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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20210224 Buenos Hill Auto Site Plan (5) CITY COUNCIL MEETING CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS, NEW YORK TUESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2000 CITY COUNCIL ROOM 7:30 P.M. PRESENT: Kenneth Klotz, Mayor Thomas Curley, Commissioner, Public Safety Michael Lenz, Commissioner, Finance Thomas McTygue, Commissioner, Public Works Bernard Mirling, Commissioner, Accounts STAFF PRESENT: Christine Gillmett, Deputy Commissioner, Finance Carol Kennedy, Deputy Commissioner Accounts William McTygue, Deputy Commissioner, Public Works Jeffrey Wait, City Attorney CALL TO ORDER Mayor Kenneth Klotz called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. ACCOUNTS DEPARTMENT Approval of December 21, 1999, City Council meeting minutes Commissioner Bernard Mirling moved and Commissioner Thomas Curley seconded to approve the December 21, 1999, City Council meeting minutes as written. Ayes all. Commissioners of Deeds Commissioner Bernard Mining announced the following appointments as Commissioners of Deeds with a term of two years: Aaron Benware, Eileen Cotter, Sean Briscoe, Gregory Veitch, Thomas W. Mitchell, Jr., John Sesselman, Todd Bengtson, John Lanzara, Robert Jillson and Andrew Prestigiacomo all of the Police Department and Cynthia Fosmer. FINANCE DEPARTMENT Payroll Commissioner Michael Lenz moved and Commissioner Thomas Curley seconded to approve the following payrolls: December 23, 1999 - $264,676.48 and December 30, 1999 - $307,700.99. Ayes all. Warrants Commissioner Michael Lenz moved and Mayor Kenneth Klotz seconded for the approval and payment of December 3, 1999, warrant #2 through #23 as follows: General Fund $ 89,757.94 City Center Authority 9,757.68 Water Fund 18,755.14 Sewer Fund 2,066.79 Capital Projects Fund 229,987.07 Special Assessment District - 0 - Trust Fund 500.00 Debt Service - 0 - Community Development 26,941.87 TOTAL $377,766.49 and MC991229 warrant #2-#5 as follows: General Fund $ 973,545.37 City Center Authority 10,814.75 Water Fund 3,877.48 Sewer Fund 379,755.88 Capital Projects Fund - 0 - Special Assessment District - 0 - Trust Fund - 0 - Debt Service - 0 - Community Development 64.11 TOTAL $1,368,067.59 Ayes all. Confirmation of previous approval by memo for year-end transfers and amendments Commissioner Michael Lenz moved and Commissioner Thomas McTygue seconded to confirm the previous approval by memo for year-end transfers and amendments (Attachment A). Discussion - Short-term notes Commissioner Michael Lenz reported that the City, on December 27, 1999, paid the last of its revenue anticipation notes. He said for the first time since 1990 there are no outstanding bond or revenue anticipation notes. He reminded Council members that when he took office there was $3.75 million outstanding in RANS and TANS. Mayor Kenneth Klotz said it was good news but asked about bonding for the West Avenue Special Assessment District. Commissioner Michael Lenz said there would be a bond anticipation note for that project, however, he planned to address that issue at a later time. Reapprove 2000 Special Assessment District Tax Rate (00-006) Commissioner Michael Lenz moved and Commissioner Thomas McTygue seconded to reapprove the 2000 Special Assessment District Tax Rate, previously approved on December 7, 1999, because one parcel was inadvertently omitted from the SAD. He said the previous rate approved was $.7075. He said the new rate should be $.7043. Ayes all. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS Request accounting of special funds from Finance Commissioner Thomas McTygue requested an accounting of special funds set up by the Finance Department in connection with the ice rink, recreation, water service connection fee, veteran's brick and Spit & Spat. Commissioner Michael Lenz reported the following information: 1. Ice Rink Capital Account has a balance as of November 30,1999 of $32,151.19. The annual percentage yield is 5.12 percent. When the 1999 audit is completed and if there is a surplus in the rinks, $10,000 will be added to this account, per Council resolution on July 20, 1999. 2. The subdivision recreation account has a balance of $50,076. 36 as of November 30, 1999. The annual percentage y8ield is 5.12 percent. Per Council resolution on April 15, 1997, $30,000 per year in subdivision recreation fees is to be used to partially pay for the debt service on Weibel Avenue Ice Rink. 3. Water service connection fee account has a balance as of November 30, 1999 of $794,482.48 and an annual percentage yield of 5.12 percent. 