Draft McGrath catches them in a lie. #TroyCrazy

From: Mark McGrath <mmcgrath0123@yahoo.com>
Date: June 8, 2016 at 2:24:33 PM EDT
To: "Patrick.Madden" <patrick.madden@troyny.gov>
Cc: Carmella Mantello <cmantell@nycap.rr.com>, Justin Miller <jmiller@HarrisBeach.com>, Kevin O'Bryan <kevinobryan3@gmail.com>, All City Council Members <AllCityCouncilMembers@troyny.gov>, "Monica.Kurzejeski" <Monica.Kurzejeski@troyny.gov>
Subject: Re: Additional $15k for Planning Commissioner

So Patrick, did you or did you not ask the LDC to "sweeten the pot" for Mr. Stirchman? And, when offered the job was Mr. Stirchman told $73k or $92K? Quite simple really. My suggestion is to get your stories straight first. Thanks

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On Jun 8, 2016, at 2:06 PM, Patrick.Madden <patrick.madden@troyny.gov> wrote:

All,
It seems we are spending an inordinate amount of time discussing an issue that is distracting us from serving the people of the City of Troy.
We worked hard to find the best candidate for the City’s Commissioner of Planning and I, as well as countless others, are delighted at the thought of Steve coming to Troy.

Perhaps my email of May 24th could have been more tightly written to make it clear that the LDC merely set a budget for an incoming CEO that went beyond the hiring of Mr. Strichman.  For that omission I will take responsibility and will strive to be clearer in the future.

Let us not lose sight of the fact that Mr. Strichman will be a great addition to the City of Troy.  He is a strong advocate of the neighborhoods – something we all agree is critical at this time.

I hope you will all join us this afternoon at a reception to meet Mr. Strichman, Ms. Welles and Ms. Kennedy.  4:30 to 6:30 in the Mayor’s office.  I hope to see everyone there.

Patrick

From: Carmella Mantello [mailto:cmantell@nycap.rr.com]
Sent: Wednesday, June 08, 2016 1:13 PM
To: Justin Miller; Kevin O'Bryan
Cc: All City Council Members; Monica.Kurzejeski; Patrick.Madden
Subject: Fwd: Additional $15k for Planning Commissioner

Hello all,

Please find attached an email from Mayor Madden from May 24, 2016.

This email clearly contradicts the assertions made in emails from Chairman O'Bryan dated yesterday June 7th and emails from LDC attorney Justin Miller today, June 8th, in which they claim that the $15k in question was not for Mr. Strichman.

It is unfortunate that the LDC has chosen to not be transparent with their $15k appropriation from Mr. Strichman.

Carmella Mantello
Council President

Sent from my iPhone

Begin forwarded message:

From: "Patrick.Madden" <patrick.madden@troyny.gov>
Date: May 24, 2016 at 8:12:57 PM EDT
To: "Carmella Mantello" <cmantell@nycap.rr.com>
Cc: "All City Council Members" <AllCityCouncilMembers@troyny.gov>
Subject: RE: Additional $15k for Planning Commissioner

Carmella and Council Members,
The City of Troy will be paying Steve Strichman the annual salary of
$76,485.00 to serve as Commissioner of Planning.  Benefits are provided
based on that salary level.  This is all in accord with the approved
2016 budget.

Recognizing the limitation our salary levels have on attracting certain
candidates, the LDC agreed to compensate its CEO (Mr. Strichman) in the
amount of $15,000 annually.  This is an arrangement between the LDC and
its CEO and does not impact the amount the City of Troy compensates Mr.
Strichman nor does it impact the employee benefits the City provides Mr.
Strichman.  This transaction has been reviewed and approved by Counsel
to the LDC and by its Board of Directors.

There is nothing untoward with this arrangement.  This is a fairly
common practice that allows municipalities to attract higher caliber
candidates without burdening the taxpayer.  You need look no further
than Rensselaer County to find an example.

As you can see from his resume and as you will realize when you meet
him, Mr. Strichman is an eminently qualified individual held in high
regard by his peers and those he has worked with over the years.  We
were lucky to be able to attract him and our neighborhoods will benefit
greatly under his leadership.  I am grateful that the LDC recognizes his
value to our City and was willing to put resources on the table to help
secure his appointment.


Wm. Patrick Madden, Mayor
City of Troy
433 River Street, Troy, New York 12180
518-279-7130




-----Original Message-----
From: Carmella Mantello [mailto:cmantell@nycap.rr.com]
Sent: Tuesday, May 24, 2016 11:22 AM
To: Patrick.Madden
Cc: All City Council Members
Subject: Additional $15k for Planning Commissioner

Patrick,

I was surprised to find out on Monday, May 23, 2016 that the Troy Local
Development Corporation (TLDC) authorized $15k payment to your proposed
planning commissioner, Steve Strichman. This would bring his total
salary to $91,485, not including benefits. The position was recently
advertised at $76,485, which is the budgeted amount.

In my judgment the process used by the TLDC lacked transparency.

I would submit, according to page 137 of the 2016 Troy City Budget, the
planning department is responsible for providing services to the TLDC
along with other commissions and boards. The planning department had a
staff of eight and a budget of $667,438.

There is clearly no justification to pay one individual for services
that are in fact provided by an entire department. It is also noteworthy
over the last four years the planning commissioner did not receive any
additional remuneration for services that were provided by the planning
department to the TLDC.

I would recommend that the TLDC payment to the proposed new planning
commissioner be rescinded prior to confirmation, and the planning
department continue to provide services to the TLDC as needed and set
forth in the budget.

Carmella Mantello
Council President

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