►
Description
Meeting to discuss Resolution Number 49.52.21R (MC) which encourages that the Capital Holiday Lights in the Park remain in Washington Park
B
Thank
you
all
tonight
for
showing
up
for
the
june
23rd
parks
and
recreation
committee
to
talk
about
the
resolution.
49
52
21r,
the
lights
in
the
park
committee
members
who
are
present
kathy
faghey,
is
derek
johns
here.
Councilman
derek
johnson,
usually
also
president,
is
president
pro
temp
kelly
kimbrough
and
I
believe,
that's
it
so
for
tonight
we're
going
to
start
off
talking
we're
going
to
have
the
public
speak,
so
I
believe
jr
we're
going
to
have
dave
bauer
speak
and
then
go
from
there.
Okay,.
A
As
you
know,
last
year
was
a
very
significant
and
crazy
year
with
kobit,
and
essentially
we
became
the
only
only
game
in
town.
You
know
people
were
not
dining
out
in
restaurants,
they
weren't
going
to
malls
and
we
were
safe
event
that
they
could
do
in
their
in
their
automobiles
and
and
they
they
came
in
droves.
We
had
unprecedented
traffic
issues,
which
we
addressed
on
the
fly
during
during
the
show.
A
A
proposal
to
the
mayor's
office
on
our
about
june
30th,
which
we'll
have
our
traffic
study,
we'll
talk
about
limiting
the
number
of
cars,
we'll
talk
about
timed
entry,
all
the
time
so
that
we
don't
have
big
traffic
backups
and
then
we'll
also
have
a
impact
fee
that
will
be
putting
aside
for
the
preservation
of
the
park
and
help
to
keep
the
the
park
pristine
on
a
on
a
per
car
basis.
So
we're
we're
working
on
that
report
right
now
and
we
understand
the
importance
of
it.
A
A
B
Yeah,
I'm
gonna
d,
if,
if
kathy
or
ulusu
or
anybody
has
any
questions
for
dave,
because
I
know
he
has
to
leave
we'll
open
up
the
floor
and
then
we'll
go
to
other
public
comments.
I
know
dave
is
the
big
presenter
here.
So
I
want
to
give
the
committee
members
an
opportunity
to
at
least
ask
any
questions
and
before
that.
D
A
B
To
let
everybody
know
part
of
this
resolution
is
to
find
solutions
for
the
park.
It's
not
you
know,
I'm
not
everybody's,
saying
you're
doing
this,
for
whatever
reason
we
want
to
find
solutions
for
the
issues,
and
I
feel
that
we
can
find
the
the
issues
and
solve
the
issues
so
kathy
faye.
You
have
any
something
to
say.
C
C
C
A
A
A
C
A
E
A
A
C
A
D
Good
good,
it's
no
secret,
I'm
a
big
supporter
of
the
police
athletic
league.
The
work
that
you
guys
are
doing
for
our
city
is
unbelievable.
You
know
and
I'll
think
about
the
families
that
you
guys
serve.
You
know
over
2000
families
and
most
of
these
families
are
in
a
marginalized
communities
and
they
really
appreciate
the
help
and
assistance
that
you
provide.
You
know
all
across
the
city.
I
also
want
to
commend
you
guys.
Even
during
the
pandemic,
you
know
making
your
space
available
as
a
daycare
for
essential
workers.
D
You
know
first
responders
so
just
thinking
outside
of
the
box,
and
I
also
want
to
thank
you
guys
for
your
being
proactive
and
coming
up
with
a
committee
and
also
a
stakeholders
committee
to
discuss
measures
to
move
forward.
Just
my
question
is
more
so,
can
you
talk
a
little
bit
more
about
the
demographics
that
you
serve
and
also?
I
was
just
recently
told
that
you
guys
donate
to
other
nonprofits.
Can
you
talk
a
little
bit
about
that
and
yeah.
A
There
was
basically
no
one
to
continue
the
management
of
that
we
had
a
management
contract
pal
did,
but
the
board
members
of
the
american
little
league
were
really
having
a
hard
time
getting
volunteers,
and
we
saw
that
as
definitely
something
that
pal
could
fulfill
for
the
kids,
especially
in
that
neighborhood
and
we
we
stepped
in
and
they
merged
with
us.
So
that's
another
program
of
the
police
athletic
league.
As
far
as
the
kids
we
serve,
we
we
have.
A
We
have
great
kids
and
I
I
think
we're
really
fortunate
to
be
able
to
get
volunteers
as
well
as
police
officers
and
get
those
kids
introduced
into
those
relationships
on
on
a
on
a
you
know,
on
a
non
on
a
non-violent
basis.
You
know
it's
like
the
first
time.
