DPW staff has been working with Aubertine and Currier, through a NYS Department of State grant, to design and engineer an ADA-compliant pathway for a future ADA-compliant kayak launch at Lagoon Park. Aubertine and Currier have completed all required site visits/investigations and have developed conceptual site plans for the project and will present those designs to the Committee.
Elizabeth Malanga, Director, Pheonix Programs and Lieutenant Alyxandra Allen will be in attendance to review and discuss the Salvation Army’s 2025 Phoenix Program Summer Camp and City partnership. This was the first year of the new program and partnership. Both parties are interested in continuing successes and addressing challenges experienced during the first year to continue the partnership for 2026.
DPW in conjunction with our consulting engineering firm GHD are reviewing the bids, opened on Friday, October 17th, for the Water Storage Tank No. 1 Replacement project planned at the WTP. The project's scope includes the demolition of the existing steel tank and the construction of a new 3.0 MG concrete tank (all electrical work and site work are included). Two bids were received and are currently under review for the general construction, both seemingly responsible ($6,875,450 vs. $5,969,000). One bid was received for the electrical work portion of the project, which also appears to be a responsible at $971,935. GHD will review all bid information and provide a recommendation letter to the City which will inform our next steps forward. We anticipate awarding this contract at the October 30th City Council meeting.
Staff is recommending changes to Chapter 795 Stormwater Management and Erosion Control of our municipal code to align fully with the State’s model law as required by the NYSDEC. Although our current code contains additional regulations related to certain procedures, waivers, and offsite drainage, these differences have been identified by the NYSDEC as inconsistent with the model regulations. To ensure compliance and consistency, City Staff recommends revising §795 to mirror the State’s version.
Due to staffing vacancies, multiple off-duty injuries and sick leave usage, overtime for the Fire Department needs additional funding estimated at $36,500 for the remainder of the year. These funds should cover estimated sick leave and response overtime (overtime original budget $160,000, currently $243,000, will be $269,500 with amendment) and holiday pay (original budget $107,363, will be $117,363 with amendment). The City Manager also negotiated a settlement related to holiday pay grievances that were scheduled for arbitration and $4,450 is needed as part of this settlement agreement. An additional $3,133 is needed to cover the associated FICA expense. Additionally, the vehicle repair account (original budget $65,000, current budget $69,000, will be $94,000 with amendment) for the Fire Department needs additional funds for apparatus repairs estimated at $25,000. As such, the City Manager recommends appropriating $70,000 ($26,500-overtime, $10,000-holiday pay, $4,450 arbitration settlement, $3,133- FICA and $25,000 for vehicle repair) from the 2025 Budget contingency (original budget $100,000, current budget $94,500, $24,500 with amendment).