2026-10-26 - Finance, Assessment & Taxation Committee Meeting

00:00evening and welcome to the October 26th,

00:042026 Finance, Assessment, and Taxation

00:07Committee meeting.

00:09Um with us this evening are committee

00:11members Balorin, Farrell, Keegan, Brody,

00:16and Lumpkin. We are also joined by

00:20Council members Powell, Hoey, and

00:23Zimmer.

00:24And Commissioner Faye Andrews from

00:27Neighborhood and Community Services.

00:29This evening we will be having a budget

00:31discussion on the Neighborhood and

00:35Community Services Department, which

00:37encompasses Neighborhood and Community

00:38Services, Planning, and uh Buildings and

00:41Codes. So, without further ado, I'd like

00:44to welcome the members of the department

00:47up. Please feel free to grab a desk and

00:49a mic that is open and available.

00:54There is no public comment. Uh no one

00:56signed up for public comment this

00:57evening.

01:07We also have our acting budget director

01:09Katherine Fitzpatrick with us.

01:30And do you want to have your staff also

01:32just do a round of introductions for the

01:34record before you get started?

01:36>> Sure.

01:37>> You heard that right? A round of

01:39introductions.

01:41Okay.

02:12>> What's that? Okay.

02:13Hi everybody. My name is Faye Andrews.

02:15I'm the commissioner for neighborhood

02:17and community services.

02:19We're going to do just some quick intros

02:20of our the rest of our staff and

02:22directors here tonight with us before we

02:23get into our presentation.

02:26>> Kristen Cronin, federal housing finance

02:28manager for Albany Community

02:29Development.

02:31>> I'm Michael Bowley. I'm the director of

02:33Albany Community Development.

02:35>> Brad Glass, director of planning and

02:37development.

02:43>> Sarah Camp, director of neighborhood

02:45services.

02:48>> Okay.

02:49>> So thanks for giving us the opportunity

02:51to present our budget to you tonight. We

02:54the way I I'm hoping is okay with you is

02:57I'm going to go over a few slides that

02:58pertain to the entire department and

03:01then hand it off to each of the

03:03different directors to talk about their

03:04separate departments. Um

03:07And if you have questions, please let us

03:09know. So the Department of Neighborhood

03:10and Community Services, as you know, is

03:12kind of a new department. Um

03:15we partner with residents, community

03:17groups, local businesses and to maintain

03:19and enhance the city's vibrant

03:20neighborhoods.

03:22The department's planning, community

03:23development, code enforcement, and

03:25neighborhood engagement functions work

03:27collaboratively to ensure the highest

03:28quality of life for each of Albany's

03:30residents and to ensure the city's built

03:33environment reflects the needs of its

03:34diverse population.

03:36The neighborhood center, located at 200

03:38Henry Johnson Boulevard, is a true

03:40one-stop shop. Residents receive

03:42seamless access to resources and

03:44information across neighborhood

03:45services,

03:47planning and development, building and

03:48regulatory compliance, and the Albany

03:51Community Development Agency and a

03:52customer service centered environment.

03:55Um this is

03:57kind of hard to read, I know, small

03:59small print, but this is our org chart

04:01going forward for 2027 and reflects

04:05um the budget positions that we've put

04:07into the budget this year.

04:09So our overall 27 proposed budget um has

04:14a staff count now of 72 positions.

04:18Um our personnel services as you can see

04:19is roughly 4.8 million, um equipment

04:238,000,

04:24our contractual expenses for the four

04:27departments roughly 1.5 million, and our

04:31employee benefits are just about 1.4

04:33million.

04:35Um

04:36our total expenditures for the full

04:38department is 7.728

04:41589,

04:43and um our department revenues this year

04:45are 5.2 million roughly, leaving us with

04:48a um expenditures net revenues of 2.4

04:52million.

04:54So our our budget reductions um

04:57you know, as as we've gone through each

04:59year of our department, we've kind of

05:02taken a hard look at everything that

05:03we've done and our expenditures and our

05:05revenue, and I think this year we've

05:07gotten a really good idea of what what

05:10this department is actually um going to

05:13need for you know, to expend on

05:15contracts and things, but um everybody

05:17did a thorough uh review of their

05:20individual budgets, and we identified

05:22meaningful cost-saving opportunities for

05:25the department. Um as a result of this,

05:27the following reductions have been

05:29implemented. Um our office supply

05:31purchases you noticed in the past years,

05:34each separate department had their own

05:36individual office supply line. This year

05:38we put it all under one

05:40um

05:41neighborhood and community services

05:43budget line to make it a little a more

05:45efficient and um streamline that the

05:48impact it'll have on our full budget. We

05:50did have four

05:52um

05:53vacant positions for the year of 2026,

05:56so we have eliminated those positions

05:58from the budget. And we've also

06:00eliminated two filled positions this

06:02year. Um and each department also took a

06:05good look at their contracted services

06:07to make sure that they were more

06:09accurate and based on um actual expenses

06:12as opposed to historical um you know,

06:15the belief that we thought we were going

06:16to need to spend.

06:18Um service delivery. So that as I just

06:20mentioned, we've cut six positions in

06:23total from our department, two from um

06:26building and regulatory compliance,

06:29two from planning and two from

06:30neighborhood or community services. Um

06:35By eliminating these positions that that

06:37weren't actively staffed, the department

06:39is aligning resources with the

06:40operational needs while minimizing

06:42disruption to our services. We took a

06:44good look to make sure that

06:46you know, we were able to really

06:48continue um to reallocate some of the

06:51the positions and some of the

06:52responsibilities so that folks um

06:55were able to help us out, but we were

06:58not uh

06:59overloading their workloads, you know,

07:01along with doing that. We've um

07:03prioritized our essential services to

07:05residents so that we they can continue

07:07to receive timely dependable support. Um

07:10we've leveraged process improvements,

07:12cross-training to strengthen operational

07:14resilience.

07:15Um and then we've explored opportunities

07:17to use technology and shared services to

07:20streamline administrative tasks and

07:22reduce manual workload. Um

07:25This has allowed us to continue

07:26operating effectively, maintain our

07:28service quality, and position us for

07:31future growth um

07:32while staying aligned with our fiscal

07:34responsibilities.

07:37And then I'm going to hand it off to

07:38Sarah.

07:39>> Yes.

07:40Um so the community services department

07:43uh does have a mission of connecting

07:45residents and business owners and

07:46organizations within Albany to seamless

07:49access for information. As Fay

07:51mentioned, we are young department.

07:52We're in our fourth year.

07:54Um, and these services are allowing us

07:57to provide resources to our residents,

07:59business owners, nonprofits. Um,

08:02we do have a one-stop shop for all the

08:04public-facing services

08:06uh that the city offers and able to

08:08triage walk-in customers and phone calls

08:11regarding matters that really touch

08:13every department in the city.

08:15Um, we also are responsible for managing

08:17the SeeClickFix software and tracking

08:20all the reported issues and ensuring

08:23timely responses.

08:25Um, our neighborhood specialist, there's

08:27five of them, who each uh maintain a

08:29different area of the city and they are

08:31attending community events and

08:32collaborating with both city departments

08:34and outside organizations in um with a

08:37goal of improving quality of life for

08:39residents and sharing resources,

08:42um not limited to but inclusive of

08:45code walks, pop-up barbecues with APD,

08:47septet assessments, love your block

08:50initiatives, uh communicating engineer

08:52contract specifics to residents as they

08:54come up.

