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[music]

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» Mhm.

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» [music]

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» Woo.

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» Good evening.

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I'd like to call to order the

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Schenectady City Caucus meeting for

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Monday, March 23rd, 2026.

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We have 15 items for consideration. If

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the Deputy Clerk would please read.

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Item one on under final consideration, a

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resolution approving the neighborhood

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revitalization strategy area NRSA public

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comment record.

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Discuss in committee without objection

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on consent. Item number two.

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[clears throat]

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Item number two under original

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consideration, a resolution declaring no

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environmental impact for the J Street

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Connector project and is an unlisted

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action under the State Environmental

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Quality Review Act, SCQRA. Discuss in

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committee without objection on consent.

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Item number three.

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under original

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consideration, a resolution confirming

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the appointment of Erica Faulkner to the

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Recreation Advisory Committee. Discuss

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in committee without objection on

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consent. Item number four.

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under original

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consideration, a resolution confirming

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the appointment of Haley Viccaro to the

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Schenectady Planning Commission. Discuss

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in committee without objection on

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consent. Item number five. Item number

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five under original consideration, a

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resolution supporting the Schenectady

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County's Food Council's Advocacy

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Empowerment Working Group 2027 State

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Legislative Priorities. Discuss in

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committee without objection on consent.

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This item will be discussed out of order

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and presented by Mr. Toro.

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Item number seven.

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Or correction, item number six.

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for original

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consideration, a resolution honoring the

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John F. Kennedy Division 1 of the

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Ancient Order of Hibernians together

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with the John F. Kennedy Division 1 of

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the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians

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and all people of Irish descent

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throughout the City of Schenectady on

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the Feast of St. Patrick, March 17th.

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And at this time I'll entertain a motion

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to remove this from the consent agenda.

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Moved by Mr. Toro, seconded by Mr.

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Chairs. All those in favor? Aye.

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Item number seven.

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under original

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consideration, a resolution authorizing

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the issuance of revocable permit number

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694

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to The Good I C L L C DBA Echo for a

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sign that will overhang the city's right

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of way on on the face of the building at

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508 State Street, Schenectady, New York.

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Discuss in committee without objection

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on consent. Item number eight. Item

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number eight under original

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consideration, a resolution amending

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resolutions number 21 2021-238

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and 2024-106

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to authorize the sale of five properties

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to the Land Reutilization Corporation

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of the Capital District for the

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development of affordable homeownership

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opportunities in Mont Pleasant

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neighborhood.

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Discuss in committee without objection

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on consent. Item number nine. Item

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number nine under original

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consideration, a resolution authorizing

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the sale of seven vacant lots to the

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Land Reutilization Corporation of the

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Capital District for the development of

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affordable homeownership opportunities.

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Discuss in committee without objection

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on consent. Item number 10.

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under original

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consideration, a resolution authorizing

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the sale of a vacant lot at 234 Duane

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Ave. for $6,500.

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Discuss in committee without objection

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on consent. Item number 11. Item number

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11 under original consideration, a

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resolution authorizing the sale of 506

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Hattie Street for $60,000.

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Discuss in committee without objection

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on consent. Item number 12. Item number

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12 under original consideration, a

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resolution authorizing the sale of 2201

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Broadway for $1,500. Discuss in

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committee without objection on consent.

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Item number 13. Item number 13 under

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original consideration, a resolution

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authorizing the sale of 1679 Broadway

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for $5,050.

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Discuss in committee without objection

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on consent. Item number 14. Item number

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14 under original consideration, a

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resolution authorizing the settlement of

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a claim by Allstate ASO Biggs Darnell.

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Discuss in committee without objection

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on consent and item number 15. Item

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number 15 under contract and supply, a

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resolution awarding the bid and contract

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for the Crane Street, Chrysler Avenue,

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and Main Street intersection improvement

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base bid and alternate number one to

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Callanan Industries Incorporated in the

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total amount of $1,361,107.50.

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Discuss in committee without objection

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on consent. If there is nothing more to

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come before the City Caucus, I'd ask for

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a motion to adjourn. Moved by Mr.

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Chairs.

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Seconded by Mr. Toro. All those in

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favor? Aye. Aye. We adjourn.

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I'd like to call to order the

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Schenectady City Council meeting for

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March 23rd, 2026. I will be reading a

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prayer followed by Mr. Chairs providing

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the Pledge of Allegiance. Everyone

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please stand.

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Lord,

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you are the true source of wisdom.

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Give us elected leaders understanding

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that goes beyond strategy and human

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insight. Replace pride with the humility

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and confusion with clarity.

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Let your knowledge shape us, shape our

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choices for the good of the people that

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we are elected to serve. Amen.

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I pledge allegiance to the flag of the

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United States of America and to the

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republic for which it stands, one nation

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under God, indivisible, with liberty and

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justice for all.

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If the Deputy Clerk would please take

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the roll.

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Just give me one moment.

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Mr. Chairs? Present.

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Mr. Toro? Present.

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Mr. McFerran is absent.

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Ms. Wiggins? Present.

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Ms. Carmello is absent.

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Ms. Patrick?

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Um Mr. Wynn? Mr. Mr. Engert?

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Uh absent as well. And Mr. Williams?

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Present.

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At this time, we will have a resolution

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provided by Mr. Toro.

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Thank you, Mr. President. May I have the

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floor, please? Yes, ma'am. Thank you.

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I'd like to invite the

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members of Schenectady County

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uh Food Council's Advocacy Empowerment

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Working Group to step forward,

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everyone.

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Thank you. I know how true and dear this

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is to my heart, but you guys give it all

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every day, every day. It's what you do.

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Whereas,

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it is the vision of the Schenectady

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County Food Council that all residents

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of Schenectady County will have

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consistent, reliable, and equitable

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access to

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sufficient amount of healthy food for

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themselves and their families.

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And whereas, the Schenectady County Food

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Council has developed and supports the

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following priorities for the New York

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State budget for the fiscal year 2027.

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Supporting

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13 1,318

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and 665,

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which would guarantee a minimum

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supplement

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nutrition assistance program known as

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SNAP

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at a minimum of $100 per month, fully

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funding the Hunger Prevention and

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Nutrition

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Program,

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HPNAP,

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Hipnap.

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And Nourish New York program at $75

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million each.

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Passing the Good Food Bill New York,

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A

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8091A

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and S7638A,

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and funding the New York Local Food

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Council's LFC at $2 million.

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And whereas, the Schenectady County Food

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Council's Advocacy Empowerment Working

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Group sent a letter requesting support

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for the priorities listed above to our

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Governor Kathy Hochul and local

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representatives State Senator James

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Tedisco, State Assembly Member Phil

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Steck, and State Assembly Member Angelo

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Santabarbara. Now, therefore, be it

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resolved the City of the Schenectady

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City Council and Mayor Gary R. McCarthy

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formally support the request by the

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Schenectady County Food Council's

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Advocacy Empowerment Working Group and

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fully encourages the Governor and New

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York State Legislators to address the

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legislative priorities listed above the

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New York State fiscal year budget for

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2027.

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I'd like to move this resolution. Moved

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and seconded by Mr. Chairs. All those in

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favor? Aye. Thank you. Congratulations.

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>> [applause]

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» Thank you.

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My name is Aldo Juarez Romero, a City of

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Schenectady resident who lives at 501

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State Street.

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I'm speaking today in support of a

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municipal resolution backing the

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Schenectady County Food Council 2026

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advocacy priorities in the New York

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State Legislature.

