Common Council - Regular Meeting

We're live.

We're live? Okay. Committee of the Whole agenda, June 16th, 2026. Call the roll. Call the roll. Not for this one.

Okay.

Review of agendas. We have... Resolution. First resolution. 2526-218, RESOLUTION ADOPTED, ADMITTED FROM THE PUBLIC HEARING AND LAST COMMON COUNCIL MEETING. THAT'S FINE. RESOLUTION 2526-219, RESOLUTION BUDGET ADJUSTMENT, MILITARY BAN, ULTIMATE HOLIDAY.

SORRY, I'M CUTCHING UP WITH YOU. And this is for the recreation department for the purchase and installation of military banners. Just something that we had to increase the revenue line and then increase the expense line. It levels it out, so that's that.

While we're talking about this, I think that maybe Rich or somebody should talk to Rob and see if we want to continue to use the current printer. Because sometimes they wait six to eight months for these signs.

And I know you can get these printed. That's good to know, Chris. I'm going to make a note of that. Thank you. So there's a lot of people out there that are like, how come it takes so long to get the sign?

And then once the sign does come in, then it's an issue for when they go up. Because they've got to have a certain trunk to get them out. Right. That's all.

Anything else?

That's all.

Okay. Resolution 2526-220, Resolution to Renew Property and Liability Insurance Gallagher.

Yeah. I was hoping Louise would be here. She's not going to be here today? No. I talked about it, but this is pretty straightforward. It's just a renewal of the insurance for a property liability in Gallagher.

Our rating is improving. THE INCREASE IS LOWER THAN WE'VE HAD IN THE PAST BASED UPON THAT RATING. WE STILL HAVE A WAYS TO GO. IT'S VERY, VERY EXPENSIVE TO COVER OUR CITY FOR LIABILITY AND LOSS, AND WE'RE WORKING ON IT.

THANK YOU, MAYOR. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? RESOLUTION 2526-221.

I HAVE A QUESTION. OKAY. WHY IS IT NOT TO EXCEED

Say it again, James.

Not to exceed $770,000. Oh, we have a figure because it went up. They gave us an increase of 7.83% increase. Right. But yet, how come we don't have an exact amount?

I'm not sure, Jim.

Okay, so we'll find that out, right?

Yeah. I believe they're guaranteeing that as a top, it may be lower. Oh, okay. There were still some things they were looking at. BUT WE HAVE TO RENEW THE POLICY.

SO IS 773 THE 7.8%? SO IT COULD BE.

OKAY.

YES. ALL RIGHT. OKAY. RESOLUTION 2526-221, RESOLUTION WAIVING 30 DAY ADVANCED NOTICE APPLICATION FOR LIQUOR LICENSE LPG BAR AND GRILL LLC WILL CHANGE TO APPLICATION.

Yes. On the third whereas clause, it says whereas a change has been made to the original application was approved by Resolution 107 on January 6th. Well, now they want to put a freestanding coverage structure in the pavilion, so they want to apply for that also.

It already exists, the pavilion. They've done the work on it now, and they're ready to open it, and they want to have a bar outside when they have events outside.

So they want to waive the 30-day rule.

We've already done that inside for their inside bar. This is for their outside.

Any other questions? Resolution 2526-222, Resolution Authorizing Contract for Employee Assistant Program with ESI.

The city is required to offer an EAP per the employee's union contracts. This is contractual. THIS WILL COVER US FROM 7-1-26 TO 6-30-27. ANY QUESTIONS?

RESOLUTION 2526-223, RESOLUTION TRANSFERRING FUNDS FOR POOLHOUSE PROJECTS. OLDEN HOLIDAY.

YEP. SO THE CITY IS GOING TO BUILD A NEW POOLHOUSE AT VETS PARK. PRETTY EXCITING STUFF. The rec department was approved for a $100,000 grant. And correct me if I'm wrong, we're putting up the money first and getting reimbursed. Am I right, Mayor?

Oh, yeah. We also have another grant, CFA grant for there.

Great.

And it's going to be like a $400,000 project.

Yeah.

We're getting ready to do that with these transfers.

Right. So some exciting stuff coming down the pike. And that's that. We pull house.

Is it going to be in the same area? It is.

We're moving the pool house from the back of the pool to the front of the pool. It's actually a state regulation that the pool house be in the front, not the back. And so it's going to be a big change in terms of the look of the place, but it's going to be a brand new pool house and it will be a concession stand as part of the pool house. Great. It'll be easier to get to. It'll be much easier to get to.

Resolution 25 26 dash 2 to 4 resolution authorizing sales equipment through public option.

I explained this to Louise that many of us Equipment that we're buying in a budget each year So when they buy a new piece of equipment, they just get rid of the old stuff as updated Broken down just to clear the area for new stuff So each department had submitted a list, water treatment plant, Glenwell, wastewater treatment plant, the fire department, police department, DPW, and they basically got rid of all their junk. That's what this is. So they have what they call an auction. So our basic auctioneer, Colorado City Auction, does an online auction. He does all the same advertising and everything else, and he moves all his equipment.

SO WHAT IS THEIR PERCENTAGE THAT THEY GET PAID FOR DOING THAT?

THEIR USER CONTRACT, WHICH IS, I THINK, 11%. AND THAT'S PAID BY THE BUYER. THERE'S NO COST TO THE CITY.

ANY QUESTIONS? THANK YOU. OKAY. RESOLUTION 2526-225, RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE AN OPTION AGREEMENT WITH REUTILIZATION CORPORATION OF THE CAPITAL REGION FOR SPECIFIC MUNICIPAL PROPERTIES. IRENE COLLINS. MAYOR, WOULD YOU LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS?

