[PAGE 1] CITY OF AMSTERDAM COMMON COUNCIL MEETING CALL TO ORDER Mayor Cinquanti called the March 17, 2026, meeting of the City of Amsterdam Common Council to order at 5:59pm. SALUTE TO THE FLAG Mayor Cinquanti led the Salute to the Flag. ROLL CALL Roll call indicated five (5) members were present. ADOPTION OF AGENDA Alderwoman Collins made a motion to adopt the agenda with the addition of one (1) consent resolution. PROCLAMATIONS None at this time COMMUNICATIONS and PRESENTATIONS None at this time PUBLIC PARTICIPATION Chet Watroba of Austin Street spoke regarding the following topics: 48 years ago he got his first tattoo, a recommendation for the City to have a specific place for children to get candy on Halloween as it’s difficult to see children at night and one child was hit by a car in 2025, lawns on abandoned properties with a recommendation to pour cement, and the cost of utilities for tax payers. Chet advised people in the city need help, they’re hungry. He added that $1000 a month rent prices are outrageous. Terry Vertucci spoke regarding various issues of parking on Clizbe Avenue which is effecting his daughter’s property. He added a young man tried to pick a fight with him recently over parking and his life was threatened by the young man. Parking is a liability. He added the tenants of his daughter’s building and customers are afraid to go to the building which she owns, due to the behaviors of the customers from the business across the street. Terry stated the other business should have a parking lot attendant. He also added he can’t run his own business on a Saturday, as he has to spend his time “babysitting” his daughter’s parking lot. He ended by asking the elected officials to please figure this issue out. Krissy Vertucci of KLV Properties also spoke regarding various issues of parking on Clizbe Avenue. She stated she is at a loss of words for the last three years. She first sent a letter to the Mayor in 2023. She added her main concern is the intersection of Clizbe and Northern Blvd, where Mr. Slocum was hit by a car. She has many videos of kids almost being hit by cars as well as video of times when plow trucks and ambulances were unable to get through, due to the way people are parked. Her life has been threatened by those who are not her customers, trying to park on her property. Krissy advised she was told to have people towed when they park on her property. She went on to say, this doesn’t work because by the time the tow trucks arrive, the customer is gone and then she is stuck with the bill. Krissy explained someone, who stood in line for a long time at the store across the street from her property, defecated in her parking lot, because there wasn’t a public restroom available. She wants a safe road and a safe area for the people. She pleaded with the Council for their help, backing and a resolution, as she “doesn’t know where to start.” [PAGE 2] Edwin Vazquez of Brookside Avenue spoke regarding his disappointment when attending the Comprehensive Plan Meeting. He stated there were two issues: 1. Participation and 2. Access. He was disappointed with the plan for the next ten years. He stated he likes to express himself effectively and doesn’t feel like his voice is being heard. He added his is “lucky” with expressing himself. He stated he doesn’t see people who he resonates with a public arenas/meetings. He added that people who can’t speak English, can’t participate and the paperwork and boards are in English only. Edwin stated many can’t participate because they can’t speak English. He added there isn’t any representation for those who can’t speak English. CITY ENGINEER’S REPORT Attached to minutes. Additional Discussion: City Engineer, Mike Clark, advised the Council he needs their “wish list” for street paving asap. He plans to present the final list of streets, for paving, to the Council at the next meeting. CITY CLERK’S REPORT Attached to minutes. WARD UPDATES Alderman Carpenter advised he was part of a meeting with CDTA, LaBella Associates and the business owners on Five Corners. During this meeting misconceptions were clarified. CDTA updated their plan. It was a very respectful meeting and those who attended seemed to be happy with the outcome. Alderman Martuscello advised there is an IBERO meeting at Centro Civico, Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at 4pm. This meeting will be to discuss various issues and the repaving of East End, Main Street. City Engineer, Mike Clark, advised this is moving forward as the sewer lines were done in 2025. This will include curb line changes. Alderwoman Collins asked if this would include better sidewalks. Alderman Martuscello advised “yes.” Alderman Carpenter asked if the meeting was regarding changing Schuyler Street to a two-way street. Dan Gray, Community and Economic Development, advised this is a separate project. Dan stated the Schuyler Street project is by DOT. Mike added this separate project, by DOT, would include closing the arterial, widening and adding a third lane on the bridge and removing the Eastbound ramp. MAYOR’S DISCUSSION Mayor Cinquanti stated 20 establishments, in the City of Amsterdam, participated in Pubfest. He stated this was a very nice day for many. He visited six establishments. This was a very busy day for small establishments within the City. Mayor Cinquanti congratulated the Amsterdam High School basketball team. He stated they are playing regionals in Binghamton on Friday. If they win, they will play the championship game on Sunday. He saw them play at Hudson Valley. They did a fantastic job. This team is “for real.” He encouraged everyone to root the team on. OLD BUSINESS NEW BUSINESS 1. RESOLUTION ADOPTING MINUTES FROM LAST COMMON COUNCIL MEETING COLLINS This resolution was passed with ayes from all five (5) Council members. 