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I serve as an executive director of SICM

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Collaborative,

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a nonprofit with nearly 60 years of

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service in the city.

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Through our food pantry, mobile

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distribution, and community

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partnerships, we provide dignified food

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access to thousands of individuals and

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families across Schenectady County every

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year.

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When SICM Collaborative was founded,

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SICM at the time, nearly 60 years ago,

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the plan was for the organization to

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work itself out of job within a few

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years.

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The idea was the hunger will be solved.

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But more than five decades later, we are

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the largest food pantry in the capital

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region and deliver just over 1 million

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meals last fiscal year.

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And things are not slowing down.

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That should tell us something about the

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depth of this crisis and the urgency of

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the investment which we are here to

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discuss tonight.

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I can tell you that need is not

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abstract. It shows up at our door every

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single day.

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It's a mother choosing choosing between

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groceries or paying the electric bill.

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It's a senior on a fixed income

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stretching $24

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in SNAP benefits across the entire

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month, less than a dollar per day.

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It's the family that just moved here

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hoping for a fresh start and does not

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know where their next meal is going to

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come from.

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These are our neighbors. These are

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people that we see on a daily basis.

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We serve people who deserve better from

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the systems that are meant to protect

283
00:31:26,240 --> 00:31:27,560
them.

284
00:31:27,560 --> 00:31:29,840
Organizations like ours cannot close

285
00:31:29,840 --> 00:31:32,080
this gap alone. We need you guys. We

286
00:31:32,080 --> 00:31:33,600
need the state level investment that

287
00:31:33,600 --> 00:31:36,000
matches the scale of this crisis.

288
00:31:36,000 --> 00:31:37,880
Fully funding HIP and Nourish New York

289
00:31:37,880 --> 00:31:40,040
at $75 million

290
00:31:40,040 --> 00:31:41,800
each will strengthen the emergency food

291
00:31:41,800 --> 00:31:43,920
network at our that our pantry depends

292
00:31:43,920 --> 00:31:44,680
on.

293
00:31:44,680 --> 00:31:48,830
Raising the SNAP minimum benefit

294
00:31:48,840 --> 00:31:51,480
to $100 a month will put real purchasing

295
00:31:51,480 --> 00:31:53,240
power into the hands of families facing

296
00:31:53,240 --> 00:31:55,800
the worst food affordability crisis

297
00:31:55,800 --> 00:31:57,760
since the Great Depression.

298
00:31:57,760 --> 00:32:00,640
Rotterdam, Niskayuna, Scotia, and the

299
00:32:00,640 --> 00:32:02,600
County Legislature have already passed

300
00:32:02,600 --> 00:32:05,000
similar resolutions on a bipartisan

301
00:32:05,000 --> 00:32:06,480
basis.

302
00:32:06,480 --> 00:32:08,600
And we should do the same.

303
00:32:08,600 --> 00:32:10,560
Every resolution we pass sends a clear

304
00:32:10,560 --> 00:32:12,480
message to Albany in these final weeks

305
00:32:12,480 --> 00:32:15,320
of budget negotiations. Access to food

306
00:32:15,320 --> 00:32:18,040
is a human right and our community will

307
00:32:18,040 --> 00:32:21,320
not stay stay silent until this right is

308
00:32:21,320 --> 00:32:23,720
real for everyone in our neighborhood.

309
00:32:23,720 --> 00:32:25,372
Thank you.

310
00:32:25,372 --> 00:32:50,430
>> [applause]

311
00:32:50,440 --> 00:32:52,160
» At this time, I'll ask for approval of

312
00:32:52,160 --> 00:32:55,400
the minutes from March 9th, 2026.

313
00:32:55,400 --> 00:32:57,720
Move by Ms. Torro, second by Mr. Chairs.

314
00:32:57,720 --> 00:33:00,120
All those in favor? Aye.

315
00:33:00,120 --> 00:33:01,840
If the Deputy Clerk can please read any

316
00:33:01,840 --> 00:33:06,870
communications or petitions.

317
00:33:06,880 --> 00:33:08,280
Communications presented to the City

318
00:33:08,280 --> 00:33:12,080
Council for Monday, March 23rd, 2026.

319
00:33:12,080 --> 00:33:13,960
Under official from the Mayor, a list of

320
00:33:13,960 --> 00:33:18,400
appointments dated March 23rd, 2026.

321
00:33:18,400 --> 00:33:20,960
Under general, from Maureen Connor, a

322
00:33:20,960 --> 00:33:24,200
comment submitted expressing concerns about

323
00:33:24,200 --> 00:33:26,840
ongoing drug activity, excessive trash,

324
00:33:26,840 --> 00:33:29,880
and disorderly conditions at 17-19

325
00:33:29,880 --> 00:33:31,960
Moyston Street, which she says are

326
00:33:31,960 --> 00:33:34,000
negatively impacting tenants and

327
00:33:34,000 --> 00:33:36,160
surrounding properties. She requested

328
00:33:36,160 --> 00:33:37,480
information

329
00:33:37,480 --> 00:33:39,560
on what actions the city,

330
00:33:39,560 --> 00:33:41,240
tenants, and neighborhood can take to

331
00:33:41,240 --> 00:33:43,160
address the situation.

332
00:33:43,160 --> 00:33:45,400
Under petitions, there are none.

333
00:33:45,400 --> 00:33:46,360
Thank you.

334
00:33:46,360 --> 00:33:47,560
I'd like to call on any council members

335
00:33:47,560 --> 00:33:50,990
for their committee reports.

336
00:33:51,000 --> 00:33:52,840
Hearing none, at this time, I'll

337
00:33:52,840 --> 00:33:54,440
entertain a privilege of the floor

338
00:33:54,440 --> 00:33:55,679
concerning matters of the legislative

339
00:33:55,679 --> 00:33:57,760
agenda. We have three individuals signed

340
00:33:57,760 --> 00:33:59,600
up to speak. A reminder that you will

341
00:33:59,600 --> 00:34:01,520
have 3 minutes each.

342
00:34:01,520 --> 00:34:05,240
The first of which is Karen Wolf

343
00:34:05,240 --> 00:34:07,553
Piotto.

344
00:34:07,553 --> 00:34:09,790
>> [laughter]

345
00:34:09,800 --> 00:34:11,720
» Good evening. Um thank you for allowing

346
00:34:11,720 --> 00:34:13,359
me this time to speak. My name is Karen

347
00:34:13,359 --> 00:34:15,679
Wolf Piotto, the CHS alum.

348
00:34:15,679 --> 00:34:16,960
And I'm the volunteer and community

349
00:34:16,960 --> 00:34:18,320
engagement coordinator at SICM

350
00:34:18,320 --> 00:34:20,359
Collaborative, formerly SICM, located on

351
00:34:20,359 --> 00:34:22,159
Albany Street. I have lived and worked

352
00:34:22,159 --> 00:34:24,560
in the city of Schenectady for nearly 22

353
00:34:24,560 --> 00:34:26,040
years. And I'm here tonight to give a

354
00:34:26,040 --> 00:34:27,720
voice to the people we serve every day

355
00:34:27,720 --> 00:34:30,080
at our food pantry.

356
00:34:30,080 --> 00:34:32,159
The numbers tell part of the story. From

357
00:34:32,159 --> 00:34:35,560
July 2025 through February 2026, our

358
00:34:35,560 --> 00:34:38,879
pantry recorded approximately 12,250

359
00:34:38,879 --> 00:34:42,480
visits, an average of 130 families every

360
00:34:42,480 --> 00:34:46,200
service day in just 150 minutes. That's

361
00:34:46,200 --> 00:34:48,520
more than one family per minute walking

362
00:34:48,520 --> 00:34:50,560
through our doors.

