Minutes 10-22-2007.pdf - Watertown, NY

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Councilman Clough remarked that his main concerns are for the City taxpayers. Heremarked that the City needs to contact business owners outside the present routes as wellas contacting the Town of Watertown.Councilman LaBouf asked if we could do outreach to JRC and NRCL.Ms. Webster indicated that she is sure that Citibus is in tune with JRC.Mayor Graham remarked that we always talk about getting a grant to help with thesetypes of things. However, what should be asked is if it is in the public interest.Councilman LaBouf responded that there is nothing wrong at looking into options andsee if there are benefits out there to help with the costs.Ms. Webster also reviewed the paratransit operations. She also advised that she would bewilling to help with a survey of the business owners to see how much their employeeswould use the bus service. She also advised that she would speak with the state abouthelping with the survey costs.Mayor Graham asked that this be done in a timely manner.Mrs. Corriveau suggested that the Center for Community Studies at JCC could also help.Ms. Webster also advised that the current municipal system will have to change to anoperating authority. This would allow for operations beyond the City boundaries andwould be subject to DOT operating authority. The fleet would have to meet therequirements of the NYS DOT inspection program, being inspected every 6 months. Ms.Webster remarked that this would be a good thing.Shared Municipal Incentive Program Grant ApplicationMayor Graham commented that the fiber optic proposal is something that we were goingto do anyway. He stated that we need to look at things that will change something, notjust projects that might fit. He asked if we were actually changing something ingovernment or if this was just a money grab.Councilman Smith commented that these projects need to be for substantive things andshould cover types of issues such as boundaries and/or fire protection.Councilman LaBouf remarked that we should come up with some common goals andshould have a joint meeting with the Town of Watertown and other interested folks.Mayor Graham suggested that perhaps a discussion could be held with the Town ofWatertown at the November work session.4
Mrs. Corriveau remarked that if we are talking about the transit routes, we limit ourselvesby just talking with the Town of Watertown. The talks should include a service area thatreaches out to Fort Drum. Those discussions could include people form Jefferson County,Fort Drum, St. Lawrence County and Lewis County.Councilman Clough asked about the fifth option of developing a county widetransportation system and putting together an application for a feasibility study.Mayor Graham remarked that while we are an urban setting, the truth is that the area issparsely population.Councilman LaBouf asked if we could put together a summit of players and come upwith some common goals and develop an application for the next time.Councilman Clough left the meeting at 9:50 p.m.Public Nuisance LegislationCouncil had received Attorney Slye’s letter in their agenda packet. Attorney Slyeremarked that the present procedures should not change.Employee Classification and Compensation StudyMrs. Morris addressed the chair and presented Council with copies of the NYS CivilService Classification Questionnaire. She discussed the problems that they have had withrecruitment and retention of employees. She referred to the CEI and CEII positions in theEngineering Department as well as the I.T. Services Technician position. She advisedCouncil that she advertises not only in the Watertown Daily Times, but also in theSyracuse Post Standard as well as newspapers in Albany and Buffalo and on the City’swebsite.Mrs. Morris explained that Fox Lawson would be able to take care of the study and theirunbiased report would definitely benefit the employees. She also mentioned that thesalaries need to be reviewed.Councilman LaBouf asked that a resolution concerning this study be prepared for thenext regular Council meeting.Flower Memorial Library Fine ArtCouncilman Bradley remarked that the Council said no to selling the art a long time ago.Mayor Graham commented that someone obviously asked for this.Councilman Bradley responded that he didn’t think anyone on the board asked for it.5
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Minutes 10-22-2007.pdf - Watertown, NY

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