Common Council, Informal Meeting

1. 1:55I think we're ready to begin at 6 o'clock. This is the informal meeting for the coming. >> Um, can we begin with roll call? Okay. Okay. I will do roll call. Uh, board Henry >> here. Gary or I don't know if Gary is online. Logan, >> no. >> Um, Juan, >> yes. >> Ronnie, >> here. >> Uh, third award is Jason, I know, is not joining us. And, uh, Lola called me earlier. She's sick this evening. Um, Rich >> here. >> And Johnny, >> I'm here. >> Claire >> here. >> And Dominic >> here. So, we're beginning this evening with a uh brief uh presentation by the uh CEO Dr. Ursa from uh Columbia Memorial um at uh Council Member Morante's request to
2. 3:00give us an update on the status of uh CH's application for reclassification as a critical access hospital. So, I will pass it over to you Marshall. >> Thanks. It's Dorothy. Thanks, Miss Morris. Appreciate your time tonight. I'm joined by my colleague, uh, Brian Mahoney, who's our chief financial officer down in the corner of the screen there. So, thank you. Um, so essentially, um, we just had a town hall and as you know, we presented to you, uh, a few months ago prior to Christmas holidays. Um, and really nothing has changed, uh, substantially. So uh number one we continue with our southern strategy which essentially includes the advancement of mental health beds on our campus which is a 12 bed gerossychiatry unit. Uh we have um that co application is in fact approved but New York State Department of Health uh has us complete a closure plan for the unit that we're going to utilize which was a vacant
3. 4:03unit. It's an unoccupied unit on the hospital. Uh so we're still waiting for that approval. Uh the dollars have been released to us once we um want to use them. Uh they're at our disposal. That's the $5 million grant that we applied to for um the mental health expansion. So really today, as of today, we're waiting for the Department of Health to approve the closure plan. So we're closing 12 Med Surge beds to open 12 gerossychiatry beds. So that's the first part of the plan. And I'm happy to take questions around that and then move to the next part of the plan. >> Council members, any questions? >> No, thanks. >> The second part of the the second part of the P plan, and again, this is a three-pronged approach because the basic tenants in terms of financial solveny, they all work together. Um, and the second part is Green Medical Arts. And as you're all aware, uh, Green Memorial Hospital was once a hospital in Green County. and that closed in the 1990s.
4. 5:07Columbia Memorial Health purchased that site uh and made it into a medical office building with diagnostic imaging as well as laboratory medicine. Uh and we offer a myriad of symptom uh sorry of uh of uh services there. Currently the um plan and it's already underway construction is to build an ambulatory surgical center uh as well as an enhanced cardiac center where uh we will see patients with chest pain and dysriythmias andor any type of cardiac issue on that site. We've not been able to do that before. We do have a cardiac practice there uh but this is really advanced. Uh and then the ambulatory surgical center will have four operating rooms and two procedure rooms. Uh and we'll be doing anything from opthalmology, orthopedic surgery, um gynecologic surgery, breast cancer surgery, general surgery, and urologic surgery. Um we plan on having that completed by the first quarter of
5. 6:08January 2027. We also received a $5 million grant to fund that project. In addition to that $5 million, we received $20 million from Albany Medical Center uh to fund it and coordinate the project management. Um again, we're very excited about that project because we've seen a significant out migration of uh patient volume out of Green County. They either go south to Kingston or north to Albany. uh so we feel that we'll add more services in that county and also provide more referrals to the main campus from a hospital perspective. And then the third part of the approach and I'm happy to stop there and answer any questions about Green Medical Art and that expansion as an ambulatory surgical center. >> I guess my question I I Yeah, sorry. I have a question. Um, I guess it might be, >> it sounds like you're talking a lot about Green County, which is wonderful. Um, great for them. Uh, but I guess I'm
6. 7:13more Do you have any data on the services that are we're going to be losing in Hudson at Color? >> We're not losing any services in Hudson, sir. So, that's my next my next thing. And by I just want to share with this group that we serve both counties as a healthc care provider. And many of the patients who go currently to Green County are actually patients of Colombia County. So what we see is patients uh really go between the two physicians uh so we have physicians that offer services in both counties and we have uh patients from both Colombia and Green counties that utilize services both in Green County and Colombia County. So that's um that's that. And then the third approach was the re right sizing of our hospital and um we have seen significant deficits especially post pandemic we had a year of a negative $22 million deficit and um you know I'll just actually I'm going to go to Brian for a minute to talk about the financials and then he'll come back to
7. 8:15me and I'll talk about the core services. So uh Brian why don't you talk about our financial um issues over the last three years post pandemic four years. I'll even start pre- pandemic for a minute just for context. You know, definitely I've been with the organization for 16 years. Um, we made a little bit of money, we lost a little bit of money, we were fine. We were starting to see declines in our inpatient census and the 24/7 acute care facility. The hospital is really one of our core overhead spaces where to run that 24/7 operation, uh, it's the most expensive care setting that we offer. uh with those declines that we were starting to see, the organization was starting to really think differently about outpatient services, which is part of the ambulatory surgery strategy that Dorothy had mentioned. Really trying to kind of push towards outpatient care as a focal point for financial stability and success of the organization. Once the pandemic hit, our inpatient census went down by 20% immediately and
8. 9:19it's gone down even further since. and the decline in the number of inpatients that we have has really challenged our topline revenue. And then I think everybody's heard of the great resignation from two years ago. I think everybody's probably heard of the agency staffing crisis that happened in that same period of time with the great resignation. Those are all just increasing our expense profile. So, in the last few years, we've had the kind of double-edged sword of we're seeing revenue go down because of less impatience. We're seeing our expenses go up because of the cost of labor and agency and that has led to significant deficits. We were very much supported post pandemic by a lot of the government assistance that came through. Uh it was a very interesting experience in that we checked many boxes of distressed hospitals quote unquote the way the government defined them and were benefiting significantly from the
9. 10:22government support that was coming in 2123 and within that time frame we're absolutely working on a future strategy to try to financially stabilize the organization and that's what Dorothy's described as part of our southern market strategy with the surgery center, uh the inpatient behavioral health expansion to meet the community need, and then the conversion to a critical access hospital. Uh we've gotten to a point where with the support of the Albony Met Health system, we have stabilized in many ways, but still need to execute on this strategy in order for uh CH to be sustainable well into the future, which is why we've put forward this strategy. And again, as Dorothy's described, they're going through the process of these community town halls forums to try to answer people's questions, make sure that there is an understanding of what our plan is and to try to really just offer that stability into the future. And and maybe Dorothy, I'll pause for any questions on on my comments for a
10. 11:25minute. >> I do have questions. >> My name is Cla. I um represent the fifth board on the council. I participated in the first round of the stakeholder interviews. Um, and when we had some of that feedback session, one of the things that I highlighted was um, about the hiring recession and how I know firsthand from talking to both constituents and neighbors that there are people who sit on the waiting list to be hired for months without being called back. And I bring that up to sort of ask because it was highlighted that that was a great talking point. Um, but at all of the town halls that I've attended since then, I haven't heard too much about what the plan is to both retain and encourage hiring the people that are on the waiting list. And I also hear a lot of discontent from um current staff members that are not just worried about job security, but aren't clear about what the steps are to make their work safer for them. with new changes. I
