Schenectady City Council 08-24-26

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[1:44] Assembly, it's a call to order this grant to the city caucus meeting from Monday, August 24th. We have nine items for regional consideration. It's deputy clerk, can please read item number one item number one under original consideration, a resolution correcting a resolution 2026-138, which authorizes the sale of 1013 crystal avenue for 175,000 dollars. Discussing committee without objection on consent. Item number two. Item number two under original consideration, a resolution
[2:16] resolution correcting resolution 2026-141, which authorizes the sale of $31.10 Albany Street for $120,000.
[2:25] Discussing committee without objection on consent, item number three.
[2:28] Item number three under original consideration, a resolution recognizing Caribbean Day in the city of Schenectady.
[2:35] Discussing committee without objection on consent, item number four.
[2:40] Item number four under original consideration, a resolution authorizing the sale of 1659 Foster Avenue as a redemption after foreclosure.
[2:49] Discussing committee without objection on consent, item number five.
[2:53] Item number five under original consideration, a resolution authorizing the sale of 1002 Davis Terrace for $10,000.
[3:02] Discussing committee without objection on consent, item number six.
[3:06] I don't number six under original consideration, a resolution authorizing the sale of 1110 Chrysler Avenue for $110,000.
[3:14] Discussing committee without objection on consent, I'm number seven.
[3:18] Item number seven under original consideration, a resolution authorizing the sale of a vacant lot at 1001 Cutler Street for $2,500.
[3:26] Discussing committee without objection on consent, I'm number eight.
[3:30] At number 8, an original consideration, a resolution authorizing the settlement of the final claim by all state ASO Biggs, Darnell.
[3:38] Discussing the committee at the objection on consent, item number 9.
[3:41] Item number 9, under contract and supply, a resolution accepting the bid and awarding the contract for
[3:48] with a patrol Arthur chair's lane,
[3:52] water main extension to W.J. Keller,
[3:55] and Sons Construction Corp in the total amount of $109,321.
[4:03] Discussing committee with our objection on consent.
[4:05] If nothing more to come before the city caucus,
[4:07] I'd ask for a motion to adjourn.
[4:09] Move by Councilman Leverand,
[4:10] seconded by Councilman Inger, call those in favor.
[4:14] I'd like to call the order
[4:15] of the Snackley City Council meeting
[4:17] for Monday, August 24th.
[4:19] The indication will be provided by Reverend Dr. Ardu of the Glorious Church, followed by the Pleasure Allegiance by Councilman Anger.
[5:00] for the many years of going forward, but I pray today that you give more wisdom for
[5:06] progress in the name of Jesus. We think you will know that because you have a form of
[5:11] that. All the things that they have to confront in this city are stimulated and
[5:16] have prayed for wisdom and the name of Jesus, the wisdom that I want someone to be
[5:21] able to govern, I pray for their wisdom in the name of Jesus. I pray that you
[5:26] to sit there instead forward in each and every time, in Jesus' name. Thank you, my Lord,
[5:33] and my Lord, that in and from today's proceeding, so that in and even wisdom, in all the
[5:38] ideas that will be dealing with, and I can keep it, come on in and wisdom about, in Jesus'
[5:44] name, grateful wisdom of purpose, in Jesus' name. Thank you, my Lord, and my Lord, for
[6:15] If the deputy clerk completes complete the role.
[6:25] Mr. Chair, this is absent.
[6:27] Mr. Toro.
[6:28] President.
[6:28] Mr. Engert.
[6:30] Mr. Motivarin.
[6:31] President.
[6:31] Mr. Patrick, Ms. Wiggins, and Mr. Williams.
[6:37] Here.
[6:48] I will ask for approval of the minutes for Monday, August 10th.
[6:51] Moved by Councilwoman Patrick, seconded by Councilman Wudevearn, all those in favor.
[6:58] If the deputy clerk can please read any communications and petitions.
[7:11] Communications presented to the City Council for Monday, August 24th, 2026.
[7:17] Under official, there was one from the mayor, a list of appointments dated August 24th,
[7:22] 2026. Under general we have eight. First, from John Foley, an email expressing concerns
[7:31] about unsafe use of motorized bikes and scooters on sidewalks, bike paths and roadways
[7:37] and suggesting increased regulation and registration requirements.
[7:44] Second, from Tracy
[7:45] Collins, an email expressing concern that council members are referring to the King's Road
[7:51] stop signs as temporary, stating that Resolution 2025-203 does not designate them as temporary.
[8:00] Third, from Sarah Sikowski, an email supporting the stop signs on King's Road remaining in place
[8:07] for neighborhood safety. Fourth, from Howard Hallstedt, an email supporting the removal of the
[8:14] temporary stop signs on King's Road and Queen Philimina Boulevard, stating that traffic was well
[8:19] behaved before their installation.
[8:24] Fifth, from Jayden's point, an email submitting a letter
[8:28] from the Woodlawn Neighborhood Association supporting keeping the Kings Road slash Queen
[8:32] Philomina Boulevard stop signs in place, citing reduced speed and improved public safety.
[8:39] Sixth, from Jennifer Kelty, an email supporting keeping the Kings Road stop signs in place,
[8:45] stating that they have improved safety and reduced speeding. She also cited repeated
[8:50] extended accidents involving her relative's home and urges the council to consider the safety benefits.
[8:56] 7. From Clarence Fountain, an email requesting that the stop sign on Kings Road be removed.
