Minutes
City of
REGULAR
MEETING
The
regular meeting of the City of
Council Members in
Attendance were: Charles Kelly,
Phil Shea and Eleanor Thompson.
Excused: Lee
Kyriacou, Elizabeth Foster and Steve Gold
Also in attendance were: City
Administrator, Joseph Braun
City
Attorney, Gerard Pisanelli
Media Represented by: Goldee
Green, Beacon Free Press
Residents at beginning of
meeting: 25
Public
Hearing: None
Community Segment: There are two Community Segments tonight.
First: Mayor Clara Lou Gould: Every year the Conference of Mayors honors public officials who have served a single community for twenty-five years or more by giving them a Certificate of Public Service. Two of those members are as follows:
William O’Keeffe for Thirty-Five Years of Service
The
council thanked them for their service and the Mayor presented them with their
certificate
Second: Mayor
Gould: We would like to present to you
Anne N. Conroy, President and CEO, Dutchess County Economic Development Corp
and Peter S. Winne, Ph D., Director of Technology Development.
The following is some of what
was discussed in their presentation:
Public costs are based on the
average taxes per person, per household, or per student in a given community. We
assume costs will increase over a ten-year period, based on historical increases. Other
factors like the percent of
new employees who might relocate to the community, are also considered.
Additionally, potential impacts on other districts, for example, fire and library
districts can be estimated.
Public tax benefits
are
based on estimates of the tax revenues that will be collected by local jurisdictions.
Property taxes depend on the value and number of the structures planned for development. Increases in
taxes for future years can be estimated from
historical trends in real property tax rates.
Sales tax revenues for local purchases of goods and services are also
considered.
Fiscal Impacts of
Commercial Developments:
DCEDC has conducted fiscal
impact analysis for several recent commercial developments. The relative cost of the commercial sector
for government and school services is small
compared to other community sectors. Commercial projects return a significant net income benefit for all
local taxing jurisdictions, especially
school districts.
During the
construction period, jobs created and the sales tax generated on the construction
provide a significant boost to the economy for a limited time. In addition, the
jobs created by a commercial development have a ripple effect in the community,
and both payroll and sales from new developments, as well as the expenditures of visitors, put new
dollars into the local economy.
Fiscal Impacts of Residential
Developments:
DCEDC studied eight housing developments to determine
fiscal impacts. Projects that were
completed and occupied between 2003 and 2006 were chosen so we could count the children actually enrolled in
public school, rather than estimating
a number. We based the study on taxes paid by the houses in the developments, rather than projections of what
the taxes might be, and we used
current average costs for each local jurisdiction. The developments studied include single-family homes,
townhouses, apartments at market rate, and units
with income restrictions or subsidies. For housing units close to or above the median assessed value in a given
community, the studies show a net benefit to all taxing jurisdictions.
For other units, impacts varied, depending
on the assessed values or income restrictions.
These results are
consistent with other studies including studies completed by the American
Farmland Trust, which compares costs of all types of land uses and does
not directly address cost/benefits of new construction.
Contact for additional
information:
Dutchess County Economic
Development Corporation, Anne N. Conroy, President and CEO - 845-463-5406 -
anconroy@dcedc.com and
Dutchess County Economic
Development Corp., Peter S. Winne, Ph.D., Director of Technology Development,
Tel: 845-463-5408 - Email: pwinne@dcede.com / www.dcedc.com
Text from the following
Mayor’s Correspondence read by Mayor Clara Lou Gould.
City Administrator Joseph Braun - Nothing to report.
City Attorney Gerard Pisanelli read his report of activities
Mayor Clara Lou Gould read her report of activities.
Council Members read their reports of activities.
First
Gwen Crenshaw: I
see that you are going to bid for sidewalks.
That is fantastic. I am wondering
about the trees. They are wreaking havoc
on
Mayor: The contract for the trees was signed and the work should be phased and will be starting any day.
Council Member Thompson:
Those trees are not meant for
Mayor Gould: The contracts have been signed about two weeks ago.
Dennis
Pavelock,
Gary Wood – Regarding the Main Street trees: The middle of town and the
Mayor Gould: The trees should have been pruned and they were not told to do that. Therefore, they got out of control.
