1 00:01:04,040 --> 00:01:05,760 Good evening. I'd like to call to order 2 00:01:05,760 --> 00:01:07,400 this Schenectady City Caucus meeting for 3 00:01:07,400 --> 00:01:10,520 Monday, April 13th, 2026. 4 00:01:10,520 --> 00:01:12,680 There are 24 items for original 5 00:01:12,680 --> 00:01:14,240 consideration. The clerk could please 6 00:01:14,240 --> 00:01:16,480 read. Item number one. 7 00:01:16,480 --> 00:01:17,680 for original 8 00:01:17,680 --> 00:01:19,680 consideration, an ordinance adding the 9 00:01:19,680 --> 00:01:21,680 definition of battery energy energy 10 00:01:21,680 --> 00:01:25,120 storage systems to section 264-2 of the 11 00:01:25,120 --> 00:01:27,440 Schenectady Zoning Code and amending 12 00:01:27,440 --> 00:01:30,240 schedule B of chapter 264 of the Zoning 13 00:01:30,240 --> 00:01:32,000 Code to allow battery energy storage 14 00:01:32,000 --> 00:01:36,320 systems per specified standards. 15 00:01:36,320 --> 00:01:37,800 Pass out of committee, non-consent. Item 16 00:01:37,800 --> 00:01:40,040 number two. Item number two for original 17 00:01:40,040 --> 00:01:41,960 consideration, a resolution declaring 18 00:01:41,960 --> 00:01:44,240 the battery energy storage system as a 19 00:01:44,240 --> 00:01:46,520 type two action and is not subject to 20 00:01:46,520 --> 00:01:48,440 the Environmental State Quality Review 21 00:01:48,440 --> 00:01:49,920 Act. 22 00:01:49,920 --> 00:01:51,360 Pass out of committee, non-consent. Item 23 00:01:51,360 --> 00:01:53,080 number three. Item number three for 24 00:01:53,080 --> 00:01:54,880 original consideration, a resolution 25 00:01:54,880 --> 00:01:56,960 calling for a public hearing to amend 26 00:01:56,960 --> 00:01:59,400 section 9-6 of the Schenectady City Code 27 00:01:59,400 --> 00:02:00,720 to increase the membership of the 28 00:02:00,720 --> 00:02:02,400 Downtown Special Assessment District 29 00:02:02,400 --> 00:02:05,240 Board from nine to 15 members and to 30 00:02:05,240 --> 00:02:09,399 amend such membership qualifications. 31 00:02:09,399 --> 00:02:10,720 Pass out of committee, non-consent. Item 32 00:02:10,720 --> 00:02:12,400 number four. Item number four for 33 00:02:12,400 --> 00:02:14,680 original consideration, a resolution 34 00:02:14,680 --> 00:02:16,360 authorizing the mayor to enter into 35 00:02:16,360 --> 00:02:18,720 intermunicipal cooperation agreement 36 00:02:18,720 --> 00:02:20,080 with Schenectady County for the 37 00:02:20,080 --> 00:02:22,000 distribution of funding awarded by the 38 00:02:22,000 --> 00:02:24,040 New York State Division of Criminal 39 00:02:24,040 --> 00:02:26,400 Justice Services to support local 40 00:02:26,400 --> 00:02:28,640 enforcement agencies. Pass out of 41 00:02:28,640 --> 00:02:29,920 committee, non-consent. Item number 42 00:02:29,920 --> 00:02:31,920 five. Item number five for original 43 00:02:31,920 --> 00:02:33,920 consideration, a resolution authorizing 44 00:02:33,920 --> 00:02:37,160 the mayor to sign a proposal with the New York State 45 00:02:37,160 --> 00:02:39,440 Empire State Development Connectivity 46 00:02:39,440 --> 00:02:41,760 Mobile Service Incentive. 47 00:02:41,760 --> 00:02:43,080 Pass out of committee, non-consent. Item 48 00:02:43,080 --> 00:02:43,760 number six. 49 00:02:43,760 --> 00:02:45,080 >> Item number six for original 50 00:02:45,080 --> 00:02:47,080 consideration, a resolution authorizing 51 00:02:47,080 --> 00:02:48,440 the mayor to sign a collective 52 00:02:48,440 --> 00:02:50,560 bargaining agreement between the City of 53 00:02:50,560 --> 00:02:52,640 Schenectady and Local 28 Schenectady 54 00:02:52,640 --> 00:02:55,040 Paid Firefighters. 55 00:02:55,040 --> 00:02:56,360 Pass out of committee, non-consent. Item 56 00:02:56,360 --> 00:02:58,360 number seven. Item number seven for 57 00:02:58,360 --> 00:03:00,120 original consideration, a resolution 58 00:03:00,120 --> 00:03:02,080 authorizing the revised green fees and 59 00:03:02,080 --> 00:03:04,400 rates at the Schenectady Municipal Golf 60 00:03:04,400 --> 00:03:05,520 Course. 61 00:03:05,520 --> 00:03:06,920 Pass out of committee, non-consent. Item 62 00:03:06,920 --> 00:03:08,600 number eight. Item number eight for 63 00:03:08,600 --> 00:03:10,360 original consideration, a resolution 64 00:03:10,360 --> 00:03:13,560 amending resolution 2022-009 65 00:03:13,560 --> 00:03:16,720 and 2022-224 66 00:03:16,720 --> 00:03:19,800 to recapture American Funding 67 00:03:19,800 --> 00:03:22,400 Rescue Plan Act funds from the 68 00:03:22,400 --> 00:03:24,520 Duryee Foundation Self-Sufficiency 69 00:03:24,520 --> 00:03:27,520 Project Transitional Housing Initiative. 70 00:03:27,520 --> 00:03:28,960 Pass out of committee, non-consent. Item 71 00:03:28,960 --> 00:03:31,080 number nine. Item number nine for 72 00:03:31,080 --> 00:03:32,720 original consideration, a resolution 73 00:03:32,720 --> 00:03:35,880 confirming the appointments to the CPRB. 74 00:03:35,880 --> 00:03:37,480 This item is being removed and returned 75 00:03:37,480 --> 00:03:38,400 back to committee for further 76 00:03:38,400 --> 00:03:41,000 discussion. Item number 10. Item number 77 00:03:41,000 --> 00:03:42,560 10 for original consideration, a 78 00:03:42,560 --> 00:03:44,360 resolution reappointing Richard E. 79 00:03:44,360 --> 00:03:46,120 Yeager to the Board of Assessment 80 00:03:46,120 --> 00:03:47,800 Review. Discuss out of committee, 81 00:03:47,800 --> 00:03:50,200 non-consent. Item number 11. Item number 82 00:03:50,200 --> 00:03:51,880 11 for original consideration, a 83 00:03:51,880 --> 00:03:53,480 resolution authorizing the mayor to 84 00:03:53,480 --> 00:03:56,000 appoint two individuals to the Downtown 85 00:03:56,000 --> 00:03:58,160 Schenectady Improvement Corporation. 86 00:03:58,160 --> 00:03:59,560 Discuss out of committee, non-consent. 87 00:03:59,560 --> 00:04:01,440 Item number 12. Item number 12 for 88 00:04:01,440 --> 00:04:03,160 original consideration, a resolution 89 00:04:03,160 --> 00:04:05,640 authorizing the sale of vacant lot on 22 90 00:04:05,640 --> 00:04:08,840 McClellan Street for $11,300. 91 00:04:08,840 --> 00:04:10,280 Discuss out of committee, non-consent. 92 00:04:10,280 --> 00:04:12,320 Item number 13. Item number 13 for 93 00:04:12,320 --> 00:04:14,400 original consideration, a resolution 94 00:04:14,400 --> 00:04:16,120 authorizing the sale of vacant lot on 95 00:04:16,120 --> 00:04:19,440 376 Hoosick Street for $2,000. 96 00:04:19,440 --> 00:04:20,840 Discuss out of committee, non-consent. 97 00:04:20,840 --> 00:04:22,960 Item number 14. Item number 14 for 98 00:04:22,960 --> 00:04:25,080 original consideration, a resolution 99 00:04:25,080 --> 00:04:28,760 rescinding resolution 2026-018. 100 00:04:28,760 --> 00:04:30,120 Discuss out of committee, non-consent. 101 00:04:30,120 --> 00:04:32,480 Item number 15. Item number 15 for 102 00:04:32,480 --> 00:04:34,120 original consideration, a resolution 103 00:04:34,120 --> 00:04:36,720 authorizing the sale of 814 Bedford Road 104 00:04:36,720 --> 00:04:38,640 for $60,000. 105 00:04:38,640 --> 00:04:40,040 Discuss out of committee, non-consent. 106 00:04:40,040 --> 00:04:42,200 Item number 16. Item number 16 for 107 00:04:42,200 --> 00:04:43,920 original consideration, a resolution 108 00:04:43,920 --> 00:04:45,680 authorizing the sale of a vacant lot on 109 00:04:45,680 --> 00:04:49,640 1080 Helderberg Avenue for $3,000. 110 00:04:49,640 --> 00:04:51,000 Discuss out of committee, non-consent. 111 00:04:51,000 --> 00:04:53,680 Item number 17. Item number 17 for 112 00:04:53,680 --> 00:04:55,400 original consideration, a resolution 113 00:04:55,400 --> 00:04:56,720 authorizing the redemption and 114 00:04:56,720 --> 00:05:00,080 withdrawal of 1333 6th Avenue from 115 00:05:00,080 --> 00:05:01,960 foreclosure. Discuss out of committee, 116 00:05:01,960 --> 00:05:04,160 non-consent. Item number 18. Item number 117 00:05:04,160 --> 00:05:05,680 18 for original consideration, a 118 00:05:05,680 --> 00:05:07,520 resolution authorizing the settlement of 119 00:05:07,520 --> 00:05:09,520 a claim by Long Pond Village Apartments 120 00:05:09,520 --> 00:05:10,760 LLC. 121 00:05:10,760 --> 00:05:12,080 Discuss out of committee, non-consent. 