Minutes
City of
The regular meeting of the Beacon City Council held at
the
Council Members present:
Council Members Excused:
Also Present: City
Administrator,
City
Attorney,
Media Represented by:
Goldee
Number of Residents at
beginning: 15
Public Hearings:
1. Public Hearing – City of
PLEASE TAKE
NOTICE that the City Council will hold a public hearing at the Municipal
Building, One Municipal Plaza, Beacon, New York on November 15, 2004 at 7:30
p.m., or as soon thereafter as the matter is reached on the agenda, to review and discuss the
proposed 2005 budget for the City of Beacon.
A summary of the budget follows:
City of
2005 Budget
Summary
ARTICLE NO. 362 BE
IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
DATE:
TOTAL GENERAL WATER SEWER
APPROPRIATIONS $19,917,760 $14,562,431 $2,434,384 $2,920,945
less:
TOTAL REVENUE $13,055,46 $7,700,138 $2,385,777
$2,747,081
Appropriate Water & Sewer Fund Balance 48,607
173,864
BALANCE OF APPROPRIATIONS $6,862,29 $6,862,293 0 0
less:
Fund Balance Appropriation
$300,000
Appropriated Reserve for Retirement 778,306
Appropriated Reserve for Debt Service $18,395
Appropriated Reserve for Vehicle $107,000
Appropriated Reserve
for Computer Networking $13,000
Tax Levy $5,645,592 $4,003,143 $1,642,449
Base Proportion 100.00 70.9074 29.0926
Tax Rate 16.806926
* 27.952806**
Assessment Roll $296,942,046 $238,184,099 $58,757,947
* % Increase: 3.8998
** % Increase 3.8999
Following are highlights of the proposed
budget:
·
Tax Rate up 3.9%
·
Spending up 7.8%
·
Water and Sewer Rates No increase.
·
4 New Police Vehicles
·
Assessed Value up 2%
·
Sales Tax Revenue up 13%
·
Debt Service up 12.9%
·
Retirement up 77.1%
·
Hauler Fees Increased $0.02/gallon
·
·
Police Overtime up $55,000.00
·
Market Value up 9.6%
The budget is available for
inspection by the public in the Office of the City Clerk of the City of Beacon,
One Municipal Plaza, Suite One, Beacon, New York during regular office
hours. A copy of the budget also is
available for inspection at the Howland Public Library,
All interested persons and
citizens shall have an opportunity to be heard on said proposed budget at the
time and place aforesaid.
Public Comments:
The following letter dated
Mayor and City Council Members:
Once again, I am standing before you because no one likes to communicate. Decisions are made about programs without discussions of alternate possibilities with individuals who are heads of such programs. Yes, in this instance, once again the SK8PRK.
Now all this is hearsay to me because as a new single mom, I can’t make every Monday Night’s meeting to keep tabs on what you as representatives of people like me, a taxpayer are doing. I do try to attend Rec. Meetings – when invited, but as I finally gotten through my thick skull, that as far as the SK8PRK is concerned and such budget for the park, they have no say in it. It is entirely up to council, so why do I need to go to their meetings.
I fully understand the
procedure, as per my council
I fully understand there has
to be cuts. Instead of just cutting the
park out of the budget, why not see if there was a way to cut the park’s budget
and keep it open. The insurance expired
in October.
Now the next thing I hear is
the low attendance. We had a 100 kids
use the park this season, from May-Oct.
I think that was a fairly good number considering the size of the city
and also due to a personal crisis that turned my life upside down during this
season. With no other acting adult to
step in for me while I was incapacitated, to take the ideas and move forward
with them to promote the program, I think we did OK. The competition we held to raise money for “
SK8PRK’s are a program in
progress. We were the first built.
Communication: If you are open for discussion and ideas, we need to talk. If minds are made up and this park is done, I need to know now and not by hearsay. I believed you when I attended the August 2nd council meeting and was told the park would not close. Silly me, If I am done, then I will turn in the keys ASAP. The food inventory that is in the frig and shed which am sure are frozen and normally would be being stored in my basement for the winter is turning into waste. If I am done, I am done; and now know I will never ever volunteer for anything in this city again. The fight is just not worth it.