363
00:34:50,560 --> 00:34:52,879
And that's only our main pantry.

364
00:34:52,879 --> 00:34:54,359
When you include our mobile pantries at

365
00:34:54,359 --> 00:34:55,960
eight elementary schools, three

366
00:34:55,960 --> 00:34:58,560
satellite locations, 40 weekly home

367
00:34:58,560 --> 00:35:00,359
deliveries, and partnerships with

368
00:35:00,359 --> 00:35:02,400
organizations like the YWCA and the SEAT

369
00:35:02,400 --> 00:35:03,480
Center,

370
00:35:03,480 --> 00:35:05,560
families accessed food from SICM more

371
00:35:05,560 --> 00:35:09,520
than 15,000 times in those eight months.

372
00:35:09,520 --> 00:35:13,240
Nearly 660,000 meals worth of food.

373
00:35:13,240 --> 00:35:14,640
Nearly half of the people we served were

374
00:35:14,640 --> 00:35:16,600
children and seniors.

375
00:35:16,600 --> 00:35:18,280
We are the largest food pantry in

376
00:35:18,280 --> 00:35:19,640
Schenectady, but we are far from the

377
00:35:19,640 --> 00:35:21,000
only one.

378
00:35:21,000 --> 00:35:22,520
And that just shows that the need in our

379
00:35:22,520 --> 00:35:25,240
city is urgent and undeniable.

380
00:35:25,240 --> 00:35:26,200
But the numbers don't tell the whole

381
00:35:26,200 --> 00:35:27,359
story.

382
00:35:27,359 --> 00:35:29,240
I'm in the pantry every service hour

383
00:35:29,240 --> 00:35:31,359
working alongside our amazing volunteers

384
00:35:31,359 --> 00:35:33,120
and talking with our neighbors.

385
00:35:33,120 --> 00:35:34,640
And what I hear breaks my heart every

386
00:35:34,640 --> 00:35:36,200
single day.

387
00:35:36,200 --> 00:35:37,920
I hear from people working two jobs who

388
00:35:37,920 --> 00:35:39,320
still can't afford groceries after

389
00:35:39,320 --> 00:35:41,160
paying rent and utilities.

390
00:35:41,160 --> 00:35:43,040
From seniors on fixed incomes choosing

391
00:35:43,040 --> 00:35:45,240
between food and medication.

392
00:35:45,240 --> 00:35:46,920
From families whose SNAP benefits were

393
00:35:46,920 --> 00:35:49,600
cut or delayed. Benefits that already

394
00:35:49,600 --> 00:35:52,560
amount to as little as 80 cents per day.

395
00:35:52,560 --> 00:35:54,120
I hear from people who who eat from a

396
00:35:54,120 --> 00:35:55,480
dumpster.

397
00:35:55,480 --> 00:35:57,600
People who didn't eat at all.

398
00:35:57,600 --> 00:35:59,160
People who feel embarrassed standing in

399
00:35:59,160 --> 00:36:02,280
line in 0° or sweltering heat.

400
00:36:02,280 --> 00:36:03,800
And people tell me who tell me that they

401
00:36:03,800 --> 00:36:06,040
feel like they've lost their dignity.

402
00:36:06,040 --> 00:36:07,359
That's what I've witnessed in just one

403
00:36:07,359 --> 00:36:08,640
year.

404
00:36:08,640 --> 00:36:10,560
Tonight, I thank you so much for helping

405
00:36:10,560 --> 00:36:12,880
to give some of that dignity back.

406
00:36:12,880 --> 00:36:14,920
Thank you for passing the resolution

407
00:36:14,920 --> 00:36:17,240
supporting fully funding HIP and Nourish

408
00:36:17,240 --> 00:36:19,240
New York, the minimum SNAP benefit from

409
00:36:19,240 --> 00:36:21,920
24 to $100 per month,

410
00:36:21,920 --> 00:36:23,440
passing the Good Food New York bill, and

411
00:36:23,440 --> 00:36:25,359
funding policy food councils across food

412
00:36:25,359 --> 00:36:27,760
policy councils across the state.

413
00:36:27,760 --> 00:36:30,320
These are not abstract policy questions.

414
00:36:30,320 --> 00:36:32,359
They are about whether your constituents

415
00:36:32,359 --> 00:36:34,400
eat. The people coming through our doors

416
00:36:34,400 --> 00:36:35,720
are your neighbors. They're your

417
00:36:35,720 --> 00:36:37,520
community.

418
00:36:37,520 --> 00:36:39,640
And they will be watching and they will

419
00:36:39,640 --> 00:36:41,160
see that the city stands with them.

420
00:36:41,160 --> 00:36:46,710
Thank you.

421
00:36:46,720 --> 00:36:50,150
» [applause]

422
00:36:50,160 --> 00:36:56,470
» Ariel Wright.

423
00:36:56,480 --> 00:36:59,160
Hello and good evening. Um thank you

424
00:36:59,160 --> 00:37:01,240
all. Um

425
00:37:01,240 --> 00:37:04,160
Mr. Mayor, city council members, staff,

426
00:37:04,160 --> 00:37:05,560
and community members for being here

427
00:37:05,560 --> 00:37:06,640
tonight.

428
00:37:06,640 --> 00:37:08,560
Um my name is Ariel White and I'm a city

429
00:37:08,560 --> 00:37:10,480
of Schenectady resident. And I'm

430
00:37:10,480 --> 00:37:12,920
speaking today and tonight in support of

431
00:37:12,920 --> 00:37:15,080
the municipal resolution backing this

432
00:37:15,080 --> 00:37:17,000
year's Schenectady County Food Council's

433
00:37:17,000 --> 00:37:18,640
advocacy priorities in the New York

434
00:37:18,640 --> 00:37:20,840
State Legislature.

435
00:37:20,840 --> 00:37:22,640
As a parent with children in our public

436
00:37:22,640 --> 00:37:25,160
schools, this resolution hits close to

437
00:37:25,160 --> 00:37:27,560
home. It's a crucial opportunity to

438
00:37:27,560 --> 00:37:29,160
infuse our school meal programs with

439
00:37:29,160 --> 00:37:31,200
incredible, wholesome ingredients from

440
00:37:31,200 --> 00:37:33,600
local New York producers. Imagine the

441
00:37:33,600 --> 00:37:35,359
impact. Our kids get connected to the

442
00:37:35,359 --> 00:37:37,040
most nutritious food grown right in our

443
00:37:37,040 --> 00:37:39,600
backyard while we actively boost our

444
00:37:39,600 --> 00:37:41,800
hardworking farmers and producers who

445
00:37:41,800 --> 00:37:43,600
nourish our communities.

446
00:37:43,600 --> 00:37:45,600
And let's be honest, everyone loves

447
00:37:45,600 --> 00:37:47,920
pizza Fridays, right? We all do.

448
00:37:47,920 --> 00:37:50,280
So, wouldn't it be absolutely fantastic

449
00:37:50,280 --> 00:37:52,000
if we could make that favorite lunch

450
00:37:52,000 --> 00:37:54,240
even better by sourcing every delicious

451
00:37:54,240 --> 00:37:57,359
ingredient right here locally?