122 00:05:12,080 --> 00:05:14,400 Item number 19. Item number 19 for 123 00:05:14,400 --> 00:05:16,080 original consideration, a resolution 124 00:05:16,080 --> 00:05:19,240 recognizing Friday, April 24th, 2026 as 125 00:05:19,240 --> 00:05:22,040 Arbor Day in the City of Schenectady. 126 00:05:22,040 --> 00:05:23,520 Discuss out of committee and 127 00:05:23,520 --> 00:05:25,520 non-consent. This item will be presented 128 00:05:25,520 --> 00:05:26,880 at a later date. 129 00:05:26,880 --> 00:05:29,360 Item number 20. Item number 20th for 130 00:05:29,360 --> 00:05:31,120 original consideration, a resolution 131 00:05:31,120 --> 00:05:34,360 recognizing April 22nd, 2026 as Earth 132 00:05:34,360 --> 00:05:36,280 Day in the City of Schenectady. Discuss 133 00:05:36,280 --> 00:05:37,880 out of committee, non-consent. This item 134 00:05:37,880 --> 00:05:39,920 also will be delivered at another date. 135 00:05:39,920 --> 00:05:42,080 Item number 21. Item number 21 for 136 00:05:42,080 --> 00:05:43,880 original consideration, a resolution 137 00:05:43,880 --> 00:05:46,640 recognizing April 2026 as National 138 00:05:46,640 --> 00:05:49,160 Poetry Month in the City of Schenectady. 139 00:05:49,160 --> 00:05:50,560 Discuss out of committee, non-consent 140 00:05:50,560 --> 00:05:52,320 and this item as well will be delivered 141 00:05:52,320 --> 00:05:55,000 at a later date. Item number 22. Item 142 00:05:55,000 --> 00:05:56,880 number 22 for original consideration, a 143 00:05:56,880 --> 00:05:58,720 resolution honoring the Ladies Ancient 144 00:05:58,720 --> 00:06:00,680 Order of Hibernians. 145 00:06:00,680 --> 00:06:02,160 And this item as well will be delivered 146 00:06:02,160 --> 00:06:03,680 at a later date. Discuss out of 147 00:06:03,680 --> 00:06:05,800 committee, non-consent. Item number 23. 148 00:06:05,800 --> 00:06:07,440 under contract and 149 00:06:07,440 --> 00:06:09,240 supply, a resolution awarding the bid 150 00:06:09,240 --> 00:06:11,520 and contract for the purchase of Globe 151 00:06:11,520 --> 00:06:14,120 Firefighting Jackets and Pants. 152 00:06:14,120 --> 00:06:15,400 Discuss out of committee, non-consent. 153 00:06:15,400 --> 00:06:17,920 Item number 24. Item number 24 under 154 00:06:17,920 --> 00:06:19,520 contract and supply, a resolution 155 00:06:19,520 --> 00:06:21,280 awarding the bid and contract for the 156 00:06:21,280 --> 00:06:23,720 signage and wayfinding rebid base bid 157 00:06:23,720 --> 00:06:25,480 and alternate one to Grafton Data 158 00:06:25,480 --> 00:06:27,840 Systems Incorporated in the total amount 159 00:06:27,840 --> 00:06:31,910 of $218,482.50. 160 00:06:31,920 --> 00:06:33,440 Discuss out of committee, non-consent. 161 00:06:33,440 --> 00:06:34,640 There are no further items to come 162 00:06:34,640 --> 00:06:35,960 before the City Caucus. May I have a 163 00:06:35,960 --> 00:06:37,760 motion to adjourn? Moved by Mr. Toro, 164 00:06:37,760 --> 00:06:39,520 seconded by Mr. Mutuviaran. All those in 165 00:06:39,520 --> 00:06:43,320 favor? Aye. We are adjourned. 166 00:06:43,320 --> 00:06:44,400 I'd like to call to order this 167 00:06:44,400 --> 00:06:45,800 Schenectady City Council meeting for 168 00:06:45,800 --> 00:06:48,880 Monday, April 13th, 2026. At this time, 169 00:06:48,880 --> 00:06:50,320 I would like to ask 170 00:06:50,320 --> 00:06:51,680 Council Member Chairs to deliver the 171 00:06:51,680 --> 00:06:54,240 invocation followed by Councilman 172 00:06:54,240 --> 00:06:55,280 Engert to provide the Pledge of 173 00:06:55,280 --> 00:07:07,230 Allegiance. 174 00:07:07,240 --> 00:07:08,960 Dear Lord, thank you for this day. Thank 175 00:07:08,960 --> 00:07:13,720 you for the opportunity to continue to grow as a city 176 00:07:13,720 --> 00:07:14,920 as we continue to work one another. 177 00:07:14,920 --> 00:07:15,880 Thank you for the blessings that you 178 00:07:15,880 --> 00:07:17,200 delivered to us, a safe weekend of 179 00:07:17,200 --> 00:07:18,560 people volunteering allowing the 180 00:07:18,560 --> 00:07:20,880 community to come together and to unite 181 00:07:20,880 --> 00:07:22,800 themselves as one. We pray that you 182 00:07:22,800 --> 00:07:24,520 continue to oversee us and guide us as 183 00:07:24,520 --> 00:07:26,640 we know as the legislators in this city, 184 00:07:26,640 --> 00:07:29,680 in the state, and all across the country 185 00:07:29,680 --> 00:07:32,440 fight all sorts of impunities. We we ask 186 00:07:32,440 --> 00:07:33,800 that you continue to guide us to do the 187 00:07:33,800 --> 00:07:35,520 right things. In your name we pray. 188 00:07:35,520 --> 00:07:38,710 Amen. 189 00:07:38,720 --> 00:07:39,880 I pledge allegiance 190 00:07:39,880 --> 00:07:40,960 to the flag 191 00:07:40,960 --> 00:07:43,240 of the United States of America 192 00:07:43,240 --> 00:07:45,880 and to the republic for which it stands, 193 00:07:45,880 --> 00:07:47,040 one nation 194 00:07:47,040 --> 00:07:48,040 under God, 195 00:07:48,040 --> 00:07:50,640 indivisible, with liberty and justice 196 00:07:50,640 --> 00:07:57,470 for all. 197 00:07:57,480 --> 00:07:58,800 If the clerk could please complete the 198 00:07:58,800 --> 00:08:02,710 roll. 199 00:08:02,720 --> 00:08:06,560 Mr. Chairs. Present. Mr. Toro. Present. 200 00:08:06,560 --> 00:08:09,200 Mr. Engert. Present. Mr. Mutuviaran. 201 00:08:09,200 --> 00:08:11,160 Present. Ms. Patrick is absent. Ms. 202 00:08:11,160 --> 00:08:18,550 Wiggins. Present. Mr. Williams. Present. 203 00:08:18,560 --> 00:08:20,360 I will ask for approval of the minutes 204 00:08:20,360 --> 00:08:23,640 for Monday, March 23rd, 2026. Moved by 205 00:08:23,640 --> 00:08:26,280 Mr. Chairs, seconded by almost everyone. 206 00:08:26,280 --> 00:08:30,920 Mr. Engert. All those in favor? Aye. 207 00:08:30,920 --> 00:08:32,479 If the deputy clerk Excuse me. If the 208 00:08:32,479 --> 00:08:34,240 clerk can please read any communications 209 00:08:34,240 --> 00:08:44,510 and petitions, please. 210 00:08:44,520 --> 00:08:46,280 Communications presented to the City 211 00:08:46,280 --> 00:08:49,480 Council for Monday, April 13th, 2026. 212 00:08:49,480 --> 00:08:51,400 Under official, there were none. Under 213 00:08:51,400 --> 00:08:54,040 general general, from Eric Johnson, an 214 00:08:54,040 --> 00:08:55,880 email requesting the reallocation of 215 00:08:55,880 --> 00:08:59,800 uncommitted ARPA funds up to $950,000 216 00:08:59,800 --> 00:09:01,440 to support the Electric City Community 217 00:09:01,440 --> 00:09:03,600 Grocery Build Out project due to 218 00:09:03,600 --> 00:09:05,480 increased construction costs and 219 00:09:05,480 --> 00:09:07,360 outlining the project's anticipated 220 00:09:07,360 --> 00:09:08,960 economic and community benefits 221 00:09:08,960 --> 00:09:11,000 including job creation and improved 222 00:09:11,000 --> 00:09:13,320 access to fresh food. From Maryann 223 00:09:13,320 --> 00:09:15,680 Porterfield, an email clarifying 224 00:09:15,680 --> 00:09:17,400 that a photo shared at a previous 225 00:09:17,400 --> 00:09:19,120 council committee meeting depicted a 226 00:09:19,120 --> 00:09:21,800 property clean out by a new owner, not 227 00:09:21,800 --> 00:09:23,520 typical household garbage, and 228 00:09:23,520 --> 00:09:25,440 expressing support for revising 229 00:09:25,440 --> 00:09:27,720 revisiting policies on bulk waste 230 00:09:27,720 --> 00:09:29,760 including requiring dumpsters for large 231 00:09:29,760 --> 00:09:31,760 clean outs. Under petitions, there were 232 00:09:31,760 --> 00:09:33,160 none. 233 00:09:33,160 --> 00:09:34,560 Thank you. I'd like to call on any 234 00:09:34,560 --> 00:09:36,000 council members to deliver any committee 235 00:09:36,000 --> 00:09:38,870 reports. 236 00:09:38,880 --> 00:09:40,480 Hearing none, uh we will now have 237 00:09:40,480 --> 00:09:41,720 privilege of the floor concerning 238 00:09:41,720 --> 00:09:43,480 matters of the legislative agenda. 