Saratoga Springs meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Charter Review Commission favors single-question ballot for charter revisions

The Saratoga Springs Charter Review Commission decided to present proposed charter amendments to voters as a single question on the ballot, a choice that will shape how the city's governing document is revised. The decision came at the commission's Aug. 17 meeting, where members also discussed other changes.

Charter Review Commission

At its Aug. 17 working session, the commission indicated by a show of hands that a clear majority preferred a single-question ballot format for charter revisions. No formal vote was taken on that preference; the only formal action was adjournment, on a motion by Veitch, seconded by Benton, with all ayes.

Earlier that day, the commission held a public forum to gather input on its second phase of work. Speakers raised concerns about sections on county supervisors, risk and safety, IT positions, and public comment. The commission noted it did not incorporate public comment language into its proposal, respected the City Council's decision not to move forward on supervisors language, and agreed that having voters decide who serves temporarily is preferable to Council appointment.

The commission also met Aug. 21 to approve minutes and discuss next steps; that meeting was agenda-only, with minutes not yet published.

City Council

The City Council has several meetings scheduled, all with agendas published but minutes not yet available.

At the Aug. 10 preliminary meeting, the council is set to vote on payroll totaling $1,449,156.32 (two payments: $896,659.79 and $552,496.53), warrants totaling $2,339,934.70 (warrant 26AUG1 at $2,215,892.07 and mid-warrant 26MWJUL3 at $124,042.63), setting a public hearing for the 2027 Capital Program and Budget, amending the senior citizens tax exemption income limitation, and authorizing payment to B&D Industries, Inc. for electrical work at Veterans Memorial Park.

At the Aug. 14 preliminary meeting, the council will hold public hearings on the 2027 capital program and budget and on the senior tax exemption amendment. It will also consider a resolution for the Saratoga County Water Authority to sell water to Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, a change order with J&K Trucking for water distribution pipe replacement ($123,355.00), and a contract with FW Webb for two Reznor Packaged Duct Furnaces ($63,926.13).

The Aug. 17 regular City Council meeting will hold the same public hearings and consider the same water and contract items.

Board of Ethics

The Board of Ethics met on Aug. 17 to review draft ethics code revisions, tasks and deadlines, and procedures in sections 1-5 of its governing rules. The meeting was routine and administrative, with minutes not yet published.

Coming up

No upcoming meetings are listed in the next 14 days.

Charter Review Commission approves amendments; City Council weighs $2.2M warrant

The Saratoga Springs Charter Review Commission approved several amendments to its proposed charter changes at its Aug. 5 meeting, including aligning the budget submission date with the call letter date and amending Section 7.2.6. The commission also approved amendments to Section 3.1 to clarify language and eliminate redundancy. A motion to add fire and police department representatives to the Capital Program Committee failed.

Charter Review Commission

The commission voted 7-0 to approve amendments aligning the budget submission date with the call letter date and amending Section 7.2.6. It then voted 8-0 to approve amendments to Section 3.1, which clarify language and eliminate redundancy. A motion to add fire and police representatives to the Capital Program Committee failed 5-3. The commission tabled discussion on a public forum for proposed amendments to a later meeting.

City Council agenda items

The City Council held a preliminary meeting July 31 and regular meetings Aug. 4 and Aug. 6. Minutes have not yet been published, so all items below are proposed actions.

Agendas included approval of Warrant 26AUG1 for $2,215,892.07, payroll for July 24 ($896,659.79) and July 31 ($552,496.53), and a mid-warrant of $124,042.63. The council also considered authorizing payment to B&D Industries, Inc. for electrical work at Veterans Memorial Park, setting a public hearing for the 2027 Capital Program and Budget, and cancelling delinquent taxes on designated parcels. Other items included updates to Finance Policies and Procedures and authorizing the mayor to sign a lease agreement with Metroland Business Machines for a Quadient DS64i printer.

Coming up

No upcoming meetings are scheduled within the next 14 days, according to the provided data.

Saratoga Springs meetings set parking, charter, and budget items; minutes not yet published

Saratoga Springs officials had a busy stretch of meetings in late July, with the City Council and Charter Review Commission scheduling votes on parking rules, charter amendments, and millions in payroll and warrant payments. Because minutes have not yet been published for any of these meetings, the outcomes of the listed votes cannot be confirmed from the available agendas.

City Council — July 20

The City Council scheduled a public hearing on amending Article III of Chapter 225 of the city code, which governs parking, stopping, and standing. A local law — Local Law No. 5, amending Title 4, Section D and Title 11, Section 6 of the City Charter — was also on the agenda.

