Latest Kingston City Council Meeting Notes...

[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

President Obamas Health Care Plan... Updated Info... Passing It On... Associated Press... Road Runner

["Thank You President Obama"; Photo (Copyrighted) by NS]

Copied and Pasted: [Mondified only in terms of quotation marks and bold print (mine)]

"Obama plan would provide health care for all"

Published - Jun 04 2009 07:14AM EDT

By ERICA WERNER - Associated Press Writer

"President Barack Obama says he's open to requiring all Americans to buy health insurance, as long as the plan provides a 'hardship waiver' to exempt poor people from having to pay.

Obama opposed such an individual mandate during his campaign, but Congress increasingly is moving to embrace the idea.

In providing the first real details on how he wants to reshape the nation's health care system, the president urged Congress on Wednesday toward a sweeping overhaul that would allow Americans to buy into a government insurance plan.

Obama outlined his goals in a letter to Sens. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., and Max Baucus, D-Mont., chairmen of the two committees writing health care bills. It followed a meeting he held Tuesday with members of their committees, and amounted to a road map to keep Congress aligned with his goals.

'The plans you are discussing embody my core belief that Americans should have better choices for health insurance, building on the principle that if they like the coverage they have now, they can keep it, while seeing their costs lowered as our reforms take hold,' Obama wrote.

Obama has asked the House and Senate each to finish legislation by early August, so that the two chambers can combine their bills in time for him to sign a single, sweeping measure in October. In a statement Baucus welcomed the assignment.

'I will stop at nothing to deliver a health reform bill that works for families and businesses to the president this year,' Baucus said.

Covering 50 million uninsured Americans could cost as much as $1.5 trillion over a decade, and cost is emerging as a major sticking point. Obama didn't offer new solutions to that problem in his letter Wednesday but did say he'd like to squeeze an additional $200 billion to $300 billion over 10 years from the Medicare and Medicaid government insurance programs for the elderly, disabled and poor.

He said he'd do it through such measures as better managing chronic diseases and avoiding unnecessary tests and hospital readmissions. Savings from such measures are uncertain.

Medicare benefits cost the federal government about $450 billion a year and Medicaid about $200 billion. Obama already has targeted the programs for some $300 billion in cuts over 10 years in the 2010 budget he released in February.

He also said he's open to congressional proposals to let an independent commission identify cuts to Medicare which would take effect unless Congress rejected them all at once, similar to how military base closures are handled.

The president said he supports a new health insurance exchange that Congress is crafting, a sort of marketplace that would allow Americans to shop for different plans and compare prices.

All of the plans should offer a basic affordable package, and none should be allowed to deny coverage to people with pre-existing conditions, Obama said _ big changes from how private insurance companies operate today.

'I strongly believe that Americans should have the choice of a public health insurance option operating alongside private plans,' Obama wrote, weighing in firmly on one of the most controversial issues in the debate. 'This will give them a better range of choices, make the health care market more competitive and keep insurance companies honest.'

Republicans strongly oppose a public plan, as do private insurers, who contend it would drive them out of business.

'A government-run plan would set artificially low prices that private insurers would have no way of competing with,' Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said Wednesday on the Senate floor.

The idea of what Obama called a 'hardship waiver' for individual Americans too poor to buy care splits the difference between where he was during the presidential campaign and where Congress appears to be heading.

In the campaign, Obama did not support requiring everyone to buy insurance, putting him at odds with then Democratic rival Hillary Rodham Clinton. Congress is looking at doing so. The hardship waiver idea is under consideration by the Senate Finance Committee, which also is considering giving tax credits to certain individuals so they can afford health care. Kennedy and House Democrats are looking at giving subsidies to the poor to help them buy coverage.

The letter didn't address the issue of taxing health care benefits. Obama opposed that during his campaign but Congress is now considering it, and Obama hasn't shut the door on it."

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Associated Press Article (as Noted on Top) / Accessed at: http://www.rr.com/news/news/article/rr/9000/7909673/Obama_plan_would_provide_health_care_for_all/full/

Community Update... City Council Meeting... Health Care Forum... Invites... Links... More

["One Hope~ We Are Earth"; as submitted to You Tube by AnnieCanada on December 16, 2007; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLDDSPMqeEM]

A lot is happening on the local front, with the upcoming elections - folks dropping out - folks checking in - etc. - and I would spend a bit of time on that - if I weren't involved / busy learning all that I can - in the upcoming health care forum (see sidebar) and learning all that I can about the different issues, possibilities, potentialities and pragmatic options that are available in that regard...

So, suffice it to say - I am keeping up with events as best I can (City, County, State and Nation) - and that I salute all of those who have served, those that will continue to serve and those that are just now "officially" entering (or making the attempt...) the political arena.

I'm a "side-liner" - I guess you could say - via my blogs - attending City, County and activist meetings (those that entice me) when I can - moderating the Ward 5 group for a time - writing for the local LWV - hosting and/or otherwise participating in (in conjunction with barackobama.com, MoveOn.org and other such Internet-based entities) in some community-based (real world) events - and trying /learning (SMILE) how to plant a garden...

And although I wish I could take all of this a bit further (I have discussed this with a couple of Aldermen and some other folks...) - I'm not sure (Any input out there folks?) I am ready (even if "acceptable") for the main "ring" (any of them) as of yet...

I've been open on my blogs about my struggles with anxiety and post-traumatic-stress-disorder - and about my fight to overcome these obstacles - which reminds me of when I was a kid - challenged to swim across a big lake and (even though I was a lousy swimmer) taking up the challenge...

What I did is take a tube along - which I kept pushing out in front of me so I could grab it when I needed to - and swim (lol) on my back (thank goodness my father taught me how to float...) a lot...

Feeling much like I do now, short of breath - but still determined! [I did make it across that lake!]

I have undoubtedly made progress in some major ways since the beginning of this year, but "being the change 'I' want to see in the world" has been a full-time (some of your mole-hills are still mountains for me...) challenge - and attempting to do what I do under serious financial constraints (Anyone identify?) is admittedly (I'm not seeking pity nor donations!) TOUGH.

I did attend the Kingston City Council meeting last night - and notes on that will be forthcoming...

I do have the health care forum / discussion pretty much arranged for Saturday...

I would love to see some of our City and County representatives AT the forum / discussion on Saturday... (Hmmmm?)

Other than that - for now - I would like to offer some links (you can click on these in the sidebar) for those that would like to explore the health care issue further - participate in some online activism (We have never had this kind of opportunity before folks!) and/or gather together your thoughts to present at the forum (bring your stories and ideas) on Saturday:

"Health Reform": http://www.healthreform.gov/

"Share your stories and ideas about why we need health reform this year"; http://www.healthreform.gov/communityreports/comments.html

"State Your Support for Health Care Reform This Year": http://www.healthreform.gov/support.html

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The City Council meeting was scantily attended (presumably due to the Republican Convention) - but a couple of important (I believe) agenda items were passed - and it certainly seems to me (for the most part) that the Aldermen and Alderwomen in the City of Kingston are sincerely trying to act (in the midst of a difficult social-economic climate) in the best interest of City residents...

Have a Great Day!

NS