Executive Session at the City Council meeting Tuesday night will have discussions of a few things related to real estate in the city, including the status of two different land swaps Public Safety Commissioner Christian Mathiesen is looking at.

He would not say what the properties were or why he was interested in them, saying he would discuss them in the future but "this is definitely not the appropriate time."

From what I've heard, it may have something to do with property on the East side of the city, near Saratoga Lake, where residents have expressed concern about the need for a fire or ambulance station.


Here is a segment from an article I wrote last October, when Mathiesen said he was eying some land:

"Mathiesen said he has focused in on an area of the Eastern Plateau where a station could be located, but he would not divulge where because his office is currently looking at properties for acquisition by the city.He said with 28 square miles of city to cover, “you can make an argument for more than three stations,” but “the first step is to acquire the land.”

“I’ve been putting up with that first step for four years now,” (George Shulof, president of the Interlaken Homeowner’s Association) said. “I’m hopeful, but it’s taken too long.”

Only a small percentage of the emergency call volume goes to the Eastern Plateau, but Mathiesen said most of the responses from the new station would go to the eastern side of the city and to the Northway.

I'm told he is hoping to swap a city-owned parking lot for a piece of land on Route 9P. Mathiesen referenced "issues regarding the possible land swaps" Monday morning when asking to be added to the executive session.

The other land swap, I'm told, is that he may be looking at some kind of land swap with neighbors of the West Side Fire Station, but I've not heard any reasons why.

Also on the executive session, Accounts Commissioner John Franck will also be discussing an Article 7 proceeding — basically a lawsuit filed by someone grieving their assessment. They are usually filed by commercial or rental properties and can take years to settle.

We'll see if we actually hear anything in the open about any of that tomorrow night.

It has cost the city $61,340 so far to fire Mary Zlotnick from her $33,000 a year job.

That doesn't include the time of Deputy Commissioner Sharon Kellner-Chille, Director of Risk and Safety Marilyn Rivers or Accounts Commissioner John Franck, all of whom had significant time wrapped up in the roughly 57 hours of hearings in City Hall.

It also doesn't include the $7,500 they allocated to defend themselves in a lawsuit she filed at the May 7 City Council meeting.

It does include:

-$35,340 for 169.7 hours of Harris Beach Attorney Mark McCarthy's time and seven hours of other Harris Beach attorney's time (It's $200 an hour, if you were wondering).
-$21,235.04 in Hearing Officer Christopher Nicolino's time and hotel expenses (he made $1,600 per diem or $175 an hour).
-And $4,765.75 in court reporter costs.

It also doesn't include the $37.50 or whatever my time cost altogether.

I may do more with this (I'll at least post the invoices), but I am too dejected at my own rate of pay to go on now.

*Update*

As it turns out, I'm not the only one with this FOIL.

In fact, I know of one other blogger who wrote about it (warning, as always, there may be will be coarse language) and that one Republican candidate FOILed for it.

My FOIL for the information is at the bottom of the page, but here is the FOIL from Kenneth Ivins whose name is redacted in the request, but I bet you can still read it.

Ken Ivins FOIL

Ivins circulated the FOIL to the Republican Committee in the city. 

Franck, of course, called it "bullsh*t politics" (speaking of coarse language). He thought I got the FOIL from Ivins. I didn't.

I have heard word for months (from a very reliable source) that the AG's office hadn't found any evidence that the Accounts Department did anything wrong and would likely be issuing a statement to that effect, but I'm still waiting.

Ivins said it was information that people have a right to know. As for whether it was politics, "Obviously I circulated to the Republican Committee, I have the e-mail list. I don't have the Democratic Committee list." He said he sent it to the GOP "to get people educated" about where tax dollars go.

Anyway, this is probably superfluous, but here is MY FOIL request (same as his, without the redaction or the cover letter).

Zlotnick Costs by lmccarty2656

*Another update in response to comments* I just figured I would add something in here to mention that Franck was also wondering about Zlotnick's funding. "I don't know who is paying for it," he said. I'm putting something together for the newspaper tomorrow, which I will post a link to here. Hopefully I can get some questions answered.

**Update, I couldn't get a hold of anyone to tell me who was paying Zlotnick's bills.

Who is taking bets?

SARATOGA SPRINGS REPUBLICAN COMMITTEE

P.O. Box 3105

Saratoga Springs NY 12866

Phone: (518) 587-6670 and Fax: 587-6672

www.ssgop.com

David Harper, Chair                                                                                                                 Executive Committee

Rose Zacek, Whip                                                                                                                    Robert Barile

Stephen Rodriguez, Vice-Chair                                                                                                Keith Kaplan

Mary Flanagan, Secretary                                                                                                        Amy Cacozza

Michael Cummings, Treasurer                                                                                                 Matt Hogan             

Oscar Schreiber, County Executive Committee Member                                                        Drew Jarosh

                                                                                Joe Kakaty

                                                                                                                                Ken Ivins

***MEDIA ADVISORY***

For: Wednesday, MAY 8, 2013

City Republicans to Make It Official
To Announce Mayoral Candidate at Wednesday Press Conference

Saratoga Springs Republican Chairman David Harper will officially announce his party’s candidate for Mayor by launching a kick-off press conference this Wednesday, May 8^th at 2pm.