The following comments were written and read by
My comments this evening will focus on the
technology spending aspects of the proposed budget. We have entered an era where municipalities
and other businesses are no longer buying hardware and/or services, they are
now buying technology. Radio systems,
cell phones, desktop computers, laptop computers, palm pilots, PDA devices,
copiers, sound systems, printers, fax machines, phone systems, alarm systems,
servers, intranets, web sites, email, mobile data terminals, video systems,
surveillance systems, associated development and maintenance contract services
highlight technology that Beacon is either using now or no doubt will be using
in the future. To date, some of the
asynchronous technology purchases by city departments have served the taxpayers
well. Department heads and/or their
designees, in many cases do a good job in specifying and purchasing department
specific technology and services. Even,
in some cases, embarking upon the pain-staking task of obtaining cost
offsetting grants to the benefit of the taxpayers.
As a taxpayer, however, I think the city
falls short sometimes effectively scrutinizing and specifying technology
purchases. Because of the cost savings
that could be realized, broad range scalability of technology expenditures is extremely
important. The following questions and
more need to be asked before any technology purchase. First and foremost what other savings and
efficiencies could be realized by scaling a purchase to other city
departments? Can any of the new features
of a purchase negate the need for other hardware or service expenses in any
city department? Did the city draft the
specifications or did the vendor(s)? How
many competing proposals were there? Did
the vendors present their proposals to the city council for review?
This city needs to get to the point where
technology works for Beacon and not the other way around. If properly implemented, technology should
cut expenses over time. In some cases,
we are not quite there yet. Other
similar size businesses deal with this issue by hiring technology managers and
at least one
I ask that you keep my thoughts in mind
while reviewing the proposed technology line items that appear throughout the
2005 City of
Motion to close public hearing:
Council MemberFasano. Seconded:
Regular Meeting:
Community Segment:
AAA’s Traffic Safety Awards: Beacon won the Gold Community Award in AAA’s Annual Traffic Safety
Program. The City was cited for its many
traffic safety efforts including their strict DWI and Seat Belt
enforcement. They were also presented
with a Pedestrian Safety Citation for having six years without a pedestrian
fatality. The Gold Award is given to
communities that implement programs and projects, which demonstrate a superior
effort at addressing local traffic safety issues. This is the second year in a row that the
city of
DC
Approval of Minutes: Council
Meeting -
Special
Meeting -
Motion to approve minutes:
Reports: Text to these
reports is at the end of these minutes.
Mayor’s Communications Read by
City Administrator Report of
Activities
City Attorney Report of Activities – 1st
Meeting of the Month
Council Members Gave their Reports of Activities
Public Comments: Pertaining to This Agenda Only
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
Resolutions:
Local Laws and Ordinances:
NEW BUSINESS:
Resolutions:
1.
Resolution No. 213 of 2004 - Supporting the Designation of Rte 9D from Castle Point to
RESOLVED, that the City of
Motion to accept resolution:
Council Member Antalek.
Seconded: Council Member
Fasano. On a roll call voted, all voted
in favor. Motion carried
.
2. Resolution No. 214 of 2004 - To
allow Mayor to sign Easement to allow Heatherwood Homes Inc. access to Lot #4
on Filed Map # 8138 over the paper street entitled Conklin Street
Read by City Administrator, Joseph Braun
RESOLVED, that the City Council authorizes the Mayor to sign an Easement to allow Heatherwood Homes Inc. access to Lot #4 on Filed Map # 8138 over the paper street entitled Conklin Street on said map and the right to install and maintain all necessary utility connections at the sole expense of Heatherwood Homes Inc.
Motion to allow Mayor to sign Easement: Council Member Fasano. Seconded: Council Member Leake. On a roll call vote, all voted in favor. Motion carried.
Council
3.
Resolution No. 215 of 2004 - Revision of Polling Stations for General Elections read by City
Administrator,
WHEREAS the polling station at Beacon Engine No.
WHEREAS the handicapped entrance at South Avenue School is
not at the main entrance where the polling station is located, the handicapped
parking is not in close proximity to the entrance, the voting activity
interferes with the traffic of normal school activities in the main entrance
hall, and parking for voters during school hours is negligible, and
WHEREAS both of the above polling stations have been cited as
not in compliance in the November 2000 audit conducted by the Taconic Resources
for Independence, Inc., and
WHEREAS both of the above polling stations are limited in
space and comfort for the polling inspectors and voters alike, and
WHEREAS a concerted bipartisan effort is being made to
further simplify the polling locations for the voters so that wherever
possible, all districts of a single ward will be in the same location, and
WHEREAS the only adjacent polling location to Ward 1,
District 1, is Lewis Tompkins Hose in Ward 2, District 1,
NOW THEREFORE, BE
IT RESOLVED that the City Council
approves the following polling station locations for General Elections and
related primaries effective for the year 2005 and
years thereafter as soon as approved by the Dutchess County Board of Elections.