They're
meeting
a
police
officer
is
not
when
there's
a
problem
right
right,
they're
meeting
them
as
a
young
kid,
and
maybe
the
cop
is
coaching
basketball
or
helping
them
mentor,
or
things
like
that.
A
So
they
have
a
trusted
friend,
I
think
that's
very
important
and
then
this
the
sense
of
community
that
we
bring
and
safety
as
you
addressed.
You
know
for
essential
workers.
If
there's
something
that
we
can
do
that
we
see
or
somebody
in
the
community
says,
can
you
guys
help
us?
We
we
we
try
to
fulfill
that
need
and
we
and
we
want
to
work
with
the
city
and
the
and
the
other
not-for-profits
to
serve
to
serve
our
the
kids
and
the
families
in
the
city
of
albany
and
that's
our
service
area.
D
A
Yeah,
it's
it's
approximately
a
third
of
our
budget,
wow
yeah,
it's
our
it's
our
it's
our
largest
and,
as
you
know,
we've
been
partnered
like
we
can't
do
this
on
our
own.
Our
our
partner
is
the
city
of
albany,
so
we
want
to
address.
You
know
the
concerns
that
either
the
city
has
or
or
or
or
neighborhood
associations
have.
D
Yeah
and
I'll
just
lastly,
I
want
to
thank
you,
yeah
executive
director,
for
the
work
that
he's
doing
and
also
just
for
for
the
neighborhood.
You
know
beautifying
the
neighborhood,
I
always
often
see
pal
kids
or
even
staff,
going
to
madison
avenue
park,
cleaning
up
the
park
cleaning
in
front
of
building
talking
to
the
businesses
to
also
encourage
them
to
beautify
that
corridor.
So
just
you
know
overall,
I
just
want
to
thank
you
guys
for
the
work
that
you're
doing.
A
Well,
we
we
appreciate
it
and
we
appreciate
you
guys
supporting
us
and
then
the
other
thing
is
that
sometimes
overlooked
is
you
know
we
have
a
bunch
of
cadets.
You
know
we
have
young
young
kids
from
the
neighborhood
that
all
want
to
be
police
officers,
that
you
know
train
and
it's
a
it's
a
gateway
for
them
to
have
a
you
know
a
career
as
a
police
officer
and
to
get
training
and
and
also
to
see
you
know
what
it.
A
B
A
So
we
we
have
volunteer
labor,
we
have
paid
labor
pal
pays,
for
we
sometimes
will
get
labor
from
the
sheriff
for
from
inmates
county,
labor
and
those
inmates.
That's
a
volunteer
position
that
that
they
want
to.
Those
are
inmates
that
are
being
released
usually
within
six
months,
and
they
have
good
good
behavior
and
it's
a
privilege
for
them
to
to
come
to
the
park
and
to
help
the
lights
and
they
really
enjoy
it.
A
And
then
the
only
the
only
resource,
I
shouldn't
say
the
only
resource,
but
the
paid
resource
that
the
city
provides.
Is
you
plow
the
park?
The
park
is
plowed,
but
it's
plowed
anyway.
You
know
for
snow
emergencies
and
for
people
to
park
and
walk,
and
then
we
have
a
patrol
a
police
officer.
That's
stationed
in
the.
B
A
No
yeah,
so
there
was
some
miscommunication.
I
think
that
the
mayor
did
not
know.
I
think
at
the
time
that
we
had,
we
had
put
our
application
in.
So
the
application
is
in
that
then,
into
the
city
right
now,
and
but
the
mayor
had
sent
a
letter
asking
me
for
some
information
regarding
the
electrical
infrastructure,
which
you
know
we
replied
to
on
june
15th
and
then
the
mayor
wants
to
get
together
with
myself
and
our
our
report.
A
Yeah,
so
you
know
we
call
it
christmas
in
july.
I
don't
know
if
you
guys
remember
that,
so
we
talk
about
christmas
in
july,
where
we
start
talking
about
the
event,
we're
lining
up
our
sponsors
and
our
advertising.
We
start
working
on
the
light
displays
and
we
start
our
planning.
So
we
would.
We
would
like
to
have
the
permit.
You
know
in
july.
F
B
B
E
Good
evening,
mr
chairman,
members
of
the
committee,
hope
you're
all
staying
safe
and
healthy.
I've
heard
some
problematic
issues
with
the
park,
but
I'm
not.
I
saw
a
couple
other
people
speaking
or
they
weren't
council
members,
so
I'm
hoping
they
can
address
them,
but
it
has
to
deal
due
with
the
electrical
the
occupation
of
the
park
for
a
good
four
months,
the
prison
labor.
