Common Council, Informal Meeting

1. 0:05I'm all done. >> Sorry. Logan. >> Yeah. Um I You got >> for a moment. It's true.
2. 1:28Um so all right so uh before we go into um I've changed the order here ever so slightly uh before we go into reports from committees this evening we should have reports from um services infrastructure and uh safety finance is meeting next week and uh legal got moved to later this week. So we have no reports from them. However, before we do that um I just want to give everybody an update on um from our last meeting, the informal meeting when we were talking about the D warehouse and the contract that came before us. Um so following that meeting um I reached out to the Hudson Brewery to discuss the contract and some of the issues that I had seen in it. Uh because of Memorial Day and that I was out of town. We were not able to meet until uh Friday the 5th which is about 10 days ago. Um there were two issues that we discussed. uh one of
3. 2:31which uh they brought up the contract uh had a penalty clause relating to stabilization and they wanted to see a clear definition of stabilization in the contract. Um and the other issue um which I was brought up from the perspective of the RFP process is that we did an RFP process so that we could select a purchaser whose use of the building would be consistent with uh the riverfront usage by the community and for that reason the Hudson Bury was recommended by the uh committee that reviewed all of the applications. So, I wanted to see something in there that said that we're with selling the building to this uh company with the understanding that it would be used as a brewery and they were fine with that. Um, I followed up with the mayor's office and with I think Ken was included and also our city attorney uh briefing them on the following Monday on the discussion and the two main issues that
4. 3:33we want to see in the contract. uh spoke with Caitlyn this morning. Um she's going to follow up with her attorney. They had already been working on trying to make revisions to the contract. So, she was going to follow up uh with her attorney and see whether he was with uh the city's attorney to get the contract finalized. Um hopefully we will have this available for vote next month. had been hoping to get to the council this month, but the timeline was just very tight and trying to get those two things into the contract. So, that's the update from last month's meeting. Yes, >> right of first refusal. Was that included? >> Uh, they did discuss that. Um, that's I don't know whether that will be in it or not. We'll see what they come up with. That is not an easy thing to put into contracts, but that was something that they have discussed before. Why is it not easy to put in? >> I'm not a lawyer, so I can't tell you. >> Um, every real estate transaction I'm familiar with, it's very easy to put it in a contract.
5. 4:35>> Well, this really is with the city attorney and their attorney to come out the contract. What we had before us last month was not ready for signature. They did not think it was ready for signal and hopefully what comes before the remain other comments on what comes before us once it's revised. But um that was something that they were open to discussing. Again, >> I'd like to ask Mr. D why that would be hard to put into the contract. you're not part of these. I'm not charged, but there were a number of things that that were quite ambiguous and we were just talking about the importance of having very clear standards. So that we, you know, in this time we're today, >> if you can't get clear standards into the language, it just invites problems later when they're if you're going to disagree, you want to disagree before the contract is signed, not after. Because beforehand, you can hash it out. afterwards all you can do is sue basically. So there were a bunch of
6. 5:37different things that had again I'm not involved in negotiating this in any way but just as matter of principle um they wanted to be sure we wanted to be very objectively clear on exactly how all this stuff is going to work and what the points of measurement would be so that if there is anything that doesn't go according to plan it's pretty clear to everybody what where it where it may stand. They don't have to be bought later. But again, I'm not involved in it in any way. >> Right. I just you're you're an expert contracts probably. >> I thought there were actually several other things going on. So I I'm not sure >> without that minimum thing in there. I will be a hard no on allowing public land to be sold and to damage the public good without a vigorously beneficial contract for the city. >> I always thought the right of that goes
7. 6:39into the G not into contract. I thought that could be put into the deed that you know that the right of first visa goes to whoever and then the city can be put on a deed as I didn't think it had to be in contract. I think it could be put into the D. That's what I've always seen in houses. If they had like a neighbor or whatever, whatever they have, like so I always look at put into the D, not >> think that's one of a bunch of things. >> Yeah. Think we don't even know that that's the big sticking point. It doesn't seem like that should be good. But I mean, as far as the contract or there other things that are a lot harder to work at. >> Oh, yeah. There it's not a good Yeah. Okay. So with that, I would like to go to reports from the committees. Um Henry, you have two to report on. >> Uh yeah, I guess so. Which one's first? Say prepare. >> Uh well, DPW was quick and easy. Um Jason wasn't there, so I took over for
8. 7:41Jason. Thank you. Um you'll be able to Well, we did not get the Hudson Valley Greenway grant that we were hoping we'd get. Jason can definitely speak to that much more than I can because he's been in communication with him. Um, if you would like to. >> Um, yeah, just that uh, you know, the there's not a lot of information coming back from the the agency. Um, they said they had a lot of applications and they intended this year to go towards applications that covered a broad brush of a city or a town rather than a specific project and that was their reason for not um awarding us. We will continue to pursue other grants to help the intersection of the hospital and uh the pedestrian safety and uh circulation around the park. Um we did apply for the SS4A the safe street for all grant. Um
9. 8:48so we will continue to fight the fight. Uh you just reminded me since we said that there's there was a I Rob gave it to I think um Captain Miller, but we had a study done by someone in the county with all of our intersections. So we do have data Margaret that you were referring to. We would like to have to look at the intersection um of Colombia and 8th and 7th and we have that data somewhere. I think it was given to HPD from Rob just a week ago so we can follow up and get a relatively current might have been from the sheriff's department or something like that. Um anyhow u back to that DBW meeting. It was quick. Um maybe half an hour plus. Uh Rob went down the list of a few of the fixes that we're looking at. We're still going to be he is still going to try to figure out how to plan for the sewer project on Colombia in terms of
