city council meeting city of watertown … regular meeting.pdf · council member stephen a....

CITY COUNCIL MEETING

CITY OF WATERTOWN

February 6, 2017

7:00 p.m.

Mayor Joseph M. Butler, Jr. Presiding

Present: Council Member Cody J. Horbacz

Council Member Stephen A. Jennings

Council Member Teresa R. Macaluso

Council Member Mark C. Walczyk

Mayor Butler

Also Present: Sharon Addison, City Manager

Robert J. Slye, City Attorney

City staff present: Matthew Roy, James Mills, Eugene Hayes, Justin Wood, Erin Gardner, Brian

Phelps, Michael Lumbis, Deputy Fire Chief Russell Randall

The City Manager presented the following reports to Council:

Resolution No. 1 - Appointment to the Roswell P. Flower Memorial Library Board of Trustees,

Frances A. Calarco

Resolution No. 2 - Authorizing Agreement Between the City of Watertown and Strategic

Development Specialists, LLC

Resolution No. 3 - Authorizing an Application to the New York State Department of

Environmental Conservation for Funding Through the Urban and Community Forestry Program

Resolution No. 4 - Accepting Bid for Flower Memorial Library HVAC System Replacement

Project – General Construction


Project – Mechanical/Plumbing


Project – Electrical

Ordinance No. 1 - An Ordinance Authorizing the Issuance of $125,000 Bonds of the City of

Watertown, Jefferson County, New York, to Pay the Costs of the Construction or Reconstruction

of Sidewalks in Special Assessment District No. 12 Within the City

Ordinance No. 2 - An Ordinance Authorizing the Issuance of $1,200,000 Bonds of the City of

Watertown, Jefferson County, New York, to Pay the Cost of the Replacement of Heating,

Ventilating and Air Conditioning Equipment With New Equipment at the City’s Flower

Memorial Library, in and for Said City

Public Hearing Resolution - Approving the Special Use Permit Request Submitted by Rickey E.

Martin, III, of KDM Kustoms, LLC to Allow An Auto Repair Shop at 925 Main Street West,

Parcel Number 1-17-403.000

Resolution - Establishing Assessment Charge for Sidewalks, Spring and Fall 2017 Pursuant to

Section 93 of the City Charter

SAFER Grant Cost Projections

VL Burlington Street

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) 2017 Annual Action Plan Public Hearing

28th

Annual Local Government Conference

City Council Meeting February 6, 2017

City of Watertown

2

Development Authority of the North Country – Comprehensive Housing Analysis

Complete Reports on file in the office of the City Clerk

Meeting opened with a moment of silence and Mayor Butler asked that it be in remembrance of Deferiet

Village Trustee Joann Zando.

Pledge of Allegiance was given.

The reading of the minutes of the regular meeting of January 17, 2017, and work session of January 23,

2017, was dispensed and accepted as written by motion of Council Member Stephen A. Jennings,

seconded by Council Member Teresa R. Macaluso and carried with all voting in favor thereof.

C O M M U N I C A T I O N S

Petitions were received from Patricia Whalen, 11 Public Square, in support of securing funding in order

to combat the bedbug problem within the City.

P R I V I L E G E O F T H E F L O O R

Patricia Whalen, 11 Public Square, addressed the chair concerning the bedbug problem in Watertown

and mentioned the Woolworth Apartments have done a good job in trying to prevent the spread of

bedbugs. In addition, she expressed her concerns with the intersection of Arcade Street and Arsenal

Street near the bus depot.

Jason Trainor, informed Council that he was a former employee of Walmart and he feels that he was

mistreated due to a disability. He asked for Council’s assistance with this matter.

P U B L I C H E A R I N G

At 7:30 p.m. Mayor Butler asked the City Clerk to read the notice of Public Hearing concerning

approving the Special Use Permit Request Submitted by Rickey E. Martin, III, of KDM Kustoms,

LLC to allow an Auto Repair Shop at 925 Main Street West, Parcel Number 1-17-403.000

Mayor Butler declared the hearing open at 7:30 p.m.

No one spoke.

Mayor Butler declared the hearing closed at 7:31 p.m.

At 7:31 p.m. Mayor Butler asked the City Clerk to read the notice of Public Hearing concerning

establishing Assessment Charge for Sidewalks, Spring and Fall 2017 Pursuant to Section 93 of the

City Charter

Mayor Butler declared the hearing open at 7:31 p.m.

No one spoke.


City of Watertown

3

Mayor Butler declared the hearing closed at 7:32 p.m.

R E S O L U T I O N S

Resolution No. 1 - Appointment to the Roswell P. Flower Memorial Library Board of Trustees,

Frances A. Calarco

Introduced by Council Member Teresa R. Macaluso BE IT RESOLVED that the following individual is hereby appointed to the Roswell P. Flower

Memorial Library Board of Trustees to fill the unexpired term of Maxine Quigg, such term expiring on

December 31, 2025:

Frances A. Calarco

135 Keyes Avenue

Watertown, NY 13601

Seconded by Council Member Stephen A. Jennings

Prior to the vote on the foregoing resolution, Mayor Butler thanked Ms. Calarco for serving on this

board.

