Watertown City Council Agenda July 19, 2010
Watertown City Council Agenda July 19, 2010
AGENDA
This shall serve as notice that the next regularly scheduled meeting of the City Council
will be held on Monday, July 19, 2010, at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers,
245 Washington Street, Watertown, New York.
MOMENT OF SILENCE
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
ADOPTION OF MINUTES
COMMUNICATIONS
RESOLUTIONS
ORDINANCES
LOCAL LAW
PUBLIC HEARING
OLD BUSINESS
STAFF REPORTS
3. Edmund Street
NEW BUSINESS
EXECUTIVE SESSION
WORK SESSION
ADJOURNMENT
An error was discovered with the 2010-11 City property tax bill for 136
Rutland Street North. Included in the tax bill was a re-levied water and sewer charge in
the amount of $49.69 that had been paid as part of a real estate closing in the month of
June after the initial relevy report was generated and provided to the City Assessor. The
City Assessor’s Office was not notified of this transaction and therefore re-levied the
charge onto the City tax bill per the initial report.
Resolution No. 1 July 19, 2010
YEA NAY
RESOLUTION
Council Member BURNS, Roxanne M.
Page 1 of 1
Council Member BUTLER, Joseph M. Jr.
Authorizing Abate of Water and Sewer Charges Council Member MACALUSO, Teresa R.
to Real Property Tax Bill for Property at
136 Rutland Street North Council Member SMITH, Jeffrey M.
Total ………………………..
Introduced by
____________________________________
WHEREAS Section 120 of the City Charter authorizes the City Council to correct
any error made in the levying or extending of any tax, and
WHEREAS Real Property Tax Law Section 554 authorizes the appropriate tax
levying body to make corrections to the tax roll before the expiration of the warrant, and
WHEREAS an error was made in the re-levying of a paid water and sewer charge
in the amount of $49.69 onto the 2010-11 City property tax bill for 136 Rutland Street North, tax
parcel 6-09-214.000,
Seconded by
Res No. 2
YEA NAY
RESOLUTION
Council Member BURNS, Roxanne M.
Page 1 of 1
Council Member BUTLER, Joseph M. Jr.
Affirming Prior SEQRA Determination for the Council Member MACALUSO, Teresa R.
Franklin Building Redevelopment Project
Council Member SMITH, Jeffrey M.
____________________________________
WHEREAS the City of Watertown has received funding under the program year
2007 New York State Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program through the New
York State Office of Community Renewal and compliance with the State Environmental Quality
Review Act is a requirement of the CDBG Program in accordance with State laws and
regulations, and
WHEREAS the City of Watertown reviewed the project and completed Parts I
and II of the Full Environmental Assessment Form and made a negative declaration for the
project in January 2008, and
WHEREAS the sidewalk replacement activity proposed for this project will occur
on both sides of Franklin Street adjacent to the southern side of the Franklin Building and this
activity does not trigger any additional Type I thresholds listed in 6NYCRR Parts 617.4 and
617.5 and this activity is an eligible activity for CDBG funding award to the City, and
WHEREAS the sidewalk replacement portion of this project does not change the
City’s initial determination that the overall project is considered a Type I Action under the
original environmental review nor does it change the City’s finding that the overall project will
not have any significant impacts on the environment,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the City Council has determined that the
Franklin Building Redevelopment Project including certain sidewalk replacement activities along
Franklin Street will not require further environmental review under SEQRA.
Seconded by
Res No. 3
This year the City/County are eligible for $18,925.00. If awarded, the
City will use its funds to support our School Resource Officer program. A detailed
breakdown of the funding allocation is attached for the public’s review. The County’s
funding request is not currently available.
As part of the grant requirement, we must notify the governing body and
the public and provide the opportunity to comment and be heard regarding said grant.
Additionally, funding that is potentially awarded must be shared with the County in
which the agency is located. This is mandated due to the multijurisdictional duties that
are needed to process law enforcement cases. The Police Department has been in contact
with Jefferson County and they are willing to participate with the City, if this grant is
awarded.
YEA NAY
RESOLUTION
Council Member BURNS, Roxanne M.
Page 1 of 1
Council Member BUTLER, Joseph M. Jr.
Approving Grant Application Between the City of Council Member MACALUSO, Teresa R.
Watertown and the Edward Byrne Memorial
Justice Assistance Grant Program, FY 2010 Council Member SMITH, Jeffrey M.
Local Solicitation
Mayor GRAHAM, Jeffrey E.
Total ………………………..
Introduced by
____________________________________
WHEREAS the City of Watertown is applying for federal funding under the
Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program, and
WHEREAS the City is notifying City Council and the public of the grant funding
opportunity that is being provided by the Justice Assistance Grant Program, and
WHEREAS as a requirement of the grant, the City of Watertown must enter into
an inter-municipal Agreement with the County of Jefferson which details the terms of the grant,
Seconded by
Res No. 4
July 14, 2010
Subject: Request for a Special Use Permit to Allow an Automobile Sales Lot for
Up to 5 Vehicles at 500 Main Street West, Parcel No. 1-01-122
A public hearing is required before the City Council may vote on this
resolution. It is recommended that a public hearing be scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on
Monday, August 2, 2010.