YEAH, THIS IS AN EXCITING PROJECT FOR OUR CITY. IT'S SOMETHING WE'VE BEEN WORKING FOR FOR QUITE A LONG TIME. AS YOU KNOW, WE HAVE DEMOLISHED A LOT OF BLIGHT IN OUR CITY. AND IN DOING SO, WE HAVE BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL IN SELLING THE VACANT LOTS TO PEOPLE WHO PERHAPS LIVE NEXT DOOR OR ACROSS THE STREET FROM THEM. who have used those lots to expand their property or, you know, off-street parking, et cetera. But also we have several vacant lots that were not sold on streets that, you know, Union, the streets that are listed here. They're gaps. They're small lots. They're undersized lots, not typical building lots. But what we're doing is we're working with land bank and a contractor to put – a special design modular home in those lots, and fill in the gaps, like gaps in your mouth with a tooth missing. Now we're going to be able to put a home there, a home that looks good, brand new, energy efficient, fits into the neighborhood. I'm very excited about this. There will be nine of them built, and what we're doing here is we're selling the lots to the land bank, For the amount, the only amount of money that is owed back tax-wise are fees that have not been paid. It's $2,077 total for all these nine lots. So we're getting that off the books. So we're in compliance with the sale of city-owned property so that anybody who claims that tax, we've got it to pay them back. But I'm excited about this. I think it's going to be really good for our city. Again, the land bank's our partner on it. Can't go wrong there. There'll be nine new homes, and these homes will be sold at affordable prices based upon government subsidies that will help keep those prices down. Yes? There's eight properties listed. Oh, it should be nine. One of the lots is two.

Yeah, it's going to be subdivided.

Oh, you're here, Dan. What are you making me talk for? Yeah, they're going to subdivide one of the lots. So there's eight lots total, one is... Two hours on it, so that's why. Dan, you have anything to add about what I just said? That was perfect. Any questions for Dan?

Are they going to have off-screen parking?

Yes.

Okay. So the land get tested and be transferred basically to the land bank and then they oversee the development of the home, not the city.

Who's the firm?

The state hasn't selected it yet. There's a couple options. The state's going to select the...

A FEW OPTIONS THAT THEY'RE LOOKING AT. I'VE SEEN THE OPTIONS. THEY'RE VERY ATTRACTIVE. I THINK THEY'LL FIT INTO THESE NEIGHBORHOODS IN A WAY THAT, YOU KNOW, THEY WON'T LOOK LIKE SORE THUMBS. THEY'LL LOOK LIKE THEY BELONG THERE. AND HOPEFULLY, I KNOW THEY'LL SELL. I KNOW THEY'LL SELL BECAUSE THEY'RE GOING TO BE AT A GOOD PRICE. AND THEY'RE GOING TO BE A REAL PLUS FOR THESE NEIGHBORHOODS, A REAL PLUS FOR THE PROPERTIES AROUND THEM.

Will it be a specific group like low-income housing first?

When you say low-income, they'll have income qualifications. They have to meet those income qualifications. Nowadays, low-income is different than when, you know. But, yeah, it's definitely going to be for people who can't afford to buy a home that is typically priced.

Once we do this, the company that's purchasing them with the land bank, are they responsible for mowing and all that stuff?

The vacant lots? Because I know there's one that's really bad. Again, if the city owns them, we should be doing that soon. But once they own them, I imagine they are responsible for them. But I'm hoping they get moving quickly on these things. But I'll check into that, Chris. I don't have an answer to that.

So the land bank does have a firm they've contracted with to help with the maintenance and preparation of lots for the installation houses.

I only ask because there's one of the addresses that I know of.

FIND THAT OUT FOR SURE YEAH ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OKAY RESOLUTION 2526-226 RESOLUTION TRANSFERRING FUNDS FOR THE GOLF COURSE MOWER ALDERMAN CARPERTON OKAY IN 2025 RESOLUTION 20 24 25 201 THE CITY APPROVED PURCHASE OF A NEW LAWN MOWER AT 44 338 DOLLARS

However, it was not delivered until January of 2026. So this transfer, $25,000 from golf contingency, $5,346 from unemployment, increasing golf course equipment, $30,346 is what's needed to pay for the lawnmower.

And we don't need that money in unemployment?

No. No.

No.

No.

And I say no because I'm not the person who would decide it, but the controller would.

But that was over budgeted then or something?

When you say over budgeted, yeah, probably. I mean, we've got money left in that account.

Or it wasn't used. And that money went back into the general fund for 2425 and we're just taking it out of 25.

This was an audit issue. We could not carry over that number from the previous year's budget. And so we have to pay for it out

RESOLUTION 2526227, RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ADVERTISING FOR BIDS FOR A CDBG-FUNDED LED SERVICE LINE REPLACING PROJECT.

AGAIN.

I MEAN, I CAN SPEAK TO THE FACT THAT WE'RE PUTTING IT OUT.

MIKE'S NOT ACTUALLY GETTING THE BID PREPARED PUT OUT. BUT WE HAVE 20 PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN INCOME QUALIFIED FOR IT. SO WE'RE PROCEEDING WITH THOSE 20.

MIKE, DO YOU WANT TO SAY SOMETHING?

THE ONLY THING I WOULD ADD IS I BELIEVE WE'VE SENT THE BID DOCUMENTS INTO HCR. AS SOON AS THAT'S PROVED, THEN WE'LL ADVERTISE IT. BUT I WANTED TO GET AHEAD OF THAT, IF I COULD.

CHRIS, DO YOU WANT TO SAY ANYTHING?

