City Council Committees

SCHENECTADY CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE AGENDA for Tuesday, July 6, 2021 5:30 p.m. Room 110 The Council President reserves the right to add or delete any agenda item prior to Committee Meeting. City Development & Planning CPH – Amending the 2020-2021 Annual Action Plan and Call for a 30-Day Public Comment 1 Kristin Diotte Period 2 ABAC Furnishing Supplies and Equipment 2021 for the Water Department Paul Lafond 3 ABAC for the “Forest and Francis Intersection Improvements” to Callanan Industries Chris Wallin 4 Discussion – Accepting Ownership of Barrett Village Lane (PH held on 6/28/2021) Marion Porterfield Assignment of Interest in 129 Edison Avenue to Schenectady Metroplex Development Authority 5 Andrew Koldin or Land Reutilization Corporation of the Capital Region 6 Sale of 828 Lincoln Avenue Maurice Brown, III Finance 1 Police Department Budget Amendment Mike Seber 2 Gary McCarthy / Discussion – Federal Funding Update John Mootooveren 3 Gary McCarthy / Discussion – Union Contract Negotiations John Mootooveren Public Safety 1 Discussion – Police Calls to Convenient Stores / Point System Follow-up John Mootooveren 2 Discussion – Central Parkway Sidewalk Petition Follow-up John Mootooveren 3 Discussion – Spot Speed Camera Enforcement Technology Follow-up John Polimeni 4 Traffic Signage Follow-up John Polimeni 5 Reminder – Amending Chapter 28-2 of the Code of the City of Schenectady Relating to the John Mootooveren Place and Time of Regular Meetings (Public Hearing will be on 7-12-21) Health & Recreation 1 Discussion – Anti-littering Campaign Follow-up John Polimeni Government Operations 1 Appointment to the City of Schenectady Planning Commission Gary McCarthy Friday, July 02, 2021 1  CITY OF SCHENECTADY LEGISLATIVE REQUEST FORM COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT: DATE: July 1, 2021 TO: City Council FROM: Kristin Diotte, Director of Development SUBJECT: Call for a 30-Day public Comment Period and Public Hearing on Amending the 2020-2021 Annual Action Plan. Background Information: The 2020-2024 consolidated plan prioritized housing needs and the creation of affordable rental opportunities for the City of Schenectady with a priority given the NRSA. The City of Schenectady allocated $100,000 to Better Neighborhoods Inc. to convert a vacant city-owned property into rental units in the 2018-2019 Annual Action Plan and an additional $136,000 in the 2019-2020 Annual Action Plan for the same purpose. Due to transitions within the organization and the merger between BNI and Community Land Trust, these activities never took place. The merged entity Better Community Neighborhoods Inc. intends to partner with Home Leasing to convert the Elmer Avenue School into affordable senior apartments. Evaluation/Analysis: It is necessary to implement of the goals from the 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan in the NRSA and to prioritize the creation of affordable rental units in the City of Schenectady. Reallocating funding to the Elmer Gardens project will assist with this goal. Recommendation: The Schenectady City Council open a 30-day public comment period and hold a Public Hearing on July 26, 2021 to Amend the 2020-2021 Annual Action Plan to include $236,000 of HOME funds for the conversion of the vacant Elmer Avenue School to an affordable senior apartments. LEGISLATION WILL BE PREPARED BY _______Law Department________ 2  - EASTERN AVENUE REDEVELOPMENT PLAN 6 TO DOWNTOWN 9 1 UNION AVE 10 H <1MI Less than 1 mile 6 5 AMTRACK TRAIN STATION <1MI 1 MOVIE THEATER 3 12 PL PROCTOR'S THEATER 5 2 1 4 FARMER'S MARKING (indoor) SIT CITY HALL TE PL Y BANKS R EA ER PRESCHOOL TT STE SO 2 RN N URGENT CARE AV UN NO 2 E 1 CK 3 IV AV GROCERIES 1 E 6 3 JA PA EL UN RK LA ION 1 2 ST VE 4 5 WIN DSO WE RT 2 ND ER 3 ELMER 6, 7 GARDENS 3 ST 6 5 CT PRO SPE 7 1 ST 8 4 7 EA ST VD IRV 3 ER 8 4 AV L ING N AV 4 E 2 D B E IS O 3 O MO W RENAISSANCE SQUARE 5 RR A RK P 9 2 10 SRDI/ ENTERPRISE 13 EA ST ER 4, 5, 5, 6 VALE PARK 1 NA 6, 7 VE ST NORTH BIA LU VE 7 M CO RA EL 8 ME 2 VALE NEIGHBORHOOD 5449 * SEE LEGEND ON BACK 4 11 1 3  LEGEND MISSION CHURCHES: EDUCATION AND CHILD CARE: NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION STRATEGY AREA OBJECTIVE 1. St. John the Evangelist Parish 1. Union College 2. Tabernacle of New Hope 2. Clarkson University Capital Region Campus -Reduce Vacancy Rates & Blight 3. Union Presbyterian Church/ Schenectady Inner City Mission 3. miSci - Museum of Innovation and Science -Increase Homeownership Rates 4. State St Presbyterian Church 4. Lovest WeeCare -Increase Rates of Educational Attainment & Employment 5. Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church 5. Little Ones Montessori School -Increase Home Values & Median Income 6. Calvary Orthodox Presbyterian Church 6. Little Ones Too, Inc <1/2mi - Daycare 7. Faith United Methodist Church - 1/2mi 7. Schenectady High School - 1/2mi CITY OF SCHENECTADY 2020-2024 CONSOLIDATED PLAN 8. Belanger School of Nursing - 1mi GROCERY/ CONVENIENCE: -Create Housing Opportunities 1. Stewart's Shop BUS STOPS -Expand Economic & Workforce Development 2. Schenectady Farmer's Market (indoors) - 1/2mi -Strengthen Local Neighborhoods 3. Eastern Avenue Grocery MEDICAL: 4. CVS - 1/2mi 1. Planned Parenthood - 1mi 5. Walgreen's - 1/2mi 2. Ellis McClellen Street Health Center - 1/2mi CURRENT PROJECTS 6. Market 32 - 1/2mi 7. Family Dollar - 1/2mi RESTAURANTS: PREVIOUS WORK SMALL SMALLRENTAL DEVELOPMENT RENTAL INITIATIVE/ DEVELOPMENT ENTERPRISE INITIATIVE/ ENTERPRISE -Three (3) New Construction, two-bedroom family rental units 1. Denny's 2. Mangino's Gourmet Market -One (1) rehab homeownership opportunity PREVIOUS CAPITAL REGION LAND BANK PROJECTS: -2021 Anticipated completion. 3. Adeeb's Deli and Grocery 4. Taj Mahal Restaurant ~$1 Million Total Development Cost 1. 2 Nott Terrace Heights - Raised to increase green space Potential sources: HOME, Enterprise, Schenectady Land Bank, First Time Home Buyers Down Payment Assistance 5. Roy's Caribbean Restaurant and Sports Bar - 1/2mi 2. 722 Eastern - Raised to increase green space 6. Triple T Restaurant and Roti - 1/2mi 3. 730-732 Eastern - Renovations 4. 760 Eastern - Renovation with Habitat for Humanity RENAISSANCE RENAISSANCE SQUARE SQUARE PARKS/ RECREATION: 5. 764 Eastern - Renovation 1. Vale Park 6. 99 Prospect St - Renovation with SEAT Center -55 affordable housing rental units 2. Tribute Park and Splash Pad 7. Arket Electric - Update with Metroplex -Expected to be fully leased by July 2021 8. 839-843 Eastern - Raised to allow for New Construction ~$19.9 Million Total Development Cost # SOCIAL SERVICES: partnered with BCNI Sources: NYS HCR Community Investment Fund, Schenectady Land Bank, Historic Tax Credits, Low Income 1. Catholic Charities 9. 854 Eastern - Renovation Housing Tax Credits, Deferred Developer Fee 2. Schenectady County Aging Office 10. Tribute Park - Raised for new green space 3. Agri Business Child Development 4. Schenectady Inner City Ministry's Food Distribution Center METROPLEX RESTORE NY FUNDED PROJECTS (2016): ELMER ELMERGARDENS GARDENS 5. Center for Disability Services 6. New Choices Bridge Center - Substance Abuse Recovery 1. 739 Eastern - Grant towards cost of renovation by -School Conversion: 7. Capital District DSO Mohawk Realty Partners -Approximately 51 rental units for seniors 8. Family & Child Services 2. 764 1/2 Eastern - Grant towards cost of renovation by -Schematic Design Phase 9. Schenectady Veterans < 1/2mi Mohawk Realty Partners -Preparing for a winter 9% tax credit application 10. Disabled American Veterans 3. Former St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church Complex -2021 – 2022 projected construction 11. Schenectady Community Action Plan - 1mi -Renovation and Historic Preservation -Infill Home Ownership: 12. Schenectady Works of City Mission- Career Counseling 4. 