Village of Menands Board of Trustees, semi-monthly meeting. I am Mayor Meg Grenier and it’s 6:00 o’clock, I will call the meeting to order. For anyone outside the village staff who is attending this video conference, I would ask you please identify yourselves, Eric Johnson, Chazen Companies, John Demis, Matt Brobston, Steve Boulet, Cynthia Ellest, Courtney Stout, Maureen Long, Paul Kruger, Susan Harris, Eric Johnson, Bill Nevins, Jim Glade, Renee Lequire. The mayor asked them to mute their microphones.
Mayor Grenier then did a roll call of Village staff: Deputy Mayor Seth H Harris, present, Trustee Diane Foley, present, Trustee Brian Marsh, present, Trustee Tim Lane, present, Clerk Don Handerhan, present, Village Attorney Stephen Rehfuss, Absent, Intern Anika Fisher, present. On behalf of the Village Board, I would ask all residents that we please keep our First Responders, all essential workers and those affected by this pandemic in our thoughts and prayers.
On September 2nd, 2021 Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation (S.50001/A.40001) extending virtual access to public meetings under New York State’s Open Meetings Law, which allows New Yorkers to virtually participate in local government meetings during the COVID-19 pandemic. The legislation which was initially implemented by Executive Order during last year’s State of Emergency, allows state and local government meetings that are normally held in person to be held remotely instead, as long as the public has the ability to view or listen to the meeting and as long as the meeting is recorded and later transcribed. This statutory change will reduce the need for congregation at public meetings while the Delta variant is prevalent, while ensuring public business can continue.
A motion was made by Trustee Harris to accept the minutes of the October 4th, 2021 Board Meeting, seconded by Trustee Lane.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Marsh voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE
A motion was made by Trustee Marsh to approve payment for the following, seconded by Trustee Foley.
WARRANT # 10:
GENERAL totaling $91,242.65
WATER totaling $ 3,121.96
SEWER totaling $ 72.10
TOTALS $94,436.71
PAYROLL # 10: totaling $86,864.82
(09/24/21-10/07/21)
ADOPTED:
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Marsh voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE
A motion was made by Trustee Marsh, seconded by Trustee Lane, to accept
the following resolution:
RESOLVED, that the Treasurer be, and hereby is, authorized to make the following Budget Transfers
Account Account
From Acct: A.1910.0400 To Acct: A.5142.0405
Description Unallocated Insurance Snow – Insurance
Amount: $105.00 $105.00
From Acct: A.1990.0400 To Acct: A.1210.0400
Description Contingent Mayor – Contractual
Amount: $19,270.00 $3,000.00
From Acct: ” To Acct: A.1410.0156
Description ” Treasurer
Amount: ” $270.00
From Acct: ” To Acct: A.5110.0430
Description ” Street – O/S Contractors
Amount: ” $3,000.00
From Acct: ” To Acct: A.7110.0404
Description ” Parks – Misc.
Amount: ” $2,000.00
From Acct: ” To Acct: A.9089.0800
Description ” Compensated Absences
Amount: ” $11,000.00
Approved:
Trustee Foley Voted – Aye
Trustee Harris Voted – Aye
Trustee Lane Voted – Aye
Trustee Marsh Voted – Aye
Mayor Grenier Voted – Aye
Resolution 210059
The Treasurer requested a resolution authorizing him to transfer $11,100 from the Equipment savings Account to A.5110.0208 Street – Equipment/Miscellaneous to cover the cost of the new mower that was approved by Resolution #210026. After a discussion Trustee Marsh moved, seconded by Trustee Harris a resolution authorizing the Treasurer to transfer $11,100 from Equipment Saving to A5110.0208 Street Equipment/Miscellaneous to cover the cost of the new mower approved by resolution #210026.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Marsh voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE
The Clerk advised the Village has to resubmit Associate Justice Robert Becher’s Standard Work Week Resolution.
