City Council

Minutes of the Regular Meeting Troy City Council January 8, 2015 The meeting was called to order at 7:03PM by City Council President Wiltshire. Pledge of allegiance was led by Joe Liccardi. The roll being called the following answered to their names Council Members, Doherty, Zalewski, Galuski, Kopka, Gordon, Bodnar, Teta, Robertson and Wiltshire. Also present were Mayor Lou Rosamilia, Deputy Mayor Ryan; Emily Rossier, Kelly Cramer Esq., several Department Heads, and Counsel to the Council, Joe Liccardi. The meeting was attended by approximately 15 members of the public. Council Member Doherty asked if he could speak about what he's seen on the news lately and feels strongly about regarding Paris, NYC Police and all the violence. He then asked for all of us to have a moment of silence. Public Comment: 1. Peggy Kownack spoke on all items on the agenda. 2. Dave Martin spoke about several items on the agenda. Consideration of Ordinance: 1. ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 12 ADOPTED BY THE TROY CITY COUNCIL ON DECEMBER 4, 1975; AS AMENDED BY ORDINANCE NO. 1 ADOPTED DECEMBER 15, 1979; AS AMENDED BY ORDINANCE NO. 1 ADOPTED DECEMBER 1, 1981; AS AMENDED BY ORDINANCE NO. 1 ADOPTED APRIL 14, 1983; AS AMENDED BY ORDINANCE NO. 1 ADOPTED APRIL 2, 1992; AS AMENDED BY ORDINANCE NO.2 ADOPTED JANUARY 19, 1996; AS AMENDED BY ORDINANCE NO.3 ADOPTED JANUARY 8, 1998; AS AMENDED BY ORDINANCE NO. 15 ADOPTED DECEMBER 7, 2000; AS AMENDED BY ORDINANCE NO. 1 ADOPTED NOVEMBER30, 2006; AS AMENDED BY ORDINANCE N0.3 ADOPTED NOVEMBER 20, 2012; WHICH PURSUANT TO SECTION 10.06 OF THE CITY CHARTER AND SECTION 30-17 OF THE TROY CODE OF ORDINANCES ESTABLISHED A CODE OF RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBIC UTILITIES AND AS AMENDED TO INCREASE THE SEWER RATE FROM 65% TO 85% OF THE WATER BILL RATE Wiltshire asked Chris Wheland to speak on the increase per family and what the increase is to be used for. Wheland spoke about what the money would be used for and he also handed out copies of what the future rate increases would need in the future to bring the fund balance out of a deficit. He stated he would have asked for more of an increase if he had the 2014 figures earlier. He stated if we have a catastrophic event like for example the Campbell A venue collapse we do not have the funds available. Zalewski asked about the process to purify and process waste water. Wheland explained the process. Gordon asked about the balance in the fund now. He also asked about the time frame the flow meters would be installed on the other municipalities to see if that would help increase the sewer rate. Wl1eland explained they should be done by 2017. Gordon asked about the possibility of shifting funds to make up the difference like the sales of properties. He stated we need to think of creative ways to handle these problems in stead of putting it on the tax payers all the time. Bodnar spoke about the possibility of a higher increase. Wl1eland spoke about other municipalities rates. Doherty spoke about sharing Gordon's concerns. He stated this problem has been building up; he feels we need to fix things as long as we try to cut cost else wear we have to do it. Gordon clarified that he was saying the same thing just not shifting all to the tax payer just 85%. Wilthire asked the Mayor and Chris what is now needed is 100%. Mayor stated if the goal is to have a fund balance then we the increase. Robertson asked about creative thinking and the possibility to fund these deficits with property sales. Mayor stated the property sales will go to reduce the 2016 deficit we are working on. Galuski explain that new information has been reported that the county will be increasing their rates as well. He stated this will make the increase on the tax payer even higher than we anticipated. He thinks we should just do 85% now the eve1y year after possibly increase by 5%. Wiltshire proposed an amendment to increase it to 100%. 1st Amendment was to change the rate to 100% of the water bill rate. Motioned by Wiltshire 2nd by Zalewski amendment failed by a vote of 5 no to 4yes (Doherty, Zalewski, Kopka and Wiltshire 2"d Amendment was to change the rate to 95% of the water bill rate. Motioned by Zalewski 2nd by Kopka amendment failed by a vote of 5 no to 4yes (Doherty, Zalewski, Kopka and Wiltshire 3rd Amendment was to change the rate to 90% of the water bill rate. Motioned by Zalewski 2nd by Kopka amendment failed by a vote of 5 no to 4yes (Doherty, Zalewski, Kopka and Wiltshire Original Ordinance passed by a vote of 5 yes to 4 no (Gordon, Doherty, Kopka and Wiltshire) 2. ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO A PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT WITH THE CATHOLIC CHARITIES HOUSING OFFICE (CCHO) FOR THE PURPOSE OF SELLING PROPERTIES LOCATED AT 3349 6th AVENUE AND 391 151 STREET, TROY, NEW YORK Ordinance passed by unanimous vote 3. ORDINANCE APPROVING SETTLEMENT OF TAX CERTIORARI PROCEEDINGS INSTITUTED BY BRYCE PROPERTIES LLC ON THE ASSESSMENT ROLL OF THE CITY OF TROY Bodnar spoke about the properties appraisals; and how the City is now seeing how GARR assessed the value of some of these properties. He wanted the public to know these cases are being documented. Ordinance passed by unanimous vote 4. ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2015 CITY BUDGET TO TRANSFER FUNDS WITHIN THE GENERAL AND WATER FUND BUDGET LINES Zalewski spoke about healthcare and dental costs. He asked for Joe to explain the figures. Mazzariello explained the figures and cost and stated it is based on usage. Ordinance passed by unanimous vote Consideration of Resolutions: 1. RESOLUTION AMENDING THE RULES OF ORDER AND SETTING THE DATES OF THE REGULAR MONTHLY MEETINGS OF THE TROY CITY COUNCIL Resolution passed by unanimous vote 3. RESOLUTION APPOINTING COMMISSIONERS OF DEEDS FOR THE CITY OF TROY Resolution passed by unanimous vote 4. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE AND ENTER INTO AN INTER- MUNICIPAL AGREEMENT WITH THE ALBANY POOL COMMUNITIES Resolution passed by unanimous vote 5. BOND RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF TROY, NEW YORK AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $3,537,411 IN SERIAL BONDS TO FINANCE A CAPITAL PROJECT DESCRIBED IN THE COMBINED SEWER OVERFLOW LONG TERM CONTROL PLAN Resolution was Tabled by unanimous vote 6. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH RENSSELAER COUNTY SEWER DISTRICT NO. #1 FOR UTILIZING THE CITY'S COMPUTERIZED WATER AND SEWER BILLING AND COLLECTION SYSTEM Resolution passed by unanimous vote 7. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO A CENTRALIZED DISPATCH OF EMERGENCY SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH RENSSELAER COUNTY Ga1uski spoke about why he is voting against this because he feels the increase is too high and it's not the best contract. Bodnar spoke about the increase in that they have not had one in 20 years . He also stated the cost to the county is 1.8 million for 40% of the 911 calls which come from Troy. He stated he felt the Mayor did a good job negotiating this contract. Zalewski spoke about the increase, he feels it's too much on the tax payer's. With the crisis the City is in, he feels the county should try help. Doherty spoke about the need for 911 and all the effort that went in to negotiating this contract. Wiltshire also spoke about the effort that went in to the negotiations. He stated just like the sewer rate we know it needs to be done we can't just keep kicking the can down the road. Resolution passed by a vote of 7 yes to 2 no (Zalewski & Galuski) 8. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE IMPLEMENTATION AND FUNDING IN THE FIRST INSTANCE 100% OF THE FEDERAL-AID ELIGIBLE COSTS, OF HOMELAND SECURITY AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AND THE APPROPRIATING OF SAID FUNDS Resolution passed by unanimous vote 9. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH THE RENSSELAER COUNTY STOP DWI AND TO APPROPRIATE CERTAIN FUNDS TO HELP SUPPORT THE TROY POLICE DEPARTMENT CADET PROGRAM Gordon stated he will abstain from voting due to his involvement with the Cadet Program. Resolution passed by a vote of 8 yes to 1 abstain (Gordon) 10. RESOLUTION REQUESTING STATE LEGISLATIVE MEMBER REQUESTS FOR THE PURPOSE OF SECURING FUNDING IN THE NEW YORK STATE 2015-16 BUDGET FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW CITY COURTHOUSE Zalewski spoke about the details of this resolution and his hopes that it will help to get the funds the City needs. He also asked the Mayor continue to reach out to all officials; and copies of the signed resolution be sent to the individuals listed on it by the clerk. Amendment by Zalewski, 2"d by Gordon, to remove Jeffrey Klein's name and change the word co-leaders to just leader. Amendment passed by unanimous vote Resolution passed by unanimous vote 11. RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING JANUARY AS HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS MONTH Amendment to add Resolution #11 to the agenda by Wiltshire, 2"d by Zalewski, amendment passed by unanimous vote. Wiltshire spoke in detail regarding all forms of human trafficking and how he became aware of this terrible problem. Resolution passed by unanimous vote Public Comment: 1. Valerie Meichtry spoke about a possible business venture she has thought about starting. It would involve the use of animals (goats, chickens or sheep) to keep city property mowed and fertilized naturally. She explained the process. Wiltshire asked if she knew how long it would take for the sheep to clear an area. Valerie stated it depended on the land and the animal needed to do the job. Robertson asked if she has done this any where else. Valerie stated no, it came to her when she needed grass to feed her geese. 2. Marcia Keefe spoke about a Facebook survey and post done by Council member Robertson. She stated how she feels this behavior is unethical for a public official. She thinks it fuels the tension between the community and the police. 3. Tim Sherman spoke on behalf of Council member Robertson and the survey that was on Face book. He stated it is her right to freedom of speech and that others should do so as well. He was very angered by the comments of the previous speaker and stated so. ADJOURNMENT Council Member Gordon moved for adjournment, 2"d by Zalewski And the meeting was adjourned at approximately 9:15pm. A complete record of the Troy City Council Meeting Minutes is on audio tape filed in the Clerk's Office. Troy City Clerk Cheryl Christiansen