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Council of Meeting
Minutes of 2.
Introductions 3.
GUEST SPEAKER:
Mayor Gerald Jennings summarized his State of the City address and
answered members’ questions and concerns. §
BUDGET:
The events of September 11 have had and will continue to have an impact
on the City’s budget. For example,
the cost to secure the city’s waster supply was $120,000 during the first
month. The City may or may not
be reimbursed from the national defense budget for security costs such as this.
Additionally, funds for economic development are expected to be minimal. §
PUBLIC SAFETY:
The Public Safety and Code Enforcement offices are now located in the
same building and will work together as a proactive team.
Statistics indicate that crime rates decreased in the City in 2001. §
NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION: The
City continues to invest in revitalizing its neighborhoods.
Residents are aware of the Home Store’s services and the Store is
expected to move forward financially. The
Albany Housing Authority has moved to new headquarters.
The §
REVENUE: Payments in
lieu of taxes for State buildings located in the City will be collected in 2
years. . Major Jennings announced
that §
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EDUCATION:
More inquiries were received by the Mayor’s office regarding the recent
school revitalizations than any other issue.
The Mayor supported the plan; schools keep people in the City. §
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT:
The Concern was expressed about the overcrowded
conditions at the The CDTC funding of the reconstruction of With regard to the school revitalizations, the City anticipates that the citizens and neighborhood associations will become involved in the plans. The frustrations experienced by both the City and
the neighborhoods in dealing with Niagara Mohawk were discussed.
There have been requests to bury power lines in neighborhoods where they
are obtrusive and detrimental to the character of the area.
They City is planning to meet with representatives of Niagara Mohawk and
will invite members of Youth safety issues were addressed.
The Mayor proposes that the new schools be constructed as quickly as
possible and that schools be open after The issue of pedestrian safety during the winter months was discussed. When plowing the streets, there are occasions when the crosswalks and bus stops are plowed in and then not shoveled to accommodate walking. Both the City and CDTA can be contacted to rectify any such situations. Locations for snow emergency parking have been designated now that the ESP garage is closed to all but business vehicles. The City will address this problem quickly. The Mayor indicated that he had not received any written documents or summary of the most recent Neighborhoods Work conference. A profile will be forwarded to him. Mayor Jennings indicated that the results of a
recent report by SUNY Department of Criminal Justice regarding biased-based
policing in the City of 4. Minutes: The minutes of the December meeting were corrected and accepted. The name “Westland Hills Neighborhood Association” as having voted in the affirmative to recommend support of the School District Facilities Plan Bond Issue is to “West Hill Neighborhood Association.” 5. New Business, Continuing Business, and Announcements §
§ The Arbor Hill Revitalization Committee will meet in February. The members are encouraged by the Mayor’s commitment to their neighborhood’s revitalization. §
The Chairperson:
Vice Chairperson:
Executive Committee:
Steve Winters, Henry M. Madej, Mary Connair, Elfrieda Textores, Emily
Grissom, The nominations were seconded and accepted by a unanimous vote. § The suggestion was made that a committee be formed to be available to the Common Council as reapportionment of the City’s wards is considered. John Frederick, Henry M. Madej, Don Wardle, Marggie Skinner (chair) and Eileen Murray volunteered to serve as members. It was recommended that each neighborhood association review their own boundaries, areas of interest and population and submit that information to the committee to present to the Common Council. §
A year-long celebration is being planned to commemorate the 350th
anniversary of the founding of Beverwick. §
Leonard Morganbesser presented and distributed additional
information on a partnership to reduce youth gun violence and reported that
federal funding may or may not be available to assist with a program in 6. Committee Reports ·
University and Community Relations:
The next meeting of the committee will be on Wednesday February 13, when
planning for spring clean up will begin.
· Community Police Council: A grant has been received to hire additional people and speakers. Preliminary work has begun to look beyond racial profiling to other issues. 7. The meeting adjourned at |