City Council Committees

SCHENECTADY CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE AGENDA for Monday, November 20, 2023 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 Presentation – 2024 DSAD / DSIC Budget (PH will be on 11-27-2023) John Mootooveren 2 Presentation – 2024 Upper Union Street BID (PH will be on 11-27-2023) John Mootooveren Carl Williams / 3 Increasing the Maximum Income for New York’s Real Property Tax Exemption Molly MacElroy 4 HVAC Maintenance & Repair – 2023 Paul Lafond 5 Rose Garden Restoration Committee – Potential Reimbursement of Expenses Anthony Ferrari City Development & Planning 1 Follow-up: ARPA Contracts Alexandria Carver 2 CR – Schenectady County Honor-A-Veteran, Raymond C. Zanta Marion Porterfield 3 Sale of 1908 Avenue B Maurice Brown, III 4 Sale of a Vacant Lot on Avenue B (SBL#: 39.36-4-18.2) Maurice Brown, III 5 Sale of a Vacant Lot at 929 Cutler Street Maurice Brown, III 6 Sale of a Vacant Lot at 1419 Broadway Maurice Brown, III Public Safety 1 Drug Screen Policy Donald Mareno 2 Firefighter Trainee Donald Mareno 1  SCHENECTADY CITY COUNCIL Legislative Request Form Committee: Finance Committee Date: Monday, November 20, 2023 From: John Mootooveren Subject Presentation - 2024 DSAD / DSIC Budget - (PH will be on 11-27-23) Background Info: Public hearing will be held on November 27, 2023. Evaluation/Analysis Recommendation Friday, November 17, 2023 2 3 4 5  SCHENECTADY CITY COUNCIL Legislative Request Form Committee: Finance Committee Date: Monday, November 20, 2023 From: John Mootooveren Subject Presentation - 2024 Upper Union Street BID - (PH will be on 11-27-23) Background Info: Public hearing will be held on November 27, 2023. Evaluation/Analysis Recommendation Friday, November 17, 2023 6  BUDGET | 2024 INCOME Annual City Assessment.............................................................................................. $46,100.00 EXPENSE Personnel / Contractor...................................................................................................... $14,000.00 Executive Director..............................................................................$12,000.00 Marketing Consultant........................................................................$1,000.00 Accounting / CPA Fees.......................................................................$1,000.00 Advertising........................................................................................................................ $5,000.00 Entertainment................................................................................................................... $4,000.00 Tree Lighting..................................................................................... $2,000.00 Trick or Treat …………………………………………………………………………………$2,000.00 Landscaping.................................................................................................................. $4,000.00 Beautification.................................................................................................................... $5,000.00 Holiday Decorations........................................................................................................ $1,500.00 Meetings.......................................................................................................................... $1,500.00 Refreshments.................................................................................... $600.00 Misc………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… $1,300.00 Wire fee………………………………………………………………………………………… $70.00 NY fees…………………………………………………………………………………………..$50.00 Dues and Subscriptions…………………………………………………………………. $400.00 Quickbooks…………………………………………………………………………………….$180.00 Office Supplies……………………………………………………………………………….$250.00 Printing…………………………………………………………………………………………. $250.00 Incidenals……………………………………………………………………………………… $100.00 Liability / D&O Insurance.................................................................................................. $1,700.00 Snow Removal.................................................................................................................. $6,000.00 Scholarships....................................................................................................................... $2,000.00 7  CITY OF SCHENECTADY LEGISLATIVE REQUEST FORM COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT: DATE: November 17, 2023 TO: City Council Members FROM: Councilman Carl Williams SUBJECT: Increase the amount of income property owners may earn for the purpose of eligibility for the property tax exemption for persons over sixty-five years of age and persons with disabilities and limited income – Bills S3085Aand A39556A Background Information: In 2022 the New State Senate and Assembly passed Bill S3085A and A3956A amending the Real Property Tax Law. Section 1 amends real property tax law section 467 (3)(a) to raise the maximum income eligibility for seniors to obtain a real property tax exemption from $29,000 to $50,000 beginning July 1, 2022. Section 2 amends real property tax law section 459- c (5) (a), to raise the maximum income eligibility for the