[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6069250,"mediaKeyId","3072556-a58c5a2a579cd078a48b04b490d01378","parentId",3072556,"title","Votes at a glance: Glens Falls Common Council action items from March 25","audioSeconds",393,"startMs",1724000,"endMs",2117000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3072556-a58c5a2a579cd078a48b04b490d01378&start=1724&end=2117","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3072556-a58c5a2a579cd078a48b04b490d01378/thumbnail_1724000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6069250/Glens-Falls-City/Warren-County/New-York/Votes-at-a-glance-Glens-Falls-Common-Council-action-items-from-March-25","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6069250-20991847d9235bfc853df6b0725c8f79/orig.mp4?Expires=1775122765&Signature=LVfRAzRgyhUbVHdS~BO3LR40f55X-E4esQQ782uhIuHbnww2TlE6TJ3hAcBUKkLsiulv8dcGgcrX2kTpgsAD-3urdIT9FNKgzPgT4sb3S2qMwsoOW8GDPCb3unqs9uqh0zwef--2PI00N3E~2tYe3bXAdilUtyEAhqbnYeJADqhrNLY0vBBJLhbdA0k5uC0dnghAi3Q5QTH4QdiS2QAVyVsMTz1M1JZfbqx68w0zFtIcJod4DucYCug~oIQUPPK5PY-X3VY-8kiMnf~0fDRf1xTGr6C16w9uil7SrLv0dUABMBQ89bI1xLR4GJvmWhnnRD7~tB6PrzOXSlBQiOr3Pg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Glens Falls NY","date","2025-03-25T00:00:00Z","article","At its March 25 meeting the Glens Falls Common Council approved a series of routine and administrative items. Key outcomes recorded in the meeting record include:

- Minutes and controller’s manual check distribution report — Approved by voice vote.
- Mobile food unit license for Clever Cleaver (license no. 02-25) — Approved by roll call.
- Transfer of funds from insurance claim 2024-10391L for hydrant repair ($5,500) — Included in packet and moved for approval.
- Waiver of open-container ordinance for Wing Fest, April 26 — Included in packet and moved for approval.
- Transfer of assets related to the Glens Falls urban agricultural plot to Glens Falls IVA — Included in packet and moved for approval.

Several items were pulled from the consent packet for discussion and separate vote. The council used roll call votes for packet items; specific individual roll-call tallies were not all read into the transcript for every item, but the meeting record shows the motions were moved, seconded and processed in sequence.

The council will address pulled items (items 11 and 12 were noted as pulled earlier in the meeting) in a subsequent meeting or separate roll-call action, per the meeting record.

This roundup reflects items the council treated as routine or procedural during the March 25 session; substantive debates on regulatory or budgetary matters were handled in separate agenda items.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Glens Falls - Common Council, March 25, 2025 - 7:30pm","oneSentenceSummary","The council approved routine minutes and financial reports, at least one mobile food license and several administrative transfers; several items were pulled for separate consideration.","taxTitle","Glens Falls City, Warren County, New York","taxId",5050,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6069255,"Glens Falls council approves Paychex payroll contract to reduce single-clerk risk",290,2099000,2389000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3072556-a58c5a2a579cd078a48b04b490d01378&start=2099&end=2389","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3072556-a58c5a2a579cd078a48b04b490d01378/thumbnail_2099000.jpg","/articles/6069255/Glens-Falls-City/Warren-County/New-York/Glens-Falls-council-approves-Paychex-payroll-contract-to-reduce-single-clerk-risk","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6069255-614c7e66060e3b560468839fe90c359e/orig.mp4?Expires=1775122765&Signature=EhwClXDHo~kTZ-ZsZR8SlaSu6QSrXmnuTYeFUKjlsd8EnQLLlvOYu4pYxF4M2ZvgAxg504YBeB7fdUMpq6P3U-4RzX1lScWvzMY7yikRFa2MOx7APgtVdMnu3sn8LTUL0O3xfr~8AyjDnSmb9aaC6r0PZpFfAgyZCkzlkI-m~uvl77fi6c1QkuIE7seWbzz2RyhhQdUx8juy0grJc5RcNr4xSlxcPNWKuLkJlH~0D8F7nl1cKYI-XCBA38YtNv13cKU6xbndgChgMlkNZUUv-G9XIhytg~Oy0FS5V0qjvn40dLsIcWBUeDQLlllUWIdl4ucIuPvmuwu33HMSpburEw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Glens Falls Common Council voted March 25 to enter an agreement with Paychex Inc. for contracted accounting and payroll services, increasing the city’s central data-processing expense by the agreed contract amount. The first-year cost is $26,355.48; the contract drops to $25,055.48 in each of the next two years, the controller told the council.

