Speed, building sales and horses were all up for discussion this week at the latest Saratoga Springs City Council meeting.
While it may not have been as lively as the previous one, there were many issues brought up during the meeting that will have an effect on Residents both in and out of Saratoga Springs. Here is a rundown of what was talked about and the issues facing Saratoga residents.
Concern over ICE raids
Much of the public comment part of the meeting was dedicated to concern of ICE raids taking place within the city. The concern comes after multiple social media posts show masked agents in unmarked detaining individuals near Congress Plaza in Saratoga Springs.
Speakers including representatives from the Saratoga Springs Democratic Party spoke about the raids, expressing concerns about the raids and calling on the city to do more to protect the undocumented population.
In response to these concerns, Public Safety Commissioner Tim Coll reiterated that the city doesn’t participate in ICE raids and doesn’t have the authority to arrest people for immigration reasons. However, Coll said the city has asked ICE to give prior notice whenever they’re operating in Saratoga Springs to ensure there aren’t “blue on blue” incidents. He also encouraged residents to reach out to ICE or to their congressman if they have concerns over the raids as there is legally nothing they can do.
Concerns over the raids were also expressed by Accounts Commissioner Dillon Moran and Finance Commissioner Minita Sanghvi.
Speed
While horses may be flying on the track, for cars on the road it’s a different story. A public hearing was set for Aug. 5 at 6:30 over a proposed ordinance that would reduce the city’s default speed limit from 30 miles per hour to 25 miles per hour — with certain exceptions such as for school zones, arterial roads and roads with shared responsibility.
The proposed ordinance comes after an engineering study recommended the change. It wasn’t until recently that Saratoga Sprins had the power to reduce its speed limit to 25 miles per hour. Prior to 2022, the minimum speed limit was 30 miles per hour statewide. However, a bill passed that year allowed municipalities to make the change citing its effectiveness in reducing traffic fatalities in New York City and Boston.
The Aug. 5 hearing will start with a presentation on that matter and allow residents the opportunity to speak on the matter.
More Police Horse News
The Saratoga Springs Police Department is seeing further changes with its equestrian unit. During the City Council meeting, the city approved the transfer of outgoing police horse Apollo to Patricia Heneke who will take care of the 19 year old as he enjoys his retirement. Apollo did his last patrol with the department during the Silks and Satins 5k on July 12.
As Apollo retires, his old coworkers Brady and Sly will be welcoming a new partner to their team. City Council approved the donation of Bella to the Police Equestrian unit. Bella is a 10-year-old black Shire mare who is 19 hands tall. Bella comes by way of Creekview Manor Farm in Saratoga Springs.
Building Sale
Discussions have begun on the potential sale of a city owned building at 5 Williams Street in Saratoga Springs. The building, which was the former cite of the Saratoga Senior Center had previously been proposed as the site of a homeless shelter however concerns over it’s proximity to Saratoga Central Catholic School lead that plan to be abandoned.
During the preliminary meeting on July 14, Public Works Commissioner Chuck Marshall brought up the idea of a sale for discussion, saying that the money could potentially be used to help address the unhoused in Saratoga Springs.
While all members were open to the idea, concerns were raised about the potential of using a capital asset in order to fund operational expenses. Commissioners Moran and Sanghvi both said they would need to see the plan for how to allocate the property funds before they supported the sale. No vote was taken on the matter.
