City Council

Minutes of the Finance Meeting Troy City Council February 15, 2017 6:00 PM The meeting was called to order at 6:00 pm by Council President Mantello Pledge of Allegiance- Chris Wheland Roll Call: Council Member Gulli, Council Member Sullivan-Teta, Council Member McGrath, Council Member Bodnar, Council Member Doherty, Council Member Donohue, Council Member Ashe- McPherson, Council President Mantello. In attendance were Mayor Madden, Deputy Mayor Kurzejeski, Corporation Council James Caruso, Deputy Comptroller Piotrowski, Laura Welles, Dan Vincellette and Chris Wheland. Council President introduced Acting Corporation Counsel James Caruso for his confirmation hearing. Acting Corporation Counsel James Caruso addressed the Council and gave his academic and work history. Council President asked James Caruso how he will reduce the use of outside counsel. Caruso explained that for certain subject matters such as Labor Council he we will have to seek outside counsel and he will keep in mind the budget. Mantello asked about his municipal experience and Caruso explained he worked for the Supreme Court and dealt with municipal law. Mantello asked how he feels about representing both the Council and the Mayor. Caruso stated he worked for the Mayor but he will work for the Council per their request and his interaction with the Council has been positive. McGrath stated to clarify that Caruso works for the Mayor but he does serve the Council. Gulli asked what other areas of law would Caruso seek for outside Counsel. Caruso responded that in our policies of insurance cases we must use preferred Counsel. Bodnar stated that there is a lot of litigation and that trails are the cause of our legal fees and the Corporation. Bodnar further stated that the Corporation Counsel cannot be on trial and away from the office for ten days and that as Council we have to understand and there’s reasons why we have consultant fees. Ashe-McPherson inquired how Caruso’s private practice will affect the job. Caruso said he will make his job as Corporation Counsel number one and he is winding down his practice and his practice will be limited and there will be no conflict with the City of Troy. Doherty asked Caruso if when we are making a settlement does he have a corrective action to improve whatever the issues was that caused us to make a settlement. Caruso states that moving forward if he sees a need he will correct it and try to fix it. Caruso thanked the Council and Mantello closed the confirmation hearing. Fourth Quarter 2016 Report by Deputy Comptroller Andrew Piotrowski. Piotrowski stated the Annual Update Documents (AUD) is due April 30th to the State Comptroller’s Office and a full reconciliation to the County is due March 15th. Piotrowski explained there are two general fund presentations, one is a cash basis which is all of the receipts from 2015 and 2016 and the second presentation is a modified cash accrual basis. Piotrowski noted that revenues in the general fund increased by 2.2 million from 2016 vs 2015. Piotrowski stated the total deficit in the 2016 General fund is $4.388 million vs $4.7 million in 2015. Piotrowski said he is cautiously optimistic that the city will not have a deficit in 2016 and he was basing that on 4th quarter sales tax and grant reimbursements. He further stated the only caveat would be the health and dental run-off estimates. The Fourth Quarter 2016 General, Water and Sewer Fund Analysis is on file with these minutes. Consideration of Ordinances: ORD #15 ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2017 GENERAL FUND BUDGET TO TRANSFER FUNDS WITHIN THE GENERAL FUND Mantello asked Piotrowski if there is a policy. Piotwowski stated yes there is a non-represented employee policy that was amended on July 11, 2013 and he cited section 2C. Section 2C states that the employee will receive their vacation allotment on January 1 of each year. Ordinance passes by a unanimous vote ORD #16 ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2017 GENERAL FUND BUDGET TO ACCEPT FUNDS FROM THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATIONS AND APPROPRIATE THE FUNDS TO THE TROY POLICE DEPARTMENT Ashe-McPherson asked Piotrowski for clarification for the amount as the ordinance is for $5000 and the agreement states $9000. Piotrowski stated the original memo was $9000 and he will check and the Council know. Ordinance passes by a unanimous vote ORD #17 ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2017 GENERAL FUND BUDGET TO ACCEPT FUNDS FROM THE US DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE OFFICE OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND APPROPRIATE THE FUNDS TO THE TROY POLICE DEPARTMENT Ordinance passes by a unanimous vote ORD #18 ORDINANCE DECLARING CERTAIN CITY OWNED PROPERTY AS SURPLUS AND DIRECTING THE COMPTROLLER TO DISPOSE OF SAID PROPERTY Ordinance passes by a unanimous vote ORD #19 ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING SALES BY THE PROPOSAL SALE METHOD OF CITY-OWNED REAL PROPERTIES Council President explained that that per her conversation with Assessor Martin she will amend this ordinance as at the November 3, 2016 ordinance #78 passed selling property at 708 1st Ave to Joseph Franz and another party. At this time the other parties name will be removed from the property and Joseph Franz is the sole owner of the property. Mantello made a motion, 2nd McGrath to add James Franze to ordinance #19. Ordinance passes by a unanimous vote ORD #20 ORDINANCE APPROVING SETTLEMENT OF TAX CERTIORARI PROCEEDINGS INSTITUTED BY JEFF E. MURAD ON THE ASSESSMENT ROLL OF THE CITY OF TROY Ordinance passes 7 yes, 2 no (Mantello and Ashe-McPherson) Consideration of Resolutions: RES #30 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF TROY TO ACCEPT FUNDING FROM THE NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF PARKS, RECREATION AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION TO ACQUIRE LAND TO CREATE A SHORELINE PARK AND SUPPORT LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS Kurzejeski explained this will expand the Ingalls Ave boat launch into a riverfront park and the city was awarded $454,000 from the Dept. of Parks and Recreation. Resolution passes by a unanimous vote  RES #31 RESOLUTION APPOINTING COMMISSIONERS OF DEEDS FOR THE CITY OF TROY Resolution passes by a unanimous vote RES #32 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 INVASIVE SPECIES RAPID RESPONSE AND CONTROL PROGRAM Laura Welles, grant writer stated the grant is for up to $100,000 with a 50% match is to be provided by the City of Troy staff, volunteers and foundations. Welles further explains the grant is in a preliminary stage. Mantello asks to let the Council know the specific amount we are asking for and what the match is. Resolution passes by a unanimous vote RES #33 RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE APPOINTMENT OF JAMES A. CARUSO, ESQ. AS CITY OF TROY CORPORATION COUNSEL Resolution passes by a unanimous vote Adjournment: Motion to Adjourn – Sullivan-Teta, 2nd Kopka Meeting adjourned 7:52 pm An audio recording of this meeting is on file in the Clerk’s Office Patti O’Brien City Clerk