City of
Ward District Current
Location New
Location
1 1 Lewis
Tompkins Hose (no
change)
1 2 Rombout
School (no
change)
2 1 Lewis
Tompkins Hose (no
change)
2 3
3 1 Memorial
Building (no
change)
3 2 J
V.
3 3 Memorial
Building (no
change)
4 1 Memorial
Building (no
change)
4 2 Beacon
Engine Co. No. 1 Memorial
Building
Motion to approve revision of Polling Stations for General Elections: Council Member Fasano. Seconded: Council Member Kyriacou. On a roll call vote, all voted in favor. Motion carried.
Comment from Council Member Leake: I voted yes but I would like to eventually eliminate the polling places at the schools.
Comment from Council Member Kyriacou: Requests that a letter be written to the school to let them know what we have done.
4.
Resolution No. 216 of 2004 - Special
Use Permit: Bed & Breakfast –
Motion to add to Agenda because this request came in the
day after the workshop:
Motion to
set Public Hearing for
Local Laws And Ordinances:
Ratifications:
1. Resolution No. 217 of 2004 -
1.
2.
Motion to ratify:
Council Member Fasano.
Seconded: Council Member
Antalek. All voted in favor. Motion carried.
Appointments/Announcements:
1. Resolution No. 218 of 2004 - Recreation
Commission:
APPROVE reappointment of
Motion to approve reappointment: Council Member Fasano. Seconded: Council Member Leake. All voted in favor. Motion carried.
2. Resolution No. 219 of 2004 - Planning Board:
APPROVE reappointment of
Motion
to approve appointment: Council Member
Fasano. Seconded: Council Member Kyriacou. All voted in favor. Motion carried.
Final
I want to share
the following letter I received from the Office of the State Comptroller dated
Dear
Thank you for contacting Comptroller
Hevesi about your concerns regarding the City of
Comptroller Hevesi shares your belief that
local governments should have the option to buy energy from renewable sources,
even when the cost is moderately higher than traditional sources of power. He supports pending State legislation that
would authorize local governments to purchase renewable energy at a cost of no
more than 15 percent more than a comparable energy source that is not
renewable, notwithstanding the competitive bidding laws (A.10421-B/S.6939-A, copy
enclosed). Our Office has written to the
sponsors of the proposed legislation to express our support for it and noted
that any higher costs for the purchase of renewable energy may well be offset
by the long-term benefits of using energy from these sources. Enclosed is a copy of our response for your
reference.
This legislation was approved by the
Assembly earlier this year, but did not pass the Senate. You may wish to contact your local State
Senator and Assembly Member to express your views.
Thank you again for contacting Comptroller
Hevesi on this important issue.
The attachment to this letter is as follows: Addressed to
Dear
The Office of the State Comptroller
supports Senate Bill Number 6939-A, which would amend the General Municipal Law
to authorize local governments to purchase renewable energy at a cost exceeding
other sources if the renewable energy is no more than 15% more costly than a
comparable energy source that is not a renewable source.
While there are strong public policy
reasons for requiring public purchases to be based on the lowest available
prices, there is an increasingly urgent need for all levels of government to
encourage and facilitate the development of renewable energy sources that will
enhance the State’s ability to manage the environmental and economic harms
associated with the use of non-renewable sources. By permitting local governments to purchase
energy derived from solar, wind, photovoltaics, methane waste, tidal,
geothermal, or fuel cell technology sources for a modestly higher price, the
bill would encourage the development and growth of an increased market supply
of renewable energy. Moreover, there is
a strong possibility that any higher costs in the short-term by virtue of
utilizing renewable energy will be more than offset by the long-term benefits
that will be gained by such use.
Sincerely, Signed by:
Budget Amendments: Council Action Budget Amendments –
1. Amend the General Fund Balance (Code: A 909) for the Highway Department Purchase of Equipment
(Code: A 5110.X2500.00) in the amount of
$2,100.00 to be used for the
purchase of an inspection machine now required by
Motion
to Amend the General Fund Balance for the Highway Department Purchase of
Equipment:
2. Amend the General Fund Balance (Code: A 909) for the Fire Department Repairs -
Motion
to Amend The General Fund Budget for the Fire Department Repairs: Council Member Fasano. Seconded:
Council Member Antalek. On a roll
call vote, all voted in favor. Motion
carried.
