CITY OF GLENS FALLS
COMMON COUNCIL
October 24, 2006
MEETING MINUTES
Present: Mayor Leroy Akins, Councilman-at-Large John Diamond, Councilwoman Judy
Villa-White, Councilmen Michael Busch, Scott Watson, James Brock and Bennet
Driscoll.
Absent: None.
Also Present: City Attorney Ron Newell, City Clerk Robert Curtis, Michael Mender,
Mayor’s Assistant, The Post Star and TV-8.

Mayor Akins opened the meeting.
Public Comment
Brad Winslow, 48 Sheridan Street, addressed the Council. He stated he owns a home
on Gage Avenue, which he rents out. The tenant has received repeated complaints of
disturbing the peace from the neighbor next door. Complaining of everything from
playing horseshoes in the backyard at 2 PM to playing cards on the back porch at 6 PM
is disturbing her peace. Unfortunately, that’s a subjective thing – her peace being
disturbed and the repeated nature of the calls is leading to the “Nuisance Law” and
threats of prosecution under that law. There is no Noise Ordinance in the City as he was
informed by the Mayor and Chief Bethel. Lake George and Hudson Falls both have
Noise Ordinances that state if you can hear the noise at a certain decibel 50-ft. from the
curb, across the property line. He hoped that Glens Falls could institute some sort of
Noise Ordinance in the City, rather than using subjective data. Whatever noise she
hears has been cause for her to call the Police Dept. at any time of day or evening. The
tenants aren’t out late at night and in fact none of the calls have been made past 8 PM.
It’s a subjective thing and he doesn’t understand how one person’s peace and quiet is
so much more important than someone else’s. He stated further that he came before
the Common Council in April about a problem with a barking dog that was constant –
the result being by November 30th the dog must be gone – that took 9 months to resolve
and a dozen calls when his peace was being disturbed and it’s not over yet.
Councilman Driscoll suggested mediation for the two parties involved.
Mayor Akins stated that they would look into Noise/Decibel laws in other communities.

Mayor Akins then addressed the Agenda.
Councilman-at-Large Diamond requested Item #3 pulled for discussion.
Councilman Watson requested Item #4 pulled for discussion.

RESOLUTION NO. 379
On the motion of Councilman Busch, seconded by Councilwoman Villa-White, all
voting affirmatively, it was
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Common Council
10/24/06
RESOLVED THAT, the Common Council hereby approves the minutes of the
Sept. 26 and Oct. 10, 2006 meetings of the Glens Falls Common Council

RESOLUTION NO. 380
RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GLENS FALLS, NEW YORK
AUTHORIZING ADVERTISING OF NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING AND NOTICE OF
AVAILABILITY FOR PUBLIC EXAMINATION OF THE CONTRACT FOR SALE OF
43-51 PARK STREET, GLENS FALLS, NY FOR PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT.
On the motion of Councilman Busch, seconded by Councilwoman Villa-White, all
voting affirmatively,
WHEREAS, pursuant to and in accordance with the City of Glens Falls Urban
Renewal Plan, the Community Development Plan and the Master Plan, the Glens
Falls Urban Renewal Agency (the “Agency”) proposes to sell a parcel of land at
43-51 Park Street in Glens Falls, New York for commercial purposes to be
utilized as a parking lot in support of downtown economic development; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to said Plans and General Municipal Law of the State of
New York, the Agency has duly designated Glen Street Associates, LLC, 100
Glen Street, Glens Falls, New York, as the qualified and eligible Developer for
the acquisition and development of said parcel of land; and
WHEREAS, the General Municipal Law of the State of New York requires the
approval of such sale or disposition after a public hearing by the governing body;
and
WHEREAS, there has been prepared a Notice of Public Hearing and Notice of
Availability for Public Examination in accordance with the General Municipal Law
of the State of New York;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT AND IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, by the Common
Council of the City of Glens Falls, New York, that the proposed notice of Public
Hearing and Notice of Availability for Public Examination of the Contract for Sale
is hereby approved, and the City Clerk is hereby authorized and directed to
publish said Notice of Public Hearing and Notice of Availability for Public
Examination in an official newspaper of the City of Glens Falls that the Contract
of Sale shall be available for public inspection as provided in said Notice and that
said Public Hearing shall be held on Tuesday, November 14, 2006 at 7:25 PM
in the Common Council Chambers at City Hall, Glens Falls, New York.