DAN? OKAY. ANYBODY GOT ANY QUESTIONS? OKAY. OKAY.

RESOLUTION 2526-228, RESOLUTION TRANSFERRED FUNDS, SPILLED THROUGH TIMER REPLACEMENT, HOLDING CARPENTER.

The current filter, well, the previous filter was installed in 2010. The electrical components and software are obsolete. This panel controls the clarifier and filter process for the plant. So the SCADA team has provided an estimate for the replacement of a price net to exceed $328,575. We're going to decrease the contingency fund $198,732 unused sick benefit $25,000, chemicals $45,000, water ventilation $11,000. We're going to increase expenses in the filter panel replacement project for $279,000 and an inter-fund transfer and increase inter-fund transfer revenue of the same amount. So, Mike, you got anything you want to add to that?

The only thing is that this panel, just like everything else, is 16 years old. It's not supported anymore. So it involves the replacement of the HMI and PLC behind it.

And again, by doing it with this year's money instead of next year's money, we're able to keep that expense in this year's budget and not have to increase the water rate to pay for that.

And I would assume 15 years later, the new system is much more efficient than the previous one.

They are. They're certainly easier to use. They have more of the data. More of the data is right there in front of you. It translates into a better...

RESOLUTION 2526-239, RESOLUTION AUTHORIZE THE CONTRACT WITH SNACK SHACK INC. CONNECTION WITH FOOD TRAILER CONCESSION SERVICES AT VETERANS PARK. ALL THE WOMEN. Okay.

This is an individual from Fort Johnson that is interested in handling the concessions at our trailer at Veterans Park. And I don't know if you guys want the name added in or not, but she has experience in food service. She was looking to do this a couple years ago and then village dissolved and then she couldn't use the land anymore for that so that kind of stopped it and now from my understanding is going to be simple food, hot dogs, hamburgers, kind of what you would want when you were going to the pool. So that is, we're going to give that a shot this year is what we're looking at.

Mike do we need to add the name? I mean Anthony's not here so we can't ask him. Add the name of the woman. I couldn't spell it.

I mean, if you guys want to. As long as it's not a contract. Yeah.

As long as it's not a contract. Yeah.

I mean, that's the thing.

Should they?

Yeah. Okay. Any other questions?

It looks good to me. Any other questions? No.

All right. Resolution 2526-230, resolution approving the audit, and the audit is final.

have one consent 2526-231 resolution budget transfer recreation alderman holiday yep the rec department uh created some additional revenues this year and um they want to use that money that they created and spend a little more money on some of their contractual expenses so it's just a uh you know half dozen one hand six and the other type of deal so

Again, throughout the year, we have accumulated expenses. REC has had to pay for unbudgeted expenses. One of the examples would be the park on East Main Street, which went over budget. And this money is coming from, Kelly, I got your email, sponsorships. For example, if a business sponsors Wing Fest, if a business sponsors Pub Crawl, they pay a fee. That fee typically doesn't get spent on PubFest and WingFest. It's excess funding in sponsorships. They get their money out of the advertising and the promotional value of the event. All we buy for WingFest is a trophy and some shirts. So we have excess monies in the sponsorships. And it's not that those people didn't get their money's worth. It's just that we didn't spend the dollars on merchandise. We still have those dollars, which paid for advertising.

So yeah, so it's not sponsorship. Exactly. fireworks or bounce houses.

Right.

Okay.

Cool. Any questions other than that? Thank you.

We have an ordinance, but that's at 5.55. The public hearing's at 5.55.

So you guys will vote tonight on ordinance G to be known as ordinance number six.

I'll go out of order as usual.

You'll notice next week a road closure

broadway hill up to about cleaning well up to command uh sewer replacement for that section that's gonna that works gonna start next week um it shouldn't take long but i would expect that they're going to close it next week and then probably two weeks thereafter for a few days it's not a super difficult project uh dan gray mentioned the lead service lines yeah it's uh we will advertise that as soon as we get clearance from hcr um paving program i keep getting questions uh they'll see never supposed to walk a lot of the streets today we're going to start they're going to be they got to focus on the sidewalk corners for ada compliance and some of the drainage structures first what i expect to see them in planning on tomorrow The bridge in Crescent Ave, that is, we're supposed to do a walkthrough beginning of next week, and I'm expecting it to be open to traffic by the end of the week. Our transmission line, which you've heard a lot about, our water transmission line, which comes out from One Mile to the city's plant. I don't know if you're aware now, we had a break on it last Thursday. Anytime we have a break on that, it's a major problem. It's not like any other water line in the city. It was repaired temporarily. We're going to finish that job tomorrow night. Our plant crew and the water crew and everybody did a fantastic job with that. We've had to wait the better part of a week so that we can recover our water tanks. Was different about breaking that transmission line and the reason a couple of years ago we did that clearing project which Was so that we could find something like this in a hurry Thank God we did Three years ago would have been under about a five acre beaver pond It's not now and we were able to repair it and since last Friday morning basically getting water back in into our tanks and And getting the plants right back where it should be was that morning. But also not just our tanks, the town of Amsterdam and the town of Florida also recovered their water tanks in the process. We're in good shape now. Because of it, we had the suspended flushing for this week. I didn't want to use any more water than we had to. I'm glad that it's a lot colder this week because we had decided to cease with the splash pads until we have our tanks back to where they are. But before it's hot again, they'll be on probably, I'm hoping, by Friday. And so the kids can be jumping around them in the weekend and shivering. I don't think it's going to be that warm. And I'll take any questions that you have. Questions for the engineers?

