Schenectady, New York

City Council Committees

The City Council committees will meet to discuss and recommend action on several items, including a $235,500 contract for a new Rescue 1 fire apparatus, a $219,100 concrete foundations contract, and a proposal to eliminate the Central Park pool. Public hearings have been held on a tennis court fee amendment. The meeting also includes presentations on cancer screening resources and a proclamation for March for Jesus.

• Finance: Rescue 1 replacement purchase from Premier Fire Apparatus Inc. for $235,500
• City Development & Planning: Award of $219,100 to Jersen Construction Group LLC for two concrete foundations
• Health & Recreation: Central Park Pool Elimination Project (old pool)
• Finance: Review of amending Section 186-25 'Central Park: Tennis Courts' fee and reservation system
• Finance: Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreement for Gun Involved Violence Elimination (GIVE) grant

Planning Commission

The Schenectady Planning Commission will hold a public hearing and consider several site plan approvals and a special use permit. The consent agenda includes a residential parking lot and a church pavilion. New business items involve a convenience store, automotive repair shop, tavern, subdivision, and commercial office. Email comments are accepted prior to the meeting.

• Consent agenda: parking lot at 234 Duane Avenue and pavilion at 2535 Consaul Road
• Khalil Nagi seeks site plan approval for convenience store at 1608 Union Street
• Mohamed Abdalah Al Falahi requests site plan for auto repair/vehicle sales at 1902 Broadway
• Deborah Pusatere requests site plan to operate a tavern at 6 McDonald Avenue
• Julie Horn requests subdivision and site plan for commercial office at 1721 Union Street

Housing Stability Task Force

The Housing Stability Task Force will review and edit the draft final report, then vote on its submission to the City Council. This is the final meeting before the report is due on July 6, 2026.

• Review of task force purpose
• Review and edit draft final report
• Vote on final report for submission to City Council
• Discussion of additional matters

Ethics Board

The Schenectady Ethics Board will hold a regular meeting to review financial disclosure forms submitted by city officials. The agenda also includes routine items such as call to order, roll call, approval of previous minutes, and other business.

• Review of financial disclosure form submitted by City Officials

Historic Resource Commission

The Schenectady Historic Resource Commission will consider eight applications for property alterations in several historic districts, including the Stockade, Union Street Corridor, Union Triangle, and G.E. Realty Plot. Items include gutter installation, porch replacements, window replacements for lead remediation, tree removal, and signage. The meeting also includes staff approvals for two properties.

• Tree removal request at 1286 Wendell Ave (G.E. Realty Plot Historic District)
• Signage installation at 1 N Church Street (Stockade Historic District)
• Window replacements for lead remediation at 840 Union Street and 1046 University Place
• Front porch replacement at 30 Union Ave (Union Triangle Historic District)
• Gutter and downspout installation at 14 N Church Street (consent agenda)

Housing Stability Task Force

The Schenectady Housing Stability Task Force meets to continue discussions on housing stability. The agenda includes a guest presentation on market-rate housing by a real estate broker and a review of responses from the county. No votes or binding actions are scheduled; the meeting is a discussion and planning session.

• Guest speaker John Howard, real estate broker, on market rate housing
• Review of questions submitted to the county and responses received
• Discussion of additional matters related to housing stability
• Setting next meeting date to compile a report

City Council

The Schenectady City Council will consider resolutions authorizing the acceptance of $5,074,423.91 in state funding for street maintenance programs (CHIPS, EWR, PaveNY, STR, POP), a $50,000 cybersecurity grant, and contracts for fire department records management and police department fuel tank closure. Other items include renaming a Central Park playground to Three Angels Dream, two claim settlements, and a proclamation recognizing Caribbean-American Heritage Month.