Mayor Akins stated Item #3 is a resolution accepting the report of the New York State
Comptroller’s Office regarding its audit of City of Glens Falls Parking Ticket Operations
and furthering resolving to submit a written response to the audit findings within 90
days.
Councilman-at-Large Diamond stated Mr. Curtis would like to address the Council on
this item.
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Common Council
10/24/06
Robert Curtis, City Clerk addressed the Council. He requested a workshop be
scheduled with the Council to discuss this audit. He stated further that a proposal was
made to the Police Dept. by Complus Data Innovations, a parking ticket management
company. Engaging that type of service, along with tightening up the parking ticket fine
and penalty schedule could probably answer the findings of the Controller’s Audit with
regards to the shortcomings they saw. He suggested a workshop with the Council with a
presentation by Complus Data to see if that’s something the City would be interested in.
The Clerk’s Office, Mike Mender, Chief Bethel, Captain Conine and Captain Valenza
attended a presentation of this firm. Complus would essentially take over the
management of the parking tickets – pursuing scofflaws, sending out delinquent letters
to motorists who have outstanding tickets. These are things the City is not doing right
now, given the constrictions we have on our computer software system. The City would
have a tie in to Complus’ computer on-line. Complus has access to DMV so they would
be able to go after delinquent tickets, which would be beneficial for the City. The Village
of Lake George has utilized this company for about 4 years and are very happy with
them. Lake Placid, Saratoga Springs, Schenectady and Johnstown all use this firm. To
utilize this system would cost the City no up front money. The firm would provide the
required hardware and software under a three-year arrangement. The company collects
their fee based upon tickets that are paid to the City – they would collect a percentage
from that. The audit indicated that the City has an about 59% return on parking tickets –
those that are paid and the industry standard they indicate we should be attaining is
85%. He stated further that under the current fine structure parking tickets double after
10 days, but there is no further penalty and nothing encourages the motorist to pay
early. In some communities fines double, triple and even quadruple so there is an
incentive to pay early. He stated that the other part of this is the Police Dept.’s side.
Complus would provide hand held ticketing machines where they can scan a
registration and get the information on the car, a ticket can be immediately produced
and they could move on. The machine’s information is then downloaded into a computer
back at the station. He stated this system could be up and running in 60 days.
Councilman-at-Large Diamond asked if he suggested doing this now, before budgets
are set for next year?
Mr. Curtis stated they could look at the possible revenue if they do go this route and it
could be penciled in for the budget. It would be possible to have this up and running by
the first of the year.
Councilman-at-Large Diamond stated it’s important to the Council and the budget to
entertain this company’s offer. He asked Mike Mender to set up a meeting with the
company and the Council to listen to their proposal.
Mayor Akins stated that there are also extenuating circumstances within the parking
tickets process. With all of the construction people may not know where to park
because it’s not lined and it won’t be in until next spring now. We want to make sure
people are moving along and we’re collecting sales taxes, but we still have to allow
them to know where to park. That’s why we also got permission from the Council to do
parking area on Hudson Avenue and we’re getting ready to go into the roundabout and
throughout the various streets up around the High School.
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Common Council
10/24/06
He stated that the idea of putting tickets out is not so much that whether they’re parking
or not – it’s to move them on at an appropriate time. So there are a lot of parking issues.
This report is from the time period of January 1, 2004 – June 30, 2005. In the report
they make recommendations of what the City should look at. Once we accept the report
then we can react to the recommendations as to how we either agree, disagree or want
to implement some of their ideas on how to increase revenues according to the whole
idea of what the parking ticket thing is all about.
Police Captain Will Valenza addressed the Council. He stated from the law enforcement
side of the issue – he would estimate that 80% of the parking tickets issued are
because of the overnight parking ordinance. That’s something they do every night. To
issue a parking ticket is a three-step process. They hand write the ticket. Then they run
the plate number through State identification system to get information on the registered
owner. Then they enter all that information into another computer, which the City Clerk’s