845 Eastern - Asbestos removal allowing for home -Approximately 5 affordable home ownership opportunities adjacent to Elmer Gardens 13. Mohawk Opportunities Act Team <1/2mi renovation -Ideally construction will coincide with Elmer Gardens to gain economies of scale - Mental Health and Homeless Counseling 5. Former Copper Keg - Grant for cost of asbestos removal Potential sources: Enterprise Foundation, Affordable Housing Corporation, SONYMA CRF Grant Funding, to allow for sale and renovation by Land Bank City HOME, Permanent Financing, First Time Home Buyer Down Payment Assistance ANTICIPATED OUTCOMES TO COORDINATED INVESTMENT + Create diverse housing options, including homeownership, rental and land trust model of homeownership, to stabilize the neighborhood and increase tenancy. +Integrate housing counseling and financial literacy into the overall redevelopment strategy to ensure successful, long-term homeownership. +Draw investment from downtown up through the Eastern Avenue Corridor to strengthen local businesses and reduce blight. +Leverage future funding opportunities into this area. 4 July 1, 2021 Mayor McCarthy City of Schenectady 105 Jay Street Schenectady, NY 12305 RE: BCNI Reallocation Request to Elmer Gardens Dear Mayor McCarthy, I am writing to request the reallocation of $236,000 of HOME dollars from the creation of rental housing of City owned foreclosed properties to the creation of rental housing through the historic school conversion of the Elmer Avenue school. The funding will be used for hard costs of the redevelopment effort. This reallocation will make our tax credit application more competitive, leveraging additional state funding and tax credit equity into the development effort and demonstrate significant local support to the state. Elmer Gardens is a senior housing development within the historic Elmer Avenue Elementary School in Schenectady, NY. The project will historically rehabilitate and adaptively reuse the school to create 51 affordable apartments for seniors (8 studios, 40 one-bedrooms, and 3 two-bedrooms). The development will include amenities such as on-site laundry, community room, bike racks, garden patio with outdoor recreational space designed for seniors, fitness room, dog washing station, bike storage, central elevator, and 25 parking spaces. In addition, our development partner, Home Leasing will be conveying three vacant parcels to Better Community Neighborhoods, Inc. (BCNI) to develop into homeownership opportunities for eligible first-time homebuyers. In addition to Home Leasing, BCNI will partner with Schenectady Community Action Program (SCAP) in service provision to our senior families living at Elmer Gardens. SCAP will provide all necessary support to seniors to ensure they can live independent well into the future. Home Leasing and BCNI have had a strong and meaningful impact in the Eastern Avenue Neighborhood. As referenced in the enclosed BCNI’s Eastern Avenue Redevelopment Map, Elmer Gardens will help BCNI fulfill their mission and meet their anticipated outcomes for the neighborhood. Bringing use back to the vacant Elmer Elementary School will “reduce vacancy rates and blight” (p. 2). Affordable senior housing will “create diverse housing options…to stabilize the neighborhood and increase tenancy,” “draw investment from downtown up through the Eastern Avenue Corridor to strengthen local businesses and reduce blight,” and “leverage future funding opportunities into this area” (p. 2). Though outside the scope of this funding application, the three parcels to be conveyed to BCNI will be developed concurrent to Elmer Gardens and will provide approximately five affordable home ownership opportunities, which will help BCNI meet their objectives of increasing homeownership rates, home values, and median income. The map on page 1 associated with the plan clearly illustrates the success of the efforts of Schenectady stakeholders overall. Community efforts 670 Franklin Street, Schenectady, NY 12305 518.372.7616 5 have yielded ten previous Capital Region Land Bank projects and five previous Metroplex Restore NY funded projects. BCNI is currently helping advance four new rental properties including Home Leasing’s 55-unit Renaissance Square project nearing construction completion, and the proposed Elmer Gardens development. Together, we have been able to accomplish much work in our neighborhoods. I look forward to deepening our partnership to