Common Council - Regular Meeting

Okay. I'd like to call to order the regular meeting of the Glenn Falls Council for January 13, 2026. Um, please stand if you are able and we will have select by first To the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all. At this time I'd like to open the floor to public comment. Is there anyone from the public who would like to address us? Okay.

I guess I have a comment from one of my constituents that could you couldn't be here today because I have to read. Yeah. Why don't you read it under your new business? Use the mic. Under new business. So, I'll read it later. I'm sure. All right. At this time, we'll do committee reports. Okay. Uh, no report yet.

All right. Council member Rice for the committee report. I want to note that our policy committee's first meeting will be held on February 10th at 5:00. As part of this getting this work started, I've asked the department heads to submit suggested policy items for intake and the committee can review and consider for prioritization. have already received an emergency item from the VA's office committee members. Uh so the long-term ongoing voting process, not something that happens all at once and we can focus in that work. Thank you. Nothing.

Okay. And this y uh the quality of life um we sort of narrowed it down to the third Monday of each month. Um uh shifts over that the third Monday of February is actually a holiday. So, City Hall is closed. So, we're typically going to be on Tuesday the 17th at 5 p.m.

Okay, great. Thank you. So, at this time, we'll go to our consent agenda. Um is there anything consent agenda is items 5.1 through 5.8. Is there anything that anyone would like to p for discussion. Okay, seeing none, [sighs] I will take a motion to approve 5.1. Is there a second? Second. Council Palino. All in favor?

Any opposed? Hey, motion carries. Next, we have items by the department. Um, for the city clerk's office, we have items 6.1 through 6.3. I would like to pull 6.2 for discussion, but would anyone else have anything else to pull? I want to pull 6.3. 6.3. Okay. So we will start with 6.1. Can I get one to approve item 6.1? So move. A second. I'll second that.

All in favor? Any opposed? Okay. Motion carries. Item 6.2 is a resolution to approve encroachment permit for Bachio construction at Elm and South Streets. And the backup is in page on page 158 in your agenda. We have a representative from Bonacio's uh construction here to invite you up. Um and if the council members have any questions regarding this encouragement permit, this would be a good time to pose those questions and if you want to say anything to us about this.

Sure. Um Steve Lucardio development. Um if I may like to just address the current violation that we have um following my existing condition and the proposed plan if everybody's okay with that. Um so we are currently in violation of the expired date for street. Um take full responsibility totally under apologies. Um and I think that precipitated the quest to uh to be here today. Is this on? Is it on? I can't get it to work.

All right. So, follow current conditions. Um, you got to put the mic right in front of you.

Everything in yellow. that was proposed under the current. So existing conditions today reflect the sidewalk on South Street as open. So all of this is open here and then this is also open. So the current pedestrian path crosses South Street here at Way Lunch across South Street and then back to the corner in front of Santes Street and then also the fence stop here allowing circulation to between 306. And then um as far as parking, the blueish color here is represented as um in options in those three four spaces on South Street as um sensitive to the parking concerns. We've been diligent not to those times around that as questions.

Thank you. Um, let me just take my here. Um, and then the proposal to extend the closure of Elm Street is is this plan here. Um, developed the city engineer to um address, you know, finishing the path as well as keeping the the road closed here. Um, and then the reason for the request of keeping Pine Street closed is this is our only construction access here to the to the new construction site. Um, so as you can imagine, busy busy access. Um, and then primarily uh safety concerns for motorists coming down streets, pedestrians, as well as our staff on site. Um and then some of the um items we still have to complete. There's still um high voltage uh power line work that needs to be completed along this corridor um which would facilitated by national grid to uh request an appropriate permits for true closure anyway. um at that time. Um often unpredictable supply chain um fuel deliveries on sites um and just material deliveries um construction. Um so that really you know brings about request for the for the closure. Um and then as far as pedestrian access we thought that that one current flats pedestrian circulating all the way down the street and then back south. So a lot of bloods.

So I think the we felt the best mechanism was to bring them down street circulating between 38 and 36 to the uh to the head and then back up to um South Street that way. And then this this remains on change in essence here on this south street corner and then proper updated signage questions. Given that there's less snow, will you make sure that the snow is found on that um pedestrian walkway along the street? Yes.

And I think you said that we were going to have a walkway between with us, right? So,

yeah, because this is actually um city owned property. So, we're the city um hold that responsibility in the in the alleyway. So, our our property line in essence is the building. Everything beyond that is is city property. But yes, I mean within within these confines, yes, that's that's 100% responsibility which we maintain currently. Who are we currently? Is the city currently removing snow in that area in behind where is that behind the on street building 38? Um and between the ed and the on street do we know if we are currently shoveling there?