[9:03] 8. From Kevin Brown, an email supporting keeping the Kings Road stop sign stating that it has improved safety during its 30 years,
[9:13] during his 30 years living at the intersection.
[9:17] And under petitions, there were none.
[9:19] Thank you.
[9:21] I'd like to call any council members for their committee reports,
[9:25] Councilman Dutorra.
[9:29] Yes, thank you.
[9:30] Although it is in a committee report, it is in the committee that I'm chairperson of the Public Service and Utility Committee.
[9:37] And I'd just like to remind a lot of letters have gone out recently to residents and businesses alike from the city,
[9:45] asking for us to focusing on clean drinking water and protecting our health and also reporting lead.
[9:53] So we need to identify what type of pipes are coming into our home.
[9:57] If you haven't received one of these letters or brochures, there's a QR code inside of it.
[10:04] You can always call Phyllis at the water department at 518-382-5023.
[10:11] three, we can go in, we can test your water, we can see what type of pipes you have,
[10:17] your drinking pipes, the goal is to get rid of all the lead pipes within our homes.
[10:24] So it's a safer drinking environment.
[10:26] I'd also like to just report that there was a minor incident today, this evening down
[10:31] at the waste treatment plant, it's connected to the fire department and PV, we're on the
[10:40] There was a small fire that was put out in the sludge rehabilitation or drying out procedure.
[10:50] That where Ramacardi has proposed an implemented here in the city through thermochemical techniques.
[10:58] So those are the only things, two things I have to report.
[11:01] Thank you for your patience.
[11:04] I will now entertain privilege of the floor concerning matters of legislative agenda.
[11:11] We have zero individual sign-up to speak, so I'll declare privilege of the floor concerning matters of legislative agenda closed.
[11:23] I will ask for approval of the legislative consent agenda, moved by Councilwoman Patrick,
[11:28] seconded by Councilman Wood-Avaren, all those in favor.
[11:35] I will now entertain privilege of the floor concerning general city business.
[11:38] we have nine individual sign up to speak.
[11:41] I'd like to remind the public that there are three minutes,
[11:45] the first of which will be Anthony Carrata.
[11:55] Good evening, Senator Councilor Mr. President.
[12:01] I was going to get my remark to an empty majority
[12:04] that's slowly taking place in the nation right now.
[12:08] That empty majority is what's happening inside
[12:12] Democratic Party.
[12:13] D.S.A. but there's Marxist socials gender which will hurt everybody, taxpayers and everybody.
[12:22] But in light of something that happened just last week, I feel I have to speak out and get my remarks.
[12:31] Before I say that, I'd like to praise law enforcement as law-by-sensitant, as team with support and respect all law enforcement officers.
[12:40] I like to praise our local law enforcement such as Albany and local FBI office with what
[12:46] they did last week.
[12:48] I understand the issues that people have, how law enforcement handled that, especially
[12:52] the undercover agents with the law enforcement.
[12:55] I understand that.
[12:55] I understand the issues with communities, have the law enforcement and I also go into the
[13:01] issues with the black cameras because last Monday I caught a video where residents talk
[13:07] about the surveillance issue with that.
[13:10] Now, I understand the privacy issue with that too
[13:13] with the fight cameras.
[13:15] Now, the fight cameras are used in law enforcement
[13:18] as a resource to prevent various serious crimes
[13:22] from occurring.
[13:24] Example, kidnappings.
[13:25] Now, before I get to see what I want to say with that,
[13:29] I also want a very serious issue that was made wearer
[13:34] by watching Fox News.
[13:36] on social media, as in TikTok.
[13:41] There have been people on TikTok,
[13:42] informed people on Halloween to dress up
[13:46] and destroy flag cameras,
[13:48] which will make law enforcement job
[13:50] a whole lot dangerous.
[13:54] Now the issue won't bring up as this.
[13:57] We are with in a couple weeks away
[14:00] from something that shouldn't have happened
[14:02] a Mariday history.
[14:03] My referring to is the 25th anniversary of 9-11.
[14:07] That should never have happened 25 years ago in the first place.
[14:11] We still have people and this nation making threats
[14:16] saying that this nation deserve 9-11.
[14:20] Just last week, local law enforcement,
[14:24] with the local FBI office in Albany,
[14:27] has stepped a 9-11 terrorist attack from my current.
[14:30] somebody there in the Albany had the audacity to try to do a 90-level tear attack on the
[14:37] capital. Now, like I said, for a vlog 4 and a few more days. Now, we need to ask a question
[14:45] because one, somebody could have the audacity to try to do it here in the city hall, not
[14:51] alone, other government buildings. Now, the main issue is where they put this individual.
[14:58] Do you need to put in your ear?
[15:00] the federal prison, then they put it in a normal count of jail, they put it here to sconect the count of jail. Now, on my issue with that is, you have
[15:08] a whole bunch of people working in the count of building, the courthouse, right there next to the jail. You have the same mission right across the street from the jail. You have the Salvation Army put the right across the street from the jail. You have
[15:20] a minister of housing, less than a black away from jail.
[15:23] Excuse me, I'll leave you to somebody.
[15:25] I'm sorry, we already enjoyed your dicks.
[15:27] I go outside my villain and I'm ready to pat your car straight to jail.
[15:31] You have whole bunch of civilians living right here,
[15:36] less than a black away from jail.
