Minutes

City of Beacon Council Meeting

April 16, 2007

 

REGULAR MEETING

 

The regular meeting of the City of Beacon Council held at the Municipal Center, One Municipal Plaza on April 16, 2007 was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Mayor Clara Lou Gould with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

 

Council Members in attendance were:                         Lee Kyriacou (Arrived at 8:30 p.m.), Elizabeth Foster, Charles Kelly, Steve Gold and Eleanor Thompson.

 

Excused:                                                                      Phil Shea

 

Also in attendance were:                                              City Administrator, Joseph Braun

                                                                                    City Attorney, Gerard Pisanelli

 

Media was represented by:                                          Goldee Greene, Beacon Free Press

                                                                                    German Hayles, Dispatch

 

Residents at beginning of meeting:                              15

 

Public Hearings:  None

 

Community Segment:            Garden Club – Norman MacLeod - My wife and I are very interested in this project.  The main goal of the Garden Club is to make the city look better.  We did work on Teller Avenue, Wolcott Avenue and Main Street.  We are still working on areas where it is hard for things to grow.  In 99, the PBA ran out of money and the garden club's 35 members raised about $500.00 a year from dues.  We were just getting off the ground when we asked the city to help, which they did.  It takes 45 hours to water the plants located at 91 places throughout the city.  We appreciate the 100% cooperation that we get from the city.  We put up wreaths and bows on Main Street.  We started buying lights for the trees on Main Street, which are paid for by the merchants.  Every two or three years, the lights would go out so we decided to use lights where you can change the bulbs when they go out.  We decorate the Holland Center.  We are involved in a country exchange where people come to look at our city and tell us what they think we should do.  The Garden Club gets involved in many things throughout the city and we enjoy keeping Beacon beautiful.

 

Reports:  Text from April 16, 2007 Reports 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 Report of Activities – 1st Meeting Te Month

Mayor Clara Lou Gould read her Report of Activities

Council Members read their Reports of Activities

 

First Opportunity for Public Comments:  Pertaining to This Agenda Only

 

Dennis Pavelock, 34 Judson Street: Regarding No. 2 under New Business - Is the city of Beacon only allowed to have hotels on the waterfront?

 

No further comments:

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

 

Resolutions: - None

 

Local Laws and Ordinances: - None

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

Resolutions:

 

1.  Bond Ordinance Authorizing the Issuance of Up To $240,000 Aggregate Principal Amount Serial Bonds of the City Of Beacon, Dutchess County, New York, to the Local Finance Law, To Finance the Costs of the Acquisition, Construction and Reconstruction of Improvements to the City’s Storm water System.   For Adoption by affirmative vote of at Least two-thirds of the entire voting strength of the Council of the City.

 

Motion to table bond ordinance because discussions are still ongoing:  Council Member Gold.  Seconded:  Council Member Thompson:  All voted in favor.  Motion carried.

 

2.  Resolution No. 76 of 2007 - Authorize the extension of the Letter of Agreement between Aryeh Siegel, as consultant (Waterfront Coordinator) with the City of Beacon, regarding the City of Beacon Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan.  Read by City Administrator, Joseph Braun.

 

WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Beacon has authorized an Extension of the Letter of Agreement between Aryeh Siegel, Consultant (Waterfront Coordinator) with the City of Beacon regarding the City of Beacon Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan, now, therefore, be it

 

RESOLVED, that the Extension of the Letter of Agreement between Aryeh Siegel, Consultant (Waterfront Coordinator) and the City of Beacon shall be extended for one (1) year.  The term of the agreement shall commence on March 1, 2007 and be completed by March 1, 2008; and be it further,

 

RESOLVED, that the Mayor is authorized to execute the Extension of the Letter of Agreement with Aryeh Siegel, Consultant (Waterfront Coordinator) on behalf of the City.