• Authorize $5,074,423.91 in state funding for Consolidated Local Street & Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS), Extreme Winter Recovery (EWR), Pave New York (PaveNY), State Touring Route (STR), and Pave Our Potholes (POP) programs
• Direct renaming of Central Park's Tiny Tot Land playground to Three Angels Dream
• Accept $50,000 Cybersecurity Grant from DHS/NYS for equipment, training, and planning
• Award $55,500 contract to Precision Industrial Maintenance LLC for Police Department petroleum storage tank closure and temporary diesel supply
• Authorize $21,000, one-year contract with Image Trend Inc. for Fire Department EMS records management

City Council Committees

The City Council Committees will consider authorizing $5.07 million in state road funding, awarding a $336,054 contract for Central Park pool removal, and accepting a $55,500 contract for police department tank closure. They will also discuss amending tennis court fees and a proposal on the CPRB appointment process. The fire department's software contract with ImageTrend at no additional cost is also on the agenda.

• Authorize deposit of $5,074,423.91 in CHIPS, EWR, PaveNY, STR, and POP funding for capital road projects
• Award contract to WM J Keller & Sons for Central Park Pool Elimination at $336,054
• Accept ImageTrend contract for fire department records management (neutral cost)
• Award $55,500 contract to Precision Industrial Maintenance for petroleum storage tank closure at Police Department
• Discuss amendment to Section 186-25 for Central Park tennis court fees and reservation system

Zoning Board of Appeals

The Board of Zoning Appeals will consider a single application: a use variance from Premnauth Sukhram for property at 606 Michigan Ave in the R-1 Single-Family Residential district to allow a two-family dwelling, which is not currently permitted in that zone.

• Use variance application by Premnauth Sukhram for 606 Michigan Ave (tax parcel 49.65-3-11) to permit a two-family dwelling in an R-1 district

City Council

The City Council will consider final adoption of ordinances amending garbage collection fees and Central Park tennis court fees, and a resolution adopting the 2026-2027 Annual Action Plan. Also up for initial consideration are a capital budget reappropriation and a resolution recognizing Juneteenth.

• Ordinance to amend Chapter 161 'Garbage, Rubbish and Refuse' shifting to a fee-based system (final consideration)
• Ordinance to amend Central Park tennis court fees and reservation process (final consideration)
• Resolution adopting the 2026-2027 Annual Action Plan (final consideration)
• Resolution authorizing a reappropriation to the 2026 Capital Budget (original consideration)
• Resolution recognizing and honoring Juneteenth (original consideration)

Housing Stability Task Force

The Schenectady Housing Stability Task Force is meeting to continue discussions on housing stability. Topics include a guest speaker on the Section 8 Housing Program, review of questions submitted to the county and their responses, and planning for future meetings with a real estate broker and tenant representatives. No formal decisions or votes are scheduled.

• Guest speaker from the Section 8 Housing Program discussing the role of Section 8
• Review of questions submitted to the County and responses received
• Planning for next meeting: Real Estate Broker discussion on market-rate housing
• Planning for next meeting: Tenant Representative from Legal Aid Society
• Donna Gonzalez, SCAP – Overview of services

Historic Resource Commission

The Historic Resource Commission will vote on several applications for alterations to properties in Schenectady's historic districts. Consent agenda items include painting, landscaping, and a project extension; new business includes fence replacement, tree removal, and porch repairs. Two applications are being withdrawn.

• Extension request for 1386 Lowell Road (GE Realty Plot)
• Fence replacement at 11 N College Street (Stockade Historic District)
• Tree removal at 1188 Avon Road (GE Realty Plot)
• Porch repair at 1080 Wendell Ave (Union Triangle)
• Withdrawal of applications at 20 and 22 Union Ave

City Council Committees

The City Council committees will discuss a proposed $269,100 re-appropriation from unassigned fund balance to immediately order three rear-loader packers for waste collection, avoiding 18-month delays and saving $30,000. They will also review the first quarter fiscal report showing General Fund revenue at 41.65% and expenditures at 21.57%, and consider the 2026-2027 Annual Action Plan allocating $3.48 million in HUD grants for housing and public services. Other items include amending tennis court fees at Central Park, adopting a community police hiring panel, and amending garbage collection code rates and penalties.

