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The Johnstown Common Council held a Business Meeting at 7:00p.m., in the Council Chambers, City Hall, on June 16, 2008.
PRESENT:
ABSENT: Mayor Slingerland called the meeting to order. Boy Scouts attending the meeting led in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL – all Council Members present. Officer Adam Schabrow introduced K-9 Officer Spike to the Council and all present. Spike is a 14 month old Belgian Malinois. He finished his training last month and is State certified in narcotics. Already, he has found marijuana in two cars. We also have a new car for the K-9 Unit, donated by Steve Willett in memory of his mother. APPROVE MINUTES – Minutes of the June 2, 2008 Committee Meeting were approved with a motion from Council Member Cole and seconded by Council Member Preston. Motion carried. CLAIMS AND ACCOUNTS – Council Member Cole made a motion to pay the bills and place on file in the City Treasurer’s Office. Seconded by Council Member Lakata. Motion carried. LIAISON REPORTS FIRE DEPARTMENT – Council Member Lakata reported the Fire Department received in-service training during the month of May. They received 62 calls for service including 3 fires, several motor vehicle accidents and 5 illegal burns. The Code’s Office issued 56 permits totaling $927,268 in construction costs and fees collected in the amount of $1,955. Microtel Hotel has been completed and will open tomorrow. Pyramid Mall renovations are going well and they have 2 tenants moving in. Three new homes are being built. The Code’s Office handled 598 inspections and complaints. POLICE DEPARTMENT – the department answered 972 calls resulting in 29 arrests and 121 tickets issued. Fine money collected was $3,582. The department received training in firearms qualification. LIBRARY – Council Member Foss reported that the Summer Reading Program will begin on June 27th. Two book discussions will take place June 24th at 6:30pm and June 27th at 10:30am. To celebrate the City of Johnstown’s 250th Anniversary, two historical titles will be selected for July 11th and August 29th. PUBLIC WORKS –Council Member Foss reported the crew has been busy in the parks. The flowers are up on Main St. Catch basins and manholes are being repaired. Clean-up of the old H&J property at 312 N. Perry St. is complete. Steven Miller General Contractor has completed work on the Rail Trail bridge and the engineer’s office is preparing for DPW to do its work. The bridge will be 18” higher than the original bridge to improve the channel for the Cayadutta. Malcolm Pirnie has completed its draft of the Phase I environmental assessment for 311 W. State St., the site assessment of the former H&J Leather property and the former DeMi’s Leather at 24 Briggs St. will begin shortly. The spring clean-up program was successful. Forty-five tons were collected and 132 tires. It ran for two days and will repeat in the Fall. Metal items were placed in a container and a report will be given at the next meeting. Work on the sidewalk program will begin in July. SENIOR CENTER – Council Member Preston reported that the center will have a representative from Blue Cross/Blue Shield on June 19th to explain senior options for supplemental insurance. The center will be open on Sunday, June 29th for a social day. Four trips are planned for this summer. PLANNING BOARD – Council Member Cole reported the board met on June 3rd to hear a request from the owner of Sacandaga Stove to build a storage garage on property owned by Amy French of the Johnstown Animal Clinic. This was referred to the Fulton County Planning Board for their input. Final decision will be made at the next planning board meeting. WATER BOARD – Council Member Cole reported the Board was shown a computer model of the water system for the reservoir. The tank will be replaced with a closed tank. They should have a draft by the next meeting. The Board also discussed having two extra people for back-up trappers. They will be putting out proposals for selling timber. Johnstown’s water won the water tasting contest for the second year in a row. CITY CLERK – Cathy VanAlstyne said the Shred-It Company shredded approximately 156 cubic feet of old files cleaned out of the vault in the basement of City Hall. The storage vault will now be reorganized and room made for more storage. CITY ASSESSOR – Leamon Steele reported the Final Assessment Roll will be ready July 1st.
RESOLUTION No. 52,
2008 was presented by Council Member Lakata to
appoint Dottie MacVean as Commission of Deeds.
Seconded by Council Member Preston.
RESOLUTION No. 53,
2008 was presented by Council Member Lakata to
appoint Elizabeth Gates Camarra, Elizabeth Russo
and Joy Little to a three year term on the Library
Board of Trustees. Seconded by Council Member
Foss. RESOLUTION No. 54, 2008 was presented by Council Member Lakata to enter an agreement with Montgomery County Data Processing for processing the City’s payroll. Seconded by Council Member Foss.
Discussion:
Council Member Cole explained that we are looking
at alternatives. The cost has increased
substantially. For now, we will have to go with
this contract.
RESOLUTION No. 55,
2008 was presented by Council Member Foss to enter
into a right of way agreement with owners of
property on John St. allowing them to extending
utilities to their property. Seconded by Council
Member Preston.
RESOLUTION No. 56,
2008 was presented by Council Member Cole to
transfer funds from the IDA City of Johnstown
Industrial/Economic Development Project Account to
the General Fund (A) in the amount of $31,000.00
for the demolition of properties. RESOLUTION No. 57, 2008 was presented by Council Member Cole to make 2008 budget transfers. Seconded by Council Member Preston.
Discussion: Council
Member Cole said this amends the 2008 General Fund
Budget to cover fire vehicle repairs. RESOLUTION No. 58, 2008 was presented by Council Member Cole for budget transfers for year ending December 31, 2007. Seconded by Council Member-at-Large Marcucci.
Discussion:
Adjustments from 2007 expenditures to place in
2008 Fund Balance. This is a normal accounting
procedure.
RESOLUTION No. 59,
2008 was presented by Council Member Foss to award
bid for a 1993 Chevy C-10 Van to Scott Carey.
Seconded by Council Member Cole. RESOLUTION No. 61, 2008 was presented by Council Member Preston to reject sealed bids for certain city owned vehicles and equipment. Seconded by Council Member Cole.
Discussion: It was
decided to keep the 1997 Ford F-350. The sewer
jet tank, pump and reel and the aluminum windows
will be scraped for more money than the amount of
the bids.
RESOLUTION No. 62,
2008 was presented by Council Member Preston to
dispose of certain city owned equipment with
minimal value that received no bids. Seconded by
Council Member Lakata. DISCUSSION Council Member Cole asked about dead trees and who is responsible for trimming or removing them. Mr. Kortz said it is the responsibility of the property owner. We have an ordinance that allows us to condemn a tree. We would send the property owner a letter requesting them to take it down. PROCLAMATION – Council Member Preston read a proclamation from Senator Farley for the City’s 250th Anniversary Celebration. Mayor Slingerland added that Assemblyman Butler got the City a grant in the amount of $7,500 and this will cover the cost of two billboards advertising and parade costs for the celebration. Mayor Slingerland commented on a Citation she presented to Arlene Sitterly honoring her for receiving the 2008 Republican Woman of the Year Award at the Fulton County Republican Women’s Luncheon held this past Saturday. A motion to adjourn was made by Council Member Foss and seconded by Council Member Lakata. Respectfully submitted,
Cathy A. VanAlstyne
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