At a glance
The Public Works Board met Wednesday to wrap up the Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Street ADA sidewalk project and discuss funding for future work. The board approved a $3,000 change order to correct water pooling near Warren Street. Members agreed to recommend the city keep the remaining $300,000 from the sidewalk improvement district fund for three more years of projects rather than paying it back to the general fund. The board submitted a million-dollar CDBG grant application in November and expects to hear back within two months.
Roll Call and October Minutes
Chairperson Justin Weaver called the meeting to order and confirmed attendance. The board approved the October meeting minutes.
Key points
- Board members present: Justin Weaver (chair), Tyler Gman, George Crower, Gary Carnegie
- Project manager Brian Lock also attended
- October minutes approved without changes
Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Street Project Completion
Brian Lock reported the Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Street ADA sidewalk work is complete. A small change order addresses water pooling on Warren Street.
Key points
- The contractor submitted the final payment application earlier in November
- All planned work on Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Streets is finished
- A $3,000 change order will repave part of a parking stall near the corner of Seattle Place and Warren to fix water pooling along the curb
- The change order falls within the original 10% contingency included in the contract recommendation
- Work could be completed early next week if approved; asphalt season is nearly over
The board moved to approve payment of the final invoice and the $3,500 change order (rounded up from the estimated $3,000 to allow for minor cost variations).
CDBG Grant Application Submitted
Justin Weaver reported the city submitted a million-dollar CDBG grant application for ADA sidewalk improvements in November, supported by letters from elected officials and advocacy groups.
Key points
- The city applied for $1 million in CDBG funding for ADA sidewalk improvements
- Letters of support came from Congressman Josh Riley, State Senator Michelle Hinchey, Assemblywoman Didi Barrett, the county Office for the Aging, and Independent Living of Hudson Valley (represented by council member Dominic Merante)
- The grant application emphasized elderly residents and people with disabilities needing accessible sidewalks
- The city expects to hear about the award within two months, likely by late January
- Partial awards are possible; the application indicated the city could proceed with less than the full million
In September 2025, Hudson became the 1,000th AARP Age-Friendly Community nationally, which received attention and was included in the grant application. The board noted this could strengthen the city's case for funding.
DRI Update and Attorney Review
The Downtown Revitalization Initiative project is now in the hands of attorneys. The city is still holding $600,000 due to outstanding issues.
Key points
- Communication on the DRI has resumed after a long delay
- The city is holding $600,000, not the previously mentioned $500,000
- No payment has been made due to unresolved issues
- DPW Superintendent Rob Perry confirmed attorneys are working through the details
The board did not discuss specifics of the outstanding DRI issues during this meeting.
Sidewalk Condition Assessment Tool
Brian Lock presented a draft condition assessment tool for board members to use when inspecting sidewalks. The tool grades sidewalks on four categories using a 1-to-4 scale.
Key points
- The tool grades sidewalks in four categories: general condition, cracking, deterioration and spalling, and ADA compliance
- Each category is scored 1 to 4, with 4 being the best condition and 1 being failed or noncompliant
- The maximum score is 16 (four categories times four points each)
- Photos from Hudson and other municipalities CHA has worked with illustrate each grade level
- ADA compliance may carry more weight than other categories, as it is the board's primary focus
- Salt and chemicals used in winter are major causes of deterioration and are difficult to reverse once started
- Board members received printed copies and can suggest changes or better reference photos
Members will review the draft tool and provide feedback. The document is meant to help board members evaluate sidewalks consistently as they walk city blocks.
Project Spending and Remaining Funds
The board reviewed total spending to date and discussed how to use the remaining sidewalk improvement district funds.
Key points
- The Frank Fosper contract was approximately $241,000
- Two miscellaneous contracts last year totaled about $50,000 (roughly $25,000 each)
- CHA engineering and project management contracts total around $80,000
- Grant writing services specific to sidewalks cost $12,000, billed in stages and kept in a separate account
- Total spending is approximately $375,000 to $400,000, leaving $100,000 to $120,000 in the fund
- The original fund was about $500,000 borrowed from the city's general fund
Funding Plan for the Next Three Years
Justin Weaver proposed the city keep the remaining $300,000 (including the expected final $200,000 not yet received) for three more years of sidewalk work instead of repaying it to the general fund.