452
00:37:57,359 --> 00:37:59,680
The Food Council's goal to fully fund

453
00:37:59,680 --> 00:38:02,240
HIP and Nourish New York at $75 million

454
00:38:02,240 --> 00:38:04,600
each would strengthen emergency food

455
00:38:04,600 --> 00:38:06,920
programs across the city when support is

456
00:38:06,920 --> 00:38:09,160
most needed. Raising the SNAP minimum

457
00:38:09,160 --> 00:38:12,000
benefit from only $24 a month

458
00:38:12,000 --> 00:38:14,960
to $100 a month would put funds directly

459
00:38:14,960 --> 00:38:16,600
into the pockets of our neighbors

460
00:38:16,600 --> 00:38:18,080
suffering amidst the worst food

461
00:38:18,080 --> 00:38:20,240
affordability crisis since the Great

462
00:38:20,240 --> 00:38:21,560
Depression.

463
00:38:21,560 --> 00:38:23,680
$2 million funding for local food

464
00:38:23,680 --> 00:38:25,560
policy councils would ensure the voices

465
00:38:25,560 --> 00:38:27,600
from across New York State are included

466
00:38:27,600 --> 00:38:30,000
in improving our local food systems.

467
00:38:30,000 --> 00:38:31,880
Passing the Good New York

468
00:38:31,880 --> 00:38:33,760
Food bill would make it easier for

469
00:38:33,760 --> 00:38:36,280
public institutions like our schools to

470
00:38:36,280 --> 00:38:38,120
source healthy, nutritious food directly

471
00:38:38,120 --> 00:38:39,320
from New York State farmers and

472
00:38:39,320 --> 00:38:41,640
producers. Similar resolutions have

473
00:38:41,640 --> 00:38:43,960
already passed in the town of Rotterdam,

474
00:38:43,960 --> 00:38:46,240
Niskayuna, West Scotia,

475
00:38:46,240 --> 00:38:47,920
and now here today. So, thank you all

476
00:38:47,920 --> 00:38:49,440
for doing that

477
00:38:49,440 --> 00:38:51,600
on bipartisan basis.

478
00:38:51,600 --> 00:38:53,359
Every local resolution in Schenectady

479
00:38:53,359 --> 00:38:54,880
County helps remind our elected leaders

480
00:38:54,880 --> 00:38:57,200
in Albany that access to nutritious food

481
00:38:57,200 --> 00:38:59,200
is a basic human right and right now is

482
00:38:59,200 --> 00:39:00,880
the time to act. So, thank you all for

483
00:39:00,880 --> 00:39:02,200
passing that resolution and I hope you

484
00:39:02,200 --> 00:39:06,226
have a great evening.

485
00:39:06,236 --> 00:39:09,470
» [applause]

486
00:39:09,480 --> 00:39:24,567
» Sage Hamilton.

487
00:39:24,577 --> 00:39:26,080
» [snorts]

488
00:39:26,080 --> 00:39:27,720
>> Hello. Thank you for your time. My name

489
00:39:27,720 --> 00:39:29,120
is Sage Hamilton at America. I'm a

490
00:39:29,120 --> 00:39:30,760
resident of Brooklyn, New York. Uh

491
00:39:30,760 --> 00:39:32,640
appreciate the time of the Mayor, City

492
00:39:32,640 --> 00:39:34,760
Council, the Clerk's office, and

493
00:39:34,760 --> 00:39:37,240
residents of the city of Schenectady. Uh

494
00:39:37,240 --> 00:39:39,040
I've previously presented at the county

495
00:39:39,040 --> 00:39:43,040
level and I am a representative of the

496
00:39:43,040 --> 00:39:44,480
Underground Railroad Consortium of New

497
00:39:44,480 --> 00:39:56,350
York State and I will hold

498
00:39:56,360 --> 00:39:59,400
Excuse me, just this portion of the

499
00:39:59,400 --> 00:40:01,920
meeting is for legislative items. Don't

500
00:40:01,920 --> 00:40:03,720
believe that this is such. I can move

501
00:40:03,720 --> 00:40:07,040
you to the general city business. That's perfectly fine. I appreciate

502
00:40:07,040 --> 00:40:22,750
that. Welcome, sir.

503
00:40:22,760 --> 00:40:24,280
So at this time we have no one else

504
00:40:24,280 --> 00:40:28,430
signed up to speak. So I'll

505
00:40:28,440 --> 00:40:29,640
declare the comment period for

506
00:40:29,640 --> 00:40:34,670
legislative agenda closed.

507
00:40:34,680 --> 00:40:35,600
I will ask for approval of the

508
00:40:35,600 --> 00:40:38,400
legislative consent agenda.

509
00:40:38,400 --> 00:40:40,320
Move by Mr. Toro, second by Mr. Sears.

510
00:40:40,320 --> 00:40:44,870
All those in favor? I.

511
00:40:44,880 --> 00:40:46,360
At this time I'll entertain privilege of

512
00:40:46,360 --> 00:40:48,320
the floor concerning general city

513
00:40:48,320 --> 00:40:49,440
business.

514
00:40:49,440 --> 00:40:51,040
We now have two individuals sign up to

515
00:40:51,040 --> 00:40:52,320
speak.

516
00:40:52,320 --> 00:40:55,600
The first of which is

517
00:40:55,600 --> 00:41:04,910
Maureen Connor.

518
00:41:04,920 --> 00:41:06,680
Hi, thank you very much. I just want to

519
00:41:06,680 --> 00:41:08,400
state um

520
00:41:08,400 --> 00:41:11,160
I didn't realize I was emailed

521
00:41:11,160 --> 00:41:14,200
photos of my presentation and I was

522
00:41:14,200 --> 00:41:15,560
supposed to give it to the city clerk,

523
00:41:15,560 --> 00:41:17,160
so I apologize.

524
00:41:17,160 --> 00:41:19,320
But I replied all to the email that Carl

525
00:41:19,320 --> 00:41:20,640
sent me.

526
00:41:20,640 --> 00:41:22,000
Apologies.

527
00:41:22,000 --> 00:41:25,240
Um my name is Maureen Connor and I am a

528
00:41:25,240 --> 00:41:27,240
resident a 32-year resident of the city

529
00:41:27,240 --> 00:41:29,480
of of Schenectady. I want to thank you

530
00:41:29,480 --> 00:41:31,520
very much for your time and service here

531
00:41:31,520 --> 00:41:33,560
and I understand you guys have a lot on

532
00:41:33,560 --> 00:41:35,800
your plate. But I have a specific

533
00:41:35,800 --> 00:41:38,680
concern this evening regarding Moyston

534
00:41:38,680 --> 00:41:43,200
Street, specifically number 17-19.

535
00:41:43,200 --> 00:41:45,840
I own 15 Moyston Street and there is

536
00:41:45,840 --> 00:41:48,080
literally a door's width between these

537
00:41:48,080 --> 00:41:49,920
two buildings.

538
00:41:49,920 --> 00:41:51,000
Um

539
00:41:51,000 --> 00:41:53,960
Moyston Street is not the best

540
00:41:53,960 --> 00:41:55,800
neighborhood in Schenectady and

541
00:41:55,800 --> 00:41:58,000
experiences a lot of foot traffic and

542
00:41:58,000 --> 00:41:59,720
cut-throughs from Nott Street through

543
00:41:59,720 --> 00:42:02,800
the cemetery and then out Moyston Street

544
00:42:02,800 --> 00:42:05,080
and out and down to State Street.

