Council approves multiple contracts, grants and settlements; sets CDBG public hearing

Saratoga Springs City Council members voted Wednesday to approve a group of municipal contracts, grant applications, invoice payments and a settlement that city staff described as routine elements of the council agenda.

Among the items approved were a contract for the city to use the Casino Holdings LLC soccer fields for recreation and several public-works and safety contracts recommended by staff. The council also voted to submit applications for multiple U.S. Environmental Protection Agency “Thriving Communities” grants and to pay a series of invoices and vendor bills required to keep city operations running.

The council authorized awards, contracts or payments that included: a water treatment plant roof replacement contract not to exceed $405,900 (Mid State Industries); pedestrian safety improvements with Peter Luzzi & Brothers (total not to exceed $180,100); renewal/extension of an orthophosphate supply agreement (SLAC Chemical, not to exceed $40,000); and approval to apply for EPA Thriving Communities grants (multiple projects totaling $825,000 in requests). The council also authorized payment of several smaller invoices and reimbursement requests that required council sign-off.

On legal and tax matters, the council approved a settlement in Excelsior Park Condominiums LLC v. Board of Assessment Review and the city: a refund of $8,682.96 for tax year 2023 and a reduction of $10,875.40 to the city tax bill across the affected condominium parcels. The council also approved multiple budget adjustments and use-of-fund resolutions, including a $58,455.64 use of the Department of Public Safety sick-leave assignment balance and a prior-year tax refund using the designated assignment.

The council set a public hearing for April 1 at 7 p.m. to consider the Citizen Advisory Committee’s recommended 2025 CDBG awards; the committee had presented its preliminary allocations to the council earlier in the meeting. Several grants and contracts approved by council are subject to budget appropriation or the successful award of external funds, which staff noted in their presentations.

Votes on the consent and routine items were mostly unanimous on the night’s motions; when recorded, the council reported five yes votes on the listed contract and budget items. The mayor and council members said the approvals were intended to avoid operational delays while staff completes final administrative steps and external approvals.

What passed (selected items): Mid State Industries — water treatment plant roof replacement (award, not to exceed $405,900); Peter Luzzi & Brothers — pedestrian safety improvements (award, not to exceed $180,100); Slack Chemical — orthophosphate supply extension (award/extension, not to exceed $40,000); authorization to apply for EPA Thriving Communities grants (applications totaling four project requests); authorization to pay multiple vendor invoices; authorization for the mayor to sign participatory budgeting agreements previously approved; Excelsior Park Condominiums settlement (refund $8,682.96; tax-bill reduction $10,875.40). The council also approved various payroll and budget transfers and the purchase of municipal equipment noted in the capital plan.

Why it matters: Approving these items keeps planned public-works projects, procurement and grant-seeking on schedule ahead of the high-demand spring and summer season. The Excelsior Park settlement resolves a property-tax challenge to the city’s assessment roll. The April 1 CDBG hearing will decide final disbursements of federal Community Development Block Grant funds for local nonprofit programs and capital projects.

Council members and department staff said additional follow-up paperwork and project-level approvals will be required before work or payments begin in some cases; several items are contingent on grant awards or final invoices.