City Council Committees

SCHENECTADY CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE AGENDA for Tuesday, July 5, 2022 5:30 p.m. Room 110 The Council President reserves the right to add or delete any agenda item prior to Committee Meeting. Finance 1 Discussion – City Towing Service Request for Proposal Mike Seber CPH – Amending the Code of the City of Schenectady Section 248-101-c Regarding Redeeming Mike Seber 2 of Off Road Vehicles Public Safety 1 Civilian Police Review Board Appointment Gary R. McCarthy Marion Porterfield / 2 Discussion - Installing Speed Humps Chris Wallin Government Operations 1 Discussion – Filling Vacant Positions on the City Workforce Marion Porterfield 2 Appointment to the Capital Region Land Bank Board Marion Porterfield City Development & Planning Revocable Licensing Agreement with Indira Persaud for a Patio and Handicapped Accessible Chris Wallin 1 Ramp at 1570 State Street 2 Discussion – Hosting Quarterly City Council Meetings Outside of City Hall – Follow-up Carl Williams 3 Discussion – Rent Stabilization Damonni Farley Amendment to the Collective Bargaining Agreement (2019-2024) with Fire Fighters Union Andrew Koldin 4 Local 28 IAFF, AFL-CIO Related to Step 8 and Step 10 5 Sale of 411 Summit Avenue Maurice Brown, III 6 Sale of 553 Mumford Street Maurice Brown, III 7 Sale of 591 Lansing Street Maurice Brown, III 8 Sale of 1041 Glendale Place, Vacant Lot Maurice Brown, III 9 Sale of 1045 Glendale Place Maurice Brown, III Friday, July 01, 2022 1  CITY OF SCHENECTADY LEGISLATION REQUEST FORM COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT: Public Safety DATE: July 5, 2022 TO: COUNCILMEMBERS FROM: Assistant Chief Michael Seber SUBJECT: City Towing Service Request for Proposal Discussion Background Information: The Police Department, along with the Finance Department and Corporation Counsel have updated the “City Towing Services” contract in anticipation of issuing a new request for proposal. The draft proposal (see attached) updates the prior contract with changes that make the contract stronger for the City and the services provided. This request is for the discussion of the draft proposal. Recommendation: The Police Department recommends issuing the new draft proposal to a request for proposals. LEGISLATION WILL BE PREPARED BY: Assistant Chief Michael Seber 2  CITY OF SCHENECTADY LEGISLATION REQUEST FORM COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT: Public Safety DATE: July 5, 2022 TO: COUNCILMEMBERS FROM: Assistant Chief Michael Seber SUBJECT: Call for a Public Hearing to revise City Code 248-101-c Redeeming of Off -Road Vehicles Background Information: In relationship to the City’s Towing Services contract proposal, the Police Department is recommending that City Code 248-101-c Redeeming of Off-Road Vehicles be changed from its present language, which sets specific fees for towing and storage of off-road vehicles, to “fees will be set by Resolution”. This will allow changes to be made as needed to the fee structure within City Code 248-101-c as the City Council sees fit. This change called for a public hearing to be held to change City Code 248-101-c. Recommendation: The Police Department recommends holding a public hearing to make the above changes to the City Code. LEGISLATION WILL BE PREPARED BY: Assistant Chief Michael Seber 3  CITY OF SCHENECTADY LEGISLATION REQUEST FORM COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT: Public Safety Committee DATE: June 21, 2022 TO: COUNCILMEMBERS FROM: Mayor Gary McCarthy SUBJECT: Civilian Police Review Board Appointment Background Information: Mayor Gary McCarthy has appointed Deneen Palmateer to serve on the City of Schenectady Civilian Police Review Board pursuant to Chapter 93-3 of the Code of the City of Schenectady and subject to confirmation by the City Council. Additional background attached. Evaluation/Analysis: The Civilian Police Review Board consists of nine members and one member’s term is about to end. Ms. Palmateer has been