• 2026 Capital Budget Re-Appropriation: $269,100 from unassigned fund balance to order three rear-loader packers (saves $30,000).
• Review of 2026-2027 Annual Action Plan: $3,476,132 from CDBG, ESG, and HOME for housing assistance, public services, and emergency shelter.
• Discussion on adopting a Community Police Hiring Panel to involve community in hiring decisions.
• Review amending Section 186-25 'Central Park: Tennis Courts' fee and reservation system.
• Review amending Chapter 161 garbage code regarding solid waste collection rates and penalties.

City Council

The City Council will hold three public hearings: on the 2026-2027 Annual Action Plan for federal housing and community development funds totaling $3,476,132.17, on amending tennis court fees at Central Park, and on updating garbage collection regulations. The council will also vote on numerous resolutions including ambulance and technology contracts, a Vision Zero policy, multiple property sales, and a sidewalk improvement contract.

• Public hearing on 2026-2027 Annual Action Plan with $3,476,132.17 in CDBG, ESG, and HOME funds
• Resolution authorizing $284,174.00 contract for Nott Street Sidewalk Improvements to Carver Construction
• Resolution authorizing a $125,000 NYSDOS grant for LED lighting at City Hall
• Sale of 814 Bedford Road for $60,000.00 (with rescinding resolution also on agenda)
• Adoption of a Vision Zero policy for traffic safety

The provided document consists of emails and letters from residents regarding garbage collection, police response times, and a proposed apartment complex. No official council decisions, votes, or actions were recorded in this text.

Planning Commission

The Planning Commission will consider several site plans and special use permits, including a cannabis dispensary with two drive-thru windows, a mural, a coffee shop with apartments, and a restaurant. Consent items include a 1,565 sqft addition to MiSci and a second-story addition on Union Street. Public comments may be emailed before the meeting.

• Cannabis dispensary with 2 drive-thru windows at 502 Westinghouse Place (Elysian Holdings Group LLC)
• 1,565 sqft addition to MiSci at 15 Museum Drive (William Sweet)
• Second-story coffee shop with 4 residential units at 1626 Union Street (Wei Chen)
• Mural on building at 1703 Union Street (RMSS Ventures)
• Restaurant with 2 apartments at 1311 Lower Broadway (Latchmin Balgobin)

The Planning Commission unanimously approved a special use permit for a 23x30 ft mural at 1703 Union Street, part of Metroplex-funded aesthetic enhancements. The consent agenda was approved unanimously, granting site plan approval for a MiSci addition and a second-story addition at 1626 Union Street. Two items were tabled pending surveys: a restaurant with apartments at 1311 Lower Broadway and a subdivision for Amazing Grace Transportation at 202 Front Street. A site plan for a convenience store at 1608 Union Street was also approved unanimously.

• Approved special use permit for 23x30 ft mural at 1703 Union Street (unanimous)
• Approved consent agenda: site plan for MiSci addition at 15 Museum Drive (unanimous)
• Approved consent agenda: site plan for second story at 1626 Union Street (unanimous)
• Tabled site plan for restaurant and apartments at 1311 Lower Broadway (unanimous)
• Tabled subdivision and site plan for 202 Front Street (unanimous)
• Approved site plan for convenience store at 1608 Union Street (unanimous)
• Issued negative SEQR declarations for consent agenda and mural (unanimous)
• Heard report on cannabis dispensary drive-thru at 502 Westinghouse Place – no action needed

City Council Committees

The City Council committees meet to discuss and recommend action on multiple items including contracts, resolutions, property sales, and public hearings. Key items include a $347,516 contract with Qwake Technologies for an augmented reality firefighter safety system, a $284,174 sidewalk improvement contract, and a resolution to adopt Vision Zero traffic safety policy. Several property sales and redemptions are also on the agenda.

