whatever is approved for steps and
management. So that stay the same. uh
longevity is as it was or as it should
be for staff members
um postage you know I mean we basically
have the same kind of postage we we
reduced the I mean we didn't reduce I'm
realizing the cost of computers and
computing equipment is going up so we
have gone down from before so we may
have to borrow a computer to pay in the
future if we need to deal with computer
equipment. Um I just this year was able
to replace a computer that I had since I
had been at the city. So I know that
we're going to have to go through some
cycles of but I think everyone else in
the office has had new machines. Um so
hopefully we can not have to worry about
um new computing equipment. um postage.
We we still have a lot, you know, we
send out um information to those folks
who have their exemptions and wait to
renew their exemptions. So um we send
out that you know there's other
requirements in terms of us sending out
information to people about renewing
exemptions um not just from the STAR
program but also other exemptions that
they have. So that is a costly thing but
we didn't change it from last year
because it generally stays the same. um
administration expense. So that I can't
remember what we that that's generally
paying for um our access to Gar MLS, the
multiple listing service so that we can
do um our appraisals and things that we
use for
value property. Um and also Siren, which
is a the commercial part of that.
And then advertising. We haven't really
haven't we the only thing we really need
to do with advertising is put legal
notices in the paper as per real
property tax law. We need to let them
know when we put the tenative roll out
and when we put the final roll out. Um
doesn't really cost too much. So that's
a limited extent. um inservice training
that uh so the appraiser in the office
is required to have an appraisal license
and we pay for continuing education for
her. I have an appraisal license and I
have to stay certified at the state for
continuing it. So that there hasn't, you
know, it really hasn't changed. There
wasn't anything that changed with that.
Um, we have to pay New York State for
the privilege of using real property
service, which is our RPS system,
and they're in the process of changing
that over, but they have told us that
there is going to be no change in the
amount of money that we have to pay, and
it's based off parcel size or size of
the municipality in terms of parcels.
So, um that shouldn't change. Uh we
reduced a little bit of our supplies
budget because we found that we're not
um sometimes
well now that we're ordering our paper
from the stable. We used to order paper
through multiple departments, but um
we're ordering paper through stables and
it's a little cheaper now. Um and then
the maintenance contracts, that's our we
got a new copy machine. We do a lot of
copies. Um, when they when folks come in
with their exemption applications, we
give them a copy of their front page
after we stamp it so that they have
their receipt is what we call it.
>> Um, and that's, you know, it's kind of
it's been expensive with the new
contract. The last one we had, we didn't
pay we just paid for maintenance and
then it just got to the point where it
was too old. So, we needed to um
purchase a new product machine. Um and
the the board of assessment review that
the salaries are going to remain the
same. So there's really hasn't been too
much. I think the the most increase has
been with salaries based on you know
steps for um union employees and then
you know whatever management.
Any questions?
>> Questions.
Go ahead, please.
>> So, the the real property appraiser. So,
is that who does like appraisers for us?
Appraisals for us like because I know we
talked about that person on commercial
or excuse me, focus on residential
appraising and then I deal with the
commercial stuff.
» Any other questions?
>> Is that answer?
>> Yeah, my question was along the line. I
know like we had conversations around
expenses that it would that could
potentially cost the city if we had to
get it appraisal done and
>> yeah so it's a little when we have to go
like for a tax purposes
>> sure
>> we need a trial ready appraisal which
was not something that we should provide
in house it's something that we need to
hire out for
>> for like the separation okay
>> yeah because in real property tax law
what's on the books for the assessment
office is supposed to be what's legally
acceptable and Then if you need to prove
otherwise, you know, a petitioner has to
come in and say provide,
we have to provide a uh
>> that makes sense to me.
>> Something outside of that.
>> Thank you.
>> Any other question?
Thank you so much for your time.
>> Thank you.
» The board of assessment um there's no change there.
>> No, no, no change.
still, you know, are receiving the same
um payment they've received for
as long as I've been here.
>> We have known over the years that the
attendance, how did you see attendance
um from his board last year?
>> It was it was very good.
>> Very good.
>> Yeah. You know, I I think if there's
anything to question, um it's that we
don't have the volume and I don't know
the history because I wasn't here for
the last readaloud, but we don't know
the volume of
um
things that they had to deal with
before. I just know the value volume now
has gone down. Right. So, but if we
enter into some kind of revaluation in
the future,
they're going to earn their earn their
wages, earn their their money. So,
that's I mean, I think that's something
to think about in terms of keeping it,
particularly if we're looking in the
near future.
>> I I have a question about that, but I
think it might be more for u the
commissioner. Do we pay them at the end
of the year or something? Like, why have
we not have we not
>> What's that? Sorry. um the board
>> board of assessment to review um they've
all
>> usually once a year
>> once a year as soon as they're finished
with their contractual
you know their um what they have to do.
So, as soon as they're finished with
soon as our board chair signs off on all
the letters, that's when I release the
payment and I give um the vouchers to
the sign's office
>> and that typically me. She's your
>> No, that's Yeah, at the end it's it's
typically before July 1st because
everything has to be out July 4 1st. So,
everything has to be signed off by that.
>> Okay, great. Yeah. Thank you.
>> Any other question?
>> I see no time. Afternoon.
>> Excellent.
>> We will go into the clerk's office and
that is on the bottom of page 80.
» Page 1814 clerk's office has increased
by 5.55% from 325,000
uh 37 approximately 17,000
about this group that's not here.
» Okay. The only salary increase that's a
little different is the deputy res who
is deputy from bio records. uh her
salary with uh the regular management
increase would be below the IPS3 who she
manages. So her increase was a little
higher than you know than everyone else.
It doesn't fall in line. Um
we have a slight reduction in supplies
and postage.
I think uh we can finally get to link
with that. It should be okay. Uh
travel conferences we haven't had in a
while. And in the service training
that's still the same. Although
um last uh last month there was a
conference training that I wanted to go
to but we just didn't have enough in the
budget for it.
» So So is this fun? I'm sorry. Go ahead,
please.
>> That would not cover the cost to go to
that.
>> No.
>> Yeah, you're right. Especially if it's
if there be Okay.
» Any question from Miss Michael? Please
go ahead.
>> Hi, thank you. So, so the clerical aid
is a 12% increase. Can you explain why
that was again? the IPS
or the cler
that's union. So the IPS3 and the
clerically they're both union positions.
So that goes in line with the contract.
» And does that include a step increase?
Yes.
>> Okay.
>> Any other question?
Seeing none, we're good. Thank you.
>> We'll go into um
code enforcement and that is on the
bottom of page 59
into 60
the enforcement decreased by 11.89%
from 1.4 million approximately to 1.2 2
million uh 170.
» Do you need this?
Hold on.
Finish with me.
>> Yes. Can you please walk us through any
significant changes within your
department budget?
So, um I'll start with staffing. So, um
we made some significant changes for
staffing. We've uh
lowered the code enforcement. First of
all, uh no proposed changes or requests
for salt. Um this estimated 3% increase
for for a management and uh across the
board.
So um we have eliminated two positions
for code enforcement officers and
uh also for administrative staff we have
eliminated the clerk position.
So um
the electrical inspector has went from
full-time to a part-time position. I
don't know if that's reflecting on
I'm not looking at what you're looking
at.
>> It's not built.
>> It's not.
>> So, we're proposing to go to a part-time
position for the electrical inspector at
a $35,000 salary that it's been updated
or should be updated.
>> No, it's not updated as a proposal. We
had a conversation about it.
>> This was after the budget was put
together. Yes. So, um I'm proposing to
put that 35,000
back in for the electrical inspector,
parttime position. That'll be split. So,
we'll have a a part-time position for
the electrical inspector and leading on
third party services to uh make up the
difference there, make sure we can cover
our services.
>> What is the amount that you're trying
that you'd like to turn in the budget?
>> 35,000.
>> 35.
>> Yes.
And where would that Oh, so that would
be would that go under um the
>> spect
should be 4,000,
>> so so just leave it in at 75,15
this year.
>> Right. But
>> zero No,
>> the problem
>> position is
>> hiring an individual who is a retired
city firefighter
as a certification into teacher Hudson
Valley,
great guy.
But because he is retired in under the
age of 65, he is limited to earning only
$35,000
a year. Uh I thought this might resolve
it. So county civil service commission
gave a test to the electrical inspector.
He is the only person that took it, the
only person that passed.
>> So I can only hire him for 35,000.
There's some indication this
past budget year going in that the state
was going to raise that amount that
individuals could make as retirees.
Uh but it's still at 35,000. So we're
somewhat of a quandry or I'd like him to
be here full-time, but we can't pay him
full-time salary and it worked it. So if
he worked for a while at the 35,000
then now is working a outside contractor
group in to do the electrical
inspecting. So it's a less than optimal
scenario. It's
reality recruitment and people that meet
the technical background.
So may how is that third party
inspection?
Good. He's going to inspect.
>> So individual pay
for party inspection and then how our
inspector will do it.
>> Uh correct.
» Go ahead please.
>> No, I just I was asking for
clarification. So what did we spend last
year on on this particular salary line?
It was 75,000 last year.
>> It was uh very close to 75,000. I don't
have the exact figure in front of me,
but yes, you're you're very close to
getting.
>> So, last year he was able to earn the
full salary while you're working through
this process.
>> Um, he he came on board city midway
through the year.
>> So, he didn't reach that threshold
uh that conflicted with his retirement.
So, uh, when that when that threshold
was getting close to where we made some
changes,
>> so we didn't spend 5,000 next year
because he only
position retired, but he was paid for
the remainder of the year to roughly
35,000. So, the expenditure on that line
was close to budget.
Go ahead.
You said earlier that there was no
increases beyond the 3%. Correct. The
enforcement supervisor
is plus $3,000. Didn't know if you had
explanation for that. That clearly
exceeds the
different.
» And then follow question M. Um, seeking
clarification of one of the questions
I've had about any code enforcement
officers. My understanding those are
revenue generating positions and as
compliance enforcement officers in the
past you've talked about some of the
difficulties with um training
individuals in this profession and how
it requires a steep learning curve. Um,
but I wanted to know were these
reductions related to the revenue
reductions with respect to like a
building?
Well, historically, I'm aware that uh
while we had 12 positions budgeted,
uh we we have never had them filled.
Um and I I believe with
provide professional services from a
city to the public with with no problem
with the 12 positions.
>> So, just follow up to that. Sorry. Um
yes,
>> those additional two positions were they
never sought to be filled or what was
the expectancy and not pursuing them?
>> Um they haven't been filled since I've
been with the city and uh I'm aware that
they weren't filled uh even close to
when I came on board. So, I came on
board with 10 officers and u I can't
speak for the exact situation leading up
to me coming on board with the city, but
I I don't believe they've ever been
filled.
» So, you budgeted for 10. How many are currently filled right now?
>> Five right now.
>> But right now, we only have five. with
five.
And how long has it been at?
>> Um, actually today we're staying with
five.
>> Okay. Was it before that?
>> Um,
before today.
>> So did five bring you up to five taking
down?
>> Five brought brought us up. So we had
two officers become certified today.
>> So before then you had three.
>> Yeah, we have today.
>> Yep.
three certified officers, uh, three
certified management, so six working
certified officers and, uh,
» just just for a little more clarity, so
you had five, but did did the three
management actually go out into the
field or was that more
>> We have since we've been um since we've
been struggling with uh staffing and
we've been having a little bit of
shorting staff it short shortage there.
We have been working field one
>> and now with the two officers uh
becoming certified today we virtually uh
doubled our field staff.
Um, I was looking at the uh revenue
today from the year-to- date budget
reports and we're we're down um in uh
the uh the fees, the president fees. And
I was just wondering if if you had any
idea on why we're not bringing in that
revenue. I'm not sure if you can answer
that or if there's just less going on or
>> Can you share the line? Yeah.
I don't know if you have this, but I'll
show you the on.
>> I'll just um It's call for everybody
else.
>> Call the number of the number.
>> Yep. For everybody else, it's um and I
think Mr. Williams was starting to
allude to this maybe, but it was 251.
Um it's really been through
B, I think. But the more significant uh
decreases are in the um the plumbing
permit fee. I mean in terms of what we
were expecting for revenue. Okay.
>> Um the uh let's see that was plumbing
permit, electrical permit
um and rental certific.
So the plumbing permit fee while we do
work hand in hand with plumbing uh does
reside in the water department. It's in
that budget. Um so I won't speak on
that. I think that's more uh
appropriate for OS and the water
department to speak on the funding.
>> Okay. Um the other permit fees um
I think the biggest moment will be
electrical went down by 70,000.
Um
I think it might be related to
it could be related to trends. So there
might not be as much work going on in
the field
last year.
[Music]
So we did have some large projects that
were permitted last year and they were
significant. They were
hundred hundreds of thousands of dollars
in permit fees. So that could affected
us significantly.
>> Thank you.
>> Go ahead.
>> Um
thank you. Um Mr. Chy, do you have any
um anyone in queue ringing up, you know,
to be placed to up your five?
>> Um, so it is a priority to fill those
spots and I'm looking for good qualified
candidates and um we're having a little
bit of a challenge in finding qualified
candidates. realizing there's a hiring
freeze. Um I just wondered if you have
someone that was already in training at
this point. So you're constantly
looking.
>> No. So we are constantly uh interviewing
and I don't have anybody in training
now.
>> Okay.
>> Um
reviewing applications and it's a high
priority to bring fill those positions.
>> Thank you.
>> You're welcome.
>> Go ahead.
>> Thank you. So um you talked about the
plumbing permit piece, but um there's
really no change in that. There's
actually a plumbing licensing fee. Is
that also It's only It's a couple grand.
Is that also some That would be okay.
I'm sorry. I should say it's A2501E
and down.
» So that's not your item.
>> Similar situation. Yeah. That belongs to
the water department.
» All right. Any other questions?
>> Yes. So that so it's kind of going back
to the electrical inspector um at having
to cut his salary in half because not
able to make um over 35 grand. So the
rest of so the remainder of that comes
out of fees for services. Correct.
>> Um I don't believe so. So, the third party will charge a fee for
the inspections that are done through
that third party firm.
» Hold on. So, so the third party firm
charges who for the
>> the applicant
» and who's the third party
that we're using right now? It's not
him, right?
>> Middle department. Middle department
inspection agency. NDIA. Okay.
Um, so I do have a question about
the stop work order fees. I think we may
have had a big discussion. So there's a
charge for the stop order and then
there's a another $75 charge to go along
with that which is
>> so an administrative fee is for any
violation that's issued.
>> So that's 75
>> $75 an administrative fee. Yes.
And then once the person actually comes
and gets their permit, you're charged
twice for that permit.
>> There is a Yes, there's a double permit
fee for a stop work order
>> even though that So they're getting
penalized twice. Then they're getting
penalized with the 500 for the stop work
order and then penalized by making them
pay the permit twice.
>> Yeah. So this is nothing new. many
more than many it's a large percentage
of municipalities handled that situation
the same way and uh that that is what's
set up in sky and it's been set up long
before I've been here
>> well it was brought to my attention
because somebody came to the bill and
said they tried to adise the same thing
I've never had a personal experience so
that's why I'm bringing it here because
I did not know that that was the case
>> so that's in the ordinance that um when
there's a stop order issued, there's
double permit fees. So, all all permit
fees are doubled when uh there's a stop
work order issued.
>> Okay.
» Any other questions?
>> So, just for a little clarity on this,
so the third party inspector
charges the applicant. So, and when when
this gentleman's under his $35,000
threshold, then that money comes into
the city as revenue. Correct.
>> Or how does this work?
>> The application fee goes to the city for
the Yes.
>> And when we have to outsource it,
whoever we outsource it to,
>> so when we do outsource it, inspection
fees on the charged. Mhm.
>> So the city does not charge when we're
outsourcing it to the third parties
directly, we do not charge a home owner
or the contractor fee. Correct.
>> So that fee is paid directly
>> to the third party. Yes. So we don't
generate no revenue.
>> Yes. Correct.
>> To offset that electrical inspection.
>> Correct.
>> You see permit people do that
inspection.
>> That's what I'm saying. That's why I
want to ask a question. People are still
paying a fee
for electrical permit.
If we so if we're collecting a fee for
that electrical permit then why do we
then why do they have to pay in a third
party they're double paying for the
service same service
>> they won't if we've paid if they paid
the city for that there's some reason to
transition where the MDI was billing the
city for the work that they were
providing
>> so then why are we charging an amount of
efficiency when they have to go to put
the party admin to work.
>> You have to pay the permit fee no matter
what to give it to the department.
>> If you
pay the inspector directly, you don't
pay the city. If it's build to the city,
then they're paying at the city. So,
we're paying MDI.
>> So, a a homeowner can go directly to
this agency for the permit for the
inspection.
>> An inspection, not a permit. not the
permit. Now, I'm trying to get to the
fee because people are being charged for
the application,
the permit fees, whatever we want to
call it, and then they're being they
have to pay the third party also.