 

The following letter addressed to Aryeh Siegel, 514 Main Street, Beacon, N.Y. 12508 was written by City Attorney, Gerard Pisanelli with cc's to:  Mayor Clara Lou Gould and City Administrator, Joseph Braun

In Re: Letter Agreement Extension - Aryeh Siegel Consultant with City of Beacon for Professional Services

 

Gentlemen:

          Please accept the following as an Extension of the Letter of Agreement between ARYEH SIEGEL, (A CONSULTANT) and the City of Beacon (A CITY) authorizing services in accordance with the terms hereinafter set forth:

I.          SCOPE OF WORK

The scope of work shall include professional services for Waterfront Coordinator of the City of Beacon Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan, and provide services as set forth in Attachment A, which document is incorporated into and made part of this Agreement.

II.         PAYMENTS

In consideration of the tasks to be performed by CONSULTANT, the CITY agrees to pay CONSULTANT a maximum of Twenty Five Thousand Seven Hundred Fifty and 00/100 ($25,750.00) Dollars for one year or Two Thousand One Hundred Forty-Five and 83/100 ($2,145.83) Dollars per calendar month, as full and complete compensation for all services performed pursuant to this Agreement.

No monies shall be paid by the CITY except pursuant to timely filed claim forms containing documentation of the costs claimed based on project completion and approved by the City Administrator. It is understood by the parties that the CONSULTANT'S compensation will be covered by funding from grants under Title 11 of the Environmental Protection Fund, and/or the Environmental Protection Fund, Local Waterfront Revitalization Program.

 

Re:       Consultant Agreement with City-Professional Services

III.       TERM

The term of this Agreement shall commence on March 1, 2007 and be completed by March 1, 2008, with an option for the City’s Administrator to extend in writing for up to an additional year if the State funding for the project is extended for up to an additional year, and the CONSULTANT agrees thereto.

IV.       TERMINATION

The CITY reserves the absolute right to terminate the services of the CONSULTANT at any time by service of a written notice sent by certified mail; however, the CITY will be responsible for payment of any work completed prior to termination and satisfactory to the CITY’S Administrator.

V.        AMENDMENTS

This Agreement may only be amended or modified by a duly executed written Agreement.

VI.       INDEMNIFICATION

The CONSULTANT shall be responsible for all its subcontractors, agents or employees in connection with her services under this Agreement. The CONSULTANT specifically agrees that her subcontractor, agents or employees shall possess the experience, knowledge and character necessary to qualify them individually for the particular duties they perform. Further, it is expressly understood that the CONSULTANT, shall indemnify and save harmless the CITY from claims, suits, actions, damages and costs of every name and description resulting from the negligent performance of the services of the CONSULTANT under this Agreement, and such indemnity shall not be limited by reason of enumeration of any insurance coverage herein provided. Negligent performance of service within the meaning of this provision shall include, in addition to negligence founded upon tort, negligence based upon the CONSULTANT’S failure to meet professional standards and resulting in obvious or patent errors in the progression of its work. Nothing in this provision or in this Agreement shall create or give third parties any claim or right of action against the CONSULTANT or CITY beyond such as may legally exist irrespective of this provision of this Agreement.

Re:       Consultant Agreement with City-Professional Services

VII.      LAWS

(a)        CONSULTANT shall conform to any Federal, State, Town, Municipal or local laws or regulations, and shall procure at its own expense any license or permit, and shall pay any and all license fees or charged whether of the City of Beacon or otherwise.

(b)        This Agreement shall be interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

VIII.     MERGER

 

It is understood that the Agreement represents the entire Agreement of the parties hereto, and all previous understandings are merged herein, and no modifications thereof shall be valid unless written evidence thereto shall be executed by the parties hereto after the date of this Agreement.

 

Please signify your approval to the terms of this Agreement by signing in the space provided below returning two copies to this office.