4. Veteran brick account has a balance as of November 30,1999 of $39,901.84 and an annual percentage yield of 5.12 percent. 5. Spit & Spat account has a balance as of November 30, 1999 of $64,418.55 and an annual percentage yield of 5.12 percent. 6. The ice rink debt service account has a balance as of November 30, 1999 of $14,163.37 and an annual percentage yield of 5.12 percent. This account is used to make debt service payments on the ice rinks. Commissioner Thomas McTygue thanked Commissioner Michael Lenz for this information. Approve Bid Waive Lists Commissioner Thomas McTygue moved and Mayor Kenneth Klotz seconded to approve the bid waive lists for DPW and Utilities as presented. Ayes all. Waive of Bid - D'Aloia Auto Parts Commissioner Thomas McTygue withdrew this item from discussion. Change Transfer Bag Price (00-007) Commissioner Thomas McTygue announced that the price of transfer bags would rise by 25 cents from $1.75 to $2.00 per bag. He said this was the first increase in seven years for this bag. He ensured Council members that there would be no further increase in price of this bag over the next two years. Commissioner Thomas McTygue reported that this has been a very successful program for the City. He also noted that the bag price would be $2.00 at all locations. Discussion -- Loughberry Lake (00-008) Commissioner Thomas McTygue said he was hoping there would be a representative from the Elks Club at tonight's meeting. He said he would like to meet with Bruce Cogan within the next week to make a proposal to the Elks Club. He said he wanted to meet with the members of the Elks Club without attorneys being present to attempt to solve this dilemma. Commissioner Thomas McTygue said the City has a deadline for filing a suit against the Town of Wilton which is January 6, 2000. He said because of that deadline, he would make a resolution later in the meeting to continue payment to the attorneys representing the City in this case which would allow them to pursue working on the suit. Commissioner Thomas McTygue said he would propose a land swap with the Elks Club. He said he had identified a parcel of land in the City that is owned by the City and he would propose swapping that piece for the Elks Club parcel located on Loughberry Lake. Commissioner Michael Lenz asked who would be in attendance at the proposed meeting. Commissioner Thomas McTygue said he would like to work with the Elks Club members and then report back to the Council. Commissioner Michael Lenz asked if other Council members would be allowed to attend. Commissioner Thomas McTygue said Council members and members of the press could attend if they so desired. Commissioner Thomas McTygue moved and Commissioner Bernard Mirling seconded to extend the contract with Young & Sommer, LLC, originally approved on December 7, 1999, for an additional amount of $8,000. He said these funds were included in the water budget. Commissioner Michael Lenz asked what was the purpose of the extension of the contract. He said he would not support going forward with a lawsuit at this time. He said he would rather see a different approach and have the City work with the Town on Wilton on this matter. Commissioner Thomas McTygue suggested that any member of the Council could work with the Town of Wilton and try to negotiate this matter. He said he had been dealing with the Town of Wilton on several issues. He said he thought there was a deal until this bozo developer had come along. He said the City needs to take a strong position on this matter. He said there were no questions raised by Council when the Accounts Department spent $300,000 on assessment law suits nor were there any questions raised when DPS needed to defend itself in several law suits. He said it was vital that the City protect its water source. iviayor fcennetn Klotz saia ne snarea commissioner iviicnaei Lenz s concerns on cooperating witn the adjacent towns and said he was not happy with the current relationship. He said he had met with Bruce Cogan and Hal Gerow earlier on the Elks Club issue. He said the City is only asking that a full environmental impact study be done. He said there were many details that need to be looked at in connection with this project and the watershed. Commissioner Thomas McTygue said Barton & Loguidice (engineering firm) recently completed a report on the lake and this project, and that report showed that there could be some problems with this project and its proximity to the lake. He said it was not too much to ask that a full EIS be performed. Mayor Kenneth Klotz said the City needs to be consistent in its stand on this issue. He said it was unfortunate that the Elks Club was in this situation but it would not be a good message to send if the City