City Council Committees

SCHENECTADY CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE AGENDA for Monday, May 5, 2025 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 Summer 2025 City Park Programming Carmel Patrick Finance Eric Clifford / 1 NYSDEC Municipal Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Infrastructure Grant Brian Whipple Eric Clifford / 2 National Grid NY EV Make-Ready Program Brian Whipple Eric Clifford / 3 Energy Efficiency & Conservation Block Grant Program (EECBG) Brian Whipple City Development & Planning 1 Request for Home Rule Legislation to Increase the Fees for Birth and Death Certificates Marion Porterfield 2 Discussion – New Trash Collection Rules Marion Porterfield 3 Discussion – Traffic, Parking, and Signage for Weight Limit on Kings Road Marion Porterfield Government Operations 1 Discussion – Schenectady Poet Laureate Carl Williams Claims 1 Police Personnel Military Leave Maxine Barasch  educat CITY OF SCHENECTADY LEGISLATION REQUEST FORM COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT: Health and Recreation DATE: May 5, 2025 TO: COUNCILMEMBERS FROM: Carmel Patrick SUBJECT: Summer 2025 City Park Programming Background Information: City of Schenectady Parks Director Bill Macejka has planned a robust activity program for Summer 2025. Evaluation/Analysis: Schenectady’s youth will benefit from recreational, educational, social and other activities in Schenectady’s parks during the 2025 summer months. Recommendation: The Health and Recreation Committee would like Bill Macejka to present about the 2025 Summer parks programming to City Council at its May 5th Committee meeting. LEGISLATION WILL BE PREPARED BY: 2  CITY OF SCHENECTADY LEGISLATION REQUEST FORM COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT: DATE: May 5th TO: COUNCILMEMBERS FROM: Eric Clifford SUBJECT: NYSDEC Municipal Zero-emission Vehicle (ZEV) Infrastructure Grant Background Information: Multiple funding rounds have been available to the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to help achieve the greenhouse gas emission reductions required under the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. This is consistent with the State’s plan to have 100 percent of new passenger cars and trucks be zero-emission by 2035. Evaluation/Analysis: The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) awarded the City of Schenectady $54,800 for two electric charging station projects. Sixteen thousand dollars ($16,000.00) has been awarded for the use at the Schenectady Municipal Golf Course, and thirty-eight thousand dollars ($38,800.00) has been granted for the use on Lafayette Street adjacent to the Schenectady Police Department. This grant, paired with another funding source from National Grid, will result in the new charging stations being installed at the golf course with no funding needed from the city. We are currently working on other funding streams to pair with the grant money awarded to the city for the chargers adjacent to the Schenectady Police Department. We would not proceed with that project without accepting future grant/program funding. 3 Recommendation: The recommendation is to accept the municipal zero-emission vehicle infrastructure grant funding. LEGISLATION WILL BE PREPARED BY: Corporation Counsel 4 Honorable Gary McCarthy Mayor City of Schenectady 105 Jay Street, Room 111 Schenectady, NY 12305 Dear Mayor McCarthy: I am pleased to inform you that the City of Schenectady has been awarded a total of $54,800 for the following two applications through Round 6 of the Municipal Zero- emission Vehicle (ZEV) Infrastructure Grant Program. Application number Amount DEC01-ZEVIN-2022-00148 $38,800 DEC01-ZEVIN-2022-00277 $16,000 Total $54,800 The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) applauds your initiative in helping New York State achieve the greenhouse gas emission reductions required under the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act and to meet its commitments under the Multi-State ZEV Memorandum of Understanding, which aims to put 3.3 million ZEVs on the roads of participating states by 2025. Your initiative is also consistent with the State’s plan that 100 percent of new passenger cars and trucks will be zero-emissions by 2035. After DEC receives procurement approval for this grant round from the Office of the New York State Comptroller, you will receive an email outlining the next steps in preparing to execute state assistance contracts for these grant award. The Master Contract for Grants for this award will be developed in the Grants Gateway. We recommend visiting the Grants Management website at https://grantsmanagement.ny.gov/ to become familiar with the Grants Gateway and the contracting process. 5 We look forward to working together to achieve a resilient, climate-ready future for all New Yorkers. Sincerely, Basil Seggos Commissioner c: Alex Sutherland 6  CITY OF SCHENECTADY LEGISLATION REQUEST FORM COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT: DATE: May 5th TO: COUNCILMEMBERS FROM: A/C Brian Whipple SUBJECT: National Grid NY EV Make-Ready Program Background Information: The goal of the Electric Vehicle ("EV") Make-Ready Program ("EV Make-Ready Program") is to support the development of electric infrastructure and equipment necessary to accommodate an increased deployment of EVs within New York State by reducing the upfront costs of building charging stations for EVs. Through this EV Make- Ready Program, entities seeking to install or participate in the installation of Level 2 ("L2") and/or Direct Current Fast