[15:38] What in the world was law enforcement thinking on a serious suspect and
[15:42] a jail when you got a bunch of civilians living less than a black away from jail?
[15:47] Your time is expired.
[15:48] Chair.
[15:51] Thank you.
[15:53] Tracy Collins.
[16:00] Good evening, Council members.
[16:02] Deputy Clerk's Corporation Council.
[16:05] I'm here tonight to speak on the issue on stop signs on King's Road.
[16:09] In reply to Ms. Kelty's email to the City Council, you stated that stop signs were put in
[16:17] in response to concerns of the residents and supported by findings of traffic studies.
[16:26] Why did you even waste money and time on traffic studies?
[16:30] I don't care how you made just your decision on the staff signs.
[16:35] I care about it in black and white, a resolution number 2025, 203 for
[16:43] staff signs adopted unanimously on October 27th, 2025, and approved by the mayor on October 29th, does not state temporary.
[16:52] So I am going to ask you again to please stop St. temporary, you are misleading the council, the media and the public.
[17:02] If you wanted temporary in the resolution, which is a legal document, you would have put it in there, but you didn't.
[17:11] Also members of this council, the mayor, the media and the police department, have multiple videos of this resident driving dangerously in running stop signs on King's Road.
[17:23] So before you make any decisions, please look at the police reports and speak with the police department.
[17:32] All
[17:35] accidents prior to the stop signs going up since then have been zero.
[17:43] Also, I want to know, two weeks ago, I asked for this resolution to be put into the minutes for
[17:48] two weeks ago, reading today's minutes from two weeks ago has not been admitted to the minutes.
[17:54] Thanks. Thank you. Have a good evening.
[17:58] Thank you.
[18:01] Sean Radigan.
[18:09] Hey, good evening.
[18:12] So I've been noticing all the new cameras that have been going up
[18:16] and how they look exactly like flat cameras.
[18:20] They've got the solar panel right above the actual camera.
[18:25] The camera is black. It has the same geometry.
[18:29] The only difference is the axon logo printed on there.
[18:34] The police department says that they don't use flock and dismisses the concerns of the public around these surveillance issues.
[18:42] And it's really, it's just a bit of sleight of hand, though, because the axon camera system used by the city police department is just a policy decision or a hardware upgrade away from being just as bad as flock.
[18:58] The Axon system is a bring your own equipment network, meaning that it integrates with devices of various makes and models and then centralizes all of that information in a cloud database.
[19:12] This cloud database is accessed by going to evidence.com.
[19:16] By storing all of that data in a cloud database, you can offload all of those AI processes
[19:26] processes to just like any co-processing, right?
[19:31] You can offload them to any large tech AI analysis.
[19:40] The city already has installed ALPR equipment under the brand of genetic, and that's like
[19:51] Like that already has the embedded AI co-processors just like the flock devices do and it would really just need a firmware update to start tracking pedestrians, exactly like the flock cameras do, right now today.
[20:08] I am calling on City Council to regulate the use of this technology as we've already been complacent in the awards of money and the deployment of the equipment.
[20:18] That surveillance is not safety, and surveillance has a chilling effect on how people experience the world.
[20:26] It's not just in criminal activity, but it's also like recreational and self-expression.
[20:33] And surveillance is just extremely important to address right now, and I implore you to regulate this.
[20:41] Thank you.
[20:44] Thank you,
[20:48] Anna Fulton.
[20:49] Good
[20:59] evening, City Council, and Mayor and
[21:01] his absence.
[21:02] My name is Anna Fulton.
[21:05] I resign at 987 Main Avenue.
[21:08] I'm here to follow up on my letter of July 27, 2026.
[21:14] And my appearance before the City Council on that day and on August 10, 2026,
[21:22] regarding the broken curve in front of my house.
[21:25] and the new sidewalk at the Trusco Bank on the corner of Crane Street and Maine Avenue,
[21:33] and also in front of my neighbor's house on Maine Avenue, all the way up to the steps.
[21:42] I receive a copy of the email from the City Council President, Mr. Carl Wim, sent
[21:47] to the City Engineer, Mr. Wal.
[21:50] But no response was received.
[21:53] My sidewalk remains the same as I explained in my previous letter.
[21:59] I drove by the corner of Craig Street and Strong Street, where the city was having some work done.
[22:06] There was a sidewalk there, but now it is black top.
[22:12] I don't understand the rules and regulation by city code why the contractor allowed to put down black top.
[22:21] And my driveway where I share with my neighbor, I had a concrete driveway.
[22:27] The city broke that up and put down black top.
[22:31] If you are trying to improve my neighborhood, why would you leave a broken down curve and
[22:39] the middle of new curves?
[22:41] It just doesn't make any sense.
[22:45] Please advise me as to what action will be taken to correct this matter.
[22:50] Mr. Mayor, it's been sale years and a fault.
[22:56] Thank you,
[22:59] Ellie Pepper.
[23:21] Good evening, Council President and City Council members.
[23:24] I have a few things I want to raise tonight.
[23:27] First, where are the nominations for the Civilian Police Review Board?
[23:32] Mayor Sadmari and Porterfield's name would be added to the list within two weeks.
[23:37] That was two full committee meetings ago, and we still haven't seen the nominations.
[23:41] This is an important board, if there is a reason for the continued delay, the council and
[23:48] the public deserve to know what it is.
[23:50] Otherwise I would ask that the nominations finally be brought forward.