recommended bt the Capital Region Chamber to replace Mr. Dagastino. Recommendation: The City Council confirm this appointment pursuant to Chapter 93-3 of the Code of the City of Schenectady. LEGISLATION WILL BE PREPARED BY_____________________LAW________ 4 5 6 7 8  CITY OF SCHENECTADY LEGISLATIVE REQUEST FORM COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT: Government Operations DATE7/05/2022 TO: City Council FROM: Council President Marion Porterfield SUBJECT: Discussion - Filling Vacant Positions on City workforce Background Information: Many City departments are understaffed. There were 20 vacant positions posted this week. Evaluation/Analysis: The City has $4,618,553 available in ARPA funds to fill vacant positions. Recommendation: The City Council work with Mayor to consider options in creating a plan to fill vacant positions. LEGISLATION WILL BE PREPARED BY _____ 9  CITY OF SCHENECTADY LEGISLATION REQUEST FORM COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT: Public Safety Committee DATE: June 30, 2022 TO: COUNCILMEMBERS FROM: Council President Marion Porterfield SUBJECT: Capital Region Land Bank Board Appointment Background Information: The Capital Region Land Bank is a 501 C (3) nonprofit created by Inter-municipal agreement between the Cities of Schenectady and Amsterdam and Schenectady County, administered by the Schenectady Metroplex Development Authority. The chair of the board of the Capital Region Land Bank is requesting reappointment of board member Joe Berlant whose term expired on April 22, 2022. Evaluation/Analysis: The Capital Region Land Bank Board is made up of seven members. Mr. Berlant serves as the Treasurer. This is a City Council appointment. Recommendation: The City Council confirm this reappointment. LEGISLATION WILL BE PREPARED BY_____________________LAW________  Ten Years of Land Banking MISSION STATEMENT Strengthen neighborhoods by mitigating blight through the improvement of existing structures and by returning vacant and abandoned property to productive use.  Board of Directors Name Position Represents Appointed Richard Ruzzo Chair City of Schenectady City Council Bob Martin Vice Chair City Amsterdam Common Council Joseph Berlant Treasurer City of Schenectady City Council Richard Patierne Secretary Schenectady County Legislature Bob DiCaprio City of Amsterdam Common Council Kristin Diotte City of Schenectady Mayor McCarthy Kathleen Rooney Schenectady County Legislature “Tool in the Toolbox” Administered by unified economic and community development team since 2016: • Schenectady Metroplex Development Authority • Building off $1B revitalized downtown • A corridor approach to neighborhood stabilization Hamilton Hill Neighborhood Demolition and Support for $85MM The Community Builders – Hillside View and Crossings Electric City Barn Schenectady County Library Branch on Blighted Site DePaul’s Joseph Allen Apartments Craig Street Complete Street Plan Cocoa House Expansion  Eastern Avenue Neighborhood 25+ demolitions 10+ renovations Tribute Park The Nott: 101 Nott Terrace Vale Park Improvements 839 Eastern Ave New Construction Rethink 2-Family: with SEAT Center 760 Eastern Renaissance 110 Prospect Square (St. Mary’s)  Mont Pleasant Neighborhood Mont Pleasant Library Boys and Girls Club Land Bank/City Demo/Reno BCNI/NYS Main St Program 50 buildings Wallingford Park Splash Pad Orchard Park Planned Mosaic Apartments Crane Street “Engine Hill” (DePaul) - $22MM Thriving Neigh. Challenge Habitat for Humanity  Twenty-two vacant and blighted properties demolished City of Amsterdam Full renovations with Amsterdam Housing Authority East End Neighborhood Veddersburg Apartments plan to open in 2022 with 62 units, 15 of which have ADA accessibility and 3 with hearing and vision accessibility. Results Almost $10 mm of neighborhood improvement grants Partnered on 200+ demolitions 250 units of housing created/planned $100 mm + leveraged investment Emergences of refocused housing partner More to Come! 11  CITY OF SCHENECTADY