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[13:09] did you

[13:10] she mad at me

[13:23] Rose texted me is John drinking and I

[13:26] texted him

[13:45] we go

[13:51] okay

[14:14] is that like for court yeah okay

[14:20] I'd like to call the city council the

[14:22] city Caucus meeting to order for Monday

[14:24] April 24th 2023

[14:28] we have three public hearings this

[14:29] evening if the clerk could please read

[14:32] public hearing number one abandonment of

[14:34] a portion of Amelia Street

[14:38] public hearing number two abandonment of

[14:42] a portion of Larch Street and public

[14:44] hearing number three

[14:48] amending section 248-18 of this

[14:50] Schenectady city code to designate

[14:53] Fuller street from South Church Street

[14:54] to South Ferry Street on one-way Street

[14:58] we have nine items for original

[14:59] consideration if the clerk would please

[15:01] read item number one item number one for

[15:03] final consideration an ordinance to

[15:05] enact chapter 265 of the code of the

[15:08] city of Schenectady discussed in

[15:09] committee with objection on consent item

[15:12] number two item number two for original

[15:14] consideration

[15:15] a resolution amending the 2022-2023 HUD

[15:19] annual action plan to reallocate funds

[15:21] from the paving line item to the Park's

[15:23] Improvement line item discussing

[15:25] committee with an objection on consent

[15:27] item number three item number three for

[15:29] original consideration a resolution

[15:31] authorized in the city to enter into an

[15:33] agreement with New York state division

[15:34] of Criminal Justice to secure give grant

[15:37] funding for the non-fatal shooting

[15:38] initiative discussed in committee

[15:40] without objection and on consent item

[15:42] number four item number four for

[15:44] original consideration a resolution

[15:46] allocating 36 600 of cdbg funds to the

[15:50] 2023 tree planting collaborative and

[15:53] authorizing the mayor to enter into an

[15:54] agreement with Community fathers

[15:55] Incorporated to manage the program the

[15:58] discussed in committee with the

[15:59] objection on consent item number five for original

[16:02] consideration a resolution recognizing

[16:05] Asian American and Pacific Islander

[16:07] Heritage Month

[16:08] this item will be taken out of order and

[16:10] presented by council member Williams

[16:11] item number six item number six for

[16:14] original consideration a resolution

[16:16] recognizing just in our chairs

[16:19] this item also will be taken out of

[16:21] order and

[16:25] um oh I'm sorry yes and also and also by

[16:28] councilmember Williams

[16:32] item number seven item number seven for

[16:34] original consideration a resolution

[16:36] recognizing judge Robert Hoffman this

[16:38] item will be taken out of order and

[16:40] it'll be my pleasure to be able to

[16:41] present this resolution item number

[16:43] eight item number eight for original

[16:45] consideration a resolution recognizing

[16:47] Jay a brown this item will be taken out

[16:50] of consideration out of order and

[16:51] presented by council member Farley item

[16:55] number nine item number nine under

[16:57] contract and Supply a resolution

[16:59] awarding the bid and contract for

[17:00] improvement to Hillhurst and Fairview

[17:02] Parks base bid and add alternate number

[17:04] two to Carver Construction Incorporated

[17:06] into the amount of 436 395 dollars

[17:10] discussed and committee with objection

[17:12] and consent

[17:15] if there's nothing more to come before

[17:16] the city council caucus I asked for a

[17:18] motion to adjourn

[17:19] moved by Miss Patrick second by Mr

[17:21] Williams all in favor

[17:23] we are adjourned I'd like to call the

[17:25] coordinate city council meeting for

[17:26] Monday April 24th 2023.

[17:30] and I'd like to call on rev konicky for

[17:32] the prayer and invocation

[17:44] to love grantedly carrying out our

[17:47] duties and obligations we may hold love

[17:50] before all else may our commitment to

[17:52] the common good be a reflection of that

[17:54] love may our personal convictions never

[17:57] outpace obscure or run over the Dignity

[18:00] of our neighbor give us your Abundant

[18:02] Blessings this evening and always amen thank you brothers and sisters

[18:08] would like to take a moment of silence

[18:10] in honor of Bill masucci who hurled

[18:14] Schenectady Little League into the 1954

[18:18] Little League World Series in 2004 Mr

[18:21] masucci was inducted into the

[18:24] Schenectady City School District

[18:26] athletic Hall of Fame and he passed very

[18:29] recently so a moment of silence please

[18:38] thank you thank you I'd like to call on

[18:41] Greg Hoffman to lead us in the pledge

[18:45] Allegiance

[18:59] thank you

[19:05] if the clerk of please complete the Roll

[19:07] Call

[19:09] Mr motiveran President Mr Toro here Mr

[19:13] Farley here Mr Williams

[19:16] Miss Patrick Mr palamini Mrs Porterfield

[19:20] president

[19:26] at this time we'd like to present the

[19:28] resolution to judge Robert Hoffman and I

[19:30] would ask councilman Council majority

[19:32] leader mutavaran to please assume the

[19:34] chair

[19:53] foreign

[19:57] I'd like to invite judge Hoffman and his

[20:00] family to join me behind the rail

[20:24] s

[20:27] how are you good evening

[20:29] may I have the floor yes you have the

[20:31] floor thank you I'd like to offer this

[20:32] resolution recognizing The Honorable

[20:34] Robert Hoffman and his service at city

[20:36] court judge whereas honorable Robert

[20:39] Hoffman was raised in Schenectady and

[20:41] you graduated from Bishop Gibbons High

[20:43] School in 1970. he married his high

[20:46] school sweetheart Catherine Woods a

[20:48] graduate of schenectadys Linton and

[20:50] whereas judge Hoffman returned to

[20:52] Schenectady in 1979 after completing

[20:55] college at Niagara University and law

[20:57] school at Stetson University College of

[20:59] Law in Florida

[21:01] and whereas judge Hoffman began his

[21:03] legal career in Schenectady working for

[21:05] three law firms before opening the

[21:07] Hoffman law firm in 1992 which became

[21:10] Hoffman and Nevada ski

[21:12] close enough okay pllc in 2007. he

[21:16] developed a successful practice

[21:19] specializing in what he called happy law

[21:22] focusing on real estate and real estate

[21:24] planning for over 15 years and whereas

[21:27] judge Hoffman a respected member of the

[21:29] local legal Community served as

[21:31] president of the Schenectady County Bar

[21:32] Association as was the recipient of the

[21:35] lawyer in service to the community award

[21:37] in 2013. and whereas just judge Hoffman

[21:41] served on the Schenectady County

[21:43] Legislature from 2011 to 2014 where he

[21:46] was involved in the creation of and

[21:48] served as chairperson for the

[21:50] Schenectady County land bank before his

[21:52] election to the Schenectady City Court

[21:54] which he took when he took the bench in

[21:56] 2015.

