[0:00] Heat.

[0:05] [music]

[0:16] Heat.

[0:22] Heat.

[1:07] Hey, Heat.

[1:39] Heat.

[1:55] [music]

[2:21] Heat.

[2:56] [music]

[3:03] » [music]

[3:51] >> Heat. Heat. Heat. Hey, Heat.

[5:01] Hey, hey.

[5:22] Heat.

[5:36] Hey. Hey. Hey.

[6:02] » [music]

[6:34] >> Heat. Heat.

[6:53] [music]

[7:37] everybody.

[7:46] He

[8:20] Hey, hey, hey.

[8:28] [music]

[9:09] Heat. Hey, heat. Hey, heat.

[9:20] » [music]

[9:26] » Hey.

[9:28] [music]

[9:47] » [music]

[9:55] » Heat.

[10:03] Heat.

[11:40] » [music]

[12:54] » Heat. Heat.

[12:57] [music]

[13:18] Heat. Heat.

[13:43] [music]

[14:16] Heat. Heat.

[14:44] I'd like to call to order the Skenctity

[14:46] City Caucus meeting for Monday, March

[14:48] 9th, 2026.

[14:50] We have one item for a public hearing.

[14:52] If the clerk would please read

[14:54] >> item number one for public hearing

[14:56] regarding the neighborhood

[14:58] revitalization strategy area.

[15:03] » And we have 14 items for original

[15:07] consideration and one item for unanimous

[15:09] consent. If the city clerk would please

[15:12] read item number 14A.

[15:20] for unanimous consent. A

[15:22] resolution honoring Adi Shakti Marim

[15:26] Khali Kovville Cultural Center.

[15:29] >> If I have a motion to place that on the

[15:31] floor moved by Mr. Mance, second by Mr.

[15:34] Chairs

[15:36] and then may I have a second motion to

[15:38] add this to the consent agenda?

[15:40] >> So moved by Mr. Mance, seconded by Mr.

[15:42] Ingert. All those in favor?

[15:44] >> I.

[15:50] » And before we proceed, item number 14

[15:52] will be taken out of uh order. If the

[15:56] clerk could please read item number one

[15:57] for original consideration.

[15:59] >> Item number one for original

[16:00] consideration. An ordinance authorizing

[16:02] the issuance of serial bonds and

[16:04] aggregate principal amount not to exceed

[16:07] 7,452,275

[16:10] of the city of Skenctity, New York,

[16:12] pursuant to local finance law to finance

[16:15] the 2026 capital plan.

[16:17] >> Discuss in committee without objection

[16:19] on consent. Item number two.

[16:20] >> Item number two for original

[16:22] consideration. An ordinance to amend

[16:23] chapter 161, article 5, section 21 of

[16:26] the code of ordinance to suspend payment

[16:28] for excess residential waste and bulky

[16:31] items for 90 days.

[16:32] >> Discussed in committee without objection

[16:34] on consent. Item number three.

[16:36] >> Item number three for original

[16:37] consideration. An ordinance amending

[16:39] chapter 183 of the skity city code to

[16:42] reflect the updates in the New York

[16:43] State Penal Law.

[16:45] >> Discuss in committee without objection

[16:47] on consent. Item number four.

[16:48] >> Item number four for original

[16:50] consideration. A resolution authorizing

[16:52] the mayor to enter into an easement

[16:53] agreement with Maxon Alco Properties LLC

[16:56] for the Mohawk River Overlook located at

[16:59] Mohawk Harbor.

[17:00] >> Discussing committee without objection

[17:01] on consent. Item number five.

[17:03] >> Item number five for original

[17:04] consideration. A resolution appointing a

[17:06] city council member Kim Wiggins as the

[17:09] chair of the housing stability task

[17:11] force and Miss Carmel Patrick as

[17:13] co-chair.

[17:14] >> Discuss in committee without objection

[17:15] on consent. Item number six.

[17:17] >> Item number six for original

[17:18] consideration. A resolution appointing

[17:20] Caesia Blanchard to the Civilian Police

[17:22] Review Bo Review Board.

[17:25] >> Discuss in committee without objection

[17:26] on consent. Item number seven.

[17:28] >> Item number seven for original

[17:30] consideration. A resolution authorizing

[17:31] the reimbursement of expenses by the

[17:33] Rose Garden Restoration Committee.

[17:35] >> Discussed in committee without objection

[17:37] on consent. Item number eight.

[17:39] >> Item number eight for original

[17:40] consideration. A resolution authorizing

[17:42] the redemption after foreclosure of 512

[17:44] Skenctity Street.

[17:46] >> Discussed in committee without objection

[17:47] on consent. Item number nine.

[17:49] >> Item number nine for original

[17:50] consideration. A resolution authorizing

[17:52] the redemption after foreclosure of 14

[17:55] 1114 Cutler Street.

[17:57] >> Discussed in committee without objection

[17:58] on consent. Item number 10.