[23:56] Second, I support the council addressing consecutive absences by council members.
[24:02] Being elected to represent people means being present to represent them.
[24:07] When a council member repeatedly misses meetings, their constituents lose their voice in discussions, decisions, and votes.
[24:16] The initial proposal of three months with the possibility of requesting an extension requiring a supermajority vote seems reasonable to me.
[24:26] It allows for legitimate circumstances while recognizing that a council seat cannot simply go unrepresented indefinitely.
[24:35] It also seems more flexible and open than what already exists under state law.
[24:42] Finally, I want to say something about what I'm seeing in committee meetings.
[24:47] I don't understand why Mary and Porterfield continues to be criticized when she has not been on this council since 2025.
[24:55] Council members can certainly disagree with decisions she made while she was here.
[25:00] But at some point, the current Council has to own the decisions it is making today.
[25:06] And I have a similar concern about the repeated questioning of Council Member Wiggins over
[25:13] the Housing Task Force report asking questions is part of the job.
[25:18] But when the same issue is raised meeting after meeting, at some point it stops feeling like
[25:24] an effort to get information and start feeling like an effort to challenge the person rather
[25:30] than deal with the substance of the report.
[25:33] There's plenty facing the city that deserves serious discussion.
[25:37] I would rather see committee times spent debating those issues, asking substantive questions
[25:42] and figuring out what comes next than repeatedly revisiting the same people and the same grievances.
[25:50] Disagreement is part of government, but it can be vigorous without becoming personal, and the focus should be on moving the work of the city forward.
[25:59] Thank you.
[26:10] Thank you.
[26:11] Michelle Hackett.
[26:17] Good evening, council members, council president Williams.
[26:21] My name is Mati.
[26:22] I live on Green Street here in Schenectady and teach yoga and meditation classes over at the inner bliss wellness center on one north church street.
[26:31] Last fall, with the support of one's connectivity, I began developing a change maker project.
[26:37] I call this project's Connectivity Steps Toward Peace, and have been offering both seated
[26:42] and walking community meditations throughout the city since last January.
[26:48] Connectivity Steps Toward Peace is both secular and nonpartisan.
[26:55] It was designed with the research from the Heart Math Institute in mind.
[26:59] HeartMath measures heart coherence, a state of relaxation that occurs when our breath slows
[27:04] down and sinks with a resting heartbeat.
[27:08] When we are in a state of heart coherence, we tend to feel peaceful and at ease loving
[27:13] and appreciative.
[27:15] The HeartMath Institute has shown that heart coherence is contagious and that a coherent
[27:21] person has the ability to help regulate others who may be experiencing stress or emotional
[27:27] regulation. Last January's connectivity steps toward peace began inviting residents to
[27:36] meditate and walk from Gateway Plaza to City Hall before each City Council meeting and
[27:42] it has continued to do so each month. Connected to the steps toward peace also offers
[27:48] peace in the parks where we meditate and walk through a different connectivity park on the
[27:53] last Sunday of the month.
[27:55] This month will be at Woodland Park,
[27:57] which happens to be this Sunday,
[27:59] August 30th, at three o'clock.
[28:01] And finally,
[28:03] Schenectady's Devsword Peace will be hosting
[28:04] a read dedication of the Central Park Peace Pull
[28:08] Tuesday, September 22nd, at 11.30.
[28:12] The Peace Pull was originally installed 15 years ago
[28:14] by Schenectady Neighbors for Peace Participants,
[28:18] Mabel Leone, and Bertha Kregler.
[28:21] A heart coherence meditation is offered at all of these events with an invitation to
[28:26] clear the mind, open the heart, to breathe in love and appreciation for everything that
[28:30] is right now, and to breathe out peace and ease to all that is in need of repair.
[28:37] It's meant to be a portable practice that can be used any place at any time and with
[28:42] anyone.
[28:43] In times of increased turbulence, I hope that these meditations can get us in touch with
[28:48] What small kind act could be our next best step as we build a more peaceful
[28:53] Schenectady, one meditation at a time. I thought it was time I introduced myself and
[29:00] invited you to our upcoming event so thank you for your kind attention and may peace prevail.
[29:06] So here are some flyers for you.
[29:20] Thank you. Eric Johnson,
[29:30] Council President, members of the City Council, distinguished staff.
[29:34] I am here to just talk about some of the clean ups that we've been doing around the city through once connected clean team
[29:42] This last week and on Saturday we were by miss Fuller's neighborhood at
[29:49] Crane Street and Main Street
[29:51] We had about 23 participants on Saturday morning for three hours and cleaned up quite a bit of garbage on
[29:58] Now pleasant we were able to
[30:00] We'll go up Main Street, Chrysler Avenue, up and down, Crane Street, and had a lot of fun in the process.
[30:07] Coming up, we've got, and I'd also just remarked that we've been doing monthly clean-ups now.
[30:13] This is our second year doing it. And next year we plan to do at least two clean-ups every month for the year, starting in April.
[30:23] but coming up we've got to clean up on September 19th on Union Street which will go from McClellan to Nott Terrace and then on October 17th on Albany Street from, again, Brandywine to Nott Terrace and then on November 7th from Brandywine to Nott Terrace.
[30:47] and we'd love to see more city participants
[30:51] and we've got the capacity to do more
[30:53] cleaning a good process for organizing,
[30:56] getting the word out and participation.
[30:58] So, just to invite the community out to participate.
[31:03] And as always, it's good to see the city council
[31:06] working together, so thank you very much
[31:08] for all the work that you're doing.
[31:09] Thank you.
[31:17] Thank you.
[31:19] Liz Hodgson's good
[31:31] evening.
[31:31] My name's Liz Hodgson.
[31:33] I'd like to speak about transportation.
[31:36] Affordable transportation is something that is so vital.
[31:40] Everyone deserves to get around safely, comfortably, and affordably.
[31:44] And the midst of both an affordability crisis and a claiming changing climate.
[31:50] It makes more sense to adapt our infrastructure, to expand affordable,
[31:55] accessible, and sustainable transportation options.
[31:57] Such as walking, biking, wheelchairs, scooters, e-bikes, motorcycles, buses.
[32:02] than to restrict a scourge and disincentivize affordable options.
[32:08] Everyone should be able to get to all points safely with choices of different modes.
[32:15] We need accessible facilities maintained so that everybody can get around year round.
[32:22] We need to expand protected bike lanes and shared use paths and we need additional bus service.
[32:29] Thank you.
[32:29] Thank
[32:36] you.
[32:37] Mary and Porterfield.
[32:46] Good evening, Council President Williams, Council Members.
[32:50] I'm here this evening to address remarks made by Council Member DeTorrell during the
[32:55] discussion of prolonged absences which occurred on August 17th, 2026.
[33:03] When the discussion began and she made her comments, she immediately went into a tirade about vacancies.
[33:09] She stated that this had happened recently when President Porterfield's time as Council
[33:14] President and on and on about a vacancy.
[33:18] Vacancies and absences is apples and cannonballs.
[33:23] They are not the same thing.
[33:25] However, the Council member took the opportunity to once again try to figure out ways to drag
[33:31] my name.
[33:32] I'm not really surprised about that by that.
[33:36] The way that this council member began her becoming a council member, let's me know
[33:42] the tone of what was going to happen from the beginning.
[33:46] And so I just want to tell some and remind others about the rally that took place on September
[33:51] 27th, 2021 on City Hall steps.
[33:55] And I'm going to read exactly from the newspaper article.
[33:58] a rally for four candidates of color for City Council in November shunned a fifth winner who is white in the June
[34:07] primary because she chose not to run with them as a team. I will repeat she chose not to run with them as a team.
[34:16] The event on Monday in front of City Hall highlighted how race is divided along how the race is divided along racial lines and it took on a
[34:25] physically combative tone. When a supporter of the shunned white candidate shoved a campaign sign
[34:32] towards connected democratic county chairman Joe Landry as he spoke in favor of a quartet of black
[34:38] and brown candidates. The rally was for incumbents Mary and Porterfield and council president John
[34:44] Muteverein and newcomers to money Farley and Carl Williams. Muteverein is guyanese and the other three are
[34:50] Black. As Landry louder them, Dave Ditoro shoved the campaign sign for his former wife
[34:55] during Ditoro at Landry. Dave Ditoro then had to be restrained. After the rally, Landry
[35:02] told the reporter he wasn't hurt, nor did he want to press charges, but it was very rude
[35:08] and very inappropriate Landry said to interrupt and physically touch another speaker. I want
[35:14] to add that when that incident occurred, we did not call the police, we did not press
[35:19] We simply moved on to do the campaign announcement that we were there to do.
[35:25] And I did at that time state that if the council, the person who was running for
[35:30] council at the time wanted to have a rally, they were welcome to have one of their own.
[35:35] But I just want to point out that was the beginning of that.
[35:37] So there's consistently, even though I'm not on the council any longer of bringing up things and
[35:42] bringing up things that are really out of context, is just consistent to what the behavior has been.
[35:49] She also mentioned that I lost my bid for re-election when she really gets at the point of the appointment.
[35:56] When she was talking about the appointment, again, and not absences.
[35:59] She mentioned that I lost my bid for re-election and therefore should not have been able to appoint a council member.
[36:07] Well, I believe that you served for the entire term from the beginning until the end.
[36:12] So, is she suggesting for the last seven weeks that I stay home, collect the paychecks
[36:17] and benefits and not serve, just be knowing I'm not going to be there, I say no.
[36:24] When I was elected, I committed to serving from the day I took my seat until the day my
[36:29] term was over and that is what I did.
[36:32] So it's unfortunate.
[36:33] It's unfortunate that I had to bring this up, but Councilmember continually tries to drag
[36:39] in things that aren't even true.
[36:41] So talk about legislation that actually happened in the way it happened.
[36:44] But don't take the opportunity to try to drag my name just for the purpose of dragging my name.
[36:51] Thank you.
[37:00] Thank you.
[37:01] I have no one else signed up to speak, so I'll declare public comment on general city business closed.
[37:08] At this time, I'll entertain any miscellaneous business from the council.
[37:15] Councilor Patrick.
[37:24] Still out of practice here, so thank you for the coaching there.
[37:27] here. So I just have a few comments. The first thing is I do want to address you all
[37:34] know that I now have the nickname of traffic queen thanks to all the work that I did over
[37:38] the last several years working on traffic safety issues prior to my absence from the
[37:46] City Council that was due to my stroke. And I just wanted to say that I'm still very actively
[37:54] really concerned about the speeding in particular that's happening across our city.
[38:00] Now that I'm back out and about, it never has stopped, we were successful at lowering
[38:06] the speed limit.