• Qwake Technologies contract for $347,516 for augmented reality firefighter system
• Nott Street Sidewalk Improvements contract to Carver Construction for $284,174
• Authorize agreements with NYSDOT for Craig Street Pavement & Bridge Rehabilitation
• Resolution to adopt Vision Zero policy for traffic safety
• Amend garbage collection code (Chapter 161) with public hearing on May 26

Housing Stability Task Force

The Schenectady Housing Stability Task Force meets to discuss progress and hear from the chief building inspector and a local motel owner. The group has 51 days remaining to complete its tasks and submit a report by July 6, 2026. No votes or formal decisions are scheduled.

• 51-day deadline to complete housing stability report by July 6
• Guest speaker Brian Trinci, Chief Building Inspector, Code Enforcement
• Guest speaker Jeff Jackson, Owner of Empire Motel
• Update and feedback from prior meeting and Fair Housing Workshop

Zoning Board of Appeals

The Zoning Board of Appeals will consider two area variance requests. Ryan Manning seeks a variance to add a tenth apartment at 23 Monroe St despite the lot being 5,600 sq ft versus required 22,250 sq ft. Wei Chen seeks a variance to allow zero off-street parking for four apartments at 1626 Union St where six spaces are required.

• Ryan Manning area variance for 23 Monroe St to add 10th apartment on undersized lot (5,600 sq ft vs 22,250 required)
• Wei Chen area variance for 1626 Union St to permit zero off-street parking for 4 apartments (6 spaces required)

The Zoning Board of Appeals approved two area variance requests for apartment additions at 23 Monroe St and 1626 Union St. The board unanimously approved both requests after determining that the proposed projects met the necessary standards.

• Approved area variance for 23 Monroe St (unanimous)
• Approved area variance for 1626 Union St (unanimous)
• Approved minutes for March 8, 2026 meeting (unanimous)
• Issued Negative Declaration for 23 Monroe St (unanimous)
• Issued Negative Declaration for 1626 Union St (unanimous)

City Council

This meeting includes final consideration of an ordinance to increase the Downtown Special Assessment District Board (DSIC) membership from nine to fifteen members and amend qualifications. The council will consider resolutions to hold public hearings on the 2026-2027 HUD Annual Action Plan, garbage collection code amendments, and Central Park tennis court fees. Other items include accepting over $3.4 million in HUD allocations, authorizing a USTA agreement for tennis court smart locks, reappointing two members to the Civilian Police Review Board, and rescinding a previous lot sale at 1856 Foster Avenue. Two resolutions recognize National Police Appreciation Week and National Teacher Appreciation Week.

• Ordinance (final) to expand Downtown Special Assessment District Board from 9 to 15 members and change membership qualifications
• Resolution accepting $3,476,132.17 in 2026-2027 HUD allocations (CDBG: $2,032,803, HOME: $1,263,134.17, ESG: $180,195)
• Public hearing on amending garbage/refuse code (Chapter 161) covering collection standards, rates, and penalties
• Public hearing on updating Central Park tennis court fees and reservation system (Section 186-25)
• Authorizing mayor to sign USTA agreement for SmartAccess lockset system and Serve Tennis management; annual lock costs $500 first unit, $330 each additional (first year covered by USTA)

The Schenectady City Council approved eight resolutions and ordinances unanimously. The meeting also included public comments regarding proposed fees for Central Park tennis courts and a donation to a local veterans' post.

• Approved minutes of April 27, 2026 meeting
• Adopted Ordinance No. 2026-05 unanimously
• Adopted Resolution No. 2026-079 unanimously
• Adopted Resolution No. 2026-080 unanimously
• Adopted Resolution No. 2026-081 unanimously
• Adopted Resolution No. 2026-082 unanimously
• Adopted Resolution No. 2026-083 unanimously
• Adopted Resolution No. 2026-084 unanimously

City Council Committees

The Schenectady City Council committees will discuss and vote on multiple items, including authorizing the mayor to enter an agreement with the USTA for a SmartAccess lockset system at Central Park tennis courts, reviewing 2026-2027 HUD allocations, and amending the fee structure for tennis courts. Other items include a trial stop sign on Becker Street, appointments to the Civilian Police Review Board, and several resolutions and claims. The committees cover Health & Recreation, Finance, Government Operations, Administrative Efficiency, City Development & Planning, and Claims.

