Minutes

City of Beacon Council Meeting

October 17, 2005

 

REGULAR MEETING

 

The regular meeting of the Beacon City Council held at the Municipal Center, One Municipal Plaza on October 17, 2005 was called to order at 8:00 p.m. immediately following the Beacon City Council Workshop, with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

 

Council Members Present:                   Deanna Leake, Eleanor Thompson, Lee Kyriacou, Fred Antalek and Mike Fasano.

 

Excused:                                              Sam Way

 

Also Present were:                               City Administrator, Joseph Braun

                                                            City Attorney, Gerard Pisanelli

 

Media represented by:                         Goldee Greene, Beacon Free Press

 

Residents at beginning of meeting:      20

 

Public Hearings:

           

1.  Proposed Local Law to Amend Chapter 45 – Membership - Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals.  Read by City Administrator, Joseph Braun.

 

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

 

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the City of Beacon will hold a public hearing on Monday, October 17, 2005, at the City of Beacon Municipal Center, One Municipal Plaza, Beacon, New York at 7:30 P.M or as soon thereafter as the matter is reached on the agenda, to consider a proposed amendment to Chapter 45 of the Beacon City Code which would add the Zoning Board of Appeals to Article I of Chapter 45 so that all of the provisions of 45-1 through 45-7 shall apply equally to the Planning Board and the Zoning Board of Appeals.

 

This local law would take effect immediately upon filing with the Secretary of State.  Complete copies of the proposed local law are available at the Municipal Center for inspection during regular business hours.

 

All interested persons and citizens shall have an opportunity to be heard on said proposals at the date, time and place aforesaid.

 

Public Comments:

 

Dennis Pavelock, 34 Judson Street:  Does this have to do with access to the Planning Board and Zoning Board?

 

Mayor Clara Lou Gould:  The purpose of this has to do with the number of meetings that are attended or missed.

No further comments.

 

Motion to close hearing:  Council Member Fasano.  Seconded:  Council Member Antalek.  All in favor.  Motion carried.

 

2.  Proposed Local Law to Amend §131-3 Municipal Services; Collection Regulations.  Read by City Attorney, Gerard Pisanelli.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

 

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the City of Beacon will hold a public hearing on Monday, October 17, 2005, at the City of Beacon Municipal Center, One Municipal Plaza, Beacon, New York at 7:30 P.M or as soon thereafter as the matter is reached on the agenda, to consider a proposed amendment to §131-3 Municipal Services; Collection Regulations of the Beacon City Code which would bring the Code into compliance with the Burnable Waste Contract between the City and Royal Carting.

 

This local law would take effect immediately upon filing with the Secretary of State.  Complete copies of the proposed local law are available at the Municipal Center for inspection during regular business hours.

 

All interested persons and citizens shall have an opportunity to be heard on said proposals at the date, time and place aforesaid.

 

Public Comments:

 

City Attorney Pisanelli explained that this law would include information about serial number and maximum weight of no more than 160 lbs per bin.

 

Dennis: Pavelock, 34 Judson Street - We should have a stipulation in this law that if we cannot fit our garbage in one bin, we should be allowed to add a bag.

 

City Administrator, Joseph Braun:  It is important to comment that the bags are unsanitary plus vermin and dogs can get into the bag and the trash will end up all over the street.  We want to prevent this from happening.

 

No further comments.

 

Motion to close hearing:  Council Member Fasano.  Seconded:  Council Member Leake.  All in favor.  Motion carried.

 

3.  Proposed Local Law to Amendment To Chapter 223 §223-61 (1) In Order To Change “Building Permit” Fees.  Read by City Administrator, Joseph Braun

 

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

 

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the City of Beacon will hold a public hearing on Monday, October 17, 2005, at the City of Beacon Municipal Center, One Municipal Plaza, Beacon, New York at 7:30 P.M or as soon thereafter as the matter is reached on the agenda, to consider a proposed amendment to Chapter 223 Zoning, §223-61 A (1) of the Beacon City Code which would increase Building Permit fees.

 

This local law would take effect immediately upon filing with the Secretary of State.  Complete copies of the proposed local law are available at the Municipal Center for inspection during regular business hours.

 

All interested persons and citizens shall have an opportunity to be heard on said proposals at the date, time and place aforesaid.

