Minutes

City of Beacon Council Meeting

April 7, 2008

REGULAR MEETING

The regular meeting of the Beacon City Council held at the Municipal Center, One Municipal Plaza on April 7, 2008 was called to order at 7:08 p.m. immediately following the Safety and Traffic Committee Meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

Council Members in Attendance were: Mayor Steve Gold, Deanna Leake, Sara Pasti, Charles Kelly, Eleanor Thompson (arrived at 7:20 p.m.), Marlene Fredericks and Randy Casale.

Also Present: City Administrator Meredith Robson

City Attorney Richard Wolf

Media Represented by: Goldee Greene, Beacon Free Press

Residents at beginning of Meeting 30

Mayor Steve Gold asked for the residents to remain standing for a moment of silence for the Barbara Baker and Dennis Walden who recently passed away.

FIRST OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS:

Comments contain a brief synopsis of what the residents say at the podium. If you would like your comments posted in more detail in the minutes, please submit them to the recording secretary in writing. Include your name and address.

Public Comments: Pertaining to any item. Maximum time for this section is 30 minutes. Maximum time for individual public comment is 3 minutes.

Rheyan Cader, 43 South Cedar St. - I lived in beacon for two years and I am the president of the Beacon Soccer Club. I would like to ask that some facts of the club be presented to the council at a workshop. I would like to discuss what the plans are for the summer program, how we utilize the funds, how we plan to use funds, and basically open our books to you. We need to sit down with you to discuss what our future objectives and goals are. I would like to share this with the council at the next workshop.

Mayor Steve Gold: Council would like you to attend a workshop.

Dennis Pavelock, 34 Judson Street - Beacon Resident I would like to speak for the last time about the two terrorists were being watched among the items agents found in their lockers - Dennis read an article about two terrorists. A vast amount of ammunition was found in their locker. Police Dept use of civilians not just for dispatchers, they are not involved in accidents with alcohol.

Clark Gebman, 2 Wilson St. - Political economics is my favorite speech. Money and war confer on land issues. This is an important subject. I take pause to recognize Fred tonight. I would have attended Dennis Walden's funeral but I was in court. He was a very friendly person. He shared his humanity. He seemed to do his job so well. He stood up for his children in the school district and did his best. I only wish that we could bury the hatchet as easily as we bury our friends.

Cathy Deutermann: I want to take this opportunity to speak about the events of last Thursday that took place outside of the Beacon High School. I would like to commend the Beacon Police and Sheriff's Dept for their quick response. Let's hope that we can stop this and make Beacon a better place.

No further comments

PUBLIC HEARING:

1. Revise the City of Beacon Code Chapter 223 Zoning, Chapter 223-61 to abolish the $1,500 parking fee. Read by Beacon Mayor Steve Gold.

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the City of Beacon will hold a public hearing on Monday, April 7, 2008 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 Chapter 223, Zoning, To Eliminate the $1500.00 Parking Fee.

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:

Dennis Pavelock: Beacon Resident: This is in regard to Business Owners who have to pay this fee. So many times we have tried to get businesses to move here. How are we supporting businesses by having a $1500.00 parking fee? A committee needs to be formed to go over the city codes one by one.

Mayor Steve Gold: This law is to abolish this fee.

No further comments:

Motion to close Public Hearing: Council Member Casale. Seconded: Council Member Kelly. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

2. Proposed Local Law A New Chapter 173: Rental Properties, Absentee Owner Registration Requirements. (To Be Tabled)

Motion to table: Council Member Kelly. Seconded: Council Member Leake. All voted in favor to table. Motion carried.

No comments.

Community Segment:

James J. Hanson Governor Patterson's Office:

I am the regional representative If you need anything done you can contact me. I can help you find your way through the bureaucracy. The best bet is to go to your State Representative. If you do not get a response from them, you can contact me.

