Common Council - Regular Meeting

We're live? Common Council meeting of April 21st, 2026. We have four resolutions, five consents, and three board ordinances to be voted upon. And we also have a public hearing beginning at 5:40. And then we have another one. One at 5:40, one at 5:45, and one at 5:50. Okay. Okay. So, go ahead and turn it on. [laughter]

All right. I don't have three ordinances. I can go right to the resolutions. Right, resolutions, then the consents, and then the ordinances. 2526-177, [clears throat] resolution adopting the minutes from the last Common Council meeting. Any questions? No. Okay. Resolution 2526-178, resolution to waive registered agent penalties for 366 West Main Street by Alderman Marcel. Uh 366 East Main Street is a Guy Park Manor. And as I as you see in the resolution, it belongs to the New York State Canal Corporation, which is a public benefit corporation. So, I think the reason why we're doing this is to notify our agent who collects the fees for all this, tell him through resolution that he these people are waived from that. This was owned by Sir William Johnson, I apologize. Sir William Johnson.

be surprised. I know. And once you So, does the is this is owned by a corporation, but the people who It's owned by the It's owned by the Canal Corporation. Okay. That's the state of New York. It's owned by the state of New York. You know what it is? It's Guy Park Manor across from Russell's Grill. Okay. Oh, interesting. that they're fixing. The one that they're fixing. It's their building. 11 years. And it's definitely vacant, but it's a This was quite a few years ago that these penalties were assessed.

I was going to say if 5 grand over 2 years. No, that was like 22 and 23. That's We're just It's cleaning this up. We're just cleaning it up. They should have never been required to register, but they they failed to register, and then we applied these penalties that we should have never We're updating that entire file. We're trying to get it all. Yeah. I feel like that should should be in the resolution, but I don't want to split hairs. That's You know, [clears throat] that they should have They were never required to. We made a mistake.

Yes, it's kind of self-explanatory because they are state You know, it's a state agency, so Okay. It does say they should have been exempt. They should have been exempt. The third whereas, yeah. Okay, good. I see it now. Okay. All right. Thank you. Thank you, everybody. Resolution 2526-179, resolution transferring funds post UV soda ash pumps. Um two replacement soda ash pumps are needed to add alkalinity to the drinking water um at the cost of $63,000. We're going to decrease expense for chemicals and increase expense for the soda ash pump project for $63,000. Pretty simple. Any questions? Resolution 2526-180, resolution appointing the audit. Audit's fine. Any questions? [laughter] Well, I got a question. Did you in the mailbox you had the audit? Yes. That was given to us. The reason we are we scheduling the actual audit on this meeting? Yes, they are I was actually going to mention that tonight that the the auditors will be here our first May meeting. And that was just I was giving you copies of the audit to review ahead of time if you choose to, but they will be here [clears throat] to answer questions and explain it the first week at the first meeting in May. Okay, perfect. Thank you. And we have consents. 2526-181, resolution to waive our property taxes for 123 North Third Avenue, Alderman Carpenter. Okay, this property um they filed they filed bankruptcy a while ago. It took a while to go through. And the city through an administrative error, the city took possession of the house prior to the bankruptcy um

prior to the end of the bankruptcy. So, we have been working with the homeowner to transfer the house back to them, which we did. This is the final piece of it. Um and it's it's been going on since I think last June only because we've had difficulty getting the owner to come in and take care of all the paperwork. Correct. So, this just correcting the issue and and one and done. Any questions? [laughter]

Resolution 2526-182, consent, resolution waiving 30-day advance notice application for liquor license, Dan's backyard barbecue. Yes, Dan Nelli just took over the contract for Dan's Backyard Riverlink Park. So, like we do with a lot of people who are in business, um I know this council has no problem with Dan's Backyard, so we're going to ask the state We're going to waive the 30-day waiver, and we're going to give him the permission to move ahead and apply for his driver's driver his liquor license his liquor license. That's what we're going to do. Thank you. Okay. You're welcome. Uh resolution 2526-183, consent, authorizing modification of contract with Dan's Backyard Barbecue in connection with concessioner services at Riverlink Park. Yes, after the last week last 2 weeks ago when we did this contract here, there was a couple of things that we needed to modify. We all looked it over, and there was a few suggestions that needed to be done, and Alderman Carpenter picked up a couple of them, one being the tent. You know, we no longer have a tent anymore, and that wasn't the contract. You see? So, there's no no tent down there, so we can't say we're liable for a tent for him because we don't have Well, that's So, that's one of the things that's been removed. Correct, man. And it has been. Yeah. It has been. Great. Yeah, and it was it shouldn't have been in the one that you guys received in the first place. That was that was a standard contract from me before. Yeah, it was a Yeah. That's just what it was. No problem. That's what it was. Anything else? Just looking at the contract. I looked

at them quickly Uh-huh. side by side. So, it looks like we've added in part three um a concessioner performance review, which is great to see. Yeah, we had a during the chicken wing fest, which was very successful, I was with our recreation department leadership, and we went to Dan's, and um we talked and um and literally these changes came from that conversation uh that we had with Dan, and I think it strengthens [laughter] the city's position, and at same time it's uh you know, it clarifies some things that are difficult parties. Yeah. And then I'm seeing changes on number eight with equipment. Number eight with equipment, right. Um here we had been leasing equipment for the previous licensee. Uh and then the new concessioner does not need it, so we will not be leasing it this coming year, which saves us um the the lease amount, $1,500 a year. Okay, so the the things from when Cassandra Tester was Correct. Correct. So, she's going to take those out?