545
00:42:05,080 --> 00:42:06,680
This area of State Street has a history

546
00:42:06,680 --> 00:42:09,040
of drug offenses and neglect. Over the

547
00:42:09,040 --> 00:42:11,320
past couple of years businesses and

548
00:42:11,320 --> 00:42:13,040
agencies have sought to invest and

549
00:42:13,040 --> 00:42:15,240
develop the area with the addition of

550
00:42:15,240 --> 00:42:17,440
Clara House, new owners of the former

551
00:42:17,440 --> 00:42:20,280
Twin Motel, as well as the redevelopment

552
00:42:20,280 --> 00:42:25,750
of 1540 or excuse me, 1147-1157

553
00:42:25,760 --> 00:42:27,760
Hildebrandt, bringing 11 or 12 new

554
00:42:27,760 --> 00:42:30,000
apartments to the city.

555
00:42:30,000 --> 00:42:31,240
Um

556
00:42:31,240 --> 00:42:33,280
as an owner of 15 Moyston Street, I've

557
00:42:33,280 --> 00:42:35,600
invested a lot of money in improving the

558
00:42:35,600 --> 00:42:37,800
apartments and then in this past year

559
00:42:37,800 --> 00:42:39,480
and a half I've had to spend even more

560
00:42:39,480 --> 00:42:40,520
money

561
00:42:40,520 --> 00:42:43,000
securing the property, the back fence on

562
00:42:43,000 --> 00:42:44,680
the property because people were cutting

563
00:42:44,680 --> 00:42:45,720
through,

564
00:42:45,720 --> 00:42:47,680
um security cameras and then I finally

565
00:42:47,680 --> 00:42:49,080
put up a gate across the driveway

566
00:42:49,080 --> 00:42:51,880
because people were literally going down

567
00:42:51,880 --> 00:42:54,800
the driveway behind the house,

568
00:42:54,800 --> 00:42:56,720
doing whatever they do and then coming

569
00:42:56,720 --> 00:43:00,480
back and twitching out on my property.

570
00:43:00,480 --> 00:43:02,480
And there's photos of that.

571
00:43:02,480 --> 00:43:04,680
Um if there was any way for me to

572
00:43:04,680 --> 00:43:09,000
permanently block that front stoop, I

573
00:43:09,000 --> 00:43:11,160
would, but it goes right up onto the

574
00:43:11,160 --> 00:43:12,840
sidewalk.

575
00:43:12,840 --> 00:43:14,800
From my tenants, who by the way I have

576
00:43:14,800 --> 00:43:16,960
four lovely tenants who pay their rent

577
00:43:16,960 --> 00:43:18,680
on time, they're super clean and they're

578
00:43:18,680 --> 00:43:20,400
very conscientious,

579
00:43:20,400 --> 00:43:22,200
and I've received numerous complaints

580
00:43:22,200 --> 00:43:25,120
regarding what's happening next door.

581
00:43:25,120 --> 00:43:28,440
There is trash in the front, it's always

582
00:43:28,440 --> 00:43:31,040
there. There's drug activity at 19

583
00:43:31,040 --> 00:43:33,680
Moyston Street.

584
00:43:33,680 --> 00:43:35,000
I don't know if I'm I'm allowed to say

585
00:43:35,000 --> 00:43:36,880
names here, but apparently there's a

586
00:43:36,880 --> 00:43:40,040
gentleman who goes by the name of Live

587
00:43:40,040 --> 00:43:42,640
that lives at 19 and is known to engage

588
00:43:42,640 --> 00:43:45,480
in drug sales as well as prostitution,

589
00:43:45,480 --> 00:43:47,760
directing and beating up women.

590
00:43:47,760 --> 00:43:49,520
His reputation in the neighborhood is

591
00:43:49,520 --> 00:43:51,680
that of some type of informant with the

592
00:43:51,680 --> 00:43:54,040
city and he seems to just do whatever he

593
00:43:54,040 --> 00:43:56,080
wants, selling drugs.

594
00:43:56,080 --> 00:43:57,800
Um today I went down to take some

595
00:43:57,800 --> 00:44:00,440
pictures and I literally watched four

596
00:44:00,440 --> 00:44:02,480
people go in and out of his apartment,

597
00:44:02,480 --> 00:44:04,640
one of whom I've seen around the city

598
00:44:04,640 --> 00:44:07,600
for years, known drug addict.

599
00:44:07,600 --> 00:44:09,600
Um yesterday was the last straw. There

600
00:44:09,600 --> 00:44:13,600
was some type of brawl, mayhem going on

601
00:44:13,600 --> 00:44:15,480
um regarding I don't even know what it

602
00:44:15,480 --> 00:44:17,040
was, but there were a lot of cops there

603
00:44:17,040 --> 00:44:20,080
and my tenant sent me the information.

604
00:44:20,080 --> 00:44:22,800
So I'm here to ask the city council

605
00:44:22,800 --> 00:44:24,960
not just what can you do, but what can I

606
00:44:24,960 --> 00:44:27,640
do to help my tenants? What can we do as

607
00:44:27,640 --> 00:44:29,000
a community?

608
00:44:29,000 --> 00:44:32,080
Um and and what can the city do because

609
00:44:32,080 --> 00:44:33,760
there's a

610
00:44:33,760 --> 00:44:35,400
I don't live there, but I hear what my

611
00:44:35,400 --> 00:44:37,320
tenants have to say on a regular basis

612
00:44:37,320 --> 00:44:39,160
and

613
00:44:39,160 --> 00:44:40,840
I don't know

614
00:44:40,840 --> 00:44:42,560
at one point at some point they're going

615
00:44:42,560 --> 00:44:45,120
to leave and then how do I with a

616
00:44:45,120 --> 00:44:46,920
straight face try to rent out these

617
00:44:46,920 --> 00:44:48,320
apartments

618
00:44:48,320 --> 00:44:50,359
knowing exactly what's going on next

619
00:44:50,359 --> 00:44:52,960
door? And I'll need you to summarize.

620
00:44:52,960 --> 00:44:56,600
Pardon? Summarize, please. Summarize?

621
00:44:56,600 --> 00:44:58,560
What can we do? How can How can the city

622
00:44:58,560 --> 00:45:00,800
help with Moyston Street and the drug

623
00:45:00,800 --> 00:45:05,150
activity that's going on there?

624
00:45:05,160 --> 00:45:06,480
Oh, so this conversation is not

625
00:45:06,480 --> 00:45:07,880
interactive. If you would like to wait

626
00:45:07,880 --> 00:45:09,760
till after, I imagine council members

627
00:45:09,760 --> 00:45:11,880
>> that's my question. The summary, it's a

628
00:45:11,880 --> 00:45:17,270
question, but yes, thank you.

629
00:45:17,280 --> 00:45:21,190
Sage Hamilton.

630
00:45:21,200 --> 00:45:23,440
Hello, once again, thank you

631
00:45:23,440 --> 00:45:26,600
the council, mayor, clerk and the town.

632
00:45:26,600 --> 00:45:28,040
Excuse me, the city.