[21:58] and whereas as a Schenectady City Court

[22:00] Judge The Honorable Robert Hoffman

[22:01] served fairly and compassionately to all

[22:04] parties who appeared before him he is

[22:07] very proud of his work and the

[22:08] alternative treatment program and even

[22:11] returned to City Court last week to

[22:13] witness the announced completion of the

[22:14] program by a person who he diverted to the alternative

[22:19] program

[22:20] and whereas away from judicial duties

[22:23] judge Hoffman was known to many in the

[22:25] city as coach due to his longtime

[22:27] involvement in Youth Sports in the city

[22:29] having coached many children all of his

[22:31] all three of his sons in the Schenectady

[22:33] Basketball Club he co-founded Partners

[22:36] from the Schenectady Basketball Club

[22:37] teams he coached went on to become the

[22:40] backbone of Schenectady High School's

[22:42] 1998 and 20 in 2001 state championship

[22:45] teams and whereas judge Hoffman has

[22:48] always had a love for the outdoors in

[22:50] 1993 he completed all 46 of the

[22:54] Adirondack high peaks with his family

[22:56] congratulations

[22:58] his Pursuit Contin continues as he nears

[23:01] completion of the Northeast 111 in

[23:05] addition judge Hoffman was instrumental

[23:07] in founding the not-for-profit

[23:08] Schenectady disc golf club from now disc

[23:11] cap bringing disc golf to Schenectady

[23:14] Central Park and fostering the growth of

[23:16] the sport in the Capital District

[23:19] and whereas judge Hoffman is also a

[23:21] sports fanatic as many city court staff

[23:23] can attest judge Hoffman is especially

[23:26] passionate about basketball and baseball

[23:28] particularly for the Yankees

[23:31] if asked he would certainly provide an

[23:33] update on how all of his fantasy sports

[23:35] teams were performing

[23:37] and whereas of all judge Hoffman's great

[23:39] achievements

[23:40] none stand greater than his family

[23:43] he is the proud grandfather of seven

[23:45] five granddaughters and two grandsons

[23:47] and he will spend his well-earned

[23:49] retirement enjoying watching them pursue

[23:52] and achieve their goals

[23:53] now therefore be resolved that the Mayor

[23:56] Gary R McCarthy and the Schenectady city

[23:58] council do hereby pause in our

[24:00] deliberations to honor and to celebrate

[24:02] the honorable Judge Robert Hoffman for

[24:04] the compassion dedication and care for

[24:06] the city of Schenectady that he has

[24:08] demonstrated over the past 40 years as a

[24:11] valued fixture in the city of

[24:13] Schenectady as an attorney a coach a

[24:15] legislator and a judge I'd like to move

[24:18] the resolution may have a second

[24:20] all in favor hi congratulations

[24:23] resolution is passed

[24:34] okay wow that was all in there

[24:39] um well um

[24:42] being a judge for the city was probably

[24:45] the crowning glory for my career I

[24:48] couldn't have thought of a better way

[24:49] for me to combine everything that I had

[24:51] done and serve the city so it was it was

[24:55] a great honor I miss it I miss the

[24:58] people

[24:59] um don't miss some of the stuff but you

[25:01] know what goes on in this building every

[25:03] day is important and we took it to heart

[25:06] and you know we love everybody in the

[25:09] city we love everybody who came from out

[25:11] of the city the county and you know the

[25:14] city court staff is wonderful a lot of

[25:17] people work with them every day you know what goes on here and they were

[25:22] so great you know when I was in private

[25:24] practice I had one or two employees here

[25:26] I had 32 people and I never got a phone

[25:28] call so that was a pretty good pretty

[25:30] good career I was pretty well protected

[25:32] and uh it was just my honor and a real

[25:36] pleasure and I the only thing that

[25:38] wasn't in here was that when I was in

[25:40] college and

[25:42] during the Summers I was worked for the

[25:44] city of Schenectady in the garbage truck

[25:47] so this is kind of a fitting Circle

[25:49] comes around as I finish my career in

[25:51] the city as well so Marion thank you so

[25:54] much thank you for the kind words

[25:55] whoever wrote this I have a suspicion

[25:57] who had their hand in this but it I I

[26:00] appreciate the accolades I appreciate it

[26:02] everything that we do we do for the city

[26:04] and for our family

[26:06] thank you

[26:08] [Applause]

