City Council

Minutes of the Finance Meeting Troy City Council January 18, 2017 6:00 PM The meeting was called to order at 6:00 pm by Council President Mantello Pledge of Allegiance: Council Member Donohue Roll Call: Council Member Gulli, Council Member McGrath, Council Member Bodnar, Council Member Doherty, Council Member Donohue, Council Member Ashe-McPherson, Council President Mantello. Absent: Council Member Sullivan-Teta In attendance were Mayor Madden, Deputy Mayor Kurzejeski, Corporation Council Kevin Glasheen, Deputy Comptroller Andy Piotrowski, Chief Tedesco, Steve Strichman and John Salka. No members of the public attended. Consideration of Ordinances: ORD #4 ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2017 GENERAL FUND BUDGET TO APPROPRIATE ADDITIONAL FUNDING FROM THE NYS GOVERNOR’S TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMITTEE FOR POLICE TRAFFIC SERVICES Ordinance passes by a unanimous vote ORD #5 ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2017 GENERAL FUND BUDGET TO APPROPRIATE ADDITIONAL FUNDING FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE JOINT LAW ENFORCEMENT OPERATIONS TASK FORCE Ordinance passes by a unanimous vote ORD #6 ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2017 GENERAL FUND BUDGET TO APPROPRIATE ADDITIONAL FUNDING FROM THE NYS GOVERNOR’S TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMITTEE FOR THE CHILD PASSENGER SAFETY PROGRAM Ordinance passes by a unanimous vote ORD #7 ORDINANCE AMENDING THE SPECIAL REVENUE FUND BUDGET TO APPROPRIATE ADDITIONAL FUNDING FROM THE NYS DIVISION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES FOR VIDEO RECORDING OF STATEMENTS Ordinance passes by a unanimous vote ORD #8 ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2017 GENERAL FUND BUDGET TO APPROPRIATE ADDITIONAL FUNDING FROM THE NYS GOVERNOR’S TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMITTEE FOR PEDESTRIAN/BICYCLIST EDUCATION AND ENFORCEMENT Ordinance passes by a unanimous vote  ORD #9 ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2017 GENERAL FUND BUDGET TO APPROPRIATE ADDITIONAL FUNDING FROM THE NYS DIVISION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES (DCJS) – POLICE PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT PROGRAM (PPEP) Ordinance passes by a unanimous vote ORD #10 ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2017 GENERAL FUND BUDGET TO APPROPRIATE ADDITIONAL FUNDING FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE - FY16 EDWARD BYRNE MEMORIAL JUSTICE ASSISTANCE GRANT Ordinance passes by a unanimous vote ORD #11 ORDINANCE APPROVING SETTLEMENT OF TAX CERTIORARI PROCEEDINGS INSTITUTED BY UNIVERSITY PARTNERS LLC ON THE ASSESSMENT ROLL OF THE CITY OF TROY Mantello addresses Ordinance 11 & 12 together stating it is a combined total of $1.57 million coming off the tax rolls and she will be voting no as it is a 22.9% reduction on ordinance #11 and a 48.9% reduction on ordinance #12. Dan Vincelette states this is the former EOC property and the owner had appraised value of $2.7 million for three properties, Vincelette checked this appraisal against other properties and it is consistent with other values. Mantello asked if this is Uccellini property and Vincelette responded, yes. Bodnar stated the previous assessment was $5.9 million and then asks if a vacant property has a lower valuation. Vincelette responds that an empty building has to be assessed as an empty building. Vincelette explains that Phi Gamma Delta was previously a Baptist Church and exempt from taxes. Vincelette states the property sold in 2013 for $275,000 and there was $800,000 in building permits which caused the assessment to go up, however the $800,000 did not enhance the building but was structural and for HVAC. Ordinance passes 7 yes, 2 no (Mantello, Ashe-McPherson) ORD #12 ORDINANCE APPROVING SETTLEMENT OF TAX CERTIORARI PROCEEDINGS INSTITUTED BY HOUSE CORPORATION OF PHI GAMMA DELTA ON THE ASSESSMENT ROLL OF THE CITY OF TROY Ordinance fails 4 yes (McGrath, Doherty, Kopka, Sullivan-Teta), 5 no (Gulli, Bodnar, Donohue, Ashe- McPherson, Mantello) CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTIONS RES #27 RESOLUTION APPOINTING TERI KIPPEN AS CITY AUDITOR FOR THE CITY OF TROY Resolution passes 8 yes, 1 no Kopka RES #28 RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE THE TROY CITY COUNCIL TO RETAIN AN INDEPENDENT AUDITOR TO CONDUCT AN AUDIT OF THE 1700 6TH AVENUE PROJECT Mantello states she has received calls from constituents for this project who want to know all of the details of this project and how the money was spent. She feels strongly that hiring an independent auditor will let the taxpayers know where every penny was spent. Sullivan-Teta asks if the hiring of the auditor will be an RFP. Mantello replies no as it will be under $5000. McGrath states there were gross mistakes and he would rather take the money and transfer it to the pools. McGrath states you can send a letter to the Office of State Comptroller. Mantello