Charging ("DCFC") chargers can earn incentives that will offset a large portion of, or in some cases, all of the infrastructure costs associated with preparing a site for EV charger installation. Evaluation/Analysis: The city of Schenectady has been awarded up to $25,200 for reimbursement for installing four (4) Level 2 charging station plugs at the Schenectady Municipal Golf Course. There are no matching funds required. Recommendation: Recommendation to accept the National Grid NY EV Make-Ready Program funding. LEGISLATION WILL BE PREPARED BY: Corporation Counsel 7  Kate Carleo Program Manager – Electric Vehicles 518-410-0080 Kate.Carleo@nationalgrid.com Brian Whipple City of Schenectady 30003 400 Oregon Ave Schenectady, NY 12304 4/1/2025 RE: City of Schenectady 30003- EV Charging Station Approval Dear Brian, Congratulations! Your National Grid NY EV Make-Ready Program application (#CE-4968) has been approved at 610 Oregon Ave, Schenectady, NY, 12304 for the reimbursement up to $25,200 for installation of (4 - Level 2) charging station plugs. Please review, sign and email the attached Terms and Conditions to National Grid at EVNationalgridUNY@nationalgrid.com. Construction may begin as soon as we confirm that we have received the signed Terms and Conditions. Please notify National Grid when construction begins on this project. You will have 6 months from the date of this approval letter to complete construction of the EV charging stations. Please see the attached “Close Out Checklist” document. This document provides guidance for installation, requirements for as-built drawings and a list of final project information required to accurately record the EV infrastructure for National Grid and Dig Safe locational purposes. Again, thank you for participating in the National Grid NY EV Make-Ready Program. National Grid encourages you to pursue both state and federal tax incentives or other available funding to further reduce the cost of your EVSE project. With Sincere Thanks, Debra Luvera 8  CITY OF SCHENECTADY LEGISLATION REQUEST FORM COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT: DATE: May 5th TO: COUNCILMEMBERS FROM: A/C Brian Whipple SUBJECT: Energy Efficiency & Conservation Block Grant Program (EECBG) Background Information: The Department of Energy issued the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program, which provides formula grant allocations to state, local, and tribal governments to fund activities that reduce fossil fuel emissions, improve energy efficiency, and reduce total energy use. The City of Schenectady has been allocated $126,660.00 in this one-time EECBG funding. Evaluation/Analysis: These funds will be used to reimburse the installation of a DC Fast Charging Station and the partial purchase of a fully electric vehicle. The anticipated budget is $99,000 for charging infrastructure and $27,660 towards a fully electric vehicle; we are not restricted within the program to those amounts between the two categories. Recommendation: Recommendation to accept the EECBG voucher funding. LEGISLATION WILL BE PREPARED BY: Corporation Counsel 9  CITY OF SCHENECTADY LEGISLATIVE REQUEST FORM COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT: DATE: May 2, 2025 TO: City Council Members FROM: Council President Marion Porterfield SUBJECT: Request Home Rule Legislation to Increase Birth and Death Certificate Fees Background Information: The current fees to get a birth and death certificates in the City of Schenectady is $10.00. The state allows a fee up to $ 30.00 to be charged. Evaluation/Analysis: We have not increased the fees for decades but the fees for storage and digitization continues to increase. Recommendation: Request Home Rule Legislation to allow the local legislative body, the City Council, to increase fees for the issuance of birth and death records. WILL BE PREPARED BY_____LAW DEPARTMENT_________ 10  CITY OF SCHENECTADY LEGISLATIVE REQUEST FORM COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT: DATE: May 5, 2025 TO: City Council Members FROM: Council President Marion Porterfield SUBJECT: Discussion – New Trash Collection Rules Background Information: The new trash collection has been sent out. Some people have not yet received the coupon to clip and others don’t understand how they work. Evaluation/Analysis: There needs to be more public service information for residents to clearly understand the guidelines. Recommendation: Revisit the legislation on the new trash collection rules and on how to inform the public better about implementation. WILL BE PREPARED BY_______________________________________ 11  CITY OF SCHENECTADY LEGISLATIVE REQUEST FORM COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT: DATE: May 2, 2025 TO: City Council Members FROM: Council President Marion Porterfield SUBJECT: Discussion – Traffic, parking, and Signage for Weight Limit on Kings Road Background Information: There have been several complaints from the public regarding traffic, parking (including improper signage), and the correct distance to park from fire hydrants. Also, we have received a petition requesting that weight limit signs be put up on Kings Road. Evaluation/Analysis Some streets have alternate parking to accommodate the street sweeper and snowplow, and signs that were put in place for the GE workforce. There is nothing to designate the distance to park from a fire hydrant. There is an 8-ton weight limit on the road and signs on the Rotterdam side of the bridge. However, a business located on Kings Road near the bridge regularly uses trucks that exceed the 8-ton