At the call of the chair, a vote was taken on the foregoing resolution and carried with all voting

yea.

Resolution No. 2 - Authorizing Agreement Between the City of Watertown and Strategic

Development Specialists, LLC

Introduced by Council Member Stephen A. Jennings

WHEREAS the City of Watertown desires the assistance of a professional firm to work in

securing funding opportunities for identified priorities, programs and projects, and

WHEREAS Strategic Development Specialists, LLC, have been successful in developing

processes for securing grants and other incentives for the City of Watertown,

NOW THERFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Watertown

authorizes the Authorizing Agreement Between the City of Watertown and Strategic Development

Specialists, LLC *as amended February 6, 2017, a copy of which is attached and made part of this

Resolution, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Manager Sharon Addison is hereby authorized and

directed to sign the Agreement on behalf of the City of Watertown.

Seconded by Council Member Teresa R. Macaluso

Prior to the vote on the foregoing resolution, Council Member Walczyk recused himself because this

company works with his employer as well. He left Council Chambers.

Mayor Butler mentioned this is a relationship that the City entered into last year and this company

assisted with several grant applications.


City of Watertown

4

Ms. Addison recommended this agreement be extended to April 30, 2017, in order to allow time for an

RFP to be completed.

Mayor Butler pointed out that the Purchasing Policy for this dollar amount would require an RFP.

Attorney Slye advised that this agreement is virtually identical to the current agreement in place.

In response to Council Member Horbacz’s question, Ms. Addison confirmed the current agreement

includes that the City will reimburse for mileage and travel expenses.

Leanne West, Strategic Development Specialists, LLC, indicated that they have an office in Watertown

so the only time the City has been charged is when there is a trip to Albany.

Motion was made by Council Member Stephen A. Jennings to amend the agreement to reflect a

term of February 7, 2017 through and including April 30, 2017. Motion was seconded by Council

Member Teresa R. Macaluso and carried with all voting in favor thereof except for Council

Member Mark C. Walczyk abstaining.


yea except for Council Member Mark C. Walczyk abstaining.

Council Member Walczyk returned to Council Chambers.

Resolution No. 3 - Authorizing an Application to the New York State Department of

Environmental Conservation for Funding Through the Urban and Community Forestry Program

Introduced by Council Member Teresa R. Macaluso

WHEREAS the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) has

announced that grant funding is available through the Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program,

and

WHEREAS the City of Watertown has made the care and management of the City’s urban forest

a priority over the last two decades in the wake of several devastating storms in the 1990’s, and

WHEREAS the City Council desires to apply to the program to fund Phase II of a City’s Street

Tree Inventory and Tree Management Plan project, and

WHEREAS a street tree inventory will provide the City with accurate information on the health

of our street trees and will also provide valuable data about the state of the urban forest and information

related to the annual environmental and economic benefits that the urban forest provides, and

WHEREAS Tree Watertown, the City’s Street Tree Advisory Board, has recommended that the

City Council apply for funding for a Phase II tree inventory and tree management plan,

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Watertown that it

hereby approves and endorses the City’s application to the NYSDEC for grant funding under Round 13


City of Watertown

5

of the Urban and Community Forestry Program for a project known as the City of Watertown Phase II

Street Tree Inventory and Management Plan Project, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that City Manager Sharon Addison is hereby authorized and

directed to file an application for funding in an amount not to exceed $18,000, and upon approval of said

request, to enter into and execute a project agreement with the NYSDEC for such financial assistance to

the City of Watertown for the Street Tree Inventory Project.

Seconded by Council Member Stephen A. Jennings and carried with all voting yea.


Project – General Construction


WHEREAS the City Purchasing Department has advertised and received sealed bids for General

Construction for the Flower Memorial Library HVAC System Replacement Project, as per City

specifications, and

WHEREAS bid invitations were sent to twenty-five (25) prospective contractors, with three (3)

sealed bids submitted to the Purchasing Department, and

WHEREAS on Thursday, January 26, 2016, at 11:00 a.m., the bids received were publicly

opened and read, and

WHEREAS City Purchasing Manager Amy M. Pastuf reviewed the bids received with the City

Engineering Department and Aubertine and Currier, the Engineering firm hired for the project, and it is

their recommendation that the City Council accept the bid submitted by Continental Construction, Inc.

in the amount of $281,900.00, as well as Alternate 1a for Acoustic Tile in the amount of $53,300.00 and

Alternate 1b for the daily removal of asbestos materials in the amount of $570.00,

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Watertown accepts

the bid of Continental Construction in the total amount of $335,770.00 for the General Construction

work for the Flower Memorial Library HVAC System Replacement Project as the lowest qualified

bidder meeting our specifications to include Alternate 1a and 1b, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the approval of this Resolution is contingent upon the City

Council approving a Bond Ordinance Amendment to cover the expenses associated with this project,

and


Prior to the vote on the foregoing resolution, Mayor Butler noted there is an alternate bid for acoustic

ceiling tiles and questioned the need for this.