Okay, I'll take two minutes to talk about our ambulance. We have been waiting all week for the approval from official word from the state assembly that our grant for the ambulance money, our new ambulance money was going to be approved by committee. It's still in committee. They're going very slow according to our assembly. As a result, We can't present with you a resolution tonight to officially let us purchase that ambulance, but what we would like to do is do this on Monday. We know that this happened to us the last time when we purchased the fire truck and got the same sort of grant. We get the letter from the assemblyman saying you have the money, and we get an application for the SAMS grant, which we complete and send to the assembly. The same thing has happened this time. The problem is that the committee has not approved it yet. So we're gonna wait until next week to ask you to pass a resolution. But in doing so, we're gonna have to call a special meeting. So I will do that as quickly as we possibly can to make sure that we get this done this budget year and that we get that, the ambulance is ready to be delivered. We've been putting the guy on hold because we expected to be able to do this at this meeting and it just didn't happen. So we're gonna open up our public hearing.

Thank you very much. This is for ordinance G of 2026 to be known as ordinance number six of 2026 if adopted. This will be voted on tonight and it's an ordinance modifying Amsterdam city code section 228-45, schedule 11, trucks over certain weights excluded adding the entirety of first street, second street, third street and fourth street to prohibiting trucks in excess of 13 tons. Anybody here to speak on that?

Okay, so we'll close that public hearing. So what I'd like to do is just ask you guys when a good night, Monday or Tuesday, it would be, or afternoon, it doesn't have to be night. We can do it in the morning. We can do it anytime, but we just want to make sure.

Mayor, it's got to be in person, correct?

We need to get, how many? Yes. We need how many of you to pass that? Three, right? What is it? It's going to be a resolution. Probably a resolution and a budget transfer.

Great. I can make it. Mondays are best for me. But that's just me. So you're talking next week?

In the morning?

I'm free. Morning, good first.

Morning, early morning.

If we could do before 8. 8 o'clock.

How about 8 o'clock? 8 o'clock. You guys get up.

I'm going to take my kids to school.

I'm up at 5.

If we do it Tuesday morning, I'd be fine with it. It's fine too. You want to get six in here?

I wouldn't mind. I'm awake.

That's very transparent for the public. 9.30? 9 o'clock?

9.30.

9.30. 9.30 works for everybody? Sure. Thank you very much, counsel. Okay, fire chief. Tony, all set for 9.30? Very good. All righty then. 9.30 Tuesday. 21 minutes.

Stacy could do her. Go ahead.

Cool. Okay, Stacy. Go ahead. I wanted to say happy birthday to our city clerk. Thank you. Happy birthday. Today? Yesterday. She's 21 years old. All right.

All right.

With that, I'll start my report. I'll show you something else. No? Any other birthdays? A cake. No, no. I didn't want any of that. We have all that. So the clerk's report for this month, which reflects our numbers from May, birth certificates, we printed 117 of those. And when we're looking at these numbers, I just want to remind everybody the decrease is because last year was the big hike for everybody to get their real IDs or their enhanced license so that they could fly. So we were expecting the trend to go down with the number that we're printing. So the birth certificates, there was negative 71 of those. Death certificates, 89 for 2026, 136 for 2025, which was 47 less. Dog licenses, there were 58 for this year in May, 71 for last year in May, which was 13 less. And marriage certificates, 18 of those for this year. There were 35 last year, which was 17 less. So the new births for this year, we had 28 new babies that were born at the St. Mary's Hospital. There were 24 deaths, 25 of the 58 dog licenses that we issued were new, and there were six new marriages in the city for May of this year. foils processed, there were 52 foils, 10 of those were accident reports, 23 were police incident reports, and 19 were property inquiries. I notarized 61 documents, the mayor was nice and gave me 46 of those, and for handicap placards, we issued 50, 46 were permanent, and four of those were temporary.

Thank you very much. We're going to call a meeting of order, please, Senator, if I believe this.

United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Alderwoman Krista Martins. Here. Alderman Holliday. Here. Alderwoman Collins. Here. Alderman Carpenter.

Here.

Alderman Marticella.

Here.

Motion to adopt the agenda. We have 13 resolutions, one consent, one ordinance to be voted upon.

Alderwoman Collins. Aye. Alderman Carpenter. Aye. Alderman Marticello. Aye. Alderwoman Cuesta-Mars. Aye. Alderman Holliday.

Aye. We do have a proclamation tonight. It's time on our agenda where we present proclamations. I'm very proud to do this one. We have some representatives from our Sanitation Department here as well. Proclamation declaring June 15th to 19th, 2026, as sanitation workers weep in the city of Amsterdam. Whereas sanitation workers provide an essential public service that protects the health, safety, and well-being of our community through the collection, transportation, and disposal of waste and recyclable material, and whereas these dedicated professionals work tirelessly in all weather conditions, often performing physically demanding tasks that are critical to maintaining clean neighborhoods, safe streets, and a healthy environment, and whereas sanitation workers demonstrate professionalism, reliability, and commitment while serving residents and businesses each day, helping to preserve the quality of life enjoyed throughout our community, and whereas their efforts contribute significantly to environmental stewardship through waste reduction, recycling initiatives, and sustainable waste management practices, and whereas it is fitting and proper to recognize the invaluable contributions of sanitation workers and express our gratitude for their service and dedication, Now, therefore, be it resolved that I, Michael Cinquani, Mayor of the City of Amsterdam, New York, do hereby proclaim that June 15th through the 19th of 2026 is designated as Sanitation Workers Week in the City of Amsterdam, and I encourage all residents to join in recognizing and thanking the sanitation professionals whose hard work, dedication, and service help keep our community clean, healthy, and thriving. Gentlemen, ma'am, thank you very much for the work you do. Come on up, guys. I was going to ask all of our citizens to get out there and shake their hand, but they get out there too early, so that's impossible to do. I'm awake. How about we turn this way, away from the glare?