[26:54] the next resolution is for recognizing

[26:58] Justin chairs

[26:59] at this time I'd like to invite Justin

[27:01] shares and his family up to the podium

[27:24] may have the floor you may

[27:26] at this time I have the honor of

[27:28] presenting a resolution recognizing

[27:29] Justin our chairs whereas just in our

[27:32] chairs was born September 22nd 1990 in

[27:35] Schenectady New York as one of five

[27:37] children to John Senior and Desiree

[27:39] chairs

[27:40] he was raised in Schenectady New York

[27:42] where he graduated from Schenectady High

[27:43] School Hudson Valley Community College

[27:45] with an associate's degree

[27:47] Hartwick College with a Bachelor of Arts

[27:49] degree in Grand Canyon University with a

[27:51] master's degree and whereas Justin is a

[27:53] member of the Eastern Parkway United

[27:55] Methodist Church formally sat on the

[27:57] commission for religion and race team

[27:59] leader youth group New York conference

[28:02] UMC youth leader the altabari court

[28:05] number 28 youth group mentor of the

[28:07] Albany reading program volunteer at the

[28:10] Sikkim lunch summer lunch youth program

[28:12] and coached Schenectady Youth Basketball

[28:14] in Beaumont Pop Warner and whereas

[28:17] currently Justin is illustrious

[28:19] potentate

[28:22] of al-jabari Temple number 121 located

[28:25] in Albany New York whose membership

[28:27] consists of residents from Albany

[28:29] Schenectady and Troy

[28:31] the altavari temple is part of the

[28:33] ancient Egyptian Arabic order Nobles

[28:36] Mystic Shrine of North and South America

[28:38] and its jurisdictions which is primarily

[28:40] a benevolent charitable and fraternal

[28:43] organization its membership is dedicated

[28:45] to the principle of fostering Civic

[28:47] economic and educational development

[28:50] programs throughout the world

[28:52] senior Warden of Tuscan Lounge number 85

[28:54] of the Schenectady New York and whereas

[28:57] Justin is an educator throughout the

[28:58] Capital District currently working in

[29:00] Niskayuna school district and previously

[29:02] worked as a union representative of

[29:05] school-related professionals through

[29:06] nysit Justin is the loving son and

[29:09] brother father of an amazing

[29:10] four-year-old and stepfather to three

[29:13] young adults and a law-abiding citizen

[29:15] he received a unanimous vote to now sit

[29:17] on the New York State Board of Directors

[29:19] for Citizens actions in New York vice

[29:21] president of the noble ECP chair of

[29:23] Public Safety and forever advocate of

[29:26] young students and their families was a

[29:28] dedicated young member of Albany Street

[29:30] United Methodist Church he is a

[29:32] confirmed Catholic at the Sacred Heart

[29:34] Saint Columbus Saint Anthony and whereas

[29:37] as a community Mentor teacher and small

[29:40] business operator Justin continues to be

[29:42] a leader and role model for our use now

[29:45] therefore be resolved that the

[29:46] Schenectady city council and Mayor Gary

[29:48] R McCarthy do hereby pause in their

[29:50] deliberations to recognize Justin Arch

[29:52] shares is continued contributions and

[29:55] dedicated service to our community the

[29:57] shrine them and Prince Hall free masonry

[30:00] I'd like to move this resolution

[30:02] may I have a second

[30:04] membership Aaron all those in favor

[30:07] aye

[30:08] congratulations

[30:10] [Applause]

[30:20] thank you so much I appreciate it Mr

[30:22] Williams moving forward and present this

[30:24] to me it means a lot to me

[30:26] um

[30:26] so I did a lot so far I think I don't

[30:29] know I got a lot more work to do though

[30:30] but I appreciate the opportunity to

[30:33] continue to do good work in our

[30:34] community you know I always ask that

[30:36] people continue to push me forward and

[30:38] that my my church family continues to

[30:40] pray for me so I have the strength to do

[30:42] the good work that I have so it's been a

[30:43] blessing to be able to be the the

[30:45] youngest illustrious potentate in the

[30:47] Northeast right now and continue to push

[30:50] forward with the charitable work we have

[30:51] the share we're sponsoring the youth

[30:53] auxiliary to go down for competition in

[30:56] Tampa and in Louisiana next year as well

[30:58] as supporting a young man who was in a

[31:00] recent accident out in Troy my

[31:02] charitable ball went to donating some to

[31:04] his medical funds as he recovers now at

[31:06] Albany Med so there's just so much that

[31:09] I want to continue to do I want to

[31:11] continue to represent our elders and my

[31:12] veterans and my children to the best of

[31:14] my ability I will promise I'll always be

[31:16] an advocate but I just want to take a

[31:18] moment to give a special thank you to um

[31:21] first off a wonderful Congressman Paul

[31:23] tonko who is just an outstanding man

[31:27] holds um you know no no ill will towards

[31:31] anyone ever no matter what and shows his

[31:32] true character always he was able to

[31:34] make it to my event uh give me a

[31:36] proclamation from the United States

[31:38] Congress on behalf and said some

[31:40] wonderful words about me which just

[31:41] shows what kind of person he is through

[31:43] our history of those that know and I

[31:46] also want to give a big thank you to our

[31:49] Madam president who came with wonderful

[31:51] words for me you know I was a I was

[31:53] mildly discouraged our mayor wasn't

[31:54] going to be able to make it and I know

[31:56] you know our council is running around I

[31:58] know Madam president is running like

[31:59] crazy and she walked through the door

[32:01] with a big smile amazing hug for me told

[32:04] me how proud she was of me as she always

[32:06] does for so many in our community and it

[32:09] just it helped make my night so I want

[32:10] to thank you madam president for showing

[32:12] up for this you know historic moment in

[32:14] my life and the career for Shrine them

[32:15] so thank you so much and as always thank

[32:17] you Mr Williams for once again

[32:18] presenting this to me I appreciate you

[32:20] sir

[32:23] [Applause]