11. 12:29I just feel like there's a level of security that should be offered. So my question is like or one I'm wondering what extra steps are you taking to make sure that staff are both well-versed in what's happening feel comfortable in what's happening their concerns are brought to the table and you know honored and also how are you planning on working with local government and community on economic development and making sure that you're meeting the needs of both Green County and the city of Hudson and Columbia County so that people do have access to jobs as one of the biggest employers. So, I'll I'll just start and Dorothy could say the same thing I I'm about to say. Last year was our highest number of onboarded staff that we've had in any sort of recent memory. Uh I think it was just under 400 people were onboarded into the organization and over 50 of them. >> Were they were they from outside of the area? That's another question that comes up often about bringing people in from
12. 13:32outside. >> The majority are between the two counties that we recruit from and some from uh Ster County and very very few from uh the Albany County area. Just Selkerk. We do recruit from Selkerk as well as East Greenbush. >> And then the other data point to offer is over 50 employees that onboarded last year were employees that are returning to the organization. So we've taken many steps in the past few years to try to develop different recruitment and retention programs. The list is long. Uh the success is shown in the numbers in some respects and we expect to continue that um progress as it were. And then on the economic development front, I'll just offer that I'm on the board of the Colombia Economic Development Corporation. I'm also on the board of the chamber. Uh, I represent CH on both of those boards. In that, I try to make sure I'm bringing back to our organization. What the county's plural economic development looks like. We have
13. 14:35a participation on the Green County Economic Boards, too. Uh, always looking to try as the biggest employer in the two counties, one of the biggest employers in the two counties to make sure that we're we're making awareness of what jobs we offer. I'm sorry to hear about those that were on the wait list for that extended period of time, but definitely steps have been taken to try to make sure that we are front-facing when it comes to both employment and economic development. >> Dorothy or >> Yeah, I mean I certainly I certainly echo what Brian has said already and we did share this uh information at the last town hall and the one prior to that. We also meet with our employees at a minimum in a quarterly basis and do a town hall. I personally meet with employees that like to reach out to me and I either ask me questions by email or I personally meet with them. Uh we continue to sit with them and explain that we are not laying off. We are not reducing positions and in fact we have
14. 15:38we're adding positions to the main campus about 30 to the main campus and about 42 to the green medical arts building. In addition to that, we have a 100 vacancies right now. So there are a number of jobs to apply to. So from a job security perspective, that should not be a concern. And I continue to reiterate, unfortunately, there's misinformation being sent around. Uh that is completely inaccurate. And so that's what's believed instead of the source of truth, which should be the administrative team at Colombia Memorial. >> Uh we have a question from council member Verantic. >> Thank you. Uh Dorothy. So if what I'm hearing is to help stabilize employment is that the goal also for you know the increase of the reimbursement is going to help you stabilize employment increase employment and make it a little bit more consistent. >> Absolutely. because once we re so so the critical access hospital affords us a a number of millions of dollars once we're
15. 16:40at a cost plus reimbursement state and it provides us with solveny. Uh and what it does is it allows us to reinvest in our community and we would continue to expand in primary care. And just as a gentle reminder to all of you that we have 37 outpatient centers that we provide care and from primary care to pediatrics to pulmonary cardiac, orthopedics, breast, uh imaging centers, laboratory centers in Valatia, Green and Colombia counties. We're the sole provider for health care in the counties. uh and you know that will continue. There are no core services that will be carved out. We will continue our current core services. I think the question that was asked previously was you know what services will be taken away. None no services will be taken away. The the change is in the hospital number which is 25 beds versus the current 50. And in fact, uh, we were just talking about that today, and this is it's a little more difficult
16. 17:43to understand if you're not within the business itself, but we have patients that have a long length of stay. In fact, this morning there were 13 patients that have a length of stay greater than 20 days. Those are patients waiting for nursing homes, guardianships, uh, and those are beds not turning over. So, those are beds not being utilized by patients coming through the door. We also have surgical patients that right now we're working on initiatives where total joint replacement, so that's a hip replacement and a knee replacement type surgery. Uh right now they're staying overnight and every other hospital uh in the capital region are sending those patients home and we are continuing to do so uh on and following that path and protocol. So, we in fact had a robust meeting last night with our surgeons and it went extremely well and we're really trying to advance ourselves uh and really become I would say more self-critical in terms of care coordination and the work we're doing associated with surgical care. But none of that those services are changing and
17. 18:47I think that again is the misinformation that's being sent around. Uh we're not changing any of the core services. Those continue. So if I could just you know in the interest of time here uh the intent here was to have uh an update Dominic as you had asked for status is that the application has been put through and now it's up to the timeline is really in the hands of federal government and and uh New York State DO. Are there any other questions from the council? >> I just got two more real quick. So uh Dorothy, so you saying that they're going to increase the psych um beds, correct? >> Yes. Yes. So, right now, right now, the snapshot is if there's no beds available because you said there's 12, uh, they're in the emergency room, correct? >> No, we have 20, we have 22 inpatient psychiatry beds right now. We're advancing these beds to adding an additional 12, which is geros psychiatry, which is a different subsp specialty of psychiatry. those patients with memory and Alzheimer's that have
18. 19:50other comorbid conditions that include psychiatry and mental illness. And what we saw in our our review uh we had an external consultant come in and we saw that that was going to be an increase of 4% over the next couple years in terms of that volume and we certainly have seen that. We work very closely with external agencies to your point and we also work with our system hospitals. All four of our hospitals have psychiatry units and if we need to move patients we do. We do all of that today. That's not changing and we'll continue to provide those good services to the vulnerable population. >> I think Dominic, you had another question. >> Yeah, I um just for is there any other public uh that you guys are doing so anyone that's u interested can show up or attend? Is there another any other public? Yes, in in April, in April, we're going to provide another town hall, but since they've all been provided in Colombia County, we were requested to provide one in Green County. So, in April, we will be speaking in Green County in April at Green Medical Arts to answer any
19. 20:52questions. And I'm always available to answer any questions and I do. So, >> would that one in April be on Zoom like the other one was? >> We can. Yes, we do. But we do both in person and in Zoom. Yeah. Right. Teams. So, um I think we we're going to have to move on here and I want to thank uh both of you from CH for joining us this evening. Um I have been attending the town halls and the meetings that uh CH has has put on. Uh very informative. The last one I think ran for nearly two hours. Um but I would encourage you uh and your and all of our constituents to attend those sessions and to ask questions. Um they're very in-depth. And so that would be my recommendation. Uh I don't see any hands raised, Logan. No. And I don't see anything from members of the public in the room. So I want to thank you both very for joining us. >> Thank you very much. Thank you for the time. I I really appreciate it. And we're always welcome. Well, we're happy to come back if you would like us to. So thank you.
