1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:15,920 Heat. Heat. 2 00:00:15,930 --> 00:01:06,550 [Music] 3 00:01:06,560 --> 00:01:47,190 Test test First, 4 00:01:47,200 --> 00:02:05,590 Testing one, two, one, two, 5 00:02:05,600 --> 00:02:24,390 pretty good. 6 00:02:24,400 --> 00:02:41,990 Heat. Heat. 7 00:02:42,000 --> 00:03:03,990 Test two. 8 00:03:04,000 --> 00:04:12,380 Test test. 9 00:04:12,390 --> 00:04:35,030 [Music] 10 00:04:35,040 --> 00:05:12,870 Hey. Hey. Hey. 11 00:05:12,880 --> 00:05:48,700 test. 12 00:05:48,710 --> 00:05:58,870 [Music] 13 00:05:58,880 --> 00:06:20,550 Test test. 14 00:06:20,560 --> 00:06:36,710 Huh? 15 00:06:36,720 --> 00:07:00,790 What do you 16 00:07:00,800 --> 00:07:46,950 [ __ ] 17 00:07:46,960 --> 00:07:49,120 Testing one, two, three. Testing one, 18 00:07:49,120 --> 00:08:16,070 two, three. 19 00:08:16,080 --> 00:09:18,230 Test test. 20 00:09:18,240 --> 00:09:21,890 Yes. 21 00:09:21,900 --> 00:11:46,310 [Music] 22 00:11:46,320 --> 00:11:50,260 Hey, hey, hey. 23 00:11:50,270 --> 00:12:10,069 [Music] 24 00:12:10,079 --> 00:12:54,550 Heat. Heat. 25 00:12:54,560 --> 00:13:32,790 [Music] 26 00:13:32,800 --> 00:13:37,550 Thank you. 27 00:13:37,560 --> 00:13:54,790 [Music] 28 00:13:54,800 --> 00:14:57,090 I graduate from 29 00:14:57,100 --> 00:16:22,629 [Music] 30 00:16:22,639 --> 00:16:35,620 Thank you. 31 00:16:35,630 --> 00:16:57,509 [Music] 32 00:16:57,519 --> 00:17:39,420 Hey, hey, hey. 33 00:17:39,430 --> 00:19:03,510 [Music] 34 00:19:03,520 --> 00:19:05,150 Hey, 35 00:19:05,150 --> 00:19:14,789 [Music] 36 00:19:14,799 --> 00:19:27,800 hey, hey. 37 00:19:27,810 --> 00:20:20,850 [Music] 38 00:20:20,860 --> 00:20:23,039 [Applause] 39 00:20:23,039 --> 00:20:36,910 It's just 40 00:20:36,920 --> 00:20:46,549 [Music] 41 00:20:46,559 --> 00:21:16,070 Oh yeah. 42 00:21:16,080 --> 00:21:19,120 All right, here we go. 43 00:21:19,120 --> 00:21:25,270 Where's our crew? 44 00:21:25,280 --> 00:21:31,909 Here's Dorine. 45 00:21:31,919 --> 00:21:49,669 You want water, please? John, you want 46 00:21:49,679 --> 00:21:51,560 That's good. 47 00:21:51,560 --> 00:22:12,789 [Applause] 48 00:22:12,799 --> 00:22:42,610 How are you? 49 00:22:42,620 --> 00:22:45,280 [Music] 50 00:22:45,280 --> 00:22:48,310 I don't know that 51 00:22:48,320 --> 00:23:12,470 I'm surprised. 52 00:23:12,480 --> 00:23:52,149 All right. 53 00:23:52,159 --> 00:24:08,230 Hello. 54 00:24:08,240 --> 00:24:13,430 Sorry. 55 00:24:13,440 --> 00:24:26,930 Don't you work? 56 00:24:26,940 --> 00:24:46,630 [Music] 57 00:24:46,640 --> 00:25:02,149 You want me to take a picture? No. 58 00:25:02,159 --> 00:25:32,010 I forgot. 59 00:25:32,020 --> 00:25:33,279 [Applause] 60 00:25:33,279 --> 00:25:38,230 These are the other cities. 61 00:25:38,240 --> 00:25:40,880 You're going to be 62 00:25:40,880 --> 00:25:56,310 this good summary. 63 00:25:56,320 --> 00:25:59,600 your name off 64 00:25:59,600 --> 00:26:01,679 the end. Give me until the end of the 65 00:26:01,679 --> 00:26:12,390 year. 66 00:26:12,400 --> 00:26:21,990 I don't know if somebody actually 67 00:26:22,000 --> 00:26:27,750 a lot of things been happening. 68 00:26:27,760 --> 00:26:35,669 Not tonight. 69 00:26:35,679 --> 00:26:38,240 One minute. 70 00:26:38,240 --> 00:26:59,110 We can still follow. 71 00:26:59,120 --> 00:27:03,840 Okay, time to follow. Okay, 72 00:27:03,840 --> 00:27:07,830 stick around. 73 00:27:07,840 --> 00:27:09,600 I'd like to call to order the Skodki 74 00:27:09,600 --> 00:27:11,440 City Council committee meeting for 75 00:27:11,440 --> 00:27:14,880 Monday, June 16th, 2025. 76 00:27:14,880 --> 00:27:16,480 I know we have a very full room here and 77 00:27:16,480 --> 00:27:17,679 maybe some of you have never been here 78 00:27:17,679 --> 00:27:19,679 for a process before. So, I'd like you 79 00:27:19,679 --> 00:27:21,360 to know that there is no comment from 80 00:27:21,360 --> 00:27:23,440 the public tonight. Um, and if you have 81 00:27:23,440 --> 00:27:24,960 to need feel like you need to have 82 00:27:24,960 --> 00:27:26,799 conversation, we'd actually take you in 83 00:27:26,799 --> 00:27:28,159 the hallway because the room is so 84 00:27:28,159 --> 00:27:30,400 crowded that people want to be able to 85 00:27:30,400 --> 00:27:33,840 hear what what said around the table. Um 86 00:27:33,840 --> 00:27:35,919 but and we do have time before we get to 87 00:27:35,919 --> 00:27:37,679 that piece of the agenda. So we're going 88 00:27:37,679 --> 00:27:40,400 to begin with a presentation of our 89 00:27:40,400 --> 00:27:42,640 annual audit and I'd ask Mr. Gamma to 90 00:27:42,640 --> 00:27:46,870 please come forward. 91 00:27:46,880 --> 00:27:48,720 Good evening council. Looks like we have 92 00:27:48,720 --> 00:27:50,240 a full house today. Everybody wants to 93 00:27:50,240 --> 00:27:54,159 hear about the 2024 city audit. Yes. 94 00:27:54,159 --> 00:27:56,399 I have John Talasi here from Kuzac and 95 00:27:56,399 --> 00:27:58,320 CPA. He'll be reviewing all the key 96 00:27:58,320 --> 00:28:00,159 points. John, you want to take it from 97 00:28:00,159 --> 00:28:03,590 here? 98 00:28:03,600 --> 00:28:05,039 Okay. Uh, thank you all for having me 99 00:28:05,039 --> 00:28:06,240 here tonight. I want to start out by 100 00:28:06,240 --> 00:28:07,760 saying thank you to the mayor and city 101 00:28:07,760 --> 00:28:09,600 council for having me here tonight and 102 00:28:09,600 --> 00:28:11,279 also to your entire team that helps us 103 00:28:11,279 --> 00:28:12,799 out during the audit. We really 104 00:28:12,799 --> 00:28:14,720 appreciate everything that they do. 105 00:28:14,720 --> 00:28:16,480 Special uh thanks to Liz Nelson who's 106 00:28:16,480 --> 00:28:17,760 our main point of contact during the 107 00:28:17,760 --> 00:28:20,559 audit as well team. Uh they do a great 108 00:28:20,559 --> 00:28:22,080 job during the audit and we'll thank for 109 00:28:22,080 --> 00:28:24,320 everything that they do. Um so our 110 00:28:24,320 --> 00:28:26,000 ultimate responsibility during the audit 111 00:28:26,000 --> 00:28:27,840 is to issue an opinion on your financial 112 00:28:27,840 --> 00:28:28,799 statements as to whether they're 113 00:28:28,799 --> 00:28:30,720 materially stated and whether they're in 114 00:28:30,720 --> 00:28:32,240 compliance with accepted accounting 115 00:28:32,240 --> 00:28:34,559 principles otherwise known as GAP. So 116 00:28:34,559 --> 00:28:36,399 our audit takes place in three main 117 00:28:36,399 --> 00:28:38,320 phases. So our first main phase pre- 118 00:28:38,320 --> 00:28:39,760 audit phase which takes place in 119 00:28:39,760 --> 00:28:41,600 December. Uh what we're doing during 120 00:28:41,600 --> 00:28:43,120 this phase we're reviewing your internal 121 00:28:43,120 --> 00:28:45,600 control processes testing those internal 122 00:28:45,600 --> 00:28:47,919 control processes performing variance 123 00:28:47,919 --> 00:28:49,840 and budget analysis. We review the city 124 00:28:49,840 --> 00:28:51,360 council meeting minutes and we complete 125 00:28:51,360 --> 00:28:53,760 our internal risk assessment. Uh the 126 00:28:53,760 --> 00:28:55,520 next major phase of our audit takes 127 00:28:55,520 --> 00:28:57,360 place in mid-March. Um, we use the 128 00:28:57,360 --> 00:28:58,799 information we gather during the pre- 129 00:28:58,799 --> 00:29:00,880 audit phase and we develop our audit 130 00:29:00,880 --> 00:29:02,640 programs, test account balances to 131 00:29:02,640 --> 00:29:05,120 verify if they're materially stated. The 132 00:29:05,120 --> 00:29:06,559 third phase of our audit is the 133 00:29:06,559 --> 00:29:08,000 reporting phase where we review the 134 00:29:08,000 --> 00:29:09,760 financial statements prepared by your 135 00:29:09,760 --> 00:29:11,760 senior accountant and we report on the 136 00:29:11,760 --> 00:29:14,000 final results. So the draft financial 137 00:29:14,000 --> 00:29:15,200 statements that you have in front of you 138 00:29:15,200 --> 00:29:17,840 are a 78page document overall. Uh, 139 00:29:17,840 --> 00:29:19,120 they're comprised of several major 140 00:29:19,120 --> 00:29:20,640 parts. So the first major part is going 141 00:29:20,640 --> 00:29:22,080 to be your management discussion and 142 00:29:22,080 --> 00:29:25,200 analysis. This is a required un audited 143 00:29:25,200 --> 00:29:27,039 section of your financial statements 144 00:29:27,039 --> 00:29:29,760 which they highlight the summary I'm 145 00:29:29,760 --> 00:29:31,600 sorry they highlight the summary of 146 00:29:31,600 --> 00:29:33,200 operating results and other financial 147 00:29:33,200 --> 00:29:34,960 highlights. Um if you're unfamiliar with 148 00:29:34,960 --> 00:29:36,480 the financial statements is a good read 149 00:29:36,480 --> 00:29:39,120 overall. Pages 8 through 10. This is 150 00:29:39,120 --> 00:29:40,559 your independent auditors report. We 151 00:29:40,559 --> 00:29:42,000 issue our opinion on the financial 152 00:29:42,000 --> 00:29:43,760 statements. 153 00:29:43,760 --> 00:29:45,679 It is important to note that your 154 00:29:45,679 --> 00:29:47,360 financial statements are on the fund and 155 00:29:47,360 --> 00:29:49,760 account group level only uh exclusive of 156 00:29:49,760 --> 00:29:51,200 the non-current governmental asset 157 00:29:51,200 --> 00:29:53,120 account group. We are pleased to say 158 00:29:53,120 --> 00:29:54,640 that we have once again been able to 159 00:29:54,640 --> 00:29:56,320 issue an unmodified opinion on your 160 00:29:56,320 --> 00:29:58,000 financial statements. So this is the 161 00:29:58,000 --> 00:29:59,360 highest level of assurance that we can 162 00:29:59,360 --> 00:30:00,640 give you. It's considered a clean 163 00:30:00,640 --> 00:30:02,320 report. We had no reportable issues and 164 00:30:02,320 --> 00:30:04,480 no funding. 165 00:30:04,480 --> 00:30:06,559 Pages 11 through 13. These are your 166 00:30:06,559 --> 00:30:08,159 governmental fund balance sheets and 167 00:30:08,159 --> 00:30:09,679 statements of revenues, expenditures, 168 00:30:09,679 --> 00:30:14,230 and changes in fund balance. 169 00:30:14,240 --> 00:30:15,840 No. 170 00:30:15,840 --> 00:30:17,919 Oh, okay. Sorry. So your approximated 171 00:30:17,919 --> 00:30:19,360 operating results for the year end of 172 00:30:19,360 --> 00:30:22,559 December 31st, 2024. General fund fund 173 00:30:22,559 --> 00:30:24,480 amounts were unchanged due to AR loss 174 00:30:24,480 --> 00:30:27,039 revenue. Water fund had a deficit of 175 00:30:27,039 --> 00:30:29,039 759,000. 176 00:30:29,039 --> 00:30:32,480 Sword fund had a surplus of 3.7 million. 177 00:30:32,480 --> 00:30:35,919 Recreation fund surplus of 168,000. 178 00:30:35,919 --> 00:30:37,600 Special grants and revenue had a surplus 179 00:30:37,600 --> 00:30:40,480 of 17,000. Capital projects had a 180 00:30:40,480 --> 00:30:41,760 deficit of 10 million due to 181 00:30:41,760 --> 00:30:44,000 expenditures of the capital projects 182 00:30:44,000 --> 00:30:46,480 funded with bond proceeds. So highlights 183 00:30:46,480 --> 00:30:49,200 of your 2024 general fund activity and 184 00:30:49,200 --> 00:30:51,520 approximated figures. Prior year tax 185 00:30:51,520 --> 00:30:53,360 collections exceeded expectations by 186 00:30:53,360 --> 00:30:55,200 952,000. 187 00:30:55,200 --> 00:30:57,440 Casino revenue exceeded expectations by 188 00:30:57,440 --> 00:30:59,360 287,000. 189 00:30:59,360 --> 00:31:00,799 The property sales fell below 190 00:31:00,799 --> 00:31:03,840 expectations by 2.3 million. Sales tax 191 00:31:03,840 --> 00:31:05,760 revenue exceeded your expectations by 192 00:31:05,760 --> 00:31:08,159 1.8 billion. Insurance recoveries 193 00:31:08,159 --> 00:31:11,039 exceeded expectations by 1.5 million. 194 00:31:11,039 --> 00:31:12,960 Adult use cannabis revenues were a total 195 00:31:12,960 --> 00:31:16,000 of $683,000. Those exceeded expectations 196 00:31:16,000 --> 00:31:18,240 by 383,000. 197 00:31:18,240 --> 00:31:20,799 City also received $1.2 2 million in 198 00:31:20,799 --> 00:31:23,440 unbudgeted AIM funds during the year on 199 00:31:23,440 --> 00:31:24,799 federal ARPA funds that were utilized 200 00:31:24,799 --> 00:31:28,159 during the year were $18.5 million 4.6 201 00:31:28,159 --> 00:31:30,640 million of which were utilized to give 202 00:31:30,640 --> 00:31:34,640 the general fund ARPA offset loss for so 203 00:31:34,640 --> 00:31:36,080 overall we feel that management does a 204 00:31:36,080 --> 00:31:37,760 good job with their reserves fund 205 00:31:37,760 --> 00:31:39,760 balance in the general fund is $18.9 206 00:31:39,760 --> 00:31:42,480 million with $6.6 $6 million of 207 00:31:42,480 --> 00:31:44,159 restricted funds at the end of the year. 208 00:31:44,159 --> 00:31:45,679 So details of the restricted and 209 00:31:45,679 --> 00:31:47,600 assigned fund balance can be found on 210 00:31:47,600 --> 00:31:50,559 page 53 of your financial statements. 211 00:31:50,559 --> 00:31:51,679 Band borrowings during the year have 212 00:31:51,679 --> 00:31:53,679 been increased by $10 million to fund 213 00:31:53,679 --> 00:31:57,909 capital projects. 214 00:31:57,919 --> 00:32:00,000 There was an overall decrease of $9.9 215 00:32:00,000 --> 00:32:01,600 million in the city's net pension 216 00:32:01,600 --> 00:32:04,640 liability for underfunded ERS and PFRS. 217 00:32:04,640 --> 00:32:05,840 balance at the end of the year was a 218 00:32:05,840 --> 00:32:08,799 liability of $7.1 million for ERS and a 219 00:32:08,799 --> 00:32:12,559 liability of $35.7 million for PFRS. Uh 220 00:32:12,559 --> 00:32:15,519 during 2024, the city also elected 221 00:32:15,519 --> 00:32:18,000 additional benefits under section 384E, 222 00:32:18,000 --> 00:32:20,080 the New York State Retirement Law, which 223 00:32:20,080 --> 00:32:21,840 is allowing them to amvertise the past 224 00:32:21,840 --> 00:32:23,840 service costs for the next 10 years. 225 00:32:23,840 --> 00:32:25,039 This was an increase to your net 226 00:32:25,039 --> 00:32:28,399 long-term debt of $7.1 million. Total 227 00:32:28,399 --> 00:32:30,799 OPED liability is decreased by $51 228 00:32:30,799 --> 00:32:34,399 million to $243 million. these uh Gazsby 229 00:32:34,399 --> 00:32:36,880 statements 68 and 75 require that these 230 00:32:36,880 --> 00:32:39,039 items the net pension liability and also 231 00:32:39,039 --> 00:32:40,880 the OPED liability are recorded on your 232 00:32:40,880 --> 00:32:43,039 financial statements. These are for lack 233 00:32:43,039 --> 00:32:44,480 of a better term considered paper 234 00:32:44,480 --> 00:32:47,039 liabilities are recorded be they are um 235 00:32:47,039 --> 00:32:48,320 required to be reported on your 236 00:32:48,320 --> 00:32:49,760 financial statements but they don't 237 00:32:49,760 --> 00:32:51,600 affect any of the um you know current 238 00:32:51,600 --> 00:32:54,159 operating resource. Page 14 this is your 239 00:32:54,159 --> 00:32:56,080 custodial fund as required by Gazby 240 00:32:56,080 --> 00:32:58,240 statement 84. The footnotes of the 241 00:32:58,240 --> 00:32:59,440 financial statements can be found on 242 00:32:59,440 --> 00:33:02,399 pages 16 through 59. Uh what these do is 243 00:33:02,399 --> 00:33:03,840 they detail the significant accounting 244 00:33:03,840 --> 00:33:05,760 policies of the city and also your zero 245 00:33:05,760 --> 00:33:07,279 account balances on basic financial 246 00:33:07,279 --> 00:33:10,399 statements. Pages 60 through 66 these 247 00:33:10,399 --> 00:33:12,159 are the required supplemental financial 248 00:33:12,159 --> 00:33:14,559 information includes the budget actual 249 00:33:14,559 --> 00:33:17,360 reports PRS and PFRS pension assets or 250 00:33:17,360 --> 00:33:19,120 liabilities and also the overhead 251 00:33:19,120 --> 00:33:23,360 details and the ratios. Pages 67 through 252 00:33:23,360 --> 00:33:24,960 78. This is your federal single audit. 253 00:33:24,960 --> 00:33:26,320 Since the city expended more than 254 00:33:26,320 --> 00:33:29,039 $750,000 in federal funding, we are 255 00:33:29,039 --> 00:33:30,320 required to have what's called a federal 256 00:33:30,320 --> 00:33:32,799 single audit. We are required to rotate 257 00:33:32,799 --> 00:33:34,720 major high-risisk programs every three 258 00:33:34,720 --> 00:33:37,200 years. Uh this year we selected the lead 259 00:33:37,200 --> 00:33:38,960 hazard mitigation grant, Department of 260 00:33:38,960 --> 00:33:40,799 Transportation grants and also the ARPA 261 00:33:40,799 --> 00:33:43,039 funding. We noted no material weaknesses 262 00:33:43,039 --> 00:33:45,200 or significant deficiencies within these 263 00:33:45,200 --> 00:33:47,360 uh grants. We feel the city has good 264 00:33:47,360 --> 00:33:48,880 internal controls over your federal 265 00:33:48,880 --> 00:33:51,600 grant reporting and compliance as well. 266 00:33:51,600 --> 00:33:53,039 uh the remaining ARPA funds that the 267 00:33:53,039 --> 00:33:55,120 city has required to be expended by 268 00:33:55,120 --> 00:33:58,159 December 31st, 2024 or obligated and 269 00:33:58,159 --> 00:34:01,120 dispersed by December 31st, 2026. City 270 00:34:01,120 --> 00:34:02,960 has obligated these funds as of December 271 00:34:02,960 --> 00:34:07,269 31st, 2024. 272 00:34:07,279 --> 00:34:08,960 So from an overall accounting and 273 00:34:08,960 --> 00:34:10,480 control standpoint, we feel the city's 274 00:34:10,480 --> 00:34:12,159 doing a great job overall. Some great 275 00:34:12,159 --> 00:34:14,159 people on your team. Uh controls are 276 00:34:14,159 --> 00:34:16,480 well, they're operating as designed. Uh 277 00:34:16,480 --> 00:34:18,159 we also do issue what's called post 278 00:34:18,159 --> 00:34:19,200 governance letter at the end of the 279 00:34:19,200 --> 00:34:20,639 audit. It's a require communication the 280 00:34:20,639 --> 00:34:22,639 end audit if there was any issues or 281 00:34:22,639 --> 00:34:24,159 concerns during the audit. We did have 282 00:34:24,159 --> 00:34:26,159 one comment in that letter um which 283 00:34:26,159 --> 00:34:28,480 regarding old MVP receivables and the 284 00:34:28,480 --> 00:34:30,480 collection process of those. There was a 285 00:34:30,480 --> 00:34:32,000 recommendation made for that which was a 286 00:34:32,000 --> 00:34:33,679 repeating comment from previous years as 287 00:34:33,679 --> 00:34:36,000 well. And the only remaining item that 288 00:34:36,000 --> 00:34:38,000 we have here in audit is to complete a 289 00:34:38,000 --> 00:34:40,079 form SFSAC with the Federal Census 290 00:34:40,079 --> 00:34:42,399 Bureau. Um this is a required form that 291 00:34:42,399 --> 00:34:44,159 has to be submitted to them uploading 292 00:34:44,159 --> 00:34:45,520 all the information for the federal 293 00:34:45,520 --> 00:34:47,359 single audit. um that will be done after 294 00:34:47,359 --> 00:34:49,119 the audit is formally accepted and we 295 00:34:49,119 --> 00:34:51,520 can uh complete that process. So as I 296 00:34:51,520 --> 00:34:52,960 said the audit went very well overall 297 00:34:52,960 --> 00:34:54,480 very pleased with the results. So I'd be 298 00:34:54,480 --> 00:34:56,159 happy to take any questions on the audit 299 00:34:56,159 --> 00:35:01,670 process or members as well. 300 00:35:01,680 --> 00:35:04,320 So we often hear during budget season uh 301 00:35:04,320 --> 00:35:06,560 discussions around how much and should 302 00:35:06,560 --> 00:35:08,480 we tap into the general fund balance. 