She's actually I think she said she was going to get them today or tomorrow, yes. Okay. So, all these things though, does it cuz we took out the whole list, so We we washer and dryer, waffle pool He was looking for a 2-year lease. Two It's a 2-year lease now. We put in the performance review at the end of year one. And in our meeting today we have a We have an expiration We have a termination clause in there that if either party is unhappy with whatever the case may be, we can terminate the clause with proper notice. So, we put the performance review in there after 1 year um just to say, you know, okay, let's sit down both of us. You talk to us about any issues and problems you have. We'll talk to you about any issues and problems we have. Uh and and if everybody's in agreement that things need to be changed, we'll come back to the council. If not, if everything looks good, we'll come back to the council. And if if somebody doesn't want to continue the contract, we'll come back to the council. In any event, you'll have an opportunity at that time if anything changes whatsoever to to um vote again. Cool. Thank you. But with the I'm sorry, but but back to the equipment though, like the things that every all the equipment is taken out of this one, are we still like the owners of We own what's still there. We own what's left there. And that's ours. We don't We We don't pay any charge for the equipment. How responsible for the replacement of all city-owned

equipment? Okay. Dan will be bringing doesn't need to be listed out. It's just what's in there. Okay. And Dan is bringing in his own equipment. His own equipment. Which he will maintain ownership of. Yeah, that seems to be the changes. And I I I like how the CSX contracts are here, too. Everyone needs to have Yeah. Okay. Yeah, Dan's very familiar with it, but Oh, but you do have attachment A at the back with the list.

With all the stuff. Okay, that's where I That's where I wondered like Yeah, again, what we the first agreement the first agreement that was circulated unfortunately was a previous, you know, it was not the actual agreement and Okay. Yeah, I just wanted where the other list was, so there it is. Attachment A has the things that we [snorts] actually own and that he will repair or talk to us about if it breaks. We have public hearing. Okay, thank you. [clears throat]

The public hearing is which one is it? It's um ordinance A of 2026 to be known as ordinance one of 2026 as [laughter] adopted. Um an ordina- ordinance modifying section 73-32A of the Amsterdam City Code pertaining to dog licenses. Dog license fees. Anybody here to speak on that? Okay. [snorts] Okay, we'll close the public hearing. Go ahead, Dan. And you can go on Okay, that's fine. when you're done with the 5:45 We'll start that um Any other questions on So Dan's concessionaire? Okay. Go with the uh the next consent resolution, correct?

Yeah, we got 5 more minutes to the next uh public hearing. We got two more public hearings.

the one that's okay. So We have resolution 2526-184 consent. Resolution providing for stipends to corporation counsel for representation of the city of the of city of Amsterdam in courts and court matters other than Amsterdam City Court. All in one account. Any questions? Um let's see. The stipend is $250 and it is in relation to the Wait, where we going to read this? It'll be read again. For filings with the courts of the state of New York and other Amsterdam City Courts. So [clears throat] this is an additional fee for for

for the Supreme Court State Supreme Court appearances that uh our corporation counsel will be making on our behalf. Uh the number the frequency and number of these appearances have increased over the years. Um and they require additional work and time and effort to prepare for and and uh this is in recognition of that. Uh and so uh this is a uh it it will you know, it will provide uh it will provide us with a solution to not when I say solution it'll provide us with a a solution to handling these things without having to go out and get additional counsel. Is there an up to point How many hours

got another resolution on here uh James tomorrow self called me this morning. Uh we have a resolution out where we're transferring $10,000 I don't know. [clears throat] We have it. Yeah, oh, the next one. It's the next resolution. Okay. Okay. So if it goes beyond the $10,000

We would have to notify the council. Okay, and we would discuss. And it is a guess you know, the the incidents are on a downswing now. foreclosure actions that but they're you know, Tony and and Tony and I are still in discussion. He's going to come up with a you know, just a for instance sort of thing that shows us how how those appearances have increased and what what's caused them so that you guys all have a better understanding of when it would take place, but the dollar amount is set and if there's if we exceed that dollar amount, we will come to you and ask you for permission to. Is that $250 an hour the for this type of work um the going rate for It's I I'm I'm going to I I I'm not a lawyer, but you know, it's more like $300 an hour. So I think it's a very I'm just It's a very competitive rate. The union lawyer is $500 an hour. I know that. Okay, that's a that's a good uh barometer, I guess.

