City Council

TROY CITY COUNCIL FINANCE MEETING AGENDA MARCH 24, 2022 6:00 P.M. Pledge of Allegiance Roll Call Presentation of Agenda Public Forum RESOLUTIONS 33. Resolution Confirming The Appointment Of Christopher J. Nolin As City Of Troy Deputy Mayor (Council Member Steele) (At The Request Of The Administration) 36.Resolution Endorsing An Application By The Commission On Economic Opportunity For A Grant To Be Awarded By The New York State Housing Trust Fund Corporation For An Expanded Early Childhood Education Center And A Youth And Young Adult Support And Training Center (Council President Mantello) (At The Request Of The Administration) 37. Resolution In Support Of The People Of Ukraine (Council President Mantello, Council Member Gulli, Council Member Ashe-McPherson, Council Member Steele, Council Member Menn, Council Member Conley-Wilson, Council Member Sorriento) (At The Request Of The Administration) 38. Resolution Confirming Kim Ashe Mcpherson’s Appointment To The Troy Local Development Corporation (Council President Mantello) 39. Resolution Confirming Appointments To The Troy Industrial Development Authority (Council President Mantello) (At The Request Of The Administration) 40. Resolution To Proclaim April 2022 As Autism Awareness Month In The City Of Troy In Conjunction With National Autism Awareness Month And World Autism Awareness Day, April 2, 2022 (Council President Mantello, Council Member Gulli, Council Member Ashe-McPherson, Council Member Steele, Council Member Menn, Council Member Conley-Wilson, Council Member Sorriento) 41. Troy City Council Implores The Mayor And Administration To Implement A Quality Of Life Task Force (Council President Mantello, Council Member Gulli, Council Member Ashe- McPherson, Council Member Sorriento) 1 *PUBLIC FORUM Due to the Governor’s recent extension of the state of emergency (Emergency Order 11.4), the City Council will be conducting this meeting both hybrid and in-person and the meeting will be live-streamed on the City Council’s YouTube channel. Troy residents who wish to comment through the Hybrid option during the public forum at the beginning of the meeting must have the ability to join the Zoom meeting via computer or phone and will be required to pre-register for the meeting. The link to register for the meeting will be posted at least 24 hours before the meeting on the Council Agenda and Minutes page. You must register for the meeting by 3 pm on the day of the meeting. Per Council rules, residents have 4 minutes to speak at the Finance meeting public forum. Comments must be regarding agenda items. Per the City Council, written comments will not be read aloud at this meeting but will be added to the meeting minutes. Written comments to be added to the meeting minutes should be sent to maria.debonis@troyny.gov and must be received by 3 pm on the day of the meeting. You must include your full name and residential address, as required by Council rules. Written comments received after 3 pm shall be treated as correspondence and forwarded to the Council for their review. 2  RES33 RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE APPOINTMENT OF CHRISTOPHER J. NOLIN AS CITY OF TROY DEPUTY MAYOR ____________________________________________________________________________ WHEREAS, Troy City Charter § C-31 states that there shall be a Deputy Mayor of the City of Troy who shall be appointed by the Mayor on the basis of executive and administrative qualifications, subject to confirmation by a vote of the City Council; and WHEREAS, the Mayor has appointed Christopher J. Nolin to serve as Deputy Mayor and has filed a written letter of appointment in the Office of the City Clerk as required by Troy City Charter § C-36; and WHEREAS, Christopher J. Nolin is a qualified elector of the City and well-qualified by his executive and administrative experience to hold the position of Deputy Mayor in the City of Troy. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that pursuant to § C-35 of the Troy City Charter, the Troy City Council does hereby confirm the appointment of Christopher J. Nolin to the position of Deputy Mayor of the City of Troy. Approved as to form, ___________________, 2022 _________________________________________ Richard T. Morrissey, Corporation Counsel  RES33 Christopher J. Nolin 136 3rd Street. #1. Troy, NY 12180 – 518-588-6264 – chrisnolin@gmail.com Summary • Professional with 18 years of experience in advocacy, research, policy, and program development. • Comprehensive knowledge of budget, programmatic and regulatory processes at the state level from a public governing board, state leadership, and college and university advocacy perspective. • Created and implemented external relations strategy on behalf of a large private, not-for- profit university. • Able to find and create collaborative relationships between public and private higher education institutions. Director, Community and State Relations, October 2014 – January 2022 Work Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Experience • Lead university government relations official charged with creating and implementing external relations strategies that position Rensselaer in the community, within state government, and among federal stakeholders. • Manages government relations team and oversees advocacy consultant contracts. • Led