was not consistent. Commissioner Michael Lenz said to his knowledge no member of the Elks Club had asked to break City policy/ordinances in this matter. He said the City needs Watershed Rules & Regulations that are adoptable by the State and it was not likely that the State would adopt the proposed regulations without the support of the adjacent towns. He said forcing the Town of Wilton to perform an EIS would not help accomplish the City's long term goal of watershed rules and regulations adoption. He said the City needs to be more careful in its planning in this area. He said because of poor planning on Commissioner Thomas McTygue's part it was making this entire issue and emergency. Commissioner Thomas McTygue pointed out that the Maple Avenue School completed a full EIS when undergoing construction. Commissioner Michael Lenz pointed out that the medical arts building, which is located closer to the lake than the school, did not have a full EIS. Commissioner Thomas McTygue said all he was asking was for the Town of Wilton to do what is proper. He said the Town of Wilton recently "thumbed its nose" at the City on several other issues (sewage, water line, etc.) Commissioner Thomas McTygue said he had recently contacted the County Sewer District and DEC on the sewer issue. Commissioner Thomas Curley said it sounded like the Council would be pursuing the lawsuit. He reminded Council members that just recently a Town of Wilton member of the truck bypass task force resigned because of the bad relations. He said it was not likely that the Town of Wilton would simply cooperate at this point. He said the City needs to work on this relationship and extend the olive branch. He said the Elks Club is an upstanding organization and it was too bad that they are in the middle of this issue. He said he personally was willing to work with the Towns and Commissioner Thomas McTygue on this issue. He reminded Council members, though, that he had asked the attorney representing the City on this case for some information but had not yet received that information. Commissioner Thomas McTygue said that information was not likely given to Commissioner Thomas Curley because the Council had not authorized payment for work performed by the attorneys unless that work had already been completed. Deputy Commissioner William McTygue said the attorneys have been paid in full to date. Commissioner Thomas cairl it iniac in the !'if ,'c hcct inf rcct to hiiilrl cnmc hririncc '_.UI Icy JUi_i Il VVQJ III LII ' ILy J VCJI IIIICI CJI lV UUIIIA JVlllc VI IldyGa. Commissioner Thomas McTygue said no one has tried harder than him to build bridges. He said he saw to it that the Town of Wilton was able to buy water from the City, however, they violated that contract by placing the meter within the Town of Wilton. Commissioner Thomas McTygue said he was willing to treat the individuals from the Town of Wilton as gentlemen and not as they had treated him in previous instances. Mayor Kenneth Klotz suggested that Council members focus on the matter at hand. He agreed there were some existing bad relations between the City and the Town of Wilton, but the request being made by the City for a full EIS seemed reasonable. Commissioner Bernard Mirling said a fresh start was needed. He said this was not being constructive rehashing old issues. He said it is unfortunate that the Elks Club had been put into this position, but according to all of the reports he had read (Sutherland, Malcolm Pirnie and Barton Loguidice) they all state that disturbance in this proximity could be detrimental. He said he wished he had more time to address this issue but because there is the January 6 deadline, the Council needs to act now. He said he had recently met with both Bob Cogan and Hal Gerow and had offered to them to set up a meeting with Council members to try to negotiate these issues. Commissioner Bernard Mirling said the City has required full EIS on other parcels and this should be no different. He said he would reluctantly support continuing the suit, however, he urged that negotiations continue. Commissioner Thomas Curley asked if the January 6 date was the actual deadline date. Douglas Ward, attorney representing the City, said January 6 was the last date to file. Commissioner Thomas Curley asked if the date from SEQR adoption could be used. Douglas Ward said no. He said in his legal opinion the earliest date must be used, therefore, January 6 was the deadline. Commissioner Thomas Curley said the City should consider allowing the Elks Club to tie into City sewer rather than installing a septic system. Roll call vote: Commissioner Bernard Mirling: aye Commissioner Michael Lenz: nay Commissioner Thomas