Turn this way.

Flags, glare.

This is a beautiful background.

Smile, Paul.

Did the interior come up?

Then we are on to the public participation portion of our

at which time the public is invited to approach the podium. State your name, address. You have five minutes to talk to the council.

Good evening. My name is Arlene Bronski. I'm here to see if you've had time to set up a committee to review the solar separation from the battery storage, if you've had time to set up a committee. I'm not going to hear your answer because I'm hearing impaired. But I believe Alderman Carpenter has my email address and a status could hopefully be provided to him, to me.

Okay.

Okay. Thank you so much. It's critical for me to have this separated from battery storage. There are two different processes. Okay, so there's playing Okay, thank you I'm Mike Marini when sort of driving today Is similar to what she said, but I would the battery storage I have a lease option land.

I have an industrial park and my understanding is that We're in our second moratorium. I'm just wondering if we're actually getting information. I know it's been offered, but I'm hoping that you listen to multiple reliable sources to make a decision on that, if it's going to be appropriate. I believe it was Grant Eggleston helped write a draft, and that was early in the first moratorium. I NEVER HEARD ANYTHING ABOUT IT THAT ANYONE MADE ANY DECISIONS ON IT AMENDMENTS SO I JUST THINK IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME AND I HOPE WE'RE WE'RE GAINING UH INFORMATION AND GETTING EDUCATED ON THIS SO THANK YOU THANK YOU HELLO

Steven Graves, Carson Power. I was here at the last meeting speaking on behalf of the moratorium. We had a few council members come up after the moratorium conversation and ask for more information, specifically community input, fire input, benefits input. Really just wanted to see, I know my counterpart at Amoresco has been reaching out. I've also been reaching out via email to the whole group and then separately to each of the council members. Wanted to see if one they're getting through, maybe they got blocked.

But two, if there is an opportunity to speak, you know, again, we'd be happy to participate. I know we reviewed the draft law back in February. It's made to the council.

But we'd be happy to speak both to the community, fire department, all of the benefits, and then kind of educate because there's obviously some concerns and some fears out there. But I think there's also a lot of miseducation. So, again, I'll be around after the meeting to talk and we'll continue to try to break through and I thank you for your time. Thank you.

I will say our Corporation Counsel has been out of town for the last 10 days. He's due back Wednesday, tomorrow, at which point I will contact him, and we will meet as a committee and discuss some of the issues that you've been talking about, and you'll be invited in to talk to us, okay? Thank you. You're welcome. Anyone else from the public wish to speak at this time? Kelly?

What should be the best two plus weeks of the precious summertime of the year are completely destroyed by the destruction of illegal fireworks by residents and excessive firework shows by the city government. Fireworks cause thousands of fires, permanent injuries, hearing loss, air pollution, noise pollution, and severely degraded quality of life. I'm here to invite the public to help contain can stop illegal fireworks and the excessive amount of illegal fireworks in the city of Amsterdam, the state, and nationally. To work on this problem collectively in an organized fashion and combat explosive fireworks and all other environmental degradations in and around the city of Amsterdam, I've created a Facebook group called, quote, Amsterdam New York Environment, unquote, so that residents can expose the illegal firework crime on any day it occurs. including the Fourth of July. Please upload videos, pictures, and comments, and let's expose the people destroying our city. Change will happen if people do their share. Now, the city of Amsterdam should have a video upload for this purpose, but for some reason, they failed to make the necessary tool available to the public. Let me also mention, neither the police department nor the police chief have an email contact. These are basic failures of the police department. Let me connect two important aspects here. Stopping firework, noise pollution, and animal welfare. This council mayor should pass the, quote, protecting animals and virus noise pollution reduction act, unquote, to deal with these issues. Something I've worked on for years. The new police dog named Dave is trained for explosive detection. So I want to ask, is this dog being used to find and arrest people with illegal fireworks? Let me state that I don't believe the police should use animals to attack humans. For example, the police dogs are trained, I would say enslaved, and undergo months of electric shock training. And the police should show collars on the dogs. Does mistreating animals in this way sound like good behavior? I think people donating to canine fundraisers should know that their money is being used to enslave and abuse dogs, including poor Dave. Last month, this council made June Heroes Month for the police and fire department. Police, if they are not arresting people for fireworks on 4th of July, are not heroes and not handling public safety. Let's not let that be the continued norm here. Here's a list of people with eventual large illegal 4th of July firework explosion displays destroying the city. I'll give this list to the mayor, to the council, and to the police chief. Michael Batacola and Rachel Rose, 299, 289 Market Street. This is free speech. No. Don't list their names. In the city. My thing. Jim Hayes, LLC tenants at 204 West Main Street. Maria Rodriguez.

Excuse me, are you accusing these people of something? No, excuse me, are you accusing these people of something?

Yes, people of fireworks. You get to do that. Yes, they do it every year. It's factual. It's factual. How do you know that? Christopher Riccio, family, 30 Tremont Ave, I have new evidence. Chief, is this possible to do? 30 Tremont Ave, large cells. Joseph and Gilda Constantine, 22 Tremont Ave, 55 and a half McClellan Street, residents at their house and at the four diamonds. I ask the people setting off these explosives, what exactly are you celebrating? The 50% of the federal debt being war spending? Criminal community abuse, U.S. presence in the federal government who murder millions? Lack of democracy, massive local, state, and school taxes. Think about that when you're letting out these explosions. Plutocratic control, genocide of the native people, genocide of Palestinians. Is that something to celebrate? Why don't we use our right to protest at city parks and oppose this militarism and impunity festival that only war profiteers and promoters and forest restorers such as Daniel Roth of Danubin LLC think that we should celebrate? He's sponsoring the Fourth of July. This retrograde military's forging explosions should be left in the dustbin of history and invite people to actually use their rights in protest before, on, and after the Fourth of July. U.S. Constitution is tyranny. We must demand and make a new Constitution if we want justice.