239 00:09:43,480 --> 00:09:44,720 Currently have no one signed up to 240 00:09:44,720 --> 00:09:46,720 speak, so I declare public comment on 241 00:09:46,720 --> 00:09:53,710 the legislative agenda closed. 242 00:09:53,720 --> 00:09:55,200 At this time, I would ask for approval 243 00:09:55,200 --> 00:09:57,080 of the legislative consent agenda. 244 00:09:57,080 --> 00:09:58,760 So moved. Moved by Ruderman seconded by 245 00:09:58,760 --> 00:10:03,670 Ms. Ms. Wiggins. All those in favor I. 246 00:10:03,680 --> 00:10:05,160 We will now have privilege of the floor 247 00:10:05,160 --> 00:10:08,040 concerning general city business. 248 00:10:08,040 --> 00:10:09,360 We have seven individuals sign up to 249 00:10:09,360 --> 00:10:10,760 speak. I'd like to remind the public 250 00:10:10,760 --> 00:10:12,760 that you have three minutes to speak. 251 00:10:12,760 --> 00:10:20,950 First of which will be Ms. Farmer. 252 00:10:20,960 --> 00:10:24,000 Good evening. How's everyone? 253 00:10:24,000 --> 00:10:26,800 I'm coming today and unfortunately the 254 00:10:26,800 --> 00:10:28,807 mayor is not here but 255 00:10:28,807 --> 00:10:29,360 >> [clears throat] 256 00:10:29,360 --> 00:10:32,360 >> first of all I want to commend the ones 257 00:10:32,360 --> 00:10:35,280 that took part in the cleaning of 890 258 00:10:35,280 --> 00:10:38,520 this this past weekend. 259 00:10:38,520 --> 00:10:43,400 It's a lot of garbage and things but 260 00:10:43,400 --> 00:10:46,480 there's still a lot of 261 00:10:46,480 --> 00:10:48,640 cleaning that needs to be done in the 262 00:10:48,640 --> 00:10:51,600 city of Schenectady. 263 00:10:51,600 --> 00:10:55,640 I had called Mike in October. I had 264 00:10:55,640 --> 00:10:58,040 walked down to 265 00:10:58,040 --> 00:11:00,680 down Lottridge Hill which is by that 266 00:11:00,680 --> 00:11:03,839 goes runs into Nott Terrace Street. 267 00:11:03,839 --> 00:11:07,200 And all down that area there's couches, 268 00:11:07,200 --> 00:11:10,640 there's a toilet, there's garbage and 269 00:11:10,640 --> 00:11:13,280 some of the people homeless people live 270 00:11:13,280 --> 00:11:15,760 there's a vacant 271 00:11:15,760 --> 00:11:18,760 building there that's decayed is falling 272 00:11:18,760 --> 00:11:22,400 apart and I called OGS and told them 273 00:11:22,400 --> 00:11:24,360 about it and the person that answered 274 00:11:24,360 --> 00:11:26,360 the phone it was the guy I can't 275 00:11:26,360 --> 00:11:29,320 remember his name but he asked me all 276 00:11:29,320 --> 00:11:31,040 the information and he said that he 277 00:11:31,040 --> 00:11:33,160 would have somebody go over there and 278 00:11:33,160 --> 00:11:35,640 clean it up. To this day it has not been 279 00:11:35,640 --> 00:11:37,320 cleaned up. 280 00:11:37,320 --> 00:11:39,680 And it's just and you know I'm sure 281 00:11:39,680 --> 00:11:41,600 there's rats and everything just 282 00:11:41,600 --> 00:11:43,680 crawling all through there and then 283 00:11:43,680 --> 00:11:46,200 there's another place over on Albany 284 00:11:46,200 --> 00:11:49,680 Street. I think right the fence on the 285 00:11:49,680 --> 00:11:56,440 other side is um parent parent um 286 00:11:56,440 --> 00:11:59,080 Planned Parenthood and another business 287 00:11:59,080 --> 00:12:01,480 but it's on the on the Albany side on 288 00:12:01,480 --> 00:12:04,200 the opposite side of the fence. There's 289 00:12:04,200 --> 00:12:08,560 garbage all on that area and then if you 290 00:12:08,560 --> 00:12:13,280 go into Swan Street and you go at the 291 00:12:13,280 --> 00:12:15,560 end of Swan Street going into the 292 00:12:15,560 --> 00:12:18,200 cemetery and there's an entrance right 293 00:12:18,200 --> 00:12:20,600 there that people walk in and out and 294 00:12:20,600 --> 00:12:22,560 there's just garbage all this thrown 295 00:12:22,560 --> 00:12:26,160 garbage all over there. And I really 296 00:12:26,160 --> 00:12:29,839 think the mayor cuz I have not yet seen 297 00:12:29,839 --> 00:12:31,360 him come through any of our 298 00:12:31,360 --> 00:12:32,760 neighborhoods. I know not my 299 00:12:32,760 --> 00:12:34,880 neighborhood at any time since he's been 300 00:12:34,880 --> 00:12:38,440 reelected just to walk around and see 301 00:12:38,440 --> 00:12:41,400 all the garbage and how his city looks. 302 00:12:41,400 --> 00:12:44,520 He should be disgusted and disappointed 303 00:12:44,520 --> 00:12:47,320 about how our our neighborhoods and 304 00:12:47,320 --> 00:12:49,760 community is looking. We want people to 305 00:12:49,760 --> 00:12:52,640 come here and live and and and raise 306 00:12:52,640 --> 00:12:54,960 their children and the city is looking 307 00:12:54,960 --> 00:12:57,960 is just nasty and dirty and we really 308 00:12:57,960 --> 00:13:00,240 the city really needs to 309 00:13:00,240 --> 00:13:03,880 start cleaning up and I know it's it's 310 00:13:03,880 --> 00:13:05,880 some of the residents' fault but the 311 00:13:05,880 --> 00:13:08,600 city has to take responsibility of all 312 00:13:08,600 --> 00:13:12,600 the vacant areas because it's been there 313 00:13:12,600 --> 00:13:14,760 and people walk past it and they ride 314 00:13:14,760 --> 00:13:17,200 past it and I'm sure some of you 315 00:13:17,200 --> 00:13:18,880 probably have rode past it and walked 316 00:13:18,880 --> 00:13:21,080 past it and saw it but it needs to be 317 00:13:21,080 --> 00:13:27,710 cleaned up. Thank you. 318 00:13:27,720 --> 00:13:36,270 Mr. Vince Riggi. 319 00:13:36,280 --> 00:13:38,200 Good evening Council President, Council 320 00:13:38,200 --> 00:13:39,640 members. 321 00:13:39,640 --> 00:13:41,040 First time I've been on this side of the 322 00:13:41,040 --> 00:13:44,120 rail since 2011. It's been a while. So 323 00:13:44,120 --> 00:13:45,560 I'll remember I had the three minutes 324 00:13:45,560 --> 00:13:48,280 was programmed in my head. I'm here to 325 00:13:48,280 --> 00:13:53,750 do a little trash talking tonight. 326 00:13:53,760 --> 00:13:56,839 Uh three years ago I ran some numbers 327 00:13:56,839 --> 00:13:59,240 and I'll give you all a copy of this of 328 00:13:59,240 --> 00:14:01,560 costs and revenue out of the waste 329 00:14:01,560 --> 00:14:04,280 department. 330 00:14:04,280 --> 00:14:07,960 And the bottom line is in 2020 we had a 331 00:14:07,960 --> 00:14:11,000 surplus of 1.8 million dollars. 332 00:14:11,000 --> 00:14:14,520 In 2021 we had a surplus of 2.5 million 333 00:14:14,520 --> 00:14:15,680 dollars. 334 00:14:15,680 --> 00:14:19,079 In 2022 we had a surplus of 1.9 million 335 00:14:19,079 --> 00:14:22,959 dollars. In 2023 now this was proposed 336 00:14:22,959 --> 00:14:25,959 so this must have been for the 24 budget 337 00:14:25,959 --> 00:14:28,520 it was 3 million dollars. So just the 338 00:14:28,520 --> 00:14:31,200 three years not counting 2023 we had a 339 00:14:31,200 --> 00:14:34,880 surplus of 6.3 million dollars. 340 00:14:34,880 --> 00:14:36,839 My question is and you should be asking 341 00:14:36,839 --> 00:14:39,959 this question where did that money go? 342 00:14:39,959 --> 00:14:42,000 Obviously it didn't go for trash. It 343 00:14:42,000 --> 00:14:43,480 must have been transferred to another 344 00:14:43,480 --> 00:14:45,160 department. We can only guess what 345 00:14:45,160 --> 00:14:47,760 happened to it and that's why this fund 346 00:14:47,760 --> 00:14:50,360 should be a segregated fund like water 347 00:14:50,360 --> 00:14:53,079 and sewer so that money cannot be used 348 00:14:53,079 --> 00:14:55,079 for anything else. Right now we're 349 00:14:55,079 --> 00:14:56,360 talking about different things for 350 00:14:56,360 --> 00:14:58,000 jackpots this and that and the other 351 00:14:58,000 --> 00:15:00,280 thing. That's all well and good but the 352 00:15:00,280 --> 00:15:02,079 bottom line is about revenue. That's 353 00:15:02,079 --> 00:15:04,200 what it's about. Pick up. We have to 354 00:15:04,200 --> 00:15:06,280 pick up the trash. How many tons of 355 00:15:06,280 --> 00:15:08,959 trash are generated? It has to be picked 356 00:15:08,959 --> 00:15:11,000 up. We can't leave it in our house. We 357 00:15:11,000 --> 00:15:13,000 can't do anything else with it and why 358 00:15:13,000 --> 00:15:15,520 should the people like myself who's been 359 00:15:15,520 --> 00:15:17,959 a good citizen and 360 00:15:17,959 --> 00:15:20,680 following the rules if I have a party 361 00:15:20,680 --> 00:15:22,520 then if I'm not in tier two or tier 362 00:15:22,520 --> 00:15:25,920 three or tier four whatever it may be I 363 00:15:25,920 --> 00:15:27,839 I'm going to have to go to another tier 364 00:15:27,839 --> 00:15:30,400 in order to put out some extra garbage. 365 00:15:30,400 --> 00:15:31,959 And then we have certain times of the 366 00:15:31,959 --> 00:15:34,640 year like we had this past holiday 367 00:15:34,640 --> 00:15:37,680 season where we had about 12 days with 368 00:15:37,680 --> 00:15:39,800 no pick up. Two week that happened two 369 00:15:39,800 --> 00:15:42,400 times. So we had extra garbage. These 370 00:15:42,400 --> 00:15:43,720 are things that have to be thought 371 00:15:43,720 --> 00:15:45,959 about. We shouldn't be reinventing the 372 00:15:45,959 --> 00:15:48,000 wheel cuz when you do that we're going 373 00:15:48,000 --> 00:15:49,600 to have a square wheel that's not going 374 00:15:49,600 --> 00:15:51,760 to roll very well down the road and 375 00:15:51,760 --> 00:15:53,280 that's where we're heading. I can see 376 00:15:53,280 --> 00:15:55,320 what's happening. There's so much things 377 00:15:55,320 --> 00:15:58,040 that have to be done or are are just not 378 00:15:58,040 --> 00:16:00,800 being done and the bottom line though 379 00:16:00,800 --> 00:16:02,120 and I'm going to give you all a copy of 380 00:16:02,120 --> 00:16:04,680 this. Please look at these numbers. 381 00:16:04,680 --> 00:16:07,440 I have it all the line items out of the 382 00:16:07,440 --> 00:16:09,600 budgets. It's there so this isn't made 383 00:16:09,600 --> 00:16:11,760 up or anything and I want you to please 384 00:16:11,760 --> 00:16:15,040 look at these and we were generating 385 00:16:15,040 --> 00:16:17,040 revenue out of the waste department. 386 00:16:17,040 --> 00:16:18,480 That shouldn't be. It shouldn't be a 387 00:16:18,480 --> 00:16:20,640 money making thing. That's for sure. 388 00:16:20,640 --> 00:16:22,600 That's not what it's about and we should 389 00:16:22,600 --> 00:16:24,400 be funding other departments with money 390 00:16:24,400 --> 00:16:26,640 that should be used for trash. So now 391 00:16:26,640 --> 00:16:28,800 we're talking about maybe a capital 392 00:16:28,800 --> 00:16:31,959 expense to buy cans and cans last week 393 00:16:31,959 --> 00:16:33,600 it was windy in Bellevue. I'm going to 394 00:16:33,600 --> 00:16:35,200 tell you and I think one or two council 395 00:16:35,200 --> 00:16:37,000 members they were on it. They were 396 00:16:37,000 --> 00:16:39,839 blowing all over the road. Some people 397 00:16:39,839 --> 00:16:41,360 they're working they can't bring them in 398 00:16:41,360 --> 00:16:43,240 right away or some people don't bring 399 00:16:43,240 --> 00:16:44,560 them in anyhow. They'll leave it out 400 00:16:44,560 --> 00:16:46,400 there for two or three days. So these 401 00:16:46,400 --> 00:16:48,280 are all things to consider. Don't 402 00:16:48,280 --> 00:16:50,440 reinvent the wheel. I don't have any 403 00:16:50,440 --> 00:16:52,600 access to my backyard in the winter time 404 00:16:52,600 --> 00:16:54,959 so a can for me I have no way of getting 405 00:16:54,959 --> 00:16:57,000 it out front again. I have a can on my 406 00:16:57,000 --> 00:16:58,680 back porch. I take the bag out and I 407 00:16:58,680 --> 00:17:00,520 bring it out front. That's what I do. 408 00:17:00,520 --> 00:17:02,320 Wouldn't I'm sure I'm not the only one 409 00:17:02,320 --> 00:17:04,480 like that. I'm 80 years old. You know I 410 00:17:04,480 --> 00:17:05,959 can't keep doing this and I'm not going 411 00:17:05,959 --> 00:17:08,040 to be dragging I can't make a path to my 412 00:17:08,040 --> 00:17:09,920 backyard cuz I have no way to get back 413 00:17:09,920 --> 00:17:11,160 there. I need you to summarize. 414 00:17:11,160 --> 00:17:13,040 >> Okay. Well I'm going to hand you this 415 00:17:13,040 --> 00:17:15,439 and please I did a lot of work on it. 416 00:17:15,439 --> 00:17:17,240 Please look it over and see what you 417 00:17:17,240 --> 00:17:19,120 think. Thank you. 418 00:17:19,120 --> 00:17:22,920 for your time. Thank you. 419 00:17:22,920 --> 00:17:30,110 Ms. Kelly Horton. 420 00:17:30,120 --> 00:17:31,600 Good evening. Thank you for the 421 00:17:31,600 --> 00:17:33,560 opportunity 422 00:17:33,560 --> 00:17:34,679 to 423 00:17:34,679 --> 00:17:36,840 come before you. 424 00:17:36,840 --> 00:17:41,160 Um I am here. I was evicted from my home 425 00:17:41,160 --> 00:17:42,679 this morning 426 00:17:42,679 --> 00:17:46,352 at 8:15 they kicked my front door in. 427 00:17:46,352 --> 00:17:46,840 >> [snorts] 428 00:17:46,840 --> 00:17:48,600 >> The sheriff's department. 429 00:17:48,600 --> 00:17:51,592 Um my dog is in the car right now. 430 00:17:51,592 --> 00:17:52,280 >> [snorts] 431 00:17:52,280 --> 00:17:54,320 >> And 432 00:17:54,320 --> 00:17:55,600 it was 433 00:17:55,600 --> 00:17:59,720 for unpaid taxes. I have the funds. 434 00:17:59,720 --> 00:18:03,400 And I'd like the opportunity 435 00:18:03,400 --> 00:18:06,000 for you to review 436 00:18:06,000 --> 00:18:10,590 my situation. 437 00:18:10,600 --> 00:18:12,320 And uh 438 00:18:12,320 --> 00:18:13,800 She's been trying to pay them for the 439 00:18:13,800 --> 00:18:16,920 last three to four weeks but they said 440 00:18:16,920 --> 00:18:18,447 she had to come to the meeting 441 00:18:18,447 --> 00:18:18,560 >> [snorts] 442 00:18:18,560 --> 00:18:20,520 >> get put on I've been trying to pay them 443 00:18:20,520 --> 00:18:25,560 since May of last year. I had 12,700 444 00:18:25,560 --> 00:18:29,080 dollars in checks mailed back to me from 445 00:18:29,080 --> 00:18:31,919 the tax department. Bank checks, 446 00:18:31,919 --> 00:18:39,919 certified checks so I'd say this conversation isn't in 447 00:18:39,919 --> 00:18:42,640 order. I want my home back. I I've owned 448 00:18:42,640 --> 00:18:45,520 it for 29 years. 449 00:18:45,520 --> 00:18:46,640 I understand that. If you wouldn't mind 450 00:18:46,640 --> 00:18:48,880 waiting till the end of our meeting. 451 00:18:48,880 --> 00:18:50,600 Yes. As I imagine other council members 452 00:18:50,600 --> 00:18:52,000 would like to talk to you talk to you as 453 00:18:52,000 --> 00:18:53,320 well. 454 00:18:53,320 --> 00:18:57,990 Thank you. 455 00:18:58,000 --> 00:19:06,110 Mr. Eric Johnson. 456 00:19:06,120 --> 00:19:07,720 Uh good evening. My name is Eric 457 00:19:07,720 --> 00:19:09,600 Johnson. I'm a resident of the city city 458 00:19:09,600 --> 00:19:11,040 of Schenectady. 459 00:19:11,040 --> 00:19:13,919 Mayor, honorable Council President and 460 00:19:13,919 --> 00:19:16,960 Council esteemed Council members. 461 00:19:16,960 --> 00:19:19,120 I'm pleased to be here today to talk 462 00:19:19,120 --> 00:19:21,520 about 463 00:19:21,520 --> 00:19:24,000 a few things. First just a order of 464 00:19:24,000 --> 00:19:25,480 business if it's possible to put your 465 00:19:25,480 --> 00:19:27,040 phone numbers on your web pages. I 466 00:19:27,040 --> 00:19:28,720 wanted to invite every single one of you 467 00:19:28,720 --> 00:19:30,560 to this cleanup and only a few of you 468 00:19:30,560 --> 00:19:33,200 had your phone numbers listed on it. 469 00:19:33,200 --> 00:19:35,520 And so you missed a great time on Wiley 470 00:19:35,520 --> 00:19:37,640 Street this weekend where we had over 20 471 00:19:37,640 --> 00:19:41,080 volunteers on Saturday and Sunday and we 472 00:19:41,080 --> 00:19:45,200 uh committed around 320 volunteer hours 473 00:19:45,200 --> 00:19:47,800 cleaning up the side of 890. 