08:56We also host a number of events

08:57ourselves including uh Wednesday, our

09:00trunk or treat, and uh some other more

09:02um

09:03base neighborhood base things like the

09:05neighborhood academy and a collaborative

09:07with neighborhood associations.

09:09And

09:10we uh produce a monthly newsletter and

09:13an active social media page, but

09:15essentially we do touch all residents,

09:18business owners, and organi-

09:19organizations. They're delivered

09:21services to all of those parties.

09:24I'm going to

09:26Our our particular budget, um

09:28we do have 18 positions.

09:30Personnel services at 1.2 million,

09:33contract expenses 80,000,

09:36um employee benefits

09:38and with a total of 1.7 roughly million.

09:44Uh SB touched on um our contracted

09:47service services has decreased and

09:51additional uh reductions were made by

09:54aligning the 27 requests with the actual

09:56expenditures and again combining our

09:59office expenses.

10:04Um some of the accomplishments that

10:06we've um had over the past years that um

10:09I touched on overall previously. We are

10:12attending more than 75 community events

10:14just in this past year.

10:16Um our customer service counter receives

10:18an average of 150 calls and roughly 60

10:21walk-ins a day.

10:23Um and then triaging approximately 30

10:26incoming SeeClickFix issues and

10:29maintaining an average of 87% of uh

10:32requests acknowledged within a week.

10:34And reducing the number of past due

10:37service requests. Um

10:40our housing team, our fair housing

10:42office supports the development and

10:44adaptation of local law H which will

10:46expand Albany's fair local fair housing

10:49education, notice, and enforcement

10:50framework.

10:51And we provide housing education,

10:54resource navigation, referrals, direct

10:56support to over 500 residents and

10:58connect individuals with appropriate

11:00community and housing providers. Close

11:02to 2,000 service referrals have been

11:04made to date from our housing team.

11:06Um

11:08we've expanded community outreach

11:09through the Albany library branch hours

11:11as well as other neighborhood hub hours

11:14um and at our neighborhood and community

11:16events.

11:19And we offer walk-in hours and direct

11:22resident engagement.

11:24Um due to increased enforcement by the

11:26city, the overall number of vacant

11:28buildings is at the lowest it's been

11:29since 2017 as well.

11:34And moving forward, we um we look to

11:36continue the work uh with revitalizing

11:39and increasing neighborhood association

11:41membership. We have had some success in

11:43revitalizing some neighborhood

11:44associations that had gone defunct, such

11:46as Second Ave and um

11:49Woodlawn.

11:50Um

11:51continue to offer our neighborhood

11:52academy sessions and our neighborhood

11:55collaboration, which is more of a

11:56working group for the uh associations

11:58themselves.

12:00And expand the citywide citywide

12:02initiatives. Um

12:03one that we're introducing this year is

12:05holiday trees in specific parks

12:07throughout the city.

12:08And um our Halloween and holiday

12:11decorating contests. Uh

12:14we're continuing to work with DGS to

12:16provide um guidance and consequences to

12:18property maintenance issues around the

12:20city, including commercial businesses

12:22that utilize private haulers.

12:25And attempting to streamline seek quick

12:28fix services to improve response times

12:30and closure rates further.

12:32Um

12:34implement standardized

12:35non-discrimination language for applica-

12:38app- I'm sorry, for applicable city

12:40materials.

12:41And expand the housing seri- uh

12:43empowerment series into more structured

12:45year-round education and outreach.

12:48Um where we also plan to increase

12:50bilingual programming and Spanish

12:52language housing education and outreach

12:54opportunities.

12:56And develop the City of Albany Housing

12:58Resource Renters Guide that provides

13:00residents with an easy-to-understand

13:02uh information on housing rights,

13:04responsibilities, and local resources.

13:07Uh we're going to continue shifting

13:09towards proactive housing education and

13:11early intervention to help residents

13:13access information and resources before

13:15housing concerns become crises.

13:18And continue coordinating zom- zombie

13:20property litigation with corporate

13:22counsel.

13:27>> Uh good evening. Brad Glass with the

13:29Department of Planning and Development.

13:30So, the department guides the city's

13:32growth, development, and physical

13:34character

13:35through development review, land use

13:36policy, long-range planning, and

13:38neighborhood revitalization.

13:40It also leads the development and review

13:41process and provides technical and

13:43design review for projects in

13:44partnership with the three designated

13:47review boards, the Planning Board, Board

13:48of Zoning Appeals, and Historic

13:50Resources Commission.

13:51Staff also advance housing, economic

13:53development, historic preservation,

13:55mobility, community planning initiatives

13:57that support reasonable investment, and

13:59align development with the city's

14:00long-term goals and community

14:02priorities.

14:05So, our budget shown here overall

14:09um

14:10I believe it's a 16.8%

14:12$170,000 reduction.

14:15Most [clears throat] of that due to

14:16personnel. Most of our budget is

14:17personnel.

14:21We also adjusted the uh equipment lines,

14:24the contractual services,

14:27as well as training and other

14:29considerations.

14:30And the department revenues,

14:32we're trying to be conservative. A lot

14:33of revenues were

14:35sort of overstated last year. So, you

14:37know, we think $170,000 is the right

14:40number for the coming year.

14:43Again, just to recap here, two positions

14:47were eliminated, the senior planner and

14:50the senior planning project manager, one

14:51of which was vacant.

14:53Um

14:54equipment reduction and a pretty

14:55substantial contracted expenditure

14:57reduction. The remaining contracted

14:59expenditures are mostly software that we

15:01use to intake

15:03our applications,

15:05as well as for public notice and and

15:07mapping, things of that nature.

15:11Um

15:13I think I covered most of this. We could

15:14probably skip to the next slide.

15:17Um again, fees here, reduction, you

15:20know, mostly zoning fees. um,

15:23you know, one of the things when you

15:25make favorable adjustments to your code

15:27to fix things, sometimes you get fewer

15:29requests for variances, things like

15:30that. So, we have seen a slight

15:32reduction, um, in fees coming in related

15:34to zoning, or that's what we're

15:35projecting for the coming year.

15:39For some 2026 accomplishments and

15:42service results, uh, just foremost

15:44wanted to say our department reviews

15:47excess of 1,000 applications a year,

15:49half of which originated in our

15:50department and half of which are

15:51referred to us by the Department of

15:53Buildings and Regulatory Compliance.

15:56Um, in addition, um,

15:59we have enhanced customer service. Our

16:02new preservation planner,

16:04uh, relatively new in that role, uh, has

16:06been really dynamic and able to,

16:09uh, help at the front desk, um,

16:11consistently two to three days a week to

16:13help property owners who are in historic

16:14districts, uh, navigate those rules and

16:16complete their applications to help move

16:18those forward more expeditiously.

16:21Uh, we also support the, uh, current,

16:23uh, CAP initiative in downtown

16:25revitalization.

16:26Made some changes to make the office to

16:28residential conversions go more

16:30seamlessly,

16:31uh, and I also participate in the

16:33intergovernmental development review

16:34team.

16:36Uh, we have created a or in the process

16:39of developing an interactive GIS-based

16:42storefront inventory,

16:43um, that allows us to

16:46collectively see, you know, what

16:48storefronts are vacant, start to

16:50strategize as to what solutions might

16:52be, and it also potentially helps in the

16:55future where someone's looking for a

16:56storefront in the city and get a sense

16:58of what sorts of storefronts are

16:59available in what areas,

17:01um, through, you know, accessing that

17:03database.

