Albany County amends Lawson's Lake camping policy; approves contracts, safety grants and budget shift

Albany County commissioners on an unspecified meeting date approved an amendment to Lawson's Lake Park's public‑use policy to allow limited overnight camping and regulated open fires, and advanced a package of contracts, grants and a departmental budget transfer, county staff told the commission.

The change to Lawson's Lake Park, presented by Bakery Gjani, commissioner for Albany County Parks and Recreation, would codify current practice allowing certain groups to camp overnight at reserved platforms and to use a designated fire pit near Welwyn Lodge. "We do have restrictions. We do have rules about the camp fires," Gjani said. She said staffing will cover the park during open hours and that law enforcement patrols cover the site after dusk.

A county board member, identified in the meeting as Mr. Curtis, moved to approve the Lawson's Lake amendment; a second was given and the motion "carries," according to the meeting record.

Why it matters: The amendment formalizes overnight camping that staff said has been allowed informally for responsible groups such as scouting organizations, and it sets reservation, waiver and patrol expectations that affect public safety and park operations.

Key provisions and clarifications - Reservation and capacity: Staff said reservations will be required; camping will be limited to existing camping platforms. "Currently, right now, we have 2," Gjani said when asked how many platforms are available. When platforms are fully reserved, staff said that will define the night's capacity. - Supervision and enforcement: Gjani said staff are present during open hours and that law enforcement patrols the park at night. "They are patrolling," she said. Staff said permit applicants must identify a responsible party and sign a waiver; staff and patrols will monitor reservations. - Liability and waivers: Staff said liability and waiver language is included in permit materials and that the county can provide the waiver text to commissioners on request.

Other items handled at the meeting - PolyDyne Inc. contract renewal: Staff presented a second one‑year renewal option for a contract with PolyDyne Inc. for the purchase of liquid material (as described in the packet) at a value of $400,000, set to run Jan. 1, 2026, through Dec. 31, 2026. The item was presented for authorization; the meeting record shows the renewal was put forward to the commission (vote not specified in the provided excerpt).

- Easement agreement for Steamboat Square geothermal work: Staff asked commissioners to authorize an agreement allowing the Albany Housing Authority's Steamboat Square development to cross a county sewer easement for geothermal piping. The request was described by staff as authorizing the Housing Authority to cross the easement to install the geothermal piping (vote not specified in the provided excerpt).

- MVP Arena lower‑roof replacement: The commission reviewed a bid to replace the lower roof at the MVP Arena. Staff said Mid State Industries won the bid and that the contract carries a not‑to‑exceed amount of $452,000; presenters noted a 30‑year warranty on the work. A motion to authorize the award received a second from Mr. Renner and carried, according to the meeting record.

- Highway safety and child passenger safety grants: Armando, a county staff member who presented the items, said the county was awarded a $40,000 grant from the New York State Governor's Traffic Safety Committee for the Highway Safety Program; staff said much of that will be used to buy car seats and for related outreach expenses. Armando also described a separate award of approximately $105,000 for child passenger safety work, with a large portion of that sum earmarked for a program staff position and the remainder for equipment and materials. "We give people who have proof of low income ... they will get a free car seat," Armando said. Both grant agreements were moved, seconded and carried unanimously.

- Parks budget amendment: Parks staff requested a transfer of $50,000 from the gas and oil account to the parts account to cover additional tire and plow‑equipment purchases. Staff said the transfer is possible because fuel expenditures came in below budget this year; the request was presented to the commission (vote not specified in the provided excerpt).

Votes at a glance (as recorded in the meeting excerpt) - Lawson's Lake Park public‑use policy amendment: motion made by Mr. Curtis; second given; result: motion "carries" (no roll‑call tally provided in the excerpt). - MVP Arena lower‑roof award to Mid State Industries (not to exceed $452,000): second by Mr. Renner; recorded as carried (no roll‑call tally provided). - New York State Governor's Traffic Safety Committee grants (Highway Safety Program, $40,000; Child Passenger Safety, ~$105,000): moved and seconded; recorded as carried unanimously; no roll‑call vote names or tallies were read in the provided excerpt. - PolyDyne contract renewal, Steamboat Square easement authorization, and the parks $50,000 transfer were presented; the excerpt documents presentation details but does not include explicit vote tallies for those items.

What remains open: Commissioners asked staff to provide the permit waiver language and to confirm the status of cabins under renovation at Lawson's Lake (those cabins were described as a separate renovation effort and are not included in the camping amendment). Staff said they would follow up with details on cabin renovations and on the waiver text. Presenters also said they would verify procurement details such as vendor discounts for car‑seat purchases.

The meeting continued with additional agenda items after the actions summarized here.