[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]