633
00:45:28,040 --> 00:45:29,840
My name is Sage Hamilton-Zarka. I

634
00:45:29,840 --> 00:45:31,120
represent the Underground Railroad

635
00:45:31,120 --> 00:45:32,600
Consortium of New York State. We're a

636
00:45:32,600 --> 00:45:35,560
non-profit group of it's an association

637
00:45:35,560 --> 00:45:37,040
of Underground Railroad historians,

638
00:45:37,040 --> 00:45:39,520
cultural heritage sites and museums

639
00:45:39,520 --> 00:45:41,480
from the city to the North Country to

640
00:45:41,480 --> 00:45:43,480
the Capital Region to Western New York,

641
00:45:43,480 --> 00:45:46,480
all over. And in 2023 we received a

642
00:45:46,480 --> 00:45:48,080
grant from the Economic Development

643
00:45:48,080 --> 00:45:49,240
Agency

644
00:45:49,240 --> 00:45:52,000
as part of the post-COVID tourism relief

645
00:45:52,000 --> 00:45:54,760
project and our initiative teaming up

646
00:45:54,760 --> 00:45:57,040
with tourism in Cayuga County and other

647
00:45:57,040 --> 00:45:58,840
destination marketing organizations and

648
00:45:58,840 --> 00:46:01,240
the Niagara Falls National Heritage Area

649
00:46:01,240 --> 00:46:02,520
and also in partnership with other

650
00:46:02,520 --> 00:46:03,880
national heritage areas such as the

651
00:46:03,880 --> 00:46:05,760
Maurice D. Hinchey Hudson River National

652
00:46:05,760 --> 00:46:07,240
Heritage Area, the Erie Canalway

653
00:46:07,240 --> 00:46:09,160
National Heritage Corridor

654
00:46:09,160 --> 00:46:10,800
uh

655
00:46:10,800 --> 00:46:12,080
those two.

656
00:46:12,080 --> 00:46:16,560
Was to develop a scenic byway

657
00:46:16,560 --> 00:46:18,240
proposal to the New York State

658
00:46:18,240 --> 00:46:19,880
Department of Transportation. So we've

659
00:46:19,880 --> 00:46:22,359
been working hand-in-hand with NYDOT

660
00:46:22,359 --> 00:46:23,920
NYSDOT

661
00:46:23,920 --> 00:46:26,600
following their playbook of how to build

662
00:46:26,600 --> 00:46:29,400
a scenic byway proposal. In our case, we

663
00:46:29,400 --> 00:46:31,880
are looking for a 500-mile route across

664
00:46:31,880 --> 00:46:34,400
New York State from Niagara Falls to

665
00:46:34,400 --> 00:46:37,280
Albany to New York City to be designated

666
00:46:37,280 --> 00:46:40,359
as a state scenic byway honoring the

667
00:46:40,359 --> 00:46:42,359
travel of Harriet Tubman freedom seekers

668
00:46:42,359 --> 00:46:44,600
and the the legacy of the Underground

669
00:46:44,600 --> 00:46:46,359
Railroad in New York State. Scenic

670
00:46:46,359 --> 00:46:49,160
byways are series of

671
00:46:49,160 --> 00:46:51,200
state roads that designate a certain

672
00:46:51,200 --> 00:46:53,120
kind of characteristic. Some cases it

673
00:46:53,120 --> 00:46:54,560
can be scenic, other cases it can be

674
00:46:54,560 --> 00:46:56,720
historic or recreational. In this case,

675
00:46:56,720 --> 00:46:58,480
we are looking for a historic route to

676
00:46:58,480 --> 00:47:00,720
be designated and our ask for the city

677
00:47:00,720 --> 00:47:04,000
of Schenectady is to uh

678
00:47:04,000 --> 00:47:06,400
issue a resolution that acknowledges and

679
00:47:06,400 --> 00:47:07,800
supports

680
00:47:07,800 --> 00:47:13,510
our initiative, but then also

681
00:47:13,520 --> 00:47:16,160
includes language that follows the DOT

682
00:47:16,160 --> 00:47:20,520
guidelines for for what scenic byways and scenic

683
00:47:20,520 --> 00:47:23,920
roads need. So in the case of uh

684
00:47:23,920 --> 00:47:27,000
Highway 5 from the from the border with

685
00:47:27,000 --> 00:47:28,840
Glenville to the west to the border with

686
00:47:28,840 --> 00:47:31,280
Niskayuna to the east, that would be a

687
00:47:31,280 --> 00:47:34,120
limitation on new off-premise

688
00:47:34,120 --> 00:47:35,680
advertisement, which basically just

689
00:47:35,680 --> 00:47:37,680
means new commercial billboards.

690
00:47:37,680 --> 00:47:39,040
Existing billboards would be

691
00:47:39,040 --> 00:47:40,680
grandfathered in

692
00:47:40,680 --> 00:47:41,720
and then

693
00:47:41,720 --> 00:47:44,040
any property owners or business owners

694
00:47:44,040 --> 00:47:46,920
that wish to make their own signage have

695
00:47:46,920 --> 00:47:48,960
no limitations. Scenic byways are

696
00:47:48,960 --> 00:47:51,359
important because they increase tourism

697
00:47:51,359 --> 00:47:53,440
spending, but then because

698
00:47:53,440 --> 00:47:56,920
DOT requires our byway program to be

699
00:47:56,920 --> 00:47:58,960
cooperative with local organizations and

700
00:47:58,960 --> 00:48:00,720
municipalities,

701
00:48:00,720 --> 00:48:01,640
any

702
00:48:01,640 --> 00:48:03,560
benefit to the city that would come from

703
00:48:03,560 --> 00:48:06,080
tourism would be

704
00:48:06,080 --> 00:48:07,160
engineered in a way that it would

705
00:48:07,160 --> 00:48:09,080
benefit local organizations and the

706
00:48:09,080 --> 00:48:11,080
community. Um

707
00:48:11,080 --> 00:48:12,480
we know we know that Harriet Tubman

708
00:48:12,480 --> 00:48:16,120
traveled through New York State, specifically

709
00:48:16,120 --> 00:48:19,040
taking trains and potentially traveling

710
00:48:19,040 --> 00:48:21,000
alongside that were

711
00:48:21,000 --> 00:48:22,600
along the Erie Canal, which was

712
00:48:22,600 --> 00:48:24,880
constructed the same time and we would

713
00:48:24,880 --> 00:48:26,720
love to honor that history with the

714
00:48:26,720 --> 00:48:29,080
support of the city. Happy to come back

715
00:48:29,080 --> 00:48:33,880
with a full presentation as needs permit.

716
00:48:33,880 --> 00:48:36,760
Thank you. Thank you.

717
00:48:36,760 --> 00:48:37,800
So I have no one else signed up to

718
00:48:37,800 --> 00:48:39,520
speak, so I'll declare public comment on

719
00:48:39,520 --> 00:48:43,190
general city business closed.

720
00:48:43,200 --> 00:48:46,270
At this time I'll enter

721
00:48:46,280 --> 00:48:47,440
At this time I'll entertain any

722
00:48:47,440 --> 00:48:50,960
miscellaneous business of the council.

723
00:48:50,960 --> 00:48:55,750
Mr. Sears.

724
00:48:55,760 --> 00:48:57,120
Thank you, Council President Williams.

725
00:48:57,120 --> 00:48:59,018
Just couple things.

726
00:48:59,018 --> 00:48:59,760
>> [clears throat]

727
00:48:59,760 --> 00:49:02,200
>> First I just want to address

728
00:49:02,200 --> 00:49:03,680
the shooting of the 13-year-old boy that

729
00:49:03,680 --> 00:49:05,920
happened last week in the city.

