Poughkeepsie resident criticizes draft local law requiring in-person prior written notice for alleged defects

A public hearing in Poughkeepsie on a proposed local law to amend the city administrative code sections 15.02 and 15.03 drew a sharply critical public comment on the measure’s requirement that prior written notice of an alleged defect be delivered as a hard copy in person.

Laurie Sandow, a resident of South Grama Avenue, told the Common Council the proposal would shift the burden of reporting defects onto ordinary residents and visitors. "Tonight's public hearing regarding a proposed resolution to require prior written notice is an insult to any resident or traveler through the city of Poughkeepsie," Sandow said. "Here we have a city that regularly fails to maintain, repair, and provide safe streets, highways, sidewalks, and more."

Sandow said the draft ordinance would block common electronic reporting methods. Reading from the text, she said, "Notice of a defect submitted via email, the city's website, any service, website, or application the city uses to allow the public to submit reports or service requests to the city, comments on social media page maintained by the city, or any other electronic means, does not satisfy the process and procedure for submitting written notices of defect required by this." She argued that requirement would prevent timely reporting and inspection in urgent situations.

Sandow urged the council to instead create a trackable 311-style reporting system and to direct the commissioner of public works to inventory and map existing defects. She suggested more aggressive inspection and response timelines: that the commissioner "be compelled to pick up each of these hard copy complaints in person within 15 minutes of being authored, and to go inspect the damage and provide a written estimate for timing and quality of repair, which reasonable timing will not surpass 24 hours after being notified." Sandow said she understood the need to curb frivolous lawsuits but called the draft resolution "not a responsible or thoughtful solution."

The public hearing was opened by the presiding official and the council proceeded to roll call, where Council Member Henry, Council Member McMenace, Council Member Brown, Dr. James, Council Member Grant, Council Member McClinton, Majority Leader Patterson Thompson, Vice Chair Shook and Chairman Wilson were recorded present. Chamberlain, the staff member handling public participation, confirmed no other members of the public wished to speak.

A motion to close the public hearing was made and seconded; the council voted "Aye" to close the hearing. The transcript shows no vote or final action on the proposed amendment to administrative code sections 15.02 and 15.03 during the portion of the meeting provided. After closing the hearing, the council moved on to its regular Common Council meeting.

The hearing record, public comment and council acknowledgment will be part of the council’s minutes for this agenda item. The draft local law’s text and any future council action on amending sections 15.02 and 15.03 were not voted on or finalized in the segment of the meeting provided.