| Welcome to the City of Johnstown ....we are more than just a city, we are a community of neighbors. |
 |
|
|
|
A Business Meeting of the Johnstown Common Council was held on April 19, 2010 at 7:00p.m., in the Council Chambers, City Hall. PRESENT: ABSENT: Mayor Slingerland called the meeting to order and led in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL – all council members present. PUBLIC SPEAKER – Bruce Nelson from Malcolm Pirnie was present to give an overview of the Brownfield’s Program. This study dovetails with the Comprehensive Plan and Zoning. The State is concerned with what we will do for the community as a whole. The study is paid for by a grant; 90% from the State with matching local funds of 10%. The study involves about 1/3 of the community and is to take all sites already identified and develop a plan for them. The City’s Steering Committee members are Peter Raneri, Chad Kortz, Debra Kolsrud and Mayor Slingerland. LIAISON’S REPORTS FIRE DEPARTMENT – Council Member Lakata reported the fire department and code’s office personnel received training during the month of March. The fire department received 59 calls, including 6 structure fires, several medical assists, motor vehicle accidents and 6 carbon monoxide responses. The Code’s Office issued 42 permits with an estimated construction cost of $160,480.00 and fees collected of $1,966. The code officers continue to do ward sweeps and answered 625 complaints. POLICE DEPARTMENT – Council Member Lakata reported the department made 53 arrests and received 1,003 calls. Traffic tickets totaled 106 and 42 parking tickets were issued. The officers received training. They assisted with the drug quiz show and K9 demo at Warren St. School. Officers also assisted with the children’s Easter Egg Hunt at the Johnstown Moose Club. K9 Officer Spike answered 5 calls. DPW – Council Member Foss reported the crews are done with the leaf pick-up. Streets are being patched and curbs repaired. NYS DOT is starting to work on E. State St., Glebe St. and Chestnut St. replacing street signs. A sanitary sewer on Swan St. collapsed and was repaired. DPW has finished installing signs along the Rail Trail. All streets have been swept at least once. Guardrail was repaired in the Industrial Park. City Engineer Kortz has posted information for residents on Twitter. Council Member Foss asked Mr. Kortz if any of the guardrail repair and replacement cost was covered by insurance claims. Mr. Kortz said it hadn’t and didn’t think any claims had been made. He was unaware of who may have done the damage. He will ask the City Treasurer if this can be done in the future. LIBRARY – the Storybook Sundae held in March netted $9,723 for the book fund. The next book discussion will take place on May 21st at 10:30a.m. The Annual Landscaping Day will take place on May 8th. SENIOR CENTER – Mark Caffrey, Audiologist will be at the center this Thursday at 9:30a.m. for free hearing screenings. At 1:15p.m.he will speak to the seniors about good ear care. Census staff will be at the center to help anyone needing assistance in filling out their form. There will be a meeting on April 22 at 6pm at the Johnstown Public Library for an open forum for Johnstown downtown businesses to discuss formation of a new business association. Anyone interested is encouraged to attend. FINANCE – Council Member Cole reported that Mr. Gifford emailed the monthly audit to the Council Members. WATER BOARD – Council Member Cole reported the Water Board rejected all bids for the Maylender Project. There were some inconsistencies in the bids so they will re-bid the project. They are hiring two new employees for the summer. PLANNING BOARD – Lee Dye on N. Perry St. requested a subdivision of the property. Some of the property lines are under the building and the owner would like to sell off a portion of the property. Patriot Bank is planning to build a new branch on 30A, across from the Holiday Inn. The Board discussed the draft zoning ordinance and made recommendations to the Council. ASSESSOR – Council Member-at-Large Marcucci reported the assessor sent the 2010 Tentative Roll to the County. Grievance Day is scheduled for May 27th. MAYOR – Mayor Slingerland reported she generally maintains office hours from 7:30am-12pm weekdays and sometimes comes back in the afternoon for meetings or appointments. Last month she was a judge at the Ecker Drug Quiz, attended the WIZR radio ribbon cutting in their new offices, attended the Storybook Sundae, judged the JHS talent show, attended the Boy Scout Fundraiser campaign event, attended the Women’s Exhibit at the Chamber of Commerce, appeared as a guest on the WIZR Show, worked with Eva Mraz and visited several businesses in downtown to get a sense of interest for renewal of the Johnstown Business & Professional Assoc., visited the Lexington kitchen in the old Bishop Burke School where the Meals on Wheels meals are prepared, attended the Business After Hours at Sam’s Steak & Seafood Restaurant, was involved with the installation of officers at a dinner for the Women’s Insurance Group, attended the Planning Board meeting, had a meeting with Amsterdam Mayor Thane to discuss issues in the municipalities and appeared on the Bob Cudmore Show, WWTL radio with Ann Thane and Dayton King. She attended the ribbon cutting for Northern Architectures at the Crossroads Industrial Park in Gloversville. Mayor Slingerland thanked Mrs. Lakata for attending the United Way dinner and to Mr. Preston who attended the EDC dinner, both on behalf of the City. Mrs. Lakata will be an auctioneer for a fundraiser at the Glove Theatre in the early part of June in place of Mayor Slingerland who will be out of town. MAYORAL APPOINTMENTS – Richard Groat and Linda Larose were appointed as Alternate Crossing Guards. RESOLUTION No. 37, 2010 was
presented by Council Member Cole to advertise for a public hearing to amend the
code or ordinances Chapter 20, Traffic. Seconded by Council Member-at-Large
Marcucci. RESOLUTION No. 38, 2010 was
presented by Council Member Preston to accept an offer from Jonathan Sweet to
purchase property at 23 E. Main St. Seconded by Council Member Cole. RESOLUTION No. 39, 2010 was
presented by Council Member Foss to advertise for bids for asbestos removal.
Seconded by Council Member Preston. DISCUSSION DRAFT ZONING ORDINANCE - The Council now has the minutes of the Johnstown Planning Board Meeting. Mayor Slingerland asked the Council to review them in conjunction with the Draft Zoning Ordinance. She would like the Council to continue to field questions and we will try to get the answers. We will have a discussion about some of the various changes and thoughts that we have already taken in and we will tentatively schedule May 3rd for a resolution to hold a public hearing on May 17th. RECREATIONAL BURN PERMITS – Council Member Cole asked Chief Heberer about the burn permits. Chief Heberer said that as of last year permits have been required to be obtained from the Code’s Office for $15. The State has a burn ban until May 15th. If you have a permit from last year they need to be renewed. Mrs. Cole would like to have something in the newspaper about the permits. It will also be put on the website. Chief Heberer said last year they issued 95 permits. ANNOUNCEMENTS A motion to adjourn was made by Council Member Foss and seconded by Council Member Cole. Adjourned Respectfully submitted, Cathy A. VanAlstyne
|