• Authorize mayor to enter USTA agreement for SmartAccess locks at Central Park tennis courts (annual cost $500 first unit, $330 each additional; USTA covers first year)
• 2026-2027 U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Allocations review
• Amend Section 186-25 'Central Park: Tennis Courts' fee and reservation system
• Appointment to Civilian Police Review Board (CPRB)
• Trial stop sign on Becker Street

Housing Stability Task Force

The Housing Stability Task Force will receive member reports on findings and preliminary recommendations, and hear invited public testimony from resident Latoya James about landlord-related barriers and service access. Members will then discuss priorities, deliverables, and timelines for the next meeting.

• Member assignment reports with preliminary findings and recommendations
• Public testimony from Latoya James on lived experience with landlord issues
• Discussion of priorities, deliverables, and timelines for next meeting
• Recap of April 10, 2026 meeting

City Council

The Schenectady City Council will hold a public hearing on expanding the Downtown Special Assessment District Board from 9 to 15 members and amending membership qualifications. The council will also vote on several resolutions, including accepting a $338,433 state grant for domestic violence detectives, awarding major contracts for the Jay Street Connector and street paving, selling a foreclosed property, and settling a lawsuit.

• Public hearing to amend Section 9-6 of city code, increasing Downtown Special Assessment District Board membership from 9 to 15 and changing qualifications
• Accept $338,433 from NYS STRIVE grant for two dedicated detectives, a half-time crime analyst, and overtime in the Schenectady Police Department
• Award $3,874,174 contract to Carver Construction for the Jay Street Connector project, funded by Downtown Revitalization Initiative
• Award $3,146,809.90 contract to Callanan Industries for the 2026 CHIPs paving program
• Authorize $55,000 settlement to Andre Porter to resolve a lawsuit over surplus from a foreclosure sale of 1821 Lenox Road

The City Council approved eight resolutions unanimously and received a list of appointments from the mayor. No substantive legislation was introduced or voted upon.

• Approved Resolution 2026-075 (Unanimous)
• Approved Resolution 2026-076 (Unanimous)
• Approved Resolution 2026-077 (Unanimous)
• Approved Resolution 2026-078 (Unanimous)
• Approved Resolution 2026-CS-05 (Unanimous)
• Approved Resolution 2026-CS-06 (Unanimous)
• Approved Resolution 2026-CS-07 (Unanimous)
• Approved Resolution 2026-CS-08 (Unanimous)

Historic Resource Commission

The Historic Resource Commission will hold a regular meeting to decide on seven applications for alterations to properties in Schenectady's historic districts. Items include siding replacement, HVAC installation, tree removals, fence installation, and window replacement for lead remediation. The commission will also address staff approvals on several other properties.

• Replace siding at 236 Green Street (Stockade Historic District)
• Install mini-split system at 72 Union Avenue (Union Triangle Historic District)
• Remove dead tree at 1189 Lowell Road (GE Realty Plot Historic District)
• Install fence at 408 Union Street (Union Street Corridor Historic District)
• Replace windows for lead remediation at 1211 Union Street (Union Street Corridor Historic District)

City Council Committees

The City Council committees will consider several contracts and policy items, including a $3.87 million award for the Jay Street Connector, a $3.15 million paving program, and a $339,000 police generator replacement. They will also discuss expanding composting, review the first quarter fiscal report, and consider changes to the solid waste code and Downtown Special Assessment District board membership.