10. 9:52the the physical scope of it. The holes are much larger or I think 8 ft wider than we thought originally. The catch basins are 12 feet instead of four feet or something like that. So, it's going to be um a little bit more planning to get the traffic flows to be appropriate, especially for coming into the winter. um had some discussions on that and I know in the past it's been an easy route to send trucks down state and third and um we're going to try to veer away from that and uh keep trucks on the eastern truck route as the um detour for this construction instead of having two detours just everyone go couple more and more. >> So, a little bit more there for him to get. >> It needs to be worked on, but that's kind of goal at home. >> Um, we got the signs installed from safety the next day or within the two
11. 10:55days of discussion and we're going to work on another few signs that we all pick out. >> I said six in Columbia. >> Yeah. No, yes, six in Columbia does. >> I know. I could just go public. Oh, I'm sorry. >> Um, so that was pretty much the KBW meeting. It was just an update from Rob. Not too many things are broken. Uh, sewer revenue is at 54,000 for the month. So, moving in an okay direction. >> Uh, the safety committee meeting, I will try to be brief. It has five pages of uh minutes. Um, with the addition of code enforcement, it felt like a really good fit with Nick. He is going to uh be able to address a number of issues at the committee meetings. Hopefully, we'll limit some of his time or his office's time during the week um with reaching out to the public or answering questions so they don't have to email him so much. Uh he's going to start working on the vacancies which I think we all saw the
12. 11:59emails. >> Yeah. Um I think he has 50 year mark right now but just needs some clarification on definition and how we are going to proceed because currently in the code it does not speak to demolitions and if we end up with several dozen houses on the vacancy list that require demolition or we going to be left with chained off grass yards for an extended period of time. So, best to move forward with Ken and get us some language in the near future before we really proceed with those on the vacancy list. Um, >> just just FYI when he had notified us, I did follow up with some meet with him tomorrow just to get briefed on exactly where where >> Excellent. Yeah, we've got a a long list. um fire uh the fire boats in and they will hopefully never need to use it. Uh the new truck I think is going to be here next week. It was delayed for some
13. 13:04repairs and I think lettering if I'm not mistaken. Um but it is on the way. Uh the we had a a bunch to discuss at from HPD in terms of speeding tickets and speeding in town. Uh they've deployed the sheriff's trailer on upper 800 block of Warren and they're going to be moving around their trailer as well as the mountable radar machine that collects data. The sheriff's trailer collects data. Our HPD trailer that does speed does not collect data. Um, and coincidentally, the average speed is 25.1 miles an hour on that street. But of course, you know, it doesn't say they're not loud or driving um like a-holes, but it does say they're
14. 14:07not always speech. Uh, parking kiosks will be they've been marked. I think they're going to start installation tomorrow. Um, and hopefully that goes smoothly. It'll be a lot easier for everyone in town and all of our visitors to finally not always have to use their phone or look for a kiosk to put change or their credit card in. So, that's great. Um, and we did receive uh mostly because you notified me Margaret, we had response from Basilica from the cannabis event from two months ago that did not go over very well. So they they were very apologetic and understood that in the future they will do better. And that sounded great. It's at least good to get a response from people that make a boo boo. It's okay to be wrong. We just got to move forward together. Um, I think that's really about it. I don't need to go through five pages of this.
15. 15:12>> Yes, I can give you an update, Henry, on the your minutes are on file. >> Yes, my minutes are on file. >> Yeah. J >> ballards for the kiosks. Are they going to put them? Especially at the one um that's at Moto. >> I don't know if they're putting ballards. I did not think they were, but if they are, >> they really need to because that that one is very vulnerable. And if it's hit, that's $10,000. >> Yeah. >> Uh that's a great suggestion. Yeah. >> And I will write to you. >> Please do >> and reinforce that. >> All right. We'll get it on the props list. >> We have a maintenance. >> Yes. >> Yes, we do. >> But it would not cover that. >> It wasn't. Yeah, it just covers maintenance. Um, warranty. >> There is a warranty that's covered in the 48 year a year. I think it's 48 grand a year for that. >> Any other questions for Henry? >> I just want to update uh uh Henry Henry
16. 16:17with the uh speed radar. So I connected HPD with the company of the three existing the two permanent and a portable which they're going to do training with HPD. There's it's web based. So all three of those will be able to collect data. So that gives us another another tool that's one on Avenue uh the one on Glenwood and the portable unit that can be put anywhere. So uh once that training is done it's they'll be able to do target enforcement. they'll be able to get a little bit more education on uh you know the speeding in those areas. Uh and it does both ways and you know uh so uh and a morning whatever you can query whatever you want to query uh so hopefully that would be you know uh training is going to happen sooner or later and then that would be another tool for them to use for enforcement. So uh that just happened like two weeks ago that that was connected with that company. So that's just an update on on low humans. Thank you. >> So Dominic, you want to give us the update from the services group?
17. 17:19>> Sure. So uh senior citizens uh the senior the senior center uh they still don't have a commissioner. Uh so I did get an email from Reagan on you know the programming that's going on. So the there's uh the um aerobics down at the waterfront and there's zoom uh um zoom zumba zumba zumba that's uh and the uh so I'm hoping to you know move forward because there's really no real oversight to some of that we would like to see more programming because the only program seems like it's going on. That's consistent. It's the county program still going on that they're using the facility um from I 9 to one uh with you board games in the food program. Uh so and then the youth
18. 18:21department comes in I believe 3 to 5 that uses part of the senior center. Uh so I I think uh we're missing an opportunity to uh have some more programming for the seniors. So, uh, we're going to hopefully do the survey on July 13th at Bliss Towers, uh, uh, tenant appreciation, uh, committee has volunteered to, you know, sit down there and and ask some questions on the survey for some of the tenants. And um I'm still going to coordinate with Providence Hall or the committee to do a day down at Providence Hall uh you know to uh bring a survey along uh Providence Hall to inquire on transportation uh to the senior center. What's the barrier for individuals to attend the senior center which um I'm 99.9% is is the transportation as uh for the youth department. So, youth department went through some trainings. Uh, sexual harassment discrimination trainings for the staff. Uh, camp uh staff has been hired.