We think I want I think I want to elbow in here the point here that you asked me to make the Oh, I did. No, I gather a package like this uh rather than uh refer all of these to outside counsel. Correct. That's And again, I've spoken you know, I've spoken to the council members regarding why I think it's a good idea in terms of you know, keeping it in house. Any other questions? How many trips to Supreme Court did you make last year? I'm sorry. Okay. All right, we're Yeah. 5:45

5:45 Okay, we're going to have another public hearing. Second public hearing is ordinance B of 2026 to be known as ordinance number two of 2026 as adopted. An ordinance modifying Amsterdam City Code section 228-48 schedule 14 no stopping south side of Northern Boulevard at Clizbe Avenue. Does anybody want to speak on that? Okay. Public hearing is closed. a couple minutes Go to the next consent. Resolution 2526-185 res-

[snorts] Resolution 2025-26 budget transfer corporation counsel stipend. Okay, the city has a separate resolution pending which we just discussed. Um consent 184 and this is the stipend for $250 for the council and that is changed to be filed in the courts of the state of New York other than the Amsterdam City Court. Total amount is $10,000. I have a question. Is this paid in billable hours or is this a flat $10,000 check?

No, it's billable hours. We're going to feed up a $10,000. Okay. At $250 an hour. At $250 an hour. Any other questions? Yeah. Any other questions before Nope. Is that the last one? Yeah, and then one more. Okay. 5:50 Is that is ordinance B technically still open or have we closed We closed it, right? Yeah. Yeah, okay. Okay, just curious. Okay, this Well, we got any more you know, do we have any more resolutions that you want to bring No. Oh, okay, that's what I was asking. Oh, no, we're [laughter] just waiting for this. We have one more uh One more. Yeah, what time? 5:50 I can't see what time it is. 5:47 Like 3 minutes ago. So we're doing the new That's my old. Sure. It it would be on that one right there. He doesn't want to do that. Give me that dual on there. I don't think I can get through it in a couple minutes. Thanks yeah, just read it out. Yeah. Sorry, I didn't help this in a timely manner 30 minutes ago. I didn't Okay, I am going to ask the council to make a motion that we go into executive session for pending litigation negotia- pending litigation pending prospective litigation.

You're asking for that at the end of the meeting, right? At the end of the meeting. Uh I'll cite this the proper section when when it's time to make the motion. All right. Uh but I think the mayor is just giving me an FYI but then he wants to do it. Okay. Got another minute to go. I didn't give you a chance to pass [laughter]

It's 2:00. We have no time for engineering report before so why don't we just uh Stacy, do you want to do yours? I don't think I can get through it in a minute. Okay. I can Thanks for letting me go first. Keep your dress on. I offered to do it for me in less than a minute. Okay, you can go up there. Any questions? Nope. All right, moving on. It was a big day Saturday, everybody knows we had chicken fest, we had clean up, we had disc golf. It was a great day to be in Amsterdam. [clears throat]

Great weather, unbelievable weather. I don't know what happened the next day, but Saturday was perfect for all those activities and events and it's just a You know, new businesses. I walked into a new new barber shop. I walked into a whiskey distillery that I didn't know was there. A lot of new rest- two new restaurants that I'd never been into before. Just really exciting, really good stuff. Um People, right? Cheap people were good behaved and Um just a great day for Amsterdam. And I was really really pleased with the with the turnout and with the with the whole thing. It was it was a good day to be in our city. Who won Wing Fest, Mayor? Pardon? Who won Wing Fest?

Um you're going to ask me, huh? Uh-oh. Does anyone know? I think River Rafters won for mild. River City won for best wing and then the new LPG won for hottest. Right. On on West Main Street. Yeah, I got to check that out. You and you. Your ward. Okay. All right. So, we're going to open the public hearing for ordinance C of 2026 to be known as ordinance number three of 2026 if adopted, an ordinance modifying Amsterdam City Code section 228-47, schedule 13, parking prohibited at all times, Clizbe Ave, both sides between 133 Clizbe Avenue and Second Street. Anybody want to speak on that? [clears throat]

All right. Closed. Closed. Sorry. Mike, do you want to give your engineering report at this point in time? Sure. [laughter]

Uh let's all let's see. We're in the finalizing our street paving program at this point. Contractor anticipates a early May start. And the the only anticipated increases in cost would be the items that are are bid for the fuel and asphalt price adjustments. Everything else Those are independent items within the contract. We followed the DOT procedure using those. Um and it's a good way to maintain multi-year contracts where costs change month to month and needless [clears throat] to say anything related to oil in the last month or so has changed. Um it will not have a significant impact, but it will have a little bit of impact on the uh the overall cost of the project. Um That being said, what I have tried to do is target uh about $2 million of work. Um actually the $2 million of paving work plus uh $156,000 in reserve for the city's share of the Crescent Ave bridge. Um since there there's a 5% local match on that project. Uh 95% federal funding. Um All told right now I'm I'm anticipating uh 2.2 uh million dollars in project with a about 500,000 in chips held in reserve.