questions if they should make an amendment to send a letter to the Office of State Comptroller and that her goal is to find out where the money went and how do you go over $1 million and not inform the Council. Doherty states the Deputy Mayor was very forthcoming and not sure why we have to move to a third party. Gulli concurred with a letter to the Office of State Comptroller. Mantello read a prepared letter to the Office of State Comptroller. Bodnar clarified the letter was not from the Council but from Mantello. Mantello responded it was from Mantello as to put as a matter of record. Resolution fails 2 yes (Mantello, Gulli) 7 no RES #9 BOND RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF TROY, NEW YORK, AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $1,000,000 ADDITIONAL SERIAL BONDS TO FINANCE THE COST OF COURT AND POLICE FACILITIES RENOVATION. McGrath states if this doesn’t pass the City it will cost the city an additional $22,000 as we have to do this project. Bodnar states the city grossly underestimated the project and we have to complete it and he will approve. Gulli asks when the City buys a building is there an inspection done by a certified inspector and how did it get this far. Kurzejeski states the only things we have is from Bill Chamberlin and the prior City Engineer. She further explains that the building was purchased and then the architects and engineers were called in and they didn’t know they had to replace the roof until December 2015. Mantello states if they knew this last year then why is this is the first time the Council is hearing about this. Kurzejeski states we started to find out when Piotrowski reconciled the Capital account and that was in September/October. Mantello stated you should have disclosed to us as you had an idea that the project was over budget. Kurzejeski asked if they would you want to know at budget season. Mantello said yes it should have been discussed during the budget process and that if they knew for three months they should have come forward to the Council instead of at the very last minute. Kurzejeski states we are rectifying the situation and she will not present lack of information or uniformed information; she will present the full story. Gulli says there is a lack of communication and we have to work on this. Ashe-McPherson states she is uncomfortable with the responses that we don’t know what happened from the prior administration and she is not comfortable to ask the taxpayers to bond for another million dollars and she will not support. Mantello states these are 25 year bonds and total over $6 million and at $270,000 a year on interest. Piotrowski says we will issue BAN (Bond Anticipation Note) and distributes a handout. Doherty asks if we spend $.11 do we get back $.89 at an interest rate of below 2%. Piotrowski states that for 100% reimbursable grants we will get back $.9865 for every dollar we spend. Mantello says the resolution does not state it’s for five years and the legislation says it’s for 25 years and it’s not written as a BAN. Piotrowski reads section 2 of the resolution and states they will issue BANS. Resolution passes 7 yes, 1 no (Ashe-McPherson), 1 abstention (Mantello) RES #7 RESOLUTION SETTING THE DATES OF THE TROY CITY COUNCIL FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING Resolution passes by a unanimous vote RES #8 RESOLUTION SETTING THE DATES OF THE CITY COUNCIL STANDING COMMITTEE MEETING Resolution passes by a unanimous vote  RES #10 BOND RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF TROY, NEW YORK, AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $4,000,000 ADDITIONAL SERIAL BONDS TO FINANCE THE COST OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE SOUTH TROY INDUSTRIAL ROADWAY. McGrath asks if there are less truck and trucking companies. Kurzejeski states yes companies are there and the salt pile is there, too. Mantello requests that an RFP goes out as the $22,000 is too much to pay. Piotrowski clarifies the $22,000 is spread out over financial institutions not just one institution. Resolution passes 8 yes, 1 no (Mantello) RES #11 RESOLUTION DETERMINING THAT PROPOSED ACTION IS A TYPE II ACTION FOR PURPOSES OF THE NEW YORK STATE ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY REVIEW ACT Resolution passes by a unanimous vote RES #12 BOND RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF TROY, NEW YORK, AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $226,733 SERIAL BONDS TO FINANCE THE COST OF THE ABATEMENT AND DEMOLITION OF THE SCOLITE SITE BUILDING Resolution passes by a unanimous vote RES #13 RESOLUTION DETERMINING THAT PROPOSED ACTION IS AN UNLISTED ACTION AND DETERMINING SIGNIFICANCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS PURSUANT TO THE NEW YORK STATE ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY REVIEW ACT – INGALLS AVENUE BOAT AND KAYAK LAUNCHES Resolution passes by a unanimous vote RES #14 BOND RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF TROY, NEW