 

Public Comments:

 

Dennis Pavelock, 34 Judson Street - What prompted the building fee to go up?  How many municipalities did we compare with?

 

Answer:  We checked with four or five surrounding municipalities and our fees were raised to be comparable to theirs.

 

No further comments.

 

Motion to close hearing: Council Member Antalek.  Seconded:  Council Member Fasano. All voted in favor.  Motion carried.

 

Community Segment:  None

 

Mayor Clara Lou Gould asked for a motion to approve the following Council Meeting Minutes:

 

October 3, 2005

 

Motion to approve minutes:  Council Member Thompson.  Seconded:  Council Member Leake.   All voted in favor.  Motion carried.

 

Text from the following reports for October 17, 2005 is at the end of these minutes.

 

Mayor’s Communications read by Mayor Clara Lou Gould

City Administrator, Joseph Braun read his Report of Activities

City Attorney, Gerard Pisanelli gives his Report of Activities – 1st Meeting of the Month

Mayor Clara Lou Gould read her Report of Activities (Need a copy of Mayor’s Report)

Council Members gave their Reports of Activities

 

Public Comments:  Pertaining to This Agenda Only

 

This resident is here representing Peter O’Kennedy – He is my stepson and an artist.  He was hoping that he would be able to start building sooner.  Does this mean that the public hearing is set for November 7, 2005?

 

Mayor Clara Lou Gould:  Yes.  At that point you can expect to get a building permit.  If all things are favorable, it will go through.

 

Dennis Pavelock:  Re access road on Chemprene property - Where would that road be located from the Main road? 

 

Answer:  Between route 52 through the Chemprene property on the north bound side.

 

John Johnson:  Why can’t we use the empty school buses to accommodate the seniors to go shopping or to the doctor?

 

No further comments

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

 

Resolutions:

 

Local Laws and Ordinances:

 

1.  Resolution No. 125 of 2005 - Local Law No. 12 of 2005 - to Amend Chapter 45 – Membership - Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals.  Second Reading:  Read by City Attorney, Gerard Pisanelli.

 

BE IT ENACTED by the City Council of the City of Beacon as follows:

 

SECTION 1.               TITLE

 

This local law shall be entitled “A Local Law to amend Chapter 45 – Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals.”

 

SECTION 2.               PURPOSE AND INTENT

 

This local law is intended to add the Zoning Board of Appeals to Article I of Chapter 45 so that all of the provisions of 45-1 through 45-7 shall apply equally to the Planning Board and the Zoning Board of Appeals.

 

SECTION 3.               AMENDMENT

 

Article I shall be amended to read as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

Establishment of Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals

 

§45-1.  Creation.

 

A.        There shall be a City Planning Board appointed by the Mayor of the City, which Board shall consist of seven members and alternate members as set forth in Article II.  The respective terms of the members first appointed shall be one, two or three years from and after appointment.  Their successors shall be appointed for terms of three years from and after the expiration of the term of their predecessors in office.

 

B.         There shall be a City Zoning Board of Appeals appointed by the Mayor of the City, which Board shall consist of seven members and alternate members as set forth in Article II.  The respective terms of the members first appointed shall be one, two or three years from and after appointment.  Their successors shall be appointed for terms of three years from and after the expiration of the term of their predecessors in office.

§45-2.  Vacancies.

 

If a vacancy shall occur in either the Planning Board or the Zoning Board of Appeals, other than by expiration of term, it shall be filled by appointment for the un-expired term.

 

 §45-3.  Removal of members.

 

Any member of the City Planning Board and any member of the City Zoning Board of Appeals may be removed by the appointing authority for cause and after a public hearing.  In the event any member of the City Planning Board or any member of the City Zoning Board of Appeals misses three (3) consecutive meetings or four (4) meetings in any calendar year, such absences shall be grounds for removal.

 

§45-4.  Compensation.

 

Members of the City Planning Board and City Zoning Board of Appeals shall receive no payment for their services as members of their respective Boards.

 

§45-5.  Chairman.

 

The Chairman of the City Planning Board and the Chairman of the City Zoning Board of Appeals shall be designated by the Mayor or, on failure to do so, shall be elected from and by their own members.