Justin Wood, City Engineer, explained the acoustic tile is approximately three times more expensive but

the bid results reflected slightly less than three times the cost. Therefore, he said the recommendation is

for the Frost ceiling tile because it is a library and it will offer better noise reduction. In addition, he

said it will offer better light reflectivity to brighten the space more. He advised it will be installed in the

addition of the library on all three floors. Although he is not aware of a noise issue in the library, he


City of Watertown

6

recommends the acoustic tile be installed in the basement as a minimum because the carpeting is being

replaced with a polished concrete floor.

Yvonne Reff, Library Director, commented she would definitely like to see the acoustic tile installed in

the basement due to the change in flooring. She added that the other floors will eventually have the

carpeting replaced so at some point there may be hard tile floors installed, which may cause noise issues

in the future.

Mr. Wood offered examples of the ceiling tiles for Council to review.

Council Member Horbacz said that he supports installing the better tile.


yea.


Project – Mechanical/Plumbing


WHEREAS the City Purchasing Department has advertised and received sealed bids for

Mechanical/Plumbing for the Flower Memorial Library HVAC System Replacement Project, as per City

specifications, and

WHEREAS bid invitations were sent to twenty-five (25) prospective contractors, with six (6)





Engineering Department and Jade Stone Engineering, PLLC, the Engineering firm hired for the project,

and it is their recommendation that the City Council accept the bid submitted by Lawman Heating and

Cooling, Inc. in the amount of $549,000.00,


the bid of Lawman Heating and Cooling, Inc. in the total amount of $549,000.00 for the

Mechanical/Plumbing work for the Flower Memorial Library HVAC System Replacement Project as the

lowest qualified bidder meeting our specifications, and



and


directed to sign all contracts associated with implementing the award to Lawman Heating and Cooling,

Inc.



City of Watertown

7

Prior to the vote on the foregoing resolution, Mayor Butler mentioned the alternate control system was

not included in this bid because the existing controls will be used.


yea.


Project – Electrical


WHEREAS the City Purchasing Department has advertised and received sealed bids for

Electrical work for the Flower Memorial Library HVAC System Replacement Project, as per City

specifications, and

WHEREAS bid invitations were sent to twenty-five (25) prospective contractors, with three (3)





Engineering Department and Jade Stone Engineering, PLLC, the Engineering firm hired for the project,

and it is their recommendation that the City Council accept the bid submitted by J&R Electric, Inc. in

the amount of $236,500.00,


the bid of J&R Electric, Inc. in the total amount of $236,500.00 for the Electrical work for the Flower

Memorial Library HVAC System Replacement Project as the lowest qualified bidder meeting our

specifications, and



and


directed to sign all contracts associated with implementing the award to J&R Electric, Inc.


Prior to the vote on the foregoing resolution, Mayor Butler mentioned the cost savings to the City by

using LED lighting and mentioned that this should be done in other buildings when the opportunity

allows.


yea.


City of Watertown

8

Resolution - Establishing Assessment Charge for Sidewalks, Spring and Fall 2017 Pursuant to

Section 93 of the City Charter


WHEREAS a public hearing was held in accordance with Section 93 of the City Charter on

February 6, 2017 at 7:30 p.m. to hear public comment concerning whether all or a portion of the cost for

proposed sidewalk improvements to the properties identified in the attached report, which constitutes

Special Assessment District 12, shall be a charge or expense upon the abutting properties, and

WHEREAS the City Council has determined that it shall fix the charge to be paid by the abutting

property owner at $5.75 per square foot, with the remaining cost being paid by the City,

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Watertown,

pursuant to Section 93 of the City Charter, hereby fixes the charge to be paid for by the abutting

property owner’s of Special Assessment District 12 at $5.75 per square foot, with the remaining cost

being paid by the City.

Seconded by Council Member Cody J. Horbacz

Prior to the vote on the foregoing resolution, Mayor Butler discussed the benefits of this program, noting

the City subsidizes the cost to the homeowner.

Motion was made by Council Member Teresa R. Macaluso to amend the foregoing resolution to

include the price of $5.75 per square foot. Motion was seconded by Council Member Stephen A.

Jennings and carried with all voting in favor thereof.


yea.