[32:33] our next out of order resolution will be

[32:36] a resolution recognized in

[32:37] Asian-American Heritage Month

[32:41] so those that are here to receive a

[32:42] resolution please come forward

[32:49] and I would ask councilmember Williams

[32:51] to present this resolution

[33:08] come on over

[33:14] you may have the floor you may sir

[33:17] I have the privilege of presenting the

[33:19] resolution recognizing Asian American

[33:21] and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

[33:23] whereas Asian American and Pacific

[33:25] Islander Heritage Month

[33:28] takes place in the United States each

[33:29] May and was permanently designated aapi

[33:32] Heritage Month in 1992 and whereas the

[33:35] month of May was chosen for aapi

[33:37] heritage month because it commemorates

[33:39] the immigration of the first Japanese

[33:40] people to United States on May 7 1843

[33:45] and whereas the 2023 National theme for

[33:48] the officer and not observance of Asian

[33:51] American native Hawaiian and Pacific

[33:53] Islander heritage month is advancing

[33:55] leaders through opportunity this year's

[33:57] theme is a continuation of the advancing

[33:59] leaders theme series which began in 2021

[34:01] and whereas opportunity is defined as a

[34:04] set of circumstances that make it

[34:06] possible to do something opportunity can

[34:08] be built it can be assessed it can be

[34:11] achieved or can be given it has been the

[34:14] foundation of our great nation and thus

[34:15] America is known to be the land of

[34:18] opportunity each year thousands of

[34:20] immigrants from all over the world come

[34:21] to the United States to gain access to

[34:23] these opportunities no matter who you

[34:25] are capable ones must lend a hand to

[34:27] those in need and provide an opportunity

[34:30] for them to advance as well and whereas

[34:32] the Asian Pacific Islander American

[34:34] public affairs Association which has a

[34:37] capital region chapter is a

[34:38] not-for-profit organization with over 40

[34:40] chapters Across the Nation

[34:42] the mission of the organization is to

[34:44] advance Asian Pacific Islander

[34:46] communities through increased leadership

[34:47] and Civic engagement

[34:49] representing one of the fastest growing

[34:51] populations in the United States apapa

[34:53] collaborates with other diverse

[34:55] organizations public officials and

[34:57] Community leaders to create awareness

[34:59] and support the fight hate crimes

[35:01] address systemic racism and provide

[35:03] opportunities for our Collective voices

[35:05] to be heard and whereas during Asian

[35:07] American and Pacific Islander heritage

[35:09] month we proudly celebrate Asians and

[35:11] Pacific Islanders and the United States

[35:13] and pay tribute to the generations who

[35:16] have enriched and strengthened our

[35:17] nation the U.S is home to millions of

[35:19] Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders

[35:21] representing a diverse array of cultures

[35:23] and traditions now therefore be it

[35:26] resolved that the Schenectady city

[35:27] council and Mayor Gary R McCarthy do

[35:29] hereby pausing their deliberations to

[35:31] recognize Asian American and Pacific

[35:33] Islander heritage month and celebrate

[35:35] the unique Journey for all aapi

[35:37] immigrants and citizens in the United

[35:39] States and their unique life experiences

[35:41] Traditions cultures and contributions to

[35:45] the local community and our country I'd

[35:47] like to move the resolution I'd like a

[35:48] second please second by Mr mood of Aaron

[35:51] all those in favor

[35:53] aye congratulations

[36:00] I would like to share some words

[36:09] okay here we want to post with that yeah

[36:15] well thank you thank you to the city

[36:17] council and um

[36:19] Madam president for recognizing the API

[36:21] month in John muthware in our long-term

[36:23] friend and John up there thank you all

[36:26] um so as a growing Community as you

[36:28] rightly said we are the fastest growing

[36:30] community and we feel this comes with a

[36:32] lot of responsibility as well not just

[36:34] growing in numbers but growing with some

[36:36] responsibility

[36:37] we are empowering our Asian communities

[36:40] through these 40 chapters and especially

[36:42] in the capital region with the Civic

[36:45] engagement and most of our new

[36:47] immigrants doesn't know how the system

[36:49] works in the country so we are trying to

[36:51] engage them into the ruling system as

[36:53] they become the citizens and you know

[36:55] that's one of our foremost things to

[36:57] kind of become you know get them to

[37:00] become a voter and then participate in

[37:02] the system so as we have a flagship

[37:04] program we engage our youth the the

[37:07] college graduates or the high school

[37:09] graduates Into Summer internship program

[37:11] and some of our proud interns work for

[37:14] state and city as permanent employees

[37:16] now so over the years we have achieved

[37:19] you know probably uh 50 to 60 of these

[37:23] uh in the last five years

[37:25] um they've they've got their permanent

[37:26] jobs so that that gives us satisfaction

[37:29] and thanks to all our leaders from

[37:31] various communities you know we have the representation from Indian Pakistani

[37:36] Chinese Korean Afghani and

[37:38] indo-caribbean Japanese and you know 15

[37:41] countries in the capital region but we

[37:44] are growing and thank you all for your

[37:46] support if there is anything the Asian

[37:48] Community can do in the city or in the

[37:50] county

[37:51] we're all here thank you

[37:54] [Applause]

[38:01] okay so tonight's a night of

[38:02] celebrations we have one more uh

[38:04] ceremonial resolution recognizing Jia Brown and I'd

[38:10] like to call on council member Farley to

[38:12] present the resolution

[38:13] thank you

[38:28] come on up

[38:33] Madam president may I have the floor

[38:34] yeah okay let's get ready to rumble I'm

[38:41] joking okay

[38:42] so uh um I have the honor

[38:45] um to present uh Mr Johnny Brown with

[38:48] this resolution

[38:49] um whereas the city of Schenectady takes

[38:52] pride in this residence to exhibit who

[38:54] exhibit outstanding achievements and

[38:56] serve as ambassadors of Goodwill for our

[38:57] city and whereas Johnny Brown and young

[39:00] boxing Talent from Schenectady has

[39:01] achieved great success in his sport with

[39:03] a record of 13-1 he's fought in Madison

[39:06] Square Garden and was recently uh

[39:08] featured in Showtime Showbox and whereas

[39:10] Jai Brown has not only excelled in the

[39:12] ring but has also demonstrated a

[39:14] positive attitude a strong character

[39:16] that have entered earned him the respect

[39:18] and admiration of the community and

[39:21] whereas yai Brown has become a Goodwill

[39:23] Ambassador for the city of Schenectady

[39:25] representing our community with pride

[39:27] distinction in his travels and

[39:29] interactions with other boxers and

[39:30] boxing fans now now therefore be

[39:33] resolved that the city of the city

[39:36] council and Mayor Gary R McCarthy do by

[39:39] hair pause and their deliberations to

[39:41] recognize and commend

[39:42] around for his outstanding boxing record

[39:44] his appearances his prestigious venues

[39:46] such as Madison Square Garden showtime

[39:48] and Showbox and his contributions as a

[39:50] Goodwill Ambassador of our city and

[39:52] outstanding Community member I want to

[39:55] say that Jay Brown represents the

[39:57] resilience in the fighting heart that it

[39:59] takes to be somebody and stand up and

[40:02] for the city and I'm just always always

[40:04] you know want to just show our

[40:05] dedication our appreciation for your

[40:07] dedication

[40:09] um you embody the spirit of those who

[40:10] come before us we stand on the shoulders

[40:12] of giants they didn't always know if

[40:14] they were going to win the fights but

[40:15] they always went in there and fought for

[40:17] people such as you and I in our larger

[40:19] community so I'm extremely grateful for

[40:20] a young man so with that like the

[40:22] hunters to you

[40:23] I would like I would like to move the

[40:25] resolution may I have a second please

[40:29] Mrs Patrick all those in favor

[40:31] congratulations motion path

[40:38] I just want to thank you I want to thank

[40:40] uh the whole city everybody who came

[40:42] today I want to thank you guys

[40:44] um I've been through a lot and it's not

[40:46] about just staying on the ground it's

[40:48] about how you get up how you come back

[40:50] and I'm ready to come back stronger and

[40:53] I'm ready to put on for Schenectady and

[40:55] I just want to show everybody including

[40:57] the kids that uh if you if you picked to

[41:00] work in anything's possible I just want

[41:03] to thank God again

[41:04] [Applause]

