City Council Committees

SCHENECTADY CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE AGENDA for Monday, July 15, 2024 5:30 p.m. Room 110 The Council President reserves the right to add or delete any agenda item prior to Committee Meeting. Presentation 1 Addressing the Issue of Speeding in the City Gary McCarthy Government Operations 1 Discussion - City of Schenectady Charter C6-8 Change RE: Operating Budget Deadline Gary McCarthy Reminder - Renaming of City Street: Barrett Village Lane to Luigi Lane (PH will be on 07-22- Chris Wallin 2 24) Finance 1 Reminder - 2024-2025 Annual Action Plan Allocation (PH will be on 7-22-24) Alexandria Carver Authorize the Commissioner of Finance to Deposit the Consolidated Local Street and Highway Chris Wallin Improvement Program (CHIPS), Extreme Winter Recovery (EWR), Pave New York (PaveNY), 2 State Touring Route (STR), and Pave Our Potholes (POP) Funding in the Total Amount of $4,807,436.79 City Development & Planning ABAC - for the "Schenectady Fire Station #1 HVAC & Generator Upgrades" Contracts MC and Chris Wallin 1 EC in the Total Amount of $1,696,470.00 ABAC - for the Purchase of "City of Schenectady Precast Concrete Panels" to Tralongo Precast, Paul Lafond 2 Inc. in the Amount of $90,300.00 Amending Allocation of ARPA Funds to YWCA NorthEastern NY for the 2021 Critical Repairs Alexandria Carver 3 Grant 4 SMART Growth Community Planning and Zoning Grant Alexandria Carver 5 Discussion – Rules of Decorum During City Council Meetings Marion Porterfield 6 Sale of a Vacant Lot at 1265 Congress Street Maurice Brown, III 7 Sale of 209 Elmer Avenue Maurice Brown, III 8 Sale of 949 State Street Maurice Brown, III 9 Sale of 1017 Forest Road Maurice Brown, III 10 Sale of 2185 Lenox Road Maurice Brown, III 11 Sale of 1322 Santa Fe Street Maxine Barasch 1  CITY OF SCHENECTADY LEGISLATION REQUEST FORM COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT: Presentation DATE: 07/15/2024 TO: COUNCILMEMBERS FROM: Gary R. McCarthy SUBJECT: Addressing the Issue of Speeding in the City Background Information: On August 12, 2022, NYS legislation went into effect, authorizing cities and villages to act locally to impose a city- or village-wide speed limit as low as 25 miles per hour on city or village roads. In June 2022, Schenectady City Council requested that the Governor sign this legislation. Evaluation/Analysis: We continue to hear from residents who are concerned about speeding and other traffic issues in the City of Schenectady. Specific areas that we have heard about are Kings Road (with a home having major property damage), Erie Boulevard (where a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle in the cross walk and seriously injured) and Becker Street. Recommendation: Have a presentation on safety and traffic calming measures and signage available to reduce speeding and City Council decide on reducing the city speed limit to 25 mph, and other traffic safety measures. LEGISLATION WILL BE PREPARED BY____________________ 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19  CITY OF SCHENECTADY LEGISLATION REQUEST FORM COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT: City Development and Planning DATE: 07/15/2024 TO: COUNCILMEMBERS FROM: Alexandria Carver SUBJECT: YWCA ARPA Critical Repair Contract Amendment Background Information: The Department of Development received a request from the YWCA to amend the ARPA budget for their Critical Repairs ARPA grant received. Evaluation/Analysis: The YWCA would like to reallocate funds to do critical repairs on the Navis House and Harbor House. Recommendation: The City Council allow the YWCA to modify the original budget allocations to align with ARPA deadlines. LEGISLATION WILL BE PREPARED BY___LAW_ 20  YWCA NorthEastern NY 44 Washington Avenue Schenectady, NY 12305 7/10/2024 Alexandria Carver Director of Planning and Development Department of Development Schenectady, NY 12305 Dear Alexandria, We at YWCA of Schenectady DBA YWCA NorthEastern NY are writing to request a change in scope and budget modification for our 2021 ARPA Critical Repairs Grant from the City of Schenectady. Our organizational priorities have changed since first receiving these dollars, and we hope to utilize our ARPA funds so they have the largest possible impact on the community. SCOPE AND BUDGET MODIFICATIONS Currently, the ARPA budget and scope of work are as follows: • Window replacement: $195,398.41 • Rebuilding the exterior stairway: $86,985.78 • Upgrading on-site drainage: $5,092.03 • Water main replacement: $76,972.78 We are requesting the $364,449 budget to be modified as follows: • $62,000: Water main replacement • $57,000: Critical health and safety updates at Navias House, our counseling building • $245,449: Harbor House construction costs BACKGROUND: NAVIAS HOUSE Navias House is the oldest house in the Stockade, originally built in the late 1700’s and acquired by YWCA NENY in 1929 to be used as a counseling space. Navias House was burned in a fire in the late 1980’s and was restored in 1990, spearheaded by Dr. Louis Navias, an active YWCA volunteer for over twenty years. Now, almost 100 years after Navias House was first acquired by YWCA NENY, Navias House is still home to our trauma-informed counseling services for families, teens, and survivors of domestic violence. Navias House has begun falling apart. In August 2023, the plaster in the wall of our Clinical Director’s