Minutes
City of
REGULAR MEETING
The regular meeting of the City Council
scheduled for
The regular meeting of the Beacon City
Council held at the
Council Members Present: Lee
Kyriacou, Elizabeth Foster, Charles Kelly, Philip Shea, Steven Gold and Eleanor
Thompson.
Also
Present was: City
Attorney, Gerard Pisanelli
Absent
was: City
Administrator, Joseph Braun
Media
represented by: Goldee
Greene, Beacon Free Press
Residents
at beginning of meeting: 20
Public Hearings: None
Community Segment: None
Mayor Clara Lou Gould asked for a motion
to approve the following Council Meeting Minutes:
Motion to approve minutes: Council Member Thompson. Seconded: Council Member Kyriacou. All voted in favor. Motion carried.
Reports: Text from the following reports for
Mayor's
Communications read by Mayor Clara Lou Gould
City Attorney
Gerard Pisanelli read his Report of Activities (1st Meeting was canceled
because weather)
Mayor Clara Lou
Gould read her Report of Activities
Council Members read their report of
Activities
Public Comments: Pertaining to this Agenda Only
Dennis Pavelock 34 Judson - About this
person for assessor - where is she from?
Will our needs be addressed accordingly.
Will this take away from our needs?
Attorney Pisanelli answered that she
worked for us in 2003 and is familiar with the job and is well qualified and
all needs will be met.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None
Resolutions: None
Local Laws and Ordinances:
None
NEW BUSINESS:
Resolutions:
1. Resolution No. 1
of 2006 - Approval of Mayor’s Appointment as
Official Newspapers of the City of
RESOLVED, that the Mayor’s appointment of
Motion
to approve appointment: Council Member
Thompson. Seconded: Council Member Gold. On a roll call vote, all voted in favor. Motion carried.
2. Resolution No. 2
of 2006 - Authorize 2004 In REM Tax Foreclosures
be awarded to Gerard J. Pisanelli read by Gerard Pisanelli
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Mayor is
hereby authorized to sign an agreement between the City of
Motion to approve authorization: Council Member Gold. Seconded: Council Member Thompson. On a roll call vote, all voted in favor. Motion carried.
Local Laws And Ordinances: None
Ratifications: None
Appointments:
1. Resolution No. 3
of 2006 Approve Appointment of Kathleen Martin
as Acting Assessor of the City of
WHEREAS, due
to the fact that Thomas Logan, Assessor, is on sick leave, the Mayor desires to
appoint Kathleen Martin as Acting City Assessor at the rate of $40.00 per hour
effective immediately.
RESOLVED,
that the City Council hereby approves the appointment of Kathleen Martin as
Acting Assessor of the City of Beacon at the rate of $40.00 per hour effective
immediately.
Motion to approve appointment:
Council Member Kelly. Seconded Council Member Shea. On a roll call vote, all voted in favor. Motion carried.
Announcements: None
Last
Flora Jones - I am thrilled to come here tonight. Welcome to this new council. I am truly grateful that you all are willing
to struggle to keep Beacon progressive. I
would like to ask if the new assessor would be there on Wednesday. I would like to turn in my Star
Application. Thank you all very much.
Tom Baldino,
Curtis Blair - Back in Oct we filed a claim with the City’s
Insurance Company regarding the water damage to our property and we were turned
down. We were told that we could appeal
that decision. We are not sure how to
follow through on that.
City Attorney Pisanelli:
stated that he hasn’t seen any of the paperwork. Mayor Gould suggested that Mr. Blair speak to
the City Administrator.
Sally Blair: We had some
flooding and we cannot afford to appeal this.
Please look into this. We cannot
afford attorneys. We have copies of all
the documents.
Jennifer Reisman - Spoke about connecting Beacon Youth with the
land to learn where their foods come from.
The program is varied. They
raised basil as well as tomatoes, which they canned. If the city secures Hiddenbrooke, how can
they produce there? Can we get a plot of
land in Hiddenbrooke for this project?