[41:40] thank you

[41:45] okay so now we have three public

[41:48] hearings this evening

[41:49] and remind you that we've extended the

[41:51] public hearing comment for to four

[41:53] minutes and I also respectfully ask that

[41:55] any person that wishes to speak on the

[41:57] Public Public comment period during the

[41:59] public comment period only speak to the

[42:01] subject relevant to the public hearing number one abandonment of

[42:06] Amelia Street

[42:08] I have no one signed up

[42:10] so I would declare that public hearing

[42:12] closed

[42:14] public hearing number two abandonment in

[42:17] the portion of large Street

[42:19] I have no one signed up to speak so I

[42:22] declared that public that hearing closed

[42:26] public hearing number three amending

[42:28] section 248-18

[42:31] of the Schenectady city code to

[42:32] designate Fuller street from South

[42:34] Church Street to South Ferry Street a

[42:36] one-way Street I have no one signed up

[42:38] to speak so I declare that public

[42:40] hearing close

[42:51] it asks for approval of the minutes from

[42:52] April 10 2023

[42:54] moved by Mr Williams second by Mr Farley

[42:57] all those in favor

[42:59] aye if the clerk would please read any

[43:01] Communications and petitions

[43:04] vacations presented to city council for

[43:06] Monday April 24 2023 under official

[43:09] there were none under General from PD

[43:12] Voris an email addressing the

[43:13] difficulties she's faced with a court

[43:14] decision to evict her from her apartment

[43:16] and under petitions there were none

[43:19] thank you I'd like to call on council

[43:21] members to provide any committee reports

[43:26] seeing none this time they will offer

[43:29] privilege of the floor related to the

[43:30] legislative agenda

[43:33] I have no one signed up to speak so I

[43:36] declare

[43:41] and your name is Sir

[43:43] okay you're signed up under City

[43:45] business

[43:46] this is the legislative agenda anything

[43:48] that's on the agenda that's printed is

[43:51] what I'm calling on right now there will

[43:53] be one more opportunity and that's where

[43:54] you've signed up

[43:55] [Music]