730
00:49:05,920 --> 00:49:06,960
Um

731
00:49:06,960 --> 00:49:09,359
though tragic that it happened and

732
00:49:09,359 --> 00:49:12,200
occurred, I I also want to one push the

733
00:49:12,200 --> 00:49:14,200
narrative as I started when I came in

734
00:49:14,200 --> 00:49:15,800
that as community members we need to

735
00:49:15,800 --> 00:49:17,040
make sure that we're taking care of each

736
00:49:17,040 --> 00:49:19,080
other, doing our best to keep our youth

737
00:49:19,080 --> 00:49:21,280
and our community safe as a whole and I

738
00:49:21,280 --> 00:49:22,720
wanted to issue a special thank you to

739
00:49:22,720 --> 00:49:24,480
the officers who arrived on that scene,

740
00:49:24,480 --> 00:49:26,520
who administered life-saving procedures

741
00:49:26,520 --> 00:49:28,600
for that young man and the nurses and

742
00:49:28,600 --> 00:49:30,600
doctors that were able to get him in

743
00:49:30,600 --> 00:49:33,600
stable condition at the hospital quickly

744
00:49:33,600 --> 00:49:35,280
to make sure that this didn't become a a

745
00:49:35,280 --> 00:49:37,640
tragic situation in our city. So, I just

746
00:49:37,640 --> 00:49:40,160
wanted to address that. Um

747
00:49:40,160 --> 00:49:41,640
When it comes to our community events

748
00:49:41,640 --> 00:49:43,640
and things coming up as well, I just

749
00:49:43,640 --> 00:49:44,920
wanted to

750
00:49:44,920 --> 00:49:47,080
note a couple things happening this week

751
00:49:47,080 --> 00:49:48,960
and say a special thank you to our our

752
00:49:48,960 --> 00:49:50,320
food council

753
00:49:50,320 --> 00:49:51,560
for coming here today to receive the

754
00:49:51,560 --> 00:49:54,880
resolution. I am a a child and former

755
00:49:54,880 --> 00:49:56,680
one of the original Sickem and worked

756
00:49:56,680 --> 00:49:58,760
there at 14 years old as one of my first

757
00:49:58,760 --> 00:50:01,920
jobs under Ms. Janet Mathis and know the

758
00:50:01,920 --> 00:50:03,720
amazing work that you guys do taking

759
00:50:03,720 --> 00:50:05,560
care of our city and our neighbors.

760
00:50:05,560 --> 00:50:06,920
Please continue fighting, keep doing

761
00:50:06,920 --> 00:50:08,640
that work. I have the same hope as you

762
00:50:08,640 --> 00:50:10,480
that one day this won't be necessary,

763
00:50:10,480 --> 00:50:11,880
but while you are necessary, thank you

764
00:50:11,880 --> 00:50:13,680
for everything that you do.

765
00:50:13,680 --> 00:50:16,840
Uh we have two other

766
00:50:16,840 --> 00:50:18,040
three excuse me three events happening

767
00:50:18,040 --> 00:50:19,680
this week at the excuse me two events

768
00:50:19,680 --> 00:50:22,080
Ada chapter Oh yes Order of the Eastern

769
00:50:22,080 --> 00:50:24,880
Stars youth group has a fish fry dinner

770
00:50:24,880 --> 00:50:27,280
March 27th at Eastern Parkway United

771
00:50:27,280 --> 00:50:29,640
Methodist Church from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.

772
00:50:29,640 --> 00:50:32,200
That youth group is a coalition of young

773
00:50:32,200 --> 00:50:34,600
women of color that is guided through

774
00:50:34,600 --> 00:50:36,480
all their day-to-day from academics to

775
00:50:36,480 --> 00:50:38,560
being able to travel across the country

776
00:50:38,560 --> 00:50:40,560
to compete in different events being

777
00:50:40,560 --> 00:50:42,320
able to see the world and meet and

778
00:50:42,320 --> 00:50:44,120
connect with other people including our

779
00:50:44,120 --> 00:50:46,400
military veterans. At the Vietnam

780
00:50:46,400 --> 00:50:48,720
Veterans Day ceremony is also happening

781
00:50:48,720 --> 00:50:51,040
at SUNY Schenectady 10:00 a.m. and the

782
00:50:51,040 --> 00:50:53,040
Van Curler room at Eastern Hall at SUNY

783
00:50:53,040 --> 00:50:56,080
Schenectady this Saturday and I also to

784
00:50:56,080 --> 00:50:58,720
go with Ms. Councilwoman

785
00:50:58,720 --> 00:51:01,040
Ditoro's resolution want to congratulate

786
00:51:01,040 --> 00:51:02,920
the Hibernian Hall and the the ladies of

787
00:51:02,920 --> 00:51:05,160
the Hibernian. I had stopped in on St.

788
00:51:05,160 --> 00:51:07,560
Patrick's Day to get some corned beef

789
00:51:07,560 --> 00:51:08,720
and cabbage was able to hang out for an

790
00:51:08,720 --> 00:51:10,240
hour, but by the time I had got out of

791
00:51:10,240 --> 00:51:12,240
work at 6:30, they had sold out of

792
00:51:12,240 --> 00:51:14,440
everything. So, congratulations to them

793
00:51:14,440 --> 00:51:16,800
on a successful fundraiser and all those

794
00:51:16,800 --> 00:51:18,560
that were included and I just want to

795
00:51:18,560 --> 00:51:20,480
finish with a a happy Women's History

796
00:51:20,480 --> 00:51:22,360
Month to all of the strong women of this

797
00:51:22,360 --> 00:51:24,360
city and a happy birthday to my mother

798
00:51:24,360 --> 00:51:30,590
today as well.

799
00:51:30,600 --> 00:51:33,640
Ms. Ditoro Thank you. So, um

800
00:51:33,640 --> 00:51:35,600
working off of Mr. Chair's

801
00:51:35,600 --> 00:51:37,000
um there's a lot of things that

802
00:51:37,000 --> 00:51:39,280
happening this weekend. Um just going to

803
00:51:39,280 --> 00:51:41,600
say one is Sunday at 3:00 p.m. at the

804
00:51:41,600 --> 00:51:45,080
M&T Center the first home game of our

805
00:51:45,080 --> 00:51:47,640
Schenectady Phoenix. So, uh we've been

806
00:51:47,640 --> 00:51:49,640
waiting since last year. I'm sure I'll

807
00:51:49,640 --> 00:51:52,440
see Mr. Williams sitting down

808
00:51:52,440 --> 00:51:54,640
enjoying the game as well as I will be.

809
00:51:54,640 --> 00:51:56,960
Please come out and support that. As far

810
00:51:56,960 --> 00:52:02,120
as everything that else is happening, I I want to invite everyone to at least

811
00:52:02,120 --> 00:52:04,480
if you don't get the mayor's newsletter

812
00:52:04,480 --> 00:52:06,920
or the DSI C Downtown Schenectady

813
00:52:06,920 --> 00:52:09,040
Improvement Corp, there's a plethora of

814
00:52:09,040 --> 00:52:11,680
information and events always happening.

815
00:52:11,680 --> 00:52:14,280
Um right now we're getting ready for

816
00:52:14,280 --> 00:52:16,000
Earth Day and clean up and every

817
00:52:16,000 --> 00:52:18,680
neighborhood association is looking for

818
00:52:18,680 --> 00:52:20,960
individuals to come out and help

819
00:52:20,960 --> 00:52:23,760
including Mona Golab who will be doing a

820
00:52:23,760 --> 00:52:25,680
special event with tree planning at

821
00:52:25,680 --> 00:52:29,360
Central Park. Um and then lastly,

822
00:52:29,360 --> 00:52:32,680
so the Vietnam Veteran honoree this year

823
00:52:32,680 --> 00:52:35,880
is Bill Frank. Bill is a vital part of

824
00:52:35,880 --> 00:52:37,960
our community. He was a Schenectady

825
00:52:37,960 --> 00:52:40,240
County Veteran Service Agent for many

826
00:52:40,240 --> 00:52:43,120
years helping many veterans throughout

827
00:52:43,120 --> 00:52:44,280
um

828
00:52:44,280 --> 00:52:47,360
throughout his career here and I'd like

829
00:52:47,360 --> 00:52:49,280
to give him special thanks.