disabled to obtain a real property tax exemption from $29,000 to $50,000 beginning July 1, 2022 Evaluation/Analysis: New York State has a growing number of low-income seniors on fixed incomes and persons with disabilities who have limited income who are faced with ever increasing property taxes making it difficult for them to continue to live in and maintain their own homes. To lessen the burden of ever-increasing property taxes this bill provides them with much needed relief by allowing local governments the option to raise the maximum income eligibility limit for the Senior Citizen Real Property Tax Exemption program and the Persons with Disabilities Real Property Tax Exemption from the current $37,399.99 to $50,000. The maximum income eligibility for these exemptions has not been raised since 2009. This bill would help some of New York's most vulnerable citizens stay in their homes and remain in their communities. Recommendation: The City Council pass necessary legislation to increase income eligibility limit for the Senior Citizen Real Property Tax Exemption program and Persons with Disabilities Real Property Tax Exemption from $37,399.99 to an amount as recommend by City Assessor. WILL BE PREPARED BY_____LAW DEPARTMENT_________ 8  STATE OF NEW YORK ________________________________________________________________________ 3085--A 2021-2022 Regular Sessions IN SENATE January 27, 2021 ___________ Introduced by Sen. STEWART-COUSINS -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Aging -- recom- mitted to the Committee on Aging in accordance with Senate Rule 6, sec. 8 -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee AN ACT to amend the real property tax law, in relation to increasing the amount of income property owners may earn for the purpose of eligibil- ity for the property tax exemption for persons sixty-five years of age or over and for persons with disabilities and limited income The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem- bly, do enact as follows: 1 Section 1. Paragraph (a) of subdivision 3 of section 467 of the real 2 property tax law, as amended by chapter 558 of the laws of 2021, is 3 amended to read as follows: 4 (a) if the income of the owner or the combined income of the owners of 5 the property for the income tax year immediately preceding the date of 6 making application for exemption exceeds the sum of three thousand 7 dollars, or such other sum not less than three thousand dollars nor more 8 than twenty-six thousand dollars beginning July first, two thousand six, 9 twenty-seven thousand dollars beginning July first, two thousand seven, 10 twenty-eight thousand dollars beginning July first, two thousand eight, 11 twenty-nine thousand dollars beginning July first, two thousand nine, 12 fifty thousand dollars beginning July first, two thousand twenty-two, 13 and in a city with a population of one million or more fifty thousand 14 dollars beginning July first, two thousand seventeen, as may be provided 15 by the local law, ordinance or resolution adopted pursuant to this 16 section. Where the taxable status date is on or before April fourteenth, 17 income tax year shall mean the twelve-month period for which the owner 18 or owners filed a federal personal income tax return for the year before 19 the income tax year immediately preceding the date of application and 20 where the taxable status date is on or after April fifteenth, income tax EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets [ ] is old law to be omitted. LBD01417-02-2 9  S. 3085--A 2 1 year shall mean the twelve-month period for which the owner or owners 2 filed a federal personal income tax return for the income tax year imme- 3 diately preceding the date of application. Where title is vested in 4 either the husband or the wife, their combined income may not exceed 5 such sum, except where the husband or wife, or ex-husband or ex-wife is 6 absent from the property as provided in subparagraph (ii) of paragraph 7 (d) of this subdivision, then only the income of the spouse or ex-spouse 8 residing on the property shall be considered and may not exceed such 9 sum. Such income shall include social security and retirement benefits, 10 interest, dividends, total gain from the sale or exchange of a capital 11 asset which may be offset by a loss from the sale or exchange of a capi- 12 tal asset in the same income tax year, net rental income, salary or 13 earnings, and net income from self-employment, but shall not include a 14 return of capital, gifts, inheritances, payments made to individuals 15 because of their status as victims of Nazi persecution, as defined in 16 P.L. 103-286 or monies earned through employment in the federal foster 17 grandparent program and any such income shall be offset by all medical 18 and prescription drug expenses actually paid which were not reimbursed 19 or paid for by insurance, if the governing board of a municipality, 20 after a public hearing, adopts a local law, ordinance or resolution 21 providing therefor. In addition, an exchange of an annuity for an annui- 22 ty contract, which resulted in non-taxable gain, as determined in 23 section one thousand