Office has access to for payments. The system that they’re looking at brings that down
to a one step process for the officer. The scanner scans all the information off the
registration sticker, then it’s just downloaded. It cuts a down on a lot on the time to issue
a parking ticket. The Officer could be out longer and not spending the last half-hour of
his shift just entering information. There are a lot of benefits they see to the system and
were impressed with what they saw.
Mayor Akins stated he doesn’t think anyone is questioning the technology. There are
different reasons as to why we even have a parking ticket program. One is to move
automobiles along or to keep them off the street overnight because we have a no
parking on the street overnight ordinance. When we have those situations we want to
do something about it, thereby the parking ticket process itself. How we handle it is
another technology.
Councilman-at-Large Diamond asked if it was the consensus of the Council to schedule
a meeting with the company?
The Council replied in the affirmative.
Councilwoman Villa-White asked if the resolution tonight is just accepting the report
itself?
Mr. Curtis replied yes.
Councilwoman Villa-White asked about the 90-day written response.
Mr. Curtis replied that he believes that to be 90 days from the filing date from the
Controller’s Office, which tales them into early January. The ninety days is to analysis
the audit and try to come up with constructive answers to each one of the shortcomings
they’re pointing out. The status quo that we have right now goes nowhere – it’s a limbo
situation that because of the restraints they have, both the Police Dept. and the Clerk’s
Office with regard to the software, they cannot improve. Their hands are tied.
Councilman Driscoll stated he’s familiar with the Saratoga and Schenectady programs
and it’s very successful there. He asked if the program includes violations for
uninspected as well as unregistered?
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Common Council
10/24/06
Captain Valenza stated that the system can be programmed for whatever we want it to
do. The company will meet with them and then do all of the work as far as
programming, according to our City Code and Vehicle and Traffic Law. As it stands right
now for a parked vehicle that is uninspected they would not write a ticket for that
vehicle.
Mr. Curtis stated that the Mayor’s point is well taken also – in that looking at what we
have on parking ticket issuances, Captain Valenza said that the majority of tickets
written in the City are for overnight parking – parking on any street in the City between 2
AM-6AM you can get a parking ticket. That’s not the same in every community. There
are a lot of communities in the State that have an all-night parking ban basically only for
the winter months – November through April for snow clearing operations and so forth.
It’s been discussed many times in the past – what the legislative body would like to do
with all night parking in the City of Glens Falls. There are some that don’t have it at all
and others feel it’s important. So it does have to run concurrently with what the Parking
Committee is looking at and trying to do for the City. It’s a tough fit, but has to be taken
into consideration.
Mayor Akins stated Item #4 is resolution accepting the audit report of the New York
State Comptroller’s Office regarding its examination of the City of Glens Falls Billed
Receivable and Financial Condition of the Water and Sewer Funds for the period
January 1, 2004 to October 5, 2005 and further resolving to submit a written response
to the audit findings within 90 days.
Councilman Watson stated he thought this was an interesting report – looking over what
has and hasn’t happened in the past from our time with Earth Tech and before hand.
Looking at a couple of the recommendations made by the Controller showed there are
issues that the City needs to look at to make sure one person in the billing department
doesn’t have total control on what needs to be changed and what doesn’t need to be
changed. One issue the Controller didn’t look at that he would like the Water & Sewer
Board take a closer look at is the issue of people who still don’t have water meters
installed in their businesses or homes. He has a list of dozens and dozens of homes,
businesses, schools and churches in the City that are served by our water and sewer
department but still after more than 5 years don’t have meters on their property to
properly gage where they’re at. That’s been an issue of contention over time. Every time
water and sewer bills come out he gets phone calls from people saying that the way we
bill is crazy, because it’s not on actual usage it’s on the assessment of the property and
on usage. We haven’t been able to deal with it effectively, but we still don’t have correct
numbers of who is using what water. He would like to make the fine heavier on people
who haven’t had meters installed on their properties.
Mayor Akins stated that now they’ve taken the department back into the City they can
start setting up appointments for those installations.