So, there are inspection fees that would
when the city's handling the
inspections, there are inspection fees
that are included.
They're above and beyond the permit fee,
the application fee, if you will. uh
application fee and the permit fee are separate from the inspection fee.
>> So we're saying that we only charge in
the application fee.
>> Yes.
>> And not the the the fee associated with
the work what we call cost of work fee
and then the rest go to the third party.
So the third party is charging for the
cost of work and we just charging for
the application fee. That's 75 whatever
that fee is. I think it's more than that
>> 75
>> $75. So if I were to come to pull a
permit for electrical permit to the
city, I'm paying $75.
>> Yes, sir.
>> And then the third party, I have to pay
the third party for whatever inspection.
>> Yes, sir.
>> Should be careful at that premises.
>> Yes, sir.
>> If there's something you think is
inconsistent with that,
>> I will I I'm going to ask for a report
on that because I've been getting a lot
of complaint about people are paying the
city. I want to verify, but since we're
talking about it, I was going to bring
it up. I was going to put it in the
document here to send my question in. I
wanted to see that how much in the last
6 months or a year, how much 6 months,
this only happened a couple months ago.
How much homeowner or contractor have
been paid to the city for electrical
work, the cost of work and application
fee and how much was paid
or how much work was done by the third
party. Okay,
go ahead, please. And so
and my original qu earlier question was
do we pay out of fees for service to
that third party and you were saying he
said no we don't pay out of service for
the um for the third party. So my
question is if but the mayor was saying
that this third party will will build
city right they bill us but so if
they're billing us my question is if
they're billing us for providing a
service and then we're paying them for
the service but then the home the
homeowner or contractor is also paying
them. That's that's what I'm trying to
that's where it's just you know and I
have a pretty limited scope here so
that's why I'm asking these questions. I
appreciate you coming.
transition when he went from being a
city employee who can no longer work
here to keep him because of his skill.
>> That makes sense, right?
>> So there was some in the middle there
where
he started some some of the inspections
are more simple
>> like one inspection other projects where
it may be multiple inspections.
So for instance, there was a a
transition period
said um where there was open permits and
fees were already paid to the city.
Okay. And uh so to close those out um of
course the third party firm wasn't
getting paid. So, um, until those
permits were closed out, and they were
all new permits where we didn't charge
these inspection fees,
we were paying fees for services in the
beginning of the transition period. Now,
when that work was closed out and now
these are new permits without us
charging inspection fees, uh, we are not
paying for MDI main service. They are
the applicant is paying for their
inspections and they do not charge the
city for that. The applicants are paying
for their inspections similar to them
paying the city
>> and the applicants are paying the same uh I guess it would be on the
same pricing scale that the city uses.
>> It's very similar. Okay. The bottom line
would be very similar
>> to the applicant.
So you you mentioned just that we had in
this transition happened that there were
some old permits that the
homeowner or the contractor paid to get
this work done but we could have done
the inspection in house. So we had to
refer them to the third party. So since
that happened we reimburse them for the
cost of work fee not the application fee
the cost of work fee because they have
to hire the tour party. I don't think
anybody hired somebody.
>> We have open permits that was just
mentioned.
>> It's not old. They're open permits.
>> So the open permits they didn't pay
twice. So they didn't have to pay NBIA
for that.
» There's some questions. May I I I reach
out to you and the several of the
contractor wanted a meeting with you and
you says no
>> and that's why I'm bringing this up and
I I you know I'm vocal about this
department and things like that.
>> So you got to give me specifics.
>> I did give you specific and they asked
to meet with you and you says no.
>> Are there any other questions? Go ahead.
>> So just be I just want to get clear
because they keep talking about the
different ones. So 88 8664404
fat fee for services is MDIA.
>> Um
so it is not MDIA. So fees for service
is services code enforcement uses. Um it
could be um an engineering firm. It's um
it's our process server for uh serving
uh
for
uh appearance tickets. It is um car
washes for that matter. It is uh it's
fees for service in general. We use it
for any fees for services in code
enforcement.
>> So where are they being paid for? Go
ahead. You got it. I do um on back up on
» code enforcement clerk. So that's a
position that's been going to be.
>> I'm proposing to make that position.
>> Okay. I'm sorry. Probably said that
» are any other questions?
>> Go ahead, please. So um you're you're
voting for eliminate what what are the
first of all is it currently filled?
>> It's not.
>> And what are the responsibilities of
that particular position?
>> So it's a very entry level position.
It's uh
virtually answering phones and five
>> all important tests.
>> Yes.
>> So
where is that work being current if it's
not filled in yet? So that work is being
done by one of the other uh positions
that we currently have built.
>> It's being split up amongst
administrative staff.
» So in the last budget, was there
somebody in that position last year?
>> Um
there was. I don't remember the
chronology of what happened with that
position. We did hire um this year and
we had that position filled briefly and
that person uh is now an IPS3 position.
» So where does MDI get paid from?
>> Where where does MDIA get paid from? So
in the brief transition they got paid
from they are getting paid I I believe
this will be the last uh invoice that we
receive from them uh from fees for
service
but that line doesn't belong to MDIA
>> it's annual fees
>> it's for many different services
» so there's a breakdown of what MBA gets
in the car washes so there's a breakdown
what's paid out that line
find that out.
>> Yes,
I do have one more question. So the in
so you also um in full processing
special you had two now you're going
down to one.
>> Um yes
proposing to uh turn one into an IPS
board.
» Okay. So going from one IPS4 to two.
>> Yes.
>> Okay. Thank you.
» Are there any other questions?
>> Seeing none. Thank you so much. Have a
good night.
Okay, let's do central data processing
page 28 and then we'll do some
engineering
that is page 28 sections.
Central process page 28 1680 uh
totalations increased by 8.267 267
835,000
to 93,000 approximately a 69,000
increase
see
anything about open for questions.
>> Okay. Uh yes. So most of these increases
we have is from u input services. We u
consolidated some of the line items
which was uh in different department
you know it fix you know website
management and all those things were
from different departments and equipment
also. Uh so they put that in my budget.
So that's on the amount of
» question. Go ahead please.
>> Yes. So under the administrative
salaries 81680.
So we've had an IT specialist web master
and now they're being moved to the
junior network administrator. So looks
like done done away with that one on the
web master added the administrator at
the same salary.
Yeah. So what happened was the IT web
master person was there but the
individual
needs to take the exam. So civil service
asked us to drop him down or put other
position. So we made him a PC support
specialist.
But this individual has a higher skill
on that. So I'm trying to bring another
position again in next year at a little
bit higher value than 50 supports.
>> So are you saying that you're moving
them to the junior network administrator
that would
>> Yeah.
>> However, there's no increase in salary
that individual.
>> Um yeah, I do see that. So um a little
bit increase on that. So if we can
increase the 5 grand difference of the
support to this big
so they're currently support
um so they will be receiving an increase
the junior network administrator
position of 66,950
that we divide that will be subed by the
It's less than that for the
administrator.
» Yeah. Sorry. Please.
>> So you talked about how you are reducing
or adjusting this role within your
department and the way in which you did
that. Just a clear question of can you
talk about HR's involvement in that
process or are these sincerely just your
internal recommendations of how to
capture their skill set at the right
conversation level?
>> Yeah. Yeah. So actually we had three
position before with the PC list and one
with the IP master uh which was in early
2024.
That position was there but individual
left position in the middle of the year.
So I have
an individual from that position. He had
that skill set to do it.
>> Uh but he was supposed to take the civil
service exam which missed. So we had the
letter from service to drop him off on
the we had to take him off and put him
on the PC support because there was
position at the time. So uh this year I
managed to fit that position PC support
uh three right now there are four
individual on that I'm going to move
that individual to this uh new position.
» Okay. Um
the stipen
for 300 proposed it hasn't been proposed
be hasn't been before. Is that for you
getting up in the middle of the night
and going to computer to save us?
rightfully so.
>> Would that be pay for you? That's
>> lucky.
I believe that is for um the uh the
chief technology officer.
>> Okay.
[Laughter]
Um I'm just asking because the
assessment was just here and you know
last year we had um allocated $60,000 to
upgrade all the machines and how are you
with that in terms of upgrading all the
machine across all the departments.
>> Yeah, I appreciate you giving that
helped a lot. So we are 60 70% done
replacing the machine and because of
that like we don't have the
like in all staff and you know like I
how it works you know like there is not
enough time every day to do you know
like sometime we go do sometime
something comes up right so because my
guys uh you know still try to you know
accomplish school job so we have 70%
down And
>> yeah, but uh the funding you allocated
that will suffice to replace all those
machines we which we talked about
>> and your pace to get that done.
>> Yes.
>> Before the end of this year.
>> Uh before end of this month.
>> End of this month.
>> Yes.
>> Please. Yeah.
>> It's good that we have updated
technology because cyber security and
things that mean it's good to have that
know.
>> Yeah. Yeah. That helped a lot. Go ahead,
please.
>> So, the largest budget line, and if you
said this at night, I'm sorry. Your
largest budget line is A16804
fees for service.
>> That's your largest budget line, and
there's been somewhat of an increase
there.
>> Yeah. Yeah. From those increase mostly,
you know, like I said, you know, the the budget line was in different
department before.
>> It is it is in here.
>> So, like
fix the you know.
>> Okay. CD plus for the websites and also
we got this mobile device management
which is uh for the protection of the
you know mobile devices within our
organization cell phone or tablets those
things so that we done this year that is
also in that
>> and also
solution which is also
>> I'm sorry what was that
>> email filtering solution
you know spam filtering
those things we miss.
>> Thank you.
>> Are there any other questions?
>> You know, thank you for doing
keep us safe.
>> All right,
Mr. Wallen.
And that will be
page 22
public
increase 549%
9125,000
34 745.
Oh,
thank you for bringing that to my
attention. Capital
» um
so it utility.
» So if you can just walk us uh through
that is the capital budget your um
utilities and IT.
Uh, sorry.
>> I don't want to
>> It's on page 91
>> under capital budget.
>> That's all for utility.
>> Oh, that's for utilities. Okay. So, then
you're good. You're good.
>> We'll get you.
» All right. Sorry for that.
» Page 22.
Commissioner
Department and then we'll handle work.
So that's a and a brief
40 public works
approximately a $35,000 increase.
>> All right. Since you have multiple
departments here, we'll just go through
them individually. Um public works
admin, you want to walk us through
there. Anything that significant change
or increase that we need to know about?
No. Uh so I have two IPS in my
department or myself. So what I gave out
was it's a budget package. I put it
together this summary of the department
how it made up that over here in of the
presentation. Um so in this there isn't
any I went through it before there isn't
any changes uh in 1440
above what I had proposed originally but
I don't see anything there. if there's
any questions. So I can just tell you
that uh
1448 are the two texts I have IPS's and
we have our longevity and we go through
uh as we get into the uh 401 400 items
that are posted we still have some
posted it's not as much as you used to
be everything being digital uh
administrative expenses those are my
license renewals and I go to a
conference every year at Nikcom so we do
pay for that through there it's
relatively uh affordable conference
And then what we have is leases, Xerox,
RGis, civil 3D. So those leases that we
have under the fees for services. Then I
have uh city phone expense, uh supplies,
which boil down really department
overhead, paper, pens, $1,200, and then
maintenance contracts. And maintenance
contracts are actually city contracts
that are paid for. So we have anou with
the CDTA for $25,000 for ride share. We
have an easement with Amtrak uh for
public infrastructure and we have
infrastructure. We have DOT attraction
signs if you see on 890 say welcome
Central Park and then we have an
agreement with CPU rail um for the
lights on the bridge over. So that's all
in there. Those are all um those are all
kind of contractual in that paid for it
out of there. So 1440 is pretty much tax not
>> any questions on on this section. Go
ahead please.
>> Um under uh administration 144100 info
processing soft three. So there's like a
22% raise. Is that $10,000?
>> Okay. Thank you. And my second question
is
um under 144404 fees for services.
» Yeah, that was an adjustment. We were
actually having to do budget adjustments
at some point. So the Xerox license is
over 2500. I have an RGI license that's
5,000. Civil 3D license that's five. So
we were just making a correction for it
to make sure that we cover it. Any
questions? Go ahead, please.
>> So, I don't have a year date for me, but
so last year we adopted was 7500
>> and so you said you went over that so
that doesn't correct.
>> Yeah, you see the 2024 actual expenses
are $20,000,
>> but we're trying to correct it. It's
just to make sure everything's
representative correctly.
>> All right. Thank you.
>> Yep. Any other question on this section?
Seeing none, we'll move to page 23,
engineering, construction, and design.
>> Commissioner
page 23, 841,
total increase of 19.1%
33 increase.
» Um, so here we have assistant to the
city engineer. This is a position that
was previously held by Gary Fowl who
retired. Um it's position that I like to
have as it does not require a PE. Um the
PE is a difficult thing to hire for
because you either have someone who's
experienced who would want more than 95
or inexperienced who may want credit and
doesn't have a PD. So that kind of gives
us some flexibility. Also, it's at a
salary where if uh we wanted to change
that title in the future to something
that comes to consolidates budgeted if
we wanted to do something like uh but
before I had or you'll see in my notes
we talked about senior engineering
technician you know joins I saw your
comment about you know hiring an
engineer one of the things that we're
struggling with in engineering is we're
in this this middle ground a junior
engineer if you hire a junior engineer I
started as a junior engineer
And if you hire a junior engineer who
wants to be a PE, we don't offer enough
design experience to get your work PE.
So for instance, I left. I left for four
years. I got my PE and I came back. So I
don't see it being a long-term position
to hire someone who really wants to earn
their PE. Um, so then we were trying to
find people with a technical background,
someone that, you know, has a background
in construction and management, which is
really the majority of what we do, um,
that we could bring in would want a PE.
And that's where we were looking at a
senior engineering tech at one point,
which was in my notes, but the assistant
to the city engineer, um, we felt that
that's a better fit because it's
budgeted a little higher than senior
engineering tech and also scan doesn't
require.
Um so and then just to you know you know
be clear on this as well what's not
represented here and I also have in my
notes is the storm water control
officer. One of the things that I talked
about at a council meeting when I did an
update was the importance of the city
being prepared for all the new MS4
requirements and all the reporting and
inspections that go along with that.
Right now we're using a third party
engineering firm PT Mail to review and
handle all of it. It's a large
administrative lift to keep in
compliance. So that position is in storm
sorry in the sewer budget. Um and you
know I would wholeheartedly recommend
that it remain there. So while you're
only seeing um the assistance of city
engineer remaining here, you know that
position would most likely be put into
engineering office and they would work
with me. So that would be an extra body
as well. Um and like I said in my
narrative talks about we have a setup
now for seven seven people. Um this
would full this would budget the office
at six whereas right now I have four
full-time. So you know while it's great
to say it would be nice to have a seven
full staff. I mean having two more
people focused uh on engineering. I mean
that's that would be huge for the
department. So I don't want to uh go too
much outside that. If we can fill in the
MS4 officer with department of storm
water and then uh find a replacement for
Mr. Afall, I think that will um give us
a lot of uh a lot of help and
redundancy. The the hard part though to
your point is, you know, if I'm not here
that that kind of uh dependency on me as
the engineer. Um, and I don't know that
there's a chance that we could find
someone, but I'm not, you know, we've
been looking for engineers probably for
13 years. And it's not that we haven't
advertised. We advertise quite a bit.
It's just hard to to put it in
when there's so much competition out
there between Friday.
So, I'm like I said, I guess it's a
longwinded way of saying I'm comfortable
with this budget. uh given that the MS4
storm water control officers day because
that would be someone that would really
help me out with a lot of the workload
that's coming.
>> So Chris, you still you still use a
consultant to help you with projects?
>> Oh yes. So I have uh I started five
years ago I started doing term
agreements. Um, so I have a term
agreement with most 10 private firms and
the term agreements allow us to kind of
backfill professional services that we
need. So whenever there's something that
comes up be an emergency or a project
that's under a certain amount, I think
about professional services that one of
them uh seek mail or MS4. Um and I think
that will always be the case because we
just don't have uh even myself I don't
have the the time expertise to do a wide
range of projects that we do in
engineering. You know we have on our
turn agreements architects, traffic
engineers, electrical engineers,
mechanical engineers because remember
it's not only uh roads we do all the
buildings and facilities. So we have a
lot of people that we that we rely on
that keep everything together. So with
these consultants on board and with the
staffing that you currently have here at
the key level with uh with all the
projects that you have currently
>> next year will be exceptionally busy
year because it'll eventually be the end
of a big jump right the money is kind of
run out right so those projects are done
but next year we're going to have um the
DRRi money that all money is being spent
next year on some of those projects but
That's around $6 million in BRRI and
then they got credit tree which is being bid at the end of the year and
that's a $13 million project. So that's
bigger than here. Now I am going to have
support because those projects do allow
me to hire construction inspectors but
still a lot. So that this will be a
extremely busy year with those projects.