474 00:19:47,800 --> 00:19:50,000 Uh it's the second year in a row that 475 00:19:50,000 --> 00:19:51,880 we've done that and we had about 300 476 00:19:51,880 --> 00:19:54,120 hours last year. So, that's about 620 477 00:19:54,120 --> 00:19:56,480 hours of volunteer work 478 00:19:56,480 --> 00:19:59,680 over the 2 years time. After that last 479 00:19:59,680 --> 00:20:02,640 um cleanup in 2025, we came 480 00:20:02,640 --> 00:20:04,640 and requested that the city, the 481 00:20:04,640 --> 00:20:06,640 executive leadership, do something to 482 00:20:06,640 --> 00:20:08,880 mitigate the illegal dumping that occurs 483 00:20:08,880 --> 00:20:10,600 over the edge of Wiley Street, which 484 00:20:10,600 --> 00:20:12,640 continues to occur. 485 00:20:12,640 --> 00:20:15,320 There was nothing done about that. 486 00:20:15,320 --> 00:20:17,720 And I would love to see something done 487 00:20:17,720 --> 00:20:21,520 about that. I think our group I I'm with 488 00:20:21,520 --> 00:20:24,200 uh organization called One Schenectady 489 00:20:24,200 --> 00:20:25,840 and we're working on a a variety of 490 00:20:25,840 --> 00:20:28,160 problems, a a group group of um 491 00:20:28,160 --> 00:20:29,920 community members 492 00:20:29,920 --> 00:20:32,600 uh and garbage is one of them. I think 493 00:20:32,600 --> 00:20:35,240 that if uh there is desire to clean up 494 00:20:35,240 --> 00:20:36,800 certain parts of the city, we're 495 00:20:36,800 --> 00:20:39,680 certainly able to help facilitate 496 00:20:39,680 --> 00:20:41,840 organize organizing and we've created a 497 00:20:41,840 --> 00:20:43,600 good dialogue with the city for that 498 00:20:43,600 --> 00:20:44,960 cleanup. 499 00:20:44,960 --> 00:20:47,600 Uh but with regards to 500 00:20:47,600 --> 00:20:48,680 um 501 00:20:48,680 --> 00:20:51,440 the Wiley Street cleanup, uh obviously 502 00:20:51,440 --> 00:20:54,160 there was nothing done. We uh talked to 503 00:20:54,160 --> 00:20:56,760 neighbors and there's continued dumping 504 00:20:56,760 --> 00:20:59,480 uh by people from outside of that 505 00:20:59,480 --> 00:21:02,240 community. They take a brunt of the 506 00:21:02,240 --> 00:21:03,120 uh 507 00:21:03,120 --> 00:21:05,080 the burden of having a messy 508 00:21:05,080 --> 00:21:06,880 neighborhood due to this illegal dumping 509 00:21:06,880 --> 00:21:08,400 and it's often perceived that they're 510 00:21:08,400 --> 00:21:10,400 the people doing it, but that 511 00:21:10,400 --> 00:21:12,800 does not seem to be the case. 512 00:21:12,800 --> 00:21:15,400 Um 513 00:21:15,400 --> 00:21:19,320 I kind of So, there's 0.3 mi There's 514 00:21:19,320 --> 00:21:22,840 basically uh five city-owned lots that 515 00:21:22,840 --> 00:21:25,760 make up the continuity of that uh land 516 00:21:25,760 --> 00:21:27,040 where people are doing the illegal 517 00:21:27,040 --> 00:21:29,520 dumping and one private lot owned by a 518 00:21:29,520 --> 00:21:32,520 gentleman named uh Lewis Welcome on 519 00:21:32,520 --> 00:21:34,920 Eastern Avenue. And if we were to be 520 00:21:34,920 --> 00:21:36,960 able to segment those three part three 521 00:21:36,960 --> 00:21:40,040 segments of uh land that's mostly owned 522 00:21:40,040 --> 00:21:42,400 by the city and provide 523 00:21:42,400 --> 00:21:46,400 uh 0.3 mi of uh some sort of 524 00:21:46,400 --> 00:21:47,920 impenetrable 525 00:21:47,920 --> 00:21:50,160 thing, whether it's um 526 00:21:50,160 --> 00:21:52,440 concrete barriers for road construction 527 00:21:52,440 --> 00:21:55,680 or boulders or a fence. Um many of the 528 00:21:55,680 --> 00:21:57,520 neighborhoods neighbors there have 529 00:21:57,520 --> 00:21:59,200 security cameras. They're frightened to 530 00:21:59,200 --> 00:22:00,760 go interact with these people that are 531 00:22:00,760 --> 00:22:02,520 coming at night and I don't think we 532 00:22:02,520 --> 00:22:05,510 should have uh 533 00:22:05,520 --> 00:22:07,320 expect for them to put that burden on 534 00:22:07,320 --> 00:22:08,960 themselves. 535 00:22:08,960 --> 00:22:11,800 Uh so, I did put together a list of um 536 00:22:11,800 --> 00:22:15,040 all the parcels that are um 537 00:22:15,040 --> 00:22:17,200 that are involved and who owns them and 538 00:22:17,200 --> 00:22:19,960 what the linear footage is for each one 539 00:22:19,960 --> 00:22:22,679 of those three segments of barrier that 540 00:22:22,679 --> 00:22:24,200 would be needed. 541 00:22:24,200 --> 00:22:26,160 Uh and then did some costing just on 542 00:22:26,160 --> 00:22:28,880 based on chain-link fence with gates. 543 00:22:28,880 --> 00:22:30,280 And I know that money's tight for the 544 00:22:30,280 --> 00:22:31,920 city, so maybe there's options that 545 00:22:31,920 --> 00:22:34,280 would just prevent the 546 00:22:34,280 --> 00:22:36,120 um 547 00:22:36,120 --> 00:22:39,240 the narrow doers from doing the deeds 548 00:22:39,240 --> 00:22:41,080 that they do. And I'll need you to 549 00:22:41,080 --> 00:22:43,480 summarize. Thank you. That is all, but I 550 00:22:43,480 --> 00:22:45,720 would like to invite each of you in this 551 00:22:45,720 --> 00:22:47,880 room and on the council to a tour of the 552 00:22:47,880 --> 00:22:49,640 Electric City Community Grocery tomorrow 553 00:22:49,640 --> 00:22:51,840 at 5:30 at the back of the Wedgeway 554 00:22:51,840 --> 00:22:53,000 building. 555 00:22:53,000 --> 00:22:56,910 Uh and that is all. I'll just leave 556 00:22:56,920 --> 00:22:59,360 Thanks very much. Have a good day. 557 00:22:59,360 --> 00:23:01,720 Thank you. 558 00:23:01,720 --> 00:23:09,030 Dean Marabito. 559 00:23:09,040 --> 00:23:12,240 Good evening, uh council members. 560 00:23:12,240 --> 00:23:14,440 Um my name's Dean Marabito. I live in 561 00:23:14,440 --> 00:23:16,360 the city of Schenectady. 562 00:23:16,360 --> 00:23:18,000 Uh during the last city council 563 00:23:18,000 --> 00:23:20,000 committee meeting, Council President 564 00:23:20,000 --> 00:23:22,200 Williams brought up the topic of 565 00:23:22,200 --> 00:23:24,480 community composting. 566 00:23:24,480 --> 00:23:25,400 Um 567 00:23:25,400 --> 00:23:27,200 The Schenectady Community Compost 568 00:23:27,200 --> 00:23:30,720 Project was launched in 2013. 569 00:23:30,720 --> 00:23:32,520 And I feel it would be a great idea to 570 00:23:32,520 --> 00:23:35,840 expand this project to include more 571 00:23:35,840 --> 00:23:38,440 uh Schenectady residents. 572 00:23:38,440 --> 00:23:41,640 Uh composting food scraps is not a new 573 00:23:41,640 --> 00:23:43,160 idea. 574 00:23:43,160 --> 00:23:44,360 Um 575 00:23:44,360 --> 00:23:47,080 Humans have been composting food scraps 576 00:23:47,080 --> 00:23:50,400 for over 12,000 years. 577 00:23:50,400 --> 00:23:52,600 It's a fundamental human agricultural 578 00:23:52,600 --> 00:23:54,280 practice. 579 00:23:54,280 --> 00:23:57,520 Uh composting reduces landfill waste and 580 00:23:57,520 --> 00:23:58,880 emissions. 581 00:23:58,880 --> 00:24:01,400 Food scraps and yard waste make up over 582 00:24:01,400 --> 00:24:05,440 30% of what of what is thrown away. 583 00:24:05,440 --> 00:24:07,400 Food scraps in a landfill produce 584 00:24:07,400 --> 00:24:10,760 methane gas due to decomposing 585 00:24:10,760 --> 00:24:13,360 uh without oxygen. 586 00:24:13,360 --> 00:24:15,480 Composting plays a critical role in 587 00:24:15,480 --> 00:24:18,200 reducing this damage. 588 00:24:18,200 --> 00:24:20,560 Uh these are just a few of the positives 589 00:24:20,560 --> 00:24:22,200 of composting. 590 00:24:22,200 --> 00:24:24,880 And although there may be challenges to 591 00:24:24,880 --> 00:24:27,640 a community composting, uh the benefits 592 00:24:27,640 --> 00:24:30,840 far outweigh the uh the challenges. So, 593 00:24:30,840 --> 00:24:33,480 I urge the council to dig deeper into 594 00:24:33,480 --> 00:24:36,120 this situation and uh maybe come up with 595 00:24:36,120 --> 00:24:41,240 a plan for this. Thank you. 596 00:24:41,240 --> 00:24:52,630 Mr. William Rivas. 597 00:24:52,640 --> 00:24:54,960 Uh good evening, mayor and city council. 598 00:24:54,960 --> 00:24:56,679 Uh my name is William Rivas and I'm here 599 00:24:56,679 --> 00:24:58,200 tonight to talk about something that the 600 00:24:58,200 --> 00:24:59,760 city has been trying to solve for a long 601 00:24:59,760 --> 00:25:00,760 time. 602 00:25:00,760 --> 00:25:03,280 Trust between community and police. 