[43:59] yes and your opportunity will come this

[44:01] is regarding the legislative agenda the

[44:03] printed that's here and these are the

[44:05] topics that people have the opportunity

[44:06] to speak on at this moment

[44:10] so I have no one signed up to speak so I

[44:13] would declare the public comment on the

[44:15] legislative agenda closed

[44:17] as for approval of the legislative

[44:19] consent agenda motion by Ms Patrick

[44:21] second by Mr mood of Aaron all in favor

[44:27] at this time we have privileged over the

[44:29] floor regarding General City business

[44:31] and I have four people who are signed up

[44:34] to speak the first person is

[44:37] uh laven Jr Edmund Lavin Jr

[44:55] good evening chair chairwoman

[44:57] Porterfield and mayor McCarthy council

[45:00] members

[45:01] chairwoman Porterfield I owe you an

[45:03] apology for the way I spoke to you at

[45:05] the last council meeting I'm sorry I was

[45:07] not aware that this was like a court and

[45:09] there cannot be a dialogue

[45:12] after the meeting last meeting Tuesday I

[45:15] called the mayor's office sent an email

[45:16] requesting a meeting Thursday I called

[45:18] again Friday I went in person

[45:21] secretary said mayor is not responsible

[45:23] for judges judge works for unified court

[45:26] system is not under mayor's payroll

[45:28] mayor is responsible for the false

[45:30] arrest of Daniel the man that did the

[45:32] video of Me on YouTube New York State

[45:34] audit

[45:35] Daniel has harassed by a court guard and

[45:38] then office was closed to him when he

[45:39] went to file for an intention of Sue

[45:42] Daniel was falsely arrested for knocking

[45:44] on Plexiglas this was during working

[45:46] hours

[45:47] Daniel is also not employed by the mayor is going to do nothing about

[45:52] my complaint even though a federal law

[45:54] has been broken

[45:55] and is unconcerned about the three

[45:57] corrupt judges working in City Hall I am

[46:00] claiming that three judges in the court

[46:01] clerk's office under orders from the

[46:04] judges conspiracy bribed me of my civil

[46:07] rights to due process and a fair hearing

[46:10] and giving proof the case number is

[46:16] sc-002853-19 SC

[46:20] all of you I'm sure have access to court

[46:22] files this is a color of law violation

[46:25] I want valetico Frost and Hoffman

[46:29] charged with conspiracy to deprive you

[46:31] on my civil rights to due process in a

[46:32] fair area

[46:35] I was pulled into court

[46:38] with no Affidavit of service

[46:41] no judge can act on any motion without

[46:43] Affidavit of service I called the

[46:45] clerk's office

[46:47] they asked what the name was not the

[46:49] court case number

[46:51] valentique will never expected me to

[46:53] come to court and was going to give her

[46:55] a default judgment

[46:57] I did come to court he vacated my

[47:00] judgment the same day 9 10 11 days

[47:03] before the herring

[47:05] she can't get back in court without

[47:07] having the reason a valid reason she

[47:10] didn't appear for the first Harry

[47:12] none was asked of her none was given

[47:17] I believe Mr Hoffman Judge Hoffman uh

[47:20] vacated either my first or second motion

[47:23] to reinstate my

[47:26] default judgment

[47:28] so there's a conspiracy between three

[47:30] judges in the city clerk's office the

[47:32] city clerk's office was told what to do

[47:37] I just want to read civil rights laws

[47:44] taking away the person's right of due

[47:46] process and unreasonable seizure

[47:49] in case of depration of property the

[47:51] color of law statute would be violated

[47:53] by unlawfully obtaining or maintaining a

[47:56] person's property which oversteps or

[47:58] misapplies the official's authority

[48:01] summary judgment

[48:03] opportunity to have a trial and should

[48:05] not be subjected to punishment without

[48:07] having been afforded the opportunity of

[48:10] the legal process

[48:12] I'm going to have to ask you to

[48:13] summarize because your time has expired

[48:15] I'm going to have to ask you to

[48:17] summarize because your time is up

[48:22] just wanted to say everyone here on the

[48:24] council

[48:26] deprivation of rights under color of law

[48:29] this statute makes it a crime for any

[48:30] person actor under cultural law statute

[48:32] ordinance regulation accustomed to

[48:34] willfully deprived or cause to be

[48:36] deprived for many person those rights

[48:38] privileges or immunity secured protected

[48:40] by the Constitution and laws of the

[48:42] United States

[48:43] acts under color of law

[48:48] you have to summarize we really your

[48:50] time is over I've given you I've

[48:52] extended the time I got two sentences that's it go ahead X

[48:58] unlawful acts must be done while such

[49:01] official is purporting or pretending to

[49:03] act in a performance of his or her or

[49:04] official duties this definition includes

[49:07] in addition to law enforcement officials

[49:09] individuals such as Mayors Council

[49:12] persons judges

[49:14] thank you are responsible for turning these

[49:18] judges in

[49:21] I'll be here tomorrow to put my intent

[49:23] to sue thank you you forgot your sign

[49:28] foreign

[49:33] Mary McLean

[49:47] good evening tonight I want to address

[49:51] an issue that I have mentioned on many

[49:57] occasions while attending Council

[50:00] meetings over the past 40 years

[50:05] the issue is as relevant today as it was

[50:10] in the past

[50:12] and the issue is litter

[50:17] Schenectady

[50:18] is a dirty City

[50:22] neither the mayor or the previous

[50:26] City officials

[50:30] made cleanliness

[50:32] a priority

[50:35] to my knowledge

[50:37] sweeping

[50:40] litter from the city's streets

[50:44] isn't even a line item in the sanitation

[50:50] workers union contract

[50:54] furthermore

[50:56] businesses are encouraged to open shop

[51:02] in the city

[51:04] and they are not obligated to keep their

[51:09] properties clean

[51:12] on April 1st a friend drove me to church

[51:18] for the four o'clock mass at St John the

[51:23] Evangelist

[51:25] we went by way of Albany Street

[51:30] the street was filthy

[51:33] it was filthy last year

[51:38] it was filthy in 2011 when the present

[51:44] council president won her first City

[51:48] Council seat

[51:51] from what I have been reading in the

[51:54] newspapers

[51:56] litter

[51:58] a fruit a litter-free city is not a

[52:03] priority for the new city council

[52:07] members

[52:09] they ran with a chip on their shoulders

[52:13] in a Personal Agenda and if you can't

[52:18] stand the heat get out of the kitchen

[52:21] I also read that there was a Renaissance

[52:26] in Schenectady how so

[52:30] and something about a new Schenectady

[52:34] where

[52:36] I suggest council members bend over

[52:41] and pick up cigarette butts off the city

[52:45] streets like I used to do it's good for

[52:49] the waistline it's good for the city

[52:52] folks you can't go to the ball with a

[52:55] dirty face thank you thank you

[53:00] Tracy Collins

[53:05] foreign

[53:11] my name is Tracy Collins I live on the

[53:13] corner of Queen Philomena Boulevard in

[53:15] King's Road in the city

[53:16] my house was built in 2006 by the

[53:19] company I worked for

[53:21] it was as a rental I was a property