20. 21:54>> Thank you. Thank you. >> Thank you. Bye. Bye. Bye. Bye. So, um, going back to our regular business, um, the minutes from the January common council meetings have been posted. Minutes from, uh, the subcommittees, safety, services, infrastructure, and legal have also been posted. Um, departmental reports received in January have all been posted. Um, and we're now going to go to reports from RS committee, brief reports. uh do want to make a note at the beginning at the top of this meeting that there's going to be a slight process change in how the informal meeting operates uh in conjunction with the formal meeting. So you may recall in the last council um we would have when there was a resolution whatever we would have a uh somebody would have a motion and a second and we would sign those in that meeting. What what this meeting should really do is simply introduce without
21. 22:59any bolts. Anybody can introduce anything. We should simply be introducing resolutions, local laws, whatever it is, the bills. Um and then in our meeting where we actually vote, we should be having a motion to vote on the resolution that and those will be formally in an agenda on an agenda item. There will be a motion to vote and a second. And then once there is a motion to vote and a second, then we can vote. So that we will not be doing the signature piece tonight. We won't be doing the introduction and seconds. That will occur in the meeting where we actually vote. But that motion should be a motion to vote. So any questions on that? Just a simple process. Yes. Okay. Great. So committees we have um let's see we can start with safety. >> Sure. Um it was a pretty quick meeting. Um mostly revolved around the committees are back again and we're
22. 24:01going to form a proper agenda with proper public comment. Um have those discussions at the meeting and hopefully next month will be a much heavier agenda. But we touched on the new parking system. Obviously needs a few tweaks here and there and hopefully we can affect that easily. Um, we got a report from the fire and telling us how many calls they had, which is quite significant to date. Um, police as well, a lot of activity, but fortunately, a lot of our problems are parking. Um, and false alarms. So, we're very fortunate for that. That was pretty much it for parking, unless there are any specific questions. >> I'm sorry. Uh, for safety, unless there are specific questions. >> We are all for infrastructure tonight. Uh yes. Uh Jason is uh the committee chair for DPW committee but he is out of the room tonight. So um I'm subchair so I'll give a little spiel about that. Um same we did not have a written agenda
23. 25:03for the meeting but we got a report um from Rob and significant activity as well. I'm sure everyone can see we had a lot of weather, we had a lot of water issues. Um but financially DPW is pretty much right on track. Um aside from snow removal and salt budget which it's like playing the lottery and forecasting for the future. Um, so unless there are any other specific questions, >> I think the the solved budget members, we really have gone over. Yeah, we should be expecting in this count meeting to see uh some transfers and requests. >> Yeah, we need some transfers and requests. We've um we had an order for example for 700,000 um sorry, 700 tons. Thank you. uh and we've gone through 650 so far. Um and as a for example, we had a similar aotment uh the year prior and went
24. 26:06through half as much in the entire season. So >> um and as we know >> it's it's hit or miss almost. You know, if we have a a snowstorm on a holiday um on a weekend, it's time and a half and we it just cost us more in general just like any other business. But we have we will have to change uh some funds around. Hopefully we have a mild February. >> I have a remark or request. Um I got a communication from a constituent that just asked about a very specific part of the fifth ward. I don't think that there's a sidewalk there and that's why there's no path cleared, but kids walk from that path to get to school. So they were wondering if there's a way that DPW can add that to their snow removal list. I can score that please the rock and you did take care of that. >> Okay. >> Yeah. And I'm because they they did a walking line, not a sidewalk. >> Uh and I think initially was the issue where you do the snow. So uh so now it's going to be on the rotation
25. 27:10couple because you can't block a driveway and you can't push the snow that location. But he did go back that day. Okay. >> Uh that we got the emails uh and he did take care of it that day. But yeah, I think it's going to be on his radar and I want to make sure it stays on his radar just because uh you know of the nature of that need. One quick update, Henry, I think is that um the announcement that we're going to be installing the rest of the parking uh kiosk um right and uh also the increase uh of the parking not just parking also the ticket revenue uh to the police department I think was very a positive. Yes. Yeah. Um we didn't have a disseminated reports from the departments yet, but next month we will like have been in days of yours. So yes, there was a >> since the police department took over the parking bureau um I think it was what maybe over the two month period was a revenue of like 130,000.