490, but that and again, that's based on the estimates. Um but that's a very close number. And and that also does not take into account the additional $100,000 of contingency I have in this year's estimate for for changes or additional work or change in unforeseen [clears throat] conditions within any of the any of the street paving. Um Uh Broadway Hill sanitary sewer project have finally received the escrow money. That work will start uh probably two weeks. Um It'll be a short project and it will improve sewer flow vastly and provide the additional capacity necessary uh for the Amazon facility. Um CDB demolition project is substantially complete. All the base bid, the 23 homes are down. I think our construction did a pretty really good job. Um in addition, we did uh the two additional addresses. One was a debris pile and one was a additional structure that we demolished and had removed.

[clears throat]

Uh Crescent Ave bridge, I don't know if anybody's been by there. Right now they it's hard to get there unless you're intentionally driving to the baseball field. Um the steel's in place. They'll begin with the deck work. Um Target date for final completion or substantial completion and opening the bridge is uh still July of this Work on the water filter uh filters at the water treatment plant continue. And we are still um working with DEC on the review of the uh um waste water treatment plant upgrade design. And we expect comments on the that revision so that we can get that permitted to construct uh as soon as possible. Great. Any questions for the engineer? Five minutes. Did you have the um the list

[laughter] again put out? Did you update or change the list from last meeting?

I will I basically cut that list in half. That's the list we've got right now. Okay. I would like you Mike to get that to the all the council because I do want to talk to them. Sure. Regarding that list? I didn't know if you distributed that or not. What he did was I he we drove the city with the with the with the assistant engineer. Mhm. And [clears throat] uh went through your lists went through all the lists and came up with that that recommendation um based upon all the factors that we talked about earlier. Um but I want you each to take a look at that list and we can discuss it with You can keep that on top of the cabinets. Well, get it to the assistant Well, right now Okay. Too soon. Kelly, you said you had any more questions about that? No, no. Not at all. So, the report for the clerk's office for um this month's meeting for last month's what we did. Um birth certificates, we printed 160 birth certificates, which were three more than uh 2025. 151 death certificates, which was one more than 2025. Uh dog licenses were down by three. We only printed 77 instead of 80 um from last year. And marriage certificates, there were seven less. Last year we printed 25 and this year 18. There were 34 new births in 2026, 31 deaths, uh 32 new dog licenses out of the 77, and six uh couples came in to get their marriage licenses. 72 uh FOILs were processed in the month of March. 10 of those were accident reports, 27 were police incident reports, five were miscellaneous items, and then property inquiry inquiries. There were 17 notary requests, which I

took care of. And then handicap placards, there were 43 that were um given to residents. There were 39 permanent and four of those were temporary. Um we are moving forward with uh next request by CivicPlus. We're expected to go live next week, um April 29th. Uh training for all users was today. Um everyone who currently provides information for these FOIL requests went through training today. Um emails who will be sent out to those who frequently request property information on um the 24th. Um you'll see attached that there's a flyer that I put together. Um it has a QR code. People who walk in, um they'll be able to scan this QR code and submit a FOIL request right from their phone. Um and then there's a link that's going to be posted to our website on um April 29th. So, they'll be able to go online and submit their FOIL request. So, this is not live yet?

Not yet. Okay. Not yet. On the 29th, we'll So, don't share this with anybody. This is not live until after the 29th. Don't share it with anybody like the TV the public? No. Don't share it No. I'm sharing it with you and then that's it until next week.

a picture and I was going to post it, so I'm not going to post it. Yeah. Not yet. Yeah. So, we're pretty excited. Hopefully we don't have six We will post it on our our Facebook and everything, I'm sure. Michelle will post it on Facebook. We're working on that, by the way. Yeah. I had a lot of help. I second that. Thank you very You're welcome. I had a lot of help from Marvin, so you can't leave Marvin out of this. How is he? I was going to you know Yeah, he snuck out. Yes. I'll pass it on tomorrow. So that's it for [laughter] That's good. Ready to go, right? Yes.

[laughter] I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. [laughter] Uh Alderwoman Coste Mars. Here. Alderman Holiday. Here. Alderwoman Collins. Here. Alderman Carpenter. Here. Alderman Martuscello.

Here. Okay, resolution Resolution Resolution 2526 No, no, I'll make a motion to adopt the agenda. Oh, I'm sorry. Motion to adopt the agenda. Four resolutions, five consent, three ordinances. Call the roll. Alderwoman Collins. Aye. Alderman Carpenter. Aye. Alderman Martuscello. Aye. Alderwoman Coste Mars. Aye. Alderman Holiday. Aye. Okay, we have no proclamations this evening and no communications or presentations that I'm aware of. So, [laughter and snorts]