E
E
G
G
Okay,
the
reason
that
I've
decided
to
speak
is
because
I'm
retired
from
the
city
school
district
of
albany
and
one
of
the
many
positions
I
held
there
had
to
do
with
providing
funds
for
and
delivering
the
services
of
many
many
after
school
every
after
school
program
in
this
district.
As
a
matter
of
fact,
and
we
partnered
to
do
those
programs
with
various
entities
so
that
our
children
had
enough
and
plenty
of
useful
and
wise
activities
that
would
help
them
with
their
education
and
extend
their
day
of
learning.
G
G
I
personally
have
friends
that
come
here
from
all
over
new
york
and
massachusetts
and
long
island
to
see
these
lights,
and
what
the
first
thing
they
say
to
me
is
now.
I
understand
what
happened
arnelle
and
I
understand
why
this
is
so
important
to
you.
I
also
explained,
based
on
what
I
did
in
the
school
district,
how
important
it
is
for
our
children
to
enjoy
these
things
and
to
benefit
from
their
their
their
their
fortune
as
a
result
of
the
fundraiser.
G
So
as
a
person
that
lives
on
the
park,
I
witnessed
the
day
last
year,
where
the
the
whole
street,
my
whole
street,
was
stopped.
I
witnessed
that,
but
I
didn't
look
at
it
as
a
negative,
because
I
knew
that
it
meant
people
were
doing
something
during
covid
that
would
brighten
their
day
their
life,
and
I
just
thought
it
was
great
to
see
so
many
people
there.
C
G
I
couldn't
park
my
car,
no,
I
couldn't
you
know
it
was
difficult
to
get
across
the
street
to
walk
the
dog,
but
I
didn't
care
because
this
is
more.
This
is
bigger
than
me,
or
you
know
my
neighbors.
We
just
want
to
see.
Most
of
them
want
to
see
kids
benefit
and
the
city
benefit
from
showing
off
our
beautiful
park
during
the
holidays.
G
G
G
G
B
G
Our
children,
I
want
our
children
to
continue
to
be
able
to
enjoy
these
holidays
and
the
walk
throughs
the
bicycle
days,
whatever
I
have
a
dog
that
go
to
the
park
every
day,
but
I
just
want
people
to
understand
these.
Sometimes
these
little
inconveniences
are
nothing
compared
to
the
benefits
that
we
receive
by
utilizing
our
park
as
a
fundraiser
at
this
time
of
year
for
our
children.
B
B
G
I
So
I
won't
read
the
whole
thing
I'll,
keep
it
a
little
briefer
than
that,
and
just
say
you
know
we
were
requested
to
weigh
in
on
the
matter
by
a
couple
of
the
neighborhood
associations
and-
and
so
we
we
took
a
look
at
the
issue
and
came
to
a
couple
of
statements
of
principle
that
are
that
are
expanded
on
in
the
letter.
So
you
know,
first
of
all,
as
someone
who
lives
near
washington
park,
I
enjoy
capital
lights.
I
I
like
walking
around
through
it
and
it's
you
know
it's
nice
to
have
these
sort
of
seasonal
events
through
the
year.
So
that's
that's!
That's
fine!
But
weighing
in
as
a
sustainability
committee,
we
had
a
couple
of
points
of
principle
and
that
has
to
do
basically
with
you
know,
as
we
move
to
a
lower
carbon
and
a
lower
environmental
impact
society
over
the
coming
decades.
I
We
should
be.
You
know
always
bearing
in
mind
that
one
of
the
main
impactors
of
our
lifestyle
on
the
planet
is
is
automobiles
and
we
want
to
be
thinking
about
really
making
a
statement
or
principle
that
it
shouldn't
be
required
that
you
have
a
car
to
enjoy
something.
That's
a
public
function,
so
we
should
be
making
sure
that
you
know
the
the
kind
of
events
that
we
sponsor
as
a
community
are
things
that
are
pretty
easy
to
enjoy
as
a
pedestrian
or
a
biker.
I
J
Made
it
hi,
so
I
I
caught
daniel's
comment
and
I
actually
heard
the
presentation
about
the
lights
in
the
park
from
a
walkable
albany
meeting
that
I
was
in,
and
my
main
concern
is
that
there's
not
enough
six
ward
residents
that
are
actually
on
participating
in
the
lights
in
the
park
committee
outside
of
the
parks
and
rec
committee
as
well.
The
people
directly
in
the
sixth
ward
and
specifically
right
around
the
washington
park
area
are
the
ones
that
are
being
affected
directly
by
lights
in
the
park.