[38:07] I would remind people that our speed limit in most parts of the city is 25 miles per hour
[38:13] and I would ask that people start to really pay attention to that again, as well as the
[38:19] fact that I think any of us that are driving around the city can see that people are going
[38:23] through red lights, like there's no red lights that it doesn't exist.
[38:28] So I just wanted to remind people again to please pay attention to our traffic regulations.
[38:34] I also wanted to announce that Congressman Tonco is having a housing forum.
[38:41] It's actually tomorrow, August 25th, that is tomorrow, right?
[38:47] Yep, from 530 to 730 over at Schenectady County Community College,
[38:52] It's going to be sort of a resource and information fair and so there will be many, many community organizations there
[38:59] It's going to be addressing issues that affect us as homeowners affect us as tenants in the city of Schenectady
[39:06] So I just wanted to bring that to everyone's attention and hope that there's a good turnout for that.
[39:12] I also wanted to everyone knows how much I love music haven
[39:18] you know, I had been on the Health and Recreation Committee and responsible for our parks across the city for the last several years, and although I'm not in that position any longer,
[39:29] I do still, you know, I still volunteer for MusicAven, and it's still a passion of mine.
[39:34] We did have our last concert at MusicAven, and it was particularly we were honoring some of our volunteers.
[39:44] years, we were honoring Pete Benarek, who is from Wolf Hollow Brewing, you know, music
[39:51] haven is devoted to really bringing the world to Central Park, and by that I mean that
[39:58] the music at the concerts, if you haven't been to a concert at music haven, now you have
[40:02] to wait until next year, but the music is from all diverse cultures.
[40:07] The audiences are incredibly diverse and multicultural.
[40:12] It's really a pleasure to be there with a thousand or more people who are just celebrating our park and celebrating music.
[40:22] So I look forward to folks coming next year to music haven when we start up again.
[40:29] I think there is still one film left.
[40:33] I forgot what the film is.
[40:34] I can't remember what it is, but I missed Saturday night fever last week.
[40:38] I was pretty disappointed about that.
[40:44] Also, yeah, in terms of the, you know, I just remain supportive actually of, you know,
[40:53] the Woodlaw Neighborhood Association actually has reached out to us regarding the stop signs.
[40:57] We worked really hard to be thinking about what was happening on King's Road.
[41:03] we spent a lot of time talking about King's Road over the last, I think, a couple of years if I recall correctly.
[41:11] And finally, got some action on King's Road.
[41:16] So I know we've only received two emails against the stop signs that were added to Woodland.
[41:22] I just wanted to make sure that everyone knew that.
[41:24] The Woodland Neighborhood Association has definitely written to us and
[41:30] and advocated for us keeping those stop signs in place.
[41:34] But again, I want to go back to the issue of the speeding.
[41:38] I mean, really, all of our neighborhoods,
[41:42] we have complaints from people in all of our neighborhoods
[41:44] because people are ignoring our traffic safety rules
[41:49] and regulations across the city.
[41:51] And I'm sure it's happening in many places,
[41:54] but our concern is the city is connected.
[41:57] And I just really beg people to think about that.
[42:01] The more that we try to make our city more walkable, the more that we try to enhance our bike, bicycle paths, and do things to try to help pedestrian safety, as well as driver safety.
[42:17] It's just crazy that people are ignoring our traffic rules and regulations.
[42:23] I see my husband in the back and I know I am a backseat driver when we're together but I just beg people to please follow the traffic regulations and the speeding regulations and try to keep each other safe on our streets, whether you're, you know, if you're driving, because we want people biking, we want people walking, we need a safer city.
[42:49] And I want to thank Eric Johnson and the rest of the volunteers for the cleanups that they have.
[42:56] There you are, for the cleanups that you've been doing, it's really helpful.
[43:01] And it's also just great to see so many volunteers mobilized in this effort to help clean up our city.
[43:08] So I just wanted to do a shout out and thank you.
[43:10] Thank
[43:15] you, I'd like to also be in total support of the King's Road awaiting the report from the Schenectady PD.
[43:25] I already know that even though stop signs are not a curvature for speeding, speeding has slowed down because they have to stop.
[43:33] There's been no accidents or incidents since the stop signs have been installed on a permanent basis.
[43:40] I'd like to thank everyone for coming out this evening to talk and there's one thing
[43:45] I'd like to be very clear about.
[43:46] I'm not sure that anyone from on the other side of the rail can address me personally.
[43:51] I know in past under other president, they couldn't mention me by name or director comments
[43:57] to me, but I do want to be very clear about something.
[44:00] I know I've been characterized and criticized as being characterized as a critic of Mary
[44:08] important field and that is never my intention.
[44:11] Marion has every right to disagree with me.
[44:15] She has every right to have her own opinion and I respect that right and her opinion.
[44:21] My concern has always been the process.
[44:24] The appointment we are talking about was to fill a vacancy created by council member who
[44:29] resigned.
[44:30] That is very different from what we are discussing now.
[44:33] I understand that.
[44:37] Pardon me?
[44:39] Your comments need to be directed.
[44:44] Anyway, giving the Council the authority to potentially declare the seat of a sitting
[44:49] elected Council member vacant because of an extended absence.
[44:54] I understand the difference between those two circumstances I really do.
[44:57] I never got a chance to relay that to you.
