August Office Hours
I will be hosting one office hour session this month:
Wednesday, August 21 between 3-5pm at Street Taco VII (151 4th St.)
Please stop by to discuss any topic that is of concern to you and our city, or just stop in and introduce yourself. I look forward to seeing you there. You can always reach me via email at aaron.vera@troyny.gov.
Foreclosure List Released by City
The City has released a property foreclosure list, making properties acquired by the City through the foreclosure process available to interested buyers looking to invest in Troy. Proposals are being accepted by the Assessor’s Office on the current list of available properties.
To make browsing a bit easier, I have prepared a map of the properties.
The deadline for proposals is September 4, 2024. I recommend anyone interested in participating for the first time visit the City Assessor’s office to obtain the correct paperwork and familiarize themselves with the process.
Vision Zero Public Meetings
Safe streets are incredibly important to the health and vitality of a community. At a time when local municipalities face increasing pressure on existing infrastructure networks, it is important to plan proactively to address our needs now and in the future.
The Capital Region Transportation Council is developing a Vision Zero Safety Action Plan focused on reducing fatal and serious injury crashes to an eventual goal of zero on all public roadways in the Capital Region. These public meetings provide an opportunity to learn more about the development of the Vision Zero Safety Action Plan, identify existing transportation safety issues, recommend changes to improve transportation safety, and meet with the project team.
While there will not be a meeting in Troy, meetings will be held in Watervliet, Albany, and Saratoga well as a virtual meeting available on Zoom. For more information on dates and times, please click here.
Library Board Seats Open
As mentioned in the July newsletter, the Troy Library currently has three openings for its Board of Trustees. Candidates must be registered voters within the City of Troy, and need 25 signatures from registered Troy voters by August 23 to be placed on the ballot.
The board terms are three years, and will begin after the election on Tuesday, September 24. Interested parties should contact interim director Christiann Gibeau for more information.
Circus in the Park
The Contemporary Circus and Immersive Arts Center (CCiAC) is hosting their 2024 Circus in the Park series in Prospect Park with shows beginning August 10th.
This series presents a great opportunity for residents of Troy and their families to enjoy some unique entertainment in a beautiful setting.
Events include:
Bindlestiff Family Circus - Sat., Aug. 10 (1pm & 7pm) and Sun., Aug. 11 (2pm)
SANTÉ! by Cirque Kikasse (Fundraiser) - Thursday, August 15 (6:30pm)
Good Karma Studio - Friday, August 16th (7:30pm)
FREE Family Circus Day - Saturday, August 17th (1pm)
Downtown Outdoor Music
As many of you are no doubt aware, the preponderance of outdoor music downtown and the administration’s abrupt policy change which stopped all outdoor music after 9 pm has caused some tension between residents wishing to enjoy their home and the arts and small business community who rely on revenues generated by these activities to sustain themselves.
On July 22, I attended a meeting of the Downtown Troy Neighborhood Group to listen to the concerns of interested parties, where it became clear that a more predictable and equitable process is needed to ensure our city remains a growing hub for a vibrant arts scene while maintaining quality of life for our residents. No one representing the administration attended the meeting, despite several invitations from the organizers.
I encourage the Council and the administration to work with downtown residents and business owners to revise special event permitting for next year and resolve the shortcomings of the current process.
City Council Meeting Recaps
July 11th - Special Finance Committee, Regular Meeting
Local Law 3 was introduced, which would disband the Planning Commission upon the creation of a Planning Board.
Ordinance 37 authorizing a new lease agreement on the current City Hall. This agreement extends the lease for up to five years and includes an increase in the base rent as well as an escalation clause. The agreement also settles the holdover rent previously owed. The ordinance passed both Finance and Council.
Ordinance 38 authorizing a settlement to the Alalkawi family for the officer-involved death of Sabeeh Alalkawi. On February 22, 2023 Mr. Alalkawi’s vehicle was struck at 15th and Hoosick by a TPD officer. The $5.8M settlement was approved.
Ordinance 39 creating a new “Chapter 72 - Planning Board” in the Troy City Code passed the Finance Committee (4-3) and at the time was thought to have passed at the regular meeting (4-3). However, it was later brought up that ordinances may not be passed on the same day they are introduced without a super majority 2/3rds vote.
July 25th - Public Hearings, Finance Committee, Special Meeting
A public hearing was held on Local Law 3 which would disband the Planning Commission. Many members of the public attended - along with each of the current Planning Commissioners - to voice their opposition to the proposal. Ultimately the law passed along party lines (4-3) with all Democratic Council members voting against. Local Law 3 will not be effective until the new Planning Board has been created.
Former Deputy Mayor Monica Kurzejeski and National Grid Executive Brian Sano were the newest members appointed to the Troy Land Bank.
August 1st - Special Finance Committee, Special Meeting
The Finance Committee considered Ordinance 41 creating a Planning Board. This was a revised version of Ordinance 39 which failed at the July 11th meeting. Several revisions were made to this version which included two alternate members, training requirements, and clarification that the new Planning Board would continue review of any current applications. The measure passed 4-2.
The Committee unanimously (6-0) passed an ordinance approving a real estate contract for the sale of the Leonard Hospital site. This site has been in the City’s possession since 2012. In 2017 there was a proposal for the creation of an affordable housing development on the site. The Council at that time voted down the measure. Since then, the City has spent ±$4M to abate asbestos, demolish the building, and to settle several injury related law suits. The final sale price was $275,000.
The Committee passed (5-1) a resolution regarding Planning Board training requirements. The requirements mirror those set by the State of New York.
AUGUST MEETINGS
Wednesday, August 7 (6pm) - Zoning Board of Appeals*
Thursday, August 8 (6pm) - City Council Regular Meeting*
Thursday, August 15 (8:30am) - BID Board @ 90 4th St.
Friday, August 16 (9am) - Troy Local Development Corporation (LDC)*
Friday, August 16 (10am) - Industrial Development Authority (IDA) and Capital Resource Corporation (CRC)*
Friday, August 21 (8:30am) - Troy Community Land Bank*
Wednesday, August 21 (6pm) - Planning Commission (CANCELLED)*
Thursday, August 22 (6pm) - City Council Finance Committee Meeting*
Note: Agendas and minutes for City of Troy meetings are posted 24-hours in advance and can be viewed or downloaded in the Agenda Center.
*Denotes meetings takes place at Troy City Hall, 433 River St, 5th Floor (Land bank, LDC, IDA, and CRC in Planning conference room, all others in Council Chamber)
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