O R D I N A N C E S

Ordinance No. 1 - An Ordinance Authorizing the Issuance of $125,000 Bonds of the City of

Watertown, Jefferson County, New York, to Pay the Costs of the Construction or Reconstruction

of Sidewalks in Special Assessment District No. 12 Within the City


WHEREAS, all conditions precedent to the financing of the class of objects or purposes

hereinafter described, including compliance with the provisions of the State Environmental Quality

Review Act to the extent required, have been performed; and

WHEREAS, it is now desired to authorize the issuance of bonds of said City to finance costs of

said class of objects or purposes; NOW, THEREFORE,

BE IT ORDAINED, by the Council of the City of Watertown, Jefferson County, New York, as

follows:

Section 1. For the class of objects or purposes of paying costs of the construction or

reconstruction of sidewalks in Special Assessment District No. 12 within the City of Watertown,


City of Watertown

9

Jefferson County, New York, including incidental expenses in connection therewith, there are hereby

authorized to be issued $125,000 bonds of said City pursuant to the provisions of the Local Finance

Law.

Section 2. It is hereby determined that the estimated maximum cost of the aforesaid class of

objects or purposes is $125,000 and that the plan for the financing thereof is by the issuance of $125,000

bonds of said City authorized to be issued pursuant to this bond ordinance; provided, however, that the

amount of bonds ultimately to be issued will be reduced by the amount of any State or Federal aid or any

other revenue received by the City from other sources for such class of objects or purposes.

Section 3. It is hereby determined that the period of probable usefulness of the aforesaid

class of objects or purposes is ten years, pursuant to subdivision 24 of paragraph a of Section 11.00 of

the Local Finance Law.

Section 4. Subject to the provisions of the Local Finance Law, the power to authorize the

issuance of and to sell bond anticipation notes in anticipation of the issuance and sale of the bonds

herein authorized, including renewals of such notes, is hereby delegated to the City Comptroller, the

chief fiscal officer. Such notes shall be of such terms, form and contents, and shall be sold in such

manner, as may be prescribed by said City Comptroller, consistent with the provisions of the Local

Finance Law.

Section 5. The faith and credit of said City of Watertown, Jefferson County, New York, are

hereby irrevocably pledged for the payment of the principal of and interest on such obligations as the

same respectively become due and payable. An annual appropriation shall be made in each year

sufficient to pay the principal of and interest on such obligations becoming due and payable in such

year. There shall annually be levied upon property in Special Assessment District No. 12 determined to

be specially benefitted by such construction or reconstruction of sidewalks a special assessment to pay

such portion of the principal of and interest on such obligations, as the same become due and payable, as

shall be established in proceedings under Title XII of the City Charter and, to the extent such

assessments are insufficient, there shall annually be levied a tax to pay principal and interest on such

obligations as the same become due and payable.

Section 6. Such bonds shall be in fully registered form and shall be signed in the name of the

City of Watertown, Jefferson County, New York, by the manual or facsimile signature of the City

Comptroller and a facsimile of its corporate seal shall be imprinted thereon and may be attested by the

manual or facsimile signature of the City Clerk.

Section 7. The powers and duties of advertising such bonds for sale, conducting the sale and

awarding the bonds, are hereby delegated to the City Comptroller, who shall advertise such bonds for

sale, conduct the sale, and award the bonds in such manner as he shall deem best for the interests of the

City, provided, however, that in the exercise of these delegated powers, he shall comply fully with the

provisions of the Local Finance Law and any order or rule of the State Comptroller applicable to the sale

of municipal bonds. The receipt of the City Comptroller shall be a full acquittance to the purchaser of

such bonds, who shall not be obliged to see to the application of the purchase money.

Section 8. All other matters, except as provided herein relating to such bonds, including

determining whether to issue such bonds having substantially level or declining annual debt service and


City of Watertown

10

all matters related thereto, prescribing whether manual or facsimile signatures shall appear on said

bonds, prescribing the method for the recording of ownership of said bonds, appointing the fiscal agent

or agents for said bonds, providing for the printing and delivery of said bonds (and if said bonds are to

be executed in the name of the City by the facsimile signature of the City Comptroller, providing for the

manual countersignature of a fiscal agent or of a designated official of the City), the date,

denominations, maturities and interest payment dates, place or places of payment, and also including the

consolidation with other issues, shall be determined by the City Comptroller. It is hereby determined

that it is to the financial advantage of the City not to impose and collect from registered owners of such

bonds any charges for mailing, shipping and insuring bonds transferred or exchanged by the fiscal agent,

and, accordingly, pursuant to paragraph c of Section 70.00 of the Local Finance Law, no such charges

shall be so collected by the fiscal agent. Such bonds shall contain substantially the recital of validity

clause provided for in Section 52.00 of the Local Finance Law and shall otherwise be in such form and

contain such recitals in addition to those required by Section 52.00 of the Local Finance Law, as the City

Comptroller shall determine.

Section 9. This ordinance shall constitute a statement of official intent for purposes of

Treasury Regulations Section 1.1340-2. Other than as specified in this ordinance, no monies are, or are

reasonably expected to be, reserved, allocated on a long term basis, or otherwise set aside with respect to

the permanent funding of the object or purpose described herein.

