[Photo by BF; Utilized with Permission]Latest Kingston City Council Meeting Notes, as submitted to the League of Women Voters of the Mid-Hudson Valley on June 4, 2009. If any factual or grammatical errors are noted (by readers here and/or LWV members) please let me know and they will be promptly [some minor revisions have already been made] corrected.
The June 6, 2009 Kingston City Council meeting was sparsely attended, but only one Alderman was excused, a quorum was in attendance and a great deal of "business" was on the Agenda ("City of Kingston Common Council June 10, 2009 Agenda").
Some big items that came up first:
A. The Council voted to pass "Local Law #5" - "amending section A-6 of the Administrative code of the city of Kingston to allow the Common Council to assign voucher approval recommendation to the Board of Police Commissioners if the Council sees fit."
B. The Council voted to pass "Local Law #6" - to allow the Common Council to assign voucher approval recommendation to the advisory boards for the Department of Public Works, the Fire Department and the Department of Parks and Recreation, if Council sees fit."
C. The "First Reading of Local Law #7" - "amending Chapter 360 of the Code of the City of Kingston (Taxation) for real property owned by veterans who rendered military service to the United States during the 'cold war" was unanimously passed.
All of the following, from the "List of Legislation - June 2, 2009 - were (to the best of my knowledge) voted upon and approved:
1. A transfer of $71.109.00 to "reflect [the] Retirement Incentive and Restructuring Program" (Resolution #97 / Finance and Economic Development Committee)
2. A transfer of $1,500.00 "to the 2009 Sewer Fund to reflect [the] Retirement Incentive and Restructuring Program" (Resolution #98 / Finance and Economic Development Committee)
3. An authorization for "the execution of the reverter clause in the deed for property at 672 Broadway" (Resolution #99 / Finance and Economic Development Committee)
4. A recommendation for "approval for authorizing the execution of grant applications for the Safety-LU High Priority Project (or successor program)" [Resolution #100 / Finance and Economic Development Committee]
5. A recommendation of "approval for budget modifications within the 2009 Police Department's budget in the amount of $15,000.00 to reflect monies received from [the] NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services" [Resolution #101 / Finance and Economic Development Committee]
6. A recommendation of "approval for authorizing entering into an Interlocal Agreement with the County of Ulster" [Resolution #102 / Finance and Economic Development Committee]
7. A recommendation of "approval for authorizing the withdrawal of 8 Pearl Street from the 2008 in rem foreclosure proceedings pursuant to an installment payment plan" [Resolution #103 / Finance and Economic Development Committee]
8. A recommendation of "approval for authorizing the withdrawal of 224 North Manor Avenue from the 2008 in rem foreclosure proceedings pursuant to an installment payment plan" [Resolution #104 / Finance and Economic Development Committee]
9. A recommendation of "approval for authorizing the withdrawal of 156 Fair Street from the 2008 in rem foreclosure proceedings pursuant to an installment payment plan" (Resolution #105 / Finance and Economic Development Committee]
10. A recommendation of "approval for authorizing the withdrawal of 6-12 Willow Street from the 2008 in rem foreclosure proceedings pursuant to an installment plan" (Resolution #106 / Finance and Economic Development Committee)
11. A recommendation of "approval for authorizing the withdrawal of 121 West Chester Street from the 2008 in rem foreclosure proceedings pursuant to an installment payment plan" (Resolution #107 / Finance and Economic Development Committee)
12. A recommendation of "approval for authorizing the withdrawal of 47 Amsterdam Avenue from the 2008 in rem foreclosure proceedings pursuant to an installment payment plan" (Resolution #108 / Finance and Economic Development Committee)
13. A recommendation of "approval for authorizing the release of the restriction in Resolution #110 of 2005 and 201 of 2005 affecting 34 Furnace Street requiring that the property cannot be sold in the future without Common Council consent" (Resolution #109 / Finance and Economic Development Committee)
14. A recommendation of "approval for budget modifications to the 2009 Celebrations budget in the amount of $3,000.00 to reflect monies received from the sale of John Zaccheo paintings" (Resolution #110 / Finance and Economic Development Committee)
15. A recommendation of "approval for authorizing the Pedestrian Waterfront Walkway/Bulkhead Project in and for the City of Kingston at a maximum estimated cost of $1,830,000.00 and authorizing the issuance of bonds not exceeding $1,830,000.00 of said city to pay the cost thereof" (Resolution #111 / Finance and Economic Development Committee)
16. A recommendation of "approval for authorizing the City of Kingston Planning Department to proceed with the sale of surplus properties" (Resolution #112 / Finance and Economic Development Committee)
17. A recommendation of "approval for authorizing entering into an Intermunicipal agreement with the Town of Poughkeepsie" (Resolution #113 / Finance and Economic Development Committee)
18. A recommendation of "approval for a transfer of $19,660.00 within the Recreation Department's budget to cover the cost of repairs to the Andretta Pool" (Resolution #114 / Finance and Economic Development Committee)
