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A Business Meeting of the Johnstown Common Council was held on May 17, 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 SPEAKERS – Clark Subik, owner of a large industrial property on Pleasant Ave., is here because of the proposed zoning change for his property from Industrial to Commercial. He does not want this zoning change. He feels this is quite a large property to change this zone. This will restrict his use for the property in the future. He has put a lot of work and money in the property in hopes of attracting some industrial tenants and would not have done so if he thought the zoning would change. He has tenants now and the property is being used as industrial. The draft zoning states that if the property ceases to be used as industrial for 12 months, he would have to re-apply for a zoning approval. He feels this is very unreasonable. Mayor Slingerland stated she is aware that he has spoken to Council Members Foss and Lakata and they have discussed this with her. They are reviewing the document in light of what he has said and take his comments and any comments seriously. Council Member Foss said he will take Mr. Subik’s comment and any other comments for discussion with the council in finalizing the document. Mayor Slingerland said she and the council will take their time with this to find a reasonable and good balance between the existing and moving into the future. Council Member Foss said the council will asses this and have a resolution to vote on the zoning ordinance. At that time there will probably be some changes. PUBLIC HEARING – DRAFT ZONING ORDINANCE Mayor Slingerland opened the public hearing on the draft zoning ordinance. Council Member Foss made a motion to record the comments made by Mr. Subik during the public speaker portion of the meeting in the public hearing. Motion seconded by Council Member Lakata. Motion carried. APPROVE MINUTES – minutes of the May 3, 2010 Committee Meeting were approved by a motion from Council Member Cole and seconded by Council Member-at-Large Marcucci. 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-at-Large Marcucci. Motion carried. LIAISON’S REPORTS POLICE DEPT. – Council Member Lakata reported the police department received 687 calls during the month of April resulting in 61 arrests and 107 tickets issued. Court fines totaled $5,400. Officers received training. There were 6 K9 responses and a K9 demo with the Boy Scouts. Chief Horning was a guest reader at Warren Street School. A student job shadowed the Chief for one day. FIRE DEPT. – Council Member Lakata reported the fire department received 64 calls including 9 structure fires, several medical assists, 3 motor vehicle accidents and 4 carbon monoxide calls. The Code’s Office issued 78 permits with an estimated construction cost of $1,133,500. Permits fees totaled $2,730. Ward sweeps continue. 850 inspections and complaints were answered. The NYS burn ban has been lifted. A reminder that permits are needed for recreational fireplaces. Senator Schumer spoke at the dedication of the new fire truck. Mr. Schumer helped in securing a FEMA Grant for the City. Chief Heberer said the new truck will be in service on Friday. DPW – Council Member Foss reported the contractor for the NYS DOT will start work on Glebe St., E. State St. and Chestnut St. Paving and new street signs will be installed. DPW employees are patching streets, repairing catch basins and manholes. Inspection of the Miller St. Bridge is ongoing and is safe for vehicular traffic. A surveillance camera has been installed at the brush drop off site. Hanging flower baskets will be hung next week before the Memorial Day Parade. The street sweeper will be out. LIBRARY – Council Member Foss reported the library’s landscape day went well. Volunteers were thanked. The next book discussion will be held this Friday at 10:30a.m. Gary VanSlyke will perform at Story Hour this week. SENIOR CENTER – Council Member Preston reported the next business district organization meeting will take place on May 19th. On May 20th there will be a meeting to discuss Medicare. On May 26th the Commission on Health & Fitness will give seniors an opportunity to exercise and lunch will be served. The 50+ Memorial Day Candle Light Dinner will be held on May 27th. Reservations are required. Council Member Foss added that this year’s Antique Show will be held at both the Senior Center and Johnstown Area Community Center. FINANCE – Council Member Cole reported the monthly reports have been emailed to the council and dept. heads. WATER BOARD – Council Member Cole reported there are two resolutions for the Maylender Reservoir Project to be voted on tonight. CITY ASSESSOR – Council Member-at-Large Marcucci reported that Grievance Day is May 27th from 4pm-8pm. RPS Version 4 has been updated. City Treasurer Michael Gifford said the grant money for the fire truck has been received. Mayor Slingerland closed the public hearing on the draft zoning ordinance at 7:26p.m.
RESOLUTION No. 42, 2010 was presented by Council Member-at-Large Marcucci to set
the polling site for Ward 3 at the First Baptist Church, 30A. Seconded by
Council Member Preston.
RESOLUTION No. 43, 2010 was presented by Council Member Cole to appoint Marie
Valachovic and Janice Vertucci, Commissioner of Deeds. Seconded by Council
Member-at-Large Marcucci.
RESOLUTION No. 44, 2010 was presented by Council Member Foss to appoint Shannon
Kline and Shelley Yerdon to the Johnstown Library Board of Trustees. Seconded
by Council Member Preston.
RESOLUTION No. 45, 2010 was presented by Council Member Foss to contract with
Kascon, LLC for asbestos removal from the Closed Johnstown Landfill. Seconded
by Council Member Cole.
RESOLUTION No. 46, 2010 was presented by Council Member Lakata to advertise for
sealed bids for an obsolete police vehicle. Seconded by Council Member Preston.
RESOLUTION No. 47, 2010 was presented by Council Member Cole to authorize a
contract with Harold R. Clune, Inc. for the electrical portion of the Maylender
Reservoir Project. Seconded by Council Member Lakata.
RESOLUTION No. 48, 2010 was presented by Council Member Cole to authorize a
contract with Natgun Corporation for the general contract portion of the
Maylender Reservoir Project. Seconded by Council Member Foss.
RESOLUTION No. 49, 2010 was presented by Council Member Preston for funding
awarded to the Johnstown Police Dept. for its Youth Development Delinquency
Program. Seconded by Council Member Cole.
RESOLUTION No. 50, 2010 was presented by Council Member Preston to accept grant
funding from the Office of Children and Family Services for its Youth Recreation
Program. Seconded by Council Member Lakata. RESOLUTION No. 51, 2010 was presented by Council Member Lakata to authorize the charge off of acquired properties’ delinquent taxes. Seconded by Council Member Cole.
Discussion: the three properties taken in foreclosure by the City are 20 Water
St., 10 W. State St. and vacant land, E. Main St. (next to water Dept.). RESOLUTION No. 52, 2010 was presented by Council Member-at-Large Marcucci to contract with Malcolm Pirnie for groundwater sampling at the closed Johnstown Landfill. Seconded by Council Member Foss.
Discussion: Mr. Kortz explained why this testing is still being required and
why we are on the list for testing.
RESOLUTION No. 53, 2010 was presented by Council Member Lakata to approve a loan
for housing rehabilitation under the City of Johnstown CDBG-NYOCR Home Repair
Program. Seconded by Council Member Preston.
RESOLUTION No. 54, 2010 was presented by Council Member Foss to amend sections
in Chapter 20 of the Code of Ordinances. Seconded by Council Member Cole. ANNOUNCEMENTS
A motion to enter into executive session for the purpose of discussing a contract was made by Council Member Foss and seconded by Council Member-at-Large Marcucci. Motion carried. A motion to come out of executive session at 8:35p.m., was made by Council Member Foss and seconded by Council Member Lakata. A motion to adjourn was made at 8:38p.m., by Council Member Foss and seconded by Council Member Lakata. Respectfully submitted,
Cathy A. VanAlstyne
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