university news and media department on an interim basis. • Serves on standing or ad hoc organizations and attends various national and local higher education meetings and conferences to ensure effective and collaborative working relationships with businesses, civic leaders, and government agencies. • Collaborated with faculty to identify funding opportunities including the successful application for a New York State Higher Education Capital Matching Grant (HECAP) proposal, creation of a New York State Digital Gaming Center of Excellence, and secured $30 million in New York State funding for the AiMOS supercomputer. • Designated the lead staff member for the Troy Redevelopment Foundation, an organization founded by the four largest not-for-profits organizations in the City of Troy. Strengthened partnerships to increase awareness of contributions, and focused funding to projects that support economic revitalization of the city through public art initiatives, working with at-risk youth, and bringing talent to the city to meet workforce needs. • Led the university 2020 Census response. Spokesperson on behalf of the university at public events and co-led the Rensselaer County Complete Counts Higher Education committee. • Led the creation of Rensselaer’s first comprehensive economic impact report in a decade. • Worked with internal stakeholders and government agencies to identify and advocate for changes to New York State legislation, rules, and regulations. Director, Collaborative and Legislative Affairs, July 2006 – October 2014 The Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities (CICU) • During this time, promoted to Assistant Director, Legislative and Member Services; Assistant Director, Legislative and Collaborative Services; and Project Manager, KnowledgeNY.org. • Advocated, along with CICU President and Vice President, on behalf New York’s Independent Colleges and Universities before the New York State Senate, Assembly and Executive Chamber. • Successfully lobbied for a first-ever capital match program for New York private colleges  RES33 and universities (HECAP) and worked with the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York on administering the program. • Drafted the independent sector’s legislative priorities with CICU leadership and helped prepare a plan to achieve these priorities. Coordinated meetings between member presidents, staff, along with key legislators during the year. • Coordinated CICU’s 200+ member college and university government affairs network. Organized monthly meetings of government relations officers from member campuses. • Appointed lead Project Manager on behalf of CICU and the State University of New York (SUNY) to rejuvenate and ensure completion of a $2.5 million initiative to showcase higher education intellectual knowledge and resources. Led the creation of a renewed RFP, successfully negotiated with the selected vendor, and led the project to completion. • Developed and implemented The CICU Collaborative, a group purchasing program for independent colleges and universities, including creating consensus, contract negotiations, event planning, and program roll-out. • Helped create CICU’s Annual Meeting program and invited speakers on higher education topics such as retention, transfer of credits, outreach to students from diverse backgrounds, and labor market projections. • Responsible for CICU’s office technology plan, including annual budgeting and implementation. This plan led to substantial new investments allowing for increased productivity and new opportunities to conduct research analysis and advocacy. Legislative and Research Analyst, January 2003 – July 2006 The Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities (CICU) • During this period I was promoted from Legislative and Research Assistant. • Analyzed, tracked, and prepared action plans for state legislation impacting not-for-profit colleges and universities utilizing legislative tracking systems, including NY Statewatch and the Legislative Retrieval System (LRS). • Assisted CICU Vice President in the coordination, production, and presentation of research advocating Independent Sector higher education topics to the Governor’s office and the Legislature. Wrote white papers on Research and Innovation and New York State’s Higher Education Landscape. • Gathered data, constructed arguments, and wrote content for advocacy publications in support of Independent Higher Education. • Prepared and assisted CICU President and Vice President in presentations before New York State Joint Fiscal Committees in response to the State Executive Budget. • Developed research questions and surveys such as the CICU capital proposal and student health insurance survey. Worked with the Vice President to create the 2004-2012 State Education Department Master Plan for Independent Higher Education. Associate Network Engineer, June 1998 – May 2002 Realtech Systems Corporation/IP Logic • Provided network infrastructure guidance and implementation at numerous mid-to-large entities in the government, banking, healthcare, and retail sectors. • Assisted in implementation of a multi-state broadband Internet rollout. • Provided helpdesk support for an office of 60 employees. Education Master of Business Administration University at Albany, State University of New York, 