City Council

Minutes of the Finance Meeting Troy City Council November 29, 2017 6:00 PM The meeting was called to order at 6:01 pm by Council President Mantello Pledge of Allegiance – Nick Laviano Roll Call: Council Member Gulli, Council Member Sullivan-Teta, Council Member McGrath, Council Member Bodnar, Council Member Doherty, Council Member Kopka, Council Member Ashe-McPherson and Council President Mantello. Absent: Council Member Donohue, Also present were Mayor Madden, Deputy Mayor Kurzejeski, Deputy Comptroller Piotrowski, Corporation Counsel Caruso, Chief Garrett, Assistant Chief McMahon, Captain Centanni, PBA President Nicholas Laviano, Superintendent of Public Utilities Chris Wheland and Deputy Director of Public Information John Salka. There were two members of the public CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCES 118. Ordinance Approving Settlement Of Tax Certiorari Proceedings Instituted By Thomas Giedraitis On The Assessment Roll Of The City Of Troy. Ordinance passed 6 yes, 2 no (Mantello, Ashe-McPherson) 119. Ordinance Authorizing And Directing Sales By The Proposal Sale Method Of City-Owned Real Properties. Council President Mantello asked Assessor Martin how many bids were received and if we tried to market the Canal Street property as it is assessed at $114,300. Martin stated this is the only bid we have received and it’s the second list it’s been on and the bidder wants to move his business to Troy and if this passes he will get a tax bill on January 1st. Council member Kopka asked why 86 Ferry Street was sold to the developer instead of the owner of the adjacent property. Mayor Madden stated the Deputy Mayor is working with the developer for a redevelopment project in an effort to aggregate parcels. It was requested that Steve Strichman attend the December Regular Council meeting to update the Council. Concern was voiced about 87 Sixth Ave regarding the financial capabilities, condition of the property and the assessed value of the property. Martin stated that Code Enforcement inspected the property and it is not in bad shape. Council Member Ashe-McPherson questioned how a bidder can claim owner occupancy on three separate properties. Martin explained that the bidder wasn’t sure that he would get all three properties so that is why he said it would be owner occupied on each proposal. It was determined that two of the buildings are connected and he has financial resources. Council President stated that she is not for the Canal Ave property but will vote to move it forward to the Regular meeting. Ordinance passed by a unanimous vote 121. Ordinance Authorizing The Creation Of A Capital Project And Amending The 2017 Sewer Fund Budget And Capital Projects Fund To Allocate Funding For Said Project. Ordinance passed by a unanimous vote 122. Ordinance Amending The 2017 General Fund Budget. Ordinance passed by a unanimous vote 123. Ordinance Authorizing The Creation Of A Capital Project And Amending The 2017 General Fund Budget And Capital Projects Fund To Allocate Funding For Said Project. Ordinance passed by a unanimous vote 124. Ordinance Amending The 2017 Water Fund Budget And Capital Projects Fund Budget To Allow For The Closure Of The Capital Project Entitled “33” Water Main Replacement. Ordinance passed by a unanimous vote 125. Ordinance Amending The 2017 Water Fund Budget. Ordinance passed by a unanimous vote 126. Ordinance Authorizing The Creation Of A Capital Project And Amending The Capital Projects Fund Budget And Special Grants Fund To Correct The Location Of A City Project. Ordinance passed by a unanimous vote 127. Ordinance Amending The Capital Projects Fund Budget. Ordinance passed by a unanimous vote 128. Ordinance Amending And Replacing In Its Entirety, Chapter 260 Of The Troy City Code Entitled “Taxicabs” And Substituting In Its Place The Capital Region Common Taxi Ordinance. Corporation Counsel Caruso stated this is a complete replacement in its entirety of Chapter 260, Taxicabs in the Troy City Code and replacing it with the Capital Region Common Taxi Ordinance. Lauren Bailey. Mobility Manager from CDTA addressed the Council and gave an overview of the ordinance. Council member McGrath asked about background checks for drivers and it was determined that cab drivers in the City of Troy have to get a Troy Police department background check and UBER and LYFT drivers have to get a NYS background check. Council Member Bodnar asked the intent of this ordinance. Bailey stated to help CDTA to help municipalities to implement and manage their taxi plans. Ordinance passed by a unanimous vote 129. Ordinance Authorizing And Ratifying The Employment Memorandum Of Agreement By And Between The City Of Troy And the City Of Troy Command Officers Associations (COATS) And UPSEU Captain Centanni addressed the Council regarding the health insurance contributions. He noted that out of 133 members there are 25 who do not contribute as they were hired prior to January 27, 1999. Captain Centanni estimated that in 5 to 10 years the entire agency will be contributing 15%. Ordinance passed 7 yes, 1 no (Ashe-McPherson) RESOLUTIONS 84. Resolution Reappointing Karen Barrett To The Board Of Assessment Review Of The City Of Troy. Council President Mantello made a motion to amend the resolution and replace Karen Barrett with Thomas Fox. Council member Doherty asked why the change and Council President Mantello stated it is their appointment. Motion to amend passed 5 yes, 3 no (Sullivan-Teta, Doherty, Doherty). Amended resolution passed 5 yes, 3 no (Sullivan-Teta, Doherty, Doherty). 