WHO:             Saratoga Springs Republican Chairman David Harper, Republican                                    Mayoral candidate and distinguished guests.      

WHAT:          Announcing and kicking off of Republican Mayoral Campaign.

WHEN:          2 p.m. Wednesday May 8, 2013.

WHERE:        Saratoga Arms, 497 Broadway Saratoga Springs.
                        **INSIDE** Conference Room.

 
CONTACT:   David Harper

ALL MEDIA WELCOME AND ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND

PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE

###

 

I'll put $5 on Deputy Mayor Shauna Sutton, but I'll tell you, they've kept this one close to the vest. I asked her and she said she had sworn herself to silence. 

In other City Council news, Accounts Commissioner John Franck said the Democrats have lobbied him to some extent to run for both Accounts and Supervisor. He said he probably won't do it, though.

"Even I'll be surprised if I do it," he said, citing the time commitment.

I don't know anybody whose done it before, but I know there was a lot of talk a couple months ago about Supervisor Joanne Yepsen doing the same thing  (for mayor and Sup), but that fell by the wayside. 

Still, Democratic Chairman Charles Brown said one of the other City Council members might give it a go. At the time I thought he was alluding to Michele Madigan, but she said she hadn't heard that particular rumor.

I've been meaning to post something on Accounts Commissioner John Franck's intention to wipe the board clean at the Saratoga Springs Housing Authority since he mentioned it last week to me. Well, the City Council agenda reminded me, since the first item on his agenda at Tuesday's city council is a resolution urging the mayor to do just that.

The full resolution is below, and a story should be posted soon.

Resolution to oust the SSHA Board of Commissioners by

It's been a month since I wrote about the upcoming November election and some of the rumors going around the city have changed and some have become a little more than just rumors.

First, Mayor Scott Johnson has not publicly announced whether he will run for re-election in November, but he told me last week he made up his mind about it "some time ago."

He said he is waiting until it is the right time for him personally and "the right time for the office" to announce his decision.

Johnson also emphasized the fact that when he makes this announcement, to bear in mind that his decision was made long ago.

When I said it sounded an awful lot like he wasn't planning on a run at reelection, he said "I didn't say that."

Other people in the community have said that, though. I've heard from a number of people involved in Spa City Politics that Johnson is calling it quits, but to be clear, that is just speculation until he says one way or the other, as City GOP Committee Chair David Harper pointed out.

"I've heard that rumor as well," he said Monday. "I've also heard the rumor that he IS running."

As for a replacement Republican candidate, the name I hear most out there is Dave Patterson, the former 8th grade Social Studies teacher, one of the guides of historic Saratoga Tours and all-around nice guy (not to editorialize).

Harper would not confirm whether Patterson would be running for mayor if Johnson doesn't run, but he did say he has spoken to him and "I think Dave is definitely a candidate."

Another name floating around is that Ken Ivins may take a run at office again — though perhaps not for the same one he held. There's been talk about him running for city supervisor or Accounts Commissioner, but I don't know which.

In the same vein, Rick Wirth is another name that has become more and more solidified in the discussion about a run for office. Of course, in his case it is for the same one he left, Public Safety Commissioner.

On the other side of the aisle I have heard on pretty good authority is that Joanne Yepsen is, indeed, running for mayor.

When  I talked to her Jan. 24 she wouldn't say which position she is planning to run for in November — mayor or supervisor. "There are several options on the table," she said, adding that she is having "preliminary conversations," about which she would choose. 

I didn't reach her Monday for comment about it, but I've heard from a number of people that it is just a matter of time before she announces (I hear early March). 

There was talk (particularly by Republicans) that Yepsen could technically hold both her supervisor position and be mayor at the same time, but — and this is purely my take — that would probably not go well for her during the race.

 City Democrat Chair Charles Brown would not confirm Yepsen's intention's Monday, saying "until it is announced, that is not official."  He said "It wouldn't disappoint me if she was (running)."

What is official is that John Franck is running for his fifth term as Accounts Commissioner. He told me that, unequivocally, last week.

Brown said Finance Commissioner Michele Madigan is holding an event on Friday where she will make an announcement (the subject of which is still a mystery).

He also said that while Public Safety Commissioner Christian Mathiesen hasn't officially announced, he is confident he will run for re-election.

As for the candidates who are not official, Brown said he "I think within a month all of this will be decided on our side."
Harper, on the other hand, said he couldn't offer a firm timeline. In fact, he sent out a press-release Monday looking for candidates (see below).

                                      Saratoga Springs GOP seeks candidates

SARATOGA SPRINGS – the City of Saratoga Springs Republican Committee is seeking registered Republicans who reside in the City of Saratoga Springs and are interested in being interviewed and selected as the endorsed Republican candidates for the City Council or for City Supervisor(s) in the November 5 general election.

