City Council

Minutes of the Finance Meeting Troy City Council July 23, 2015 The meeting was called to order at 6:04 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, Kopka, Gordon, Wiltshire, Galuski and Doherty. Council member Zalewski arrived late at 6:08 PM. Also present were Mayor Lou Rosamilia, Corporation Council Ian Silverman, and Counsel to the Council Joe Liccardi. The meeting was attended by approximately 10 members of the public. Consideration of Local Law: Tabled/ Local Law No. 1 (Intro #1) for 2015 Creating Chapter 37 “Energize NY Benefit Financing Program” of the Code of the City of Troy, New York. Kopka asked about the finance charge. Monica spoke about the insurance policy the City could get to protect from any issues. She stated others have never had any issue. She spoke about the rigorous process that it takes to be accepted. Wiltshire spoke about the meeting he attended and the process. Bodnar spoke about this being similar to the library board wanting the city to make them whole. He did not want to approve this if the city was not protected from any financial obligations due to delinquent payments . He stated it could happen if we do opt for the insurance protection. Monica spoke about the public hearing with Elysa in 7 days and that she could better answer these questions during the presentation. Kopka asked what the fee was for insurance. Monica stated she did not know. Bodnar asked who signs the contract, the Mayor? Wiltshire stated there are two contracts one with the state and one with EIC, the insurance will be split up between them. Ian stated the administration still had some unanswered questions and that’s why they wanted to wait on this legislation. The Mayor stated having the public hearing and presenting it to council tonight was to start the process. He stated he did still have some concerns for the City’s responsibility. He spoke about it possibly attracting people to come to the city. He said he would not go for it without the insurance protection but did not know the details or the cost. Bodnar spoke about paragraph A and its meaning. Monica stated it is a template provided by EIC. Gordon asked about the cancellation email he received in regards to the EIC meeting from Monica. Monica stated she did not send it. The Mayor stated based on the email and confusion maybe we should wait until all council members could attend another meeting with EIC. Gordon motioned to Table it, Robertson 2nd the motion which passed by unanimous vote. Consideration of Ordinances: 72. Ordinance Approving Settlement of Tax Certiorari Proceedings Instituted by 8 109th Street LLC on the Assessment Roll of the City of Troy. Bodnar asked for and explanation on the settlement. Vincelette explained the whole process of the negotiation and settlement. Ordinance passed by unanimous vote 73. Ordinance Approving Settlement of Tax Certiorari Proceedings Instituted by Pawling Methodist Church on the Assessment Roll of the City of Troy. Galuski asked for an explanation on this settlement. Vincelette explained the process and the negotiations for this property based on the current condition of the residence. He stated one building was torn down. Bodnar spoke about tax exemption for churches. Vincelette spoke about the state law and regulation for church properties. Gordon asked what did the church put on the GARR assessment form. Galuski stated both were habitable at the time of the GARR assessment. Ordinance passed by a vote of 8 yes to 1 no (Gordon) 74. Ordinance Authorizing and Directing Sales by the Private Sale Method of City- Owned Real Properties. Zalewski asked what the proposal was for 123 Adams St. Martin stated it will be a garden. Galuski asked about 27 Cross St., if it was the same buyer as 365 1st. Martin stated yes, and she is good at what she does. Wiltshire asked about Jacob and King St. property stating he did not know the buyer was the Racino Group. Martin explained that it’s a small parcel of land and that no one else would want it. She showed the map to Wiltshire. Gordon spoke about 884 Third Ave. He had concerns with the renovation cost estimate being too low based on what he’s seen of the building. Kopka who attended the meeting and stated the 35,000.00 was only for materials not labor. Gordon asked if he had the financials. Martin stated yes. Kopka stated they did discuss the amount and maybe they should have him go in to take a look before closing in case he changes his mind. Gordon asked if this process could be done. Martin said yes and she would have Code Enforcement go in with him. Ordinance passed by unanimous vote 75. Ordinance Amending the Code of the City of Troy, Policy Against Discrimination § 2-5(A). Wiltshire stated he had invited two people to come to answer any question the council may have regarding the next several ordinances which are all related. He spoke about discrimination and how the council has the power to make a change. Kopka spoke about Troy being the first in the 70’s to pass anti-discrimination legislation. She stated she is happy to be a co-sponsor. Renate Hartman spoke about being transgender, the process and personal