Seems the Common Council may be getting a little competitive with the Albany County Legislature for my time. Last night's caucus and common council meeting went on for nearly four hours! Thanks Mr. Conti! (I'll explain later!)
I was a little under the weather but the proceeding were still a little confusing as the caucus was held in the CC chamber so the whole thing, with an audience in tow, seemed like a hushed coucil meeting. Now remember back with me to the budget meetings. Seems that Mr. Yevoli metioned that the Plannning Department NEEDS a receptionist. It seems that, in brilliant efficiency mode, rather than hiring to replace the receptionisht, the commish had decided to let the Master degreed planners answer the phone and greet visitors. Heck, he's even taken his turn. Pure planning brilliance.
Seems that the Planning Department has a little ole nonprofit, the Albany Local Development Corporation, which gives money out...I'm not sure anyone knows how money gets into or out of the ALDC and Mr. Yevoli, said that he would have to ask the "
Board" of said "semi-municipal" nonprofit if he can share the
finances with city. It appears the "board" has refused to provide their finances for this "semi-municipal" nonprofit with the municipal's legislative body. So, the CC has decided to let the ALDC fund the position if it's so needed. (Or at least that's how I understood the mumblins.)
The budget's got $150K in there for recycling education and materials. (bins and such) and, when more was requested, Mr. D'Antonio, became content with a wait and see...stretch Mr. D...tighten those pursestrings. As for the auditor's request for more staffing...denied as well. While we citizens know there's an awful lot of auditin' to be done, we're also waitin' and seein'. I call that, let's hope the economy turns around.
The council also looked at the 10 and 20 empty positions in the APD and AFD. There's a lot of concern there. Seems there's some bucks for the APD to fill their positions but the AFD, if I'm understanding, will be relying on grants. Seems chiefy is spending an awful lot on overtime just to keep the city from burning like Rome (remember Nero?) Yeah, I'm feeling old enough to remember Rome today! I'm watchin' and there best not be a fire station closing with that number of positions open. Aren't we vulnerable enough already? And, going into the winter months? Come on guys, let's find some money to fund these folks! Where's that city wide grantwriter when ya need 'em.
Seems the CC is determined to reform the financial oversight and will be forming a committee to become involved with ongoing financial planning for the city's budget. Watch out Albany! Ah...so there was some talk involving the regular ole common council meeting..then, as the peanut gallery was growing in anticipation of the upcoming meeting, my friend, Mr. Sweeney from the Fort Orange Club, a rather large and imposing figure, entered in his Republican black. He walked in and stood rigid at the rail of the chamber, surveying the little ole common council. It was obvious, our folks were small peanuts to this guy.
We quickly moved to the public comment period with a parade of historical preservation types calmy saying the same things they say about every building that faces the wrecking ball in Albany....save it...I don't give a damn how much it costs or what the inconvenience. (Me thinks some Albany types have some control issues.) Finally, Mr. Sweeney (Bob to all who love him) walked to the speaker's table where he patiently explained to the Albany hicks how they were operating outside of the NYS law passing this legislation.
He tells us that this legislation is targetting the FOC (Ft. Orange Club), (hey, I'm with him on that) and that this legislation should live in Section 375 (planning) rather than in Section 133 (buildings). Makes sense. Yeah, I have some fun discussions with Mr. Conti...he's not all that bad once ya get to know him. Mr. Sweeney also pointed out that neither the legislation nor the amendment was made public prior to the meeting. Yup, he's right, hey, think of it this way...work with me.
The evil Theraldson Development is putting a hotel in the middle of the Pine Bush. The CC, together with the public attending the committee meetings. agree to move some legislation out of committee to a full vote at the next meeting. Everyone's happy and leaves the meeting. Now, when the agreed upon ammendment hits the floor for a recommended favorable vote it includes this statement which wasn't in there last Wednesday "all Karner Blue Butterflies will be killed as to not get in the way of progress." And those Pine Nuts will sillily say...."hey, that wasn't in there last Wednesday!" And, they would be right. Too bad, so sad. Hence, the need to make proposed legislation public and available prior to the vote.