McTygue: aye Commissioner Thomas Curley: no Mayor Kenneth Klotz: aye Motion carried. Commissioner Thomas McTygue moved and Commissioner Bernard Mirling seconded to authorize the attorney representing the City to proceed with the necessary legal actions to require the environmental review in the matter of the proposed Elks Club and banquet facility project in order to protect our primary water source of Lough berry Lake reservoir. Commissioner Thomas Curley said he would not support this motion because he had not yet received the information he requested from the attorneys. Roll call vote: Commissioner Bernard Mirling: aye Commissioner Michael Lenz: nay Commissioner Thomas McTygue: aye Commissioner Thomas Curley: nay Mayor Kenneth Klotz: aye Motion carried. Discussion - Funding Guard Rails Commissioner Thomas McTygue said the guard rails on Grand Avenue were initially constructed by the state and turned over to the City for maintenance. He said he had received an estimate for repairs to the guards rails in the amount of approximately $40,000. He asked if there was some method to deal with the funding to make these repairs/maintenance. Commissioner Michael Lenz said at the November 16 budget workshop there was specific discussion on this matter. He reminded Commissioner Thomas McTygue that the Accounts Department eliminated $282,500 from their budget. He said those funds were divided in the overall budget as follows: $120,000/DPW, $100,000/DPS, $62,500/contingency. He said of the $120,000 is was specifically noted that $50,000 was to be used for the guard rails. Commissioner Thomas McTygue said there was no line item in his budget for these repairs. Commissioner Michael Lenz said $120,000 was given to DPW and of that $120,000, $50,000 was to be used for the guard rails. Commissioner Thomas McTygue said he did not have these funds in his budget and suggested that Commissioner Michael Lenz show Commissioner Thomas McTygue where the $50,000 was in his budget. Commissioner Michael Lenz said he would be glad to find $50,000 in DPW's budget for those repairs. Commissioner Michael Lenz said it was a matter of record that $50,000 was given to DPW for these repairs/maintenance. Waive of Bid - Winchip Overhead Door Commissioner Thomas McTygue moved and Commissioner Thomas Curley seconded to waive the bid to Winchip Overhead Door for the cold storage area in the amount of $2,093. Ayes all. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY Cops in School Grant Award Commissioner Thomas Curley said the City has received notice that it has been awarded a grant in the amount of $125,000 for the Cops in School grant. He said he had since notified the school district of this award and they are now reviewing whether they would like to take advantage of this grant. He said we have up to 90 days to accept this grant. Commissioner Thomas Curley said this could be a positive step for the school district and it is a good opportunity for them. MAYOR'S OFFICE Resolution - Letter of Appreciation for former Mayor J. Michael O'Connell & former Commissioner Edward Valentine (00-009) Mayor Kenneth Klotz moved and Commissioner Thomas McTygue seconded for Council authorization to send letters of appreciation to former Mayor J. Michael O'Connell and former Commissioner Edward Valentine for their many years of service to the community. Ayes all. Resolution - Attendance of Supervisors at City Council meetings (00-010) Mayor Kenneth Klotz moved and Commissioner Thomas McTygue seconded to authorize the Mayor to send a letter to the two City representatives to the County Board of Supervisors and ask that they regularly attend the Council meetings. He said it should be reflected in the Council minutes of their attendance. He said this was simply a matter that needed to be formalized since they generally attend Council meetings. Mayor Kenneth Klotz pointed out that 20 of the 23 members to the Board of Supervisors serve as their Town or City chairs and are, therefore, intimately involved and knowledgeable of their town/city issues. Mayor Kenneth Klotz said the City's representatives need to be knowledgeable of the City's activities and they need to be part of the City's team. Ayes all. Resolutions - Contract - Linda Benton - Administrative Assistant (00-011) Mayor Kenneth Klotz moved and Commissioner Thomas McTygue seconded the following resolution: WHEREAS, the City of Saratoga Springs adopted a resolution on September 2, 1997, which extended to the administrative assistant to the Mayor all of the non-salary benefits regarding vacation time, sick leave, personal/bereavement leave, holidays, life insurance health insurance/opt out disability insurance, vision plan in future years