Common Council approves nine resolutions covering personnel, budgets, contracts and concessions

The Amsterdam Common Council approved nine resolutions at its meeting, taking formal action on personnel, budget transfers, contracts and concession services for the 2025 season.

Why it matters: The votes enact salary and staffing approvals, move contingency funds to cover current payroll lines, extend a grant-writing contract and authorize concession arrangements and a request for proposals (RFP) that will shape services at the municipal golf course and RiverLink Park.

Votes at a glance - Resolution 2425-180: Adopt minutes from the prior meeting. Outcome: approved (roll call ayes). - Resolution 2425-181: Ratify employment agreement with Fire Chief Anthony Agresta; annual salary set at $130,000. Outcome: approved (roll call ayes). - Resolution 2425-182: Budget transfer to fund Agresta’s salary: decrease contingency $17,000; increase management $17,000. Outcome: approved (roll call ayes). - Resolution 2425-183: Budget transfer / salary adjustment for City Engineer Michael Clark (recognition of additional responsibilities). Outcome: approved (roll call ayes). - Resolution 2425-184: Budget transfer for Police Chief Joseph Spencer with annual salary effective 11/19/2024 of $134,482. Outcome: approved (roll call ayes). - Resolution 2425-185: Budget transfer of $10,000 from contingency to city clerk management to cover simultaneous interim and appointed clerk payroll. Outcome: approved (roll call ayes). - Resolution 2425-186: Authorize contract with Orion Management Company (Nick Zabowski) for grant-writing services at $96 per hour through 12/31/2026. Outcome: approved (roll call ayes). - Resolution 2425-187: Authorize contract with Megan Pedrazek (doing business as Megabytes Catering) for concessionaire services at Amsterdam Municipal Golf Course (2025 season); contract provisions discussed include an 8% share of gross revenues and a minimum monthly payment provision. Outcome: approved (roll call ayes). - Resolution 2425-188: Approve the city audit. Outcome: approved (roll call ayes). - Resolution 2425-189 (consent): Authorize an RFP for concessionaire services at RiverLink Park for the 2025 season; the resolution directs publication of the RFP and states that responses must be received by 3 p.m. in April 2025 so the council may act at its April 15, 2025 meeting. Outcome: approved (roll call ayes).

Other formal actions and appointments - The mayor appointed Ray Fife to the Amsterdam Municipal Golf Commission; the mayor said he would send a letter to Mr. Fife and noted that under the city charter the mayor’s appointment does not require council ratification.

Key details from the meeting record - Salaries and transfers: the record shows the fire chief’s salary at $130,000; the police chief’s salary at $134,482 (effective 11/19/2024); and specific budget transfer amounts (e.g., $17,000 and $10,000) to fund those lines. - Orion Management Company: contract rate recorded at $96 per hour, term through Dec. 31, 2026. - Megabytes Catering (golf concession): council and the concessionaire discussed equipment lists and that the concession contract would run for the 2025 season in phases; the contract includes an 8% gross-revenue fee and a $5,000 minimum monthly payment if 8% is less than $5,000 in a period. - RiverLink Park RFP: council instructed staff to advertise the RFP on the city website, social media and local newspaper; staff said they would contact known interested parties and assist with liquor-license questions raised by potential bidders.

All votes recorded in the transcript were unanimous 'aye' on the roll calls presented. The resolutions that involve contracts or spending direct staff to finalize agreements and return documents where appropriate.