Mark Thomas PBA President read the following letter dated
PATROLMENS BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION INC.
I am here tonight on
two very important issues that I would like all of you to be made aware of. The first is I would like to propose
one of the councilpersons, agreeable to both the PBA and
the City act as a liaison between the council and the PBA. In the past I believe that the council has voted
on or made decisions involving important issues with the police
department without all the information needed to make
an honest and fair decision. I believe that if the council was given all information about the issues going on with the police
department a lot of issues could be resolved
amicably. I believe that the City council has been given only certain one sided information about police issues on purpose to
make the police department look mismanaged. I believe that if
one of the council persons had a chance to have an open dialog with the PBA, they would get a very different
out look on the police department, the PBA, and the
officers who serve this City.
The second issue I
wish to speak to you about is the department issued bulletproof vest. I've attached memos to this letter of the
ongoing talks with Joe Braun and the PBA. I am not
sure if you are aware that only 5 out of 33 officers (we should have 37) at this time have NIJ certified vest. Joe has told me
he has proposed to you, the City Council, to
fund money for the vest needed to be replaced. I just asked that the proposal be expedited so that the officers can at
least have some protection from the many serious
situations that we face each day. Also Joe has refused to replace the vests every 5 years (warranty is only for 5 years) I
hope you, the City Council, will see that this
proposal is passed and also an agreement to replace the vests every five years.
I have checked with
the local police departments in the area and all replace the vests every five years. It only makes sense to replace a
piece of equipment that has saved hundreds of
police officers lives.
Signed by: Mark Thomas PBA President
Dennis Pavelock
Dennis Pavelock read the following statement from the Concerned
Citizens Coalition of Beacon:
Concerned Citizens Coalition - A coalition
for a Better Beacon
Statement of Purpose:
The "Coalition" is neither a political party nor a
single-issue group. It adopts a strictly non-partisan stance. The Coalition is
concerned about the direction the City's elected, appointed and employed officials are taking as our community grows. The
role of the "Coalition" is complimentary to that of the
government. It acts as a catalyst in the community, stimulating discussion and
action on the issues that really matter to the residents of Beacon.
The "Coalition" seeks to have a City
Council that represents the collective welfare of all Beacon
residents, business owners and the disabled.
Actively nurturing a tradition of diversity, inclusion
and tolerance, the "Coalition" works to promote harmony, economic vitality and
quality of life in the City of
No further comments
Budget Amendments:
Item 3 was addressed first:
3.
Bullet Proof Vests - Replace 32 Vests Totaling $22,542.40
Motion to table to Workshop: Council Member Kelly. Seconded: Council Member Kyriacou. On a roll call vote, there were 4 “yes”
votes, to table. Mayor Gould and Council
Member Thompson voted “no” and Council Member Gold abstained because this was
brought to the council at the last minute and people's lives are at risk. He feels uncomfortable denying or approving
this budget amendment until he has more of the facts.
Resolution No. 4 of 2006: to change the date of the workshop to
January 23, 2006 and to set a Special meeting on January 23, 2006 to decide on
bulletproof vests for the Police Department.
Motion: Council Member Kelly. Seconded: Council Member
Shea. On a roll call vote, there
were six “yes” votes, and Council Member Kyriacou voted “no”. With a vote of six “yes” and one “no”, motion
carried.
Mark Thomas, PBA President will be
invited to participate in the workshop.
Budget Amendments requiring
Council Action –
Items 1 and 2 were voted on
together:
1.
Amend the General Fund 2006 Budget for the Recreation Department by
transferring $14,184 from the following remaining funds to the Recreation
Special Projects for 2006 (A 7140.X2500.01):
A
7140.X2500.01 6,770.00
A
7140.X4470.00 1,620.00
A
7140.X4754.00 876.00
A
7140.X4760.00 369.00
A
7140.X4763.00 1,240.00
A
7140.X4772.00 794.00
A
7140.X4781.00 309.00
A
7140.X4781.01 558.00
A
7140.X4787.00 475.00
A
7140.X4790.00 250.00
A
7140.X4796.00 923.00
TOTAL 14,184.00
2.