19. 19:25There's seven of the part-time staff that's going to transfer into the camp uh staff. And there's eight additional part- timerrs uh that were hired. There was a part-time camp director uh hired to run the six-week program of camp uh which would take play uh taking place of the assistant director position for that uh coverage area. Uh the uh fence area is they're looking to get a vote from Roma Fence to fix the fence uh at at the rink uh with some of the damages that that went on there. the um there's right now 145 uh kids signed up for the camp. Uh so there is a waiting list uh right now for for camp uh in including the uh parttime staff. I believe there's five or six full-time staff that's going to also be working uh you know the camp programs uh during that that time. the they did a bunch of field trips uh in
20. 20:27collaboration with other agencies uh in the community uh which seemed very educational and very very um uh well attended uh according to Calvin the just let me okay give me one second I I did I did inquire about just an update on fingerprinting so any staff over 18 is fingerprinted through uh it it's it's not ink and roll anymore. It's it's it's electronic. It's instant. Uh Calvin gives the results of the fingerprints uh and to determine um the results of the fingerprints. Uh the youth department has a budget line to pay for the fingerprinting which I think at one point was like $95 uh per uh fingerprint. And uh so according to Calvin, everyone over 18 that is
21. 21:29currently employed has been fingerprinted. The fingerprinting is what they call CBC. It's a criminal background check that is continuous. That means if Henry gets fingerprinted today and he gets arrested in two weeks, Calvin would get an alert that he's been arrested. And so don't do anything. So >> they've already got one. And so uh so that's that's uh another that cowan gives and that was a a law that was passed back in the day because of some incidents that happened at the youth department that uh requires anyone over 18 uh working with youth department has to do and that seems about it in terms of uh I did talk to Calvin briefly it's not on these notes but just to let people aware that the dock um was damaged and half of the dock has to be repaired. So, uh the dive team has to go in and retrieve the
22. 22:31dock. Uh there's no time frame on how long that's going to take. Uh the swimming is open now from Thursday to Sunday from uh 11 to 7 and during camp hours swimming open swimming is going to be from 3:00 to 7:00. They are going to open uh some swim lessons, baby swim and uh swimming lessons for the public uh d uh at at at the beach uh during uh you know camp hours. So it's going to be swimming lessons. I think it's like from 9 to 12 swimming lessons going are going to be and uh that that's about it. >> I'm sorry. What date is this um and time is the survey done at the BL? Um, uh, July 13th. >> July 13th. That was on >> um the the events from 1 to 4. >> Yeah. I'll touch base pat, you know. So, I'll have a table for us to sit on. >> Any questions? Yeah. Go ahead, >> Dominic. Do you you might have said it,
23. 23:34I missed it. How did the dock get damaged? Do you know or not until it gets pulled? >> Apparently, u it was damaged. Maybe rocks were thrown on it. They're not totally sure how it was damaged. thing is winter rated. >> I mean that that again that could be a consideration but this is the first year the dot stayed in. >> Yeah. >> Um so that definitely could be an issue. Um normally fast they always pulled it out. So um >> it could be an issue. So so I think moving forward I think the dock needs just to be >> the dock. The fishing dock. >> Not the fishing dock. The swim dock. >> Yeah. It's in kind of link to float. Yeah. >> Oh, sorry. >> Do we have any any comments from >> Yeah. >> Yes. Can you hear me?
24. 24:37>> Yes. >> Is that a Yes. >> Yes. Yes. Um well, I'd like to speak to the doc issue, but also I wasn't given a chance to talk um uh after Henry spoke, so I'd like to ask a question of Henry as well if I could. Right. I'll make a comment about the dock if I could. Um I also noticed that this was the first year in 10 years that the dock was not removed for the winter that it was left in. And I I I could almost be sure that the the damage was caused because of all the ice that formed around it and under it and on the sides of it. And I wonder I would suggest that somebody find out why that dock was left in the water for the winter. And if and if it was supposed to take be taken out, who is to blame? Because it never should have happened. And I can tell you that that dock um arrived I think two years ago now. That's a new dock. It might have
25. 25:39even been uh 25 that it that it showed up. I saw it in parts when it arrived in the in the uh parking lot there a year or two ago. Anyway, it it's supposed to come out of the water. So, there's that. I'd like to bring something up to um that has to do with the uh the code and infrastructure committee meetings as well as I guess the safety uh meetings. But um the issue that bothers me to the nth degree and that should make all of council members furious are these plastic signs, plastic business signs that have popped up all over town on the wooden utility poles owned by National Grid. These these things are a blight and they are unwelcome and they they began showing up uh late last year and really took off uh earlier a few months ago uh earlier this year. We don't need these things around. They're not good for us. They need to come down. Now, I'm just
26. 26:42curious because this issue was brought to Nick Fox's attention at a code and infrastructure meeting in May. Now, Nick did not show up to the code and infrastructure meeting uh a week or two ago in June, and so there was no way for anybody to follow up with him to find out if he's he's in fact um doing any work to get these businesses to remove their signs. But I can tell you that it's not going to happen that way. The only way to get these signs removed is for DPW to remove them. We can do that. So, so thank you for those questions, Bill. Um, your client was Did you want to say anything? >> Bill, to answer your question about the signs, Nick has the we I believe the code states that we can find them up to I think it's might even beundred or and more dollars per sign. He did. He said he did reach out to them
27. 27:45and I do believe his office is probably overwhelmed right now and they have not circled back. But thank you for bringing it up. We will I will shoot him an email or stop by tomorrow and see how he's making out. >> Any other comments? Any other question? >> Okay. Um so yeah, sorry. >> I apologize. I would like to make a comment on the committee reports. So what topic is it >> on the proposed local law? >> I'm sorry. >> On the proposed local law >> amending chapter 325-7. >> We aren't at that point yet. >> Thank you. >> Let's see. We now are going to resolutions. So if anyone has questions, let me know. I'm sorry. Somebody trying to speak. >> Margaret, I'm trying to >> Did you say Did you ask if there was
28. 28:47anything to I have one question, but I don't know if it's appropriate or not. >> So, what's the topic? The topic is around the lake and the the camp. >> Is it is it a question for Dominic for services? >> I I don't I don't know. I think it is, but you can tell. >> Can I ask ahead? May I ask? Okay. So, Dominic, I don't again if this is not appropriate or this is not the place or it please direct me. So, is it um I know that the camp Hudson camp has the flake uh during the day Monday through Friday, but is there My understanding is that Perfect 10
29. 29:52doesn't have access to um the lake until after 3:00 and they their programs over at And I wondered if there was a precedent sharing the link. >> Carla, you're breaking up a lot. So could I suggest that perhaps you send a communication to Dominic? >> I mean, I can answer. >> Okay, go ahead. So, so Carla, the camp is run over by a permit by the department of health and the department of health, anyone on site from during camp has to be um you know part of part of the camp. Um according to the department of health, the camp the the it opens up from 3 to 7 for the public. However, right now until camp starts from um Thursday to Sunday, I believe it's 11 to 7 that the uh beach is open.