benefit more neighborhoods in Schenectady in meaningful ways. Thank you in advance for your consideration. Sincerely, Jennica Huff Chief Executive Officer Better Community Neighborhoods, Inc. Cc: Kristin Diotte, City of Schenectady Dan Gray, City of Schenectady Enclosures: Eastern Avenue Redevelopment Map 670 Franklin Street, Schenectady, NY 12305 518.372.7616 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15  SCHENECTADY CITY COUNCIL Legislative Request Form Committee: City Development & Planning Committee Date: Tuesday, July 06, 2021 From: Marion Porterfield Subject Discussion - Accepting Ownership of Barrett Village Lane (Public Hearing was Held on June 28, 2021) Background Info: Public Hearing was on June 28, 2021. One comment from P.D. Voorhis regarding allowing ownership of the street to investors and management partners. Evaluation/Analysis Recommendation Friday, July 02, 2021 16  SCHENECTADY CITY COUNCIL Legislative Request Form Committee: City Development & Planning Committee Date: Tuesday, July 06, 2021 From: Andrew Koldin Subject Authorizing the Assignment and Interest 129 Edison Avenue Background Info: Evaluation/Analysis Recommendation Friday, July 02, 2021 17  CITY OF SCHENECTADY LEGISLATION REQUEST FORM COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT: City Development & Planning DATE: 07/06/21 TO: COUNCIL MEMBERS FROM: Development SUBJECT: Sale of 828 Lincoln Avenue Background Information: Evaluation/Analysis: Recommendation: LEGISLATION WILL BE PREPARED BY Development 18 19 20 21  SCHENECTADY CITY COUNCIL Legislative Request Form Committee: Finance Committee Date: Tuesday, July 06, 2021 From: Gary McCarthy / John Mooto Subject Discussion - Federal Funding Update Background Info: Evaluation/Analysis Recommendation Friday, July 02, 2021 22  SCHENECTADY CITY COUNCIL Legislative Request Form Committee: Finance Committee Date: Tuesday, July 06, 2021 From: Gary McCarthy / John Mooto Subject Discussion - Union Contract Negotiations Background Info: Evaluation/Analysis Recommendation Friday, July 02, 2021 23  SCHENECTADY CITY COUNCIL Legislative Request Form Committee: Public Safety Committee Date: Tuesday, July 06, 2021 From: John Mootooveren Subject Disussion - Police Calls to Convenient Stores / Point System Follow-up Background Info: Evaluation/Analysis Recommendation Friday, July 02, 2021 24  SCHENECTADY CITY COUNCIL Legislative Request Form Committee: Public Safety Committee Date: Tuesday, July 06, 2021 From: John Mootooveren Subject Discussion - Central Parkway Sidewalk Petition Follow-up Background Info: Evaluation/Analysis Recommendation Friday, July 02, 2021 25  SCHENECTADY CITY COUNCIL Legislative Request Form Committee: Public Safety Committee Date: Tuesday, July 06, 2021 From: John Polimeni Subject Discussion - Spot Speed Camera Enforcement Technology Follow-up Background Info: Evaluation/Analysis Recommendation Friday, July 02, 2021 26  SCHENECTADY CITY COUNCIL Legislative Request Form Committee: Public Safety Committee Date: Tuesday, July 06, 2021 From: John Polimeni Subject Discussion - Traffic Signage Follow-up Background Info: Evaluation/Analysis Recommendation Friday, July 02, 2021 27  SCHENECTADY CITY COUNCIL Legislative Request Form Committee: Public Safety Committee Date: Tuesday, July 06, 2021 From: Marion Porterfield Subject Reminder - Amending Chapter 28-2 of the Code of the City of Schenectady Relating to the Place and Time of Regular Meetings (Public Hearing will be on 7-12-21) Background Info: Evaluation/Analysis Recommendation Friday, July 02, 2021 28  SCHENECTADY CITY COUNCIL Legislative Request Form Committee: Health & Recreation Committee Date: Tuesday, July 06, 2021 From: John Polimeni Subject Discussion - Anti-littering Campaign Follow-up Background Info: Evaluation/Analysis Recommendation Friday, July 02, 2021 29  SCHENECTADY CITY COUNCIL Legislative Request Form Committee: Government Operations Committee Date: Tuesday, July 06, 2021 From: Gary McCarthy Subject Appointment to the City of Schenectady Planning Commission Background Info: Evaluation/Analysis Recommendation Friday, July 02, 2021 30 31 32