[53:23] manager there until 2019 when my wife

[53:26] and I built bought the house

[53:30] we have had our trees destroyed

[53:33] our fence has been just damaged multiple

[53:35] times

[53:36] our sprinkler system's been damaged

[53:39] our siding has been damaged

[53:42] our gas meter has been hit by flying

[53:44] debris prompt and National Grid to

[53:46] investigate our house could have been

[53:47] blown up

[53:52] this is caused by speeding Vehicles up

[53:55] and down Kings Road

[54:01] King's Road you can take directly The

[54:03] Colony without having to take State

[54:05] Street which has traffic lights

[54:08] and terrarium without going on Route 7

[54:11] which has traffic lights going up and

[54:13] down Kings Road you can go as fast as

[54:15] you want

[54:17] the city police department mayor's

[54:19] office has informed us there's nothing

[54:22] they can nothing not enough enforcement

[54:25] they can do to monitor speed they're

[54:27] speeding in all the city

[54:30] how many houses have been damaged seven

[54:32] times involving a truck

[54:35] being damaged in my driveway by speeding

[54:37] on Kings Road

[54:41] there are multiple children seniors

[54:43] staff and I keep from Kingsway community

[54:46] and nursing home that walked the

[54:49] neighborhood every day

[54:51] the seniors are sometimes pushed in

[54:53] wheelchairs and Walkers by AIDS

[54:57] we are asking for stop signs on Kings

[54:59] Road to slow this traffic down

[55:02] I will use Council Road as an example

[55:04] between Route 7 and ball Town Road

[55:07] since we have been told that there will

[55:10] be no enforcement of the speed limit we

[55:13] are asking for stop signs we need to slow traffic down

[55:20] March 16 2023 at 3 46 A.M

[55:25] was the latest our house our property

[55:27] was damaged by a coward and yes I'll say

[55:29] a coward who ran from the scene but left

[55:32] his vehicle behind

[55:34] please get copies of the action report

[55:36] there are two of them and come to see

[55:39] our property we have done everything we

[55:41] can to protect our family and ourselves

[55:44] this is not enough we need stop signs on

[55:46] Kings Road please help us thank you

[55:53] Kevin Brown

[56:00] good evening my name is Kevin Brown

[56:02] I live across the street from my

[56:04] neighbor my friend Tracy

[56:06] he and I share the same concern

[56:08] my wife and I have been in our house on

[56:10] the corner of Queen Philomena and Kings

[56:12] for 27 years used to be quiet Street

[56:15] hardly any traffic

[56:17] I'd say in the past year and a half two

[56:19] years I've seen more traffic accidents

[56:21] and more near-misses than

[56:23] that makes me comfortable

[56:25] I implore you as Tracy had we need some

[56:28] help up there you know as Tracy

[56:30] mentioned you know the police said they

[56:32] can't do a lot they can't enforce these

[56:34] issues that concerns me Our concern is

[56:37] what is it going to take to get

[56:38] somebody's attention a fatality my own

[56:42] son and granddaughter almost got run

[56:43] over in front of my own house this was

[56:45] less than a month ago this really

[56:47] concerns me so I implore you I'm asking

[56:49] you please get us some help up there get

[56:51] us some stop sign please enforce get the

[56:54] police to enforce the traffic the

[56:56] traffic rules up there because it's

[56:58] getting a little out of hand so that's

[57:00] what I wanted to say thank you thank you

[57:10] um my understanding there's a gentleman

[57:12] here who didn't know about signing the

[57:13] paper in the blue shirt that wanted to

[57:16] speak so if you could come forward and

[57:18] please tell us your name you have three

[57:20] minutes

[57:27] this first time coming here so I

[57:29] apologize okay and your name is my name

[57:32] is Robert witowski I'm the son of

[57:35] Charlene Peak I'm representing her and

[57:38] my neighbor James Turley

[57:41] go ahead

[57:43] this is it involves the the Amelia paper

[57:48] Street I grew up in the neighborhood I

[57:51] was born in 1970 so I've been in

[57:53] Schenectady my whole most of my life my

[57:56] mom lived in a

[57:58] the home that is right on the paper

[58:01] street

[58:02] she was raised there she still is there

[58:05] she's in her 70s

[58:08] they moved in around 1953. my

[58:11] grandfather worked with the city on

[58:13] maintaining the Amelia paper Street

[58:15] with clearing the trees bringing in dirt

[58:19] putting down grass seed doing a lot of

[58:21] you know yard maintenance and my my

[58:25] mother and uh

[58:27] and my uncles and my aunts were taking

[58:29] care of the yard for many years and then

[58:31] we took over the yard and we're

[58:33] maintaining it for the many years my mom

[58:36] wrote a letter to the city I'd like to

[58:38] read it

[58:40] um

[58:41] and it says that I have lived in this

[58:44] house since 1953 I was three when my

[58:47] family moved in back then the lot next

[58:49] to my house had many trees on it my dad

[58:52] asked the city about the lot and freeze

[58:54] they told my dad they were going to

[58:56] build a road

[58:58] and cut the trees down my dad my

[59:00] grandfather helped the city take the

[59:03] trees down but they never built a road

[59:05] so my dad started Mowing and fertilizing

[59:08] the yard and I remember bringing a

[59:10] little girl and my dad would be

[59:13] putting my hands on the push lawnmower

[59:16] we had and we would push it with with me

[59:19] hanging on I guess that's what she said

[59:22] when my parents divorced in 1958 us kids

[59:27] mowed the lawn and kept it up one one by

[59:30] one my siblings left and my mother moved

[59:32] in with my brother so I was left to take

[59:34] over the house and also the lot

[59:39] I never stopped we were talking about 67

[59:42] years that we have been dealing with

[59:44] this paper Street

[59:46] the city plows come by and they leave

[59:48] this big pile of snow because the city

[59:50] goes up Amelia Street and Rotterdam goes

[59:52] up Amelia Street so there's this big

[59:54] pile of snow every year for 70 years in

[59:57] front of that driveway

[59:59] just last winter I I snow blowed it out

[1:00:03] we've been maintaining that yard for

[1:00:05] many years in essence we feel like

[1:00:07] that's been our yard right but it's been

[1:00:10] a city yard right

[1:00:12] um

[1:00:12] we've played basketball and baseball

[1:00:14] there with with all the kids in the

[1:00:16] neighborhood and

[1:00:18] it would have been nice if the city

[1:00:20] developed this paper Street and we had

[1:00:22] the the garage that was situated in such

[1:00:25] a way to have access to the paper street

[1:00:26] but it never happened

[1:00:29] we have a neighbor in the back James

[1:00:30] Turley who moved in and he started

[1:00:33] bringing his

[1:00:34] um his boat through the paper Street and

[1:00:37] putting ruts in the yard and my mom was

[1:00:40] really upset with him

[1:00:42] and told him he came over and gave her

[1:00:46] flowers and apologized and spent

[1:00:48] thousands of dollars to take down a tree

[1:00:50] so that he can bring his boat out the

[1:00:52] other way

[1:00:53] we have other neighbors that aren't so

[1:00:55] considerate of the yard and are still

[1:00:57] putting ruts in it so I asked that you

