vacant Lot on Amelia Street (49.77-1-13) for $1,500.00 Votes Required 4 1 Thursday, November 09, 2023 Page 1 of 3  Monday, November 13, 2023 Room 209 7:00 p.m. ORIGINAL CONSIDERATION 06 Council Member A RESOLUTION Authorizing the Sale of a Vacant Lot at 15 Landon Terrace for $1,500.00 Votes Required 4 ORIGINAL CONSIDERATION 07 Council Member A RESOLUTION Authorizing the Sale of a Vacant Lot at 818 Congress Street for $3,400.00 Votes Required 4 ORIGINAL CONSIDERATION 08 Council Member A RESOLUTION Recognizing Breast Cancer Awareness Month Votes Required 4 ORIGINAL CONSIDERATION 09 Council Member A RESOLUTION Recognizing Capri Imports Votes Required 4 ORIGINAL CONSIDERATION 10 Council Member A RESOLUTION Recognizing Schenectady Belmont Pop Warner Votes Required 4 ORIGINAL CONSIDERATION 11 Council Member A RESOLUTION to Rescind Resolution 2023- 174 Related to the Sale of 1005 Congress Street Votes Required 4 2 Thursday, November 09, 2023 Page 2 of 3  Monday, November 13, 2023 Room 209 7:00 p.m. CONTRACT & SUPPLY 12 Council Member A RESOLUTION Authorizing the City Engineer to Issue a Change Order in the Amount of $90,000.00 to the Agreement with James H. Maloy, Inc. for the Extension of the Michigan Avenue Baseball Field Wall Votes Required 4 3 Thursday, November 09, 2023 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: The Downtown Schenectady Assessment District 2024 Budget Said Public hearing shall be held on Monday, November 27, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. at Council Chambers, Room 209, Schenectady City Hall, 105 Jay Street, Schenectady, New York – for the purpose of discussing the Downtown Schenectady Assessment District 2024 Budget; and be it further D RESOLVED, that the City Clerk shall have the following notice published in the appropriate manner: RA NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Downtown Schenectady Assessment District 2024 Budget FT On Monday, November 27, 2023 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; and be it further RESOLVED, that copies of the proposed Downtown Schenectady Assessment District 2024 budget 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 November 22, 2023; and be it further RESOLVED, that 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 November 24, 2023. Approved as to form this 13th day of November, 2023. __________________________ Andrew B. Koldin, Esq. Corporation Counsel 4  CITY COUNCIL SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK RESOLUTION NO. Councilmember offered the following: RESOLVED, that the City Council will conduct a public hearing in relation to: The 2024 Upper Union Street Business Improvement District Budget Said Public hearing shall be held on Monday, November 27, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. at Council Chambers, Room 209, Schenectady City Hall, 105 Jay Street, Schenectady, New York – for the purpose of discussing the 2024 Upper Union Street Business Improvement District budget; and be it further RESOLVED, that the City Clerk shall have the following notice published in the appropriate D manner: NOTICE OF RA PUBLIC HEARING The 2024 Upper Union Street Business Improvement District Budget On Monday, November 27, 2023 at 7:00 p.m., the Schenectady City Council shall conduct a FT 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; and be it further RESOLVED, that copies of the proposed 2024 Upper Union Street Business Improvement District budget 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 November 22, 2023; and be it further RESOLVED, that 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 November 24, 2023. Approved as to form this 13th day of November, 2023. __________________________ Andrew B. Koldin, Esq. Corporation Counsel 5  CITY COUNCIL SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK RESOLUTION NO. Councilmember offered the following: A Resolution Authorizing the City to Enter into an Agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice, Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program (JAG) D WHEREAS, the City seeks to enter into an agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), which provides funding through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance RA Grant (JAG) Formula Program: FY 2023 Local Solicitation. This agreement is for the purpose of securing funds allocated to the City of Schenectady and County of Schenectady through the JAG Program; and WHEREAS, pursuant to this grant the City/County shall receive $46,314.00 from DOJ, FT of which $23,157.00 will be used for the purchase of a mobile license plate reader, covert cameras with night vision capabilities for protection of the community and enforcement of the laws of the