Yeah. Farmers market clear. Okay. And uh do we have any sense as to when we get that street back? We proposed [singing] in the um um extension until actually make it in parallel to the current project. So it would be May 31st I believe um and then everything would be okay

back to so I had spoken with Jerry and had made a request that we just make it very clear that that's a safe um pedestrian access. It looks kind of like should I go down this street? I'm not sure. There's construction everywhere. So, I had wanted clear signage, which it looks like you agreed to, and then we had talked to Jeremy and I had talked about um those interlocking plastic barriers that I think I sent you all Jeremy's suggestions. I think what you have on there proposes barrels.

Yeah. Some some type of hard barrier. We could discuss that with Jeremy as well. Concrete, you know, jersey barriers, something something of that sort. I think DPW was not in favor of the concrete barriers, but those sort of interlocking plastic barriers. You know what I'm talking about? I think that would be our preference. Is that possible to do those? I'd have to check and see what's really available. Um, you know, supply chain, but

something that's not easily the whole life that the barrel stereotypical concrete not not in favor of those are in mobile that was what DPW

okay all right does anyone have any further questions Yes, the so I guess it's hard to tell but David uh should be open as D said or is it tough to tell with the structure like is it highly construction is very fluid and unpredictable. Um what I can say is at the end of May we'll be able to work internal of the lot. Um so that that speak and you know the other the other piece is [snorts] current renovations at 36 and 36 in so effectively we're working for both sides of the street so safety concern

it sounds like you're saying you're pretty confident that the exterior work will be completed by then you might just be working means you don't have the same needs of closing public access regulations practices and things like that. Okay. Okay. Would anyone like to make a motion on this resolution? So you move to the resolution. I'll second it. All in favor? Any opposed? Okay, motion carries. Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you.

Okay. And then resolution 6.3, a resolution to approve of the encroachment permit for fun solutions at 18 to 22 Rich Street with backup materials on page 160 shown or council you wanted to pull for discussion.

Well, given the picture show almost the majority of that street is all blocked off to four. Um I know at least one one of the uh owners of um of one of the stores there just one more travel romance bookstore. She's constantly trying to like deal with parking situations. And I think I mentioned that maybe there's a way to like sort of have signage or something to show like, hey, these these are these parking spaces aren't available and direct people to go to go here, go here to try and make it easier and accessible to find other places.

I think I replied to you the temporary signage seems reasonable to me. Did was there anything further about that? But that sort of helps like deal situation and I did appreciate that like this will only be 84 as Emily's email pointed out that it'll be they'll remove everything in the evenings and the weekend. So that'll allow like all the events we have on the weekend. So hopefully have parking there. Okay. Was there anything else? I think that's all I can say.

Okay. Would anyone like to make a motion on this resolution? Make a motion to approve. Okay. Do I have a second? Yes, I'll second. Second. All in favor? Any opposed? Okay. Motion carries. The next department is the water and sewer department and we have resolutions 6.4 through 6.6. Are there any that you would like to pull for discussion? Would anyone like to make a motion?

It's okay. Any opposed? Okay. Motion carry. And then um let's see. Then we have the Oh, I think I misspoke. Oh, 6.4. Yeah, yeah, water and sewer was 6.4. The mayor's office had the two nominations that were 6.5 and 6.6. Um, did anyone want to pull either of those for discussion? In relation to 6.5, um, should we relay the comments from Taylor?

Oh, sure. Taylor, would you So, Resolution 6.5 was a nomination to the board of assessment review. And uh last council meeting there were some questions about um somebody who is currently a supervisor being able to serve on the city and we had asked our city attorney to look into that. Would you like to let us know what you found?

Yeah, I I didn't find that there was any statuto prohibition on that dual appointment. It doesn't appear that there's any legal issue with the dual appointment. An issue cleared only if there's a fundamental incompatibility between the two rules. An issue only if there's a fundamental incompatibility between the two rules that might cause a person to disregard applicable standards of obtaining something more than a general political benefit when they make decisions in either their physicians. And I think there are a important distinctions here. Okay. Does anyone have any further questions on that?

Okay. So, for the mayor's office, there's two agenda items 6.5 and 6.6. Would anyone like to make a motion? I move that motion. I'll second. You'll second. All in favor? Any opposed? Oh, you're Is that for both or did you want to for 65?

Should we do a roll call for 65? Okay, I'll separate the two motions because it sounds like there's a difference. So, for 6.5, a nomination to the board of assessment review. We're going to do a roll call vote. Okay. So, I think did you make the motion? I did. Counciloman Council. Okay. Councilwoman, yes. Council, yes. Councilman Rice, yes. Council, no. And Councilman, yes.

Okay. Motion carries. And now we'll go to 6.6. I don't think we need a roll call vote for that one. Would someone like to make a separate motion? This is for the nomination to the Glenn Smalls Business Improvement District. Motion approved. Okay. Is there a second? Okay. All in favor?