Resolution No. 4 July 19, 2010
YEA NAY
RESOLUTION
Council Member BURNS, Roxanne M.
Page 1 of 1
Council Member BUTLER, Joseph M. Jr.
Approving the Special Use Permit Request Council Member MACALUSO, Teresa R.
Submitted by James Petersen to Allow an
Automobile Sales Lot for Up to 5 Vehicles at Council Member SMITH, Jeffrey M.
500 Main Street West, Parcel No. 1-01-122
Mayor GRAHAM, Jeffrey E.
Total ………………………..
Introduced by
____________________________________
WHEREAS James Petersen has made an application for a Special Use Permit to
allow an automobile sales lot for up to 5 vehicles at 500 Main Street West, Parcel Number 1-01-
122, and
WHEREAS the Planning Board of the City of Watertown reviewed the request
for a Special Use Permit at its meeting held on July 6, 2010, and recommended that the City
Council of the City of Watertown approve the request as submitted, and
WHEREAS a public hearing was held on the proposed Special Use Permit on
August 2, 2010, after due public notice, and
WHEREAS the City Council has reviewed the Short Environmental Assessment
Form, responding to each of the questions contained in Part II and has determined that the
project, as submitted, is Unlisted and will not have a significant effect on the environment,
Seconded by
July 13, 2010
At the May 17, 2010 City Council meeting, Laura Oakes of the North
Country Arts Council presented the idea of having a competition by local artists to paint
the newly refurbished Lachenauer Plaza Fountain. She returned to the City Council on
June 21, 2010 to present the final three designs chosen by the North Country Arts
Council. At that meeting, it was City Council’s desire see all the designs submitted and
then further agreed that the public should be allowed to vote on their favorite.
The public input has been tallied, with an overwhelming support for
Design L. Attached is the detail of voting from both the online survey (740 votes) and
the Library ballots (69 votes).
Design A
Three different sides designed.
Design B
Three different sides designed.
Design C
Three different sides designed.
Design D
All sides designed the same design.
Design E
Three different sides designed.
Design F
Three different sides designed.
Design G
All sides designed the same design.
Design H
Three different sides designed.
Design I
All sides designed the same design.
Design J
Three different sides designed.
Design K
All sides designed the same design.
Design L
Three different sides designed.
Design M
Three different sides designed.
Design N
Three different sides designed.
July 13, 2010
As requested by the City Council, the Planning Board reviewed the zoning
around Jefferson Street. The Board is recommending that the majority of properties
along Jefferson Street and on the north side of Olive Street be changed from Light
Industry to Residence C. It is also recommending that the properties fronting on Factory
and High Streets be changed to Commercial.
Enclosed with City Council Members’ agenda packages are maps showing
the existing land uses, the existing zoning, and the proposed zoning.
236 240
VL-1 559 632
VL-3
606
Jefferson Street Area 507 618
-9
r
ea
VL
Existing Land Uses
542 366
R
491
VL
358
526
E 0 40 80 160 Feet
451 329
348
51
8
621
619
615
623
344
51
325 611
4
496
321
44
BUR
5
429 C
490 HAR
D ST
419 480 334
315
470
610
612
413 330
311
T
YS
547 326 616
357 O R
543
CT
318 Rear
54
FA 303
1
537 622
316
347
r
626 Rea
529 320 Rear
430
542
281
546
525
548
628
540
310
53
ST
6
53
52
4
3
O 273
52
RS 53
ME
FE
1
517 302
F 0
JE
615
CH
605
621
619
607
513
609
625
526 611
AN
Land Use
629
342 522
IC
50
9
302
ST
267
Single Family
520
516
631
BRON
ST
SON
ST Two Family
512
510
HIGH
Three Family
506
303
240 253
255
231 248
Multi Family
251
610
247 612
234 511 517
Commercial
523
513
616
225 525 529
334 618 Recreation
533 535 628
239 630
OLIVE S
Industrial
T 234
611
209 212 617
236 240
VL-1 559 20 632
VL-3
606
Jefferson Street Area 507 618
-9
r
ea
VL
Existing Zoning
542 366
R
491
VL
358
526
E 0 40 80 160 Feet
451 329
348
51
8
621
619
615
623
344
51
325 611
4
496
321
44
BUR
5
429 C
490 HAR
D ST
419 480 334
315
470
610
612
413 330
311
T
YS
547 326 616
357 O R
543
CT
318 Rear
54
FA 303
1
537 622
316
347
r
626 Rea
529 320 Rear
430
542
281
546
525
548
628
540
310
53
ST ZONING
6
53
52
4
3
O 273
52
RS 53
ME
FE
1
517
JE
F 0 302 RESIDENCE A
615
CH
605
621
619
607
513
609
625
526 611
RESIDENCE B
AN
629
342 522
IC
50
RESIDENCE C
9
302
ST
267
520
516
631
BRON
LIMITED
SON BUSINESS
ST
ST
512
510
HIGH
NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESS
506
303
240 253
255
COMMERCIAL
231 248
251
HEALTH SERVICES
610
234 511 517 247 612
523
513
616
225 525 529 LIGHT INDUSTRY
334 618
533 535 628
239 HEAVY INDUSTRY 630
OLIVE S
T 234 PLANNED DEVELOPMENT
611
209 212 617
236 240
VL-1 559 20 632
VL-3
606
Jefferson Street Area 507 618
-9
r
ea
VL
Proposed Zoning
542 366
R
491
VL
358
526
