The Town of Rochester Workshop Meeting was held on February 25, 2021 6:00pm via
Livestream Broadcast on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCg7ykop50cWmqPFUpgDjRSQ
Listening Dial in Number +1 929 205 6099 Meeting ID: 827 3544 2888 Password: 182836
PRESENT:
COUNCILWOMAN ERIN ENOUEN COUNCILWOMAN BEA HAUGEN-DEPUY
COUNCILMAN CHRIS HEWITT COUNCILMAN ADAM PADDOCK
SUPERVISOR MICHAEL BADEN TOWN CLERK KATHLEEN GUNDBERG (6:08PM)
TOWN ATTORNEY MARYLOU CHRISTIANA
Supervisor Baden called the meeting to order and led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
FIRE ALARM SYSTEM DISCUSSION:
Attorney Christiana stated that one bid was much lower that was a cause for concern. We are unable to speak to the bidder until the bid is awarded. I researched what I could find on the company and they have been in business for over 10 years and work both with commercial and residential. They met the specifications we required. The Board can reject all bids and rebid with more specificity, award the lowest bidder and if they are unable to complete the job within the budget they can sign a release waiver and we can go with the next lowest bidder.
Councilwoman Haugen-Depuy stated that she liked the waiver idea if the lowest bidder cannot complete the job. Rebidding the project wouldn’t allow for a level playing field at this time.
Councilman Paddock stated that he was worried about the bid coming in low, I used bid number two to make comparisons because it was so detailed that is looks like the low bid may by incomplete, but I like the options given to us.
Councilwoman Enouen: seems like we are all in agreement.
Councilman Hewitt: I concur.
Bid amounts:
D-Ben Security Systems, Inc $ 27,304.44
Davis Technologies Group LLC $ 36,141.06
CDE Electric Inc. $ 33,424.00
J&J Sass Electric, Inc $ 29,398.00
Alert Alarm & Security $ 16,471.00
Mehl Electric Company, Inc. $ 28,852.00
AWARDING OF FIRE ALARM SYSTEM BID ( TOWN HIGHWAY/TOWN HALL):
Resolution # 105-2021:
A Motion was made by Supervisor Baden to award bid for design, installation and monitoring of fire alarm system for the Town of Rochester Highway department and Town Hall to Alert Alarm Security located at 27 Commercial Dr. West Johnson City, NY in the amount of $ 16,471.00.
Second: Councilwoman Enouen
ROLL CALL:
Councilwoman Enouen aye
Councilwoman Haugen-Depuy aye
Councilman Hewitt aye
Councilman Paddock aye
Supervisor Baden aye 5-0 aye, motion carried
PLAN FOR OPERATIONS IN THE EVENT OF A DECLARED PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY INVOLVING A COMMUNICABLE DISEASE:
Attorney Christiana is going to work with Human Resource Consultant Michael Richardson to construct a more generalized plan.
2020 JUSTICE COURT AUDIT:
Councilwoman Haugen-Depuy and Councilwoman Enouen reviewed the Court records for audit to compare with the NYS Comptroller. There was a discrepancy with the months of May and June 2020. We are hoping to have some questions answered to help resolve the issue by next week’s meeting.
Supervisor Baden thanked both Councilwoman Haugen-Depuy and Councilwoman Enouen for all their work.
PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT:
Councilman Paddock stated that he was in contact with a company out of Long Island that put together a package of playground equipment options that can be found on state bid. The replacement goals for the playground equipment are: new, clean, meet safety regulations, guidelines, ADA compliant, an community gathering place location, higher level of inclusive play.
Option 1 $ 49,504.44 Option 2 $ 49, 560.29, Option 3 $ 45,517.94.
These prices include tailgate delivery no taxes/additional fees/no installation.
The Board discussed the options they liked and all like the auditory toy options with the sonic frequency.
Councilwoman Enouen suggested polling the recreation department for their opinion.
Supervisor Baden stated that he will post on his facebook page and allow the residents to poll what option they liked best.
