Auburn City Council
Meeting #16
April 12, 2007
6:00PM
Roll Call – Councilor Graney, absent. Councilors McNabb, Smith and Dempsey, Mayor Lattimore - Present.
Staff Members Present – John Rossi, Acting Corporation Counsel, Debra McCormick, City Clerk; Mark Palesh, City Manager, Lisa Greene, Comptroller, Jenny Haines, Planning Director, Cindy Aikman, Program Manager, Bill Lupien, Engineering.
All stood for the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
The Mayor asked for a moment of silence.
Public to be Heard –
Mary Lou Picciano, 32 Cayuga St., spoke to Council about her son and the Auburn Police Department.
Walt Aikman, 17 Liberty St. spoke to Council regarding the upcoming April 26th Arbor Day events. He reported that he will bring Cub Scouts to Council on April 26th to help with the recognition activities. Mayor Lattimore thanked Mr. Aikman and discussed briefly.
Earl Starring, 214 Woodlawn Ave., thanked the Chamber of Commerce for the welcome party they hosted on Wednesday for the new City manager. He commented on various other issues that concerned him.
Public Announcements – The City Clerk read.
Mayor Lattimore announce the following:
§ He asked Councilors to be sure to complete NIMS training which is required in order for the City to receive Federal Public Safety Grant Funds.
§ He thanked Tony De Caro and John Montone for getting the Hydro plant up and running.
§ He joined City staff meeting with consultants looking at health insurance rates.
§ He thanked the Chamber of Commerce for the reception they hosted to welcome the City Manager and for the work they did on the State of the City and County Luncheon.
§ He and the City Manager met with the Office of Tourism earlier in the day to learn about their comprehensive plan.
§ He thanked Gilda Brower, Director of the Montessori School for inviting him to the 25th Anniversary celebration that he attended on Wednesday.
City Manager’s Report -
The City Manager reported the following:
§ He thanked the Chamber of Commerce for the reception held on Wednesday to welcome him.
§ He announced that the budget would be presented at the April 26th Council Meeting.
Ordinances
Ordinance #6 of 2007 authorizing an amendment of Article V, Section 285-13 and 285-14 of the Auburn Municipal Code to include Park Place as a year round parking street. Vote: Councilor Graney, absent. Councilors McNabb, Smith, Dempsey and Mayor Lattimore, aye. CARRIED.
Ordinance #7 of 2007 authorizing an amendment of Article V, Section 285-14 of the Auburn Municipal Code, entitled “Parking, Standing and Stopping Restrictions”. Vote: Councilor Graney, absent. Councilors McNabb, Smith, Dempsey and Mayor Lattimore, aye. CARRIED.
Resolutions
Council Resolution #76 of 2007 authorizing the Mayor to enter into an Agreement with Regional Waste Solutions LLC. PULLED.
Council Resolution #77 of 2007 authorizing the Mayor to enter into an agreement with the Downtown Business Improvement District. Vote: Councilor Graney, absent. Councilors McNabb, Smith, and Mayor Lattimore, aye. Councilor Dempsey, no. CARRIED. Prior to the vote, the City Manager explained the reason for this resolution.
Sewer-Water Repair/Replacement Program Resolution #79 of 2007 authorizing the financing for the repair/replacement of a water line on the Sewer-Water Repair/Replacement Program for Stephen Morin, 17 N. Fulton Street, Auburn, New York, in the amount of $2,273 to be charged to Account #HF 9340-440-002 Vote: Councilor Graney, absent. Councilors McNabb, Smith, Dempsey and Mayor Lattimore, aye. CARRIED.
Award Resolution #80 of 2007 authorizing award of bid for the 2007-2008 Chemical Bids. Vote: Councilor Graney, absent. Councilors McNabb, Smith, Dempsey and Mayor Lattimore, aye. CARRIED.
Council Resolution #81 of 2007 authorizing the appointment of a hearing officer for property located at 65-69 E. Genesee Street. Vote: Councilor Graney, absent. Councilors McNabb, Smith, Dempsey and Mayor Lattimore, aye. CARRIED.
Council Resolution #82 of 2007 authorizing the City of Auburn to accept grants from Assemblyman Gary Finch’s Office for the Auburn Fire Department, Auburn Police Department and Department of Public Works totaling $25,000 and amending the 2006-2007 City Operating Budget. Vote: Councilor Graney, absent. Councilors McNabb, Smith, Dempsey and Mayor Lattimore, aye. CARRIED.
Council Resolution #83 of 2007 authorizing and directing the Mayor to amend the professional services contract with Environmental Design and Research, in the amount of $23,000, to provide engineering support during the construction phase, including as-built drawings for the Downtown Improvement Project and said sum to be funded out of the HUD Section 108 loan. Vote: Councilor Graney, absent. Councilors McNabb, Smith and Mayor Lattimore, aye. Councilor Dempsey, no. CARRIED. Prior to this vote the City Manager asked Jenny Haines Planning Director to review the reasons this resolution and the following one are needed for the project. Councilor Dempsey commented and expressed frustration at the changes in the project. He disagreed with the process of re-bidding. Mayor Lattimore,
Councilor Smith and Ms. Haines commented.
Council Resolution #84 of 2007 authorizing and directing the Mayor to enter into a professional services contract with Michael M. Moore, in the amount of $60,000, to provide construction oversight and inspection services for the Downtown Improvement Project and said sum to be funded out of the HUD Section 108 loan. Vote: Councilor Graney, absent. Councilors McNabb, Smith and Mayor Lattimore, aye. Councilor Dempsey, no. CARRIED.
Council Resolution #85 of 2007 authorizing a Public Hearing to be held on Thursday, April 26, 2007 at 6:00 p.m. in Council Chambers, concerning Local Law #4 of 2007 entitled “A Local Law Designating a Regionally Significant Project within the City of Auburn, New York”. Vote: Councilor Graney, absent. Councilors McNabb, Smith, Dempsey and Mayor Lattimore, aye. CARRIED. Prior to this vote, Mayor Lattimore asked Cindy Aikman Empire Zone Program Manager to explain the reason for the public hearing.
Local Law – None.
Tabled Legislation – None.
Other Business
Councilor Smith asked Bill Lupien, Superintendent of Engineering Services to review what is happening with East Genesee St. reconstruction and if there is a start date established. Mr. Lupien reported that the award of bid will be done at the April 26, 2007 Council meeting and everything can get started within a few weeks of that. Councilor Smith asked what the condition of the water line on East Genesee St. is. Mr. Lupien explained that the engineers had tested it and determined that it was in good shape. He explained also that it has no history of water line breaks, and that if replaced it would cost up to 1.2 million dollars. Councilor Smith asked about the low water pressure in the east end of Auburn. Mr. Lupien explained that was due to the high elevation and being the farthest point
from the water treatment plant. Councilor Smith asked if there was a risk of damage during construction and Mr. Lupien said yes.
Mayor Lattimore asked if the construction will reveal water leaks, which may help identify where significant water loss is. Mr. Lupien said they would be looking at everything, including replacing hydrants that are not up to standard.
Councilor McNabb announced that he has a new grandson 8 pound 7 ounce Kevin Patrick. Council congratulated him.
Mayor Lattimore thanked all veteran organizations that are helping with the Veterans Park. Mr. Palesh update Council on progress to date.
Recap – There was no recap.
Council adjourned to executive session at 7:30PM.
Council adjourned the meeting at 7:45 PM.
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