[18:01] >> Item number 10 for original

[18:02] consideration. A resolution authorizing

[18:05] the redemption after foreclosure of 1313

[18:07] Hilderberg Avenue.

[18:09] >> Discuss in committee without objection

[18:10] on consent. Item number 11.

[18:12] >> Item number 11 for original

[18:13] consideration. A resolution authorizing

[18:15] the redemption after foreclosure of 2229

[18:19] Watt Street.

[18:20] >> Discuss in committee with objection on

[18:21] consent. Item number 12.

[18:23] >> Item number 12 for original

[18:24] consideration. A resolution authorizing

[18:26] the redemption after foreclosure of 2361

[18:29] Console Road.

[18:30] >> Discuss in committee without objection

[18:31] on consent. Item number 13.

[18:33] >> Item number 13 for original

[18:35] consideration. A resolution authorizing

[18:37] the sale of a vacant lot on Willow Creek

[18:38] Avenue 60.4-2-20

[18:42] for $2,000. Discuss in committee without

[18:44] objection on consent. Item number 14.

[18:46] >> Item number 14 for original

[18:48] consideration. A resolution recognizing

[18:50] March 2026 as Irish American Heritage

[18:53] Month.

[18:53] >> Discussed in the committee without

[18:54] objection on consent. This item will be

[18:56] taken out of order and presented by

[18:58] councilman chairs. Item number 14A.

[19:00] >> Item number 14 A for

[19:04] um now under original consideration. A

[19:06] resolution honoring Adi Shakti Marim

[19:09] Khali Kovville Cultural Center. And this

[19:12] was just passed. This will be presented

[19:14] at March 14th, 2026. If there are no

[19:17] other items to come before the city

[19:20] caucus,

[19:21] I may have a motion to adjurnn.

[19:23] >> So moved by Mr. Mutarin, second by Mr.

[19:25] Inger. All those in favor?

[19:27] >> I.

[19:30] >> I'd like to call to order this

[19:31] connectity city council meeting for

[19:32] March 9th, 2026. Today's invocation will

[19:35] be presented by Reverend Koniki from the

[19:38] Holy Name of Jesus National Catholic

[19:40] Church followed by Miss Wiggins

[19:42] delivering the pledge of allegiance.

[19:50] » Let us pray. Oh holy one whom we call by

[19:54] different names because we are a diverse

[19:56] people but who has called us to live

[19:59] together in community respecting the

[20:01] dignity, uniqueness and gifts of each

[20:04] and every person. Grant your presence

[20:07] among us as we join together to govern

[20:09] and lead. Grant that our debates and

[20:12] outlooks may not be caused for unhealthy

[20:15] divisions or dissensions. Give us ears

[20:19] that hear one another, voices that speak

[20:21] the truth in love, minds that make sense

[20:25] out of confusion or disorder, and in

[20:28] this season of reflection and

[20:30] repentance, hearts that seek to fulfill

[20:33] your purpose. Amen.

[20:35] >> Amen.

[20:40] I pledge allegiance to the flag of the

[20:42] United States of America and to the

[20:45] republic for which it stands, one nation

[20:49] under God, indivisible, with liberty and

[20:52] justice for all.

[21:00] » If the clerk can please take the role.

[21:06] » Mr. chairs

[21:08] >> present.

[21:09] >> Mr. Toro is absent. Mr. Angger

[21:11] >> here.

[21:12] >> Mr. Muiveran

[21:13] >> present.

[21:14] >> Miss Patrick is absent. Miss Wiggins

[21:16] >> present.

[21:17] >> Mr. Williams

[21:18] >> present. At this time we will now have a

[21:20] proclamation delivered by Mayor

[21:22] McCarthy.

[21:26] » Mr. Vega and his family stuck inside the

[21:28] rail.

[21:52] Thank you, Mr. President. Uh it's

[21:55] appreciate the uh

[21:57] opportunity to uh just say thank you to

[22:01] uh Hector Vegan issue official

[22:04] proclamation for his 36 years as a city

[22:07] employee. He's finally retiring and

[22:09] [clears throat]

[22:10] so behalf of the uh city and official

[22:13] proclamation out of the office of the

[22:15] mayor whereas Hector Vega Vegas has been

[22:19] a longtime employee of the city of

[22:22] Skenki with experience in multiple

[22:24] departments and whereas Hector is

[22:27] retiring after 36 years with the city.

[22:30] Hector spent his time in the office of

[22:32] general services, going from the parks

[22:34] department to the sewer department and

[22:37] ending in the waste department where he

[22:38] spent the majority of his career. And

[22:41] whereas during his free time, Hector

[22:43] enjoys traveling, spending time with his

[22:46] wife Kimberly, and rooting for the Miami

[22:49] Dolphins during football season. And

[22:51] [snorts] during the warmer months, he

[22:53] enjoys tending to his garden.

[22:56] >> And hopefully you got a little bit of

[22:57] planting in today.