Any opposed? Okay. Motion carries. And then we have a discussion and vote over the agreement between the city and the Warren County Economic Development Corporation. Would anyone like to make a motion for that? And is there a second? Second. Okay. All in favor?

I Okay. Motion carries. Okay. Now we go to um old business. Council woman at large. Well, I just want to thank the U community for a great MLK program that turned out so great and it's always uh such a pleasure because our community comes together not just one false but the entire community and the kids led the program and it was outstanding as always but it was really a a community affair and I really love that and thank the community so much it couldn't it just get better and better. So, thank you so much.

I'll second what uh council and large good said. It was a great it was a really great time and it was really nice to see everybody coming together. I'd also like to thank the uh bus DPW with their clean up during the snowstorm. It was a pretty bad one. So, they're working around the clock and they did a great job. So, hats off to Tom Gerard and Mark and the rest of the DPW staff. They did a great job. Thank you. Oh, yeah.

Thank you.

I want to have some whole business of what I discussed last week. Um, I had a very nice conversation with Lauren Clec, the broker that owns or like deals with all those empty lots around um, especially around the little South Street corridor between Murray Street and Hudson Avenue. and he gave me a very lovely like 20-year history of all of those areas, including the fact that he did ask hospital foundation to potentially purchase that plot of land next uh next door, but they under um they did not um agree to a um what the seller wanted. Um so they unfortunately couldn't buy it. Um, but hopefully some hopefully uh our Quebec finds some investors to potentially buy those lots of land to sort of build this build that place up to make it um make it uh better with either more housing or business as well as more market

and I did I did tell him that it was his responsibility responsibility to create that sidewalk and he sends no time. Okay. Thank you. We have any new business at lunch?

New business. Um just a reminder that it's the month of February is coming up and this is for the community. So, I'm giving you but um the NAACP and the Glenn Falls library collaborate every Tuesday for Black History Month and we have a soup and a nice actually some nice dinner before the movie. Uh starts at 6:30 and um it's really becoming popular. So we look forward and then after the movie there's a discussion which is really the best part about um so we just encourage you to come out. A lot of young people come out now so it's really um real educational because you know they're trying to forget our history. So it's very important that you know this continues. Thank you.

I business [snorts] Right. A couple of items on new business. First, I had a constituent reach out regarding the flooding issues she experienced last spring on Lexington Avenue. I contacted Jeremy Tom Gerard and Bill Gordon and we're planning to take a closer look at the situation once things thaw out this spring. This is one of several areas in town where water tends to collect after a big downpour. Um given our aging infrastructure, that's nothing surprising. Uh the resident asked about the possibility of high curves or the addition of a storm drain. We'll look at the situation and see if there's anything that can be done or something that can be done in the spring. Uh second, I just want to note that the fires event is going to be held park Friday, February 27th. Uh the weather is looking really good. Should be great news. It's been a fun night on the pond and I hope to there. Finally, I want to express my gratitude to members of the fire department for their response to a fire on William Street during a snowstorm on Sunday night. And we appreciate everything you do and this one look particularly miserable. So, thank you for take care. Thank you.

I just want to read a comment that my constituent Steve Bara um sent me to make sure that we have a moment of silence for Renee Good and Alex Petty who were in his words illegally executed by Border Patrol agents and Immigration and Custom Enforcement. Both organizations work for the Department of Homeland Security and the illegal and unconstitutional orders of the Secretary Christy No under the direction of Donald Trump. Even in our small community, our elected officials need to show solidarity with our neighbors and to the rule of law and uh the lives of Alex Birdie and Rene will be supporting us. and to also um segment the Glance Falls Queen team who organized the October No Rally. Um they're planning a vigil service this Sunday. Um so go to queens team US or on their Facebook page to learn more about the time um about their event.

Okay, I have a few items for new business. Um it's almost time to I believe in this freezing cold weather that we're talking about this, but we will be doing construction sometime again, right? And we need to think about streets and all of our awards. So Jeremy is working right now on and Tom on, you know, looking at into what National Grid has going on. And I this time of year, we ask all the council members to consider if there are any streets in your board that need attention and that you would like to suggest for repaving. So, we are asking that by February 24th, which gives you about a month, if you could submit your streets for consideration to J and you can copy the mayor's office so we have your list. Any questions about that?

I don't know if I have a concern about repaying at the moment, but would that be anything? Excuse me, not curse. You could bring up curbs and sidewalks too. Um, we always uh, you know, there are streets or curbs or sidewalks that are identified by DBW, by engineering, and by council people, and by constituents. And then we look at how much funding we have. We put all the requests together to make sure we're not going to do work that's about to be ripped up by national grid. And then we come up with our finalized list. So,

we also have an inventory by the sidewalks and not the streets. Um so those probably should be set to um priority order of what's you know that that's part of the consideration.

