Minutes

City of Beacon Council Meeting

May 21, 2007

 

REGULAR MEETING

 

The regular meeting of the City of Beacon held at the Municipal Center, One Municipal Plaza on May 21, 2007 immediately following the Traffic and Safety Committee Meeting was called to order at 7:55  p.m. by Mayor Clara Lou Gould with the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.

 

Council Members Present:                               Lee Kyriacou, Elizabeth Foster, Phil Shea, Steve Gold and Eleanor Thompson.

 

Excused:                                                          Charles Kelly

 

Also in attendance were:                                  City Administrator, Joseph Braun                                                                                                        City Attorney, Gerard Pisanelli

 

Media represented by:                                     Goldee Greene, Beacon Free Press

 

Residents at beginning of meeting:                  18

 

Public Hearings:  See Page 4 for the Public Hearing on the following:

 

1.  Local Law to Amend Article 211 Vehicles and Traffic to add a new subsection 211.6.1 to allow school bus parking on Oak Street.

 

Community Segment:            Glenn Scofield, Captain Police Department

 

Speaker:  Captain Glenn Scofield of the Beacon Police Department:  I want to thank you for inviting me tonight.  I will tell you the way the Police Department exists and our visions for the future.  I try my best to serve the residents of Beacon.  I have been a Police Officer here in Beacon for eighteen years.  I came up through the ranks to the rank of Captain.  It's been a pleasure for me during the course of my career.  I try my best.  I am a straight shooter.  Captain Scofield went on to talk about his various assignments on the force.  When he patrolled Main Street, he built relationships with the merchants and the public.  He said that with the shortage of officers, the city cannot afford to spare one officer. Every officer is assigned an area on Main Street and that will be his neighborhood.  He spoke of the various duties of the officers including alarm systems, and complaints from the residents:  These can only be acted on if we are told what they are.  I encourage the residents to not hesitate to report any problem to us and to provide proper information so we can follow up on these complaints.  If we do not know about it, we cannot follow up on it.  This helps us to do our job.  There is a procedure at the main desk in the Police Dept regarding problems you have with any officers.  They should be directed to the mayor or city administrator.  There is a process that we go through for the investigation.  We will refer to outside agencies if necessary to do investigations.  We also try to emphasize police presence on the street.  What happened in the past is that the computer systems were not working properly making it look like the police officers are not doing their job.  Regarding the Staff:  We are short handed.  We are actively investigating the hiring of new officers.  It takes time.  We have four officers in field training.  One of the things that I want the public to know is that once again the dept will be actively attracting minority police officers.  I want the council to consider the possibility of opening the jobs to the county and not limit it to only the City of Beacon.  Captain Scofield answered many questions from the Council as well as the public.  Some are listed below.

 

Betty DiPompo:  How many officers do we have on the books now?

 

Captain Scofield:  We have 33.  I have been formulating a plan.  If we had 45 officers we would be able to handle just about every possible situation.  At the present time I am working toward getting the thirty-nine first.  We are here to work for you, the public.

Council Member Gold expressed his thanks and appreciation for the informative presentation.  You mentioned that there would be a Civil Service Exam in November and not another one for five years.  What can we do to let the public know that there will be a civil service test in November?

Captain Scofield said that he is putting out flyers at various locations as well at the high school and is advertising on the Beacon cable channel.

Council Member Kyriacou:  It would be very helpful if when you bring proposals to us you also bring backup.  I just learned that Poughkeepsie does their bike patrol during their regular shift.

Betty DiPompo:  I totally agree that we should hire more than the 39 police officers.

 

Mayor Clara Lou Gould thanked Captain Scofield for coming and giving a very informative presentation.

 

Reports:  Text from the following reports for May 21, 2007 is at the end of these minutes.

 

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 Members read her Reports of Activities

 

First Opportunity for Public Comments:  Pertaining to This Agenda Only

 

Dennis Pavelock:  Regarding Agenda Item No. 7 under New Business - I hope that things don't go wrong regarding the damage that was done to people's properties.  Where is the engineer or the person who sees that as little as possible damage is being done and providing the answers to the questions that the residents are asking?

 

John Foreman:  Passed out a copy of the Resolution No. 207136 Period Oct 1, 2006 through March 31, 2007.  A w eek ago a resolution was made to disburse funds to Dutchess County.  Both of the legislatures voted against sending this money to Beacon.  Two people voted against this.  The members that voted against the money coming to Beacon should come here to address this council.