we will move right to the public participation section of our meeting and if once anyone would like to speak, we got a 5-minute time limit. State your name and address, Chet. I'm John R. Chet with 12 18 North Street. I was wondering, Mayor, um WCSS was kind of like national news. We don't get local news anymore and I used to like the local news. Did anybody ever ask WCSS why this big change happened and uh obviously uh Joe Izzo Bell and Sam Berllo and Mike Nier Senior are with us, but afterwards it went national, kind of probably Republican, but even I got tired of it. So, what I uh I uh I miss the uh the local news and I I don't think people are informed. It was a little bit different than say the recorder and I was just wondering if anybody uh contacted them to see if we could get some local news on here. Another thing is the last time I was here at the March 17th meeting, uh there was some talks a little bit about the Public Service uh Commission and I mentioned about Rory uh Christian. Sometimes I say Rory uh Calhoun for some reason, but Rory Christian is who's the head of the Public Service Commission. I was watching the New York State uh Assembly. I watch that a lot, like I said, and uh they said that the the the the governor wanted this Rory Christian, uh you know, and uh but but the New York State Senate had to approve him. So, they approved him and then they complained and said that they were getting a lot of complaints about the uh electric uh rates going up, which is uh on the New York State Assembly side, they said we pay over 50% more than other states when it comes to electric. And uh you know, so it's uh it's something to look look into, uh you know, same thing with the with the cable. I mean, I can't believe the cable rates is sometimes that goes

up three times and they even talk about that, but I mean these uh it's it's something that the I think we got to really like uh you know, check into it or like that because it's all these uh complaints about the electric and these utility bills are really like hurting the people uh locally or so like that. So, it's it's kind of ridiculous. They New York State Senate says, "Hey, okay, we'll approve the guy." Then they don't like him afterwards when he increases the rates. Now, the New York State is supposed to have the greatest supposed to be very uh you know, arc- archaic, you know, it's very old. So, they have a lot of excuses why they why the rates keep on going up. Uh I'm sure that's with the cable. I bought that up before. I think it was three times the cable went up this last year. Nobody says anything. It's it's it's ridiculous. Alderman Carpenter did bring up a resolution, which was passed, that did was sent to the state arguing about just what you're talking about. All right, that's that's good. That's very good. We got to do something about you know, into that. And here's here's some else I thought I'd throw in or so as a as a taxpayer. Uh

[clears throat]

Amsterdam has a 65% graduation rate. Could you imagine that we pay tax I was looking at this smartphone and we are one of the worst areas or so. 65% graduation rate and yet we're paying tax. What are they doing in that uh uh school district that the people when I when I graduated in 1973, I I think there might have been one or two people that didn't graduate. I mean, what what's going on? I can't understand uh there's people, you know, you know, uh probably say, "Oh, well, I don't need a uh uh to go to college or I don't need to graduate to to get a job flipping burgers or so." I mean, you know, in the old days they had a lot of factories. I worked in factories most of my life. The factories are gone and now they you flip burgers or you work in a uh department store, but that is that is ridiculous or so. And I wish somebody would check into that and say question this and say, "What are they doing?" You know? So, that's it. Thank you, Chet. All right. Anyone else like to speak this evening?

[clears throat] All right, hope my voice don't break up. I was uh after I uh retired, I fell behind

What's your name, sir? Earl Watkins. I fell behind on my house taxes. Do you remember me, Earl? Are you Earl Hopkins? Yeah. You used to live on Guy Street? Yeah. Absolutely. I Earl, give your address. You don't live on Guy Street anymore? Name and address. 190 Division Street. Okay. Hearing none. Thank you, Earl. Go ahead. And I got talking uh to make my house taxes when I retired. And I'm doing pretty good. And then I got hit with school tax and a quarter tax along with my makeup tax all at once. I went in there smiling. I had a head full of hair. And once he told me that, You lost your hair.

help get back in the car. I'm leaving a lot of hair on the ground. But my son has moved back in and I want to get rescheduled to make the makeup then uh again. I don't know if this is a proper place to say this, but You want to pay it? See, I I'm making payments to catch up. Yeah, you have to do that downstairs at the Treasurer's office. But uh I'd like to have my catch up to be a little less so I can put money aside. Louise, why don't you explain that what you can do? I'm not really sure what you're asking. I'm sorry. Are you looking to go on for the payment plan? Yeah. Yeah. Well, we Can I come meet with you We'll set up a meeting set up a meeting with Louise. Yeah. Okay, this is a meeting. It's okay, Earl. I don't know No, I understand. I understand. I wish it was dark so you could be here and make me feel more comfortable. Yeah, absolutely. Don't worry about it.

[laughter] We uh but we do this during the day at the Treasurer's Are you available during the day? Can you come back? Yeah, I'm retired. Okay, great. My parents are gone, so I have to ask them to pay me. You're good. Go to the Controller's office. Yeah, I think that's the best bet. Just tomorrow? What time can you be there, Louise? I I I'm actually have a pretty busy schedule. I'll be in and out of my office uh throughout the day, but if I'm if I'm available, I'd be happy to meet with you for sure. You tell me when you want me to meet. Uh tomorrow late in the day. Late in the day would be better. Okay. Like maybe 3:00. Call me when you run down.