We always have the paving project going
on and then after that really the
largest project after that is going to
be Crane Street Bridge. Um and that is
just going to be a long that will very
inflated but it does have an impact on
>> talking about paving I want to commend
you publicly for central parkway uh well
done and homeowners are really
appreciated some complaints that we have
to address with you but I think it's
minor that myself and uh Patrick but I
don't think it's it's a big of a deal
but we'll address with you okay
>> but I want to thank you for that
leadership in bringing that project to
where it is successful and that's a So
many years of planning back and forth co
is there people like that.
>> Well, I also have been meaning to email
you over the last few days to thank you
for Union Street which also was just
beautiful. Although I have gotten one
complaint that it's hard to stay at 25
now.
Before you had to avoid all the potholes
and now you can just, you know, zoom up
Union Street. So that's a good a good
problem to have. But it's I I've been
meaning to to thank you and write to you
over the last few days and I just
>> it's can discuss with it has to do with
the island
>> what happened the stone and the turf.
>> Yeah they can
something that they can be addressed.
>> Yeah we're going to be we're going to be
addressing now that it's turf season.
We're also um we kind of were waiting if
you notice the um old light poles are
still in place. Yeah,
>> National Grid has to remove those
themselves. So, we just I literally have
it in my desk yesterday, uh, an
agreement from National Grid. They're
going to come and remove those. They're
going to have to remove the poles and
the foundations. And then, yeah, we when
that project ended, it was in the the
middle of the biggest heat wave that you
had.
>> So, planning the grass, all you had to
establish.
So, we are going to have to go back
through and and do that. Now's a good
time. We're doing the ground part. But
now at the time it was
>> I think we preemptive because we did
full but you're not going to leave like
that.
>> No we did because we have known you over
the years to not do things like that. So
we did tell we did make that very clear
to them that you are more than likely
coming back
» and then we did mention about the
international
>> and the lights came on.
>> Yeah.
Absolutely.
Actually, I'm just going to also say in
looking over um the purchase orders uh
summary, well, detail actually that we received I think today, maybe
yesterday, I can't remember. Um the I
was noticing just how many different
firms you do have to interact with
because of the various consultants. So,
you know, I can imagine that that's
complex also. So, I think again to add
to what Mr. Mutter and saying it's great
that you have so you know you have very
strong relationships with these various
>> that was that was the point of the sheet
it was a sheet that I included in the
package just to
show the amount of internally externally
that that uh city department of
engineering lead on work with someone
that's that's
right residents you know residents there
6,000 of them And then we got this is
just a current snapshot of food cuz it
does rotate. But um yeah, without the
consultants and contractors, we know
that we couldn't we couldn't do it. And
I also have Steve Bruce back to help
hard times. See, you know, 30 plus years
experience with the city.
>> Great.
>> Go ahead.
>> Thank you. Um Mr. When does the paving
schedule come out by 2026?
I'm anticipating doing some more roads
off a Union Street.
>> We're working on the paving schedule
now. Yeah.
>> Um I don't have it I don't have it
developed now. Usually we don't bother
having we don't have it all together
until February. Okay.
>> But we had an internal meeting. We're
starting the book. Um I know one of the
big roads we're looking at this year is
Frank Street. Um you know in
anticipation of doing the bridge over
but we thought that we did that and I
can look at some rows off the Union but
you know we're really always trying to
focus on main times. That's what I drove
looking at bridge. I'm like yeah it's
time for this. You know, we also try to
partner. If you noticed, uh, we worked
with the Sent City School District. We
did the roads around the Steinments
Academy. We're more than grateful about
that. We did the roads around Mount
Pleasant. We're also, um, next year
the mayor sign off might be a minorly
different paving where I'm looking to
try to do some of my larger nuisance
projects. So, um, we have some areas
like, um, in front of, uh, by Mount
Pleasant and tennis courts, there's an
area there where we have a triangle.
We're looking at redoing that. We've had
some accidents, uh, in that area, and
we're looking to reconfigure the ropes
there. We also have some areas that are
concrete roads, specifically Michigan
Avenue and Almont Avenue by 890. It's uh
concrete roads that are in rough shape,
you know, and uh looking to do um Gulf
Road, add an official turn lane at the
cross town right now. It's kind of one
and a half lanes. It's a little little
tricky there. We have a plan for that.
Also going across and uh cleaning up the
entrance to the golf course. Um and then
we're working with uh you know, Mike
Sesnney on a bunch of areas. The big
thing that we also are trying to do when
we have our paving program is eliminate
areas of icing. So we have some lowline
areas. We have an area in Woodan right
now that we're working with connecting
municipal housing on Mville with roadis
because it's low. We're looking to do a
project there to raise the road because
the less uh icing that we have on the
road, the less work for our DPW crews
because it is a specific focus where
they have to birth dispatch ice
locations. Um, another one we just are
doing now is on rugby bowl plot. You see
a little corner work we're doing there
that ended up being some icing and some
flooding areas that we have there. But
we're trying to pick away at it. But I
will have a an idea more towards
January. Right now we're just wrapping
up talking about
normal part to the tennis court. That
section was the others were paid but
that section was um not paid. Is there a
reason why that part turned into tennis
court here?
>> That's the area I'm talking about. So,
>> so we stopped while we're designing that
entire area with the triangle is going
to be re reconstructed
>> from our turn all the way up to
>> Right. Correct. All from there up to not
right up to the exit ramp but up ways.
If if you were not if there's a pet
basin that's in disrepair and there's a
very awkward triangular island um that's
not the right side. So we're going to try to clean up that.
>> You're talking about the cat basement in
that circle right by Pennsylvania
>> Skyler.
Yeah, that area right there.
>> Thank you. Y
>> um so I do want
>> No, you
>> um I do see that traffic counting was
cut from your budget.
>> Yes.
>> Okay. So, what what are we doing to
address these stop signs and these
issues with residents in the city? How
would you think when we go with that? Do
we have any money in the budget next
year?
>> That's what I was That's why I made a
note of it. is that I don't specifically
have the money in things budget for. Um,
and I look what I, you know, I I uh what
I'm trying to do is itemize the budget a
little bit so that it kind of takes some
of the nuance and pressure off of
everything. It's that, you know, um, I
looked at the city of Alby's budget.
is similar to
ours, but like I say, they spell out
everything. So when we get CHIPS money,
we paid for Chips money. same we uh you
know we separated chips and CDBG trying
to focus. So um so the idea behind that
was that we would put x amount of
dollars into what Alman would call speed
mitigation traffic mitigation and they
dedicated uh million to $2 million a
year to it and that's how they put in
their their traffic humps and speed and
all those things. They use that funding
not the chips funding and they actually
had a line called traffic. So I kind of
copied that and put the amounts in. But
you know given the situation that we
have you know fiscally was you know
those were some of the first things that
we looked at to say we haven't done this
in the past now really the best time to
start. Um it's not to say that we can't
put in stop signs and do some work with
chips money is possible. It's just the
idea that
the budget to what we would like to do
and not budget in this shop manner of
we're going to tell the city engineer
what we think and he's going to have to
figure out how to pay for it. You know,
it's that if the city would like to see
the creation and the installation of
speed humps, then we have to put
something in the budget similar what we
did with the sidewalks that says is that
we believe that we need to do this. will
put in x amount of dollars for me to do
that and if it's not in the budget so that I'm going to continue to
do the base work
>> and and I've appreciated and trusted
your response Mr.
on and all the work we do. It's got to
be overwhelming for me on a daily basis,
but thank you for it too. Um, so I know
I've been working for years, some of us
have on Kingsville and Rosby Road and um
places like that. So we just want to
make sure that that's you know
that fact moving forward that that's
something that we really want to propose
for coming.
>> So
Mr.
U actually
Um, I hear everything all the
conversation just took place and I'm
increasingly worried that Mr. Wallen is
the sole engineer functioning with all
this knowledge and information at the
city.
There's nothing to stop him from
choosing tomorrow to transition to
another municipality or work workforce.
We've seen that happen. Um, and
in his absence,
how does the city function where a lot
of the projects and I appreciate our
conversations, they require that
historical context to understand how to
mitigate some unforeseen issues that you
just wouldn't know if you weren't here 5
years ago. And that's why I appreciate
the two legit knowledge of Mr.
supportive field just calling those out
because having a source reference
knowledge is important to understand
that we don't repeat some lessons
learned that just aren't captured with
um newer individuals at the table. Um
but for the amount of time that I've
been on the council, we just continue to
hear how it's difficult to provide a
support or a secession. Um if you
wouldn't mind. Um but sincerely it needs
to be a hyperfocus
uh because to me a number of the
projects that were just identified at
the table those would fall into the work
task in excess of the core operations.
Um we talk about mental health in the
workplace. I the thought of you being so
cautious the time you take away from
your job because of how it will halt for
how it will halt operations at the city.
I would imagine that is a component of
your consideration. And I hope that at
this stage in your career, you
understand you have to step away at
times. Um, but again, with respect to
engineering, you just keep asking for
more and more and more and more. And
it's with good good measures like safety
considerations, paving schedules,
they're things that matter to the
community. Um, but even with the fee for
service line, I shadowed your department
for a brief moment and I felt like I was
taking away your time. Um, but even for
the projects that you're not managing
directly, you're indirectly managing
them because a member from your office
has to sign off phone at the end of the
day. Um, so I would even say that that's
double the work. Um so although we can
align the budget, there needs to be an
emphasis from within city hall because
again that is a big shortfall and I do
not want to see us continue down this
path of having individuals with uh so
many different varying responsibilities
that sometimes exceed their immediate
role set and as we replace them we now
have to decouple all these things and
it's more difficult. Um, so I see this
is as a a crossroad for us and I hope
that we can address this move forward
and I hate the word hope because we have
to figure it out eventually, but to me
it doesn't seem like we are. Um, so I
can thank you and we can all thank you
for what you do. Um, but until we
provide you some supports, it this is a
ticking timeline and I am one of a lot
of members in our community that have
moved back with the hopes of putting
some supports or with the hopes that
this will still be here and I don't want
to see your good efforts fall by the
wayside because of our poor plan.
» Well said that as well.
>> Yes,
>> you're not going anywhere.
But yes, you need you need support staff
to help you out.
>> Agreed.
>> What we are trying to do in the
department having another IPS's help is
we are trying to utilize
technology and and organizationally
we're trying to in case anybody were to
walk in there. It is, you know, Steve
spend six months organizing files and
scanning and working with it just to try
to make it um so that if someone were to
come in, they would not be just
inheriting, you know, I inherited a desk
with a lot of paper on it. You know,
we're trying to track things
differently. And I do think it helps
when you have things um more itemized
like what we're talking about. That way
you can just see these are at hand. Um,
and like I I really do think that with
the end of the ARPA and the DR, which I
hope I think that might have been a lot
of funding, you know, we had a lot of
projects in a very short amount of time
and we didn't, you know, increase staff
to handle it. It was just a lot going
on.
>> Um, I I think maybe we'll get back to
some kind of normality, but I appreciate
it. I mean, we would I would like to
have one here, but the issue is I just
don't want to sit here and say that, you
know, 13 years without having another PE
that in this fiscal budget that this is
the year that we really need a PE and
that if I walk away that the city's
going to be doomed. You know, the city's
been here for a very long time and, you
know, everybody's managed to figure it
out without me and without, you know,
it'll keep going on. You know, it's
government. It's it's it'll just be a
little bit more inefficient, I guess.
I'm talking about paving residential
paving removed from your your office.
Sorry, under your control. It's now
under residential
inspection that is completely under
code. Correct. So, um several years ago,
um what we decid what we we decided for
efficiencies was that you know anything
that affected a private parcel. So if it
was on a private property then that work
would just go to codes because you know
technically engineering different you
know I I'm usually in my staff are in
the rightway we don't have badges we
don't have authority to go on the
private property technically I'm sure
there's some something in there that
says I could but we like we changed the
structure years ago to be that if a
permit had to do with anything that was
on a private property such as you're
paving your driveway but uh I had a
review in the past from municip If it's
a curve cut, if sidewalks, anything in
the right that the check and I do get
that call from code officers that say
it's a new curb cut, does this curb cut
mean city standard? And then I will
review it and check. But if it's just
someone wants to retake the driveway, I
don't I don't have to
that has been done.
>> Well, you're completely out of
» You're completely out. Yeah, that I mean
and that's what I get again is that like
the uh the core operations part of it,
you know, if you were if you were to
look back these for years, you know,
where it says permanent issuance
inspection, there used to be six there.
>> Sidewalk, painting, all that. Anything
that had to do with a residential or
commercial property, those were
transition to codes. And I now have
revocables, which are things in the
right way, uh and the small warehouse
facilities, which are also things in
right away. So I handle anything that's
in the city's right.
» Also just back to the budget cut. Sorry.
When you say cut from budget, is it
because that something you removed based
on needing to cut that amount or was
that something that you asked for and it
was removed?
>> You talking about the position? Um
actually specifically talking about um
the MSN MS4 requirements and traffic
and well like I said it was the MS4
requirement was a something that I spoke
with mayor finance about uh regarding
copying the Ithaca way of doing things
and requires a a new fee and creation of
it but there's a lot of complication to
that. So it's something I'm going to
continue to work on with Derek um
because it is a it is a large be a large
implementation. So we decide not to go
forward. Traffic timing like I said in
the parking study those were singular
capital lines. They were not in the
operating budget. They could go in the
operating budget but those were things
that were in the capital. But once again
is that this is a tight budget. So they
were they were wanted to have them in
there to show that we talked about these
things. I added the budget but you know
we had to have some discussions when we
get to our capital about things that are
you know more important than that. And
there may be some ways around it, but
also it would be great if you know I
guess we didn't, you know, off the focus
of trying to do so much, you know, and
that's that's the thing is that in the
city the Craig Street project and
putting four stop signs up sometimes
take just as much time. Know there's a
lot of conversations that need to happen
with both of those projects. So there are time cons,
you know, this is this is the city's
budget. It's not my budget.
back.
>> Are there any other questions?
Okay, seeing none,
I think a couple other departments uh
except for adult.
>> Yeah, we can go through all the lines.
I'll just let you know 14 is the
administrative APWA news. Uh county
split news that is the 402 lines fees
for services. That is what I do use to
pay for consultants when it comes time
for I need third party services. Um so
that line I would appreciate remaining.
You can see the one year was very high.
We got a we had to do some transfers but
then what we did is that wasn't new with
staff. We moved some staff money to
there and that's what we did but I'm
comfortable with that number. And then
like I said the rest of it is is small.
It's uh cell phones uh training and then
once again
section
all yours capital
your engineering department
buildings and come back and fill up the
lab and
So page 91
bottom section
and the next page. Mhm.
Just one sure
the first one electric vehicle charging
stations. What we're looking to do is
currently we have five charge point
charging stations. They were installed
over 5 years ago. Um we've been having
some issues with the annual maintenance
fees on them and some of the
repairability. um our facilities
department um asked that uh we
transition those to link well the
stations that we've been putting in
lately. Um we have some right in back
city hall. We're also putting some in at
the golf course. There's two and some
other areas in the city. We have both
stations going in. So this is to replace
the existing stations and put in a
couple new stations for electric vehicle
charging. The next fire station
improvements. So that is I had three
improvements. So we did a lot of work to
fire station one replace their APA
heating system
really successful project. They also had
a uh whole house generator but in doing
that what we have now is they have a
console on the front of their building.
Um the console used to be where dispatch
was now we moved to a central dispatch
but that console remains. It is a very
large hardwired console. uh and it's
taking up space. It looks like something
from NASA via Houston. We have a
problem. I mean, it is an old
and so we have uh some folks to remove
that and refurbish that room so they can
turn it into uh more administrative
spaces. Uh we're also looking at doing
the roof uh at station two and at
station 4. So that is fire station
improvements, parking kiosks. Um, I know
as we're transitioning to Lazo, but we
have a lot of outdated kiosks around the
world. We doing even though we did
upgrade some, we have a lot of uh kiosks
that really need to be upgraded with the
new displays. So, this is to buy, I
believe, 10 new kiosks and locate them
in our busier area, do a whole
reshuffleling of a kiosk working with
the uh PD department. Um, paving that is
our general paving fund. That is in
addition to chips. um that is for work
that is not chips eligible. It is really
useful to have uh funds dedicated to
paving for nonchips eligible work
because chips does have requirements.
The next one um replacement of green
houses at Central Park. Um we have two
green houses at Central Park that are
dating back to 1950s. They are our last
green houses with antlated controls.
We've installed uh a new teaching
greenhouse with a grant that we got from
Brookley for set. That greenhouse is a
polycarbonate greenhouse. It is
phenomenal. Their production has doubled
using the greenhouse
>> and um instead of investing money into
those old green houses and I were like
done. So we're looking at uh new two new
green houses that are polycarbonate that
will use their automation system. Um the
green houses will be almost identical
size but more configured for production
just longer traditional green houses. Um
so that's one of them and then signage
which is central park signage. So we've
been working for well over two years on
uh installation of signage wayfinding
signage in Central Park and um I spoke
with Derek about it. I hope you're using
general paving funds because we do
signage with general paving. However,
since we're not paving all the roads
around the park because we've had them
come, it's uh safer to council just to do it this way. These are, you know,
not street signs. These are decorative
signs similar that you would see in a in
a state park that would be placed at the
main entrances around the park. Um it's
good timing for it because now
everything's kind of set where it is. Um
we know where everything's going to be.