303 00:35:08,480 --> 00:35:11,040 Looking at page two where you're talking 304 00:35:11,040 --> 00:35:12,560 about the measures of strength. Can you 305 00:35:12,560 --> 00:35:14,079 just expand on that? We've been on the 306 00:35:14,079 --> 00:35:15,440 council for four years. So there's 307 00:35:15,440 --> 00:35:17,280 understanding more of what goes into 308 00:35:17,280 --> 00:35:18,720 what's the specific section that you 309 00:35:18,720 --> 00:35:20,800 have? Uh so is the general fund 310 00:35:20,800 --> 00:35:24,000 continued and yeah so that would be in 311 00:35:24,000 --> 00:35:25,119 the management's discussion and 312 00:35:25,119 --> 00:35:26,240 analysis. So what they're doing is 313 00:35:26,240 --> 00:35:27,920 highlighting the specific strengths of 314 00:35:27,920 --> 00:35:30,160 the city of the overall fund balance the 315 00:35:30,160 --> 00:35:32,720 ability or you know the need to use the 316 00:35:32,720 --> 00:35:35,119 fund balance or the need not to. So what 317 00:35:35,119 --> 00:35:36,400 we're seeing is that the city does not 318 00:35:36,400 --> 00:35:38,240 have to dip into their fund balance 319 00:35:38,240 --> 00:35:40,320 significantly to to fund operations. So 320 00:35:40,320 --> 00:35:42,400 you're finding external sources whether 321 00:35:42,400 --> 00:35:44,400 that be property tax revenue or sewer 322 00:35:44,400 --> 00:35:45,839 charges the specific funds and the 323 00:35:45,839 --> 00:35:48,320 individual funds are self sustaining 324 00:35:48,320 --> 00:35:49,760 within themselves. So they're being a 325 00:35:49,760 --> 00:35:51,920 they're able to generate a good enough 326 00:35:51,920 --> 00:35:54,960 money to cover operations over time. Now 327 00:35:54,960 --> 00:35:57,599 follow question is there a percentage 328 00:35:57,599 --> 00:36:01,040 that uh delineates like that excellent 329 00:36:01,040 --> 00:36:03,359 rating that you said um before staying 330 00:36:03,359 --> 00:36:05,359 in this threshold is preferred for this 331 00:36:05,359 --> 00:36:07,040 optimal rating? I don't think so. I 332 00:36:07,040 --> 00:36:08,640 think it's an overall just a general 333 00:36:08,640 --> 00:36:10,320 feel from your budgeting standpoint. So, 334 00:36:10,320 --> 00:36:12,720 how much money do we need? Do we foresee 335 00:36:12,720 --> 00:36:14,480 future projects to use? You know, is 336 00:36:14,480 --> 00:36:15,599 there something coming up down the 337 00:36:15,599 --> 00:36:17,920 pipeline? Significant capital projects, 338 00:36:17,920 --> 00:36:19,280 significant improvements about to 339 00:36:19,280 --> 00:36:21,200 happen, what's going on within the city 340 00:36:21,200 --> 00:36:23,040 that we need to plan for. And I think 341 00:36:23,040 --> 00:36:24,640 the city does a really great job in 342 00:36:24,640 --> 00:36:26,160 identifying those items and putting 343 00:36:26,160 --> 00:36:28,000 money aside for those items as well. 344 00:36:28,000 --> 00:36:30,560 Thank you, sir. 345 00:36:30,560 --> 00:36:32,000 I did have a question regarding the 346 00:36:32,000 --> 00:36:33,839 economic factors since this is a city 347 00:36:33,839 --> 00:36:35,760 report. Um I noticed that we're also 348 00:36:35,760 --> 00:36:37,760 talking about the county being the 349 00:36:37,760 --> 00:36:39,920 fourth growing the fourth fastest 350 00:36:39,920 --> 00:36:41,920 growing. So do you have any um data on 351 00:36:41,920 --> 00:36:44,640 how fast the city is growing within city 352 00:36:44,640 --> 00:36:46,560 you mentioned the county? Um we don't 353 00:36:46,560 --> 00:36:47,599 have any data in there. So the 354 00:36:47,599 --> 00:36:49,359 management discussion analysis is not an 355 00:36:49,359 --> 00:36:50,960 audited section. It's a required part of 356 00:36:50,960 --> 00:36:52,800 your financial statements. Um but it's 357 00:36:52,800 --> 00:36:54,240 not an audited part of your financial 358 00:36:54,240 --> 00:36:55,440 statements. So while we do perform 359 00:36:55,440 --> 00:36:57,680 limited procedures over that we're not 360 00:36:57,680 --> 00:36:59,040 essentially verifying the accuracy 361 00:36:59,040 --> 00:37:01,200 unless you're really out of line. So 362 00:37:01,200 --> 00:37:02,800 ultimately that's something that your 363 00:37:02,800 --> 00:37:04,400 team has put together and say here's 364 00:37:04,400 --> 00:37:05,440 some of the highlights that we have 365 00:37:05,440 --> 00:37:07,520 overall. So you could definitely expand 366 00:37:07,520 --> 00:37:08,880 on that if you wanted to if you wanted 367 00:37:08,880 --> 00:37:10,720 to add some additional information or 368 00:37:10,720 --> 00:37:12,480 you know that's really your section 369 00:37:12,480 --> 00:37:14,000 that's management's opening section and 370 00:37:14,000 --> 00:37:15,760 say you know here's all the highlights 371 00:37:15,760 --> 00:37:17,599 the significant things that happened to 372 00:37:17,599 --> 00:37:20,000 us here the good bad things we foresee 373 00:37:20,000 --> 00:37:22,480 in the future as well. And I also read 374 00:37:22,480 --> 00:37:24,320 the part where it said about the um and 375 00:37:24,320 --> 00:37:25,440 we know that we don't we're not in 376 00:37:25,440 --> 00:37:28,240 charge of the pilots and we don't create 377 00:37:28,240 --> 00:37:30,800 um you know we don't decide on those but 378 00:37:30,800 --> 00:37:32,640 does the audit taking look at how the 379 00:37:32,640 --> 00:37:35,599 pilot impacts our overall budget? Um we 380 00:37:35,599 --> 00:37:37,200 don't from the audit standpoint. So it's 381 00:37:37,200 --> 00:37:39,119 more of dealing with materiality. So 382 00:37:39,119 --> 00:37:41,520 we're dealing with material issues. So 383 00:37:41,520 --> 00:37:43,599 is it a material item? Is it something 384 00:37:43,599 --> 00:37:46,320 that is the pilot paid? Is that 385 00:37:46,320 --> 00:37:47,760 receivable? We have to verify the 386 00:37:47,760 --> 00:37:49,440 accuracy of that amount that's 387 00:37:49,440 --> 00:37:50,960 outstanding. So we're looking to verify 388 00:37:50,960 --> 00:37:52,880 the accuracy of the assets, the 389 00:37:52,880 --> 00:37:55,280 liabilities, and any of the the equity 390 00:37:55,280 --> 00:37:56,800 items as well. So ultimately, we're not 391 00:37:56,800 --> 00:37:58,400 looking at the specific contracts for 392 00:37:58,400 --> 00:38:00,320 the pilots, but we are looking to see if 393 00:38:00,320 --> 00:38:02,400 the amounts which you're saying are 394 00:38:02,400 --> 00:38:04,320 paid, you know, if they're not paid, why 395 00:38:04,320 --> 00:38:05,440 are they not paid? So we're kind of 396 00:38:05,440 --> 00:38:09,359 going through that process as well. 397 00:38:09,359 --> 00:38:11,920 I have a question on the uh the water, 398 00:38:11,920 --> 00:38:14,160 the sewer, and the recreational fund. 399 00:38:14,160 --> 00:38:16,240 the um the increase in the fund balance 400 00:38:16,240 --> 00:38:18,800 for the water 8.5% 401 00:38:18,800 --> 00:38:21,520 the sewer 30.55% 402 00:38:21,520 --> 00:38:24,480 and the recreational fund 12.4%. 403 00:38:24,480 --> 00:38:26,000 Can you expand on that a little as to 404 00:38:26,000 --> 00:38:28,320 why it's it's good that it increase but 405 00:38:28,320 --> 00:38:31,200 then why for those why the extended of 406 00:38:31,200 --> 00:38:33,280 those numbers? Well, I think there was 407 00:38:33,280 --> 00:38:34,960 there's a few different scenarios that 408 00:38:34,960 --> 00:38:36,480 happened during the year. Um so 409 00:38:36,480 --> 00:38:38,720 specifically in the sewer fund um there 410 00:38:38,720 --> 00:38:40,240 was an overall you know a significant 411 00:38:40,240 --> 00:38:41,839 surplus within the surf fund but that 412 00:38:41,839 --> 00:38:43,920 was primarily based on a few one-time 413 00:38:43,920 --> 00:38:46,480 items. So these were past charges rate 414 00:38:46,480 --> 00:38:48,160 changes other adjustments that happened 415 00:38:48,160 --> 00:38:49,440 during the year. There was also 416 00:38:49,440 --> 00:38:51,119 increases in rates in the sur rates as 417 00:38:51,119 --> 00:38:53,280 you know so that helped to fuel that as 418 00:38:53,280 --> 00:38:55,599 well. But ultimately I think it was you 419 00:38:55,599 --> 00:38:57,040 know we're taking that money putting it 420 00:38:57,040 --> 00:38:58,960 aside within the reserves within those 421 00:38:58,960 --> 00:39:00,480 funds. So if there's projects down the 422 00:39:00,480 --> 00:39:03,280 road that are um you know we know are 423 00:39:03,280 --> 00:39:05,280 going to happen city setting aside that 424 00:39:05,280 --> 00:39:06,800 money to make sure that those projects 425 00:39:06,800 --> 00:39:08,640 can be ultimately funded without using 426 00:39:08,640 --> 00:39:10,400 current resources. So we're setting the 427 00:39:10,400 --> 00:39:11,839 money aside currently for future 428 00:39:11,839 --> 00:39:14,320 projects as well. But to answer your 429 00:39:14,320 --> 00:39:16,160 question fully why those percentages are 430 00:39:16,160 --> 00:39:19,359 going up primarily because of surpluses 431 00:39:19,359 --> 00:39:21,440 and good overall management of the 432 00:39:21,440 --> 00:39:23,359 expenditures. You get money coming in 433 00:39:23,359 --> 00:39:26,950 going out. 434 00:39:26,960 --> 00:39:32,470 Any other questions? 435 00:39:32,480 --> 00:39:34,160 So, so the final item will be once you 436 00:39:34,160 --> 00:39:35,520 approve the financial statements, I'll 437 00:39:35,520 --> 00:39:36,720 send the management representation 438 00:39:36,720 --> 00:39:38,720 letter over to Derek, have that signed 439 00:39:38,720 --> 00:39:40,400 and then we'll finalize the statements 440 00:39:40,400 --> 00:39:43,750 as well. 441 00:39:43,760 --> 00:39:45,040 Thank you. Great. Thank you for having 442 00:39:45,040 --> 00:39:51,349 me. 443 00:39:51,359 --> 00:39:54,320 Are we moving to adopt any need a motion 444 00:39:54,320 --> 00:39:56,480 to adopt the budget specifically or 445 00:39:56,480 --> 00:39:58,720 adopt the budget? I'll let you take your 446 00:39:58,720 --> 00:40:00,880 bet, Mr. Finance. 447 00:40:00,880 --> 00:40:03,760 So, yeah. So, we'll um we'll move a 448 00:40:03,760 --> 00:40:07,280 motion to adopt the u the 2024 audit 449 00:40:07,280 --> 00:40:09,760 statement. 450 00:40:09,760 --> 00:40:17,670 Second. All in favor? I. Thank you. 451 00:40:17,680 --> 00:40:19,280 Um I'd like to open health and 452 00:40:19,280 --> 00:40:21,359 recreation. We have one item on the 453 00:40:21,359 --> 00:40:23,599 agenda this evening and that is a 454 00:40:23,599 --> 00:40:26,880 discussion of um some really exciting uh 455 00:40:26,880 --> 00:40:29,440 new programs that are going to happen uh 456 00:40:29,440 --> 00:40:30,640 four programs that are going to happen 457 00:40:30,640 --> 00:40:34,000 this summer. Um and I'd like to ask um 458 00:40:34,000 --> 00:40:36,720 Mr. MCO and our guest Heather Sen to 459 00:40:36,720 --> 00:40:38,160 come up and and tell us a little bit 460 00:40:38,160 --> 00:40:48,150 more about that program. 461 00:40:48,160 --> 00:40:49,760 Thank you, Mayor. from the resident 462 00:40:49,760 --> 00:40:51,599 council. We came here tonight with 463 00:40:51,599 --> 00:40:53,520 Heather Sen from the United Way. Uh 464 00:40:53,520 --> 00:40:54,880 Heather approached me back in March 465 00:40:54,880 --> 00:40:56,640 about some programs that she would like 466 00:40:56,640 --> 00:40:58,160 to bring into the park in conjunction 467 00:40:58,160 --> 00:41:00,400 with our summer programs. So, we met 468 00:41:00,400 --> 00:41:02,079 what two or three times about them. We 469 00:41:02,079 --> 00:41:03,920 discussed they have a really great 470 00:41:03,920 --> 00:41:05,680 program lined up for us this summer. 471 00:41:05,680 --> 00:41:06,560 They're going to come into all our 472 00:41:06,560 --> 00:41:07,520 parks. And I don't want to steal 473 00:41:07,520 --> 00:41:08,880 Heather's thunder because she worked 474 00:41:08,880 --> 00:41:11,760 really hard at this. 475 00:41:11,760 --> 00:41:13,520 Um thank you everyone and thank you 476 00:41:13,520 --> 00:41:15,839 Council Patrick for inviting me to to 477 00:41:15,839 --> 00:41:17,440 share this information out with everyone 478 00:41:17,440 --> 00:41:22,000 tonight. Um, so we uh I'm I'm coming to 479 00:41:22,000 --> 00:41:23,760 you with uh from the United Way of the 480 00:41:23,760 --> 00:41:25,040 greater capital region, but also a 481 00:41:25,040 --> 00:41:26,720 member of the summer mills collaborative 482 00:41:26,720 --> 00:41:28,960 across eight counties and skinnity is a 483 00:41:28,960 --> 00:41:30,960 really special county for us here in the 484 00:41:30,960 --> 00:41:33,200 collaborative. Um so as Bill mentioned, 485 00:41:33,200 --> 00:41:36,240 we approached um him earlier this this 486 00:41:36,240 --> 00:41:37,760 year to talk about like how can we 487 00:41:37,760 --> 00:41:39,520 collaborate specifically around summer 488 00:41:39,520 --> 00:41:42,560 nutrition programs for kids. Um, several 489 00:41:42,560 --> 00:41:44,319 of our partners run some of the meals 490 00:41:44,319 --> 00:41:46,240 programs and several of our partners 491 00:41:46,240 --> 00:41:48,079 also run activities for kids during 492 00:41:48,079 --> 00:41:50,079 summer months. So, how could we maximize 493 00:41:50,079 --> 00:41:52,079 these great resources for kids and 494 00:41:52,079 --> 00:41:54,400 families and work together? Um, and so, 495 00:41:54,400 --> 00:41:56,640 Bill was sharing about um all of the 496 00:41:56,640 --> 00:41:58,240 great activities going on in the parks 497 00:41:58,240 --> 00:42:00,400 and so we saw it as a natural kind of 498 00:42:00,400 --> 00:42:02,800 connection point. So this summer we will 499 00:42:02,800 --> 00:42:05,760 be um offering summer meal block parties 500 00:42:05,760 --> 00:42:07,839 uh four times throughout the summer at 501 00:42:07,839 --> 00:42:10,480 our four signature parks here in in 502 00:42:10,480 --> 00:42:12,480 Skinnctity. So um they will be on 503 00:42:12,480 --> 00:42:14,400 Tuesdays, so every other Tuesday this 504 00:42:14,400 --> 00:42:15,760 month. And I brought the schedule here 505 00:42:15,760 --> 00:42:17,440 with me to share out um with you all 506 00:42:17,440 --> 00:42:19,920 tonight. Um and we'll be alternating 507 00:42:19,920 --> 00:42:23,760 between um lunch times and um evening 508 00:42:23,760 --> 00:42:25,920 hours so that we can kind of try to see 509 00:42:25,920 --> 00:42:27,680 what works best for families uh 510 00:42:27,680 --> 00:42:29,760 throughout the summer. Um so these uh 511 00:42:29,760 --> 00:42:31,440 block parties will feature the summer 512 00:42:31,440 --> 00:42:34,240 meals um sites and all of our summer 513 00:42:34,240 --> 00:42:35,599 meals partners will be there. There will 514 00:42:35,599 --> 00:42:37,920 be fun activities for kids and families. 515 00:42:37,920 --> 00:42:39,599 Um there will be food for the entire 516 00:42:39,599 --> 00:42:42,079 family. Uh there will be u a lot of 517 00:42:42,079 --> 00:42:43,839 community partners. We have 15 community 518 00:42:43,839 --> 00:42:45,839 partners assembled uh in these in these 519 00:42:45,839 --> 00:42:47,520 block parties that will be sharing out 520 00:42:47,520 --> 00:42:49,119 resources and programs for kids and 521 00:42:49,119 --> 00:42:50,880 families throughout the summer. Um and 522 00:42:50,880 --> 00:42:52,640 so we're really excited to be able to 523 00:42:52,640 --> 00:42:54,160 offer this this summer and it's all 524 00:42:54,160 --> 00:42:56,079 free. Um you don't have to sign up. you 525 00:42:56,079 --> 00:42:58,160 just show up and enjoy the the evening 526 00:42:58,160 --> 00:43:00,240 or the afternoon with us. Um, and we 527 00:43:00,240 --> 00:43:01,760 really hope that you can help us get the 528 00:43:01,760 --> 00:43:03,440 word out so that we can have as many 529 00:43:03,440 --> 00:43:05,200 families participate as possible this 530 00:43:05,200 --> 00:43:07,440 summer. Again, we're trying to maximize 531 00:43:07,440 --> 00:43:09,599 um great resources for kids and families 532 00:43:09,599 --> 00:43:10,720 uh that are happening in our community 533 00:43:10,720 --> 00:43:12,720 and highlight the wonderful um programs 534 00:43:12,720 --> 00:43:14,079 happening in the park, too. So, it's a 535 00:43:14,079 --> 00:43:15,760 natural connection point and we're 536 00:43:15,760 --> 00:43:19,670 really excited to partner. 537 00:43:19,680 --> 00:43:21,280 Does anybody have any questions or 538 00:43:21,280 --> 00:43:22,480 comments? And I know Heather brought 539 00:43:22,480 --> 00:43:25,280 some um flyers for all of us as well 540 00:43:25,280 --> 00:43:27,200 that she can she can handle. Anybody 541 00:43:27,200 --> 00:43:30,720 have any questions or 542 00:43:30,720 --> 00:43:34,000 Oh, sorry. I'm like looking around. Will 543 00:43:34,000 --> 00:43:37,200 this work um with uh uh the meals on 544 00:43:37,200 --> 00:43:39,520 wheels, the children lunches through 545 00:43:39,520 --> 00:43:43,040 Sycamore. Um Yeah. Yes. Right. Um so 546 00:43:43,040 --> 00:43:44,800 Sycamore collaborative is running the 547 00:43:44,800 --> 00:43:47,040 summer meals program. Um the school 548 00:43:47,040 --> 00:43:48,800 district is running the farm to family 549 00:43:48,800 --> 00:43:51,680 meals program and they are also um going 550 00:43:51,680 --> 00:43:54,000 to be at the same summer meal sites as 551 00:43:54,000 --> 00:43:56,079 well. So there'll be multiple ways to 552 00:43:56,079 --> 00:43:58,079 feed kids to feed their whole family to 553 00:43:58,079 --> 00:44:00,240 feed any community member that that 554 00:44:00,240 --> 00:44:03,040 comes to to these programs. So yes, 555 00:44:03,040 --> 00:44:05,119 Sycamore is providing the the meals. 