State of New York, and $23,157.00 will be used to fund a portion of the District Attorney’s Office’s confidential investigator position: NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council hereby authorizes the Mayor or his designee to enter into an agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice for the purpose of securing grant funding from the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistant Grant (JAG) Formula Program: FY 2022 Local Solicitation to be allocated as described hereinabove; and be it further RESOLVED, that the Commissioner of Finance and Administration is directed to receive and allocate the funding as directed hereinabove. Approved as to form this 13th day of November, 2023. __________________________ Andrew B. Koldin, Esq. Corporation Counsel 6  CITY COUNCIL SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK RESOLUTION NO. Councilmember offered the following: A Resolution Authorizing the City to Enter into an Agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice for the 2023 Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant D WHEREAS, the City seeks to enter into an agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), which provides funding through the FY 2023 Bulletproof Vest Partnership (BVP) solicitation. This agreement is for the purpose of securing funds to purchase National Institute of RA Justice compliant armored vests; and WHEREAS, a total of 52 bulletproof vests are scheduled to be purchased through this grant; and FT WHEREAS, the grant provides a total of $34,844.42 in grant funding and requires a 100% match from the City of $34,844.42, which will be covered within the police department’s operational budget: NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council hereby authorizes the Mayor or his designee to enter into an agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice for the purpose of securing grant funding from the FY 2023 Bulletproof Vest Partnership (BVP) solicitation to be used as described hereinabove; and be it further RESOLVED, that the Commissioner of Finance and Administration is directed to receive and allocate the funding as directed hereinabove. Approved as to form this 13th day of November, 2023. __________________________ Andrew B. Koldin, Esq. Corporation Counsel 7  CITY COUNCIL SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK RESOLUTION NO. Councilmember offered the following: A Resolution Authorizing the Sale of a Vacant Lot on Amelia Street for $1,500.00 WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the City of Schenectady to sell parcel numbered SBL # 49.77-1-13; 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 # 49.77-1-13 to Michael Marsello and/or assign for the sum of One Thousand Five Dollars ($1,500.00); and be it further RESOLVED, that the terms of the contract for sale shall include any terms deemed necessary by the Corporation Counsel. FT Approved as to form this 13th day of November, 2023. ____________________________ Andrew B. Koldin, Esq. Corporation Counsel 8  CITY COUNCIL SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK RESOLUTION NO. Councilmember offered the following: A Resolution Authorizing the Sale of a Vacant Lot at 15 Landon Terrace for $1,500.00 WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the City of Schenectady to sell parcel numbered SBL # 39.73-2-16; 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 # 39.73-2-16 to WinWin Property Group LLC 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 stating that the sale is subject to requiring the vacant lot be consolidated with adjoining property, as well as any other terms FT deemed necessary by the Corporation Counsel. Approved as to form this 13th day of November, 2023. ____________________________ Andrew B. Koldin, Esq. Corporation Counsel 9  CITY COUNCIL SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK RESOLUTION NO. Councilmember offered the following: A Resolution Authorizing the Sale of a Vacant Lot at 818 Congress Street for $3,400.00 WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the City of Schenectady to sell parcel numbered SBL # 49.46-4-10; 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 # 49.46-4-10 to Steven Cimino, Jr. and/or assign for the sum of Three Thousand Four Hundred Dollars ($3,400.00); and be it further RESOLVED, that the terms of the contract for sale shall include a clause stating that the sale is subject to applicable approvals from the Zoning Board of Appeals and/or the Planning Commission FT prior to the transfer of title or, otherwise purchaser shall be required to construct a residential structure that conforms with the zoning code, as well as any other terms deemed