Schenectady City Council Meeting, March 23, 2026

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[0:00] [music]
[9:59] » Mhm.
[10:07] » [music]
[19:54] » Woo.
[20:14] » Good evening.
[20:15] I'd like to call to order the
[20:16] Schenectady City Caucus meeting for
[20:17] Monday, March 23rd, 2026.
[20:21] We have 15 items for consideration. If
[20:23] the Deputy Clerk would please read.
[20:26] Item one on under final consideration, a
[20:29] resolution approving the neighborhood
[20:31] revitalization strategy area NRSA public
[20:34] comment record.
[20:36] Discuss in committee without objection
[20:37] on consent. Item number two.
[20:38] [clears throat]
[20:39] Item number two under original
[20:41] consideration, a resolution declaring no
[20:44] environmental impact for the J Street
[20:46] Connector project and is an unlisted
[20:48] action under the State Environmental
[20:50] Quality Review Act, SCQRA. Discuss in
[20:53] committee without objection on consent.
[20:55] Item number three.
[20:56] under original
[20:57] consideration, a resolution confirming
[20:59] the appointment of Erica Faulkner to the
[21:02] Recreation Advisory Committee. Discuss
[21:04] in committee without objection on
[21:05] consent. Item number four.
[21:07] under original
[21:09] consideration, a resolution confirming
[21:11] the appointment of Haley Viccaro to the
[21:13] Schenectady Planning Commission. Discuss
[21:15] in committee without objection on
[21:16] consent. Item number five. Item number
[21:19] five under original consideration, a
[21:21] resolution supporting the Schenectady
[21:23] County's Food Council's Advocacy
[21:25] Empowerment Working Group 2027 State
[21:28] Legislative Priorities. Discuss in
[21:30] committee without objection on consent.
[21:31] This item will be discussed out of order
[21:33] and presented by Mr. Toro.
[21:36] Item number seven.
[21:38] Or correction, item number six.
[21:40] for original
[21:41] consideration, a resolution honoring the
[21:43] John F. Kennedy Division 1 of the
[21:45] Ancient Order of Hibernians together
[21:47] with the John F. Kennedy Division 1 of
[21:49] the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians
[21:52] and all people of Irish descent
[21:53] throughout the City of Schenectady on
[21:55] the Feast of St. Patrick, March 17th.
[21:58] And at this time I'll entertain a motion
[21:59] to remove this from the consent agenda.
[22:02] Moved by Mr. Toro, seconded by Mr.
[22:03] Chairs. All those in favor? Aye.
[22:06] Item number seven.
[22:08] under original
[22:09] consideration, a resolution authorizing
[22:11] the issuance of revocable permit number
[22:13] 694
[22:15] to The Good I C L L C DBA Echo for a
[22:20] sign that will overhang the city's right
[22:21] of way on on the face of the building at
[22:24] 508 State Street, Schenectady, New York.
[22:27] Discuss in committee without objection
[22:28] on consent. Item number eight. Item
[22:31] number eight under original
[22:32] consideration, a resolution amending
[22:34] resolutions number 21 2021-238
[22:38] and 2024-106
[22:41] to authorize the sale of five properties
[22:42] to the Land Reutilization Corporation
[22:46] of the Capital District for the
[22:48] development of affordable homeownership
[22:50] opportunities in Mont Pleasant
[22:51] neighborhood.
[22:52] Discuss in committee without objection
[22:54] on consent. Item number nine. Item
[22:56] number nine under original
[22:57] consideration, a resolution authorizing
[23:00] the sale of seven vacant lots to the
[23:02] Land Reutilization Corporation of the
[23:04] Capital District for the development of
[23:06] affordable homeownership opportunities.
[23:08] Discuss in committee without objection
[23:10] on consent. Item number 10.
[23:12] under original
[23:13] consideration, a resolution authorizing
[23:16] the sale of a vacant lot at 234 Duane
[23:19] Ave. for $6,500.
[23:22] Discuss in committee without objection
[23:23] on consent. Item number 11. Item number
[23:27] 11 under original consideration, a
[23:28] resolution authorizing the sale of 506
[23:31] Hattie Street for $60,000.
[23:34] Discuss in committee without objection
[23:36] on consent. Item number 12. Item number
[23:38] 12 under original consideration, a
[23:40] resolution authorizing the sale of 2201
[23:44] Broadway for $1,500. Discuss in
[23:46] committee without objection on consent.
[23:48] Item number 13. Item number 13 under
[23:51] original consideration, a resolution
[23:53] authorizing the sale of 1679 Broadway
[23:55] for $5,050.
[23:57] Discuss in committee without objection
[23:59] on consent. Item number 14. Item number
[24:01] 14 under original consideration, a
[24:03] resolution authorizing the settlement of
[24:05] a claim by Allstate ASO Biggs Darnell.
