Remarks by Torrance Harvey
177 remarks on the record, newest first · Page 3 of 8
“So moved. First motion is said by Councilman Shakur. Do we have a second?”
“Do we have a motion for resolution number 237-2026? So moved. First motion is said by Councilman Shakur. Do we have a second? Second. Seconded by Councilmember Monteverde. Roll call on the motion.”
“Do we have a motion for resolution number 238-2026? So moved. First motion accepted by Councilman Shakur. Do we have a second? Second. Seconded by Councilmember Zoria. Roll call on the motion, please.”
Not quoted here: it may name a member of the public. Hear it at the meeting.
“We should look at all not-for-profit organizations and entities that are engaged in city, partnered with city government, using city property, that there are agreements written up and signed, and if they're not, then we need to execute those. Council Member Martinez.”
“We want both. And this is what it is. So... contract user fees are already they have already been implemented in our city code all right and then there should be licensing agreements that are signed and executed by the executive team when these uh not-for-profit that are outside entities are engaged with our facilities councilman shakur yes so in that same conversation people park that's a public park right”
“our community right because when we look at when we look at festivals and we look at special events in our on our properties on our in our parks there are expenditures and costs that come with it so the person that's taken out a seventy five dollar permit and uh... the city manager and some of the council members talk about looking at those fees and increase in them uh... but there are expenditures like dj calls lighting calls there's a stage uh... that has to be uh... constructed the people sign off and i'm not so it may have come to the right side of the house which is not to do with that…”
“excellent um so also with um old business i have an old business item just need to get an update on the charter review uh and the next steps on a charter review um for uh the next work session and then um it was something else along that same line uh that we needed an update on um we did we talked about the priority the legislative priority anyway to come back to me all right so we'll go to new business if there any new business item that the council would like for the city manager and executive team to consider yes perhaps some new business community came to me they wanted to do something…”
“What is our policy? One, there was an internal investigation done. Secondly, all employees, whether they're officers or firefighters, it doesn't matter what type of employee they are, they all have due process under the law. So that means that they have their presumption of innocence unless proven guilty. So that internal...”
“The internal investigation was done. And it was unfounded that there was anything done wrong or incorrect with that circumstance.”
“There was an internal investigation and we are still waiting on the Attorney General's findings before anything happens.”
“Councilman Shakur? That's what I'm saying.”
“What I'm saying to the community, and our city attorney has already stated it, we had this discussion in an executive session. There was an internal investigation. There was no misconduct found in that internal investigation. There was an external outside that's ongoing, an outside investigation going on, and the State Attorney General is investigating. So until those things have concluded, there was no, according to the internal investigation, there was no misconduct by any of the officers. And we're still waiting to see what the external investigation comes out with and then the state…”
“Thank you, Councilman Macklemore. Next we hear from Councilmember Monteverde.”
“Thank you Council Member Zoria for those remarks I want to thank everybody that came out especially those who stood with us to the bitter end that really means a lot to us so that you can hear from us and know exactly what we are doing Council Member Stewart said it right keep your eyes on the money I read today that the city of Saratoga New York is looking to do a 37 increase in taxes for the 2027 fiscal year i looked at albany albany had a multi-million dollar shortfall with um their budget because of past um financial mishaps in the city of Albany and the city of Albany is our state…”
“I concur you know when we look at public safety is our number one priority I said I would say a very close first priority would be continuing the financial solvency and stability of the city government. So I do agree. I was here when when several attempts a hiring comptroller's took place. The former administrator or city manager um kept me in the loot on that and and um council was also brought in on some of those final uh choices and things you know so i i think the best is to go with the consultant uh at this point because you know public safety is the number one priority and then you got…”
“Some of us are getting messages about this particular proposal. Wayne, if you could give us a rationale on why you...”
“Okay. And there was also something about a soccer team not being funded or a soccer team being.”
“Okay. Because I know they're coming out on Tuesday night. So just a heads up. They're coming. Okay.”
“There are yeah, so use the vestibule. Common areas of the wreck. Outside perimeter for the exit and entrances.”
“So the question then becomes, you know, because it's one thing to have it in the vestibule, in the hallway, the Hall of Fame, but if it's in the rec director's office, that troubles me a little bit. It's in the coordinator's office. Okay. Now, is it in all of our department's offices? Yes. all in my department's police chiefs office the fire chiefs office police has cameras all throughout their facility I don't believe in the chiefs it's not in the office right chief it's not in the office no no it shouldn't and that's the only thing I have a problem with so it's a first of all it's a common…”
“Okay, well, I'm just saying I'm very familiar with the rec department. I spend a lot of time in that recreation space. I just hold meetings when I have my 100 men for Newburgh for two and a half years. I'm very familiar with the office space in there. I have a problem with it being in the office, so I'm going to say it for the record for me. i have a problem with it in the office space uh... because if it's going to be in that office space and now you're going to be required to have it in all the department's offices and i don't agree with that so that's my position it and that's where i'm…”
“Well, when we say public has access, is there a door on that office? Yes. There's a door. Right. Does the... But there's a door to this office.”
“Hold on, I'd like to finish. I'd like to finish. there's a door to the office the office to my understanding is designated for the executive director no no mayor that's not what is that that's a different officer that's a different officer oh yeah yeah so which one we're talking about you're talking about so it's this is this is the coordinators or this is the coordinators so when i walk into the rec is the office to the right that's not that one no it's in the building behind the skate park if I'm not mistaken there's a kitchen in there so my apologies I thought we were talking about the…”
“Thank you for your presentation, Quenetta. I'm looking at your employee data, and it looks like you're at full strength. I know you said there's two vacancies, but you're like 95%, right? Yeah, and because I've never, you know, it's been a long time since we've seen this many cold compliance officers, which is awesome. And I just didn't... Yeah, I just wanted to know if you agree that you're almost at full strength. And then I think because I missed the first 10, 15 minutes, I got stuck in my office with my secretary. But so two vacancies and then you have at least one retirement. Is that…”