26. 28:13>> So significant increase. >> Yeah, it was a significant increase but you know that's >> so it's great. So yeah. Yes. Thank you very much. >> One of the the things that uh uh Captain Miller said is that with the addition of the bootable uh devices that the officers now can install on overnights uh it it it allows it to be done quicker. Uh and also that uh it can be uh so called the tow company. the the officers now can boot the vehicles and uh so that allows that for turnover a little bit more uh you know for that payment of those tickets. >> Okay. Services you talking about? >> Yes. Okay. Uh just briefly uh again just like Henry said, it was our our first meeting uh for Thursdays and that you know uh Calvin gave us uh the re the report uh and the the biggest thing I guess was the uh I think eight or nine days that the youth center was closed
27. 29:15because the heat was not working. So they had to wait for a replacement part. Uh so the youth center was closed for I think eight or nine days and the uh senior center for the after school program was closed I think three or three days. Uh so now they're back up and running. I I don't know. I did mention that I don't know if they're open during the holiday. Uh but I did mention if we could use that time uh to to open while the kids are on break uh for these four days. uh and also the uh push for the need uh for the assistant director uh to be uh in in involved and in in place before camp starts because that's going to be a big part of that job description is uh overseeing the camp and uh also the uh hiring of the part-time labor uh for the camp. So those are the two uh jobs that are going to be uh probably coming our way uh
28. 30:18especially the uh finding the uh finances for the assistant uh director. >> Any questions? Okay. Uh legal committee we met uh last Thursday. Um we basically went back to some of the things that we had been working on in the last session. Um, we discussed the short-term rental rules specifically in relation to um, residents of Hudson who may be part-time who live here a minimum of 50 days a year uh, who wish to rent out their property when they are on vacation or away. Uh, currently uh, they can rent out for up to 60 days in a year. And we will be recommending and I will be putting together a draft change to the code to allow for 120 days of rental while for people who are out of town. Um this will have zero impact on um long uh long-term rentals because these are
29. 31:19people who actually live in their properties part-time. So, it does not have any downside on that on that arena and will help with uh providing additional uh rent short-term rental revenue to the city and said a number of of residents have asked to have that expanded from 60 to 120. 180 is not unusual in some municipalities. So, that seemed a reasonable request. Um the other thing that we took up was we had begun to discuss this at the end of last year ebike and scooter safety. Um and we had identified a three-pronged approach to that uh education enforcement and updating our ordinances and we did receive uh materials from other municipalities to look at for ordinances in other locations. uh we decided that the uh the uh enforcement um and educational component I think
30. 32:22Dominic you had some pieces on that when we discussed it before uh we would like to refer that to the safety committee that's where we think that belongs and then legal will work on reviewing the ordinances in other locations and bringing something to this group to review for updating ordinances. So uh that was two old items. We also reviewed uh the open meetings law, video conferencing law which we are going to be discussing later this evening. Uh we just went through that. We did not have any changes to make to it. Um we Hudson put in place a local law in 2022 at the end of CO. Um the state updated its video conferencing. They've updated again last year. Um so we do have something on the books relating to video conferencing. However, it does not really address um specific situations of extraordinary circumstances that simply goes with whatever the state is stating
31. 33:24is an extraordinary circumstance. So, what we'll be looking at later this evening is um a replacement really for that which um which will allow for codifying the ability for people to vote when they are not present physically uh for reasons that the municipality has determined are acceptable reasons for access. Um and then finally um we had a request to add a review of our parking um minimums for particularly for new developments. So we are going to be taking that on as an item to review. Um as you're all aware a number of years ago the requirements for parking for new developments were eliminated from the code. And so at this point it's really just relying on the planning board to evaluate what the parking requirements would be for any given development. But there is no guidance from the city as to what is a reasonable level of parking. So we're going to be looking at that. Uh and that's that's all we have from any
32. 34:28questions. Let me just take it the pardon because I I heard that the um it's a fourth ward now is going to be voting in the fifth ward. So >> that's coming up next board of elections communication, >> right? But yeah, but I'm saying for the parking for the firehouse. So that's still in process of working that out. >> That's a that's a different issue. What this the issue that was brought up in legal was to go back and reook at our code and rather than simply being silent on the subject of the number of parking spaces that a new development should have, we should come up with some plan to have that to give some guidance to the planning. >> Is that including the community host that Jenny was talking about? The agreement that if they can't provide parking then there could be a fund. >> We well we will look at it. We we're now just beginning to look at it. Can you go? >> Um, I I'm putting together a really um a document that will address a lot of this and we can start a conversation. I've
33. 35:30been doing a lot of research. So, I can provide everything. >> Yeah. I think one of your photos are on the the new science because you put so much, you know, time into that bar. >> What? >> Oh, no. >> Okay. Uh and if there are no other questions, finance hasn't met yet in this session. So there's no report from finance. Uh we can move on to our next item. Uh board of elections communication. I pulled this one out from the other communications because I want to make sure the public uh hears it. They will be hearing directly from the board of elections also. This is not something that requires any action on our part. Um effective immediately. Uh the uh fifth and fourth wards are being combined. One consolidating Hudson and fourth w uh pole site currently located at 401 to the fifth ward which is the fire station. Um when everything moves uh hopefully in mid midsummer um what is
34. 36:37what currently occurs at B1 will be occurring at 11 at 11 War Street. Um so just be aware of this. BLE will be contacting uh the fourth ward residents and uh making sure that that they are aware of the changes. Um early voting for now is still at State Street. Phase two will be moving everybody from St. Mary's over to 11 Street. So for that phase, they will be notifying the voters who currently vote in St. Mary's that their new location will be at at Warren. So that's that's fairly straightforward. >> Usually they send a a letter >> to everybody. >> Yes. >> They changed >> they she said they we will uh notify fourth board voters using the annual mail check part which is what we're talking about and then she's and there will also be a prominent notice on the website press release newspaper advertising and then she they'll be doing the same thing when we get to phase two for moving everybody. >> Okay. That communication wasn't posted
35. 37:42on the website, right? >> Excuse me. >> That communication wasn't posted on the website. >> It is. If you go down to communications, there is one. >> Yeah, >> we have folders. >> Oh, yeah. I see that. >> Yeah, we have to look everywhere. >> I'm outdated now. >> Okay. Um, other communications that we received. Um we received a communication regarding the youth department. Uh we received a communication regarding the use of the commercial dock. Um we also got communication regarding zoning board training and we had a communication regarding uh the snow club. Um, with regard to the commercial dock utilization, this was a communication with a uh proposed, you may recall those of you on the council that we had a discussion of this at the end of last year. Um, the council did not vote to um
36. 38:46uh adopt the the revision to the to the code. Um, I would like to refer that communication to the legal committee so the legal committee can look carefully at exactly what is in that proposed revision to the code and then we can uh bring it back to this group. Go ahead. We just got an email also from the lawyers from Colorado um about this from excuse me >> from the lawyer for Colorado who sent it to the full council at 6:30 but I wanted you to have that on your mind so that we don't take any further action until you look >> I I will thank you for bringing that up. Um so in general any the cut off for anything that comes before this meeting uh this this month it was Friday because we are meeting on Tuesday rather than Monday going forward it will be Thursday because we meet on Mondays and it'll be Friday for our regular meetings which meet on Tuesday and that's to make sure that everybody has the documents in front of them if they have time to look at them and also so that the clerk's
37. 39:48office can actually organize everything and get get everything posted. But I will look at that and we will move that to communication for next week. Um so we have a number of resolutions uh transfer resolutions. Um So, our first uh resolution um this is just the the um transfer of funds for the burgary front. Um back in January of last year, uh we uh approved a
38. 40:52resolution to apply for a grant um Hudson River Eststerary grant. That grant has been received in the amount of 123,000 and this is a request um Heather confirmed on the grants the amount of of match funds required from the city. This is the request to um remove $37,000 from um fund balance to do the required match for the estuary grant. Any questions on that? >> It's only a 10% match. >> It's actually a 30% match. >> This is kind of the >> This is 37,000. Okay. So when this first came up uh the res the resolution made a formal commitment of a minimum of 15,000 and then I believe in in the course of uh probably in the course of the discussion uh the state uh has posted a match of 30%. >> To Henry's point the letter says 10%. >> That's not read.