556 00:44:05,119 --> 00:44:06,640 Yep. 557 00:44:06,640 --> 00:44:08,560 And the school district is providing the 558 00:44:08,560 --> 00:44:10,560 lunches for they're they're basically 559 00:44:10,560 --> 00:44:13,599 making the lunches for for 560 00:44:13,599 --> 00:44:16,880 will the will there be any um anything 561 00:44:16,880 --> 00:44:20,400 for uh residents to take home any canned 562 00:44:20,400 --> 00:44:23,359 goods any fresh fruit vegetables 563 00:44:23,359 --> 00:44:25,040 something like that be there as well? 564 00:44:25,040 --> 00:44:26,560 Yes. So, the farm to family meals 565 00:44:26,560 --> 00:44:30,400 program is basically operating like a uh 566 00:44:30,400 --> 00:44:32,800 um a green market, right? Um and so 567 00:44:32,800 --> 00:44:34,400 they'll be at several sites throughout 568 00:44:34,400 --> 00:44:36,000 the city this summer. And I did not 569 00:44:36,000 --> 00:44:37,040 bring their schedule because they're 570 00:44:37,040 --> 00:44:38,480 just finalizing it, but it will be 571 00:44:38,480 --> 00:44:40,640 available soon. And so, basically, you 572 00:44:40,640 --> 00:44:43,520 just show up and um that you can 573 00:44:43,520 --> 00:44:45,839 basically fill a bag full of fresh 574 00:44:45,839 --> 00:44:49,280 produce, milk, eggs, proteins. Um and it 575 00:44:49,280 --> 00:44:50,560 will change throughout the summer. So, 576 00:44:50,560 --> 00:44:52,880 as new vegetables are being harvested, 577 00:44:52,880 --> 00:44:54,800 they'll be on the truck. Um, and then 578 00:44:54,800 --> 00:44:56,560 you know, basically it's a it's a four 579 00:44:56,560 --> 00:44:57,760 choice. So if there's something that you 580 00:44:57,760 --> 00:44:59,200 don't like, you don't have to take it. 581 00:44:59,200 --> 00:45:00,480 If there's something that you like a 582 00:45:00,480 --> 00:45:01,920 little bit more than something else, you 583 00:45:01,920 --> 00:45:03,119 can take a little bit more of that as 584 00:45:03,119 --> 00:45:05,920 well. And who are your partners? Who are 585 00:45:05,920 --> 00:45:08,480 our partners? Um, so the city is a 586 00:45:08,480 --> 00:45:10,400 partner. Um, the the county is 587 00:45:10,400 --> 00:45:11,680 definitely a partner. The school 588 00:45:11,680 --> 00:45:13,760 district, Sycamore Collaborative, create 589 00:45:13,760 --> 00:45:16,000 community studios. Um, New York 590 00:45:16,000 --> 00:45:17,680 Folklore. We're really excited this 591 00:45:17,680 --> 00:45:19,599 summer. The Panaffrican Orchestra is 592 00:45:19,599 --> 00:45:21,119 joining us at the block parties. It'll 593 00:45:21,119 --> 00:45:23,200 be an invitation to kids to join and and 594 00:45:23,200 --> 00:45:25,359 participate. Um the Children's Museum of 595 00:45:25,359 --> 00:45:27,599 Saratoga is a partner. Um the Green 596 00:45:27,599 --> 00:45:29,359 Market's a partner. Coral Cornell 597 00:45:29,359 --> 00:45:31,839 Cooperative Extension, Food Pantries, 598 00:45:31,839 --> 00:45:33,680 Capital Region Vegan Network, the 599 00:45:33,680 --> 00:45:36,240 Skinctity County Food Council, Square 600 00:45:36,240 --> 00:45:38,160 River Center, lots of partners, and 601 00:45:38,160 --> 00:45:39,680 there's always room for more. So if 602 00:45:39,680 --> 00:45:40,880 there are other organizations that want 603 00:45:40,880 --> 00:45:42,319 to get involved, we'd love to have them 604 00:45:42,319 --> 00:45:44,160 come and join them. So it's it's 605 00:45:44,160 --> 00:45:46,480 somewhat of a resource fair as well as 606 00:45:46,480 --> 00:45:48,160 um the meal the meal program. Please 607 00:45:48,160 --> 00:45:49,680 support me. So you mentioned a little 608 00:45:49,680 --> 00:45:51,359 bit about the blocks. Can you expand on 609 00:45:51,359 --> 00:45:53,599 that in terms of what's going to happen? 610 00:45:53,599 --> 00:45:55,280 I heard about the entertainment, but I 611 00:45:55,280 --> 00:45:57,200 know that in the past the summer, excuse 612 00:45:57,200 --> 00:45:58,800 me, the school district has had a summer 613 00:45:58,800 --> 00:46:00,560 enrichment program. Yes. So that's 614 00:46:00,560 --> 00:46:03,040 educational. And is this including any 615 00:46:03,040 --> 00:46:04,480 of that or is that not something that's 616 00:46:04,480 --> 00:46:06,720 going to happen this year? Um so for the 617 00:46:06,720 --> 00:46:08,560 enrichment program, I know that some of 618 00:46:08,560 --> 00:46:11,040 the kids will be coming to the park. It 619 00:46:11,040 --> 00:46:12,560 it'll be during certain days the school 620 00:46:12,560 --> 00:46:14,000 district will bring us kids to various 621 00:46:14,000 --> 00:46:15,200 parks where we're going to be staffing 622 00:46:15,200 --> 00:46:17,599 with the youth program. Um, we haven't 623 00:46:17,599 --> 00:46:18,720 really finalized that yet, but we're 624 00:46:18,720 --> 00:46:20,000 just waiting for schools to get done 625 00:46:20,000 --> 00:46:21,280 with and finalize what they're going to 626 00:46:21,280 --> 00:46:22,960 be bringing the kids to us. That'll be 627 00:46:22,960 --> 00:46:25,680 Hillers, Central Park, Jerry Burell, and 628 00:46:25,680 --> 00:46:27,280 Steinways. 629 00:46:27,280 --> 00:46:28,720 And then for the activities during the 630 00:46:28,720 --> 00:46:30,480 block parties, a lot of our partners are 631 00:46:30,480 --> 00:46:32,800 bringing uh STEM based activities. So, 632 00:46:32,800 --> 00:46:34,960 for example, create community studios. 633 00:46:34,960 --> 00:46:36,880 We'll be doing a lot of art um based 634 00:46:36,880 --> 00:46:38,560 activities. The children's museum has a 635 00:46:38,560 --> 00:46:41,119 lot of fun and naturebased activities as 636 00:46:41,119 --> 00:46:42,560 does the Skhair River Center. So, 637 00:46:42,560 --> 00:46:44,160 they're all um a lot of the activities 638 00:46:44,160 --> 00:46:45,839 are hands-on and it's a way to engage 639 00:46:45,839 --> 00:46:47,599 the whole family, the whole community. 640 00:46:47,599 --> 00:46:49,599 Um and it's and then um there will be 641 00:46:49,599 --> 00:46:51,839 fun things for kids to take away as well 642 00:46:51,839 --> 00:46:53,920 um in addition to to the meals that will 643 00:46:53,920 --> 00:46:57,359 be provided. Thank you, Mr. Crowley. So, 644 00:46:57,359 --> 00:46:58,800 I just want to highlight the fact that 645 00:46:58,800 --> 00:47:00,720 on the fresh produce truck or school 646 00:47:00,720 --> 00:47:02,400 district though that is connected to 647 00:47:02,400 --> 00:47:03,520 city school district kind of led 648 00:47:03,520 --> 00:47:05,520 initiative, they're always looking for 649 00:47:05,520 --> 00:47:07,920 people to just kind of jump on the truck 650 00:47:07,920 --> 00:47:09,760 and help distribute some of their fresh 651 00:47:09,760 --> 00:47:11,200 produce, you know. So if anyone's 652 00:47:11,200 --> 00:47:13,920 interested in that, please reach out to myself or anyone else 653 00:47:13,920 --> 00:47:16,880 connecting the city school district. 654 00:47:16,880 --> 00:47:18,720 Uh did that include I know we spoke 655 00:47:18,720 --> 00:47:20,319 about the donor of the free food for 656 00:47:20,319 --> 00:47:23,280 families. Yes. Yeah. So one of our um 657 00:47:23,280 --> 00:47:25,359 community partners came forward uh and 658 00:47:25,359 --> 00:47:26,720 they have said that they would really 659 00:47:26,720 --> 00:47:28,800 like to sponsor meals for adults um 660 00:47:28,800 --> 00:47:31,119 because one of the limitations of the 661 00:47:31,119 --> 00:47:33,280 summer meals program is it's only for um 662 00:47:33,280 --> 00:47:36,720 youth 18 and younger. Um and so uh we 663 00:47:36,720 --> 00:47:38,480 wanted to make sure at the block parties 664 00:47:38,480 --> 00:47:40,720 at the very least we could feed everyone 665 00:47:40,720 --> 00:47:42,800 who shows up. And so we have a donor 666 00:47:42,800 --> 00:47:45,359 that um it is the good sheeperd Lutheran 667 00:47:45,359 --> 00:47:47,440 church. They are sponsoring meals for 668 00:47:47,440 --> 00:47:49,359 anyone that comes to the block parties. 669 00:47:49,359 --> 00:47:51,280 And so we'll have special meals for the 670 00:47:51,280 --> 00:47:52,560 block parties. You can think like 671 00:47:52,560 --> 00:47:54,400 cookouts, things like that. The school 672 00:47:54,400 --> 00:47:59,119 district will be making those meals for us. Um and we'll be able to serve 673 00:47:59,119 --> 00:48:01,040 anyone who comes. And so we're really 674 00:48:01,040 --> 00:48:02,640 excited this this year to be able to 675 00:48:02,640 --> 00:48:04,240 offer that. We're really thankful to 676 00:48:04,240 --> 00:48:06,160 Libya Lutheran Church for for their 677 00:48:06,160 --> 00:48:08,560 generous um donation to be able to do 678 00:48:08,560 --> 00:48:10,640 that. 679 00:48:10,640 --> 00:48:12,800 Would you just mention the kickoff? 680 00:48:12,800 --> 00:48:15,119 Absolutely. So to kick off this summer 681 00:48:15,119 --> 00:48:17,200 um a Sycamore Collaborative is 682 00:48:17,200 --> 00:48:20,319 organizing on June 30th from 12:00 to 3 683 00:48:20,319 --> 00:48:22,559 at Jerry Burell Park. Um a kickoff 684 00:48:22,559 --> 00:48:24,000 celebration. You know, it's kind of the 685 00:48:24,000 --> 00:48:25,040 start of summer. It's the start of 686 00:48:25,040 --> 00:48:26,640 summer meals and the start of all these 687 00:48:26,640 --> 00:48:28,000 great programs happening around the 688 00:48:28,000 --> 00:48:29,920 city. Um so we will be at Jerry Burell 689 00:48:29,920 --> 00:48:33,280 Park. Um it'll be a ceremony of of sorts 690 00:48:33,280 --> 00:48:36,400 around 12:30. Um and then it'll just be, 691 00:48:36,400 --> 00:48:38,000 you know, a run really fun time with the 692 00:48:38,000 --> 00:48:40,240 community. So again, we hope you can 693 00:48:40,240 --> 00:48:42,160 join us for that, too. Um there'll be 694 00:48:42,160 --> 00:48:43,520 all of these partners that I talked 695 00:48:43,520 --> 00:48:46,160 about earlier assembled. Um and and 696 00:48:46,160 --> 00:48:47,920 we're really excited to to start another 697 00:48:47,920 --> 00:48:50,400 summer uh with kids and families in in 698 00:48:50,400 --> 00:48:53,680 the community. That's great. Anything 699 00:48:53,680 --> 00:48:57,119 else from any comments or questions? 700 00:48:57,119 --> 00:48:59,359 Okay. Thank you so much. You want to we 701 00:48:59,359 --> 00:49:06,309 can hand those out? Absolutely. 702 00:49:06,319 --> 00:49:14,630 Thank you. Thank you so much. 703 00:49:14,640 --> 00:49:18,079 I'm sorry. Oh. Oh, sorry. Um, is there 704 00:49:18,079 --> 00:49:19,440 anything else to come before Health and 705 00:49:19,440 --> 00:49:22,000 Recreation? And if not, I'd look for a 706 00:49:22,000 --> 00:49:24,559 motion to adjurnn 707 00:49:24,559 --> 00:49:26,319 from Health and Recreation. Okay. So, 708 00:49:26,319 --> 00:49:28,800 move. Second. 709 00:49:28,800 --> 00:49:33,599 Okay. All in favor? I. Thank you. Sorry. 710 00:49:33,599 --> 00:49:36,079 No worries. Okay. I'd like to call the 711 00:49:36,079 --> 00:49:37,920 court to order government operations. We 712 00:49:37,920 --> 00:49:39,839 have one item on the agenda today and 713 00:49:39,839 --> 00:49:42,079 that is a discussion around uh Skenctity 714 00:49:42,079 --> 00:49:45,520 opting into the good cause eviction. Um 715 00:49:45,520 --> 00:49:47,920 so as council members know, we have had 716 00:49:47,920 --> 00:49:49,520 we've been visited by people at the rail 717 00:49:49,520 --> 00:49:52,400 at our last uh uh council meetings um 718 00:49:52,400 --> 00:49:54,400 talking about the importance of housing 719 00:49:54,400 --> 00:49:57,359 and housing stabilization. uh in the 720 00:49:57,359 --> 00:49:59,680 city of Skenctity. Um good cause 721 00:49:59,680 --> 00:50:03,040 eviction um has been uh opted in um by 722 00:50:03,040 --> 00:50:06,240 our neighbors over in Albany to try to 723 00:50:06,240 --> 00:50:08,640 increase housing stabiliz stabilization 724 00:50:08,640 --> 00:50:10,079 for families for our most vulnerable 725 00:50:10,079 --> 00:50:13,040 populations. Um and so I wanted to bring 726 00:50:13,040 --> 00:50:15,520 that for to the council um to give you 727 00:50:15,520 --> 00:50:17,200 an opportunity for us to kind of have an 728 00:50:17,200 --> 00:50:19,680 open thought exchange around why this 729 00:50:19,680 --> 00:50:21,440 order would not be a good idea for us to 730 00:50:21,440 --> 00:50:22,960 do. 731 00:50:22,960 --> 00:50:35,349 Any questions on that? 732 00:50:35,359 --> 00:50:37,920 So, absolutely provide my uh feedback. I 733 00:50:37,920 --> 00:50:40,079 would say just taking the optics of the 734 00:50:40,079 --> 00:50:44,240 room. It's definitely a uh 735 00:50:44,240 --> 00:50:47,599 I can tell there's a lot of emotion. Um 736 00:50:47,599 --> 00:50:49,280 and it's unfortunate how the 737 00:50:49,280 --> 00:50:52,240 conversation I think has manifested. uh 738 00:50:52,240 --> 00:50:53,680 just in us presenting this one 739 00:50:53,680 --> 00:50:55,680 discussion topic to the city where it 740 00:50:55,680 --> 00:50:57,760 seems as though we're putting one side 741 00:50:57,760 --> 00:50:59,119 against the other tenants against 742 00:50:59,119 --> 00:51:02,720 landlords and sincerely from my uh 743 00:51:02,720 --> 00:51:05,200 experience with getting myself smart on 744 00:51:05,200 --> 00:51:06,880 this topic and hearing a lot of the 745 00:51:06,880 --> 00:51:08,720 feedback and comments from the rail and 746 00:51:08,720 --> 00:51:10,400 also in the conversations candidly that 747 00:51:10,400 --> 00:51:12,640 I've had with people from both sides 748 00:51:12,640 --> 00:51:14,480 definitely I'm still learning myself but 749 00:51:14,480 --> 00:51:16,559 the reason why I support good cause 750 00:51:16,559 --> 00:51:18,160 eviction is because of the protections 751 00:51:18,160 --> 00:51:21,200 in place for tenants and I say that 752 00:51:21,200 --> 00:51:24,000 within a framework of information that 753 00:51:24,000 --> 00:51:26,559 I've received over the last few days in 754 00:51:26,559 --> 00:51:29,760 preparation for this conversation um 755 00:51:29,760 --> 00:51:33,119 predominantly has a um higher majority 756 00:51:33,119 --> 00:51:34,480 of renters and I think that is something 757 00:51:34,480 --> 00:51:35,839 that is non-debatable and we all 758 00:51:35,839 --> 00:51:38,559 understand and respect that. Um, the 759 00:51:38,559 --> 00:51:40,480 reason why I support this is because of 760 00:51:40,480 --> 00:51:42,079 the work that my wife does as a social 761 00:51:42,079 --> 00:51:44,400 worker, but also hearing about the the 762 00:51:44,400 --> 00:51:46,880 resounding impacts of having unstable 763 00:51:46,880 --> 00:51:48,800 housing. And as we entertain 764 00:51:48,800 --> 00:51:50,559 conversations around this table talking 765 00:51:50,559 --> 00:51:52,000 about the living conditions within the 766 00:51:52,000 --> 00:51:54,720 city of Skenctity, uh housing is 767 00:51:54,720 --> 00:51:57,760 absolutely an apparent uh survival need. 768 00:51:57,760 --> 00:52:01,119 And I think it's arguably uh a necessity 769 00:52:01,119 --> 00:52:02,800 uh to require safe, affordable, and 770 00:52:02,800 --> 00:52:08,319 adequate housing for individuals. Um, 771 00:52:08,319 --> 00:52:10,800 as I look at why I think the the core 772 00:52:10,800 --> 00:52:12,880 tenants of good cause eviction resonate 773 00:52:12,880 --> 00:52:14,800 most with me, it's because of the 774 00:52:14,800 --> 00:52:19,119 protections and um 775 00:52:19,119 --> 00:52:20,880 the legal recourse that it presents to 776 00:52:20,880 --> 00:52:24,319 tenants. And I think as we have this 777 00:52:24,319 --> 00:52:25,839 conversation at the table, I look 778 00:52:25,839 --> 00:52:27,599 forward to hearing where the rest of the 779 00:52:27,599 --> 00:52:30,559 council stands. Um but sincerely looking 780 00:52:30,559 --> 00:52:32,319 at the last information that was 781 00:52:32,319 --> 00:52:35,599 compiled from our 2020 to 2024 um HUD 782 00:52:35,599 --> 00:52:38,559 analysis uh just reading from this 783 00:52:38,559 --> 00:52:40,319 caption and I can pass this information 784 00:52:40,319 --> 00:52:42,720 around. It identified housing problems 785 00:52:42,720 --> 00:52:45,119 as housing cost burdens, severe housing 786 00:52:45,119 --> 00:52:46,720 cost burden, substandard housing 787 00:52:46,720 --> 00:52:49,599 overcrowding and severe overcrowding. 788 00:52:49,599 --> 00:52:53,040 and it highlights uh that 53.3% of the 789 00:52:53,040 --> 00:52:54,559 city's connected renters experience 790 00:52:54,559 --> 00:52:58,000 housing problems and 33.3% experienced 791 00:52:58,000 --> 00:53:01,119 severe housing problems. And as we've 792 00:53:01,119 --> 00:53:02,960 attempted to have discussions at this 793 00:53:02,960 --> 00:53:05,200 table about rent stabilization, which 794 00:53:05,200 --> 00:53:07,760 was met with an overwhelming resentment 795 00:53:07,760 --> 00:53:10,319 from individuals in this room, I think 796 00:53:10,319 --> 00:53:12,800 it's important to ask why are we so 797 00:53:12,800 --> 00:53:14,480 opposed to having this conversation that 798 00:53:14,480 --> 00:53:17,119 we all can recognize is important? Is 799 00:53:17,119 --> 00:53:19,520 housing a luxury or is it a need? And 800 00:53:19,520 --> 00:53:21,280 how do we ensure that these protections 801 00:53:21,280 --> 00:53:23,520 that are put in place for tenants do not 802 00:53:23,520 --> 00:53:25,359 come at the overwhelming expense of 803 00:53:25,359 --> 00:53:28,079 landlords? However, this sincerely is a 804 00:53:28,079 --> 00:53:30,160 rebalancing of power for tenants and I'm 805 00:53:30,160 --> 00:53:32,079 being explicit in that. I do not think 806 00:53:32,079 --> 00:53:35,760 that is of a a negative sentiment to get 807 00:53:35,760 --> 00:53:37,440 around. 808 00:53:37,440 --> 00:53:39,040 I look forward to having conversations 809 00:53:39,040 --> 00:53:40,079 throughout the week with some of our 810 00:53:40,079 --> 00:53:41,599 landlords to better understand their 811 00:53:41,599 --> 00:53:43,359 opinions and and sentiments around the 812 00:53:43,359 --> 00:53:46,000 topic. Um, but sincerely what I've read 813 00:53:46,000 --> 00:53:48,160 and I ask everyone to actually read the 814 00:53:48,160 --> 00:53:50,400 law and not interpret it from secondhand 815 00:53:50,400 --> 00:53:53,040 accounts. In my understanding of the 816 00:53:53,040 --> 00:53:55,440 law, it provides landlords the ability 817 00:53:55,440 --> 00:53:58,079 to still evict evictable people. It 818 00:53:58,079 --> 00:53:59,920 still provides landlords the ability to 819 00:53:59,920 --> 00:54:02,240 control their properties. However, there 820 00:54:02,240 --> 00:54:06,079 are stipulations in place to ensure that is not coming at the overwhelming 821 00:54:06,079 --> 00:54:08,960 expense of tenants who at this point are 822 00:54:08,960 --> 00:54:10,960 living day to day, week to week, month 823 00:54:10,960 --> 00:54:12,480 to month without knowing whether they 824 00:54:12,480 --> 00:54:17,520 have uh long-term tenency regardless of 825 00:54:17,520 --> 00:54:20,400 how they uphold the standards for that 826 00:54:20,400 --> 00:54:23,359 uh residency resident or dwelling. Um so 827 00:54:23,359 --> 00:54:24,880 I'm just one comment as of right now, 828 00:54:24,880 --> 00:54:26,559 but I always present myself as being 829 00:54:26,559 --> 00:54:29,760 objective. Um, but what I've seen so far 830 00:54:29,760 --> 00:54:32,400 leads me to be in support of this. Now, 831 00:54:32,400 --> 00:54:33,839 whether we pass anything out of this 832 00:54:33,839 --> 00:54:35,839 committee, I think is a long shot. So, 833 00:54:35,839 --> 00:54:38,160 as the conversation morphs, I just want 834 00:54:38,160 --> 00:54:41,440 to remind people that um, sincerely we 835 00:54:41,440 --> 00:54:43,200 are here to ensure that we empower all 836 00:54:43,200 --> 00:54:45,200 members of our community. Um, but I do 837 00:54:45,200 --> 00:54:47,200 think it is important to put a 838 00:54:47,200 --> 00:54:50,079 heightened emphasis on our tenants with 839 00:54:50,079 --> 00:54:53,440 renters being a majority and the city's 840 00:54:53,440 --> 00:54:57,359 faculty. Thank you, Mr. Williams. 