[{"_1":2,"_135":-5,"_136":-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",[32,75,87,99,111,123],{"_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",6569212,"mediaKeyId","3192308-2e7e761ddb1f55c417d1cb97e523585c","parentId",3192308,"title","Council agenda includes proposed ban on roosters in city code","audioSeconds",113,"startMs",2127000,"endMs",2240000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3192308-2e7e761ddb1f55c417d1cb97e523585c&start=2127&end=2240","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3192308-2e7e761ddb1f55c417d1cb97e523585c/thumbnail_2127000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6569212/Saratoga-Springs-City/Saratoga-County/New-York/Council-agenda-includes-proposed-ban-on-roosters-in-city-code","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6569212-3192416f92a941bf86bed82acfef202e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440297&Signature=gnoXq7QMIhPV7rfWOWx1GX-lXS-aYvUTmgWT5CV5e6V0EgnDR~IctVsk26VCBGiVaW9wFs6F7PotFLKzPfz-lw-vwEww1dYtOeW4vAwAhh2iX2gIJfZ-Kk3ghCAASy2Y5dO9jSc9Emg5He8ZW~mt2G63~DRCh0gUS4TwdW1X2DVWO-4NdS-y1UFUZXVtsB4DPXbGNEuFPUd8tqXzMcY9Gs~zGCw~YAYsFjxLvJGTkOhN5pGLw0Ll1s3KFpkOjMIMqJY1GqSZ~fKOQLQtXPK-Ly2LN6lXbBU1uSuXxXqKYEHANF1fO2y9MWRVLYvsvblYOVWkew4qA~1TwGcTN6q4WA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Saratoga","date","2025-05-05T00:00:00Z","article","The council’s public-safety agenda included a proposed amendment to chapter 101 of the Saratoga Springs City Code (Dogs and Other Animals, Noise by Fowl) to prohibit keeping roosters on any property within the city.

The public-safety representative described the item as a discussion and vote on amending the ordinance to prohibit roosters at any time. No substantive debate or public comment on the proposed change appears in the provided transcript excerpts, and the record does not show a final vote on the proposed ordinance amendment.

Other public-safety items listed at the same time included grant-related agreements for Stop DWI patrol reimbursements from Saratoga County (not to exceed $7,000), contracts for plumbing maintenance at public-safety facilities, tactical-equipment purchases and mutual-aid arrangements for fire services at the Belmont Stakes and July racing festival. Those items were read into the record but the transcript excerpts provided do not show final recorded votes on them.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Saratoga - City Council Pre-Agenda Meeting - May 05, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The public-safety agenda included an item to amend chapter 101 of the city code to prohibit keeping roosters in the city; the item was listed for discussion and vote but the transcript does not record the council’s final action.","taxTitle","Saratoga Springs City, Saratoga County, New York","taxId",7807,"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},6569217,"Councilors discuss commercial incentive district work and large assessment verification project",120,1960000,2080000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3192308-2e7e761ddb1f55c417d1cb97e523585c&start=1960&end=2080","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3192308-2e7e761ddb1f55c417d1cb97e523585c/thumbnail_1960000.jpg","/articles/6569217/Saratoga-Springs-City/Saratoga-County/New-York/Councilors-discuss-commercial-incentive-district-work-and-large-assessment-verification-project","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6569217-65609860481683b3c219095f30af17d8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440297&Signature=ACKU58mFOCoesx0kO~WNxBNvR4QviG6cUZX8bZ4GX32MjCp~DmoHcJacls13tzpnJPGEktnlNd~NMjjYwcSElifi2qFD3BVCSwM4OtYGt7xHMAe8Mk04Ga0fDtLC9RMtz2FDo~c0ySf-TDQmFUNvBgQ2PysjPuWuGM6It2tF511oLqUyGNyIsD9tlDyhtfiwZlrSTEqsuO2oA2jY8bVJHsENDh82WFUAZYIbpy6wPTMu62~M7fE-iUmosIRkO~SOuMLekBsTev~VUzmZP7Ye3tmJQYtO-BR-TM8DSUUaelkeEBRYaJKPXP30JdctF2SVKbe9Vc-7Rv6LkSkBXOJwWw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Councilors briefly returned to earlier work on a proposed commercial incentive district (Sections 485A and 485B cited in discussion) and described an intent to understand legal conditions that could be applied to incentives to encourage mixed-use development and housing.