[22:59] is

[23:01] and whereas Hector has demonstrated

[23:03] exceptional dedication to the city over

[23:06] the course of his distinguished 36-year

[23:08] career. And such a longstanding

[23:10] commitment is truly uncommon in today's

[23:12] environment. Now, therefore, I, Gary

[23:15] McCarthy, mayor of the city of

[23:16] Skenctity, do hereby proclaim Monday,

[23:18] March 9th, as Hector Vega day in the

[23:21] city of Skenctity. And the city of

[23:23] Skenctity thanks Hector for his loyalty

[23:26] and long career to the city of

[23:28] Skenctity. Thank you, sir.

[23:35] [applause]

[23:42] » Thank you, Mr. President.

[23:48] » And at this time, I'll hand over Mr.

[23:50] Chairs.

[23:51] >> Mr. Mr. President, may I have privilege

[23:53] of the floor?

[23:54] >> Amen.

[23:57] » I would like to call up uh anyone of

[24:00] from the ancient order of the Hiburnian,

[24:02] family members, all those that would

[24:04] like to join and lady ladies, excuse me.

[24:06] Yes, ma'am.

[24:25] Oh,

[24:27] >> come in. Come this way. Come this way.

[24:31] >> Yes.

[24:34] >> Yep. Keep coming. Keep coming. Yep. Keep

[24:35] coming in.

[24:53] This is a resolution recognizing March

[24:55] 26, 2026 as Irish American Heritage

[24:58] Month. Whereas since 1991, the United

[25:00] States Congress and the President of the

[25:01] United States have designated March as

[25:03] Irishamean Heritage Month in tribute to

[25:06] generations of Irishameans who have made

[25:08] invaluable contributions to our nation's

[25:10] history, culture, and development. And

[25:12] whereas Irish immigrants have played a

[25:14] crucial role in shaping the history and

[25:16] growth of the city of Skenctity and the

[25:18] United States, overcoming adversity and

[25:20] discrimination to contribute

[25:22] significantly to the fields of public

[25:23] service, business, labor, education,

[25:26] science, and arts, and much, much more.

[25:28] Whereas March is the time to celebrate

[25:30] the achievements, heritage, and enduring

[25:33] spirit of Irish Americans, coinciding

[25:35] with the St. Patrick's Day of March

[25:37] 17th, a day widely celebrated in honor

[25:40] of Irish culture and Ireland's patron

[25:42] saint. And whereas locally the ancient

[25:44] order of hiburnians and the ladies

[25:46] ancient order of hibernians contribute

[25:49] their time, talents and resources to

[25:51] numerous charitable efforts, community

[25:52] organizations and civic initiatives that

[25:55] enhance the quality of life in

[25:56] skenctity. And whereas AOH John F.

[25:59] Kennedy Division number one was founded

[26:01] in 1880, followed by the establishment

[26:04] of LAOH in 1901. And this year, the LOH

[26:08] proudly celebrate its 120th anniversary

[26:11] of service to our community. Now,

[26:13] therefore, it be resolved that the

[26:15] Skenctity City Council in collaboration

[26:17] with Mayor Gary McCarthy hereby

[26:19] recognized proclaims March 2026 as Irish

[26:22] American Heritage Month in the city of

[26:24] Skenctity. And be it further resolved

[26:26] that the city of Skenctity encouraged

[26:28] all residents to celebrate and

[26:30] acknowledge the contributions and

[26:31] enduring legacy of Irish Americans in

[26:34] our community and across the nation.

[26:35] Thank you all so much for all you do for

[26:37] the city of Skenctity.

[26:39] [applause]

[26:46] » Just you have to move. You have to move

[26:49] it.

[26:51] Oh, and may I have a a motion to move

[26:54] the resolution?

[26:55] >> So moved by Mr. Chair, seconded,

[26:57] >> second

[26:57] >> by Mr. Min. All those in favor.

[27:01] [applause]

[27:09] » Hey, make

[27:12] >> Yes. Of course.

[27:13] >> Our vice president, Keith Magcguire.

[27:16] >> Good evening, council. Mr. Mayor, thank

[27:18] you very much. It is an honor to uh be

[27:21] able to receive this uh just very

[27:24] honored and uh to be able to continue

[27:28] the uh Irish heritage within the

[27:30] community and try and be a positive part

[27:32] of our community. Uh so just thank you

[27:34] very much and uh please join us March

[27:38] 17th, St. Patrick's Day at the hall for

[27:41] some corn beef cabbage and cheer. Thank

[27:44] you very much.

[27:49] I am Kim as the ladies president. Um we

[27:51] are celebrating our 125th um this year.

[27:55] So we certainly hope to see some of you

[27:57] at our celebration. Your invitations are

[27:59] all in the mail. So

[28:04] [applause]

[28:11] » thank you

[28:31] I can't see out.