[24:08] Discuss in committee without objection
[24:09] on consent and item number 15. Item
[24:12] number 15 under contract and supply, a
[24:14] resolution awarding the bid and contract
[24:16] for the Crane Street, Chrysler Avenue,
[24:18] and Main Street intersection improvement
[24:20] base bid and alternate number one to
[24:22] Callanan Industries Incorporated in the
[24:24] total amount of $1,361,107.50.
[24:29] Discuss in committee without objection
[24:30] on consent. If there is nothing more to
[24:32] come before the City Caucus, I'd ask for
[24:34] a motion to adjourn. Moved by Mr.
[24:35] Chairs.
[24:37] Seconded by Mr. Toro. All those in
[24:38] favor? Aye. Aye. We adjourn.
[24:42] I'd like to call to order the
[24:43] Schenectady City Council meeting for
[24:44] March 23rd, 2026. I will be reading a
[24:48] prayer followed by Mr. Chairs providing
[24:50] the Pledge of Allegiance. Everyone
[24:51] please stand.
[24:58] Lord,
[24:59] you are the true source of wisdom.
[25:02] Give us elected leaders understanding
[25:04] that goes beyond strategy and human
[25:06] insight. Replace pride with the humility
[25:09] and confusion with clarity.
[25:11] Let your knowledge shape us, shape our
[25:14] choices for the good of the people that
[25:15] we are elected to serve. Amen.
[25:20] I pledge allegiance to the flag of the
[25:22] United States of America and to the
[25:25] republic for which it stands, one nation
[25:28] under God, indivisible, with liberty and
[25:31] justice for all.
[25:37] If the Deputy Clerk would please take
[25:38] the roll.
[25:46] Just give me one moment.
[25:53] Mr. Chairs? Present.
[25:55] Mr. Toro? Present.
[25:57] Mr. McFerran is absent.
[26:03] Ms. Wiggins? Present.
[26:06] Ms. Carmello is absent.
[26:08] Ms. Patrick?
[26:09] Um Mr. Wynn? Mr. Mr. Engert?
[26:14] Uh absent as well. And Mr. Williams?
[26:16] Present.
[26:18] At this time, we will have a resolution
[26:21] provided by Mr. Toro.
[26:27] Thank you, Mr. President. May I have the
[26:28] floor, please? Yes, ma'am. Thank you.
[26:31] I'd like to invite the
[26:33] members of Schenectady County
[26:43] uh Food Council's Advocacy Empowerment
[26:46] Working Group to step forward,
[26:48] everyone.
[27:05] Thank you. I know how true and dear this
[27:08] is to my heart, but you guys give it all
[27:11] every day, every day. It's what you do.
[27:17] Whereas,
[27:18] it is the vision of the Schenectady
[27:20] County Food Council that all residents
[27:22] of Schenectady County will have
[27:24] consistent, reliable, and equitable
[27:27] access to
[27:29] sufficient amount of healthy food for
[27:31] themselves and their families.
[27:34] And whereas, the Schenectady County Food
[27:36] Council has developed and supports the
[27:38] following priorities for the New York
[27:40] State budget for the fiscal year 2027.
[27:44] Supporting
[27:47] 13 1,318
[27:50] and 665,
[27:53] which would guarantee a minimum
[27:54] supplement
[27:56] nutrition assistance program known as
[27:58] SNAP
[28:00] at a minimum of $100 per month, fully
[28:04] funding the Hunger Prevention and
[28:05] Nutrition
[28:07] Program,
[28:08] HPNAP,
[28:10] Hipnap.
[28:12] And Nourish New York program at $75
[28:14] million each.
[28:16] Passing the Good Food Bill New York,
[28:20] 8091A
[28:21] and S7638A,
[28:24] and funding the New York Local Food
[28:26] Council's LFC at $2 million.
[28:29] And whereas, the Schenectady County Food
[28:32] Council's Advocacy Empowerment Working
[28:34] Group sent a letter requesting support
[28:37] for the priorities listed above to our
[28:39] Governor Kathy Hochul and local
[28:41] representatives State Senator James
[28:43] Tedisco, State Assembly Member Phil
[28:46] Steck, and State Assembly Member Angelo
[28:49] Santabarbara. Now, therefore, be it
[28:51] resolved the City of the Schenectady
[28:54] City Council and Mayor Gary R. McCarthy
[28:57] formally support the request by the
[28:59] Schenectady County Food Council's
[29:01] Advocacy Empowerment Working Group and
[29:04] fully encourages the Governor and New
[29:07] York State Legislators to address the
[29:09] legislative priorities listed above the
[29:12] New York State fiscal year budget for
[29:14] 2027.