30. 30:57>> Yes. >> So, so uh I don't know the ages of you, you know, perfect 10. I don't know if you know I know the the membership now that it is um you know closed for the camp. So, but I mean a lot of the recommendations are done by submitting the Department of Health. They have to have a certain amount of numbers and and it has to be a closed site according to Department of Health for safety. >> I'm sorry. Thank you. But can you just It needs a closed number for what reason? And >> it's a close It's a closed site. The Department of Health permit. So during that time it the site is closed unless they're camp members. >> Right. >> And that's the the department of health regulation. >> Yeah. For the permit for the the department of health issues the permit for the camp and the camp has a safety plan. Part of the safety plan is and it has to be again it has to be closed site. Only campers only can be using the
31. 32:02site during that time. Now again, I don't know the ages of perfect 10, so you know. >> Great. I I I'll follow up. But then did Did I hear you also say though that during camp there's going to be open swimming lessons, so the public can go there for swimming lessons? >> Just for swimming lesson. I believe it's 9 to 12 in the morning, but it's only for swimming lessons, I believe. You have to check with Calvin because there's a sign up for that, too. Um, but I believe it's from 9 to 12 swim because that what happens is that area is closed off so the campers aren't there during that time from my understanding. >> Okay. All right. Thank you. >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, um, moving on. Yes, Lord. >> Just clarification. When we talk about Department of Health, we're talking. >> Yes. Thank you. >> Uh, moving on to resolutions. No other. >> Okay. First is commissioner of deeds
32. 33:08and these obviously are all going to be uh due to be voted on next week. Uh next is uh the uh resolution authorizing the mayor uh to uh sign provided by Columbia County tax. This relates to the regal. Our last free was in 2018 2019 and if anyone has any questions on that Jason um I commend the mayor for taking this call. Um I noticed the timing is quite delayed. I asked them about it and mentioned that the Bia County Real Property Service tax service um had others booked ahead of us. um like to see what can be done to to push on that because it's uh every year our um level of assessment goes down uh has
33. 34:13big impacts has big impacts on star recipients uh and and all the other reasons that the mayor is opposing this um then there's also uh state funding available And uh the if we commit to a 4-year reassessment cycle, we can get $5 per parcel in the years of the assessment and $2 per parcel in the years in between. Um, and I think given that we've been hesitant to uh do reassessments from the past that putting it making it cyclical, well, I would somehow codify it. I don't know how we would do that. Um, I think would be beneficial to set up a system of doing reassessments every four years. And uh I'd like to see what could be done to uh move us up in the line. Um there was some
34. 35:18uh information about what the the rest of the county is doing and we're one of the worst and the one falling. So that's my comments on it. >> Any other comments? >> Well, could we bring this topic to legal or just clify it? say reporting groups. That's that's what I'm suggesting. I'm not sure what um or what this resolution is asking instead of allowing the mayor to sign a quote. I don't know what that really means or what that >> it's to sign the agreement to come um negotiation. I didn't although I did not publish the uh defendant because I don't know if this has been consigned yet. >> Sure. >> But I don't know if this is just a vulner issue but this is authorizing them to move forward. >> Um and given that it's quite delayed I think we have a little bit of time to
35. 36:24if anyone >> Yeah. I I agree with you that having regular regularly scheduled assessments uh takes it out of the political arena and it simply becomes something that you do as a business. >> Yeah. >> And then it it's just that's the way it happens. It's time for it. You do it and then you stay and that is what the state recommends that you take. So I do agree. >> Yeah. And the the Thank you. the revenue or the cost of this >> the longer it takes the more it cost the city on in other ways. >> Yes, that's correct. >> Um so if there's anything we can do to move it >> could you send u the information on money is available from the state. >> Okay. >> Um sorry. Oh, sorry. >> On this top page, >> sorry, can you just um
36. 37:28>> um the if the December parking revenue is not waved, that ought to cover more frequent assessments. Number one. Number two, I have a rough idea. you guys can find out exactly how much the welcome stranger attacks costs the city and lawsuit legal fees. If you do that math, it is twice as much as it would cost to do more than twice as much minimum to do this every three or four years. Um, and finally, um, I think it's great that Mary Peris is doing it and you guys encourage him to do it. I just don't understand that we don't do it this year, which is not a poor election year for him because right now it's going to be the next guy or himself in his first year and every year is a it's an equality equity issue where the city is being very unfair being sued by more people. >> The explanation of timing was that the agency is busy. >> They don't have the bandwidth. >> They they they have already booked other news. >> Got it. No one else in Massachusetts or the the there are good reasons to go
37. 38:33into terms of the secrets. They're very familiar with the real estate. >> Um so there are valid reasons for using them. Uh and I have the same information but the timing is based upon you have to get into the queue proposal. But I do I do really think maybe something that's not tied to the calendar would be the wisest approach. that the state seems to encourage for you and they have their set of inter. >> Yes, exactly. That's exactly what um next resolution is uh authorizing a budget amendment for a full-time photo position. Um then we have a supplement agreement relating to the recreational attendance retirement contributions. Um our next resolution um uh we have two um I see Mitro is
38. 39:39here. We have two members of the community uh put the name forward to be appointed to the IDA and the community members. Um, we received I receive I didn't receive it until today, but actually it was sent to me last week. Um, Vicky Dash Moody, whom many of you know from the council has put her name forward also for consideration and we received uh a letter of interest also from Michael. Um, so I think perhaps uh I know that Vicki could not be here this evening, Michael. I think perhaps if we have the discussion next when we when this has come up in the past in about four years ago we had two community members come forward and what we did was they both explained why they wanted to be on the IDA and then the council voted. So does that work for you? I know that you've come here this evening but does that work for you? >> You're saying a week from tomorrow? >> Uh yes, correct. Tuesday. Would it be fair to say that the mayor is
39. 40:42actually recommending Michael? >> Uh the council appoints the uh >> this is not a thing where the mayor appoints and reapprove of this. >> That's not what happened last time. Members of the community are invited to put their names forward. They put their names forward and then the council >> in the past they put it on the website. Anyone interested interest would send a letter of interest to the council. That's it. It's only in the time I've known the council, it's only come up once where we had two people who put the mayor involved and that's exactly what we did. >> Go ahead. >> I think it is accurate to the mayor recommended in the sense that the mayor mayor has to serve and that's why in your statement you say that that's fine. the current former mayor. >> That the current or the former mayor? >> Current mayor. Ask me ask me to sit. We have another comment. Weird question. >> Just a moment. >> Uh two narrow questions for the meeting. One, does it need to be an American
40. 41:45citizen? It was not clear for my research. Two, does it have to be a city of resident or someone that lives within 15 miles of the city as the New York State? And when you guys ask for nominations, it be great to clarify that because we know, you know, Mr. Jesus lives right next to city hall as keep an eye on everything. But uh there are 30,000 people within the city of Hudson who good, fast, healthy, business focused, empathy and full Jonathan's all serve in hinds. >> Um >> so save questions for next week. Yeah, I think if you're okay with that, Michael, I think if we have you and Vicki present next week, that will have resolutions written for >> Yes. I did not I did not have time to do one for Vicki. It went to the email address, which is why I sent it out to everybody this afternoon and um sent it to both. But I we will have two resolutions. Um next is Uh yes, go ahead.