Those interested in an interview and endorsement for these public offices must submit a letter of intent stating the office they are seeking along with a resume to: David Harper, City of Saratoga Springs Republican Chairman, 480 Broadway, Suite 214, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.

All letters of intent and resumes must be received no later than March 6th. Interviews will be conducted on March 13 beginning at 7:00 pm at the ITAM at 247 Grand Avenue.

Any questions regarding this announcement can be directed to Dave Harper, Chairman at 518.727.1499

 

It seems like the marathon City Council meetings as of late are the new normal. Last night went from 6:30 to at least 11 p.m. when I left (I got tired of the circular arguments about last call and was tired in general).

And maybe it was just the time, but disagreements started to devolve around 10 p.m. when a debate broke out over whether more trees should be added to the Woodlawn Parking Garage project.

Recently, Sustainable Saratoga which is conducting the tree survey in the city, sent a letter to the City Council requesting the city put more trees in that project.

Michele Madigan brought the issue to the table for a discussion. "It would make this project so much nicer," she said.

But that sparked debate.

Anthony "Skip" Scirocco (who was "Skippy" to John Franck throughout the meeting) said more trees would mean more shade which would mean more ice in the winter.

I couldn't make out most of the arguments over the din of city commissioners, but it seemed that Public Safety Commissioner Christian Mathiesen was saying it would harken back to the days of the tree-lined Saratoga streets, Franck seemed to be supporting Scirocco (he joked they would be campaigning together next election), I head Madigan say at one point "the perils of trees in winter time" possibly in jest, and Mayor Scott Johnson just wanted to move on. "We've discussed this enough," he said.

I don't know that there was ever any resolution to that.

Later in the meeting, the issue of last call was discussed. It was a re-hashing for the most part. Mathiesen defended his statement that the atmosphere downtown was "toxic" ("It is toxic") and said "Most of our citizens wold not recognize downtown Caroline Street late at night."

He's putting it up for a vote of the City Council May 15, but Madigan and Franck both want to wait until after the State Liquor Authority issues a formal opinion on whether changing last call has to be county-wide (the most recent SLA opinion is that it does).

"I think it makes a difference," Franck said.

Mathiesen said it doesn't matter for their purposes, since if the City Council approves changing the bar closing time it would mean going to the county either way.

As they debated whether the county's role mattered to the City Council, one of the county representatives stepped in and addressed the council.

"You don't worry about the county," Supervisor Joanne Yepsen said, pointing at Franck. Yepsen said she and Supervisor Matt Veitch would deal with the county.

"Wait," Franck shot back, holding his hand up to her, palm out like a traffic cop ordering a vehicle to stop. "Is it the whole county going to 3 a.m. or is it just us? It's not the same," he said. "Don't tell me not to worry about what I'm voting for."

"No, I'm saying vote for what the city wants and we'll worry about the county," she said, emphasizing her points with hand gestures.

Then, walking back to put the microphone back in its stand and holding her hands up in frustration as she walked back to her seat, she said: "The county will determine what happens at the county."

This is the stuff that's going to happen, though, if they keep everyone up so far past their bedtime. Next meeting doesn't appear to be much better, either. Starts at 6:30 with a public hearing and many of the same things on this week's agenda — Saratoga Citizen charter change, Housing Authority corrective action plan, last call — will come up again.

I'm bringing a pillow.

Just thought I'd float this little tid-bit out there.
When I was reporting the story in today's paper about the burning bridge between the Saratoga Springs Housing Authority and the Saratoga Affordable Housing Group, I of course had to talk to SSHA Executive Director Ed Spychalski.
During our talk about why the SSHA would no longer be managing the SAHG's (which it created) properties, he said he was done volunteering there.
"I don't want to anymore," he said.
He couched that by saying he just didn't have the time and the SSHA didn't need the money, but there was a touch of bitterness to his voice.
One quote that didn't make the paper because of a lack of space was this little gem:
"There are a lot of people who have managed non-profits and there are a lot of accountants who have done this for years,” he said, “they can do it.”
So of course I had to ask if he was possibly referring to his two biggest detractors, John Kaufmann, the former executive director of the Economic Opportunities Council ("managed non-profits") and Accounts Commissioner John Franck ("accountants").
Of course, Spychalski said he wasn't referring to anyone in particular, but it seemed like a funny choice of words to me...

At least according to Franck.

I heard rumor of he and another Saratoga Springs Democrat eying the potential new Assembly seat that will represent Saratoga Springs, the 113th currently held by Tony Jordan, R-Jackson.

Franck, though, told me he heard the same rumors, but they aren't true.

"I was at a union event the other day and someone came up and congratulated me on running," he said, but that was the first he heard of it.

Since then he said he has received calls from constituents and media alike asking about it, but he said it's not in his plan.

"I'm not even sure if the 113th will exist," he said, citing the veto threats from Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the general legislative process in New York that can — as most know — drag on.

But Franck also said he has business, city and family commitments that mean running for a higher office is not in the cards right now.

"At this point in time I would say I am not going to run for any office but commissioner of accounts," he said. "My eyes are always open for anything, but my heart is in Saratoga Springs."