Groundwork laid for demolition probe

Troy

The City Council passed an ordinance Monday that sets parameters for issuing subpoenas related to the ongoing investigation into city activities at the King Street and King Fuels demolition sites.

Before the 7-to-2 vote taken at a special meeting, lawmakers quibbled about the language on who should be serving the subpoenas and the legality of empowering five members on the governing body to decide who to compel to testify during the public hearings.

City officials are looking into possible misdeeds and public safety violations related to 2013 demolitions.

The issue has divided the council as to the need for a probe.

The dissenting votes on Monday came from council members Gary Galuski and Lynn Kokpa. Kopka, who along with Councilwoman Erin Sullivan-Teta have allied themselves with Mayor Lou Rosamilia. On the other side are Council President Rodney Wiltshire Jr. and fellow Democratic council members Robert Doherty, Ken Zalewski and Anastasia Robertson, plus Republicans Dean Bodnar and Jim Gordon.

Kokpa requested a legal opinion on whether the full council needed to approve a resolution for issuing subpoenas.

The subpoenas are needed to force city employees to testify.

The pending probe stems from the August 2013 emergency razing of 4-6-8-10 King St. and the demolition of structures and buildings at the King Fuels site in South Troy following former City Engineer Russ Reeves' decision to resign.

Reeves listed concerns about public safety being endangered by the demolition projects in his resignation letters.

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Groundwork laid for demolition probe