Hello, Collar City! This is Issue 12, dated Nov. 30, 2018.



Hey, it's Friday again. Let's get right to it. In this issue: the budget adoption, the high school's problematic roof, a pending "sanctuary city" resolution, and more.



Please Christmas shop, if that's a thing you do, responsibly (i.e. don't succumb to the temptation to buy things for yourself off of all those new, alluring gift guides on all the cool websites) and expect to hear from me again next Friday!



Budget Adopted

The city council approved next year's budget last night. The three Republicans voted against it, and the four Democrats voted for it. To recap, it's a $73.5 million budget that includes a slight increase in the per-unit garbage fee (that will now be housed in a garbage fund, separate from the general fund). Property taxes will increase by about 1.4 percent.



A slew of measures related to various capital projects discussed in past TLs also passed, though the council agreed to hold off until next month on authorizing bonds for equipment for the fire department while councilmembers Jim Gulli and Anasha Cummings pursue the potential acquisition of used, rather than new, equipment. So, a lot of big-ticket or high-profile projects are now authorized for bonding, like the body-worn cameras ($250K), the Knickerbacker Park Ice Rink replacement ($1.1M), the South Troy Pool renovation ($1.4M), and the Knickerbacker Park Pool reconstruction ($3.8M).



Near the top of



You might find that last sentence confusing, given that the council also authorized bonding for the $3.8 million project. Here's what's up: The council majority and the administration are essentially treating that authorized bond issuance as a backup plan, because it would require that the pool be reconstructed at its current location only.



The mayor's office would prefer to see a new pool built at a different location within the park. This vision is outlined in the comprehensive plan adopted earlier this year. Below are two renderings of the park from that document (above the black line is the current layout, below is the

The council can't yet authorize a bond for the new pool in a different location because the project requires a more extensive environmental review and approval from the State Historic Preservation Office.



Another party that needs to approve of this more complicated plan is the private nonprofit that owns the park and leases it to the city, deputy mayor Monica Kurzejeski told me yesterday. The relationship between the city and this entity, which communicates with the city through an attorney, is "strained," she said, but the administration is trying to "remedy" it. (The strain predated the current administration, according to the deputy mayor.)

. The three Republicans voted against it, and the four Democrats voted for it. To recap, it's a $73.5 million budget that includes a slight increase in the per-unit garbage fee (that will now be housed in a garbage fund, separate from the general fund). Property taxes will increase by about 1.4 percent.A slew of measures related to various capital projects discussed in past TLs also passed, though the council agreed to hold off until next month on authorizing bonds for equipment for the fire department while councilmembers Jim Gulli and Anasha Cummings pursue the potential acquisition of used, rather than new, equipment. So, a lot of big-ticket or high-profile projects are now authorized for bonding, like the body-worn cameras ($250K), the Knickerbacker Park Ice Rink replacement ($1.1M), the South Troy Pool renovation ($1.4M), and the Knickerbacker Park Pool reconstruction ($3.8M).Near the top of TL11 I outlined six minor, suggested changes to the mayor's proposed budget—those were all adopted. The council minority's proposed budget cuts, viewable here , were voted down. The council majority also successfully added $80K to the general fund for engineering services related to the Knickerbacker Pool project.You might find that last sentence confusing, given that the council also authorized bonding for the $3.8 million project. Here's what's up: The council majority and the administration are essentially treating that authorized bond issuance as a backup plan, because it would require that the pool be reconstructed at its current location only.The mayor's office would prefer to see a new pool built at a different location within the park. This vision is outlined in the comprehensive plan adopted earlier this year. Below are two renderings of the park from that document (above the black line is the current layout, below is the new vision ):The council can't yet authorize a bond for the new pool in a different location because the project requires a more extensive environmental review and approval from the State Historic Preservation Office.Another party that needs to approve of this more complicated plan is the private nonprofit that owns the park and leases it to the city, deputy mayor Monica Kurzejeski told me yesterday. The relationship between the city and this entity, which communicates with the city through an attorney, is "strained," she said, but the administration is trying to "remedy" it. (The strain predated the current administration, according to the deputy mayor.) “If we have an opportunity to enact part of the comprehensive plan, we should be responsible and take a look at that," the deputy mayor said. The $80K addition to the budget, then, is to help pay for preliminary engineering/design-related work for the potential new location. (If it turns out that this relocation plan can move forward, the council could essentially rescind its authorization of bonding for the reconstruct-in-the-same-place plan.)



Councilmember Mark McGrath called the more elaborate plan "pie in the sky." Council President Mantello was also dismissive of it, arguing that the simpler replacement project could begin much sooner.

The administration has applied for a Climate Smart Communities grant from DEC, about which it feels "optimistic," according to the deputy mayor. Operating revenues and expenses related to the currently closed rink are not included in next year's budget, which would be amended if the project is completed within the year."The way that we've done some pro formas for the ice rink...it almost pays for itself," the deputy mayor said. The administration is currently exploring a range of potential revenue streams, including renting the rink to a junior hockey team and a roller derby team. The city also may raise its hourly rental rate for the facility, she said.Councilmember McGrath worried that the ice rink appeals primarily to suburban kids. There aren't "a lot of ice skaters between Douw Street and 112th Street," he said.The deputy mayor acknowledged this but countered that, over the past decade, the city hasn't really promoted the rink. This time around, she said, it intends to hire someone to do exactly that. And when teams and fans come to the "revered" facility for tournaments, they might eat dinner or do other stuff, too, which benefits the city.