Concerned Citizens Coalition:

Mayor Steve Gold: Dennis is here to speak about the Concerned Citizens Coalition. They have operated in Beacon for many years. They have disbanded and will no longer be in existence. Thank you Dennis for all your dedication and the hard work you have done.

Speaker: Dennis Pavelock: It has been a tough at times. It was not always easy. Everyone should be on the same page. I want to thank past and present councils. Change is difficult to recognize. Change also directs us to new horizons. I have no doubt that Beacon is on its way to being a better city than it has been before. I would like to thank all the people who participated in making the Coalition a success. We have been involved with Main Street and many other projects. I would like to see a proclamation for people helping people with acts of kindness and have that published in the newspaper. I have been coming here for thirteen years and I have enjoyed the time I spent here.

Mayor Steve Gold and the Council thanked Dennis for all the good and productive things that he has done for Beacon

.

Reports: Text for the reports for April 7, 2008 is at the end of these minutes:

Mayor's Communications read by Mayor Steve Gold.

City Administrator Meredith Robson's Read her Report of Activities.

City Attorney Richard Wolf Read his Report of Activities – First Meeting of the Month

Council Reports of Activities read their Report of Activities

Mayor Steve Gold read his Report of Activities

Second Opportunity for Public Comments Pertaining to This Agenda Only

Comments contain a brief synopsis of what the residents say at the podium. If you would like your comments posted in more detail in the minutes, please submit them to the recording secretary in writing. Include your name and address.

Gwen Crenshaw: The fight at the high school is very sad. We had a dinner for the Guardian Angels. I am concerned. I had an intern in my shop. Jobs provided for kids after school is a great thing. I hope this continues. The Guardian Angels might be something that we should look into. They are in Poughkeepsie, Kingston and they mentioned Beacon. I have all the information if you are interested. Regarding Council Member Leake's concern, I totally agree that the parking situation at that location is very bad. I hope there is not a bad accident. Something has to be done to correct this problem. I encourage the two hour parking be enforced. Also, I think turning the old high school into a Y would be excellent. Sports will help the problem kids.

Dennis Pavelock, 34 Judson Street - Thanked everyone for his or her support while he was President of the Senior Citizen Coalition. The last meeting will be on Wednesday at 6:30 pm. I would like to save this location until December. My suggestion is when you can't pay your taxes; you should get a second job or do whatever is necessary to pay. I would like to have that looked into.

Mike DiPompo, 6 Pearce Place - Regarding the problem at the high school, I think that the police should take it to court. I think the settlement camp contract is a good idea. Weddings should be held there. The price should be reasonable. We have been constantly paying out money. I also want to thank Dennis for trying hard to do right by the people. He did a good job.

Clark Gebman: Mr. Mayor, my apologies for being so presumptuous. I kind of know that the person who represented the government wanted to get home. I spoke to him. There is a difference between David Paterson and Spitzer. It is location and preference. The Spitzer Pataki cartel was predisposed to seeing a difference between Mr. Spitzer and Mr. Pataki. The folly for a good number of years is a far wiser distance for Beacon residents. Mr. Bruno, when the airlines start traveling to Europe he would like to go via Beacon. Mr. Paterson and his friends would like to leave Harlem and go through Beacon via Stewart Airport.

Shannon Murphy I want to thank Dennis. He has been a wonderful presence for me and a model of engagement. Anything that causes further discussion is fine by me. It is about being together to get things done. Our local economy with Dennis helps us to do that. No matter what comes out of his mouth, he is leading with his heart and I am so happy that he is part of our community.

No further comments

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

Resolutions:

Local Laws And Ordinances:

1. Resolution No. 35 of 2008 -Local Law No. 3 of 2008 - Revise the City of Beacon Code Chapter 223 Zoning, Chapter 223-61 to abolish the $1,500 parking fee. Second Reading: Read by Mayor Steve Gold.

BE IT ENACTED by the City Council of the City of Beacon as follows:

SECTION 1. TITLE.