granted the CSEA bargaining unit of City Hall employees, and WHEREAS, the City desires to set a specific salary for remuneration for the administrative assistant to the Mayor for the year 2000, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that all of the aforementioned, non-salary benefits set forth in the current contract for the City Hall unit of the CSEA are extended to Linda Benton and that Linda Benton be employed at an annual salary of $27,886 for the calendar year 2000. Commissioner Michael Lenz said he would support this resolution, however, asked that future contracts such as these be distributed to Council members before hand so that they may review them. Mayor Kenneth Klotz said he would try to do so in the future. Ayes all. Resolution - Contract - Jeffrey Wait - City Attorney (00-012) Mayor Kenneth Klotz moved and Commissioner Thomas McTygue seconded that the Mayor be authorized to sign the contract for the City Attorney with the full benefit package that has been in place for the City Attorney for the previous year and at a salary of $43,750. Ayes all. Resolution - Contract - Anthony Izzo - Assistant City Attorney (00-013) Mayor Kenneth Klotz moved and Commissioner Bernard Mirling seconded that the Mayor be authorized to sign the contract with the Assistant City Attorney in the amount of $34,557 including the full benefits package that had been in place during 1999. Ayes all. Board Appointments (00-014) Mayor Kenneth Klotz moved and Commissioner Thomas Curley seconded to confirm the previous approval by memo for the appointment of Harvey Fox to the Downtown Special Assessment District. Ayes all. Discussion - West Avenue Improvements Mayor Kenneth Klotz asked for an update on the proposed West Avenue Improvements and Special Assessment District. He asked what seemed to be the urgency on this issue and what was the amount to be bonded. He said it was his understanding that there was a January 20 deadline and the City must come up with $1.675 million by that date. Commissioner Michael Lenz said he was anticipating a BAN in mid February for this project. Commissioner Thomas McTygue said he would not support this project unless the West Avenue Special Assessment District was in place. Commissioner Michael Lenz reminded Council members that the previous approval on this project was contingent upon the West Avenue SAD being in place. Matthew Jones, Chair of the West Avenue Redevelopment Advisory Committee, said he had hoped that a public hearing would have been held at the December 21, 1999, City Council meeting, but that did not happen. He said a public hearing needs to be held as soon as possible on this matter. He said draft legislation is ready to do. Commissioner Thomas McTygue suggested a special meeting might be necessary. Mayor Kenneth Klotz asked Matthew Jones if there would likely be a lot of public comment. Matthew Jones said yes. He said there would likely be a lot of interest in the precise location of the boundaries. Commissioner Thomas McTygue asked what might the proposed boundaries might be. Matthew Jones said the southern boundary on West Avenue was proposed to be at Congress Avenue. Mayor Kenneth Klotz asked about the legislation and whether the boundaries had been set. Matthew Jones said Tony Izzo is still working on the legislation and the proposed boundaries. Matthew Jones said in fairness to everyone, the Council needs to hear from the property owners in this area on these issues. Commissioner Thomas McTygue said this is a tremendous project and the Council should try to accommodate this process. He said this was a win/win situation for everyone involved. Mayor Kenneth Klotz said he was frustrated that this process has taken so long. He said a big concern was the cost that the special assessment district would pay for their share. Matthew Jones said this is a decision that rests with the Council. He said public input would help the Council determine the boundaries. Matthew Jones suggested that perhaps a workshop should be held before the January 18 meeting. Commissioner Thomas McTygue asked if a 50/50 split between the City and the SAD was equitable for the property owners who do not benefit from these improvements. Mayor Kenneth Klotz said he wanted reasonable details on which properties would be enhanced and to what degree they would be enhanced, as well as information on the tax consequences and the benefits to both the City and the property owners. Commissioner Bernard Mining said there were too many issues that need answers before decisions are made. Mayor Kenneth Klotz suggested a workshop be held next week. Commissioner Thomas Curley said he was concerned about losing the window of opportunity. Commissioner