39. 41:54>> Yes, that's I think that's typo I did the math. Yeah. Is this 10% 37 30%? >> Yes. >> Are there any uh strings on what we're using that far just for the shacks or is it just for the SP study? >> Uh well, I don't have the detail on it. I think that you could probably go to the mayor's office and talk to them about exactly what what the grant is going to be used for. >> It's a letter says planning phase and design documents. Yeah. >> Or the furniture >> specifically. >> We do have a lot of plans still. >> We have probably a file cabinet of plants that have we've received over the last 20 years. I don't know since uh it Okay. All right. >> Oh, sorry. Yeah.
40. 42:56>> Uh The the next uh these are chargebacks. The next I have is a police department uh transfer uh from travel telephone payroll 1500 uh materials alarms uh to disposing uniforms. Um the next ones is uh for the fire department again chargeback um uh from inspection to purchase of equipment. All two of them are purchase of equipment, one of them is maintenance request. Uh stop me if you have any questions on any of these. Um the next is uh a request for consultant to from workers comp to consultant expert fees for a survey of Oakdale Park. This is also uh a chargeback to 2025 expense um for a required survey uh relating to the grant for Oakdale Park.
41. 44:00Um now we are looking at our appointments. We have a resolution to uh add a new member Emily Sakowski and uh to reappoint uh for the term Andrew Gitsky, Alexandria Sanjenko and Michael. Then for the public works board, we have a resolution to uh reappoint David Marston uh to continue on the public works board and that term is a one-year term. Okay. Next up is the sleep club license. So, um Ken, I believe you're there. >> Yes, I am. >> Okay. So, uh, Ken has been working, um, on this license, uh, with the Snoop Club. We've had many discussions with
42. 45:02Sam and we have, um, a revised license agreement. Something I want to make very clear about this is that essentially the dayto-day operation of the riverfront, the waterfront, cleansers, programming, none of that will change. the changes to this uh license essentially clarify what some of the terms are and in in fact it makes things I think a lot easier. I think Sam is here who can speak to it but it makes things clearer and uh easier for the new club to know what the expectations are. Um so that when you have a contract where there are no stated expectations, it is very difficult to um uh address potential breaches either for the person who who is holding the license um or for the license offer. And so we've made some clarifications there. One change that we made also uh in the previous agreement
43. 46:05any seasonal uh agreements that Snoop Club entered into I'm thinking specifically of the Hudson Ferry uh required that it it requires approved by the city but it required also that they come back before the council which greatly delayed their ability to simply have an agreement. We're going to do an agreement with the Hudson Perry and then all it needs is a letter from the mayor once the council approved the the license for the mayor to enter into the license with club then we pass it off. We don't we're not engaged in micromanagement of the actual details of who seasonally was using the dock. Uh the other update to it was an increase in the number of events, number of uh boat rides I believe that's the right word. Uh and the fee schedule was revised uh to bring it in line with comparable fee schedules in other areas on the on the river in other municipalities. Uh so those are the substantive changes. Um, we did receive
44. 47:09from Sam a couple of uh updates and I think Ken, I'm going to pass it off to you to talk about the the updates that Sam had sent to us. >> Yeah, they um little a few weeks ago uh a revised license propos agreement proposal that was modified from last year um came in. Um you know, we've been working on trying to iron out the details. I one of the main concerns I had with it which is really within the purview of the common council is to clearly define what the expectations were um from the dock management. The the license agreement had been extremely vague on that. it just said that they would be managing the dock and um thought it was really important to have clear expectations that are fully understood by both both the city and by the sloop code if they're going to be managing the dock
45. 48:12what that would entail what their obligations were. We had some discussions with that. Um I think because it my my job is not to decide what they should do. my I feel that my job is to make it clear to everybody what that what agreement is reached so that everybody's on the same page. Um but as far as the substance that's that's not my that's not my territory. So um particularly you know in 1B the dock management um that had had no detail whatsoever just said that they would manage the dock and so some of the questions that came up you know was the tool to what extent are they there full-time part-time how do they manage this um and they have had they basically outlined what they have been doing in the past and so this is reflective of what they've been doing for the test, you know, they said they've been doing for the last couple years, which is not full-time. They don't, you know, you can see the money compensation is quite small, but it's I think it's important
46. 49:13for the council to look at that and make sure that that's satisfactory, you know, that the expectations um of the council are in accordance with what they intend to do, which is basically periodically looking, you know, observing maybe on a daily basis, but they're not there watching every boat coming in and out. Um anyway, that was my one of my biggest concerns because it was so vague and we wanted to be clear so that the expectations are understood all the way around. Um a lot of the other stuff is more >> and can I just say something on that? >> Yeah. >> So um one of the the issues here and this was changed in another part of the license. Um the way the previous one was written the seasonal users of the dock uh were being listed as sub licences that is was not technically correct. So they are not sublicencies. The license the agreement is between the sloop club and the city and then the sloop club can enter into arrangements with seasonal
47. 50:16users. And so to describe the the seasonal users as lences or sublicences essentially would put them under all of the rules and requirements of this agreement as opposed to they simply have an agreement with the Snoop Club for seasonal use. And so when we were discussing this section section B we tried to capture in real life what actually happens here. So if uh Sam is not on the dock, he he's out for a few days, he will get a call if somebody happens to dock without permission and then he will address it. And so that's what's reflected here. And I think there was some concern expressed that somehow this puts responsibility on seasonal users, but actually they're not sublicencies. This is what's going on today and it isn't any different from what's going. I just wanted to make that right here. Yeah, there'd be no other entity other than, you know, assuming this gets adopted, there there'd be no other entity with any obligations whatsoever. Um, they would simply be be
48. 51:20docking for a fee and all all the obligations would be on the party on the part of the sloop club. um you know to the extent that they have informal hear informal advice that hey such and such boat just pulled up and they get a call or something like that they could make use of that but they there's no obligation on the part of anybody else um to do any anything. Um but anyway this is from the description this was reflective of of how it's been going on and that's needs to be to your satisfaction. So the in the red line that we received uh I think I got it sound yesterday to the full council. So if they can see there was a minor change in under section 9 uh clarifying um the lency understands that instead of the premises of the municip that the public pier uh must remain unlocked and open to the public at all times. uh walking on the public pier space licensed by the lency rather than the public dock um and again
49. 52:23changing changing uh restrict access to the public research. So I I don't think Ken there were any issues with that. >> No, most of the rest of the things were technical. Yes. Um there were quite a lot of them but they're they're not of much interest in most for the most part. And then there was there is one uh issue relating to insurance that Ken I believe you are going to look into the one the proposal from the Snoop Club was to put that at a one year rather than um survival period rather than a threeyear and I believe you were going to research that before we >> we're going to look at that. There are a couple of remaining issues that are pretty technical and again there was um some other input that came in in the last day or so. So, they're just most of these are shouldn't be a big deal, but we do reconcile a few different um concerns, but we'll we'll get back to you on the details of those. Um >> any questions from the council on this document? Do you have, you know, from that next week to review and consider?