 

ATTACHMENT A

Letter Agreement-Professional Services

 Scope of Services

Scope of Services

 

The Waterfront Coordinator must be able to perform a range of tasks that may include but are not limited to: grant writing, administration, and management; procurement and management of various consultant teams; review and comment on grant work products; facilitation of meetings and consultations with officials from the City, New York Department of State, Capital District Transportation Authority, and other government agencies; completion of periodic progress reports; and participation as requested by the City in various local and regional waterfront planning initiatives.

 

The Waterfront Coordinator will

- Work closely with the City of Beacon, Department of State, and Capital District Transportation Authority to provide overall management and administration of various projects located within the City’s waterfront area.

- Provide general administrative services related to the need to implement specific waterfront projects and complete related reports and studies in a timely fashion.

- Be responsible for insuring that assigned projects are completed in an appropriate, effective, and timely manner, maintaining appropriate documentation, and managing all appropriate elements.

- Be responsible for the day-to-day administration and management of contracts for assigned waterfront projects including all matters related to grant administration and interaction with City officials.

- Be knowledgeable of and apply for various county, state and federal grant and loan programs and opportunities to finance waterfront projects.

- When the hiring of sub-consultants is necessary, prepare clear and thorough requests for qualifications/proposals, which describe the overall project purpose, specific objectives, expected products, and requirements for submitting proposals.

- Create, conduct, and administer a review process of all proposals received as a result of the City’s issuance of a request for qualifications/proposals.

- Fully coordinate with the City of Beacon, Department of State, and Capital District Transportation Authority the review of responses to requests for qualifications/proposals, any subsequent interviews, and hiring of sub-consultants. Assist the City in interviews to select consultants.

- Coordinate with the City of Beacon, Department of State, and Capital District Transportation Authority the development of all subcontracts including development of the scope of services, fee negotiation, and written task order.

- Assist the City in administering all related sub-contracts by ensuring that all terms of the contract are satisfactorily met; reviewing and commenting on all draft, interim, and final products; and ensuring that all products are of sufficient quality and submitted on time and within budget. 

- Facilitate communication and the flow of information and reports amount City officials, involved government agencies, the public, and project contractors.

- Attend meetings as requested by the City of Beacon to solicit concerns, comments, or suggestions from City officials and residents, or to provide status updates on the progress of projects and the administration of grant contracts.

 

City Administrator, Joseph Braun:  He is responsible for coordinating grants.  He also takes care of some of our grants.  It is something that has been around for the last couple of years and this is the last year.

 

Motion to authorize the extension of the letter of agreement:  Council Member Thompson.  Seconded:  Council Member Gold.  On roll call, all voted in favor.  Motion carried.

 

3.  Resolution No. 77 of 2007 - Authorizing an Easement for 41 Glenford Avenue.  Read by City Administrator, Joseph Braun.

 

Whereas, the city has authorized its Engineer and Attorney to prepare for 41 Glenford Avenue owned by Lois Hughes a thirty (30) foot wide access easement, now therefore, be it;

 

Resolved, the City formally offers the thirty (30) foot wide access easement to Lois Hughes, the owner of 41 Glenford Avenue subject to her agreement in writing to accept said easement which is attached hereto and made a part of this resolution.

 

Motion authorizing an easement for 41 Glenford Avenue:  Council Member Gold.  Seconded:  Council Member Kelly.  On roll call, all voted in favor.  Motion carried.

 

4.  Resolution No. 78 of 2007 - Authorizing the Issuance of Corrected Real Property Tax Bills for 135 North Walnut Street.  Read by City Administrator, Joseph Braun.

