Auburn City Council
Meeting # 18
April 26, 2007
Business Meeting and Public Hearing
Local Law #4 of 2007
Roll Call: Councilor Graney, McNabb, Smith, Dempsey, and Mayor Lattimore, present.
Staff Members Present: Staff Members: City Manager, Andy Fusco and John Rossi, Interim Corporation Counsel, Debra McCormick City Clerk, Lisa Green Comptroller, William Lupien Superintendent of Engineering Services, Cindy Aikman, Planning Manager, Mike Talbot, Solid Waste Supervisor
Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag – Mayor Lattimore asked the Cub Scouts that were attending to lead the pledge.
Moment of Silence – Mayor Lattimore asked for a moment of silence.
Mayor Lattimore asked for Council consent to move item P after C on the agenda. All agreed.
Mayor Lattimore opened the Public Hearing on Local Law #4 of 2207 entitled “A Local Law Designation a Regionally Significant Project within the City of Auburn, NY.
Kevin McAuliffe attorney representing Nutrition Bar Confectioners, LLC, spoke to explain the company’s plans. He thanked the City for considering his client and encouraged Council to support the local law.
Councilor Dempsey asked Cindy Aikman, Empire Zone Program Manager to explain why and how the City’s Empire program is supporting a business outside of the city limits in Cato. Ms. Aikman spoke on this topic.
Public to be Heard
Mary Lou Picciano, 32 Cayuga St. discussed her son and his arrest on August 4, 2004.
Earl Starring, 214 Woodlawn Ave. spoke about the trash issue.
Jerry Morgan, 22 Pulaski St. spoke about possible savings that may come from the new bids on Downtown Improvements.
John Hogan, Dexter Ave., stated that he felt the City should not be in the landfill business.
Presentation and Proclamations –
Trees USA & Arbor Day
The Clerk read a proclamation from the Mayor proclaiming Friday April 27, 2007 as Arbor Day in the City of Auburn in support of Auburn’s community forestry program. He presented the proclamation to Walt Aikman the volunteer coordinator for the program. Mr. Aikman thanked the City and spoke briefly about the Grow Auburn’s Trees program. Auburn, he reported, is one of fewer than 100 cities to receive the designation as a Tree City USA by the National Arbor Day Association. Mr. Aikman introduced John Graham, a forester with the NYS Department of Conservation Region 7.
Mr. Graham spoke to Council about the value of the program to the city and our environment. Mr. Aikman introduced the Cub Scouts that assisted him. They presented the Mayor with a gift. Mr. Aikman also announced there would be a tree planting project at Casey Park on Saturday and the public was invited.
Presentation of the Budget by the City Manager
Mr. Palesh distributed his proposed 2007-2008 budget and gave a brief overview of the highlights which were:
§ An 11% property tax decrease
§ A 5.9% increase in spending
§ Water rate increase from $1.40 per cubic foot to $1.78
§ Sewer rates increase from $3.95 per 100 cubic foot to $4.78
§ A Solid waste fee will be introduced in lieu of tax for commercial and residential properties.
§ Personnel changes – elimination of 5 part time, 10 full time, and 2 seasonal positions; addition of full time Personnel Officer and one part time GIS/CAD technician.
§ Introduction of 14 new programs
o Re-organization of the Fire Department to reduce overtime and look into regionalization of the Fire and EMT services
o Initiate motorcycle patrol for better and cheaper traffic enforcement
o Establish a Traffic School for moving violations.
o Establish a GIS system
o Address water leak issues
o Review Building Codes and Ordinances
o Aggressive plan to identify and demolish older and condemned housing stock
o Establish a Human Resources Department and Supervisory Training Institute
o Continue RFP process to solicit bids for landfill
o Establish an Auburn Beautification Commission
He then thanked Lisa Green, Jane Westlake and staff for their assistance putting the budget together.
Public Announcements – None
Communications – The City Clerk read.
~Bond Ordinance #8 of 2007 of the City of Auburn, New York authorizing the issuance of $8,000,000 Serial Bonds to cover the costs for the E. Genesee Street Reconstruction Project. Vote: Councilor Graney, McNabb, Smith, Dempsey and Mayor Lattimore, aye. CARRIED.
Bond Ordinance #9 of 2007 of the City of Auburn, New York authorizing the issuance of $1,400,000 Serial Bonds to finance the cost of the 2007-2008 Road Improvement Program. ~Vote: Councilor Graney, McNabb, Smith, Dempsey and Mayor Lattimore, aye. CARRIED.
Resolutions
Council Resolution #86 of 2007 determining that the proposed action is a Type II Action for purposes of the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act for the E. Genesee Street Reconstruction Project. ~Vote: Councilor Graney, McNabb, Smith, Dempsey and Mayor Lattimore, aye. CARRIED.
Council Resolution #87 of 2007 determining that proposed actions are Type II Actions for purposes of the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act for the 2007-2008 Road Improvement Program. Vote: Councilor Graney, McNabb, Smith, Dempsey and Mayor Lattimore, aye. CARRIED.