RESOLUTION NO. 381
On the motion of Councilman Driscoll, seconded by Councilman Watson, all
voting affirmatively, it was
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Common Council
10/24/06
RESOLVED THAT, the Common Council hereby accepts the Report of
Examination for the City of Glens Falls Parking Ticket Operations for the period
January 1, 2004 to June 30, 2005; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of Glens Falls, pursuant to
Subdivision 4 of Section 35 of the General Municipal Law, has ninety days from
date of filing of the Report of Examination to submit a written response to the
audit findings.

RESOLUTION NO. 382
On the motion of Councilman Driscoll, seconded by Councilman Watson, all
voting affirmatively, it was
RESOLVED THAT, the Common Council hereby accepts the Report of
Examination for the City of Glens Falls Billed Receivable and Financial Condition
of the Water and Sewer Funds for the period January 1, 2004 to October 5,
2005; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of Glens Falls, pursuant to
Subdivision 4 of Section 35 of the General Municipal Law, has ninety days from
date of filing of the Report of Examination to submit a written response to the
audit findings.

Mayor Akins stated that he would like to pull Item #10 for discussion.
RESOLUTION NO. 383
RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE THE TERMS OF A STIPULATION SETTLING ARTICLE 7
PROCEEDINGS BROUGHT BY JOINTA LIME COMPANY AS PETITIONER.
On the motion of Councilman-at-Large Diamond, seconded by Councilman
Watson,
WHEREAS, the City of Glens Falls is a respondent in Civil Action #46971, entitled Helen Otte,
Sole Assessor, the Board of Assessment Review of the City of Glens Falls and the Town of
Queensbury, County of Warren, New York, respondents to Review Assessments made for the
year 2005 against the real property of Petitioners in the City of Glens Falls relating to property
designated as Tax Map No. 310.6-1-39 (the “Action”); and
WHEREAS, the parties to the Action have agreed to settle the Action pursuant to the terms of a
Stipulation, a copy of which is attached hereto (the “Stipulation”);
NOW, THEREFORE, the Common Council of the City of Glens Falls does hereby (i) approve the
terms of the Stipulation in substantially the form as attached hereto, subject to such changes as
the Mayor deems necessary and desirable and (ii) authorize the Mayor and/or Assessor of the
City of Glens Falls to take all such other action as is necessary or beneficial to accomplish the
action authorized by this resolution.
Roll call vote taken on the foregoing resolution resulted as follows:
AYES: Councilman-at-Large Diamond, Councilwoman Villa-White, Councilmen Busch,
Watson, Brock and Driscoll.
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Common Council
10/24/06
NAYS: None.
Said resolution declared Adopted.



RESOLUTION NO. 384
RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE THE TERMS OF A STIPULATION SETTLING ARTICLE 7
PROCEEDINGS BROUGHT BY SAGAMORE APARTMENTS, INC. AS PETITIONER.
On the motion of Councilman-at-Large Diamond, seconded by Councilman
Watson,
WHEREAS, the City of Glens Falls is a respondent in Civil Action #47007, entitled SAGAMORE
APARTMENTS, INC. v. CITY ASSESSOR OF THE CITY OF GLENS FALLS AND THE BOARD
OF ASSESSMENT REVIEW OF THE CITY OF GLENS FALLS relating to property designated
as Tax Map No. 303.9-7-27 (the “Action”); and
WHEREAS, the parties to the Action have agreed to settle the Action pursuant to the terms of a
Stipulation, a copy of which is attached hereto (the “Stipulation”);
NOW, THEREFORE, the Common Council of the City of Glens Falls does hereby (i) approve the
terms of the Stipulation in substantially the form as attached hereto, subject to such changes as
the Mayor deems necessary and desirable and (ii) authorize the Mayor and/or Assessor of the
City of Glens Falls to take all such other action as is necessary or beneficial to accomplish the
action authorized by this resolution.
Roll call vote taken on the foregoing resolution resulted as follows:
AYES: Councilman-at-Large Diamond, Councilwoman Villa-White, Councilmen Busch,
Watson, Brock and Driscoll.
NAYS: None.
Said resolution declared Adopted.



