City Council Committees

SCHENECTADY CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE AGENDA for Monday, April 01, 2019 5:30 p.m. Room 110 The Council President reserves the right to add or delete any agenda item prior to Committee Meeting. SURA Finance 1 Acceptance of SAM Grant for Improvements to Vale Park Chris Wallin 2 A Resolution of Support to NYS re: Increased Vital Record Fees Chuck Thorne Government Operations 1 Final Review - Ordinance to Change Taxicab Rates by Resolution Leesa Perazzo 2 Resolution to Change Taxicab Rates Leesa Perazzo 3 Crime Victims Month Vince Riggi City Development & Planning 1 Transfer of Properties to SURA Kristin Diotte 2 Sale of 1821 Broadway Andrew Koldin 3 Sale of 219 Linden Street Andrew Koldin 4 Sale of 34 Steuben Street Andrew Koldin 5 Sale of 837 Grant Avenue Andrew Koldin 6 Sale of 1719 Albany Street Andrew Koldin 7 Sale of 115-117 Duane Avenue Andrew Koldin 8 Sale of 343 Germania Avenue Andrew Koldin 9 Sale of 1218 Webster Street Andrew Koldin Claims 1 Property Claim Harris Meaghan Fitzpatrick 2 Property Claim Dearing Meaghan Fitzpatrick Friday, March 29, 2019  Legislative Request Form DEPARTMENT OF ENGINEERING CHRISTOPER WALLIN, P.E., CITY ENGINEER COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT: DATE: April 1, 2019 TO: City Council FROM: Christopher R. Wallin, P.E., City Engineer SUBJECT: Authorize the Mayor, or His Designee, to enter into an Agreement with the New York State Dormitory Authority, to Accept a SAM Grant for Improvements to Vale Park TO BE PLACED ON COUNCIL AGENDA OF: April 8, 2019 Background Information: In 2018 the County of Schenectady secured $250,000 in State funds from the Dormitory Authority (DASNY) to make improvements within Vale Park. This project was to be run as a joint partnership between the City and County of Schenectady however during the grant contract process with DASNY the grant transferred from the County to the City eliminating the need for an official joint partnership between the two municipalities. Evaluation/Analysis: Grant monies are earmarked for tree and brush removal, path reconstruction and lighting within Vale Park proper. This grant is 100% reimbursable to the City. Recommendation: Authorize the Mayor, or His Designee, to enter into an Agreement with the New York State Dormitory Authority, to Accept a SAM Grant for Improvements to Vale Park LEGISLATION WILL BE PREPARED BY: Engineering CRW: cd 2  CITY OF SCHENECTADY LEGISLATION REQUEST FORM COMMITTEE: DATE: 4/1/2019 TO: COUNCIL MEMBERS FROM: Chuck Thorne, City Clerk SUBJECT: Vital Record Fees Background Information: In January, 2019, New York State Assembly Member Phil Steck introduced legislation that would allow the City of Schenectady to charge a fee of up the fee New York State charges for certified birth and death certificates. On January 9, the bill passed out of the Health Committee with a vote of 24-1 and has been referred to Ways and Means. As you are aware, Governor Cuomo and the legislature placed a cap on property taxes, but there has been very little follow-up on the promised relief of unfunded mandates. The vital records fee for cities and towns was last raised from $5 to $10 in 1991. In 2003, New York State raised the fee they charge for vital record documents to $30, but froze the fee charged by municipalities at $10. Prior to 2003, the fee charged by local governments was the same as the $10 charge collected by the state. Evaluation/Analysis: No increase in fees for more than 25 years • Cost savings associated with labor reduction associated with “new” technologies were realized years ago. • Staff salaries have increased. • NYS increased fees DoH charges, but service is substandard compared to the on- demand service provided by the cities and towns • Help relieve regressive taxation – people who use the service will pay for the service.  • Scanning and indexing software requires consistent upgrading to prevent obsolescence • Providers of software require annual maintenance costs. • Record maintenance is required by state law; cutbacks in service will be required at current fee rate. • A fee increase is the least regressive method to support the costs associated with vital records maintenance The New York State Conference of Mayors (NYCOM) estimates that allowing the cities and towns to raise vital record fees can result in increased revenues of $100,000 to $600,000 annually (depending upon the number of documents issued) if they were permitted to charge the $30 fee. In the City of Schenectady, even allowing for a possible 10 percent drop-off in sales, we would realize $50,000 to $55,000 in increased revenue for every $5 in increased fee. It should also be noted that some of fee is borne by individuals that live outside the City or even the state Recommendation: I respectfully recommend that the Schenectady City Council issue a resolution of support to our New York State representatives and the Governor, urging the passing of this legislation. LEGISLATION WILL BE PREPARED BY: City Clerk 3/28/2019 New York State Assembly | Bill Search and Legislative Information A00306 Summary: BILL NO A00306 SAME AS No Same As SPONSOR Steck COSPNSR MLTSPNSR Amd §4173, Pub Health L Relates to the fee charged for the issuance of birth and death certificates. A00306 Actions: BILL NO A00306 01/09/2019 referred to health 01/15/2019 reported referred to ways and means HEALTH Chair:Gottfried DATE: 01/15/2019 AYE/NAY: 24/1 Action: Favorable refer to committee Ways and Means Gottfried Aye Raia Aye Schimminger Excused McDonough Aye Galef Aye Ra Aye Dinowitz Aye Garbarino Aye Cahill Aye Byrne Aye Paulin Aye Byrnes Aye Cymbrowitz Aye Ashby Nay Gunther Aye Rosenthal Aye Hevesi Aye Jaffee Aye Steck Aye Abinanti Aye Braunstein Aye Kim Aye Solages Aye Bichotte Aye Barron Aye Sayegh Aye 5  SCHENECTADY CITY COUNCIL Legislative Request Form Committee: Government Operations Committee Date: Monday, April 01, 2019 From: Leesa Perazzo Subject Final Review - Ordinance to Change Taxicab Rates by Resolution Background Info: Evaluation/Analysis Recommendation Friday, March 29, 2019 6  SCHENECTADY CITY COUNCIL Legislative Request Form Committee: Government Operations Committee Date: Monday, April 01, 2019 From: Leesa Perazzo Subject Resolution to Change Taxicab Rates Background Info: Evaluation/Analysis Recommendation Friday, March 29, 2019 7 8  A Resolution recognizing April 7 through 13, 2019 as "National Crime Victims Rights Week" in the City of Schenectady Whereas, Millions of Americans become victims of crime each year, affecting both individuals and their communities; and Whereas, The millions of survivors of crime and their families are no less deserving of justice, rights, resources, restoration and rehabilitation then the violent offenders who victimize them; and Whereas, Americans recognize that we make our homes, neighborhoods and communities safer and stronger by serving victims of crime and ensuring justice for all; and Whereas, Crime victims play an indispensable role in bringing offenders to justice; and Whereas, in the United State Department of Justice, the office for Victims of Crime (OVC) was established to enhance the capacity to assist crime victims and promote justice and healing for all victims of crimes; and Whereas, for many years, the OVC has helped lead communities throughout this nation in its observance of "National Crime Victims Rights Week" ; and Whereas, The theme for this year's "National Crime Victims Rights Week" is "Honoring our Past, Creating Hope for the Future"; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Mayor, Gary R. McCarthy and the City Council do hereby pause in their deliberations to declare the week of April 7 through 13 2019, as National Crime Victims Rights Week in the City of Schenectady and reaffirm this city's dedication to strengthening victims and survivors in the aftermath of crime, building resilience in our community and our victim responders, and working for justice for all victims and survivors. 