office was damaged from getting wet and pulled loose, with a moderate portion of the wall completely crumbling. The damaged plaster had to be removed and the wall fixed as an urgent emergency repair. We will continue to experience health and safety issues at Navias House until critical capital improvements are made to the building. The existing roof needs to be replaced to prevent ongoing water damage due to the current lack of a wide drip edge or overhang to keep water away from the wall. Because the roof doesn’t have an overhang, the whole front entryway gets slick with ice in the winter, posing a safety hazard for both clients and staff. Additionally, the front steps are slightly too tall to compliant with current codes and need to be reconstructed. YWCA NorthEastern New York 21 44 Washington Ave., Schenectady, NY 12305 | p. 518.374.3394 hotline. 518.374.3386 | www.ywca-neny.org  Navias House’s current flooring has not been updated since 1929. There is old plank flooring underneath the carpeting that shifts with every step that is taken. This needs to be covered by plywood and reinforced before the new carpeting goes down. Lastly, the current windows have never been replaced since the building’s reconstruction in the 90s, and some of the front windows are originals from 1929. This project will replace seven windows. BACKGROUND: HARBOR HOUSE Harbor House is a 96-unit permanent supportive housing project that will start construction in early 2025 and units will be open to residents by early 2027. Harbor House will include two simultaneous phases: Phase 1 will implement a substantial rehabilitation of the current 44 Washington Avenue site, including 42 SRO units along with service offices and communal spaces. The rehabilitation will add bathrooms to the units and reconfigure underutilized spaces to maintain the current unit count while increasing quality of life for residents. Phase 2 will be the new construction of a 40,044 SF 54-unit permanent supportive housing building for women (trans-inclusive) and a number of families who are survivors of domestic violence, formerly incarcerated, severe mental illness, or chronically homeless. The needs of these populations will be met through the comprehensive, trauma-informed, voluntary wrap-around services available on-site, including case management, economic empowerment services, healthcare services, substance abuse services, and referrals. Through comprehensive support, Harbor House will empower residents to achieve self- sufficiency and improve their overall well-being. CONSTRUCTION TIMELINE Harbor House is anticipated to break ground in Spring 2025 and be fully operational by early 2027. ARPA funds would be spent in the early phases of construction and be expended by the deadline of June 30, 2026. We believe it would be wise of us to move forward with Navias House improvements at the same time as Harbor House construction, in order to reduce the overall amount of time that services at Navias will need to be suspended to accommodate construction noise. Navias House updates are only expected to take around five weeks to complete. These plans are perfectly in line with the ARPA funding deadline of June 30, 2026. We will be sure to complete this project by the ARPA deadline. HARBOR HOUSE BUDGET Harbor House has a total development cost of just under $46 million. Awarded or Under Discussion with HFA/HCR HCR Capital Subsidies $16,756,324.00 4% OR SLIHC Equity $10,695,463.94 Federal/State HTC Equity $4,199,580.00 HHAP Funds $5,650,000.00 City of Schenectady ARPA $750,000.00 County HOME-ARP $1,700,000.00 Federal Appropriations $850,000.00 YWCA NorthEastern New York 22 44 Washington Ave., Schenectady, NY 12305 | p. 518.374.3394 hotline. 518.374.3386 | www.ywca-neny.org  Deferred Developer Fee $1,429,884.36 TOTAL RAISED: $42,031,252.30 Pending City of Schenectady HOME $1,500,000.00 CURRENT GAP: $3,695,000.00 Potential Gap Fillers HCR HOME-ARP $3,449,551 City of Schenectady ARPA $245,449.00 NAVIAS HOUSE BUDGET This project will cost around $81,727.00 and will include: • Roof replacement; • Front entryway reconstruction; • Flooring updates; and • Window replacements. So far, the Carlilian Foundation has committed $25,000 to this project. The current funding gap is $56,727, which we are now hoping to get covered through this ARPA grant. These updates will keep Navias House safe and sustainable for years to come. CLOSING REMARKS We are grateful for the ARPA funds awarded in 2021 and hope you see the value in this change of scope, which better addresses emerging community and agency needs. We are happy to provide any additional information or documentation you may require. Please do not hesitate to contact me at 518-374-3394 x104 or ksiciliano@ywca-neny.org to discuss this request further. Thank you for your consideration as we work to make the ARPA funds have the greatest possible impact. Sincerely, Kim Siciliano Chief Executive Officer YWCA NorthEastern NY YWCA NorthEastern New York 23 44 Washington Ave., Schenectady, NY 12305 | p. 518.374.3394 hotline. 