This Local Law shall be entitled “Local Law to Rescind Chapter 223-26(D)(2) and 223-61(A)(7) of the Beacon City Code To Eliminate Parking Fee Requirement”.

SECTION 2. INTENT AND PURPOSE.

This Local Law is intended to rescind present Chapter 223-26(D)(2) and 223-61(A)(7) of the Beacon City Code to eliminate the $1,500 parking fee requirement authorized by those sections because the fee has not achieved its intended objectives and has caused problems of fair administration.

SECTION 3. AMENDMENT.

Chapter 223-26(D)(2) and 223-61(A)(7) of the Beacon City Code is hereby rescinded.

The foregoing was put to a vote which resulted as follows: Dated: Beacon, New York April 7, 2008 The Local Law is hereby duly declared adopted.

Motion to Adopt Local Law: Council Member Leake. Seconded: Council Member Fredericks.

Comments:

Council Member Pasti: I want to know that this needs to be eliminated. We need to look for ways on how parking would be funded.

Mayor Steve Gold: We ought to be looking at parking in general.

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

NEW BUSINESS

Resolutions:

1. Resolution No. 36 of 2008 - Authorize Mayor to sign 2008 Stop DWI Enforcement Program Funding In the Amount of $10,800.00 for the City of Beacon Police Department Contract. Read by City Administrator, Meredith Robson.

It is the intent of the Program to reduce the amount of alcohol-related crashes in the area covered by the enforcement agency.

The Contractor, in implementing this program, shall:

1. Assign additional dedicated patrols as deemed necessary to carry out the intent of the program with specific emphasis placed on locations, days, and hours statistically high in alcohol-related crashes and previous DWI arrests.

* DEDICATED PATROLS MUST NOT COMMENCE BEFORE MIDNIGHT

2. Assigned dedicated patrols under this contract shall be in addition to regular police coverage and must constitute "overtime" which shall be determined for the purposes of this contract as hours performed in addition to those details normally performed on the particular date or time of day, special circumstances excluded.

3. Agencies funded to conduct Sobriety Checkpoints must notify STOP-DWI at least 2 week prior to the scheduled event. When appropriate, participating agencies should coordinate multi agency, high visibility checkpoints. Billing claims must be submitted to the STOP-DWI Program within 45 days of the enforcement effort.

*SOBRIETY CHECKPOINTS MUST NOT COMMENCE BEFORE 11:00 pm

4. The contractor shall provide the County with access to all manpower records and provide such documentation as shall be required by the County to establish hours qualifying for reimbursement.

5. The contractor shall furnish the Program Coordinator with monthly reports of arrests and dispositions of all DWI and related cases from the prior month, if needed.

6. Performance Goal: Increase impaired driving arrests by a minimum of 2 — 5%.

CONTRACT FISCAL BREAKDOWN:

OVERTIME STOP-DWI PATROLS - $3,840.00

OVERTIME STOP-DWI PATROLS - FRINGE (25%) - $ 960.00

SOBRIETY CHECKPOINTS - $4,800.00

SOBRIETY CHECKPOINT - FRINGE (25%) - $1,200.00

TOTAL FUNDING - $10,800.00

Authorize Mayor to Approve Application for and Willingness to Accept the Dutchess County 2008 STOP-DWI Enforcement Program Funding in the amount of $10,800.00 for the City of Beacon Police Department.

RESOLVED, That Application For, And Willingness To Accept The Dutchess County 2008 Stop-DWI Enforcement Program Funding in the Amount of $10,800.00 For The City Of Beacon Police Department Is Hereby Authorized.

Motion to authorize Mayor to approve: Council Member Thompson. Seconded: Council Member Casale. All voted in favor. Motion carried

2. Resolution No. 37 of 2008 - Authorize Mayor to sign Agreement With Poughkeepsie Dutchess Development, Inc. A Not For Profit Corporation with Responsibility for Implementation and Administration of the Poughkeepsie Dutchess Empire Zone. Read by City Administrator, Meredith Robson.