Consent-agenda items included payroll payments of $891,958.98 (dated 07/10/2026) and $538,147.73 (dated 07/17/2026), plus a warrant of $705,882.74. The council was also set to authorize the Mayor to sign a contract with BPI Mechanical for HVAC services under RFP2026-12.

A preliminary City Council meeting the same day listed the same charter and parking hearings, the same payroll and warrant amounts, and the BPI Mechanical authorization.

City Council — July 24

The council scheduled public hearings and votes on the Chapter 225 parking amendment and on amendments to Title 4 and Title 11 of the City Charter.

Agenda items listed approval of payrolls totaling $1,430,106.71 and warrants totaling $895,815.51. Contracts on the agenda included HVAC and plumbing services with BPI Mechanical and precast materials with Pallette Stone. The council also listed authorization to purchase a dump truck with material handler from Altec, and a police department hiring freeze exemption.

City Council — July 31 (Preliminary)

The preliminary meeting agenda included approval of Warrant 26AUG1 for $2,215,892.07 and updates to Finance Policies and Procedures. The council was set to consider a resolution canceling delinquent taxes for designated parcels and authorizing payment to B&D Industries, Inc. for Veterans Memorial Park electrical work. A public hearing for the 2027 Capital Program and Budget was also scheduled for discussion.

Charter Review Commission — July 20

The Charter Review Commission scheduled a public forum and planned to receive a financial analysis of charter review. Commissioners were set to discuss how to present findings to the City Council, finalize and vote on the Capital Program, and obtain a review of GML 99-G from T. Izzo for possible ballot inclusion.

What residents should watch

The parking and charter amendments, if adopted, would change city code provisions that affect where residents can park, stop, and stand vehicles, and would alter sections of the City Charter governing city operations. The capital program and budget hearing ties directly to future city spending on infrastructure and services.

Coming up

No upcoming meetings are listed for the next 14 days. Residents should check the city's official meeting calendar for any newly posted sessions.

Charter Commission votes to separate City Assessor from Commissioner of Accounts; City Council agendas packed with Civilian Review Board, rates, and contracts

The Saratoga Springs Charter Review Commission voted 10–0 on July 17 to separate the City Assessor role from the Commissioner of Accounts and to require Commissioner approval for reassessments. That was the only item in the past two weeks with official minutes published; all other meetings listed below are agenda-only, meaning outcomes are not yet recorded.

Charter Review Commission — July 17

The commission's decided items, from official minutes:

• **Separation of City Assessor from Commissioner of Accounts:** Approved 10–0.
• **Cyclical reassessments:** An informal vote of 6–2 decided not to include cyclical reassessments in the charter.
• **July 8 minutes:** Approval was tabled.
• **Capital Program:** Further discussion was tabled to the next meeting.
• **Adjournment:** Approved 10–0.

The same July 17 agenda had also listed scheduling a public forum, receiving a financial analysis of the charter review, discussing how to present findings to the City Council, finalizing and voting on the Capital Program, and obtaining a T. Izzo review of GML 99‑G for possible ballot inclusion. Minutes do not record outcomes for those items beyond what is listed above.

Charter Review Commission — July 9 and July 10

The July 9 agenda listed approval of minutes from July 8, a public comment period of up to 15 minutes, and a discussion and vote on Title 7. The July 10 agenda listed a review of the Assessments section of the city charter and a continuation of the Budget section discussion. No minutes have been published for either.

City Council — July 6 (regular and special)

Two City Council meetings were scheduled for July 6. Agendas included:

• A public hearing and vote to amend Chapter 37, which establishes the Civilian Review Board.
• A resolution to set water and sewer rates.
• Authorization for the Mayor to sign Change Order #2 with MJG Construction for Veterans Memorial Park.
• Discussion and vote on a memorandum of agreement with the PBA for a Computer Support Technician in the Police Department.
• Setting a public hearing to amend the parking ordinance (Article III of Chapter 225).
• Discussion and vote on exempting the Police Department from the city's hiring freeze.
• Authorization for the Mayor to sign an addendum with Graybar Electric Company, Inc. for cabling and network infrastructure upgrades at the DPW garage.
• Authorization for the Mayor to sign the SHIN‑NY Statewide Common Participation Agreement.
• Announcement of a June draft of a Unified Development Ordinance amendment.

No minutes have been published for either meeting.