Tim Bozinski
No further comments:
Resolutions:
- None
Local
Laws And Ordinances: None
Resolutions:
1. Resolution No. 131 of 2007
Five-Year Capital Plan. Set
public hearing for
Motion to set Public Hearing for
City Administrator, Joseph Braun: The Plan will be available here at City Hall
and will be posted on the City of
2.
Resolution No. 132 of 2007 - Bid Award:
Main Street Sidewalks: That The Lowest Responsible Bid Submitted by
Sun Up Inc., Wappinger Falls, NY in the amount of $394,275.00 Be Accepted And
Mayor Is Authorized To Execute A Contract For Performance Of Said Work. Read by City Administrator, Joseph Braun.
RESOLVED, that the Mayor be
authorized to accept the lowest responsible bid submitted by Sun Up Inc. for
the Main Street Sidewalk Projects and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Mayor be
hereby authorized to execute a contract with Sun Up Inc.,
Motion
to authorize Mayor to accept lowest bid from Sun Up, Inc.: Council Member Kelly. Seconded:
Council Member Thompson. On roll
call, all voted in favor. Motion
carried.
3. Resolution No. 133 - Authorize the Amendment of the Program Year 2003
Dutchess County Community Development Block Grant Project – Administration
Remaining Funds in the Amount of $3,736.88 to Howland Cultural Center. Read by City Administrator, Joseph Braun.
WHEREAS, the City of
WHEREAS, input from citizens and groups has been
received and considered, and
WHEREAS, this resolution has been prepared, which
would move the 2003 Administration remaining funds in the amount of $3,736.88
to
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Dutchess
County Community Development Consortium Program Year 2003 amendment for the
City of
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the submission of said resolution to the Dutchess County Department of Planning and Development be and hereby is authorized.
4. Resolution No. 134 - Authorize the Amendment of the Program Year 2004
WHEREAS, the City of
WHEREAS, input from citizens and groups has been received and considered, and
WHEREAS, this resolution has
been prepared, which would move the 2004 Administration remaining funds in the
amount of $10,000.00 to
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED,
that the Dutchess County Community Development Consortium Program Year 2004
amendment for the City of
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the submission of said resolution to the Dutchess County Department of Planning and Development be and hereby is authorized.
5. Resolution No. 135 - Authorize the Amendment of the Program Year 2004
WHEREAS, the City of
WHEREAS, input from citizens and groups has been received and considered, and
WHEREAS, this resolution has
been prepared, which would move funds from the 2004 Security Cameras Project in
the amount of $12,402.30 to
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED,
that the Dutchess County Community Development Consortium Program Year 2004
amendment for the City of
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the submission of said resolution to the Dutchess County Department of Planning and Development be and hereby is authorized.
Motion
to add Items 3, 4 and 5 to agenda:
Council Member Kelly.
Seconded: Council Member
Shea. All voted in favor. Motion carried.
Discussion
City
Administrator, Joseph Braun: The camera
money may not be a surplus if the cameras are actually installed. I would suggest that we provide for other
infrastructure moneys if these moneys are not available for the camera
project. I spoke to the county and they
said that it would be.
Council
Member Kelly: My understanding is that
even if we don't get the money from the security project, it will not come from
infrastructure money.
City
Administrator Braun: Correct,
Infrastructure money is for the road program.
The security camera project is not infrastructure.
Council
Member Kelly: I take it that the
security camera project is in response to the S. Brett situation.
City
Administrator Braun: No. We had this money for the cameras a couple of
years ago. There were some issues with a
couple of building owners, with power and some issues with the camera
contractor. Most recently, Attorney
Pisanelli talked to the camera contractor who now says that he will have the
cameras installed by August 15. These
are the Main Street Cameras.
These
cameras are fixed and will be monitored from the Police Department. Capt. Scofield was talking about getting
permission from residents to have a camera be installed on their house that
will observe activity on that street. If
you would like to have the camera on your home, we can do that. I do not know how many cameras we have. If we need more, we will get them.