518.374.3386 | www.ywca-neny.org  CITY OF SCHENECTADY LEGISLATION REQUEST FORM COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT: City Development and Planning DATE: 07/15/2024 TO: COUNCILMEMBERS FROM: Alexandria Carver SUBJECT: SMART Growth Community Planning and Zoning Resolution Background Information: New York State Department of State has made grant funds available in 2024 through the Smart Growth Program for Community Planning and Zoning, which provides grant funds on a competitive basis to eligible villages, towns, cities, counties, regional planning entities, and non-profit organizations, to advance the preparation of municipal comprehensive plans. Evaluation/Analysis: The Department of Development is currently in the beginning stages of planning for the Comprehensive Plan for the City and aligning funds to support our 3-phase approach. Recommendation: City Council adopt a resolution in support of the City of Schenectady applying for the SMART Growth Community Planning and Zoning grant. LEGISLATION WILL BE PREPARED BY___LAW_ 24 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK, IN SUPPORT OF THE SUBMISSION OF A GRANT APPLICATION TO THE NEW YORK STATE SMART GROWTH COMMUNITY PLANNING AND ZONING GRANT PROGRAM WHEREAS, the New York State Department of State has made grant funds available in 2024 through the Smart Growth Program for Community Planning and Zoning, which provides grant funds on a competitive basis to eligible villages, towns, cities, counties, regional planning entities, and non-profit organizations, to advance the preparation of municipal comprehensive plans; and WHEREAS, the City seeks to update its Comprehensive Plan in order to address current and future challenges related to land use, transportation, housing, infrastructure, and climate change, and to incorporate smart growth and clean energy principles; and WHEREAS, the City of Schenectady recognizes the importance of sustainable and equitable development practices that promote economic vitality, environmental protection, and community well-being; and WHEREAS, the City Council believes that the Comprehensive Plan update will provide a valuable framework for guiding future development decisions and ensuring that the City remains a vibrant and resilient community for all residents; and WHEREAS, the City of Schenectady will initiate the Comprehensive Plan update in the fall of 2024 beginning with Phase 1: Community Engagement and Visioning; and WHEREAS, commencing in the summer of 2025, Phase 2 of the Comprehensive Plan will prioritize translating the City's vision into actionable strategies and recommendations by developing detailed plan components, including conceptual renderings of priority projects, while continuing public engagement to refine the plan's direction and ultimately finalize the comprehensive plan. WHEREAS, the City of Schenectady intends to submit a grant application to request funding through the 2024 Smart Growth Community Planning and Zoning Grant Program, with a ten percent (10%) local match requirement, to the Smart Growth Community Planning and Zoning Grant Program to provide funding assistance for Phase 2: Comprehensive Plan Development. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK, AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. The City Council hereby authorizes the submission of a grant application on behalf of the City of Schenectady, including the provision of the 10% local match requirement, to request State funding for the purposes of hiring a consulting team to coordinate a community-based planning process and prepare Phase 2 of the Comprehensive Plan update. Section 2. The Mayor, or their designee, is hereby authorized to execute all necessary documents relating to the Smart Growth Community Planning and Zoning Grant Program application. Section 3. The Department of Development is hereby directed to coordinate the preparation and implementation of the Comprehensive Plan update, in collaboration with relevant City departments, community stakeholders, and technical consultants. Section 4. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption. 25  CITY OF SCHENECTADY LEGISLATION REQUEST FORM COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT: City Development & Planning DATE: 07/15/24 TO: COUNCIL MEMBERS FROM: Development SUBJECT: Sale of Vacant lot, 1265 Congress Street Background Information: Evaluation/Analysis: Recommendation: LEGISLATION WILL BE PREPARED BY Development 26  CITY OF SCHENECTADY LEGISLATION REQUEST FORM COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT: City Development & Planning DATE: 07/15/24 TO: COUNCIL MEMBERS FROM: Development SUBJECT: Sale of 209 Elmer Avenue Background Information: Evaluation/Analysis: Recommendation: LEGISLATION WILL BE PREPARED BY Development 27  CITY OF SCHENECTADY LEGISLATION REQUEST FORM COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT: City Development & Planning DATE: 07/15/24 TO: COUNCIL MEMBERS FROM: Development SUBJECT: Sale of 949 State Street Background Information: Evaluation/Analysis: Recommendation: LEGISLATION WILL BE PREPARED BY Development 28  CITY OF SCHENECTADY LEGISLATION REQUEST FORM COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT: City Development & Planning DATE: 07/15/24 TO: COUNCIL MEMBERS FROM: Development SUBJECT: Sale of 1017 Forest Road Background Information: Evaluation/Analysis: Recommendation: LEGISLATION WILL BE PREPARED BY Development 29  CITY OF SCHENECTADY LEGISLATION REQUEST FORM COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT: City Development & Planning DATE: 07/15/24 TO: COUNCIL MEMBERS FROM: Development SUBJECT: Sale of 2185 Lenox Road Background Information: Evaluation/Analysis: Recommendation: LEGISLATION WILL BE PREPARED BY Development 30