Thomas McTygue agreed, but said this whole project has dragged on far too long. He said at this time too much was happening too quickly. He said this would be a major benefit to the property owners in this area and careful consideration was needed. Council members agreed to hold a workshop session on Tuesday, January 11, 7:30 p.m. and hold a public hearing on Tuesday, January 18, 7:00 p.m. VITA Program Mayor Kenneth Klotz informed Council members that there is a program, entitled Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program, available at the public library for those individuals needing help with their income tax. Saratoga County Arts Council Dee Sarno, executive director of the Saratoga County Arts Council, informed Council members that she recently attended and awards program held in New York City where this Council received the Upstate Association Award. She explained that to be considered for this award organizations must be nominated by other art organizations. She said the Arts Council won this award because of its grass root effort in establishing this organization. She said there was support from the legislation, assembly, city, residents, etc. She said this is a great community and the support of this community is appreciated. Commissioner Thomas Curley said this is a most successful organization and it has thrived through the leadership of Dee Sarno. Spring Run Trail Alayne Ball distributed information on the Spring Run Trail system. She said the Open Space Project and Niagara Mohawk had been working together on developing this trail in connection with Niagara Mohawk's remediation program. She said a plan had been developed that the trail would exist on the road to be constructed for hauling materials during the remediation. Alayne Ball said unfortunately, in November the process was stopped by the EPA. She said Niagara Mohawk had scheduled construction to begin in the spring and it was unfortunate that the project had now been stopped. She said this partnership needed to be reconvened to get this project back on track. Mayor Kenneth Klotz said he was glad that the Council had been made aware of this issue and that he supported this trail system. Community Development Block Grant Program Brad Birge, Community Development Director, informed Council members that the City receives an entitlement grant for low and moderate individuals as well as for certain areas of the City. He said at this point they are gathering information so that specific projects/areas can be identified for funding for the year 2000 which begins on July 1, 2000. He said applications were made available at the beginning of December and they will be available until the due date of 4:30 p.m., January 28. He said at that time the Community Development Advisory Committee would review and evaluate the applications. He said he anticipates the City receiving between $450,000 to $500,000. Brad Birge said there would be public hearings held on February 7 at the Franklin Community Center and on February 10 at City Hall. He said after these public hearings the committee would submit recommendations to the Council at their March 21 Council meeting. He said he hoped the Council would approve the recommendation by April 4. Mayor Kenneth Klotz said he was in the process of reconstituting this committee and would be accepting recommendations from Council members for membership on that committee. Resolution - Broker of Record (00-015) Mayor Kenneth Klotz moved and Commissioner Bernard Mirling seconded that Bruce Morrow of Blue Chip Financial be name the City's Broker of Record effective January 1, 2000. Mayor Kenneth Klotz distributed information on health care costs for the last few years. It showed the small increases in health care costs in 1997 and a large decrease in 1998 while Bruce Morrow was the Broker of Record and the larger increases during 1999 and 2000 while Wise Insurance was the Broker of Record. He said the increase in health care costs while Wise Insurance was the Broker of Record amounts to about 41 percent equaling $661,000. Mayor Kenneth Klotz said the high increases leaped out at him during the budget workshops. He said he asked the Finance Department for information on meetings between the City and Wise Insurance and since he had not received the information he concluded no meetings took place. He pointed that the County had a 12 percent increase in their health care costs. Commissioner Michael Lenz said there are a number of issues involved. He pointed out that rates are determined by the health insurance companies and Brokers of Record do not negotiate or set rates. He said the 28 percent increase in health care cost was reflective