830
00:52:49,280 --> 00:52:56,190
Anyway, thank you.

831
00:52:56,200 --> 00:52:59,350
Ms. Mayor

832
00:52:59,360 --> 00:53:01,440
Thank you, Mr. President. Appreciate

833
00:53:01,440 --> 00:53:02,720
everyone that

834
00:53:02,720 --> 00:53:05,120
came out tonight and again do want to

835
00:53:05,120 --> 00:53:06,640
thank you for the work that's done at

836
00:53:06,640 --> 00:53:08,360
the Sycamore Collaborative because it

837
00:53:08,360 --> 00:53:09,840
does make a difference in so many

838
00:53:09,840 --> 00:53:12,200
people's lives.

839
00:53:12,200 --> 00:53:13,880
Uh some of the council members point out

840
00:53:13,880 --> 00:53:16,120
some of things that are happening, but

841
00:53:16,120 --> 00:53:18,320
if you don't have plans for tomorrow

842
00:53:18,320 --> 00:53:19,400
night

843
00:53:19,400 --> 00:53:22,000
the Schenectady City School District

844
00:53:22,000 --> 00:53:24,440
Education Foundation is having their

845
00:53:24,440 --> 00:53:27,960
annual event at the GE Black Box Theater

846
00:53:27,960 --> 00:53:29,520
and I think the donation they're looking

847
00:53:29,520 --> 00:53:32,680
for is $50. It's always a great event

848
00:53:32,680 --> 00:53:35,000
and supports a lot of good work within

849
00:53:35,000 --> 00:53:37,160
the school district and as the council

850
00:53:37,160 --> 00:53:39,160
members have outlined the weather's

851
00:53:39,160 --> 00:53:41,400
shifting uh

852
00:53:41,400 --> 00:53:44,000
the snow is gone, thank goodness.

853
00:53:44,000 --> 00:53:46,560
I but with that there's a little bit of

854
00:53:46,560 --> 00:53:48,640
remnants and sometimes it's not the most

855
00:53:48,640 --> 00:53:50,160
polite thing. We look at some of the

856
00:53:50,160 --> 00:53:51,600
litter that's out there and things in

857
00:53:51,600 --> 00:53:54,600
our neighborhood. I ask

858
00:53:54,600 --> 00:53:57,359
homeowners and business owners

859
00:53:57,359 --> 00:53:59,560
if you can do a little bit of pick up

860
00:53:59,560 --> 00:54:02,359
around your own business or property, it

861
00:54:02,359 --> 00:54:04,880
makes a big difference. And

862
00:54:04,880 --> 00:54:06,600
the neighborhood associations and

863
00:54:06,600 --> 00:54:07,920
different groups are organizing

864
00:54:07,920 --> 00:54:10,080
throughout the city so that as been

865
00:54:10,080 --> 00:54:12,240
pointed out you know

866
00:54:12,240 --> 00:54:15,520
a band is going to do one Goose Hill

867
00:54:15,520 --> 00:54:17,080
Engine Hill

868
00:54:17,080 --> 00:54:20,960
Upper Union Street Bellevue and Mona

869
00:54:20,960 --> 00:54:23,800
Golab conjunction with Price Chopper and

870
00:54:23,800 --> 00:54:28,200
Market 32 on Earth Day it'll make a lot

871
00:54:28,200 --> 00:54:30,520
of difference in our city and makes the

872
00:54:30,520 --> 00:54:32,520
community more attractive as we get into

873
00:54:32,520 --> 00:54:34,200
the warmer months and people are able to

874
00:54:34,200 --> 00:54:36,240
take advantage of the many things that

875
00:54:36,240 --> 00:54:38,520
are going on in our city. Thank you, Mr.

876
00:54:38,520 --> 00:54:40,080
President.

877
00:54:40,080 --> 00:54:41,040
Thank you.

878
00:54:41,040 --> 00:54:42,960
I would like to first point out an event

879
00:54:42,960 --> 00:54:45,080
there will be a Women's History Month

880
00:54:45,080 --> 00:54:46,840
celebration that is hosted by the

881
00:54:46,840 --> 00:54:50,040
Schenectady NAACP part of which honoring

882
00:54:50,040 --> 00:54:51,440
one of Schenectady's very own Marshall

883
00:54:51,440 --> 00:54:53,560
Mortimer. That will be occurring on

884
00:54:53,560 --> 00:54:55,280
March 28th

885
00:54:55,280 --> 00:54:58,080
this Saturday at 3:00 p.m. at 1 North

886
00:54:58,080 --> 00:55:00,320
Church Street which is the Stockade Inn.

887
00:55:00,320 --> 00:55:02,600
I'd like to give a

888
00:55:02,600 --> 00:55:04,120
congratulations to all the award

889
00:55:04,120 --> 00:55:07,120
recipients at the YWCA's recent gala

890
00:55:07,120 --> 00:55:09,400
that happened earlier last week and

891
00:55:09,400 --> 00:55:11,080
especially to our very own Alexandria

892
00:55:11,080 --> 00:55:13,480
Carver. Truly she is an amazing resource

893
00:55:13,480 --> 00:55:15,480
not just to City Hall, but to the

894
00:55:15,480 --> 00:55:17,800
community members within our city and

895
00:55:17,800 --> 00:55:19,160
also give a special shout out to Ray

896
00:55:19,160 --> 00:55:21,000
Frazier who gave an amazing keynote

897
00:55:21,000 --> 00:55:22,880
address kind of speaking about love and

898
00:55:22,880 --> 00:55:25,320
how we can never have too much. Um

899
00:55:25,320 --> 00:55:26,640
I look forward to seeing the mayor

900
00:55:26,640 --> 00:55:28,600
tomorrow at the Schenectady City School

901
00:55:28,600 --> 00:55:31,040
District Educational Foundation Gala.

902
00:55:31,040 --> 00:55:33,320
And I also think in response to just the

903
00:55:33,320 --> 00:55:35,200
comments that we've heard about just the

904
00:55:35,200 --> 00:55:37,760
rising cost of living

905
00:55:37,760 --> 00:55:39,240
in addition to being understanding of

906
00:55:39,240 --> 00:55:41,960
the rising cost of gas. I appreciate

907
00:55:41,960 --> 00:55:44,080
what our prior council was able to do

908
00:55:44,080 --> 00:55:46,600
with passing a budget that was very

909
00:55:46,600 --> 00:55:48,080
responsive and considerate to the

910
00:55:48,080 --> 00:55:49,920
financial impacts of those within the

911
00:55:49,920 --> 00:55:52,240
city of Schenectady. Sincerely every

912
00:55:52,240 --> 00:55:55,280
dollar counts. And especially in moments

913
00:55:55,280 --> 00:55:58,000
of financial and economic uncertainty.

914
00:55:58,000 --> 00:55:59,280
But if there are no further issues or

915
00:55:59,280 --> 00:56:00,560
conversations, I'd like to entertain a

916
00:56:00,560 --> 00:56:02,760
motion to adjourn.

917
00:56:02,760 --> 00:56:05,040
Move by Mr. Chair, second by Ms. Ditoro.

918
00:56:05,040 --> 00:56:07,000
All in favor? I, we are adjourned. Have

919
00:56:07,000 --> 00:56:25,724
a good evening.

920
00:56:25,734 --> 00:56:50,024
» [music]