2. RESOLUTION STRONGLY URGING IMMEDIATE REVIEW OF ELECTRIC DELIVERY CHARGES, DEMANDING IMPROVED COST CONTROLS AND TRANSPARENCY, AND AUTHORIZING FORMAL COMPLAINTS TO THE NEW YORK STATE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION REGARDING THE ESCALATING [PAGE 3] COST OF ELECTRICITY CARPENTER Discussion: Alderman Carpenter stated residents and small businesses are paying fees which are higher than their actual bill. This resolution is about standing up for the residents of the City and seeking transparency on how the costs of electricity are calculated. There is a troubling pattern of the increasing costs. Rate payers are being burdened with unreasonable costs. These cost increases impact homes and businesses. The investigation isn’t about assigning blame, but making sure the system is working as intended, and the residents are being treated fairly. It’s the responsibility of the Council to ask the hard questions and stand with the community when things don’t make sense. Assemblyman Santabarbara and other assembly members are calling for an investigation into NYSEG. This is a way to acknowledge struggles of the residents and show that the Council cares what they are going through. Mayor Cinquanti stated he didn’t agree with the third to the last “Be it further resolved.” He stated his is in full support of the resolution. Mayor Cinquanti added we can provide the residents with information on how to submit their formal complaints, but they shouldn’t be submitted to the Clerk’s office. MOTION TO STRIKE, by Alderman Carpenter Remove third “BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:” BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Clerk is hereby authorized and directed to submit formal complaints, written comments, and supporting documentation to the New York State Public Service Commission on behalf of the City of Amsterdam and its residents, objecting to excessive electric costs and requesting regulatory intervention; and Change was passed with Ayes from all present Council Members. This resolution was passed with ayes from all five (5) Council members. 3. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR CONCESSIONARE SERVICES AT VETERANS PARK HOLODAY Discussion: Alderman Holoday stated this is the same RFP as last year. The concessionaire which provided these services in 2025, now has his own restaurant on Main Street. This year will be someone new. Alderman Martuscello questioned why the RFP would need to be submitted by July 1, 2026, when the Food Trailer would open on May 21, 2026. City Clerk, Stacy Ortiz, advised, the last paragraph shows the RFPs are due to the Clerk’s Office by 3pm on April 10, 2026. Alderwoman Quist-Demars stated Certificates of Insurance are due to the Clerk prior to July 1, 2026. Mayor Cinquanti read the paragraph in question: “Certificates of Insurance comply with the Insurance Requirements of the Lease must by submitted to the City Clerk prior to July 1st of each year or the commencement of operations.” This resolution was passed with ayes from all five (5) Council members. 4. RESOLUTION REFERRING THE 2026 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE TO THE CITY PLANNING COMMISSION AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY PLANNING BOARD AND DECLARING INTENT TO ACT AS LEAD AGENCY UNDER SEQRA COLLINS Discussion: Mayor Cinquanti stated there was a meeting for this resolution, which was part of the process to have this resolution approved. The plan is being translated into Spanish. Corporation Counsel stated this will be for the SEQRA component. Dan Gray, Community and Economic Development, stated getting Council’s approval is the second step of the process. This plan will then go to the County and Planning Board to review. Alderwoman Quist-Demars asked about the public meeting. Dan advised the meeting went well and a lot of people showed up to the meeting. This resolution was passed with ayes from all five (5) Council members. 5. RESOLUTION APPROVING AUDIT COLLINS This resolution was passed with ayes from all five (5) Council members. 6. RESOLUTION BUDGET TRANSFER – CLERK’S OFFICE COMPUTER MARTUSCELLO This resolution was passed with ayes from all five (5) Council members. [PAGE 4] COMMITTEE MEETINGS UPDATE/SCHEDULING OF MEETINGS Alderwoman Quist-Demars reminded everyone of the Safe Streets meeting, via Zoom, Wednesday, March 18, 2026 at 1pm. The agenda was sent out with a list of “tools.” Alderman Carpenter advised there is a Golf Commission meeting on Wednesday, March 18, 2026 at 5pm. He gave an update; the old pro-shop is being cleaned out. The patio furniture is being moved out as well. Alderwoman Quist-Demars advised there is a Recreation Committee meeting on Monday, March 23, 2026 at 5pm. EXECUTIVE SESSION None at this time ADJOURNMENT Alderman Carpenter made a motion to end the meeting at 6:34pm which passed with ayes from all five (5) Council members present.