 

§45-6.  Employment of experts and staff.

 

The City Planning Board and the City Zoning Board of Appeals shall have the power and authority to employ experts and a staff and to pay for their services and such other expenses as may be necessary, not exceeding in all the appropriation that may be made for such Board by the City Council.

 

§45-7.  Adoption of rules and regulations.

 

The City Planning Board and the City Zoning Board of Appeals may adopt rules and regulations in respect to procedure before it and in respect to any subject matter over which it has jurisdiction under this article or any other statute, after public hearing by the City Planning Board or by the City Zoning Board of Appeals and subject to the approval of the City Council.

 

SECTION 4.               EFFECTIVE DATE

 

This local law shall take effect immediately upon its filing with the Secretary of State.

           

Motion to adopt Local Law: Council Member Fasano.  Seconded:  Council Member Thompson.  Six voted in favor and Council Member Kyriacou abstained.  With a vote of six yes and one abstention, motion carried.

 

2.  Proposed Local Law to Amend §131-3 Municipal Services; Collection Regulations.  Second Reading:  Read by City Administrator, Joseph Braun.

 

Motion to adopt Local Law:  Council Member Fasano.  Seconded:  Council Member Antalek. 

 

Council Member Kyriacou:  The way the law is written, it does not state that additional containers can be obtained from the City for a fee.  Also, how would you know if you are within the 160 lbs?  Also regarding the serial number.  No one knows about the serial number, which is assigned to each container.  These should be added and clarified in this law before a vote is taken.

 

Council Members Fasano and Antalek rescinded their motions to adopt.

 

This will be taken up at a workshop for further discussion on October 31, 2005.

 

3.  Resolution No. 126 of 2005 - Local Law No. 13 of 2005 - to Amendment To Chapter 223 §223-61 (1) In Order To Change “Building Permit” Fees.  Second Reading:  Read by City Administrator, Joseph Braun.

 

BE IT ENACTED by the City Council of the City of Beacon as follows:

 

SECTION 1.               TITLE

 

This local law shall be entitled “A Local Law to amend §223-61 “Fees” in order to change A (1) “Building Permit” fees.

 

SECTION 2.               PURPOSE AND INTENT

 

Building Permit Fees shall be amended to increase as hereto set forth:

 

 

SECTION 3.               AMENDMENT

 

Sec. 223-61 Fees A (1) Building Permit Fees shall be amended according to the following schedule.

           

Application Fee for all permits unless otherwise noted

$20.00

Certificates of Occupancy and Certificates of Compliance

             (in conjunction with a permit unless otherwise noted)

$25.00

Refund (prior to commencement of work)

½ of permit fee

 

Occupancy Use classification as set forth in the New York State Building Code.

  Fee based on gross square foot including utility, storage and basement area.

 

Residential

1 & 2 Family Homes (New and Additions) (all finished areas including basement)

.50 / square foot.

Renovation / Alteration

.25 / square foot.

Structural Repair  (that does not constitute renovation or alterations)

$5 / $1,000 of Estimate Cost

Carport                                                                                                              

$50.00

Garage (1 story)

.35 / square foot

Garage (2 story)

.45 / square foot

Pool – In Ground

$50.00

Pool – Above Ground

$30.00

Deck / Porch

.25 square foot

Covered / Enclosed Deck / Porch

.35 square foot

Demolition

$50 / $1,000 square foot or part there of

Renewal – max 1 year extension

$35.00

           

Commercial

All – “R” occupancy

$50 per unit + .40 per square foot

All – B, M

.75 per square foot up to 5,000 square foot plus .30 square foot over 5,000 square foot

All  - S. U,

.40 per square foot up to 5,000 square foot plus .20 square foot over 5,000 square foot

All – A, F, E, H, I

$1.00 per square foot up to 5,000 square foot plus .50 square foot over 5,000 square foot                                                                                                                

Renovation / Alteration

One Half of “New Construction” Cost Set Forth Herein.

Structural Repair (that does not constitute renovations or alterations)

$5.00 / $1,000 of Estimated Cost

Demolition

$100.00 plus .01 per square foot

Renewal – maximum one year extension

$100.00 plus 1% of original Building Permit Fee

 

SECTION 4.               EFFECTIVE DATE

 

This local law shall take effect immediately upon its filing with the Secretary of State.

