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Hey,
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hey, hey.
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I'd like to call to order the city
caucus meeting for Monday, August 11th,
2025.
We have one public hearing this evening.
If the clerk could please read.
>> Public hearing number one regarding the
2023 consolidated annual performance and
evaluation report. Caper.
>> Thank you. We have eight items for
original consideration. If the deputy
clerk could please read item number one.
>> Item number one under original
consideration, a resolution calling for
a public hearing for the proposed 2025
2026 HUD annual action plan
>> discussed in committee without objection
on consent. Item number two. Item number
two, under original consideration, a
resolution authorizing the mayor to
enter into an amended finance agreement
with the United States Tennis
Association Eastern Incorporated, USA
for reh rehabilitation of city tennis
facilities.
>> Discussed in committee without objection
on consent. Item number three. Item
number three, under original
consideration, a resolution authorizing
the mayor to enter into a use agreement
with the United States Tennis
Association Eastern Incorporated USA for
use of city tennis facilities.
>> Discussed in committee without objection
on consent. Item number four.
» Item number four, under original
consideration, a resolution authorizing
the issuance of revocable permit number
689 to Solstice Kitchen LLC for a sign
that will overhang the city's right of
way at 515 State Street, Skenctity, New
York.
>> Item number five.
under original
consideration, a resolution authorizing
the redemption and withdrawal of 246
Chiswell Road from foreclosure.
Discussed in committee without objection
on consent for item number four and item
number five discussed in committee
without objection on consent. Item
number six.
>> Item number six under original
consideration a resolution authorizing
the redemption and withdrawal of 11236
Avenue from foreclosure.
>> Discussed in committee without objection
on consent and item number seven.
>> Item number seven under contract and
supply a resolution awarding the bid and
contract for the Central Park Tennis
Court improvements to Gallow
Construction Corporation. discussed and
committed without objection on consent.
We have actually have seven items for
original consideration and the public
hearing.
So you're the numbers are incorrect on
your paper. So if there's nothing more
to come before the city caucus, I'd ask
for a motion to adjurnn.
Moved by Mr. Mood and second by Miss
Patrick. All those in favor?
>> I we are adjourned. I'd like to call the
city council meeting to order for
Monday, August 11, 2025.
And uh we don't have anyone for prayer
tonight, but I did um
print out a prayer for us. So I'd like
to offer that prayer.
Heavenly Father, we lift us we come
before you to lift up our government
leaders to you. We ask that you give us
wisdom to guide as we make decisions
that affect our communities and
sometimes our nation. God, we ask that
you give us courage to stand what is
right, even when it is difficult. Help
us to lead with humility and a servant's
heart, prioritizing the needs of all of
our constituents, especially the most v
vulnerable. God, we understand that
sometimes we juggle with our own
interests, the interests of many
constituents, and sometimes the
interests of organizations. It can be
hard to find solutions that meets
everyone's wants and needs. So we pray
that we make that we as leaders
represent all of our constituencies
constituents well and courageously
uphold what is right. May we be
instruments of your peace and justice
working for the common good. We pray all
these things in Jesus name. Amen.
>> Amen.
>> I'd like to call on uh our deputy clerk
to lead us in the pledge.
>> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the
United States of America and to the
republic for it stands. One nation under
God, indivisible, with liberty and
justice for all.
» If the deputy clerk could please
complete the roll call.
» Mr. Toro,
>> present.
>> Mr. Farley is absent. Mr. Mancini
>> here.
>> Mr. Mutiver,
>> present.
>> Miss Patrick
>> here.
>> Mr. Williams
>> present.
>> Miss Porterfield
>> here.
>> We have one public hearing this evening.
Just a reminder that we've extended the
public hearing comment period to four
minutes for this and ask that anyone
that wishes to speak does so only on the
public hearing topic.
Okay. We have no one signed up to speak.
So I declare public hearing number one
regarding the 2023 consolidated annual
performance and evaluation paper report
closed.
I'll ask for minutes approval of minutes
of July 28th 2025
moved by Mr. Mutaron second by Miss
Patrick. All those in favor?
>> If the clerk could please read any
communications and petitions.
Communications presented to the city
council for Monday, August 11th, 2025.
Under official, there are none. Under
general, there are none. And under
petitions, there are none.
>> Thank you. I'd like to call on council
members for any committee reports.
Not this time. We have priv privilege of
the floor related to the legislative
agenda. I have one person signed up to
speak.
Just a reminder that this part of the
agenda is three minutes and I'd like to
call on Anthony Curada.
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Good evening, Mr. Mayor, City Council
Madam President. Um, I know this is
legislative session part of the council
meeting. So, I'll just give my remarks
here about the housing task force and
then mark something else.
>> That's not on the agenda tonight, sir.
So that would have to be under city
business on the when it comes to the
legislative agenda, you have to speak to
things that are actually on our agenda
tonight.
>> Okay.
>> Um yeah, my remarks to the housing task
force is just simply this.
>> Excuse me. The housing task force is not
on the agenda tonight. So your remarks
would have to be under general city
business.
