Saratoga Springs Council schedules multiple public hearings, holds executive session with no action

The Saratoga Springs City Council on Monday set a series of public hearings on proposed code changes and grants, debated temporary suspension of paid parking after large events, reviewed plans to use settlement funds for lead‑service-line outreach and testing, and convened an executive session on Napoli v. The City of Saratoga Springs that produced legal advice but no council action.

The council announced public hearings to consider: amendments to Chapter 225 related to 25‑mph speed rules (to be split into two hearings following the legal notice format); an amendment to Chapter 180 to centralize public right‑of‑way permit approvals with the Department of Public Works (DPW) (dumpster permits excepted); a long ordinance that would remove jail time as a penalty from about 40 sections of the city code; revisions to Chapter 9 on defense and indemnification for officials; and two hearings to roll the 2026–2031 capital program into the record. The council also agreed to consider a Hudson River Valley Greenway Planning Grant application to study management of docks and moorings on Saratoga Lake (a $30,000 grant with a $40,000 match shared among four municipalities).

Why it matters: the jail‑time removal would change the city’s enforcement toolbox for low‑level code violations and is being proposed in part because jail has rarely been used, according to council remarks. Centralizing right‑of‑way permitting in DPW aims to reduce interdepartmental confusion about sidewalk and sidewalk‑obstruction approvals. The Greenway grant, if awarded, could lead to multi‑municipal dock and mooring management planning on Saratoga Lake.

Most significant items and council discussion

Removal of jail time from city code: The mayor said city code contains roughly 200 chapters, many with an historic standard penalty formula that mixes fines and “or jail time.” City staff told the council that jail had been invoked rarely over decades and that New York State’s automatic discovery rules have increased the administrative burden for cases where fines historically resolved matters. The mayor said he identified about 40 code sections for which removing jail time would be appropriate. The matter was set for public hearing because it changes the city code.

Right‑of‑way permit centralization (Chapter 180): The council moved to set a public hearing on amendments that would designate DPW Engineering as the single point of contact for right‑of‑way use approvals (except dumpster permits). DPW would coordinate input from codes, traffic, police, fire and building as needed, the mayor said, with the stated goal of streamlining internal review and improving communication.

Executive session — Napoli v. The City of Saratoga Springs: Mayor Stafford moved to adjourn into executive session to discuss “Article 7, Napoli v. The City of Saratoga Springs,” and to receive legal advice on a separate matter. The motion was seconded and carried by voice vote. After returning to open session the mayor reported that three council members had attended the executive session; information on the amount of any assessment or proposed settlement was not available and, because two council members were absent, no action was taken in the executive session.

Parking suspension proposal and downtown revenues: Members debated a proposal to suspend paid parking for two days after large races to encourage visitors to remain downtown. The public‑works discussion included differing views about the program’s goals and whether ad‑hoc suspensions mid‑season would create complexity. One speaker noted past revenue expectations tied to a fully implemented parking plan and said actual collections have fallen short of earlier projections; others warned suspending paid parking would reduce a revenue source intended to come largely from nonresidents.

Lead service lines and settlement funds: The city reported it had received settlement funds related to “forever chemicals” litigation and that DPW had begun mailing three types of notice to homeowners about service‑line material (lead, galvanized, or unknown). The council said settlement funds would be used to help homeowners with unknown service types identify the material. DPW staff noted that, in most cases, service lines run from the main to the meter and homeowners are responsible for the private portion; copper showing inside a home typically indicates no lead service on the homeowner’s side.

Other items set for public hearing or vote: the council scheduled hearings on the draft 2026–2031 capital program (Aug. 19 and Sept. 2), a revised indemnification ordinance (Chapter 9), and a lighting/signage project in the Beekman Arts District supported by a $10,000 Saratoga County economic development grant. The council also heard about a multi‑municipal grant application to the Hudson River Greenway (see above), a request to authorize payment of $20,592.70 to Goldberg & Kramer for labor legal services, an OCFS individual program application for youth development funding for Camp Saradac, and several procurement and contract items including a Dell hardware contract not to exceed $40,000 and bid awards for copper sulfate and a water‑well roof replacement.

Votes at a glance

- Motion to adjourn to executive session to discuss Article 7, Napoli v. The City of Saratoga Springs; mover: Mayor Stafford; second: not specified; recorded voice vote: Mayor Stafford, Commissioner Marshall and Commissioner Cole said “aye”; outcome: approved. (No action taken in executive session.)

- Motion to adjourn at meeting end; mover and seconder not specified; outcome: approved.

What’s next: The council will hold the listed public hearings on the dates announced. Several items (code removals, indemnification revisions, grant applications and procurement authorizations) will be placed on future agendas for formal consideration and votes.

Reporting notes: The council identified specific properties and numbers while discussing a pending Article 7 tax-assessment matter (the mayor referenced 28 Granite Street and several assessment figures during an administrative review). City staff advised that a final judgment, settlement amount and attorney review will be shared before the council takes action on that item at the next public meeting.