603 00:25:03,280 --> 00:25:05,400 But I'm not here with an idea. I'm here 604 00:25:05,400 --> 00:25:07,200 with a proven model built right here in 605 00:25:07,200 --> 00:25:08,800 the city of Schenectady. 606 00:25:08,800 --> 00:25:10,920 It started years ago, not with policy, 607 00:25:10,920 --> 00:25:12,679 but with the people. 608 00:25:12,679 --> 00:25:14,840 In 2016 through Save Our Streets, my 609 00:25:14,840 --> 00:25:16,560 family and I, we launched Random Santa 610 00:25:16,560 --> 00:25:19,000 Drop-Offs, bringing gifts, food, and 611 00:25:19,000 --> 00:25:20,480 hope directly to families in our 612 00:25:20,480 --> 00:25:22,520 neighborhoods and we made a decision 613 00:25:22,520 --> 00:25:24,360 that changed everything. 614 00:25:24,360 --> 00:25:26,040 We invited the police to be a part of 615 00:25:26,040 --> 00:25:29,679 it. Not for a photo, but for proximity. 616 00:25:29,679 --> 00:25:31,400 Because for many families, the only time 617 00:25:31,400 --> 00:25:33,120 they saw police was when something went 618 00:25:33,120 --> 00:25:35,320 wrong. But during those moments, 619 00:25:35,320 --> 00:25:37,320 officers showed up differently. 620 00:25:37,320 --> 00:25:38,560 And for some children, that was the 621 00:25:38,560 --> 00:25:40,440 first time police came to their home and 622 00:25:40,440 --> 00:25:44,400 no one went to jail. That matters. 623 00:25:44,400 --> 00:25:46,200 From there, we didn't stop at moments, 624 00:25:46,200 --> 00:25:49,000 we built a movement. In 2018, we rented 625 00:25:49,000 --> 00:25:51,080 out Bowtie Cinemas for Black Panther and 626 00:25:51,080 --> 00:25:52,920 asked the police department and the fire 627 00:25:52,920 --> 00:25:54,520 department to come out and sit with us 628 00:25:54,520 --> 00:25:55,720 and they did. 629 00:25:55,720 --> 00:25:58,240 In 2022, we did it again with an even 630 00:25:58,240 --> 00:25:59,760 larger crowd. 631 00:25:59,760 --> 00:26:01,880 In 2019, we held court in the streets 632 00:26:01,880 --> 00:26:03,320 when violence was at highest in the 633 00:26:03,320 --> 00:26:05,720 city, we brought real voices together in 634 00:26:05,720 --> 00:26:08,280 real spaces for very real conversations. 635 00:26:08,280 --> 00:26:11,000 Not to argue, but to understand because 636 00:26:11,000 --> 00:26:12,960 transformation only happens when people 637 00:26:12,960 --> 00:26:15,720 are willing to see each other as humans. 638 00:26:15,720 --> 00:26:18,720 No filters, no scripts because trust is 639 00:26:18,720 --> 00:26:20,360 not built in comfort, it's built in 640 00:26:20,360 --> 00:26:21,400 truth. 641 00:26:21,400 --> 00:26:23,400 In 2020 during the pandemic when the 642 00:26:23,400 --> 00:26:25,640 world was at its tipping point, we 643 00:26:25,640 --> 00:26:27,840 focused on bringing people together. We 644 00:26:27,840 --> 00:26:29,440 marched with protesters and Chief 645 00:26:29,440 --> 00:26:31,280 Clifford, which by the way, may have 646 00:26:31,280 --> 00:26:32,760 been one of the only police chief in the 647 00:26:32,760 --> 00:26:35,360 nation to walk with members in the 648 00:26:35,360 --> 00:26:38,360 protest and support our efforts. 649 00:26:38,360 --> 00:26:39,720 We partnered with Dane Jennings and 650 00:26:39,720 --> 00:26:42,240 Catapult Games, CCJ and local law 651 00:26:42,240 --> 00:26:44,200 enforcement, Senator around police 652 00:26:44,200 --> 00:26:46,400 de-escalation software and brought about 653 00:26:46,400 --> 00:26:48,720 community conversations that lasted over 654 00:26:48,720 --> 00:26:50,640 3 years. 655 00:26:50,640 --> 00:26:52,320 Then I asked an even bigger question 656 00:26:52,320 --> 00:26:54,240 during the reform and Chief Clifford and 657 00:26:54,240 --> 00:26:56,280 Mayor McCarthy supported. 658 00:26:56,280 --> 00:26:57,760 My question was, what if the community 659 00:26:57,760 --> 00:27:00,000 didn't just talk about policing? What if 660 00:27:00,000 --> 00:27:02,240 they helped shape it? So, the community 661 00:27:02,240 --> 00:27:04,360 police new hire panel was created, the 662 00:27:04,360 --> 00:27:06,480 first of its kind across the nation, 663 00:27:06,480 --> 00:27:08,520 which brought about national press in 664 00:27:08,520 --> 00:27:10,480 the interview with Soledad O'Brien and 665 00:27:10,480 --> 00:27:12,040 was mentioned Governor Cuomo's state of 666 00:27:12,040 --> 00:27:14,000 the state address. Also, we have an 667 00:27:14,000 --> 00:27:15,920 academic report that was done after the 668 00:27:15,920 --> 00:27:18,520 first 5 years by Finn Institute and we 669 00:27:18,520 --> 00:27:20,120 have a Union College senior thesis 670 00:27:20,120 --> 00:27:22,040 documenting this work and we're 671 00:27:22,040 --> 00:27:23,520 currently listed on the New York State 672 00:27:23,520 --> 00:27:25,120 Docs website. 673 00:27:25,120 --> 00:27:27,000 So, while I'm credited with the idea and 674 00:27:27,000 --> 00:27:29,040 implementation as its founder, it is 675 00:27:29,040 --> 00:27:30,600 only because of the trust built by 676 00:27:30,600 --> 00:27:32,960 everyone involved over the last 10 years 677 00:27:32,960 --> 00:27:34,760 that this has been successful. Mayor 678 00:27:34,760 --> 00:27:37,240 McCarthy, former Chief Clifford, current 679 00:27:37,240 --> 00:27:39,480 Chief Whipple, the entire Schenectady 680 00:27:39,480 --> 00:27:41,520 Police Department, City Council past and 681 00:27:41,520 --> 00:27:43,480 present, Jamaal Muhammad, Maritsa 682 00:27:43,480 --> 00:27:45,520 Martinez, Reverend William Hamilton, Ron 683 00:27:45,520 --> 00:27:46,640 Gardner, 684 00:27:46,640 --> 00:27:48,720 Kamau Kamali Brown, current City 685 00:27:48,720 --> 00:27:50,400 Councilman Justin Chaires, and current 686 00:27:50,400 --> 00:27:53,200 City Council President Carl Williams. 687 00:27:53,200 --> 00:27:56,000 We have given the residents a real voice 688 00:27:56,000 --> 00:27:57,440 in who gets hired to police their 689 00:27:57,440 --> 00:28:00,560 neighborhoods. Not symbolic, but real. 690 00:28:00,560 --> 00:28:02,120 That's not engagement, that's power 691 00:28:02,120 --> 00:28:04,480 sharing. And we kept building. Through 692 00:28:04,480 --> 00:28:06,480 events like the 518 Community Cup, we 693 00:28:06,480 --> 00:28:07,800 created spaces where police and 694 00:28:07,800 --> 00:28:10,360 community don't just meet in crisis. 695 00:28:10,360 --> 00:28:12,920 They connect in community as families, 696 00:28:12,920 --> 00:28:15,200 youth, officers together. 697 00:28:15,200 --> 00:28:16,920 So, what we've built over time is not 698 00:28:16,920 --> 00:28:19,200 just a series of events. It's a system, 699 00:28:19,200 --> 00:28:21,679 a step-by-step model for building trust 700 00:28:21,679 --> 00:28:25,000 from presence to conversation to courage 701 00:28:25,000 --> 00:28:27,480 to shared power to unity. I'll need you 702 00:28:27,480 --> 00:28:29,880 to summarize. 703 00:28:29,880 --> 00:28:31,720 In respect to the trust built over time, 704 00:28:31,720 --> 00:28:33,440 I believe it to be vital to have the 705 00:28:33,440 --> 00:28:35,360 voices of the individuals involved 706 00:28:35,360 --> 00:28:37,960 included in all conversations. Uh thank 707 00:28:37,960 --> 00:28:39,600 you very much. I'm thankful for your 708 00:28:39,600 --> 00:28:42,880 honoring in our work at this time. 709 00:28:42,880 --> 00:28:46,710 Thank you. 710 00:28:46,720 --> 00:28:52,790 And Ms. Maryann Porterfield. 