Separately, the assessor reported a data-verification project that has already added about $75 million to the tax roll in a prior year and expects roughly $40 million this year, with future potential additions contingent on final reporting. The assessor said the next year could show a substantial increase depending on outstanding reports and verification work and indicated they will provide revenue projections for the council.

Councilors said expanding the tax base through incentives and improved assessment captures, combined with short-term rental revenue and other taxes, should be considered as the city approaches the 2026 budget. Several councilors asked for legal guidance on the statutory authority under Section 485A to place conditions on incentive programs to promote housing outcomes. A councilor offered to work with staff and legal counsel to review statutory language and the potential qualifying conditions for incentives.

No formal action on the commercial incentive district or specific incentive language was recorded in the provided transcript; councilors indicated further legal review and study would follow.","Council members raised the commercial incentive-district topic and the assessor reported a multi-year data verification project that could add tens of millions to the tax roll; members discussed using the added revenue for budget priorities such as housing.",{"_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},6569221,"City says short-term rental registry build-out nearly complete; registrations to start before June",102,703000,805000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3192308-2e7e761ddb1f55c417d1cb97e523585c&start=703&end=805","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3192308-2e7e761ddb1f55c417d1cb97e523585c/thumbnail_703000.jpg","/articles/6569221/Saratoga-Springs-City/Saratoga-County/New-York/City-says-short-term-rental-registry-build-out-nearly-complete-registrations-to-start-before-June","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6569221-6c17fe808515b45a5b9751541793b9d5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440297&Signature=NlN7cqKhfdaN7s8vrarhf9vNDrPMbYJnBymK2rtZ8jrtc4cBsPe4DovPGUb6aIoDFquUaI0na1v026KEWyzV6ff4qKRMTyM1iH4KEnXC~fcuV1zkwieIE22SupgCClRRm52e6C-DmMO3DYNu7tv0QpomzZt8qbASEPiFEZROmIw9kXZ2DrdOyIZ730zbzwGofxy-kmufIZpc4rncDKKz-DfnU3e0T3AZ8c0GdiIf6GdoKdz8zfarVLkHfDrr3BC5SLhX6I4dbiBt5PF0y1U3JlCAL1BJE~X~ipVnltcuh8YyD2QsUissMzEjUMNZDBewm0YWTQ0IepO~lK1apRv3jg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff reported progress on the short-term rental registry and said the software build-out is complete; online registration will begin in the next couple of weeks once online payment capabilities are finalized and staff training is complete.

Staff said there will be a 90-day grace period after the June 1 implementation date, meaning full compliance will be expected by September. The city will provide training for staff and landlords; officials advised property owners to register early and schedule fire inspections where required to avoid delays.

The transcript indicates an internal coordination step remains to finalize online payments and that staff training is scheduled in the near term. No formal council action on the registry is recorded in the provided excerpts.","City staff reported the online short-term rental registry is built and registrations will begin in coming weeks once online payment and training are completed; a 90-day grace period after the June 1 implementation date was noted.",{"_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},6569225,"Council reviews consent-agenda authorizations including summer-camp contracts, document-management change order and donations",149,431000,580000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3192308-2e7e761ddb1f55c417d1cb97e523585c&start=431&end=580","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3192308-2e7e761ddb1f55c417d1cb97e523585c/thumbnail_431000.jpg","/articles/6569225/Saratoga-Springs-City/Saratoga-County/New-York/Council-reviews-consent-agenda-authorizations-including-summer-camp-contracts-document-management-change-order-and-donations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6569225-ca564f7862b66aac602c7a31577eef5e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440297&Signature=cI2X2NeS5nsnKmoyaKR50lpUmsuKn5W3DjIF~rnMlNSYfG6Ah8~F7mZ6qoQS3BVznfcLHywZEgheQS1Fsu8qxAS54HhZMYJgR3TUoI5fcQzqCW5ppO4GCMFnlirU98ib9EFAET21A0IV5UFBuZiAsUuNq6qeh2zbkdpdkjXsyVvzXhPXwegFmDT8RDoht3ouJUUGPb4U6pBws9-5CIkiDNzN1S2nPaq4fzddU1jowrGvb~rUTlr2-bBAb97C-i1vs9xErudX4yTyccNUuWvopXZErOAvSrSmm3j9UVTIgSxdQmJJbvg~n5uoY3r56HFI1-nX4mCo3U9b-rYm2hlRaw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the meeting the mayor listed multiple consent-agenda authorizations slated for approval, including agreements for summer-camp services, a reversal of a legal-services contract assignment, a document-management change order for the building department, and donations to the Recreation Department.

