Minutes
City of
REGULAR MEETING
The regular meeting
of the City of
Council Members Present: Elizabeth
Foster, Charles Kelly, Phil Shea, Steve Gold and Eleanor Thompson (left at
Excused: Lee
Kyriacou (Arrived at
Also in attendance were: City
Administrator, Joseph Braun
City
Attorney, Gerard Pisanelli
Media represented by: Goldee
Greene, Beacon Free Press
Residents beginning of meeting: 10
Public Hearing:
None
Community Segment: Concerned Citizens
Coalition For A Better Beacon - Guest Speaker Dennis Pavelock spoke about what they are looking ahead to in 2007. He gave a brief history of what they have
accomplished. Over the past years, the Concerned Citizens
have been involved with state concerns. Their goal is to be a presence in the
community by assisting business owners, residents and the disabled with
concerns that affect us all. In May,
they celebrated their 6th anniversary. In September, Spirit of Beacon Day, they
had the Lollipop Give-A-Way. They updated
the decorating contest. They had Operation Christmas Child. They alerted Beacon residents of who and where Level 3 Sex
offenders are located. They suggested that our City create a Master Plan. What
concerns them now is that there are no alert systems in Beacon and we do not
have our own emergency plan. Dennis
announced interesting guest speakers who will be attending future meetings.
The following is the Statement of Purpose of
the Concerned Citizens Coalition:
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 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
Mayor Clara Lou Gould
thanked Dennis for all his hard work and added that one of the most difficult
and important things is making sure that in addition to the newspapers, local
cable channel 22 and the City of Beacon website, any additional communication is
appreciated and will help to be sure all residents are informed.
Reports:
Text for the
reports for
Mayor's Communications read by Mayor Clara
Lou Gould.
City Administrator,
Joseph Braun read his Report of Activities
City Attorney Report of Activities -
1st Meeting of the Month
Mayor Clara Lou Gould read her Report of
Activities Council
Reports Council Members read their reports
of Activities
First
Public
comments: None
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Resolutions: - None
Local Laws and Ordinances: - None
NEW BUSINESS
Resolutions: None
1. Resolution No. 4 of 2007 - Commending Police
Officer Anthony Hopper and Police Officer Jose
Whereas
Safety is a prime factor in community Quality of Life and,
Whereas One
of the commitments of our police force is to ensure safety in our community,
and,
Whereas
To ensure our safety, officers put their own lives at risk on a daily basis,
since there is no way of knowing when an ordinary traffic stop, or response to
a trespassing complaint might become a life-threatening situation, and,
Whereas
this latter possibility became a reality on
Now therefore
On behalf of the City of Beacon we give our thanks and highest commendation to
Officers Anthony Hopper and Jose Martinez for their response to that situation,
and express our keep gratitude that in the process of keeping their community
safe they were spared serious bodily harm, and our hope that the community's
wholehearted, continued concern for their well being will help heal the
emotional strains of any such situation.
Motion to approve
commending these two officers: Council Member Kelly. Seconded: Council Member
Gold. On a roll call, all voted in favor.
The council members and the audience stood
up and gave a round of applause to the two officers.
2. Resolution No. 5 of 2007 - Authorize Mayor To
Sign Agreement With Police Management
Services For
Consulting Services With Accreditation Process Of Police Department. Read by City Administrator, Joseph Braun.
WHEREAS, the City of Beacon has
agreed with Police Management to enter into a Agreement for Consulting Services
with Accreditation Process of Police Department,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT,
RESOLVED, the Mayor is hereby
authorized to sign the Agreement with the Police Management Services for
Consulting Services with Accreditation Process of Police Department
Motion to authorize Mayor to sign
agreement: Council Member Thompson.
Seconded: Council Member Gold. All
voted in favor. Motion carried.
3. Resolution No. 6 of 2007 - Traffic &
Safety Committee: "No
Parking between Signs" South Side of Tioronda Avenue from
Motion to set Public
Hearing for
Council Member Kelly: Are these signs the
most cost effective way to alert the public?
Is it possible to put a yellow line on the curb that would be less
expensive than signs? I'm concerned about the corporation of signs. Is there a
less intrusive way to get the message across and also keep the number of signs
to a minimum?