Motion
to Amend No. 5. Regarding funds for security cameras to be taken from
infrastructure if necessary. Council
Member Kelly. Seconded: Council Member Shea. All voted in favor. Motion carried.
Council Member Kelly: I want it to be known that my wife is on the
board of the
Council
Member Thompson: I want it to be known
that I am on the board of the
Motion
to approve Items 3 and 4 as read and 5 as amended: On roll call, all voted in favor. Motion carried.
6. Resolution No. 136 of 2007 –Bid Award North Brett /
Melio Bettina Reconstruction: That the
Lowest Responsible bid submitted by H. B. Witse Excavating, In,
RESOLVED, that the Mayor be authorized to accept the
lowest responsible bid submitted by H.B. Wiltse Excavating Inc. for the North
Brett / Melio Bettina Reconstruction and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Mayor
be hereby authorized to execute a contract with H.B. Wiltse Excavating Inc.,
Poughkeepsie in the amount of $766,994.00
for North Brett/Melio Bettina Reconstruction.
Motion
to Add to Agenda: Council Member
Thompson. Seconded: Council Member Shea. All in favor.
Motion carried.
Motion
to approve: Council Member
Thompson. Seconded: Council Member Shea. On roll call, all voted in favor. Motion carried.
7. Resolution No. 137 - Authorize Release of
Performance Bond Regarding Verplanck Association Subdivision. Read by City Administrator, Joseph Braun.
WHEREAS, a performance bond in the amount of $ 279,360.00 had been
reduced to $197,018.00, and
WHEREAS, the Planning Board Secretary and the City Engineer have
informed the council that all improvements have been
completed.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the performance Bond from Verplanck
Associates, Inc.,
Motion
to add to Agenda: Council Member
Thompson. Seconded: Council Member Shea. All voted in favor. Motion carried.
Motion
to approve resolution: Council Member
Kelly. Second: Council Member Thompson.
City
Attorney Pisanelli: This goes back a
number of years to 1995.
On
roll call, all voted in favor. Motion
carried.
8. Resolution No. 138 - Authorizing an amendment to the Purchase and Sale
Agreement between Preshrock Corporation As “Seller” and City of Beacon as
“Purchaser” Concerning Hiddenbrooke Property.
Read by City Administrator, Joseph Braun.
WHEREAS, the Council authorized the Mayor to sign the Purchase and Sale
Agreement between Preshrock Corporation as Seller and City of Beacon as
Purchaser concerning the Hiddenbrooke Property in Beacon, New York, subject, inter
alia, to the final resolution of additional security needed to indemnify
the City related to the Miller Claim; and
WHEREAS, Preshrock has offered sufficient additional security, which in the
opinion of the City Administrator, the City Attorney and Special Counsel,
adequately indemnifies the City; and
WHEREAS,
in order to provide this additional security, Preshrock seeks to have any
school taxes for the Hiddenbrooke Property be adjusted and prorated between Seller and
Purchaser as of July 1, 2007 (instead of the date of closing of title), and the
net amount thereof added to the balance of the Purchase Price for the Hiddenbrooke
Property to be paid at the closing of title for the Hiddenbrooke Property;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT:
RESOLVED, in the best interests of
the City, Article IV of the Purchase and Sale Agreement between Preshrock
Corporation as Seller, and City of Beacon, as Purchaser, concerning the
Hiddenbrooke Property in Beacon, New York is hereby amended so that any school taxes for the Hiddenbrooke
Property are to be adjusted and prorated between Seller and Purchaser as
of July 1, 2007 (instead of the date of closing of title), and the net amount
thereof added to the balance of the Purchase Price for the Hiddenbrooke
Property to be paid at the closing of title for the Hiddenbrooke Property, with
no other changes to Article IV.
Motion
to add to agenda: Council Member
Thompson. Seconded: Council Member Kelly. All voted in favor. Motion carried.
Motion
to approve resolution: Council Member
Kelly. Seconded: Council Member Thompson.
Discussion:
Council
Member Kelly: I think the attorney did a
very good job with all the last minutes changes. We think we got a very good deal for the
city. The owner of the property asked that he not be asked to pay additional
taxes on the property. We did get a very
good deal and we should not penalize Preshrock.
