1 00:00:38,080 --> 00:00:45,440 Good evening everyone and welcome to the Troy City Council. It is 6:30 2 00:00:43,600 --> 00:00:48,640 and it is uh 3 00:00:46,320 --> 00:00:50,920 I'd like to call this public hearing to order. 4 00:00:50,040 --> 00:00:56,160 I would ask first that you please join me 5 00:00:52,840 --> 00:00:56,160 in the Pledge of Allegiance. 6 00:00:59,040 --> 00:01:07,640 » I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the 7 00:01:04,160 --> 00:01:13,920 republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and 8 00:01:10,920 --> 00:01:13,920 justice for all. 9 00:01:17,600 --> 00:01:22,080 » Clerk, would you please call the roll? >> Council member De Lorenzo? 10 00:01:21,480 --> 00:01:23,760 » Present. >> Council member Scrubber? 11 00:01:23,160 --> 00:01:25,720 » Present. >> Council member Spain McLaren? 12 00:01:25,200 --> 00:01:27,520 » Present. >> Council member Mackey? 13 00:01:26,960 --> 00:01:29,280 » Present. >> Council member Favreau? 14 00:01:28,720 --> 00:01:31,160 » Present. >> Council member Campbell Cohen? 15 00:01:30,640 --> 00:01:33,760 » Present. >> Council President Steel? 16 00:01:32,480 --> 00:01:36,840 » Also present. >> All members are present. 17 00:01:35,480 --> 00:01:40,040 » Thank you. >> Council President, I move that the 18 00:01:38,200 --> 00:01:44,120 council resolve itself into a committee of the whole for the purpose of 19 00:01:41,440 --> 00:01:48,680 conducting a public hearing. >> Clerk, would you please read the notice? 20 00:01:46,640 --> 00:01:53,560 » Regarding proposed local law amending the charter of the city of Troy by 21 00:01:50,360 --> 00:01:57,560 repealing and replacing section C-40 public emergencies to align it with the 22 00:01:55,440 --> 00:02:02,360 state of New York Executive Law, Article 2-B regarding emergency declarations. 23 00:02:04,479 --> 00:02:11,520 » The public hearing regarding local law number four is now open. 24 00:02:08,520 --> 00:02:17,040 Uh the rules of the chair are similar to the rules that we've followed 25 00:02:14,320 --> 00:02:20,240 for the two previous public hearings. Um 26 00:02:18,120 --> 00:02:25,200 we would ask that you come forward, give your name, place of residence. Please 27 00:02:23,040 --> 00:02:30,840 keep your remarks to no longer than 5 minutes. 28 00:02:27,840 --> 00:02:33,360 And I would uh invite folks to come forward. 29 00:02:47,760 --> 00:02:53,680 » Good evening, council members. My name is Frankie and I'm a resident of Troy. 30 00:02:51,800 --> 00:02:57,840 I'm here again to express my full support for local law number four, and I 31 00:02:56,200 --> 00:03:02,200 want to thank you one more time for preserving the public's right to speak 32 00:02:59,720 --> 00:03:06,760 freely on this topic despite the mayor's attempt to silence our voices. 33 00:03:04,880 --> 00:03:11,640 In my previous comments on local law number four, I lamented all the time, 34 00:03:09,280 --> 00:03:16,000 energy, and resources that have been squandered on Mayor Montello's 35 00:03:13,519 --> 00:03:20,560 fabricated emergency while Troy residents face the real-life crisis of 36 00:03:18,480 --> 00:03:25,480 economic insecurity. I highlighted actual emergencies like 37 00:03:23,440 --> 00:03:30,880 the struggle of ordinary citizens to afford food, housing, transportation, 38 00:03:28,480 --> 00:03:35,880 and medical care. But since the last time I spoke, we now 39 00:03:33,200 --> 00:03:40,440 know much more about those real-life emergencies. 40 00:03:37,480 --> 00:03:47,120 On July 23rd, New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli released a report on 41 00:03:42,880 --> 00:03:52,000 homelessness that showed a stunning 55% year-over-year increase in homelessness 42 00:03:50,200 --> 00:03:57,520 in the city of Troy and Rensselaer County combined, the third highest 43 00:03:54,600 --> 00:04:01,240 increase in the entire state. In my opinion, that is a real public 44 00:03:59,720 --> 00:04:06,720 emergency. At the recent 2026 State of Hunger 45 00:04:03,960 --> 00:04:12,240 Summit in Troy, the Regional Food Bank had one clear message. Food insecurity, 46 00:04:10,000 --> 00:04:16,079 especially among children, is on the rise. 47 00:04:13,440 --> 00:04:21,160 According to their data, roughly one in six kids don't know where they're going 48 00:04:18,760 --> 00:04:26,160 to get their next meal. I don't know about you, but that also 49 00:04:23,760 --> 00:04:30,160 seems like a real public emergency to me. 50 00:04:28,160 --> 00:04:35,080 So, homelessness in our area is increasing at an astonishing rate. 51 00:04:32,919 --> 00:04:41,720 Regional Food Banks are struggling to meet unprecedented demand. Children in 52 00:04:38,400 --> 00:04:46,400 our community are going hungry. And yet, no public emergency has been declared 53 00:04:44,160 --> 00:04:52,600 for any of that. I personally think these critical issues 54 00:04:49,280 --> 00:04:57,880 should be our city's top priority. Unfortunately, the mayor appears to 55 00:04:55,080 --> 00:05:04,680 think the most urgent issue in Troy is to bypass the council and pay an 56 00:05:00,440 --> 00:05:11,440 exploitative data broker 160,000 taxpayer dollars to surveil private 57 00:05:07,520 --> 00:05:16,240 citizens 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. And even though she paid that data 58 00:05:13,280 --> 00:05:21,080 broker over 4 months ago, the mayor has chosen to keep this supposed public 59 00:05:18,360 --> 00:05:25,560 safety emergency in place, which in effect puts it at the very top of her 60 00:05:23,840 --> 00:05:29,919 priority list. I can't begin to fathom the 61 00:05:27,440 --> 00:05:35,560 justification for that, but I'm hoping that the council's Article 78 lawsuit 62 00:05:32,480 --> 00:05:42,040 will provide us all with some insight. In the meantime, I ask you please get 63 00:05:39,320 --> 00:05:46,840 local law number four passed so we can stop focusing on the mayor's fake 64 00:05:44,160 --> 00:05:51,520 emergencies and get back to the business of serving the thousands of Troy 65 00:05:48,600 --> 00:05:55,880 residents, our friends and neighbors, who are facing real-life emergencies 66 00:05:53,920 --> 00:06:00,600 every single day. Please seal the deal on this law, close 67 00:05:58,600 --> 00:06:05,880 the loopholes, and let's turn our collective attention to finding real 68 00:06:02,960 --> 00:06:09,480 solutions to the very real problems that are plaguing our community. 69 00:06:08,200 --> 00:06:15,160 Thank you for taking time to hear my comments. It's appreciated as always. 70 00:06:12,280 --> 00:06:15,160 » Thank you, Frankie. 71 00:06:26,360 --> 00:06:32,560 » Good evening, Council. My name is Callisto. I live right down on Fulton 72 00:06:30,240 --> 00:06:36,800 Street. And thank you for all of your hard work on this issue that the public 73 00:06:34,720 --> 00:06:40,560 clearly cares a lot about. Our governing institutions function at 74 00:06:38,840 --> 00:06:45,120 their best when their participating bodies have their power restricted by a 75 00:06:42,880 --> 00:06:48,880 system of checks and balances, and when those participating bodies and 76 00:06:46,760 --> 00:06:52,480 individuals are engaging with the system in a good faith effort. 77 00:06:50,480 --> 00:06:57,360 Certain circumstances, like natural disasters or other emergencies, require 78 00:06:55,120 --> 00:07:01,520 the system of checks and balances to be relaxed to allow the executive to 79 00:06:59,600 --> 00:07:05,200 navigate nimbly in the interest in preserving lives and property. We all 80 00:07:03,600 --> 00:07:09,560 recognize that there are good reasons for carve-outs to exist, which 81 00:07:07,080 --> 00:07:11,919 circumvent some aspects of our system as written. 82 00:07:10,360 --> 00:07:16,560 The world is complicated, and our institutions should be fluid. 83 00:07:14,000 --> 00:07:20,919 An issue arises when that second thing about participating bodies or 84 00:07:18,360 --> 00:07:25,280 individuals acting in good faith doesn't happen. Our mayor has repeatedly shown 85 00:07:23,640 --> 00:07:29,080 that she cannot be entrusted with the responsibility of stewarding 86 00:07:26,760 --> 00:07:32,680 boundary-pushing executive power through her abuse of the law, which allows her 87 00:07:31,400 --> 00:07:36,880 currently to declare a state of emergency basically on a whim. 88 00:07:34,840 --> 00:07:40,240 She has declared, I believe, eight state of emergencies in the past 2 and 1/2 89 00:07:38,600 --> 00:07:45,000 years, with at least three of those instances being to specifically 90 00:07:42,200 --> 00:07:48,840 circumvent the uh legislative process which the city council is supposed to 91 00:07:46,640 --> 00:07:53,120 govern. Uh this most recently happened with the flood cameras contract which 92 00:07:50,800 --> 00:07:56,280 was as plain of an instance of executive overreach and executive abuse as I can 93 00:07:55,280 --> 00:08:00,000 imagine. Um so I fully support local law number 94 00:07:58,040 --> 00:08:04,680 four and thank you for continuing to take input uh uh continue to take input 95 00:08:02,680 --> 00:08:08,280 on these matters. We really appreciate it. Thank you. 96 00:08:05,440 --> 00:08:08,280 » Thank you, Kalista. 