J
So
I'm
here
again
to
kind
of
re-request
that
you
have
six
ward
residents,
six
ward
leaders,
six
board
business
owners
on
not
only
this
lights
in
the
park
subcommittee
that
is
being
created
to
determine
what
is
going
to
happen
with
the
event,
but
also
on
this
potential
ad
hoc
committee,
which
would
be
meeting
before
during
and
after
lights
in
the
park
to
determine.
What's
going
to
happen.
With
that
event,
I
think
it's
really
really
important.
I
feel
like
last
time
I
made
this
comment.
J
This
comment
was
disregarded
by
the
pal
supervisor
that
attended
this
walkable
albany
event,
but
it's
really
really
important
that
you
have
people
living
in
this
neighborhood
that
are
directly
affected
by
this
event,
that
are
the
the
people
that
really
came
together
to
demand
this
change.
Here
we
are
talking
about
it,
so
I
really
think
you
need
to
have
more
people.
I
would
love
to
be
involved
in
this,
but
I'm
just
I'm
just
one
voice.
There
are
many
people
that
also
want
to
be
heard
that
live
in
the
sixth
ward.
J
So
I'd
ask
a
lot
and
one
more
thing
that
I
think
we
just
need
to
discuss
when
we're
talking
about
lights
in
the
park
as
well
is
its
use
of
jail
labor.
I
think
that's
a
really
big
problem,
that's
not
being
addressed
within
lights
in
the
park
and
within
the
city,
but
that's
just
another
thing
that
if
you
want
to
keep
lights
in
the
park
in
any
way,
you
need
to
get
rid
of
the
jail
labor.
J
J
I
I
I
grew
up
going
to
likes
in
the
park,
often
as
a
kid,
so
I
I
understand
the
nature
of
the
event
and
its
intention,
but
it
has
outgrown
the
space
and
we
really
need
to
listen
to
the
people
that
are
in
the
washington
park
area
as
to
what
we're
gonna
do
next
and
they've
been
pretty
clear
about
their
intentions,
so
I
think
we
need
to
listen
to
them
a
little
more.
Thank
you.
J
H
As
you
know,
the
washington
park
conservancy
walkable
albany
as
well
earlier
this
year,
and
I
would
say
that
canada
has
no
is
taking
no
position
on
whether
or
not
the
capital
likes
in
the
park
should
continue
or
not.
Our
we
were
asked
to
put
together
a
panel
discussion
to
see
if
all
interested
parties
can
come
to
the
table
and
have
a
discussion
about
their
point
of
view
and
see
if
there
could
be
some
type
of
resolution
or
way
to
make
it
work
for
all
parties
involved.
H
H
H
I
personally
feel
as
though
there
should
be
a
ban
on
using
prison
labor
as
well.
I
understand
that
it
was
talked
about
briefly
this
evening
and
how
happy
they
are,
I'm
going
to
get
a
little
controversial
here,
but
it
sort
of
rings
to
me
the
same
connotation
that
people
were
making
about
how
happy
free
labor
in
this
country
were
to
be
free
to
provide
that
free
labor.
We
do
not
have
the
opportunity
to
speak
to
those
to
those
inmates
who
are
providing
that
labor.
H
However,
I
I'm
pretty
sure
that
if
we
had
the
opportunity
they
they
may
be
saying
something
totally
different.
You
know,
and
so
we
should
really
should
rethink
that,
and
hopefully
power
rethinks
utilizing
that
labor
in
order
to
put
on
this
event,
that
is
basically
all
again.
We
are
not
again
canada's
not
taking
a
position.
H
I
want
to
make
that
point
clear,
but
we
just
wanted
to
discuss
and
make
it
known
a
lot
of
the
issues
that
were
brought
up
regarding
walkability
regarding
sustainability
of
the
park
and
the
care
of
the
park
and
parking
issues
and
people
trying
to
access
their
homes
while
trying
to
navigate
the
traffic
that
this
event
provides.
All
of
those
are
understood.
H
All
of
those
are
heard
at
the
same
time,
there's
people
as
you
heard
this
evening,
who
really
enjoy
the
event,
who
really
believe
that
the
event
brought
brings
people
together
a
nice
way
to
celebrate
the
holidays
in
the
city
of
albany
and
people
who
may
look
forward
to
this
event
and
the
hope
that
all
of
the
stakeholders
are
at
the
table
able
to
have
a
conducive
discussion
and
hopefully
find
a
a
amicable
resolution
to
this.
Thank
you.
H
B
K
I'm
here
yes,
do
you
want
to
speak
hi?
Absolutely!
Thank
you.
So
much
for
hosting
us
meeting
up.
You
know
right
off
the
top
up.
It
was
great
listening
to
everyone's
view,
both
pro
and
con,
because
I
think
at
the
end
of
the
day
it's
listening.