City Administrator,
Joseph Braun: The general law is 20 feet. This specific instance is necessary beyond the general
rule. We want this sign in this
particular instance so fire trucks are able to turn. If this is not done, it prevents the fire trucks from turning. We will
look at the use of yellow lines with the Traffic Safety Committee.
4.
Resolution No. 7 of
2007 - Traffic & Safety Committee Ratifications:
a. “No Parking" on the North Side of
Tioronda Avenue 20 Feet from the Intersection of VanNydeck Avenue in both directions.
b. "No Parking Here to Corner" signs on
Motion to ratify: Council Member Foster.
Seconded: Council Member Shea. On a roll call, all voted in favor. Motion
carried.
5.
Resolution No. 8 of 2007 - Voluntary Resolution/Policy For
Retailers Concerning Tobacco Point Of Purchase Advertising. Read
by City Administrator, Joseph Braun.
The intent of this
voluntary resolution/policy is to protect the children of the community in
which we do business by preventing the initiation of tobacco use and to assist
adults of the community in the cessation of tobacco use.
This business acknowledges:
That the store
environment is important because it is the main channel used by the tobacco
industry to advertise and market to new and future customers.
That children and
teenagers constitute the majority of all new smokers, and the tobacco
industry’s advertising and promotion campaigns often have special appeal to
these young people.
That 3 out of 4 youths
shop in convenience stores at least once per week.
That young people are 3
times more vulnerable to advertisements than adults.
That youth
experimentation with smoking can be directly linked to tobacco advertisements
and other promotional activities.
That tobacco industry advertising:
Gives the impression
that tobacco products are easily accessible and less expensive than they really
are.
Creates a positive
impression of tobacco products.
Increases a smoker’s
daily consumption of tobacco.
Reduces the current
smokers resolve to quit or consider quitting.
Encourages former
smokers to resume smoking.
That tobacco continues to
be one of the most heavily promoted and advertised products in the
That the tobacco industry
spends more than any other industry on point of purchase advertising and spends
more on advertising and promotion on shelves and behind the scenes in retail
stores than they spend on any other aspect of tobacco marketing.
And smoking is the
number one cause of preventable death in the
Therefore this establishment resolves:
To reduce or eliminate
tobacco point of purchase advertising in and around the store.
To eliminate tobacco
advertising less than 5 feet from candy and toys.
To place tobacco
advertising 5 or more feet from the floor or ground.
Motion to accept
Voluntary Resolution Policy for Retailers: Council Member Shea. Seconded:
Council Member
Thompson. On a roll call, all voted in favor. Motion carried.
6. Resolution No. 9 of 2007 - Approval of Mayor's
Appointment of Official Newspapers:
RESOLVED, that the Mayor’s
appointment of Poughkeepsie Journal, Southern Dutchess News/Beacon Free Press
and Hudson Valley Press as the Official Newspaper of the City of Beacon be hereby
approved.
Motion to approve
appointment of newspapers: Council Member Foster. Seconded: Council Member
Kelly. On a roll call, all voted in favor. Motion carried.
7. Resolution No. 10 of 2007 - Special Use
Permit: Artist Live/Work Space -
Owner: Sharon Bronte. Set Public Hearing for
Motion to set public
hearing for
8. Add the following to Agenda: Amendment to Special
Use Permit: Professional Office 1203 North
Avenue - Owner: Karen
Palumbo. Set Public Hearing for
Motion to add to
agenda: Council Member Kelly. Seconded: Council Member Shea. All voted in
favor. Motion
carried.
9. Resolution No. 11 of 2007 - Amendment Special Use Permit. Professional Office 1203 North
Avenue- Owner: Karen Palumbo. Set Public Hearing for
Motion to set public
hearing: Council Member Kelly. Seconded: Council Member Shea. All voted in favor. Motion carried.
10. Add
the following to Agenda. Authorize
Mayor to sign letter open letter to Governor
Spitzer in
support of an
expanded NYS Historic Tax Credit. Read by City Administrator, Joseph Braun.
Motion to add to
agenda: Council Member Shea. Seconded: Council Member Gold. All voted in favor.
Motion
carried.