97 00:08:27,880 --> 00:08:37,080 » All right, one sec to get my phone up. Okay. 98 00:08:32,200 --> 00:08:41,640 Uh I'm Francis. Uh sweet. I'm in D6. Um 99 00:08:38,479 --> 00:08:46,440 I support local law number four. I think that it's high time that we get that 100 00:08:43,760 --> 00:08:51,680 passed. Um I know since she vetoed even this public 101 00:08:48,839 --> 00:08:57,200 hearing that she's inevitably uh Carmella is going to veto the law 102 00:08:54,440 --> 00:09:03,839 itself, but I know that you guys have the strength 103 00:08:59,560 --> 00:09:06,640 and power to override that, so we'll be I'll be here for all of those meetings 104 00:09:06,276 --> 00:09:11,200 » [laughter] >> and supporting. 105 00:09:08,360 --> 00:09:16,960 Um I just wanted to point out some discrepancies in 106 00:09:14,640 --> 00:09:24,120 in what the the mayor has said in the past versus her actions now. Um 107 00:09:21,240 --> 00:09:24,120 she 108 00:09:24,360 --> 00:09:34,160 has absolutely usurped the power of the legislative body as the executive. 109 00:09:31,160 --> 00:09:40,160 When she was council president she argued in favor of more power and 110 00:09:37,800 --> 00:09:44,320 oversight to the legislative body. But now that she's executive, that's been 111 00:09:41,800 --> 00:09:48,640 flipped on its head. Um, Flock is not an emergency. 112 00:09:47,960 --> 00:09:52,760 Uh, when Madden declared a state of 113 00:09:50,440 --> 00:09:56,000 emergency and she was up in arms about this, 114 00:09:53,840 --> 00:10:00,600 that it was taking away power from the legislative body, 115 00:09:57,720 --> 00:10:05,400 that was about necessary for life water supply. 116 00:10:02,000 --> 00:10:09,200 This is about a fun toy that Troy PD wants. 117 00:10:06,840 --> 00:10:13,760 It's not the same. This is not an emergency. 118 00:10:11,120 --> 00:10:18,520 And she needs to not be able to do this. Any mayor needs to not be able to do 119 00:10:16,120 --> 00:10:23,960 this in the future. When she was City Council President, she 120 00:10:21,720 --> 00:10:28,320 sent a statement to Madden criticizing him for what she said was, 121 00:10:26,080 --> 00:10:32,480 quote, "An attempt to usurp the powers of the legislative branch that is 122 00:10:30,120 --> 00:10:38,000 appalling and oversteps the coequal branches of government." I think that 123 00:10:35,240 --> 00:10:43,960 perfectly is a perfect example of what she has done. So, I support this local 124 00:10:40,760 --> 00:10:49,160 law and I hope you pass it and pass it again. Thank you. 125 00:10:46,280 --> 00:10:49,160 » Thank you, Francis. 126 00:11:01,560 --> 00:11:06,880 » Hello, everyone. Name is Briana Harrington. I'm in District 4, 10th 127 00:11:05,440 --> 00:11:10,120 Street. Yeah, just want to reiterate what 128 00:11:08,520 --> 00:11:13,960 everyone's been saying. Um, 129 00:11:10,880 --> 00:11:19,680 I support Local Law number 4. Um, appreciate it being uh in existence 130 00:11:16,920 --> 00:11:25,120 to begin with. Definitely a long time coming with a lot of the um abuses of 131 00:11:23,600 --> 00:11:29,800 power that have been going on consistently. 132 00:11:26,800 --> 00:11:33,920 Uh, I wouldn't be surprised if Mayor Montello actually declared a state of 133 00:11:31,839 --> 00:11:37,280 emergency about this local law number four. 134 00:11:34,880 --> 00:11:42,080 Uh, so we'll just keep that in the back of our heads because, you know, she 135 00:11:39,280 --> 00:11:47,360 loves to throw that around. Um, once again, as we all know, Flock 136 00:11:45,800 --> 00:11:52,120 it's a tool. It is a tool that is made by a very 137 00:11:50,200 --> 00:11:55,960 un-reputable company, as we've seen time and time and time again, that we've 138 00:11:53,600 --> 00:11:59,800 discussed time and time again. Um, many communities all over the 139 00:11:57,840 --> 00:12:05,120 country are canceling their contracts, as we know. 140 00:12:01,280 --> 00:12:11,160 And so, this definitely, um, does not deserve any sort of state of emergency 141 00:12:07,560 --> 00:12:17,080 or any sort of, um, you know, uh, payment without, uh, 142 00:12:14,160 --> 00:12:19,800 permission. So, again, thank you. >> Thank you, Briana. 143 00:12:31,640 --> 00:12:37,360 Does anyone else wish to address the council as part of the public hearing? 144 00:12:41,760 --> 00:12:46,640 Well, I want to thank all of you for your comments. 145 00:12:45,320 --> 00:12:49,520 They were heard. 146 00:12:48,040 --> 00:12:53,760 Um, and at this point, 147 00:12:52,040 --> 00:12:55,400 I would entertain a motion to adjourn the public hearing. 148 00:12:54,720 --> 00:12:58,400 » Motion. >> Second. 149 00:12:56,080 --> 00:13:00,560 » Council member McLaren with a second by council member Favreau. All in 150 00:13:00,000 --> 00:13:02,800 » favor? >> I. 151 00:13:01,320 --> 00:13:05,960 » Opposed? We are adjourned. 152 00:15:24,920 --> 00:15:27,000 » Mhm. 153 00:28:49,920 --> 00:28:52,000 » Mhm. 154 00:30:36,640 --> 00:30:44,720 » Good evening, everyone. Welcome to the Troy City Council. It is 155 00:30:41,080 --> 00:30:49,560 7:00. It is also the regular meeting regular August meeting 156 00:30:47,520 --> 00:30:54,520 of the council. Previously at our public hearing, we 157 00:30:52,160 --> 00:30:59,200 pledged allegiance and we called the roll. At this point in the evening, I 158 00:30:56,960 --> 00:31:04,640 would ask that if anyone has any comments on the agendas, 159 00:31:02,160 --> 00:31:08,440 uh which are at the back of the chambers, 160 00:31:05,880 --> 00:31:12,640 uh you're welcome to come forward. This this public forum is on agenda items 161 00:31:11,200 --> 00:31:16,640 only. There will be a public forum at the end 162 00:31:14,400 --> 00:31:21,000 of the meeting on any item, but at this point of the evening, it is 163 00:31:18,760 --> 00:31:26,240 just agenda items. Does anyone wish to address 164 00:31:23,440 --> 00:31:29,280 us on the three resolutions and one ordinance? 165 00:31:33,240 --> 00:31:39,600 Seeing none, we'll move right along with our agenda. 166 00:31:36,560 --> 00:31:44,200 Ordinances. Ordinance 32. >> Ordinance 32, an ordinance amending the 167 00:31:41,960 --> 00:31:46,760 2026 General Fund Budget, Council President Steel, at the request of the 168 00:31:45,680 --> 00:31:49,000 administration. >> Is there a motion? 169 00:31:48,200 --> 00:31:51,640 » Motion. >> Council member McKee. 170 00:31:50,800 --> 00:31:57,960 » Second. >> By seconded by Council member Struber. 171 00:31:54,400 --> 00:31:57,960 Discussion on the ordinance. 172 00:31:58,360 --> 00:32:02,680 All in favor? >> Aye. 173 00:32:00,160 --> 00:32:05,840 » Opposed? >> Seven ayes, zero nays, the ordinance 174 00:32:04,560 --> 00:32:12,240 passes. >> Moving on to resolutions. Resolution 77. 175 00:32:09,760 --> 00:32:15,720 » Resolution 77, a resolution accepting a grant from the New York State Division 176 00:32:13,800 --> 00:32:19,600 of Criminal Justice Services under the Give Initiative and authorizing the 177 00:32:17,440 --> 00:32:23,680 mayor to enter into a contract and execute documents related to the grant 178 00:32:21,560 --> 00:32:26,000 on behalf of the city. Council President Steel, at the request of the 179 00:32:24,760 --> 00:32:28,360 administration. >> Is there a motion? 180 00:32:27,400 --> 00:32:30,640 » Motion. >> Council member McLaren, second? 181 00:32:30,120 --> 00:32:36,920 » Second. >> Council member McKee seconds. 182 00:32:33,080 --> 00:32:36,920 Discussion on the resolution. 183 00:32:37,600 --> 00:32:41,600 All in favor? >> Aye. 184 00:32:39,440 --> 00:32:44,960 » Opposed? >> Seven ayes, zero nays, the resolution 185 00:32:43,600 --> 00:32:48,960 passes. >> I just want to clarify for those who may 186 00:32:47,160 --> 00:32:55,080 be wondering why this is moving along so quickly. All of these items were 187 00:32:51,760 --> 00:32:59,640 discussed thoroughly previously in our committee meetings. 