At 6:00 PM on Monday, January 3, 2022 Mayor Meg Grenier read the following statement: this is the Village of Menands Board of Trustees, semi-monthly meeting. I am Mayor Meg Grenier and as it is 6:00 o’clock, I will call this meeting to order. For anyone outside the village staff who is attending this video conference, I would ask if you would please identify yourselves, Eric Johnson, Renee Lequire, Bill Nevins, Cynthia Elliot, Lisa Neuman, Menands PBA. The mayor asked them to mute their microphones.
Mayor Grenier then did a roll call of Village staff: Deputy Mayor Seth Harris, present, Trustee Foley, absent, Trustee Brian Marsh, present, Trustee Timothy Lane, present, Clerk Don Handerhan, present, Village Attorney Steve Rehfuss, present, Police Chief Ryan St Gelais, present, Detective Kevin Schwebke, present, Deputy Clerk/Treasurer Nicole Ognan, present, Intern Isabel Smrstik, 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.
Mayor Grenier offered condolences to Bill Garvey for the passing of his mother.
Resolution Number 22001:
A motion was made by Trustee Marsh to accept the minutes of the December 20th, 2021 Board Meeting, seconded by Trustee Lane.
ADOPTED:
Trustee Foley Abstained
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Marsh voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE
Resolution Number 22002:
A motion was made by Trustee Marsh to approve payment for the following, seconded by Trustee Harris.
WARRANT # 14:
GENERAL totaling $ 81,507.20
WATER totaling $ 9,807.73
SEWER totaling $ 7,324.25
TOTALS $ 98,639.18
PAYROLL # 17: totaling $112,824.20
(12/17/21 – 12/30/21)
ADOPTED:
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Marsh voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE
The Treasurer requested the Board approve 3 resolutions correcting the wording on the following resolutions #210059; 210067; and 210082.
Resolution #210059 should read, a resolution authorizing the Treasurer to amend the budget to cover the cost of the new mover that was approved by Resolution 210026; to amend account A.5110.0208 Street – Equipment/Miscellaneous by $11,100 and to Transfer $11,100 from the Equipment Saving Account to A.0000.0200 General Fund Cash.
Resolution #210067 should read, a resolution authorizing the Treasurer to amend the budget to cover the cost of the new ATV for the Police Department that was approved by the board at the June 21, 2021 Board meeting; to amend account A.3120.0208 Police Equipment/Miscellaneous by $12,400 and to transfer $12,400 from the Equipment Savings Account to A.0000.0200 General Fund Cash.
Resolution #210082 should read, a resolution authorizing the Treasurer to amend the budget to cover the cost of the new Fire Chief car that was approved by the board by resolution #210042 on 9/13/2021; to amend account A.3410.0208 Fire Equipment/Miscellaneous by $35,000 and to transfer from the Fire Equipment Saving Account $35,000 to A.0000.0200 General Fund Cash.
Resolution Number 220003
Trustee Harris moved the following, a resolution authorizing the Treasurer to make the following changes as stated above and to amend the budget as required. The resolution was seconded 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 from Chazen led a discussion regarding Plans for 381 Broadway pavilion replacement. Eric Johnson advised the Board that the Capital District Cooperative, Inc. has responded and completed all comments. Discussion followed.
Mayor Grenier read the following resolution:
Resolution of the Menands Village Board
Approving a Final Site Plan Application for a Building Replacement at
381 Broadway in Menands S.B.L. 55.06-2-2.1
Whereas, Capital District Cooperative, Inc., located at 381 Broadway, S.B.L. 55.06-2-2.1, desires to construct a new building on said parcel within the Heavy Industrial District (H1); and
Whereas, the Village Board issued a SEQR Negative Declaration October 18, 2021; and
Whereas, the Village Board issued Preliminary Site Plan approval with conditions on October 18, 2021; and
Whereas, the applicant has satisfactorily addressed the Preliminary Site Plan approval conditions,
Now, Therefore Be It Resolved that the Village Board hereby issues final site plan approval with the following conditions:
- The applicant, as part of the building permit application process, shall submit design documentation demonstrating compliance with the flood protection requirements outlined in Chazen’s September 30, 2021 comment letter.
- The applicant shall replenish the site plan review escrow account with an additional $1,500 in funding per Chazen’s October 28, 2021 letter.
- The Village Board shall grant final site plan approval and once a building permit is issued by the Village Building Department, 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.
Resolution Number 220004:
Trustee Marsh made a motion to approve the Final Site Plan Review to construct a new building with the above conditions at 381 Broadway, second by Trustee Lane.