[28:44] So, we have one public hearing for this

[28:46] evening. Public comment has been

[28:48] extended to four minutes.

[28:51] And I would like to call Miss Ellie

[28:53] Pepper.

[28:59] [sighs]

[29:05] Good evening, council members. Mr.

[29:08] President, Mayor, my name is Ellie

[29:11] Pepper. I live in the city of Skenctity.

[29:13] Tonight, you are renewing the

[29:15] neighborhood revitalization strategy

[29:17] area for another five years. The purpose

[29:20] of the NRSA is to concentrate federal

[29:23] community development resources in

[29:24] neighborhoods that have experienced

[29:26] long-term disinvestment so that

[29:28] investment can be strong enough to

[29:30] actually change neighborhood conditions.

[29:33] in Skenctity. That includes

[29:34] neighborhoods like Hamilton Hill, Veil,

[29:36] and parts of the Eastern Avenue

[29:38] corridor. These are some of the most

[29:40] diverse communities in our city, and

[29:43] they are also neighborhoods that have

[29:44] faced decades of economic disinvestment

[29:47] and housing instability.

[29:49] Hamilton Hill, in particular, has

[29:51] struggled with a high concentration of

[29:54] vacant and distressed properties. That

[29:56] is exactly the kind of challenge the

[29:58] NRSA is supposed to address.

[30:02] When we talk about revitalization

[30:04] though, it is important to ask a basic

[30:07] question. Who is that revitalization

[30:11] for?

[30:13] Are the residents who stayed through

[30:15] difficult years seeing the benefits? Are

[30:18] families gaining access to home

[30:20] ownership and the chance to build

[30:22] equity? Are vacant properties being

[30:25] restored in ways that stabilize blocks

[30:28] and support the people who already live

[30:30] there?

[30:32] Revitalization should not simply mean

[30:34] investment in buildings or development

[30:36] projects. It should mean stronger

[30:39] neighborhoods and more opportunity for

[30:41] the residents who call those

[30:43] neighborhoods home.

[30:45] One opportunity cities often overlook in

[30:47] revitalization strategies is creating

[30:50] pathways to homeownership for current

[30:53] renters in these neighborhoods. Programs

[30:56] that combine housing counseling, down

[30:58] payment assistance, and affordable homes

[31:01] can help residents build equity and

[31:03] long-term stability. Revitalization is

[31:06] strongest when the people who already

[31:08] live in the neighborhood have the

[31:11] opportunity to own a stake in its

[31:13] future. As this strategy is renewed for

[31:16] another five years, I think it's

[31:18] reasonable to ask what the outcomes have

[31:21] been so far. How many vacant properties

[31:24] have been brought back into productive

[31:26] use? How many residents have been able

[31:28] to become homeowners? How many

[31:30] neighborhood businesses have been

[31:32] supported? These are the kind of

[31:34] outcomes that show whether

[31:35] revitalization is truly working. And

[31:38] going forward, I hope the city will make

[31:40] that information clear and accessible to

[31:43] the public so residents can see how

[31:45] these investments are improving the

[31:47] neighborhoods where they live.

[31:49] Revitalization shouldn't just change

[31:51] buildings. It should improve the lives

[31:54] of the people who call these

[31:56] neighborhoods home. Thank you.

[32:00] [applause]

[32:07] » So, I have no one else present to speak.

[32:08] So, like to declare the public hearing

[32:10] regarding the neighborhood

[32:11] revitalization strategy area closed.

[32:17] I'll ask for approval of the minutes

[32:18] from February 23rd, 2026.

[32:22] Moved by Mr. Min, seconded by Mr.

[32:24] Chairs. All those in favor?

[32:25] >> I.

[32:27] If the clerk would please read any

[32:29] communications and petitions

[32:38] communications presented to the city

[32:39] council for Monday, March 9th, 2026

[32:42] under official, there were none under

[32:44] general from Brick Fuller Nicola

[32:47] American Legion Post 105. A thank you

[32:50] letter for the for the donation to their

[32:52] post from American Legion Post 1485. a

[32:55] letter expressing appreciation for their

[32:57] for the donation to their posts and

[32:59] under petitions there were none.

[33:02] >> I'd like to call on any council members

[33:04] for their committee reports

[33:08] » hearing none. Privilege of the floor

[33:09] concerning matters of the legislative

[33:11] agenda. We have one individual sign up

[33:14] to speak.

[33:16] I'd like to call Miriam Porterfield.

[33:29] Thank you. Good evening.

[33:32] I'd like to speak to item uh greetings,

[33:34] council president, council members, and

[33:36] mayor. I'd like to address item number

[33:38] two on the agenda regarding trash. I'll

[33:41] start by addressing Mr. Doro's remarks

[33:43] from the last committee meeting on

[33:44] February 2nd, 2026 regarding trash

[33:47] pickup. As the discussion was taking

[33:49] place, Ms. Toro, and I quote, said,

[33:51] "Miss Porterfield was on the task force.