YORK, AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $1,107,850 SERIAL BONDS TO FINANCE THE COST OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE INGALLS AVENUE BOAT AND KAYAK LAUNCHES. Resolution passes by a unanimous vote RES #15 RESOLUTION DETERMINING THAT PROPOSED ACTION IS AN UNLISTED ACTION AND DETERMINING SIGNIFICANCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS PURSUANT TO THE NEW YORK STATE ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY REVIEW ACT – POWERS PARK REHABILITATION Resolution passes by a unanimous vote RES #16 BOND RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF TROY, NEW YORK, AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $449,000 SERIAL BONDS TO FINANCE THE REHABILITATION OF POWERS PARK Resolution passes by a unanimous vote RES #17 RESOLUTION EXTENDING THE TIME FOR THE DEPUTY COMPTROLLER TO PROVIDE THE CITY COUNCIL WITH THE FINANCIAL REPORT FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 2016 Resolution passes by a unanimous vote RES #18 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT FOR AN EASEMENT WITH THE WILKINSON FAMILY TRUST U/A Resolution passes by a unanimous vote  RES #19 RESOLUTION APPROVING THE CONSTRUCTION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE UNCLE SAM TRANSIT CENTER AS CURRENTLY DESIGNED Resolution passes by a unanimous vote RES #21 RESOLUTION PROCLAIMING FEBRUARY 2017 BLACK HISTORY MONTH IN THE CITY OF TROY, NEW YORK Resolution passes by a unanimous vote RES #22 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO ENTER INTO A 2017 STOP-DWI ENFORCEMENT AGREEMENT WITH THE COUNTY OF RENSSELAER Resolution passes by a unanimous vote RES #23 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH THE MOHAWK & HUDSON HUMANE SOCIETY Mantello asks is there is any way we can reduce the fees with the shelter. Glasheen states this is the best way for the city instead of paying on a per dog basis. Kopka states she has discussed with the Chief and the Police Department wanted an increase due to the number of pit bulls. McGrath says he was here when we raised rates and it was due to the number of dogs taken to the shelter. Glasheen said the fees we charge help defray the cost. Donohue and Gulli both ask for a report to show the number of dogs picked up by the Animal Control Officer. Resolution passes by a unanimous vote RES #24 RESOLUTION BY THE TROY CITY COUNCIL APPROVING AND ENDORSING THE CITY OF TROY, NY IN ITS APPLICATION TO NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION FOR GRANT FUNDING UNDER THE 2017 URBAN AND COMMUNITY FORESTRY GRANT PROGRAM Laura Wells (Grant Writer) gives a synopsis of the grant and states the City can request between the $11,000 and $50,000 and the grant is for tree inventory and tree management planning. Strichman states there’s about one thousand trees inventoried and the city will apply for $50,000. Resolution passes by a unanimous vote RES #25 RESOLUTION APPOINTING COMMISSIONERS OF DEEDS FOR THE CITY OF TROY Resolution passes by a unanimous vote RES #26 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE A MASTER ENGINEERING SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH THE ENGINEERING FIRM OF CDM SMITH Chris Wheland states they received three proposals for this project. He further explains that this is an as needed service. Doherty notes in Exhibit A the rates are subject to a 5% increase every year and on page 5 the ownership of documents is at the discretion of the engineer. Kurzejeski states we can look into this as we haven’t signed the contract yet and with regards to getting their permission may be due to their stamp license and that is why we probably have to get their permission. Doherty says I understand but I don’t want to ask their permission for what we paid for. Kopka asks if its boiler plate language and Wheland says yes. Wheland says he will try to negotiate the contract. Resolution passes by a unanimous vote Bodnar makes a motion to add Resolution #20 to the Finance Meeting. The motion to put on resolution #20 passes 7 yes, 2 no (Mantello and Ashe-McPherson)  RES #20 RESOLUTION TO EXTEND THE RETAINER AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF TROY AND THE LAW FIRM OF GOLDBERGER & KREMER Bodnar states his reason to sponsor this is due to his concern that the contract with labor attorney expired 12/31/2016 and he doesn’t want to see the city operating without a labor attorney. Bodnar makes a motion to amend the resolution for 45 days and not for 90 days. McGrath states we seem to be stuck with these contracts and he is inclined to look elsewhere for the sake of change. Doherty says he agrees to co- sponsor and is in favor. Mantello states it will be good to see what comes in from the RFP and hopes we get a good selection and find a firm that are willing to look at the contracts and come with different tactics. Gulli replies it is time to get someone more aggressive and not complacent. Resolution passes by a unanimous vote Adjournment Motion to adjourn McGrath, Sullivan-Teta 8:00 pm