3. Amend the General Fund Budget for the Fire Department by
transferring a total of $1,339 into A 3410.X4160.00 (Materials and Supplies) -
$700 from A 3410.X4323.00 (Infection
Control Officer) and $639 from A 3410.X4619.00 (Fire Prevention).
Unexpended
Balance Remaining After
Transfer
A
3410.X4323.00 1,500.00 800.00 A 3410.X4619.00 639.85 0.85
A
3410.X4160.00 1,805.73 3,144.73
Motion
to Amend the General Fund Budget for the Fire Department: Council Member Fasano. Seconded:
Council Member Leake. On a roll
call vote, all voted in favor. Motion
carried.
4. Amend the General Fund Budget for the
Recreation Department by transferring the following unexpended balance amounts
into Recreation Special Projects
(A 7140.X2500.01):
Transfer
Amount Remaining
After Transfer
A
7140.X1090.01 3,501.00 .50
A
7140.X2734.00 763.00 .84
A
7140.X4160.01 2,070.00 .00
Seeding
T-Ball Field
A
7140.X4757.00 400.00 550.00
Physical
Fitness
Motion
to Amend the General Fund Budget for the Recreation Department: Council Member Fasano. Seconded:
5. Amend the General Fund Budget for the
Accounts Department Purchase of Equipment
(A 1410.X2200.00) by
transferring $5,506 from the following:
Transfer
Amount Remaining
After Transfer
A
1450.X2500.00 1,500.00 0.00
Election
Purchase of Equip.
A
1450.X4535.00 4,006.00 0.53
Election
Inspectors
As all of the Election expenses have been paid for
the year, these funds are available for transfer.
Motion
to Amend the General Fund Budget for the Accounts Department Purchase of
Equipment: Council Member Fasano. Seconded:
Council Member Leake. On a roll
call vote, all voted in favor. Motion
carried.
6. Amend the General Fund Budget for the
Accounts Department by transferring $2,000 from
Elections Materials and Supplies (A 1450.X4160.00) to the following:
Balance
Before
A
1410.X4160.00 164.63 1,164.63 Accounts
Materials
A
1410.X4520.01 9.00 1,009.00
Accounts
Comp.Consultants
As all of the Election expenses have been paid for
the year, these funds are available for
transfer.
Motion
to Amend the General Fund Budget for the Accounts Department transferring
$2,000: Council Member Fasano. Seconded:
7 Amend the General Fund Budget for the
Public Works Department Revenue, Public Works Fees (A 5110.R1789.00) in the
amount of $3,380. This amount was billed
to Polo Fields
Development for snow cleanup done by the City Highway Department. Now that payment
has been received, the superintendent is requesting to transfer back to the following
Snow Department line items (to cover expenses related to the cleanup):
A
5110.X4176.00 1,690.00
Sand &
Salt
A
5110.X4472.00 1,690.00
Snow-Repair
Equipment
Motion
to Amend the General Fund Budget for the Public Works Department: Council Member Kyriacou. Seconded:
Council Member Antalek. On a roll
call vote, all voted in favor. Motion
carried.
Review of Bills: Total Disbursements as of November 15,
2004: $3,008,383.50
Next Workshop Date:
Next Council Meeting:
Adjournment: Motion to adjourn meeting at
Mayor’s Correspondence –
RE: Bomb Threat,
On
I
have been in the school district over 25 years and this is another example of
the positive relationship between the school and department. They continue to
do an outstanding job. Please let all the officers know of this letter.
RE: Traffic Safety Award
Enclosed
is the plaque that was awarded to your community at our annual Community
Traffic Safety Awards Luncheon on October 6th at the Westchester Country Club.
We
have also enclosed two sets of publicity packages, which include a news release
and fact sheet for our Community Traffic Safety Awards Luncheon. Please hand
deliver a set to two different local newspapers in your community. Your
assistance in delivering these packages will increase the probability of media
coverage.
We
would like to take this opportunity to congratulate your community on its
efforts and concern. for traffic safety, and to offer- our best wishes for
continued success in the future.
AAA COMMUNITY TRAFFIC SAFETY AWARDS PROGRAM
Purpose