ECONOMIC ENTERPRISE OVERLAY UPDATE:
Supervisor Baden stated Friday March 5, 2021 there will be a meeting with Supervisor Baden, Town Attorney Christiana, Town Planning Chair Maren Lindstrom, Ulster County Planning member, Department of transportation, the Code Enforcement officer, Department of Health member and still hoping for a DEC representative to discuss the application file: Walnut Brook LLC.
Councilwoman Haugen-Depuy asked to sit in on the meeting as well.
BUILDING CONDITION SURVEY UPDATE:
Supervisor Baden stated he had a 15minute phone conversation with Clark Patterson Lee. An overview will be presented at the Town Board meeting in March. Supervisor Baden stated there is a high value on paving recommendations but much of the paving will be done in house and will cost much less.
LOCAL LAW # 2-2021: SHORT TERM RENTALS:
Supervisor Baden reminded the Board that the public hearing is set for March 11, 2021 at 6:30pm.
TOWN BOARD MEMBER ITEMS:
The Town Board discussed the issues of the transitioning of employees and changes made to the Transfer Station. There has been discussion with the Human Resource Consultant making Jeff Frey the overall manager to the Transfer Station. Employees can become part of the union if the Town Board wants to go in that direction.
Highway Superintendent Frey stated that he spoke with Dave Linscott who is willing to head the transfer station for the next 2 months until the Board can find staffing.
The Board discussed management ,compliance and structural issues.
Councilwoman Enouen stated that the Transfer Station is the most used public place and we need to transform to a well-managed well run facility for the residents and staff.
The Transfer Station is budgeted for 3 laborers and 1 operator.
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
A Motion was made by Supervisor Baden to enter into executive session at 7:51pm for the purpose to discuss personnel issue and invite Attorney Christiana and Highway Superintendent Frey to join them.
Second: Councilman Hewitt
ROLL CALL:
Councilwoman Enouen aye
Councilwoman Haugen-Depuy aye
Councilman Hewitt aye
Councilman Paddock aye
Supervisor Baden aye 5-0 aye, motion carried
A Motion was made by Supervisor Baden to reconvene the meeting at 8:51pm.
Second: Councilwoman Enouen
ROLL CALL:
Councilwoman Enouen aye
Councilwoman Haugen-Depuy aye
Councilman Hewitt aye
Councilman Paddock aye
Supervisor Baden aye 5-0 aye, motion carried
APPOINTMENT OF DEPARTMENT HEAD:
Resolution # 106-2021:
A Motion was made by Supervisor Baden to appoint Jeffrey Frey Department Head of the Transfer Station effective 2/26/2021.
Second: Councilwoman Haugen-Depuy
ROLL CALL:
Councilwoman Enouen aye
Councilwoman Haugen-Depuy aye
Councilman Hewitt aye
Councilman Paddock aye
Supervisor Baden aye 5-0 aye, motion carried
TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT:
Resolution # 107-2021:
A Motion was made by Supervisor Baden to terminate employment of the Transfer Station Operator effective 2/26/2021 for failure to complete probationary period.
Second: Councilwoman Enouen
ROLL CALL:
Councilwoman Enouen aye
Councilwoman Haugen-Depuy aye
Councilman Hewitt aye
Councilman Paddock aye
Supervisor Baden aye 5-0 aye, motion carried
APPOINTMENT OF LABORER:
Resolution # 108-2021:
A Motion was made by Supervisor Baden to offer laborer position to Stephanie Zaniboni for a total of $ 15.00 per hour 24 hours per week effective 3/2/2021.
Second: Councilman Hewitt
ROLL CALL:
Councilwoman Enouen aye
Councilwoman Haugen-Depuy aye
Councilman Hewitt aye
Councilman Paddock aye
Supervisor Baden aye 5-0 aye, motion carried
ADJOURNMENT:
A Motion was made by Councilman Hewitt to adjourn the meeting at 8:54pm.
Second: Councilwoman Enouen motion carried
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,
KATHLEEN A. GUNDBERG
TOWN CLERK