 

Clark Gebman:  Hiddenbrook - As discussed at the workshop, the idea of a two appraisals has been raised for Hiddenbrooke.  I believe that the council is on a wrong approach.  When the first appraiser does his assignment, it should be sufficient.   I would like to speak against the hiring of a second appraiser because the first appraiser is adequate.  Mr. Gebman went on in minute detail as he gave specifics for his opposition including the appraiser providing the rights of adjourning lands.

 

No further comments

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

 

Resolutions:

 

1.  Resolution No. 91 for 2007 - Approve the Following Safety & Traffic Ratifications:  Read by City Administrator, Joseph Braun.

 

Request to change the speed limit in the Code Book for the Verplanck Avenue to read:  Verplanck Avenue – 25 mph for the entire length

 

Request to place the following streets in Section 211-6.  School Speed Limits:

§         Liberty Street – 15 mph from Grove Street to the last entrance of J.V. Forrestal School both directions.

§         Oak Street – 15 mph from Willow Street to Cross Street both directions.

§         School Street – 15 mph from Rombout Avenue to West Center Street both directions.

§         South Avenue – 15 mph from Academy Street to West Center Street both directions.

§         West Center Street – 15 mph from School Street to South Avenue both directions.

§         Willow Street – 15 mph from Church Street to Verplanck Avenue both directions.

§         Fishkill Avenue – 15 mph from Dallis Place to entrance of Tallix both directions.

§         Delavan Avenue – 15 mph from Fishkill Avenue to Hastings Drive both directions.

§         Delavan Avenue – 15 mph from Fishkill Avenue to Hastings Drive both directions.

 

Request to delete the following streets in Section 211-5. Speed limits:

§         Cross Street – 15 mph from Ferry Street to Hammond Plaza

§         Cross Street – 15 mph from Verplanck Avenue south to Main Street

§         Eliza Street – 15 mph from Kent Street south to Verplanck Avenue

§         Eliza Street – 15 mph from Verplanck Avenue north to Kent Street

§         Fishkill Avenue – 15 mph from Ackerman Street south for 300 feet to Verplanck Avenue

§         Fishkill Avenue – 15 mph from Verplanck Avenue north for 300 feet to Ackerman Street

§         Kent Street – 15 mph from Eliza Street to Fishkill Avenue

§         Kent Street – 15 mph from Fishkill Avenue west to Eliza Street

§         Liberty Street – 15 mph from Amity Street north to a point 200 feet north of the exit of J.V. Forrestal School to Grove Street

§         Oak Street – 15 mph from Cross Street east 300 feet to Willow Street

§         Oak Street – 15 mph from Willow Street west for 300 feet to Cross Street

§         Rombout Avenue – 15 mph from Ferry Street east to School Street

§         Rombout Avenue – 15 mph from School Street west to Ferry Street

§         School Street – 15 mph from Rombout Avenue south to West Center Street

§         School Street – 15 mph from West Center Street north to Rombout Avenue

§         South Avenue – 15 mph from Academy Street south to West Center Street

§         South Avenue – 15 mph from West Center Street north to Academy Street

§         Verplanck Avenue – 15 mph from Cross Street east to a point 300 feet east of Willow Street

§         Verplanck Avenue – 15 mph form a point 300 feet east of Willow Street to Cross Street

§         Verplanck Avenue – 15 mph from a point 300 feet east of Fishkill Avenue to a point 300 feet west to Eliza Street

§         Verplanck Avenue – 15 mph from 300 feet west of Eliza Street east to 200 feet east of Fishkill Avenue

§         Verplanck Avenue – 15 mph from North Cedar Street to Eliza Street

§         West Center Street – 15 mph from School Street west to South Avenue

§         West Center Street – 15 mph from South Avenue east to School Street

§         Willow Street – 15 mph from a point 300 feet south of Oak Street north to Verplanck Avenue

§         Willow Street – 15 mph from Verplanck Avenue south to a point 300 feet south of Oak Street

 

Motion to ratify Safety and Traffic recommendations:  Council Member Kyriacou.  Seconded:  Council Member Thompson.  On a roll call, all voted in favor.  Motion carried.

 

Council Member Gold:  I would like to thank the Safety committee for all the work they put into this resolution.

 

Local Laws and Ordinances:

 

Motion to suspend the rules and hold a public hearing now.  Council Member Kyriacou.  Seconded:  Council Member Foster.  All voted in favor.  Motion carried.