Anyone else wish to speak tonight? All right. We have no old business group. So we are on to the resolutions.

Resolution number 2526-218, resolution adopting minutes from public hearing and last common council meeting by Alderwoman Collins.

Don't move.

Holder. Alderwoman Collins. Aye. Alderman Carpenter.

Aye.

Alderman Marticello.

Aye.

Alderwoman Cuesta-Mars. Aye. Alderman Holiday.

Aye.

Resolution number 2526-219, resolution budget adjustment military banners by Alderman Holiday. Whereas the recreation department received $9,798 for the purchase of installation of military banners with 100% of these funds will be used to cover expenses associated with the banners. Whereas a budget adjustment is required in order to add these amounts to the budget. Resolved, the controller is authorized to make the following 2025-26 budget transfer. Increased revenue, military banner revenue, $9,798. Increased expense, military banner expense, $9,798. Thank you, Stacey.

Any questions? Call the roll, please.

Alderman Holliday.

Aye.

Alderwoman Collins. Aye. Alderman Carpenter. Aye. Alderman Marticello.

Aye.

Alderwoman Quistamars. Aye. Resolution number 2526-220, Resolution to Renew Property and Liability Insurance, Gallagher, by Alderman Holliday. Aye. Whereas insurance safeguards the city from incurring a substantial cost from losses related to property damage and liability. And whereas the city of Amsterdam has property and liability insurance policies with New York Municipal Reciprocal and Arch Insurance Company that require renewal on an annual basis. Whereas Gallagher is the broker of record for the city's property and liability coverage. Now therefore, be it resolved, the mayor is authorized to sign agreements with New York State Municipal Insurance Reciprocal Nimer and Arch Insurance Company for property and casualty insurance effective July 1st, 2026 through June 30th, 2027 FOR AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $773,147. THIS AMOUNT REPRESENTS A 7.83% INCREASE FROM 2025 TO 26. THANK YOU, STACY.

ANY QUESTIONS? CALL THE ROLL, PLEASE.

ALDERMAN HOLIDAY.

AYE.

ALDERWOMAN COLLINS. AYE. ALDERMAN CARPENTER. AYE. ALDERMAN MARTICELLO. AYE. ALDERWOMAN CUESTIMARS. AYE. RESOLUTION 2526-221, Resolution waiving 30-day advance notice application for liquor license. LPG Bar and Grill LLC was changed to application by Alderman Marticello. Whereas LPG Bar and Grill LLC submitted an application for a liquor license to the State Liquor Authority to sell liquor, wine, beer, and cider at the location of 226 West Main Street in the City of Amsterdam.

So moved. Any discussion? Call the roll.

Alderman Marticello. Aye. Aye. alderwoman questomers alderman holiday alderwoman collins alderman carpenter resolution number 2526-222 resolution authorizing contract for employee assistance program with esi by alderman carpenter whereas the city is required to offer an employee assistance program to employees per union contracts and whereas the city contracted with esi from July 1st, 2025 to June 30th, 2026 to provide an EAP to City of Amsterdam employees and would like to renew the contract effective July 1st, 2026 at a cost of $26.23 per employee per month, $5,009.93 annually. Whereas these funds are included in the city's 2026-27 operating budget. Resolved, the mayor is authorized to sign the attached annual contract with ESI effective July 1st, 2026 to June 30th of 2027. So moved. Any questions? Alderman Carpenter.

Aye.

Alderman Marticello. Aye. Alderwoman Quistomars. Aye. Alderman Holliday. Aye. Alderwoman Collins. Aye. Resolution number 2526-223. Resolution transferring funds for pool house project by Alderman Holliday. Aye.

Stacey, you can just read the first two whereas's and then the resolved, please. Thank you.

Whereas the city would like to build a new pool house at Veterans Park and city staff have been actively exploring funding options. Whereas the Recreation Department was approved for a $100,000 grant reimbursement from OCFS for 2024-25 summer camp expenses. Resolved, the controller is authorized to transfer funds from the 2025-26 fiscal year budget as follows. Increased revenue, appropriated fund balance, $100,000. Interfund transfer capital fund, $100,000. Increased expense, pool house expense capital fund, $100,000. Interfund transfer general fund, $100,000. Thank you, Stacey.

So moved. Any questions? Call the roll, please.

Alderman Holiday.

Aye.

Alderman Collins. Aye. Alderman Carpenter. Aye. Alderman Marticello. Aye. Alderman Quistomars. Aye. resolution number 2526-224 resolution authorizing sale of surplus equipment through public auction by alderman marticello whereas various departments in the city of amsterdam have identified property that is no longer needed or has no practical use to a city department whereas the police department has an inventory of miscellaneous seized abandoned property that it needs to dispose of in accordance with federal state and local requirements Whereas, the city has engaged the services of Collier City Auctions in the past to sell surplus property through public auction and has been satisfied with the level of professionalism and services that Collier City provides. Resolved, the mayor is authorized to sign a contract with Collier City Auctions for the purpose of selling the following list of surplus property at an upcoming public auction.