 

Whereas, the 2006 taxable assessed value of the real property located at 135 North Walnut Street, owned by Peter Spiak and Diane Spiak, grid number: 595584992097 included re-levied, water charges in the amount of Three Thousand, Eight Hundred, Thirty Nine Dollars and Fifty Two cents ($3,839.52), and ;

 

Whereas, the re-levied unpaid water in the amount of Three Thousand, Eight Hundred, Thirty Nine Dollars and Fifty Two cents ($3,839.52) is being withdrawn, and;

 

Whereas, the amount levied for taxes was Four Thousand, Nine Hundred Eighty Nine and Fifty two cents which should have been ($4,989.99) which should have been One Thousand One Hundred Fifty and Forty Seven cents ($1,150.47) and;

 

Whereas, Peter Spiak and Diane Spiak request that the amount of Three Thousand, Eight Hundred, Thirty Nine Dollars and Fifty Two cents ($3,839.52) be withdrawn in order to allow them to pay the unpaid water charges plus interest over the next eight (8) consecutive water billing quarterly payments; now therefore be it;

 

Resolved, that the amount of Four Thousand, Nine Hundred Eighty Nine and Fifty two cents which should have been ($4,989.99) billed to Peter Spiak and Diane Spiak be withdrawn and a corrected tax bill in the amount of One Thousand One Hundred Fifty and Forty Seven cents ($1,150.47) be issued to Peter Spiak and Diane Spiak, the owners of real property located at 135 North Walnut Street, and be it further;

 

Resolved, that the unpaid water plus interest be paid by Peter Spiak and Diane Spiak, over the next eight (8) consecutive water billing quarterly payments as set forth in Section 219.31.1 and if any payment is not made timely and/or if any amount is still due and owing at the end of the eight (8) consecutive water billing quarters, such outstanding amount shall again be added to the real property taxes as a lien as provided by law.

 

Motion to authorize the issuance of corrected Real Property Tax Bill for 135 N. Walnut:  Council Member Gold:  Seconded:  Council Member Kelly.  On roll call, all voted in favor.  Motion carried.

 

Add the following to Agenda:

 

Authorizing the Issuance of Corrected 2007 Real Property Tax Bills for

 

309 Hudson Avenue,

425 South Avenue and

242 Rombout Avenue. 

 

 

Motion to add to Agenda:  Council Member Thompson.  Seconded:  Council Member Kelly.  All voted in favor.  Motion carried.

 

Resolution No. 79 of 2007 – Authorize the issuance of corrected real property tax bill for 309 Hudson Avenue.  Read by City Administrator, Joseph Braun.

 

WHEREAS, the 2006 taxable assessed value of the real property located at 309 Hudson Avenue, Grid No. 5954-42-652692, owned by Robert & Jacqueline M. Truet should have been reduced due to their having satisfied the amount re-levied for unpaid water in this office on November 27th of 2006, and

 

WHEREAS, the re-levied unpaid water in the amount of $18.52 should be withdrawn, and

 

WHEREAS, the amount levied for taxes was $1971.93 which should have been $1953.41, and

 

WHEREAS, the Dutchess County Real Property Tax Service and the Office of the Assessor recommends that the application for a corrected 2006/2007 County/City tax bill be approved,

 

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the amount of $1971.93 improperly billed to Robert and Jacqueline M. Truet be withdrawn and a corrected tax bill in the amount of $1953.41 be issued to Robert and Jacqueline M. Truet, the owners of real property located at 309 Hudson Avenue, and further be it

 

RESOLVED, that a refund in the amount of $ 18.52 be issued to Robert and Jacqueline M. Truet, owners of the real property at 309 Hudson Avenue, due to overpayment of the incorrect bill having been made on March 1, 2007.

 

Motion for issuance of corrected tax bill for 309 Hudson Avenue:  Council Member Thompson.  Seconded:  Council Member Kelly.  On roll call, all voted in favor.  Motion Carried.

 

 

6.  Resolution No. 80 of 2007 - Authorizing the issuance of corrected 2007 Real Property Tax Bill for 425 South Avenue.  Read by City Administrator, Joseph Braun.