[33:53] Miss Porterfield didn't want to pass

[33:55] anything through, and she eventually

[33:57] left the committee, so there was really

[33:59] nothing we could do to move anything

[34:00] forward. My absence meant that much."

[34:03] End quote. Her comments began at 13

[34:05] 1.32.45

[34:07] in the video. "This is a very distorted

[34:09] version of the truth. She forgot to

[34:11] mention that Matt Douglas, Mike

[34:13] Hamilton, who produced Connected by the

[34:15] Numbers, and Billy Ma also left the

[34:17] committee. This is just one version of

[34:19] the story. Another version was given on

[34:21] October 14th, 2025 when by Mr. Anger

[34:24] when he was running for office. He came

[34:26] to the rail and said that the whole

[34:28] waste program was a failure pushed out

[34:29] under my leadership. He read a statement

[34:31] that was very worded very carefully not

[34:34] to tell a blatant lie, but to imply that

[34:36] I was the architect of the sticker

[34:37] program. His comments are 3830.

[34:41] in the video. Miss Duturo, who attended

[34:43] the waist committee meeting states that

[34:45] said the bulk item suggestion was made

[34:47] after my departure from the committee.

[34:49] This is two extremely different versions

[34:51] of the story. The only thing they have

[34:53] in common is to try to blame Marian

[34:55] Porterfield for this trash debacle. The

[34:57] fact is I sat on the committee beginning

[35:00] January 30th, 2024. And after attending

[35:02] a number of meetings with no outcomes,

[35:04] in March 24, I sent a document, which I

[35:08] have a copy here today, to um all the

[35:11] committee members and also to the mayor.

[35:15] It out outlined recommendations on how

[35:18] to move forward. Only Matt Douglas, who

[35:19] was on the committee at the time,

[35:20] responded. It was a good idea. I also

[35:23] brought printed copies to the meeting.

[35:24] My recommendations were never considered

[35:26] or discussed. Finally, in July 2024, I

[35:30] emailed the mayor to say that nothing

[35:31] was moving forward or coming out of this

[35:33] committee and I would no longer attend

[35:34] meetings. I asked that once there were

[35:37] any recommendations, they be brought to

[35:38] the council for consideration. I also

[35:40] sent an email to the council members in

[35:42] March 2024, including Mr. Mudarin, Mr.

[35:45] Williams, Miss Doro, and Miss Patrick,

[35:47] stating that I would no longer be

[35:48] attending the meetings, but offered that

[35:50] one of them could attend if they so

[35:52] chose. I included a copy of my

[35:54] recommendations in the email. Let us

[35:56] please keep in mind that it was the

[35:57] mayor who convened the task force. His

[35:59] director of operations sent out the

[36:00] meeting notices and created the agendas.

[36:03] Trying to determine how much garbage

[36:05] constitutes a jackpot or whatever terms

[36:07] being used is not the council's

[36:08] responsibility. Council members are a

[36:10] legislative body and they're not out

[36:12] there daily. The recommendation should

[36:14] be by the office of general services as

[36:16] it was by Mr. Paul Leon who finally

[36:18] brought forth the sticker program. It

[36:20] should also include the people who work

[36:21] on garbage every single day. In my

[36:23] recommendations, I suggested a task

[36:25] force of people who do the day-to-day

[36:26] work, who have boots on the ground and

[36:28] know it better than any of us. That was

[36:30] not taken up. However, I recently saw in the Gazette um art

[36:35] editorial on March 5th and um that they

[36:38] also made that suggestion. So now maybe

[36:40] it'll be taken up. Miss Toro stated that

[36:43] the garbage people did it for many

[36:44] years. So why aren't why aren't we

[36:45] asking for their expertise? She also

[36:47] stated that the money the city is losing

[36:49] money. How does she know? I asked for

[36:51] tonnage of garbage collected to help

[36:53] determine the cost and all I received

[36:55] were estimates.

[36:56] >> During your last quarter field, I'll

[36:57] need you to summarize.

[36:58] >> I will. During the last budget cycle, I

[37:00] recommend waste being um taken out of

[37:02] the budget so we can see cost versus um

[37:05] actual um revenue. The clear the code

[37:09] clearly states we cannot charge more

[37:10] garbage than it collect fees for than

[37:13] what it costs to collect for us to

[37:14] collect it. Determining garbage is

[37:17] collected collected as an administrative

[37:18] function with the city findings

[37:20] presented to the city council for their

[37:22] legislative action. If any council

[37:24] members would like a copy of the

[37:25] recommendations which I provided to the

[37:26] council in 2024, I'd gladly provide that

[37:29] to you. Thank you.

[37:33] » I have no one else signed up to speak,

[37:35] so I'll declare public comment on the

[37:36] legislative agenda closed.

[37:40] » At this time, I'll ask for approval of

[37:42] the legislative consent agenda.

[37:45] Second.