Yeah, give me give us your number, Earl. Uh maybe you should maybe you shouldn't give it publicly. Yeah. Yeah. Uh you said 3:00. Yeah, you got to tell him 3:00. Be here at 3:00. 3:00. Here's okay. You can come between 3:00 and 4:00. I will be available to meet with you. Cool. No, no, no, listen. He'll be here at three between 3:00 and 4:00. Earl, you'll be here at 3:00 4:00 at City Hall, okay? Thank you. Thank you, Earl. Thank you, Earl. Thank you, Bruce. Thank you again. All right, anyone else? Okay. Um two. [laughter]

I think I got your guy for WCSS. Controller's report. [laughter] Is the the report that I passed out tonight um represents nine months revenue and expenditure activity. Um we're right on on track with where we should be this time of year. Um and our contingent that contingency balances are still pretty healthy. Um that said, we are working actively working on the budget 2016 budget. 7 budget.

done this week. I promise you guys, but it's it's a little bit of a guessing game uh with the state budget still being up in the air a little bit, so we are we're making some assumptions that we feel the longer we wait, the better the assumptions will be, but we feel very confident now, I think, that what we've got down on paper is going to work. Um so, by the end of this week we'll have I have a budget message and the budget in your hands, hopefully. God willing. Um, I'm sorry to interrupt. No, that that was really everything I had to say. Um, I already mentioned uh that the the bond attorney will be here at our next meeting to report on our Yeah, do you all have a copy that you all got a copy of the report?

And I also have it available electronically if um anyone would prefer the electronic copy. I'd be happy to email it. So, that said, I'm here if you have any questions. I know that this we I did want to mention that we did get the uh $1.1 million reimbursement from the state um What is it? Reconstruction? No. What's What's What's Financial restructuring report.

Thank you very much. Uh which we've been waiting for for a long, long time, uh which is going to enable us to pay off a a bond that we took out while we were waiting for it, which is going to be But but we're really happy to get that. And uh that came in this week, so that was good news. But I think uh you know, we'll have a budget by the end of this week. We worked very hard on it. I Everybody I thank everybody out for the all their cooperation, all the department heads, uh staff, and Louise, of course. But I think it'll be a good budget for everybody. Um If I got a quick question. Yes, go ahead.

Thanks. So, if I were to take every single one of these sections, five, and do the math on it, we're negative $11,649. If you were to give a name to If you were to give a name to that number, what would you give that number? It That we're in negative know what I'm saying? make sure I understand what

Yeah, so if I took the million dollars that were 1.1 that were down in the general fund and the the revenue that we've we're we're actually in the surplus with with the water fund and the sewer fund and the golf fund, which good job, golf. Um, and then, you know, take the deficit that we're in in the sanitation fund, that total number is a negative $11,649. What would you call that number? Deficit? Or the overall deficit or overall revenue? Operating budget deficit.

Right. Do you think that's worth adding to the controller's report moving forward? I think that's a nice number to kind of look at the overall It's tough because I mean, I'm try I'm trying to present these numbers to you every month, but they're you know, they the timing of the way our money flows in and flows out is not like lined up Yes. ideally for report of this format. Okay. Um, so, just because something shows a deficit now does not mean it's going to end, you know, the year as a deficit. Right. Just, you know, like we'll get we could get like our sales tax payments quarterly and that's big source of revenue. So so, you know, I I just don't know that this necessarily reflects like where the year is going to end. Fair enough. Yeah, that's wonderful. Thank you for that answer.

the report at the end of the year kind of summarizes But this is very important because I you know, I look at it all the time. I look at cash balances and things like that. Um, but but again, that number that you're talking about really doesn't mean anything until Until the end. Yeah, until the Yeah, right. Until we Right. Until we freeze it, take a snapshot and say, "Okay, this is what we got." Right. And and again, this year we have a surplus [snorts] as you'll see from you know, the report. Yeah. Thank you. Well, just for monitoring purposes.

Yeah. Yeah. Totally. Good question, though. Thank you. Uh Louise, if [clears throat] I was to interpret this, 87 in the general fund, 87% of the expenditures are in 19 million, and 82% are in, which is 5% difference, but yet we're only 1 million behind. This tells me our revenue is going to exceed our expenditures due to the fact that 5% difference here would equal a big change. Am I right? Yeah, it's going to change quite a bit. Keep And keep in mind, the expenditures also include encumbrances. We didn't technically haven't like spent every dollar, even though it's says an expenditure, it's hasn't just been encumbered. We're like committing money, but we haven't actually spent it yet. But it does This looks positive. I can say this. You know, I I I have no cause for concern at this point. I think we're going to end the year uh kind of right where we need to be. Very good.

Wonderful. Thank you. All right, thank you, Louise. Um, then we will be done with my old stuff. We have no old business, so we can get on to the new business if you can resolutions, please. Resolution number 2526-177, resolution adopting minutes from last common council meeting by Alderwoman Collins. So moved. Call the vote. Alderwoman Collins. Aye. Alderman Carpenter. Aye. Alderman Martuscello.

Aye. Alderwoman Questel Marks. Aye. Alderman Holiday. Aye. Resolution number 2526-178, resolution to waive registered agent penalties for 366 West Main Street by Alderman Martuscello. I think you need to read the first two whereas clauses. Whereas in 2022 and 2023 penalties totaling $5,000 were levied onto the tax bill of 366 West Main Street, known as Guy Park Manor, in accordance with chapter 156 of the city charter, non-resident residential or commercial property owner registration for failing to designate a registered agent. Whereas the property is owned by New York State Canal Corporation, which is a public benefit corporation established pursuant to New York State's public authorities law that operates as a subsidiary of the New York Power Authority. Yeah, read one more. Whereas property owned by a public benefit corporation should have been exempt from the registration requirement.