RESOLUTION NO. 385

On the motion of Councilman-at-Large Diamond, seconded by Councilman
Watson,
WHEREAS, T&M Jacobs Properties, LLC is the owner of land adjoining Crandall Park and
inadvertently a building was constructed on the edge of their property which building encroached
less than one foot over onto the land of the City of Glens Falls; and
WHEREAS, Thomas and Marilyn Jacobs and their business, reliable Racing, has been a longtime supporter of the Cross Country Ski Trails in Crandall Park and have taken substantial efforts
over a long period of time to assist in the recreation of the citizens of the City of Glens Falls and
the region; and
WHEREAS, T&M Jacobs Properties, LLC has requested that the City of Glens Falls grant them
an easement to allow their building to continue to exist on the property of the City of Glens Falls
for less than one foot; and
WHEREAS, a hard look has been taken at the potential negative environmental impacts of the
proposed easement and it has been determined that the proposed action will not result in any
significant adverse environmental impacts;
Pg. 8
Common Council
10/24/06
NOW, THEREFORE, the Common Council of the City of Glens Falls does hereby declare itself to
be Lead Agency for the environmental review and after a hard look at the potential environmental
impacts the Common Council finds that the proposed action will not result in any significant
adverse environmental impacts and do hereby authorize and direct the Mayor to execute the
negative declaration on the form provided by the applicant, and do further authorize and direct the
Mayor to execute the Easement Agreement in the form annexed hereto.

Roll call vote taken on the foregoing resolution resulted as follows:
AYES: Councilman-at-Large Diamond, Councilwoman Villa-White, Councilmen Busch,
Watson, Brock and Driscoll.
NAYS: None.
Said resolution declared Adopted.



RESOLUTION NO. 386

On the motion of Councilman-at-Large Diamond, seconded by Councilman
Watson, it was
RESOLVED THAT, the Common Council hereby authorizes the payment of a
Health Insurance stipend, due August 31, 2006, to Chris Mellon; and
FURTHER, authorizes the Controller’s Office to increase General Fund expense
account A2-3410-1000 (Fire Dept. Personal Services) by $500.00 and expense
account A2-3410-8000 (Fire Dept. FICA) by $38.25 and to decrease General
Fund expense account A8-9060-8000 (Hospital and Medical Insurance) by
$538.25.
Roll call vote taken on the foregoing resolution resulted as follows:
AYES: Councilman-at-Large Diamond, Councilwoman Villa-White, Councilmen Busch,
Watson, Brock and Driscoll.
NAYS: None.
Said resolution declared Adopted.



RESOLUTION NO. 387

On the motion of Councilman-at-Large Diamond, seconded by Councilman
Watson, it was
RESOLVED THAT, the Common Council hereby authorizes the Controller’s
Office to increase General Fund revenue account A009999-4097 (Local Law
Enforcement Block Grant) by $1,234.96 and to increase General Fund expense
account A23124-4479A (Local Law Enforcement Block Grant) by $1,234.96, the
result of the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee reimbursement of Child
Passenger Safety Seat Grant expenses for the period April 1-June 30, 2006.
Roll call vote taken on the foregoing resolution resulted as follows:
AYES: Councilman-at-Large Diamond, Councilwoman Villa-White, Councilmen Busch,
Watson, Brock and Driscoll.
NAYS: None.
Said resolution declared Adopted.
Pg. 9
Common Council
10/24/06


RESOLUTION NO. 388
On the motion of Councilman-at-Large Diamond, seconded by Councilman
Watson, it was
RESOLVED THAT, the Common Council hereby approves Community
Development Home Rehabilitation Grant #05-041-05, in the amount of $20,000.
Roll call vote taken on the foregoing resolution resulted as follows:
AYES: Councilman-at-Large Diamond, Councilwoman Villa-White, Councilmen Busch,
Watson, Brock and Driscoll.
NAYS: None.
Said resolution declared Adopted.



RESOLUTION NO. 389

On the motion of Councilman-at-Large Diamond, seconded by Councilman
Watson, it was
RESOLVED THAT, the Common Council hereby approves Community
Development Home Rehabilitation Grant #05-018-008 in the amount of $31,115.
Roll call vote taken on the foregoing resolution resulted as follows:
AYES: Councilman-at-Large Diamond, Councilwoman Villa-White, Councilmen Busch,
Watson, Brock and Driscoll.
NAYS: None.
Said resolution declared Adopted.