necessary by the Corporation Counsel. Approved as to form this 13th day of November, 2023. ____________________________ Andrew B. Koldin, Esq. Corporation Counsel 10  CITY COUNCIL SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK RESOLUTION NO. Councilmember offered the following: A Resolution Recognizing Breast Cancer Awareness Month WHEREAS, breast cancer affects one in eight women in the United States every year and 2.3 million women worldwide; and WHEREAS, about 30% of early-stage breast cancers eventually metastasize (spread to parts of D the body away from the breast), and there is a need for more research about metastatic disease; and RA WHEREAS, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, breast cancer is the most common form of cancer diagnosed among women and the second highest cause of cancer death among women, and, although not as common, men can get breast cancer as well; and FT WHEREAS, regular breast self-exams, an annual medical exam, and mammograms are important tools in breast cancer detection — especially early detection, when cancers may be more treatable; and WHEREAS, mammography, an “x-ray of the human breast,” is recognized as the single most effective method of detecting breast changes that may be cancerous long before physical symptoms can be seen or felt; and WHEREAS, in May 2023, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force issued a draft update to its mammogram recommendations, proposing that women at average risk of breast cancer start mammograms at age 40 and have a mammogram every other year; and WHEREAS, if you are at higher-than-average risk for breast cancer, have dense breasts, or have 11 had breast cancer in the past, your doctor may recommend that you also get other breast imaging tests such as breast MRI or ultrasound; and WHEREAS, in order to facilitate early diagnosis and prompt treatment of breast cancer in women and men, public education, awareness, and understanding of the disease is necessary: NOW, THEREFORE BE IT, RESOLVED, that the Schenectady City Council and Mayor Gary R. McCarthy hereby pause in their deliberations to remind individuals to speak to their health care providers about breast cancer screening, and in remembrance of those who have lost their lives to breast cancer and in support of those who are currently fighting this disease and of the more than 3.5 million breast cancer survivors in the United States. DRA Approved as to form this 13th day of November, 2023. ____________________________ Andrew B. Koldin, Esq. FT Corporation Counsel 12  CITY COUNCIL SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK RESOLUTION NO. Councilmember offered the following: A Resolution Recognizing Capri Imports WHEREAS, Peter and Gina Scarappichia Sementilli, immigrated to the United States in 1955, from Ceprano and Strangolagalli, Italy. They located to Queens, NY and, in 1969, moved upstate to Schenectady for a better quality of life for themselves and their young family; and D WHEREAS, the Sementillis began working for Joseph Scotti on Union Street, and later found RA Capri Imports in the Bellevue neighborhood of Schenectady. Here they created a great reputation and earned the respect of their customers and the community for their honesty and integrity; and WHEREAS, in 1973, 2617 Broadway became home to Capri Imports and the Sementilli family. FT Peter, Gina, their son Peter and daughter Lucy began the daily operation of the business, which is still a staple in the Bellevue Neighborhood; and WHEREAS, Peter, with his proud Italian heritage and dedication to his family traditions, took over the family business in 1993 with his wife Karen; and WHEREAS, Peter wanted to grow the store’s inventory by visiting many trade and food shows throughout the country. He would hand pick specialty items, imported from Italy, that would please his customers. He purchased locally with Casa Imports and outside our area through Market Place Imports and Ace Endico; and WHEREAS, like his parents, Peter and his wife Karen worked side by side, serving all homemade delights such as eggplant parmigiano, sausage and peppers, fresh mozzarella, salads, and 13 much more; and WHEREAS, the lines would be out the front door while waiting for one of their famous subs on a half-loaf of their homemade Italian bread; and WHEREAS, Lucy would greet and service the customers with her smile and extreme knowledge of the complete line of Italian cold cuts and imports; and WHEREAS, for the past 50 years, Capri Imports has been and continues to be a daily destination for so many; and WHEREAS, in 2020, Anthony Sementilli, cousin and friend to his mentor Peter, purchased Capri Imports, proud to carry on their family heritage, and