Section 10. The validity of such bonds and bond anticipation notes may be contested only if:

1) Such obligations are authorized for an object or purpose for which said City is not

authorized to expend money, or

2) The provisions of law which should be complied with at the date of publication of this

ordinance are not substantially complied with, and an action, suit or proceeding

contesting such validity is commenced within twenty days after the date of such

publication, or

3) Such obligations are authorized in violation of the provisions of the Constitution.

Section 11. This ordinance, which takes effect immediately, shall be published in full in the

Watertown Daily Times, the official newspaper, together with a notice of the City Clerk in substantially

the form provided in Section 81.00 of the Local Finance Law.


Motion for unanimous consent moved by Council Member Stephen A. Jennings, seconded by

Council Member Teresa R. Macaluso and carried with all voting in favor thereof.

At the call of the chair, a vote was taken on the foregoing ordinance and carried with all voting

yea.

Ordinance No. 2 - An Ordinance Authorizing the Issuance of $1,200,000 Bonds of the City of

Watertown, Jefferson County, New York, to Pay the Cost of the Replacement of Heating,

Ventilating and Air Conditioning Equipment With New Equipment at the City’s Flower

Memorial Library, in and for Said City



City of Watertown

11

WHEREAS, all conditions precedent to the financing of the capital purposes hereinafter

described, including compliance with the provisions of the State Environmental Quality Review Act to

the extent required, have been performed; and

WHEREAS, it is now desired to authorize the financing of such capital project; NOW,

THEREFORE,

BE IT ORDAINED, by the Council of the City of Watertown, Jefferson County, New York, as

follows:

Section 1. For the class of objects or purposes of paying the cost of the replacement of

heating, ventilating and air conditioning equipment with new equipment at the City’s Flower Memorial

Library, in and for the City of Watertown, Jefferson County, New York, including incidental expenses

in connection therewith, there are hereby authorized to be issued $1,200,000 bonds of said City pursuant

to the provisions of the Local Finance Law.

Section 2. It is hereby determined that the estimated maximum cost of the aforesaid class of

objects or purposes is $1,200,000 and that the plan for the financing thereof is by the issuance of the

$1,200,000 bonds of said City authorized to be issued pursuant to this bond ordinance; provided,

however, that the amount of bonds ultimately to be issued will be reduced by the amount of any State

and, or Federal aid or any other revenue received by the City from other sources for such class of objects

or purposes, which monies are hereby appropriated therefor.

Section 3. It is hereby determined that the Flower Memorial Library building is a class “A”

or class “B” building and that the period of probable usefulness of the aforesaid class of objects or

purposes is ten years, pursuant to subdivision thirteen of paragraph a of Section 11.00 of the Local

Finance Law.

Section 4. Subject to the provisions of the Local Finance Law, the power to authorize the

issuance of and to sell bond anticipation notes in anticipation of the issuance and sale of the bonds

herein authorized, including renewals of such notes, is hereby delegated to the City Comptroller, the

chief fiscal officer. Such notes shall be of such terms, form and contents, and shall be sold in such

manner, as may be prescribed by said City Comptroller, consistent with the provisions of the Local

Finance Law.

Section 5. The faith and credit of said City of Watertown, Jefferson County, New York, are

hereby irrevocably pledged for the payment of the principal of and interest on such obligations as the

same respectively become due and payable. An annual appropriation shall be made in each year

sufficient to pay the principal of and interest on such obligations becoming due and payable in such

year.

Section 6. Such bonds shall be in fully registered form and shall be signed in the name of the

City of Watertown, Jefferson County, New York, by the manual or facsimile signature of the City

Comptroller and a facsimile of its corporate seal shall be imprinted thereon and may be attested by the

manual or facsimile signature of the City Clerk.


City of Watertown

12

Section 7. The powers and duties of advertising such bonds for sale, conducting the sale and

awarding the bonds, are hereby delegated to the City Comptroller, who shall advertise such bonds for

sale, conduct the sale, and award the bonds in such manner as he shall deem best for the interests of the

City, including, but not limited to, the power to sell said bonds to the New York State Environmental

Facilities Corporation; provided, however, that in the exercise of these delegated powers, he shall

comply fully with the provisions of the Local Finance Law and any order or rule of the State

Comptroller applicable to the sale of municipal bonds. The receipt of the City Comptroller shall be a

full acquittance to the purchaser of such bonds, who shall not be obliged to see to the application of the

purchase money.

Section 8. The power to issue and sell notes to the New York State Environmental Facilities

Corporation pursuant to Section 169.00 of the Local Finance Law is hereby delegated to the City

Comptroller. Such notes shall be of such terms, form and contents as may be prescribed by said City

Comptroller consistent with the provisions of the Local Finance Law.