17:04Uh, we've created a new, uh, National

17:07State Register Historic District, um,

17:09through grant funding by

17:11the State Historic Preservation Office

17:12for the Warehouse District. Uh, this

17:14allows for eligible projects to receive

17:17up to 40% in state and federal tax

17:19credits, historic tax credits

17:22to re- to rehabilitate buildings. Um,

17:25that's a pretty significant incentive

17:27for when when development costs are high

17:29to have projects be done at 30 or 40%

17:32less

17:33due to that designation.

17:35Uh, we've also applied for a bicycle

17:37friendly community designation through

17:38the League of American Bicyclists

17:40working with partners, Albany Bicycle

17:42Coalition, and so on

17:43uh, to get that designation as well as

17:45to understand

17:47how we're doing as as compared to peer

17:49communities and where we can make

17:51improvements.

17:52Uh, that we'll hear about that in

17:53November and I'm optimistic about that.

17:56We uh, brought new battery energy

17:57storage regulations through this this

17:59council, which is a part of the clean

18:02energy platform being pursued at the

18:04state level and we did it in a way, I

18:05think, where uh, you know, residential

18:07neighborhoods won't be negatively

18:09affected by those installations. And we

18:11continue to assist and implement park

18:14improvements in the Tivoli Preserve

18:16through a annual $250,000

18:19100% reimbursable grant that we get from

18:22the New York State Department of

18:23Environmental uh, Conservation on annual

18:26basis.

18:27Uh, as well as we've submitted an

18:28application for uh, design funds to uh,

18:32look at improvements to Island Creek

18:33Park.

18:37Uh, for priorities, um, you know, I I I

18:40think our our goal is to create some

18:42some new housing. So, looking at our

18:44code to understand how we can

18:47uh, make

18:48some minor and potentially major

18:50adjustments to um, encourage infill, uh,

18:53expand different types of housing

18:54options, and support adaptive building

18:57reuse.

18:58Uh, we're working to um, develop a

19:00short-term rental framework um, that'll

19:03include licensing and zoning

19:04regulations. I think the taxation is one

19:06consideration.

19:08Um, but you know, in addition to that,

19:10you know, um, looking making sure that

19:12uh

19:13these types of units are safe as well as

19:16are in the appropriate locations

19:18throughout the city.

19:19Um leveraging the vacant storefront

19:21registry again working with the bids

19:24to help us keep that information

19:26up-to-date and start to solve some of

19:27those problems.

19:29Um we're also working

19:31in a number of ways to try and enhance

19:33the the amount of murals in the city and

19:35to make that process easier so

19:37everyone's clear and that we can align

19:39with the the goals of those parties that

19:42implement those to get on the right time

19:44frame so that we're not sort of

19:46becoming a burden to to that becoming a

19:49reality.

19:50Uh we already talked a little bit about

19:53some GIS tools with the storefront

19:54registry. We're also working with the

19:55Capital District Regional Planning

19:57Commission to create a data dashboard

20:00that's going to help inform our

20:01comprehensive plan and can live on

20:03beyond that so that we're all working

20:05from the same place in terms of some of

20:07the data points related to the census

20:10and other considerations in the city.

20:12Um we have an update of our city's

20:16comprehensive plan on the docket

20:18starting this year. It'll be about a 2

20:20and 1/2 year process that is another

20:21fully funded 100% reimbursable excuse me

20:24it's 90% reimbursable with the 25%

20:28$25,000 staff match that can be matched

20:30with staff time.

20:31Um

20:33from the New [clears throat] York State

20:33Department of State so we'll be getting

20:35that process

20:36as well as our local waterfront

20:37revitalization plan which is mostly done

20:40but formalities and review of that

20:42document needs to happen that'll

20:43inevitably be something that we bring

20:45before this board but our current

20:47waterfront plan dates to 1991 so that

20:50really needs to be updated.

20:54Uh and I touched on these briefly but we

20:57have funding from New York State DEC

21:00$250,000

21:02that comes in annually. We'll have 25 26

21:05funds and then we've over the 26-27

21:08funds. We're working on the contract for

21:1025-26 now.

21:12As well as we have $50,000 left over

21:14from the Hudson River Valley Greenway

21:16to continue implementing a project uh

21:19with some additional trails we're adding

21:21we're adding in the preserve.

21:23Uh we also have the Albany 2060 plan

21:26which is an update of the Albany 2030

21:28plan.

21:29Again, that's a uh

21:3190% 100% state-funded project that

21:34requires $25,000 staff time commitment.

26:54>> Mhm.

28:49>> Mhm.

30:44>> Mhm.

34:57>> I'm Michael Foley with Albany Community

34:59Development Agency.

35:01The Albany Community Development Agency

35:03is a public benefit corporation

35:05established by the city of Albany and

35:07governed by a board of directors set by

35:09New York State law.

35:11As a component unit of the city, ACDA

35:14employees are city of Albany employees

35:16and abide by city of Albany personnel

35:18policy and procedures.

35:20ACDA's goal is to provide suitable

35:22living environments and economic

35:24opportunities for people of low and

35:26moderate income.

35:33The proposed 2027 personnel services

35:35budget is at $1.5 million

35:38supporting the 24 authorized positions.

35:41This amount is unchanged from the 2026

35:44budget.

35:45The $12,000 allocated for contractual

35:47expenses will be used to cover

35:49utilities.

35:50It's important to note that 100% of

35:53ACDA's operating expense expenses are

35:56funded through grants with no reliance

35:59on the city's general fund.

36:04Major expense drivers

36:07Since COVID-19, construction and fuel

36:10costs have increased.

36:12These higher costs affect how much

36:13housing rehabilitation work we can

36:15complete with available funding.

36:18We continue to manage our resources

36:20carefully to help Albany residents with

36:22their housing needs.

36:29Our revenue and grant funding.

36:31ACDA receives grants that support our

36:33housing community development programs.

36:35These include CDBG, home, ESG, and half

36:39of funding along with additional grants

36:41for lead prevention and healthy homes.

36:44Each grant has specific requirements for

36:46how the money can be used.

36:48These funds enable ACDA's work and

36:50services for Albany residents.

36:59ACDA assisted 62 households through down

37:01payment assistance, home owner

37:03rehabilitation programs, and emergency

37:05repair programs with an investment of

37:08$996,705.

37:11We provided services to 35,548

37:15individuals through CDBG public service

37:17awards with an investment of $365,816.

37:23We successfully met all benchmarks for

37:25lead hazard reduction grant resulting in

37:27the creation of 28 lead safe housing

37:29units for residents earning at or below

37:3280% of the area median income with an

37:34investment of more than $510,000.

37:39We created 40 lead safe rental units

37:41throughout the city of Albany through

37:43New York State's leading in lead funding

37:45with an investment of more than

37:46$819,103.

37:50We assisted 40 households through the

37:52healthy homes grant with an investment

37:54of $383,840.

37:59We served 708 individuals experiencing

38:02homelessness through emergency shelters

38:05and assisted 209 households with

38:07eviction prevention through the

38:09emergency solutions grant with an

38:10investment of $251,564.

38:18Our 2027 priorities include securing

38:21additional funding to address the

38:23increasing cost of homeowner

38:24rehabilitation programs,

38:26support additional housing development

38:28to increase the availability of

38:30affordable housing throughout the city.

38:32We want to increase

38:35awareness and visibility of ACDA

38:37programs, particularly in communities

38:39where

38:40available funding is under

38:42utilized.