11. Resolution No. 12 of 2007 - Authorize Mayor to sign letter open
letter to Governor Spitzer in support of an expanded NYS Historic
Tax Credit. Read by City Administrator,
Joseph Braun.
RESOLVED, that the City Council
authorizes the Mayor to sign and send open letter to Governor Eliot Spitzer in
support of an expanded New York State Historic Tax Credit.
The
following is the letter dated
Governor
Eliot Spitzer
State
Capital
Dear Governor Spitzer,
Last month a diverse group of business, planning,
philanthropic and environmental leaders from across
Most importantly, the conference provided the
opportunity for vigorous discussion about prospective policy recommendations
that could be implemented at the local, state and federal level as part of a
new urban and smart growth agenda emerging from the Brookings Institution report, to be issued in May of 2007.
At the same time, representatives from many of our
state’s charitable foundations gathered in
Collectively, this unique coalition shares your
administration’s recognition of the importance of a renewed emphasis on
As is the case with almost all “weak market cities,”
communities throughout
Encouraging re-investment in our center cities must
be a critical component of any new urban policy in
As our coalition begins to prepare a long-term
policy agenda to address these issues for
In order to match the demonstrated success of
rehabilitation credits in other states, critical changes must be made to expand and strengthen the modest
commercial and residential credits established in 2006. These include:
·
Increase the
commercial credit rate to 30% of qualified rehabilitation costs rather than 30%
of federal credit value
·
Remove the cap
on the value of the commercial credit
·
Create the
ability to assign, transfer, or convey the commercial tax credits so that
developers and financial interests without New York State Tax liabilities have
additional incentive to invest in
·
For the
residential credit, expand the definition of “distressed areas” to increase the
number of structures qualified for the program.
We understand the practical and fiscal
considerations you must weigh as you develop your budget, but strongly believe
that the required changes will produce strong, visible and rapid results for
our cities, while proving to be a fiscally responsible investment. Nationally, rehabilitation credits have proven
themselves one of the most successful policy tools this area. These programs encourage the preservation of
important cultural and historic heritage, create incentives for the re-use of
existing physical infrastructure, address affordable housing needs, and have
proven to be highly effective at stimulating private investment in the
redevelopment of urban cores.
According to a study by the Center for Urban Policy
Research at
We recognize that you will receive many requests on
many issues. This joint letter is our effort to demonstrate to you the breadth
of the coalition that supports this common sense policy change. While many of
our organizations have unique and sometimes divergent agendas, we are unanimous
in our support for the recommendation referenced above.
We look forward to working with you on these
exciting initiatives and wish you great success as you begin your new
administration. We would be happy to provide you with more information about
the “weak market cities” agenda. Please contact Kathy Goldfarb at the Gifford
Foundation at (315) 474-2489 or Rob Simpson with the Metropolitan Development
Association at (315) 422-8284 with any questions regarding our request.
Motion to sign and
send letter: Council Member Thompson. Seconded: Council Member Kelly. All voted in favor. Motion carried
Local Laws And
Ordinances: None
Appointments:
Motion to enter Executive Session to
discuss a personnel issue involving a particular person at
Motion to End
Executive Session at
1.
Resolution No. 13 of 2007
APPOINTMENTS TO OPEN SPACE AND STORMWATER COMMITTEES
Resolved, the City of
The following are members of the Commission:
Christopher
Ericson
Patrick
Freeman
David
Gorey
Roberta
Marsh
Christopher Ruhe
Offie
Wortham
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 17: CONSERVATION ADVISORY COMMISSION
§ 17-5.
Powers and duties.
The
Conservation Advisory Commission shall:
Motion: to approve
committees: Council Member Thompson. Seconded: Council Member Gold. On roll call, all voted
in favor. Motion carried.