RESOLUTION NO. 390

On the motion of Councilman-at-Large Diamond, seconded by Councilman
Watson, it was
RESOLVED THAT, the Common Council hereby approves the Community
Development Office’s manual payments in the amount of $5,545.71.
Roll call vote taken on the foregoing resolution resulted as follows:
AYES: Councilman-at-Large Diamond, Councilwoman Villa-White, Councilmen Busch,
Watson, Brock and Driscoll.
NAYS: None.
Said resolution declared Adopted.


RESOLUTION NO. 391

On the motion of Councilman-at-Large Diamond, seconded by Councilman
Watson, it was
RESOLVED THAT, the Common Council hereby approves the City payroll and
warrant #2006-19 dated 10/24/2006 and approved by the Purchasing Officer be
ordered and paid and charged to their respective accounts:
Pg. 10
Common Council
10/24/06
A General Fund ------------------------------------------------$
70,601.80
E01 GGFTS Operations & Maintenance -----------------$
27,206.21
E02 GGFTS Capital ------------------------------------------- $
383.50
F Water Fund ---------------------------------------------------$
13,376.29
G Sewer Fund --------------------------------------------------$
42,573.13
CV Civic Center -------------------------------------------------$
22,308.23
H3 McEchron House Restoration -------------------------- $
2,712.50
H4 Civic Center Restroom Restoration ------------------- $
2,940.00
HQ Reservoir Dam Project ----------------------------------- $
26,049.41
IB Glen Street Reconstruction ------------------------------- $ 745,501.18
IG Goodwin Sanitary Sewer ----------------------------------$
51,542.54
II Fifth Ward Sanitary Sewer Project -----------------------$
234,478.89
WARRANT TOTAL
$ 1,239,673.68
Roll call vote taken on the foregoing resolution resulted as follows:
AYES: Councilman-at-Large Diamond, Councilwoman Villa-White, Councilmen Busch,
Watson, Brock and Driscoll.
NAYS: None.
Said resolution declared Adopted.

Mayor Akins stated Item #10 is revised. It’s a resolution authorizing the City to apply for
a Feasibility and Implementation Study of Shared Community Planning Services to the
NYS Department of State, jointly with the County of Warren, with the City’s share of
matching funds not to exceed $2,500. The County of Warren has already passed their
Resolution No. 671 on October 13th and has prepared the application for same.

RESOLUTION NO. 392

On the motion of Councilman Watson, seconded by Councilwoman Villa-White, it
was
RESOLVED THAT, the Common Council hereby authorizes the City to apply for
a Feasibility and Implementation Study of Shared Community Planning Services
to the NYS Department of State, jointly with Warren County, with the City’s share
of matching funds not to exceed $2,500.
Roll call vote taken on the foregoing resolution resulted as follows:
AYES: Councilman-at-Large Diamond, Councilwoman Villa-White, Councilmen Busch,
Watson, Brock and Driscoll.
NAYS: None.
Said resolution declared Adopted.

Pg. 11
Common Council
10/24/06
Mayor Akins stated he had a couple of additions to the agenda. Item #15 is a resolution
authorizing the Mayor to sign a Civic Center contract after careful review by the Civic
Center Director for the Adirondack Stampede, scheduled for November 3 rd and 4th,
2006. He stated further that Item #16 is a resolution authorizing the Mayor to sign a
Civic Center contract after careful review by the Civic Center Director for The
Doodlebops! show scheduled for November 25, 2006.



RESOLUTION NO. 393

On the motion of Councilman-at-Large Diamond, seconded by Councilman
Watson, it was
RESOLVED THAT, the Common Council hereby authorizes the Mayor to sign a
Civic Center contract, after careful review by the Civic Center Director for the
Adirondack Stampede Rodeo, scheduled for November 3 & 4, 2006.
Roll call vote taken on the foregoing resolution resulted as follows:
AYES: Councilman-at-Large Diamond, Councilwoman Villa-White, Councilmen Busch,
Watson, Brock and Driscoll.
NAYS: None.
Said resolution declared Adopted.