On roll call, all voted in
favor. Motion carried.
Local
Laws And Ordinances:
Ratifications:
Last
Greg
Clary: My comments concern the
cameras: I want to see security cameras
on parking lots, which are hangouts. You
are welcome to put a camera on my house.
The
following letter addressed to the Beacon Traffic Safety Council from Raymond
Clary,
DEAR BEACON TRAFFIC SAFTY COUNCIL,
I AM SUBMITTING THIS WRITTEN REQUEST FOR THREE
STOP SIGNS AT THE FOLLOWING
1.
ONE AT THE
CORNER OF ELIZA AND CHURCH GOING TOWARD VERPLANCK, 1000
ft or better of road with no stop signs allows frequent speeding.
2.
AND TWO AT THE CORNER OF
TOWARD VERPLANK
The reasons for my request are as follows:
THE USE OF ELIZA STREET HAS INCREASED TO THE POINT THAT CARS ARE DRAG RACING DOWN ELIZA BETWEEN MAIN AND VERPLANK AT ALL HOURS OF THE DAY AND NIGHT. IN THE AREAS OF ELIZA
STREET IN QUESTION, WE HAVE AN INCREASE OF FOOT TRAFIC AS WELL ie: CHILDREN PLAYING AND THE ELDERLY PEOPLE COMING
AND GOING FROM THE HAMILTON FISH BUILDING AND FROM HOMES IN THE AREA,
ARE IN DANGER OF BEING HIT. OFTEN THERE IS UNCONTROLLED HOT RODING HAS ALSO CREATED A SAFETY HAZARD FOR ALL PEDESTRIANS IN THIS VICINITY.
BECAUSE THERE IS NO STOP SIGN AT THIS CORNER, I PERSONALLY HAVE SEEN CARS MAKING SHARP TURNS ON TWO WHEELS AT HIGH
SPEED COMING UP FROM
AND ELDERLY USING WALKERS, CANES AND/OR WHEELCHAIRS, AND CHILDREN PLAYING ALMOST GET STRUCK BY
THESE CARS SPEEDING THROUGH
THESE INTERSECTIONS.
BECAUSE THERE IS NO
THANK YOU IN ADVANCE RAYMOND CLARY,
Dennis
Pavelock,
City
Administrator, Joseph Braun: The
Building Dept is aware of the overgrown grass.
If anyone sees high grass they should call the Building Dept.
Tom
Baldino: I would like to back Dennis
Pavelock regarding an emergency plan that is available to the public. The other thing I would like is to urge you
to continue work on finding a place that we can tell the public regarding a
drop off location for the non-working light bulbs that contain mercury. The other thing is I would like to urge
people to stop buying water in plastic containers. A significant amount of oil goes into the
bottles. The water is only tap water
anyway.
Gwen
Crenshaw,
City
Attorney, Pisanelli: All sex offenders
are required to register.
Resident: You were talking about high grass. What about trash around buildings on
Council
Member Shea: According to the records
the owner goes to court and pays the fines but he does not correct the problem.
City Attorney Pisanelli: It can be declared a nuisance but it is a long drawn out process. I will contact the Building Dept.
Budget
Amendments for
1.
Amend the General Fund Balance (Code: A909) for the Highway
Department in the amount of
$3,684 to be distributed as follows:
$3,225.00 for Stormwater SPDES engineering expenses 459.00 for GIS Mapping (grant money awarded)
These amounts represent work completed to date, there will be additional engineering work for both projects.
Motion to Amend General Fund Balance: Council Member Thompson. Seconded. Council Member Kelly. On roll call, all voted in favor. Motion carried.
2.
Amend the General Fund Balance (Code: A909) for the
Comprehensive Planning Budget
(Code: A8025.454000) in the amount of
$15,414.00. This amount represents the
fee for
consulting services for the month of June.
3.
Amend the General Fund Balance (Code:
A909) for the Attorney Department
(Code: A1420.450405) for $2,319.00. These funds will be used to cover
attorney expenses for the disciplinary action against P.O. Jennifer Piacente.
4.
