Albany City Commission OKs sewer projects, signs off on pay increase

ALBANY — The Albany City Commission voted at its regular meeting Tuesday to upgrade its 911 center, to chip away at its longstanding sewer issues, to provide new vehicles and to give commissioners and the mayor a significant raise.

Among actions taken were:

♦ 911 Center System Upgrade: The 911 Center currently utilizes the Intrado Dispatching software, which was provided by Motorola 10 years ago. By allowing Motorola to upgrade the system, the city will be able to re-use existing dispatcher software licenses on the newer system without having to incur an additional expense. Local service and support will be provided by Mobile Communications. The total expense comes out to $806,753.07.

The Commission passed the purchase in a unanimous vote.

♦ CDBG 8th Avenue Basin Phase 1: The scope of work for this CSS project includes the installation of 2,783 linear feet of 8-inch, 15-inch, and 18-inch sanitary sewer pipe and 15 structures at an average depth of 11 feet; replacing sidewalk, asphalt and curb and gutter disturbed during construction. This will move the CDBG-DR Phase I project from design to actual construction for a total estimated cost of $905,000.10.

The Commission passed the purchase in a unanimous vote.

♦ Vehicle Purchases: Four Ford Maverick Pickups (Cost: $103,520) — These units will be used by Code Enforcement, facilities, and risk management. The new units will replace units that are ranging between 13 and 20 years old. Two Ford F-150 Pickup Trucks (Cost: $78,898) — These units will be used by Facilities Management and will replace units that are between 13 and 19 years old. Two 2024 model T880 Kenworth Vactor Trucks (Cost: $1,267,680) — These units will replace unit numbers 12-471 & 12-474, which are on the FY ‘23 approved replacement list. A Caterpillar Forklift Model No. DP55N1 (Cost: $87,299.54) — This unit will be used by Central Services and will be replacing a unit that is 36 years old.

The Commission passed each purchase in a unanimous vote.

♦ Increasing the compensation paid to Albany Utility Board Members: The Commission considered adopting an ordinance increasing the compensation paid to Albany Utility Board members from $100 per month to $200 per month.

The Commission passed the ordinance in a unanimous vote.

♦ Salary adjustment for the mayor and city commissioners: The commission considered two options for addressing their salaries as members of the Albany Board of Commissioners. Option 1: Take no action. Option 2: Consider raising the mayor’s salary to $35,000 (from $25,000) and the salary paid to city commissioners to $22,800 (from $15,000). This would be consistent with the increases for commissioners approved in 2007, which resulted in a pay increase of $7,800. Last month, the commission voted to move forward with Option 2 and had a second reading before voting on the salary adjustment.

The Commission passed Option 2 in a 6-1 vote. (NOTE: The salary increase will not go into effect until the January following the next municipal election.)

♦ Combined Sewer Separation (CSS) in the 400 Block of W. Broad Avenue: Authorizing the use of $268,021.70 of American Rescue Plan Act funds that have been previously allocated for the Combined Sewer Separation Project. These funds will be used on the CSS project in the 400 block of West Broad Avenue.

The Commission passed the use of ARPA funds in a unanimous vote.

To watch the meeting, interested persons can visit https://www.albanyga.gov/meetings.

File Photo: Carlton Fletcher