2014 Advanced Certificate in Project Management Empire State College, 2012  RES33 Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science and Applied Mathematics University at Albany, State University of New York, 2002 Board and Albany County Board of Health Community • Board member: 2009 – present. Board President: December 2011 – February, 2022 Leadership Rensselaer County Chamber of Commerce • Board member: January, 2018 – December, 2020. Executive Board member and Chairperson Workforce and Economic Advancement committee: 2019 and 2020 Louis and Hortense Rubin Foundation • Board Member: 2015 – January, 2022 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute LGBTQ Mentoring Program • Mentor: 2017 – January, 2022 Capitol Chamber of Commerce Leadership TechValley • 2013 graduate • Steering Committee: 2016 – 2020 Cohoes Civil Service Commission • Commissioner: 2012 – 2019. Commission Chairperson: 2015 – 2019 Troy Cultural Alliance • Board member: 2015 - 2018. Executive Board member: 2016 – 2018 City of Troy Comprehensive Plan • Advisory group member: 2014 – 2017 The Rensselaer County Chamber Leadership Institute • 2016 graduate  RES36 RESOLUTION ENDORSING AN APPLICATION BY THE COMMISSION ON ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY FOR A GRANT TO BE AWARDED BY THE NEW YORK STATE HOUSING TRUST FUND CORPORATION FOR AN EXPANDED EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION CENTER AND A YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULT SUPPORT AND TRAINING CENTER WHEREAS, the Commission on Economic Opportunity (CEO) is an established Community Action Agency that for over 56 years has provided low-income residents in Troy with a range of services such as Early Childhood Education programs, Senior programs, Women, Infants and Children (WIC) and a variety of other programs designed to assist and address poverty; and WHEREAS, CEO plans to utilize CDGB-CARES funds to construct a 2-story annex to their existing building located at 2328 Fifth Avenue in Troy in order to provide additional space for expanded classrooms and to offer programing initially created through the One Troy (ESPRI) project for support and training services targeted to high-risk youth and adults; and WHEREAS, a grant opportunity has become available through the NYS Homes and Community Renewal/Housing Trust Fund Corporation that may provide up to $5 million in funding that will support this endeavor; and WHEREAS, without this grant funding, this project is unlikely to be built. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Troy City Council is in full support of CEO’s grant application to New York State Homes and Community Renewal/Housing Trust Fund Corporation. Approved as to form, __________________________, 2022 ____________________________________________ Richard T. Morrissey, Corporation Counsel  RES36 WM. Patrick Madden Steven Strichman Mayor Commissioner of Planning & Economic Development Christopher Nolin Deputy Mayor Department of Phone: (518) 279-7166 Planning & Economic Development Fax: (518) 268-1690 Steven.Strichman@troyny.gov City Hall 433 River Street Troy, New York 12180 To: City Council From: Steven Strichman Date: March 1, 2022 Re: Commission on Economic Opportunity – Support for Grant CEO has developed plans for an Early Childhood Education Center and a Youth and Young Adult Support and Training Center. The project will provide critical services easily accessible to downtown, north central, and other city residents. It has received Planning Commission approval and was included as a Downtown Revitalization Project in our successful application. Construction cost increases threatened the viability of this project, however there is funding available through the New York State Homes and Community Renewal program that may fund up to $5 million. Use of this funding source allows for construction to commence in 2022. The application is due on March 18th. I strongly urge support of this grant application.  RES37 RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE PEOPLE OF UKRAINE WHEREAS, on January 21, 1990, more than 300,000 Ukrainians called for unity and independence from the Soviet Union by forming a human chain between the cities of Kyiv and Ivano-Frankivsk; and WHEREAS, on December 1, 1991, more than 90 percent of Ukrainian citizens voted in a national referendum in support of independence, with majorities in every region; and WHEREAS, on November 21, 2013, the Euromaidan protests began in favor of signing the European Union-Ukraine Association Agreement, resulting in the Revolution of Dignity and the removal of President Viktor Yanukovych by the Verkhovna Rada; and WHEREAS, in February and March of 2014, the Russian Federation invaded the peninsula of Crimea, illegally annexed the region, and claimed the territory to be a part of Russia; and WHEREAS, beginning in April of 2014, the Russian Federation invaded the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Eastern Ukraine instigating violence, stoking conflict, arming separatists, and spreading disinformation on Ukrainian soil; and WHEREAS, on July 17, 2014, Russian soldiers or Russian separatist fighters shot down the passenger flight MH17 flying over the Donbas with a surface-to-air missile provided by the Russian Federation, killing all 298 innocent passengers on board; and WHEREAS, since February of 2015, Russia has continued to fail to live up to its agreements under the Minsk agreements, and the Russian-backed war in the Donbas has claimed approximately 14,000 lives; and WHEREAS, the Russian military conducted a large-scale buildup in and around Ukraine in March and April of 2021 under the guise of military exercises, leaving significant military equipment behind; and WHEREAS, the Russian military initiated its most recent much larger military buildup in October 2021 that culminated in approximately 190,000 forces by the time of Russia’s renewed full-scale incursion on February 24, 2022; and WHEREAS, on February 21, 2022, the State Duma of Russia passed a bill, approved by President Vladimir Putin, to officially recognize the self-proclaimed Luhansk People’s Republic and Donetsk People’s Republic as independent; and WHEREAS, on February 21, 2022, Vladimir Putin ordered Russian troops into the self- proclaimed Luhansk People’s Republic and Donetsk People’s Republic after recognizing their independence; and  RES37 WHEREAS, the decision to recognize the self-proclaimed Luhansk People’s Republic and Donetsk People’s Republic as independent and to order Russian troops into that territory was not only in violation of international law, Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and the Minsk agreements, but also tantamount to a declaration of war; and WHEREAS, on February 24, 2022, Russian forces, enabled by Belarus, launched its unprovoked full-scale renewed brutal invasion of a peaceful, independent country, Ukraine; and WHEREAS, it is the right of all countries to decide their own future, foreign policy, and security arrangements free from outside interference or coercion; and WHEREAS, the Russian Federation repeatedly lied about their massive buildup of military forces around Ukraine and claimed that reports Russia would invade Ukraine were hysteria; and WHEREAS, on February 24, 2022, the G7 issued a statement condemning the “large- scale military aggression by the Russian Federation against the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine”; and WHEREAS, on February 25, 2022, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) condemned “in the strongest possible terms Russia’s horrifying attack on Ukraine”, called on Russia “to turn back from the path of violence and aggression”, and reaffirmed an “iron-clad” commitment to Article 5; and WHEREAS, the European Commission, France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, and Canada joined with the United States, committed to coordinated economic sanctions, including severe restrictions, against Russia’s Central Bank and full blocking sanctions against Vladimir Putin; and WHEREAS, the United Nations General Assembly by a vote of 141 to 5 condemned Russia for invading Ukraine and demanded that Moscow immediately stop fighting and withdraw its military forces; and WHEREAS, Russian forces have targeted civilians and have committed war crimes and crimes against humanity, leading to an investigation by the International Criminal Court; and WHEREAS, the Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court has stated that reasonable grounds exist to believe that war crimes have been committed by Russia in Ukraine; and WHEREAS, the International Court of Justice has ordered Russia to halt its invasion of Ukraine stating that there is no evidence to support its justification for war; and WHEREAS, countless homes, businesses, schools, churches, hospitals and entire communities have been utterly obliterated by indiscriminate Russian shelling; and  RES37 WHEREAS, in excess of 3 million citizens of Ukraine have already been forced to flee their homeland as a result of the barbaric and illegal action perpetrated on the peaceful people of Ukraine; and WHEREAS, in the days since the renewed full-scale invasion began, Russian citizens have taken to the streets in cities and towns across Russia to protest Putin’s illegitimate and destructive war waged against a peaceful and sovereign Ukraine; and WHEREAS, the United States of America, along with allies in Europe, the Indo-Pacific, and others around the world, has been actively responding to Russia’s unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine with critical military, humanitarian, and financial support for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people; and WHEREAS, the Ukrainians and Ukrainian-Americans in our community are valued neighbors and friends, and are at this time suffering greatly as a result of this grave injustice and are in need of our love, support and voices. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Troy New York, joined by billions of people across the globe: (1) demands an immediate cease-fire and the full withdrawal of Russian forces from Ukrainian territory; (2) supports, unequivocally, Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity; (3) supports the continued use of sanctions, in coordination with United States’ allies and partners, to fully isolate the Putin regime economically for its unprovoked and vicious aggression against Ukraine; (4) urges the United States and its allies and partners to deliver additional and immediate defensive security assistance to help Ukraine resist the armored, airborne, and other threats Ukraine is currently facing from Russian forces; (5) Condemns any form of discrimination as it relates to the human right to safely flee and seek refuge and urges all nations to affirm our shared humanity, to recognize the extent of human suffering and to assist those fleeing this savage assault to the greatest degree possible without regard to their national origin, race, gender, or religious affiliation; (6) urges the United States of America to continue to support resistance by the Ukrainian people as long as the Russian Federation continues to violate Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity; (7) emphasizes that NATO’s relationship with Ukraine is a matter only for Ukraine and the 30 NATO allies;  RES37 (8) reiterates that Crimea and the territories illegally controlled by the illegitimate Russian-controlled governments in Donetsk and Luhansk are, in fact, sovereign Ukrainian territory; (9) declares that the war in Ukraine, a democratic country, is the frontline of democracy and freedom versus authoritarianism represented by Putin’s Russia; (10) supports the right of the Russian people to protest, including the current protests against Putin’s unprovoked war against Ukraine, and demands the immediate release of all those who have been unjustly detained in Russia for expressing their desire for peace; (11) understands that strongmen, dictators, and authoritarians are watching the world’s response to Putin’s war against Ukraine and learning lessons for their own aggressive actions domestically and abroad, thereby making a strong and united response important to deter future territorial aggression by the use of military force beyond this crisis; (12) states unambiguously that only the people of Ukraine can choose their leadership through free and fair democratic elections without foreign interference, intervention, or coercion; (13) urges the United States Government to ensure that the illegitimate dictator of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, is held accountable for permitting the use of Belarusian territory for, and committing Belarusian forces to, Putin’s unprovoked renewed full-scale invasion against Ukraine; and (14) stands steadfastly, staunchly, proudly, and fervently behind the Ukrainian people in their fight against the authoritarian Putin regime; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Clerk shall send official copies of this Resolution to the Ukrainian and Russian Ambassadors to the United States and to their respective Ambassadors to the United Nations. Approved as to form,_____________________, 2022 ____________________________________________ Richard T. Morrissey, Corporation Counsel  RES38 RESOLUTION CONFIRMING KIM ASHE MCPHERSON’S APPOINTMENT TO THE TROY LOCAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION WHEREAS, Article II, Section 1(b) of the Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Troy Local Development Corporation (“Troy LDC”) provides for the selection of one member of the City Council to serve as a Member of the Troy LDC, ex officio, as approved by the Mayor and the City Council; and WHEREAS, a vacancy exists on the Troy LDC for a City Councilperson to serve as a Member; and WHEREAS, Councilperson Kim Ashe McPherson has been nominated to fill the vacancy. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council and the Mayor of the City of Troy hereby approve and confirm the appointment of Kim Ashe McPherson as a Member of the Troy LDC for an ex officio term commencing immediately. Approved as to form, _______________, 2022 _____________________________________ Richard T. Morrissey, Corporation Counsel  RES39 RESOLUTION CONFIRMING APPOINTMENTS TO THE TROY INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY WHEREAS, Article 8, Title 11, Section 1952 of the Public Authorities Law of the State of New York created and established the board known as the Troy Industrial Development Authority (hereinafter “Troy IDA”); and WHEREAS, the board of the Troy IDA consists of a Chairperson and eight other members, all of whom are appointed by the Mayor of the City for a term of three years, subject to confirmation by the City Council; and WHEREAS, the Troy IDA must include two members of the City Council, one representative of the school board, and one representative from each of the fields of business, industry, and labor; and WHEREAS, the expiration of the terms of Latasha Gardner, representing Labor, Susan Farrell representing the Lansingburgh School District, Jim Gulli, representing the City Council, Elbert Watson, and Justin Nadeau, Chair have created five vacancies on the board of the Troy IDA; and WHEREAS, Council Member Anasha Cumming’s term on the council ended on December 31, 2021, creating a vacancy for one of the two City Council seats on the Troy IDA; and WHEREAS, the Mayor has re-appointed Latasha Gardner, Susan Farrell, Jim Gulli, Elbert Watson, and Justin Nadeau as Chair and has appointed Sue Steele to fill out the remainder of the City Council term. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Troy hereby confirms the appointment to the Troy IDA of: Latasha Gardner for a term ending April 8, 2024 as a representative of Labor, Susan Farrell for a term ending October 14, 2024 as a representative of the Lansingburgh School District, Jim Gulli for a term ending December 31, 2024 as a representative of the City Council, Elbert Watson for a term ending February 22, 2025, Justin Nadeau as Chair for a term ending December 31, 2024 and Sue Steele for a term ending July 13, 2024 as a representative of the City Council; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Council hereby thanks Anasha Cummings for his dedication and service. Approved as to form, _____________________, 2022 ___________________________________________ Richard T. Morrissey, Corporation Counsel  RES40 RESOLUTION TO PROCLAIM APRIL 2022 AS AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH IN THE CITY OF TROY IN CONJUNCTION WITH NATIONAL AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH AND WORLD AUTISM AWARENESS DAY, APRIL 2, 2022 WHEREAS, each April for the past five decades, National Autism Awareness Month has elevated awareness and educated the public about autism and issues within the autism community; and WHEREAS, the City Council continues to be committed to the "Think Differently" initiative to encourage more inclusiveness and accessibility for the developmental disabilities and special needs community; and WHEREAS, one in 68 children in the United States is affected by autism, Asperger's or Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS), as estimated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); and WHEREAS, parents tend to overlook the early signs of autism spectrum disorders, assuming their child is just going through a phase or having an off day; and WHEREAS, it is important for parents to differentiate these assumptions from the symptoms, which can present in many different forms; and WHEREAS, autism is a spectrum disorder, meaning there can be great variation in the way it affects people; each child on the autism spectrum possesses unique abilities, symptoms and challenges, according to autism expert Dr. Willis Holloway; and WHEREAS, many children on the spectrum often share common core symptoms which include: impaired social interactions, such as reluctance to join group activities at school, not being aware of the needs of others, impaired communication and other impairments; and WHEREAS, medications are available for some common behavioral symptoms like irritability or anxiety, there are no FDA-approved drugs to treat any of the core symptoms of these conditions; and WHEREAS, autism is a disease with significant unmet patient needs and is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life and affects a person's ability to communicate and interact with others; and WHEREAS, autism is defined by a certain set of behaviors and is a spectrum disorder that effects individuals differently and to varying degrees; and WHEREAS, there is no known single cause of autism; in March of 2012, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued their ADDM autism prevalence report which concluded that the prevalence of autism had risen to one in every 68 births in the United States and almost one in 54 boys; and  RES40 WHEREAS, it is imperative that there be greater public awareness of this serious health issue, and more must be done to increase activity at the local, state and national levels. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Troy City Council proclaims April 2022, as Autism Awareness Month in the City of Troy in conjunction with National Autism Awareness Month, and World Autism Awareness Day, April 2, 2022. Approved as to form, _____________________, 2022 ___________________________________________ Richard T. Morrissey, Corporation Counsel  RES41 TROY CITY COUNCIL IMPLORES THE MAYOR AND ADMINISTRATION TO IMPLEMENT A QUALITY OF LIFE TASK FORCE WHEREAS, there are so many residents working so hard to keep their properties neat; and WHEREAS, it takes only one neglected residence or business, street or alleyway to blight a neighborhood; and WHEREAS, certain neighborhoods have seen increased illegal trash and garbage dumping, disrespect for the neighborhood, illegal ATV and dirt bike racing through yards and parks, and other unacceptable activities; and WHEREAS, the City Council feels strongly that one way to tackle these violations is a coordinated approach by various city agencies; and WHEREAS, the City Council implores the Mayor and administration to immediately implement a Quality of Life Task Force initiative which would hold negligent property owners and residents more accountable; and WHEREAS, this task force would be a formalized detailed unit comprised of a Community Police Officer or Patrol Officer, Code Enforcement Officer, Litter Patrol Officer, Public Works, Legal, and any other city staff necessary; and WHEREAS, this task force would tackle our neighborhood quality of life issues one or two blocks at a time all throughout the City; and WHEREAS, the task force would additionally promote enforcement and education; and WHEREAS, the goal is to encourage landlords, residents and businesses to take pride in their neighborhood and partner with the city to revitalize our neighborhoods. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, through this Resolution the City Council implores the Mayor and administration to implement a Quality Life Task Force immediately.  RES41 Approved as to form, _____________________, 2022 ___________________________________________ Richard T. Morrissey, Corporation Counsel