50. 53:27>> I don't have questions. I just want to acknowledge that we received communication um from folks at Hudson Fair Company just asking for things to be more clearly spelled out. I don't know if this is the appropriate time to give the floor to >> I'm first of all asking council members if they have >> that's the only comment that I have is there's >> and that communication was post um so now any members of the public want to ask questions or speak >> I don't see any hands right >> Oh yeah Mark from >> so yeah we did send through a few of our concerns um we didn't interpret the language about um in 1B about management responsibility, but it does read like who would be responsible for collecting fees um which is not part of our current operations. So that could >> I'm sorry can you speak up a little >> uh for 1B
51. 54:30like Huntington County could be asked to collect fees >> fees? No, that that's actually what we you don't have any obligation. Um we could perhaps make that a little clearer, but um in the discussions, Sloop Cub was saying sometimes if they're not around, they will informally they may get a call from somebody who's a long-term docking, but nobody other than Sloop Cub has any obligation whatsoever. You will not handle any money. You will not tell people to leave. You have zero obligation. If you happen to see somebody pull up on the dock who maybe ought not be there or whatever and you informally want to call a Sloop Club and tell them to come on down, they would welcome that. Um but you have zero obligation of any kind >> and also also >> for the sake of sorry just please hang up just a moment. I have to grab before you speak. >> Just sorry. >> Uh I want to finish this out. This is why changing the language around self
52. 55:34licences is so important. And our understanding from meeting with Sam was a there are fairly informal relationships here between the long-term users and the sloop club and that you you rely you work with each other but this does not make you as a kind of saying liable in any way. >> Okay. >> Does that allay some of your concern around that? >> Yeah. Like Ken suggested, if it could just you can clarify it a little bit, that would be helpful because if there's any misinterpretation to we can easily put another easily put another line that expressly says no other party other than Sloop has any obligations whatsoever, you know, other than to pay the docking fees. I >> actually think it would be great of the seasonal lease holders could just be taken out of that section altogether. It's the Slooh Club's responsibility to manage the dock. That responsibility should not there should be no reference to a seasonal lease holder in that section because it does open the door to
53. 56:37liability for seasonal lease holders. >> You're a seasonal tenant. >> I'm sorry, I think you're using the wrong language. Seasonal tenants, but I would appreciate it if that language was very very clear. Um and yeah outside of that just want to make sure that the language in section two uh allows us continuous access for the doc you know staff on the solution is not present and then um uh you know would love to >> so here's the thing your agreement is with a snow club agreement so you would need to work out with the Slooh Club what your arrangement is. It's not You don't have an agreement with the city, >> but the city, the mayor has to sign the agreement. So, it is with the city. >> The mayor has to say, "Yes, this group you Yes, Sloop Club, you can um do a seasonal uh agreement with this group."
54. 57:40But >> I'm sorry, you did just ask for the language to be more specific that you were not legally bound, >> correct? So that makes you not a lei. >> No, it doesn't make us not a lee. It just makes the it clarifies the language around what the responsibility is of the sloop club. If the relationship is changing this year, it is >> the organization. Well, it is changing because last year our lease, the seasonal lease had to come through the plumbing council >> which we removed to make things simpler. Okay, that's great. So, >> this sets our tenant up for success and protects them in a financial and legal sense and separates the city financially and legally for the hopefully never happening scenarios. So the the past agreement was a little fast and loose and I think >> right
55. 58:43>> everyone can agree that it just clarifies that language and makes it much more black and white >> as clear as it can be is correct. >> Yes. Um so it sounds like you would like two separate agreements, one for the sloop club and one for the ferry to have separate uh >> that's how it has been in the past. If that's if that is changing then that's great. The mayor don't we need to sign on agreement then >> the mayor needs to approve seasonal long-term seasonal >> I'm just trying to understand the relationship >> if your relationship is with the club. >> So then the mayor doesn't need to sign >> the the mayor has to approve who the club enters into an agreement with. >> But there there's no interference in your relationship with the club. >> Yeah. That's between council and the sloop club. >> Got it. >> And mayor going to give permission to sloop club to use you guys. >> Okay. >> That's all.
56. 59:46>> It's not the way it's been in the past. So, it's like I haven't clarified. >> In the past, you guys weren't operating it. 10 years ago, it was another operator. And before that, it was another operator. So, fortunately, things have changed and progressed. >> Happy to hear us. It's great news. Any Sam, do you have anything you want to add? >> No. >> Questions. >> Okay. So, uh Ken, I I think we can try to uh get this get the revisions that we've got here. You're going to clarify the insurance piece and hopefully we will have a final document by next week >> if if everybody can get on board. Yes. Okay. Um All right. The next item is open meetings. Um so Ken, I'm going to hand this over to you as to what our uh steps are here. Um I have explained to uh in the legal
57. 1:00:50committee and also to to the council that essentially what we're doing here and Ronnie um was correct that there was in fact a law in 2022. The 2022 law as I read it however simply said that we would follow whatever the state extraordinary circumstances were but we do in fact have the ability to define our own uh criteria for what constitutes extraordinary circumstances. So the the essence of this is to lay out the situation in which a council member can participate fully in a meeting over video conference for what in what circumstances and be able to vote. Uh New York state law does for qualifying disability allow someone who is absent um for reason of disability uh who also can't as part of the form which was not in our law in 2022 by the way. So essentially this is just codifying to a large extent what we're already doing. So uh Ken, I'm going to pass it over to you as to what our next steps are with
58. 1:01:52this. Um we since you've already got it as a local law, um the only way to supersede a local law is with another local law. So um if this were if you had nothing on the books, you could adopt this practice, this policy either by resolution or by local law, but you've already got a law. So, um you're going to have to either amend or repeal this one. I think you could probably just state it as amending um section C3412 of the charter, which is where this is, and just this is what they did last time. Um it would just be a local law to amend section C 3412 um to read as follows. And it would be what has just been circulated to you. Um it is a little more extensive clarifies one of the things is you don't want ambiguity as much as possible. You want don't want ambiguities about what qualifies and what doesn't. Um so we tried to include a few things. I had
59. 1:02:57used this for a couple of other municipalities. Um we tweaked it a little bit here. Um but in the case it's not perfectly clear, there's also a determination to be made in first place by the council president who would if someone says there they can't be here because of this reason and it's not clearly in the law that that's a reason um council president would make the first call but with the ability of the a majority of the council to override that. So you ultimately could make case by case decisions if there's if it's really unclear whether somebody's um claim to be absent was fell within the law. Mo we try to make it cover the things that would would tend to come up. There's a couple provision provision in there for someone who for example has to work at an something outside their regular schedule. You know some somebody shouldn't be calling in remotely um because of their normal behavior. I mean the definition is extraordinary circumstances. Um but try to allow for it doesn't you don't necessarily have to be halfway
60. 1:04:01across the country. Um there can be things that are closer to home that may cause someone to be unable unexpectedly unable to be there. So I think the the process would be to introduce this as a local law uh to amend that section and go through the local law process the public hearing and such and then of just essentially replacing it as a of amendment in its entirety of that section. So, um, if people want to look at the content of the proposed thing and see if there are any concerns with it, um, that would probably be the way to go. >> And can if if we go the approach of introducing it as a local law, this is where we have to have a public hearing, correct? And then, um, after the public hearing, once we have the final version of this law, uh, then we can vote on it. Correct. >> Yeah. you have to have a public hearing and then um a local law has to be in its final form for 8 days, 7 days, not counting Sundays technically. So um