[29:16] I'd like to move this resolution. Moved
[29:18] and seconded by Mr. Chairs. All those in
[29:20] favor? Aye. Thank you. Congratulations.
[29:25] >> [applause]
[29:38] » Thank you.
[29:39] My name is Aldo Juarez Romero, a City of
[29:42] Schenectady resident who lives at 501
[29:45] State Street.
[29:46] I'm speaking today in support of a
[29:48] municipal resolution backing the
[29:49] Schenectady County Food Council 2026
[29:53] advocacy priorities in the New York
[29:54] State Legislature.
[29:57] I serve as an executive director of SICM
[29:59] Collaborative,
[30:00] a nonprofit with nearly 60 years of
[30:02] service in the city.
[30:04] Through our food pantry, mobile
[30:06] distribution, and community
[30:07] partnerships, we provide dignified food
[30:10] access to thousands of individuals and
[30:12] families across Schenectady County every
[30:14] year.
[30:16] When SICM Collaborative was founded,
[30:18] SICM at the time, nearly 60 years ago,
[30:21] the plan was for the organization to
[30:23] work itself out of job within a few
[30:25] years.
[30:27] The idea was the hunger will be solved.
[30:30] But more than five decades later, we are
[30:32] the largest food pantry in the capital
[30:35] region and deliver just over 1 million
[30:38] meals last fiscal year.
[30:41] And things are not slowing down.
[30:43] That should tell us something about the
[30:45] depth of this crisis and the urgency of
[30:47] the investment which we are here to
[30:49] discuss tonight.
[30:51] I can tell you that need is not
[30:53] abstract. It shows up at our door every
[30:55] single day.
[30:57] It's a mother choosing choosing between
[30:59] groceries or paying the electric bill.
[31:01] It's a senior on a fixed income
[31:03] stretching $24
[31:05] in SNAP benefits across the entire
[31:07] month, less than a dollar per day.
[31:10] It's the family that just moved here
[31:12] hoping for a fresh start and does not
[31:14] know where their next meal is going to
[31:16] come from.
[31:17] These are our neighbors. These are
[31:19] people that we see on a daily basis.
[31:22] We serve people who deserve better from
[31:24] the systems that are meant to protect
[31:26] them.
[31:27] Organizations like ours cannot close
[31:29] this gap alone. We need you guys. We
[31:32] need the state level investment that
[31:33] matches the scale of this crisis.
[31:36] Fully funding HIP and Nourish New York
[31:37] at $75 million
[31:40] each will strengthen the emergency food
[31:41] network at our that our pantry depends
[31:43] on.
[31:44] Raising the SNAP minimum benefit
[31:48] to $100 a month will put real purchasing
[31:51] power into the hands of families facing
[31:53] the worst food affordability crisis
[31:55] since the Great Depression.
[31:57] Rotterdam, Niskayuna, Scotia, and the
[32:00] County Legislature have already passed
[32:02] similar resolutions on a bipartisan
[32:05] basis.
[32:06] And we should do the same.
[32:08] Every resolution we pass sends a clear
[32:10] message to Albany in these final weeks
[32:12] of budget negotiations. Access to food
[32:15] is a human right and our community will
[32:18] not stay stay silent until this right is
[32:21] real for everyone in our neighborhood.
[32:23] Thank you.
[32:25] >> [applause]
[32:50] » At this time, I'll ask for approval of
[32:52] the minutes from March 9th, 2026.
[32:55] Move by Ms. Torro, second by Mr. Chairs.
[32:57] All those in favor? Aye.
[33:00] If the Deputy Clerk can please read any
[33:01] communications or petitions.
[33:06] Communications presented to the City
[33:08] Council for Monday, March 23rd, 2026.
[33:12] Under official from the Mayor, a list of
[33:13] appointments dated March 23rd, 2026.
[33:18] Under general, from Maureen Connor, a
[33:20] comment submitted expressing concerns about
[33:24] ongoing drug activity, excessive trash,
[33:26] and disorderly conditions at 17-19
[33:29] Moyston Street, which she says are
[33:31] negatively impacting tenants and
[33:34] surrounding properties. She requested
[33:36] information
[33:37] on what actions the city,
[33:39] tenants, and neighborhood can take to
[33:41] address the situation.
[33:43] Under petitions, there are none.
[33:45] Thank you.
[33:46] I'd like to call on any council members
[33:47] for their committee reports.
[33:51] Hearing none, at this time, I'll
[33:52] entertain a privilege of the floor
[33:54] concerning matters of the legislative
[33:55] agenda. We have three individuals signed
[33:57] up to speak. A reminder that you will
[33:59] have 3 minutes each.
[34:01] The first of which is Karen Wolf
[34:05] Piotto.
