The Beacon City Council Workshop was held on
at
Art Tully attended the workshop at the request of
Council to answer various engineering-related questions. Councilmember Thompson reported she received
complaints about water and drainage problems in the River Knolls development,
specifically basements are flooding during heavy rain events. One resident installed a drainage system
which resulted in additional water flow onto the Kelly property. Councilmember Thompson asked that a drainage
study of the entire area be conducted.
Mr. Tully explained that although he is aware of concerns in the area,
he had not been contacted about a specific problem. Before Councilmember Kelly described his situation,
City Attorney Pisanelli advised him to address his concerns as a citizen rather
than a councilmember. Mr. Kelly
explained it is difficult to figure where the water, which has increased over
the years, is coming from because the City does not have drainage maps. His investigation revealed water from The
Woods development (
Mr. Tully acknowledged the City does not have an
up-to-date or complete map of the City’s drainage. He reported there is information on the River
Knolls development but Mr. Kelly said he could not find it on file in the
office. He feels the City should analyze
all complaints and generate a map of the problem areas. Mr. Tully put together a small map to get an idea
where water drains in the area. He located
the Woods and River Knolls on the map and explained the area shaded in blue (approximately
26 acres) contributes to the 10-inch inch drainage pipe in
Discussion took place regarding fire flows on
5-inch supply line needed.
The supply line feeds the trucks supplemented with hand lines (1¾” or
2½”) that are directly used to fight any fire.
Chief Joseph explained when there is not adequate pressure the engines
are used to build pressure. In this location,
two engines would be placed in between to provide adequate pressure and mutual
aid would be called in. Councilmember
Gold asked if fire fighting measures would be delayed when mutual aid is relied
on. Chief Joseph explained it is common
practice and even laying 3,000 ft. of hose is time consuming. To further explain the last fire situation,
he said they laid the extra line before it was necessary as a precautionary
action and would do that as policy in the future. They plan a drill in that area to determine
how long it would take to lay out the line but can’t be done until the spring. Councilmember Gold feels this is a serious problem
that should be corrected. Chief Joseph
reported there may be other hydrants in the city that are fed with 4-inch water
mains where pressure may need to be enhanced.
Councilmember Gold requested a study be done to locate all areas
affected and that the Fire Department have knowledge of all those areas. He was dissatisfied with the
Mr. Tully reported he will be making a presentation at
the public hearing at Monday’s City Council meeting as part of new regulations
for the City’s stormwater management pollution plan. New regulations address quality of
stormwater, not quantity. City
Administrator Braun explained work is ongoing to improve the City’s stormwater
collection system and to eliminate inflow and infiltration into the sanitary
sewer system. Flow testing meters have
been installed to identify those problem areas.
Mr. Tully advised the Council to consider the need for comprehensive
mapping of the City’s infrastructure.
City Administrator Braun reported
City Administrator Braun reported each department head creates a five-year capital plan that addresses infrastructure and future needs of the City. The Highway Superintendent reviewed a list of equipment needed for their department as outlined in their 5-year Capital Plan. City Administrator Braun explained this equipment is needed as part of normal operation costs. Funding will come from a combination of fund balance for the smaller items and bonding for those items with a ten year life expectancy.
$170,000 Cat 941 for the Transfer Station; half cost will be covered
by a grant
$150,000 Pelican Street Sweeper – bond
$135,000 Big truck to replace #8910 – bond
$38,000 Small truck to replace #930 – fund balance
$30,000 Repair truck to replace Repair #1 – fund balance
$3,000 Matco Tool – performs diagnostic testing on all city owned vehicles – fund balance
City Administrator Braun explained the New York State
Comptroller’s office now requires a three year budget plan. The Director of Finance has been asked to
look at the City’s capital needs to address these types of expenses, including
water and sewer, and will provide that information no later than March 15th. City Administrator Braun explained figures
will be broken down into yearly amounts and will be fairly substantial going
forward. Mayor Gould asked for an
updated list of planned road reconstruction so it can be added to the City’s
website. Councilmember Kelly asked if
the state regulates or limits the amount of our fund balance. City Administrator Braun said they provide
guidelines only but he recommended maintaining a somewhat higher fund balance
as a cushion. He reported monies from the
water fund and sewer fund cannot be intermixed with the general fund. Currently 15% of revenue from waste haulers
who utilize the Waste Water Treatment Plan is used to fund street
reconstruction. Much of the funds needed
for
Council
reviewed an application for a Special Use Permit to allow a two family dwelling
on property owned by Lou Amoroso located at
Applicant Lou Amoroso presented a drawing of the proposed structure and described the bad conditions that have begun to take place in his daughter’s apartment complex. She and her daughter would live on the second floor of the new dwelling and it would be owner-occupied. Councilmember Foster asked if approval could be conditioned to make the dwelling remain owner-occupied into the future. Mr. Amoroso explained that possibility was approached early on but he did not want his heirs to be stuck with that condition when he passes. He explained the house would be constructed in a legal fire-proof manner and done appropriately. Mr. Amoroso felt the illegal conversions taking place are not a blemish on the Building Department because they respond each time they are informed of a potential violation. He has been on many fire/emergency calls that result in immediate response by the Building Department so they can legally enter to check conditions. Mr. Amoroso explained he wants to create a reasonably sized, legal two-family house that meets all setback requirements.
Councilmember Kelly explained his comments were not
meant to disparage the Building Department, but while knocking on doors he
found many illegal housing situations. He
felt this is a family situation where flexibility in interpreting the rules and
regulations is necessary. Mr. Stolman
will be asked to attend the next workshop to review the law; the public hearing
can be scheduled for
Building Inspector Tim Dexter made clear that there is not a single illegal occupancy he or his office has knowledge of that is not currently under a court’s jurisdiction. He explained once any occupancy is suspected of being illegal, evidence is collected until enough is gained to adequately take the case to court. Mr. Dexter reported this type of activity is not on the upswing, more accurately it is significantly less than what it was. He explained they can’t enter a building at will and when the Fire Department or Police Department respond to a questionable building, the Building Department is informed and action is taken immediately. Mr. Dexter asked Council to inform him of any suspect locations so they can be flagged immediately.
Discussion on the purchase of new bullet proof vests for the Police Department continued. City Administrator Braun recommended the City purchase and move forward with the replacement of all vests that are not currently certified. Councilmember Gold suggested passing a resolution to ensure vests are replaced every five years. Police Officer Mark Thomas explained NIJ standards are used to certify the quality of these vests and felt it appropriate that their recommendations be used as a standard. Currently a number of vests have been made with material known to break down and they do not offer appropriate protection. After some debate regarding how often vests should be replaced, it was determined they should be purchased every five years (the length of warrantee) or, if for some reason they no longer meet NIJ certification. Police Officer Jonathan Crone explained grant money is available and funds can be banked since there is no obligation to spend the full amount every year. Councilmember Gold suggested reselling the vests that are now five years old to get some funding back. The previous resolution will be changed so vests are part of the uniform provided by the City and are not a one-time purchase only.
City Administrator Braun explained the Police Department has a total of 37 approved positions but they only have 33 on the payroll. He explained if the City Council wants to maintain 37 on-duty officers, more positions should be authorized in order to compensate for turnovers – a suggestion also recommended in the police study. City Administrator Braun explained no additional funding will be needed this year because there has been a shortage of officers. Councilmember Thompson urged adequate consideration be given to women candidates as well as people of color. Councilmember Gold asked if more can be done to make that goal happen. City Administrator Braun suggested the police become involved in career day at the schools to try to generate interest in police work.
In response to the presentation given on Empire Zones, Mayor Gould reported a resolution to authorize her to sign the Letter of Agreement is needed. Additionally, Council will vote to appropriate the required $15,000 fee.
The agency contracted to appraise property at
Keith Christianson will be invited to an upcoming community segment to discuss renewable wind power energy.
Councilmember Thompson requested discussion of
renaming portions of
Mayor Gould reviewed transfers and ratifications for various fire stations, as well as appointments to the Beacon Housing Authority, PBA liaisons and Board of Ethics.
Todd Spire, Spire Creative Services, informed the Mayor
that he would like to hold a music festival on his property located off
Preserve
Councilmember
Gold explained the Board of Elections must purchase new voting machines and two
types are being considered. One is a
touch screen where tallies are done through a computer. He reported these machines are more expensive
and tallies will be in the hands of private organizations rather than Board of
Election staff. The other type is a card
system where voters fill in circles and put the card through a reading
device. They are widely and reliably used
in the
Councilmember Kelly made a motion to go into
executive session to discuss the City Clerk’s position, and other unrelated matters
of potential litigation, seconded by Councilmember Thompson. All voted in favor. Council went into executive session at
Respectfully submitted,
Etha Grogan