38:47Our budget risks the majority of ACDA

38:49funding comes from annual annual federal

38:53formula grants and competitive grants.

38:55As a result, uncertainty in the federal

38:58budget is an ongoing concern. Currently,

39:01a proposed $500 million reduction to the

39:03overall home program could impact the

39:05funding available for our homeowner

39:07programs.

39:09While similar proposed cuts in previous

39:11years have not been implemented, we feel

39:13it's important to highlight this

39:14potential risk because it could affect

39:17the housing assistance programs we

39:18provide to Albany residents.

39:23ACDA will continue to manage our grant

39:25funding responsibly and use these

39:27resources to benefit Albany residents.

39:30Thank you.

39:34>> Thank you. And I just want to note that

39:37>> [clears throat]

39:37>> Council Member Williamson also joined us

39:39during the presentation. I am going to

39:43kick things over to President Pro

39:44Tempore Jenny Farrell to continue to

39:47facilitate the meeting. Thank you.

39:55>> Uh thank you very much.

39:57I just want to

40:01note um

40:03we the mayor just put out a statement um

40:09and I will say we had a meeting a

40:12leadership meeting today that included

40:15um council leadership

40:17and um, the mayor's leadership team,

40:21it's something that we do the Monday

40:23before every caucus. And in that

40:27leadership meeting

40:29um, I did outline that we

40:34had discussion with my colleagues on the

40:37Finance Committee

40:38that there was no issue using the

40:41October 6th meeting in presentation. And

40:44I also outlined the process and

40:46procedure needed

40:48to amend the budget from the October 1st

40:52um, to ensure that we are using those

40:55numbers when we pass them.

41:01I am

41:02not sure why as a result of that the

41:06mayor chose to put that statement out.

41:09Um, I do not see following process and

41:12procedure to follow the law as being

41:14irresponsible.

41:16However,

41:17that does not change what we're doing

41:20here this evening, nor does it change

41:22the importance of the work in reviewing

41:25the budget and putting the budget

41:27together.

41:28So,

41:29as I said in the meeting to the mayor

41:31today, we're very happy to use the

41:34October 6th numbers.

41:37We just look forward to getting

41:40the spreadsheet from budget that has

41:43those numbers in it so we're able to

41:45appropriately pass them when we pass the

41:47budget.

41:49Um, and with that

41:52can I take any questions from Council

41:55members? Councilman Lumpkin?

41:57>> Thank you.

41:58Thank you, Madam Chair. And thank you to

42:00the Department of Neighborhood and

42:01Community Service team for your

42:03presentation and to the members of the

42:05mayor's administration for being here

42:07this evening.

42:08I appreciate the detail in the budget

42:10materials and I just have a few brief

42:12questions.

42:13On page 66, the department reports

42:16averaging 150 calls, 60 walk-ins per

42:19day,

42:21but on page 68, community service staff

42:24staffing declines from 20 to 18

42:26positions.

42:28How will the department maintain

42:29response time and resident outreach with

42:31fewer staff?

42:35>> Um thank you for that. I'm glad you

42:36asked because we currently have two

42:39full-time and one part-time information

42:41clerk uh handling the same amount that

42:44previously had four full-time and one

42:46part-time information clerk.

42:48They're making it work. It's not easy.

42:51Everybody is very busy constantly in the

42:54office. Um

42:56and

42:57to be honest, when we started this

42:59department, we were unsure of how many

43:01neighborhood specialists this work would

43:03take and we landed on five for various

43:06reasons. Um

43:07they're making it work as well. We could

43:09We could have used six or seven right

43:11from the beginning. If you've ran into

43:14our neighborhood specialists, and I know

43:15most of you do on a regular basis, and

43:18they list off all the neighborhoods they

43:20cover, they're pretty substantial.

43:22Um but that being said,

43:24we're able to continue to deliver

43:27um and facilitate those collaborations

43:28and connections with both city

43:30departments and um refer to

43:34wherever they may need to go.

43:35Um I would love to get back up to a few

43:38more folks in our front office, and I

43:39know they would, too. Um but but in the

43:41meantime, we we can get that work done.

43:45>> Thank you. What service level measures

43:47will you use to demonstrate that there

43:49has been no decline for like call

43:52answering time, walk-in wait time,

43:54SeeClickFix SeeClickFix SeeClickFix, and

43:57and acknowledgement rates, case loads,

43:59and response times to resident

44:00referrals?

44:02>> Um our SeeClickFix response numbers have

44:05maintained similar levels throughout.

44:07So, uh we do we can triage those and

44:11those go directly to the departments

44:12that handle them. Um so, that piece has

44:15maintained I I I will say honestly

44:17speaking people are waiting longer if

44:19they're walking in. Um we're just very

44:21clear with them that it might be a

44:22little bit longer of a wait. Um but

44:26all the clerks in the front office are

44:27submitting applications for buildings

44:29and codes as well. So, those numbers are

44:31reflected in their um

44:33numbers of of accepted applications. Um

44:38and then our our calls for the most part

44:40are relatively quick. You know, more

44:42people are going to voicemail, but we're

44:44able to respond to them by the end of

44:46the day.

44:48>> Okay. On page 67, uh housing and

44:51community development remains at 24

44:53positions, but the proposed salary lines

44:56rise about $240,000.

44:59What specifically accounts for that

45:01increase?

45:04>> Let me see here.

45:05Page 67.

45:08>> Um I'll I'll handle that one. That is um

45:11in line with the other departments where

45:13the salaries for last year did not fully

45:16fund all of the positions. This year the

45:19amount um reflected fully funds all of

45:22the positions included in this

45:23department.

45:25>> Thank you.

45:30>> Council member Ballarin.

45:35>> Thank you.

45:37So,

45:40this question is for Commissioner

45:42Andrews. Well, first it's good to see

45:43everybody. You don't always get to see

45:45everybody too often, so it's good to see

45:47everybody.

45:48Um

45:49uh so, Commissioner Andrews, I'm going

45:51to ask you the hard question that I'm

45:53asking everybody in that chair. Um

45:55knowing the difficult budget season that

45:57we're in,

45:58the differences that council and the

46:01administrations has always had

46:02throughout the years

46:04uh and always throughout the years we

46:05try to make the numbers work and we're

46:07finding cutting here from cutting there.

46:09Um, so I'm asking all

46:11all the

46:13commissioners, um,

46:15if we get to that point,

46:17where in the body of

46:21funds that you oversee,

46:23uh, would be the least pain to your

46:26department, uh, if we had to make cuts

46:29here or there,

46:31uh, to allow your organization to still

46:33run smoothly.

46:34>> Uh,

46:35honestly, I think we've already reached

46:37that point. I think we are

46:39pretty much presenting a bare-bones

46:41budget to you and that any further cuts

46:44would impact the services that we're

46:46able to provide to the to the

46:49people who live in Albany, the people

46:50who work in Albany.

46:54>> Okay. And can you just reemphasize the

46:56the number of personnel cuts that your

46:59your overall department has seen?

47:01>> We, um, we eliminated four vacant

47:04positions and we've also eliminated two

47:07filled positions.

47:09>> So, six in total.

47:12Thank you.

47:14>> Councilmember Keegan.

47:17>> Thank you, and thank you all for being

47:19here this evening. Um,

47:22as as part of this process, I'm sure

47:25everyone is aware that I went in and,

47:28uh, rechecked all of the data in the the

47:31budget presentations, um, and I will

47:33commend UFA cuz neighborhood services is

47:36one of the few departments where things

47:39stayed relatively the same.