 

WHEREAS, the 2006 taxable assessed value of the real property located at 425 South Avenue, Grid No. 5954-15-743419, owned by Douglas Berlin should have been reduced due to their having satisfied the amount re-levied for unpaid water in this office on December 11th of 2006, and

 

WHEREAS, the re-levied unpaid water in the amount of $ 120.26 should be withdrawn, and

 

WHEREAS, the amount levied for taxes was $8468.15 which should have been $8347.89, and

 

WHEREAS, the Dutchess County Real Property Tax Service and the Office of the Assessor recommends that the application for a corrected 2006/2007 County/City tax bill be approved,

 

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the amount of $8468.15 improperly billed to Douglas Berlin be withdrawn and a corrected tax bill in the amount of $8347.89 be issued to Douglas Berlin, the owner of real property located at 425 South Avenue, and further be it

 

RESOLVED, that a refund in the amount of $ 120.26 be issued to Douglas Berlin, owner of the real property at 425 South Avenue, due to overpayment of the incorrect bill having been made on March 2, 2007.

 

Motion for issuance of corrected tax bill for 425 South Avenue:  Council Member Foster.  Seconded:  Council Member Kelly.  On roll call, all voted in favor.  Motion carried

 

7.  Resolution No. 81 of 2007 - Authorizing the issuance of corrected 2007 Real Property Tax Bill for 242 Rombout Avenue.  Read by City Administrator, Joseph Braun.

 

WHEREAS, the 2006 taxable assessed value of the real property located at 242 Rombout Avenue, Grid No. 5954-44-952744, owned by Barbara D. McCaskill should have been reduced due to their having satisfied the amount re-levied for unpaid water in this office on January 4th of 2007, and

 

WHEREAS, the re-levied unpaid water in the amount of $1029.79 should be withdrawn, and

 

WHEREAS, the amount levied for taxes was $2791.20 which should have been $1761.41, and

 

WHEREAS, the Dutchess County Real Property Tax Service and the Office of the Assessor recommends that the application for a corrected 2006/2007 County/City tax bill be approved,

 

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the amount of $2791.20 improperly billed to Barbara D. McCaskill be withdrawn and a corrected tax bill in the amount of $1761.41 be issued to Barbara D. McCaskill, the owners of real property located at 242 Rombout Avenue, and further be it

 

RESOLVED, that a refund in the amount of $1029.79 be issued to Barbara D. McCaskill, owners of the real property at 242 Rombout Avenue, due to overpayment of the incorrect bill having been made on March 1st of 2007.

 

Motion for issuance of corrected tax bill for 242 Rombout Avenue:  Council Member Thompson.  Seconded:  Council Member Kelly.  On roll call, all voted in favor.  Motion carried.

 

8:30 p.m. Council Member Kyriacou arrived.

 

8.  Resolution No. 82 of 2007 - Recreation Department - Approving the Discounted Park/Pool Fees as set forth in the Memorandum from Julann Cobb dated March 26, 2007 below.  Read by City Administrator, Joseph Braun.

 

RESOLVED, the Beacon City Council hereby approves the Discounted Park/ Pool Fees as set forth in the Memorandum from Julann Cobb dated March 26, 2007, which Memorandum is attached hereto and expressly made a part of this Resolution.

 

The following is a memo addressed to City Administrator, Joseph Braun was written by Julann Cobb dated March 26, 2007 regarding discounted Park Pool Fees

 

A request for a park permit that covers several consecutive days has been made where the question of allowing multi-use discounts was raised. We do not currently have a policy in place regarding multi-use discounts. In comparison, the Beacon City School District allows a 50% discount if 5 or more consecutive uses are scheduled and prepaid.   Allowing reservations/group use does not generate an itemized expense for the city that would be directly associated with the fee collected for that permit. The fees collected by issuing park permits are purely revenue, so there is not a direct cost associated with offering a multi-use discount other than the reduction of revenue from that permit applicant.

 

I'm requesting the City Council's consideration of allowing a 50% discount for 5 or more consecutive uses with the exclusion of Saturday or Sunday, prepaid and with no refunds unless we are able to re-book the site.