So, that is uh the next one. So those
were the uh the replacements for
>> So we do have some signage around
Central Park replace those
>> any signs that was like rose garden
signage that's going to remain that were
privately funded that rose garden
signage. This is more weight finding.
It's actually going to be outside around
the perimeter of the park of not so much
on the interior to make sure that people
know where the pool is, where to park um
where you know where to park for a
diamond and b diamond connect the
educational environmental community. We
want to make sure people know where that
is. So we have a plan um and we're ready
to go. It's just that we need the
funding.
» Okay. Something happened in the last
year to year before. We did some work
for the greenhouse with a bathroom or
something like that.
>> We did install a bathroom. Yes, we've
installed a composting bathroom with a
grant.
>> Was it last year?
>> Two years ago.
>> No, the greenhouse is I mean it really
is an asset to the city. I encourage
anyone to go. Um, and if you would like
to see what that new does, um, it's
unbelievable what they can do with
actually climate controlled all
computerized and to show us some of some
of the produce that they're making out
of there and what they can do. I think
this is going to really increase the
capacity and, you know, it's not a for
profit thing. It's something that
they're providing. Go ahead.
>> Well, a couple of questions. Well, three
questions.
Um, one about the green houses. Would
what's your estimation of would we be
able to go another year if we couldn't
replace the green houses with new green
houses? So, that's my first question.
>> I would want to talk with Pam and Janet
about it just because they have put off
certain things with updating because of
it. Um, you know, the heating systems
are antiquated. They have old oil. Um,
we're really trying to get away from
oil, uh, from everything. you know, they
have tanks in the ground.
>> Um, and then, you know, some of the
glass is broken. That's the issue is a
glass greenhouse.
>> So, um, I would I would I would if could
recommend that we we try to we try to
move forward with it just because it is
>> there's there's electrical things going
on there. I mean, if you were to look at
it, it's pretty pretty bad.
>> Okay. And then in terms of the um the
signage were did we ever um I feel like
this in my memory um did we have to have
a partnership with the county for some
of those weightbearing signs or is that
just something I'm imagining
» you feel like you know
>> so I worked with Steve Feny and another
grant which was the veil central park
connector
>> and that was a signage project that we
completed a couple years ago.
>> Okay. So, that is what I'm thinking.
>> Yeah. And that is in place. Uh and that
we utilize the new capital district
trail logos. We were one of the first
municipalities to do it. Um which is
great. And if anybody looks outside the
window to see our continuation project
that's going on, which is, you know,
we're getting some really good reviews
of that Franklin Street cycle track. Uh
while it's not done, you can really see
it because the asphalt's been cut out
and the curb going in. And that's the
continuation of that path all the way
from there. And that's going to be a
federal project that we're working on
next year as well, which is the
continuation of that path from the
environmental education center at the
state so that someone on a bicycle could
have a dedicated path all the way from
state fair to city hall. So effectively,
you could ride the bike on a dedicated
path from State Street to the farm,
>> which is great. in our next phase to try
to get you from here to Union Street so
that we could connect you to the Mohawk
uh Mohawk and Trail, which would be
huge. So, only only a couple blocks to
go until we're done with that.
>> Okay. And my last thing was just about
um lighting at parks. Um if we I thought
for some reason that we had talked about
that previously when we had the parks
director here, but I'm not seeing it in
my notes. that experiment.
>> I mean, do we have enough lighting, do
you think, in terms of some of the the
roadways around the pool
» place? I don't know.
>> I'm wondering on the road in from um you
know, the Rose Garden
>> up into like around Music Haven, is
there any plan? Are there any plans to
>> No, there
>> we can. I am. So, as everybody probably
knows, the Central Park tennis court
project is I'm living right now. When
that is completed, um, we are looking to
redo Arthur chairs road
one way.
>> I can look into it. That would be
something that would be eligible to be
put in lighting on Arthur chairs, but I
haven't looked at it as a whole park.
>> I It's kind of the first I've heard
about it.
>> Okay. Thanks.
>> Go ahead, please.
>> Um, so back to the electric vehicle
charging stations. And you talked about
you mentioned the couple um in the golf
at the golf course.
>> Yes.
>> Um so as I recall the police department
recently got a grant for that, right? So
is this in addition to what the money
they got? Is the money they got?
>> This is in addition. So that those
projects are already happening. We have
uh Erie Boulevard, the Erie Boulevard,
the golf course, Lafayette by the police
station, and I believe there's one other
location that they're doing right now.
>> Foster Avenue.
That's correct. Yep.
Foster Avenue by the
>> So, how many you asking? I mean, is this
for here?
>> This is four. Let me consult my giant
folder.
Um I believe it was 10.
Uh
13.
>> 13.
>> Yeah, it would this would be good for 13
uh dual port charging station.
>> So for I can't remember how much how
many was it for the police department?
Just two or was it four?
>> Well, that's different. Remember the
police department was getting them under
a different uh bond.
>> I understand. Okay. That was getting two
with two and two with two. So it's four vehicles. That's usually how we do
it at the bottom. at the golf course, at
the police station, at Foster Avenue,
and on Boulevard.
>> Right. I just want to make sure at the
golf course we're getting four
essentially.
>> Yes, four.
>> Yeah, that was a really actually pretty
simple project with those location at
the time. So, that's good. And it should
be um almost very we just call them.
>> And so, are how many are there going to
be there now?
>> Of course. No. So, so it would be a
total of 14 with the 10 is 10 and
therefore
it's not 10, it's 13.
>> Oh, 13.
>> 13 plus the four. So, 77.
>> Yes.
>> And then double that, you have 34 plugs.
» Go ahead.
>> Thank you. I have a few questions. and
everything that you do in your office as
far as grants. Are there a lot out
there? Is there someone that um
particular focuses on grants that might
be out there for
charging stations? Um that's my first
question.
>> Um well, I believe some of the money
that we got originally was from uh
grants
with the question mark, so we might do
that. Okay. Um
next question. As far as the green
houses, have have you thought of like
the the um freight farm um like uh the
city mission has um where they grow
things hydroponically
as a alternative to something in the
greenhouse.
>> Have you have you been in there or seen
that
>> everything grows kind of like
hydroponically on walls with lights and
things?
>> I don't know. Maybe something to look at
>> as far as as what he put in there. um
and enough I the I had to pass the
greenhouse participants not to come just
because I said they know let's just have
a normal budget meeting but if if there
was ever any information they might be
listening and coming right now
they're very interested in in promoting
what they do with the greenhouse so I
I'm not familiar with the hydroponic I
do know that the new green houses have
racks that they do hang things from um
compared to the old one but that we've
worked on doing some of the capital
support the actual plants and other
things are run by cooperative extension.
» Um the greenhouse volunteers are looking
please send us your own recommendation.
>> We will look at it
>> the new parking kioses. So I mean going
with VA and the new system that we're
going to go through there's nothing
through them that they can give us some
money for something to replace some of
these in
>> we can ask we
>> no but a fair point would be is uh I
don't know if we have signed any kind of
agreement with goat you know Metroplex
has gone forward with that I think
they've actually started already
changing their their branding but right
now we have we do not have any type of
agreement with them that I'm aware of or
transitioning over to that. So, it's
something that uh I'll have to follow up
on. Um
but that could be part of that
conversation if they want to contribute
anything to this to that point.
>> And another thing is the um I know um
Central Park is it's considered like a
New York State Park. There's a lot of
funding that might happen for there for
signage.
» No, a state park. not a state park but
under New York state parks. Um, have we
ever looked into anything like that?
>> I haven't. I can ask but I think our
consultant would have they do a lot of
work in state parks and I haven't heard
anything about a funding opportunity.
>> Okay.
>> Um, and the last thing is the lot off of
Beer Avenue. Um, there's a lot of
construction, grading, milling going on
over there. What's what are we going to
do there outside of a
>> park?
>> Right. Is it has it been paved or I
haven't been by there in quite a while,
but I know we're looking to
make a lot of parking there
>> and and we have.
>> Yeah. Um
>> it's open now. There used to be big
blocks there.
>> There are blocks, but the blocks are to
delineate entrance fees. Yes.
>> Okay. Oh, good. So just the one and then
um so one of the things that I was
requested by uh Chris was he asked if we
could look at
moving the blocks next year and doing a
curbed area up front and moved the
blocks. The blocks are a temporary
measure to try to delineate where it is.
and I said that we would work on it um
possibly then that what we could do is
make um median areas and then put trees
in the median areas out front. The
reason that trees would be difficult
inside of the parking lot itself is that is uh with all development in the
city which is a good thing and all the
utilization of space that is the city's
primary snow dump and when we do pile
snow there we use very large
and um just the trees would would not
farewell given that what we do there but
um but so far for everything that we've
done we made the area put buildings down
we compacted
Mike Stron and myself laid out a
rudimentary parking lot using just uh
paint in hand and um we had one person
directing and I I think everything went
really well for our events. People just
kind of felt once you set the first
couple cars up really did work. But I do
think that softening the entrance with
some plantings and some curb built up.
So I'm going to work with Chris on that
because right now the blocks
Yeah. There is there a little little
Thank you.
>> Go ahead, please.
>> Actually, this has to So, back to the EB
starting station. Um, we have a lot
around city hall. Um, especially this
question is probably more ground for
city hall and let me uh what are we
doing to make sure that someone with a
gas vehicle doesn't park there?
>> I think they're all signed to
>> Yeah, I understand. But,
>> but they would get ticketed just like
somebody whose uh year is expired
parking someone properly
>> unless it's on the weekend and then
>> no that would still be ticketed if you
have a gas vehicle and an electric
vehicle charging station
>> but our ticket people don't work on the
weekends do they
>> police officers do
>> oh okay well because I think I um
was talking about this with somebody
before that it's happening so I didn't
know
uh what the process when someone sees
it, if they should who they should call.
>> Um I one of the the things that I have
been mentally struggling with and
talking with some people in the MO about
is um bringing electric vehicle charging
stations to the city, not the downtown,
the residents.
>> Um as you know, not everyone has a
driveway or garage.
So, if you're trying to promote electric
vehicles, but you can't charge an
electric, that's one of the things that
everybody's trying to talk about is how do you how would you promote people
to to use these so you have to put
electric charging station places that
are more public or in the neighborhoods.
So, like I said, we only have we're
trying to replace, you know, some, but
there's some extra ones in here that I'm
looking to try to find some locations
that are a bit more neighborhood
oriented so that someone may say, "Hey,
you know what? I could actually use this
if I'm in a neighborhood track because
it is it's challenging. You need to have
a specific set of circumstances if you
want to own one or you charge all the
time at a third party which
may be feasible but I don't know if I
want to purchase a vehicle based off of
that.
>> Don't is there some way that people can
have something at their home
>> for the to charge at their own home?
>> Yes. to charge that
>> you can. But that's what I'm getting at
is usually you wouldn't see out on
purple.
>> No,
>> that's what I'm getting at. And a lot of
places do not have a driveway or a
garage or
>> I a lot of people don't know who
electric vehicles charge them inside
their garage.
>> And if we don't have a garage
>> or drive makes a little difficult.
So maybe maybe that's something to think
about again a partnership with possibly
the school district because they're
located in the neighborhoods and then
like especially we're looking at
overnight charging then usually
overnight you know from 5:00 on those
parking lots aren't usually as much in
use and I'm sure that especially with
the governor's push to our electric
vehicles even the school fleet they um
like to see it happen like that so maybe
that's area start I
That's a good idea. There are lots of
other
» Thank you so much.
No.
>> So here we can do
>> let's do
» here
85.
Thanks.
» We should just walk you through the
revenue and
>> expenditure and then with
» Yep. the uh golf fund um 34.34%
from 1.69
approximately 1.731,000
increase
um revenues are pretty standard
across the board uh will be increased
that um
and u Mr. The ball will be up in
January. Uh that's per usual year. Other
than that status fun,
you just want to walk us through
anything, highlight anything that we
need to know, what's going on with the
golf course?
Um specifically, anything just general?
Again, I mean, as Jer mentioned, really
nothing much in the
adapted revenues really. It's pretty
much the same. Um, we have seen just
I mean, the last two years have been
incredible weather with the obviously
was a kind of a hiccup to start the
year. The spring really uh rainy, so we
were kind of behind uh last year's
revenues for most of the year. We
managed to catch up um at the beginning
of this month and I think we're going to
start being able to pull away from last
year's numbers now as a result of that.
But it took us a while to get there when
we finally did get past that hurdle. Um
I would probably say since mid June
right through to now I mean the
weather's been incredible and it showed
um just the amount of people that we've
been able to bring through there. I
think golf courses in general rest the
capital region have really um seen a lot
of success this year. Well, the last two
years really but uh it was a nice
turnaround because it was it it didn't
look it was kind of bleak in the
beginning of the year. Sure.
» Yes.
So you staffing your your um your
staffing is showing an increase of food
position into the 2026 budget. You want
to highlight the reason?
>> Yeah, it's just because we're we become
so busy and we like to just fill a
couple of areas. Um
and of course I don't like to have
burnout with some staff members. So it's
nice to have some extra people on hand
to fill certain roles.
um when we are busier for sure.
In terms of the number of attendants,
the fee increase we've had, you know,
minor fee increase over the last couple
years,
>> does that affecting the the numbers, the
attendance at the golf course in terms
of the fees in terms of numbers? Are we
seeing a trend upward trend in terms of
attendance?
Um, I think it's just pretty much
plateaued. You can only put in so many
rounds a day and I think we we're just
seeing that number almost maximum every
year.
>> I don't I don't really see a decrease
because of the fees going up at all.
>> The weather was a dampening factor in
spring tendency was down. But the
problem now is max out of tea times. If
people don't have the ability to
collect, there sign up, get in there.
There's still slots on Sunday afternoon
that are open that tend to be slow and
maybe a little bit later on Saturday,
but otherwise you wait in line to play
golf. It's a great facility and it's in
tiptop shape.
>> So, how how is a new improvement working
out the RP location that you made to
>> Oh my god. Do you want to talk about
that? Highlight that.
So, yeah, the new irrigation system
install has been I mean didn't come out
on high, right, Chris? We had some minor
bumps on the road with the install. Some
of the heads were sticking, a little bit
issue with the pump station, but once
those resolved, I mean,
>> I've been at that golf course for this
is my 14th year as head professional.
Um, even as a kid growing up,
it's pretty remarkable. I have never
seen a golf course look in the condition
that it is right now. I was at the Ryder
Cup at Beth Paige a few weeks ago
>> and you look at the shape of the holes
and you know you can tell when a golf
course has a high punch. You just just
by the way it's manicured. It's just as
simple as that.
>> You look down the first fairway of our
golf course and I'm like man it's not
that much different. I mean, just the
definition of it,
just the the plane condition, but that's
the one area that I hear mostly from
golfers all over the Capitol region that
come here. They're like, "This place."
>> I mean, I think the biggest complaint
now is the rough is too hard. The grass
is too long in the rough. But see, the
issue is that the rough never got the
watering system to hit those areas. Now,
it is. It's healthy. So now they're
discovering it's it's a little more
difficult in in that respect, but it's
not because the grass is longer, it's
healthier.
>> And that's the one and actually they've
cut the grass a little bit shorter in
that regard, but because it's thick and
healthy. So I mean, you see it in in
neighborhoods when when a person really
takes care of their lawn and so they're
well manicured. You go on there, you see
how healthy the grass is. That's what
it's like at our facility. Every square
inch of it.
How how is the new vendor the concession
side working on? Fantastic. Mr. Nick's
been great. He's um I mean that that's
another area. He's completely
transformed. If anybody's been in there,
you see it's it's u it's a complete 180
from what it's been. I mean, I June and
Dave did a very nice job for what they
had, but he's brought it to a different
level. It's much more professional. Um
just the look of the the facility in
general. It's more accommodating. And
he's getting people that aren't there to
play golf. They're just coming there to frequent the place.
>> It's Yeah. Yeah. We actually did a
wedding there.
>> That was a first.
>> Yeah. There's an event tent down. Yeah.
There's an event tent down between the
9th and 18th green just beside one of
the practice screens. And you can see it
coming up 18 and 9. It kind of sits in
the background. And he uses that for
special events. So it's more
accommodating for other things. Um and
he's util utilizing every inch of that
space. So he's done a tremendous job
>> talking about that. A couple years ago
we had um body typically.
That's it. So is that that's going to be
up on his office and it's available for
people to rent for special event.
>> Yes.
>> It's been up.
>> Yes. I believe he has been.
>> He has.
>> Yeah.