>> Okay. I'll do my other thing then. I'll
save the remarks there for task force
for some another day.
>> Okay. Well, I was going to say here
about the um
yeah, it should deal with uh affordable
housing within communities.
>> So, anything's on that's on our written
agenda is what you can speak to during
this particular time. It has to be on
the agenda and and where housing is not
on the agenda this evening
unless you're talking about
>> Okay, I'll just wait till I speak for
city uh business then.
>> Okay. You want city business? Yeah.
>> Okay.
So, I have no one else signed up to
speak. So, I declare the public comment
on legislative agenda closed. I'll ask
for approval of the legislative consent
agenda. Moved by Miss Patrick, second by
Mr. Mutiveran. All those in favor?
>> I.
Now, we'll have privilege of the floor
related related to general city
business. And I have three people signed
up to speak. And the first person,
Cordia Twigs.
No Cordia Twigs. The person submitted
something online. Anthony Curata.
Okay. See business part. Um,
good evening, Mr. May. City Council
Madam President.
Before I get to speak on, I want you all
to see my t-shirt here.
2,000 years ago event occurred that
changed human history.
When the Lord Jesus Christ died on the
cross, he and the debate of which like
matter, he died for all. Now the reason
why I say that is because I want to talk
about this double standard or this rules
apply for the but not for me type things
going around with government bodies like
this one
last month when you had fellow residents
speaking on issues there landlords
tenants a particular resident
I will not say her name she came up here
literally badmouththed the current
administration ban him out the president
attacked a political party saying that
political party was doing fear monkeying
to other people and another political
party
then she said highly offensive thing
she pointed out to what on there the
public property
certain people's life matter more than
else hence the fact that that debate's
over when Jesus Christ died on the cross
he didn't debate which life matters
He died for all all lives matter. And
the fact that if I said that,
Mad President, you would have banged
that gabble on me saying that was a
offensive and call me racist, attack me
and say I was racist. Cuz matter of
fact, when they had a public hearing a
couple years back about Junth, I sent my
remarks against it. I was attacked on
this very very room by you when you were
a council member saying I was racist and
it was offensive what I said. Then later
another resident has spoken with regards
to how this gun body was using uh co
relief funds from the state andor
federal government. He was attacked
being racist.
What that what that resident said was
highly offensive and racist. If I or
anybody said what she said, you wouldn't
even bang that gabble on me and said
that was enough uncalled for and racist.
There's a double standard and the rules
apply for the but not for me thing going
on.
You should have banged that G at that
res when she said what she said.
None of this double standard rules apply
for thee but not for me cuz if I said I
or any said what she said I would have
been walked out of here escorted by the
police officers that gone banged on me.
Enough of this double standard
because simply said if she said what she
said be offensive that g been banged on.
But if I said it, no problem. Enough of
this double standard. Cuz the thing is
if you people would actually listen to
us, you would actually bang that guy
said what she said was racist.
Thank you.
Sean Ratigan.
» Yeah. Hi, good evening. Um, my comments
today are with respect to the uh updates
to Central Park and the discussion
surrounding park parking at the tennis
courts and other areas with large
events. Um, I'd like to use this matter
to once again highlight the importance
of public transit and comprehensive
planning in the city of Skenkity.
As the utilization of Central Park
grows, I'd like the city to consider
just how isolated Central Park is from
those traveling by bus, particularly
individuals who may be mobility
impaired. Um, we have uh we would like
all residents of the city uh to make the
most of Central Park and the amenities
invested in it and able to participate
in the events held there. The city
should look at public transit options to
allow riders access to the pool, the
tennis courts, and music haven. As the
city's built in a hub and spoke model,
uh the main bus lines, which still
aren't frequent enough in my opinion,
only run the spokes of that hub. I'd
encourage the city to look into bus
service that would connect Union Street
and State Street via Fair A. Uh a loop
which also connects to Mont Pleasant via
Brandy Wine may also be attractive as
access to groceries and drugstores is
also lacking within the city.
I did appreciate when the concern of
parking was brought up that Mayor
McCarthy acknowledged uh that there's a
lot of parking already available
u and it's really just a short walk. I
personally would oppose any expansions
to parking and would instead ask that
the city considers shuttles for high
volume events or or integrates public
transit directly into the design of
Central Park. Thanks.
>> Thank you.
I have no one else signed up to speak,
so to declare the public comment of city
business closed.
At this time, I'll entertain any
miscellaneous business of the council.
Mr. Turo,
thank you. Uh, a couple of things I'd
like to uh bring attention to. This is
week six of the swim lessons at
Skenctity High School for all ages. the
last week. Uh I'd like to um just say
thank you to CoachRandle and all the
other coaches. Um over the six weeks
that I I've brought my granddaughter,
um you've actually seen children who
have learned to trust the water and
their coaches. Um and it was just uh
just wonderful to see. Um and I'd like
to uh again ask anyone, you don't need
to sign up, just head over anytime this
week. um Monday through Friday, Monday,
Tuesday, Wednesday, one day, all of the
days just to get your child, grandchild,
niece, nephew, whomever you uh care for,
uh some
for you,
>> some lessons, um some feeling
comfortable with the water. Um, the next
thing I'd like to talk about briefly is
with the approaching uh August 22nd uh
deadline for uh submissions and
applications to the uh to the uh city
clerk for the poet laurette. Um I just
have some concerns
um I guess regarding resolution
2025-087.