Section 9. The City Comptroller is hereby further authorized, at his or her sole discretion, to

execute a project financing agreement, and any other agreements with the New York State Department

of Environmental Conservation and/or the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation,

including amendments thereto, and including any instruments (or amendments thereto) in the

effectuation thereof, in order to effect the financing or refinancing of the class of objects or purposes

described in Section 1 hereof, or a portion thereof, by a bond, and, or note issue of said City in the event

of the sale of same to the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation.

Section 10. The intent of this resolution is to give the City Comptroller sufficient authority to

execute those applications, agreements, instruments or to do any similar acts necessary to effect the

issuance of the aforesaid bonds and, or notes, without resorting to further action of the City Comptroller.

Section 11. All other matters, except as provided herein relating to such bonds, including

determining whether to issue such bonds having substantially level or declining annual debt service and

all matters related thereto, prescribing whether manual or facsimile signatures shall appear on said

bonds, prescribing the method for the recording of ownership of said bonds, appointing the fiscal agent

or agents for said bonds, providing for the printing and delivery of said bonds (and if said bonds are to

be executed in the name of the City by the facsimile signature of its City Comptroller, providing for the

manual countersignature of a fiscal agent or of a designated official of the City), the date,

denominations, maturities and interest payment dates, place or places of payment, and also including the

consolidation with other issues, shall be determined by the City Comptroller. It is hereby determined

that it is to the financial advantage of the City not to impose and collect from registered owners of such

bonds any charges for mailing, shipping and insuring bonds transferred or exchanged by the fiscal agent,

and, accordingly, pursuant to paragraph c of Section 70.00 of the Local Finance Law, no such charges

shall be so collected by the fiscal agent. Such bonds shall contain substantially the recital of validity

clause provided for in Section 52.00 of the Local Finance Law and shall otherwise be in such form and

contain such recitals in addition to those required by Section 52.00 of the Local Finance Law, as the City

Comptroller shall determine.

Section 12. The validity of such bonds and bond anticipation notes may be contested only if:

(1) Such obligations are authorized for an object or purpose for which said City is not

authorized to expend money, or


City of Watertown

13

(2) The provisions of law which should be complied with at the date of publication of this

resolution are not substantially complied with, and an action, suit or proceeding

contesting such validity is commenced within twenty days after the date of such

publication, or

(3) Such obligations are authorized in violation of the provisions of the Constitution.

Section 13. This resolution shall constitute a statement of official intent for purposes of

Treasury Regulations Section 1.150 2. Other than as specified in this resolution, no monies are, or are

reasonably expected to be, reserved, allocated on a long term basis, or otherwise set aside with respect to

the permanent funding of the object or purpose described herein.

Section 14. This ordinance, which takes effect immediately, shall be published in summary in

the Watertown Daily Times the official newspaper, together with a notice of the City Clerk in

substantially the form provided in Section 81.00 of the Local Finance Law.


Motion for unanimous consent moved by Council Member Teresa R. Macaluso, seconded by

Council Member Stephen A. Jennings and carried with all voting in favor thereof.

Mayor Butler asked if the City should consider using a clerk of the works to provide oversight on this

project.

Mr. Wood indicated that Aubertine and Currier will be used on a part-time basis to handle questions and

coordinate with the contractors. He noted staff could assist with this as well but they will be focusing on

other projects. He confirmed this will be built into the contingency line and advised they were chosen

because they are the designer on the project.

Mayor Butler stated it is important to have oversight on the project.

Council Member Jennings agreed.

Council Member Walczyk stated it makes sense to have a single point of contact on a project like this.

At the call of the chair, a vote was taken on the foregoing ordinance and carried with all voting

yea.

O L D B U S I N E S S

The Resolution - “Approving the Special Use Permit Request Submitted by Rickey E. Martin, III,

of KDM Kustoms, LLC to Allow An Auto Repair Shop at 925 Main Street West, Parcel Number

1-17-403.000”. (Introduced on 1/17/17; public hearing held this evening; appears in its entirety in the

2017 Minutes Book on page 7-8 of the 1/17/2017 minutes).

Council reviewed the short environmental assessment form.


City of Watertown

14

In response to Council Member Macaluso’s inquiry, Michael Lumbis, Planning and Community

Development Director, stated that if the Zoning Board of Appeals does not grant the variance, then Mr.

Martin will not be able to do the light auto body repair as part of the business.

Mayor Butler pointed out that the variance is necessary because it is within 200 feet of a Residence

District.

Council Member Horbacz mentioned that he contacted Mr. Martin and he is encouraged to hear that he

had contacted his neighbors to inform them of his plans. He said the neighbors are excited that this

property was going to be put to good use and he thanked Mr. Martin for choosing to invest in

Watertown.

Mayor Butler agreed and wished Mr. Martin well.


yea.

S T A F F R E P O R T S

SAFER Grant Cost Projections

Mayor Butler commented this memo details the potential cost and savings to the City for hiring two,

four or six Firefighters. He questioned the fringe benefits’ percentage of 31.75%, which should include

FICA, retirement and healthcare.