841 00:54:57,359 --> 00:55:00,480 So, um, I'm definitely I'm looking 842 00:55:00,480 --> 00:55:01,839 forward to hear feedback from other 843 00:55:01,839 --> 00:55:03,680 council members, but I think it's as we 844 00:55:03,680 --> 00:55:06,000 talk about what good cause of action is, 845 00:55:06,000 --> 00:55:07,760 it's equally important to talk about 846 00:55:07,760 --> 00:55:10,960 what it's not. Um, and so again, to Miss 847 00:55:10,960 --> 00:55:12,000 Williams, it's important to read the 848 00:55:12,000 --> 00:55:15,920 legislation, this is not um a law saying 849 00:55:15,920 --> 00:55:18,960 that you cannot evict people from um 850 00:55:18,960 --> 00:55:20,559 your property if they're there and 851 00:55:20,559 --> 00:55:22,800 they're not paying to stay there. you 852 00:55:22,800 --> 00:55:24,559 know, I would not support anything 853 00:55:24,559 --> 00:55:27,520 knowing that your uh the landlord has an 854 00:55:27,520 --> 00:55:30,079 obligation to uh take care of the 855 00:55:30,079 --> 00:55:31,440 property and pay for the property. I 856 00:55:31,440 --> 00:55:33,280 wouldn't support anything that would 857 00:55:33,280 --> 00:55:34,800 allow someone to stay in your property 858 00:55:34,800 --> 00:55:36,480 without making payments or someone 859 00:55:36,480 --> 00:55:38,319 that's damaging your property or 860 00:55:38,319 --> 00:55:40,880 violating your lease. Um I think that 861 00:55:40,880 --> 00:55:43,359 the reality is I know that the reality 862 00:55:43,359 --> 00:55:46,240 is that there are a good amount of our 863 00:55:46,240 --> 00:55:47,599 people that live in the city of 864 00:55:47,599 --> 00:55:51,520 Connecticut. I think it's 7,590 865 00:55:51,520 --> 00:55:54,480 evictions since March of 2020. It's like 866 00:55:54,480 --> 00:55:56,640 a lot of people are being asked to leave 867 00:55:56,640 --> 00:56:00,559 their homes for reasons um that uh are 868 00:56:00,559 --> 00:56:02,960 not good reasons. And this is uprooting 869 00:56:02,960 --> 00:56:06,480 families. Um this I remember during the 870 00:56:06,480 --> 00:56:07,760 pandemic and I didn't make the 871 00:56:07,760 --> 00:56:09,119 connection until I started doing a 872 00:56:09,119 --> 00:56:11,440 little bit of research here. um working 873 00:56:11,440 --> 00:56:12,799 in the school district, working with 874 00:56:12,799 --> 00:56:14,720 families who were housing insecure 875 00:56:14,720 --> 00:56:16,559 during the p pandemic. Those are the 876 00:56:16,559 --> 00:56:18,720 people that were the most vulnerable. Um 877 00:56:18,720 --> 00:56:20,559 those are the people who were um 878 00:56:20,559 --> 00:56:22,880 contracting COVID at a much higher rate 879 00:56:22,880 --> 00:56:26,000 than counterparts. And so and as well as 880 00:56:26,000 --> 00:56:30,390 not just the um 881 00:56:30,400 --> 00:56:35,349 let's find 882 00:56:35,359 --> 00:56:39,839 so not only was uh impacting our most 883 00:56:39,839 --> 00:56:42,960 vulnerable population in that way also 884 00:56:42,960 --> 00:56:44,319 realizing you know we were talking 885 00:56:44,319 --> 00:56:45,599 earlier about the meals that were 886 00:56:45,599 --> 00:56:48,079 getting delivered to people. um a lot of 887 00:56:48,079 --> 00:56:49,520 people who were in the greatest of need 888 00:56:49,520 --> 00:56:50,880 to get some of those food and meals 889 00:56:50,880 --> 00:56:52,559 delivered to them were were living in 890 00:56:52,559 --> 00:56:54,160 really substandard housing that was 891 00:56:54,160 --> 00:56:57,040 unsafe housing that left them not only 892 00:56:57,040 --> 00:56:59,520 you know susceptible to co 19 due to 893 00:56:59,520 --> 00:57:01,599 people being evicted and the families 894 00:57:01,599 --> 00:57:03,680 having to kind of double up in shared 895 00:57:03,680 --> 00:57:06,559 spaces um and really close quarters 896 00:57:06,559 --> 00:57:09,760 there are also u u you know really the 897 00:57:09,760 --> 00:57:11,920 people that are living in housing 898 00:57:11,920 --> 00:57:15,040 conditions that are just unsafe and that 899 00:57:15,040 --> 00:57:16,880 is just compiling upon one another. So, 900 00:57:16,880 --> 00:57:19,440 there's a lot of different reasons why I 901 00:57:19,440 --> 00:57:21,839 support good cause fiction. Um, and I do 902 00:57:21,839 --> 00:57:25,599 so uh pretty explicitly and very uh and 903 00:57:25,599 --> 00:57:29,599 after really researching the issue and and recognizing that there are some 904 00:57:29,599 --> 00:57:31,760 pretty key uh misunderstandings, if you 905 00:57:31,760 --> 00:57:33,359 will, that are being communicated out to 906 00:57:33,359 --> 00:57:35,520 the public around this. Um, and I would 907 00:57:35,520 --> 00:57:38,160 love to, you know, use today as a way to 908 00:57:38,160 --> 00:57:39,440 kind of just debunk some of those 909 00:57:39,440 --> 00:57:41,520 things. So, again, if someone is not 910 00:57:41,520 --> 00:57:43,200 paying their rent, they can be evicted. 911 00:57:43,200 --> 00:57:44,880 If somebody is damaging your property, 912 00:57:44,880 --> 00:57:47,040 they can be evicted. um and if someone 913 00:57:47,040 --> 00:57:48,799 is breaking your lease, they can be 914 00:57:48,799 --> 00:57:51,040 evicted. So again, this is not something 915 00:57:51,040 --> 00:57:52,640 that we're just, you know, allowing 916 00:57:52,640 --> 00:57:53,920 people to stay in someone's property 917 00:57:53,920 --> 00:57:57,359 without paying their rent. However, um 918 00:57:57,359 --> 00:58:00,000 all of our rights come with a community 919 00:58:00,000 --> 00:58:02,960 responsibility and ownership of of of 920 00:58:02,960 --> 00:58:04,640 the property, no different than 921 00:58:04,640 --> 00:58:07,200 ownership of of of your vehicle or 922 00:58:07,200 --> 00:58:09,280 ownership of, you know, anything that 923 00:58:09,280 --> 00:58:11,680 you own. There are community 924 00:58:11,680 --> 00:58:14,240 responsibilities um that come with that 925 00:58:14,240 --> 00:58:16,960 ownership. You can't just operate your 926 00:58:16,960 --> 00:58:20,079 vehicle any way you see fit because 927 00:58:20,079 --> 00:58:22,400 there's uh lives of other people at 928 00:58:22,400 --> 00:58:25,119 risk. You can't op, you know, you own 929 00:58:25,119 --> 00:58:26,799 your garbage. You we talk a lot about 930 00:58:26,799 --> 00:58:28,160 the garbage. We can't just It's my 931 00:58:28,160 --> 00:58:29,839 garbage. I own it. I could just put it 932 00:58:29,839 --> 00:58:31,680 out any day I want. It's mine. I can 933 00:58:31,680 --> 00:58:33,520 just put it out there. Well, it is 934 00:58:33,520 --> 00:58:35,040 technically your garbage. You do own it. 935 00:58:35,040 --> 00:58:37,760 You can you know you you it technically 936 00:58:37,760 --> 00:58:39,920 could do that. However, you know that 937 00:58:39,920 --> 00:58:41,440 the city doesn't allow you to do so 938 00:58:41,440 --> 00:58:43,359 because we understand how one person's 939 00:58:43,359 --> 00:58:45,440 actions even over things that they own 940 00:58:45,440 --> 00:58:47,599 can interact and can impact uh the 941 00:58:47,599 --> 00:58:49,440 larger community. So, that's why I 942 00:58:49,440 --> 00:58:51,760 support uh cause eviction and um 943 00:58:51,760 --> 00:58:53,760 hopefully um I'll be able to hear from 944 00:58:53,760 --> 00:58:55,599 my other council members on what their 945 00:58:55,599 --> 00:58:58,559 ideas or thoughts are on this. So, I 946 00:58:58,559 --> 00:59:08,230 open the floor. Thank you, Mr. Williams. 947 00:59:08,240 --> 00:59:11,040 Sorry. So, I've also been doing some 948 00:59:11,040 --> 00:59:13,680 research um and it's such, you know, 949 00:59:13,680 --> 00:59:16,160 it's not something that's easily uh 950 00:59:16,160 --> 00:59:19,200 understood. I guess I'm coming down um 951 00:59:19,200 --> 00:59:22,400 against root cause eviction. Um I think 952 00:59:22,400 --> 00:59:23,920 that we have to be protecting our 953 00:59:23,920 --> 00:59:26,319 tenants as well as our landlords. Think 954 00:59:26,319 --> 00:59:29,599 one of the things is that um I worry 955 00:59:29,599 --> 00:59:32,079 that we'll have some landlords who might 956 00:59:32,079 --> 00:59:35,839 want to be um who are fearful of this um 957 00:59:35,839 --> 00:59:38,400 passing who might rush to try to sell 958 00:59:38,400 --> 00:59:41,040 their properties um maybe for less than 959 00:59:41,040 --> 00:59:42,799 what their properties are worth. I think 960 00:59:42,799 --> 00:59:44,799 it would have implications for our tax 961 00:59:44,799 --> 00:59:47,839 base overall um if that if that was to 962 00:59:47,839 --> 00:59:51,760 happen. Um I know that SCAP um this the 963 00:59:51,760 --> 00:59:54,160 connecting community action program is 964 00:59:54,160 --> 00:59:56,720 uh also not in favor of good cause 965 00:59:56,720 --> 01:00:00,880 eviction. Um they feel that I think um 966 01:00:00,880 --> 01:00:02,960 that 967 01:00:02,960 --> 01:00:05,119 landlords need ways to sort of 968 01:00:05,119 --> 01:00:06,720 reasonably 969 01:00:06,720 --> 01:00:08,480 um help their help their tenants. First 970 01:00:08,480 --> 01:00:10,079 of all, I want to back up and say that 971 01:00:10,079 --> 01:00:12,799 again when I think about our landlords, 972 01:00:12,799 --> 01:00:15,839 for the most part, I think that um here 973 01:00:15,839 --> 01:00:17,839 in Skenctity, a lot of our landlords are 974 01:00:17,839 --> 01:00:20,960 not folks that um you know are carrying 975 01:00:20,960 --> 01:00:22,960 huge amounts of properties with them. I 976 01:00:22,960 --> 01:00:24,160 think most of them are probably 977 01:00:24,160 --> 01:00:27,839 bluecollar immigrant uh population. Um 978 01:00:27,839 --> 01:00:29,599 and I think that this would you know 979 01:00:29,599 --> 01:00:31,680 this would really affect them. um not 980 01:00:31,680 --> 01:00:33,920 being able to raise uh the rent more 981 01:00:33,920 --> 01:00:36,960 than 5% for example might not be able to 982 01:00:36,960 --> 01:00:38,880 cover some of the costs as the cost of 983 01:00:38,880 --> 01:00:41,599 living has increased um you know more 984 01:00:41,599 --> 01:00:43,680 than that I think I think that would be 985 01:00:43,680 --> 01:00:45,520 bad for the landlords in that sense as 986 01:00:45,520 --> 01:00:48,960 well I think SCAP uh seems to be against 987 01:00:48,960 --> 01:00:52,160 good cause eviction um because they want 988 01:00:52,160 --> 01:00:56,400 to make sure that the folks that are living in bad conditions don't 989 01:00:56,400 --> 01:00:58,640 have to live in bad conditions for a 990 01:00:58,640 --> 01:01:01,359 really long sustainable period of time. 991 01:01:01,359 --> 01:01:02,960 We have to remember that our court 992 01:01:02,960 --> 01:01:05,680 system here has I think three justices 993 01:01:05,680 --> 01:01:08,720 that would be uh handling these cases. 994 01:01:08,720 --> 01:01:10,880 There's only certain days of the month 995 01:01:10,880 --> 01:01:12,720 um that they handle the cases. So it 996 01:01:12,720 --> 01:01:14,880 could be that because every case would 997 01:01:14,880 --> 01:01:16,319 have to get adjudicated through the 998 01:01:16,319 --> 01:01:18,799 court system, um we might find that 999 01:01:18,799 --> 01:01:22,240 people are um 1000 01:01:22,240 --> 01:01:23,839 you know that the landlords are needing 1001 01:01:23,839 --> 01:01:27,440 to go without rent for 8 n 10 months um 1002 01:01:27,440 --> 01:01:29,520 because the the court system is going to 1003 01:01:29,520 --> 01:01:32,480 get so backed up um trying to adjudicate 1004 01:01:32,480 --> 01:01:35,680 every single uh case as opposed to cases 1005 01:01:35,680 --> 01:01:40,000 that just have to do with um you know 1006 01:01:40,000 --> 01:01:43,359 bed bugs or um someort or living 1007 01:01:43,359 --> 01:01:47,359 condition that that would exist. Um 1008 01:01:47,359 --> 01:01:49,599 trying to look at all of my notes here. 1009 01:01:49,599 --> 01:01:52,319 Um 1010 01:01:52,319 --> 01:01:55,680 those are the primary the primary um 1011 01:01:55,680 --> 01:01:58,000 reasons. I mean I think the tax base is 1012 01:01:58,000 --> 01:01:59,280 really something that we have a 1013 01:01:59,280 --> 01:02:01,839 responsibility as city council to really 1014 01:02:01,839 --> 01:02:04,559 be paying attention to. We know that um 1015 01:02:04,559 --> 01:02:06,720 we might be facing a budget again going 1016 01:02:06,720 --> 01:02:09,200 into the 2026 budget year that's going 1017 01:02:09,200 --> 01:02:12,400 to be a tough one for us. Um, so I think 1018 01:02:12,400 --> 01:02:14,319 that if we have things that are going to 1019 01:02:14,319 --> 01:02:16,640 negatively affect the the tax base that 1020 01:02:16,640 --> 01:02:20,319 that's not a good idea. Um, that's 1021 01:02:20,319 --> 01:02:23,440 pretty much uh everything that I have 1022 01:02:23,440 --> 01:02:26,640 been thinking about and reading about. 1023 01:02:26,640 --> 01:02:28,960 Thank you. Thank you. Um I I just so 1024 01:02:28,960 --> 01:02:31,359 quickly as far as just to address some 1025 01:02:31,359 --> 01:02:32,720 of the things you said as far as people 1026 01:02:32,720 --> 01:02:34,240 being rushed to sell like landlords 1027 01:02:34,240 --> 01:02:36,240 being rushed to sell their property once 1028 01:02:36,240 --> 01:02:39,040 again um a landlord who is rushing to 1029 01:02:39,040 --> 01:02:42,000 sell the property because the city is 1030 01:02:42,000 --> 01:02:44,720 saying that you must provide a certain 1031 01:02:44,720 --> 01:02:47,359 standard of living um for people who 1032 01:02:47,359 --> 01:02:50,160 live in your property. Um I don't think 1033 01:02:50,160 --> 01:02:53,760 that that's the type of landlord um who 1034 01:02:53,760 --> 01:02:55,440 uh I would be necessarily concerned 1035 01:02:55,440 --> 01:02:58,160 about leaving the city. Um, honestly, 1036 01:02:58,160 --> 01:03:02,160 people are living in in in in subcar 1037 01:03:02,160 --> 01:03:06,319 conditions. Um, you do have a obligation 1038 01:03:06,319 --> 01:03:09,680 to address that. And I think that it's 1039 01:03:09,680 --> 01:03:12,319 very low I think it's a very low 1040 01:03:12,319 --> 01:03:14,480 expectation to have for a landlord to 1041 01:03:14,480 --> 01:03:16,000 make sure that people tenants that are 1042 01:03:16,000 --> 01:03:21,680 living in her house are living um in conditions that are minimally safe. 1043 01:03:21,680 --> 01:03:23,599 So, as far as the court system goes, I 1044 01:03:23,599 --> 01:03:25,920 don't see how back up the court system. 1045 01:03:25,920 --> 01:03:28,640 Um, I think right now anytime you're 1046 01:03:28,640 --> 01:03:30,000 trying to convict a tenant, you need to 1047 01:03:30,000 --> 01:03:31,760 take the court anyway. Like that's that 1048 01:03:31,760 --> 01:03:34,720 that's the process. Um, I if I think 1049 01:03:34,720 --> 01:03:36,079 about and I don't have the numbers for 1050 01:03:36,079 --> 01:03:38,559 Albany right in front of me, but Alany 1051 01:03:38,559 --> 01:03:41,839 um I believe it was Albert Hudson has a 1052 01:03:41,839 --> 01:03:45,359 very uh the court system had I think it 1053 01:03:45,359 --> 01:03:49,680 was 30% less people um that were that 1054 01:03:49,680 --> 01:03:51,200 these cases were going to court since 1055 01:03:51,200 --> 01:03:53,920 enacting this. So to your point, I think 1056 01:03:53,920 --> 01:03:55,680 it it does pretty much the opposite of 1057 01:03:55,680 --> 01:03:57,440 that, but that is definitely something 1058 01:03:57,440 --> 01:03:59,520 um I can understand why that would be a 1059 01:03:59,520 --> 01:04:00,720 concern, but I think that this actually 1060 01:04:00,720 --> 01:04:03,599 does the opposite of that. 1061 01:04:03,599 --> 01:04:07,039 Yes. So um definitely I wanted to to 1062 01:04:07,039 --> 01:04:08,640 make sure to I think it's been framed 1063 01:04:08,640 --> 01:04:10,240 well that this is not against the 1064 01:04:10,240 --> 01:04:12,880 landlords, but is putting in place some 1065 01:04:12,880 --> 01:04:15,119 protections for tenants. Um, you know, I 1066 01:04:15,119 --> 01:04:16,400 think one of the reasons that this came 1067 01:04:16,400 --> 01:04:17,599 about is because of the level of 1068 01:04:17,599 --> 01:04:19,280 homelessness and also the high rent that 1069 01:04:19,280 --> 01:04:20,799 we happen to have in our in our 1070 01:04:20,799 --> 01:04:23,200 community at this point in time. Um, and 1071 01:04:23,200 --> 01:04:25,039 it went over the reasons for evictions. 1072 01:04:25,039 --> 01:04:26,640 I've heard from landlords as well as 1073 01:04:26,640 --> 01:04:29,520 tenants about their positioning on it. 1074 01:04:29,520 --> 01:04:32,799 And um with ju just paraphrasing mostly 1075 01:04:32,799 --> 01:04:34,799 from what I hear from landlords is that 1076 01:04:34,799 --> 01:04:36,640 they feel like we are going we are 1077 01:04:36,640 --> 01:04:39,520 basically deciding for them how much the 1078 01:04:39,520 --> 01:04:41,359 rent they can charge and how they that 1079 01:04:41,359 --> 01:04:43,280 they cannot put people out and that is 1080 01:04:43,280 --> 01:04:45,520 not the case. You still have reasonable 1081 01:04:45,520 --> 01:04:47,680 ways to to evict people. I won't call it 1082 01:04:47,680 --> 01:04:49,440 putting them out to evict people for 1083 01:04:49,440 --> 01:04:50,799 non-payment of rent is what I've heard 1084 01:04:50,799 --> 01:04:51,920 from a lot of landlords that people 1085 01:04:51,920 --> 01:04:53,440 aren't paying their rent. Well good 1086 01:04:53,440 --> 01:04:55,119 cause eviction if you're not paying your 1087 01:04:55,119 --> 01:04:56,960 rent you still get evicted. It doesn't 1088 01:04:56,960 --> 01:04:59,119 matter. um that's not one you can't say 1089 01:04:59,119 --> 01:05:00,640 I want to say and I'm not going to pay 1090 01:05:00,640 --> 01:05:03,119 my rent and I I understand that um also 1091 01:05:03,119 --> 01:05:04,640 from a lot of landlords that did happen 1092 01:05:04,640 --> 01:05:07,760 during co so this that that is um put 1093 01:05:07,760 --> 01:05:11,440 away from that's no longer a um concern 1094 01:05:11,440 --> 01:05:13,599 and after this law was passed though I 1095 01:05:13,599 --> 01:05:14,559 do believe that there should be 1096 01:05:14,559 --> 01:05:16,480 limitation on rent increases I have to 1097 01:05:16,480 --> 01:05:18,240 say that I've heard of some of the rents 1098 01:05:18,240 --> 01:05:19,760 that people are paying in in some of the 1099 01:05:19,760 --> 01:05:21,760 neighborhoods and it's really well 1100 01:05:21,760 --> 01:05:24,240 beyond what the median income is of our 1101 01:05:24,240 --> 01:05:27,280 of the city of Skenkity and so we have 1102 01:05:27,280 --> 01:05:29,599 to to do something so that people are 1103 01:05:29,599 --> 01:05:31,599 able to live. 1104 01:05:31,599 --> 01:05:33,440 I look at it like this. If you're a 1105 01:05:33,440 --> 01:05:36,720 landlord and you want to have a steady 1106 01:05:36,720 --> 01:05:39,359 tenant, if your rent is at a place where 1107 01:05:39,359 --> 01:05:40,880 they can afford it and they're not 1108 01:05:40,880 --> 01:05:43,760 having to get evicted every so often, 1109 01:05:43,760 --> 01:05:46,480 then we should if the rent is a place 1110 01:05:46,480 --> 01:05:48,000 where you can keep your tenant 1111 01:05:48,000 --> 01:05:50,559 continuously. And I would think as a 1112 01:05:50,559 --> 01:05:52,319 landlord and I've spoken to landlords 1113 01:05:52,319 --> 01:05:53,920 who agree that I want to have a tenant 1114 01:05:53,920 --> 01:05:55,920 that stays with me for months if not 1115 01:05:55,920 --> 01:05:59,680 years. And so um therefore you're not 1116 01:05:59,680 --> 01:06:02,319 you're lose landlords lose money because 1117 01:06:02,319 --> 01:06:04,079 they have to if they're evicting people 1118 01:06:04,079 --> 01:06:06,319 that means your property is not rented. 