of a company that Bruce Morrow brought into the City while he was Broker of Record. He informed Council members that while this particular issue was not addressed in the Charter, Broker of Record, that precedent would normally be followed and the Finance Department would deal with this issue. He said while Mayor Kenneth Klotz was Commissioner of Finance, he arbitrarily appointed Bruce Morrow. He said he, on the other hand, sought submittals and received applications from 18 companies. He said a committee was established and those 18 were narrowed down to 5. He said of those 5 companies, Bruce Morrow's company received the lowest rating while Wise received the highest. He said he then had the Council approve his recommendation of Wise Insurance and received unanimous approval. Commissioner Thomas McTygue said he was not sure he voted to approve such a request. Commissioner Michael Lenz said it was so noted in the minutes that Commissioner Thomas McTygue had approve this request. Commissioner Thomas McTygue asked who the individual was representing Wise Insurance. ('nmmiccinnor Mirhaol I on7 cam tho inrii ,iriiial xnihn (-ionic xniith tho ('itv xniniilri ha riotorminori by \Nicer I..VIIIIIIIJJIVIIGI I•IIGIIUGI LGIIL JUI A IIIG IIIUIVIULAUI VVIIV UGUIJ VVILII IIIG ..-ALy VVVUIU VG UGLGI IIIIIIGU Vy VVIJG Insurance and that individual is Phil Klein. He reminded Council members that the Broker of Record receives no commission from the City. Commissioner Michael Lenz said he would like to table this matter. Mayor Kenneth Klotz said he wanted to know what Finance is doing to help contain health care costs. Commissioner Michael Lenz moved and Commissioner Thomas Curley seconded to table the motion. Ayes: Commissioners Bernard Mirling, Michael Lenz and Thomas Curley; Nays: Commissioner Thomas McTygue and Mayor Kenneth Klotz. Motion carried. Traffic Court Cases Jeffrey Wait, City Attorney, said he had discussed this issue with the District Attorney's Office. He said traditionally traffic court cases have been handled by outside counsel hired by the City. He said the District Attorney's Offices agreed to take these cases back which ultimately makes handling of these cases more efficient. Therefore, he said it would not be necessary to hire outside Counsel to handle these cases. Commissioner Thomas McTygue asked why the City had been hiring outside Counsel. Mayor Kenneth Klotz said this was work that should be handled by the District Attorney's Office and it appeared that this was simply a way for the City to give someone an opportunity to earn money. Resolution - Labor Attorney (00-016) Mayor Kenneth Klotz moved and Commissioner Thomas McTygue seconded to renew the contract with the firm of Roemer, Wallins & Mineaux to handle labor disputes. Ayes all. Mayor Kenneth Klotz said he would not move to renew the individual contract with James Roemer for negotiations in labor contracts. Commissioner Michael Lenz asked if someone would be hired at some point to handle these negotiations. Mayor Kenneth Klotz said another firm/individual would be appointed. Commissioner Thomas Curley said it was imperative that the City hire someone to fulfill those responsibilities. Office of Aging Contracts (00-017) Mayor Kenneth Klotz moved and Commissioner Thomas McTygue seconded to approve the contracts with the Office of the Aging. Ayes all. Proclamation - Greater Saratoga Springs Jaycees Week (00-018) Mayor Kenneth Klotz read the following proclamation: WHEREAS, the Greater Saratoga Springs Jaycees have actively involved itself in the life of the community for the future development of community leaders as an organization nationally and in the State of New York for the past 35 years, and WHEREAS, the Greater Saratoga Springs Jaycees have contributed humanitarian projects such as the annual MS Walk, Easter Egg Hunt and the Outstanding Saratogian banquet, and WHEREAS, the Greater Saratoga Springs Jaycees have adopted the basic tenants of brotherhood, free enterprise and government of laws, human personality and service to humanity, NOW, THEREFORE, Kenneth Klotz, Mayor of the City of Saratoga Springs does hereby proclaim the week of January 16 - 22, 2000 that is the third week of January as Greater Saratoga Springs Jaycees week in the City of Saratoga Springs and urge all Saratogians to recognize the importance of community service to all of its citizens. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Thomas McTygue moved and Commissioner Thomas Curley seconded to adjourn the meeting at 9:15 p.m. Ayes all. There being no further business, Mayor Kenneth Klotz adjourned the meeting at 9:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Kathy Moran Clerk Approved: