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The Johnstown Common Council held a Business Meeting on April 21, 2008 at 7:00p.m., in the Council Chambers, City Hall.
PRESENT: Mayor Slingerland called the meeting to order and led in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL – all Council Members present. PROCLAMATION – Mayor Slingerland read a proclamation in celebration of Arbor Day. APPROVE MINUTES – the minutes of the April 7, 2008 Committee Meeting were approved with a motion from Council Member-at-Large Marcucci and seconded by Council Member Cole. Motion carried. CLAIMS AND ACCOUNTS – Council Member Cole made a motion to pay the bills and place on file. Motion was seconded by Council Member Preston. Motion carried. LIAISON’S REPORTS DPW – Council Member Foss reported that lawn debris will be picked up this week and they will only pick up one time. Brush drop off will be open for anyone needing to drop off leaves and brush. Parks have been raked and they are in the process of cleaning catch basins. H&J Leather has been cleaned out in preparation for demolition. Apex Leather was demolished by the City salvage contractor and is being cleaned up by DPW. Work should be done in approximately one week. The asbestos removal for H&J and Alliance Leather is now complete. Asbestos removal at 13 Hoosac St. and Gloria’s Pizzeria will begin soon. A new storm sewer has been installed near the Johnstown Area Community Center. Malcolm Pirnie will be starting a Phase I environmental assessment on 311 W. State St. This may open an opportunity for grant money for demolition. The asphalt plant is open and the crews are filling potholes. We have received 145 applications for the sidewalk program. The City Engineer will be inspecting the sidewalks soon. LIBRARY – Council Member Foss reported the Storybook Sundae was a success and proceeds will benefit the book fund. The Willett family donated $10,000 and Senator Farley will be giving the library a $20,000 grant. The Burrows Club donated $100. Landscape Day will be May 10; Mayor Slingerland is the chairperson. The next book discussion will be held on May 20th and 23rd. ZONING COMMISSION – Council Member Foss reported that the committee continues to meet and are going through the city parcel by parcel to determine zoning districts. EDC – Mayor Slingerland attended the last meeting and reported that Phase II of the Estee Commons was discussed as well as the housing project on Genesee St. They are pleased that Estee Commons is almost filled. IDA – Mayor Slingerland reported they are still working on the requirements for the State of New York in terms of reporting the IDA activities. ASSESSOR – Council Member-at-Large Marcucci reported the tentative tax rolls will be filed on April 25th and grievance hours will be published in the Leader Herald. The FAGE yogurt plant will go on this year’s tax roll. SENIOR CENTER – Council Member Preston announced that Glucose & Cholesterol Screening will be done at the center on April 28th. The Johnstown Business & Professional Assoc. will meet on April 22nd. SEWER BOARD – Council Member Preston reported that Plant Manager Bevington has submitted the NYCERTA Grant application for up to $400,000 and a decision should be heard in about 10 weeks. The Board approved the request from the City of Johnstown to dispose of accumulated water from Alliance Leather. The 2008-09 sewer rates were presented to the Board. The average industrial sewer bill will decrease by 7% and the residential will decrease by 2.6%. The new rates will be adopted after a public hearing is held on April 23rd. The leachate line running from the landfill to the sewer plant should be operational soon. PLANNING BOARD – Council Member Cole reported that FAGE would like to modify their plans for an additional four milk storage tanks. The Planning Board was appointed lead agency in the SEQR process. FAGE will need to come back before the Board at the next meeting. Also, Pearl Leather would like to build an addition. The Planning Board was also named lead agency in the SEQR and they will also have to come back before the Board for final approval at the next meeting. WATER BOARD – Council Member Cole reported the Board discussed the Maylander Reservoir and increased the backflow testing fee. FINANCE – Council Member Cole reported that the monthly bills have been reviewed and approximately $995,000 of the $3,179,200 City tax levy has been collected. The on-line credit card system is operating with the exception of the 2007 school and 2007 tax sale balances. A $1.50 fee is applied to e-check transactions and approximately 2.5% fee applies to credit or debit card transactions. FAGE – Mayor Slingerland mentioned that FAGE yogurt plant located in the City’s Industrial Park was mentioned in an article in the NY Times Magazine. PUBLIC SAFETY – Council Member Lakata reported the fire department has been training. The Code’s Office issued 31 permits with $128,962 in construction costs and $1,020.50 in fees collected. They handled 596 inspections and complaints. Microtel Hotel is coming along well. They have completed sheet rocking the inside. The fire department received 68 calls for service. The police department received 943 calls for service and made 48 arrests. Tickets issued totaled 223 and $4,035 in fines where collected. The Johnstown PBA made a donation to the Post Prom Party.
RESOLUTION No. 34,
2008 was presented by Council Member-at-Large
Marcucci to contract with St. Mary’s Hospital for
the Employee Assistance Program. Seconded by
Council Member Preston.
RESOLUTION No. 35,
2008 was presented by Council Member Lakata to
authorize National Grid to install three street
lights. Seconded by Council Member Preston.
RESOLUTION No. 36,
2008 was presented by Council Member Cole to amend
the 2008 Budget. Seconded by Council Member
Lakata. RESOLUTION No. 37, 2008 was presented by Council Member Foss authorizing the Mayor to execute a contract with Malcolm Pirnie, Inc. for the Brownfields Opportunity Program. Seconded by Council Member Cole.
Discussion: Mr.
Kortz said this grant is in three phases and this
is for the first phase for a preliminary study. RESOLUTION No. 38, 2008 was presented by Council Member Foss to contract with Stephen Miller General Contracting for the Rail Trail Bridge on Washington St. Seconded by Council Member Cole.
Discussion: DPW
will be doing much of the work. Grant money will
cover the cost.
RESOLUTION No. 39,
2008 was presented by Council Member Preston
designating polling sites for the City of
Johnstown. Seconded by Council Member Foss.
RESOLUTION No. 40,
2008 was presented by Council Member-at-Large
Marcucci to advertise for bids to sell obsolete
city equipment. Seconded by Council Member Foss.
RESOLUTION No. 41,
2008 was presented by Council Member Lakata to
contract with Newport Alliance for employee drug
testing. Seconded by Council Member Cole. DISCUSSION – A letter from George Bevington, Wastewater Treatment Plant Manager, asked that a decision be made as to who would act as lead agency in the SEQR process for the upgrade at the sewer plant. Either the sewer plant or the City would be lead agency. Mayor Slingerland said it seems most logical that Mr. Bevington and the wastewater treatment plant be lead agency. We will have to have a resolution giving them the authority to act as lead agency. PROCLAMATION – JOHNSTOWN HIGH SCHOOL WINTER GUARD – Mayor Slingerland read the proclamation honoring the Winter Guard and their accomplishments. A motion was made by Council Member Lakata at 7:50p.m.to enter into executive session for the purpose of discussing sale of city property. Seconded by Council Member Foss. Motion carried. A motion to come out of executive session at 8:05p.m. was made by Council Member Foss and seconded by Council Member Cole. Motion carried. A motion to adjourn at 8:06p.m. was made by Council Member Foss and seconded by Council Member Preston. Motion carried. Respectfully submitted,
Cathy A. VanAlstyne |