[45:00] I'm going to read the other evening when you did ask me about that. But I do understand that. In the first situation, there was an actual vacancy because Councilman Mancini had resigned. And the Council had to determine how to fill that vacancy. My concern was the process we used. It was flawed. And I think we need to be extremely careful about giving elected officials broad discretion to decide who will occupy a seat that ultimately belongs to the voters.
[45:29] Again, these were things that I all said at the committee meeting.
[45:33] And I think it is fair to point out that when that appointment was made, President
[45:41] Portafield at the time had, again, had already lost her reelection bid.
[45:45] And would not be sitting on the council with the person being selected.
[45:50] So I respectfully questioned why someone would not be serving on the council should participate
[45:55] in interviewing, selecting the person who would.
[45:57] Again, that is not a criticism of mis-portafield, it is or not a personal attack, it is a criticism of the process which I thought was flawed.
[46:09] And now we are discussing a law that could potentially allow the council itself to declare an elected member seat vacant.
[46:16] That makes my concern about the previous process even more relevant because we have to ask ourselves who ultimately gets to decide who serves on the council.
[46:26] the voters or the council members sitting around the table and we know it's the voters.
[46:32] I believe that the answer should always begin with the voters and unfortunately finally
[46:38] I want to say this respectfully to council president Williams.
[46:42] Ms. Portafield is fully capable of speaking for herself just as I am fully capable of speaking
[46:47] for myself.
[46:49] I respect your friendship and your relationship with Ms. Portafield but I don't think every
[46:55] Every disagreement,
[47:00] every disagreement involving her needs to become something he has to, you have to defend.
[47:06] We can disagree about the facts and the process without making it personal.
[47:12] My intention is not to attack anyone.
[47:14] My intention is to make sure that when we establish rules that could affect an elected council's member seat,
[47:21] we think very carefully about the precedent we are creating and protect the integrity of the voters.
[47:35] That was that.
[47:38] I think that's all I have for this evening.
[47:40] Thank you.
[47:45] Thank you, Mr. President.
[47:47] Excuse me, one second.
[47:50] I just wanted to speak about the King's Road stop signs.
[47:55] I want to thank Tracy Collins for all the hard work he's done.
[47:59] You know, now we're seeing the stop signs go up, stop signs come down, stop signs go up, stop signs go down.
[48:05] I think the bigger conversation needs to be about safety.
[48:08] We're talking about e-bike regulations, we're talking about stop signs, we're talking about speeding.
[48:12] I think right now, the most important conversation we need to talk about is safety.
[48:17] In safety for all neighborhoods, not just woodland or goose hill or Bellevue, but safety in general.
[48:24] So thank you Tracy for all the information you've sent me, and thank you to the Woodland Neighborhood Association for sending over that petition.
[48:31] And just one comment I have quick to Mr. Toro's comments, you know, I do also agree that the voters choose who sits at this table, and that's why some of us are sitting here and some of us are sitting on the other side of the rail.
[48:44] So thank you very much, Mr. President.
[48:54] Councillor Moody Green.
[48:57] Thank you, Mr. President.
[49:00] You know, sometimes we have to sit back and wonder, are we going to move forward or are we going to go backward?
[49:07] For the last several months we have pretty much set our site to move forward and to work together.
[49:16] These simple things that we're disagreeing on, doesn't need to be prepared statement written by someone
[49:23] and should appear to read them, create more confusion within this council.
[49:29] My colleagues should be better off to do better.
[49:32] We need to work together.
[49:33] their simple disagreement with terms of who was appointed last year, every one of us
[49:41] have a right to solve our entire term.
[49:45] I was up for reelection last year, I could have lost my seat, but I have a duty to the
[49:49] voter who put me there in the last term to complete my term, the 31st December at 12 midnight.
[49:57] That's when my terms end and that's when I finish my work.
[50:01] So I'm not sure where we're going back and forth with this individual and if we are going
[50:05] to call resident name out and we're sitting here, we should expect them to show up there
[50:11] and call our name out and we should not have any disagreement or stop that from happening.
[50:16] If we want to stop that, let's be, let's be truthful to ourselves and let's be respectful
[50:21] for each and every one of us.
[50:23] It is sad that what is happening, what is starting to happen back in this console here,
[50:28] We have been eight months working together. Let's continue that.
[50:33] We don't need this back
[50:35] and forward. There are simple things need to address and let's move forward. We can agree
[50:39] or disagree, but let's be respectful. It is sad affairs that what is happening. We cannot
[50:48] continue this. We have a job to do. We have the serve of the resident of this city and it's
[50:57] mind-boggling, that we have seen over meetings after meetings that members seems to be going
[51:05] after resident, going after council. No, let's be respectful of what we do. I have enough
[51:11] of this and I have to speak out against it because I removed what happened last year when
[51:18] we were taking advantage of and I have to speak out against it.
[51:25] And police reporters file
[51:26] against me. A stupid, unnecessary police report is filed against me. It is okay at that
[51:32] time when members can do that. But when other members are trying to advocate and do what
[51:38] they feel is strong, they are being called out. Sad affairs.
[51:49] Thank you. I appreciate everyone that came out to speak. Truly, these positions are at
[51:55] the behest of the community. So individuals responding, they definitely have that right and
[52:00] in that privilege, I think what you were questioning,
[52:02] Councilwoman Ditoro was there in their ability
[52:04] to address you directly, and that is why the comments
[52:08] are directed towards the chair,
[52:09] which everyone this evening was doing and adhering to.