Preliminary City Council — July 9

The agenda listed a public hearing on the ordinance to amend Chapter 37 (Civilian Review Board), authorization for the Mayor to sign the MJG Construction Group Change Order #2 for Veterans Memorial Park, an award of bid for precast manholes, catch basins, dry wells, risers, frames and covers to Pallette Stone Corp., a discussion and vote on water and sewer rates, authorization for the Mayor to sign a contract with HL Gage for a dump truck with chipper at $173,701.50, and approval of payrolls totaling $2,195,672.06 across three dates. No minutes have been published.

City Council — July 15

The agenda listed public hearings on amending Chapter 37 (Civilian Review Board) and Chapter 225 (Vehicle and Traffic Parking), a discussion and vote on water and sewer rates, authorization for the Mayor to sign the MJG Construction Group Change Order #2, and authorization for the Mayor to sign the HL Gage contract for a dump truck with chipper. No minutes have been published.

Preliminary City Council — July 17

The agenda listed public hearings on amending City Charter Title 4 and Title 11 and on amending Vehicle and Traffic Parking, Stopping and Standing rules, plus votes to approve a contract with BPI Mechanical for HVAC services, a contract with Holland Company for Polyaluminum Chloride, and budget transfers for various departments. No minutes have been published.

Civilian Review Board — July 9

The agenda listed edits to Policy and Procedure, Chapter 37, and an executive session to review a complaint. No minutes have been published.

Board of Ethics — July 15

The agenda listed action on Inquiry 2026‑2‑Confidential and Inquiry 2026‑3‑Confidential, approval of the 2025 Annual Report, review of Procedures Sections 1–5, and review of an updated inquiry form. No minutes have been published.

Coming up

No upcoming meetings are listed for the next 14 days. Residents should check the city's official meeting calendar for any newly posted sessions.

Saratoga Springs meetings: City Council to weigh water/sewer rates, police hiring freeze, and Civilian Review Board amendments

Saratoga Springs boards and commissions held or scheduled a series of meetings over the past two weeks, with the City Council agenda carrying the most consequential items for residents' wallets and city services. However, all meetings listed below are agenda-only — minutes have not yet been published, so no outcomes, votes, or final decisions can be confirmed from the available record.

City Council — July 6

The City Council scheduled two sessions on July 6. The agendas include a public hearing and vote on amending Chapter 37 of the City Code, which establishes the Civilian Review Board. A separate resolution would set water and sewer rates, though no specific rate figures appear in the agenda.

The council also planned to vote on authorizing the Mayor to sign Change Order #2 with MJG Construction Group for Veterans Memorial Park, and to discuss and vote on a memorandum of agreement with the PBA for a Computer Support Technician in the Police Department. A public hearing was set to amend the parking ordinance, specifically Article III of Chapter 225.

A second July 6 agenda focuses on hiring: the council was scheduled to vote on exempting the Police Department from the city's hiring freeze, authorizing the Mayor to sign an addendum with Graybar Electric Company, Inc. for cabling and network infrastructure upgrades at the DPW garage, and authorizing the Mayor to sign the SHIN-NY Statewide Common Participation Agreement. The agenda also notes the release of a June draft of a Unified Development Ordinance amendment.

Preliminary City Council — July 9

The preliminary meeting agenda repeats several July 6 items, including the Chapter 37 public hearing and the MJG Construction Change Order #2 for Veterans Memorial Park. New items include an award of bid to Pallette Stone Corp. for precast manholes, catch basins, dry wells, risers, frames, and covers.

The agenda lists authorization for the Mayor to sign a contract with HL Gage for a dump truck with chipper at $173,701.50. It also includes approval of payrolls totaling $2,195,672.06 across three dates. A resolution on water and sewer rates is again listed.

Civilian Review Board — July 1 and July 9

The Civilian Review Board had multiple agenda-only meetings scheduled. Items include approval of minutes from prior meetings, edits to Chapter 37 of the board's Policies and Procedures, review of a findings form, a complaint case letter, and a legal notice. The board planned to enter executive session to review a complaint. No details on the complaint or specific policy changes are provided in the agendas.

Charter Review Commission — June 29, July 9, and July 10

The Charter Review Commission agendas are largely procedural. The June 29 agenda lists a budget discussion under new business, with no specific proposals or dollar amounts. The July 9 agenda includes a discussion and vote on Title 7. The July 10 agenda lists a review of the Assessments section of the city charter and a continuation of the Budget section discussion.

What residents should watch

Because minutes have not been published for any of these meetings, the items above reflect what was scheduled for discussion or votes — not what was decided. Residents seeking confirmed outcomes should check the city's official meeting records once minutes are posted.

Coming up

No upcoming meetings are listed for the next 14 days, according to the available data.