1119 01:06:06,319 --> 01:06:08,559 That means that then if there's damage 1120 01:06:08,559 --> 01:06:10,319 to your property then your property has 1121 01:06:10,319 --> 01:06:12,240 to be fixed up. So you're still losing 1122 01:06:12,240 --> 01:06:14,480 money. So, and the landlord landlords 1123 01:06:14,480 --> 01:06:16,400 I've been speaking with, it's like we 1124 01:06:16,400 --> 01:06:18,000 would love to have landlords. We would 1125 01:06:18,000 --> 01:06:19,680 love to have tenants who are long-term 1126 01:06:19,680 --> 01:06:21,920 and um keeping the rent as a reasonable 1127 01:06:21,920 --> 01:06:25,280 amount would definitely do that. Um and 1128 01:06:25,280 --> 01:06:27,280 land right now, as I said, is the 1129 01:06:27,280 --> 01:06:29,039 balance of power between the landlords 1130 01:06:29,039 --> 01:06:31,440 and the tenants. And um just want to 1131 01:06:31,440 --> 01:06:33,680 state for me personally and I would say 1132 01:06:33,680 --> 01:06:34,960 probably for all the city council, we're 1133 01:06:34,960 --> 01:06:36,960 not against landlords, but we are trying 1134 01:06:36,960 --> 01:06:40,000 to find a way that tenants can stay in 1135 01:06:40,000 --> 01:06:42,240 their homes who are following all of the 1136 01:06:42,240 --> 01:06:45,359 rules who are not creating nuisances who 1137 01:06:45,359 --> 01:06:47,920 um and that landlords are also then um 1138 01:06:47,920 --> 01:06:49,760 repairing their reason um doing 1139 01:06:49,760 --> 01:06:52,000 reasonable repairs to their to their 1140 01:06:52,000 --> 01:06:55,599 property. So um in looking in doing the 1141 01:06:55,599 --> 01:06:57,039 research that I did, I saw that 1142 01:06:57,039 --> 01:06:59,839 sometimes u Mr. the corporation council 1143 01:06:59,839 --> 01:07:03,200 um um that 1144 01:07:03,200 --> 01:07:05,440 small small landlords are defined a 1145 01:07:05,440 --> 01:07:06,720 certain way in New York City they're 1146 01:07:06,720 --> 01:07:08,799 defined one way which would not be the 1147 01:07:08,799 --> 01:07:12,000 same here so my question actually is for 1148 01:07:12,000 --> 01:07:15,039 you in in if we were considering this 1149 01:07:15,039 --> 01:07:16,960 would we be in the position of dealing 1150 01:07:16,960 --> 01:07:19,280 of deciding what a small landlord would 1151 01:07:19,280 --> 01:07:22,640 look like right I mean uh madam 1152 01:07:22,640 --> 01:07:26,400 president I mean the the law says 10 1153 01:07:26,400 --> 01:07:29,599 units or or less less across the state 1154 01:07:29,599 --> 01:07:32,559 of New York. Um, cities such as Albany 1155 01:07:32,559 --> 01:07:35,440 that you mentioned earlier is one in the 1156 01:07:35,440 --> 01:07:39,039 state, one or less. So, the the statute 1157 01:07:39,039 --> 01:07:42,240 says 10 or less across New York State 1158 01:07:42,240 --> 01:07:46,559 localities have been stating one or 1159 01:07:46,559 --> 01:07:48,720 uh no more than one unit anywhere in the 1160 01:07:48,720 --> 01:07:51,839 state of New York. So, it there's two 1161 01:07:51,839 --> 01:07:54,640 things that the opting into this 1162 01:07:54,640 --> 01:07:56,480 legislation. One is how many you know 1163 01:07:56,480 --> 01:07:57,920 how do how what's the definition of 1164 01:07:57,920 --> 01:08:00,000 small landlord 1165 01:08:00,000 --> 01:08:02,240 the state definition 1166 01:08:02,240 --> 01:08:05,760 10 or less or you know anywhere in 1167 01:08:05,760 --> 01:08:09,440 between one or 10 and then the fair 1168 01:08:09,440 --> 01:08:14,240 market uh the uh the FMR percentage 1169 01:08:14,240 --> 01:08:16,799 which is also at the discretion of 1170 01:08:16,799 --> 01:08:19,759 locality 1171 01:08:19,759 --> 01:08:21,679 FMR 1172 01:08:21,679 --> 01:08:32,080 is the fair market rent 245 is the state the state rate 245% 1173 01:08:32,080 --> 01:08:35,600 of the rent right which in this county 1174 01:08:35,600 --> 01:08:37,520 according I'm getting this information 1175 01:08:37,520 --> 01:08:39,199 from the New York State Department of 1176 01:08:39,199 --> 01:08:48,400 Housing and Community Renewal April uh of this year's report on two 1177 01:08:48,400 --> 01:08:53,120 page uh the FMR 245 for let's say a 1178 01:08:53,120 --> 01:08:56,080 onebedroom I'm just picking out the 1179 01:08:56,080 --> 01:08:59,839 figure. One bedroom is $2.45 is uh 1180 01:08:59,839 --> 01:09:03,590 $3,014. 1181 01:09:03,600 --> 01:09:07,440 Four bedroomedroom it goes up to $4,829. 1182 01:09:07,440 --> 01:09:09,199 But that is the county and not the city 1183 01:09:09,199 --> 01:09:11,279 because yeah, it's it's done it's done 1184 01:09:11,279 --> 01:09:13,199 at the county level. So I mean that 1185 01:09:13,199 --> 01:09:15,199 changes that changes the numbers. That's 1186 01:09:15,199 --> 01:09:17,520 the numbers that we go by. So if we're 1187 01:09:17,520 --> 01:09:19,199 as we enter this discussion, we need to 1188 01:09:19,199 --> 01:09:20,880 look within the city because the county 1189 01:09:20,880 --> 01:09:22,159 we have parts of our county that are 1190 01:09:22,159 --> 01:09:24,719 more wealthy than and more affluent than 1191 01:09:24,719 --> 01:09:26,719 the city of Skenctity. So, is there a 1192 01:09:26,719 --> 01:09:28,960 way for us to really determine that or 1193 01:09:28,960 --> 01:09:33,199 get that from either um from the um from 1194 01:09:33,199 --> 01:09:34,799 the controllers's office or from the New 1195 01:09:34,799 --> 01:09:36,400 York State Attorney General's office who 1196 01:09:36,400 --> 01:09:38,880 also has um you know given the uh 1197 01:09:38,880 --> 01:09:40,400 information on what good cause eviction 1198 01:09:40,400 --> 01:09:41,520 looks like because I think it's 1199 01:09:41,520 --> 01:09:43,679 important that we look if we're talking 1200 01:09:43,679 --> 01:09:45,279 about the city that we look at the city 1201 01:09:45,279 --> 01:09:47,679 numbers. 1202 01:09:47,679 --> 01:09:50,080 Understood. But the fair market rate as 1203 01:09:50,080 --> 01:09:52,319 defined as as the department of 1204 01:09:52,319 --> 01:09:55,280 community the state agency far fair 1205 01:09:55,280 --> 01:09:57,040 market rent is determined by the US 1206 01:09:57,040 --> 01:09:58,719 department of housing and urban 1207 01:09:58,719 --> 01:10:01,440 development by county. So it's it's by 1208 01:10:01,440 --> 01:10:03,120 county. So there's no way to get the 1209 01:10:03,120 --> 01:10:05,199 city information. I don't know if 1210 01:10:05,199 --> 01:10:06,560 there's but I'm just saying the fair 1211 01:10:06,560 --> 01:10:09,120 market rate is 245. Now, if you want to 1212 01:10:09,120 --> 01:10:11,440 go above 245 1213 01:10:11,440 --> 01:10:13,360 of fair market rate, for example, the 1214 01:10:13,360 --> 01:10:16,560 city of Albany is at 345. The city of 1215 01:10:16,560 --> 01:10:19,360 Rochester there is at 245, which is what 1216 01:10:19,360 --> 01:10:22,159 is set in the statute. Um, that's up to 1217 01:10:22,159 --> 01:10:24,400 you what you all need to, you know, 1218 01:10:24,400 --> 01:10:28,080 determine. So, but the the fall back is 1219 01:10:28,080 --> 01:10:31,600 fair market rate by the by the county. 1220 01:10:31,600 --> 01:10:33,920 Well, I I would I'd like to look into 1221 01:10:33,920 --> 01:10:35,360 and have us look into what it is for the 1222 01:10:35,360 --> 01:10:36,880 city. It just makes sense that we can't 1223 01:10:36,880 --> 01:10:39,199 have this this larger conversation about 1224 01:10:39,199 --> 01:10:40,960 the county when we're really only and 1225 01:10:40,960 --> 01:10:43,120 our only jurisdiction is within the 1226 01:10:43,120 --> 01:10:45,760 city. I believe the city of Albany did 1227 01:10:45,760 --> 01:10:47,280 based on the city too. I don't think 1228 01:10:47,280 --> 01:10:50,560 that they I believe that's how they got 1229 01:10:50,560 --> 01:10:52,239 um 1230 01:10:52,239 --> 01:10:53,679 Yeah. So, I'd say just to make sure 1231 01:10:53,679 --> 01:10:55,040 we're clear about the community that 1232 01:10:55,040 --> 01:10:56,480 we're advocating for. If we're talking 1233 01:10:56,480 --> 01:10:57,920 specifically about renters, we're 1234 01:10:57,920 --> 01:10:59,280 talking about a medium household income 1235 01:10:59,280 --> 01:11:03,040 of $44,000, which is not a lot of money. 1236 01:11:03,040 --> 01:11:05,040 And and one of the points I wanted to 1237 01:11:05,040 --> 01:11:08,239 just respond to Miss Patrick uh 1238 01:11:08,239 --> 01:11:10,960 understanding that our landlords might 1239 01:11:10,960 --> 01:11:12,560 reflect a certain demographic not 1240 01:11:12,560 --> 01:11:14,080 comparable to other municipalities that 1241 01:11:14,080 --> 01:11:16,080 have enacted this in addition to the 1242 01:11:16,080 --> 01:11:17,920 small land the small landlord 1243 01:11:17,920 --> 01:11:21,120 definition. Owner occupied uh dwellings 1244 01:11:21,120 --> 01:11:23,040 are exempt as well. So there are 1245 01:11:23,040 --> 01:11:24,800 considerations for different uh 1246 01:11:24,800 --> 01:11:27,199 conditions. Um but sincerely just posing 1247 01:11:27,199 --> 01:11:30,000 a rhetorical question um we often talk 1248 01:11:30,000 --> 01:11:32,400 in extremes. So, if you have a renter 1249 01:11:32,400 --> 01:11:35,440 who is promoting illegal activity or is 1250 01:11:35,440 --> 01:11:38,400 not paying their um their their rent or 1251 01:11:38,400 --> 01:11:41,520 disregarded their lease now and in good 1252 01:11:41,520 --> 01:11:43,280 cause eviction standards, they could be 1253 01:11:43,280 --> 01:11:45,120 evicted. That is something that exists 1254 01:11:45,120 --> 01:11:47,600 right now today. But on the opposite, if 1255 01:11:47,600 --> 01:11:50,800 you have a landlord that is openly not 1256 01:11:50,800 --> 01:11:54,400 um maintaining their property at the the 1257 01:11:54,400 --> 01:11:56,880 uh appropriate conditions and you have a 1258 01:11:56,880 --> 01:11:58,960 tenant who uses the mechanisms in place 1259 01:11:58,960 --> 01:12:01,360 today to highlight that egregious 1260 01:12:01,360 --> 01:12:03,600 behavior, they are susceptible to 1261 01:12:03,600 --> 01:12:05,920 retaliation and retribution 1262 01:12:05,920 --> 01:12:08,320 for for for saying and advocating for 1263 01:12:08,320 --> 01:12:09,679 the lifestyle and well-being of 1264 01:12:09,679 --> 01:12:12,000 themselves and often times other 1265 01:12:12,000 --> 01:12:14,000 generations within their household. Um, 1266 01:12:14,000 --> 01:12:15,760 and if we're continuing to highlight 1267 01:12:15,760 --> 01:12:18,960 just who this this community or who this 1268 01:12:18,960 --> 01:12:22,159 most inadvertently impacts, um, I do not 1269 01:12:22,159 --> 01:12:27,679 know the cost of having to remove and refined housing within uh, the city 1270 01:12:27,679 --> 01:12:31,440 of Ski, but providing a tenant 30, 60, 1271 01:12:31,440 --> 01:12:33,840 90 days, 1272 01:12:33,840 --> 01:12:36,320 it is difficult to impossible. 1273 01:12:36,320 --> 01:12:38,080 Um, so again, I think this is 1274 01:12:38,080 --> 01:12:40,640 rebalancing the power in a way that is 1275 01:12:40,640 --> 01:12:43,600 appropriately done. Um and again there 1276 01:12:43,600 --> 01:12:45,760 are considerations for for both sides 1277 01:12:45,760 --> 01:12:47,679 all aspects but if we are trying to 1278 01:12:47,679 --> 01:12:50,880 improve uh and ensure that there is u 1279 01:12:50,880 --> 01:12:54,000 adequate housing I think from the 1280 01:12:54,000 --> 01:12:55,199 conversation that we've been having the 1281 01:12:55,199 --> 01:12:56,560 majority of our tenants in the city of 1282 01:12:56,560 --> 01:13:00,480 Connecticut would not rise to alarming 1283 01:13:00,480 --> 01:13:03,600 or or having to force uh landlords to 1284 01:13:03,600 --> 01:13:05,440 require eviction access. This is how do 1285 01:13:05,440 --> 01:13:06,640 we make sure that these protections 1286 01:13:06,640 --> 01:13:09,600 exist for everyone 1287 01:13:09,600 --> 01:13:12,719 there. Yeah. Thank you. As we um discuss 1288 01:13:12,719 --> 01:13:15,440 this option here, we should be mindful 1289 01:13:15,440 --> 01:13:19,040 of COVID 19. There are some landlord who 1290 01:13:19,040 --> 01:13:23,040 have never recovered from COVID 19. Some 1291 01:13:23,040 --> 01:13:25,600 of them are thousands of dollars. 1292 01:13:25,600 --> 01:13:29,199 They're also and why there you know some 1293 01:13:29,199 --> 01:13:31,120 people took advantage of the co 19 1294 01:13:31,120 --> 01:13:33,520 situation. I'm not I'm not against 1295 01:13:33,520 --> 01:13:35,520 tenants. I'm not against landlord. But 1296 01:13:35,520 --> 01:13:37,520 there are good tenants. They're bad 1297 01:13:37,520 --> 01:13:38,880 tenants. They are good landlords. 1298 01:13:38,880 --> 01:13:40,800 They're bad landlords. So, let's be 1299 01:13:40,800 --> 01:13:42,800 mindful of what we do here in terms of 1300 01:13:42,800 --> 01:13:44,320 the economic impact that's going to 1301 01:13:44,320 --> 01:13:47,679 happen in the city. We hate to see what 1302 01:13:47,679 --> 01:13:49,600 happened during CO when people were not 1303 01:13:49,600 --> 01:13:51,840 paying. Landlord were out of money. We 1304 01:13:51,840 --> 01:13:53,360 foreclosed on many of the properties 1305 01:13:53,360 --> 01:13:54,960 them and we're going to have them back 1306 01:13:54,960 --> 01:13:56,000 and we're going to put them on the 1307 01:13:56,000 --> 01:13:57,120 market and we're going to sell them in 1308 01:13:57,120 --> 01:13:59,360 couple months here. But let's be mindful 1309 01:13:59,360 --> 01:14:01,199 of that. What we need to do is also make 1310 01:14:01,199 --> 01:14:03,360 sure to drive that educational component 1311 01:14:03,360 --> 01:14:07,040 to educate tenants, educate landlord 1312 01:14:07,040 --> 01:14:08,719 what their needs are, what their 1313 01:14:08,719 --> 01:14:11,199 responsibility on both side are in terms 1314 01:14:11,199 --> 01:14:13,600 of tenant and landlord. So they work 1315 01:14:13,600 --> 01:14:15,600 together. We have an agency like SCAP 1316 01:14:15,600 --> 01:14:17,040 who is saying that they not they're 1317 01:14:17,040 --> 01:14:21,040 against opting in this for this option. 1318 01:14:21,040 --> 01:14:22,640 There are a lot of reason why they might 1319 01:14:22,640 --> 01:14:24,800 want to do that but uh we need to find 1320 01:14:24,800 --> 01:14:26,719 out why you know get to the bottom of 1321 01:14:26,719 --> 01:14:28,000 why they want to do because they force 1322 01:14:28,000 --> 01:14:30,080 our knowledge they're dealing with the 1323 01:14:30,080 --> 01:14:32,400 situation every day and they are putting 1324 01:14:32,400 --> 01:14:35,040 people in in houses. So those are things 1325 01:14:35,040 --> 01:14:36,640 that we need to address and in terms of 1326 01:14:36,640 --> 01:14:39,520 rental fees going up. Yes, it's 1327 01:14:39,520 --> 01:14:41,440 happening across the city. Why? Because 1328 01:14:41,440 --> 01:14:43,520 we have been raising taxes. We have been 1329 01:14:43,520 --> 01:14:46,480 raising um water sew and garbage. So 1330 01:14:46,480 --> 01:14:49,120 those costs eventually as we mentioned 1331 01:14:49,120 --> 01:14:51,600 will trickle down to the tenant and this 1332 01:14:51,600 --> 01:14:53,679 is what we we're seeing here. So we need 1333 01:14:53,679 --> 01:14:55,280 to address all of that as we move 1334 01:14:55,280 --> 01:14:59,199 forward. Let us not let's be careful of 1335 01:14:59,199 --> 01:15:01,920 not putting tenants against landlord and 1336 01:15:01,920 --> 01:15:03,520 landlords against tenants. Let's make 1337 01:15:03,520 --> 01:15:05,760 sure whatever we're doing here works 1338 01:15:05,760 --> 01:15:09,040 best for our city and as we try and the 1339 01:15:09,040 --> 01:15:10,800 economic impact and ensure that we have 1340 01:15:10,800 --> 01:15:13,120 adequate housing for our tenant. Yes, 1341 01:15:13,120 --> 01:15:16,080 we're having um almost all the 1342 01:15:16,080 --> 01:15:19,679 apartments that are rented are are 1343 01:15:19,679 --> 01:15:21,920 inspected by code enforcement for rental 1344 01:15:21,920 --> 01:15:24,080 certificate. So they are a standard and 1345 01:15:24,080 --> 01:15:25,679 I know for a fact that there is a 1346 01:15:25,679 --> 01:15:27,520 there's an aggressive approach approach 1347 01:15:27,520 --> 01:15:29,840 from code enforcement to make sure these 1348 01:15:29,840 --> 01:15:33,360 apartment are code compliance 1349 01:15:33,360 --> 01:15:35,120 before they rented and if they're not if 1350 01:15:35,120 --> 01:15:37,600 they're rented without certificate 1351 01:15:37,600 --> 01:15:40,560 rental certificates they cannot evict. 1352 01:15:40,560 --> 01:15:41,760 is my understanding that you can't do 1353 01:15:41,760 --> 01:15:43,120 eviction until you have a rental 1354 01:15:43,120 --> 01:15:45,360 certificate. So there there is a play 1355 01:15:45,360 --> 01:15:47,360 there that um we have to be careful what 1356 01:15:47,360 --> 01:15:48,960 we're doing. Yes, the apartment is 1357 01:15:48,960 --> 01:15:50,320 rented. The apartment is in code 1358 01:15:50,320 --> 01:15:53,120 compliance. They're renting. Let's think 1359 01:15:53,120 --> 01:15:55,120 about the educational part to make sure 1360 01:15:55,120 --> 01:15:56,960 that we educate both the landlord and 1361 01:15:56,960 --> 01:15:59,120 the tenant of how they need to treat 1362 01:15:59,120 --> 01:16:01,280 others. 