City Council

Minutes of the Finance Meeting Troy City Council May 21, 2015 The meeting was called to order at 6:07 PM by City Council President Wiltshire. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Council President Wiltshire. The roll being called, the following answered to their names: Council members Sullivan- Teta, Bodnar, Robertson, Zalewski, Kopka, Gordon, Wiltshire, Galuski and Doherty. Also present were Mayor Rosamilia, Kelly Cramer Bill Chamberlain, Selena Skiba, Adam Sanzone and Counsel to the Council Liccardi. The meeting was attended by approximately 10 members of the public. Consideration of Ordinances: 54. Ordinance Approving Settlement of Tax Certiorari Proceedings Instituted by Michael Grzyboski on the Assessment Roll of the City of Troy Teta asked about the assessment price. Vincelette stated they are all owned by Grzyboski and we can’t raise assessment after its appraised that is the law in NYS. He stated it can only be done if the city does another citywide re-evaluation. Wiltshire stated this is a big jump. Vincelette spoke about the assessed value and that GARR over estimated; he stated after pictures were viewed of the building the condition was not so good. Ordinance passed by unanimous vote 55. Ordinance Approving Settlement of Tax Certiorari Proceedings Instituted by Capital Living/Rehabilitation on the Assessment Roll of the City of Troy Ordinance passed by unanimous vote 56. Ordinance Approving Settlement of Tax Certiorari Proceedings Instituted by Catherine Marschilok on the Assessment Roll of the City of Troy. Ordinance passed by unanimous vote 57. Ordinance Approving Settlement of Tax Certiorari Proceedings Instituted by Seton Real Property Holdings, LLC on the Assessment Roll of the City of Troy. Vincelette spoke about this being an older building and GARR’s assessment. Galuski asked if it was correct they paid $70,000 and all back taxes totaling $400,000. Vincelette said that was correct. Zalewski asked if we have a running total of the lost assets value from GARR for the City thus far. Vincelette stated Yes, he is keeping track. Zalewski asked is the City actively suing GARR based on this. Vincelette stated council would need to discuss that with the administration. He also stated he would get the figure to the council when he has a total. Ordinance passed by a vote of 8 yes to 1 no Gordon 58. Ordinance Authorizing Settlement of Claim, to wit: Jeffrey Allen Couch Plaintiff, v. the City of Troy, and Jason Valente Defendant Civil Action No. 1:14-CV-0170 (MAD/RFT). Kopka asked if not approved tonight do we have time before trial. Mayor stated Ian Silverman would have to answer that. Motioned to Table by Gordon until Ian is available to confer with; 2nd by Bodnar Passed by a vote of 7 yes to 2 no (Kopka, Galuski) Untabled by Gordon 2nd by Zalewski, passed by unanimous vote Went into Executive Session Motioned by Kopka and Bodnar Adjourned from Executive Session by Zalewski and Gordon Ordinance passed by a vote of 8 yes to 1 no Gordon 59. Ordinance Amending the Code of the City of Troy, Chapter 260 Taxicabs, Article III Taxicab Drivers Section 260-15 Fingerprints to Accompany Application and Section 260-21 Renewal. Doherty spoke about his meeting with the taxi cab company. He also spoke about regulations and having some general control over issue that might come up. Ordinance passed by unanimous vote 60. Ordinance Authorizing the Mayor to Enter into a Purchase and Sale Agreement with Boston and Maine Corporation for the Purpose of Acquiring Five Parcels of Land Totaling 24.31 Acres Located in the Town of Schaghticoke, New York as more particularly Shown and Marked “Exhibit A.” Bodnar asked Wheland if we were buying easements or parcels. Wheland stated this is the last of purchases available that the Railroad didn’t buy. The rest will just be easements. Galuski asked what part of the budget does this come from. Wheland stated the fund balance from the comprehensive plan already in place. Wiltshire asked if this was a different route and why. Wheland stated yes, because we did not have enough room. Gordon asked why they were not interested in easements. Wheland stated they just wanted to get rid of the property. He then spoke about the process of state approval before closing. Ordinance passed by unanimous vote 61. Ordinance to Amend the FY 2015 Budget to Receive Federal Revenue in the Amount of $9,000 from the “Federal Bureau of Investigation,” and Appropriate said Funds to the Troy Police Department Budget. Robertson asked what the improvements were. Skiba stated new fencing and the grating of pavement that’s already there. Galuski said it was all in the memorandum attached. Ordinance passed by unanimous vote 62. Ordinance Amending the 2015 City Budget to Transfer Funds within the General Budget Lines. Gordon asked about the over-run on materials and supplies. Chamberlain stated that the city does not fund enough money to operate the golf course so what we have to do is move money when needed. We try not to go into other lines but we had some issues this year with broken mowers etc. This transfer is to get that line out of the red. He also stated that we have not yet opened the pools yet and to keep that in mind. Robertson asked if the golf course and pools are on the same account. Chamberlain stated No, they are in a parks and recreation line, pool runs off 14,000. Robertson asked about the raise in golf fees and where it goes why not back to the course. Chamberlain stated it comes in to the city as revenue and