City Council

Minutes of the Finance Committee Troy City Council October 19, 2016 6:00 pm The Meeting was called to order at 6:00 pm by Council President Mantello and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Frank Ranzanno Roll Call: The roll being called the following answered to their names: Council Member Gulli, Council Member McGrath, Council Member Bodnar, Council Member Doherty, Council Member Kopka, Council Member Donohue, Council Member Sullivan-Teta, Council Member Ashe-McPherson and Council President Mantello. In attendance were Mayor Madden, Deputy Mayor Kurzejeski, Corporation Counsel Kevin Glasheen, and Deputy Comptroller Andy Piotrowski. Review of the 3rd Quarter Financial Report Deputy Comptroller Andy Piotrowski gave the 3rd Quarter Report for the General Fund, Water and Sewer. Consideration of Ordinances: ORD #72 ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE DEPUTY CITY COMPTROLLER TO CLOSE COMPLETED CAPITAL PROJECTS Council President Mantello asked Deputy Comptroller to address the Office of State Comptrollers findings of thirteen projects that were not closed out and the city overspent $425,000. Piotrowski explains that ordinance #72 will close out 11 projects. He further explains that some projects go back to 2000. Council member Doherty commends Deputy Comptroller Piotrowski and the administration for getting this job done. Council President Mantello asks how will the Council get information regarding tracking new projects. Piotrowski explains the comingling has been corrected. Ordinance passes by a unanimous vote. ORD #73 ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE DEPUTY CITY COMPTROLLER TO TRANSFER MONIES BETWEEN CITY FUNDS FOR THE LOCAL SHARE OF CAPITAL PROJECT Council member McGrath asks if the bike trail is a 50/50 match. Piotrowski answers that the he found these two projects under the same number in the system. One is for a 50/50 match and the second one is from DOT (Reimburse 80%, 15% from the state). McGrath states not complete. Piotrowski states no, not complete. Piotrowski states that this is a balance sheet transfer and there is no impact on 2016. Mantello says she wants to see total amounts and where the project is, and asks for more detail. Piotrowski will get the Council more detail. Ordinance passes by a unanimous vote. ORD #74 ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CITY TO ACCEPT FUNDS FROM THE CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND TO THE GENERAL FUND FOR SURPLUS FUNDS FROM HISTORICAL CAPITAL PROJECTS Deputy Comptroller Piotrowski explained to the Council that after reconciling 31 projects to the penny there is a lump sum of money and it was determined that the funds will go from the Capital Fund to the General Fund. Mantello asks for as list. Doherty states this is a sixteen year problem of not tracking projects and that the Deputy Comptroller knows where the monies are and that we can move forward as it says in the Charter to track and close. Bodnar notes that this is tremendous undertaking and that we need the right assurances to show the right methods were used. Piotrowski states the right methods were used. Mantello asks if we need to assure the Comptroller’s Office. Doherty states it demonstrates to the Comptroller’s Office and he would like to move forward. Bodnar also states to move forward. Ordinance passes by a unanimous vote. ORD #75 ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2016 CITY BUDGET TO ACCEPT FUNDS FROM RENSSELAER COUNTY STOP – DWI Ordinance passes by a unanimous vote. ORD #76 ORDINANCE TO APPROVE AND RATIFY THE EMPLOYMENT MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF TROY AND THE TROY UNIFORM FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION, IAFF, AFL-CIO Bodnar states he supports the proposed contract and appreciates that the UFA was realistic when they came to the table. He acknowledges that the cost of $325,000 for next year is a lot for the city to absorb but that we have to balance that if we go to arbitration as there were numbers were in front of us in the Executive Session. He further states we are trying to be fair and hopes this will move forward to the Regular Council meeting. Doherty states that he is going to support this tonight. Gulli addresses the members of the UFA and states that there is a large tax increase in front of us and he doesn’t feel the timing is right as we are in the infancy of looking at the budget and he represents the people and the people are asking him how we are going to pay for this. Gulli makes a motion to table the ordinance for 30 to 60 days. Ashe-McPherson states she if with the Fire department but not with the no layoff clause and she is asking for 30 days. Donohue asks to hear more about the layoff clause. Mantello asks Mayor Madden to address the no layoff clause. Mayor Madden defers to Bryan Goldberger who states there are legal ramifications and suggests that they may want to discuss them in Executive Session as it’s a component of the agreement. Mantello states she does not want to go into Executive Session. Donohue asks if it’s (the non-layoff clause) is for all. Goldberger states it applies to members of the bargaining unit of the UFA. Razzano states the no layoff clause is about manning for our safety and we do not meet the minimum staffing it will be made up in OT. Gulli states he is not against