1363 01:16:01,280 --> 01:16:05,520 So I guess um the responsible matter. U 1364 01:16:05,520 --> 01:16:08,080 so in terms of SCAP um I've only heard 1365 01:16:08,080 --> 01:16:09,520 here that Scap's against it. I 1366 01:16:09,520 --> 01:16:10,800 personally would like to see because 1367 01:16:10,800 --> 01:16:13,040 that's just who I am what Scap has to 1368 01:16:13,040 --> 01:16:15,120 say about this in their reasons that 1369 01:16:15,120 --> 01:16:17,120 they um they are against I would love to 1370 01:16:17,120 --> 01:16:19,120 have have seen that you know if that was 1371 01:16:19,120 --> 01:16:20,880 information that could have been before 1372 01:16:20,880 --> 01:16:22,560 us tonight but I'd like to see that and 1373 01:16:22,560 --> 01:16:25,600 in terms of co co was I mean I agree 1374 01:16:25,600 --> 01:16:27,679 with people being put out because they 1375 01:16:27,679 --> 01:16:30,080 didn't pay the rent that's just you know 1376 01:16:30,080 --> 01:16:31,440 you you should pay your rent if you have 1377 01:16:31,440 --> 01:16:32,640 the ability to pay your rent you should 1378 01:16:32,640 --> 01:16:34,560 pay your rent so I don't think co is now 1379 01:16:34,560 --> 01:16:36,159 and I know that people were impacted by 1380 01:16:36,159 --> 01:16:40,719 co um so this is not that and um so when 1381 01:16:40,719 --> 01:16:42,239 people now if you don't pay your rent 1382 01:16:42,239 --> 01:16:44,000 you get to you go to court you get 1383 01:16:44,000 --> 01:16:46,159 evicted if you are damaging people's 1384 01:16:46,159 --> 01:16:47,520 properties that I spoke with the 1385 01:16:47,520 --> 01:16:50,080 landlord as recent as early this morning 1386 01:16:50,080 --> 01:16:52,560 if you're um damaging property you you 1387 01:16:52,560 --> 01:16:54,480 get you know they can put you out if 1388 01:16:54,480 --> 01:16:56,080 you're doing something illegal in their 1389 01:16:56,080 --> 01:16:57,920 property you can you know you can get 1390 01:16:57,920 --> 01:17:00,960 evicted so there are um things in place 1391 01:17:00,960 --> 01:17:03,280 that also protect landlords this is just 1392 01:17:03,280 --> 01:17:06,000 not only about making sure that tenants 1393 01:17:06,000 --> 01:17:07,600 are treated fairly there are parts of 1394 01:17:07,600 --> 01:17:09,679 this are in And let me also say, I don't 1395 01:17:09,679 --> 01:17:11,360 know if everyone that's in this room, 1396 01:17:11,360 --> 01:17:13,040 which whichever side of it that you're 1397 01:17:13,040 --> 01:17:15,120 on, if you haven't read the legislation, 1398 01:17:15,120 --> 01:17:17,360 if you haven't read the law, I suggest 1399 01:17:17,360 --> 01:17:19,600 that you do that and it may it may 1400 01:17:19,600 --> 01:17:21,920 change your positioning on things. But I 1401 01:17:21,920 --> 01:17:24,000 always encourage people that if you know 1402 01:17:24,000 --> 01:17:25,920 there's a subject that you're passionate 1403 01:17:25,920 --> 01:17:27,520 about one way or the other, that you 1404 01:17:27,520 --> 01:17:29,440 really make sure that what you're um 1405 01:17:29,440 --> 01:17:31,199 what your understanding of it is your 1406 01:17:31,199 --> 01:17:32,560 understanding of it, not another 1407 01:17:32,560 --> 01:17:34,719 person's understanding or interpretation 1408 01:17:34,719 --> 01:17:37,600 of it. So, I um I agree that we 1409 01:17:37,600 --> 01:17:39,600 definitely need to as we're moving 1410 01:17:39,600 --> 01:17:41,760 forward consider both the landlord and 1411 01:17:41,760 --> 01:17:44,480 the tenants, but we definitely we've 1412 01:17:44,480 --> 01:17:46,080 talked about this a lot about the 1413 01:17:46,080 --> 01:17:49,199 increase of um of increase of rents. And 1414 01:17:49,199 --> 01:17:51,199 so, I guess in that case, when we're 1415 01:17:51,199 --> 01:17:52,640 doing our budget, we'll be talking about 1416 01:17:52,640 --> 01:17:54,400 the other increases that we do that will 1417 01:17:54,400 --> 01:17:57,360 be impacting tenants and then therefore, 1418 01:17:57,360 --> 01:17:58,640 excuse me, impacting landlords and 1419 01:17:58,640 --> 01:18:01,120 therefore trickling down to tenants. 1420 01:18:01,120 --> 01:18:02,719 Thank you. I just want to highlight that 1421 01:18:02,719 --> 01:18:04,800 in the in the legislation as it is right 1422 01:18:04,800 --> 01:18:07,840 now as it is right now a landlord uh 1423 01:18:07,840 --> 01:18:10,880 increasing uh the rent based on taxes 1424 01:18:10,880 --> 01:18:13,600 and fees from the city is allowable. So 1425 01:18:13,600 --> 01:18:16,719 again, um I would just 1426 01:18:16,719 --> 01:18:18,719 encourage people to look at the 1427 01:18:18,719 --> 01:18:20,560 legislation and then maybe point out if 1428 01:18:20,560 --> 01:18:21,679 you're a landlord and you're reading it 1429 01:18:21,679 --> 01:18:23,199 from that perspective, go through the 1430 01:18:23,199 --> 01:18:25,120 legislation and maybe identify something 1431 01:18:25,120 --> 01:18:29,280 that that's within the legislation that 1432 01:18:29,280 --> 01:18:30,880 goes against a practice that you're 1433 01:18:30,880 --> 01:18:34,320 having now. And I would and I would uh 1434 01:18:34,320 --> 01:18:36,480 make the probably unsafe assumption that 1435 01:18:36,480 --> 01:18:38,480 if you were to do that, you'd recognize 1436 01:18:38,480 --> 01:18:40,000 that 1437 01:18:40,000 --> 01:18:42,560 the legislation as it uh at the level of 1438 01:18:42,560 --> 01:18:45,520 the tax right now is supporting you 1439 01:18:45,520 --> 01:18:49,520 being a a good landlord and uh supplying 1440 01:18:49,520 --> 01:18:51,600 people with a a safe, reasonable place 1441 01:18:51,600 --> 01:18:54,159 to live. I I I would imagine that 1442 01:18:54,159 --> 01:18:55,360 there's some people who might be 1443 01:18:55,360 --> 01:18:58,960 speaking against this right now, but if 1444 01:18:58,960 --> 01:19:00,800 they looked at their practices and their 1445 01:19:00,800 --> 01:19:02,400 practices might align with the 1446 01:19:02,400 --> 01:19:03,920 legislation as it stands right now. So 1447 01:19:03,920 --> 01:19:05,600 again, I would just encourage people to 1448 01:19:05,600 --> 01:19:08,000 do so. Mr. Williams, uh, is there an 1449 01:19:08,000 --> 01:19:10,320 important clarification to Mr. Muniver? 1450 01:19:10,320 --> 01:19:12,560 I find that you're often opponent of 1451 01:19:12,560 --> 01:19:14,800 codeman. So I imagine if Mr. Princey's 1452 01:19:14,800 --> 01:19:16,880 listening, hearing an accolade given to 1453 01:19:16,880 --> 01:19:18,480 his organization would be really 1454 01:19:18,480 --> 01:19:20,560 wellreceived. Can you just clarify? 1455 01:19:20,560 --> 01:19:22,239 You're saying you are confident and I 1456 01:19:22,239 --> 01:19:23,760 would ask how confident in code 1457 01:19:23,760 --> 01:19:25,840 enforcement's abilities to adequately 1458 01:19:25,840 --> 01:19:27,520 make it around the entire city to ensure 1459 01:19:27,520 --> 01:19:29,360 that every rental property is up to 1460 01:19:29,360 --> 01:19:31,679 appropriate standards. Let let me 1461 01:19:31,679 --> 01:19:33,120 correct you on that. I'm not against 1462 01:19:33,120 --> 01:19:35,440 code enforcement. I'm against the way 1463 01:19:35,440 --> 01:19:37,840 how they conduct business. Okay? So, let 1464 01:19:37,840 --> 01:19:39,600 me clarify that to you. I'm not against 1465 01:19:39,600 --> 01:19:40,960 code enforcement and we are very 1466 01:19:40,960 --> 01:19:43,280 supportive of the program, but I would 1467 01:19:43,280 --> 01:19:45,280 like to see a a level playing field when 1468 01:19:45,280 --> 01:19:47,280 they go out there to do inspection and 1469 01:19:47,280 --> 01:19:49,360 to apply the code evenly. And when they 1470 01:19:49,360 --> 01:19:50,960 don't do that, I have a problem with 1471 01:19:50,960 --> 01:19:53,440 that. 1472 01:19:53,440 --> 01:19:55,120 And I have come they're they're doing 1473 01:19:55,120 --> 01:19:57,520 good work, no doubt about it. But they 1474 01:19:57,520 --> 01:19:59,840 have some officers who does not apply 1475 01:19:59,840 --> 01:20:01,840 the code evenly. And I expect them when 1476 01:20:01,840 --> 01:20:02,880 they go out and do their rental 1477 01:20:02,880 --> 01:20:04,800 inspection which is a must in order to 1478 01:20:04,800 --> 01:20:06,880 rent apartment that they will make sure 1479 01:20:06,880 --> 01:20:09,199 that the apartment is in code compliance 1480 01:20:09,199 --> 01:20:11,600 before they issue the rental certificate 1481 01:20:11,600 --> 01:20:13,120 and to proceed with that because most of 1482 01:20:13,120 --> 01:20:15,360 the agency like I would say section 8 or 1483 01:20:15,360 --> 01:20:18,000 DSS will require rental certificate and 1484 01:20:18,000 --> 01:20:19,920 the court require rental certificate now 1485 01:20:19,920 --> 01:20:22,480 in terms of the according to 1486 01:20:22,480 --> 01:20:26,640 so just further you saying from your 1487 01:20:26,640 --> 01:20:29,120 opinion you feel that that is done to 1488 01:20:29,120 --> 01:20:30,719 optimal standards throughout the entire 1489 01:20:30,719 --> 01:20:33,679 say just yes or no. Let's not go down 1490 01:20:33,679 --> 01:20:35,120 with this brother. Okay, we're here to 1491 01:20:35,120 --> 01:20:36,640 discuss according here. You're not we're 1492 01:20:36,640 --> 01:20:40,400 not discuss it with me here. Okay. 1493 01:20:40,400 --> 01:20:42,400 Let's let's let's let's be sensitive 1494 01:20:42,400 --> 01:20:45,840 here. So, excuse me. Pardon me. So, uh 1495 01:20:45,840 --> 01:20:50,320 no audience no audience participation. 1496 01:20:50,320 --> 01:20:58,239 Thank you. Okay, Mr. Chairman just the stat you know for the statute under what we're talking about it it 1497 01:20:58,239 --> 01:21:00,480 does refer to the county shall refer to 1498 01:21:00,480 --> 01:21:04,239 the county so the benchmark of you know 1499 01:21:04,239 --> 01:21:07,120 if 245 or the market rate is in the 1500 01:21:07,120 --> 01:21:10,800 statute as to the county. So that's the benchmark that you have to be aware 1501 01:21:10,800 --> 01:21:13,040 of. That's the measuring point that's in 1502 01:21:13,040 --> 01:21:14,719 the statute and that the division of 1503 01:21:14,719 --> 01:21:17,840 community and housing renewal uh uses 1504 01:21:17,840 --> 01:21:20,640 when they publish the reports. 1505 01:21:20,640 --> 01:21:22,400 If the council, you know, the two things 1506 01:21:22,400 --> 01:21:24,960 as I indicated before that the council 1507 01:21:24,960 --> 01:21:27,440 has 1508 01:21:27,440 --> 01:21:30,159 discretion in and oped into this law is 1509 01:21:30,159 --> 01:21:33,040 one the percentage of fair market value. 1510 01:21:33,040 --> 01:21:35,600 The statute says 245 and I gave you the 1511 01:21:35,600 --> 01:21:42,960 figures there and the how to define the uh small landlord under the under 1512 01:21:42,960 --> 01:21:45,520 that. This has to be done by local law 1513 01:21:45,520 --> 01:21:47,679 which is a lot more complicated and you 1514 01:21:47,679 --> 01:21:49,760 know drawn out process than ordinance 1515 01:21:49,760 --> 01:21:52,639 and definitely a resolution. Um there's 1516 01:21:52,639 --> 01:21:54,400 got to be you know at least one public 1517 01:21:54,400 --> 01:21:57,840 hearing uh the municipal home rule law 1518 01:21:57,840 --> 01:21:59,920 section 20 because we have a chief 1519 01:21:59,920 --> 01:22:01,679 executive officer as a mayor as the 1520 01:22:01,679 --> 01:22:05,199 mayor um allows him to have a public 1521 01:22:05,199 --> 01:22:08,400 hearing before he reviews the ordinance 1522 01:22:08,400 --> 01:22:10,639 under certain timelines. 1523 01:22:10,639 --> 01:22:12,639 The council can certainly always call 1524 01:22:12,639 --> 01:22:17,600 for a public hearing on its own. Um but 1525 01:22:17,600 --> 01:22:21,760 um the d the draft of the legislation 1526 01:22:21,760 --> 01:22:24,960 opting in would would need to have and 1527 01:22:24,960 --> 01:22:26,960 the council would have to come to an 1528 01:22:26,960 --> 01:22:28,320 agreement or the committee would have to 1529 01:22:28,320 --> 01:22:30,719 come to an agreement whether it wants 1530 01:22:30,719 --> 01:22:33,280 how it defines small landlord and 1531 01:22:33,280 --> 01:22:36,719 whether it wishes to go above the FMR of 1532 01:22:36,719 --> 01:22:38,320 245% 1533 01:22:38,320 --> 01:22:41,040 as is indicated by the statute. So I 1534 01:22:41,040 --> 01:22:43,280 just want to it's it's a local law 1535 01:22:43,280 --> 01:22:45,600 process. So there's at least one public 1536 01:22:45,600 --> 01:22:50,400 hearing u before the chief executive. If the council wants to have its own and 1537 01:22:50,400 --> 01:22:52,639 it can and there's certain time time 1538 01:22:52,639 --> 01:22:56,320 frames involved and because of the next 1539 01:22:56,320 --> 01:22:57,840 committee cycle I don't think we have 1540 01:22:57,840 --> 01:23:01,040 our next committee cycle until early 1541 01:23:01,040 --> 01:23:04,560 July. So I'm just throwing logistics out 1542 01:23:04,560 --> 01:23:06,159 there, you know, for for you to 1543 01:23:06,159 --> 01:23:07,840 consider. 1544 01:23:07,840 --> 01:23:12,159 Appreciate that. Um Mr. Mr. Tur 1545 01:23:12,159 --> 01:23:14,960 everybody's Yeah. Sure. Okay. So, just a 1546 01:23:14,960 --> 01:23:18,080 few things. So, um participating in 1547 01:23:18,080 --> 01:23:20,080 neighborhood association meetings for 1548 01:23:20,080 --> 01:23:23,679 years. Um this going to almost every 1549 01:23:23,679 --> 01:23:27,199 slick uh meeting for years. So, I do 1550 01:23:27,199 --> 01:23:30,320 hear the the the sides of both. Um I do 1551 01:23:30,320 --> 01:23:32,480 want to say that you know small 1552 01:23:32,480 --> 01:23:34,480 landlords should be our small 1553 01:23:34,480 --> 01:23:36,800 businesses. A lot of them are there 1554 01:23:36,800 --> 01:23:40,239 because this is uh additional rental or 1555 01:23:40,239 --> 01:23:43,679 additional uh income to their job that 1556 01:23:43,679 --> 01:23:46,560 they have or they're actually creating 1557 01:23:46,560 --> 01:23:51,040 some um generational wealth for their 1558 01:23:51,040 --> 01:23:54,400 families moving into other generations. 1559 01:23:54,400 --> 01:23:58,560 Um these individuals uh these landlords 1560 01:23:58,560 --> 01:24:01,679 um you know 10 units and under are there 1561 01:24:01,679 --> 01:24:03,199 because 1562 01:24:03,199 --> 01:24:07,120 it's their livelihood. Um, so we want to 1563 01:24:07,120 --> 01:24:09,280 make sure that they're able to have a 1564 01:24:09,280 --> 01:24:11,040 small business in the city as well as 1565 01:24:11,040 --> 01:24:12,880 anyone else having a small business in 1566 01:24:12,880 --> 01:24:16,400 the city. Um, just a few things. I I've 1567 01:24:16,400 --> 01:24:17,920 read the law. I've been hearing about 1568 01:24:17,920 --> 01:24:21,440 the law um for many years uh starts down 1569 01:24:21,440 --> 01:24:24,480 in in in the city uh with 10 units and 1570 01:24:24,480 --> 01:24:28,480 over. Um, but here what they're also uh 1571 01:24:28,480 --> 01:24:32,400 considering as a um here is seasonal 1572 01:24:32,400 --> 01:24:35,360 rentals. I don't know. any of you guys 1573 01:24:35,360 --> 01:24:37,679 have read that as far as um what they're 1574 01:24:37,679 --> 01:24:40,400 considering small small businesses. 1575 01:24:40,400 --> 01:24:43,760 Okay. Uh seasonal rentals, any type of 1576 01:24:43,760 --> 01:24:47,360 um uh anything really coming in as far 1577 01:24:47,360 --> 01:24:49,920 as um you know people renting out their 1578 01:24:49,920 --> 01:24:51,840 homes. All right. So those things all 1579 01:24:51,840 --> 01:24:55,760 come into effect. Um I think uh this 1580 01:24:55,760 --> 01:24:57,920 CURA which is center for urban and 1581 01:24:57,920 --> 01:25:00,400 regional affairs um they do important 1582 01:25:00,400 --> 01:25:03,440 research as far as economic analysis on 1583 01:25:03,440 --> 01:25:05,520 what what what it's going to do to our 1584 01:25:05,520 --> 01:25:07,920 economy and we've spent how many years 1585 01:25:07,920 --> 01:25:10,719 growing our economy um building building 1586 01:25:10,719 --> 01:25:13,520 a skinnity that we're all proud of. So 1587 01:25:13,520 --> 01:25:15,360 those are all things that come into play 1588 01:25:15,360 --> 01:25:17,920 that we really need to be we need to be 1589 01:25:17,920 --> 01:25:21,440 aware of. Um I will agree with Mr. 1590 01:25:21,440 --> 01:25:23,679 Mudaron on you know, you know, we need 1591 01:25:23,679 --> 01:25:25,679 to raise taxes and we said right along 1592 01:25:25,679 --> 01:25:27,120 that this would trickle down to the 1593 01:25:27,120 --> 01:25:29,199 tenants. Each and every one of us uh 1594 01:25:29,199 --> 01:25:31,520 heard that here, but it's it's not fair 1595 01:25:31,520 --> 01:25:33,360 that the landlord should have to lose 1596 01:25:33,360 --> 01:25:36,480 money owning a rental property and 1597 01:25:36,480 --> 01:25:38,000 that's what's happening to a lot of 1598 01:25:38,000 --> 01:25:41,440 them. As far as our tax base, um if 1599 01:25:41,440 --> 01:25:43,840 these properties are can't be 1600 01:25:43,840 --> 01:25:45,440 maintained, 1601 01:25:45,440 --> 01:25:47,920 um they lose value, which goes against 1602 01:25:47,920 --> 01:25:51,280 our our um it could shrink the property 1603 01:25:51,280 --> 01:25:54,080 values uh and reduce the overall tax 1604 01:25:54,080 --> 01:25:56,639 revenues to our city, and we don't want 1605 01:25:56,639 --> 01:25:59,600 that. Um, you know, I hear, you know, a 1606 01:25:59,600 --> 01:26:02,320 lot of, uh, landlords might want to sell 1607 01:26:02,320 --> 01:26:05,760 their properties, uh, right away opening 1608 01:26:05,760 --> 01:26:08,400 up the door for individuals, you know, 1609 01:26:08,400 --> 01:26:10,480 larger corporations or businesses to 1610 01:26:10,480 --> 01:26:12,719 come in, absentee landlords from 1611 01:26:12,719 --> 01:26:14,639 wherever, out of state, downstate, 1612 01:26:14,639 --> 01:26:18,960 upstate. um and not being able to um 1613 01:26:18,960 --> 01:26:21,840 with who don't have the same values that 1614 01:26:21,840 --> 01:26:23,840 most of our small landlords here in the 1615 01:26:23,840 --> 01:26:26,800 city do who really care about uh the 1616 01:26:26,800 --> 01:26:29,280 individuals that they're renting to um 1617 01:26:29,280 --> 01:26:33,199 making the uh proper repairs and 1618 01:26:33,199 --> 01:26:35,600 maintenance on these buildings. So 1619 01:26:35,600 --> 01:26:38,480 again, I mean, I'm definitely looking at 1620 01:26:38,480 --> 01:26:41,600 the overall um you know, and I think all 1621 01:26:41,600 --> 01:26:44,159 of us struggle to pay taxes, to buy 1622 01:26:44,159 --> 01:26:47,120 food, um you know, to pay rent, to make 1623 01:26:47,120 --> 01:26:49,760 a car payment, you know, things things 1624 01:26:49,760 --> 01:26:53,120 are things are not good. So at this 1625 01:26:53,120 --> 01:26:55,760 point, um again, I I be in favor of our 1626 01:26:55,760 --> 01:26:58,080 small landlords who are small business 1627 01:26:58,080 --> 01:27:02,000 owners trying to promote um a good 1628 01:27:02,000 --> 01:27:04,080 thing. And another thing I'd like to say 1629 01:27:04,080 --> 01:27:06,880 is um small property owners are actually 1630 01:27:06,880 --> 01:27:09,360 part of the solution for fair and equit 1631 01:27:09,360 --> 01:27:11,600 equitable housing. And if you think 1632 01:27:11,600 --> 01:27:13,360 about it, you know, you got a two 1633 01:27:13,360 --> 01:27:16,639 family, three family um you're you're 1634 01:27:16,639 --> 01:27:18,639 actually taking people in who need to be 1635 01:27:18,639 --> 01:27:20,960 taken in from the city and and and 1636 01:27:20,960 --> 01:27:23,360 living in in good conditions. So they're 1637 01:27:23,360 --> 01:27:26,560 part of the solution. Um and that's 1638 01:27:26,560 --> 01:27:30,960 about Thank you, Mr. Terrell. I want to 1639 01:27:30,960 --> 01:27:32,880 agree with a lot of what you said. I 1640 01:27:32,880 --> 01:27:35,199 believe that um that you're correct um 1641 01:27:35,199 --> 01:27:38,960 as far as uh small landlords and the uh 1642 01:27:38,960 --> 01:27:40,880 and how they contribute to our local 1643 01:27:40,880 --> 01:27:44,320 economy. I guess where my question is 1644 01:27:44,320 --> 01:27:47,520 would be what in the legislation um 1645 01:27:47,520 --> 01:27:49,520 would make you brought the point around 1646 01:27:49,520 --> 01:27:51,840 um the properties not being maintained? 