thirty-five of the internal revenue code, shall be 24 excluded from such income. Provided that such exclusion shall be based 25 on satisfactory proof that such an exchange was solely an exchange of an 26 annuity for an annuity contract that resulted in a non-taxable transfer 27 determined by such section of the internal revenue code. Furthermore, 28 such income shall not include the proceeds of a reverse mortgage, as 29 authorized by section six-h of the banking law, and sections two hundred 30 eighty and two hundred eighty-a of the real property law; provided, 31 however, that monies used to repay a reverse mortgage may not be 32 deducted from income, and provided additionally that any interest or 33 dividends realized from the investment of reverse mortgage proceeds 34 shall be considered income. The provisions of this paragraph notwith- 35 standing, such income shall not include veterans disability compen- 36 sation, as defined in Title 38 of the United States Code provided the 37 governing board of such municipality, after public hearing, adopts a 38 local law, ordinance or resolution providing therefor. In computing net 39 rental income and net income from self-employment no depreciation 40 deduction shall be allowed for the exhaustion, wear and tear of real or 41 personal property held for the production of income; 42 § 2. Paragraph (a) of subdivision 5 of section 459-c of the real prop- 43 erty tax law, as amended by chapter 131 of the laws of 2017, is amended 44 to read as follows: 45 (a) if the income of the owner or the combined income of the owners of 46 the property for the income tax year immediately preceding the date of 47 making application for exemption exceeds the sum of three thousand 48 dollars, or such other sum not less than three thousand dollars nor more 49 than twenty-six thousand dollars beginning July first, two thousand six, 50 twenty-seven thousand dollars beginning July first, two thousand seven, 51 twenty-eight thousand dollars beginning July first, two thousand eight, 52 twenty-nine thousand dollars beginning July first, two thousand nine, 53 and fifty thousand dollars beginning July first, two thousand twenty- 54 two, and in a city with a population of one million or more fifty thou- 55 sand dollars beginning July first, two thousand seventeen, as may be 56 provided by the local law or resolution adopted pursuant to this 10  S. 3085--A 3 1 section. Income tax year shall mean the twelve month period for which 2 the owner or owners filed a federal personal income tax return, or if no 3 such return is filed, the calendar year. Where title is vested in either 4 the husband or the wife, their combined income may not exceed such sum, 5 except where the husband or wife, or ex-husband or ex-wife is absent 6 from the property due to divorce, legal separation or abandonment, then 7 only the income of the spouse or ex-spouse residing on the property 8 shall be considered and may not exceed such sum. Such income shall 9 include social security and retirement benefits, interest, dividends, 10 total gain from the sale or exchange of a capital asset which may be 11 offset by a loss from the sale or exchange of a capital asset in the 12 same income tax year, net rental income, salary or earnings, and net 13 income from self-employment, but shall not include a return of capital, 14 gifts, inheritances or monies earned through employment in the federal 15 foster grandparent program and any such income shall be offset by all 16 medical and prescription drug expenses actually paid which were not 17 reimbursed or paid for by insurance, if the governing board of a munici- 18 pality, after a public hearing, adopts a local law or resolution provid- 19 ing therefor. In computing net rental income and net income from self- 20 employment no depreciation deduction shall be allowed for the 21 exhaustion, wear and tear of real or personal property held for the 22 production of income; 23 § 3. This act shall take effect immediately. 11  CITY OF SCHENECTADY LEGISLATION REQUEST FORM COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT: DATE: November 20, 2023 TO: COUNCILMEMBERS FROM: Paul LaFond, Commissioner of General Services SUBJECT: HVAC Maintenance & Repair - 2023 Background Information: To provide and perform maintenance and repair of heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment to City of Schenectady buildings including City Hall, Fire Stations, Police Department, Municipal Golf Course and the Bureau of Service Public Works Garage. Evaluation/Analysis: The services were put out to competitive bid and results show RMB Mechanical Inc. as the lowest responsible bidder with rates of $109.00/hr from 8 am – 4 pm Monday through Friday, $139.00/hr Saturday and $179.00/hr on Sundays and Holidays. Recommendation: Authorize the Mayor to approve a contract with RMB Mechanical, Inc. to provide and perform necessary maintenance and repair of heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment at City of Schenectady facilities. LEGISLATION WILL BE PREPARED BY: Water Department 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24  CITY OF SCHENECTADY LEGISLATIVE REQUEST FORM COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT: HEALTH & RECREATION TO: CITY COUNCIL FROM: ANTHONY FERRARI DATE: NOVEMBER 15.2023 SUBJECT: ROSE GARDEN RESTORATION COMMITTEE – POTENTIAL REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES TO BE PLACED ON COUNCIL COMMITTEE AGENDA OF NOVEMBER 27, 2023 Background Information: In October 2023, the City was contacted by the Rose Garden Restoration Committee requesting, up to the amount of 2023 revenue generated by the Rose Garden, that the City reimburse it for a portion of expenses incurred to maintain the Garden. Last year, the City reimbursed the Committee $5,745 an amount equal to the revenue received by the City in 2022. Evaluation/Analysis: In 2023 $3,670. has been received by the City as a result of events held at the Rose Garden.(Rose Garden $1,795 & Photo’s $1,875) The Rose Garden Restoration Committee has submitted to the City proof of certain expenses that were incurred and paid by the Committee’s to maintain the garden during 2023 The total of those expenses is $3,635.37 Recommendation: I respectfully recommend that the City Council consider the Rose Garden Restoration Committee’s request for reimbursement for work performed in the Garden for an amount not to exceed $3,635.37 . LEGISLATION WILL BE PREPARED BY_______Law Department_________ 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32  SCHENECTADY CITY COUNCIL Legislative Request Form Committee: City Development & Planning Committee Date: Monday, November 20, 2023 From: Alexandria Carver Subject ARPA Updates Background Info: This is a follow-up from December 5, 2022. This discussion is to get an update on time-line for letters of commitments, contracts that were fully funded, and those that have contingencies and what the contingencies are, and the release of funds. Evaluation/Analysis Recommendation Friday, November 17, 2023 33  SCHENECTADY CITY COUNCIL Legislative Request Form Committee: City Development & Planning Committee Date: Monday, November 20, 2023 From: Marion Porterfield Subject CR - Schenectady County Honor-A-Veteran, Raymond C. Zanta Background Info: The Schenectady County Honor-A-Veteran Committee will be holding an award ceremony in December. The awardee will be Raymond C. Zanta (deceased). Evaluation/Analysis Recommendation City Council pass a resolution recognizing veteran, Raymond C. Zanta. Friday, November 17, 2023 34 35 36  CITY OF SCHENECTADY LEGISLATION REQUEST FORM COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT: City Development & Planning DATE: 11/20/23 TO: COUNCIL MEMBERS FROM: Development SUBJECT: Sale of 1908 Avenue B Background Information: Evaluation/Analysis: Recommendation: LEGISLATION WILL BE PREPARED BY Development 37  CITY OF SCHENECTADY LEGISLATION REQUEST FORM COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT: City Development & Planning DATE: 11/20/23 TO: COUNCIL MEMBERS FROM: Development SUBJECT: Sale of Vacant lot, Avenue B (39.36-4-18.2) Background Information: Evaluation/Analysis: Recommendation: LEGISLATION WILL BE PREPARED BY Development 38  CITY OF SCHENECTADY LEGISLATION REQUEST FORM COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT: City Development & Planning DATE: 11/20/23 TO: COUNCIL MEMBERS FROM: Development SUBJECT: Sale of Vacant lot, 929 Cutler Street Background Information: Evaluation/Analysis: Recommendation: LEGISLATION WILL BE PREPARED BY Development 39  CITY OF SCHENECTADY LEGISLATION REQUEST FORM COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT: City Development & Planning DATE: 11/20/23 TO: COUNCIL MEMBERS FROM: Development SUBJECT: Sale of Vacant lot, 1419 Broadway Background Information: Evaluation/Analysis: Recommendation: LEGISLATION WILL BE PREPARED BY Development 40  CITY OF SCHENECTADY LEGISLATION REQUEST FORM COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT: DATE: 11/16/2023 TO: COUNCILMEMBERS FROM: Chief Donald Mareno SUBJECT: Drug Screen Policy Background Information: Per the current Collective Bargaining agreement with Local 28, members of the Fire Department are subject to local random drug screens. The drug test screens for 10 agreed upon substances, one of them being Marijuana Metabolite. The administration proposes to remove Marijuana Metabolite from random testing only. Marijuana Metabolite will continue to be tested for pre-employment candidates and for incidents of cause for current employees. Evaluation/Analysis: Currently, there are no acceptable testing procedures that show impairment from Marijuana Metabolite. It is possible that a person may test positive for Marijuana that they consumed previously but is not impaired at the time of the drug screen. Marijuana like alcohol is a legal substance. The question here is impairment. In order to address the impairment issue, the Fire Department, working with experts in the field, will train its members on impairment detection skills. Recommendation: Until a reliable, acceptable test (similar to alcohol testing) that screens for impairment is available, the Fire Department recommends that random screening for Marijuana Metabolite be discontinued. LEGISLATION WILL BE PREPARED BY_____________________ 41 42 43