» Miss
questions uh under revenue CR2012
utility reimbur. So it was like 12
>> 12,23 and 50,000 down from 25 back up.
Can you tell us what that's for?
>> Utility reimbursement. Chris.
>> Yeah. Eric
utility reimbursement. you're handling
the reimbursement end of it. I mean,
he's really reimbursing the meter
values. So, even that that number there
is kind of it's a pass through more or
less, right?
>> Right. So, but we're not
>> that number is actually probably but one
of the things is that really isn't a
revenue because there isn't an expense
to offset it. So, that's something maybe
we have to look at. He is the the
building is great. The building is
metered to two meters. One meter is our
meter, one meter is his meter.
>> The city as the owner of the building
receives the bill and we issue me to him
every month for that amount. Um, and I
believe that he would, but I don't know
if it actually gets reported at revenue.
I don't know if it does.
>> It does.
So, right now we up to
>> I don't know,
but
>> but it's it's a net it's a net zero. The
city does not make money. The city does
not lose money. is paying for a meter
from pitch,
>> right? So, it's really So, based on that
explanation, it's really not revenue,
just getting reimbursed because
» Oh, I'm sorry. In part two, um
the seasonal memberships
>> went down significantly.
>> Yeah,
>> that's on that's on purpose.
>> Yeah. So we we we raised it we raised it
what three or four years ago to a
different number significantly higher
than they were which we felt that they
were undervalued.
>> Um and we are municipal courts after
all. We didn't want to turn it into a
more of a private club style place or
just membership type style.
>> Um so I think there was a lot of players
that were turned off by that. They
didn't they decided not to get the
season membership or season pass rather.
And I've noticed it's cyclical. There'll
be there'll be years where we'll get
people that are interested and they're
all gung-hong and say, "Yeah, I want to
get it." And the number goes up, then it
comes and flows. Um,
I personally like it when that number's
lower because we're able to get it more
agree. I think we do better revenue wise
when the season memberships are lower.
And my So, one of the things I just
wanted to point out with Matt, I think
you detailed it. One of the things that
Matt has to has to handle which is a big
task and what we work together on is t
times the final. So you know I can
honestly right now tell you the maximum
amount of revenue the course could make.
It's just an equation. It's the amount
of tea times times the amount of days
that were open times a non-resident rate
for the car. And I could show you that
number and I this is the maximum this
portion is ever going to make. But what
Matt really is managing which is
difficult is you have events, you have
leagues, you have the public and you
have season passholders. You have those
four categories and I might be missing
one. Correct me if I'm wrong. And we
have to manage how we have those four
categories into this finite block of
times. If Matt wanted to, he could book
an event almost every single day,
but then the public won't be able to
play the golf course. Similarly, a
league. He has a waiting list, I
believe, for leagues. We could have
leagues go from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Once
again, then the public cannot play the
golf course.
>> So, it's a balance of when do we
actually allow leagues to come and if a
league goes, there's a back when we want
to some public events. We stopped having
events on certain days.
>> Yeah. We haven't we've decided not to
take events on weekends just because
that's a peak time for us uh the most
popular time for the general public to
be able to play the golf course. But as
Chris described, those four entities,
they all have important value to the
course. It's important to have events
there
>> so you can showcase the golf course.
It's important to have play. And of
course, it's extremely important to have
regular. Um, and all four serve a
purpose for that facility.
But trying to balance them all is the
tricky part.
» That was my question.
membership was down 40%. But I know
there's a huge hike in increase and um
so that works out well especially
balancing everything out
>> and golfing there.
>> Yeah.
>> Two times a week. The course is just
beautiful. And on those hot days when
the sprinklers go off, it's nice to run
underneath them.
And we do complain about now the burst
of the rough being way too rough to get
out of, but it's because the grass is so
healthy and hopefully we can set it up a
little bit instead of playing the ball
where it lies
>> like
that.
>> But it is it's Thank you for everything
that you do there. Mr. Mati has been a
nice addition to your team up there.
Yeah, just agree.
>> And of course the parlor.
>> Yeah,
>> it's been good. I mean, there's a lot of
times there's we're coming in from
league play and there's not any room for
us to kind of sit or hang out because so
many people are there from different
organizations. One being the whole um
lacrosse team from this game was
>> Yeah. The beginning of the year, right?
>> Yeah. So, it was um you know, but they
we you know, we whatever. So, it's it's
a good thing. Everything moving forward
there is perfect. Thank you.
>> Go ahead.
>> Okay. So, so, so the golf course is
making money for the city.
>> What's that?
>> I said so the golf course is making
money for the city and when um so we're
not like taking any money out of the
general fund to support the golf
courses. It's quite the opposite.
>> Correct.
>> Right. So if so kind of to Mr. point.
It's
if you kind of managed it just a little
differently um to maybe allow some more
of the and it might cut down the
availability of the public, you know,
being a municipal golf course, I need I
have to balance those tensions. I'm just
thinking like how much would you have to
change or is it that formula? is it's so
specific that you could say, "Oh, if we
um opened it up to a league or two more
leagues this many times a year, it would
generate this amount of uh revenue." Um
I'm thinking um u quite um selfishly
about like how could we manage that and
maybe produce some revenue for our
existing youth employment line that that
I'm just kind of bouncing that idea out
there. Actually, my question is very
much related to
Max has really done a great job of
balancing the whole thing. And the one
factor right now to drive revenue what
is slightly beyond our control. It's the
weather.
>> You get a nice day. People are there
playing golf.
>> It's pouring rain. It drops the revenue
pretty much to what is it? Zero.
>> Yeah.
But you know, you look at that balance
and I understand what you're saying, but
>> there's not a simple thing. If you give
one lead, you're going to get x number
of dollars because you're going to lose
some free play uh from the uh general
public, but it's just if you've got good
weather,
>> they get more people.
So, I guess to kind of because I think
we're all on the same page here. So,
like maybe looking at um I mean I would
love to see it go to 300,000. That's I
don't know. But if if maybe to
increase the membership fees slightly
across all the fees to generate
$150,000,
>> I don't know how much that would, you
know, how much that would increase it
for an individual
member. Just trying to figure out how do
we do that.
>> So yeah, so the season passes when you
most of them will look at it in terms of
so let's say a non-resident
is I think it's $2,100 off the top of my
head.
>> Sure.
>> They're going to dissect that number
every which way they can think of.
>> Sure.
>> How many rounds do I need to play to
make sure that I can get my value? And
then there's going to be a few that say
they don't care. It's the convenience of
it. I can book eight days in advance as
opposed to seventh. It's convenient for
me. I like that. So, I'm going to do it.
So, it depends on the person's, I guess,
interest in that regard. Um, but yeah, I
mean, you could you could raise it to
any number you want, but what are they
getting for the value, but it's not a
typical golf course. I was saying they
got this pool, locker room, tennis
facilities. We have a lot of those
things already, but they're just in
separate entities. We have a public, we
have the tennis courts, pickle ball, and
all that, but they're located throughout
the city. It's not in one specific
facility. Like at Mohawk Club, for
instance, you go there, they have a
pool, they have locker room, they have
clubhouse. Um, everything is right
there, centrally located. It's very
convenient.
>> But their membership are their
membership fees are $10,000 for a family
of four.
>> Right. So, there's a lot of daylight in
between that and talking about how
amazing to your point and everyone's
point, how amazing our golf course is.
That looks I'm just imagining that there
might be some um some opportunities
there to to to increase revenue
especially for um that line of
particular
>> were to do something like that then I
would ask that you you own it
>> which is
>> say again
>> like but years ago right we got a 75th
anniversary fee
>> and you knew what it was we were
charging a dollar extra around for the
75th anniversary fee went into a pot and
that was used. We bought benches and we
did some improvements off the 75th
anniversary fee. So if you are looking
for the golf course to fund a parks
youth a program, then I would say you don't hide the fee. You don't you
know you put it out there and you put a
poster on the golf course and you say
that like the city of Skenctity fees are
helping fund X. So maybe, you know,
you're going to get the cranky old
people that have been there for 50 years
that'll say, "I can't believe the fees
went up to $2 instead of one." But, you
know, you're giving us to say this is
what we're doing with it. This is the
part between that. The only thing that I
want to make sure is, you know, once
again, if we're trying to operate this
golf course fiscally responsible, is
that if you were to look on page um 90
and this is, you know, typically how we
go see it is that you're going to see
transfer to general fund, audit fund,
super fund 250, and 2,000. And then
underneath you're going to see a
transfer to capital fund, which is
blank.
The reason that that's usually blank is
that we don't anticipate ever, you know,
a revenue, right? We we make sure our
expenses equal our our revenues. And
then what to Matt's point, right? Right
now, all things considered, we're moving
into the black, right? We we're slowly
creeping into the black. As we creep
into the black and hopefully our
revenues pace our expenses, then that
transfer to the g capital fund goes up.
Tick tick tick tick tick tick. And
that's what we use for our capital,
which you're going to ask about lately.
Next, if we start taking the capital
fund revenue, then we're not going to be
putting any money into our savings, and
then we're going to be reonding on
bonding to buy our mowers and equipment.
So, it would need to be, you know, the
transfer of the general fund would need
to be equal. And then we still need to
be able to make sure that we have a
capital fund, you know, and and that's
to the mayor's point, but even if it
rains, you know, we can't anticipate
every day being sunny that we have to
because if we bring our transfer of the
capital fund to zeros, our savings will
go down very quickly and then we're
going to rely on bonding, which we
haven't had to do before.
>> Right. So I guess my the I agree my
point is saying like even even with that
consideration made then what we're
essentially saying is that and and I
agree with you like you know just be
really clear and transparent about why
we're doing it. I think that I think
that would actually encourage people to
um feel a little bit better about you
know about paying an increased fee
because they recognize that you know
it's you know going to to something
that's also it's being reinvested in the
community right and that then we get the
economic benefit of that dollar and that
so on so forth with the public safety
yada yada stuff I've been saying for
years but so I say yes um do that and
I'm and and the I guess the formula I
would say is that I'm sure you guys are
going to come and say you know we put a
lot of money into this golf course and
it's absolutely beautiful, one of the
best around for what it is. Um, so we're
going to, you know, we just we justify
increasing the fees and still leaving a
lot of daylight between us and the p
private golf course, right? So, my
saying is like maybe we if you could
figure out what that formula would be,
what is it what does it look like to um
increase fees to where we're able to put
the money away, but there is that
additional and intentional couple bucks
spread across everyone that could equal
to this $200,000 and then we can fund a
youth program which puts money back into
the community and saves us money in the
public safety uh alliance. as well. So,
like that's what I'm suggesting we do.
>> Yeah. What's the amount?
>> Well, my amount my amount would be
$300,000. So, once we get there, I mean,
believe once we get there, we could talk
about, you know, scaling it back, but
like let's look let's look at what it
would be is what I'm saying we should
do.
>> Go ahead.
Okay.
>> Well, in a related issue, um, of course,
because I'm not a golfer, I can't
remember what the golf starter ranger
is, but I was wondering if those could
be youth, and I think they probably
already are, but
>> they be youth employees,
>> because I was kind of thinking that that
would be 10 of the um, you know, that
would be 10 employees um, right there.
That's $45,000. Um, but I think Are
they? Um, I'm not sure. So
>> couple not really specifically for those
types of positions.
>> Okay.
>> Um Peter's younger heart.
>> Yeah.
>> So when you're a starter at the golf
course, right? Um
>> it's it's it can be a pressure packed
situation for sure. I mean you're
constantly working to get golfers out at
a reasonable time and a lot of times the
starters get bullied by the golfers.
They are impatient.
uh they don't want to play with certain
people. If they get paired up with
strangers they may not know and that's
kind of part of it being on a public
golf course that's sort of what goes
along with that uh facility.
>> Okay.
>> So it's you know if you have a young
individual of 16 years old may not be
able to handle that sort of pressure or
know how to talk to an individual
because they don't have the maturity yet
for that. Not saying that that's going
to happen but it's a possibility. Um, so
we try not to put them in a position
that they're not going to succeed in.
>> Oh, yeah. No, the same at the pool.
>> We may be able we'll kind of groom them
to get them,
>> right?
>> Like get them under the flanking of, you
know, a senior staff member to say,
"Here, take them under your wing for a
day or two, see how they do."
>> And that's happened. So, um,
one of the best employees I ever had was
Ric Carlo Greley. The kid was amazing.
He was mature beyond his years and he
could do everything,
>> right?
>> But he worked his way to that. We didn't
just thrust him in there. He he actually
took it upon himself and volunteered to
do these different positions and we felt
that he was successful. But that of
course that's not you're not going to
always get an individual like that.
>> So that's what we tried to do. If that
answers your question
>> that did um I think we're you know we're
all kind of interested in how we're
going to be able to um you know fund
that $150,000.
>> We just found it. Um but um I so also
along those lines, the raffle um I can't
remember how much the check was that
went to APF this year when you guys uh
came to the
about $1,200.
>> Yeah. So that wasn't much. Okay.
>> Because I was going to suggest that too
could also be part of um you know the
instead of giving it to an outside
nonprofit that we actually give it to a
youth employment fund or youth services
fund within the city. But it's only
1,200 bucks. So,
>> we can certainly discuss a rate increase
this year, of course, you know, fits it.
Um,
you know, one of the things, of course,
with this little handout that I showed
you was that there was a study done
across New York State called an economic
environmental impact study and we
participated in our at least our
facility started participating back in
January. But I brought our maintenance
staff in and we answered all the
questions and pro you know provided all
the numbers they were looking for and it
was it was enjoyable because at the
writer uh at the PGA tent um the person
who was responsible for putting all this
data together was there and unveiled it
all to us. So, it was it was kind of a
neat experience cuz there was PJ
professionals from all across the
country there. And this was highlighting
New York specifically saying that we're
like the leaders and uh golf, one of the
top states in golf for jobs, economic
impact, etc.
And it was really neat because that page
state work was held. A writer Cup has
never been held at a stateowned golf
course before. That was the first time
that ever happened. Wow.
>> And it's owned by the state of New York.
It's a municipality
and 25% of the facilities that are
involved in this are municipality golf
courses.
>> So they provide a considerable amount of
revenue and a big portion of this is
provided by municipal. So
>> one of the things that municipals do is
they provide accessible affordable golf.
So you got to tread that fine line
because we are municipal. We don't want
to raise the rates too high because
that's what we pro pride ourselves in.
But at the same time, listen, our
expenses are not going to get any lower.
We already know that everything's
getting more expensive.
Uh the cost of doing things and cost of
doing business is more expensive. So,
you have to you can't they're just
everything's going up. I hate to say it,
but that's just the way it's going to
be.
>> Yeah.
>> And so, we've got to I like the way Mr.
Farley's thinking. Maybe we should raise
our rates so we're not working so hard
to keep our heads just above water.
>> Yeah. And I mean I think I'm sorry.
>> No.
>> Okay. I I was thinking, you know, we
made quite the investment in the golf
course, you know, with our funds as
well. And I think that this is like a
>> one of those ways which I think was a
wise. So this is one of those ways to
get,
>> you know, with every a lot of people do
a little and then we can kind of, you
know, we can
>> get that that line funded. Well, it's
interesting because I think we've been a
lot of a big uh leader in the community
as far as that goes. So, when we first
did the GPS on our golf carts, all of a
sudden four or five other public golf
courses in the area,
>> what do they do? They got GPS in their
golf course because they see how
successful we were. We did irrigation.
Town of Colony just put a like a $16
million renovation project into their
golf course. I don't know where they got
money for that,
but they have two 18hole golf course.
That's a huge property, but they're redoing the entire uh facility
over it. And I think the same irrigation
company is doing their facility that did
ours. But um anyway, Frier Park and
Troy, same thing. New irrigation, big
renovation project. All municipal golf
coursees. Um Amsterdam Municipal just
rebuilt the brand new clubhouse. I mean,
so they're all doing renovations to
their facilities in some regard, but um
it almost seems like we're like at the
forefront. Like what is Skenkity doing?
What are they doing that they're able to
finish in the black all the time?
>> And Chris and I pride ourselves in not
being a burden on the city. We never
want to be a burden to the city. We self
sustain a lot of our projects and don't
ask for funding. I mean, I think the
history of being here shows that.
Wouldn't you say, Chris?
>> Sure.
So, I hope that answers some of your
questions. But if you get a chance to
look at this in the bottom right corner,
it's kind of small, but it says New York
Golf impact.org.
And the study, well,
it's pretty impressive the numbers they
came up with. It shows everything from
economic and and uh environmental
impacts and what golf courses are doing
all across the state from Buffalo to
Malone down to Long Island. um water
conservation,
um animal protection stuff.
>> We're a part of the Autobon Society,
which is important.
>> We've been with them for a long time.
>> But things like that.
>> Yeah,
>> let's do it, man.
>> I just had a question. Yeah, you
mentioned self sustaining. So, how does
that how does the capital funding factor
into the entertainment? Is that hard
compartment or capital is outside?
of your expenditure here
>> in which and
>> capital. Yes.
>> Yes. Operating.