Why it matters: The controller and council members said the city currently has about 106 employees and one payroll clerk, a staffing pattern that leaves payroll vulnerable to human error, illness and staffing gaps. Outsourcing to Paychex is intended to strengthen institutional controls, provide third-party audit support and integrate with the city’s timekeeping system.

Controller Mark (first name used in the meeting) introduced Wendy Barrett as the new deputy controller and said the payroll arrangement has been under review because of internal-control weaknesses. \"That poor clerk cannot take a vacation,\" the controller said, describing the risk. He said Paychex offers reconciliation and audit support that will allow auditors to review third-party-generated payroll records instead of relying solely on internal documents.

Council members asked about strengths and weaknesses; the controller said the vendor will integrate with the city’s new timekeeping system and provide improved audit documentation. The council moved and seconded the measure and approved the contract by roll call vote.

The council did not provide a detailed line-item breakdown of current payroll-related costs during the public discussion; the controller said the city currently pays about $10,000 for its current supplier database and expected savings or re-negotiations with the current vendor if Paychex is adopted.

The implementation steps discussed included coordinating the Paychex integration with the city’s timing system and ensuring HR and payroll processes are aligned during the transition; the controller said the vendor expects a smooth integration.","The council approved a multi-year agreement with Paychex Inc. for outsourced payroll services aimed at strengthening internal controls for the city's 106 employees; first-year cost is $26,355.48, with lower annual costs thereafter.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6069259,"Council approves $10,000 occupancy-tax aid for pavilion move, splits payment tied to approvals",2001,512000,2513000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3072556-a58c5a2a579cd078a48b04b490d01378&start=512&end=2513","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3072556-a58c5a2a579cd078a48b04b490d01378/thumbnail_512000.jpg","/articles/6069259/Glens-Falls-City/Warren-County/New-York/Council-approves-10000-occupancy-tax-aid-for-pavilion-move-splits-payment-tied-to-approvals","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6069259-a89293bb874848b8dbe8b8244bd3e0fd/orig.mp4?Expires=1775122765&Signature=pA5k5gV4WjzL2ge2eulRQIc~v63bv~MPr8cxDwNDs-RpEs~qiw~dRpw~vJPasgGa6pW0pJ-g-eTAorpjMkoYSC61pJZNSLO6CsXe4ecZnsz2XU5WplyD0WVWHHE3ER9cTUOES1sc9clgMSyVFqFP9hQOh8WSSRm9wNS1dXzsJrvyKS52JjNFkc3aL1iymGyOh0O~Vnt1eyuhi59YFfPQeEKcym8Erjlt8nOasdFv-sq7~hwdbfQTh1Ed8dzk-fY6ZBX-Kl2LdI0LpnGsy-NuHJLeyOt7olCF09b4OvAPvOohA0m9-vk22RSOUO0pr6-XVmDxhhCzGkQRimDpVKqTFA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Glens Falls Common Council voted on March 25 to provide $10,000 in unrestricted occupancy-tax funds to T‑Shirt Factory LLC to help remove and relocate the South Street Farmers Market pavilion to the company's property on Lawrence Street, with an amendment splitting the payment into $5,000 on removal and $5,000 after planning and zoning approval and reconstruction starts.

Why it matters: Council members debated whether occupancy-tax money, which is intended to promote tourism, should be disbursed before the structure is rebuilt and used as a tourism asset. The amendment was intended to provide both upfront help to defray moving costs and accountability that the structure will be reconstructed.

Applicant Eric Unkoff told the council the pavilion is set to be taken down beginning April 7 and stored until fall because approvals from the Zoning Board of Appeals and Planning Board will take time. \"Probably in September is when we'd be shooting to put stuff back up,\" Unkoff said, adding that the pavilion will be reassembled in pieces and that at least one of the sections should be straightforward to get approved.

Council members raised two main concerns: whether the occupancy-tax money would produce tourism benefits if the pavilion were not re-erected, and what safeguards should be in place if reconstruction does not occur. One councilmember proposed splitting the payment so the city would provide $5,000 at removal and the remaining $5,000 when reconstruction is approved and underway. The council adopted that amendment and approved the amended resolution by roll call.

The resolution language adopted ties the second payment to planning and zoning approval for at least one of the reconstructed sections. City staff said the $10,000 is intended to \"defray the costs\" of removal and relocation rather than to pay for long-term storage; the applicant said he would contribute additional private funds and intends to reconstruct the pavilion.

The council agreed to amend the resolution and either approve it at the meeting or return an amended version at the next meeting; the council ultimately amended and approved the split-payment arrangement.