1647 01:27:51,840 --> 01:27:53,360 The spirit of the legislation is 1648 01:27:53,360 --> 01:27:54,960 actually to ensure that properties are 1649 01:27:54,960 --> 01:27:57,040 maintained. Um, so I'm wondering what 1650 01:27:57,040 --> 01:27:59,120 part of the legislation would encourage 1651 01:27:59,120 --> 01:28:02,480 our properties to be not maintained? 1652 01:28:02,480 --> 01:28:04,960 Like what like where do you see that 1653 01:28:04,960 --> 01:28:06,800 making that connection at? Well, I think 1654 01:28:06,800 --> 01:28:08,800 if if you know landlords decide, you 1655 01:28:08,800 --> 01:28:11,440 know, they can't um they can't raise the 1656 01:28:11,440 --> 01:28:13,199 rent, you know, to something that they 1657 01:28:13,199 --> 01:28:14,960 want, they have to pay the taxes, they 1658 01:28:14,960 --> 01:28:19,199 can't afford to make um 1659 01:28:19,199 --> 01:28:21,440 improvements to the they can't afford to 1660 01:28:21,440 --> 01:28:23,840 make improvements to the property, um, 1661 01:28:23,840 --> 01:28:26,080 and then they sell the property. So, um 1662 01:28:26,080 --> 01:28:28,320 the individuals coming in are just not 1663 01:28:28,320 --> 01:28:30,320 going to make the repairs and that's 1664 01:28:30,320 --> 01:28:33,360 going to make for um the individual 1665 01:28:33,360 --> 01:28:35,280 tenants who are moving in and still 1666 01:28:35,280 --> 01:28:40,560 living there because also through this legislation is uh leases. There 1667 01:28:40,560 --> 01:28:45,280 always has to be a lease now. So, the tenant always maintains a lease and 1668 01:28:45,280 --> 01:28:47,280 now the the new landlord's not going to 1669 01:28:47,280 --> 01:28:49,040 do anything and now the tenants stuck in 1670 01:28:49,040 --> 01:28:51,440 a a situation where where things are 1671 01:28:51,440 --> 01:28:54,239 unsafe for them. So there there it's 1672 01:28:54,239 --> 01:28:56,960 just a whole 1673 01:28:56,960 --> 01:28:58,960 Yeah. No, I was saying needs a lot of 1674 01:28:58,960 --> 01:29:01,679 discussion and a lot of review and a lot 1675 01:29:01,679 --> 01:29:04,800 of analysis. Sure. I guess I just like 1676 01:29:04,800 --> 01:29:07,600 to highlight that it that's not how the 1677 01:29:07,600 --> 01:29:13,840 legislation works. So, but I so there's being good concerns are being 1678 01:29:13,840 --> 01:29:17,280 raised at the table and I want to be um 1679 01:29:17,280 --> 01:29:19,280 intentional about considering those 1680 01:29:19,280 --> 01:29:22,239 things and I think we all should but I 1681 01:29:22,239 --> 01:29:23,679 really want to make the distinction 1682 01:29:23,679 --> 01:29:27,040 between what we say versus what we mean. 1683 01:29:27,040 --> 01:29:30,639 Um and what the legislation um how I 1684 01:29:30,639 --> 01:29:33,280 understand it is 1685 01:29:33,280 --> 01:29:38,800 ensuring that people have a place to live, a safe 1686 01:29:38,800 --> 01:29:41,280 place to live. Um there's exemptions 1687 01:29:41,280 --> 01:29:44,159 available for small landlords based on 1688 01:29:44,159 --> 01:29:45,760 what our corporation council was talking 1689 01:29:45,760 --> 01:29:47,120 about. That would be the perview of the 1690 01:29:47,120 --> 01:29:48,480 council, which I think is something that 1691 01:29:48,480 --> 01:29:51,199 we that we definitely have to consider. 1692 01:29:51,199 --> 01:29:54,960 But I but when we get into um scenarios 1693 01:29:54,960 --> 01:29:56,960 around like landlords not being able to 1694 01:29:56,960 --> 01:29:59,040 maintain their property um and things 1695 01:29:59,040 --> 01:30:00,400 like that, there's nothing in the 1696 01:30:00,400 --> 01:30:03,760 legislation that prohibits that from 1697 01:30:03,760 --> 01:30:05,440 happening. In fact, it it encourages 1698 01:30:05,440 --> 01:30:07,679 that to happen. Um when we talk about 1699 01:30:07,679 --> 01:30:09,440 neighborhood stabilization, one of the 1700 01:30:09,440 --> 01:30:10,880 things that people think about the most 1701 01:30:10,880 --> 01:30:12,880 when they purchase a home or property 1702 01:30:12,880 --> 01:30:15,679 someplace is the school district. And I 1703 01:30:15,679 --> 01:30:17,920 don't know if you guys know, but our, 1704 01:30:17,920 --> 01:30:19,679 you know, our school district has been 1705 01:30:19,679 --> 01:30:21,360 um working to increase our graduation 1706 01:30:21,360 --> 01:30:23,760 rate. But if you look at a student that 1707 01:30:23,760 --> 01:30:26,880 is um stays in Skenctity City School 1708 01:30:26,880 --> 01:30:29,440 District from K to 12, do you know that 1709 01:30:29,440 --> 01:30:31,520 the graduation rate is over something 1710 01:30:31,520 --> 01:30:34,080 like 95%. 1711 01:30:34,080 --> 01:30:36,239 So what that is what that data point 1712 01:30:36,239 --> 01:30:37,520 will tell you is that when you have 1713 01:30:37,520 --> 01:30:39,920 families that are not in transit, you 1714 01:30:39,920 --> 01:30:41,920 know, that are not transient families 1715 01:30:41,920 --> 01:30:43,520 that are not, you know, kind of 1716 01:30:43,520 --> 01:30:45,600 suffering from subpar living conditions 1717 01:30:45,600 --> 01:30:48,320 and are able to have stable housing, not 1718 01:30:48,320 --> 01:30:50,560 only does it provide those neighborhood 1719 01:30:50,560 --> 01:30:52,400 stabilization for that particular 1720 01:30:52,400 --> 01:30:55,920 family, but it also makes our city a 1721 01:30:55,920 --> 01:30:57,600 more desirable place for people to 1722 01:30:57,600 --> 01:30:59,280 purchase a home, which therefore will 1723 01:30:59,280 --> 01:31:01,040 benefit the local economy. So that's 1724 01:31:01,040 --> 01:31:03,120 something that we have to acknowledge as 1725 01:31:03,120 --> 01:31:05,920 well. 1726 01:31:05,920 --> 01:31:06,960 I was just going to point of 1727 01:31:06,960 --> 01:31:08,960 clarification. The legislation as it 1728 01:31:08,960 --> 01:31:10,400 currently written, it allows for 1729 01:31:10,400 --> 01:31:11,840 significant improvements. So I think 1730 01:31:11,840 --> 01:31:13,520 what you're probably highlighting is 1731 01:31:13,520 --> 01:31:15,679 that needs to be justifiable. Um you 1732 01:31:15,679 --> 01:31:17,120 can't just say tomorrow I'm raising my 1733 01:31:17,120 --> 01:31:20,159 rent by $100. It just ensures that there 1734 01:31:20,159 --> 01:31:22,239 are considerations in place to how and 1735 01:31:22,239 --> 01:31:23,920 why are you doing that? And again that 1736 01:31:23,920 --> 01:31:26,480 is to empower tenants so that they are 1737 01:31:26,480 --> 01:31:30,719 uh just um there's a less account for 1738 01:31:30,719 --> 01:31:34,080 rent or price. Um but sincerely and I 1739 01:31:34,080 --> 01:31:35,679 mean this with all consideration I think 1740 01:31:35,679 --> 01:31:37,120 everyone well I know everyone at this 1741 01:31:37,120 --> 01:31:39,440 table has a certain amount of power or 1742 01:31:39,440 --> 01:31:41,280 influence and I would really want to 1743 01:31:41,280 --> 01:31:44,080 hear from the mayor in this regard. uh 1744 01:31:44,080 --> 01:31:46,960 sincerely uh Skenctity, we're only as 1745 01:31:46,960 --> 01:31:48,560 good as our planning and understanding 1746 01:31:48,560 --> 01:31:50,400 the long-term strategic focus of the 1747 01:31:50,400 --> 01:31:52,639 city, I think, helps us ensure that our 1748 01:31:52,639 --> 01:31:55,360 actions remain in tune with your uh 1749 01:31:55,360 --> 01:31:57,280 vision and authority for the city. 1750 01:31:57,280 --> 01:31:59,520 Certainly, 1751 01:31:59,520 --> 01:32:02,719 thank you. Uh I would only ask that the 1752 01:32:02,719 --> 01:32:04,960 council be consistent 1753 01:32:04,960 --> 01:32:08,719 that uh Mr. Mavir's representation that 1754 01:32:08,719 --> 01:32:11,600 we have a rental certificate program in 1755 01:32:11,600 --> 01:32:14,800 place. It's generally recognized fairly 1756 01:32:14,800 --> 01:32:17,840 comprehensive program that ensures safe 1757 01:32:17,840 --> 01:32:20,639 and decent housing. 1758 01:32:20,639 --> 01:32:24,719 We have tried for the last three years 1759 01:32:24,719 --> 01:32:27,679 to get state enabling legislation, home 1760 01:32:27,679 --> 01:32:31,840 rule legislation to make the eviction 1761 01:32:31,840 --> 01:32:35,440 process contingent upon 1762 01:32:35,440 --> 01:32:37,840 participation in the rental certificate 1763 01:32:37,840 --> 01:32:41,199 program. That legislation did not pass 1764 01:32:41,199 --> 01:32:43,920 until last week. So, it's passed the 1765 01:32:43,920 --> 01:32:45,920 Senate in the assembly and will go 1766 01:32:45,920 --> 01:32:48,480 forward to the governor now and would 1767 01:32:48,480 --> 01:32:51,360 ask that soon the council does a 1768 01:32:51,360 --> 01:32:53,280 resolution in support of that. I intend 1769 01:32:53,280 --> 01:32:56,880 to advocate the governor's office to ask 1770 01:32:56,880 --> 01:33:00,960 for her to sign that. But that 1771 01:33:00,960 --> 01:33:03,679 option is actually going to be more 1772 01:33:03,679 --> 01:33:06,080 restrictive and more resultsoriented in 1773 01:33:06,080 --> 01:33:07,040 some of the things that you're 1774 01:33:07,040 --> 01:33:10,480 considering. that is a two family house. 1775 01:33:10,480 --> 01:33:12,719 I don't care it's owned by one person or 1776 01:33:12,719 --> 01:33:15,360 whatever. If it doesn't meet the rental 1777 01:33:15,360 --> 01:33:17,600 certificate program criteria and have a 1778 01:33:17,600 --> 01:33:21,360 valid thing, they cannot go into small 1779 01:33:21,360 --> 01:33:23,840 claims courts and start an eviction 1780 01:33:23,840 --> 01:33:25,679 proceeding. 1781 01:33:25,679 --> 01:33:27,760 And I would ask and we've tried that for 1782 01:33:27,760 --> 01:33:31,360 three years. That legislation is going 1783 01:33:31,360 --> 01:33:33,840 forward now. uh we have the option to 1784 01:33:33,840 --> 01:33:35,760 actually put it in place and incorporate 1785 01:33:35,760 --> 01:33:40,080 it in the overall delivery of housing 1786 01:33:40,080 --> 01:33:43,920 within the city and to let that uh be 1787 01:33:43,920 --> 01:33:45,760 kind of the cornerstone of what we're 1788 01:33:45,760 --> 01:33:48,639 doing going forward. 1789 01:33:48,639 --> 01:33:50,800 Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I I I agree with 1790 01:33:50,800 --> 01:33:53,760 you um as far as uh that legislation and 1791 01:33:53,760 --> 01:33:55,600 I believe that that legislation is 1792 01:33:55,600 --> 01:33:57,440 really in line with the legislation that 1793 01:33:57,440 --> 01:34:00,400 we're um discussing here today. Um, so I 1794 01:34:00,400 --> 01:34:01,920 don't believe that it has to be an 1795 01:34:01,920 --> 01:34:03,600 either or situation, but it should be a 1796 01:34:03,600 --> 01:34:06,080 yes and situation. I would also speak to 1797 01:34:06,080 --> 01:34:08,239 the fact around like we're using the 1798 01:34:08,239 --> 01:34:10,960 term kind of um returning a level of 1799 01:34:10,960 --> 01:34:13,199 power to tenants. Um, quite honestly, I 1800 01:34:13,199 --> 01:34:15,360 don't I don't see it that way. I don't 1801 01:34:15,360 --> 01:34:18,400 see that it it's providing um any power 1802 01:34:18,400 --> 01:34:21,360 as much as is it protection. Um, and I 1803 01:34:21,360 --> 01:34:22,960 think the distinction is important 1804 01:34:22,960 --> 01:34:26,000 because um, as we talk about shifting 1805 01:34:26,000 --> 01:34:27,920 power, that's something that we could 1806 01:34:27,920 --> 01:34:29,920 shift from a landlord, shift to a 1807 01:34:29,920 --> 01:34:31,679 tenant. Really, what we're saying is 1808 01:34:31,679 --> 01:34:34,480 protection is the right term I I would 1809 01:34:34,480 --> 01:34:37,760 frame it as because it's protecting 1810 01:34:37,760 --> 01:34:40,719 people's livelihood. And that's a very 1811 01:34:40,719 --> 01:34:42,719 different thing than saying, I'm giving 1812 01:34:42,719 --> 01:34:45,280 you power over a person that owns this 1813 01:34:45,280 --> 01:34:46,639 property. But saying I'm going to 1814 01:34:46,639 --> 01:34:49,280 protect you and your livelihood, I think 1815 01:34:49,280 --> 01:34:53,360 is is um is more in line with um was 1816 01:34:53,360 --> 01:34:55,600 more in spirit of the legislation um as 1817 01:34:55,600 --> 01:34:58,239 it's written right now. And again, you 1818 01:34:58,239 --> 01:35:00,560 have people that will um speak against 1819 01:35:00,560 --> 01:35:03,199 this um and I'm willing to hear their 1820 01:35:03,199 --> 01:35:05,280 thoughts um and definitely willing to 1821 01:35:05,280 --> 01:35:08,320 consider um their points of views. But I 1822 01:35:08,320 --> 01:35:09,920 would again stress before you speak 1823 01:35:09,920 --> 01:35:13,440 against it, if you are a landlord, look 1824 01:35:13,440 --> 01:35:16,000 at the properties that you own. Look at 1825 01:35:16,000 --> 01:35:17,600 how you engage with your tenants 1826 01:35:17,600 --> 01:35:23,679 currently. And if your practices are 1827 01:35:23,679 --> 01:35:25,440 outside of some of the things that are 1828 01:35:25,440 --> 01:35:27,520 written in this legislation, well then I 1829 01:35:27,520 --> 01:35:29,440 think that there's there's some um maybe 1830 01:35:29,440 --> 01:35:30,880 some considerations that you need to 1831 01:35:30,880 --> 01:35:33,760 make yourself. But I would imagine um to 1832 01:35:33,760 --> 01:35:35,840 the mayor's point that we are setting a 1833 01:35:35,840 --> 01:35:37,840 standard here in the city of Skenctity 1834 01:35:37,840 --> 01:35:40,239 that most of you are already meeting if 1835 01:35:40,239 --> 01:35:42,800 not exceeding. But there are people that 1836 01:35:42,800 --> 01:35:45,120 are not. So, we cannot afford to paint 1837 01:35:45,120 --> 01:35:47,679 landlords with a a broad brush and say 1838 01:35:47,679 --> 01:35:50,639 every landlord um presents like this and 1839 01:35:50,639 --> 01:35:52,239 provides this level of quality housing 1840 01:35:52,239 --> 01:35:54,159 to people because all you have to do is 1841 01:35:54,159 --> 01:35:55,600 take a walk up the street and you'll 1842 01:35:55,600 --> 01:35:59,760 know that that's not true. 1843 01:35:59,760 --> 01:36:01,920 Mr. Williams, so I say in my final 1844 01:36:01,920 --> 01:36:04,560 comments, I would just ask that uh I 1845 01:36:04,560 --> 01:36:05,840 think as a country we've lost the 1846 01:36:05,840 --> 01:36:08,960 ability to have debates without being so 1847 01:36:08,960 --> 01:36:10,400 uh hardly positioned where we're 1848 01:36:10,400 --> 01:36:12,560 unwavering or unmoving. Uh so I look 1849 01:36:12,560 --> 01:36:14,000 forward to having conversations with 1850 01:36:14,000 --> 01:36:16,080 individuals from both sides of this 1851 01:36:16,080 --> 01:36:17,440 conversation quite literally in this 1852 01:36:17,440 --> 01:36:19,280 room. Um and I just ask that we 1853 01:36:19,280 --> 01:36:20,719 challenge ourselves that engage 1854 01:36:20,719 --> 01:36:22,639 different perspectives and also welcome 1855 01:36:22,639 --> 01:36:24,719 differences and opinions. I think that 1856 01:36:24,719 --> 01:36:27,040 is something that I prided our city on 1857 01:36:27,040 --> 01:36:28,480 being able to do and I look forward to 1858 01:36:28,480 --> 01:36:30,239 practicing that not just with this topic 1859 01:36:30,239 --> 01:36:32,239 but many others throughout the rest of 1860 01:36:32,239 --> 01:36:36,800 my career. Thank you Mr. Williams. So um 1861 01:36:36,800 --> 01:36:38,159 just appear we're going to be moving 1862 01:36:38,159 --> 01:36:41,760 forward with the hook this evening. So, 1863 01:36:41,760 --> 01:36:43,360 um I think a lot has been said and 1864 01:36:43,360 --> 01:36:44,880 everyone's been here to hear and I do 1865 01:36:44,880 --> 01:36:47,840 want us um to to speak to the fact that 1866 01:36:47,840 --> 01:36:49,440 there was some a mention made about 1867 01:36:49,440 --> 01:36:51,679 investors. We already have a lot of 1868 01:36:51,679 --> 01:36:53,760 people who live outside our city who are 1869 01:36:53,760 --> 01:36:56,719 invested and own property. So, I don't 1870 01:36:56,719 --> 01:36:59,679 um see this as as changing that dynamic. 