City Council

Minutes of the Regular Meeting Troy City Council April 2, 2015 The meeting was called to order at 7:03PM by City Council President Wiltshire. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Peggy Kownack. The roll being called, the following answered to their names: Council members Sullivan-Teta, Bodnar, Robertson, Zalewski, Galuski, Kopka, Gordon, Wiltshire, and Doherty. Also present were Mayor Lou Rosamilia, Corporation Council Ian Silverman, and Counsel to the Council Joe Liccardi and Kelly Cramer. The meeting was attended by approximately 40 members of the public. Public Comment: 1. Alysan Slighter spoke in regards to the hillside/Oakwood neighborhood grant they submitted and were given no funding. 2. Linda O'Malley spoke on behalf of Oakwood and Hillside neighborhood and the grant application. 3. Peggy Kownack spoke on several items on the agenda. 4. David Martin spoke on the neighborhood grant allocations and what he thought about the process. Consideration of Ordinances: 26. Ordinance Approving Settlement of Tax Certiorari Proceedings Instituted by Riverview Gardens Associates, 2001 Plaza LLC and 31 Second Street LLC on the Assessment Roll of the City ofTroy Ordinance passed by 8 yes to 1 no (Galuski) 27. Ordinance Approving Settlement of Tax Certiorari Proceedings Instituted by Jay Hamel and Dawn Hamel on the Assessment Roll of the City ofTroy. Ordinance passed by unanimous vote 28. Ordinance Approving Settlement of Tax Certiorari Proceedings Instituted by Carlos I Guitierrez dba KB Investment Associates on the Assessment Roll of the City of Troy. Ordinance passed by 8 yes to 1 no (Gordon) 29. Ordinance Authorizing the Allocation ofNeighborhood Improvement Project Funds Galuski spoke about amending this ordinance and discussed the process of allocations and the number of applications submitted. He stated during the committee meeting a text message was received by a member who relayed the information since it related to the grants being decided on at the time. He asked Robertson to explain. Robertson stated she was misinformed and that it was not to disparage any group. She stated once she was made aware of the error she contacted Galuski to see if changes could be made. Zalewski commented that the process does work and it is transparent; he and several others attended the committee meeting. Doherty explained his absence from the meeting but that he submitted his recommendation as a member of the committee. Bodnar thanked Galuski for his fair evenhanded allocation of the funds in and open way. Wiltshire thanked Galuski for doing a professional job. He stated he was proud that they were able to work through this issue and make the right decision. Galuski motioned to amend, znd by Kopka Amended Ordinance passed by unanimous vote Ordinance passed by unanimous vote 30. Ordinance Amending the Code of the City of Troy, Chapter 260 Taxicabs, Section 260-2, Licenses Required, Cab Colors Ordinance passed by unanimous vote 31. Ordinance Amending the 2015 Special Revenue Budget to Accept a New York State Homeland Security Grant for the Purpose of Purchasing Certain Communication and Personal Protection Equipment Ordinance passed by unanimous vote 32. Ordinance Amending the 2015 Special Revenue Budget to Accept a New York State Homeland Security Grant for the Purpose ofincreasing Security Measures at the City's Water Treatment Plant Ordinance passed by unanimous vote 33. Ordinance Amending the 2015 Special Revenue Budget to Accept a New York State Homeland Security Grant for the Purpose of Purchasing Certain Communication, Personal Protection Equipment and Certain Interior and Exterior Security Installations Ordinance passed by unanimous vote 34. Ordinance Authorizing and Directing Sale of City Owned Real Property by the Proposal Method Wiltshire motioned to amend this legislation by removing line 3 (365 First St.) property; he stated the owner no longer wanted it based on a later evaluation of the buildings condition. Wiltshire stated this is why he brought up before the possibility of having private inspections done on these properties. Galuski stated he believes code is now doing this. Motion to amend by Wiltshire, 2nd by Zalewski Amended Ordinance passed by 8 yes to lno (Robertson) Ordinance passed by 8 yes to 1 no (Robertson) 35. Ordinance Authorizing the Mayor to Enter into a Purchase and Sale Agreement with Joseph and Helen Mancuso for the Purpose of Acquiring a Parcel known by Tax Map Section 61 Block I Lot 14.112. Ordinance passed by unanimous vote Consideration of Resolutions: 25. Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Enter into an Intermunicipal Agreement with the Towns of North Greenbush, East Greenbush, Schodack and the City of Rensselaer Regarding Police Tactical Teams Resolution passed by unanimous vote 26. Resolution Requesting a Comprehensive Review by the New York State Financial Restructuring Board for Local Governments Bodnar asked the Mayor to address the public as to how this works based on the memo he sent out to council members. The Mayor explained the process . Resolution passed by unanimous vote 27. Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Execute and Enter into an Inter-Municipal Agreement Among the Members of the Albany Pool Communities and the Albany and Rensselaer County Sewer Districts Resolution passed by unanimous vote 28. Resolution Appointing Commissioners of Deeds for the City of Troy. Resolution passed by unanimous vote Gordon stated he had a resolution he would like to add to the agenda tonight if they all approve. Wiltshire entertained the motion by Gordon, Bodnar 2"ct, it passed unanimously. Gordon went on to explain it and why he was putting it forward based on the hard winter we had this year. Wiltshire asked if other municipalities had done a resolution like this. Gordon stated yes. Doherty stated he felt it might be to soon passing this when we are not sure of the funding we are getting yet. Gordon read from a report he had based on this years passed state budget. 30. RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK AND THE STATE LEGISLATURE INCREASE STATE AID TO LOCALITIES FOR ROAD AND BRIDGE REPAIR Motion to amend agenda to add resolution by Gordon, 2"d by Bodnar Amendment passed by unanimous vote Resolution passed by unanimous vote Public Comment: 1. Peggy Kownack spoke about what's good in the city and also the upcoming earth day events and plans for this month. 2. Debra Lockrow spoke in support of Linda and the Oakwood /Hillside neighborhood group. She personally offered $200.00 to their project and challenged other businesses or people to help out. 3. Rev. Tim Sherman spoke about people doing the right thing and the leaking of things on Facebook etc. He offered to contact a company called Margination to see if they would step up to help Hillside. 4. Halil Suljicic spoke in regards to the need for resident parking permits for people who live down town so they do not have to move their cars every two hours. He also spoke about a notice of claim that was denied which he had filed for damages to his wife's car. President Wiltshire stated that the process in ongoing; it is going before the state for Troy to have a downtown parking permit program. 5. Alysan Slighter Thanked the council for amending the NIP grants. 6. David Martin spoke about a meeting he attending and the discussion of challenges in our city. He stated that we all should be good ambassadors of the city. He suggested we start small by restricting the sale of paraphernalia products displayed and sold in convenient stores. 7. Jennifer Vasquez spoke about being evicted by TRIP for filing a complaint against an employee who she claims sexually assaulted her daughter. She spoke about feeling unsafe in her home and the meetings she's had with TRIP representatives regarding this matter. 8. Hilary Lamishaw, representing TRIP spoke in response to the $25,000.00 grant mix up regarding Hillside neighborhood. She stated that they did not receive the grant TRIP did and they will be helping Hillside with other projects; not the signage one they had submitted to the City of Troy for grant funding. 9. Adam Sanzone thanked council for the NIP grant award and informed the council of upcoming events regarding the park and statue. Meeting Adjourned By Council Member Zalewski Seconded by Council Member Bodnar ADJOURNMENT 8:33pm An audio record of the Troy City Council meeting minutes is on file in the Troy City Clerks office. Troy City Clerk Cheryl Christiansen