 

Public Hearing - From Page 1

 

1.  Local Law to Amend Article 211 Vehicles and Traffic” to add a new subsection 211-19.9 to allow school bus parking on Oak Street.  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, May 21, 2007 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 local law to Amend Article 211 of the Beacon City Code, entitled Vehicles & Traffic, to add a new subsection, 211-6.1, to allow school bus parking on Oak Street.

 

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 Hearing Comments:  None

 

Motion to close Public Hearing:  Council Member Foster.  Seconded:  Council Member Kyriacou.  All voted in favor.  Motion carried.

 

1.  Resolution No. 92 of 2007 - Local Law No. 8 for 2007 - to Amend Article 211 Vehicles and Traffic” to add a new subsection 211-19.9 to allow school bus parking on Oak Street.  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 amending Article 211 “VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC” to add a new subsection 211-19.9 “School bus parking.”

 

SECTION 2.               INTENT AND PURPOSE

 

This local law is intended to amend Article 211 “VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC” to add a new subsection 211-19.9 “School bus parking.”

 

SECTION 3.               AMENDMENT

 

Section 211-19.9 shall be added and state as follows:

 

§211-19.9 School bus parking. 

 

School buses shall be permitted to park on Oak Street exclusively during school days from 8:15 am – 8:45 am and 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm.       

 

SECTION 4.               EFFECTIVE DATE

 

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

 

Motion to amend resolution to change from 211.6.1 to 211-19.9 and change time in the afternoon to 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm:  Council Member Shea.  Seconded:  Council Member Gold.  All voted in favor.  Motion carried.

 

Motion to approve Local Law:  Council Member Shea.  Seconded:  Council Member Gold.  On a roll call, all voted in favor.  Motion carried

 

Motion to amend to add the word, "Exclusively" when referring to the parking of buses on Oak Street:  Council Member Gold.  Seconded:  Council Member Shea.  All voted in favor.  Motion carried.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

Resolutions:

 

1.  Resolution No. 93 for 2007 - Proclamation of Meritorious Services.  Read by City Administrator, Joseph Braun.

 

WHEREAS, upon exceptional events or long standing acts of service to the community, it is appropriate that the City of Beacon recognizes them, and honors these individuals; and

 

THEREFORE be it resolved, that a “Proclamation of Meritorious Service” awards program be established and

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that candidates for this award be recommended by the Beacon Commission on Human Relations based on criteria such as:

·         An act that significantly benefits the community in the following areas but not limited to: education, employment, recreation, transportation, environment, beautification, multicultural diversity, human rights, etc.

·         An individual who significantly benefits our community by performing or displaying to a high degree one or more of the following attributes:  a valuable skill, an exceptional talent, exceptional knowledge in a particular area; devoting time, money and/or effort to benefit the City.

·         The act may be a specific event that demonstrated bravery and heroism.

·         A member of our community, an organization or an employer who consistently provides leadership, motivation and/or opportunities to advance the rights of people in the areas of ethnicity, age, disability, those who are disadvantaged, to reduce poverty, to reduce and help people in need, and

·         Suggestions from the community

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the award will be presented to the individual at a Beacon City Council meeting and be recorded in a special journal and posted on a dedicated page in the city website.

 

Motion to approve Proclamation of Meritorious Services:  Council Member Gold.  Second.  Council Member Thompson.

 

Council Member Gold:  I would like to add to the record that I thank the Human Relations Committee for their efforts on working for this award.

 

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

 

2.  Resolution No. 94 for 2007 - Special Use Permit:  Accessory Apartment – 9 Aldridge Place – Applicant:  Timothy Joseph. Set Public Hearing for Monday June 4th.

 

Motion to set Public Hearing for Special Use Permit for 9 Aldridge Place for June 4, 2007:  Council Member Shea.  Seconded:  Council Member Foster.  All voted in favor.  Motion carried.

 

3.  Resolution No. 95 for 2007 - Special Use Permit:  Amend Existing Special Use Permit – Modify Apartment Layout – 463 Main Street – Applicant Anthony Fox and Paul Queley. Set Public Hearing for Monday June 4, 2007.  Read by City Administrator, Joseph Braun.

 

Motion to set public hearing for 463 Main Street for June 4, 2007:  Council Member Shea.  Seconded:  Council Member Foster.  All voted in favor.  Motion carried.

 

4.  Resolution No. 96 of 2007 - Special Use Permit:  Wireless Communication Facility – One Forrestal Heights – Applicant OmniPoint Communications. (subsidiary of T-Mobile).