Just to name the departments of which there's going to be

Water Treatment Plant, Glen Wild, Wastewater Treatment Plant, Fire Department, Police Department, Department of Public Works.

Okay, so moved, thank you. Call the roll.

Alderman Marticello.

Aye.

Alderwoman Cuesta-Martin. Aye. Alderman Holliday.

Aye.

Alderwoman Collins. Aye. Alderman Carpenter. Aye. resolution number 2526-225 resolution authorizing the mayor to execute an option agreement with the land reutilization corporation of the capital region region for specific i'm sorry for specified municipal properties by alderwoman collins whereas the city of amsterdam holds title to various parcels of real property acquired through tax foreclosure or other municipal means And whereas the Land Reutilization Corporation of the Capital Region, the Land Bank, is a duly established not-for-profit corporation formed under the New York State Land Bank Act to facilitate the return of vacant, abandoned, and tax-delinquent properties to productive use. And whereas... the City of Amsterdam's Property Disposition Committee held a meeting on May 13th to review applications and determine the optimal disposition of distressed municipal holdings. You can skip down to the resolve. Resolve that the Common Council of the City of Amsterdam hereby approves and authorizes the execution of an option agreement with the Land Reutilization Corporation of the Capital Region for the following properties. Do you want me to read the SBLs as well? No, just the property. Okay. Property addresses are 55 through 57 Union Street, 37 Elizabeth Street, 59 through 61 Union Street, 60 Union Street, 6 Kimball Street, 15 Kimball Street, 302 Division Street, and 82 Prospect Street. So moved. Call the roll. Alderman Collins. Aye. Alderman Carpenter. Aye. Alderman Marticello.

Aye.

Alderwoman Quistomars. Aye. Alderman Holliday.

Aye.

Resolution number 2526-226, resolution transferring funds for golf course mower by Alderman Carpenter. Whereas on April 15th, 2025, resolution number 2425-201 was approved that authorized the purchase of various golf course maintenance equipment. Whereas one of the approved pieces of equipment was a T-collar lawnmower, at a cost of $44,338. However, the city did not accept delivery of the mower until January 2026, so the mower could not be paid for with the 2024-25 funds. The funds approved for the mower were subsequently applied to other 2024-25 golf expenditures. Whereas the mower needs to be paid for in the current budget year, 2025-26, there is approximately $14,500 $33 in the golf course equipment line. Available funds exist in the contingency and unemployment lines to cover the remainder of the cost. Resolved, the controller is authorized to transfer funds from the 25-26 fiscal year budget as follows. Decreased expense, golf contingency, $25,000. Unemployment, $5,346. Increased expense, golf course equipment, $30,346. So moved. Any questions? Alderman Carpenter? Aye. Alderman Marticello? Aye. Alderwoman Quistomars? Aye. Alderman Holladay?

Aye.

Alderwoman Collins? Aye. Resolution number 2526-227, resolution authorizing the advertisement for bids for a CDBG funded lead service line replacement project by Alderman Carpenter. Whereas the city of Amsterdam, the city has received funding through a community development block grant, CDBG, for the replacement of lead service lines for residential water supply. And whereas the CDBG grant requires that for properties to be eligible for this project, they must meet income qualifications. And whereas the City Director of Economic Development has taken applications for said project and determined that 20 properties are currently income qualified. And whereas the City Engineer's Office has prepared bid specifications and documents for said project. Now, therefore, be it resolved that the City Clerk is authorized to advertise this project publicly for sealed bids.

I'll move. Any questions?

Alderman Carpenter. Aye. Alderman Marticello.

Aye.

Alderwoman Quistomaris. Aye. Alderman Holliday. Aye. Alderwoman Collins. Aye. Resolution number 2526-228, resolution transferring funds filter panel replacement by Alderman Carpenter. Whereas the filter panel was installed and online since 2010, and the electrical components and software is obsolete. And whereas this panel controls all of the clarifier and filter processes of the plant. And whereas our designated SCADA team has provided an estimate for the replacement of a price not to exceed $328,575. And whereas the balance between this transfer of funds and the total project cost is proposed to be made up by budget funds allocated in next year's budget. And now therefore be it resolved, the controller is authorized to amend the 2025-26 budget as follows. Decrease expenses. Contingency fund, $198,732. Unused sick benefit, $25,000. Chemicals, $45,000. Water violation contingency, $11,000. Increased expense, filter panel replacement project, $279,732. Interfund transfer, $279,732. Increased revenue, interfund revenue, $279,732. I think I'm reading too much tonight. Alderman Carpenter.

Aye.

Alderman Marticello.

Aye.

Alderman Quistomars. Aye. Alderman Holliday. Aye. Alderman Collins. Aye.

We'd like you to read those numbers, by the way, prior.

Count numbers. Really?

Yeah, please.

Sure. All right. Resolution number 2526-229. Resolution authorizing contract with the Snack Shack in connection with food trailer concession services at Veterans Park by Alderwoman Quistomars. Whereas the City of Amsterdam, the City, having sought proposals for food trailer concession services at Veterans Park for the 2026 season and having received a reply from the Snack Shack, And whereas the city desires to enter into a contract with the Snack Shack to operate the city-owned food trailer at Veterans Park for the 2026 season, commencing on July 1st, 2026, and ending October 31st, 2026, with rental payments for this time period of $200 per month. So moved. Is there any discussion? Alderwoman Quistomar. Aye. Alderman Holiday.

Aye.

Alderwoman Collins. Aye. Alderman Carpenter. Aye. Alderman Marticello.

Aye.