711 00:28:52,800 --> 00:28:54,800 Good evening. Thank you. 712 00:28:54,800 --> 00:28:56,480 Uh good evening, 713 00:28:56,480 --> 00:28:57,880 Council President, council members, 714 00:28:57,880 --> 00:28:59,600 mayor. First of all, I'm going to take 715 00:28:59,600 --> 00:29:00,760 this down. I would just want to thank 716 00:29:00,760 --> 00:29:03,040 everybody that came out um for the 717 00:29:03,040 --> 00:29:05,960 cleanup on Wiley's Hill Street over 890 718 00:29:05,960 --> 00:29:07,080 uh this weekend. Thank you to One 719 00:29:07,080 --> 00:29:09,040 Schenectady for organizing it and to 720 00:29:09,040 --> 00:29:11,000 everybody that participated. It was 721 00:29:11,000 --> 00:29:12,520 quite the feat. If you drove down Wiley 722 00:29:12,520 --> 00:29:15,000 Street, the unbelievable amount of stuff 723 00:29:15,000 --> 00:29:18,080 that came from people dumping. So, it's 724 00:29:18,080 --> 00:29:19,600 This is the second year as was said by 725 00:29:19,600 --> 00:29:21,440 Mr. um 726 00:29:21,440 --> 00:29:23,320 by Eric Johnson, that this is the second 727 00:29:23,320 --> 00:29:25,040 year it happens and so it continually 728 00:29:25,040 --> 00:29:26,280 happens, but we shouldn't have to 729 00:29:26,280 --> 00:29:28,360 continue to do that. So, what he has 730 00:29:28,360 --> 00:29:31,159 presented and what I support and with 731 00:29:31,159 --> 00:29:32,919 engaging the neighborhood as well, is 732 00:29:32,919 --> 00:29:34,720 that we have a more permanent solution 733 00:29:34,720 --> 00:29:37,159 to this problem. Last year, we asked for 734 00:29:37,159 --> 00:29:37,880 um 735 00:29:37,880 --> 00:29:40,040 a fence, but that didn't happen. This 736 00:29:40,040 --> 00:29:41,120 year, I talked to neighbors, they're 737 00:29:41,120 --> 00:29:43,080 asking for fencing. They're also asking 738 00:29:43,080 --> 00:29:46,040 for um cameras to be put up so that this 739 00:29:46,040 --> 00:29:47,800 doesn't continually happen cuz yes, 740 00:29:47,800 --> 00:29:49,560 people will come and clean it up, but if 741 00:29:49,560 --> 00:29:51,280 we didn't have to do that, that would 742 00:29:51,280 --> 00:29:53,360 just be ideal and it just would make our 743 00:29:53,360 --> 00:29:55,280 community much cleaner. If you drive 744 00:29:55,280 --> 00:29:57,360 down 890 and you look, 745 00:29:57,360 --> 00:29:58,840 you can see how bad it looks just 746 00:29:58,840 --> 00:30:00,640 driving down 890, which is an entrance 747 00:30:00,640 --> 00:30:02,720 into our city. Um one of the things we 748 00:30:02,720 --> 00:30:04,000 talked about and I would certainly like 749 00:30:04,000 --> 00:30:06,280 to see happen is that we could put some 750 00:30:06,280 --> 00:30:08,880 barriers up until we come up with a 751 00:30:08,880 --> 00:30:11,280 permanent solution because what if we 752 00:30:11,280 --> 00:30:12,520 continue to do what we're doing what 753 00:30:12,520 --> 00:30:13,920 without waiting doing a permanent 754 00:30:13,920 --> 00:30:15,840 solution, then people will continue to 755 00:30:15,840 --> 00:30:17,640 dump. So, I would definitely advocate 756 00:30:17,640 --> 00:30:20,080 for that. Um so, you know, and thank you 757 00:30:20,080 --> 00:30:22,880 again for for Councilman member um 758 00:30:22,880 --> 00:30:24,560 Chairs and also Council President 759 00:30:24,560 --> 00:30:28,080 Williams for not only being there and doing the work, but also for 760 00:30:28,080 --> 00:30:29,680 listening to the other ideas of how we 761 00:30:29,680 --> 00:30:32,520 can do things things to move forward. 762 00:30:32,520 --> 00:30:34,440 I'd also like to uh just uh thank 763 00:30:34,440 --> 00:30:36,920 Councilman Wiggins for convening the 764 00:30:36,920 --> 00:30:39,520 Housing Stability Task Force meeting and 765 00:30:39,520 --> 00:30:41,480 for bringing forth information about 766 00:30:41,480 --> 00:30:43,080 what it's like for people who live in 767 00:30:43,080 --> 00:30:45,000 our community and actually consider 768 00:30:45,000 --> 00:30:47,400 hotels as their permanent housing. For 769 00:30:47,400 --> 00:30:48,800 bringing forward information on how we 770 00:30:48,800 --> 00:30:50,720 need to address this, how much money is 771 00:30:50,720 --> 00:30:52,280 actually being paid towards this, which 772 00:30:52,280 --> 00:30:53,640 really could be paid towards permanent 773 00:30:53,640 --> 00:30:55,760 housing. So, thank you for bringing that 774 00:30:55,760 --> 00:30:58,120 forward and for um convening the group 775 00:30:58,120 --> 00:30:59,400 and for looking forward to some 776 00:30:59,400 --> 00:31:01,120 solutions in this short time frame 777 00:31:01,120 --> 00:31:03,080 that's now been given um since you are 778 00:31:03,080 --> 00:31:05,560 the have been named chair. So, just 779 00:31:05,560 --> 00:31:07,120 wanted to thank you for that and also 780 00:31:07,120 --> 00:31:09,120 thank One Schenectady for already 781 00:31:09,120 --> 00:31:11,200 gathering the statistics that this 782 00:31:11,200 --> 00:31:13,320 committee needs in order to do it. So, 783 00:31:13,320 --> 00:31:15,080 um the work is being done. Thank you all 784 00:31:15,080 --> 00:31:17,080 for the work that you're doing and uh I 785 00:31:17,080 --> 00:31:18,640 think that together we can just make 786 00:31:18,640 --> 00:31:20,920 Schenectady the place we all um want to 787 00:31:20,920 --> 00:31:26,000 be here and live in. Thank you. 788 00:31:26,000 --> 00:31:27,040 I have no one else signed up to speak, 789 00:31:27,040 --> 00:31:28,440 so I'll declare public comment on 790 00:31:28,440 --> 00:31:32,550 general city business closed. 791 00:31:32,560 --> 00:31:33,720 At this time, I'll entertain any 792 00:31:33,720 --> 00:31:37,790 miscellaneous business from the council. 793 00:31:37,800 --> 00:31:41,430 Mr. Inger? 794 00:31:41,440 --> 00:31:42,800 Thank you, Mr. President. Uh I just want 795 00:31:42,800 --> 00:31:43,960 to thank everybody for coming out to 796 00:31:43,960 --> 00:31:45,320 speak tonight. 797 00:31:45,320 --> 00:31:46,960 Um I just want to highlight a couple of 798 00:31:46,960 --> 00:31:48,800 the neighborhood cleanups that are going 799 00:31:48,800 --> 00:31:50,040 to be happening across the month of 800 00:31:50,040 --> 00:31:53,560 April. So, BCNI is doing theirs 801 00:31:53,560 --> 00:31:55,679 April 18th from 10:00 to 1:00 at Jerry 802 00:31:55,679 --> 00:31:57,080 Burrell Park. 803 00:31:57,080 --> 00:31:58,800 Schenectady and the Environmental 804 00:31:58,800 --> 00:32:00,640 Clearinghouse will be doing theirs April 805 00:32:00,640 --> 00:32:03,200 18th at 9:00 a.m. 806 00:32:03,200 --> 00:32:05,120 The Stockade Neighborhood Association 807 00:32:05,120 --> 00:32:07,120 will be meeting at Arthur's Market April 808 00:32:07,120 --> 00:32:09,480 18th at 10:00 a.m. 809 00:32:09,480 --> 00:32:11,400 Uh BANA will be doing theirs Saturday, 810 00:32:11,400 --> 00:32:14,560 April 25th. 811 00:32:14,560 --> 00:32:15,840 And they're meeting at the Calvary 812 00:32:15,840 --> 00:32:18,080 Orthodox Church. Uh the Goose Hill 813 00:32:18,080 --> 00:32:19,600 Neighborhood Association is doing theirs 814 00:32:19,600 --> 00:32:21,560 April 25th from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 and 815 00:32:21,560 --> 00:32:23,440 they're meeting at Steinmetz Park. 816 00:32:23,440 --> 00:32:25,320 Engine Hill, they're meeting at Main Ave 817 00:32:25,320 --> 00:32:27,480 and Chrysler Ave parking lot 818 00:32:27,480 --> 00:32:30,360 April 25th, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. 819 00:32:30,360 --> 00:32:31,640 And the Upper Union Street Neighborhood 820 00:32:31,640 --> 00:32:33,200 Association is meeting at Bruegger's 821 00:32:33,200 --> 00:32:35,880 Bagel Shop on April 25th from 9:30 to 822 00:32:35,880 --> 00:32:36,920 12:00. 823 00:32:36,920 --> 00:32:39,320 And then to wrap it up, Mohawk Hudson 824 00:32:39,320 --> 00:32:41,800 Earth Fest is happening in Central Park 825 00:32:41,800 --> 00:32:43,679 from noon to 4:00. So, I invite 826 00:32:43,679 --> 00:32:45,080 everybody to get out there and to help 827 00:32:45,080 --> 00:32:46,520 clean up their neighborhoods. Thank you 828 00:32:46,520 --> 00:32:48,480 again, Mr. President. 829 00:32:48,480 --> 00:32:52,110 Thank you. 830 00:32:52,120 --> 00:32:53,520 Mr. Mayor? 831 00:32:53,520 --> 00:32:55,640 Oh, I'm sorry. Mr. Williams. 832 00:32:55,640 --> 00:32:56,920 Good evening, everyone. Thanks for 833 00:32:56,920 --> 00:32:58,800 coming out today. 834 00:32:58,800 --> 00:33:01,400 Um I just want to say um 835 00:33:01,400 --> 00:33:02,760 our first 836 00:33:02,760 --> 00:33:05,080 Housing Stability Task Force meeting 837 00:33:05,080 --> 00:33:06,640 went very well. 838 00:33:06,640 --> 00:33:09,679 The discussions was highly informative 839 00:33:09,679 --> 00:33:11,600 and I appreciate the knowledge and the 840 00:33:11,600 --> 00:33:14,760 expertise everyone brought to the table. 