Amend the General Fund 2006 Budget for the Recreation Department by
transferring $5,037 from the 2005 Wee
Play Playground expense to the current budget.
These funds are needed to complete the project in 2006.
Motion to approve Items 1 and 2 to Amend the General Fund 2006 Budget for the Recreation
Department: Council Member
Kyriacou. Seconded: Council Member Kelly. On a roll call vote, all voted in favor. Motion carried.
3. Amend the 2006 General Fund Balance for the Police
Department in the amount of $22,543.00 for body armor (Code: A 3120.X2512.00). These funds will be used to replace 32 bullet
proof vests so that issued City vests meet the NIJ standards as required.
See Details on Item No 3, Resolution No. 4 on page 4
of these minutes.
Items 4 and 5 were voted on
together:
4. Amend the General Fund Balance for
2005 Budget in the amount of $17,000 for the
Sanitation/Recycling
Department. This money will be distributed from the following expenses:
A
8160.X4493.00 8,000.00
A
8160.X4494.00 9,000.00
to the Sanitation Recycling expense (A 8160.X4491.00) to
cover the shortage caused by unexpected increases in Royal
carting expenses.
5. Amend
the General Fund 2005 Budget in the amount of $6,000 for the Sanitation/Recycling Department. This amount represents excess revenue collected in 2005
and will be transferred to Sanitation Recycling expense
(A 8160.X4491.00) to cover Royal Carting bills.
Motion to amend the general fund balance for 2005
for Items 4 and 5: Council Member
Kyriacou. Seconded: Council Member Kelly. On a roll call vote, all voted in favor. Motion carried.
6. Amend the General Fund 2005 Budget
for the Debt Service Department
(Code: A 9730.X7076.06) by transferring $26,344.00
from Employee Benefits (Code:
A 9060.X8400.00). This transfer
is necessary due to the fact that the Bond
Anticipation Note interest was slightly higher than expected and the NYS 9D Road
Project did not have sufficient funds budgeted.
Motion to amend the general fund balance for 2005
for 6: Council Member Kyriacou. Seconded: Council Member Thompson. On a roll call vote, all voted in favor. Motion carried.
Items 7 and 8 were addressed
together:
- Amend the 2005
General Fund Balance for the Planning Department Consultant expense (A
8020.X4520.00) in the amount of 19,146.
This is the amount
needed to cover the engineering expenses through
8. Amend
the 2005 General Fund Balance for the Finance Department in the amount
of $40,584 to be used for Fiscal Agent Fees (Code: A 1325.X4612.00). This amount will be used to pay fees related to
the 2005 Public Improvement Bond
Motion to table Items 7 and 8: Council Member Kyriacou. Seconded: Council Member Kelly. On a roll call vote, all voted in favor. Motion carried.
Review of Bills:
Total
Disbursements as of
Next Workshop Date:
Special Council Meeting:
Next Council Meeting:
TAX WARRANTS:
City Attorney read the following documents
for the record:
JANUARY 2006
STATE OF
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF
To: Carla P. Eylers, City Clerk of the City of
Beacon
From City Administrator, Joseph Braun
YOU ARE HEREBY COMMANDED to collect by law and ordinance provided, the
several sums in the tax roll specified as assessed against the persons or
property herein mentioned, for State, County, Municipal and all other purposes,
you are required, immediately after receiving this warrant and after the
publication to cause a notice of the reception therefor to be given as required
by law.
You are hereby authorized to collect said taxes, to wit:
State and County tax for the entire year in the amount of $2,338,149.81
and City taxes for the year in the amount of $6,113,811.92 and all other taxes,
beginning February 1st and for thirty days thereafter during which time no fee
shall be collected therefor.
All taxes or assessments remaining unpaid after the expiration of the
said thirty days, you shall collect interest at the rate of one percent (1%)
per month or fraction thereof. All said interest shall belong to the City.