Resolution 210060
Trustee Marsh made a motion to approve the Standard Work Week Resolution for Associate Justice Robert Becher, seconded by Trustee Harris. It will be posted for 30 days on website.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Marsh voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE
The Clerk advised the Board that he has received the Community Development Consolidated Performance and Evaluation Report for the period 7/1/20 – 6/30/21 from the Town of Colonie it’s on file in the Office.
A discussion was held regarding Property Maintenance Code. Anika Fischer obtained a Property Maintenance Handbook from NYCOM. It was decided to put the vote on hold to rewrite the Code. The Code will be introduced at the next meeting.
Pre-Site Plan Review on 381 Broadway Eric Johnson described the project and introduced John Demis. John advised that the Capital District Co-Op wants to replace the existing pavilion with an 82’ x 100’ enclosed pavilion with doors. A discussion followed.
Resolution 210061
Trustee Lane Read:
Whereas, Capital District Cooperative, Inc. requests preliminary Site Plan approval for the construction of a new building at 381 Broadway, S.B.L. 55.06-2-2.1 within the Heavy Industrial District (H1); and
Whereas, the applicant prepared and completed Part I of the Short Environmental
Assessment Form; and
Whereas, the applicant has requested the Village Board to conduct an uncoordinated
environmental (SEQRA) review; and
Whereas, the Village Board has classified the project as an Unlisted action under SEQRA;
and
Whereas, the Village Code Enforcement Officer issued a Flood Hazard Permit for
construction within the floodplain; and
Whereas, the Village Board found the proposal to be in conformance with the Zoning
Laws of the Village of Menands; and
Whereas, the Village Fire, Police and Public Works Departments have approved the
project plans as presented; and
Whereas, the Village Board reviewed the Short Environmental Assessment Form as well
as the project application materials,
Now, Therefore Be It Resolved that based on a review of this application and the
Environmental Assessment Form and supporting materials, on October 18, 2021, the
Village Board hereby issues a SEQRA Negative Declaration.
Further, the Village Board hereby issues preliminary site plan approval with the
following conditions:
- The applicant, as part of the building permit application process, submit design documentation demonstrating compliance with the flood protection requirements outlined in Chazen’s September 30, 2021 comment letter.
- The applicant shall address any comments from the Albany County Planning Board prior to Final Site Plan approval.
Second by Trustee Marsh.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Marsh voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE
Eric Johnson advised the Board that 35 Broadway Project & Soldier On is ready for a Pre-Site Plan Review. Eric Johnson introduced Matt Brobston who presented the project and answered questions. Matt Brobston did ask for a reduction of required parking spots from 102 to 68 parking spots. A discussion followed.
Resolution 210062
After a discussion Trustee Lane made a motion to allow the reduction of the required parking spots as require in Section 169.20 from 102 parking spots to 68 parking spots, seconded by Trustee Harris.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Marsh voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE
Resolution 210063
Trustee Marsh Read:
Whereas, the applicant, Beacon Communities, requests Preliminary Site Plan approval for the construction of Veteran’s housing at 35 Broadway, S.B.L. 55.17-1-56 within the Broadway Business District (BBD); and
Whereas, the Village Board issued a SEQR Negative Declaration for the project on July 20, 2020; and
Whereas, the Village Board granted a Special Use Permit for the project on July 20, 2020; and
Whereas, the Village Fire, Police and Public Works Departments have approved the project plans as presented; and
Whereas, the Albany County Planning Board comments under the 239 Review have been addressed; and
Whereas, the Village Board found the proposal to be in conformance with the Zoning Laws of the Village of Menands; and
Now, Therefore Be It Resolved that based on a review of this application and supporting materials, on October 18, 2021, the Village Board hereby issues preliminary site plan approval with the following conditions:
- The applicant must secure a temporary easement to permit grading on adjacent property.
- The applicant must secure a permanent easement to permit the installation and long-term operation and maintenance of the water lateral on private property.