traditions; and WHEREAS, Peter’s legacy will be one of a patriarch, true gentleman, entrepreneur and friend to all: DRA NOW, THEREFORE BE IT, RESOLVED, that the Schenectady City Council and Mayor Gary R. McCarthy do hereby pause in their deliberations to recognize and thank Capri Imports and the Sementilli family for their 50 years FT of providing delicious quality Italian foods to Schenectady. Approved as to form this 13th day of November, 2023. ____________________________ Andrew B. Koldin, Esq. Corporation Counsel 14  CITY COUNCIL SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK RESOLUTION NO. Councilmember offered the following: A Resolution Recognizing Schenectady Belmont Pop Warner WHEREAS, Pop Warner, founded in 1929 is the largest youth football, cheer and dance program in the world; and WHEREAS, the goal at Belmont Pop Warner is to motivate young scholars to participate in football, D cheerleading and dance while providing a positive, safe, fun and friendly environment for all who attend. The organization is focused and dedicated to instilling youth with confidence, teamwork, responsibility RA and success as lifelong skills that they can utilize on and off the field, with a foundation built on love; and WHEREAS, their motto is One Team, One Family. We are Belmont Pop-Warner; and FT WHEREAS, 270 kids participate in Belmont’s thriving Pop Warner program; and WHEREAS, on October 28, Belmont players in an incredible and unprecedented five age groups, from 8-and-under up to 12U, played in the Capital District Pop Warner Super Bowl; and WHEREAS, the 10U, 11U, and 12U teams won Capital District Pop Warner Super Bowl titles; and WHEREAS, the 8-and-under and 9U teams competed incredibly hard, but unfortunately each lost by a single point; and WHEREAS, all of the players should be proud of themselves for their time, dedication, and hard work that they put in during the season; and WHEREAS, Belmont Pop Warner president Billy Kent, the coaching staff, all the volunteers, and especially the kids have worked hard to solidify the continued success of Belmont Pop Warner: NOW, THEREFORE BE IT, RESOLVED, that the Mayor, Gary R. McCarthy, and the Schenectady City Council do hereby pause in 15 their deliberations to congratulate the players, cheerleading team, coaches and leadership of Schenectady Belmont Pop Warner on their recent accomplishments and wish them continued success in the future. Approved as to form this 13th day of November, 2023. __________________________ Andrew B. Koldin, Esq. Corporation Counsel DRA FT 2 16  CITY COUNCIL SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK RESOLUTION NO. Councilmember offered the following: A Resolution to Rescind Resolution 2023-174 Related to the Sale of 1005 Congress Street WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the City of Schenectady to rescind Resolution 2023-174 related to the sale of 1005 Congress Street, which is also known as SBL 49.54-4-30; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT, D RESOLVED, that the City Council rescinds Resolution 2023-174 related to the sale of 1005 Congress Street, which is also known as SBL 49.54-4-30. RA Approved as to form this 13th day of November, 2023. FT ____________________________ Andrew B. Koldin, Esq. Corporation Counsel 17  CITY COUNCIL SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK RESOLUTION NO. Councilmember offered the following: A Resolution Authorizing the City Engineer to Issue a Change Order in the Amount of $90,000.00 to the Agreement with James H Maloy, Inc. for the Extension of the Michigan Avenue Baseball Field Wall WHEREAS, the City entered into an agreement with James H Maloy, Inc. for the Michigan Avenue Baseball Field Wall in the amount of $83,950.00 for the installation of 115 D linear feet of 4’ high, segmental block retaining wall with an ornamental fence along the top; and WHEREAS, there has been one previous change order approved in the amount of RA $5,000, to this agreement for more durable fencing; and WHEREAS, the City would like to extend the 4’ high block retaining wall and ornamental fencing an extra 135’ at the cost of $90,000.00 to be paid from previously allocated ARPA funds for this project: FT NOW THEREFORE BE IT, RESOLVED, that the City Engineer is authorized to issue a change order to the Michigan Avenue Baseball Field Wall agreement with James H Maloy, Inc. in the amount of $90,000.00; and be it further RESOLVED, that the Commissioner of Finance is directed to charge the cost and expense of this added work to the ARPA code has been set up specifically for this project. Approved as to form this 13th day of November 2023. __________________________ Andrew B. Koldin, Esq. Corporation Counsel 18