188 00:32:56,760 --> 00:33:05,200 So, we're moving along rapidly, I guess. Resolution 70A. 189 00:33:02,800 --> 00:33:10,480 » Resolution 78, a resolution accepting a state and municipalities SAM grant in 190 00:33:07,640 --> 00:33:14,400 the amount of $125,000 from the New York State Dormitory 191 00:33:11,880 --> 00:33:19,320 Authority DASNY and authorizing the mayor to enter into a grant disbursement 192 00:33:16,360 --> 00:33:22,920 agreement GDA and execute documents related to the grant on behalf of the 193 00:33:20,920 --> 00:33:25,800 city. Council President Steel at the request of the administration. 194 00:33:24,800 --> 00:33:28,960 » Is there a motion? >> Motion. 195 00:33:26,600 --> 00:33:31,800 » Councilmember DiLorenzo, second? >> Second. 196 00:33:29,640 --> 00:33:35,520 » Councilmember McLaren. Discussion on the resolution. 197 00:33:36,080 --> 00:33:39,600 All in favor? >> Aye. 198 00:33:37,840 --> 00:33:42,720 » Opposed? >> Seven ayes, zero nays, the resolution 199 00:33:41,360 --> 00:33:46,840 passes. >> Resolution 81. 200 00:33:45,200 --> 00:33:51,360 » Resolution 81, a resolution to commemorate the 30-year career and 201 00:33:48,480 --> 00:33:54,920 contributions of the band Super 400 to the Troy community by designating the 202 00:33:53,080 --> 00:33:59,480 portion of Rensselaer Street west of River Street as Super 400 Way. Council 203 00:33:57,720 --> 00:34:02,600 President Steel, Councilmember Struber at the request of the administration. 204 00:34:01,480 --> 00:34:04,440 » Is there a motion? >> Motion. 205 00:34:03,240 --> 00:34:07,600 » Councilmember Favreau, >> Second. 206 00:34:05,200 --> 00:34:12,159 » Councilmember Struber seconds. Discussion on the resolution. 207 00:34:10,639 --> 00:34:15,639 We're we're going to be making a special presentation just following this. All in 208 00:34:14,760 --> 00:34:17,560 favor? >> Aye. 209 00:34:16,280 --> 00:34:20,800 » Opposed? >> Seven ayes, zero nays, the resolution 210 00:34:19,320 --> 00:34:25,320 passes. >> I would uh ask the members of the the 211 00:34:23,679 --> 00:34:29,960 band and uh 212 00:34:26,040 --> 00:34:29,960 their followers to please come forward. 213 00:34:56,280 --> 00:34:59,440 » I'm going to go ahead and >> Okay. All right. 214 00:34:58,080 --> 00:35:02,000 » All right. I'm going to go ahead and >> Come on out. 215 00:35:02,480 --> 00:35:06,920 » I think. >> Hi everyone. 216 00:35:04,840 --> 00:35:10,360 » Hello. >> Hey guys. 217 00:35:08,080 --> 00:35:14,880 » The balance is Move over so they can get you all in 218 00:35:12,720 --> 00:35:18,880 nicely. Some here, some here. >> They're great. 219 00:35:16,280 --> 00:35:22,760 » Move over there. See you. All right. We 220 00:35:20,360 --> 00:35:27,360 We have a special guest and I want to thank the council president. I want to 221 00:35:24,960 --> 00:35:33,960 thank the council. I know we have a lot of followers who are standing behind us. 222 00:35:30,520 --> 00:35:37,680 Meet Super 400 folks. Come on. Let's give them a shout, man. 223 00:35:38,080 --> 00:35:44,000 So this iconic 224 00:35:42,120 --> 00:35:48,680 local band and they plan to hopefully do a little 225 00:35:46,640 --> 00:35:51,200 song tonight, I'm told. No, I'm kidding. I won't 226 00:35:49,560 --> 00:35:56,040 I won't put you on the spot like that, but I got to tell you, man. 227 00:35:53,560 --> 00:36:02,000 These guys, they're in the capital region Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. 228 00:35:59,760 --> 00:36:07,080 Congratulations. They've been around for over 30 years 229 00:36:04,240 --> 00:36:14,840 and you know, I asked them, so why Rensselaer Street and I didn't realize 230 00:36:10,360 --> 00:36:19,320 it was the spot of your first gig, which is so so cool. 231 00:36:17,080 --> 00:36:26,160 They've been around for over 30 years. You have touched so many people's lives, 232 00:36:22,920 --> 00:36:29,080 not just through music, Um, but we all know 233 00:36:27,320 --> 00:36:35,760 uh, that Joe Mealy um, has a very special fundraiser for a 234 00:36:32,600 --> 00:36:41,800 son and I know all of you help lead the charge with Joe and I'd love to hear you 235 00:36:38,640 --> 00:36:47,480 talk about that, but suicide prevention and mental health awareness and you 236 00:36:44,320 --> 00:36:53,440 know, this band is a huge part of getting the word out for mental health 237 00:36:50,400 --> 00:36:57,160 awareness and we can't thank you more than enough from the bottom of our our 238 00:36:55,240 --> 00:36:59,520 hearts. So, thank you for that. >> Thank you. 239 00:36:57,680 --> 00:37:02,520 » And Carmella, can I also say a a personal 240 00:37:00,080 --> 00:37:05,200 » Oh, we'll we'll let you guys talk. All right. 241 00:37:03,320 --> 00:37:06,400 » the suicide prevention. Please. They've raised 242 00:37:05,680 --> 00:37:11,000 » No, here. >> They have helped my family raise at the 243 00:37:08,480 --> 00:37:15,040 Dustin Mealy Memorial Concert over $200,000 244 00:37:12,800 --> 00:37:18,440 for mental health initiatives supporting American Foundation for Suicide 245 00:37:17,040 --> 00:37:23,200 Prevention, uh, NAMI and Catholic Charities. 246 00:37:21,440 --> 00:37:27,720 Uh, you know, which has provided many 247 00:37:24,760 --> 00:37:31,720 programs and we've tried to make it as local as possible and I want to tell 248 00:37:29,600 --> 00:37:35,680 them how much I appreciate them. There's lots of other charities they've 249 00:37:33,080 --> 00:37:39,840 supported over the last 30 years. Uh, you know, but I'll let you 250 00:37:38,200 --> 00:37:43,680 » Go for it. Please. >> But thank you. Thank you. Can't tell you 251 00:37:41,760 --> 00:37:47,360 how much that has has done for this community, how much it's done for mental 252 00:37:45,480 --> 00:37:52,520 health awareness. When you have a band like this that plays year after year, 253 00:37:50,200 --> 00:37:58,440 it's not just their time for the concert. They also perform as Super 400, 254 00:37:56,040 --> 00:38:02,920 but they also allow us to have guest musicians um, 255 00:38:00,120 --> 00:38:08,000 and do backing for those bands. That takes time for them to rehearse and they 256 00:38:06,400 --> 00:38:10,840 graciously do it and I can't tell you how much I appreciate it. 257 00:38:10,040 --> 00:38:13,200 » Thank you. Thank you. 258 00:38:14,760 --> 00:38:17,200 Thank you. 259 00:38:17,640 --> 00:38:26,560 » And you know, I know many of us and many of the council um, are very connected 260 00:38:24,080 --> 00:38:32,320 not just to your music, but to your causes. Joe Mealy 261 00:38:29,160 --> 00:38:36,960 is a neighbor of many of ours over by Fair Park, and 262 00:38:34,800 --> 00:38:41,040 it's it's just something that the community comes out for not just 263 00:38:39,320 --> 00:38:45,360 annually, but all throughout the year for Joe and 264 00:38:43,800 --> 00:38:51,400 his family. I know Joe will be at the dedication, 265 00:38:48,280 --> 00:38:56,400 and we'll let's hope snow and give them a heads-up for the actual dedication 266 00:38:53,880 --> 00:39:03,960 ceremony for the sign where we're dedicating the street to Super 400 Way. 267 00:39:01,360 --> 00:39:10,360 You know, on a real positive note, I I must tell you. So, I had a real short 268 00:39:06,840 --> 00:39:14,800 stint with a band. They asked me to sing. 269 00:39:11,520 --> 00:39:19,480 And, you know, you you just hit the nail on the head. The work that went into 270 00:39:17,520 --> 00:39:27,480 that one song literally took weeks upon weeks, evening 271 00:39:24,400 --> 00:39:32,560 upon evening to get it right. And we were down at Billy's downtown. I don't 272 00:39:30,400 --> 00:39:38,160 know if you know, like that's where Oh, yeah. So, Donnas is there now. 273 00:39:35,760 --> 00:39:43,120 And Billy's from the East Side moved downtown. And so, long story short with 274 00:39:40,960 --> 00:39:49,840 the Baker brothers and a couple of other police officers, I sang a song. But the 275 00:39:46,160 --> 00:39:57,080 practice that went into that. So, to stay together for 30 years and practice 276 00:39:53,360 --> 00:40:03,080 like that and and work to that level and have that commitment really says a lot 277 00:40:00,080 --> 00:40:09,120 about all of you. So, I can only imagine the challenges, the obstacles, but just 278 00:40:05,920 --> 00:40:13,960 that reward to see people smile, to see people enjoy music. And, you know, folks 279 00:40:12,360 --> 00:40:19,920 should know we were talking about American Theater before we walked in, 280 00:40:17,200 --> 00:40:25,880 and you never know super 400 might be one of those live bands at American 281 00:40:22,080 --> 00:40:30,840 theater when it opens in February. Woohoo as not only 282 00:40:29,400 --> 00:40:36,240 a a movie theater but also live 283 00:40:33,360 --> 00:40:42,320 entertainment place things to that nature. So thank you super 400 for all 284 00:40:39,960 --> 00:40:47,760 the impact that you've had here in Troy in the capital region. Once we dedicate 285 00:40:45,360 --> 00:40:53,720 that sign and it's really going to be amazing. So we posted on social media 286 00:40:50,960 --> 00:40:59,280 and like friends from high school, you know, which is only I think like 15 20 287 00:40:56,240 --> 00:41:03,960 years ago for me. Haha. But friends from high school were messaging me and 288 00:41:01,080 --> 00:41:08,520 they're like, "Oh my gosh, super 400. They're such a great band." 289 00:41:06,240 --> 00:41:12,800 So we're just so proud of you. We have a proclamation which I'll read in a few 290 00:41:10,680 --> 00:41:19,360 minutes, but I know the council president couple councilmembers want to 291 00:41:15,080 --> 00:41:22,120 say a couple words. So congratulations. >> Thank you. Thank you, mayor. I'll do 292 00:41:20,760 --> 00:41:26,440 everyone a a service and not sing. I can tell you 293 00:41:24,360 --> 00:41:31,440 that right now. But you know, this is what makes Troy so 294 00:41:28,680 --> 00:41:37,760 very special is groups like Super 400 who go above and beyond 295 00:41:34,400 --> 00:41:43,000 and for that the council is very very grateful 296 00:41:39,040 --> 00:41:49,200 as I know many other folks are. But I'd like to turn the mic over to district 297 00:41:45,000 --> 00:41:55,440 two councilmember Strubing. >> Thank you. And thank you, Super 400. Uh 298 00:41:53,200 --> 00:42:00,720 I get to see all of you guys pretty often at the Ale House and around town 299 00:41:58,000 --> 00:42:05,840 and I'm just so grateful that you do what you do. I was introduced to Super 300 00:42:02,760 --> 00:42:08,560 400 the first time back in 2023. I was at the Eddies Awards. And so were 301 00:42:07,800 --> 00:42:12,200 you. Uh 302 00:42:09,680 --> 00:42:18,080 they won an Eddie that year. Um and it your music is 303 00:42:15,240 --> 00:42:22,080 easy listening, but also it opens up the community. It brings 304 00:42:20,160 --> 00:42:26,120 people together, and that's one of the reasons that bands like yours are so 305 00:42:23,840 --> 00:42:30,960 incredible to have locally. So, thank you for everything you do for continuing 306 00:42:28,800 --> 00:42:34,120 this for 30 years plus, and I hope to see many more of your shows. 307 00:42:35,960 --> 00:42:44,480 » All right. Without further ado, Council President Lion, the City 308 00:42:41,160 --> 00:42:49,720 Council, would like to read this. Let me Never needed these until uh 309 00:42:48,320 --> 00:42:57,080 years ago. So, whereas in February of 1996, Joe 310 00:42:53,520 --> 00:43:01,680 Daley, Lori Friday, and Kenny Hauman first played together in a rented 311 00:42:59,160 --> 00:43:07,000 rehearsal space at the former Van Heusen and Jacob's and Company Collar and Cuff 312 00:43:04,680 --> 00:43:13,080 Factory on River Street, and became known as Super 400 after that initial 313 00:43:10,760 --> 00:43:17,560 jam session ended. And whereas Super 400 continued 314 00:43:15,440 --> 00:43:22,680 rehearsing at the former factory while building a reputation as an 315 00:43:19,840 --> 00:43:27,320 extraordinary live band, and continued writing and performing for the next 316 00:43:25,320 --> 00:43:32,440 three decades, growing their fan base not just in the 317 00:43:29,720 --> 00:43:37,800 capital region, across the United States, Europe, and Canada, releasing 318 00:43:35,240 --> 00:43:43,200 five studio albums. Super 400 in 1998, Last the Message in 319 00:43:41,560 --> 00:43:50,480 2004, Three and the Beast in 2007, 320 00:43:46,400 --> 00:43:54,720 Sweet Fist in 2009, and Spirit in the Sound in 2026, 321 00:43:53,000 --> 00:44:00,160 this year. And whereas throughout their career, the 322 00:43:57,360 --> 00:44:06,200 members of Super 400 have also worked as studio and live session musicians in the 323 00:44:02,840 --> 00:44:11,400 US and UK, written soundtracks for top television shows, toward the northeast 324 00:44:09,240 --> 00:44:17,200 as the backing band for future Grammy winner Mike Ferris, frequently played 325 00:44:14,400 --> 00:44:21,160 local music stages, hopefully American Theater, 326 00:44:18,560 --> 00:44:26,840 uh collaborating with area musicians on a variety of projects, and appeared on 327 00:44:23,800 --> 00:44:33,880 national television. And whereas Super 400's first live album, Live 05, was 328 00:44:30,600 --> 00:44:37,760 partially recorded where else? The Ale House, one of the best wings in the 329 00:44:35,880 --> 00:44:43,200 capital region. And their second live album, 330 00:44:39,960 --> 00:44:47,920 2024's Live from Troy, New York, was recorded where else? Across the street 331 00:44:45,680 --> 00:44:52,640 at The Hangar on the Hudson. Uh from The Ale House across the street 332 00:44:50,240 --> 00:44:57,440 with both venues located on River Street as one block north of the band's 333 00:44:54,400 --> 00:45:02,560 original factory rehearsal space. And whereas in 2011, 334 00:45:00,160 --> 00:45:08,080 Lori suffered serious injuries in an automobile accident and was unable to 335 00:45:05,320 --> 00:45:15,000 tour. So, she and Kenny co-founded the Troy Music Academy with Graham Tichy, 336 00:45:11,560 --> 00:45:19,280 where for the last 15 years, they have helped to grow and celebrate 337 00:45:16,960 --> 00:45:24,000 the local arts community by teaching students of all ages. And whereas the 338 00:45:22,280 --> 00:45:30,400 band's been recognized for their accomplishments with Super 400 Day in 339 00:45:26,720 --> 00:45:38,160 Troy, first declared on February 25th, 2006 by then Mayor Harry Tutunjian, and 340 00:45:34,240 --> 00:45:42,560 again declared on January 19th, 2024 by your current Mayor Carmella Mantello, 341 00:45:40,680 --> 00:45:47,840 and by being inducted in the Capital Region Thomas Edison Music Hall of Fame 342 00:45:46,040 --> 00:45:53,040 in 2022. And whereas the members of Super 400 343 00:45:50,880 --> 00:45:58,400 have performed at countless local benefit concerts over the years with a 344 00:45:55,920 --> 00:46:04,320 long-time connection to the annual Dustin Mealy Memorial concert at Brown's 345 00:46:02,160 --> 00:46:11,040 Revolution, and during every live performance they always proudly proclaim 346 00:46:08,080 --> 00:46:15,520 that they are from Troy, New York. And whereas the westernmost end of 347 00:46:13,400 --> 00:46:20,200 Rensselaer Street runs along the north side of the former Van Zandt Jacobs and 348 00:46:17,680 --> 00:46:25,920 company collar and cuff factory, the place where Super 400 began its musical 349 00:46:23,560 --> 00:46:31,160 journey and one block from where they recorded both of their live albums. And 350 00:46:28,320 --> 00:46:36,960 whereas the city of Troy desires to recognize and honor members of our 351 00:46:33,320 --> 00:46:41,200 community who have made extraordinary contributions to the development of the 352 00:46:39,000 --> 00:46:46,680 arts and sciences and to the culture of the city as a whole. Now, therefore, be 353 00:46:44,360 --> 00:46:52,360 it resolved that in recognition and appreciation of the musical achievements 354 00:46:49,320 --> 00:46:57,600 of this quintessentially Troy band, Rensselaer Street west of 355 00:46:55,280 --> 00:47:03,400 River Street shall bear the honorary designation of Super 400 Way 356 00:47:01,000 --> 00:47:08,560 with an official dedication ceremony to take place in the near future. 357 00:47:06,440 --> 00:47:13,160 Be it finally resolved that this honorary designation 358 00:47:10,600 --> 00:47:19,120 designation shall serve as a lasting municipal tribute to Super 400. Be it 359 00:47:16,400 --> 00:47:26,440 finally resolved again that the city of Troy on behalf of its 50,000 plus 360 00:47:22,560 --> 00:47:32,600 residents extends our sincere gratitude to the members of Super 400 for all the 361 00:47:29,040 --> 00:47:39,320 years of the great musical entertainment and we wish you well, congratulations, 362 00:47:36,160 --> 00:47:41,800 and many more years ahead. Super 400 Way. 363 00:47:44,320 --> 00:47:50,480 There you go, sir. And we would love to hear from Super 364 00:47:48,080 --> 00:47:52,760 400. Let's hear it, folks. Let's hear it. 365 00:47:57,080 --> 00:48:03,440 » Um it's hard to know what to say really. That That was a great piece of reading 366 00:48:01,080 --> 00:48:03,440 there. 367 00:48:03,640 --> 00:48:10,520 Um, really all we ever wanted to do was 368 00:48:07,920 --> 00:48:14,640 to just make music together. And um, the fact that people started getting into 369 00:48:12,280 --> 00:48:18,920 our sound was just something that it was like 370 00:48:16,440 --> 00:48:21,440 icing on the cake for us. And um, you know, regarding the benefits and 371 00:48:20,200 --> 00:48:25,560 things it's really the least that we can do. If 372 00:48:23,440 --> 00:48:30,600 we have a a gift that we can share our music and it'll turn people on to the 373 00:48:28,280 --> 00:48:34,640 arts and a beautiful way of seeing the world, then 374 00:48:31,880 --> 00:48:39,960 we're happy to do that. And um, hopefully we'll just do it until our 375 00:48:36,200 --> 00:48:39,960 hands won't let us do it anymore. 376 00:48:43,760 --> 00:48:48,680 » I just want to thank you guys. It means a lot to us. I mean, just 377 00:48:47,080 --> 00:48:52,720 we're just a band, you know what I mean? We do the best we can. 378 00:48:50,360 --> 00:48:56,520 Um, we love the city. So, um, you know, thank you so much for 379 00:48:54,680 --> 00:49:01,038 everyone for doing something special for us. 380 00:48:59,018 --> 00:49:01,038 » [clears throat] 381 00:49:04,480 --> 00:49:08,920 » Me? >> All right, I 382 00:49:07,480 --> 00:49:12,520 » Introduce, please. Sorry. >> I didn't really plan to say anything. My 383 00:49:10,560 --> 00:49:18,640 name's Jim Meany. I've been friends with the band for 384 00:49:15,000 --> 00:49:22,800 uh, 20 years or so. Um, and so far this ceremony's been almost 385 00:49:20,600 --> 00:49:26,320 as long as a Super 400 show, if you got to see one. 386 00:49:24,080 --> 00:49:32,280 So, I'll try to keep it quick. Um, thank you so much to the city of 387 00:49:28,920 --> 00:49:38,320 Troy for doing this for the band. Um, I'm so proud of them. I love you guys so 388 00:49:34,280 --> 00:49:45,160 much. And I really appreciate the title Super 400 Way. It could have been Super 389 00:49:40,920 --> 00:49:49,560 400 Street or Super 400 Drive, but I like I like the sound of Super 400 390 00:49:47,760 --> 00:49:53,400 Way because it kind of makes me reflect on the way 391 00:49:51,000 --> 00:49:57,680 that these three move through life. And when you learn about what they've 392 00:49:55,720 --> 00:50:02,360 done over the past 30 years and what they've been through, 393 00:49:59,560 --> 00:50:07,200 the resilience, the love they have for each other and for this community, 394 00:50:05,040 --> 00:50:12,280 it reminds me so much of Troy. I'm not from Troy, but I spent a bit of time in 395 00:50:09,520 --> 00:50:15,520 Troy some years ago and I know how it feels here. 396 00:50:14,200 --> 00:50:19,280 And people hold their friends tight and they 397 00:50:17,720 --> 00:50:22,840 love each other. And 398 00:50:20,520 --> 00:50:26,120 when things get hard, they just keep their heads straight and keep 399 00:50:24,720 --> 00:50:31,120 looking forward. And this band just 400 00:50:28,680 --> 00:50:37,800 is the epitome of that. So, Super 400 Way is the Troy way to me as an outsider 401 00:50:35,000 --> 00:50:41,600 looking in. And um I'm so proud of you all and I'm so grateful to the city of 402 00:50:39,760 --> 00:50:44,160 Troy. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. 403 00:50:44,600 --> 00:50:54,040 Let's give it up, Super 400 Way, Troy grit. That's what you represent. Troy 404 00:50:50,280 --> 00:50:54,040 grit. Thank you. Thank you. 405 00:51:18,240 --> 00:51:23,840 All right, how about on three? Super 400 Way. 406 00:51:21,920 --> 00:51:27,560 » Here we go. 1 2 3. >> Super 400 Way. 407 00:53:38,400 --> 00:53:41,280 » Thank you all. 408 00:54:06,680 --> 00:54:16,120 » As our celebrities depart, I want to invite anyone who wishes to 409 00:54:13,400 --> 00:54:22,040 address the council on any item to please come forward. We ask that you 410 00:54:17,680 --> 00:54:25,480 give your name and place of residence. And try to stay within a few minutes, 411 00:54:24,440 --> 00:54:28,360 you know. I'm sorry, Jim. 412 00:54:29,360 --> 00:54:38,160 It is Oh. >> Hello. 413 00:54:32,720 --> 00:54:38,160 I need that. Jim Mouts here, District 5. 414 00:54:38,320 --> 00:54:44,360 Oh, thank you. I am a homeowner, 415 00:54:42,640 --> 00:54:49,520 taxpayer, voter. 416 00:54:46,360 --> 00:54:52,760 Uh I turned 70 today, so as you can imagine, I'm in a kind of state of shock 417 00:54:51,280 --> 00:54:56,640 here, okay? >> Happy birthday. 418 00:54:53,760 --> 00:55:02,240 » Well, thank you. I You know, I'm not thinking that I got any wiser, 419 00:55:00,320 --> 00:55:07,000 but I'm not thinking I got any more senile. 420 00:55:04,560 --> 00:55:12,280 But what I don't believe, and I don't prescribe to, 421 00:55:09,360 --> 00:55:19,160 is that the Flock safety devices were what made Troy's crime rate go down. 422 00:55:16,640 --> 00:55:24,120 My feeling is that it may have been 423 00:55:21,240 --> 00:55:27,320 fully or nearly fully staffing the police department. 424 00:55:25,920 --> 00:55:31,840 You know, I think that might have something to do with it. 425 00:55:29,480 --> 00:55:36,200 And I also have trouble 426 00:55:33,600 --> 00:55:41,840 dealing with Troy's government being dysfunctional, 427 00:55:39,880 --> 00:55:47,560 where we don't recognize the difference between the executive branch and the 428 00:55:44,600 --> 00:55:53,560 legislature branch. I think the legis- the council 429 00:55:50,600 --> 00:55:57,320 sets the policy and the mayor, the executive, 430 00:55:55,520 --> 00:56:02,440 is deemed to enforce that policy. 431 00:56:00,360 --> 00:56:09,520 So, my feeling that we need to get our 432 00:56:06,480 --> 00:56:13,600 emergency procedures in line with New York State, 433 00:56:11,360 --> 00:56:18,840 we do not want this sort of authoritarian 434 00:56:15,800 --> 00:56:22,160 thing to happen where the mayor can say, "Hey, 435 00:56:20,680 --> 00:56:26,640 I'm going to declare the state of emergency and do what I want." 436 00:56:25,560 --> 00:56:29,560 So, that's all I have to say. It's quick. It's easy. 437 00:56:28,600 --> 00:56:31,800 » Well, thank you very much. >> Enjoy the rest of your birthday, Jim. 438 00:56:31,120 --> 00:56:34,640 Thank you. >> I'm going to Francis and Frankie tell me 439 00:56:33,640 --> 00:56:38,080 they're going to take care of me. So, >> Okay, very good. 440 00:56:42,760 --> 00:56:49,120 » A little bit shorter than you. Um my name is Sylva Menard. Good 441 00:56:47,000 --> 00:56:53,800 evening, council members. Uh thank you for taking the time to be here on a 442 00:56:50,760 --> 00:56:58,320 regular basis this year and next year. Uh last week I tried to close my street 443 00:56:55,920 --> 00:57:02,360 for one day to finish a masonry repair and I got a different answer from every 444 00:57:00,040 --> 00:57:06,800 department I asked, including one from the police telling me to do the very 445 00:57:04,160 --> 00:57:10,680 thing that several days later code later said I had no right to do. 446 00:57:08,720 --> 00:57:14,640 Every person I dealt with was very courteous. The problem is that the city 447 00:57:12,880 --> 00:57:18,840 seems to have no permit for what I was asking and we send those employees out 448 00:57:17,120 --> 00:57:23,160 to enforce a rule that has never been written down. 449 00:57:20,160 --> 00:57:27,080 They were set up to fail and so was I. I hired Andrew Bakalakis to repoint the 450 00:57:25,360 --> 00:57:32,000 peak of my building four and five stories up and that took an 86-foot 451 00:57:29,480 --> 00:57:35,840 lift. Andrew worked for 3 weeks on the east side of that wall without closing 452 00:57:33,640 --> 00:57:40,160 the street once, and we needed one day to close the street for the west side. 453 00:57:38,160 --> 00:57:44,480 The width of the street, a tree, and a large stroop stoop directly opposite my 454 00:57:42,680 --> 00:57:48,120 house meant that we could not set the lift up on the other side to allow 455 00:57:46,000 --> 00:57:51,240 traffic to pass underneath. We didn't run out of time. We ran out of 456 00:57:50,080 --> 00:57:54,600 people who could tell us what the process was. 457 00:57:52,840 --> 00:57:58,640 Andrew was in conversation with the city for over a month and pulled two 458 00:57:56,160 --> 00:58:02,720 successive barricade permits. He never hid what the job required. When the lift 459 00:58:00,840 --> 00:58:07,280 was delivered, it took hours to walk that machine into position. With traffic 460 00:58:05,000 --> 00:58:11,040 backed up mid-block shortly into this process, the police stopped. They told 461 00:58:09,400 --> 00:58:14,520 us we had a barricade permit and that with it we should we had to close the 462 00:58:12,920 --> 00:58:18,640 street at the beginning of the block so drivers wouldn't get stuck halfway up. 463 00:58:17,120 --> 00:58:21,960 So, the police told us to close the street and they cited that barricade 464 00:58:20,320 --> 00:58:27,080 permit we were holding. Scheduling no parking signs weeks later 465 00:58:24,480 --> 00:58:31,800 for the west side of that north wall, where we did need to close the street, 466 00:58:29,160 --> 00:58:34,680 Paula at DPW dispatch told Andrew, "You've got a barricade permit. The only 467 00:58:33,320 --> 00:58:39,200 thing you need to do is provide your own blockade and sign." Andrew asked, 468 00:58:37,160 --> 00:58:44,600 "Really? That's it?" He asked again, "Are you sure?" And he 469 00:58:41,960 --> 00:58:48,360 was told yes twice more. I don't think Paula was careless. She answered 470 00:58:46,360 --> 00:58:51,080 confidently three times because nobody ever gave her anything that says 471 00:58:49,840 --> 00:58:54,800 otherwise. So, then Friday, July 31st, Andrew 472 00:58:53,200 --> 00:58:58,840 walked to the fire station to tell them the street would be closed and we moved 473 00:58:56,200 --> 00:59:03,320 the lift in before 7:00 a.m. Nobody had mentioned another process. The no 474 00:59:00,960 --> 00:59:08,480 parking signs were up. DPW knew what the plan was. And here's what we were told 475 00:59:05,280 --> 00:59:13,200 after that in one day. At 11:00 a.m., TBD and Chip from code arrived and they 476 00:59:10,920 --> 00:59:16,160 had no idea why the street was closed. Chip told us, "You can't close the 477 00:59:14,520 --> 00:59:19,920 street without a 911 dispatch notification and you can't put the sign 478 00:59:17,760 --> 00:59:24,240 north of the O'Neal parking entrance. Please remember that. I've got photos." 479 00:59:22,240 --> 00:59:28,760 Andrew, my son Avi, and I then walked down to code on Chip's advice. 480 00:59:26,800 --> 00:59:33,800 Andrew at code called fire and what came back was, "The Chief says that road can 481 00:59:31,160 --> 00:59:38,800 never be closed. We require it open as the main thoroughfare." 482 00:59:35,400 --> 00:59:41,800 Not not today. The answer was never. But that road was closed for the lift 483 00:59:40,400 --> 00:59:46,480 positioning at the request of the fire police. It was closed all day on August 484 00:59:44,240 --> 00:59:49,920 4th for National Grid. It's been closed repeatedly over the last couple years 485 00:59:48,040 --> 00:59:53,120 for King's Landing 2 construction and other construction on our block. 486 00:59:51,840 --> 00:59:57,160 I'm not going to argue traffic engineering with anyone in this room. 487 00:59:55,200 --> 01:00:01,560 I'm telling you that never turned out to mean not for me. 488 00:59:59,720 --> 01:00:05,440 So Avi and I watched the fire station having discussed this and we spoke with 489 01:00:03,080 --> 01:00:11,000 Chief Salucci. We told him the work left was only 4 to 6 hours and his answer, 490 01:00:07,960 --> 01:00:16,520 he'd spoken with he called Jared the assistant chief. He called Andrew at 491 01:00:13,880 --> 01:00:19,120 Code and their answer he came back and he said, "You have to go through Code. 492 01:00:17,880 --> 01:00:23,600 I'm sorry you won't be able to do it today. Everyone needs to be notified in 493 01:00:21,160 --> 01:00:26,480 advance for planning fire and police." So it can be closed with notice and 494 01:00:25,360 --> 01:00:30,840 that's the opposite of what we've been told 20 minutes earlier at Code. So we 495 01:00:28,880 --> 01:00:33,800 go back to Code. Uh 496 01:00:31,880 --> 01:00:37,840 fire chief had told us there's a permit. We show up, there is no permit. Billy 497 01:00:36,160 --> 01:00:41,640 French told us you email building permits, but Joe Maz approves these 498 01:00:39,880 --> 01:00:45,080 himself. He needs written sign off from fire and police. It goes through the 499 01:00:42,880 --> 01:00:48,840 city clerk and there's no way that it gets approved by Tuesday. So at this 500 01:00:47,000 --> 01:00:53,400 point we're up to five people maybe, four departments, one day and not one of 501 01:00:51,160 --> 01:00:58,920 them could hand me a piece of paper. Andrew, my mason, he threw up his hands. 502 01:00:56,240 --> 01:01:02,840 That lift had cost me $5,000 for a 1-month rental so we could get this work 503 01:01:00,720 --> 01:01:07,120 done and the month was running out on August 4th. He wasn't going to rent it 504 01:01:05,360 --> 01:01:13,080 for another week on speculation of trying to get the street closing permit. 505 01:01:10,560 --> 01:01:18,640 So at 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 4th, instead of finishing the job, that 86-ft 506 01:01:15,960 --> 01:01:23,240 lift was removed. It was massive. And Skyworks done him a smaller lift, 507 01:01:21,440 --> 01:01:27,280 but it wasn't big enough and we didn't get another one until 508 01:01:25,600 --> 01:01:31,320 this morning. Um, there was another deadline blown and 509 01:01:29,960 --> 01:01:35,800 another rental. That was the third vehicle that showed up this morning. 510 01:01:33,600 --> 01:01:41,160 So, by 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday of this week, the day that we were told a 511 01:01:37,760 --> 01:01:45,440 closure could not possibly be arranged, we had National Grid on the south end 512 01:01:43,560 --> 01:01:50,000 and the north end of the block and shortly thereafter I have photo and 513 01:01:47,400 --> 01:01:54,880 video from 1:00 p.m. showing that that street was closed all afternoon. 514 01:01:55,440 --> 01:02:01,640 Their barricade actually sat exactly where ours had been on July 31st, last 515 01:02:00,480 --> 01:02:06,600 Friday. Um, it was north of O'Neill's entrance 516 01:02:04,440 --> 01:02:10,280 where it was invisible from Federal, the place that I had been told was 517 01:02:07,840 --> 01:02:14,920 prohibited. There was no detour, no flagger, there were no cars turning 518 01:02:12,640 --> 01:02:18,200 There were actually cars coming up Federal 519 01:02:16,080 --> 01:02:21,440 turning in and having to turn around right in front of the construction area, 520 01:02:19,920 --> 01:02:25,800 King's Landing. There was no notice to neighbors and all 521 01:02:23,560 --> 01:02:29,720 of those things that I just described to you were described to me as a hard 522 01:02:27,320 --> 01:02:34,200 requirement for street closure. And I understand your utility may notify 523 01:02:32,360 --> 01:02:38,840 the city rather than ask its permission to close the street. I'm not challenging 524 01:02:36,200 --> 01:02:44,280 that. My point is narrower. The street can close, it has closed, it closed this 525 01:02:42,160 --> 01:02:48,680 week multiple days in a row and traffic managed and the safety measures I were 526 01:02:46,360 --> 01:02:51,920 told were mandatory were nowhere on that. 527 01:02:50,320 --> 01:02:57,480 So, I started looking for the process myself. The city has two instruments and 528 01:02:54,440 --> 01:03:00,920 I needed a third. According to code, fire, 529 01:02:58,680 --> 01:03:05,040 uh, a barricade permit is too little. It lets you occupy the curb, it doesn't put 530 01:03:03,000 --> 01:03:09,200 fire and police in the loop. I wrote this earlier this week. 531 01:03:07,320 --> 01:03:13,560 I since actually got a copy of the permit and 532 01:03:11,600 --> 01:03:16,280 I'm going to read that now. Um, 533 01:03:17,720 --> 01:03:22,800 see reverse side for restrictions and regulations. Description of work 534 01:03:21,200 --> 01:03:26,680 barricade permit for a lift / scaffolding to be placed in the city 535 01:03:24,600 --> 01:03:31,120 right of way. Work in city right of way. If it is 536 01:03:29,040 --> 01:03:35,400 necessary to restrict pedestrian or vehicle vehicular traffic in the 537 01:03:32,960 --> 01:03:39,760 sidewalk or street areas, proper barricades must be erected to warn 538 01:03:37,280 --> 01:03:43,920 traffic and to reroute it safely. A minimum width of 4 ft must be maintained 539 01:03:42,080 --> 01:03:47,560 for pedestrian traffic, and if pedestrians are forced to walk in the 540 01:03:45,440 --> 01:03:53,040 street, adequate are to be erected in the street to define that walkway. 541 01:03:50,600 --> 01:03:58,120 So the things that I was told, which were 542 01:03:55,360 --> 01:04:03,640 detour, flagger, cars turning around, notification to fire and police, none of 543 01:04:01,240 --> 01:04:08,680 those are listed on that permit, but the permit talks about street closure. 544 01:04:06,120 --> 01:04:13,560 So the other document that's there 545 01:04:11,520 --> 01:04:17,040 on the city website as far as permits, cuz I was told the barricade permit was 546 01:04:15,160 --> 01:04:23,720 not the correct permit, is a six-page special event permit. 547 01:04:21,480 --> 01:04:27,400 Um to repair the wall of my own building, I would have to declare my 548 01:04:25,280 --> 01:04:32,480 masonry work an event, name it, check a box, is it a parade, a festival, a block 549 01:04:29,720 --> 01:04:36,600 party, a film shoot, estimate the crowd size, say if it's rain or shine, and 550 01:04:35,040 --> 01:04:39,800 then submit a background check with my social security number and 10 years of 551 01:04:38,320 --> 01:04:42,920 addresses. But I wasn't bringing a crowd. I was 552 01:04:41,280 --> 01:04:46,760 asking for the opposite of the of a crowd. I wanted a quiet empty street for 553 01:04:45,000 --> 01:04:52,000 one day so a machine could work and nobody would get hurt. So what appears 554 01:04:49,280 --> 01:04:56,560 to sit between a barricade permit and a special event permit application does 555 01:04:54,320 --> 01:05:00,440 not exist, and that seems to be why I got five answers. Chip was right that 556 01:04:58,920 --> 01:05:03,920 fire and police need to know. We actually walked over to to the fire 557 01:05:02,520 --> 01:05:08,240 department and notified them that the street was closing for the day. 558 01:05:06,560 --> 01:05:11,680 Um and the chief was right that advanced notice matters. 559 01:05:10,080 --> 01:05:15,880 Everyone I spoke to was right about what the city needs, but not one of them had 560 01:05:13,320 --> 01:05:19,600 a form to deliver it. So, I'm asking for four things, and all four things help 561 01:05:17,880 --> 01:05:24,760 the people behind the counter as much as they help me or the next property owner. 562 01:05:22,280 --> 01:05:28,040 One, create the missing form. A construction street closure permit 563 01:05:26,480 --> 01:05:32,800 between the barricade permit and the special event permit. Unless the 564 01:05:30,680 --> 01:05:37,040 barricade permit is adequate and I was not getting accurate information, but 565 01:05:34,840 --> 01:05:42,960 maybe people don't know. Um so, that special that different 566 01:05:40,960 --> 01:05:49,880 permit could put fire and police on notice in writing, which this barricade 567 01:05:45,160 --> 01:05:56,680 permit does not do. Um it would you know, pull off the other aspects, no 568 01:05:52,840 --> 01:06:00,720 crowd size, no background check. Um and section 270-20b 569 01:05:59,360 --> 01:06:04,280 already gives the traffic engineer authority to close the streets and set 570 01:06:02,000 --> 01:06:08,680 the barricades. So, two put printed copies of this additional permit next to 571 01:06:06,800 --> 01:06:13,440 the barricade permits and online. Nobody should have to know to ask. Three, give 572 01:06:11,000 --> 01:06:16,720 DPW the answer in writing. Policy should never have been in the position of 573 01:06:14,520 --> 01:06:21,000 guessing. Four, decide whether the safety requirements are real. I was told 574 01:06:19,120 --> 01:06:24,200 a detour or a flagger plus notice to neighbors are mandatory, and four days 575 01:06:22,600 --> 01:06:28,080 later my block was closed with none of them. And in years of construction on my 576 01:06:26,320 --> 01:06:31,360 street, I've never once been notified of a street closure. 577 01:06:29,640 --> 01:06:35,320 If those measures keep people safe, they should apply to any closure. If they 578 01:06:33,520 --> 01:06:39,360 don't, no resident should be turned away for lacking them. Either way, write it 579 01:06:37,240 --> 01:06:42,760 down so no employee has to improvise it at a curb. And I would appreciate a 580 01:06:41,440 --> 01:06:47,200 written answer telling me what the correct process actually was on July 581 01:06:44,600 --> 01:06:52,280 31st. I still don't know, and I don't think the people I asked did either. 582 01:06:49,400 --> 01:06:56,280 And I just want to note that my mason called on Tuesday multiple times, and he 583 01:06:54,640 --> 01:07:01,640 called again on Wednesday. He got no response from DPW this week about 584 01:06:59,800 --> 01:07:06,760 getting the no parking signs up for today for when our equipment was 585 01:07:04,160 --> 01:07:09,400 delivered. And that has never happened before. 586 01:07:08,360 --> 01:07:12,240 Thank you. >> Thank you, Silva. 587 01:07:16,920 --> 01:07:19,880 » That's insane. 588 01:07:20,280 --> 01:07:25,280 » Does anyone else wish to address the council on any item? 589 01:07:31,400 --> 01:07:37,960 » My name's Leo Leo Carroll. Um 590 01:07:35,600 --> 01:07:43,080 I've lived in Troy uh pretty much my whole life. 591 01:07:40,320 --> 01:07:46,680 And uh the only thing I'm looking for is to put a little light in the city of 592 01:07:45,240 --> 01:07:51,120 Troy. I've been fighting this fight for well 593 01:07:48,840 --> 01:07:57,920 over a year. I come home. I live between Burden and 594 01:07:55,480 --> 01:08:02,720 22nd. I come home every night and that 595 01:08:03,317 --> 01:08:10,680 » [clears throat] >> After fighting this for a while 596 01:08:07,120 --> 01:08:16,040 and having Emma Quinn follow up on it with Channel 6 597 01:08:12,520 --> 01:08:22,839 um I finally got a little result. And the mayor promised to have lights back 598 01:08:18,759 --> 01:08:30,400 on Hoosick Street within 2 weeks. 2 weeks went by, nothing ever happened. 599 01:08:26,759 --> 01:08:34,680 3 weeks went by and finally in front of my neighbor's house one light was 600 01:08:33,120 --> 01:08:41,400 replaced. And down short of 15th Street one light 601 01:08:39,799 --> 01:08:49,000 was replaced. So, two lights out of 15 lights that 602 01:08:45,960 --> 01:08:52,080 don't appear on Hoosick Street where poles should be. 603 01:08:52,759 --> 01:09:01,400 To get any reaction, what I did was put a sign up in front of my house. 604 01:08:59,319 --> 01:09:07,720 That sign is still there now and I change it every month. 605 01:09:04,080 --> 01:09:12,359 It started out 6 months. It's now up to 10 months. 606 01:09:10,160 --> 01:09:15,960 Having the one light out in front of my neighbor's house 607 01:09:14,080 --> 01:09:21,160 was pretty good. At least we had something to see up there. Hasn't 608 01:09:18,359 --> 01:09:23,799 rectified the rest of the the street at all. 609 01:09:22,160 --> 01:09:28,520 The rectification for the rest of the street where the 610 01:09:25,920 --> 01:09:32,880 wires were shown where they took pictures of, which has looked ugly all 611 01:09:31,319 --> 01:09:36,120 these years, finally they did something. 612 01:09:36,839 --> 01:09:45,040 They created a wooden box, painted green, 613 01:09:41,600 --> 01:09:48,480 to cover up where the wires are. >> My goodness. 614 01:09:45,520 --> 01:09:53,799 » Now, if you go up Who's It Street now, you will see all those little green 615 01:09:50,880 --> 01:10:00,000 boxes. However, they are not in the place where they were put to cover the 616 01:09:56,920 --> 01:10:02,320 wires. Kids come along, kick them. >> Sure. 617 01:10:00,200 --> 01:10:07,880 » They get hit by cars. But I was a little happy 618 01:10:04,840 --> 01:10:13,600 that they put that one light up in front of my neighbor's house. Not the other 619 01:10:10,160 --> 01:10:13,600 one, but that one light. 620 01:10:14,080 --> 01:10:22,120 A week ago Sunday, the bell rings at 3:00 in the morning at my house. 621 01:10:20,000 --> 01:10:26,400 I don't know what what's happened now. I look out and there are two police cars 622 01:10:24,320 --> 01:10:32,160 in front of my house. So, I come down, I open the door. The 623 01:10:29,000 --> 01:10:36,280 policeman says, "Your Ring camera does it pick up Who's It Street?" I said, 624 01:10:34,480 --> 01:10:40,240 "Well, no, I can't have it pick up Who's It Street because it'll be going off all 625 01:10:38,040 --> 01:10:43,880 the time with the traffic going by. I only pick it up as to when they hit my 626 01:10:42,360 --> 01:10:49,640 sidewalk." I said, "What do you want to know that 627 01:10:45,520 --> 01:10:53,440 for?" He said, "A vehicle just took down the light in front of your neighbor's 628 01:10:51,280 --> 01:10:58,200 house." Now, this was 629 01:10:55,120 --> 01:11:01,840 maybe a month and a half and we have that light up. 630 01:10:59,480 --> 01:11:04,760 That's what the front of my house looks like. That's just the way it is. 631 01:11:04,160 --> 01:11:09,200 » What is that? >> It's just lace, that's it. 632 01:11:05,760 --> 01:11:14,400 » So, I'm kind of at a loss here. We want to be a well I I think we want 633 01:11:11,880 --> 01:11:18,720 to be a welcoming city. When you come in and go up I don't know 634 01:11:16,280 --> 01:11:21,360 has anybody driven up Hoosick Street at night? 635 01:11:20,000 --> 01:11:25,680 » It's dark. >> you talk to National Grid. National Grid 636 01:11:23,040 --> 01:11:31,400 says, "I'm sorry, we can't do anything about this. The city owns those lights." 