>> So how how is that factoring into your
overall expenditure? Are you recovering
this class? Are you funding this class?
Because this is not funded. This is
funding outside of your regular
payto-day operation.
>> The capital.
>> Yeah. Capital you pay for the reserve.
>> Yes. So that's so
>> $375,000.
>> Yeah.
>> Is not funded.
beath
and the Jews that pay for the Catholics
that come out
>> is that part of that 250
350 something
>> no
general fund to subsidize.
>> So that was um that that's what I was
talking about this blank face here. So
in 2024 we we moved $160,000 into 2013
we moved $113,000 in. So this year we're
hoping anything we make going on it's
going to hopefully thick thick tick
thick that number up and that's what we
use to pay for what's in the capital
request.
>> So we don't have the number for 2025
that's yet.
>> We do not because we get that number at
the end here to see what the actual
number say
>> and that would be used toward the 2026
to offset the capital
expenditure. Okay. I just want to go
ahead.
» Okay.
Oh, question to Mr. Farley's point.
Absolutely. I mean I I I don't know you have a golf advisory committee
and it brings uh raises or increase in
fees to that a year and you talk about
so again you want to maintain that line
that's that because
a lot of people golf in all different um
ages groups I see it there all different
people so
in I guess maybe 51 women that I golf
with at MU in different leagues. Um
there's probably two of us that are
residents. Most of them are
non-residents
and um they put up the biggest stake
about defeating some pain, but at least
they'll come back and there's really
nowhere been in the golf. So I just
wanted to bring that out there that
that's a little play thing you say.
Sometimes they can be disgruntled. The
golfers there, but um a lot of
non-residents golfing there, which we
get more money from which is fine.
I guess my uh this another thing about
youth is the fact that um you know
during the day you know they're in
school a lot of times are doing things.
>> So my suggestion would be we have these
beautiful beautiful new tennis courts
being put in where we don't charge any
fees for it. So that's something we can
start to discuss a line of revenue on
our tax.
My my understanding is that was is
supposed to happen when the new courts
go in. Um I don't know how that's been
worked through at all and talked about
at this point but it would make sense.
>> It will and
so I know that we part of our course we
have some partnerships um and there's
some agreements in place in order for
them to be you know as fantastic as
they're going to be. Um but I was going
to say to Mr. to Turo's point, it seems
like based on what the information we're
getting now, we, you know, we again, we
want to balance those tensions and I can
appreciate those that we're not just
saying, "Okay, let's make as much money
as we can and then we do close it out
for people, but it it seems like we're
in one of those situations where we have
one of those good problems where we have
more interest that makes managing it
comp complicated enough to where we have
to, you know, make sure that we're doing
it in a way that we can people because
there's such a high interest. So if we
have such a high interest, that seems
like the ideal place to um leverage that
interest and cut a check to make sure
our kids, you know, have jobs.
» We do have a pretty good pipeline,
right, to connect to the high school. In
fact, five of our hires this year came
from Connect.
>> It was and they worked out great. They
were all fantastic kids.
>> Yeah. Yeah. That's awesome.
» Yeah.
I'm just and I know that you may have an
opinion on this, but we're talking as
friends, colleagues, here um I will get
the numbers together like you asked. It
may be a large impact on honor. We'll
present it. Um to your point about the
tennis, I will say that is fantastic
point, but it also made me think about
other things in the park that are free
that draw a lot of people from outside
the city.
You said it might be an impact on what?
>> We put so much money into it outside of
the $20,000 that if it's Are you talking
about Music Haven?
>> Yeah. Well, we raise um I don't know
hundreds of thousands of dollars or
whatever to actually make the budget of
Music Haven and the city only
contributes $20,000
um to Music Haven. Um
>> but you were to actually charge the
people.
>> How would we do that? They come in over
the hill. I mean, they sit all over the
hills, all over the
>> people in the seats to pay for the seat
>> and you would I mean, we would you use a
snow fence. You would use a green snow
fence and you would actually I mean, and
once again, you would say it's for a
youth program. I mean, the I'm just
saying is if we're going down this road
and we're trying to fund a youth, a
youth program
>> and we're trying to do it, then we have
to look at all the revenue. Sure. You
know, I mean, and and
>> I don't know. I would just point out
that um again, sorry to interrupt, but
again um we have donors that um purchase
the seats, purchase the bricks, purchase
all sorts of things. They sponsor the
concerts. Um, I mean it's like the I
would have I can't remember off the top
of my head what the total budget is for
Music Haven, but $20,000 of it is all
that the city gets and everything else
is coming from things that they sell to
people that come, all the food that
people buy and the and the beverages
that people buy. But mostly it's the
fundraising where if you look on the
side of the stage, I mean, you can see
that there's people um myself included
that have donated money uh to have the
name up on the brick, but mostly because
they value the the um what music haven
brings to the park, especially in terms
of the diversity um in terms of the fact
that it is this sort of multicultural
experience um in terms of the music that
comes. But I appreciate what you're
saying. I can get I can get the specific
figures on how much the the budget I
mean I know that's one of my volunteer
things is trying to help them raise
money uh every year because it is it's
just you know if we if we had to
actually pay for what happens in that in
that would be I can't remember exactly
what it is but I feel like it's like a
couple hundred,000 but do you remember
for music haven in terms of its total
budget?
I I don't remember what it is actually,
but that was I mean is it my I actually
still had a couple of questions, but um
>> I don't know. I get what you're saying
though. But um
>> just because you know $50,000 is more
attainable than $150,000 for the golf
course. So if you were to go 50 50 and
it's a park, you know, the parks
generate the money in excess for the
program. It may be more attainive, but I
ing stations at the golf course. Yeah.
>> Prior
>> I'm sorry.
>> Prior to our installation of the two did
not happen.
>> Okay. So, the two charging stations that
are now there, that's what you're
charging all those 60 parts. Those are
Oh, that's what I was Oh, that's
>> Oh, you're talking about the electrical.
>> Yeah, I was trying to figure out how we
charge those cars if we
>> No, there's two there's two electrical
uh charging stations for vehicles.
>> Okay.
>> In the parking lot this year.
>> Separate charging station.
All those chargers were in the car bar
and that was that was a massive that was
updated
handled the capacity for that.
>> Okay. Thank you. I just I was like how
could we not have a charging station
going? This is in the third year of that
lease.
>> Next year we're actually going to be
bringing a new program to the course I
forgot to mention called PJO.
» It's a rework military program.
>> Cool.
>> Um and both Jeff Mati and myself are now
certified. Uh there's actually a
training seminar you have to attend
because you're dealing with individuals
that you know post-traumatic stress
disorder um loss of limbs um I had a
gentleman who had no legs and one arm
and he's sitting in a wheel specific
wheelchair and he learned how to play
golf with one arm
>> and so it really kind of brings you back
to reality when you see an individual
like that and the joy it brings them and
they felt that the the PJ uh program is
the saved their lives.
So what we have here first are two
fairway mowers. These are our large
workforce mowers um that uh that we um
the existing mowers we have are about 10
years old. So we're looking to replace
both of those. Um, the second thing,
like I said, is a T- mower. It's more
specialty, smaller piece of equipment
that we use for mowing our TE's. Uh, the
Ventra with duals. That is a workhorse
mower. It's a very unique mower um that
has uh sets of dual tires on the fronts
and backs and a deck that is warm, a
rough top deck. And what we use that for
are inclines and steep hillsides. Um,
it's a very stable like a goat mower.
It'll go around. Very neat mower that we
have, but we bought it seven or eight
years ago used off of a contract and now
we were looking to replace it.
>> Uh, the Verticut 3 points, those are
actually um
>> I think that is just another smaller
mower, more hand mower. And then the
units for the 33, those are actually
just cutting units. They're just like
razor blades that would go on to the the
mower. So you can buy those separate
from the mower. And then the facility
improvements. Um we're looking to
replace the boiler. Um we did talk with
Miy looking to operate the restaurant
all year. Um not fulltime but all year.
And we would like to make sure that the
boiler uh operates. So we're getting
quotes on that now. Actually, uh we're
also looking to do hallway improvements
with that money. Um, if you may or may
not be aware, there is a hallway between
where the female locker room can be in
our utility room. We would like to
reopen that for the winter season so
that um, patrons to the restaurant do
not have to walk up the hill. They can
walk through the hallway and up the
stairway.
We think that's the preferred path for
visiting the restaurant in the winter
months. And then Matt would like to uh
purchase a new merchandise counter. Um
the current counter was uh created by
our in-house carpenters almost a decade
ago is um literally a glass bot with two
um podiums on either side that the
carpenters made and we'd like to have
more of a professional front back
counter for merchandise.
» Any questions?
>> Yes, thank you. I don't I thought that
was um proposed a few years ago. Your
counter out there and we didn't have
funding for that or
>> No, it was a little more than we
thought. I think we only put like 5,000
in the budget. Ended up being closer to
10 or 15. So that's where we moved it
out of operating. We moved it into
capitals reserves. But yeah, it ended up
being, you know, essentially all
customer,
>> right?
>> And your merchandise is huge up there. I
mean, do you get a lot of sales on the
merchandise? Yeah. Especially Yeah.
We've done a lot more this year than any
year.
>> Okay. Um
>> but it just like to Chris's point, it'll
be much more professional looking. Um
and just kind of fits with all the work
that we've been doing out there.
>> Right. Absolutely.
>> And how about um under the under your
capital improvements some work to the
forward tea boxes
[Laughter]
[Music]
and so forth.
>> More friendly.
more not in the line of the back.
>> We could get the we could get the
lightning box like
>> well a few of the former tea boxes the
place more
>> closer to the hole.
>> You say they're in line with the back
ones.
>> Oh yeah.
>> Nine and 18.
>> You mean being off the side?
>> Yeah.
a lot of people talk about the forward
see blacks as being more
>> I wouldn't even want to say woman
friendly more senior friendly
>> kind of more centered
>> yeah okay that's
>> yeah are we going to have to fund
>> I can probably put a collection up with
the
>> the ladies you know of course
>> we we do need that
>> they they still think it's a man's sport
you know and um they still think Rudy is
a old old man's
today. Oh, for years, but it's not
changing.
But there are some some tea boxes that
could use improvement. I put that in the
cap.
>> Sure is the correct ter.
>> I can definitely address that with our
maintenance staff and see if they can
I'll some suggestions.
>> We are that would be great.
We are renting just to let you know a
project that I've been wanting to do
Matt for a decade is what I call between
goals four and five. It is a dirt cart
path
that is no longer used, hasn't been used
for 10 years. And our superintendent uh
we are running a mini bulldozer and will
be covering it, fescuing it, and making
sure the carts don't go in. And I I
really do think it's just one of those
little things that when we do it, it's
going to make us just look every year
just that little bit better because now
when you're on the T- box for five next
year when you look out, you won't be
seeing this arbitrary
road in the middle of what should be a
new area. So the golfers probably won't
appreciate having that road because when
you go right, you can kind of drive on
it. But, you know, keep your ball in
fair.
>> And one more question. And I I don't
know if I brought this forward last year
or in one of your meetings. Um a shelter
furthest from the thought uh from the
course for lightning and things like
that.
>> Bring that up last night.
>> A lot of times it's hard to get in
especially if you're walking. So I just
put that up right here.
>> The lightning sensors.
So
>> do you notice those?
>> Oh gosh. Yeah. Yeah. And they scream.
>> No. Sensors that were put on part of the
improvement. So it's a storm approaches
again. how many miles out
>> they shouldn't
be at risk so that they're given notice
and should get off the court.
>> That's great.
>> Yeah, it's a lightning detection system
that was included when we put the
irrigation in and they're in the corners
of the golf course from more farreaching
areas.
>> And if it's detected within a 5 mile
radius, they go off and so it alerts the
golfers to that there is lightning in
the area. Maybe not directly overhead,
but in the area and to be aware of it.
>> That's great. Same Dorian is not coming
off the course. What do you do?
>> Well, somebody comes out to get them.
Yeah.
>> Yeah. We actually do. We'll take a storm
coming. We actually make rounds out
there making sure everybody comes in.
>> Yeah.
Cuz there are people like Tony
Barber husband Tony Ward. He's sitting
on a bench on the 14th hole under
umbrella. Tony, what in the world are
you doing out there? I I dragging.
>> All right. Any other question? top of
that, please. I do think it's important
to know there are a number of residents
in our community that do not golf. I'm
one of them. It is not because I've
never done it. It's partly because the
fact I think in my my age, I think it'd
be difficult to not be good at
something. So, I think it's out of pride
that I did not go. Um, but sincerely,
correct me if I'm wrong, Mr. Wallen, the
projects that Mr. Toro will highlight,
those would be ones that you would add
to your list to identify um pathways
forward correction.
uh projects which these
specific
>> the concepts that were presented tonight
those were all additional projects that
you would have to weigh and levy as you
manage your other
>> oh yes they're all yeah they're all
under
>> thank you freaking a point I think it's
important to make sure that we're
balancing like the efforts of the city
and sincerely think this is all wrapping
into the comment from Mr. Harley, I
think if we're intentional with drawing
a little bit more, I think being
considerate to the fact of don't break
something that's not broken and we have
or don't it works it works well do in
part to the management and the support
from the city. Uh but sincerely I
imagine there's individuals listening at
home that we put $3 million in this park
in this golf course
don't think it's a difficult thing to
intentionally pull out a little bit more
beyond what already is. And then the
other comment I wanted to highlight is
it's a discussion me and Morfield often
have of the concept or misconception of
free and I think that makes a lot of
things difficult because there's always
a cost. Um so I think I would balance
that in a very um
not disenfranchised community but we
have a community with a lot of needs and
often times we hear how some of the
resources we have in the city are taken
advantage of. So I think it's important
to make sure we are intentionally
adding more safety measures. So there
are specific considerations for the
community with respect to the youth
service line but I think in other areas.
» Thank you.
>> Are there any more question comments?
>> Just one comment
or maybe two respond like that.
So um so I just want us again
>> we we can talk about this youth service
line as a expense but that would be not
looking at it as an investment the same
way that we invest into uh the golf
course and invest into our parks. There
there's an investment here and that
money again is some of the money that
circulates in our community at a higher
level than any other money is used in
employment and youth services. and then
to factor in our public safety money.
So, I just want to make sure that we're
looking through that, you know, through
the right prison, if you will. That's
all.
>> Are there any other comments, questions?
Seeing none. Thank you so much. Thank
you so much.
>> Thank you, Chris. Thank you for all that
you guys are doing.
>> Thank you. Keep up the good work.
Um,
I want you to make noise.
Boys and girls,
>> thank you. I
>> um we'll restart and we'll stay on
capital funding and we'll go on to
utilities and it
» is taking the lead.
Um
>> walk us through the equipment.
>> Sorry.
>> No, no, I'm talking about capital.
>> Oh, capital.
>> Page 91.
>> All right. So, the first thing I'd like
to address is the sign fabrication
upgrade that comes with a new latex
printer, laminator, and some vinyl to
get us started for making signs. The way
that we make signs right now, if you're
all aware, we uh screen print. So, you
can get away with it for your typical
road sign, but with any other sign where
the text maybe gets a little bit
smaller, it is a pain. So um it would
save time, money, material effort, um
all that and it would create a better
looking sign in the long run. So I'm
really a big advocate for this
revolutionize the way we make signs in
my apartment.
» This one is the smart note upgrade.
>> Oh, sorry. you have installed.
>> It is the um upgrading of the 200 city
IQ nodes that we currently have along
State Street. So, uh it's an antiquated
piece of equipment for uh smart nodes.
They don't give us the same speed, air
quality, uh noise data that we get. I
don't sure you all familiar with that
speed report that I put together. That
would be that last piece and it would be
like the hole filling the hole in the
picture of the the picture that we're
painting for speed data. So it would be
very important for us um residents
um just going forward in general to uh
promote safety.
>> And you mentioned 2001
200 CIQ notes to be replaced with the uh
you need
up toate smart.
» Okay.
Go ahead.
>> Congress. Um,
we do we have like the smart city
opening side. Is that anybody
able to to cover part of this?
I don't know where we are with it,
but I know we put money aside. So, I'm
just wondering if any part of the
vaccine is something that could be sent
here.
>> I don't believe so.
exhaust those funds. We actually got
another grant from the smart city
initiative to continue our efforts into
devel. But that's for further AP and
fiber. nothing in relation to what I
described there.
>> But
I not
Brian and I looked at it. Um like as he
stated, majority of the funds are
exhausted. So um we need this funding
source um to get this part
>> you can um have a listing money and have
extensive because it last wasn't
something that was
thank you
>> for how many years
>> from the beginning to now
>> um I'm going to say in the past three
years
>> commissioner you mentioned the money is
expended does that mean that um the
money is all spent or is it just that uh
we have open purchase orders?
>> I would have to uh double check that but
I believe the majority um if not all
have been exhausted.