weight limit. Recommendation: Paint the fire hydrant curb to delineate how far away to park, review alternate street parking and sign accordingly. Discuss how to resolve the weight limit signage on Kings Road. WILL BE PREPARED BY__________________________________________ 12  CITY OF SCHENECTADY LEGISLATION REQUEST FORM COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT: DATE: April 21, 2025 & May 5, 2025 TO: COUNCILMEMBERS FROM: Carl Williams SUBJECT: Discussion - Schenectady Poet Laureate Background Information: Poet laureates are foundational roles that present readings during formal ceremonies and engage in community-oriented literacy projects. Evaluation/Analysis: What is a Poet Laureate The Schenectady Poet Laureate is a cultural ambassador who uses the power of poetry to celebrate Schenectady’s people, foster creative expression, and inspire a deeper connection to community and culture. While serving as the public face for literary expression, the Schenectady Poet Laureate will champion mindfulness and inclusivity to foster a wider appreciation for poetry, innovative thinking, and self-reflection throughout the city. Through their facilitation of special ceremonies and workshops, the Schenectady Poet Laureate will encourage residents to engage in poetry’s power to put words to feelings and improve literacy. This is an honorary volunteer position, appointed by the Nominating Committee - comprised of representatives from (1) Union College, (1) SUNY Schenectady, (1) Schenectady City School District, (1) Schenectady County Board of Trustees, and (2) Schenectady City residents at-large. Qualifications 1) Two-year term limit 2) City resident, 21 years of age 3) Proven history/catalogue of published works or (public) spoken-word performances 13 Role & Contributions 1) Uplift written and spoken-word voices among Schenectady residents 2) Promote youth efforts to increase reading and writing of literature 3) Amplify entertainment and transformative applications of poetry to connect intergenerational audiences 4) Facilitate four (4) literary events and four (4) educational programs in collaboration with local academic institutions within the City of Schenectady 5) Present semi-annual report of activities to Nominating/Review Committee How to apply (self-nominated) - Resume/Curriculum Vitae, work samples (2-3), statement of intent, and references (2-3) Pending approval by Schenectady City Council and nominating/review committee members Recommendation: Review and approve language LEGISLATION WILL BE PREPARED BY______Law_______________ 14  CITY COUNCIL SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK Resolution NO. Councilmember offered the following: A Resolution to Create the Designation of City of Schenectady Poet Laureate WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Schenectady hereby creates the designation of City of Schenectady Poet Laureate; and WHEREAS, the City of Schenectady Poet Laureate will be an unpaid honorary designation by the City Council and the City of Schenectady Poet Laureate shall not be considered an employee or officer of the City of Schenectady; and WHEREAS, The City of Schenectady Poet Laureate is a cultural ambassador who uses the power of poetry to celebrate the people of Schenectady, foster creative expression, inspire a deeper connection to community and culture and will champion mindfulness and inclusiveness to foster a wider appreciation of poetry; and WHEREAS, A Nominating Panel shall be made up of one representative each from Union College, SUNY Schenectady, the Schenectady School District, the SUNY Schenectady Board of Trustees and two at large City of Schenectady residents; and WHEREAS, The Nominating Panel shall develop an application process in accordance with this Resolution and The Nominating Panel’s recommendation shall include the criteria used in the selection process; and WHEREAS the qualifications for the City of Schenectady Poet Laureate shall include, but are not limited to, being a City of Schenectady Resident and being a minimum twenty-one (21) years old with a proven history/catalogue of published works and/or (public) spoken word performances and such other qualifications that Nominating Panel shall deem appropriate; and WHEREAS, the Role and Contributions of the City of Schenectady Poet Laureate shall include. 1. Promoting written and spoken word voices among City residents to connect with intergenerational audiences. 2. Promoting youth efforts to increase reading and writing of literature. 3. Facilitating four (4) literary events and four (4) educational programs in collaboration with the City of 15  Schenectady School district and local colleges. 4. Presenting semi-annual reports on activities to the Schenectady City Council and the Poet Laureate Nominating Panel; and NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, effective September 8, 2025, and biennially thereafter, at the Schenectady City Council’s first meeting in September, the City of Schenectady Poet Laureate shall be designated by the Schenectady City Council based on the recommendation of the Nomination Panel. Approved as to form this ___ day of May 2025 ____________________________ Maxine Barash, Esq. Corporation Counsel 16  CITY OF SCHENECTADY LEGISLATION REQUEST FORM COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT: DATE: May 5, 2025 TO: COUNCILMEMBERS FROM: Maxine Barasch, Corporation Counsel SUBJECT: Police Personnel Military Leave Background Information: Evaluation/Analysis: Recommendation: LEGISLATION WILL BE PREPARED BY___The Law Dept._________________ 17