637 01:11:30,360 --> 01:11:35,720 Now just common sense. 638 01:11:33,840 --> 01:11:38,600 They say that poles get knocked down. Okay. 639 01:11:36,800 --> 01:11:43,000 They say sometimes they have to do curb cuts. You don't have to do a curb cut 640 01:11:40,560 --> 01:11:47,040 unless that wire rots. If that wire rots, then you got to do a curb cut. So, 641 01:11:45,200 --> 01:11:51,040 if you knock down a pole, if you get a new pole up pretty fast 642 01:11:49,160 --> 01:11:57,560 you got no problem. Why doesn't the city have a contract 643 01:11:54,920 --> 01:12:03,000 with somebody so that when it gets knocked down they don't have 6 months to 644 01:12:00,560 --> 01:12:08,560 go through to get something to replace that pole? 645 01:12:04,320 --> 01:12:13,640 I I just can't understand the operation that way, okay? 646 01:12:10,240 --> 01:12:17,080 Um that's all I got to say. Please give me some lights on Hoosick Street. 647 01:12:15,760 --> 01:12:19,560 » Thank you, Leo. >> I shall. 648 01:12:24,120 --> 01:12:30,960 » I'm very sorry. I want to hand these to the city clerk so they can be passed out 649 01:12:28,000 --> 01:12:30,960 to the council members. 650 01:12:34,320 --> 01:12:42,640 » Hello, Avi Minard, District 4. So, on the Hoosick Street lack of lights and I 651 01:12:40,920 --> 01:12:47,280 mean they're already gone. They could be moved to the other side of the sidewalk 652 01:12:45,080 --> 01:12:50,960 farther away from the street so that they don't get knocked over by cars or 653 01:12:49,320 --> 01:12:54,560 they're less of a problem during construction so that they don't need to 654 01:12:52,760 --> 01:12:59,000 be replaced as often. Uh that's also a thing with the 655 01:12:57,480 --> 01:13:05,040 gosh What's it? King and fifth or Jacob where 656 01:13:02,520 --> 01:13:10,520 there's the fire hydrant that's been knocked over many times by cars 657 01:13:07,880 --> 01:13:13,200 and it's missing and it was previously there. 658 01:13:11,440 --> 01:13:16,960 So those are just two things where they if they could get inset into the 659 01:13:15,520 --> 01:13:20,480 sidewalk or other places it might make it better. 660 01:13:19,520 --> 01:13:23,200 Thank you. >> Thank you, Avi. 661 01:13:24,760 --> 01:13:27,160 » If I could have your undivided attention. 662 01:13:26,560 --> 01:13:31,880 » Mhm. >> Sure, Leo. Go ahead. 663 01:13:29,280 --> 01:13:36,600 » With that pole that was knocked down, I come out with all my investigative 664 01:13:33,760 --> 01:13:40,920 skills the next day. And I'm looking up and down the street 665 01:13:38,480 --> 01:13:44,960 and I look up the street and it had to be a pretty good size 666 01:13:42,560 --> 01:13:49,520 vehicle to hit that pole, knock that pole down, that pole had to go back up 667 01:13:47,440 --> 01:13:54,640 over the top of the vehicle, that vehicle came into my wall and knocked my 668 01:13:51,680 --> 01:14:00,160 wall down and kept going. So if you just look up my street now, 669 01:13:57,480 --> 01:14:04,680 you can see the oil or I don't know whether it's something from the 670 01:14:01,200 --> 01:14:08,680 radiator, whatever, going up. So I walk up and follow it. 671 01:14:06,280 --> 01:14:13,440 I go up three houses and it shows it turning around 672 01:14:10,360 --> 01:14:17,680 and coming down Hoosick Street. Now, I know there's been a lot of 673 01:14:15,480 --> 01:14:22,640 dispute regarding the Flock cameras in the city of Troy. So I inquire, are 674 01:14:20,800 --> 01:14:26,400 there any Flock cameras on Hoosick Street? 675 01:14:23,720 --> 01:14:32,880 Lo and behold, there's a Flock camera just as you go on alternate Route 7. I 676 01:14:29,560 --> 01:14:38,680 think, "Beautiful. They got to be able to take a picture of this car or truck 677 01:14:36,280 --> 01:14:43,720 with probably a missing front right headlight all smashed in." 678 01:14:41,000 --> 01:14:48,800 So I inquire with the police department and the police department says, "Yes, we 679 01:14:46,200 --> 01:14:54,560 do have a Flock camera on H Street. I said, can you see any vehicle coming 680 01:14:51,480 --> 01:15:00,040 down without a missing headlight and know what the vehicle is and of course 681 01:14:56,720 --> 01:15:04,960 pick up the license plate? The flock cameras are 682 01:15:01,720 --> 01:15:04,960 crap at night. 683 01:15:05,080 --> 01:15:12,240 All you see is glare coming from the headlight and you can't even make out 684 01:15:10,800 --> 01:15:16,320 the vehicle. What the hell good is a flock camera for 685 01:15:14,520 --> 01:15:20,480 at night if you can't even make out the vehicle license plate? 686 01:15:18,120 --> 01:15:23,360 That was my addendum. >> Thank you, Leo. 687 01:15:25,880 --> 01:15:29,200 Very good. Very good. 688 01:15:31,000 --> 01:15:36,582 Does anyone else wish to address? It's Leo's a hard act to follow, I I have to 689 01:15:35,360 --> 01:15:38,602 admit. >> [laughter] 690 01:15:40,680 --> 01:15:48,400 » Well, seeing none, um before I close the public forum, 691 01:15:45,080 --> 01:15:53,280 I would be remiss if I did not note that tonight we were supposed to have 692 01:15:50,280 --> 01:15:57,800 had the second quarterly financial reports. 693 01:15:54,800 --> 01:16:02,440 Um per section um 45-3 694 01:15:59,720 --> 01:16:06,320 of the code, the second quarter report from the 695 01:16:04,680 --> 01:16:10,240 controller is due July 31st. 696 01:16:10,440 --> 01:16:16,600 Um we have not 697 01:16:14,440 --> 01:16:23,640 seen the report. Um I gave the controller the courtesy 698 01:16:20,480 --> 01:16:28,440 well in advance, asked him would he be would this be a good night, we'd hold a 699 01:16:25,960 --> 01:16:33,440 special finance meeting and we could as you could see, we had a very short 700 01:16:30,640 --> 01:16:37,800 agenda. It would have been perfect. We haven't even seen the report, 701 01:16:36,080 --> 01:16:41,680 much less whether or not the controller has 702 01:16:40,480 --> 01:16:47,000 finished it, whether or not he's ready to present. 703 01:16:44,520 --> 01:16:52,080 And the mayor, um, when I brought this up, said, "Well, 704 01:16:50,320 --> 01:16:54,960 you know, the language in the code is outdated." 705 01:16:55,400 --> 01:17:02,440 Well, I I want to remind the mayor that in 2018, 706 01:17:00,080 --> 01:17:08,120 when she was council president, that section was amended. 707 01:17:05,360 --> 01:17:13,480 And it was amended to insert those specific dates 708 01:17:10,400 --> 01:17:19,120 to compel the controller to report to the council 709 01:17:16,200 --> 01:17:23,200 on the finances of the city. So, 710 01:17:20,240 --> 01:17:29,640 if they are outdated, she must be outdated because 20 2018, 711 01:17:27,840 --> 01:17:35,480 uh, she was council president and responsible for that legislation. 712 01:17:32,160 --> 01:17:40,120 Um, I have to say further that it is the council's responsib- We 713 01:17:38,080 --> 01:17:45,200 have a fiduciary responsibility to the citizens of Troy 714 01:17:42,200 --> 01:17:48,600 to monitor the finances. We adopt a city budget, 715 01:17:46,600 --> 01:17:53,880 and throughout the year, we are to monitor the expenditures 716 01:17:51,360 --> 01:17:57,040 of the city. We need to know, have we 717 01:17:55,120 --> 01:18:01,000 overestimated revenues? Have we underestimated? Have Are we over 718 01:17:59,240 --> 01:18:06,960 expending in a certain, uh, item? Should we be adjusting, uh, 719 01:18:04,600 --> 01:18:12,880 budget transfers? You know, it's an ongoing process, but we cannot do our 720 01:18:09,520 --> 01:18:17,840 job if we don't have the information. So, 721 01:18:15,200 --> 01:18:22,480 I am being told that we will see it 722 01:18:19,960 --> 01:18:27,040 on August 20th. I've asked that we have it in advance 723 01:18:24,960 --> 01:18:31,120 because it's only fair that the council can at least 724 01:18:28,440 --> 01:18:35,400 peruse it and look at it and become familiar with it so they can ask 725 01:18:33,120 --> 01:18:40,640 intelligent questions. I have received no guarantee that that 726 01:18:39,000 --> 01:18:46,720 will happen. Um I think the citizens need to know 727 01:18:42,920 --> 01:18:52,000 what's going on here. And and so I I I just had to share that tonight before we 728 01:18:48,880 --> 01:18:52,000 close the meeting. 729 01:18:54,160 --> 01:18:58,520 I would entertain a motion to adjourn. >> Motion. 730 01:18:57,320 --> 01:19:02,680 » Second. >> We have a co-motion by 731 01:19:01,599 --> 01:19:07,840 » [laughter] >> Councilmember McLaren seconded by 732 01:19:04,760 --> 01:19:11,240 Councilmember Di Lorenzo. All in favor? Opposed? We're adjourned.