I
grew
up
on
282
orange
street
right
near
the
corner
of
larkin
orange,
and
I
was
a
pow
kid
for
me.
Lights
in
the
park
wasn't
so
much
enjoyability.
K
It
was
for
my.
I
use
the
term
survival.
I
had
to
take
advantage
of
every
summer
program,
so
my
mother
could
work.
She
was
attending
adult
learning,
center
learning
english,
while
working
two
jobs.
She
also
had
two
children.
We
attended
every
after-school
program
possible
every
trip
possible
and
the
money
off
these
lights.
What
made
it
possible
I'm
42
years
old
now
and
I
and
I
own
businesses-
and
I
could
say
right
off
the
rep-
is
that
I
love
the
city
of
albany.
K
It
gave
my
family
an
opportunity
to
work
hard
and
to
get
where
we
are.
I've
also
learned
in
business,
though,
that
we
have
to
be
symbiotic,
and
so
I'm
listening.
I
think
the
sixth
ward
people
live
on
washington
park.
You
absolutely
need
a
voice.
I
think
it's
councilwoman,
gabriella
romero,
who
said
it
six
words.
You
have
a
voice,
you
should.
K
These
are
your
neighborhoods
that
you
live
in
and
that
you
represent
it
should
be
symbiotic,
but
we
also
have
to
realize
when
I
hear
the
term
that
we
outgrew
the
space
for
the
park,
think
about
what
we've
outgrown.
We
can't
outgrow
the
children
that
this
space
helps
provide
for
and
I'm
one
of
those
kids,
so
we
just
always
have
to
keep
in
mind
at
the
end
of
the
day.
Please
athletically
it's
easy
to
get
lost
in
the
organization,
but
understand
that
just
represents
the
children
and
right
now,
our
kids.
K
We
don't
have
a
great
voice,
we're
coming
off
a
couple
years
of
heavy
violence,
heavy
heavy
violence
in
the
neighborhoods
that
I
called
home
that
I
walked
through
every
single
day
for
15
years,
and
you
know,
I
think
that
she
said
it.
We
need
better
ways
to
resolve
conflicts
or
even
just
how
to
communicate.
K
K
Let's
show
them
that
by
working
together
we
can't
make
a
change
and
I'm
not
trying
to
sound
wishy-washy,
but
it's
about
survival
and
these
children
growing
up
in
this
city.
It's
we're
we're
just
trying
to
survive.
I
was
one
of
those
kids
running
to
the
bus.
Stop
because
I
was
scared.
You
know
winter
time
trying
to
be
home
by
four
o'clock,
so
it
wasn't
so
dark
to
walk
down
the
street
all
right.
So
thank
you
very
much
for
opportunity.
L
L
L
The
previous
speaker,
you
know,
spoke
to
the
issue
surrounding
to
the
fundraising
efforts
for
programs
for
the
city's
youth.
There's
a
lot
of
upside
to
this.
When
I
heard
that
you
know
there
was
all
this
pushback,
you
know,
I
didn't
quite
understand
it.
I
think
it
was.
You
know
from
from
what
I
you
know
gathered.
L
It
was
generated
from
traffic
issues,
but
then
it
went
from
traffic
issues
to
some
other
issue,
and
so
you
know
all
the
previous
people
have
testified
made
excellent
points.
The
fact
that
I'm
not
sure
what
all
the
issues
are
in
their
entirety
and
when
some
attempt
to
be
addressed
something
else
pops
up.
So
I
think
collectively,
having
some
folks
get
together
and
put
it
all
on
the
table
to
figure
this
out
would
be
a
positive
step
to
keeping
it
in
washington
park.
L
I
don't
foresee
I
mean
any
other
location
within
the
city
that
you
could
do
something
like
this.
You
know
when
I
talk
to
a
lot
of
folks.
You
know
if
it's
a
traffic
issue,
you
know,
perhaps
you
know
having
time
slots
for
people
to
to
to
be
there.
Instead
of
you
know,
waiting
online
there's
just
a
tremendous
amount
of
of
brain
power.
L
L
You
know
on
my
row:
do
support
lights
in
the
park
and
I
know
that
you
know
the
neighbors
associations
have
influence
within
the
city,
but
you
know
quite
frankly,
the
neighborhood
associations,
you
know,
usually
make
up
15
to
20
active
members,
and
that's
not
the
large
majority
of
the
folks
who
who
live
there
and
don't
have
the
opportunity
to
speak
all
the
time
because
they
have
kids
running
around
to
you
know
baseball
games.
You
know
getting
their
kids
where
you
have
to
get
them,
and
so
I
think
you
know.