[52:12] I'd like to get into my comments and then respond
[52:14] to some of the general comments made today.
[52:16] I won't be able to attend Lieutenant Mike McGockelin's
[52:19] retirement this Thursday, but I'd like to say thank you.
[52:22] I've had the opportunity to work with him
[52:24] and his capacity to support the axon
[52:26] and also the drone program in the city's connectivity
[52:30] for a portion of his career.
[52:32] And truly I've come to know him
[52:33] as an honest and professional individual.
[52:35] I definitely wish you the best of endeavors
[52:37] in this next chapter of your life.
[52:40] Thank you, Councilwoman Patrick,
[52:42] from mentioning Congressman Tancu's event tomorrow.
[52:44] I'd love to see many of our community members present.
[52:47] It's an important issue around housing security
[52:49] and multiple different facets.
[52:52] I'd also like to announce that I remind everyone
[52:54] that school be going back into session. So ahead of our amazing academic school year,
[52:59] I thought it was an important quote to highlight from Arthur Ash, start where you are, use
[53:06] what you can, and do what you can. So truly as you welcome in the 2026, 2027 school year
[53:12] to all of our students, whether you are in the traditional or a university capacity, please
[53:18] put your best foot forward and you have a lot of individuals rooting for your success.
[53:22] Yes, in regards to some of the general comments, I'd like to highlight that the King's Road
[53:27] stop sign discussion originated from the traffic study as do many of our functions as a municipality.
[53:34] Truly this traffic data did not support any intervention.
[53:39] The council's determination from the leadership of formal councilman, Farley, was to put in
[53:44] place traffic signs, stop signs, excuse me, from place stop signs.
[53:48] And because we were unaware of its impact, there was always the designation of temporary,
[53:53] whether it was reflected in the resolution or not.
[53:55] I can highlight that the spirit of that conversation now would recommend individuals rewatch those proceedings to highlight it.
[54:00] Which is why I've continued to reference it as well as I will continue to do so.
[54:05] I think it's important to highlight that as we were intentional with addressing the needs of one resident,
[54:10] although amongst the neighbourhood continuing to hear individuals highlight complaints is also extending that same privilege to other individuals as well.
[54:20] And as there are new locations being considered, I'm one of seven votes, but I need to be intentional with my efforts as there's our council to ensure that we are going to continue in this permanency.
[54:31] and if this is a program that's going to continue throughout the city, I think there are other locations such as Rugby and Becker Street, we're wanting to ensure that these efforts were enhancing better behavior and not taking away from that, but essentially transitioning the problem from one resident to another, I don't think that that is appropriate, so I look forward to the conversation coming back to the council and the same spirited debate. I would like to see that at a committee meeting as well.
[54:57] With regards to surveillance cameras, I know we continue to hear a lot of negative pushback
[55:02] from communities around the nation, around flock cameras.
[55:05] I would like to acknowledge I had an informal conversation with Chief Wippel.
[55:09] I think at this point in time, there was some angst about what our capabilities can do, and
[55:15] we just need to be intentional to ensure that they don't extend to those seen exploitative
[55:19] services or responses that we've seen in other municipalities.
[55:23] So I'll be extending my conversation with him, keeping the council informed, and if there
[55:27] are any additional legislative means we need to make to ensure that there are proper
[55:31] protections addressing some of the privacy concerns throughout our community that we are
[55:35] responsive and not reactionary.
[55:38] Next, with respect to Ms. Fulton, I can follow with you afterwards.
[55:41] There was a response from Mr. Wallin, although it was not favorable, it did provide an outcome,
[55:46] and then we can discuss next steps forward.
[55:49] and then beyond that, I would like to highlight just the issue regarding the continued
[55:55] unacknowledgment of the NAACP nominations. It is truly frustrating from myself. I continue to see
[56:00] members from that organization present with their signs. You are not missed on myself. I will reach out
[56:05] to the mayor tomorrow to understand what a pathway forward will be. And then lastly, I would like to
[56:11] highlight, I had the privilege of fellowshiping with Friendship Baptist Church yesterday and of many
[56:17] messages from Reverend Lynn Hamilton. He just highlighted the need to put our best foot forward,
[56:22] and if you have a good experience, share that with others. So I'm not here to advocate for you
[56:27] to attend Friendship Baptist Church. I'm just here to share. I'm just here to share with you
[56:31] that I had a pleasant experience there. And in that same spirit of fellowship, we need to acknowledge
[56:35] that each of us as a council has various strengths and weaknesses. But if we continue to focus on one
[56:40] and not the other, that will be the nature of our discussions. And that will be what is presented
[56:45] to the community and we're better than that.
[56:46] We need to be better than that.
[56:48] So I'm confident in the work that we have done
[56:49] to our majority leader, Moody Verne's point.
[56:52] I know that there's still a number of months
[56:54] within the year, still remaining.
[56:56] We still have our budget ahead of us.
[56:58] I choose to focus on the good and the positive that we have done
[57:00] and work through the challenge and struggles
[57:03] with the confidence and straight forwardness.
[57:05] So definitely thank you for being partners in this effort.
[57:08] Our community is watching us.
[57:09] They expect the most from us.
[57:11] Let's continue doing the work.
[57:12] With that, I ask for a motion to adjourn, a little by Mr. McIverain,
[57:16] seconded by Councilman Wiggins, All's in favor.
[57:20] I, we are adjourned.