[34:07] >> [laughter]
[34:09] » Good evening. Um thank you for allowing
[34:11] me this time to speak. My name is Karen
[34:13] Wolf Piotto, the CHS alum.
[34:15] And I'm the volunteer and community
[34:16] engagement coordinator at SICM
[34:18] Collaborative, formerly SICM, located on
[34:20] Albany Street. I have lived and worked
[34:22] in the city of Schenectady for nearly 22
[34:24] years. And I'm here tonight to give a
[34:26] voice to the people we serve every day
[34:27] at our food pantry.
[34:30] The numbers tell part of the story. From
[34:32] July 2025 through February 2026, our
[34:35] pantry recorded approximately 12,250
[34:38] visits, an average of 130 families every
[34:42] service day in just 150 minutes. That's
[34:46] more than one family per minute walking
[34:48] through our doors.
[34:50] And that's only our main pantry.
[34:52] When you include our mobile pantries at
[34:54] eight elementary schools, three
[34:55] satellite locations, 40 weekly home
[34:58] deliveries, and partnerships with
[35:00] organizations like the YWCA and the SEAT
[35:02] Center,
[35:03] families accessed food from SICM more
[35:05] than 15,000 times in those eight months.
[35:09] Nearly 660,000 meals worth of food.
[35:13] Nearly half of the people we served were
[35:14] children and seniors.
[35:16] We are the largest food pantry in
[35:18] Schenectady, but we are far from the
[35:19] only one.
[35:21] And that just shows that the need in our
[35:22] city is urgent and undeniable.
[35:25] But the numbers don't tell the whole
[35:26] story.
[35:27] I'm in the pantry every service hour
[35:29] working alongside our amazing volunteers
[35:31] and talking with our neighbors.
[35:33] And what I hear breaks my heart every
[35:34] single day.
[35:36] I hear from people working two jobs who
[35:37] still can't afford groceries after
[35:39] paying rent and utilities.
[35:41] From seniors on fixed incomes choosing
[35:43] between food and medication.
[35:45] From families whose SNAP benefits were
[35:46] cut or delayed. Benefits that already
[35:49] amount to as little as 80 cents per day.
[35:52] I hear from people who who eat from a
[35:54] dumpster.
[35:55] People who didn't eat at all.
[35:57] People who feel embarrassed standing in
[35:59] line in 0° or sweltering heat.
[36:02] And people tell me who tell me that they
[36:03] feel like they've lost their dignity.
[36:06] That's what I've witnessed in just one
[36:07] year.
[36:08] Tonight, I thank you so much for helping
[36:10] to give some of that dignity back.
[36:12] Thank you for passing the resolution
[36:14] supporting fully funding HIP and Nourish
[36:17] New York, the minimum SNAP benefit from
[36:19] 24 to $100 per month,
[36:21] passing the Good Food New York bill, and
[36:23] funding policy food councils across food
[36:25] policy councils across the state.
[36:27] These are not abstract policy questions.
[36:30] They are about whether your constituents
[36:32] eat. The people coming through our doors
[36:34] are your neighbors. They're your
[36:35] community.
[36:37] And they will be watching and they will
[36:39] see that the city stands with them.
[36:41] Thank you.
[36:46] » [applause]
[36:50] » Ariel Wright.
[36:56] Hello and good evening. Um thank you
[36:59] all. Um
[37:01] Mr. Mayor, city council members, staff,
[37:04] and community members for being here
[37:05] tonight.
[37:06] Um my name is Ariel White and I'm a city
[37:08] of Schenectady resident. And I'm
[37:10] speaking today and tonight in support of
[37:12] the municipal resolution backing this
[37:15] year's Schenectady County Food Council's
[37:17] advocacy priorities in the New York
[37:18] State Legislature.
[37:20] As a parent with children in our public
[37:22] schools, this resolution hits close to
[37:25] home. It's a crucial opportunity to
[37:27] infuse our school meal programs with
[37:29] incredible, wholesome ingredients from
[37:31] local New York producers. Imagine the
[37:33] impact. Our kids get connected to the
[37:35] most nutritious food grown right in our
[37:37] backyard while we actively boost our
[37:39] hardworking farmers and producers who
[37:41] nourish our communities.
[37:43] And let's be honest, everyone loves
[37:45] pizza Fridays, right? We all do.
[37:47] So, wouldn't it be absolutely fantastic
[37:50] if we could make that favorite lunch
[37:52] even better by sourcing every delicious
[37:54] ingredient right here locally?
[37:57] The Food Council's goal to fully fund
[37:59] HIP and Nourish New York at $75 million
[38:02] each would strengthen emergency food
[38:04] programs across the city when support is
[38:06] most needed. Raising the SNAP minimum
[38:09] benefit from only $24 a month
[38:12] to $100 a month would put funds directly
[38:14] into the pockets of our neighbors
[38:16] suffering amidst the worst food
[38:18] affordability crisis since the Great
[38:20] Depression.