L
I
appreciate
this
this
forum
and
this
document
because
I
think,
there's
opportunities
for
a
way
forward
and
that
there
there's
a
lot
of
good
here,
and
I
don't
think
that
we
should
dismiss
the
folks
who
have
issues.
But
I
think
that
we
really
need
to
get
them
all
out
on
the
table
all
at
once
and
take
them
one
by
one
and
see
how
we
can
you
know,
move
forward
to
keep
lights
in
the
park
where
it
is.
I
appreciate
you
the
opportunity.
Thank
you,
jack
thanks,
glenn.
F
I
I
I
think
it
it
might
be
worthwhile
to
bear
in
mind
that
there
are
two
separate
issues
here.
There
is
the
desirability
of
the
activities
that
the
pal
carries
out
and
then
there's
this
particular
method
for
raising
funds
for
those
activities
and
those
two
things
in
principle
are
separate.
I
mean
if
this
is
like
hugely
important
lifeline
for
the
city.
Maybe
we
should
be
thinking
about
what
an
appropriate
level
of
public
funding
would
be
for
such
a
crucially
important
activity.
So
that's
that
was
my
last
point
and
thank
you
for
your
attention.
Bye-Bye.
F
Okay,
so
from
councilman
kante,
I
am
unable
to
be
at
tonight's
meeting
regarding
the
above
resolution,
which
supports
the
continuation
of
capital
lights
in
the
park
in
washington
park.
The
resident
machine
itself
is
non-binding
on
the
city's
process
for
considering
pal
special
events
permit
to
continue
lights
in
the
park
in
washington
park
and
the
factors
needed
to
be
considered,
including,
but
not
limited
to
traffic
impacts,
pedestrian
safety,
public
accessibility
to
washington,
park,
environmental
impacts
and
damage
to
washington,
park's
infrastructure
and
ecology.
F
The
resolution
itself
does
not
address
any
of
the
factors
necessary
for
consideration
of
this
event,
for
and
for
an
event
that
was
meant
to
be
temporarily
located
in
washington
park.
Lip
has
grown
significantly
over
the
past
24
years,
taking
over
the
park
for
more
than
a
quarter
of
the
year
and
restricting
public
access
by
any
standard.
The
event
has
outgrown
its
current
venue
and
the
current
location
is
no
longer
appropriate.
F
F
We
are
writing
collaboratively
as
washington
park,
neighborhood
association,
hudson
park,
neighborhood
association,
center
square
association
park,
south
neighborhood
association
and
the
washington
conservancy
regarding
capital,
holiday
lights,
lip
and
washington
park
below
are
our
points
that
we
would
like
to
reiterate.
L.I.P
has
outgrown
washington
park
and
the
site
cannot
handle
ten
thousand
plus
visitors.
We
are
concerned
about
the
nights.
There
is
excessive
traffic
with
the
event
consistently
creating
gridlock
throughout
the
neighborhoods.
F
It
is
a
matter
of
urban
environmental
justice
and
patently
unfair
to
invite
thousands
of
idling
cars
into
a
singular
area
of
the
city,
an
area
which
attracts
residents
and
businesses
to
the
area
due
to
its
walkability
and
access
to
public
park.
Land
washington
park
was
created
to
provide
residents
with
a
free
public
health
option
and
inclusiveness
was
gained
was
gained
by
providing
unmitigated
access
to
its
lands.
F
The
park
is
centrally
located
and
easily
accessible
to
all
residents.
Since
the
creation
of
lip,
the
access
has
dropped
severely
denying
residents
with
their
inalienable
rights
to
public
health
and
recreation.
The
events
take
shape
from
early
october
as
the
grounds
being
to
free
begins
to
freeze
and
the
display
come
down
by
january
16th.
This
is
about
a
fourth
of
the
year.
F
The
damage
to
the
park
is
unmitigated
by
the
permit
holder.
Each
year,
the
department
of
general
services
residents
and
volunteers
spend
countless
hours
days
and
months
undoing
the
damage
left
by
the
event,
picking
up
hundreds
of
pieces
of
electrical
debris,
states,
reseeding,
lawn
and
reestablishing
berms
that
are
designed
to
control
water
runoff.
As
a
city,
we
must
commit
to
the
stewardship
of
our
public
lands
for
everyone's
benefit
and
for
future
generations.
F
C
F
Washington
park
is
a
historic
park
in
the
middle
of
albany,
surrounded
by
narrow,
one-way
streets.
We
believe
that
the
event
has
outgrown
washington
park
when
powell
initiated
the
event
in
1996.
It
started
with
30
to
40
structures.
There
are
over
150
now,
while
many
people
have
nostalgic
feelings
associated
with
the
event.
