Schenectady Roundup: $2.1M Grocery Grant, Fire Truck Purchase, and Site Plans on Council and Commission Agendas
Schenectady's City Council and Planning Commission have several consequential items on their agendas this month, from a $2.1 million state food-access grant to a fire apparatus purchase and multiple site plan reviews. However, minutes have not yet been published for any of the recent meetings listed below, so it is not yet possible to confirm what was decided versus what was only discussed. The following reflects what each agenda listed for consideration.
City Council Committees — July 6
The committees were scheduled to review several financial items, including a $235,500 contract with Premier Fire Apparatus Inc. for a new Rescue 1 fire apparatus and a $219,100 award to Jersen Construction Group LLC for two concrete foundations. The Health & Recreation committee was set to discuss the Central Park Pool Elimination Project for the old pool. Finance was also slated to review amending Section 186-25, titled "Central Park: Tennis Courts," regarding fees and the reservation system, and to consider an intergovernmental cooperation agreement for the Gun Involved Violence Elimination (GIVE) grant.
Housing Stability Task Force — July 9
The task force agenda listed an update on edits to its draft report, with guest speakers Donna Gonzalez of SCAP and Chris Morris of SLIC. No decisions are confirmable from the agenda alone.
City Council — July 13
The council agenda included a reallocation of $17,324.00 to Police Department longevity salary lines, acceptance of a $466,193.00 GIVE Grant from the NYS Department of Criminal Justice Services, and acceptance of $19,325.27 in Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant funds. The agenda also listed the Jersen Construction Group LLC concrete foundations contract at $219,100.00 and the purchase of a Light Duty Fire Rescue Vehicle from Premier Fire Apparatus, Inc. for $236,500.00. (Note: The July 6 committee agenda listed the fire apparatus at $235,500; the July 13 council agenda lists it at $236,500. Both figures are presented as they appear in their respective agendas.)
Planning Commission — July 15
The commission was scheduled to hold a public hearing and consider multiple site plan approvals and a special use permit. The consent agenda included a 5-space residential parking lot at 234 Duane Avenue and a 2,400-square-foot pavilion at 2535 Consaul Road. New business items listed:
- Khalil Nagi seeking site plan approval for a convenience store at 1608 Union Street.
- Mohamed Abdalah Al Falahi requesting a site plan for auto repair and vehicle sales at 1902 Broadway.
- Deborah Pusatere requesting a site plan to operate a tavern at 6 McDonald Avenue.
- Julie Horn requesting a subdivision and site plan for a commercial office at 1721 Union Street.
Email comments were accepted prior to the meeting.
Coming Up
City Council Committees — July 20: The council will consider accepting a $2,100,000 New York State Food Access Expansion Grant to fund the Electric City Cooperative Grocery. Other agenda items include the sale of 1339 Bradford Street, the sale of 1833 Avenue A, property redemption of 1110 Forest Road, and appointments to the Civilian Police Review Board (CPRB).
Historic Resource Commission — July 23: Commissioners will meet at City Hall, Room 110, to consider applications for extensions, amendments, and alterations in several historic districts. Items include an extension request for John Forsyth at 1198 Stratford Road in the GE Realty Plot Historic District, an extension request for Charles Padula at 30 Union Ave in the Union Triangle Historic District, a tree removal request for Michael Barron at 1174 Lowell Road, a fence replacement request by Superior Fence and Rail Albany at 1212 Rugby Road, and a bluestone treads installation request for Robert Woods at 32 Front Street in the Stockade Historic District.