[38:21] $2 million funding for local food
[38:23] policy councils would ensure the voices
[38:25] from across New York State are included
[38:27] in improving our local food systems.
[38:30] Passing the Good New York
[38:31] Food bill would make it easier for
[38:33] public institutions like our schools to
[38:36] source healthy, nutritious food directly
[38:38] from New York State farmers and
[38:39] producers. Similar resolutions have
[38:41] already passed in the town of Rotterdam,
[38:43] Niskayuna, West Scotia,
[38:46] and now here today. So, thank you all
[38:47] for doing that
[38:49] on bipartisan basis.
[38:51] Every local resolution in Schenectady
[38:53] County helps remind our elected leaders
[38:54] in Albany that access to nutritious food
[38:57] is a basic human right and right now is
[38:59] the time to act. So, thank you all for
[39:00] passing that resolution and I hope you
[39:02] have a great evening.
[39:06] » [applause]
[39:09] » Sage Hamilton.
[39:24] » [snorts]
[39:26] >> Hello. Thank you for your time. My name
[39:27] is Sage Hamilton at America. I'm a
[39:29] resident of Brooklyn, New York. Uh
[39:30] appreciate the time of the Mayor, City
[39:32] Council, the Clerk's office, and
[39:34] residents of the city of Schenectady. Uh
[39:37] I've previously presented at the county
[39:39] level and I am a representative of the
[39:43] Underground Railroad Consortium of New
[39:44] York State and I will hold
[39:56] Excuse me, just this portion of the
[39:59] meeting is for legislative items. Don't
[40:01] believe that this is such. I can move
[40:03] you to the general city business. That's perfectly fine. I appreciate
[40:07] that. Welcome, sir.
[40:22] So at this time we have no one else
[40:24] signed up to speak. So I'll
[40:28] declare the comment period for
[40:29] legislative agenda closed.
[40:34] I will ask for approval of the
[40:35] legislative consent agenda.
[40:38] Move by Mr. Toro, second by Mr. Sears.
[40:40] All those in favor? I.
[40:44] At this time I'll entertain privilege of
[40:46] the floor concerning general city
[40:48] business.
[40:49] We now have two individuals sign up to
[40:51] speak.
[40:52] The first of which is
[40:55] Maureen Connor.
[41:04] Hi, thank you very much. I just want to
[41:06] state um
[41:08] I didn't realize I was emailed
[41:11] photos of my presentation and I was
[41:14] supposed to give it to the city clerk,
[41:15] so I apologize.
[41:17] But I replied all to the email that Carl
[41:19] sent me.
[41:20] Apologies.
[41:22] Um my name is Maureen Connor and I am a
[41:25] resident a 32-year resident of the city
[41:27] of of Schenectady. I want to thank you
[41:29] very much for your time and service here
[41:31] and I understand you guys have a lot on
[41:33] your plate. But I have a specific
[41:35] concern this evening regarding Moyston
[41:38] Street, specifically number 17-19.
[41:43] I own 15 Moyston Street and there is
[41:45] literally a door's width between these
[41:48] two buildings.
[41:49] Um
[41:51] Moyston Street is not the best
[41:53] neighborhood in Schenectady and
[41:55] experiences a lot of foot traffic and
[41:58] cut-throughs from Nott Street through
[41:59] the cemetery and then out Moyston Street
[42:02] and out and down to State Street.
[42:05] This area of State Street has a history
[42:06] of drug offenses and neglect. Over the
[42:09] past couple of years businesses and
[42:11] agencies have sought to invest and
[42:13] develop the area with the addition of
[42:15] Clara House, new owners of the former
[42:17] Twin Motel, as well as the redevelopment
[42:20] of 1540 or excuse me, 1147-1157
[42:25] Hildebrandt, bringing 11 or 12 new
[42:27] apartments to the city.
[42:30] Um
[42:31] as an owner of 15 Moyston Street, I've
[42:33] invested a lot of money in improving the
[42:35] apartments and then in this past year
[42:37] and a half I've had to spend even more
[42:39] money
[42:40] securing the property, the back fence on
[42:43] the property because people were cutting
[42:44] through,
[42:45] um security cameras and then I finally
[42:47] put up a gate across the driveway
[42:49] because people were literally going down
[42:51] the driveway behind the house,
[42:54] doing whatever they do and then coming
[42:56] back and twitching out on my property.
[43:00] And there's photos of that.
[43:02] Um if there was any way for me to
[43:04] permanently block that front stoop, I
[43:09] would, but it goes right up onto the
[43:11] sidewalk.