It
is
important
to
prioritize
the
various
communities
that
are
negatively
impacted
by
the
increased
traffic
damage
to
the
landscape
and
a
lack
of
inclusivity
and
safety
caused
by
the
event.
F
The
next
written
comment
that
I
received
is
from
roseberry
mahoney
of
22
conquer
drive,
misty
unin,
new
york.
12309
topic
is
capitol
hill
capital
holiday
lights,
love
this
event.
It
has
always
been
a
source
of
enjoyment
for
our
family.
Please
keep
the
event,
as
is.
It
was
especially
wonderful
during
covet
as
a
safe
family
event
we
attended
more
than
once
in
2020.
It
would
be
a
shame
to
move
it
next.
I
have
a
letter
that
we've
received
that
doesn't
have
a
person
jack.
F
Do
you
know
who
it
was
that
you
received
paul
collins,
okay,
okay,
who
will
speak
for
the
children?
The
current
debate
as
the
value
of
powell's
holiday
light
in
the
park
raises
certain
concerns.
I
would
assert
that
the
debate
has
so
far
suffered
from
a
lack
of
input
from
small,
politically
powerless
interest
groups,
the
nearly
2
000
inner
city,
children
who
annually
participate
in
pal
programs.
These
children
are
the
primary
beneficiaries
of
the
work
which
powell
has
successfully
undertaken
for
more
than
30
years.
F
A
review
of
powell's
website
reveals
that
its
goal
to
foster
interaction
between
at-risk
youth
and
members
of
the
albany
police
department
in
non-law
enforcement
settings,
many
leaders
and
residents
in
the
neighborhoods
most
victims
to
gun
violence,
point
to
a
distrust
of
police
by
members
of
the
community,
especially
younger
members,
as
a
problem
which
must
be
addressed
before
effectively.
Community
police
partnerships
can
deal
with
the
ever-increasing
violence
that
type
of
problem
is
addressed
by
exposing
children
at
a
young
age
to
police
in
a
non-law
enforcement
environment.
F
F
Many
call
today
for
defunding
the
police
and
using
the
diverted
resources
to
fund
community
building
programs
aimed
at
creating
a
sense
among
inner
city
residents
that
the
police
are
not
an
occupying
force,
but
rather
potential
partners
in
creating
a
better
neighborhood.
That
would
seem
to
be
the
mission
of
powell.
F
It
is
obvious
that
the
well-heeled
residents
of
the
areas
surrounding
washington
park
have
taken
their
unhappiness
to
city
hall
in
a
most
effective
manner.
However,
their
concerns
are
founded
in
a
desire
to
avoid
six
weeks
of
inconvenience
a
year.
The
washington
park
conservancy
has
its
sole
purpose,
the
preservation
and
enhancement
of
the
park
without
any
obligation
to
the
rest
of
the
city.
Although
these
groups
are
very
articulate
at
their
have
having
their
message
heard,
it
is
exactly
their
message
and
quotes.
F
It
is
a
message,
devoid
of
any
consideration
of
the
city's
most
pressing
problems
as
city
officials
attempt
to
triage
the
various
issues
which
plague
the
city
as
a
whole.
No
one
can
legitimately
deny
that
any
balance
of
equities
would
tip
in
favor
of
a
continuation
of
powell's
work,
not
a
defunding
of
that
work.
F
F
F
I
have
perhaps
inarticulately
tried
to
make
the
case
for
the
children
of
the
city,
who
have
no
one
to
speak
for
them
for
those
children
and
those
of
us
who
believe
that
program
which
foster
a
relationship
between
the
police
and
the
city's
children.
Our
wealth
are
well
worth,
keeping
simply
put
roadside
ruts
electrical
debris
and
the
traffic
type
can
be
remedied,
losing
or
reducing
a
program
like.
How
cannot
be
that's
it.
B
E
M
B
E
Thank
you
jack.
You
know
I
never
do
this,
but
I,
since
I
wasn't
near
my
time,
I
just
wanted
to
reiterate
that,
to
my
knowledge,
no
one
is
talking
about
canceling
lights
in
the
park,
we're
talking
about
potentially
relocating,
and
it
seems
nearly
everyone
that
spoke
in
favor
of
keeping
lights
in
the
park
acted
like
it
was
this
or
nothing.
So
I
just
want
to
reiterate
that
we're
talking
relocation,
we're
not
talking
cancellation.
Thank
you.
B
Any
committee
members
I
plan
on
tabling
this
tonight.
You
know
I
I
do
appreciate
all
the
information.
I
do
agree
that
we
should
call
all
the
stakeholders
to
the
table
either
canada,
presidents
association
presidents,
you
know
I
just
found
out
about
an
event
they
had
last
week.