James Mills, City Comptroller, explained the fringe benefits on overtime are only FICA and retirement.

He noted the retirement assumption is based on Tier 2 Firemen, which is at a higher retirement

percentage of approximately 24%. He indicated to Council Member Horbacz that the net saving is a

comparison of hiring six individuals with the cost of their benefits, minus the overtime difference and

the grant reimbursement. He pointed out this does not include training time or other incidentals.

Mayor Butler said Council talked about this before and there was not enough support to apply for this

grant. Stating this is a contentious issue, he advised the City would save money in the short-term but in

the long-term, this would build a bigger department. He stated the goal is to have a smaller department

through attrition without laying people off. He stressed this grant would guarantee a larger department

over the next three years because the City would hire six new Firefighters and have to replace any

retirees. He mentioned that a future Council will not want to layoff Firefighters once the grant ends. He

said this is why he opposes it and it goes against what the City is trying to accomplish.

Council Member Horbacz pointed out there is no guarantee that the fire negotiations will be over in the

next two to three years.

Council Member Macaluso said that hiring extra Firemen while the City is in negotiations will affect the

City in a negative way long-term. Pointing out the City must maintain the level of Firemen for the

period of the grant, she stated it does not make sense to hire people that will need to be laid off at the

end of the grant.


City of Watertown

15

Russell Randall, Deputy Fire Chief, disagreed with the representation that this will build a larger Fire

Department because it is a short-term gap. He stressed the Firefighters only have to be retained for a

three year period and then Council can attrite as it sees fit. He reiterated that this will not build the

department and it only will get it through a gap for the negotiations. He confirmed for Council Member

Walczyk that it is not just the new positions that need to be retained throughout the grant period, it is all

of the positions at the time of acceptance of the SAFER grant. He explained that with the grant the

department would be at 77 Firefighters so 77 positions would need to be maintained. Again, he said this

provides the City with a gap to bridge the negotiation process and that is why the Chief and he brought it

forward two years ago. He discussed the fire study, highlighting it advised that the staffing level be

maintained and explained that the grant would bring the department back to the level it was when the

study was done. In addition, he reviewed the purpose of the SAFER grant in detail and explained how

they arrived at the numbers for the addition of six Firefighters.

Mayor Butler reiterated why he does not support this and noted it does not have the support among

Council Members to advance it further.

VL Burlington Street

Mayor Butler read the memo, stating the individual that offered $100 for VL Burlington Street no longer

wishes to purchase the lot so a resolution was not prepared for tonight’s meeting.

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) 2017 Annual Action Plan Public Hearing

Mayor Butler commented that a public hearing needs to be set.

Motion was made by Council Member Stephen A. Jennings to schedule a Public Hearing on the

CDBG 2017 Annual Action Plan for Monday, March 6, 2017, at 7:30 p.m. Motion was seconded by

Council Member Teresa R. Macaluso and carried with all voting in favor thereof.

28th

Annual Local Government Conference

Mayor Butler announced this conference will be held March 30, 2017, at Jefferson Community College.

Council Member Walczyk indicated he attended this conference last year and he learned a lot of

valuable information.

Development Authority of the North Country – Comprehensive Housing Analysis

Mayor Butler stated the Development Authority of the North Country (DANC) paid for GAR Associates

to conduct a housing study for Watertown. He said there is a lot of information and suggested

dedicating a work session to this.

Ms. Addison indicated this will be on the agenda for the March work session.

Council Member Horbacz said the report indicates there is an over build of new housing stock and a

decreasing military population that has contributed to the housing issue.

Council Member Jennings thanked DANC for the report, noting there is a lot of detail to review. He

asked that this also be presented to the Citizens Advisory Board (CAB) and the subcommittee of that

group.


City of Watertown

16

Council Member Macaluso indicated she has read the whole housing report and is not surprised by the

results. She wondered if CDBG funds could be used to help with zombie houses.

N E W B U S I N E S S

Rental Inspection Discussing the recent fire on Academy Street in which a woman started a fire to stay warm since there

was no heat in the apartment, Council Member Jennings stated he would like to bring forward the issue

of rental inspections again. He pointed out the housing study recommended there be greater monitoring

of the housing stock. He said this situation is not an anomaly and it could happen again, given the age

of the housing stock and poverty rates. He stated he feels Council has an obligation to address this and

to do it through a policy that has worked in many other cities. Stating he will be bringing this legislation

forward, he asked for Council’s input in the meantime.

Council Member Horbacz pointed out the policy in place to address this issue is to call Code

Enforcement. He offered a short-term solution would be to implement an awareness campaign to let

people know who to call and when to call.

Council Member Jennings indicated this is one of the things that the housing subcommittee will be

working on.