[43:12] From my tenants, who by the way I have
[43:14] four lovely tenants who pay their rent
[43:16] on time, they're super clean and they're
[43:18] very conscientious,
[43:20] and I've received numerous complaints
[43:22] regarding what's happening next door.
[43:25] There is trash in the front, it's always
[43:28] there. There's drug activity at 19
[43:31] Moyston Street.
[43:33] I don't know if I'm I'm allowed to say
[43:35] names here, but apparently there's a
[43:36] gentleman who goes by the name of Live
[43:40] that lives at 19 and is known to engage
[43:42] in drug sales as well as prostitution,
[43:45] directing and beating up women.
[43:47] His reputation in the neighborhood is
[43:49] that of some type of informant with the
[43:51] city and he seems to just do whatever he
[43:54] wants, selling drugs.
[43:56] Um today I went down to take some
[43:57] pictures and I literally watched four
[44:00] people go in and out of his apartment,
[44:02] one of whom I've seen around the city
[44:04] for years, known drug addict.
[44:07] Um yesterday was the last straw. There
[44:09] was some type of brawl, mayhem going on
[44:13] um regarding I don't even know what it
[44:15] was, but there were a lot of cops there
[44:17] and my tenant sent me the information.
[44:20] So I'm here to ask the city council
[44:22] not just what can you do, but what can I
[44:24] do to help my tenants? What can we do as
[44:27] a community?
[44:29] Um and and what can the city do because
[44:32] there's a
[44:33] I don't live there, but I hear what my
[44:35] tenants have to say on a regular basis
[44:37] and
[44:39] I don't know
[44:40] at one point at some point they're going
[44:42] to leave and then how do I with a
[44:45] straight face try to rent out these
[44:46] apartments
[44:48] knowing exactly what's going on next
[44:50] door? And I'll need you to summarize.
[44:52] Pardon? Summarize, please. Summarize?
[44:56] What can we do? How can How can the city
[44:58] help with Moyston Street and the drug
[45:00] activity that's going on there?
[45:05] Oh, so this conversation is not
[45:06] interactive. If you would like to wait
[45:07] till after, I imagine council members
[45:09] >> that's my question. The summary, it's a
[45:11] question, but yes, thank you.
[45:17] Sage Hamilton.
[45:21] Hello, once again, thank you
[45:23] the council, mayor, clerk and the town.
[45:26] Excuse me, the city.
[45:28] My name is Sage Hamilton-Zarka. I
[45:29] represent the Underground Railroad
[45:31] Consortium of New York State. We're a
[45:32] non-profit group of it's an association
[45:35] of Underground Railroad historians,
[45:37] cultural heritage sites and museums
[45:39] from the city to the North Country to
[45:41] the Capital Region to Western New York,
[45:43] all over. And in 2023 we received a
[45:46] grant from the Economic Development
[45:48] Agency
[45:49] as part of the post-COVID tourism relief
[45:52] project and our initiative teaming up
[45:54] with tourism in Cayuga County and other
[45:57] destination marketing organizations and
[45:58] the Niagara Falls National Heritage Area
[46:01] and also in partnership with other
[46:02] national heritage areas such as the
[46:03] Maurice D. Hinchey Hudson River National
[46:05] Heritage Area, the Erie Canalway
[46:07] National Heritage Corridor
[46:09] uh
[46:10] those two.
[46:12] Was to develop a scenic byway
[46:16] proposal to the New York State
[46:18] Department of Transportation. So we've
[46:19] been working hand-in-hand with NYDOT
[46:22] NYSDOT
[46:23] following their playbook of how to build
[46:26] a scenic byway proposal. In our case, we
[46:29] are looking for a 500-mile route across
[46:31] New York State from Niagara Falls to
[46:34] Albany to New York City to be designated
[46:37] as a state scenic byway honoring the
[46:40] travel of Harriet Tubman freedom seekers
[46:42] and the the legacy of the Underground
[46:44] Railroad in New York State. Scenic
[46:46] byways are series of
[46:49] state roads that designate a certain
[46:51] kind of characteristic. Some cases it
[46:53] can be scenic, other cases it can be
[46:54] historic or recreational. In this case,
[46:56] we are looking for a historic route to
[46:58] be designated and our ask for the city
[47:00] of Schenectady is to uh
[47:04] issue a resolution that acknowledges and
[47:06] supports
[47:07] our initiative, but then also
[47:13] includes language that follows the DOT
[47:16] guidelines for for what scenic byways and scenic
[47:20] roads need. So in the case of uh
[47:23] Highway 5 from the from the border with
[47:27] Glenville to the west to the border with
[47:28] Niskayuna to the east, that would be a
[47:31] limitation on new off-premise
[47:34] advertisement, which basically just
[47:35] means new commercial billboards.