Key points
- The city could reclaim the borrowed funds, but that would limit future sidewalk projects
- Weaver proposed using the full $300,000 over the next three years, giving the board substantial funding for continued work
- If the city receives the CDBG grant, those funds could be used separately or to repay the general fund
- The board agreed this was a good recommendation to present to city leadership
- Brian Lock noted that with $150,000, a single-year project would be significantly smaller than the recent Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Street work, which addressed about 20 to 25 intersections with curb ramps but did not include long stretches of linear sidewalk
The board will recommend to the mayor and council that the remaining sidewalk improvement district funds stay allocated for the next three years rather than being returned to the general fund. The final decision rests with city leadership.
The approximately $250,000 contract for Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Streets focused on intersection curb ramps, not full sidewalk replacement along blocks. Future projects using similar amounts would likely have comparable scope.
Grant Chances and Partial Awards
The board discussed the likelihood of receiving CDBG funding and the possibility of a partial award.
Key points
- Brian Lock said the application makes a strong case for why Hudson needs the funds but noted the grant is competitive
- Partial awards are common; the city could receive $500,000, $600,000, or $700,000 instead of the full million
- The application indicated partial funding would still allow the project to proceed
- Hudson's designation as the 1,000th AARP Age-Friendly Community and the inclusion of that achievement in the application may strengthen the city's case
Timeline for Next Projects and RFP
The board considered when to put out a request for proposals for the next sidewalk project, depending on grant results.
Key points
- An RFP could go out in winter for spring construction, similar to last year
- The challenge is not knowing yet what funds will be available or what the project scope should be
- One option: plan a small project now and scale it up if the grant is awarded
- The board does not need to make a final decision immediately and can wait closer to the expected late January grant announcement
Property Owner Incentives and Credit Extensions
The board discussed ways to encourage property owners to repair their own sidewalks and whether to extend the current 10-year property tax credit.
Key points
- Current policy: property owners who repair their sidewalks to ADA compliance receive a credit (approximately $100 per year for a typical residence) for 10 years
- After 10 years, the credit expires and owners must pay the assessment again, even if their sidewalks remain in good condition
- One idea: extend the credit to 15 years, adding $500 in total savings for a typical property
- Another idea: continue the credit indefinitely as long as the sidewalk remains ADA-compliant, with property owners able to request extensions and submit proof of compliance
- Concerns raised: monitoring compliance would add work for the code enforcement officer, who is already stretched thin; extending credits reduces the fund available for future projects
- About 30 to 50 property owners have taken advantage of the credit so far; a small number are approaching the 10-year expiration
Board members noted Hudson's code enforcement officer is a one-person operation handling all inspections and permits, including new hotel and development projects. Adding sidewalk compliance monitoring on top of that workload may not be practical.
The board agreed to table the discussion and return to it at the next meeting after members think through possible incentive changes and their implications.
Public Outreach and Credit Application Deadline
The board discussed preparing a public mailer to go out with the next water and sewer bill, updating residents on sidewalk progress and credit application deadlines.
Key points
- A mailer could include a summary of completed work, resources available to property owners, and deadlines for applying for credits
- The next water and sewer billing cycle was suggested as a good opportunity; most residents will open the bill
- The board previously posted information on the city's public works board webpage, but a mailer would reach more people
- Credit applications for work completed since June or July 2025 are expected; those property owners will need to know the deadline
- Coordination with the treasurer's office will be needed; the last time a mailer went out, it required significant effort and happened quickly
The board will work on preparing a mailer for the first water and sewer billing cycle in January 2026, pending coordination with the treasurer's office.
Updating the Property and Credit Database
The board noted the need to update the Excel file tracking properties, businesses, and completed sidewalk work since the last round of credit applications.
Key points
- The current database was last updated in June or July 2025 when the application window closed
- New properties, new businesses, and any changes since then need to be added
- Property owners who completed sidewalk work between July and November will likely submit credit applications soon
- Veterans and firefighters receiving exemptions are tracked separately; the county maintains the veterans list, and firefighters must provide proof of active membership
Adjournment
The board confirmed no online questions and adjourned the meeting.
Key points
- No questions from online attendees
- Meeting adjourned by motion and second
About this page
FUTURE HUDSON is an experiment in civic engagement: every public meeting of the City of Hudson since January 2026, transcribed and made readable, so any resident can follow what the city is deciding without attending every meeting. This page covers one meeting; see the full archive.
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