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2013-07-22 - Mtg 29 - SP SPECIAL TOWN BOARD MEETING 07-22-2013 MTG #29 234 SPECIALTOWN BOARD MEETING MTG. #29 JULY 22, 2013 RES. 317-318 TOWN BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT SUPERVISOR RONALD MONTESI COUNCILMAN ANTHONY METIVIER COUNCILMAN BRIAN CLEMENTS COUNCILMAN JOHN STROUGH COUNCILMAN TIM BREWER-Absent Highway Superintendent Mike Travis Deputy Highway Superintendent Tom VanNess Michael Consuelo-Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Gary Thornquist-Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce Treasurer The Post Star Supervisor Ronald Montesi opened the meeting RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING HIRING OF RODNEY HALL AND CHRISTOPHER SWINTON AS MOTOR EQUIPMENT OPERATORS (MEO'S) IN TOWN HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT RESOLUTION NO. 317,2013 INTRODUCED BY: Mr.Anthony Metivier WHO MOVED FOR ITS ADOPTION SECONDED BY: Mr. Brian Clements WHEREAS, two (2) Motor Equipment Operators (MEO's) in the Town Highway Department recently retired and therefore the Town Highway Superintendent wishes to fill the two (2)vacant MEO positions, and WHEREAS, the Highway Superintendent posted availability for the positions, reviewed resumes, interviewed interested candidates and wishes to make appointments, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Queensbury Town Board hereby authorizes the hiring of Rodney Hall SPECIAL TOWN BOARD MEETING 07-22-2013 MTG #29 235 and Christopher Swinton to the full-time Union position of Motor Equipment Operator (MEO) in the Town's Highway Department effective on or about July 29th, 2013, and BE IT FURTHER, RESOLVED, that such appointments shall be contingent upon Messrs. Hall and Swinton successfully completing pre-employment physicals as required by Town Policy, drug and/or alcohol screening, any applicable Civil Service requirements and eight (8) month probation periods, and the Town successfully completing background checks as reasonably necessary to judge fitness for the duties for which hired, and BE IT FURTHER, RESOLVED, that Messrs. Hall and Swinton shall be paid the hourly rate for the MEO position as delineated in the Town's current Agreement with the Civil Service Employees Association, and BE IT FURTHER, RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby authorizes and directs the Town Supervisor, Highway Superintendent and/or Town Budget Officer to complete any documentation and take such other and further action necessary to effectuate the terms of this Resolution. Duly adopted this 22nd day of July, 2013, by the following vote: AYES Mr. Strough, Mr, Metivier, Mr. Clements, Mr. Montesi NOES None ABSENT: Mr. Brewer Discussion held before vote: Highway Superintendent Mike Travis — We have had two retirements and we have interviewed and wish to hire Mr. Rodney Hall and Mr. Christopher Swinton to replace those individuals as MEO's. With the hiring of those individuals that would bring us up to twenty six employees. I will be placing into the budget for two more employees replacing the use of temporary employees in the Highway Department. Noted that the Highway Department in the past had thirty people, we would still be down two employees. Reviewed for the Board how the department operates in the summer and winter, discussing paving, road clean up, drainage issues and winter plowing. Vote taken SPECIAL TOWN BOARD MEETING 07-22-2013 MTG #29 236 DISCUSSION: Supervisor Montesi spoke to the Board regarding the house on Glen Street with cats, Dr. Garner did go into the house and reported to the Board that he considered the residence to be a health hazard, unfit for human habitation and be condemned as a public health nuisance. The Town will follow procedure in regard to this residence. DISCUSSION: EXIT 17 REST AREA Supervisor Montesi- Michael Consuelo took over the information center between Exit 17 and 18 Michael Consuelo-Noted that Warren County Tourism advertises Warren County in a very good way they do internet marketing, television and radio. I do not think there is anyone better than the Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce when it comes to promotion of our area in a face to face environment. We go to various trade shows, both consumer and trade alike. We have promoted the Town of Queensbury over the last few years ..we have printed a brochure highlighting Queensbury and taken that to our trade shows. We are also promoting through the operations of visitors center one in the Village of Lake George and we are now at Exit 17 Rest Area. We are operating this as as a kind of Adirondack welcome center. Our plans are to enhance this area we now have video, and looking toward digital kiosk with the ability to find out what the needs are...We are looking for some financial assistance we are going to all the towns and the county we are asking them proportionately to help us out. Supervisor Montesi-Our contribution this year was $17,500. Councilman Strough-Money spent on printing materials, conventions, and conferences and the Queensbury Round Table where businesses speak their mind, what do they need...the Town has been working very closely with the Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce, Lake George, Queensbury we want to make that marketing link. The Chamber has been very good about promoting Queensbury. E-mail blast in Montreal ... note Queensbury sales tax revenue is up Queensbury businesses are being promoted well by the Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce, they are really the only promoter. Questioned if New York is going to place a sign Visitor's Center? Mr. Consuelo-We are working with the State and Six Flags allowing us to make it more visible. SPECIAL TOWN BOARD MEETING 07-22-2013 MTG #29 237 Mr. Gary Thornquist-Noted a slow season, which will denote lower sales tax revenue...suggested the use of occupancy tax to promote the area to help us promote our business. Mr. Consuelo-We are asking for twenty thousand this year and fifteen next year. Noted Warren County has contributed twenty five thousand, and I met with Supervisor Dickinson and Councilman Crocitto of Lake George and I am putting in my request for occupancy tax for this coming year of twenty and next year fifteen thousand dollars. My plan is to go to all of the towns. The full request is sixty thousand... Councilman Strough-Can we get them to change the name? It denotes Glens Falls and South Glens Falls rest stop in the Town of Queensbury, but Queensbury is not mentioned. Mr. Consuelo-Yes. We can name it something else. The fairest way to fund this is through occupancy tax. Councilman Clements-The property and building and owned by New York State? Mr. Consuelo-Correct. Councilman Clements-So you are leasing it. Mr. Consuelo-We are leasing it for a dollar a year indefinite. Councilman Clements-You are responsible for upkeep? Mr. Consuelo-We are responsible for any changes within the structure and we have been given permission to do exterior work with signage. (Councilman Metivier left the meeting) Supervisor Montesi-We can give them an additional twenty thousand this year and next year the seventeen five and an additional fifteen thousand ... Mr. Consuelo-Requested that the Town approve for this year and next year to accommodate planning... Board agreed to the requested amount. SPECIAL TOWN BOARD MEETING 07-22-2013 MTG #29 238 Councilman Clements-A bravo to Teri Ross for finding a grant and money from New York State to pay for an appraisal courses and Queensbury will not have to pay for any of them. RESOLUTION ADJOURNING TOWN BOARD MEETING RESOLUTION NO. 318.2013 INTRODUCED BY: Mr. John Strough WHO MOVED FOR ITS ADOPTION SECONDED BY: Mr. Ronald Montesi RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Queensbury hereby adjourns its Town Board Meeting. Duly adopted this 22nd day of July, 2013 by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Clements, Mr. Strough, Mr. Montesi NOES: None ABSENT: Mr. Brewer, Mr. Metivier Respectfully submitted, Miss Darleen M. Dougher Town Clerk-Queensbury