Resolution 2526-230, Resolution Approving Audit by Alderwoman Collins. So moved. Any questions? Alderman. Alderwoman Collins. Aye. Alderman Carpenter. Aye. Alderman Marticello. Aye. Alderwoman Quistamara. Aye. Alderman Holladay.

Aye.

resolution number 2526-231 consent resolution budget transfer recreation by alderman holiday whereas the city received additional recreation revenues that exceeded the amounts budgeted whereas the recreation department was responsible for numerous expenses that were not budgeted for such as the purchase purchase of ice skates and ice machine for riverlink park and elevator repairs Resolved, the controller is authorized to make the following 2025-26 budget transfer. Increased revenue, shuttle work, baseball usage, $4,000. Recreation sponsorships, $20,000. Pool usage, $500. Increased expense, contractual expenses, $24,500. So moved.

Thank you, Ms. Ortiz. Any questions? Okay, call the roll, please.

Alderman Holiday.

Aye.

Alderwoman Collins. Aye. Alderman Carpenter. Aye. Alderman Marticello.

Aye.

Alderwoman Quistamar. Aye. Ordinance G of 2026 to be known as Ordinance Number 6 of 2026 if adopted to be voted upon. An ordinance modifying Amsterdam City Code Section 228-45. Schedule 11, trucks over certain weights excluded, adding the entirety of 1st Street, 2nd Street, 3rd Street, and 4th Street to prohibiting trucks in excess of 13 tons by Alderman Holiday. Part 1, legislative intent. Upon recommendation by the Amsterdam Police Chief Joseph Spencer and in response to numerous citizens having raised concerns regarding the truck traffic, the intention of the instant ordinance is to modify Section 228-45 Schedule 11, trucks over certain weights excluded so as to add the entirety of 1st Street, 2nd Street, 3rd Street, and 4th Street to be included in the listing of streets prohibiting trucks in excess of 13 tons.

So moved. Any questions? Call the roll.

Alderman Holiday.

Aye.

Alderwoman Collins. Aye. Alderman Carpenter. Aye. Alderman Marticello.

Aye.

Alderwoman Cuesta-Mars. Aye.

Thank you very much. Just a couple of things. Our summer camp enrollment is very, very low. As of yesterday, we only had 16 youngsters enrolled. We need at least really 50 to have a program. So I'm very concerned. I mean, there's always late enrollees, but to have 16 at this point in time is very low. So I'm urging any parents out there who have children who We're intending to go to summer camp or are thinking about going to summer camp to please enroll now. You can do it online. You can call City Hall if you have any questions. The Recreation Department will answer them. But we're really a very, very low number for this time of the summer. And I would hate to not have that program available. But if we only have 16 people, it's an indication that there's not a big need for it. But that I know isn't true. I'm not sure what the reasons are. So please, if you know people, urge them to, know people who are thinking about or have young children, please urge them to check it out. We really need that.

Is there a way to enroll without paying?

Well, yes. I mean, whatever people need.

Because somebody did say they sign up every week, they're paid to check the paycheck.

Yeah, and it is. It's tough right now. It's a real tough time. We understand that. So yeah, please contact us, and we'll make arrangements so that you can do that. Then July 3rd is our Independence Day celebration. It's going to be on the waterfront. We are going to have the grand opening of our boardwalk. To start it off, we're going to have music. There's going to be vendors. There's going to be rides. There's going to be wonderful music. And then there's going to be food all day and, of course, great fireworks. But it's a big celebration. It's an important event for our city. It's the 250th. birthday for our country, so we're looking forward to that.

And that's all I have. You two want to mention tomorrow night so the public can get out and help you?

That'd be great, yeah. So the soccer club is running a fundraiser tomorrow night at McDonald's. So, Kelly, do you know the percentage of proceeds that 20% goes to the club? So go out and Is it five? I thought it was five to nine. I think so. I don't want to misquote it.

Five to eight, maybe? Something like that. You don't need any special code or anything. Just anything you buy at McDonald's.

And the percentage goes? You mentioned it, right?

Nope. You do not have to mention that at McDonald's.

Whatever their total sales are for those.

They're giving 20%.

Yes.

If you go to the drive-in window, And you just screamed goal. Yes. Yes.

You can order the FIFA World Cup.

Yes. Get a cup. That's a great fundraiser. I urge everyone to get that. Official adjourn. Can I ask to cheat something?

Sure chief Spencer. Yeah, so and I wanted to bring it up in front of you Thank You Chris, by the way when when you turn off of route 5 where the certain traffic circle is and turn on Market Street by Domino's Pizza and Royal Food Pantry and you have that wall that's like four feet high Is there any way that we can get a yield sign on that? because what's happening is that I'm getting a lot of And I have a problem with it too when you go around that turn you cannot see what's coming And it's only a matter of time before you're both are coming at the same time. I wonder if we can get a yield sign over there.

Part of that roundabout is DOT's jurisdiction. So I know we asked that in the design period. They designed it specifically the way that it is. So they have reasoning for it.

So I'll have to track that down. Unless you're in a Mack truck, you can't see what the other side of it is.

Do you want to know what their reason was when I inquired? There's two lanes.

they think there's one lane on the left and one lane on the right yeah you just have to come so because i'm right here we have to go through looking all the time yes very very good yeah that part and then it extends a certain way have there been any accidents there i'm not okay i just want to bring it up in public for transparency because there have been people no i agree i take that i make that turn every day i just like this and i just go motion to adjourn

Alderwoman Collins. Aye. Alderman Carpenter.

Aye.

Alderman Martizello.

Aye.

Alderwoman Cuesta-Mars. Aye. Alderman Holliday.

Aye. Thank you, Congressman. Tuesday, 9.30 in the morning. Yep.