[38:13] » One moment.

[38:26] Okay, just for clarification, we're

[38:29] going to reread item number 10. If the

[38:31] clerk would please read

[38:41] item number 10 for original

[38:43] consideration.

[38:45] No, not that.

[39:06] A resolution waving the interest and

[39:08] fees to redeem SVL49.77-1-4.

[39:15] That's helder.

[39:17] Okay.

[39:19] >> All right. Thank you. And with that,

[39:22] I'll ask for a motion moved by Mr.

[39:23] Chairs, second by Mr. Mud. All those in

[39:26] favor?

[39:27] >> I.

[39:30] >> At this time, I'll now entertain

[39:31] privilege of the floor concerning

[39:33] general city business. We have two

[39:35] individuals signed up to speak, and I'd

[39:38] like to call Miss Ellie Pepper.

[39:46] Hello again, council members, Mr.

[39:48] President, mayor.

[39:52] My name is Ellie Pepper. I live in the

[39:53] city of Skenctity. I want to speak about

[39:56] what happened with council member Justin

[39:59] Chairs because it highlights a larger

[40:01] issue about how power is being exercised

[40:03] in this city. The council followed the

[40:06] city charter and appointed Justin Chairs

[40:08] to fill a vacancy. Instead of respecting

[40:11] that decision, the mayor chose to file a

[40:14] lawsuit to try to block him from taking

[40:15] the seat. That lawsuit used taxpayer

[40:18] dollars to fight a political battle

[40:20] inside our own city government. When the

[40:23] mayor uses taxpayer funded lawyers to

[40:26] fight the city council over who gets to

[40:28] serve here, that is not governing. That

[40:31] is political control. And in the end,

[40:34] the court ordered that Justin chairs be

[40:36] seated anyway. So the result was delay,

[40:39] expense, and unnecessary conflict. All

[40:43] paid for by the residents of this city.

[40:48] So I think it's fair to ask the mayor a

[40:50] simple question.

[40:52] where why were taxpayer dollars spent

[40:55] trying to keep a dyapp appointed council

[40:58] member from taking his seat? And now,

[41:02] even though Justin chairs is serving as

[41:04] a city council member, the Democratic

[41:06] committee has endorsed someone else to

[41:08] run for the very seat he holds. Taken

[41:11] together, it sends a message that the

[41:14] real decisions about who serves in city

[41:16] government may not always be made by

[41:18] voters. And we've seen this before.

[41:23] In 2025, sitting council members Mary

[41:26] and Porterfield and Demani Farley were

[41:28] denied the Democratic endorsement while

[41:30] they were incumbents. Without that

[41:33] endorsement, it became extremely

[41:34] difficult for them to keep their seats.

[41:37] And I think we also have to acknowledge

[41:39] something else. Justin Chairs, Marian

[41:42] Porterfield, and Demani Farley are all

[41:45] black leaders in this city. two of the

[41:48] candidates endorsed over them are white.

[41:52] I'm not here to assign motives, but when

[41:54] I see that pattern, it raises a serious

[41:57] question about who gets support, who

[42:00] gets pushed aside, and whose leadership

[42:03] is valued.

[42:05] When I look at these events together,

[42:08] I see a pattern when someone falls out

[42:11] of favor with the political leadership

[42:12] of the Democratic party in this city.

[42:15] leadership that the mayor plays a

[42:17] central role in the machinery of

[42:19] politics moves to replace them. Whether

[42:23] someone supported Justin, Marian or

[42:25] Demani is not really the point. The

[42:28] point is the system. Skenctity is

[42:31] overwhelmingly democratic. So in many

[42:34] city races, the Democratic endorsement

[42:36] effectively determines the outcome. That

[42:39] means the most important decision about

[42:42] who represents this city can end up

[42:45] being made in a committee room rather

[42:48] than at the ballot box. And when fewer

[42:51] than 30% of registered voters even show

[42:54] up in a city election as they did in

[42:57] 2025,

[42:59] it's hard to claim that these outcomes

[43:01] represent a strong mandate from the

[43:04] people.

[43:04] >> Excuse me. The residents of Skenctity

[43:07] >> The residents of Skenctity deserve a

[43:09] government where their vote matters,

[43:11] where leadership is determined by

[43:13] voters, not filtered through internal

[43:16] political decisions because the seats in

[43:19] this chamber do not belong to a party

[43:22] organization.

[43:24] They belong they do not belong to the

[43:26] mayor. They belong to the people of

[43:30] Skenctity. Thank you.

[43:34] >> [applause]

[43:38] » Miss Porterfield.