           

Motion to adopt Local Law:  Council Member Fasano.  Seconded:  Council Member Leake.  On a roll call vote, all voted in favor.  Motion carried.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

1.  Authorize The Mayor To Apply For And Accept Funds For Recreation & Culture (Code No. 06130210R015) Totaling $4,158.00 For The Year 2006 Youth Development Delinquency Prevention (YDDP) Programs.

 

RESOLVED, that the Council hereby authorizes the Mayor to make application of the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) for approval of the Projects described in the Youth Development Delinquency Prevention Application on file with OCFS and Dutchess County Youth Bureau.  In submitting the application it is agreed that:

 

1.         The municipality will abide by OCFS as to the propriety of all expenditures upon which State aid is requested;

2.         This project will be operated in compliance with the laws, rules, regulations, resolutions, and codes of the State of New York and pertinent political subdivisions;

3.         No youth will be denied the services or facilities of this project because of race, creed, color, or sex; and

4.         No fee will be charged for the programs supported by State funds.

 

Motion to authorize Mayor to Apply for and Accept Funds for Recreation and Culture:  Council Member Fasano.  Seconded:  Council Member Leake.  On a roll call vote, all voted in favor.  Motion carried.

 

2.  Resolution No. 128 of 2005 - Authorize The Mayor To Apply For And Accept Funds For Juvenile/Community Relations (Code No. 06130210S010) Totaling $3,701.00 For The Year 2006 Youth Development Delinquency Prevention (YDDP) Programs.

 

RESOLVED, that the Council hereby authorizes the Mayor to make application of the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) for approval of the Projects described in the Youth Development Delinquency Prevention Application on file with OCFS and Dutchess County Youth Bureau.  In submitting the application it is agreed that:

 

1.         The municipality will abide by OCFS as to the propriety of all expenditures upon which State aid is requested;

2.         This project will be operated in compliance with the laws, rules, regulations, resolutions, and codes of the State of New York and pertinent political subdivisions;

3.         No youth will be denied the services or facilities of this project because of race, creed, color, or sex; and

4.         No fee will be charged for the programs supported by State funds.

 

 

Motion to Authorize Mayor to Apply for and Accept Funds:  Council Member Fasano.  Seconded:  Council Member Thompson.  On a roll call vote, all voted in favor.  Motion carried.

 

3.  Resolution No. 129 of 2005 - Authorize City Administrator, Joseph Braun to order an Appraisal from Donald McGrath of the Proposed Access Road through Chemprene Property.  Read by City Administrator, Joseph Braun.

 

WHEREAS, the City Council is looking to relocate the Department of Public Works facilities, and:

 

WHEREAS, the Chemprene property would allow access to the new location, now therefore, be it

 

RESOLVED, the City Council authorizes the City Administrator to order a preliminary analysis from Donald McGrath of the Chemprene property consisting of a twenty-five (25) foot easement along the eastern side of their property next to the Nortrax border.

 

Motion to authorize appraisal of proposed access road:  Council Member Fasano.  Seconded:  Council Member Leake.  On a roll call vote, all voted in favor.  Motion carried.

 

4.  Resolution No. 130 of 2005 - Special Use Permit - Accessory Apartment – 47 South Avenue – Owner - John Gunn.  Set Public Hearing Monday, November 7, 2005.

 

Motion to set Public Hearing for November 7, 2005: Council Member Thompson.  Seconded:  Council Member Kyriacou.  All voted in favor.  Motion carried.

 

5.  Resolution No. 131 of 2005 - Special Use Permit - Artist Live / Work Space – 3 Water Street – Owner:  Peter O’Kennedy. Set Public Hearing Monday, November 7, 2005

 

Motion to set Public Hearing for November 7, 2005.  Council Member Antalek.  Seconded:  Council Member Fasano.  All voted in favor.  Motion carried.

 

6.  Hudson Valley Housing.  This includes two items – a.)  Accept a “No Default” letter and  b.) Authorize a Pilot Agreement.  Read by City Administrator, Joseph Braun.

 

a. Resolution No. 132 of 2005 - Accept “No Default” letter from Hudson Valley Housing regarding Meadow Ridge II Senior Citizen Residence located at 134 Matteawan Road.  Read by City Administrator, Joseph Braun.