Ratifications: None
Announcements: None
Last
The following e-mail was addressed to the Mayor and Council
Members from Samuel Matychak dated
Dear Mrs. Mayor and City
Council Members;
I would like to go on the record tomorrow night (16-Jan-07) City Council
Meeting and I would like this expressed to the residents at the meeting my
feelings about the 5 year plan and making a central firehouse. Yes,
I know that I am no longer a resident of Beacon, but if I were still in
I have lived in the city
for 25 years, and my family has been serving the city before it was a
city. I notice at the 21-August City Council Meeting minutes that were
posted on line and I have noticed that you are planning to make a central
firehouse in Beacon. To my opinion, a central firehouse will be
good for the city and it will combine three houses together and all the volunteers
will be under the same roof and there will be no one fighting about that they
belonged to Beacon Engine, Lewis Tompkins Hose, or Mases. When that fire
pager goes off, I heard numerous of times express by some volunteers, "oh,
that is station 2!" and they do not respond to the call. I even
heard from my own father stating that it was station 2 and that we do not have
to go. Mrs. Mayor, you know my history with the fire dept, I
remember in 1993 I met you for the first time doing a fire police job at a
scene of a working fire at Edgewater Apartments and you were impressed by my
knowledge of the situation because you came and asked me what was going
on. At that time I did not notice that you were the Mayor until I read
your comment in the Beacon Free Press and how impressed you were with me at
that fire. You stated that you approached a young man from Beacon Engine
Company who was very informal. After that, you know how much Beacon
Fire Department is in my blood because my dedication to the city and trying to
make the city a better place to live. I have to say, I did not see
myself as Beacon Engine or Tompkins, or Mases, or that I wore a black or red or
yellow helmet, which told what house, you were from. I was a City
Firefighter.
I saw in the Public Hearing Comment that Shirley Maloney was asking if the city
is planning to sell the firehouse and if so, she is interested in buying
one. I know Mrs. Maloney, I went to school with her daughter Jen
and my father has been a friend with them. To be honest with you
all, I would like to see that Beacon Engine Fire House does not go into the
hands of anyone, except for the Historical Society. Beacon Engine
is the oldest firehouse in the city and the oldest fire company in the
city. I know that Beacon Engine was placed under as a
I would like to see that Beacon Engine will not be sold, but be transformed to
the City's
Please what ever you do, please consider in making Beacon Engine a Museum for
all the City Emergency Service workers.
Samuel Matychak III, Firefighter, WSI Fire and Emergency Services-Iraq,
Unit # 60517
Camp Bucca, Iraq, APO, AE 09375-0517
Houston Line (713) 445-1013 Fire Dispatch (US line, rings in Baghdad)
Houston Line (713) 422-9362 Fire Dept. MWR (US line, rings in Baghdad)
DSN Line (318) 853-1511 Fire Dispatch (Military Line)
Dennis Pavelock,
Lois Hughes: Mr. Braun
had a map and said that I own the property which I call the paper street. He said that the city has an easement on my property. When I checked
my survey, it shows me that I do not own it. I wish you would please give me an
answer to resolve this issue. As I said,
I am willing to purchase this piece of property.
City Administrator, Joseph Braun took a
copy of her survey and promised to look into the problem.
Barbara McCaskill,
Ron Ray,
Tom Baldino,
No further comments.
Budget Amendments
Requiring Council Action for
1. Amend the 2006 General Fund
Budget for the Highway Gas and Oil expense (Code: A5110.413000) in the amount of
$6,762.00. Of this amount, $813.00 can
be transferred from the Highway Blacktop expense (Code: A5110.411300). The balance of $5,949.00 was the amount of
revenue received from the BVAC Fuel billing in excess of the projected amount
and may be used to amend the budget to cover the fuel expense for 2006.
2. Amend the 2006 General Fund
Balance for the Planning Department Consultant expense (Code:
A 8020.452000) in the amount of $2,080.00. These funds will be used to cover expenses
for legal services regarding the Hiddenbrooke property.
3. Amend the 2006 General Fund
Balance for the Attorney expense (Code:
A1420.450408) in the amount of $1,624.00. This amount represents fees for services owed
to Tarshis,
4. Amend the 2007 General Fund
Balance for the Police Department Consultant expense (Code: A3120.452007) in the amount of $14,000 to be
used for accreditation of the department.
Motion to amend
General Fund Balance: Council Member
Foster. Seconded: Council Member Shea. On a roll call vote, all voted in favor. (Except Eleanor Thompson who left at
Review of Bills: Total Disbursements
as of
For 2007 $ 1,097,925.67
Next Workshop:
Next Council Meeting: