REGULAR MEETING OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PLATTSBURGH, NEW YORK April 20, 2017 5:30 P.M. MINUTES Pledge of Allegiance (RC) Present: Mayor Colin Read, Councilors Rachelle Armstrong (W1), Mike Kelly (W2), Peter Ensel (W4), Becky Kasper (W5), Joshua Kretser (W6) Absent: Councilor Dale Dowdle (W3) 1. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING: RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Common Council held on April 12, 2017 are approved and placed on file among the public records of the City Clerk s Office. By Councilor Armstrong; Seconded by Councilor Kelly 2. PAYROLLS OF VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS: RESOLVED: That the payrolls of the various Departments of the City of Plattsburgh for the week ending April 19, 2017 in the amount of $ 96,602.97 are authorized and allowed and the Mayor and the City Clerk are hereby empowered and directed to sign warrants drawn on the City Chamberlain for the payment thereof. By Councilor Kretser; Seconded by Councilor Ensel 3. REPORTS OF CITY OFFICES & COMMITTEE REPORTS: Report of Fire and Ambulance Responses for the weeks of March 30 April 19, 2017 Report from the Building Inspector s office April 10-13, 2017 Report of Public Hearing held by the Zoning Board of Appeals on April 17, 2017 Common Council Meeting Minutes 04/20/17 1
RESOLVED: That the reports as listed are hereby ordered received and placed on file among the public records of the City Clerk s Office. By Councilor Kelly; Seconded by Councilor Ensel 4. CORRESPONDENCE OR RECOMMENDATIONS FROM BOARDS: None 5. AUDIT OF CLAIMS: RESOLVED: That the bills Audited by the Common Council for the week ending April 21, 2017 in the amount of $ 1,078,677.30 are authorized and allowed and the Mayor and City Clerk are hereby authorized and directed to sign warrants drawn on the City Chamberlain for the payment thereof. By Councilor Kelly; Seconded by Councilor Kretser 6. PERSONS ADDRESSING COUNCIL ON AGENDA ITEMS ONLY: None 7. OTHER ITEMS: A. RESOLVED: In accordance with the request therefore the Common Council approves Debbie Fredrick to hold the annual Run to Remember on Friday August 18, 2017 on US Oval and Terry Gordon Bike Path. By Councilor Armstrong; Seconded by Councilor Kasper (RC) B. RESOLVED: In accordance with the request therefore the Common Council approves the Superintendent of Recreation to apply for, and receive (if awarded), Fitness in the Parks program funds from the Foundation of CVPH. Funds will be used to assist with expenses related to three summer youth programs (Karate, Hip Hop Dance, and either Golf or Gymnastics, depending on instructor availability). Common Council Meeting Minutes 04/20/17 2
By Councilor Kelly; Seconded by Councilor Kretser (RC) C. WHEREAS, the City of Plattsburgh applied to the New York Main Street Technical Assistance (NYMS TA) grant program for funding to assess the feasibility of renovations to 5 buildings located on Upper Bridge Street, Plattsburgh, NY; WHEREAS, the State has awarded the City of Plattsburgh ( Grantee ) a NYMS-TA grant for the above referenced project in the amount of $18,525 (the Grant ). NOW THEREFORE, the City of Plattsburgh Common Council duly convened does hereby: RESOLVE, that the City of Plattsburgh hereby approves the above project, and it is here by Further RESOLVED, that the Mayor of the City of Plattsburgh be and is hereby authorized to execute all necessary agreements, certifications or reimbursement requests on behalf of the City of Plattsburgh or approval of the Project and the Municipality s first instance funding of project costs. Motion to waive the reading and move the resolution: By Councilor Kretser; Seconded by Councilor Ensel D. RESOLVED: In accordance with the request therefore the Common Council approves that the Mayor is authorized to sign Engineering Consultant Agreement with Stantec Consulting Services, Inc. for Broad Street Traffic Study. The cost associated with this service is $5,000 to be shared between the City and Plattsburgh State University. Local funds in the amount of $2,500 will be required. By Councilor Ensel; Seconded by Councilor Kasper Motion to Table By Councilor Kelly; Seconded by Councilor Armstrong Common Council Meeting Minutes 04/20/17 3
(RC) (Councilors Armstrong and Kelly voted in the affirmative. Councilors Ensel, Kasper and Kretser voted in the negative) ACTION TAKEN: Defeated Discussion: Yes (RC) (Councilors Armstrong, Ensel, Kasper and Kretser voted in the affirmative. Councilor Kelly voted in the negative) 8. TRAVEL REQUEST: A. RESOLVED: In accordance with the request therefore the Common Council approves Fire Chief Scott Lawliss to attend the Fire Department Instructor s Conference in Indianapolis, IN from April 25-29, 2017. The total cost will not exceed $300 and the travel expenses, hotel and conference fees will be paid by Demers. By Councilor Kasper; Seconded by Councilor Kretser (RC) 9. RESOLUTIONS FOR INITIAL CONSIDERATION: None 10. NEW BUSINESS AND COUNCILOR REPORTS: Councilor Ensel indicated he met with Superintendent of Recreation Steve Peters who gave him an extensive plan for the rest of the year for his department. Councilor Kasper spoke about the Feral cat population and she and Denise did an animal census around the city. Found 2 colonies of over 18 cats and a group caring for them doing a good job. They hope with the program they are working on to reduce populations and keep them healthy. Mayor Read indicated he is looking in to derelict properties. Spoke to different property owners recently; Margaret Street, Couch Street, property near Aldi s on Cornelia Street and 15 Clinton Street. Owners/Developers are responsive to our concerns. Common Council Meeting Minutes 04/20/17 4
Councilor Kelly stated there will be a MLD Board meeting immediately following Council meeting and public is invited to attend. 11. CLOSING PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ANY TOPIC: Jesse Feiler, President of Friends of the Saranac River Trail updated everyone and thanked this council, prior council and all who have worked on it. Gary Brandstetter spoke about the Retiree Task Force and how they got where they are. Unidentified Speaker stated Members Contracts Matter. John Linney spoke about his opinion of the Excellus plan. Urged the Council to settle this and take a vote. He is giving the council a resolution for next week; we screwed up, we re sorry and we re going to put you back on Blue Shield. Councilor Kretser mentioned the Champlain Valley Transportation Museum and they have fallen on hard times if anyone wants to volunteer time and assets. He feels if they don t get help this year we may lose them. Motion to Adjourn by Councilor Kasper; Seconded by Councilor Armstrong (RC) Roll call Councilors Armstrong, Kelly, Ensel, Kasper, Kretser MEETING ADJOURNED: 6:05 pm Common Council Meeting Minutes 04/20/17 5