 

Letter: sent from Mayor Clara Lou Gould on October 17, 2005 to Mary S. Padan, Vice President KeyBank National Association and M.T. O’Leary, Corporate Secretary Meadow Ridge II L.P.

 

Re:  Meadow Ridge II Senior Citizens Residence (52 Units) Located at 134 Matteawan Road, Beacon, New York, Parcel No. 6055-03-2GG178 (“Property”)

 

Ladies:

 

This letter shall serve to confirm that Hudson Valley Properties & Rents, Inc. and Hudson Valley Housing Development Fund Company Inc., owner of the property, (1) are not in default under the Settlement agreement dated December 18, 2000, between Hudson Valley Properties and Rentals, Inc. and Hudson Valley Housing Development Fund Company, Inc. and the City of Beacon (“Settlement Agreement”), which Settlement Agreement affects the above referenced Property; and (2) have continuously and fully complied with all of the terms of the Settlement Agreement.

 

In addition, it is understood by the city of Beacon that the Meadow Ridge Phase II land will not be offered for sale to the City of Beacon nor will the City of Beacon pursue the acquisition of the Meadow Ridge Phase II property as per the reference to said offer in the Settlement Agreement, Section 19 . (b.)

 

It is understood that KeyBank will rely on this letter in connection with the provision of construction and permanent financing.

 

Sincerely, Clara Lou Gould, Mayor – cc:  Gerard J. Pisanelli, City Attorney

 

Motion to add to agenda Council Member Fasano.  Seconded:  Council Member Leake.  On a roll call vote, there were four “yes” votes and Council Member Kyriacou and Thompson voted “no”.  On a vote of four “yes” and two “no”, motion carried.

 

Motion to accept “No Default” letter:  Council Member Antalek.  Seconded:  Council Member Fasano.  All voted in favor.  Motion carried.

 

b.   Resolution of City of Beacon Council Authorizing the Execution of a Payment in Lieu of Taxes (Pilot) Agreement by and among the City of Beacon Meadow Ridge II Housing Development Fund Company, Inc. and Meadow Ridge II Limited Partnership.  Read by City Administrator, Joseph Braun.

 

Council Members Kyriacou and Thompson refused to vote yes because they had not been given any documentation prior to the meeting to review this agreement.  Their comments:  We need something in front of us.  I need a copy of the letter that came in this afternoon.  This is very complicated.  There was only ten minutes of discussion.

 

City Administrator, Joseph Braun left the room at this point to make a copy of the “No Default letter, the Mayor continued with the items following this resolution.

 

Motion on “No default” letter:  Council Member Kyriacou.  Seconded:  Council Member Antalek. 

 

Council Member Kyriacou:  I just need to ask our city attorney for the record, “As far as you can tell, is it correct that this property owner is not in default of the agreement and has complied with all terms of the settlement agreement.”  Attorney’s reply:  Yes.

 

On a roll call vote, all voted in favor.  Motion carried.

 

After considering Council Members Kyriacou’s and Thompson’s, concerns, the entire council agreed that because of the lateness of receiving documentation and insufficient time to review this agreement, Item b. should be tabled at this time and taken up at the October 31, 2005 Workshop for further discussion.

 

Motion to table Item b:  Council Member Kyriacou.  Seconded:  Council Member Thompson.  All voted in favor.  Motion carried.

 

Local Laws And Ordinances:

 

Ratifications:

 

Announcements

 

Conservation Advisory Committee:

 

1.  Resolution No. 133 of 2005 - Reappointment of Offie Wortham:  Two Year Term, Term to Expire 12/31/2007.

 

Announcements:

 

Human Relations Commission: 

 

Natalie Cahill Resigned as Chairperson and Member of the Human Relations Commission as of October 31, 2005.

 

Last Opportunity for Comments

 

Dennis Pavelock:  Read an article about Asian flu.  We need to get some evacuation route established.  The meeting that I went to was good but was too shallow.   I would like to know the status of the skate park.  The web meeting has not been on channel 22.  If the skate park is going to fall through, let it fall through.  I am willing to see another recreation be put there.  I also made history today and rode on the ferry.