47:41But, I did want to note that under

47:43community services, um,

47:46the

47:47positions that are listed

47:50and the totals are off.

47:53So, in that department, you

47:56um, in the category totals say that

47:58you're going from 20 positions to 18

48:00positions, but the positions that are

48:02listed

48:04actually total to 19.

48:11And that that is across both budgets.

48:14>> I'm sorry.

48:15>> That is across both budgets in the

48:17October 1 and the October 6 budget.

48:19>> I think that was intentional so folks

48:23wouldn't be

48:25looking to see who was cut from a

48:26budget. So

48:27>> Okay.

48:33>> One of the positions still listed in

48:34here is one of the ones that is

48:36eliminated. So it is

48:41Um so there is an additional one that is

48:43um that is eliminated from this

48:45department.

48:50>> And it's my understanding that that

48:52wasn't reflected in the actual budget

48:54budget so that people would not be able

48:56to see who was being eliminated.

48:59>> That is correct.

49:00>> Okay.

49:05>> Councilman Peabody?

49:06>> Thank you.

49:07Um

49:09I have a couple questions for everybody.

49:11So

49:13given the services um with the

49:16C-Click-Fix management it's my

49:18understanding and having

49:20them work you essentially triage the

49:23incoming communication

49:25and then you take responsibility of the

49:27letter and

49:29actually follow up with the letter.

49:31>> Yes, that's correct. So um I was

49:34actually with the city prior to the

49:36neighborhood services department and

49:37dealing with C-Click-Fix then and I can

49:39speak to the amount of efficiency that's

49:42happened since we've had our department

49:44managing that because prior to that it

49:46just went to the departments and kind of

49:49got lost. So now we are exactly triaging

49:52and making sure they get to the right

49:54place. There is a lot of management of

49:56that with certain departments and

49:57overturn positions. Um and then we also

50:00follow up if we notice that people are

50:02falling behind their their dates and

50:04timelines of when they should be

50:05answering them. So, that's in the ways

50:07in which we triage it. Yes, but the

50:09departments themselves are responsible

50:10for responding.

50:12>> Okay. And do you have data that is

50:15reflecting average response times not

50:17just by I get the triage might be very

50:20quick if not immediate. I know I've

50:22experienced that myself, but the actual

50:24resolution of the issues reported

50:27obviously is not in your hands, but it

50:28sounds like you might have a the data

50:31around those response times.

50:34Um

50:34is that something you guys are are

50:36tracking across the departments as well?

50:38>> Mhm. Yeah, we we track that by category

50:40and we know what departments handle what

50:42category. So, we can absolutely break it

50:43down by department. I have a a handout

50:47that I can leave with you all that just

50:48shows the year-to-year average time to

50:50close.

50:51Um and I'm happy to leave that with you.

50:52And if there's other things you'd like

50:54reports on, I can get them.

50:55>> That would be excellent cuz that was

50:56actually going to be my next question.

50:58So, thank you. I appreciate that. Um

51:01you also uh the neighborhood academy I

51:05um

51:06very much appreciate them having been a

51:08student of a few of those myself. Um do

51:11you have any plans to um

51:13host those either

51:15uh fully remotely or in different

51:17locations around the city?

51:19>> Um we can. We've talked about doing a

51:21remote version. Um right now we record

51:23them and post them afterwards.

51:25>> Right.

51:25>> Uh yes, we're open to to changes to

51:28that. We were making sure it got off the

51:30ground properly and we had a good

51:31response to it. And I think we're there.

51:34So, um we're getting a lot of feedback

51:35from residents about what they'd like to

51:37see, and we're happy to do that. You

51:39know, it's it's it's kind of a fine line

51:40with all this work because it's

51:42everything seems to turn into a

51:43neighborhood association meeting. And we

51:45we want to kind of separate it from

51:47that. But yes, that's a that's an

51:48option.

51:49>> Okay.

51:51Just thinking as from like a technology

51:53lens, too. And if they're recorded after

51:56the fact,

51:57obviously an individual can run them

51:58through their own translator, but it's

52:00also

52:01an opportunity for the city to

52:03automatically translate it and post it

52:06at least into Spanish, as well. I

52:08realize

52:10nobody would be hand translating and be

52:12done with the use of like Google

52:14Translate or something like that. But

52:15I'd love to see that

52:17as something we're offering in in the

52:18next year, as well.

52:19>> Absolutely.

52:20>> Um

52:22for

52:23planning

52:25Mr. Glass,

52:26um

52:27the vacant storefront initiative that

52:28you noted, that sounds very interesting.

52:31Could you explain more about what where

52:33that's come so far? It sounds like that

52:35was included in

52:37accomplishments for 2026.

52:39>> Uh yeah, I mean, we're currently um

52:42assembling the data points.

52:44Uh we have met with the downtown, as

52:47well as the Lark Street bid, just to get

52:49their input as to whether it would be

52:50something that would be helpful to them.

52:52We did receive positive feedback. Um

52:55I think our main objective now is

52:57figuring out how to appropriately share

53:00the map and then

53:02um you know

53:03what degree of data we want

53:06everything to be populated with before

53:08we, you know, uh advertise that more

53:11widely.

53:12Um but I think it has a lot of uh uh

53:14potential in different capacities. You

53:17know, I think we're sort of trading

53:18trying to act as the the vehicle to

53:20create a platform that a number of

53:21parties could use for different

53:22purposes.

53:24>> Real estate agents, neighborhood

53:25associations, everybody would have

53:27access to this?

53:29>> Um I I guess we haven't fully discussed

53:31the degree to which it would be a public

53:33map, but I don't really see

53:35any

53:37you know, objection to that, but for,

53:40you know, I think how we keep the data

53:42updated and current. There's some

53:43immediate polls that come from other

53:45data sources like the assessment data.

53:47>> Okay.

53:47>> Uh there's some more detailed data that,

53:50you know, we may need partners in

53:51keeping that current. Um so, I think we

53:54need to establish those relationships

53:56uh to see what we have in terms of an

53:58end product before we make any

54:00commitments as to

54:01>> Have you considered an integration with

54:03the MLS?

54:06>> Um as far as I knew you had to be a

54:08realtor to have access to the MLS, but

54:10that would be, you know, great to have

54:11access to generally and be happy to take

54:13a look at it.

54:14>> Yeah. I think that would I mean, just

54:17because today I noticed um a building in

54:19the 6th Ward that used to house El Loco

54:20is now up for auction. Obviously, it's

54:23been vacant for quite some time, but I'm

54:25thinking

54:26um

54:26I mean, there are quite a few vacant

54:28storefronts in the 6th Ward and on the

54:30Lark Street corridor in particular. So,

54:32the idea of a registry where it sounds

54:33like any member of the public could sort

54:36of go and avail themselves of not only

54:39the quantity but more specific data

54:42about these storefronts, I think would

54:43be enormously helpful.

54:44Um so, as part of the this body or as

54:47the bit of the bid, I'm I'm happy to

54:48work with you on that going forward. I

54:50mean,

54:51if it's data we already have, it is

54:53inherently public. So.

54:56>> Again, I just don't want to put a

54:57product out there that isn't 100% but

55:00>> Sure.

55:00>> I think in the end I don't see why not.

55:03>> Appreciate that. Um

55:06the waterfront plan you mentioned last

55:08done in 1991, you said?

55:11>> Yeah. The It's a local waterfront uh

55:14revitalization plan. Uh it's done

55:16through the Department of State and most

55:17waterfront communities have them.