Um I'd still like to be aware of who
would be on the nominating panel. um
regarding the uh who's going to be
selected. Um I do appreciate the
information that was put out to us. Uh
but I was waiting for the nominating
panel to come as well.
In addition, there are um who's going to
be on this uh nominating panel, a
representative from Union College,
Sunni, Skenctity, Skenctity School
District, the library uh board of
trustees, um and the city of Skenctity.
So I guess my questions are my question
is who from those individual
organizations has the author authority
to appoint? So say someone from Sunni uh
you know is that just anyone from Sunni?
Does the president of Sunni have the
right to appoint the board of trustees?
Um someone from the city of Skenctity a
resident uh does the mayor have the
authority to appoint or is just anyone?
So I do have a lot of questions uh with
this deadline fast approaching and my
last concern is with copyright. So um I
looked into a little did a little bit of
research as far as um our poet laurate
here in the city of Skenctity becomes
very famous with a poem that they write
maybe for the city or acting while they
are the poet laurate. Um who has
copyright privileges uh to that piece of
poetry that they write? Does it belong
to the city or does it belong to the
actual poet? Um so those those are some
questions that that I have moving
forward again with the fast approaching
date uh for emissions by the 22nd. Um so
those are things that I'd like to bring
forward
» council and the other council member Mr.
Williams.
» I would uh first like to say thank you
to everyone who uh chose to come out and
speak. Uh definitely regardless of your
position, this is your opportunity to
share your thoughts and concerns with us
as your elected body. So the concerns
raised to Toro. This is the first time
aside from requesting the members which
was requested during our last committee
meeting. We have not had another
committee meeting yet. So there's still
time to submit those names. Um with
respect to your concerns, none of those
were raised during the conversations we
had. If you are looking for updates,
feel free to reach out to me or you can
send it to me in email or you can
discuss it when we are actually in
session. Um, with regards to uh the
concerns about how people are nominated,
discussions were had with the
superintendent of the school district,
the um vice president for the strategic
marketing and planning for Union
College, uh the uh president for Sunnis
connectity and the board of trustees.
Um, so if you have further concerns
beyond that, definitely can reach out to
me offline. My number is the same. You
can reach out to me via email or you can
bring these concerns up during our
council meeting where we can have a
collective dialogue.
» Any other council members? Mayor.
>> Thank you, Madam President. Uh, and
moving toward a record setting meeting.
Uh just would remind people today it got
up uh close to 90, supposed to get uh in
the low 90s tomorrow. Encourage people
to uh make sure they stay hydrated. Uh
check in on any of your neighbors who
might be senior citizens. Uh
don't overexert yourself and uh enjoy
the summer weather.
>> Thank you, Madam President.
>> You're welcome. I'd like to also thank
the people that came out tonight to
speak on on various topics and to um
just express their opinion. And I will
say in terms of the remarks by c by a
council member regarding questions,
those are things we really should be um
discussing in committee because now we
not don't have an opportunity to
dialogue. So those questions can be
forwarded through the clerk or directly
to a council member so that we can
discuss them actually because that
that's not really general city business.
that's really something that we need to
discuss um as a um as a body and there's
no room for discussion right now. And so
if we could do that, if you could
forward the questions, we could um put
it back on the agenda if that's the case
and then have those discussions there so
we actually have an opportunity to
discuss and respond to any questions. Um
and I also I just encourage all of us if
we have questions regarding something
that we see on the agenda, something
like that we submit those ahead of time
so that the person has the opportunity
to prepare and we can discuss it as a
body.
Thank you. Um I just also want to
acknowledge and u join with the police
department when they announced the
passing of the retired K9 M minders who
was affectionately known as Durst. Um
the this was a K-9 animal and they um he
began his service in 2019 with his
partner uh Detective Doug Smith. He
retired in June 24 and after five years
of faithful and courageous service
specializing in explosive detection and
was also supported by the US Marshall
Albany task force providing perimeter
security during high-risisk operations.
So um the police department lost a
member of their K9 team. So, I just want
to acknowledge that um and that the the
uh the police department thanked Durst
for his uh partnership with leading
coordinator Jeff Calder and the trainer
partnership and unwavering support that was provided throughout Dur's
career.
I have no other announcements. So, at
this time, I will entertain a motion to
adjurnn. Moved by Miss Patrick, second
by Mr. Williams. All those in favor? I.
We are adjourned. Thank you. Have a good
night.
>> Let's see. 7:20. Is that a record? 720.
>> I don't think it's a record.
>> I don't think
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Hey. Hey. Hey.
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