85. Resolution Appointing Commissioners Of Deeds For The City Of Troy. Resolution passed by a unanimous vote 86. Resolution By The Troy City Council Approving And Endorsing The City Of Troy, NY In Its Application To The Empire State Development Corporation For Funding Under The Restore NY Communities Initiative Grant Program. Resolution passed by a unanimous vote 87. Resolution Authorizing The Mayor To Enter Into A Contract With Benetech, Inc. For The Purpose Of The Administration Of The City Of Troy’s Health Insurance Program For The Two- Year Period 2018 & 2019. Council Member Bodnar stated that he has asked the past and current administration to measure the effectiveness of Benetech and it has not been done to date and at some point we have to analyze what they do and how well do they do it as we pay them $50,000 a year. Deputy Comptroller Piotrowski stated they go out for an RFP for the health insurance program. Deputy Comptroller Piotrowski stated there were four responses to the RFP and it went out for health insurance, workers comp or both and Benetech was the only one that responded to both and Benetech’s response was more than half lower that the other responders. He also stated that the main reason for the selection is the cost related to the city’s current financial condition. Council Member Bodnar stated he still doesn’t have an answer to his question and would like to have an independent committee to see if we are being well served by Benetech. Deputy Mayor Kurzejeski responded that Gabrielle in Personnel is in communication with Benetech and cites that there is costs savings due to better communication. Council Member Bodnar asked when the Benetech contract expires. Deputy Comptroller Piotrowski stated 12/31/17. Deputy Comptroller Piotrowski stated that the initial figures from Benetech have gone down as they tell Benetech to come back with better figures. Resolution passes 6 yes, 2 no (Gulli, Bodnar) 88. Resolution Authorizing The Mayor To Enter Into A Contract With Benetech, Inc. For The Purpose Of The Administration Of The City Of Troy’s Workers’ Compensation Program For The Two-Year Period 2018 & 2019. Council President Mantello stated that Triad made a proposal, however the recommendation is for Benetech. Deputy Comptroller Piotrowski stated they met with Triad and they were impressive however, the decision was made because the city’s active employees are self-insured and if you have one administrator for health insurance and one administrator for workers comp there is a strong possibility due to a lack of communication between the companies of paying a bill twice. Council President Mantello stated it is not fair for those who submitted for workers comp only. Deputy Comptroller Piotrowski stated the other factor was cost as Triad had a base cost plus additional fees and Benetech had one cost. Council President Mantello stated she wanted to have Benetech and Triad come in before the Council and made a motion to table the resolution. Motion to table failed 3 yes (Gulli, Bodnar, Mantello), 5 no. Resolution passed 5 yes, 3 no (Gulli, Bodnar, Mantello) 89. Resolution Authorizing Issuance Of A Commercial Lessor’s Bingo License To Bingo Green, Inc., D/B/A “Troy Atrium Bingo”. Council President asked if we have the check, the Clerk responded that we have the check. It was discussed that there are three non- profits that hold bingo under this license and Bingo Green is the only proposal to hold the lessor license. It was suggested to get in touch with the non-profits regarding renewal for next year. Deputy Comptroller Piotrowski suggested we can put the check in trust. Resolution passed 7 yes, 1 no (Sullivan-Teta) 90. Resolution Authorizing City To Accept Payment Of Delinquent Taxes For Real Property At 646 Third Avenue And To Reconvey Said Property To Paul And Vincent Maloney. Corporation Counsel Caruso explained the terms to the Council and clarified that the city will not reconvey the property until the full amount is paid. Resolution passed by a unanimous vote. Adjournment Motion to adjourn - Ashe-McPherson, 2nd Kopka Meeting adjourned 7:50 pm An audio recording of this meeting is on file in the City Clerk’s Office Patti O’Brien City Clerk