55:19Um

55:20and it it it makes sure that state and

55:23federal agencies uh are considering the

55:26local communities' priorities when

55:28they're making decisions

55:29uh as well as providing access to grant

55:31funding at the state level.

55:32>> Okay.

55:33Does this include the potential redesign

55:35of 787?

55:38>> Um well, I think that's as we put the

55:40finishing touches on it, certain

55:42projects have evolved. Uh we need to

55:44make sure the right language is in

55:46there, but it's certainly contemplated.

55:48Uh and I think hope for some aspect of

55:51that, um but I think plans have moved

55:53even further uh since since we drafted

55:56it, so I think we want to make sure we

55:58get the language right on that, but yes,

55:59it does.

56:00>> And what about the um

56:03I believe it's the Albany waterway

56:04project, so

56:06the

56:07reopening of the locks, is that

56:09considered at all?

56:10>> Yeah, I mean, you know, we've been

56:11engaging with all the various partners

56:14to make sure that we're including their

56:16priorities, assuming they align with the

56:18city's priorities, um so that those will

56:21all be in line to get potential funding

56:23should they want to apply for it.

56:25>> Awesome. Okay. And you noted that you're

56:27supporting the Championing Albany's

56:29Potential or CAP um

56:31initiative as well. Can you elaborate a

56:33little bit more

56:34what is is happening from from your

56:37department's perspective on that?

56:39>> Um I mean, there's there's um there's a

56:42lot of opportunity there, but there's a

56:43lot of coordination that also needs to

56:45occur. So, we're helping any way we that

56:47we can to envision different projects um

56:51to help with the submittal of

56:53applications

56:54um to act on the uh intergovernmental

56:57review team um to make sure that the

57:00city, the county, ESD are all working

57:02together.

57:03Um so, in any way we

57:05we can help, we are, but I think in all

57:07those capacities.

57:08>> Okay. And I should know this, but if you

57:10have any know Do you know how many

57:12projects have been approved so far for

57:14the CAP funding? I realize it's not city

57:17money, but

57:19>> Uh

57:20the exact number, no.

57:22>> Um

57:24two other than uh specific questions

57:27about um

57:29line items in the

57:32cost recovery.

57:33So, there is a line item

57:35um in the budget

57:37uh that

57:40um specifically includes a roughly $5.8

57:44million

57:45of uh additional revenues in 2027.

57:50Um and

57:52in

57:54uh your presentation and in a memo from

57:56the administration clarifying what's

57:58going into those uh they note that there

58:02is

58:03um

58:04500,000 of that is estimated to come

58:07from a hotel or short-term rental tax.

58:11Um it sounded like that's something your

58:13department um is spearheading the

58:15regulations around. Could you share a

58:17little bit more about that?

58:19>> Well, yeah. So, the state delegated the

58:21actual registries to the counties. Um

58:24so, the county is I think actively

58:28working on that registry and getting

58:30units registered. And I think that would

58:32probably be the immediate mechanism for

58:34taxation because the county also applies

58:37taxation to those units. Um but I think

58:39the secondary component is

58:41the licensing at the local level, making

58:43sure that the units are are safe, making

58:46sure if there's a nuisance property that

58:48that's something that um the city has

58:50the capacity to deal with,

58:52um as well as, you know, uh in terms of

58:54any limitations as to

58:57where short-term rentals can locate or

59:00in what number. I think it's that

59:01nature. So, we're working on that.

59:03>> it's certainly a complex issue and

59:06certain neighborhoods have been more

59:07impacted by them than others. I know a

59:09preponderance of them are sort of in the

59:11more densely um

59:13denser neighborhoods.

59:15Uh so, I appreciate the level of effort

59:16that will go into a a coordinated plan

59:19for that. Um

59:21were you involved at all in the estimate

59:23of a tax levy for that uh for specific

59:27short-term rentals then?

59:30>> Not to any significant degree, no.

59:34>> Okay.

59:35Um

59:36and then, um also in the short-term, um

59:39or excuse me, in the cost recovery line,

59:41um there is an estimated $1.7 million

59:45noted, um to come from the disposition

59:48of unneeded properties.

59:51Um

59:52has that been something others in the

59:54administration have coordinated with

59:56planning on at all?

59:58>> Yeah, I mean, we've helped, um

1:00:00you know, map the city assets and

1:00:02properties. Um

1:00:05so that, you know,

1:00:07decisions can be made as to what are

1:00:09what's appropriate for disposition or

1:00:11otherwise.

1:00:12>> So, would it be fair to assume your

1:00:14department has an understanding of

1:00:17uh how many unneeded properties there

1:00:19are and what their potential sale value

1:00:22would be?

1:00:24>> To some level of detail, not not to

1:00:28not to great detail, no.

1:00:30>> Not to the point where you could say

1:00:31where 1.7

1:00:33million is.

1:00:33>> department did not come up with the 1.7

1:00:35million-dollar estimate, but, you know,

1:00:37the city owns a substantial

1:00:40amount of property, so I I wouldn't be

1:00:42surprised if there are opportunities

1:00:43there for

1:00:45disposition or or lease for certain

1:00:47purposes.

1:00:48>> Oh, for sure. Do you have any idea what

1:00:50the total number of properties or or

1:00:53even the ones that are not needed is?

1:00:56>> No, I mean, it's difficult cuz

1:00:58again, you have the city, um

1:01:00you know, ACDA owns owns property, the

1:01:03water department owns property,

1:01:05um the housing authority owns property,

1:01:07so, um

1:01:08the city specifically versus other

1:01:10parties, it, you know,

1:01:12I don't know, no.

1:01:13>> Okay.

1:01:14So, it sounds like you guys haven't been

1:01:16really tapped into that conversation to

1:01:18a point where you could put a dollar

1:01:19value to what could be disposed

1:01:22and earning revenue on those in the next

1:01:24fiscal year.

1:01:27>> I mean, I I I didn't generate the the

1:01:29dollar amount. I'm I'm somewhat familiar

1:01:31with what property the city owns and

1:01:33what occupies it and what does not.

1:01:35>> Sure.

1:01:35>> If If I may, I think that that's

1:01:37something that is most appropriate to

1:01:39come directly from the administration.

1:01:41>> I just Yeah, I wanted to wait give the

1:01:44director an opportunity to also share

1:01:46what their good work is all about. Okay.

1:01:49Thank you.

1:01:51Um

1:01:53and then uh for um building's right to

1:01:56call it regulatory compliance,

1:01:58um

1:01:58thank you for for sharing the the

1:02:00numbers. I know ROP counts are a real

1:02:03concern in the city, especially

1:02:05considering the safety aspect um and the

1:02:09fire um fires, unfortunately, that we've

1:02:12had recently that have resulted in

1:02:14um pretty real tragedy in the city.

1:02:17Um

1:02:18I'm just a little I want to make sure

1:02:20I'm getting my numbers right. So, in

1:02:23July when we had the opportunity for to

1:02:25hear from the department, um there were

1:02:29almost 86

1:02:32uh 8,600 ROPs needed, it was shared.

1:02:37Um

1:02:38and about 2,000 of those had not yet

1:02:41been issued.

1:02:42Um and I know you had said that about

1:02:44960 of them you were you were confident

1:02:47you were comfortable in assuming that

1:02:49those would come into compliance, but

1:02:51there is definitely a delta there about

1:02:54of at least um

1:02:56you know, 1,300.

1:02:58Um or sorry, uh 1,100.