Council Resolution #88 of 2007 determining significance of environmental impacts pursuant to the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act regarding the City of Auburn Landfill No. 2 Cell 4 Liner Extension. Vote: Councilor Graney, McNabb, Smith, Dempsey and Mayor Lattimore, aye. CARRIED. Prior to the vote the City’s environmental law advisor, Attorney Ginny Robbins from Bond Schoeneck and King PLLC along with C&S Engineer Paul Dudden recapped the environmental and legal steps taken for project.
Award Resolution #89 of 2007 authorizing award of bid for the East Genesee Street Reconstruction Project, pending NYSDOT approval to F. Rizzo Construction, Inc., for their low bid of $6,319,179.00. Vote: Councilor Graney, McNabb, Smith, Dempsey and Mayor Lattimore, aye. CARRIED.
Financial Resolution #90 of 2007 authorizing transfer from the Sewer Capital Projects Fund to the Water Capital Projects Fund in the amount of $120,000.00 for improvements to the water distribution system and the sanitary sewer system during the East Genesee Street Reconstruction Project. Vote: Councilor Graney, McNabb, Smith, Dempsey and Mayor Lattimore, aye. CARRIED.
Financial Resolution #91 of 2007 amending the 2006-2007 Hydro-Electric Fund Operating Budget for a FERC-mandated inspection. Vote: Councilor Graney, McNabb, Smith, Dempsey and Mayor Lattimore, aye. CARRIED.
Council Resolution #92 of 2007 authorizing the Mayor to enter into a construction inspection contract with C&S Engineers, Inc., of Syracuse, New York for the East Genesee Street Reconstruction Project, in the amount of $663,464.00, pending NYSDOT approval and to be charged to Account #HA 5110-440-CJ. Vote: Councilor Graney, McNabb, Smith, Dempsey and Mayor Lattimore, aye. CARRIED.
Council Resolution #93 of 2007 authorizing the Mayor to enter into an agreement with WeCare Holdings, LLC, of 9293 Bonta Bridge, Jordan, New York for disposal of solid waste at the City of Auburn Landfill. Vote: Councilor Graney, McNabb, Dempsey and Mayor Lattimore, aye Councilor Smith, no. CARRIED.
Council Resolution #94 of 2007 authorizing the Mayor to enter into a Supplemental Agreement No. 1 with C&S Engineers, Inc., of Syracuse, New York to provide engineering design services for the East Genesee Street Reconstruction, in the amount of $62,408.00, to be charged to Account #HA 5110-440-CJ. Vote: Councilor Graney, McNabb, Smith, and Mayor Lattimore, aye. Councilor Dempsey out of room during vote. CARRIED.
Council Resolution #95 of 2007 authorizing the Mayor to enter into a contract with David R. Gelsi to perform construction inspection services for the East Genesee Street Reconstruction Project at a rate of $29.00 an hour to be charged to Account #HA 5110-440-CJ. Vote: Councilor Graney, McNabb, Smith, Dempsey and Mayor Lattimore, aye. CARRIED.
Council Resolution #96 of 2007 authorizing the City Manager to advertise for bids for the 2007 C.D.B.G. Sidewalk and Curb Replacement Program. Vote: Councilor Graney, McNabb, Smith, Dempsey and Mayor Lattimore, aye. CARRIED.
Council Resolution #97 of 2007 authorizing the City Manager to advertise for bids for the 2007 Road Improvement Program. Vote: Councilor Graney, McNabb, Smith, Dempsey and Mayor Lattimore, aye. CARRIED.
Council Resolution #98 of 2007 authorizing and directing the staff of the Office of Planning and Economic Development to circulate an RFQ for professional services to review the City of Auburn’s Building, Housing, Fire and Zoning Codes. Vote: Councilor Graney, McNabb, Smith, Dempsey and Mayor Lattimore, aye. CARRIED.
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Council Resolution #99 of 2007 hereby respectfully requests that Governor Eliot Spitzer and members of the New York State Senate and Assembly work in a cooperative and bipartisan manner to enact the legislative changes identified in NYCOM’s report “2007 Legislative Program”. Vote: Councilor Graney, McNabb, Smith, Dempsey and Mayor Lattimore, aye. CARRIED.
Council Resolution #100 of 2007 approving the submitted site plan for the rehabilitation of the former Wegman Piano Factory located at 9 – 11 Logan Street. Vote: Councilor Graney, McNabb, Smith, Dempsey and Mayor Lattimore, aye. CARRIED.
Council Resolution #101 of 2007 authorizing the City Manager to submit all permit applications and pursue the issuance by DEC of all permits required to allow Landfill No. 2 Cell No. 4 Liner Expansion. Vote: Councilor Graney, McNabb, Smith, Dempsey and Mayor Lattimore, aye. CARRIED.
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First Reading
The Clerk read Local Law #4 of 2007 of the City of Auburn, New York entitled “A Local Law Designating a Regionally Significant Project within the City of Auburn, New York”. ~
Mayor Lattimore closed the public hearing at 8:35 PM.
Other Business~~~~~~~
Councilor Dempsey asked the Manager to continue to look into the parking options for YMCA senior members.
Mayor Lattimore thanked Sheriff Gould for his cooperation lending resources for several city projects.
Council adjourned at 8:45PM
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