• ABAC for Jay Street Connector to Carver Construction, Inc. for $3,874,174
• ABAC for 2026 CHIPS Paving Program to Callanan Industries for $3,146,809
• ABAC for Police Department Generator Replacement to S.W. Burke Electric for $339,000
• Discussion on expanding composting capacity and municipal food scraps diversion
• Proposed amendment to increase Downtown SAD Board membership from 9 to 15

Planning Commission

The Schenectady Planning Commission will consider several site plan approvals, including a GE Vernova outdoor event pavilion at 1 River Road, a second story addition at 1626 Union Street for a coffee shop and six residential units, and an auto body repair shop at 1600 State Street. The consent agenda includes extensions for apartment buildings on Sir Benjamin Way and Angela Court, a cosmetology salon, and a parking lot.

• GE Vernova seeks site plan approval for an 80'x80' outdoor event pavilion at 1 River Road, M-2 District.
• Wei Chen proposes a second-story addition at 1626 Union Street for a coffee shop with six residential units.
• Minerva Chand-Singh requests site plan and special use permit for auto body repair at 1600 State Street.
• Staesha Anderson requests site plan approval for a bar & grill at 108 Jay Street.
• Consent agenda includes one-year extensions for 12- and 14-unit apartment buildings on Sir Benjamin Way and Angela Court.

The Commission approved a new outdoor event pavilion for GE Vernova at 1 River Road and granted final site plan approval for a restaurant at 201 South Brandywine Avenue. Additionally, several consent agenda items including apartment extensions and a cosmetology salon were approved, and a special use permit was issued for a parking lot and garage at 458 Fourth Street.

• Approved one-year extension for Larapa Serafini Partnership on Sir Benjamin Way (unanimous)
• Approved one-year extension for Larapa Serafini Partnership on Angela Court (unanimous)
• Approved site plan for Kerann Beckles cosmetology salon at 1007 Chrisler Avenue (unanimous)
• Issued Special Use Permit for parking lot and garage at 458 Fourth Street (unanimous)
• Approved site plan for GE Vernova outdoor event pavilion at 1 River Road (unanimous)
• Granted final site plan approval for restaurant at 201 South Brandywine Avenue (unanimous)

City Council

The Council will consider an ordinance adding a definition for Battery Energy Storage Systems to the zoning code and amending the table of uses to allow them under specified standards. They will also hold a public hearing to expand the Downtown Special Assessment District Board from 9 to 15 members, authorize a collective bargaining agreement with the firefighter’s union, and vote on multiple property sales and recognition resolutions.

• Ordinance adding definition of 'Battery Energy Storage System' to zoning code and amending Schedule B to allow Tier 1 and Tier 2 systems in specified districts
• Resolution calling a public hearing to increase Downtown Special Assessment District Board membership from 9 to 15 members (April 27, 2026)
• Resolution authorizing collective bargaining agreement with Local 28 Schenectady Paid Firefighters
• Resolution approving sale of vacant lot at 22 McClellan Street for $11,300.00
• Resolution awarding contract for signage and wayfinding to Grafton Data Systems, Inc. for $218,482.50

The Schenectady City Council approved the minutes from March 23, 2026, and adopted a consent agenda of 24 resolutions unanimously. No other substantive votes were taken. Public comments addressed sanitation, illegal dumping, a request for additional ARPA funding for a community grocery project, and housing concerns.

• Approved minutes of March 23, 2026 (motion made, seconded, adopted by voice vote)
• Adopted consent agenda of 24 resolutions unanimously (Resolution Nos. 2026-055 through 2026-074, 2026-CS-03, 2026-CS-04)

Housing Stability Task Force

The Schenectady Housing Stability Task Force will review progress on its 120-day study (87 days remaining) and discuss housing challenges, with a focus on hotels used by DSS for temporary housing, code compliance, and oversight. Members will also consider attending the upcoming Fair Housing Event on April 21, 2026.

• Review of enacting legislation Resolution 2025-138 and remaining timeline (report due July 6, 2026)
• Discussion on collaborating with One Schenectady
• Discussion on hotels used by DSS for temporary housing, including payments, code standards, and regulatory responsibility
• Fair Housing Event on April 21, 2026 – members may attend workshops
• Article on Section 8 voucher law change in Utica reserved for future discussion