1:03:01Um

1:03:03the numbers in the the presentation

1:03:05tonight seem to be a little

1:03:08different um as to the total number that

1:03:11are required. Um so, I'm hoping um you

1:03:14could walk me through that because

1:03:15obviously um I want to make sure I'm

1:03:17getting the data correct.

1:03:19>> Yeah, I'm sorry.

1:03:37If you don't mind just speaking into

1:03:39your mic with it on just because

1:03:47Sorry. Yeah, the TV's in the way. Sorry.

1:04:09Thank you.

1:04:11Can you hear me now?

1:04:12Okay. So, over the 24-month period.

1:04:20Okay?

1:04:22Did I answer

1:04:23>> Right. So, I was I was hoping to

1:04:25understand

1:04:27if we with our current staffing because

1:04:29it sounds like you're going to be doing

1:04:30this with even fewer people next year,

1:04:33um where we are in getting all of the

1:04:36necessary ROPs issued.

1:04:46>> I've had one staff member assigned only

1:04:48to this.

1:04:50Um and he has been aggressive with um

1:04:55keeping up-to-date with ones that are

1:04:57also expiring now cuz we don't want to

1:05:01reach a situation where we were in

1:05:04before. Um

1:05:06and making sure that they move along.

1:05:09So, we have been very aggressive this

1:05:11whole year. so I can get you the updated

1:05:14numbers.

1:05:15>> That would be excellent. Thank you. Um

1:05:17and then you also

1:05:18>> I'll email you like in the middle of the

1:05:20night the way you email.

1:05:21>> I'm sorry.

1:05:22>> I said I'll email you in the middle of

1:05:24the night the way you email.

1:05:26>> My my day

1:05:27>> I wake up. I'm like, "Deidra."

1:05:30>> Yeah, and then I I usually get to my

1:05:31emails pretty late.

1:05:32>> Yeah.

1:05:33>> Um well, I appreciate your

1:05:34responsiveness with that. I think that'd

1:05:36be helpful information going into 2027.

1:05:39Um another thing that you shared, which

1:05:41I I'm looking forward to, is

1:05:43enhancements through a citizen portal or

1:05:45the citizen portal,

1:05:47um but I don't see any enhancements to

1:05:50your um like equipment or or there

1:05:53actually there seems like to be a

1:05:54reduction in contractual expenses. Um

1:05:57so, I'm wondering how those enhancements

1:05:59are going to be paid for and what they

1:06:01what you plan for them to be.

1:06:03>> Well, the enhancements uh that we're

1:06:05talking about are already part of our

1:06:08software contract.

1:06:10Um we haven't been able to utilize a

1:06:14portion of it because it requires taking

1:06:17the payments online, and that is also

1:06:21part of our software that we have been

1:06:23working with them to build out. So, once

1:06:26we get the payment

1:06:30transferred

1:06:32to um going through Tyler, then we'll

1:06:35build out more of the portal, but it's

1:06:38already part of our software.

1:06:42>> Okay, so the payment portal is not going

1:06:45to be an additional charge to the city?

1:06:47>> Nope.

1:06:48Mhm. Well, it was. It was $150

1:06:52for the credit card machine.

1:06:54>> Okay. So, we're we're already paying for

1:06:57that?

1:06:57>> Yep.

1:06:58>> How and then

1:07:00can we turn it on?

1:07:01>> We are in the midst of doing that right

1:07:03now. We have a November 1st target date.

1:07:07>> Fantastic. Okay.

1:07:09>> Now, that's nothing that you will see

1:07:11November 1st because taking the payments

1:07:16is what we do in the back end right now.

1:07:18What you will see is if you email us

1:07:21something, we will then send you an

1:07:25invoice that you can go online and pay.

1:07:27That'll be the first part of it. And

1:07:29then eventually that'll be

1:07:32you're registering your property online

1:07:35and the payment is part of it.

1:07:38>> Is it

1:07:39the responsibility of the property owner

1:07:41to register the property or will that be

1:07:43available as part of the

1:07:45new technology?

1:07:46>> No, it's it's always the

1:07:49you know, you as the owner have to make

1:07:52you have to go online and register. We

1:07:55can provide you the tools, but you have

1:07:59to be the one to go online, register,

1:08:01certify how many units you have, how

1:08:05many when you want your inspection,

1:08:08um and then pay the fee.

1:08:11>> I get the paying the fee is in the

1:08:13future, that'll be digital. But all of

1:08:15the things that you just noted prior to

1:08:17that, that's not information the city

1:08:19already has.

1:08:19>> not information that we have. I don't

1:08:21have, you know, a good contact number

1:08:24for an owner. I'm getting my information

1:08:27out of Arpis, which doesn't even include

1:08:30a phone number. So, there's information

1:08:33that you as the owner have to supply

1:08:36and you have to

1:08:38either go online and fill out the form

1:08:40and email it to us or soon you'll be

1:08:43able to go online, fill it out.

1:08:46Um but it's not something that we can do

1:08:50for property owners.

1:08:52>> Okay.

1:08:54I feel like this maybe is more of a

1:08:56process improvement conversation than a

1:08:58budget conversation and one I know it

1:09:00will be happy to

1:09:02take off line with you.

1:09:03>> Well, we know we know where the

1:09:04properties are that have to be

1:09:06registered, but you as the owner have to

1:09:09register it.

1:09:10>> Sure.

1:09:11>> So,

1:09:12but that's why I said we we're we're now

1:09:15creating a case 24 months after we issue

1:09:18an ROP

1:09:20so that we have that framework in place

1:09:23for you to go on, update your

1:09:25information.

1:09:27Um

1:09:28you know,

1:09:29and pay the fee.

1:09:31>> Okay.

1:09:32Thank you.

1:09:34Awesome.

1:09:35>> Um

1:09:36I

1:09:38just have a very quick question for Brad

1:09:41with planning.

1:09:42The Tivoli funds, um

1:09:45that's a that's from the

1:09:48EPF.

1:09:50>> Yes.

1:09:51>> Okay, good.

1:09:52Uh that was there was some concern that

1:09:55they were not being appropriately

1:09:58gotten getting from point A to point B,

1:10:00so it's been something in

1:10:02that I've been trying to ensure is in

1:10:04place for a chunk, and I'm thrilled to

1:10:07see it there. So, that was it. Thank

1:10:09you.

1:10:11Council member Keegan, did you

1:10:12>> I I just wanted to note that that was um

1:10:18one of the grant questions that I had.

1:10:21From the documentation that was

1:10:22submitted, it looks like

1:10:25there was 250,000

1:10:27awarded for Tivoli, um

1:10:30that ex- the grant expired in August of

1:10:332025, and it doesn't appear that the

1:10:35grant paperwork that was submitted to

1:10:37the council was ever signed. So, do we

1:10:40know do we know

1:10:42what that was and what that was for, and

1:10:44if if

1:10:46we're authorized to continue spending on

1:10:49those funds?

1:10:52>> So, we've been getting those for I think

1:10:55upwards of 10 years now.

1:10:57Prior to this year, um they were doing

1:11:005-year contracts. So, I think you're

1:11:01probably what you're talking to is the

1:11:02second 5-year contract, which was

1:11:05through 2024-2025.

1:11:07So, what we're working on now is the

1:11:082025-2026 contract, which was just sent

1:11:11to us

1:11:12maybe a month ago.

1:11:14Um

1:11:15>> [clears throat]

1:11:16>> so, we're working to execute that

1:11:17contract now.