[47:37] Existing billboards would be
[47:39] grandfathered in
[47:40] and then
[47:41] any property owners or business owners
[47:44] that wish to make their own signage have
[47:46] no limitations. Scenic byways are
[47:48] important because they increase tourism
[47:51] spending, but then because
[47:53] DOT requires our byway program to be
[47:56] cooperative with local organizations and
[47:58] municipalities,
[48:00] any
[48:01] benefit to the city that would come from
[48:03] tourism would be
[48:06] engineered in a way that it would
[48:07] benefit local organizations and the
[48:09] community. Um
[48:11] we know we know that Harriet Tubman
[48:12] traveled through New York State, specifically
[48:16] taking trains and potentially traveling
[48:19] alongside that were
[48:21] along the Erie Canal, which was
[48:22] constructed the same time and we would
[48:24] love to honor that history with the
[48:26] support of the city. Happy to come back
[48:29] with a full presentation as needs permit.
[48:33] Thank you. Thank you.
[48:36] So I have no one else signed up to
[48:37] speak, so I'll declare public comment on
[48:39] general city business closed.
[48:43] At this time I'll enter
[48:46] At this time I'll entertain any
[48:47] miscellaneous business of the council.
[48:50] Mr. Sears.
[48:55] Thank you, Council President Williams.
[48:57] Just couple things.
[48:59] >> [clears throat]
[48:59] >> First I just want to address
[49:02] the shooting of the 13-year-old boy that
[49:03] happened last week in the city.
[49:05] Um
[49:06] though tragic that it happened and
[49:09] occurred, I I also want to one push the
[49:12] narrative as I started when I came in
[49:14] that as community members we need to
[49:15] make sure that we're taking care of each
[49:17] other, doing our best to keep our youth
[49:19] and our community safe as a whole and I
[49:21] wanted to issue a special thank you to
[49:22] the officers who arrived on that scene,
[49:24] who administered life-saving procedures
[49:26] for that young man and the nurses and
[49:28] doctors that were able to get him in
[49:30] stable condition at the hospital quickly
[49:33] to make sure that this didn't become a a
[49:35] tragic situation in our city. So, I just
[49:37] wanted to address that. Um
[49:40] When it comes to our community events
[49:41] and things coming up as well, I just
[49:43] wanted to
[49:44] note a couple things happening this week
[49:47] and say a special thank you to our our
[49:48] food council
[49:50] for coming here today to receive the
[49:51] resolution. I am a a child and former
[49:54] one of the original Sickem and worked
[49:56] there at 14 years old as one of my first
[49:58] jobs under Ms. Janet Mathis and know the
[50:01] amazing work that you guys do taking
[50:03] care of our city and our neighbors.
[50:05] Please continue fighting, keep doing
[50:06] that work. I have the same hope as you
[50:08] that one day this won't be necessary,
[50:10] but while you are necessary, thank you
[50:11] for everything that you do.
[50:13] Uh we have two other
[50:16] three excuse me three events happening
[50:18] this week at the excuse me two events
[50:19] Ada chapter Oh yes Order of the Eastern
[50:22] Stars youth group has a fish fry dinner
[50:24] March 27th at Eastern Parkway United
[50:27] Methodist Church from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.
[50:29] That youth group is a coalition of young
[50:32] women of color that is guided through
[50:34] all their day-to-day from academics to
[50:36] being able to travel across the country
[50:38] to compete in different events being
[50:40] able to see the world and meet and
[50:42] connect with other people including our
[50:44] military veterans. At the Vietnam
[50:46] Veterans Day ceremony is also happening
[50:48] at SUNY Schenectady 10:00 a.m. and the
[50:51] Van Curler room at Eastern Hall at SUNY
[50:53] Schenectady this Saturday and I also to
[50:56] go with Ms. Councilwoman
[50:58] Ditoro's resolution want to congratulate
[51:01] the Hibernian Hall and the the ladies of
[51:02] the Hibernian. I had stopped in on St.
[51:05] Patrick's Day to get some corned beef
[51:07] and cabbage was able to hang out for an
[51:08] hour, but by the time I had got out of
[51:10] work at 6:30, they had sold out of
[51:12] everything. So, congratulations to them
[51:14] on a successful fundraiser and all those
[51:16] that were included and I just want to
[51:18] finish with a a happy Women's History
[51:20] Month to all of the strong women of this
[51:22] city and a happy birthday to my mother
[51:24] today as well.
[51:30] Ms. Ditoro Thank you. So, um
[51:33] working off of Mr. Chair's
[51:35] um there's a lot of things that
[51:37] happening this weekend. Um just going to
[51:39] say one is Sunday at 3:00 p.m. at the
[51:41] M&T Center the first home game of our
[51:45] Schenectady Phoenix. So, uh we've been
[51:47] waiting since last year. I'm sure I'll
[51:49] see Mr. Williams sitting down
[51:52] enjoying the game as well as I will be.