[1:00:59] know we closed the paper Street and uh

[1:01:02] and we let the neighbors um buy those

[1:01:05] parcels

[1:01:07] thank you all right thank you

[1:01:17] okay so I have no one else signed up to

[1:01:18] speak so I declared the public comment

[1:01:20] for um City business closed

[1:01:24] at this time I asked for miscellaneous

[1:01:26] business of the council

[1:01:28] councilmember Williams

[1:01:41] as always I'd like to thank everyone

[1:01:43] that came out and spoke as definitely

[1:01:45] your opportunity to vocalize your

[1:01:46] concerns to us as a council and to the

[1:01:49] mayor mayor's office as well I'd like to

[1:01:51] get into my announcements I first would

[1:01:53] like to say we received an announcement

[1:01:55] from the office of cannabis management

[1:01:57] letting us know that as recent

[1:02:00] regulation changes with regards to the

[1:02:01] Cannabis industry throughout the New

[1:02:03] York State have changed they are asking

[1:02:05] us to promote some other educational

[1:02:07] material as to why you should buy legal

[1:02:10] and it's definitely their way of

[1:02:12] discussing and identifying additional

[1:02:14] benefits to buying regulated cannabis

[1:02:16] products so there's recently opening of

[1:02:19] dispensaries throughout New York state

[1:02:20] if you would like more information about

[1:02:22] this campaign the why buy legal New York

[1:02:24] campaign please visit their Department

[1:02:25] website on New York State

[1:02:27] second we talk about transparency and a

[1:02:30] lot of that is just giving access to

[1:02:31] information which is why I'd like to

[1:02:33] identify that the Schenectady County

[1:02:35] Sheriff's Department is now recruiting

[1:02:36] candidates for an update for an upcoming

[1:02:39] correctional officer exam the salary is

[1:02:41] between 41 000 and 63 000 and you're

[1:02:45] applying deadline is May 8 2023 and the

[1:02:49] exam date to test is June 24th 2023. the

[1:02:53] requirement for this job opportunity is

[1:02:54] only having a high school diploma or GED

[1:02:56] and you must pass a fitness test as well

[1:02:59] as having a valid New York state

[1:03:01] driver's license if you need more

[1:03:02] information about this please I would

[1:03:04] recommend either going down or looking

[1:03:07] online or you can actually send me an

[1:03:09] email to provide you more information on

[1:03:12] that as well an additional job

[1:03:13] opportunity is the Schenectady job

[1:03:15] training agency and career center is now

[1:03:17] hiring job coaches for The Summer Youth

[1:03:19] Employment Program if interested please

[1:03:22] email your resume to Schenectady

[1:03:24] sjta at DFA Dot state.ny.us

[1:03:30] and then my last announcement is um we

[1:03:33] received a notice from one of our local

[1:03:35] community activists staying that with

[1:03:39] the passing of our local law amending

[1:03:41] the vaping the inclusion of vaping and

[1:03:43] cannabis use and the smoke-free and free

[1:03:46] of city parks uh you doing this and

[1:03:48] identifying that promoting health and

[1:03:50] wellness and these recreational areas is

[1:03:53] important and that as we all enjoy the

[1:03:55] outdoors with the warming of the weather

[1:03:58] please do so with the understanding that

[1:04:00] it is a shared space that is all my

[1:04:03] announcements thank you thank you

[1:04:05] Miss Patrick

[1:04:09] hello everyone I'd like to First say

[1:04:12] that I just wanted to thank all the

[1:04:14] volunteers throughout the city that came

[1:04:16] out on Saturday Earth Day to do various

[1:04:20] neighborhood cleanups

[1:04:22] um we you know it was really fantastic

[1:04:23] to see so many people out and especially

[1:04:25] a lot of young people that came out to

[1:04:28] help the volunteers

[1:04:30] um along the lines of sustainability I

[1:04:33] also am thrilled that the 62 electric

[1:04:37] golf carts that we approved are at the

[1:04:41] golf course the golf course is off and

[1:04:43] running and so I hope that folks will

[1:04:46] enjoy those carts and our beautiful golf

[1:04:49] course for the rest of the season I want

[1:04:51] to congratulate the folks that are going

[1:04:54] to be honored on Wednesday evening this

[1:04:56] week for the Schenectady City School

[1:04:58] District's Educational Foundation dinner

[1:05:01] including I have to say I have to put in

[1:05:04] a plug for our rotary President Nick

[1:05:06] Clay is one of the folks that's getting

[1:05:08] one of those Awards along with other

[1:05:10] folks and so congratulations to them all

[1:05:13] I want to announce that the friends of

[1:05:16] the Schenectady County public libraries

[1:05:18] spring book sale is May 6th and 7th you

[1:05:23] can get great deals on all sorts of

[1:05:25] books and especially the children's

[1:05:26] books are just fantastic deals so I hope

[1:05:29] folks will come out for that I think

[1:05:30] they still need some volunteers as well

[1:05:33] and then finally I wanted to thank the

[1:05:36] folks that put together our fair housing

[1:05:38] luncheon which was April 14th it was

[1:05:42] just an amazing event where there were

[1:05:44] educational opportunities for realtors

[1:05:47] and developers and you know Advocates

[1:05:51] from the non-profit organizations that

[1:05:53] work on Fair Housing to come together

[1:05:54] and learn together it was just a great

[1:05:57] day so I just wanted to show my

[1:06:00] appreciation for that as well thank you

[1:06:06] no one else

[1:06:10] for coming out tonight to voicing

[1:06:13] whatever your concerns are and we always

[1:06:15] want to hear what our public is thinking

[1:06:17] about

[1:06:19] um we heard we heard we had some

[1:06:21] celebrations tonight and we heard some

[1:06:23] things about things we need to do better

[1:06:24] so it's good to have a balance and Miss

[1:06:26] Patrick just talked about a lot of

[1:06:28] things that have happened throughout the

[1:06:30] city that we have to celebrate and I

[1:06:32] also want to congratulate the YWCA and

[1:06:34] palette for the opening of their stride

[1:06:37] program there at 508 State Street I went

[1:06:40] to the opening it was very nice and

[1:06:42] there were the women that will be served

[1:06:44] there are just really excited about the

[1:06:47] opportunity to be empowered and to

[1:06:49] what's near and dear to my heart is that

[1:06:51] they also have a clothing closet there

[1:06:53] so that women can be prepared to go out

[1:06:55] to work once they uh once they get the

[1:06:57] um the training that they're going

[1:06:59] through and also there's a group called

[1:07:01] mission accomplished I want to

[1:07:02] congratulate them as well for just

[1:07:04] graduating a cohort of students who will

[1:07:07] be going on to college and they're

[1:07:09] operating out of the seat Center so our

[1:07:10] young people are doing things in

[1:07:12] Schenectady so I just want to

[1:07:13] congratulate them all and so once again

[1:07:15] thank you all for coming out tonight and

[1:07:17] thank you thank you council members and

[1:07:18] this

[1:07:19] um time I'd ask for a motion to adjourn

[1:07:23] all those in favor

[1:07:25] aye we're adjourned thank you have a

[1:07:26] good night

[1:07:30] foreign

Schenectady City Council Meeting, April 24, 2023

Transcript