RESOLUTION NO. 394

On the motion of Councilman-at-Large Diamond, seconded by Councilman
Watson, it was
RESOLVED THAT, the Common Council hereby authorizes the Mayor to sign a
Civic Center contract, after careful review by the Civic Center Director for The
Doodlebops! Show, scheduled for November 25, 2006.
Roll call vote taken on the foregoing resolution resulted as follows:
AYES: Councilman-at-Large Diamond, Councilwoman Villa-White, Councilmen Busch,
Watson, Brock and Driscoll.
NAYS: None.
Said resolution declared Adopted.

OLD BUSINESS
Councilman Brock stated they’re going into the budget – he talked to the Mayor a
couple of weeks ago who said at the time that how much they cut the Civic Center’s, or
if they cut it and how they cut it – you wanted a year to turn the Civic Center around. It
might be a good idea to know if you will be able turn the Civic Center around this year
and how much so the Council can know whether to cut, how much to cut. We can cut
hundreds of thousands to bring it back in. He would like to know what kind of
commitment plan the Mayor has as they go into the budget season.
Pg. 12
Common Council
10/24/06
Mayor Akins stated that the Council will be getting the presentation of his budget
tonight, later on and it’s all in that.
Councilman Driscoll stated that the Ward Five sewer project is complete. He's pleased
about that, but he’s not pleased about the timeliness of addressing other needs of his
constituents. For a resident on Basin St., some work has been done, but not an
adequate amount of work in his opinion and in the opinion of fellow Council members.
Another situation is a business in his Ward, which receives City services but doesn’t
receive City water or sewer. They need to begin resolving these issues with a City
Engineer. He would encourage the City to do everything in it’s power to get a trained
and educated individual in that position as soon as possible.
Mayor Akins replied they’ve been under a great strain this year with all of the
construction and only three people in the water and sewer road crew. They’re still
negotiating and bringing in new people for the water and sewer program. So it’s very
difficult to answer all the emergencies all over the City on a 24/7 basis with three
people. We’ll take those comments and work on all of the situations that we have.
NEW BUSINESS
Councilman Watson stated that the Youth Advisory Council has started meeting again –
we had two meetings recently and the group is off to a great start. They are looking to
have a concert, which that group would sponsor and host at the Park Street Theater on
November 17th, from 7:30 – 10:30 PM. It will be a concert that they will decide on what
they want to do – have a DJ for part of the time and have a local high school band for
part of the time. They’re looking to open it up to all youth in the area, for ages roughly
from 14-19 that want to come out and be a part of something that doesn’t really exist in
this area at the current time. This group would like to start having regular events that
would appeal to their generation.
Councilman Busch stated at the very first meeting of that group, they talked about really
wishing they had a bookstore downtown. Did they have any comments on that now?
Councilman Watson replied they did – they had a meeting the day before Red Fox
Books was opening up. When they came back to last night’s meeting a few had already
visited there and were thrilled they finally had a bookstore to go to downtown. They’re
happy about that and want to continue to go downtown and support the businesses and
make it part of their own in the coming years.
Councilman Driscoll stated that the City has demonstrated it’s ability to attract people
here for entertainment for two entirely different venues over the past couple of weeks.
That’s encouraging and they should keep up those efforts. The second issue he had is
in response to an ad that ran in The Post Star recently for the City Engineer position. In
his opinion it was an unfair ad and his understanding is no one responded to it. It was a
small ad, placed next to an ad for a dishwasher. He used to work as a dishwasher and
understands the importance of washing dishes, but thinks they need to expend a few
more dollars to catch the eye of qualified candidates.
Pg. 13
Common Council
10/24/06
Mayor Akins replied that he’d instructed the Personnel Office to extend that ad into the
Albany market. Queensbury is also looking for a similar kind of person and have had
very little responses. He stated that at this time he would ask Mike Mender to pass out
his proposed budget for 2007. He read a cover letter to the Common Council attached
to the budget, which stated that he proposes “a budget that calls for a 5.8 percent
increase in the tax rate, from $10.49 per thousand of assessed value, to $10.95 per
thousand of assessed value”.



RESOLUTION NO. 395
On the motion of Councilman-at-Large Diamond, seconded by Councilman
Busch, all voting affirmatively, it was
RESOLVED THAT, the Common Council hereby adjourns the October 24, 2006
meeting.