- Should the Village Board grant final site plan approval and a building permit is issued, the duration from building permit issuance to completion of construction and certificate of occupancy shall be no longer than 18-months. Prior to the expiration of such 18-month period, the permittee may apply for an extension of such a period and the Board of Trustees may, in its discretion, grant an extension.
- The applicant shall provide written proof of the commitment of appropriate financing for completion of the project prior to issuance of a Building Permit by the Village.
Second by Trustee Lane.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Marsh voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE
There was a discussion regarding the Treasurer’s request to raise the Water Rates, they haven’t been raised in 4 years and the cost of everything has risen over the last 4 years, while the revenues have remained flat. The treasurer recommends an increase in the water rates of 10% which will be offset by a reduction in the sewer rates of 5%. This will equate to about a $18.00 increase in the minimum bill or about 10 cents per day.
Resolution 210064
After the discussion; Trustee Marsh offered the following – a resolution authorizing an increase in the water rates by 10% and a reduction in the sewer rate by 5%. These rate changes will begin with the November 1, 2021 billing period. The resolution was seconded by Trustee Harris.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Marsh voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE
Report on Economic Development by Intern Anika Fischer she reported on the following:
She is working on creating events or festivals
Anika met with Mark Eagan Capital District Planning
Bargain Grocery is looking to expand into Capital District
Entrepreneurship Boot Camp is held every 2 years, there is a possibility of getting interest into
Menands vacant land use – available property advertised on website
Zoning Project – CDTC Meeting 10/21/21
CGI Video of Menands Anika explained that with sponsors the video could be free or $5,500.00 out of pocket
Electric vehicle chargers. There is a grant that must be completed by 10/29/21. A discussion followed.
After the discussion Trustee Harris made a motion to allow the applications to be completed with 80%/20% split for 3 electric charges for 280 Broadway, 250 Broadway, and Ganser Smith Park not to exceed $50,000.00.
Anika was able to get a copy of the NYCOM Property Maintenance Handbook that she shared with the Board.
Anika will be in the office on 10/26/21
Memorandum 10/03/20
TO: All members of Menands Village Board
FROM: Bill Garvey Jr
Letters of concern:
- Happy that the nature trail & story walk finally opened on 9/16/21.
- During 8/16/21 meeting a resident propose alternate parking for every street in the Village. He supports the idea.
- Concerned with plants, weeds, brush around 3 hydrants.
- Concerned about conditions of dugouts at Ganser Smith Park, he inquired about grant money availability for repairs.
- Inquiring about replacement of guard rails at Polk Switzer Park.
- Inquired about State + Federal aid for paving Oakwood Avenue.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Yours Sincerely
Bill Garvey, Jr.
Mayor Grenier advised due to COVID there will be a Halloween Parade on Sunday, October 31st, 2021 leaving the Fire House at 2:00 P.M. going to Ganser Smith Park where the children will be given a Treat Bags.
A discussion was held on continuing virtual meetings for Village Board meetings. A discussion followed.
Trustee Harris made a motion to hold Village Board Meetings via Google Meets until January 8th, 2022, seconded by Trustee Foley.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Marsh voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE
At 7:25 P.M. Trustee Harris made a motion to enter into Executive Session to discuss legal and personnel issues, seconded by Trustee Foley.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Marsh voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE
The regular meeting reconvened at 7:43 P.M.
Resolution 210065
Trustee Harris made a motion to allow Anika Fischer mileage reimbursement from College to the Village, seconded by Trustee Lane.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Marsh voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE
Trustee Harris made a motion to reimburse Anika Fischer for her hotel stay not to exceed 150.00, seconded by Trustee Foley.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Marsh voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE
A motion was made by Trustee Marsh to adjourn, seconded by Trustee Harris.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Marsh voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE
The meeting was duly adjourned at 7:46 P.M.
_________________
Donald Handerhan
Village Clerk