The mayor said the authorization for the mayor to sign an agreement with Entertainment Bridal LLC (for a phone cannon for Camp Saradac) and an agreement with Jumping Bean Party Rental (sports activities for camp) were pending finance approval expected that day. The mayor also introduced addendum No. 1 to reverse a contract assignment with Johnson and Law LLC after the city’s insurance carrier assumed defense responsibility in Bueno Hill Investment v. City of Saratoga Springs. No formal roll-call votes on these items are recorded in the provided transcript.

The council also discussed change order SA0110-2262025 with ICC CDS LLC for $9,500 for scanned-image processing and conversion into the city’s Laserfiche (referred to as \"laser vis\" in the transcript) for building department files. The Recreation Department donations listed for approval included: Rotary Club of Saratoga, $3,000 for Camp Saratoga; Saratoga Springs Housing Authority, $2,360 (described as two full and one partial scholarship for Camp Saradac); and the Saratoga Youth Lacrosse Association donated two goals valued at $524.88. The mayor also mentioned payment authorization to La Bella Associates for $1,492.50 for Planning Board application review; the mayor said the expense occurred prior to a purchase order being issued.

Other items read into the record included award of plumbing maintenance bids (RFP 2025-14), purchases of pipes, fittings and hydrants from Ferguson Enterprises, and extensions or authorizations for city contracts with multiple vendors (BPI Mechanical Services and others listed later by the public-safety and public-works agendas). Several items were noted as “pending finance approval” or that contracts would be in place by the next meeting.

The transcript does not contain recorded votes for these consent-agenda authorizations in the provided excerpt; several items were described as pending finance approval or as time-only extensions with no added fees.","The council discussed and listed multiple consent-agenda items: summer camp vendor agreements, a legal-services contract addendum, a change order for document management, donations to recreation, and several vendor payments; most items noted as pending finance approval and no recorded council votes appear in the transcript excerpts.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6569230,"Council debates emergency funding after RISE warns shelter services may stop June 4",779,1031000,1810000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3192308-2e7e761ddb1f55c417d1cb97e523585c&start=1031&end=1810","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3192308-2e7e761ddb1f55c417d1cb97e523585c/thumbnail_1031000.jpg","/articles/6569230/Saratoga-Springs-City/Saratoga-County/New-York/Council-debates-emergency-funding-after-RISE-warns-shelter-services-may-stop-June-4","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6569230-4424a7db667c18571b176b64c2d4e634/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440297&Signature=ad9-spNHPiTosninMFCZG17o31TvEc0FxtKL4WrJZtSVvs90wsq8XwTo5IHwPkcWXa4JLX1AXjW-HFMLnqQp6LRYIZ172b2E-n8F8yUfLIW-~SB~JWxdwvXC-lEI2mCbpPP6bnGNz~syYldw9HCGxSSJaO7ch-B2JIaWvAi1XQVhZvP8Vwmva~hfm4JciB37Td~C8uwMyXdVO46JHz0WZgRRboPNiBYWk-gekRmSMOfaMy8Frj4lOe2ASlvSgEfVqBRWiznVxfGNIKlZgdge4pvUfaTUglR0NO5FqBSZEXBqL-H4-RWHNn0JspkFrjxdilsk7p~bxVip0Av545BDpw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Councilors discussed a letter from RISE, dated April 29, saying that services funded through Dec. 31, 2025, may cease on June 4 unless the city or other funders provide additional commitments. Mayor Zafford said the correspondence indicates RISE might not be able to staff and continue services and called the letter “a cry for help.”

Mayor Zafford said he intends to bring a resolution at the next council meeting, and to include funding for RISE services in the 2026 proposed budget where legally allowable. \"It is our moral responsibility to continue funding this until we have a permanent solution,\" he said in the meeting, and he asked staff and councilors to prepare for budget discussions.

Council members raised procedural and contractual questions: several said the RFP and contract contain a cancellation or severability clause that requires notice (discussed as either 30 or 60 days in the meeting), and that RISE had not provided the contractually required notice. The mayor and other officials said they had conversations with RISE leadership and had a scheduled follow-up meeting at 10:00 the next day to seek clarity.

Councilors emphasized the operational difficulty of staffing shelter services and said the organization cited recruitment challenges. Multiple councilors framed the issue as both a humanitarian concern and a public-safety and service-delivery problem during the busy summer season; one councilor called the potential closure a \"major failure\" if it occurred.