put in the general fund. He stated the city cannot afford to lose that revenue, it needs it for its operating budget. Ordinance passed by unanimous vote 63. Ordinance Amending the 2015 General Fund Police Department Budget Line Item Robertson asked if this was new. Mayor stated it was a grant presented to the City by Walmart. It is used to purchase supplies that could be distributed at events done by the police throughout the City. Ordinance passed by unanimous vote 64. Ordinance Amending the 2015 General Fund Recreation Department Budget Line Item Gordon asked about the RFP for docks. Chamberlain stated that it is not going to happen this year. He said it’s more complicated now since FEMA gave us the grant money for the Sea-Wall; the Sea-Wall needs to be done first then the Marina. Ordinance passed by unanimous vote 38. Ordinance Amending Section 10 (Health Insurance) of the City’s Non-Represented Employees’ Policy. Robertson asked why we are removing Healthcare benefits for council members. Kopka stated to save money and to make parody with the other part-time employees. Robertson spoke about there being only 2-3 members that currently have it and that the City does not pay anything unless it is used. Wiltshire stated there are other part-time employees that have coverage. Kopka stated they are considered full time temporary employees. Wiltshire stated there are currently four (4) council members that are receiving Healthcare benefits. Wiltshire asked about the attorney’s. Kopka stated the attorneys are in Line#303 they are not considered part-time. Robertson asked if possible council members being put into Line #303 with the attorney’s. Gordon spoke about coverage and he is ready to vote for it to save money. He spoke about the availability for other healthcare coverage through the President’s healthcare act. Robertson spoke about the council salary and that it’s the lowest in the state. She stated how coverage would cost too much; the only option would be to apply for DSS for coverage. She stated how fair is it being a civil servant, on call 24 hours a day serving city residents at such a small salary and not be given healthcare benefits. Doherty spoke about his feelings that this legislation was targeting specific individuals and that he felt it was personal and wrong. He stated we need to be serious and he would not support it. Zalewski asked what the cost per council member for coverage is. Barry McNamara from Benetech stated the average coverage is $7,100.00 a year; lower for some higher for others. It is based on usage. Zalewski spoke about legislation that was passed in 2009 which was vetoed by the Mayor at the time stating council did not have the right to change health coverage for employees. Zalewski stated he feels this should be discussed after election time. They could revisit this with the incoming members and then decide during budget season. Robertson spoke about cost saving to the city would be to cap over-time. Let’s do the most good not the most damage. We should look at the budget and cut back. Wiltshire disagreed with the legislation feeling it was a political move not a real cost savings for the City. Ordinance passed by a vote of 5 yes to 4 no (Robertson, Doherty, Zalewski and Wiltshire) Consideration of Resolutions: 36. Resolution Appointing Commissioners of Deeds for the City of Troy Amended to remove Hannelore Wilfert who was added to the 5/7/15 meeting; motioned by Zalewski, 2nd by Galuski Amendment passed by unanimous vote Resolution passed by unanimous vote 37. Resolution Appointing Janice L. Cohen to the Board of Assessment Review of the City of Troy Resolution passed by unanimous vote 38. Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Execute and Enter into an Administrative Order on Consent with the Department of Environmental Conservation. Doherty spoke about how he felt after reading the report and the need to settle this. He was surprised at the level of fines. Galuski asked who over sees this. Chamberlain spoke about the violation and the monitoring of the tanks. He stated the system failed and it happened 1-2 weeks before the inspection but it was a staff oversight. He stated the new electronic system will eliminate some of the individual monitoring needed. Gordon asked about what budget line the fines will be paid from. Chamberlain stated DEC has agreed to a monthly payment plan of $300.00. He stated it may be paid out of the judgment and claims line he is not sure but he will let council know. Resolution passed by unanimous vote 39. Resolution in support of a National, Single-Payer Health Care Program as Proposed by H.R. 676, The Expanded & Improved Medicare for All Act. Zalewski proposed an add on to the agenda, 2nd by Wiltshire Amendment passed by unanimous vote; Resolution #39 was added Bodnar asked about how this affects Medicare with this healthcare plan. Zalewski spoke about this piece of legislation and the need for healthcare for all. He stated that it is an expanded Medicare plan and that it would eliminate the need for insurance companies that make a profit. Bodnar stated he would need more information on this to review before the next meeting. Zalewski stated he would provide them all with documentation. Resolution passed by unanimous vote Meeting Adjourned By Council Member Zalewski Seconded by Council Member Sullivan-Teta ADJOURNMENT: 8:17 pm An audio record of the Troy City Council Finance Committee meeting minutes is on file in the Troy City Clerks office. Troy City Clerk Cheryl Christiansen