The council did not specify a strict contingency for returning funds if reconstruction fails beyond the requirement that the second $5,000 be released upon approval and erection, so the timing of the second payment will depend on whether and when the applicant secures the required approvals.","The Common Council approved $10,000 in occupancy-tax funding to help move and rebuild the South Street Farmers Market pavilion for T‑Shirt Factory LLC, amending the award to pay $5,000 on removal and $5,000 upon reconstruction approval and erection.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6069264,"Glens Falls council hears public concern after possible refrigerant leak at city rec center",279,207000,486000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3072556-a58c5a2a579cd078a48b04b490d01378&start=207&end=486","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3072556-a58c5a2a579cd078a48b04b490d01378/thumbnail_207000.jpg","/articles/6069264/Glens-Falls-City/Warren-County/New-York/Glens-Falls-council-hears-public-concern-after-possible-refrigerant-leak-at-city-rec-center","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6069264-791885839fa2af05bf869b1ba36b7270/orig.mp4?Expires=1775122765&Signature=VtBKuMLozNrRgHW1zaWWhxaParm5td4IzQnezC4e1nawmQz-relZELTCXeCRPv91N4lVzfmlbbuVlOLasD2G-atnSqPbAdc1~UDI5ifznQYnfCHo6KSAk6HEP4iQpdsYvOmxVoQ3pBIaQvb8A20Vq6dZ8sjzG~MBX4gJzbP1Tt-z6GAiGErAT8BXVdyztSp5o22lq6FNR3icEF9TselsLXOeEjD64BwqE-d9SlMSTSvwrWumKJiYtfGEukE-jjzXa2fyn3hvS62K68EE0wb-3vDjYKt0P8ppn4SLIBQjPNIstpA0RP3A6nb0JoQu44MoIxlE-7B32wyVFtZHo0mLBA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A public comment at the Glens Falls Common Council meeting on March 25 raised concern about a suspected underground leak of refrigerant at the city recreation center on Fire Road, and residents urged the city to give the public more information while the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation investigates.

City staff said Department of Public Works employees first noticed declining refrigerant levels on gauges in January and notified Carrier, the firm holding the maintenance contract for the rink’s refrigeration equipment. The city said the leak is beneath the building’s floor and that, to the city’s knowledge, there has been \"no human exposure to the material.\" The DEC has an open investigation, city officials said.

Why it matters: commenters said the leak is adjacent to environmentally sensitive land including Coles Woods and Half Brook, and they want to know how much refrigerant has been lost, where it went and whether the city should have reported the problem earlier.

Public commenters pushed for clarity. Joe Wagner of Webster Avenue said he saw a DEC entry recording a spill date of \"03/19/2025\" and told the council he filed a FOIL request for records. Resident and environmental attorney Claudia Braemer said, \"If we've known about it since January, what have we been doing? Why have we not stopped the leaking?\" She asked whether the substance is hazardous and said the city should provide more information to the public.

City staff responded that DPW treated initial signs as a mechanical problem and contacted Carrier, the maintenance contractor, to address declining refrigerant levels. Speaking to the council, city staff said DEC will determine whether the situation meets the threshold for a reportable spill and that the city will \"follow their lead\" and provide additional information as it becomes available. The city also said there is no visible pooling or buckling of the ice that would indicate a major failure underneath the rink surface.

Councilwoman Palmer pressed the city on several points: why the city continued to add refrigerant to keep the rink operating, whether DEC was notified earlier, and whether the city was seeking funding to repair the system if the damage proves extensive. City staff said the rink was kept open to finish the season while Carrier and outside experts are being engaged to assess the system once the ice melts; the city said it has not yet received final bills and does not know total repair costs. City staff also said the chemical involved is propylene glycol-based refrigerant; they characterized its environmental hazard ratings as low but said DEC will advise on response actions.

Speakers at the meeting urged the city to be more proactive in communicating with the public and to pursue funding options if the repair will be costly. City staff said they will provide a report to the council after the ice melts and the professional assessment is complete.

The council did not take a formal vote on the matter during the meeting. City staff said they will share assessment results and any cost estimates with the council when available.","City officials told the Common Council that the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is investigating a suspected underground refrigerant leak at the Glens Falls Recreation Center; residents and an environmental attorney urged faster reporting and clearer public information.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Glens Falls Common Council action items from March 25

Glens Falls council approves Paychex payroll contract to reduce single-clerk risk

Council approves $10,000 occupancy-tax aid for pavilion move, splits payment tied to approvals

Glens Falls council hears public concern after possible refrigerant leak at city rec center