Thank you. So moved. Any questions on this? We are having our assessor, he's putting together a complete list of all of these so that you know, this is one that just we missed, but we'll we will have that very shortly. Okay. Call the roll, please. Alderman Martuscello. Aye. Alderwoman Questel Marks. Aye. Alderman Holiday.

Aye. Alderwoman Collins. Aye. Alderman Carpenter. Aye. Resolution number 2526-179, resolution transferring funds post UV soda ash pumps by Alderman Carpenter. Whereas two replacement soda ash pumps are needed to add alkalinity to the drinking water. And whereas the surrent current soda ash pumps are failing to failing and do not have redundancy. And whereas the quoted cost of $63,000 for proprietary replacement soda ash pumps, which was not included in the current year operating budget. And whereas the chemical budget line for fiscal year 2025-26 is forecast to maintain a surplus adequate to cover the cost of replacement pumps. And now therefore, be it resolved the controller is authorized to amend the 2025-26 budget as follows. Decrease expense chemical $63,000, increase expense soda ash pump project $63,000. So moved. Any questions? Call the roll. Alderman Carpenter. Aye. Alderman Martuscello.

Aye. Alderwoman Questel Marks. Aye. Alderman Holiday. Aye. Alderwoman Collins. Aye. Resolution number 2526-180, resolution approving audit by Alderwoman Collins. So moved. Any questions? Call the roll. Alderwoman Collins. Aye. Alderman Carpenter. Aye. Alderman Martuscello. Aye. Alderwoman Questel Marks. Aye. Alderman Holiday.

Aye. Resolution number 2526-181, consent resolution to write off property taxes for 123 North Mathias Ave by Alderman Carpenter. Whereas the city took ownership of real property located at 123 North Mathias Avenue through a foreclosure proceeding in 2018. Whereas the owner filed for bankruptcy prior to foreclosing, so the city did not have the legal authority to take possession of the property. Whereas the assessor corrected the property ownership in the city's records, however, the deed was not transferred back to the prior owner by the county in a timely fashion. The owner and the city both recently signed a mutual release of claims that states that the owner is responsible for paying all related property taxes and user fees as of January 1st, 2025. Resolved the controller is requesting approval to write off $10,464.46. This amount represents the principal balance and all of all outstanding taxes incurred prior to 2025 that were not included in the bankruptcy. So moved. Any questions? Call the roll. Alderman Carpenter. Aye. Alderman Martuscello. Aye. Alderwoman Questel Marks. Aye. Alderman Holiday. Aye. Alderwoman Collins. Aye.

[laughter] Resolution number 2526-182, consent resolution waiving 30-day advance notice application for liquor license, Dan's Backyard Barbecue LLC, DBA Rivers Edge 2.0. By Alderwoman I'm sorry, Alderman Martuscello. So moved. Any discussion? Call the roll. Alderman Martuscello. Aye. Alderwoman Questel Marks. Aye. Alderman Holiday.

Aye. Alderwoman Collins. Aye. Alderman Carpenter. Resolution 2526-183, consent resolution authorizing modification of contract with Dan's Backyard Barbecue LLC in connection with concessioner services at Riverlink Park by Alderman Marticella. So moved. Any discussion here? Thank you. Call the roll. Alderman Marticella. Aye. Alderwoman Questemars. Aye. Alderman Holiday. Aye. Alderwoman Collins. Aye. Alderman Carpenter. Aye. Resolution number 2526-184 consent. Resolution providing for stipend to corporation counsel for representation of the city of Amsterdam [clears throat]

in courts and court matters other than Amsterdam City Court by Alderwoman Collins. Whereas the office of corporation counsel is a part-time position, and whereas with regard to matters to which the city requires representation in the courts of the state of New York and other than Amsterdam City Court, it is understood that these matters require a significant time investment and due to the combination of factors including modifications in various laws and increased levels of initiation of special proceedings, the city is in need of legal representation in such matters with much more frequency than any other prior juncture. And [clears throat] whereas corporation counsel Casale has expressed a desire to engage outside counsel for representation of the city in such matters due to the increased time investment involved in the representation of the city in such proceedings. And whereas as an alternative to an employment of counsel that corporation counsel is authorized to make the make pursuant to Amsterdam City Charter section C-45, the city of Amsterdam is desirous to offer corporation counsel a stipend at a rate of $250 per hour for representation of city of Amsterdam in matters pending or to be filed in courts of the state of New York other than city city Amsterdam City Court as of March 9th, 2026. So moved. Any questions? Call the roll. Alderwoman Collins.

Aye. Alderman Carpenter. Aye. Alderman Marticella. Aye. Alderwoman Questemars. Aye. Alderman Holiday. Aye. [clears throat]

Resolution number 2526-185 consent. Resolution 2025-26 budget transfer corporation counsel stipend by Alderwoman Collins. Should read the now therefore. Now therefore be it resolved that the controller is authorized to amend the 2025-26 fiscal budget fiscal year budget as follows: decrease expense contingency $10,000, increase expense corporation counsel Supreme Court $10,000. So moved. Any questions? Call the roll. Alderwoman Collins. Aye. Alderman Carpenter. Aye. Alderman Marticella.

