City Council

Minutes of the Finance Meeting Troy City Council October 18, 2017 6:00 PM The meeting was called to order at 6:00 pm by Council President Mantello Pledge of Allegiance – Council Member Bodnar Roll Call: Council Member Gulli, Council Member Sullivan-Teta, Council Member McGrath, Council Member Bodnar, Council Member Doherty, Council Member Kopka, Council Member Donohue, Council Member Ashe-McPherson and Council President Mantello. Also present were Mayor Madden, Deputy Mayor Kurzejeski, Deputy Comptroller Andy Piotrowski, Corporation Counsel Caruso and Deputy Director of Public Information John Salka. LOCAL LAW Local Law No. 1 (Intro #1) To Allow Purchasing Based On Best Value. Council President Mantello stated for the record that she will abstain from the vote as the Senator she works for is sponsoring the Bill on the state level to make Best value permanent. Ordinance passes 8 yes, 0 no and 1 abstain (Mantello) CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCES 109. Ordinance Approving Settlement Of Tax Certiorari Proceedings Instituted By Madison Avenue Ventures One LLC On The Assessment Roll Of The City Of Troy. Ordinance passes 8 yes, 1 no (Mantello) 110. Ordinance Amending The 2017 General Fund Budget. Ordinance passes by a unanimous vote 111. Ordinance Amending The 2017 Water Fund Budget. Ordinance passes by a unanimous vote 112. Ordinance Authorizing And Ratifying The Memoranda Of Agreements By And Between The City Of Troy And The Troy Police Benevolent Association Council President Mantello stated for the record that she will abstain from voting as her nephew signed the agreement as President of the PBA. Council member McGrath stated that he disagreed with her abstaining. Council member McGrath stated his name is listed as sponsor and he would not have sponsored the ordinance as he did not receive the contract prior to sponsorship and was not aware at the time of sponsorship that the settlement for past Officer Gross was included. He further stated this is wrong and unfortunately it’s been added to this contract and it’s the worst thing he will ever have to vote yes on. Council member Doherty asked Council member McGrath to clarify and Council member McGrath stated that an officer was arrested and convicted of tipping off drug dealers and the PBA President, Bob Fitzgerald coerced Mayor Rosamalia into signing an agreement that gave two officers health insurance for life after ten years and that it was never brought to the Council. Council member Doherty stated he was on the Council at the time and it was not brought to the Council and his concern is that if it’s an action that benefits all officers for perpetuity then he agrees with Council member McGrath’s reservations however if it’s for just two people he’ll let it go but he does not like it. Council member Donohue asked is there any options other than arbitration. Labor attorney Bernstein (Goldberg Segalla) asked to go to Executive Session. Ken Crowe, Times Union and Mark Robarge of the Record objected. Council President Mantello asked what happens if the contract is separated into two sections. Labor attorney Bernstein stated he would like to go into Executive session and that the agreements are one of the same and it would have to go back to the PBA and start again. Mayor Madden stated the terms of the contract apply to the two individuals and only to the two individuals and he further went over the details of the contract. Council member Bodnar stated he wanted to know if we vote this down does it expose the city to more officers besides the two named to get health insurance for life if they meet the criteria. Bernstein stated there are three open litigations and recommended to go into Executive Session. Ken Crowe, Times Union raised objections to go into Executive Session. Council member Bodnar stated he would prefer to go into Executive Session as he had to vote on this and made a motion to go into Executive Session, 2nd Ashe-McPherson, 1 Abstain (Mantello). The Council adjourned to go into Executive Session. The Council returned from Executive session and voted. Ordinance passed 8 yes, 0 no and 1 abstain (Mantello) Adjournment Motion to Adjourn Sullivan-Teta, 2nd Ashe-McPherson Meeting Adjourned 7:45 p.m. An audio recording of this meeting is on file in the City Clerk’s Office Patti O’Brien City Clerk