841 00:33:14,760 --> 00:33:17,040 This meeting confirmed that we have the 842 00:33:17,040 --> 00:33:20,560 right people in the room to make a 843 00:33:20,560 --> 00:33:25,870 meaningful impact for our community. 844 00:33:25,880 --> 00:33:29,760 As moving forward, let me be clear about 845 00:33:29,760 --> 00:33:32,960 what will what will and will not happen 846 00:33:32,960 --> 00:33:41,070 at meetings I chair. 847 00:33:41,080 --> 00:33:44,590 We are here 848 00:33:44,600 --> 00:33:46,840 to do a serious work 849 00:33:46,840 --> 00:33:48,840 and that requires discipline, respect, 850 00:33:48,840 --> 00:33:51,720 and and professionalism for every single 851 00:33:51,720 --> 00:33:54,880 participant. Side conversations, 852 00:33:54,880 --> 00:33:58,040 pre-meetings, chatters, and any behavior 853 00:33:58,040 --> 00:34:00,520 that distracts from the purpose of the 854 00:34:00,520 --> 00:34:03,320 task force are not appropriate and will 855 00:34:03,320 --> 00:34:05,960 not be accepted. I will not tolerate 856 00:34:05,960 --> 00:34:08,720 indirect actions, gestures, signaling, 857 00:34:08,720 --> 00:34:11,640 or anything meant to discourage others 858 00:34:11,640 --> 00:34:13,159 from contributing. 859 00:34:13,159 --> 00:34:15,640 That is unacceptable. 860 00:34:15,640 --> 00:34:18,280 When we enter the space, we are to come 861 00:34:18,280 --> 00:34:22,720 prepared as I was, to stay focused, and 862 00:34:22,720 --> 00:34:26,240 we conduct ourselves with integrity. 863 00:34:26,240 --> 00:34:28,280 This task force exists to serve the 864 00:34:28,280 --> 00:34:30,280 community and I will protect the 865 00:34:30,280 --> 00:34:32,320 standards required to do that. 866 00:34:32,320 --> 00:34:36,080 Professionalism is an expectation and I 867 00:34:36,080 --> 00:34:38,840 it will be held. 868 00:34:38,840 --> 00:34:46,270 Thank you. 869 00:34:46,280 --> 00:34:48,879 Mr. Mayor? 870 00:34:48,879 --> 00:34:50,480 Thank you, Mr. President. Apologize for 871 00:34:50,480 --> 00:34:52,760 being a few minutes late. Uh want to 872 00:34:52,760 --> 00:34:54,600 thank everyone who uh came out on 873 00:34:54,600 --> 00:34:57,200 Saturday also to do the Wiley Street 874 00:34:57,200 --> 00:34:58,440 cleanup. 875 00:34:58,440 --> 00:35:01,160 Uh we opened the golf course as Mr. 876 00:35:01,160 --> 00:35:02,840 Inger has outlined, there's a whole 877 00:35:02,840 --> 00:35:05,280 series of uh neighborhood cleanups that 878 00:35:05,280 --> 00:35:06,960 are going to be happening 879 00:35:06,960 --> 00:35:09,280 over the next couple of weeks. 880 00:35:09,280 --> 00:35:10,920 Uh they're great efforts, but I would 881 00:35:10,920 --> 00:35:14,720 also ask people to just consider your 882 00:35:14,720 --> 00:35:16,760 own front yard, your own business. If 883 00:35:16,760 --> 00:35:19,280 everybody does a little bit, it makes a 884 00:35:19,280 --> 00:35:21,640 big difference across the city. And 885 00:35:21,640 --> 00:35:23,040 where we're seeing the warm weather 886 00:35:23,040 --> 00:35:25,600 today, it's uh at a little bit in the 887 00:35:25,600 --> 00:35:27,359 low 70s. I think it's going to get in 888 00:35:27,359 --> 00:35:29,960 the 80s next couple days. 889 00:35:29,960 --> 00:35:30,520 Uh 890 00:35:30,520 --> 00:35:32,720 it's good time to be out, uh pick up a 891 00:35:32,720 --> 00:35:34,480 little bit, and then make a difference 892 00:35:34,480 --> 00:35:36,160 in your own property and the city as a 893 00:35:36,160 --> 00:35:37,240 whole. 894 00:35:37,240 --> 00:35:39,640 Thank you, Mr. President. 895 00:35:39,640 --> 00:35:40,920 Thank you. I know I'm the only person 896 00:35:40,920 --> 00:35:42,120 that's standing between you and that 897 00:35:42,120 --> 00:35:43,760 nice weather outside, so I will be 898 00:35:43,760 --> 00:35:46,280 brief. Um heard a number of comments. I 899 00:35:46,280 --> 00:35:47,359 first would like to say thank you for 900 00:35:47,359 --> 00:35:48,720 everyone taking the time out of your day 901 00:35:48,720 --> 00:35:50,440 to either attend or to speak and share 902 00:35:50,440 --> 00:35:52,320 your thoughts. Um with regards to this 903 00:35:52,320 --> 00:35:53,760 trash throughout the city, I urge 904 00:35:53,760 --> 00:35:55,960 everyone to use our SeeClickFix 905 00:35:55,960 --> 00:35:58,000 platform. I know that that is often 906 00:35:58,000 --> 00:35:59,920 criticized, but sincerely that allows us 907 00:35:59,920 --> 00:36:01,920 to document. And if you are not getting 908 00:36:01,920 --> 00:36:04,560 any responses back, I urge you I heard 909 00:36:04,560 --> 00:36:05,640 uh the comment about ensuring our 910 00:36:05,640 --> 00:36:07,160 contact information is updated on the 911 00:36:07,160 --> 00:36:09,480 city website. We are your advocates and 912 00:36:09,480 --> 00:36:10,960 if you are not seeing a response, please 913 00:36:10,960 --> 00:36:13,240 reach out and use us as council members. 914 00:36:13,240 --> 00:36:15,000 Um there was also comments regarding 915 00:36:15,000 --> 00:36:16,840 trash and then our considerations or 916 00:36:16,840 --> 00:36:18,240 recommendation regarding a tiered 917 00:36:18,240 --> 00:36:20,480 system. I would have to disagree with 918 00:36:20,480 --> 00:36:22,240 not overcomplicating it. I think with 919 00:36:22,240 --> 00:36:23,800 the understanding that this is a 920 00:36:23,800 --> 00:36:25,720 historical issue that we've dealt with 921 00:36:25,720 --> 00:36:26,840 throughout the city of Schenectady and I 922 00:36:26,840 --> 00:36:29,280 don't think it's at the expense of no 923 00:36:29,280 --> 00:36:31,400 one's consideration to addressing it. I 924 00:36:31,400 --> 00:36:33,200 think with this council, we have truly 925 00:36:33,200 --> 00:36:35,480 made a number of headways and by our 926 00:36:35,480 --> 00:36:37,000 upcoming committee meeting next week, 927 00:36:37,000 --> 00:36:38,080 I'm confident that we will be well 928 00:36:38,080 --> 00:36:41,200 positioned to make a recommendation. Um 929 00:36:41,200 --> 00:36:42,320 with that, 930 00:36:42,320 --> 00:36:44,480 I'd also like to urge uh Ms. Horton and 931 00:36:44,480 --> 00:36:46,359 anyone else that has experienced uh 932 00:36:46,359 --> 00:36:48,120 foreclosures on their properties to 933 00:36:48,120 --> 00:36:49,600 please make a point to come and share 934 00:36:49,600 --> 00:36:52,800 your opinion. Uh that is not uh to 935 00:36:52,800 --> 00:36:54,240 parade you around the public. That is 936 00:36:54,240 --> 00:36:55,480 just ensure that we have an accurate 937 00:36:55,480 --> 00:36:57,359 reflection of your issues and concerns. 938 00:36:57,359 --> 00:36:59,359 I'm sincerely please uh stay after till 939 00:36:59,359 --> 00:37:01,160 the end of this meeting. 940 00:37:01,160 --> 00:37:03,320 Um and 941 00:37:03,320 --> 00:37:04,840 I would like to also say thank you. I 942 00:37:04,840 --> 00:37:06,240 know uh Mr. Rivas came and spoke 943 00:37:06,240 --> 00:37:07,600 tonight, but he is not the only 944 00:37:07,600 --> 00:37:09,240 individual throughout our city that is 945 00:37:09,240 --> 00:37:11,240 doing the work, making a difference. Uh 946 00:37:11,240 --> 00:37:12,760 truly, I'd like to give my sincerest 947 00:37:12,760 --> 00:37:14,840 appreciation. I think often times people 948 00:37:14,840 --> 00:37:16,359 discredit the work of Schenectady just 949 00:37:16,359 --> 00:37:18,600 based on how things look, but if we peel 950 00:37:18,600 --> 00:37:20,359 that layer back a little deeper, there 951 00:37:20,359 --> 00:37:22,520 is a lot of change that is happening um 952 00:37:22,520 --> 00:37:24,040 and I hope that that will continue 953 00:37:24,040 --> 00:37:25,880 forward in the future. Uh so, without 954 00:37:25,880 --> 00:37:27,120 further ado, I ask for a motion to 955 00:37:27,120 --> 00:37:29,160 adjourn. So Moved by Mr. Chair, seconded 956 00:37:29,160 --> 00:37:32,320 by Ms. Williams. All those in favor? I, we are adjourned. Enjoy the rest of 957 00:37:32,320 --> 00:37:34,760 your night.