Additionally, multi-use discounts will come up concerning the University Settlement Pool. Again, the school district applies the same multi-use discount (above) to their pool facility. It is important to note that the pool's average operating cost per usable hour is $99.80 ($63.73 for staff {a variable cost} and $36.07 for facility {a fixed cost}). In terms of group use, at the for-profit rate of $150/hour, offering a multi-use discount does not increase our expense but will decrease our potential revenue. It's possible for us to offer a discount, but not advisable to the extent where the user is paying less than the actual operating cost, which would be the case if we offer a 50% discount as the school does. The school can offer the 50% discount because they have more operating hours and can spread out the effect of the discount over a longer period of time, which is something that we can't do with an outdoor facility. While a 33% discount of the for-profit user is the maximum we can offer before the expense of the use exceeds the revenue, I do recommend that we extend some type of discount for multi-use both as an incentive to book the pool and with an eye to generating goodwill with next year's potential customers. I'm requesting that the City Council review the matter of offering multi-use discounts to for-profit pool users and determine an appropriate amount, if any.

 

In terms of discounts to non-profits, the proposed fee of $75/hour covers the cost of staffing with a nominal amount left to apply towards the facility expense. The non-profit rate is currently below the average hourly operating cost of $99.80. Extending further discounts means that we are in essence subsidizing the cost of a private, though non-profit, entity using the pool. The determination to do so is a matter for City Council to decide, and I am requesting that the Council states their position on the matter of extending further discounts to non-profit entities and clearly defines the terms of such discounts if any. That includes any agreement to change from the proposed budget how we generate revenue from the pool.

For example, in the past some non-profit entities had access to the pool at the rate of $1 per child. Beacon Recreation Summer Playground Program, BCC and MLK had private group swim sessions at that rate, and this past year Alpha & Omega was offered the same rate if they shared their time with MLK. At those rates, the expense to the city for those private group swims exceeded the amount of money collected since the groups were generally less than 75 children per session (with the exception of Beacon Rec). To meet the non-profit rate of $75/hr, the per child cost to use the pool is increased:

 

 

Entity

Projected # Children/Session

Cost Per Child

 

MLK

 

45

 

3.33

BCC

60

2.50

Alpha&Omega

50

3.00

Beacon Rec.*

130

1.15

 

Note: Pool Capacity is 225

 

*Cost per child for Beacon Rec Summer Program is not seriously affected due to the number of participants and can afford private group sessions.

 

In drafting a schedule of group pool use, I determined that there are 15 group sessions available Monday through Friday. When I spoke with each of these groups, the requests totaled 10 of the available 15 group sessions, leaving only 5 sessions available for potential revenue, not adjusting for loss of time due to inclement weather.

 

While I can offer each group a private group session at the non-profit rate if they choose to do so, the best way for these entities to reduce their per-child expense is to use the pool together. This will also increase the number of sessions available for generating revenue, and help us meet our expenses for operating the pool.

 

I propose that I offer one session per day - or contingent upon enough participation to meet the expenses - that is available for non-profit entities to use the pool at the rate of $2 per child. If an agency chooses to have private group time beyond that, they may do so at the hourly non-profit rate.

 

I am also asking the City Council to make a recommendation of the number of non-profit sessions I should make available for reservations at this time. The only revenue over cost that we are projected to receive would be via the fees collected by profit entities for group use, and it is this revenue that will help defray the overall operating expenses. I am concerned that over­booking by non-profits will result in loosing potential revenue. It may be in the City's best interest to reserve a certain number of the available sessions for profit entities until a later date in an attempt to draw the higher rate. (For example, reserve 5 sessions/wk for profit entities until June 1, then opens those spaces to non-profit entities).

 

Motion to add to the Agenda:  Council Member Kelly.  Seconded:  Council Member Gold.  All voted in favor.  Motion carried.

 

Motion to approve resolution regarding pool fees:  Council Member Kelly.  Seconded:  Council Member Gold.  On roll call, all voted in favor.  Motion carried.