RESOLVED, City of Beacon City Council authorizes the Mayor to sign Agreement with Poughkeepsie Dutchess Development, Inc. a not-for-profit corporation with responsibility for implementation and administration of the Poughkeepsie Dutchess Empire Zone.

AND IT IS FURTHER; RESOLVED, a payment of $19,200.00, the minimum municipal fee payable to the Poughkeepsie Dutchess Development, Inc., be forwarded to the Dutchess County Economic Development Corporation.

Motion to authorize Mayor to sign contract: Council Member Pasti. Seconded: Council Member Kelly.

Comments:

Council Member Thompson: What do we get for this money?

Mayor Gold: There are many benefits including jobs. It covers the entire length of Main Street. Many of those projects have a tax incentive.

Council Member Thompson: How many businesses take advantage of this?

Mayor Gold: There are several that have participated.

Council Member Thompson: I would like this sent out this information to businesses.

Mayor Gold: One of things that the Empire Zone will do is to visit businesses.

Council Member Casale: I have been reading that they have not been keeping their side of the bargain. They have not been creating jobs. They did not hold up to their end of the bargain. I agree with this but I feel that we have to keep a close watch on this to be sure that we get what we are paying for.

All voted in favor. Motion carried.

1. Resolution No. 38 of 2008 - Traffic Safety Ratification:

Remove “Stop “signs on Matteawan Road at the last two entrances of Beacon High School traveling in both directions and remove the “No Left Turn Sign” at Rombout Middle School. Read by City Administrator, Meredith Robson.

WHEREAS, the Traffic Safety Committee has held a public hearing in the City of Beacon on Monday, April 7, 2008 to receive public comment on the following

Remove “Stop” Signs on Matteawan Road at the last two entrances of Beacon High School traveling in both directions and REMOVE “No Left Turn Sign” at the entrance of Rombout Middle School.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the determination of the Traffic Safety Committee to require the following actions be hereby ratified to:

Remove “Stop” Signs on Matteawan Road at the last two entrances of Beacon High School traveling in both directions and REMOVE “No Left Turn Sign” at the entrance of Rombout Middle School.

Motion to approve: Council Member Fredericks. Seconded: Council Member Leake. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

2. Resolution No. 39 of 2008 Council Meeting Rules and Procedures – Forthcoming from Attorney. Read by City Administrator, Meredith Robson.

RULES AND ORDER OF BUSINESS AT CITY OF BEACON COUNCIL MEETINGS

WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Beacon is empowered to determine its own rules and order of business; and

WHEREAS, the City Council has determined that there is a need for additional rules concerning the conduct of its meetings; now therefore be it

Resolved that the maximum total time for the first public comment session devoted to comments on any subject except items on the agenda, at regular meetings is up to a total of 30 minutes. Individual public comments shall be up to three minutes.

RESOLVED, that in order to maintain Council control and preserve decorum at public meetings, the Mayor may adjourn a segment of the meeting or the full meeting if the Mayor individually, or the Council by majority vote, find that such adjournment is necessary to maintain or restore order at the meeting; be it further

RESOLVED, that these rules shall be added to the Council's existing rules of procedure and shall prevail if deemed inconsistent with any prior existing rule.

Motion to approve Council Meeting Rules and Procedures: Council Member Leake. Seconded: Council Member Thompson.

Council Member Leake and Thompson asked to have paragraph three clarified.

Motion to amend paragraph 3 of resolution: Council Member Kelly. Seconded: Council Member Casale. All voted in favor to amend resolution: Motion carried.

Motion to approve as amended: All voted in favor. Motion carried.

1. Resolution No. 40 A, B, C, D, E, and F of 2008 - Authorizing the Issuance of a Corrected Real 2008 Property Tax Bills for the following Properties: Read by City Administrator, Meredith Robson.

For the Following Properties

Billed