61. 1:05:06that's one of the reasons why the informal meetings are scheduled eight days ahead of the formal meetings. Um things can be put in their you basically you can't make changes to the law within eight days of the date of enactment. Um so >> and given that given that we will have to make some changes here to uh accommodate the fact that this is now going to be um I believe we have to make some changes because of the existing current local law. Correct. >> Uh it has to be reformatted as a local law. >> Um >> so >> so that means we won't be voting on it next week. >> Well it's only seven days anyway because um so we >> and we do have the existing law in effect right now. So you do have some opportunity, some ability to do this anyway. So um but yeah, I think we're taking probably just one sec. >> Uh anything else on the process kind? >> Um not really. You know, I think um I can reformat it quickly. You could
62. 1:06:10introduce it at the full meeting if you wanted. Yeah. >> Next next week and get the process rolling. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> Uh Dominic had a question. >> Yeah. Depends. So if I remember reading it with the open meetings law with the video that if you're excused, right, you have to, you know, give so many u you know uh hours ahead of time or whatever. And if I read open meeting law correctly that you have to say where you're at because that actually becomes a spot that somebody can attend the meeting wherever you are. >> Um it doesn't doesn't it have all all locations don't don't have to necessarily be open anymore I don't believe. Um yeah >> there has to what it says is that there has to be at least one place which would be where you are right now where the public can attend in person. Um, but that's one of the things that doesn't require that everybody be able to attend at every single location. Um, there the notice for the meeting does
63. 1:07:15require that there be notice to the public that video conferencing would be used, >> but in practice, you know, you might might not know until very late. Obviously, if somebody has something go wrong at the last minute, they wouldn't know. But, um, I don't see any reason why it isn't permissible to just note in the standard notice for the public meeting for the meeting that video conferencing may be used. Um, it is available. So, as a just a matter of course, make that note notification that people understand that could happen. So what we talked about was having in our notification of meetings on the calendar just have a statement in every one of them that uh some members of the council may be participating by v by a video conference. The other thing to your point about notifying in advance the uh president of the council or whoever is chairing the meeting um by definition if you have an extraordinary event that you're sick or you know
64. 1:08:18whatever you've been in an accident or you just got told you have to stay late for a meeting at work you're not going to have 4 days notice of sick. So on in item number six, we simply made that if a member is unable to be physically present at one of the designated public meeting locations and wishes to participate by video conferencing, the member should notify the council president of scheduling, right? So that makes it so that indeed if you're wake up and you're sick and need to stay home, you should notify. But trying to put something in where you have to say when you have to know the it's just not realistic, >> right? Yeah. Unless you're on vacation or Yeah. That's why >> it's something that you know about in advance. Yes. >> Okay. Gotcha. Yeah. >> And there's a limit. There's also there's a limit on that if you're doing it on a discretionary personal basis. You want to be away, you want to travel, you want to do something. Um >> this this would allow you to do that on two occasions in the course of the year. You could. So, yes, you're on vacation, but you can't move. You can't go to Florida for the winter and call in, you
65. 1:09:20know, for six months. That's not going to fly. >> I love >> Okay, >> any other questions on this? Read it, take a look, comment. Um, and we will get a version, hopefully a final version for to introduce next week. >> Thank you. Finally, um the bills we have we next week we will have the usual summary sheet that we vote on. Um I've reviewed them and uh Ronnie has signed off. Um they are always available in the to office for review if you want to look at the invoices. Um uh when we meet next week when we have the summary if you have any questions uh I should be able to answer any questions you have. I've gone through each invoice. Um and that's that. Other than that, I do not think I have anything else. Is there any new business? Oh, there's a hand raised. Go ahead, >> Ronald. Ron, go ahead. >> I just wanted to clarify something about uh remote participation by council members. As I understand the law up to
66. 1:10:24this point, uh people who are making up a quorum, council members must be present physically in a given location. Is that correct? >> That is correct. Yes. The one exception >> uh and that that location must be accessible to the public. >> That's correct. >> Okay. >> And the exception who has a valid qualifying disability can be counted for for >> Okay. Now that's >> the revision will enable a person participating remotely to count toward quorum. No, only not not there's only one circumstance and they have to have a disability as defined by the New York state law. It cannot be just an unexpected event or being away or anything kind. The only the only time a person can be counted for quarum purposes um is when that person has a disability
67. 1:11:26as described in the New York law. And if that person uh is is either participating remotely and counting toward a quorum or participating remotely but not voting but simply for purposes of comment that person must be live on camera. >> Yes. >> Correct. All right. >> Be visible. Yes. >> I have one. So Ron in the section of in the section of this document I think that you're asking questions about if you look at item number eight that describes the the exception for a person with a disability who can participate as part of the form and it it lays it out and cites the section of executive law that applies. >> Matt McGee also has a question. Uh yes I what is the name of the law that you are amending? Um, it's section C34-12 of the City of Hudson charter.
68. 1:12:30And this is all based on um, general municipal, I'm sorry, public officers law section 103- A. that is the authorizing New York State statute that allows video conferencing but also sets out the very specific processes and and and parameters that need to be in place to do it. So this is based on section 103 of the New York public officers law. It would be amending section C34-12 of the city of Hudson charter. >> Okay. Thank you. >> I just wanted to say welcome to Mr. Dao as councel to the council. Thank. Well, thank you. It's It's interesting to be back. >> We It's going to get more interesting. >> Trust us. >> We have a member of the public wants to speak. >> Hi everybody. I'm Stephanie Molsa from the Benson family and a 20-year first board resident. And I want to thank Mr. Morenzi for bringing up uh reference to
69. 1:13:34an email that I sent to all council members and yourself um council president Morris concerning the assistant director position at the youth center um as somebody who has served the families uh and youth of Hudson for more than 20 years um and been a longtime partner of the youth center um I want to stress the urgency of this position in the time that I've been here, um the services that the center offers to the community and families have more than doubled since COVID. Um the responsibility for maintaining the property that they're in and Oakdale uh and now a third property at the uh Hudson area Library on the third floor of the senior center um puts an undue burden on the uh the director. The assistant director position is critical now. This is the time when the entire staff is planning for the summer. The
70. 1:14:37summer service hundreds of children from Hudson. And it's of critical importance for the city's own this liability to the city and the safety of our families that there are highly qualified trained staff members there to run all of the the properties that the department is responsible for. So I urge you to reconsider um the there are multiple things in the uh youth center budget that need to be addressed. There's a retirement that needs to be addressed. There is um this salary line needs to be addressed. And um again going back to the um the what's the job? >> Yeah, the the superintendent the person who is responsible for maintenance that that needs a lot. So I just want to raise that that dot in front of you all to make that decision.
