Notable Items for the Council Meeting on 5/12
May has begun and the city is bustling with so many activities as warmer, and sometimes rainy, weather cultivates blossoming plants. And restaurants are beginning to place tables outside on the sidewalks for customers to dine and enjoy the beautiful weather, as indicated by three outdoor dining permits in this agenda. The city will also have a new Director of Human Resources soon, as Judy Villa White will be retiring on May 22nd, as well as a new Planning and Zoning Coordinator. Each new appointment is on the agenda for a vote.
The Common Council public meeting will begin early this Tuesday evening at 07:15pm for three public hearings related to the Glens Falls Comprehensive Plan, amending the Vehicles and Traffic City Code 208-58 to institute no parking on Jay Street, and an amendment to the Zoning Code for residential districts.
Be sure to join us on the third floor City Courtroom tonight for a whirlwind of discussions. I’ll highlight some resolutions and public hearings below, but if you want more detail, be sure to delve into the wonderfully organized agenda on the city website.
Public Hearings:
The Council will discuss and potentially approve an amendment to the Zoning Code, adding a semi-detached single-family dwelling definition “within the city’s R-1B and R1-C residential districts, to permit more creativity in the housing stock” and “to create more contiguous open space on a lot while not increasing the density of housing on the lot”. Public hearing begins at 7:25pm for any public question questions, comments, or concerns.
The Council will discuss and potentially approve amending the Vehicles and Traffic City Code 208-58 to institute no parking on Jay Street, per recommendations from the Board of Public Safety. For more information about the proposed change, please reference pages 6-23 of the agenda. Public hearing begins at 7:15pm for any public questions, comments, or concerns.
The final public hearing for the drafted plan of the Glens Falls Smart Growth Comprehensive Plan will be at 7:20pm. For more information, visit the Glens Falls Comprehensive Plan website to read through the community-organized plan and its addendums as well as my own thoughts on the plan.
The Council will discuss and potentially approve three encroachment permits for “sandwich boards” near the First Baptist Church on Maple Street as well as Worksmart and Associates of Glens Falls on Glen Street. For a look at their proposals, please reference 144-152 of the agenda.
The Council will discuss and potentially approve three outdoor dining permits for Davidson Brothers, Park and Elm, and Farmacy. For a look at the placement of tables, please reference pages 153-164 of the agenda.
The Council will discuss and potentially approve new equipment by the Water and Sewer Department. It will replace a proposed purchase of a Vac-Con Combination Machine passed by the Council on January 13th to a 2026 Camel Max Series Model 900DB Machine. Based on the quote from J & J Equipment, the change would reduce the cost by $25,000 from the original proposal. For more information, please reference pages 221-227 of the agenda.
The Council will discuss and potentially approve a new leased vehicle for the Department of Public Works, notably a Ford F250 pickup truck, costing $68,640.68.
The Council will discuss and potentially approve the sale of a vacant house at 42 Mason Street for $40,000 to James McMahon of McMahon Property Solutions.
The Council will discuss and potentially accept the proposal from Brown & Brown as the city’s health insurance broker, formerly brokered by Upstate Agency.
The Council will discuss and potentially approve two appointments: Debora Goodhines as the Director of Human Resources and Barbara Daly as the Planning and Zoning Coordinator.
The Council will discuss and potentially approve an increased salary for the Glens Falls Fire Department Chief to $120,000.
The Council will discuss and potentially approve eleven mobile food and drink permits:
The Lemonade Stand, operated by Aprilanne Dietza
Hudson Bread, operated by Giuseppe Colella
Slate Town Brewing Company, operated by Michelle Matteson
Ginger and Spice, operated by Chuan Reyes
Springbrook Hollow Farm Distillery, operated by Breanna Whitman-Hillard
Cigar Brothers Brewery, operated by Brian McKee
Adirondack Concessions, operated by Edward Bradt,
Coach’s Corner, operated by Jack Celeste
Adirondack Harvest, operated by Ashley Monroe
The Bull and Bee, operated by Alexandros Vasilakos
Family Fun Concessions, operated by Colin Mabb
If you are unable to attend the public meeting and want to have your voice heard, please send me an email at fifthward@cityofglensfallsny.gov. I will be sure to read it into the public record and submit it to the City Clerk for inclusion in the meeting minutes.