41. 42:50>> What the deadline to commit obligation for this position? >> Well, at this point it's passed because we vote on this next week. I'm entertaining staff that came in uh prior to this meeting which was uh Vicky and uh Michael and so we will vote on it. Um the next resolution relates to a budget amendment to cover 2024 senior center for portion share of utilities expense. Does anyone have questions on this or do you all remember what this is about? Good. Next is um a resolution uh designated uh and celebrating June 2, 26 as LGBTQ pride month in Hudson. Uh next is a resolution authorizing transfer of funds from employers covered under CSEA union contract. Uh what this is about is um during the BEA
42. 43:56discussions uh the CFCA contract had not yet been um finalized. So the treasurer put money into contingency funds based on estimate of what the contract would be for reasons. So what you're seeing here is a uh authorization transfer from contingency uh into these lines into these personal lines to cover ended up being the contract. >> Okay. >> Does the recovery? >> Excuse me. No. Well, when PA when the budget was being crafted, uh monies were put into a contingency. wasn't the equivalent amount for >> uh there's things that one of them she may have to restate but the estimates were put in estimate of what the contract would finally be um that is um but it was budgeted. Next is resolution uh for a budget amendment to provide funding for housing
43. 45:00director longevity increase. Uh what this relates to is um every five years it's a one-time payment every five years of longevity that uh employees get um a increase. Uh this will it moves money into housing director personal services uh coming from grants and the way this money flows for that position is that the city pays salary and benefits and once a quarter HTTPA then reimbures the city for the cost of that position. Any questions on that one Dominic? Uh so uh ACPA in their budget did did put in the budget um you know for this longevity uh I think it's 800 something dollars and >> right and also I believe the contract that the HCDPA signed with the city uh did have this uh in it also. uh the uh this would then bring the fringe and um
44. 46:07over $116,000 for uh the the position. Uh the the caution is and it doesn't have to do here is moving forward uh the grant um don't know if it's going to have enough money to fund another year of that position. So, uh there's got to be have some conversations on what's going to happen and the funds. So, uh because there's other uh budget things for that needs to be paid with that uh grant uh you know that needs to be paid also not just the salary. So, uh there's got to be some thought and consideration on moving forward what where's this position going to end up if you move forward. So, but it has been put into the budget. HV already approved it. Uh, so it's just basically um tying the knot for that $800 >> and that would be discussion. >> Yeah. Any other council members? >> Do do we need to what Dominic just said,
45. 47:09do we need to think about that position and then going forward? Who will? >> It's an HDP. >> So, they'll handle it. >> And also the mayor. >> Yeah. >> It's administrative. The mayor. Yeah. Any other council members? Okay, we have members of the public. He >> said, you know, $116,000. >> And what's the increase? >> This is a longevity amount of the every five years. >> I mean, how much is the >> It's $87945. >> $879. >> Yes. It's it's every five years employees get >> pardon. >> And who's the individual receiving the thing we take? It's it really is irrelevant. >> It is the housing you can look it up on the website. >> It's the housing uh uh the direct the housing director is eligible for longevity increase as of June 1, 2020. >> But that's that's all we have on. Next resolution is uh authorizing a budget
46. 48:13amendment to consolidate meter parking revenue. This is a very straightforward situation. Back when we had um uh the the kiosk, not kiosks, the meters and so forth, um there were two different lines. Uh since we've moved to the new system, everything is really being put into one line. This is just a bookkeeping thing to put to consolidate this into one line. Yes, Jenny. Um, I don't have a problem with this at all, but uh, one thing that I just wanted to point out is that when we when the parking committee put forward its proposal, um, each block of the city had their own zone, there's only two zones now. Um, and that was so that we could have real data for when people moved from one place to another. And now things are not working that way. They're just wanting to >> Okay. >> So now we have no way >> figuring out data.