1:11:18>> Okay, thank you.

1:11:22Any other council members have

1:11:25questions?

1:11:26Council member Hoey.

1:11:28>> Thank you, chair. Um I just got a fast

1:11:30question or a follow-up with Sarah on uh

1:11:33SeeClickFix, and it's really been

1:11:37I've seen the improvement so far. The

1:11:39one question I have is I do get notified

1:11:43when something occurs in my ward, but I

1:11:45can never figure out well, what was

1:11:48resolved. And I'm looking at a ticket

1:11:50that came out today, 2309793797931,

1:11:56where a person reported the don't walk

1:11:59sign was twisted. It looked like a truck

1:12:01or something hit it, but Pat from

1:12:04traffic engineering answered, and it's

1:12:06pretty much a a form letter saying,

1:12:09"Well, sometimes we have to redo one-way

1:12:11signs and replace them. This this is put

1:12:15on a list and will be replaced as soon

1:12:17as practical." So, to me it looks like a

1:12:19form type of letter, but is there any

1:12:21way that we could

1:12:23figure out like when something does

1:12:25happen,

1:12:27is there a place I can go to find out

1:12:29the end result? Was it really taken care

1:12:31of? Because in the past, things just got

1:12:34kind of lost, as you know.

1:12:35>> Sure.

1:12:36>> Thank you.

1:12:37>> Um just to touch on the form, there are

1:12:39prepared responses in there for both

1:12:40acknowledging and closed. Um it's pretty

1:12:44it's for the user more because there are

1:12:46so many consistent questions in there

1:12:47that it's just tends to be the answer to

1:12:49a lot of things. Not always the answer.

1:12:52Um unfortunately, there's no place that

1:12:53we can go and check specifically except

1:12:55for going to the actual site, which

1:12:58my team does quite often just to confirm

1:13:00that things are being done. That's part

1:13:02of that triage that I was talking about

1:13:03earlier.

1:13:05So, short answer is no, there's no place

1:13:07you can go online to check that, but

1:13:08you're always welcome to call us.

1:13:10And if you see that it's not done,

1:13:12please do let us know because we want to

1:13:14follow up.

1:13:14>> that's what I really need to know cuz a

1:13:16lot of times people do contact us and

1:13:19say, "Well, what's going on with this? I

1:13:20reported it three course it's three or

1:13:22four times." And they might have done it

1:13:24once or twice, but but still we want to

1:13:26try to improve the process. But thank

1:13:28you. I know now to give you guys a call.

1:13:30Thank you.

1:13:35>> Let me just see any other council

1:13:36members

1:13:38there. Council member Balderas.

1:13:41>> Thank you, chair.

1:13:43So, [clears throat] I'm not sure if this

1:13:43question is for budget or for

1:13:46Commissioner Andrews.

1:13:47Um

1:13:48what union contracts do we see

1:13:51expiring in the next

1:13:54next

1:13:55either at the end of 2027 or the end of

1:13:572028?

1:14:03>> I am not Commissioner Andrews, but as

1:14:07our department is the only unionized

1:14:10department in Community and Neighborhood

1:14:13Services.

1:14:14Um

1:14:16our inspectors contract currently

1:14:18expires the end of next year,

1:14:2112/31/2027.

1:14:24>> Okay. I and and I had a feeling that was

1:14:26the only contract and I'm glad to see

1:14:28that they still have a contract going

1:14:31this year.

1:14:32And I'm glad to see that that's one of

1:14:34your priorities to keep and retain your

1:14:37staff. And hopefully we'll be able to

1:14:40get them contract settled this year

1:14:43under these difficult circumstances.

1:14:46Is there anything you wanted add,

1:14:47Commissioner?

1:14:49>> No, I just wasn't sure if Valerie wanted

1:14:50to answer or she wanted me to answer it.

1:14:52So, no, we're all set. Thanks.

1:14:54>> Thank you.

1:15:01>> I will I will note I believe they're due

1:15:03another 4%, correct, next year?

1:15:11>> Salaries for the inspectors in the

1:15:14budget reflected their contract

1:15:19um, for 2027.

1:15:22So,

1:15:22>> Correct, but they got another cost of

1:15:24living adjustment and

1:15:26>> They got over the three years they got

1:15:29an adjustment each year. Yes.

1:15:32>> And I believe it was 4%.

1:15:42>> Council member Keegan.

1:15:44>> Thank you. Um,

1:15:47for Brad, have we noticed any change in

1:15:50the trends for new housing development

1:15:53since we changed

1:15:56the affordable housing set-aside rules

1:15:59and regulations?

1:16:03>> I don't know that I've really seen

1:16:05enough to make any sort of conclusive

1:16:07analysis. I mean, I would say that the

1:16:08cost of construction across the board is

1:16:11very high right now.

1:16:12Um, so I think we're seeing mostly

1:16:16conversions or um,

1:16:19additions. Uh, you know, I think as

1:16:22we see I mean, there have been some

1:16:24projects. The um, 52 State Street

1:16:26project, which is 120 unit conversion,

1:16:29um,

1:16:30downtown that received the CAP funding

1:16:32as well.

1:16:33Um,

1:16:33that would be one that I would I would

1:16:35point to.

1:16:36Um,

1:16:37I haven't done any level of anything

1:16:39that would

1:16:40speak to any conclusive analysis,

1:16:41though, so I hesitate to

1:16:46have too strong an opinion on that.

1:16:49>> Um and my next question is for Mike and

1:16:52ACDA.

1:16:54I know that there's been discussions

1:16:56about the potential for the federal

1:16:58government to shut down in December of

1:17:00this year. Is that going to impact ACDA

1:17:03or is your funding separate and secure

1:17:06from those actions?

1:17:08>> Our funding's already allocated, so it's

1:17:10already in our line of credit. So, it

1:17:13will not affect ACDA.

1:17:16>> And then your current funding cycle

1:17:20when does that expire?

1:17:22>> May 31st of 2027.

1:17:25>> Okay, so you're you're funded through

1:17:27May.

1:17:27>> Yes.

1:17:28>> And then we're we're going to be biting

1:17:29our nails again to get through May as we

1:17:32did this year.

1:17:33>> Yes.

1:17:34>> Okay. I just wanted to make sure I

1:17:35understood.

1:17:37And then

1:17:38my last follow-up question is for uh

1:17:42Valerie and Codes.

1:17:44Um

1:17:45we're proposing an $800,000 reduction in

1:17:49the number of demolitions. Is that

1:17:52consistent with the data that we're

1:17:54seeing currently

1:17:55or

1:17:58So, we only spend about a million on

1:18:00demolitions as opposed to the 1.

1:18:08>> the button valve. Okay.

1:18:10But, I do have to um you know, allow for

1:18:14the fact that there may be

1:18:17an increase, but I am comfortable with

1:18:20the million dollars.

1:18:22>> Okay, thank you.

1:18:23>> [clears throat]

1:18:25>> Those are all my follow-up questions.

1:18:28>> Any other questions?

1:18:32Um

1:18:34well, this was

1:18:36a delightfully short meeting compared to

1:18:38others. Could I get a motion to adjourn?

1:18:42Motion to adjourn by Councilman Bullock

1:18:44Lumpkin seconded by Councilman Brekke

1:18:46again all in favor.

1:18:48I that is unanimous

1:18:50except for Councilman Balor and who's

1:18:52going to remain here if anybody would

1:18:54like to continue chatting.

1:18:57Thank you so much. We appreciate it.

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