Aye. Alderwoman Questemars.

Aye. Alderman Holiday. Aye. Ordinance A of 2026 to be known as ordinance one of 2026 if adopted to be voted upon. An ordinance modifying section 73-32A of the Amsterdam City Code [clears throat] pertaining to dog licensing fees by Alderwoman Collins. Part one, legislative intent. Section 73-32A of the Amsterdam City Code codifies dog licensing fees for dogs harbored within the city of Amsterdam. The purpose of this instant ordinance is to increase the licensing fees for dogs to the amount of $12 with an additional annual fee in the amount of $8 in the event that the subject is not spayed and or neutered. Part two, be it enacted by the common council of the city of Amsterdam that chapter 73-32A of the Amsterdam City Code is modified to read as follows. The city of Amsterdam hereby establishes the annual fee for a dog license issued pursuant to 73-21 at $12 to which the amount shall be added $8 if the dog is not spayed or neutered. Section three, effectiveness. A public hearing having been held on April 21st, 2026 and upon ratification by common council, the instant law local law shall be become effective pursuant to C-33 of the charter. So moved. Any questions? Call the roll. Alderwoman Collins. Aye. Alderman Carpenter. Aye. Alderman Marticella.

Aye. Alderwoman Questemars. Aye. Alderman Holiday. Aye. Ordinance B of 2026 to be known as ordinance number two of 2026 if adopted to be voted upon. An ordinance modifying Amsterdam City Code section 228-48 schedule 14, no stopping south side of Northern Boulevard at Clizbe Avenue by Alderman Holiday. Part one, legislative intent. The intersection of Northern Boulevard and Clizbe Avenue continues it to experience a narrowing of the lane of traffic due to increased patronage of the existing businesses currently located within the corridor. This action is believed to be necessary at this intersection of this section of Northern Boulevard due to limited visibility to the curve and the grade of the roadway. The intention of the instant ordinance is to modify schedule 14 of section 228-48 to provide for no stopping at any time on Northern Boulevard on the south side of the street between the entrance of 1 Northern Boulevard and 20 Northern Boulevard. Part two, enactment. Be it enacted by the common council of the city of Amsterdam that the following being added and or modified to 14 of section 228-48 as set forth below. Add no stopping at any time on Northern Boulevard on the south side of the street between the entrance of 1 Northern Boulevard and 20 Northern Boulevard. Section three, effectiveness. A public hearing having been held on April 21st, 2026 and upon ratification by common council, the instant local law shall become effective pursuant C-33 of the charter. Question. Questions here. Um I'm sorry, you're all you can't speak during this portion of the meeting. Okay. Call the roll, please.

Alderman Holiday. Aye. Alderwoman Collins. Aye. Alderman Carpenter. Aye. Alderman Marticella.

Aye. Alderwoman Questemars. Aye. Ordinance C of 2026 to be known as ordinance number three of 2026 if adopted to be voted upon. An ordinance modifying Amsterdam City Code section 228-47 schedule 13, parking prohibited at all times Clizbe Avenue both sides between 133 Clizbe Avenue and Second Street by Alderman Holiday. Part one, legislative intent. The intersections of Clizbe Avenue at Devendorf Street, First Street and Second Street continue to experience a narrowing of the lane of traffic due it to increased patronage of the existing businesses currently located within the corridor. Consideration is being given for public safety to this section of Clizbe Avenue due to limited visibility due to the curve and grade of the roadway. The intention of the instant ordinance is to modify schedule schedule 13 of section 228-47 to provide for no parking on either side of Clizbe Avenue between 133 Clizbe Avenue and Second Street. Part two, enactment. Be it enacted by the common council of the city of Amsterdam that the following be added and or modified to 13 of section 228-47 as set forth below. Add parking prohibited at all times Clizbe Avenue both sides between 133 Clizbe Avenue and Second Street. Section three, effectiveness. A public hearing having been having been held on April 21st, 2026 and upon ratification by common council, the instant local law law shall become effective pursuant to C-33 of the charter. Thank you for both of those, by the way.

You're welcome. Um any questions? Call the roll, please. Alderman Holiday. Aye. Alderwoman Collins. Aye. Alderman Carpenter. Aye. Alderman Marticella.

Aye. Alderwoman Questemars. Aye. Thank you very much. Um can I get a motion to go into executive session? Uh yes, sorry. Yes, from your section is one moment. I'm sorry. Um Public Officers Law section 105 sub one sub B for discussions regarding proposed pending litigation. [clears throat] I would ask for that motion. Make a motion to go into executive session. Alderman Carpenter. Aye. Alderman Marticella. Aye. Alderwoman Questemars. Aye. Alderman Holiday. Aye. Alderwoman Collins. Aye. The engineer did did we have talking about this in executive session, but I want to give you a street focus here.