71. 1:15:39>> So to thank you for your communication that was both of it is is on our website. Um my understanding of the process and I did attend the BEA meetings. Uh at the time that the BEA uh put a hiring fees in place. All vacancies across the city were are subject to a hiring. The position of the assistant director is currently vacant. And so I believe the process that would happen is if the mayor makes a decision that this is an critical and essential position, then it would eventually flow around through treasurer's office to this council to make a decision on funding of the position. But there is a process for that. And I think there there's a misconception that a a position was eliminated uh erroneously and you did make a reference to um erroneous in your email. Um the error that occurred was that a line was eliminated that was currently occupied by a full-time staff member and that was
72. 1:16:41corrected in December to ensure that that you I deliberately chose not because that was an error. >> Excuse me. Excuse me. The error that occurred was corrected in December. All I'm saying is that there is a process that needs to be followed to identify this as a critical position. Then there will be a uh budget amendment that will come to this council for a vote. That's the process. >> The public how the public can uh become part of the process to raise the >> you should write to the mayor. Write to us, write to the mayor, write to your represent, write to your council members that what you did in submitting your letter is precisely what you should be doing. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. Any Logan, are there any hands? >> Yeah. We have one more comment. We have Bill State Street. Um, I'd like to bring up a few actually stop
73. 1:17:43if I can issues of concern for me and issues and concerns I would hope for all the council members here. >> Just point of order. You may make comment on one issue. >> One issue. The issue being um all the problems around town. How about How about South Third Street? Um all you members should know if you're not aware that in 2017 as part of the chips um program that year that's paid uh repaving project the state pays for karuso repaved south third street from Allen to world street 2017 cost us about the state about $12,000 or so for that two blocks about four months after it was paid I noticed it started to crack it was beginning to crack already at All Street. Um within 3 years,
74. 1:18:45so in 2020 or 21, DPW had to dig up 2 ft below that street to replace what's known as a subbase. And he came out at a council meeting in 2000 in 2020 or 21 just before about DPW did that that Rob Perry okayo to repave that street even though he and Karuso were fully aware that the subbase of that street was faulty. Okay. It took a week for DPW to replace a space uh uh in the southbound lane. It probably cost 15 or $20,000 I imagine. Then they did a space closer to Warren Street also in the south. I had to close down the lane. So that was 2020 and 21 I believe possibly later. Um the street is now coming apart again because as Rob Perry said the subbase was faulty. He was well aware of it and he went and had them repave it. And now DPW is going to have to repave a portion of that street again. And essentially the
75. 1:19:49entire street, the entire two blocks that haven't been replaced yet need to be replaced. This is not a repaving job. This is a replacement job. And Rod Perry doesn't talk about it. And you all should know how expensive this is going to be. And that it needs you people need to be aware of what's going on there because it's not being talked about, but you're all going to be paying for it. We're all going to be paying for it for years to come. >> Thank you uh for your comment. Are there any other public comments? Go ahead. >> Um, I would just like to second everything that um, Stephanie said about the youth department. I said this before, but I think that uh, we need to move quickly um, to re to bring that position back. And I'm glad to hear that it sounds like the council was in support of that. The council sees how important it is and it just needs to go to the mayor first and then the mayor can bring it back here and we can move forward with it. So knowing that that's the case and that that's how the public and people who are concerned um should pursue this is great that was clarified.
76. 1:20:52Thanks for Dominic for taking the lead on on uh a very important issue that does as Stephanie said very much affect the safety of all those kids u my kids included who go to that summer camp and are supervised by the staff under that assistant director. So it's a it's a it's a big issue that needs to be taken care of. So, thanks for being ready when when the mayor's office lets you guys know. >> I think it's also the you know the idea that currently the way it's structured is Calvin's the only supervisor. Correct. So, right up so so that's one of the need for you know the assistant director is to be supervising not just the kids but you know the staff. So the adults so uh I realized how important that position is. So it's, you know, again, there's a process. I'm going to try to do my best to make sure it's streamlined as quickly as possible, but as you know, sometimes that's not uh feasible to do it as quickly as we should, but we definitely are are in, you know, the way to do it.
77. 1:21:58>> So I believe we have a little more business. We have one more public comment. >> Thanks for recognizing me, Mr. President. K. I would like to reiterate my consideration that the uh library uh which the city pays for and it's by a referendum. I understand that. But I don't think because it was a referendum it obvious responsibility of the city to see that services are provided. Now the library in its wisdom in the last 7 years has limited services. When you go to their board meeting they say that they do limit services. It's kind of a unique twist of of reality but in reality when you are less able to use the services that's limited. Uh I think that this is worthy of consideration and fiduciary a responsibility of the city
78. 1:23:06to see that their funds are well spent and not limited. And I would recommend to this man that the services committee might might be interested in engaging in looking into this >> and thank you for your kind consideration in this matter. >> Thank you for that comment. So I believe we have no more new business. However, um we do need Ken I think we need to go into exactly fashion. Correct. >> I did have one thing that I >> Let me check with Ken. >> Can you hear us? Cam, >> you're muted. >> Sorry. Yeah. >> Yes. Um, you're going to want to go into ex you're going to go want to go into executive sess make a motion to go into executive session to discuss um an article 7 taxert litigation matter. >> So we will we will do we'll make a motion to that in a moment but I I want to make sure all of the business is finished so that we can let the public go knowing that when we come back out of
79. 1:24:08executive session uh that there will not be any additional business. So Claire had something she wanted to bring up. I have been talking to Senator Hinchie's office about doing a tax preparation event for constituents. If any other council members want to co-sponsor with me, I would invite you to join the conversation. I just want Hij's office to um present to constituents what tax break tax breaks are available, what proposed legislation that's at the state table right now for further tax breaks for seniors. Um, so there's just an education point and possibly in partnership with Columbia opportunities as they have free tax preparers. So if anybody else wants to co-sponsor with me for sure. Uh, so if you could take care of my time >> recording stop too.

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