So okay so pain can provide us
if it's all
there any outstanding appeals
>> all
any other question before you go on to
your next item
>> middle item that's
>> yeah please
>> truck attachments
>> truck attachment
>> it's basically ease of use for a new
spray that we got will go onto a truck
that we actually outlined right now um
just you know upgrade our our process.
» Any other question? Go ahead.
>> So the smart mode upgrade that will
coincide with the grant that we just
got.
>> How does that how do those things work
to each other?
Um so we will have uh the more APS that
will be putting up and developing as
part of that smart city initiative.
>> Okay.
>> Grant that we just got
>> this will be APS are access points.
They're like you know a big rout just to
get internet. Um these smart nodes will
be a data point for the city to use
gather speed sound data. So it's
different but
>> related but not Okay.
>> Right.
>> So um the grant could you just be
specific about the grant? Are you
talking about the 1.6 million of that?
>> Correct.
>> And so
that's separate in parts from what we
have here and can't be used for.
>> Thank you.
So that is one that connect all state
brand that is more focused on the mobile
devices or something signals uh we have
around the area to boost those things
that is the like the main functionality
of that grant.
>> Mhm.
>> Any question on the capital fun
thank you for the capital.
So we will go to page 24
utilities administration
commissioner
53
[Music]
just want to give us highlights what's
happening in utility
they're carried over
everything 24 from last budget.
One thing I did want to bring I'm
getting a little ahead of myself but
with the painters I'm sorry
no everything's pretty much
>> yeah let's let's stay with the u utility
administration and then
we'll go into the next uh department.
Any questions on the utility
administration?
>> These are just steps
for the IPS
who pretend those are just basically
correct.
» Any other questions?
>> Yes.
>> Who's the site for?
» Thank you.
I do want to make a small note and I
apologize for these saying this just
revealing my numbers. I was revising the one that I may be here
between 404 fees for services 6500
>> 7,000 would be
again but that's not acceptable I accept
that but that's my request.
So are you saying so 6,500 you're asking
for more?
>> 500 more. So 7,000.
>> Okay.
>> Sorry about that.
16.
» Any other questions?
Seeing none, we'll move to pave
» 35 and that is utility sign maintenance.
I do have a question from Mary.
>> Oh, um, so for the travel conferences, I
see that you're in love with that line.
There's no time that you ever travel. I
mean, because the IT business is like
ever changing. So there's no ever any
time that you're ever
global expenses for that conferences.
Um,
there I saw that 24 there wasn't a lot
spent, but in 23 there was. So I just
went to my first conference. Um there
was that's probably going to be the one
that I go to unless there's something
else that comes about. So I budgeted
just enough to cover that one conference
which is honestly not allowed. So
>> okay
>> that's where I felt comfortable cutting
very
>> okay the local conference
>> uh you got
>> okay so is it generally local because my
concern is that if we're talking about
the United conference then that becomes
uh a little bit more expensive but is it
generally local
>> it's the only one I was aware of I can
ask John and see if there's um any other
ones out there that possibly could
require some travel but he did not
allude to us so I wouldn't that there is
one out Yeah.
The cut that I made there, I believe.
>> Okay.
» Any other question?
We'll move through
36 35 potential 36 and that is utility
sign payments
side mainten,000
left to address um the bills for
painters
by one
>> should be three I missed that on my part
um
it was budgeted. So what happened was
there's a cleaner that is currently
still transitioning to be a painting
crew um which kind of led to the mishap
there but I believe he was budgeted for
on the facility side of things as a
cleaner
would be able to
» so there needs to be movement an adjust
sorry an adjustment here from being
clean back into the painter
Commission making notes.
>> It's running over.
>> Okay.
» Go ahead, please.
>> Oh, is the cleaner then? Whose budget is
that in a cleaner?
>> So,
>> they have six cleaners that currently
sell one of those six.
>> Okay.
>> Thank you. So this would stay at the at
the the two
>> here.
>> Oh shifted from facilities would go
down.
>> No.
» So a cleaner uh moved or in the process
of moving to the cleaner position. They
have currently two films two individuals
in this department and making
it usually
position. That's why it was removed. But
this individual has moved in. I think it
was at the end of September.
>> It's officially still be going through
civil service at the moment. So, it's
not quite official, which is why it's
like limbo at the moment.
» How much? But you also said that they still want to say six claims.
So, does that mean that there would be a
vacancy of the petition would be there?
will be a vacancy once the
transition completed.
>> Okay. And so what would that increase
this budget?
>> This paint
less than 60,000.
Additionally 55,000
here
benefits.
See
it up to 170.
So is the payment make the same um same
salary that they're making
as clean currently?
>> No increase.
>> Okay.
>> Thank you.
» Please go ahead. uh not that you can be
excuse me knowledgeable like operations
in other areas for departments but um
with respect to waste removal and how
they use like uh um Mos um how
interchangeable are painters like is
that a position where right here you
have painter and
sign maintenance that's the A3310
and there's also a painter in property
management which is A1621
21. Is there is there any
interchangeability?
» Are there any other question for the
section
maintenance? Seeing none, we'll move to
the next page. Utilities traffic.
Yes, that increased by 34.5%
approximately 144,000.
» I'm sorry, what page you said? I'm
sorry.
>> 37.
>> Okay, thanks.
>> Anything to highlight?
>> Sorry that we have two line workers
currently and down the line we have
three, but that's you know future talk.
right now as this budget this is correct
just something to prepare for in the
future. We these two gentlemen are
towards the end of their you know
working careers and ideally we have some
weight in the wings to learn but might
be a cross trainining sort of situation.
So three should be the number that we uh
look to have in the future but the math
remain two as we cross train this.
So you you had the um in 25 the adopted
budget was two. Were both of those
positions filled?
>> We had a supervising line worker.
>> So you we moved one of the line workers
to the supervisor position.
>> Thank you.
>> Any other questions?
Seeing none, we'll move to page
51.
for the bottom three
include 5.15%
approximately 3600.
Um
>> street lighting that has to do with
administrative expense life follows.
>> Yeah
expense 42. Yeah. So that's for the
um
yeah services which we have uh in Japan
Jones and service fee. So I think
they're increasing a little bit in their
um annual maintenance rate. So that's a
little bit higher than that. Expensive
the annual maintenance they're
increasing from part.
So you're saying that the light bulb gas
any
light gas I think is the
» Yeah.
» Oh no. We're just asking about the
light. Yes. In terms of the the numbers,
does that cover any smart city program
under this light?
>> I don't believe so.
>> No, it doesn't.
>> White power and gas. That's that's
strictly national.
» And then we're at 1.3 million here to
date as of uh September.
>> Okay.
Do you have any other thoughts or
so? 1.3 million pounds. You think that's
enough budgeted for with the increases I
mean we're personally facing
>> at home? I'm sure you work these numbers
out, but you think that's enough to get
us through next year? I think so.
>> Okay.
Any other questions?
>> I'm sorry. I think I must have missed
this flipping but um what's in the
administrative expense there?
>> Um yeah so is uh the annual uh
maintenance cost uh which we have to pay
to BPM for all the loads we talked
about. So like 200 upgrading to that but
we have like 700 total.
725
>> 725 on that the charge went up on that.
>> Wow.
>> So they're increasing um actually you
know they're increasing
I don't know it's like 57 grand or
something.
>> Yeah. So that's the data so they're
increasing.
>> Is that why we saw that huge jump from
2024 to 2025?
>> Yeah. 2025 not one month but 2026 is
>> 57 57 that's what you mentioned 57,000
increase
>> and that's going directly to the the
service provider
>> yeah service provider and we spoke to
service provider tried to negotiate it
brought the cost down that's why you see
this number this was like 90 grand
before
and try to bring the cost Yeah.
» Any other questions for this department?
See none. Thank you so much. Thanks.
Good work.
Okay,
we are going to close the page 61.
Let's start.
Sorry.
» Yeah.
» That's pretty darn good.
» Okay. The development 8686 page 61
increase by 0.58% approximately 3000
increase.
So for the salaries, all of these
positions are currently filled with
exception of our principal planner
recently
resign.
» No
highlight. you don't need. Sir,
>> one question um that I need to mention
is the number for
overtime for the admin salaries went
down to 500
and we have to be able even though I do
encourage my team to do comp time. We
really need a line item there because if
they choose to, especially with missing
um the principal planner right now would
like to be able to have that option if
they work over. Now, they do really well
with doing that with company time, but I
think 500 is pretty much zero when I
have two people managing my plan.
So
>> overtime is that like a
» so so and department like there's like a
stipen for overtime, right? So
>> it's not just over.
>> Oh, for the contractual people they see.
Oh, okay.
>> Plan commission zone board.
So that $500
that is in the budget is supposed to go
for the three current people on staff
that they choose to do overtime
attending their commission.
Is that really?
>> No, but like I said, most of the time
they they are okay fulfilling comp time,
but I would like them to remain the
remaining thousand just in case
something occurs in their um you know
compound doesn't work like
>> I have another part of my question as
well. Um so I noticed that other
department heads had stipens but I don't
see any sip
um in your
department originally um we did submit
for stipen which was for ser for um
$7,000 which would be for two um
employees to do so like 3500 a piece but
that didn't make it to the final
Is there a reason that certain
departments aren't
considered?
>> I think most department heads that
receive it are commissioners for the
most part. I mean the ones that have
been on call like uh for example um the
IT department
reaching out emails and they always you
know I can reach out to him any point in
time I mean answer calls email
>> so it's all before call essentially
>> yes
really emergency.
» Yeah. So, I thought that we had um
maybe I should just go back and look. I
thought we had one a
check.
There it is.
I can't find but I thought that I the position I'm thinking about would
not be calling people in over time. Let
me go through my back.
» Just a comment. Conceivably, if the
principal planner position isn't hired
right away, could a substantial portion
of that be moved
to a line which would be over time.
It depends how we I mean they could
potentially use some of that money um
the data bring or depending that develop
» so I guess this is a little bit more
clarification
asking right now that position isn't
filled without that position being
filled how does that impact other people
within your department
Well, right now I'm on the principal
planner,
» but we we have an we have an amazing
team. It does um add to the workload of
my planner one and my assistant planner,
which both have stepped up um to do
additional things as we transition with
the law school. But right now, I'm I am
the decision maker. Not that I wasn't
before, but I had a an in between
management staff, but I'm the decision
maker. more hands-on approach now.
Go ahead.
>> Um, in hiring the um, new principal
planner, would you have to bring that
person in at this salary or is that just
because of um, you know, that person was
there for so long? And
>> yeah, I I don't know. I guess that
depends on that depends on the level of
experience. If we have somebody that has
25 years experience that we bringing on,
I think that would be equivalent to what
we lost.
in our previous planner.
>> Okie dokie.
» The these are technical position and
>> it's hard to get them fill.
>> Yes.
>> I'm speaking on a private sector
position.
Any other questions for this section?
Anything else you like to highlight to
us?
And you know these historic
» I actually proposed that based on what
we spent last year. So in there it's
like our arborist um our consultant for
the tree program. So I made that
decision to drop it because the reality
is we didn't we didn't need that much
money.
» Okay. So we move to page uh
62 community development commission
[Music]
>> sir.
>> So again this is another this training
line
>> where that went down to 1,000. I just
want to reiterate that this is training
that has to be offered to the planners
and all three of the commissioners. So,
$1,000 isn't is not going to to cut it.
We have to be able it is written. We
have to be able to offer that training.
And if I want to continue to have best
in class as far as planners, especially
with the losing somebody that's been in
this role for $25, I need to
» I need to be able to offer them training
if if I want the best in class. I mean,
they they need an opportunity to go to
training. And that also that line covers
when city council goes to the planning
conference that usually happens every
year when we offer it to you for those
who do attend in Saratoga because my
department offers it to you every year.
>> Yes.
Um but $1,000 is not enough.
>> So I I just have a question.
>> Yes.
Oh, I just had a question. So, this is
your proposed budget, right? So, the 500
um for overtime. Why didn't we put a,000
in?
>> I did put 1,000. This isn't my proposed
budget did not make it. This is the
final budget. Okay.
>> So, that's those are the things that
some things got cut and I'm fine with,
but I'm highlighting the things that
it's beneficial that it stays.
>> Okay.
Miss uh Patrick and you had do you have
it now or
>> I don't think so.
>> Oh, I was just gonna ask if the when you
said that they have to have the
training, are they mandatory training
>> for the commissioners? Yes.
>> Oh, okay.
>> Yes, they are.
>> Go ahead, please. So, I just wanted to point out the fact that you took out
15,000 on your um visa services
>> and you're just asking us to restore the
mandatory training back another 1500.
>> Yes.
>> And the overall
>> 3,000
that I asked for 3,000 in that line.
>> You're asking for 3,000. Okay.
>> Mhm.
>> 231,000.
>> And you want you you're asking for the
overtime to be back up to a,000. Yes.
Okay.
All right. Thank you.
» Any other questions?
>> Okay. Sorry.
[Music]
» You can't without a statement.
community development increased by like
a 62% uh approximately $3,000 increase.
>> Okay.
>> All position on all positions except for
the new senior assistant position is
full. I'm happy to report that.
>> Um this year we operated with very short
staff in the community development. We
filled Sylvia's position which was
empty, a year and a half for program
monitor
>> and we had 6 months without a program
accounts clerk. Uh so I'm happy to say
that those are those two positions are
full. The CD assistant position is in
full because there's a portion that got
missed with civil service that Katie is
working on. It was something um
the correct verbage but why I can't hire
when I went to go hire somebody and it
hadn't gone through the full process
with the county
>> and which position of that
>> um see the assistant
>> new it was there when I got here in the
budget
» go ahead
>> was there a person in it when you got
here
>> no it was a new position that I was
looking to fill that my predecessor had
got approved for but there was something
on our that didn't happen.
>> I understand. Um but so in other words,
you've been able to operate without the
CD assistant
>> barely.
>> Okay.
>> Which is why we have a part-time we had
two part-time people consultants pretty
much hurting and helping us.
>> Thank you.
>> And are you saying that those people are
no longer there? two part time.
>> One part time is no longer part time.
>> Um I do have a further question about
the um under the line 88687 the program
account for I see that it went down is
that a new person in that position?
>> Yes, it is. Okay.
>> So going back to the the part was it was
this to help pick up the workload for
these position that was not filled. Is
that correct? But since you are in all
these position and fill up, would you be
uh downsizing in the parttime line?
>> Well, that is one person.
>> Well, there's somebody in it.
>> There's somebody in it. It used to be
two, but it's still that is one person.
>> Well, last year last year budget 54,000.
This year proposed 54.
this year proposal
>> 50,000 sorry last year 54
>> just let me
>> second sorry
>> no this was two 2025 is 254,000
for two part time
>> so and her hourly work at $20
at 20 hours a week is over that is 52
she makes $50 an
So, do you you still need a part-time
position?
>> Yes, that position
manages
a very important role. She that position
manages home.
>> So, our home projects
Anything
else?
Go ahead.
>> Community development equipment.
Nothing proposed for this year is
$4,000.
>> Yeah. Minimum most anything that we need
for community development is
reimburseable from CDBG. So it doesn't
impact our general funds. Thank you.
But that just mean you said most of it
is reimburseable through
how much how much money is reimburseable
coming out of your department through
like the
>> Well, we have each year we have our CDBG
own funds. So that's roughly 3.1 million
that's all reimburseable. So each year
is roughly in salaries from each one.
And I'm just thinking this might not be
all the way accurate, but 234,000
in salaries from CDBG I believe is on
our admin line. Um 100
maybe 100,000
for home.
So far the community development those
roles are still
might be good information to have
» I don't know those numbers on
you step up.
>> Would you like to follow up?
>> Yeah, I think I was just thinking we
might want to look at that.
You want to follow up with a question?
>> Yeah. Yeah. I was just I'll be there.
>> Just pick it up already. Just do it
right away.
>> I was just saying maybe we need to look
at like I'd like to see those numbers
that we're talking about. That's all as
>> reimburse. Can we make that please?
>> Yeah. Thank you.
>> Our annual action plan that we publish
each year. It'll list out what we put
towards adhesion.
So it is public information
» under this um section. You have $5,000
inside for timing.
>> Yes.
The same as that I asked for before. We
have CS
people there.
>> Any other questions?
>> Go ahead. But I mean that's only $5,000
not equipment but we haven't spent any
of it yet year to date.
We had
because the team is doing
you know they're coming in late staying
late they're they're flexing in the same
day. So if they know they have to be
here for a meeting they're coming there
later you know that which doesn't always
work cuz we got work to do. that doesn't
that's not always the the best option.
» So, how do you track these contents?
>> We have a time sheet that they put in
every day that they sign in every day.
>> That's right. Or just
>> No, it's manual.
>> So, you sign in when you come in, you
sign out when you go home.
» Okay. Are there any other questions? Are
there any other things you wanted to
highlight for us? What's happening in
the department?
>> Yes, this is some good things.