9  CITY OF SCHENECTADY LEGISLATION REQUEST FORM COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT: DATE: March 28, 2019 TO: City Council FROM: Kristin Diotte, Director of Development SUBJECT: Purchase of five SURA Properties Background Information: The City of Schenectady and the Land Reutilization Corporation of the Capital District have a Cooperation Agreement to assist the City of Schenectady with the return of vacant, abandoned and underutilized property to productive use. The seven properties listed below, are all vacant, abandoned or underutilized property Address Section, Block, Lot 1101 Barrett Street 39.57-4-30 760 Eastern Avenue 39.74-3-15 16 Jefferson Street 39.56-2-20 110 Prospect Avenue 39.74-3-21 1213 First Avenue 49.38-2-13 602 Hattie Street 39.58-1-1 602 Orchard Street 49.38-2-14 Evaluation/Analysis: The above mentioned seven properties are in the name of SURA and should be transferred to the City of Schenectady to allow for them to be added to the list of properties included on the Cooperative Agreement with the Land Reutilization Corporation of the Capital District. Recommendation: Accept the purchase of the aforementioned properties from SURA at a cost of $1 each. LEGISLATION WILL BE PREPARED BY: Law Department________________ 10  SCHENECTADY CITY COUNCIL Legislative Request Form Committee: City Development & Planning Committee Date: Monday, April 01, 2019 From: Andrew Koldin Subject Sale of 1821 Broadway Background Info: Evaluation/Analysis Recommendation Friday, March 29, 2019 11  SCHENECTADY CITY COUNCIL Legislative Request Form Committee: City Development & Planning Committee Date: Monday, April 01, 2019 From: Andrew Koldin Subject Sale of 219 Linden Street Background Info: Evaluation/Analysis Recommendation Friday, March 29, 2019 12  SCHENECTADY CITY COUNCIL Legislative Request Form Committee: City Development & Planning Committee Date: Monday, April 01, 2019 From: Andrew Koldin Subject Sale of 34 Steuben Street Background Info: Evaluation/Analysis Recommendation 13  SCHENECTADY CITY COUNCIL Legislative Request Form Committee: City Development & Planning Committee Date: Monday, April 01, 2019 From: Andrew Koldin Subject Sale of 837 Grant Avenue Background Info: Evaluation/Analysis Recommendation Friday, March 29, 2019 14  SCHENECTADY CITY COUNCIL Legislative Request Form Committee: City Development & Planning Committee Date: Monday, April 01, 2019 From: Andrew Koldin Subject Sale of 1719 Albany Street Background Info: Evaluation/Analysis Recommendation Friday, March 29, 2019 15  SCHENECTADY CITY COUNCIL Legislative Request Form Committee: City Development & Planning Committee Date: Monday, April 01, 2019 From: Andrew Koldin Subject Sale of 115-117 Duane Avenue Background Info: Evaluation/Analysis Recommendation Friday, March 29, 2019 16  SCHENECTADY CITY COUNCIL Legislative Request Form Committee: City Development & Planning Committee Date: Monday, April 01, 2019 From: Andrew Koldin Subject Sale of 343 Germania Avenue Background Info: Evaluation/Analysis Recommendation Friday, March 29, 2019 17  SCHENECTADY CITY COUNCIL Legislative Request Form Committee: City Development & Planning Committee Date: Monday, April 01, 2019 From: Subject Sale of 1218 Webster Street Background Info: Evaluation/Analysis Recommendation Friday, March 29, 2019 18  SCHENECTADY CITY COUNCIL Legislative Request Form Committee: Claims Committee Date: Monday, April 01, 2019 From: Meaghan Fitzpatrick Subject Property Claim Harris Background Info: Evaluation/Analysis Recommendation Friday, March 29, 2019 19  SCHENECTADY CITY COUNCIL Legislative Request Form Committee: Claims Committee Date: Monday, April 01, 2019 From: Meaghan Fitzpatrick Subject Property Claim Dearing Background Info: Evaluation/Analysis Recommendation Friday, March 29, 2019 20  SCHENECTADY CITY COUNCIL Legislative Request Form Committee: Government Operations Committee Date: Monday, April 01, 2019 From: Vince Riggi Subject Crime Victims Month Background Info: Draft resolution in folder Evaluation/Analysis Recommendation Friday, March 29, 2019 21