The city plans to lease a new SWAT vehicle to be used by the police department after a bond ordinance was approved by the Common Council on Monday night.

The lease, which will be paid for through serial bonds, is estimated to cost a maximum of $300,000.

The ordinance was sponsored by Chair of the Council’s Finance, Taxation and Assessment Committee, Councilmember Judy Doesschate.

The new vehicle is a replacement for 15 year old hummer-type vehicle the city Police Department currently uses, Doesschate said.

The Albany County Sheriff’s Department has a similar but larger SWAT vehicle which may not always be available to APD, and which may be too large to fit down some Albany streets, Doesschate said.

“This kind of vehicle has kind of become standard equipment,” she said, adding that she hopes the vehicle never needs to be used.

The vehicle can also be used for extra protection when high-level officials come to Albany, Doesschate said.

Presidential candidates Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders, and Donald Trump visited Albany last year.

The ordinance passed with 12 in favor and 1 vote against. Councilmembers Dorcey Applyrs from the 1st Ward, and Daniel Herring from the 13th Ward did not attend the meeting.

The only “no” vote was cast by Councilmember Mark Robinson from the 5th Ward. He took the city’s $12.5 million deficit into consideration when voting, he said.

“To be voting on police vehicles at this time,” Robinson said, “I don’t feel comfortable with.”

Councilmember Leah Golby, a Pine Hills resident, voted in favor of the ordinance.

The ordinance was one of 13 brought to a vote by Doesschate at the meeting, all of which passed with at least 10 votes.

An ordinance authorizing the lease financing through serial bonds of over $686,000 for marked and unmarked police cars and SUVs also passed 12-1.

Also approved 12-1 was funding to extend the Rail Trail, connecting it to the Corning preserve. The connection will complete a trail from Voorheesville to Cohoes, Doesschate said.

Robinson was the only “no” vote on these ordinances. -30-