19. A recommendation of "approval for authorizing entering into an Intermunicipal Agreement with the Town of Esopus for the processing of sewage" (Resolution #115 / Laws and Rules Committee)
20. A recommendation of "approval for accepting the RBA Consultant's study [emphasis on "study" v. implementation of...] on the 'Uptown Stockade Area Transportation Plan" (Resolution #116 / Public Safety/General Government/Cable Committee)
21. A recommendation of approval for the following [All having to do with the Public Safety/General Government/Cable Committee and "amending traffic flow" issues...]:
Resolution #117: "approval for amending traffic flow by adding No Parking Between Signs on Howland Avenue, west side, from Pole #122809 to Pole #122815 (a distance of 123 feet)"
Resolution #118: "approval for amending traffic flow by adding a Stop Sign on Browning Terrace at Miller's Lane"
Resolution #119: "approval fro amending traffic flow by adding a Stop Sign on Browning Terrace at Miller's Lane"
Resolution #120: "approval for amending traffic flow by designating the Public Alley between Ulster County Courthouse and Cordts Building as a Fire Lane"
Resolution #121: "approval for amending traffic flow by adding Handicap Parking north of driveway at 265 Third Avenue; move south end sign of 265 Third Avenue's No Parking Zone 10 feet to the north and establish No Parking the length of 270 Third Avenue"
Resolution #126: "approval for amending traffic flow by adding No Turn on Red from Washington Avenue onto Grandma Brown Lane, 7AM to 7PM"
22. A recommendation of approval to adopt "Local Law #5 of 2009, amending Section A-6of the Administrative Code of the City of Kingston" (Resolution # 122 / Audit Committee)
23. A recommendation of "approval for adopting Local Law #6 of 2009, amending Section A-7 of the Administrative Code of the City of Kingston" (Resolution #123 / Audit Committee)
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I somehow missed the outcome (You can probably access this Information by contacting Kathy Janeczek, City Clerk...) of the following:
A recommendation of "approval for the appointment of Geraldine Breen to the Kingston Area Public Access Commission, term expiring December 31, 2011" [Resolution #125 / Public Safety/General Government/Cable Committee]
A recommendation of "approval for contingency transfer of $45,000 to the Assessor's budget to cover contract payment to GAR Associates" [Resolution #124 / Finance and Economic Development Committee]
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Other than the above...
Alderman Senor - although voting in favor of (in association with Resolution #97) expressed some dis-satisfaction with the fact that one position had been eliminated, whilst another position had been added elsewhere.
[A] $50,000 grant (or potential grant) appears to be associated with Resolution #102 - and... this grant money (if and when accessed) may be utilized to purchase two new police vehicles.
Alderman Landi (in association with Resolution #102) commended Police Chief Keller and Deputy Chief Wallace for attending a number of Committee meetings and working with the Committee to reduce expenses. Alderman Landi would like to see other department heads encouraged to do the same.
The number of "installment payment plan" contracts being put forth and tentatively entered into [this, versus entering "rem foreclosure proceedings"] has reputedly increased notably [See Resolutions #103-#108]. Alderman Landi expressed concern about this increase and about the possibility that this trend might continue. A general concern about the economic situation was expressed by both Alderman Landi and Alderman Senor.
Alderman Landi expressed concern about the lack of an "exit plan" in regard to Resolution #115 (having to do with an agreement with the Town of Esopus around sewage processing) . The other Council members that spoke on the issue did not appear to share this concern.
Alderman Hoffay said that Resolution #116 - having to do with the "study on the 'Uptown Stockade Area Transportation Plan'" - was pertinent to the study only. Public Information sessions will reputedly be held on this issue - and it is hoped that (if approved) a "Request for Funding" (i.e., grant monies?) would cover the implementation of the Plan. More information will reputedly be forthcoming on this issue. At this stage, only an approval for accepting the "report" (using Alderman Landi's wording here) was voted upon / approved.
The voucher issue (Local Laws #5 and #6 of 2009) - and the potential changes around "same" - are apparently viewed (this appears to be unanimous, or at least no Alderman spoke against the proposed changes) as a positive move. Alderman Hoffey stated (this many not be exact, but close): that "all vouchers should go through the Council process" - that the Council should act (without exception) as a "voucher review system." Alderman Reynolds referred to "same" as a "smart move" and a way to "tighten financial controls." Alderman Senor expressed approval and agreement (with Alderman Hoffay and Alderman Reynolds) on this issue. And, Alderman Teetsel, who also stood in approval (this was passed unanimously by all Council members) stated that he was "looking forward to working on this" [which, if all goes well, will reputedly start (the more inclusive "voucher review process") in early or mid-July 2009.]
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Feel free to post additional information and/or comments here or to email me (if you note any errors) at wingedbirdinflight@live.com.
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Whew!
NS
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