[51:54] Please come out and support that. As far
[51:56] as everything that else is happening, I I want to invite everyone to at least
[52:02] if you don't get the mayor's newsletter
[52:04] or the DSI C Downtown Schenectady
[52:06] Improvement Corp, there's a plethora of
[52:09] information and events always happening.
[52:11] Um right now we're getting ready for
[52:14] Earth Day and clean up and every
[52:16] neighborhood association is looking for
[52:18] individuals to come out and help
[52:20] including Mona Golab who will be doing a
[52:23] special event with tree planning at
[52:25] Central Park. Um and then lastly,
[52:29] so the Vietnam Veteran honoree this year
[52:32] is Bill Frank. Bill is a vital part of
[52:35] our community. He was a Schenectady
[52:37] County Veteran Service Agent for many
[52:40] years helping many veterans throughout
[52:43] um
[52:44] throughout his career here and I'd like
[52:47] to give him special thanks.
[52:49] Anyway, thank you.
[52:56] Ms. Mayor
[52:59] Thank you, Mr. President. Appreciate
[53:01] everyone that
[53:02] came out tonight and again do want to
[53:05] thank you for the work that's done at
[53:06] the Sycamore Collaborative because it
[53:08] does make a difference in so many
[53:09] people's lives.
[53:12] Uh some of the council members point out
[53:13] some of things that are happening, but
[53:16] if you don't have plans for tomorrow
[53:18] night
[53:19] the Schenectady City School District
[53:22] Education Foundation is having their
[53:24] annual event at the GE Black Box Theater
[53:27] and I think the donation they're looking
[53:29] for is $50. It's always a great event
[53:32] and supports a lot of good work within
[53:35] the school district and as the council
[53:37] members have outlined the weather's
[53:39] shifting uh
[53:41] the snow is gone, thank goodness.
[53:44] I but with that there's a little bit of
[53:46] remnants and sometimes it's not the most
[53:48] polite thing. We look at some of the
[53:50] litter that's out there and things in
[53:51] our neighborhood. I ask
[53:54] homeowners and business owners
[53:57] if you can do a little bit of pick up
[53:59] around your own business or property, it
[54:02] makes a big difference. And
[54:04] the neighborhood associations and
[54:06] different groups are organizing
[54:07] throughout the city so that as been
[54:10] pointed out you know
[54:12] a band is going to do one Goose Hill
[54:15] Engine Hill
[54:17] Upper Union Street Bellevue and Mona
[54:20] Golab conjunction with Price Chopper and
[54:23] Market 32 on Earth Day it'll make a lot
[54:28] of difference in our city and makes the
[54:30] community more attractive as we get into
[54:32] the warmer months and people are able to
[54:34] take advantage of the many things that
[54:36] are going on in our city. Thank you, Mr.
[54:38] President.
[54:40] Thank you.
[54:41] I would like to first point out an event
[54:42] there will be a Women's History Month
[54:45] celebration that is hosted by the
[54:46] Schenectady NAACP part of which honoring
[54:50] one of Schenectady's very own Marshall
[54:51] Mortimer. That will be occurring on
[54:53] March 28th
[54:55] this Saturday at 3:00 p.m. at 1 North
[54:58] Church Street which is the Stockade Inn.
[55:00] I'd like to give a
[55:02] congratulations to all the award
[55:04] recipients at the YWCA's recent gala
[55:07] that happened earlier last week and
[55:09] especially to our very own Alexandria
[55:11] Carver. Truly she is an amazing resource
[55:13] not just to City Hall, but to the
[55:15] community members within our city and
[55:17] also give a special shout out to Ray
[55:19] Frazier who gave an amazing keynote
[55:21] address kind of speaking about love and
[55:22] how we can never have too much. Um
[55:25] I look forward to seeing the mayor
[55:26] tomorrow at the Schenectady City School
[55:28] District Educational Foundation Gala.
[55:31] And I also think in response to just the
[55:33] comments that we've heard about just the
[55:35] rising cost of living
[55:37] in addition to being understanding of
[55:39] the rising cost of gas. I appreciate
[55:41] what our prior council was able to do
[55:44] with passing a budget that was very
[55:46] responsive and considerate to the
[55:48] financial impacts of those within the
[55:49] city of Schenectady. Sincerely every
[55:52] dollar counts. And especially in moments
[55:55] of financial and economic uncertainty.
[55:58] But if there are no further issues or
[55:59] conversations, I'd like to entertain a
[56:00] motion to adjourn.
[56:02] Move by Mr. Chair, second by Ms. Ditoro.
[56:05] All in favor? I, we are adjourned. Have
[56:07] a good evening.
[56:25] » [music]