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April 25, 2020
Burgh/North Countryman
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• EDITION •
62 city positions up for negotiation, layoffs City finance committee labels “nonessential” employees By Alina Walentowicz STAFF WRITER
PLATTSBURGH | A “new business” resolution added into a recent common council meeting live-streamed on YouTube listed a suggested 62 potential position cuts to specific departments, including: City Clerk, Community Development, Mayor’s Office, Municipal Lighting Department (MLD), Water Filtration Plant, Water Pollution Control Plant, Building Inspector, Finance, Plattsburgh Public Library, City Police, Public Works and the Recreation Complex. The council voted to pass this and two other 2020 budget resolutions presented by its finance committee. “In order to lay people off, we have to abolish their positions,” said Ward 2 Councilor Mike Kelly (D), describing what he said was the committee’s understanding of civil service rules. He called it “a formality”.
SAVINGS THROUGH STAFFING CUTS
The city is looking to ditch the costs of 35 union positions, ranging from hourly and part-time to salaried and full-time, based on “essential” and “non-essential” functions, with the potential for job-sharing. As layoffs are defined differently than furloughs through civil service, any “temporarily” laid off employees will not have access to insurance benefits and may not even have jobs to return to, if the common council doesn’t eventually vote to reinstate the positions as they were.
The first suggested round of 35 positions on the chopping block, according to the city’s finance committee—made up of Kelly, Mayor Read (D) and City Chamberlain Richard Marks—pertain to the library and recreation departments. Councilors said closing both facilities for the remainder of the year could result in a combined estimated $1.5 million savings for the city in the face of a now $3-million budget deficit—whittled down from the $3.5 million figure the city previously reported during the ever-changing health and economic crises.
REC CENTER, LIBRARY SERVE BEYOND CITY
Both departments service North Country residents outside the city, reaching seasonal tourists and college students. Workers for these departments have been paid to stay home since state regulations mandated nonessential closures back in March. “What they need to do is figure out a way to preserve the functions of their departments,” said Read. The Recreation Complex—Crete Memorial Civic Center, city beach, marina and City Recreation Center on the U.S. Oval—endure continued cuts since the superintendent position was “abolished” in 2017. Though the city’s budget includes a line for the Plattsburgh Public Library—a “central” library servicing the entire North Country region through the tri-county Clinton Essex Franklin Library System (CEFLS)—the city has no authority to determine how internal workforce decisions are made, both library and city staff have since said. That responsibility remains in the hands of the library’s board, with the option to explore other avenues for cuts. If position cuts occur, employees would retain priority status through civil service, meaning they would not need to be re-tested,
Ward 1 Councilor Ira Barbell (D), Kelly and Mayor Read answered media questions following major staffing discussions that occurred at a recent city council meeting in response to budget changes resulting from what they said are COVID-19 pressures. Photo by Alina Walentowicz
said Ward 1 Councilor Ira Barbell (D). Since the recent vote, the library’s liaison to the council, Paul DeDominicis, has stepped down from his role as Ward 4 Councilor, notifying local press, “The way this city is run is broken. I disagree with so many things that I will not list them here. Some may criticize me for stepping down, however, I think that sometimes to do the right thing means to
admit that you are not the right person for the job that needs to be done.” More budget and staffing updates to come over the next few weeks. Concerned parties can engage in civil discourse with the Common Council by submitting public comments to city government via the Mayor’s Administrative Assistant, Beth Carlin, at carlinb@cityofplattsburgh-ny.gov. ■
Young workforce coordinates weekly networking sessions Millennial, Gen-Z professionals assemble online By Alina Walentowicz STAFF WRITER
PLATTSBURGH | About 40 professionals walked through the doors of a given restaurant or brewery venue
at least one night each month, thanks to what had been regular “pop-up” events coordinated by the Adirondack Young Professionals (ADKYP). Members represent a range of business-related industries, such as finance, banking, insurance, sales and real-estate, among others. It also includes job seekers. Distinguishing between “essential” and “non-essential” workforce, the coronavirus continues to make itself at home in local healthcare
systems and economies, threatening to further overwhelm and dismantle them as many individuals now work from home or face layoffs. In Clinton County, the total of state lab-identified cases surpasses 50, while 3 deaths are associated with COVID-19. As of now, around 500 tests have been administered. Those thought to be less at risk of contracting deadly cases of COVID-19—such as young people w it hout pre - ex ist ing
Current ADKYP members attended a “pop-up” networking event at Irons in Plattsburgh Plaza off of Route 3 at the end of February, prior to pandemic-related closures. Attendees included Scott Beebie (right), pictured just left of center, running for the City of Plattsburgh mayor’s seat in 2020. Photo provided by Tyler Hargraves
conditions—seek ways to maintain safe connections and growth in their careers and friendships as society at large continues to “flatten the curve”.
NETWORKING SHIFTS ONLINE, MEMBERSHIP GROWTH
“We would have had two to three events by now—in the quarantine time—and a board meeting, which we have postponed until we see an end to this,” said Meghan Weeden, the group’s event planner and coordinator who also sits on the City of Plattsburgh’s Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA). Generalized as “invulnerables” and criticized for “assembling” by some local politicians, people young in age a nd hea r t in Plattsburgh and beyond can now network online three times each week for the foreseeable future. The group is hosting Google Ha ngouts on mult iple days and times, accommodating a variety of member schedules, all accessible on Facebook (@ AdirondackYoungProfessionals). Right now, hangouts are set for Mondays at 12 p.m., “Wellness Wed nesdays” at 7 p.m. a nd Fridays at 9 a.m. “Our average attendance has certainly increased over the last years, with new faces too.” Weeden said the group now counts 45 members on its roster.
ANSWERING THE CALL TO “STAY HOME” Individuals in their 40s and younger have passed away in New York State from COVID-19, and some fear locals feel too removed from the mainstream chaos caused by the virus. One millennial in Plattsburgh who caught COVID-19, a 33-year-old college employee, has been imploring locals to take it more seriously, saying it’s about the community, not the individual. “Young professionals certainly seem bummed, but not frightened unless it is for an elderly or sick family member,” said Weeden, who works as a territory manager for Casella. “We thrive when we are active in networking, community service and our events,” she added. Working young people who are staying at home are doing so out of a sense of responsibility for what local officials consider an exceptionally large population of older community members. City leaders continue to monitor local senior living facilities, including two Plattsburgh Housing Authority (PHA) high-rises on Flynn Ave., recently quarantined. With controversy over restarting the economy on state and national levels, and given always-changing information, Weeden said the group is discussing how to respond to either a full or partial re-entry into operations. “We are anxious to get back out there, just like many folks.” ■
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