APOTTED:
Trustee Foley voting AYE
Trustee Harris voting AYE
Trustee Lane voting AYE
Trustee Marsh voting AYE
Mayor Grenier voting AYE
Trustee Marsh led a discussion regarding giving Village Employees a stipend to employees who worked during the COVID crisis. The stipend would be 9% of monies received under ARPA monies. Each employee would receive $1,500, $1,000 or $500 based on the number of hours worked during the crises. Discussion followed.
Resolution Number 220005:
After the discussion Trustee Marsh made a motion authorizing $36,500 of the ARAP Funds to be used to pay employee’s stipend according to approved spread sheet of employee hours, 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
Deputy Clerk / Treasurer Ognan led discussion regarding new Complaint Form. We receive numerous complaints that should be documented, checked out by the proper department head and followed up with – we do this now, but per NYCOM, we need to keep a record of it for 5 years. This will also act as a guide in handling similar future situations. The larger cities and municipalities have digitized these records, so this is the very last step in the right direction. Discussion followed.
Resolution Number 220006:
Trustee Marsh moved the following motion authorizing the use of the Village of Menands Complaint Form, 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 Clerk explained, that the radios for the SCADA System that control the Menands Water distribution system keep failing. When the radios fail the information can not be relayed between the pump stations and the reservoirs. The operators can not determine the levels of water in the reservoirs. During a failure the operators are required to go to each site to reset the radios. The radios are filing from 1 – 5 times a night. Also, during a failure no alarms will go off to advise the operator of any problems. The radios are over 10 years old and per Pittsfield Communication System can not be repaired. After a discussion with Smith Controls and ABS Solutions the best way to correct the problem is to switch from the radio system to an internet system using a cradle point modem. The cost to complete the project would be an equipment cost of $5,099.00 and installation of $4,200.00. Additionally, an approximate cost of $90.00 per month for Verizon Sim Cards. As this is an Emergency the Clerk requested a resolution to purchase the equipment required to correct the issues.
Resolution Number 220007:
Trustee Marsh moved the following motion authorizing the emergency purchase of the cradle point modem and equipment at a cost of $5,099.00 and installation of the equipment at a cost of $4,200.00. Additionally, an approximate cost of $90.00 per month for Verizon Sim Cards. 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
Isabel Smrstik gave the Economic Development Intern’s Report:
- Looking into Downtown Revitalization Initiative
- Electric Vehicle Charger grant still Application Review
- Looking into other Federal and State Grants
- Registered for Grants.gov
- Possibility of creating a virtual map of Menands showing Business and Landmarks
- Holding a Meet and Greet with Economic Development Intern
Mayor Grenier stated that the Menands School asked for the Village of Menands to take out an ad for the yearbook. The Board will take out a ½ page ad.
MEMORANDUM 1/2/22
To – All Members of Menands Village Board
FROM – Bill Garvey Jr
I got some letters of importance + concern they are:
1) At 539 Broadway in Menands though its vehicle repair shop has already been demolished, the brick residence will remain the rest will be turned into a parking lot
2) Problems with 2 utility poles with vapor lamps
a) Pole #2417 located on west side of Broadway the lamp is lighted 24/7
b) Utility pole which the valor lamp is not lite at night on Railroad Avenue between Menand + Clifford Roads. Please have Nation Grid fix both vapor lamps asap
3) The road to Schuyler Inn between the Valero Gas Station and the Water Plant is still in poor condition. Who is responsible for these repairs?
4) He recommends the DPW plant cedar, hemlock, fir, spruce, New England white pine + Douglas fir trees for Village parks. He does not recommend yellow pine, ponderosa, southern short + long leaf pine trees. Village should try to get volunteers to plant to save time and money.
5) On 12/2/21 he reported a car parked at exit 6 with no one in it he reported it to the Menands Police Dept. If the Menands Police solved the problem he wishes to thank them for doing their duty.
6) He observed 6 metal street light markers on Broadway did not have yellow numbers posted on them. He wants to know why there are no yellow street light markers.
Thank you for your time and consideration. Welcome to 2022
Yours sincerely
Bill Garvey Jr.
At 6:35 P.M. Trustee Marsh made a motion to enter into Executive Session to discuss a
personnel matter, 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 regular meeting reconvened at 6:56 P.M.
A motion was made by Trustee Marsh to adjourn, 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 meeting was duly adjourned at 6:56 P.M.
___________________
Donald Handerhan
Village Clerk