E 0 40 80 160 Feet
451 329
348
51
8
621
619
615
623
344
51
325 611
4
496
321
44
BUR
5
429 C
490 HAR
D ST
419 480 334
315
470
610
612
413 330
311
T
YS
547 326 616
357 O R
543
CT
318 Rear
54
FA 303
1
537 622
316
347
r
626 Rea
529 320 Rear
430
542
281
546
525
548
628
540
310
53
ST ZONING
6
53
52
4
3
O 273
52
RS 53
ME
FE
1
517
JE
F 0 302 RESIDENCE A
615
CH
605
621
619
607
513
609
625
526 611
RESIDENCE B
AN
629
342 522
IC
50
RESIDENCE C
9
302
ST
267
520
516
631
BRON
LIMITED
SON BUSINESS
ST
ST
512
510
HIGH
NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESS
506
303
240 253
255
COMMERCIAL
231 248
251
HEALTH SERVICES
610
234 511 517 247 612
523
513
616
225 525 529 LIGHT INDUSTRY
334 618
533 535 628
239 HEAVY INDUSTRY 630
OLIVE S
T 234 PLANNED DEVELOPMENT
611
209 212 617
July 15, 2010
At its July 6, 2010 meeting, the City Council requested more background
information on the situation with Edmund Street and its surrounding property owners.
Edmund Street is a very old public right-of-way. The highway commissioners of the
Village of Williamstown recorded it as a road in 1847. It has a storm sewer that runs
from West Main Street to the Black River and multiple electric power poles in the right-
of-way. The travel way is a one lane dirt path leading to B.O.B. Rafting.
It was the City Attorney’s opinion that the riverfront and the public access
to the riverfront could not be sold. However, all but the riverfront could be leased.
Negotiations commenced with Mr. Petersen, but there was not an agreement on price.
The next month, Mr. Petersen submitted a site plan that was approved for
a smaller building that required less parking, which could fit on his parcel.
Mayor Graham commented at the August 30, 2004 City Council meeting
that he had been contacted by Mr. Petersen about the City putting in a sewer line on
Edmund Street. A letter was received from him at the next Council meeting. At the
September 20, 2004 meeting, Mayor Graham stated that he did not expect the City to
accommodate the request.
In March of 2005 Mr. Petersen invited Council members and staff to the
site to discuss his request. Mr. Petersen read a letter at the April 4, 2005 City Council
meeting, again asking for assistance from the City.
It was suggested at the July 6th meeting that the street be divided among
the adjoining property owners. Assuming that an agreement can be met, it can be
subdivided and sold as long as the riverfront portion and a way to get to it are retained by
the City. An easement for the storm sewer will also have to be retained.
July 15, 2010
Earlier this year, the NYS Legislature adopted the 2010 Retirement
Incentive Program, Chapter 105, Laws of 2010. This is a temporary program for certain
New York State and Local Employees’ Retirement System (ERS) members. This
program does not apply to Police and Fire Retirement System members, or Elected
Officials.
Members whose employer offers both parts of the program, and who meet
the eligibility requirements of both parts, must choose between the two.
They can participate in either part, but not both.
On July 1, 2010, the City received a complete listing from the NYS
Retirement System of our employees who meet the eligibility requirements under Part A
and/or Part B. A consolidated list of eligible employees is attached for your review.
Should the City Council wish to participate in either part of the incentive
program, a Local Law must be adopted prior to August 31, 2010.
Part A - Targeted Incentive
The City can elect to provide Part A incentive benefits to certain members
on or before August 31, 2010.
Incentive Cost
$200,000 x 15% = $30,000 x 5 years = $150,000 total cost to City if paid over
5 years, includes interest. If the City elects to pay the cost in one year it would be
$200,000 x .6 = $120,000.
The City can elect to provide Part B incentive benefits to certain members
on or before September 1, 2010.
Part B allows Tier 2, 3 and 4 members who are at least age 55 and have 25
or more years of service to retire without a benefit reduction. All employees who meet
the age and service requirements and retire during the open period established by their
employer are eligible for the benefit unless the chief executive officer or the governing
board determines that the employee’s position is critical to the maintenance of public
health and safety. If the City chose to adopt this incentive, we would need to submit a list
of excluded employees by the beginning of our open period.
If the City adopts Part B, the open period will begin on October 1, 2010
and end on December 29, 2010, during which eligible employees can retire and be
entitled to incentive benefits.
Incentive Cost
$200,000 x 28% = $56,000 x 5 years = $280,000 total cost to City if paid over
5 years, includes interest. If the City elects to pay the cost in one year it would be
$200,000 x 1.1 = $220,000.