The mayor said the city has a commitment to fund the shelter through the end of the year from the city’s side, but that long-term solutions—city-owned land, county coordination, bonding or other measures—would be explored during the budget cycle. The transcript records the mayor's intent to bring a formal resolution to the council and to include funding in the 2026 budget process, but it does not record a formal council vote on any resolution in the provided excerpts.

Councilors requested more information on RISE's notice and the specific reasons RISE identified for potential termination; one councilor said the letter included language alleging that \"elected officials think homeless people should be incarcerated,\" which several councilors said they disagreed with and sought clarification on. Officials said they would meet with RISE leadership and report back at subsequent meetings.","Councilors discussed a letter from RISE warning it may stop services on June 4 and a mayoral commitment to propose budget funding to continue services; no final vote recorded in the transcript.",{"_33":124,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":125,"_41":126,"_43":127,"_45":128,"_47":129,"_49":130,"_51":131,"_53":132,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":133,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":134,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6569235,"Mayor appoints Charter Review Commission; council members sharply debate selection process",290,165000,455000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3192308-2e7e761ddb1f55c417d1cb97e523585c&start=165&end=455","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3192308-2e7e761ddb1f55c417d1cb97e523585c/thumbnail_165000.jpg","/articles/6569235/Saratoga-Springs-City/Saratoga-County/New-York/Mayor-appoints-Charter-Review-Commission-council-members-sharply-debate-selection-process","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6569235-5382269838c64d4a4bf303826c818c4d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440297&Signature=JtXBEvDQCgtAg~fGCTPULpZD9WuEf2JuIFGZ0yeEfDQ3tlflqSwpEONDYD5eBKiLsK1SABuRYFHL~~gXxlugs5CsQ6EW7RJU7gxZxsJ0glNnF1g-buPpzUR-~lHV5ObG8tmwO3HMSD7lmkTKupGEPkxWJtDUb0xWE70EkZJs7DfcJhDBoCqPtxzfpxbh~TIsRDHyGvniEBFbF7pc4MKftp3MqMDB4KkmsZR7Iz~SJ9wd1a3-VbmvkqrLLqW~kvRXhNHugsBuyOhqQOSLLnj8pHDbgVgW~Q8dFNg4jLnPPvvhhQuGiy8pr~91P6-7n1fhxgNFuPQgIvKgK4OTRhWxOg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mayor Zafford announced appointments to a Charter Review Commission “pursuant to section 36 4 of the Municipal Home Rule Law,” naming Vince DeLeonardis as chair and listing 11 other members, and said the panel will evaluate the city charter and may present a proposed revision for the 2026 general election.

The announcement prompted immediate and pointed objections from several council members who said the mayor made the selections unilaterally and questioned whether the commission represents a bipartisan process. Commissioner Cole argued that prior charter reviews have repeatedly examined changes feasible by local law and questioned the need for a new commission; other council members said procedural issues such as term length and tie-breaking could be considered by the commission.

The mayor described the commission’s charge as twofold: first, to evaluate the current charter and recommend revisions that could be implemented by local law; and second, to prepare a draft proposed charter for possible submission to voters at the 2026 general election. The mayor read the list of appointees into the record and said the commission would start by reviewing past work on the charter.

During follow-up remarks, council members exchanged sharp language over how members were selected. One councilor called the appointments “unilateral” and said the process was not bipartisan despite the presence of members from both parties. The mayor and other councilors pushed back, with the mayor saying he had relied on prior input and that appointees were reading previous commission work. A council member urged colleagues to avoid name-calling in deliberations and to keep the conversation professional.

No formal vote on the appointments is recorded in the transcript provided. The mayor said the commission may present a final proposal for consideration by city electors at the 2026 general election. Several council members said they expect the commission to examine procedural items such as term lengths and tie-breaking rules; one councilor suggested longer (four-year) terms might be considered.

The debate continued without a recorded resolution in the provided record; the mayor said the council could move on to the next agenda items.","Mayor Zafford announced appointments to a Charter Review Commission under the Municipal Home Rule Law, prompting a heated exchange among council members over whether the process was unilateral and partisan.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council agenda includes proposed ban on roosters in city code

Councilors discuss commercial incentive district work and large assessment verification project

City says short-term rental registry build-out nearly complete; registrations to start before June

Council reviews consent-agenda authorizations including summer-camp contracts, document-management change order and donations

Council debates emergency funding after RISE warns shelter services may stop June 4

Mayor appoints Charter Review Commission; council members sharply debate selection process