it, just looking for 30 days. Gulli addresses that new hires come off the grant in two years and we pay for them. Mantello states she told Razzano that could not make a decision without looking at the Mayor’s budget. Mantello states she appreciates the zero’s but she agrees with Gulli and would like the 30 days. There is a motion to table and the motion failed 4 yes (Gulli, McGrath, Ashe-McPherson, Mantello), 5 no (Sullivan-Teta, Bodnar, Doherty, Kopka and Donohue). Upon further discussion McGrath states we are going to pay $325,000 and the talk about change is only talk. Mantello refers to the 16 point plan and we were told we need to make changes as we are facing a dramatic tax increase and no one is saying they don’t deserve it, but we don’t have the money. Ashe-McPherson states the people of Troy deserve better and notes the tax increases however she is for the firefighters. Donohue states he believes we can suffer more damage and doesn’t believe that tabling it will change it. Ordinance passes 5 yes(Bodnar, Doherty, Kopka, Donohue, Sullivan-Teta) 4 no (Gulli, McGrath, Ashe- McPherson and Mantello). ORD #77 ORDINANCE AMENDING PRIOR ORDINANCES DULY PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL RELATING TO THE SEWER RATE FROM DECEMBER 1975 THROUGH DECEMBER 9, 2014 PURSUANT TO THE TROY CITY CODE AND THE RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES TO INCREASE THE SEWER RATE FROM 85% TO 100% OF THE WATER BILL RATE Mantello states that in order to take a vote this ordinance needs a sponsor. Kopka states she will sponsor. Chris Wheland gives an overview and explains that the rate increase equates to $.051 per 1000 gallons. He cites that the minimum bill of 5000 gallons will be $2.58 per 1000 gallons quarterly and that an average family of four uses 20,000 gallons and their bill will increase $40. He states this was proposed in 2015 and defeated. Mantello states the sewer fund is balanced and understands he wants a surplus but taxpayers are looking at 28% tax increase and we have to do more with less. Mantello says she wants more backup and makes a motion to table. Kopka thanks Chris and states we would not be in this situation if we had done 2% in the past like you asked and that we would be in great shape. Doherty says his experience with the CSO’s and that the EPA has fined us for putting human waste in the Hudson. He states we want a river walk and it’s important to do the right thing and he will support this. Mantello responds that is why we are asking Wheland to break it down and let’s see what percentage is for the CSO’s. Donohue states he is considering tabling this and being the chair of DPU he would like to meet for further discussion. Mantello makes a motion to table this to DPU committee meeting. Motion to Table passes 7 yes, 2 no (Doherty, Kopka). ORD #78 ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING SALES BY THE PROPOSAL SALE METHOD OF CITY-OWNED REAL PROPERTIES Mantello thanks the committee. Bodnar asks McGrath how the process went. McGrath stated it went well and that a city employee bid and was the highest bidder. Donohue agreed and was pleased with the process. Doherty said it’s an improved process. Ordinance passes by a unanimous vote. ORD #79 ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CODE OF THE CITY OF TROY, CHAPTER 141: BUILDINGS, ARTICLE I: BUILDING CODE: §141-9 BUILDING PERMIT FEES; § 141-13 CHARGE FOR DEMOLITION OF BUILDINGS; § 141-14 FEE FOR SIGNS AND CERTIFICATION LETTERS; § 141-17 CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY AND § 141-31CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE. Ordinance passes by a unanimous vote. ORD #80 ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CODE OF THE CITY OF TROY, CHAPTER 141: BUILDINGS, ARTICLE I: BUILDING CODE, §141-20 VACANT BUILDING PLAN AND FEES Ordinance passes by a unanimous vote. ORD #81 ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING SETTLEMENT OF CLAIM, TO WIT: SAMUEL RATLEY v. CITY OF TROY, DOMINICK COMITALE AND BRANDON CIPPERLY, INDEX NO.: 1:16 – CV – 0650 Ordinance passes by a unanimous vote. Consideration of Resolutions: RES #98 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TP FINALIZE AND EXECUTE A COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE TROY POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION Resolution passes by a unanimous vote RES #99 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE AND DELIVER AN EASEMENT FORM THE CITY OF TROY TO WOLFF’S BIERGARTEN, TROY, LLC Doherty asks why we wouldn’t ask a business to pay for an easement. Bodnar agrees. Glasheen responds this allows the Biergarten to set up two dumpsters and to assist with the condo project and to provide assistance to a business. McGrath asks if the Biergarten owns the property. Glasheen says, yes and we can explore fees. Resolution passes by a unanimous vote RES #100 RESOLUTION BY THE TROY CITY COUNCIL APPROVING AND ENDORSING THE CITY OF TROY, NY IN ITS APPLICATION TO NEW YORK STATE OFFICE OF COMMUNITY RENEWAL FOR GRANT FUNDING UNDER THE 2016 NEW YORK MAIN STREET TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROJECTS Resolution passes by a unanimous vote Adjournment: Motion to Adjourn – Doherty, 2nd McGrath Meeting adjourned 8:40 pm An audio record of the Troy City Council Finance Committee meeting is on file in the Troy City Clerk’s office.