I do right that's part of the consideration. I think it's important that the council people though walk through boards and see because who knows what's going to have happened over the winter. We have pots and all kinds of things. So, um, just let us know what you come up with. Um, I wanted to I was going to talk about fire nights. Thank you for bringing that up. Um, I have a little flyer here that Amy gave me if I can find it. Amy and your mom have been working on this. I think they still would be will be open to volunteers if any of you want to volunteer to be by a burn bear like you already have at some.

Yes. Thank you for doing that. It's a fun It's a great way to see the community and in order we don't normally allow open burn in the city and in order to be able to do that the fire department requests that a responsible adult stand by the fires and we have shifts. So this is the flyer. Um and as Councilman Rice said it'll be 5 to 8 on Friday February 27. So, okay. And if you want to volunteer, I would say reach out to Amy or Ivon. And then I wanted to let you know that I'll be attending the Nikcom conference um next week. It's Sunday going into Tuesday. I think you have registered as well, Council Rice. Yep.

Did you want to say something? Oh, and I wanted to remind the council that all of you have some money in the budget for trainings. So, we can't all go to every training, but if you want to think about what you'd like to go to, there is an allocation for you to go to some trainings. And our attorney um Taylor Basser will be coming to this night on training, too. And I also had on my list to just thank um the NAACP for such a great event. It was it was great. And it's always wonderful to have those youthful events and hear from our young people. And I wanted to echo the comments about DPW and and um police and fire who you know when we have these big storms the rest of us go to the grocery store and stock up and then go home and you know curl up and they go to work. So, we are very grateful for the people that keep us safe and um it's a lot of proactive thinking to think about what we're going to need and you know to make sure we have the the crews in place. The fire chief um acting fire chief reached out to me and asked if he could put some extra people on for that night anticipating that something will happen and it was great that we had them because we ended up having an incident. So,

thank you. Thank you to our staff who do such a good job and All I have is there anyone who would like to address us um for public comment? Yes.

Thank you. Um Ben Dressville, 23 West Fremont Street in the fifth ward, Clans Falls. Uh first I I really enjoyed coming to um the swearing in ceremony. Um I can remember Ars was was here. Uh I certainly understand um the this uh council and and the more county board of supervisors in the city of Hunts Falls have had a tradition where uh council members and uh county supervisors uh have often got together for town hall meetings or whatever uh informational meetings for the public. uh Bill Kenny and I uh first did that about 20 years ago uh when I was first elected to the uh city council. Now we encourage and invite um this council to continue uh that type of relationship and if you ever have the time Warren County Board of Supervisors speaks on the third Friday of most every month. Um and um we have our committee meetings uh generally in the morning, sometimes running into the early afternoon. Anytime anyone's ever uh interested in attending, I'll be happy to uh personally recognize your presence and um introduce you to uh colleagues of mine. Um on the I appreciate the uh the support of uh continuing on the board of assessment review. I'll put out there if um if the city has candidates and individuals who are interested in that uh that seat, there's five of us. Um we're paid $20 an hour for essentially 5 hours of work each year on one day. Um last year I had to excuse myself early. Uh I only earned $80 because my wife and

I believe that we were entertaining friends at the Thunder has had to be there. Thank you to Councilman Don there for that.

Um um I also uh in addition to being a member of that group for the last 6 years uh I missed one year because I was away. I think that's why my uh my reenactment or whatever uh came up this year. Uh for the last 13 years since I left the uh the council, uh I've served on the Hunts Falls um uh housing authority. The last six years as its chairman. Um all my mail and correspondence uh doesn't come to my um supervisor come to my uh Catholic Charities Saratoga Wars. I've been a uh uh an advocate and uh uh worker uh health and human services primarily uh low and fixed income housing for 47 years since graduated college. Um uh most of my community service is focused on uh my employment not my political activities. Uh they also serve on a number of other boards have during uh my time in office uh as a volunteer. Um uh it's it's good work. uh one of my other f colleagues who's um a member of the fifth ward um I think is on uh the tree commission if you still have that um uh and um uh it's a sister of a former uh member of this uh distinguished council. Uh we've got an attorney, we've got a real estate person, and uh we have a uh retired member of this council and as well as the uh board of supervisors who I think

is going to continue to to do that. I haven't asked uh about that, but um we show up for the one day around 3:30. Uh we start seeing people at 4:00. Again, uh I'm more than happy to uh uh hand over the keys to someone else who uh looks forward to serving uh the city. It's an important uh and I think it's a legal responsibility to offer that opportunity to citizens. Um so again, if if you have people in mind, uh I'm more than happy to uh to step aside. Um if I don't hear from you I will it's already my hope to uh to show up on that night. Thank you.

Just point is okay. Anyone else from the public wish to address the council? Okay. Then I will accept a motion to adjourn. Second. All in favor? opposed.