47. 49:18>> There's two zones. >> Yeah. >> So if you zone in other >> because it's not by spot, you know, right >> the way that it's been set up or even by zone. So people can pay for an hour and then ride around town and park somebody somewhere else. What was suggested was that each block be its own zone. When if you wanted to move your car, you were you were paying the next wherever the next place you were going was. So then we would have data on where people were working the most and where there were you know pressure points in the car. >> Yes. >> Which so we're losing money and not >> okay. Uh next resolution relates to petty cash. Petty cash at the moment for BPW and Treasury are extremely low and this
48. 50:22uh just makes $100 available to BPW and 400 to because they have insufficient credit cash to deal with day-to-day stocks. Uh next resolution is relating to the New York uh state retirement system. um and it is um establishing uh following standard work for title. So anyone who is opting into the the uh system the retirement system they have to have the fines and this again is a bookkeeping issue with regard to the retirement system. And then we have a resolution authorizing the mayor to um accept renewal proposal from Marsh Sterling. This is for our multiple insurance policies. That's it for resolutions. >> Okay. Uh bills uh are available for if anyone
49. 51:25wants to review the individual invoices, you can um stop by the clerk's office to review them. Uh we will have the summary available for voting next week. Okay. Any questions? I didn't have any questions. Okay. Uh all business. Um the reszoning petition for the uh the multiple of down riverfront. Uh we will take that up next month. Uh it's really a question of just consolidating all there's one small person that would be resoneed. So can we have the home doctor for next month? >> Do that. It's as they pointed out it's very small part. >> It's very small. >> Um we get this process started by introducing that and then yeah >> you'll have to go >> through regular course of things a couple of months to get through everything. But >> um but yes like everything else want to get the process started and what you end up doing with it >> is at the tail end but you got to keep things moving in order just to get
50. 52:27bigger. So this is something that we all received about two months ago. We don't know if you all had a chance to look at it. Uh I know that you met and you reviewed it with with um is fairly >> Is it okay to talk about it? >> Is it okay to ask questions or talk about it now or are we going to do it next month? >> Um you can ask questions now, but I didn't bring the document. We'll see. >> Okay. Maybe you remember that my specific concern was about the four little houses, three or four little houses right next to the wick and there's one that's still not owned by >> this group. >> You had some >> by the developer. >> Yeah. >> And I was concerned about how that how this resoning would affect that one home. >> Let's ask that question next month when we looked at >> specific there are two different kind of two different things. One is just the technical law which is pretty straightforward which is just essentially would be saying defining the area and saying this is now reszoned as this district the same thing as the entire rest of the party. So the the
51. 53:30technical side of the law is pretty simple straightforward. um the policy the effects of it and things you want to debate for is a political question whether you do or don't want to and we'll get into whether it might change it but um initially it's just starting thing off by putting the technical law that does it then how you want to deal with it >> but maybe now you know I'm interested in that spot I'm also interested in what the RSC zoning has what it allows because I'm not sure if it has any specification for how either what are we actually Well, I think we can look at that in >> um so uh >> question is that we zoning affect the star property there or is that outside of this proposal? >> I can't I don't have the document in front of me. I don't >> um next item in business. Uh we have a public hearing next week in relation to
52. 54:36this. This is uh the video conferencing piece that we were trying to straighten out where we are moving to doing this by resolution. So that would be more nimble and we also need to repeal our local law in order to do that. So we have to the requirement for the resolution key is that we have a public hearing. Um, and we do need to make sure that this has been done appropriately. Um, can we have a motion to lay this on your desks on the second voice vote? All in favor? >> I actually do want to clarify this. This laying on the desk thing is an issue that >> it's not discretionary. >> It is a matter of fact. So if if any one of you members introduce a local law >> and you go around and put it on everybody's desk, it has been done. You cannot say >> we're not doing it. You can't choose whether or not if it it is purely a matter of fact because one of the alternatives to doing it is to mail it
53. 55:39by US mail 10 days ahead. If somebody mails it to you, it is done. So there shouldn't be anything. >> Thank you. But just so this at this point, >> you physically have a copy of this. So you may remember is that for the last four or five years we have not been doing this. >> Yeah. >> And you have not been getting physical copies. So we're trying to straighten that piece of it out. But one of the things uh which will be coming up next month is that we are going to do a resolution where we will move to and we have to have unanimous uh consent from the council. We will move to sending local laws via email so we don't have to do this and that should have been done a couple of years ago but it wasn't. So that that will be next month we we'll never see a paper copy again once we all approve getting it by email. Okay. This is all governed by New York State statute. There are three ways to provide the final version to the in a timely manner to the members of the
54. 56:40legislature. One is to lay it on the desks seven days not counting Sundays. One is to mail it by US postal service 10 days not counting Sundays. and one is to email it provided that every member has an email address that those emails are posted on the town on the village county city clerk's website or board and it is adopted unanimously by the legislative body. So, so we hope they will be adopting that unanimously next month and we will simply get these things in our >> as will be 5:30 next month. >> It's 5:45 meeting before our meeting so that we don't have another meeting. Sorry, >> you had a hand up on Okay, okay, go ahead. Okay, moving on to the next item on the
55. 57:46agenda in all of business. Um the short-term rental amendment which is very small just said that everybody has to have a local contract because that is part of the uh zoning section of the code that has to go to the local uh planning board, the city planning board. have done that. Uh they will give a comment at their next meeting which is in July and then we should be able to close that out. Um under new business schedule um that will be discussed at Bance uh which is in the next week and they have a new training to revis. >> Yeah. >> Sorry. Since you mentioned the planning one, you should we also send our log verification to it. >> I'm going to get it when we get I I want to go through the agenda and I'm going to get back at the end. I will I'm it's not listed on the agenda. I am going to speak. Um and we have a member of the public wanted to speak to.