Whenever any persons or corporation shall refuse or neglect to pay said
tax, you are directed to collect the same by action in the name of the city
against any such person, or corporation, or if any tax or interest shall remain
unpaid on the First day of December, 2006 you are directed to collect said tax
and interest pursuant to Article 11 of the City Charter
The foregoing is not to conflict with the tax law of the State of
GIVEN under the hand and seal of the CITY OF
Letter from County Legislator
December 2005
STATE OF
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF
To: Joseph H. Braun, City Administrator, City of
THE
FOR
FOR COMPUTER SERVICE --—— 8,721.42
TOTAL 2,346,871.23
You are further required and commanded out of the moneys collected by
you on or before the 1st day of
March 2006 to pay over to the Treasurer or appropriate County officer under the
Dutchess
County charter, the sum of
IN WITNESS THEREOF, the
Legislature and the Director of Real Property Tax Service Agency and
the seal of said
Legislature to be affixed this 15th day of December 2005
Signed by:
Bradford H. Tendall, Chairman County Legislature and
Kathleen Myers, Director Real Property Tax Service Agency
Motion to go
into Executive Session at
Motion to end
Executive Session at
Motion to Adjourn at
Text from Reports for
Mayor’s
Correspondence Report –
RE: DISABILITIES
RIGHTS and SERVICES WORKSHOP - Community
Action Agency Offices, 95 Catherine Street - Wednesday, January 11, 2006, 7:30
p.m.
Everyone Welcome,
The City of
Speakers will be Cynthia
Fiore, Executive Director of Taconic Resources for Independence, Inc., and
Steven J. Miccio, Executive Director of PEOPLe, Inc. Provided
will be an overview of rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act and New
York State Human Rights Laws and information about their services after which
members of the audience will have an opportunity to ask questions.
Taconic Resources for
Independence, Inc. is an agency that provides services to people with
disabilities, their families and friends. PEOPLe, Inc. is an agency that
provides technical assistance, programs and advocacy to individuals and
consumers of mental health services.
The Beacon Commission on
Human Relations was created for the purpose of fostering a community climate in
which better understanding and relationships among various racial, religious
and ethnic groups can take place, to promote cooperation among agencies under
the jurisdiction of city government and to establish programs in support of
human rights and the elimination of discrimination.
The disabilities rights and
services workshop is the first of a series of workshops that will be hosted by
the Beacon Commission on Human Relations in 2006.
If anyone requires special
accommodations, translators, or more information, please contact: Chair, Beacon
Commission on Human Relations Fonda Muhammad (845) 838-1686
12/05: Maria
DeWald, Family Services – Peter Leonard,
RE: 2006
Family of the Year – May 4th
Families First New York and
its affiliates, Family Services and the
This will be the beginning
of a new tradition of unity for us. We will be combining the fundraising
efforts of Family Services and the
Attached we have listed
sponsorship opportunities, as well as information on the event journal. We look
forward to your participation in this occasion by becoming a sponsor.
This event will allow Family
Services and the
We do hope you will join us
for this very special evening. We ask you to return the enclosed form by
Director
of Development, at 845.452.1114, extension 3122.
On behalf of Family Services
and the
12/05: Arnaldo
Sehwerert, Ph.D., Director –
RE: Economic
Impact of
As a close and very
important supporter of the Mid-Hudson SBDC, I am sure you will be pleased to
know that the economic impact of SBDC professional work in
This year, as in the past
four years, the Mid-Hudson center has had the distinction of being the number
one producer of economic impact among all 23 SBDCs in
The Mid-Hudson SBDC is proud
of these achievements which are made possible thanks to your valuable support.
I look forward to an increase level of interaction and cooperation between our
two institutions and welcome the opportunity to continue working together in
the future.
12/05: Ricardo
Diaz, Jacqueline Wisener
RE: Gilded Paws
– New Shop in Beacon
Ricardo and I have opened up a new
store within The Framery at