>> Yeah, there's been a lot of there's been
a lot of good things. Um, this year we
really focused on implementing all the
changes that we did in 2024 as far as
our processing procedures cuz I I could
remember coming to you saying we're
doing this, we're doing that. And this
year, um, the team really wanted to do
that to be efficient. Um, we've been
able, we're on track to expend almost
$2.8 million into the community to our
nonprofits, which is wonderful. We get
$3 something million. And this year, we
are on track. We've spent that money.
has been in the community.
Our community, severance are spending
them, spending those funds. So, those
likely that need it are getting the
services that they want. So, that's
something that I'm extremely proud of.
Yes, we have some stragglers, but that's
okay. Um, so we really focused on that.
Um, we I'm proud of the work that we did
with being short staff and community
development. We this year we focused a
lot of one-on-one technical assistance
with our subreient and that shows
they're able to spend the money. We're
not going to close out this year. When I
say this year, I'm talking about our
federal year for community development
which ended on 9:30. So, we're not going
to close out with as much money still on
the table as we have in previous um
>> previous years, but we we are working.
Um and it's an exciting time for my
department considering we're almost
fully staffed.
We closed out phase one of our
comprehensive plan for anyone who went
to our last community meeting. So, we've
heard a lot of feedback over the last 12
months from the neighborhoods and we've
been able to aggregate that data to
really push out what our overall vision,
the goal is for this city. So, we're
looking forward um to phase two and I
think that right there with the spending
and the comp plan is the priorities of
the department. We've been able to
strengthen all of our relationships with
our stakeholders working closely with
Metrolex and the other developers in the
city. We're making sure that we are
giving the support and they're giving us
support that we need to push some of
these projects through and some of those
projects would be our YWCA
um project or scap the scap project
that's happening. Um so just just really
proud of the the the overall work of my
team. Could you talk about the lead
program?
>> The lead program. October 1st, we fully
transitioned our county lead program.
Um, and we've already made significant
changes. We've already um identified
some weaknesses in the program and again
addressing the policies and procedures
and making sure that we can get this
information out to the people. Um, so
we've rebranded it. um logos, flyers.
We have some projects that are in line
that we'll be using. Some of our CDBG
dollars for one of them is to get a lead
hazard children safety van. It's an
outreach van. We hope we're we're still
flushing this out, but our hope is to
partner with our local hospital, have
nurses on the band going into the
communities doing lead testing. Um go so
in an effort to meet people where they
are. Sometimes people don't want to come
and sign up for programs and landlords
can't get all of the information from
tenants to actually take advantage of
this program. So we we have that going
on too and we're excited about that.
>> So are you going to are you going to do
some outreach to neighborhood
association to kind of have people
buying into this program?
>> Yes. And I'm glad that you said
outreach. I have something that's an act
of the council. We talk about in our
these neighborhood meetings. A lot of
times neighborhoods and and community
members are saying we don't we don't
know that this is available. I'm leaning
on council to share this information
with your constituents. The city cannot
do it without you. We're putting it in
paper. We're sharing it on social media.
We we need the council to share the
information with the constituents. It is
very disappointing when you have people
in the community that say, "We don't
know this fund exists or we don't know
that it applies when we all have
representation right here on the
council." So, I'm going to be leaning on
it
>> this year to really push this
information out there to the people that that you serve. So, yes, we will be
doing that.
>> We have the funding there, so we just
need to help you your
>> to get that information out so people
can tap into the funding. The other
question I want to ask in terms of um
working with the BCNI
uh habitat humanity in terms of spending
all the allocation that we provide to
them every year. How is that
relationship working with them to make
sure they utilize all the allocation on
a timely basis?
>> We are giving technical assistance. Um
just because you get technical
assistance doesn't mean that we follow
the technical assistance and spend the
money down. But the city is doing their
part. Community development is doing
their part. We have been meeting
one-on-one. We recently started
coordination meetings with BCNIR. So to
ensure that they have to support the
move to project, we have a meeting if
they bring something up and to bring in
with the department heads to sit in that
meeting to help them, they have that
option to do that. So that's new. We
recently started out. We've met with one
with every sub. So,
» so I'd just like to circle back to the
ban that you talked about because that
really sounds like a good thing to be on
the community. So, you're currently how
are you what was the funding source?
CDBG.
>> CDBG. So, that's not something we would
have to look at for capital.
>> Okay. You would just purchase it and all
that money would come from CDBG. And um
do you have a anticipation on when that
happen? I don't you know I had put it in
for a capital project but after talking
um to the commissioners like it is a it
is a nigible expense for CDBG. So let's
shift considering we already have a desk
deficit because I don't know how China
been trying to get a ban.
» So Miss Car's earlier point um multiple
times brought the fact of what we can
do. I've spoken with communication seen
with our school district when we have
things like this program that you know
the school district has a large reach
and has a lot of ways to communicate
with families. Um always willing to do
that. All we have to do is just send it
over saying this is the information put
it on their all their electrical
electronic uh interfaces if you will. Um
and I'm sure if we were to do our own
printing that they would you know be
willing to distribute it that way as
well. So again, it's just a resource
that we should just not do. The approval
from Dr. Co has already been into to
help things
>> and they they have actually with the
comprehensive plan and winning every
kids from bad neighborhood meetings in
our schools put on social media. So that
part we have strengthened that
partnership and we have utilized them as
a re as a resource already.
>> Go ahead. Um, I just want to ask in
terms of the CDBG SNAP neighborhood
revitalization uh money which um it's zero for 2026. Is that because did
it shift to another one of these lines
or is it that just that we got a cut
from the federal government?
>> No, it's not a fun. The SNAP program
hasn't expended money from that line in
three years. So, we took that money and
put it in the development line so that
we can have more control over
people contracting going out and leaving
city on properties. We've met with the
team downstairs and they have a capacity
issue.
So, in an effort to address and getting
these homes stressing with our homes
initiative, getting these homes cleaned
up, making sure that they're safe to
enter for our realtors, we took that and
made it a put it on a development line.
>> Okay. And then um my other question
was oh um so speaking of homes um so
we've put into the budget um trying to
uh bring in 4.5 million.
>> Uh to date we've brought in um 1.5
million um with only a few months left.
And I was just wondering um you know
what
how we're going to try to achieve
>> other
money is from the Skinnct 40 project
which is held under litigation right
now. So that transferred over from last
year to this year.
>> So it's not direct sales of cityowned
property like what we talk about in
property management committee. That's
not what that revenue was that city
>> city own property work on. The other one
is said $500,000
sale town
>> and driving put in a moratorum which
they have now lifted but potential for
there's going to be a solar site there.
>> Yes.
>> So there's a couple of big
uh transactions out there that would
bring that number up. Is it still going
to happen in 25?
I hope so, but I can't guarantee it. It
more
going to 26. So, have a little bit of
deficit here. Show up the numbers for
26.
>> Okay. Thank you.
>> Talking about I mean we are currently um
property management is reaching this
meeting once per month. Is there any
consideration to kind of put that back
two times per month so that we can be be
more aggressive to achieve u a better
number
>> into next year?
>> We need that more than happy to shift
the staff to do that.
>> But you think in my opinion I don't
think someone is going to make it more
>> I'm looking at in terms of the law
department in terms of having the the
approval the closing you know all those
things.
because it kind of it kind of dragged
out like meeting once a month and how do
we approve it once a month? I think also
we're looking at the the closing and
it's kind of spread out.
>> I I this is just me advocating for my
work that Maurice puts into this process
and the time that it takes to get all
these things together, the sim takes to
collect all the supporting documents and
put that analysis together for the PMC.
I think that it helps him to be come to
you the more complete right versus him
coming to you and then having to say
this still you know x y and z you know
do documents but whatever you decide we
will my team will make that we'll make
that adjustment but I don't think you've
given it a chance we've only been
meeting a couple of months once a month
>> so we really
It feels like we meet more than once a
month, but I guess
>> it is a that's fairly new. So,
>> yeah, I'm kind of looking at it now
standpoint in terms of moving more
aggressively towards closing so that we
can achieve the numbers.
>> Any other question? I mean you touched
on your department but you did not touch
on and you you and your staff spend
significant I would say significant
amount of time and energy all of the
above to achieve those um result in
terms of allocation in terms of tracking
I will give you the opportunity to
please highlight the good things and we
start the bad things or just the good
things just the good things okay we are
at
>> about 85% %
spend down when when I think of our now
the couple that are still need to spend
our large amounts
but most of them are with the exception
of a couple we we know where they are.
major development projects, but
the rest of them, you know, 30,000,
40,000, they're not even able to spend,
you know, you still got till next year
to spend them. So, um, Mitch has done a
tremendous, tremendous, tremendous job
working with the subreients and making
sure that the city is aligned with our
environmental review. That had become a
issue. the US how we would typically do
an environment to review the US trend
requires something different and my team
has really stepped up and made sure that
our sub recipients are are compliant
since you mentioned ARPA I think the
allocations as was presented by the
council is often coming under vir
scrutiny similar to the CDB CDBG funding
is there any way to quantify its
community impact
Well, we do we we collect the data so we
do know how many people to serve, where
those people live, what are the ages. So
there's there isn't a gap as far as
reporting. I will share that information
>> with respect to
>> we we collect the same information. We
get report we we get quarterly reports
from every sub. I think that would be
valuable to substantiate
the reason why I individually and others
voted in favor of that certain
allocations. Certainly there are some,
you know, in full transparency, there
are some subreients that are struggling.
Um, they are struggling. Some of them
don't have the capacity for the amount
of money that was allocated to them. And
we we're we're seeing that even though
we're supporting them and trying to give
that technical assistance to them,
they're struggling. And I'm just being honest.
>> Still,
>> yeah, there's still time, but
>> but time is of the essence. And the ones
that are struggling, do you in your own
professional capacity, do you feel that
they're going to achieve it at the end
of their own?
>> There are there are two that I need to
speak with commission about that we have
um major concerns.
So, on that note, um again, just because
we're struggling to try to figure out
how we're going to bring back some money
and be able to try to reduce a tax, um
is any of that money money that might be
able to be reallocated to other projects
like for example youth services?
>> I wouldn't see why not.
>> We just would have to do it within we'd
have to um reallocate it before
December.
>> And I don't think you can reallocate it
this time.
>> Well, that's what I was wondering. Okay.
Yeah. So, we can't
>> how would we, in other words, if there
were I'm making this up, but if XYZ
organization
wasn't able to spend the money that we
allocated to them, we just lose it.
>> I wouldn't say that we lose it. I think
there may be some creative ways if we
use the money for the same intention,
but maybe not.
>> That might be a place to be able to have
some money for youth services.
If the project was youth services, but
the two projects are not youth services.
So that
just
>> so it has to be like it has to be in.
>> Gotcha. Gotcha. We got serve money golf
course.
>> I did hear
>> you were trying to get some money
services somewhere in your department.
>> Not fine with us. there's an opportunity
to woman that um we possibly could use
right now we're closing out our federal
year so there will be some money that
hasn't been spent
>> and there may be some money that could
be allocated
>> thank you may
» going back to the our those two agency
that are struggling is there any way you
can share that information more in depth
information so the council
and we can able to see where we stand in
terms of that and if we need to make
adjustment or do anything outside of
that so that we don't lose that money or
we need to ramp up effort to help them
to you know be more aggressive if that's
something that you can you can we can
get on board to help you with
>> so Mr.
Miss is part of I have spoken. So she
plans on um bringing that forward to
>> I will respectfully I'm going to make
sure that I connect with commissioner
first.
>> Okay.
>> And then I will
>> yeah
those are information that is will be uh
beneficial to us to you for us to help
you if we can because uh we here to see
the money just disappear. and we can be
allocated to something that kind of fits
the need
project. We can
any other question I had to put you I
put you on the spot but I want to
highlight you know you had so many so
much of additional work
>> Mhm. with the allocation and the
tracking every single time and
constantly meeting with us almost every
week, every two weeks to highlight us,
to give us update, things like that. And
I do really appreciate that. I'm sure my
colleagues do appreciate that.
Absolutely. It's a lot of work, a lot of
effort, a lot of funding, making sure
that you be on top of all that, you
know, that 52 point something million
dollars.
>> So, thank you.
>> Thank you. I appreciate that.
Yeah,
you did it out of tight end.
>> Thank Thank you for your support.
>> Are there any other questions
>> from
saying no? Thank you and thank you for
what you are doing. Keep up the good
work.
>> Thanks so much.
>> All right.
So, we have come to the end.
a lot. Did you did they review your
department?
>> Yeah.
>> The other night.
>> So, um
we've come to the end of the review. Um
we'll just don't I know there's a lot of
questions we um pushed around. Are you
getting answer to all the questions? If
you're not, please reach out. copy, copy
them in, copy direct and we will um make
sure that you receive answers of any
question that Amazon started.
Please, if you're sending email, just
pick up the phone and call because
sometimes the email get disappear, you
know, pick up the phone and call and try
to get your questions answered.
>> Our next meeting is u this Friday 5:30.
Um more than likely um I will ask you to
clear out your calendar in next week.
>> I would like to add another day more as
reserve.
>> So I will do that this Friday. So I ask
you to look at your calendar please. Can
we tell you now what you know in case
there is if anybody has
>> you can yes but I will give you more
time you know in your capacity private
capacity to do it
>> Tuesday if you can you can um let me
know
>> um Miss Michael I will have to put out
public notice and it's a moral place so
that you know we we're here to be
serious in terms of as we get to the
final conclusion I would make myself
available
uh um have a meaningful dialogue, a
meaningful opportunity to be flexible uh
to achieve their budget hopefully before
the end of next weekend.
>> So, um I just be clear, we're still
meeting on Monday after meeting.
>> We're still but I just want to, you
know, put that place in case we cannot
conclude by Monday evening.
>> I have three nights next week that I
could add in.
>> Go ahead, please. Then I have a couple
questions. So um and these are
colleagues um for commissioner. So just
if you um could just when we get ready
to when we start the deliberation just
explain the council work from that um
fund um balance policy is and also um
what it would mean in terms of um going
past that what that entails. So if those
are two things that that you can address
deliberations on Friday.
>> Are those questions or are you in terms
of presentation on that?
>> Well, you can answer the question. I
mean if you want it's up to him how he
does it with the presentation but we
what our fund balance policy is um and
also what it entails in terms of talking
about
seeing a tax. No, I want to make sure
the video going to be captured whatever
you're you're asking. So, commissioner,
you make note of that, please.
So if you don't mind looking at your
calendar now or if not
it
we can put it just get it out there
so that we don't have to delay you know
getting you know
» I was just going to say a point of repi
appreciated when we had the
conversations around the housing task
force because I think it wasn't
suggested that we had everyone just
highlighted
and then we vote for alignment. Um I
think with having condensed meetings I
think if we're intentional we can
achieve our objective in two days or two
nights. Um I think the respectful ask
would be I think people come into Friday
with maybe a written or pre-provided
list to SAM. I think that would help us
align the areas of agreement and that
would make that discussion more um
productive. I don't know you have excuse
me they can be circular and I think we
all are mostly trying for like reasons
um by meeting to get away from us with
us just having so few on the books so
far.
>> Absolutely. So yeah so you know members
you can look at the revenue you know
come up with any suggestion please
document it so that we can go through
look at the expenditure lines and
departments and come up with your
suggestion for Friday and we can start
that discussion Friday
thank you for that Mr.
Yeah, cuz without
pads and
it's not easy. So, thank you. Thank you
for highlighting that. So, yes, please
sit down. You got some homework to do.
come up with your suggestion, come up
with some recommendation
and let's start
discussion across the board
and as I mentioned revenue and
expenditure time categories.
So do you want to give me your
availability in the next week and I can
able to do something thing or you just
want to sit on it for a day and get back
to me? That's fine.
What he says? No fighting.
>> Yeah.
» Okay.
>> So, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and
Friday. I can do Well, Monday we're
already scheduled.
>> Yes. It's Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday.
You're available.
>> Mhm.
>> Why don't we just do like a doodle poll?
>> A doodle poll.
doodle or
>> well the point of the doodle post if
we're all saying it this day that but if
we fill it in then the it will let us
know where everyone's reading. So that's
the suggestion.
>> Yeah, just a matter of two days just to
one day cuz I I would like the reason
why we meet last Wednesday and this
Wednesday is because I wanted all
council members to be at the meeting. I
did not want to set the meeting with one
of us missing because we're only six of
us and it will not be beneficial because
we had we could have meet our leader but
there were one missing
>> and I don't feel that was too
>> so I ask for your support the next week
to sacrifice a day or two more.
All right. Anything else before
please and um commissioner if you have
any question please um provide the
answer to the uh to the members so that
way we're not waiting until um Friday. I
have a couple I will follow you.
>> Any emails sending emails with any
questions I did not answer.
So that's take care
>> and please if you're sending question
copy myself copy and copy Sam so that we
can able to track it because Sam does a
print out to make sure that we those
questions are being answered. If you
don't do that then we we can't track it.
>> All right. Anything else?
>> So I ask a motion to uh recess.
>> So moved second.
>> All in favor. Thank you so much. Good
night everyone. Thank you.