56. 58:48Um okay. So the other item is as Jason has just pointed out um we referred a um a uh revision of clarification local law to both the county and to the local planning boards. Um the local planning board has asked for a meeting but with to explain legislative intent of that law. Uh we are in the process of trying to schedule that. Um that will they will not be taking that up until July. Um regardless of you know what action they what advice they give or do not give. We may or may not take it up for a vote. We don't know. But we're not going to be discussing or taking any action on that clarification until both planning boards have had an opportunity to respond to us. So they get 30 days to respond. Uh I believe we'll probably extend for the locals because they were unable to get
57. 59:50it onto their calendar uh this month. So that we're not going to be taking any action on that until we hear back from the board. Do you agree? >> Um >> except for the secret thing which I know we have to >> Yeah. you should send that you should get that started too. But yes, I mean all these are steps along the way to where you ultimately decide whether or not you want to do anything, >> right? >> But they're just things that >> um you have to have to do to keep things in line. >> The um neither of them actually obligated to respond. Correct. Um, and there's a time frame that when they've had it for 30 days after a meeting, >> we can choose, we can say that's that or we can give them the courtesy of giving them that time and their comments or advisory. >> Yes. >> Jason, you can say >> yeah, just um can you say more about the meeting within 10 days? What? Well, it's a planned board meeting and they have asked for the counciling attorney to uh
58. 1:00:55attend and provide legislative um rationale for it. uh once the meeting is set uh each bowl having some trouble getting aligned once it's set it's not meeting anybody can attend and I'll make sure that the council plan to attend anyone else to do so member >> I don't think there's any reason why but it is a planning board meeting and the purpose of it is for the planning board to hear from the planning council as to what the legislative intent of the fire is that and there um anything else uh and I believe that this was what you're talking like could you introduce yourself? >> Yes, absolutely. Steven um of council white man we represent the kusho and
59. 1:01:59sons um we're in the process of bringing together a pretty detailed memo opposing this law we believe it's specifically volatative of our client's constitutional rights and fun both the constitution as well as the federal constitution um and just in property practice so expect some more from Sure. We'll be giving you a me a letter a letter memo and we'll be participating. >> Yes. I'm sure you'll be made aware of the date and time of the fin. >> Yes. >> Right now we're trying to set it for uh half an hour before the regularly scheduled. >> Yep. Part of that process as well. And what do you expect the water? >> Uh probably the end of this week. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> So any new business? >> Yes. Um what what is the current status of the street project? That's
60. 1:03:01>> I have not been given any update from our attorney. Um either one attorney is representing city. So um I have not So can we get an update from our attorneys including these residents on the street? >> Many of whom are here. >> Um I have requested one and um we'll ask you again >> still in an article 78 >> there. Well, here that's an excellent question because uh there are various steps in this and we have not read the crime status. >> I have requested information. >> I have not received >> um I think one of our residents that has filed article 78 may know more than us. >> It would not surprise me because we have not completed.
61. 1:04:04>> Okay. Sorry. >> Did you allow them to brief us? >> Yeah. Okay. >> I don't think so. >> Can be on a bigger. >> I think you want to get a briefing. >> I do. I don't think so either. >> Yeah. Because this is not a good idea. >> Yes. Sorry. I mean, they're free to talk in a public meeting, but I don't think you want to solicit. >> Yes. I I would like to get briefed by the attorney who is representing >> race. I understand that. I I you know if if residents would like to speak to the issues in Mil Street that's fine but it is not a briefing on the status of the lawsuit. >> Not at your request. No I mean as I said if if party wants to come in and talk if it's on the agenda they want to come in and speak about it. I mean they're free to speak. That's on them. But I don't think you want it guidance from >> I also recommend that we not engage in a discussion since this is multig. So, I know that you have your hand raised. Go ahead and identify yourself, please.
62. 1:05:06>> My name is Jack. I live on Mil Street. I'm pleased to be joined by some of my neighbors here. We would like the council to consider acting not on the article 78, of course, that's in court. Um, but to consider acting on the contract that the city has with the community development. Uh, there's been some questions around it. It's available to you all. It's, uh, filed from the city clerk's office. You should be the last for it. um and review yourself. I'll tell you my interpretation of it, the things I see wrong with this contract and where the council can act. Like to clarify first that none of these issues are in front of the court right now. Article 78, as you all know, is limited to a planning board action and the other claim in the case is regarding the underlying status of the property as dedicated park land, which is also not part of the contract necessarily. So, let me tell you what the contract says. It says that the closing date was May 3rd of 2026. You'll notice that today is past that date. And so what does that mean? That means that the developer who could have closed on the property is now
63. 1:06:09in the vault and their obligations under their commitments of the contract. That sounds like a very minor technical issue showing a leak. But what I want to bring to your attention is that the contract is also bound up development of the state street property which they've made no progress on since March of last year since they received an award from HCR to develop the Mil Street property. I think the council should inquire about this. State Street property was to add 21 units in the core downtown area. It was also to include a daycare and a business incubator. To my knowledge, they've made no efforts since last March to pursue that project, to even apply for funding, anything. That's just my research. Uh I would like to explain further that the contract binds those two properties together, but it's also the legislative resolution from January 2023 that authorizes any of these properties to be sold. I say properties plural. It also should be noted that it includes the
64. 1:07:10Rossman Avenue property which is to be developed as uh town loans or something. Um the resolution from January 2023 from the council that authorized any properties to be sold to this developer conditioned that any property to be sold to the developer probably all three. And so they've made no effort on Rossman. They abandoned their effort on State Street and after they received funding the Middle Street um continued. So, I wanted to raise those issues to the council because they're legislative. Uh, if the developer is asking for an extension to pursue a closing on Mil Street property, you should be aware that they are not fulfilling their other obligations under that contract, nor are they fulfilling the conditions of the legislative approval from the department on the start. Um, and I guess I'd just like to say that uh I know that the council has had different opinions about this project over time and that this council specifically, those of you in the leadership uh who spoke out against this project have been elected to review
65. 1:08:15this project and to review the development the relationship with this developer. So, we're asking you to take that action because these aren't actions to the court. respectfully understand that you don't want to speak about things that are in litigation. Um, but these issues are not in litigation. This is the council's authority over real property, the terms and conditions of the sale of real property. And I'm telling you what I know from my research. You can read the contract yourself. It's all available from the city's office. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Jackie. Oh, and if it's all right, if it's appropriate to put this on the agenda, you said this isn't this is new business, right? I'd like this to be on the agenda. I'd like the council to review the document and consider its options moving forward. >> Thank you. >> Yeah, that's >> we do business. >> Do you want to talk about those? >> No. >> Do you want to talk about those simp um
66. 1:09:19>> identify yourself? You go first board. >> Oh, you moved. >> I moved. Sorry. I got my seat for um >> Mil Street um many would agree is a flood zone. Albany has given money for housing. That housing could be applied to other sites that have been preapproved in the city of Hudson. I believe is speak on that correction. So it is um mystifying why the housing justice director that you are giving a raise to now statutoily every 5 years has not uh made a move to relocate this funded project to another site that is not in a flood zone does not have real deep property concerns which will unequivocally keep this in court for five years because several environmental groups have not paid attention to this issue and I don't know
67. 1:10:22if this within the department council's power but if you could somehow legally request the housing justice director as part of the executive of the city to answer in writing why the new location has not been identified because it is delaying construction of housing in a city that claims do not have enough housing at all price points. Um, so Henry Claire and I came out on the council and I think the rest of you probably approved the resolution that Jack is referring to. And I just want to ask my fellow council members if there's any regret, any feeling of that what I think has happened since you approved that is different than what you approved. So I rhetorical basically suggest that if we want to put this on the agenda, we can put it on the agenda and we should discuss it and um and I would like when we do meet I will
68. 1:11:27follow up again and try to get um an update from the lawyer that is representing us and you have not asked any made any statements that I haven't asked questions about. Um, I think we probably need to go into an attorney client session to get briefed so that we understand what this what the situation is. I don't want to get into it right now because I don't want to um I don't really want to speak to uh to the legal issues involved. Um, yes. If it is going to be on the agenda next month, may I ask that we add the uh current agreement for sale that was from 2023 that is filed at the clerk's office to be part of the part of your notes. >> Oh, yes. >> Thank you. >> I just read it. >> Yes. Yes, I know. I know. I have asked questions. >> Not read it, but sounds like we got that money back.