So
I'd
like
to
table
this
and
see
if
we
can
get
more
of
the
six
word
residents
more
of,
like
I
said,
presidents
of
associations
or
any
representative
to
attend
another
meeting,
so
we
can
get
more
information.
B
B
C
C
H
Yes,
very
quickly,
I
know
that
there's
been
discussion
about,
and
it
was
mentioned
in
the
letter
from
the
neighborhood
associations
about
moving
the
the
event,
and
I
believe
that
a
proposed
location
was
legal,
lincoln
park,
which
is
on
the
south
end.
I
know
for
from
my
knowledge
and
I
could
be
incorrect.
H
No
one
from
that
area
is
on
this,
this
committee,
and
if
that
is
a
possibility,
we
really
should
get
their
way
in
from
their
neighborhood
associations.
I
think
it's
the
south
end
and
delaware
avenue
that
would
be
most
affected,
but
what
people
in
those
areas
think
because
of
south
end.
Unfortunately,
it's
it's
historically
not
been
included
on
discussions
of
this
magnitude
and
I
really
invite
the
committee
to
to
change
that
and
make
sure
that
they
are
included,
so
their
voices
are
heard
as
well.
H
B
M
Derek
so
I
just
would.
I
just
would
like
to
say
thank
you
to
the
speakers
tonight
that
you
know
live
by
the
park
and
spoke
honestly
about
what's
going
on.
I
think
you
know
for
for
far
too
long,
the
neighborhood
associations
have
been
able
to
bully
that
park,
and
you
know
we'll.
I
said
it
before,
but
the
street
warriors
are-
and
I
hope,
I'm
not
saying
their
name
street
soldiers
or
the
street
warriors
that
pass
out
food
in
the
park.
M
You
know
they
were
forced
to
move
after
just
a
couple
on
phone
calls
and
you
know,
were
they
weren't
given
a
option,
they
were
demanded
that
they
were
going
to
be
moved
to
academy
park
and
and
then
only
two
years
later,
to
receive
the
jefferson
award.
So
I
think
that
you
know
what
we
have
here
is
every
time
it's
something
that
comes
encountered
with
people
in
those
neighborhood
associations.
M
They
say
the
park
is
overcrowded
and
overused,
and,
and
that
park
is
too
big
last
year
is
not
a
fair
assessment
of
you
know
the
issues
that
that
come
with
lights
in
the
park,
because,
as
everybody
knows,
it
was
the
only
show
in
town.
So
you
know
I'm
I'm
in
support
of
pal,
but
I
will
also
have
some
questions
about.
I
would
like
to
see
how
that
money
is
being
generated.
M
You
know,
because
you
hear
a
lot
of
people
raising
money
off
of
behalf
of
our
kids
and
then
when
it
comes
time
to
spend
the
money
you
know
the
money.
Doesn't
it
doesn't
look
the
same
you
know,
so
I
would
like
to
see
more
transparency
and
how
that
1.2
million
dollars
is
spent,
and
you
know
when
you
hear
that
they
have
sponsors
to
help
with
putting
on
the
show.
M
You
know
when
they
say
people
in
the
south
end
people
in
the
south
end
are
still
upset
over
losing
parking
spaces
for
a
bike
trail
that
you
know
they
don't
see
the
importance
of
interfering
with
parking
and
interfering
with
how
the
bus
operated
in
the
neighborhood.
Now,
people
that
are
older
have
to
walk
long
distances
which
which
they
never
had
to
do
before,
but
you
know
those
type
of
studies
weren't
taken
into
consideration.
So
I
I
just
like
fairness.
M
I
like
when
people
speak
about
the
the
real
issue
and
not
you
know,
make
it
one-sided.
You
know
so
to
the
people
that
came
on
tonight
and
and
was
was
open
and
honest.
That's
that's
that's
how
we
can
get
to
working
together
to
work
through
a
solution.
Instead
of
you
know,
just
the
gang
gang
attack
warfare
type
of
approach,
so
I
just
want
to
say
I'm
in
support
of
powell
continuing
on
in
his
current
space.
M
B
Thank
you
yeah.
I
I
totally
agree
with
you
all
of
a
sudden
there's
an
electrical
issue
after
24
years
at
the
park.
I'm
just
wondering
why,
after
the
pandemic,
has
it
been
brought
up
that
there's
an
electrical
issue
at
the
park
and
I'd
like
to
know
the
answer.
You
know
what
I
mean
you
understand
eric,
I
mean
I
know
the
park
they've
been
there
for
years
and
all
of
a
sudden
there's
an
electrical
issue
I
mean
so
so
I
I
make
a
motion
to
table
the
resolution.