City Council

Minutes of the Finance Meeting Troy City Council March 2, 2017 5:45 PM The meeting was called to order at 5:45 pm by Council President Mantello Pledge of Allegiance-All 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 and Chris Wheland. Consideration of Ordinances: ORD #21 ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2017 GENERAL FUND IN ORDER TO APPROPRIATE ADDITIONAL FUNDS THAT WILL BE RECEIVED FROM THE CAPITAL RESOURCE CORPORATION Council President Mantello thanked Council member Doherty for securing NIP funding from the CRC. Council Member Bodnar explained that he was absent from the IDA meeting when Council Member Doherty secured the funds. He further stated that although Council member Doherty was well intended he would have been in opposition as we should not use an independent city entity for funding especially after the hard decisions that were made for the budget. Council Member Doherty stated that the Neighborhood Improvement Program (NIP) for comparatively a little money impacts so many and that neighbors come together and it is well intended. Council member Ashe-McPherson stated that it’s a great program, however, Council member Bodnar had good points and she will be voting no. Council member McGrath stated that Council member Doherty did a good job. Council President Mantello stated the CRC and IDA are promoting investments and these projects dovetail into other projects such as for our gateways and she will support. Ordinance passes 7 yes, 2 no (Bodnar, Ashe-McPherson) ORD #22 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 Council member Donohue stated this ordinance was tabled in 2016 and we are trying to plan ahead and look at the long term and not the short term, he cited the pools stating if we don’t maintain our infrastructure we will pay down the road. Council member Ashe-McPherson asked how Chris Wheland arrived at the 17.5%. Wheland explained the 17.5% will get us to 100% of the water rate. Council member McGrath stated he has tried to minimize the rate and could not as the state said we have to complete the project by a certain date or we will be $10,000 a day. Council member Gulli asked Wheland for the completion date and if this increase will pay for the program. Wheland explained the city’s portion is $35 million and it’s a 15 year project. Wheland explained we look for grant money but it is not guaranteed. Council member Gulli asked if the rate can be staggered and if so will this increase get us to our goal. Wheland stated the 17.5% will get us to our goal in 12 years but he anticipates that the EPA will have different water quality regulations at the end of this project. Council President Mantello stated in January 2015 we had a 20% increase and asked Wheland if he anticipates coming back for an increase. Wheland stated this will cover the CSO project in conjunction with grant money. Council President Mantello stated that other communities are doing this gradually with a multi-year plan. Wheland stated the other communities started with a higher sewer fund balance and we do not have a cushion. Council member Donohue stated this increase includes non- profits and Wheland states RPI and St. Peters will pay $61,000. Council President said people are upset with this coupled with the tax increase and that an incremental approach would have been more prudent for the taxpayer. Piotrowski gave a scenario for an incremental rate stating that if the sewer rate was raised 2% annually from 2017- 2020 there will be a $2.3 million shortfall. Council member Gulli asked if the goals would be met if the rate was raised 4% over 5 years. Wheland stated they looked a various scenarios as to the best solutions and he doesn’t want to see the city fined $10,000 a day. Council member Donohue stated that bad budgeting and bad planning got us into this and we have to put plans in place for the city. Council member McGrath stated for the record to Wheland, that the full 17.5% is for the CSO. Wheland stated, yes. Council member Doherty stated he will support this so we will have less negative impact on the river and that we should do the right thing for the environment and the Earth. Council President Mantello asked Wheland to take a multi-year approach on all Capital projects. Council President Mantello took a vote and the vote was 5 yes and 4 no. Council President Mantello stated a 2/3 vote is required to advance this ordinance however she will clarify before this meeting adjourns. Ordinance fails 5 yes, 4 no (Gulli, Sullivan-Teta, Ashe-McPherson, Mantello) ORD #23 AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF TROY, NEW YORK AND THE CHAZEN COMPANIES Ordinance passes by a unanimous vote Consideration of Resolutions: RES #34 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE RETENTION OF SPECIAL COUNSEL FOR LABOR NEGOTIATIONS AND DISPUTES Resolution passes by a unanimous vote RES #35 RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING MARCH OF 2017 AS WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH IN THE CITY OF TROY Resolution passes by a unanimous vote Council member Donohue asked Council President Mantello to clarify if Ordinance #22 passed to the Regular meeting. Council President Mantello cites section C-26 of the City Code that states no city ordinance shall be adopted at the same meeting at which it is introduced or until seven days have elapsed since its introduction except by a two-thirds vote of the Council Members present. Council President Mantello states she will schedule another Finance meeting. Adjournment: Motion to Adjourn – Gulli, 2nd Ashe-McPherson Meeting adjourned pm An audio recording of this meeting is on file in the Clerk’s Office Patti O’Brien City Clerk