CDBG funding for the Thompson Park Pool

Council Member Walczyk asked if CDBG funds could be applied to rebuilding Thompson Park Pool.

Mr. Lumbis advised that it could not because there needs to be a defined geographic service area for the

pool, which was determined to be from the park going west to Washington Street and north to the river.

He pointed out that downtown needs to be excluded because the defined area can only be residential.

He explained that with using this geography and the census data, the low-to-moderate income

percentages are not high enough to qualify for CDBG.

Council Member Walczyk remarked that he feels this is the near east side of the City’s pool and it

should qualify.

Mr. Lumbis agreed that the near east side block groups and census tract do qualify by themselves, but

you cannot leave out the neighborhoods that are in-between, such as the ones right around Thompson

Park which do not have the higher low-to-moderate income percentages.

Council Member Walczyk agreed there are some nice homes around there but said it is unfortunate

because the people in those nicer homes are going to their cottages or have their own pools. He added

that for the poorest part of the City, that is their pool, but he does not know how to make the number

reflect that.

Mr. Lumbis said he has tried various ways to define the service area but is having difficulty making it

work.

Mayor Butler mentioned that when looking at the entire City, the low-to-moderate level should be close

to qualifying and suggested people would use the pool regardless of where they live in the City.


City of Watertown

17

Mr. Lumbis confirmed that if the City was over 51% then it would qualify. He clarified that CDBG

funds cannot be used for the maintenance of a pool.

Mayor Butler reminded Council that CDBG funds are dedicated to low-to-moderate income areas and

discussed that it has been spent on playgrounds and housing rehabilitation in these neighborhoods.

Thompson Park Pool

Mentioning that $35,000 was approved for a study, Council Member Macaluso wondered if the

approach could be different by putting out a request for ideas to various people that work on pools. She

stated this might be better than putting out an RFP for engineering designs. She said she agrees with

Council Member Walczyk about doing something with the pool, but she said it is going to cost a lot of

money and there are many people that are resistant to spending this much money on a swimming pool

that can only be used six weeks out of the year.

Council Member Jennings commented that the Friends of Thompson Park has been discussing this issue

and he thinks it would be good if they presented an update on their ideas to Council.

Ms. Addison said she can invite them to a work session.

Council Member Horbacz added that he hears constant complaints about the bathrooms in the park.

Council Member Walczyk mentioned he attends the Friends of Thompson Park meetings and their main

goal is to do a project every year to keep excitement in the park. He noted the playground will be done

this year, the splash pad will follow and future projects will continue, noting they have a vision.

Discussion over the condition and timeline of the pool continued. Council Member Walczyk noted that

Friends of Thompson Park is focused on the splash pad, stating the group does not want to “bite off

more than it can chew right now” so the pool may be left to the City to figure out. He said he is willing

to work on this but just needs the support from Council.

Mayor Butler told Council Member Walczyk that he needs to tell people how the pool is going to be

paid for and warned against “sabotaging” the General Fund. He said if the pool is going to cost $1

million, then it should be translated into the tax rate and people should be told their tax rate is increasing

by 7% due to a new pool. He stated that if there are going to be discussions on how to spend money on

big items then there needs to be equal discussions on how to pay for them. He commented that he does

not believe the Friends of Thompson Park are supportive of the pool and are focused on the splash pad.

Former Walmart Employee – Privilege of the Floor

Mayor Butler commented that the City is not in a position to help with this problem, but he apologized

for this individual’s circumstances. He suggested the individual should involve his State and Federal

representatives.

Chili Cook-off Mayor Butler stated he attended this event and it was nice, noting that it is their 18

th year.

Trip to Albany – Department of State and Environmental Facilities Corporation


City of Watertown

18

Mayor Butler reported that he and the City Manager travelled to Albany to speak to representatives from

these groups, noting they received a briefing as to why the City was not awarded the funds for the

Fairgrounds parking lot. He noted they received valuable information in order to strengthen future

project requests. In addition, he said they learned about potential shared service grants for the County

Court complex.

Fire and Ice – Jefferson County Historical Society

Mayor Butler announced that this event will take place Saturday, February 11th

at the Jefferson County

Historical Society.

Motion was made by Council Member Mark C. Walczyk to move into Executive Session to discuss

the proposed acquisition, sale or lease of real property when publicity would affect the value

thereof, to discuss Collective Bargaining and to discuss the employment history of a particular

individual.

Motion was seconded by Council Member Teresa R. Macaluso and carried with all voting in favor

thereof.

Council moved into Executive Session at 8:23 p.m.

Council reconvened at 10:01 p.m.

A D J O U R N M E N T

At the call of the chair, meeting was duly adjourned at 10:01 p.m. by motion of Council Member

Mark C. Walczyk, seconded by Council Member Cody J. Horbacz and carried with all voting in

favor thereof.

Ann M. Saunders

City Clerk

city council meeting city of watertown … regular meeting.pdf · council member stephen a....

Documents