69. 1:12:29>> I've asked questions. Just some quick points I want to make. So my objection to Mil Street from the very beginning was the developer said the flooding would not be worse. I think that's not enough of the standard. I think we have to improve in all these endeavors. Second, just I'm against the whole idea of just selling city property and that's all I have to say on that issue. >> Okay. Well, this is which we have heard you. We will put it on the agenda. We will have a discussion. Um, but I don't want to discuss it further. Dominic, do you have something else you wanted to bring up? >> Yes, I I I just want to thank Henry and Jen, even though I did miss the boat. It was very refreshing to sit on the picnic table and have the Memorial Day, Flag Day feel of a picnic. And I do want to thank Henry and Jen for their efforts to candy the guns, squirt guns. It was a very Everything's great. >> Yeah, fine.
70. 1:13:31>> So, we should also I sent an email to all of you, but also for the public, uh, Clara was the person who organized getting the boys basketball team and I think everybody really uh did a great >> They seemed really happy when they were getting off the boat and Tyrone and Isaiah were the team. They all had a great time and >> yeah, it was good. It was good. >> It's a good city feel. >> Comment. >> Yeah. question or comment from Bill. >> From Bill. >> Well, since we're still on parade, can we talk about Pride real quick? >> Uh, yes. >> Is everyone to do Pride? Council members, you want to do Pride? >> Yes. >> Yeah. >> Can we get that talk again? >> Jenny already started ordering decorations. >> Yes. Jenny has already asked people to volunteer to chip in for decorating the the uh the >> All he's going to say. >> So, um yeah. Yes, Bill. >> Yeah. I'd like to ask a question uh that
71. 1:14:36maybe only Heather Campbell can answer. Is that possible? >> What is the topic? >> Topic is parking ticket revenue. I'm wondering where all the parking ticket revenue goes to, if it stays with HPD or it goes into the general fund. And it seems to me that all council members should know the answer to this question. >> The parking revenue does not go to the police department. It goes it I don't know the exact line item that it goes to, but it is focused revenue. And Heather, if you're on, do you want to respond to that? >> Sure. You're exactly right, Margaret. The parking ticket revenue is a general fund revenue line item. None of the departments citywide, and this is uh a New York State accounting thing, none of them, unless they're created as a special fund or a special district, they don't get to quote unquote keep their revenue. It's revenue that is earned on behalf of the city and that revenue is used to help provide the services across
72. 1:15:40the city. Thank you. >> Yes, >> I have a an answer to Jason earlier in the uh for the zoning for requirements um relating to the I don't I don't know what you're going to call it the um Ben's project on Tanner's Lane and Cross Street in chapter 32532 uh is the page. It's 32532 is the page. It's chapter 32528 has all the building requirement sizes and zoning for the waterfront in the LWRP area and it is very clear what they would be looking for in all regardless anything built down there um has to follow that code and those would be the ones that they would be looking for a variance on which would be building size um lot size and you shed obstruction. >> We'll go through um next one. Um
73. 1:16:46topic >> new business allian when it comes to the pride parade. I tend to be part of the Hudson choir which I recommend you all become members of. You know we're going to be doing I'm only Kenny Nut. If I may introduce myself, I'd like to speak to another issue. Not just any casual observer, but a steady hand in a wavering sea. Originally, your voice of reason harmonizing with grace and joy representing sanity and decency, honor, if not honor, the savior of the tree of peace, which I like to speak to. >> I'm sorry. >> If I may just finish this, I do really have a collective missionary gift as well as visionary. I would like to know the status of the tree of peace. Right now I say is I think I deserve to be heard on this. I pulled that tree off the edge of a cliff and it's represented of what I am calling an insult. An insult that that tree was found itself
74. 1:17:51uprooted May 1st or April. And for two weeks, two weeks, nobody did anything till I took it upon myself to do something. I was heckled by a number in this council. It was just insulting. So I want to talk to I want to know I want I want to firm accounting of the status of the treaties. I I believe it's locked behind the gate. It's not available to the people of the city. It should be a bill meant for the people of the city not to be what's the word. It should be the Wisconsin way on that same subject. There's violence in this. >> That's two minutes. That's two. And then this is I'm sorry you're out of order. >> Uh we will sorry just a moment please. Um >> Lloyd, you're out of order. >> Yeah. uh we will look into the status of
75. 1:18:54the tree and we will make an announcement at our next meeting as to the location and status of the tree and that's it. I do not have information today. Thank you. >> Uh do we have a motion to adjourn? Motion second. All in favor? I

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