1871 01:36:59,679 --> 01:37:01,920 And um and in terms of and I don't want 1872 01:37:01,920 --> 01:37:03,840 the fear mongering to be out there that 1873 01:37:03,840 --> 01:37:05,760 like if we if we move this forward then 1874 01:37:05,760 --> 01:37:07,040 all of a sudden we're just going to have 1875 01:37:07,040 --> 01:37:08,800 all these vacant properties. I think 1876 01:37:08,800 --> 01:37:10,639 that's a we don't want to, you know, we 1877 01:37:10,639 --> 01:37:12,560 really want to talk in specifics and I 1878 01:37:12,560 --> 01:37:13,520 think that's just the level of 1879 01:37:13,520 --> 01:37:15,040 fearongering that we really don't want 1880 01:37:15,040 --> 01:37:16,560 to do that people are going to rush to 1881 01:37:16,560 --> 01:37:18,560 sell their properties and we should 1882 01:37:18,560 --> 01:37:20,880 continue to have this conversation and 1883 01:37:20,880 --> 01:37:22,719 yes, mayor, that legislation did pass 1884 01:37:22,719 --> 01:37:25,199 and I I must um say thank you to the 1885 01:37:25,199 --> 01:37:26,639 clerk's office because for three years 1886 01:37:26,639 --> 01:37:28,000 straight they worked on it and Miss 1887 01:37:28,000 --> 01:37:30,320 Michael followed up on that continually 1888 01:37:30,320 --> 01:37:32,080 so we finally were able to get that 1889 01:37:32,080 --> 01:37:36,320 through. Uh so I think we need to take 1890 01:37:36,320 --> 01:37:38,400 into consideration uh this new 1891 01:37:38,400 --> 01:37:40,719 legislation and al when I talk about the 1892 01:37:40,719 --> 01:37:42,159 new legislation that's coming forward 1893 01:37:42,159 --> 01:37:44,400 I'm talking about um that has to do with 1894 01:37:44,400 --> 01:37:46,239 rental certificates and also take into 1895 01:37:46,239 --> 01:37:47,600 consideration what we're talking about 1896 01:37:47,600 --> 01:37:50,480 here with um the good cause eviction law 1897 01:37:50,480 --> 01:37:53,040 and have that conversation and make it 1898 01:37:53,040 --> 01:37:55,040 and come to a decision of how we want to 1899 01:37:55,040 --> 01:37:56,639 move forward. But that mean would mean 1900 01:37:56,639 --> 01:37:58,719 that all council members would also, you 1901 01:37:58,719 --> 01:38:01,119 know, we just look at all of this. We 1902 01:38:01,119 --> 01:38:03,119 could do it collectively, individually, 1903 01:38:03,119 --> 01:38:04,560 but we just definitely need to have that 1904 01:38:04,560 --> 01:38:06,639 conversation and and where we're going 1905 01:38:06,639 --> 01:38:09,360 to finally end up on this. I think a lot 1906 01:38:09,360 --> 01:38:10,880 of positive things have been said here 1907 01:38:10,880 --> 01:38:13,440 today and that we have an opportunity to 1908 01:38:13,440 --> 01:38:14,880 make a difference in the lives of our 1909 01:38:14,880 --> 01:38:18,719 tenants as well as our landlords. And so 1910 01:38:18,719 --> 01:38:20,719 Mr. Farley has brought this forward. So 1911 01:38:20,719 --> 01:38:22,000 I'm going to have to ask I'm going to 1912 01:38:22,000 --> 01:38:24,239 ask you how uh you would like to move 1913 01:38:24,239 --> 01:38:26,000 forward. Those are my thoughts. Sure. 1914 01:38:26,000 --> 01:38:27,199 Thank you. Thank you, Madam 1915 01:38:27,199 --> 01:38:28,719 President. So, what I how I would like 1916 01:38:28,719 --> 01:38:30,639 to move forward is um I wanted to bring 1917 01:38:30,639 --> 01:38:33,119 this up as a discussion piece today. I 1918 01:38:33,119 --> 01:38:35,520 know that due to the fact that this is 1919 01:38:35,520 --> 01:38:37,280 somewhat emotionally charged and there 1920 01:38:37,280 --> 01:38:39,040 is a lot of information and a lot of 1921 01:38:39,040 --> 01:38:40,880 misinformation floating out there, I 1922 01:38:40,880 --> 01:38:42,239 want to give all my colleagues the 1923 01:38:42,239 --> 01:38:44,719 opportunity to kind of delve deep into 1924 01:38:44,719 --> 01:38:46,719 um uh the legislation as it currently 1925 01:38:46,719 --> 01:38:50,000 stands, talk with uh people of the city 1926 01:38:50,000 --> 01:38:51,840 um and then come back to the table. I 1927 01:38:51,840 --> 01:38:53,679 will be bringing this back to the table. 1928 01:38:53,679 --> 01:38:55,360 um at that point I will be bringing it 1929 01:38:55,360 --> 01:38:58,000 back as a item to vote and trying to 1930 01:38:58,000 --> 01:38:59,840 vote it out of vote it out of committee 1931 01:38:59,840 --> 01:39:02,239 at that time. Um I also just want to 1932 01:39:02,239 --> 01:39:03,920 highlight the fact that this is um 1933 01:39:03,920 --> 01:39:05,280 something that has been in the process 1934 01:39:05,280 --> 01:39:07,600 for years and years and at the state 1935 01:39:07,600 --> 01:39:09,840 level there were major concessions that 1936 01:39:09,840 --> 01:39:11,840 were given in order to get this to a 1937 01:39:11,840 --> 01:39:14,239 place where it's passable. Um, so this 1938 01:39:14,239 --> 01:39:16,080 isn't something that came from kind of, 1939 01:39:16,080 --> 01:39:17,760 you know, just one side of the aisle and 1940 01:39:17,760 --> 01:39:18,719 people just said, "Okay, this is what 1941 01:39:18,719 --> 01:39:19,840 we're doing." There was a lot of 1942 01:39:19,840 --> 01:39:21,520 concessions and negotiations to get this 1943 01:39:21,520 --> 01:39:23,360 to a place where it was passable at the 1944 01:39:23,360 --> 01:39:25,760 state level. Um, so, um, those 1945 01:39:25,760 --> 01:39:27,360 considerations have been made and I, you 1946 01:39:27,360 --> 01:39:29,760 know, we'll continue to make those, um, 1947 01:39:29,760 --> 01:39:32,719 at our local level. So, uh, with that, 1948 01:39:32,719 --> 01:39:34,719 I'll be bringing it back hopefully for a 1949 01:39:34,719 --> 01:39:38,310 vote next cycle. 1950 01:39:38,320 --> 01:39:40,239 So, 1951 01:39:40,239 --> 01:39:43,600 that I guess I will accept a Motion to 1952 01:39:43,600 --> 01:39:45,760 adjourn government operation. 1953 01:39:45,760 --> 01:40:19,669 So second. All those in favor? I we 1954 01:40:19,679 --> 01:40:28,310 Okay. 1955 01:40:28,320 --> 01:40:39,270 Excuse 1956 01:40:39,280 --> 01:40:40,880 me. The meeting's not over. So, we'd ask 1957 01:40:40,880 --> 01:40:42,560 you to finish your conversation in the 1958 01:40:42,560 --> 01:40:47,910 hallway. 1959 01:40:47,920 --> 01:41:07,590 I know. 1960 01:41:07,600 --> 01:41:31,109 Thank you. 1961 01:41:31,119 --> 01:41:38,629 away from the door. 1962 01:41:38,639 --> 01:41:40,000 I don't think we can close it though. 1963 01:41:40,000 --> 01:41:42,880 Can we close? 1964 01:41:42,880 --> 01:41:47,990 Okay. All right. 1965 01:41:48,000 --> 01:41:50,159 You can close it. 1966 01:41:50,159 --> 01:41:52,000 Can't lock 1967 01:41:52,000 --> 01:41:56,629 it on. No. 1968 01:41:56,639 --> 01:41:58,400 Would you tell? Yes. You can close the 1969 01:41:58,400 --> 01:42:01,360 door as long as it's not locked. 1970 01:42:01,360 --> 01:42:06,239 Are you leaving, Mr. Toro? Oh, I I I was 1971 01:42:06,239 --> 01:42:12,870 I'm sorry. 1972 01:42:12,880 --> 01:42:14,880 Okay. I'd like to order call or city 1973 01:42:14,880 --> 01:42:16,880 development planning. 1974 01:42:16,880 --> 01:42:19,119 We have nine items on the agenda. The 1975 01:42:19,119 --> 01:42:20,719 first one is to award the bid and 1976 01:42:20,719 --> 01:42:22,320 contract for the Franklin Street cycle 1977 01:42:22,320 --> 01:42:26,239 track to Harbor Construction. Mr. 1978 01:42:26,239 --> 01:42:28,080 Wallen, can you close it all the way 1979 01:42:28,080 --> 01:42:34,629 down? Derek, did I close the 1980 01:42:34,639 --> 01:42:41,430 Thank you. 1981 01:42:41,440 --> 01:42:43,119 All right. Uh, what we have in front of 1982 01:42:43,119 --> 01:42:45,280 us is the award bidding contract 1983 01:42:45,280 --> 01:42:47,440 construction for the Franklin Street 1984 01:42:47,440 --> 01:42:49,760 cycle track. This is a federal aid 1985 01:42:49,760 --> 01:42:51,440 project that's been in the design 1986 01:42:51,440 --> 01:42:54,159 development for a couple of years. Uh it 1987 01:42:54,159 --> 01:42:56,000 continues the expansion of the Central 1988 01:42:56,000 --> 01:42:59,520 Park Veil Trail connector from Vale Park 1989 01:42:59,520 --> 01:43:01,679 down Franklin Street to Clinton Street 1990 01:43:01,679 --> 01:43:04,880 right behind us. Um it is a separate 1991 01:43:04,880 --> 01:43:07,760 cycle track which means that it'll be a 1992 01:43:07,760 --> 01:43:10,639 separated area for bicycles only uh 1993 01:43:10,639 --> 01:43:12,400 separate from pedestrians, separate from 1994 01:43:12,400 --> 01:43:15,040 vehicles. Um kind of unique in the city. 1995 01:43:15,040 --> 01:43:16,400 I think it'll be the only one at the 1996 01:43:16,400 --> 01:43:18,480 time. Um, and I think even when Craig 1997 01:43:18,480 --> 01:43:19,840 Street's done, this will actually be a 1998 01:43:19,840 --> 01:43:20,880 little bit different than that because 1999 01:43:20,880 --> 01:43:23,280 it'll be completely separated by curb 2000 01:43:23,280 --> 01:43:25,360 area. Um, and if you know Franklin 2001 01:43:25,360 --> 01:43:27,440 Street, Franklin Street is quite wide. 2002 01:43:27,440 --> 01:43:30,000 Um, it's two block road essentially. 2003 01:43:30,000 --> 01:43:32,000 That's two-way. So, we have some area 2004 01:43:32,000 --> 01:43:34,480 there to use. Um, there will be no 2005 01:43:34,480 --> 01:43:36,080 parking. There is no parking allowed 2006 01:43:36,080 --> 01:43:37,920 currently on the Double Tree side. So, 2007 01:43:37,920 --> 01:43:39,840 that will remain. And then the island 2008 01:43:39,840 --> 01:43:41,360 will get a little narrower as you get 2009 01:43:41,360 --> 01:43:44,239 down to um the next block where the 2010 01:43:44,239 --> 01:43:46,239 parking lot is for the school district 2011 01:43:46,239 --> 01:43:48,159 and the church. Uh and we'll have 2012 01:43:48,159 --> 01:43:53,590 parking on both sides. 2013 01:43:53,600 --> 01:43:57,040 This is a federal project, so it's 95% 2014 01:43:57,040 --> 01:43:59,119 reimbursement to the city. The local 2015 01:43:59,119 --> 01:44:01,360 share is paid for with our CHIPS 2016 01:44:01,360 --> 01:44:03,440 funding. How many are we having funding 2017 01:44:03,440 --> 01:44:05,520 for that? CHIPS funding is approved in 2018 01:44:05,520 --> 01:44:08,000 the state budget. So we do have that. 2019 01:44:08,000 --> 01:44:11,199 Thanks. Are there any questions? Um, Mr. 2020 01:44:11,199 --> 01:44:13,520 Williams. Oh, sorry. So, we've been 2021 01:44:13,520 --> 01:44:16,080 hearing a lot of uh comments around uh 2022 01:44:16,080 --> 01:44:18,000 the bikability of the city of Santi. So, 2023 01:44:18,000 --> 01:44:19,040 I imagine there's going to be a lot of 2024 01:44:19,040 --> 01:44:20,480 residents that are thrilled with this. 2025 01:44:20,480 --> 01:44:22,719 Can you just talk around um how this is 2026 01:44:22,719 --> 01:44:24,800 incorporated into projects at least in 2027 01:44:24,800 --> 01:44:26,639 size because you have said that there 2028 01:44:26,639 --> 01:44:28,159 are just a lot of considerations that go 2029 01:44:28,159 --> 01:44:30,960 into place uh to increase or to um 2030 01:44:30,960 --> 01:44:34,400 include white lines. Sure. So this is a 2031 01:44:34,400 --> 01:44:38,639 specific focus of a project because our primary focus in the city is 2032 01:44:38,639 --> 01:44:40,800 expanding the central park veil trail 2033 01:44:40,800 --> 01:44:43,679 connector. So uh on one end of it which 2034 01:44:43,679 --> 01:44:45,199 is the bail end we have this project 2035 01:44:45,199 --> 01:44:46,560 which is going to bring it to Clinton 2036 01:44:46,560 --> 01:44:48,480 Street. The next step is going to be 2037 01:44:48,480 --> 01:44:51,520 working with the green market on how we 2038 01:44:51,520 --> 01:44:53,840 are going to get it down the last block 2039 01:44:53,840 --> 01:44:55,920 of Franklin Street then in front of city 2040 01:44:55,920 --> 01:44:58,480 hall to where it actually connects to 2041 01:44:58,480 --> 01:45:00,960 Jay and Union which is the Empire State 2042 01:45:00,960 --> 01:45:02,880 Trail. It's an on-road portion, but it's 2043 01:45:02,880 --> 01:45:05,440 still the Empire State Trail. Uh, at the 2044 01:45:05,440 --> 01:45:07,600 same time, you will work uh we are 2045 01:45:07,600 --> 01:45:09,199 working on a design for federal aid 2046 01:45:09,199 --> 01:45:11,679 project on the opposite end of the park, 2047 01:45:11,679 --> 01:45:14,480 which is going to go from the uh Central 2048 01:45:14,480 --> 01:45:16,400 Park environmental education or 2049 01:45:16,400 --> 01:45:17,520 connecting environmental education 2050 01:45:17,520 --> 01:45:19,600 center, the former casino building, all 2051 01:45:19,600 --> 01:45:21,600 the way to State Street down Fair 2052 01:45:21,600 --> 01:45:23,600 Avenue. So, those are essentially the 2053 01:45:23,600 --> 01:45:27,600 two book ends of it. Um, and then once 2054 01:45:27,600 --> 01:45:29,360 we have those two, those are our 2055 01:45:29,360 --> 01:45:31,440 off-road trail. That's really what the 2056 01:45:31,440 --> 01:45:33,520 focus is to provide it. So the the goal 2057 01:45:33,520 --> 01:45:35,199 is going to be that someone can go from 2058 01:45:35,199 --> 01:45:38,639 State Street and Fair all the way on a 2059 01:45:38,639 --> 01:45:40,960 essentially dedicated path all the way 2060 01:45:40,960 --> 01:45:43,199 to the Empire State Trail at Jay and 2061 01:45:43,199 --> 01:45:46,480 Union. So, um, this project gets us 2062 01:45:46,480 --> 01:45:48,560 closer. That project gets us much 2063 01:45:48,560 --> 01:45:50,719 closer. And then we have that last 2064 01:45:50,719 --> 01:45:52,239 couple of blocks which are going to be 2065 01:45:52,239 --> 01:45:54,560 tough. And that's where working with the 2066 01:45:54,560 --> 01:45:56,320 farmers market is going to be important 2067 01:45:56,320 --> 01:45:59,440 because they like to use the area around 2068 01:45:59,440 --> 01:46:01,199 city hall essentially like a parking 2069 01:46:01,199 --> 01:46:04,239 lot. And having a large parking lot 2070 01:46:04,239 --> 01:46:06,880 surrounding city hall is good to park 2071 01:46:06,880 --> 01:46:10,159 trucks and vendors, but it is not 2072 01:46:10,159 --> 01:46:11,679 advantageous for bicycles and 2073 01:46:11,679 --> 01:46:14,159 pedestrians. So, we have to kind of work 2074 01:46:14,159 --> 01:46:16,159 together on that one as we go. Thank 2075 01:46:16,159 --> 01:46:18,159 you. Question. 2076 01:46:18,159 --> 01:46:21,280 So, first of all, this this sounds cool. 2077 01:46:21,280 --> 01:46:24,480 Question is, so this is does this 2078 01:46:24,480 --> 01:46:28,719 um for bikes as well or just bicycles? 2079 01:46:28,719 --> 01:46:30,159 Cuz I know that we're going to face and 2080 01:46:30,159 --> 01:46:31,920 that's more of a something that we're 2081 01:46:31,920 --> 01:46:33,199 going to have to discuss in city 2082 01:46:33,199 --> 01:46:35,679 legislation is what what we want. Um 2083 01:46:35,679 --> 01:46:37,520 we've actually discussed it on Craig 2084 01:46:37,520 --> 01:46:40,719 Street a little bit um about posting it 2085 01:46:40,719 --> 01:46:44,239 for possibly a speed limit because uh 2086 01:46:44,239 --> 01:46:46,239 the Craig Street is going to link Albony 2087 01:46:46,239 --> 01:46:48,800 Street with the school district and it's 2088 01:46:48,800 --> 01:46:50,719 going to be an off you know off-road 2089 01:46:50,719 --> 01:46:53,199 cycle track and what we're we are having 2090 01:46:53,199 --> 01:46:55,040 conversations about the nervousness of 2091 01:46:55,040 --> 01:46:57,520 having bicycles or or pedestrians in 2092 01:46:57,520 --> 01:46:59,679 that area and then having people with 2093 01:46:59,679 --> 01:47:01,440 even if they're you know electric they 2094 01:47:01,440 --> 01:47:03,920 can still go 35 miles an hour on these 2095 01:47:03,920 --> 01:47:05,920 areas and that we don't have any way to 2096 01:47:05,920 --> 01:47:08,800 enforce it. So, we are trying to talk 2097 01:47:08,800 --> 01:47:10,400 about if we can put a speed limit or 2098 01:47:10,400 --> 01:47:12,880 something on there because there are 2099 01:47:12,880 --> 01:47:14,400 different types of ebikes. There are 2100 01:47:14,400 --> 01:47:16,159 ebikes that are meant for exercise with 2101 01:47:16,159 --> 01:47:18,480 an electric assist, right? So, if you 2102 01:47:18,480 --> 01:47:21,040 wanted to go up a hill and it's just too 2103 01:47:21,040 --> 01:47:22,239 much, it'll help you. And there are 2104 01:47:22,239 --> 01:47:24,880 ebikes that are essentially small 2105 01:47:24,880 --> 01:47:27,840 motorcycles. And those are much much 2106 01:47:27,840 --> 01:47:29,840 different than an ebike that's an 2107 01:47:29,840 --> 01:47:31,600 electric system. So, it's something that 2108 01:47:31,600 --> 01:47:34,080 we have to discuss as a as a city on 2109 01:47:34,080 --> 01:47:35,760 what we want to do for the regulations 2110 01:47:35,760 --> 01:47:37,360 that and I assume that we're going to 2111 01:47:37,360 --> 01:47:40,560 have all types of vehicles using these 2112 01:47:40,560 --> 01:47:43,440 areas. Um, this is also going to have a 2113 01:47:43,440 --> 01:47:45,600 bike signal which is unique. So, you're 2114 01:47:45,600 --> 01:47:47,920 actually going to go up to the bike path 2115 01:47:47,920 --> 01:47:50,400 and have your own signal bike on it to 2116 01:47:50,400 --> 01:47:52,639 tell you when to cross. So, I mean, this 2117 01:47:52,639 --> 01:47:54,320 is where and this is where things are 2118 01:47:54,320 --> 01:47:56,480 going right now with the bikes. Craig 2119 01:47:56,480 --> 01:47:58,239 Street will also have that with the 2120 01:47:58,239 --> 01:48:01,040 head. 2121 01:48:01,040 --> 01:48:03,520 Anyone else? Motion on the table saw. 2122 01:48:03,520 --> 01:48:05,679 Second it. 2123 01:48:05,679 --> 01:48:06,960 No, she didn't make a motion yet because 2124 01:48:06,960 --> 01:48:08,880 he had a question. So, his question came 2125 01:48:08,880 --> 01:48:11,360 first. Now we need I'll make the motion. 2126 01:48:11,360 --> 01:48:16,239 Second. All those in favor? I Thank you. 2127 01:48:16,239 --> 01:48:19,040 Um the next item on the agenda is just 2128 01:48:19,040 --> 01:48:20,880 to review the redirection of a portion 2129 01:48:20,880 --> 01:48:23,280 of Chrysler Avenue from a two-way street 2130 01:48:23,280 --> 01:48:24,400 to a one-way street from the 2131 01:48:24,400 --> 01:48:26,639 intersection of Craig and Main Streets. 2132 01:48:26,639 --> 01:48:29,920 Um public hearing was held on June 9th. 2133 01:48:29,920 --> 01:48:33,600 We had I think we had four speakers 2134 01:48:33,600 --> 01:48:37,830 and 2135 01:48:37,840 --> 01:48:40,480 most people were in favor of it. 2136 01:48:40,480 --> 01:48:43,199 So this time we need to to move it out 2137 01:48:43,199 --> 01:48:44,960 of the committee. So, is there are there 2138 01:48:44,960 --> 01:48:46,320 any questions or any further discussion 2139 01:48:46,320 --> 01:48:48,239 on this? 2140 01:48:48,239 --> 01:48:50,639 I move this second. All those in favor? 2141 01:48:50,639 --> 01:48:53,440 I. Thank you. 2142 01:48:53,440 --> 01:48:56,480 All right. Um 2143 01:48:56,480 --> 01:48:58,159 the next item, item number three, is a 2144 01:48:58,159 --> 01:49:00,159 reminder of the weight limit posting on 2145 01:49:00,159 --> 01:49:02,719 Kings Road. There will be a public 2146 01:49:02,719 --> 01:49:07,440 hearing on June 23rd, 2025. 2147 01:49:07,440 --> 01:49:09,360 Uh the final items are all property 2148 01:49:09,360 --> 01:49:10,880 sales which will be done in executive 2149 01:49:10,880 --> 01:49:13,280 session. So at this point in time, I'd 2150 01:49:13,280 --> 01:49:15,679 ask for a motion to recess. Some move 2151 01:49:15,679 --> 01:49:17,840 second. All those in favor? We're 2152 01:49:17,840 --> 01:49:19,600 recessed. So I'd like to call the order 2153 01:49:19,600 --> 01:49:20,960 of the Queens Committee. We have three 2154 01:49:20,960 --> 01:49:22,960 items on the agenda tonight. All of 2155 01:49:22,960 --> 01:49:24,960 which need to be discussed in executive 2156 01:49:24,960 --> 01:49:27,360 session. So I may have a motion to end 2157 01:49:27,360 --> 01:49:30,320 executive session. I will second. All 2158 01:49:30,320 --> 01:49:32,960 those in favor? I executive session. 2159 01:49:32,960 --> 01:49:34,239 Members of the public will have to 2160 01:49:34,239 --> 01:49:36,639 leave.