issue. Robertson asked what the biggest thing was that you would like to see. Hartman stated the enforcement once the policy is in place. Zalewski spoke about this legislation and how something similar was presented in the past that did not pass due to other parts of the written legislation. He spoke about his personal experiences and lobbying for change. Doherty spoke about the need for acceptance of each other and the private lives of people. He told a story about his experience at the Pride parade he attended once. Bodnar questioned the legislation’s wording and where it came from. Wiltshire stated it was from our already existing code. Ordinance passed by unanimous vote 76. Ordinance Amending the Code of the City of Troy, Chapter 51 Human Rights Commission on; Article I Human Rights Policy and Commission §§ 51-1 to 51-6. Ordinance passed by unanimous vote 77. Ordinance Amending the Code of the City of Troy, Chapter 51 Human Rights, Commission on Article II Fair Housing, Section 51-7 Public Policy and Provisions Article II § 51-7. Bodnar asked Ian how this affects the fair and federal housing laws. Ian stated it was not his legislation. Byrgen Finkelman spoke about how the federal housing does not protect transgender. Bodnar stated in Troy they would. Byrgen stated this would possibly attract people to live in here due to the protection Bodnar spoke about it being passed at a state level to really be effective. Byrgen stated yes but it has been labeled the bathroom issue and for now we have to fight county by county and city by city to make the change. She handed out a flyer with information to council members. Ordinance passed by unanimous vote 78. Ordinance Amending the Code of the City of Troy, Chapter 60 Officers and Employees, Section 60-4 Adoption of Policy. Ordinance passed by unanimous vote 79. Ordinance Amending the Code of the City of Troy, Chapter Personnel Policies, Article IV Employee Discrimination and § 67-47 Policy. Ordinance passed by unanimous vote 80. Ordinance Amending the Code of the City of Troy, Chapter 87 Public Employment Relations Board § 87-2 Definitions. Ordinance passed by unanimous vote 81. Ordinance Amending the 2015 City Budget to Accept Funds from the New York State Department of Criminal Justice Services for the Purpose of Furthering the Efforts in Implementation of the City of Troy and Rensselaer County Joint Task Force. Ordinance passed by unanimous vote 82. Ordinance Amending the 2015 City Budget to Accept Funds from the US Department of Justice Office of Justice Assistance for the Purpose of Appropriating Expenditures as Defined in the Aforesaid Grant Agreement. Ordinance passed by unanimous vote 83. Ordinance Amending the 2015 City Budget. Bodnar asked why the LDC is involved in the Marina. Deputy Ryan stated how the City was to fund the marina but during budget season we did not have enough so they went to the LDC for help. Bodnar asked if it was a grant. Ryan stated they do not have to refund the money. Wiltshire asked if all the City had to do was to write a letter and ask for funding. Ryan stated yes and it was voted on by the Members. Ordinance passed by unanimous vote 84. Ordinance Amending the 2015 City Budget to Transfer Funds within the General Budget Lines. Doherty spoke about an email he sent to the administration regarding getting legislation in a timely manner and the need for the deadline to be enforced. Galuski asked about police travel. Ryan stated it was the North Carolina trip. Galuski asked if we were getting reimbursed. Ryan stated he did not know. Gordon stated he heard some portion will be. Wiltshire asked by whom. Gordon stated he thinks the DA’s office. Zalewski asked for a breakdown of costs. Teta stated she believes it’s the cost of the SUV rental, tolls, meals and room. Bodnar spoke about the need for police vehicles. Ian stated there were 3 clients, a witness and 5 days for the Utica trial. Ordinance passed by a vote of 7 yes to 2 no (Gordon & Bodnar) Consideration of Resolutions: 53. Resolution Authorizing Application for a Local Government Efficiency Program Grant. Mayor explained this legislation came about when the City went to try and be added to Albany’s 911 Dispatch System after contract negotiations with the county once our agreement was up for renewal. This study will allow us to see if it will work and if we can then move forward. Resolution passed by unanimous vote 54. A Resolution Expressing the City of Troy’s Support for the Adoption of Transgender Nondiscrimination Legislation (GENDA) by the State of New York. Zalewski stated he was told he could be a sponsor and vote for this legislation, without conflict due to his position at the legislature. Wiltshire spoke about the importance of this legislation. Resolution passed by unanimous vote 55. A Resolution by the City of Troy Requesting Support from Rensselaer County for the Adoption of Transgender Nondiscrimination Legislation (GENDA) by the State of New York. Resolution passed by unanimous vote Meeting Adjourn By Council Member Gordon Seconded by Council Member Zalewski ADJOURNMENT 7:31pm 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