LEGISLATION REQUEST FORM COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT: DATE: June 30, 2022 TO: COUNCILMEMBERS FROM: Councilman Carl Williams SUBJECT: Hosting quarterly City Council meetings outside of City Hall – Follow-up discussion Background Information: City Council meeting attendance is relatively low on a routine basis due. Evaluation/Analysis: Recent COVID social distancing and government mandates may have affected public turnout, but alternative approaches should still be reviewed to safely increase community involvement. Recommendation: Discussion proposed topic of “rent stabilization” and identifying potential locations/logistical issues. LEGISLATION WILL BE PREPARED BY: LAW DEPARTMENT 12  CITY OF SCHENECTADY LEGISLATION REQUEST FORM COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT: DATE: 6/30/22 TO: COUNCILMEMBERS FROM: Councilman Farley SUBJECT: Discussion on rent stabilization Background Information: The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that inflation accelerated by 8.6% in May, driven largely by rising fuel, food, and shelter costs. Further, the bureau reports that year over year food costs have increased 10.1%, and energy costs gone up 34.6%. The annual increase in shelter costs 5.5% is the greatest gain since February 1991. A Washington Post article using data from national real estate research firm CoStar estimated an average rent increase of 9.8% in Schenectady County between 2019 and April 2022. Evaluation/Analysis: Increases in housing, food and gasoline costs disproportionately impact our most economically vulnerable citizens – particularly working families, veterans, senior citizens and all those living on fixed incomes. Recommendation: City Council should discuss how increases in cost of living have impacted our most vulnerable residents with regard to the ability to pay rent and buy food and possible resolutions to these problems. these issues LEGISLATION WILL BE PREPARED BY_____________________ 13  SCHENECTADY CITY COUNCIL Legislative Request Form Committee: City Development & Planning Committee Date: Tuesday, July 05, 2022 From: Andrew Koldin Subject Amendment to the Collective Bargaining Agreement (2019-2024) with Fire Fighters Union Local 28 IAFF, AFL-CIO Related to Step 8 and Step 10 Background Info: Evaluation/Analysis Recommendation Friday, July 01, 2022 14  CITY OF SCHENECTADY LEGISLATION REQUEST FORM COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT: City Development & Planning DATE: 07/05/22 TO: COUNCIL MEMBERS FROM: Development SUBJECT: Sale of 411 Summit Avenue Background Information: Evaluation/Analysis: Recommendation: LEGISLATION WILL BE PREPARED BY Development 15  CITY OF SCHENECTADY LEGISLATION REQUEST FORM COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT: City Development & Planning DATE: 07/05/22 TO: COUNCIL MEMBERS FROM: Development SUBJECT: Sale of 553 Mumford Street Background Information: Evaluation/Analysis: Recommendation: LEGISLATION WILL BE PREPARED BY Development 16  CITY OF SCHENECTADY LEGISLATION REQUEST FORM COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT: City Development & Planning DATE: 07/05/22 TO: COUNCIL MEMBERS FROM: Development SUBJECT: Sale of 591 Lansing Street Background Information: Evaluation/Analysis: Recommendation: LEGISLATION WILL BE PREPARED BY Development 17  CITY OF SCHENECTADY LEGISLATION REQUEST FORM COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT: City Development & Planning DATE: 07/05/22 TO: COUNCIL MEMBERS FROM: Development SUBJECT: Sale of Vacant lot, 1041 Glendale Place Background Information: Evaluation/Analysis: Recommendation: LEGISLATION WILL BE PREPARED BY Development 18  CITY OF SCHENECTADY LEGISLATION REQUEST FORM COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT: City Development & Planning DATE: 07/05/22 TO: COUNCIL MEMBERS FROM: Development SUBJECT: Sale of 1045 Glendale Place Background Information: Evaluation/Analysis: Recommendation: LEGISLATION WILL BE PREPARED BY Development 19