Mr. Sweeney, goes on to remind folks that the HAF deemed these buildings to be historically insignicant last year (or so)...yup, I remember that. So, the historical yups claim that the buildings are beside an historic district. Jeesh, talk about your slippery slope...I can only think of Kevin Bacon on that one. Sweeney also stated that the moratorium placed on demolition was placed in the wrong section of the law. Hmmm, okay, I got ya. Bob, let me give ya some advice, I agree with ya, I'm all for the demo, but, dude (that's a word common in today's language...not for use within the FOC so don't go using it in your convos with da'boyz) don't talk down to the peeps. It's not polite to go into someone else's house and tell them they are doing things wrong. Ya don't get your way when you do that...well, you might but it's going to cost you time, money and energy.
My prediction, the buildings will be torn down come hell or high water. That may mean a lawsuit, that may mean a middle of the night "woops." But, I know that one day I will drive by and see a lovely ivy covered parking lot. Bob was followed by Herb Schultz (Pres of the FOC) and James Clarrity, some other old white guy with the FOC...as Mr. Curtis pointed out, this seems to be an indication of the diversity of the FOC. Hmmm, well, there is that.
So, the regs paraded to the mike and spoke of the historic tales, hey, they knew they had this one in the "win" column. Yeah, this is the regular song and dance for every historic building screamer. They should just video tape it and email it in...might save some time on everyone's part. So, the "illegal" anti-demolition passed by a vote of 11 in favor, with Rozy casting a "NO" vote (it's rather unsettling to have Rozman in my camp) and a "present" vote from the MOBster (O'Brien).
Next up, Mr. Ellis' residency requirements. Well, not much to say there. Doesn't do much but, hopefully, act as a springboard to have all city employees be residents of the city. Hey, they should want to live here...if they do good work. Here's a thought. My brother has worked for Southwest airlines for 20 years, he is a mechanical inspector...he won't fly any other airline and my family (with the exception of yours truly) all fly the Southwest cattle call...cause, why? little brother Patrick takes pride in his work.
So, the residency requirement, Mr. Ellis' legacy, dictates that all Commissioners (top dogs) must be a resident of the City of Albany. Now, hmmm, they all are. Interestingly, all Commissioners must be "approved" by the CC so seems like this weak legislation could be implemented through logic. Seems like. Hey, I'm dull sometimes. So, the muscle seems to be that the future chief of police must live in the city to work for it. Hmmm, I'm not sure I'd even consider (and neither should the panel selecting the new chief) someone outside the city. Hey, that doesn't mean we don't interview those outside the area. Jeesh!
The best statement on this topic was, oddly, from Mr. Sano. Talk about your story tellers....I love this guy. He tells us of going to his Mum's house and she, being a union boss, had a sticker on her back door saying "Spend it where ya earn it." Yup, I like. Now, if we can just get the unions to agree to their own saying and support a real resolution which would have
all employees spending their cash where they earn it...in Albany!
So, this muscle legislation passed unanimously (well, Mr. Timmons and Mr. Casey had better things to do tonight) with every legislator co-sponsoring the bill. Hey, it's easy with noncontroversial stuff. Wish we coulda done it expediently.
The budget passed with the regs, Smith, Calsolaro and Ellis voting it down. Ya know, with the exception of Mr. Calsolaro, who registers an earnest argument for all his objections, I don't remember Smith or Ellis really raising many objections during the committee reviews of the departmental budgets. So, if ya don't have issues and ya don't have solutions, why'dya vote it down? Participate in the process. If ya don't, you aren't doing your job. As a legislator, not a candidate, you must work together with the other legislators and the administration to implement a budget that is good for the city.
Oh, and the oh, so polished Mr. Conti musta known I had already packed away my sominex (yes, I'm moving, no, not to "Tom's" apartment!) because he did me the favor of droning on a budget monologue at around 9:15 to, gee, I should check, he may still be going. My man, let's work on being more succinct...it's talent worth developing.