[43:43] » Thank you again, council members,

[43:45] council president, mayor. Uh first of

[43:47] all, I just would like to address item

[43:49] number five on the agenda tonight. I

[43:51] want to thank uh council member Wiggins

[43:54] for agreeing to chair the housing

[43:55] stability task force. There are a number

[43:57] of residents who are interested in this

[43:59] and I'm sure they'll be um very much

[44:01] want to be a part of the process to um

[44:04] make sure that we get stable housing for

[44:06] the city uh residents of the city of

[44:07] Skenctity. I'd also like to thank

[44:09] council members for working together to

[44:12] help residents stay in their homes and

[44:14] to maintain their properties by the

[44:16] redemptions that were done tonight. That

[44:17] means a lot for people living in our

[44:19] city. And so I just want to thank you

[44:21] for the work that you've done on that. I

[44:23] also wanted to just say uh this is

[44:25] Women's History Month. So, uh, happy

[44:27] Women's History Month. And I also just

[44:29] want to leave these words with you from

[44:30] Maya Angelo. You may shoot me with your

[44:33] words. You may cut me with your eyes.

[44:35] You may kill me with your hatefulness.

[44:37] But to but still, I will rise.

[44:40] Thank you.

[44:44] [applause]

[44:46] >> So, I have no one signed no one else

[44:48] signed up to speak. So, I'll declare

[44:49] public comment on general city business

[44:51] closed.

[44:54] At this time, I'll entertain any

[44:55] miscellaneous business of the council.

[45:00] Hear none. Mr. Mayor,

[45:06] thank you. Uh, Mr. President, can uh

[45:09] have no ill will toward Mr. Chairs, but

[45:13] uh again, the appointment process that

[45:15] the council took was the most bizarre

[45:18] thing I've seen in probably my 40ome

[45:21] years being involved in city politics.

[45:23] Again,

[45:25] they uh weren't going to fill the

[45:27] position. Then all of a sudden, they

[45:28] were going to fill the position. Uh they

[45:30] did interviews behind closed doors,

[45:34] giving individuals only 10 minutes to uh

[45:38] speak. Uh for the first time in my

[45:42] career as uh the mayor, I was excluded

[45:45] from that process. And again, if you

[45:47] watch the meeting, uh, and again, the

[45:50] council spent a lot of time researching

[45:52] whether it was a motion, whether it was

[45:54] a resolution, trying to maneuver some of

[45:57] the things, and there are

[45:58] inconsistencies within the charter and

[46:00] within the laws. Uh, but

[46:05] the the resolution put before the

[46:08] council was blank. There was no name on

[46:10] it. The council wasn't sure who they

[46:12] were going to appoint. And then they

[46:14] went back and forth. and then all of a

[46:16] sudden they made the decision to make an

[46:18] appointment and actually still voted on

[46:20] what was a blank resolution that wasn't

[46:22] filled out. And so I challenge that and

[46:25] again I think the fundamental process

[46:27] was still flawed and uh again we

[46:31] hopefully can move beyond that and do it

[46:33] in a manner where things are more open

[46:35] and transparent as opposed to enclosed

[46:38] doors.

[46:39] And I appreciate Mr. President, you're

[46:42] putting forward the uh trash issue again

[46:45] because the legislation passed by the

[46:47] council was unmanageable.

[46:51] The sticker system was put in place and

[46:53] again was passed by the council

[46:55] unanimously.

[46:57] But the council would not put in place a

[47:02] quantity of garbage to limit stuff going

[47:05] out. We had suggested the uh management

[47:09] side to put six bags there even though

[47:13] open to discussion. And so the problem

[47:16] with the legislation was passed having

[47:17] no limit on the bags was there was a

[47:20] sticker system put in place. So if you

[47:23] wanted to get rid of a chair, you had to

[47:25] put a sticker on it for $5, $10

[47:29] depending on the category that went in.

[47:31] Now, if you didn't want to do that, all

[47:33] you had to do is put a plastic bag over

[47:35] it and the crews had to pick it up uh

[47:38] under the regular garbage that the

[47:41] component of the sticker system was

[47:43] really unmanageable. So, I look forward

[47:45] to working with the council to go back

[47:47] to that and have something in place so

[47:49] that we define a quantity of garbage

[47:52] that is appropriate for people to put

[47:54] out. we eliminate the jackpots where we

[47:57] have people that are putting huge

[47:59] amounts of garbage out and really taking

[48:03] advantage of the system and so that we

[48:05] want something that's manageable that

[48:07] goes forward that again continues the

[48:09] excellent program garbage removal that

[48:11] the city has in place. Thank you, Mr.

[48:14] President.

[48:16] >> Thank you. I think in addressing uh your

[48:18] initial comments, I believe uh it is

[48:21] understanding to recognize that that is

[48:23] your version. I think very much we were

[48:25] able to prove in court a different

[48:27] version which uh was supported. Uh I

[48:30] think with that um definitely there was

[48:32] a deviation from prior methods but what

[48:36] Miss Porterfield and her um elected

[48:39] position did was taking a step forward

[48:41] to being more transparent and that is

[48:43] not to say that that was a completion of

[48:47] us continuing to improve the process but

[48:48] it was a step towards the right

[48:50] direction. Uh I think with that uh

[48:53] having your opinion

[48:55] it it it allowed

[48:59] for very a tumultuous setting. Um but

[49:01] sincerely navigating through that I am

[49:03] confident to say that with Mr. Chair's

[49:06] appointment and with this current

[49:07] framework of the council we are able to

[49:09] do some good work. Uh one of those items

[49:12] that you were referencing was the

[49:13] sticker program. Uh I would like to

[49:15] identify that in your previous statement

[49:17] Mr. Mayor, uh you identified that

[49:19] regardless of whatever action the

[49:20] council would take that you felt

[49:22] confident that you'd be able to enforce

[49:23] it to the best of your abilities and

[49:26] that was uh not not not the case. Uh but

[49:30] I don't think we're at the standpoint of

[49:32] pointing any fingers. I think it is how

[49:33] do we collectively work together to

[49:35] ensure that the people receive not just

[49:37] the legislative support but also the

[49:39] operational support. And if we are not

[49:41] able to achieve that outcome, we need to

[49:43] come back to the table uh with the

[49:45] matter of um frankness to not just

[49:48] continue these conversations but wanting

[49:50] to get to a point of resolution so that

[49:51] we can be actionable.

[49:54] With that, I wanted to take a moment to

[49:55] appreciate just some uh really good

[49:57] accomplishments that are occurring

[49:58] around the city of Skenctity. Uh

[50:00] beginning with the YW.CA's harbor house

[50:02] breaking ground. Uh also, I'd like to

[50:04] identify that we just celebrated Holly

[50:06] in the city of Skenctity. Although I

[50:08] wasn't able to attend uh it was very uh

[50:10] windy uh and I hope people are able to

[50:12] appreciate that colorful ceremony uh

[50:14] very much it is uh in line with what

[50:16] Skenki is and that is us just working in

[50:18] unison and cohesion. Uh want to take the

[50:21] moment to acknowledge that we celebrated

[50:23] our fourth annual women's march. Uh so

[50:25] as was highlighted that today or this

[50:27] month is uh uh women's appreciation

[50:29] month sincerely. Uh it is not needing to

[50:32] be restricted to one month. Um but we

[50:33] need to make sure we are actional and

[50:35] ensuring that we are progressing um a

[50:37] lot of policies and steps forward to

[50:40] ensure that they have rightful places

[50:41] not just in the professional setting uh

[50:43] but throughout all of our interactions.

[50:45] I also want to take a moment to

[50:47] highlight uh this Belmont for selecting

[50:50] their new president and vice president.

[50:52] That's Darnell Jennings and Gary Murray.

[50:54] uh sincerely that is a vibrant community

[50:56] and oftent times it is ensuring that our

[50:59] youth throughout the city have not just

[51:01] uh opportunities uh but activities that

[51:04] they can put their minds to and better

[51:06] themselves day in and day out. Also what

[51:09] is happening right now across the way is

[51:11] Proctors is celebrating their 100 years

[51:13] of magic. Uh truly Proctor is a partner

[51:15] that the city of Skenki has long um been

[51:18] in in in collaboration with and although

[51:21] we cannot be there now I hope a number

[51:22] of you will be able to hustle over uh to

[51:24] at least appreciate uh what they have

[51:27] done and what they will continue to do

[51:28] not just for our city but also for our

[51:30] surrounding communities. Uh and I

[51:33] believe I will be remissed if I do not

[51:34] acknowledge um we recently heard of

[51:38] union discussions that were taking place

[51:40] in Albany uh surrounding tier six. And I

[51:42] wanted to take this opportunity that uh

[51:44] I stand in solidarity with our local

[51:46] educators uh with our EMS workers and

[51:49] also with our state employees that are

[51:50] impacted and we truly need to fix tier

[51:52] 6. Uh I say that understanding that

[51:54] there's often a deviation in

[51:56] functionalities of the school district

[51:58] and city hall. Uh but sincerely this the

[52:00] message that Skenctity needs to embrace

[52:02] is if there is an injustice to any one

[52:04] of us, we all need to make sure we take

[52:05] up that mantle. Uh and I'm confident

[52:07] that our state legislators and um

[52:10] governor understands the impacts of

[52:12] allowing this to continue to exist. And

[52:14] although this doesn't impact every

[52:15] individual truly for our newly appointed

[52:18] uh our newly uh newly incoming teachers,

[52:22] uh we need to make sure that it is a

[52:24] system that takes your investment and

[52:27] allows you the opportunity to benefit

[52:29] and enjoy your years of service

[52:31] thereafter.

[52:32] Uh so with that, I would like to

[52:34] entertain a motion to adjurnn. Moved by

[52:36] Mr. Min, second by Mr. Chairs. All those

[52:38] in favor?

[52:39] >> I we are adjourned. Have a good night.

[52:42] Good to see you.

[53:05] » [music]

Schenectady City Council Meeting, March 9, 2026

Transcript