Amend the General Fund Balance (Code: A909) for the Public
Works Repairs to Real Property
expense (A 1620.4473XX) to cover the following repairs:
$ 5,000 DPW - New overhead door
25,000
15,000 Memorial Building - repaint building
15,000 Mase Hook & Ladder - roof
20,000
$80.000 TOTAL
Motion to Amend the General Fund Balance for Items 2, 3, and 4: Council Member Thompson. Seconded: Council Member Shea. On roll call, all voted in favor.
Review
of Bills. Total Disbursements as of
August 6, 2007: $370,956.92
Next
Workshop:
Next
Council Meeting:
Motion
to adjourn Meeting at
Mayor’s
Correspondence:
Beacon, NY's "Windows On Main
St" is back for its third year. This year's field of artists is smaller,
consisting of 12 invited artists working in and responding to storefront
locations along Beacon's
2007
Participating Artists Include:
Robert
Brush, Audrey Chribbaro, Thomas Egan, Erica Hauser, Peter Iannarelli
Kirsten Kucer, Joe Millar, Gary O'Connor, Erin Parsch, Steve Rossi, Will Walker
& Keith Zahra.
Participating
Beacon Businesses Include:
Sukhothai
Restaurant, MexiFruits Market, The Beacon Natural Market, Zahra's Studio,
Suppa's Deli, Feel Design, Chthonic Clash Coffeehouse,
WOMS aim is to increase dialog among
artists, local business owners, and the growing arts community of Beacon
through the use of site specific art installations. Each artist responds to
their site by making work that reflects in some way the site chosen. This could
involve using the history of the space, items found in the store or work made
from talking to business owners and visitors. Art created in past WOMS have
ranged from traditional paintings and drawings to sculpture, video, and
performance. Over 50 local, national, and international artists have
participated in the past two years. In the process helping to bring many
visitors to Beacons wonderful shops located along
WOMS 2007
is being organized by Beacon artist Christopher Albert and Go North Gallery
owners Gregory Slick and Karlos Carcamo. As in the past, this year's Windows on
Main Street will include a walking tour of the artist's projects, a chance to
hear and meet the artists, speak to local business owners and enjoy a leisurely
walk down Beacon's great Main Street . WOMS is generously sponsored by the
Rhinebeck Savings Bank and the Beacon Arts Community Association.
As part of Beacon's Second
Saturday celebration, a walking tour of the WOMS project will be held on August
11 starting at 3pm. Please visit www.maykr.com or www.beaconarts.org for more details.
For further information please
contact Christopher Albert or Karlos Carcamo at info@maykr.com. Information on the WOMS
event can also be found at www.maykr.com and www.beaconarts.org
Attached please find a news release about the
upcoming Kenny Loggins concert at
Important note:
Date:
For
Further Information Contact:
Brad Barclay,
Acting Director of Parks
(845) 298-4600
Kenny Loggins to
Rock
Bowdoin Park will be closed Sunday, August 5th
prior to concert
“What a wonderful way to celebrate
summer in Dutchess County… spending an evening with family and friends,
enjoying a breathtaking view of the Hudson River and listening to great music
at our Bandshell at Bowdoin!” said
County Executive Steinhaus. “We are so
pleased to be able to offer our residents a first class event in such a scenic
venue.”
Important
note:
Kenny Loggins will perform all of his
hits—This is It, What a Fool Believes,
I’m Alright, I Believe in Love, Footloose, Conviction of the Heart and
more—in a rare area concert appearance. The region’s premier symphony
orchestra, the Hudson Valley Philharmonic will open the concert and perform
with Kenny Loggins. The orchestra will
also perform with the spectacular
fireworks grand finale!
Vehicle
passes for Kenny Loggins and the Hudson
Valley Philharmonic on
# # #
Park Use Permits – Approved
by Julann Cobb – Recreation Director
No
Request at this time….
Request for Parade/Street
Use Permits: Approved by Mayor
Block Party –
All above Requests have been approved by the Mayor and a copy of Parade
Permit has been forwarded to: City Administrator, Chief of Police,
Superintendent of Highways and Fire Chief.
Attorney Gerard Pisanelli: