Beacon City Council Workshop

January 4, 2005

The Beacon City Council Workshop was held on Tuesday, January 4, 2005, at

7:00 p.m. Present were: Mayor Clara Lou Gould, Councilmembers Lee Kyriacou, Sam Way, Deanna Leake and Michael Fasano. Also in attendance: City Administrator Joseph Braun and City Attorney Gerard Pisanelli. Councilmembers Fred Antalek and Eleanor Thompson were absent.

Patricia Hasapis, Joe Guarneri and Phyllis Keaton attended the workshop to discuss partnering with the City of Beacon to find a parking solution for the proposed new library facility at 313 Main Street. Ms. Hasapis, President of the Howland Library Board of Trustees, read the following letter to introduce the subject:

Dear Mayor Gould and Council Members:

Since 1872, the Howland Public Library has provided the community with access to information and materials for education, entertainment and self-improvement.

Several years ago, the library’s Board of Trustees ascertained that our library building no longer meets the needs of our patrons for a variety of reasons: safety, space, and accessibility chief among them. After a period of exhaustive investigation, it was decided to renovate our property at 313 Main Street, a decision that enjoys wide support on City Council. While there are many challenges in making a new library facility a reality, it is exciting to contemplate an attractive and inviting public structure bridging the ends of Main Street.

Attached is a floor plan for the proposed 20,000 sq. ft. building. This new facility will house our growing collections of books, DVD’s and other print and audiovisual materials in addition to allowing increased programming for all ages and interests. Please note the designated areas for senior citizens, young adults, children, local history, quiet reading areas, and computers for the under-served in our community – areas not adequately provided for in our building today.

The library is open seven days each week – 60 hours per week – for most of the year: a total of 343 operating days. It is a welcoming gathering place for our citizens and visitors almost every day, including those when schools are closed.

As a school district public library, Howland is supported by tax dollars from the City of Beacon, and the portions of the Towns of Fishkill and Wappinger that comprise the Beacon City School District. One of the problems with remaining on Main Street has always been the limited parking available for our patrons who do not live within walking distance. We know that the City of Beacon recognizes this as a problem for all Main Street, and that you have been researching ways to improve the parking situation for the entire City.

While the Community Library Project Committee was developing the plan to build a new library and to meet the needs for increased parking, properties adjacent to the library on South Cedar Street became available for purchase. Considering our limited resources, the added costs of developing this property exclusively for library parking are daunting and jeopardize the success of the building project.

The library receives tiny, and diminishing, aid from the county and state; unfortunately, public libraries are not included in the same formula for state construction aid that made it possible to build the new Beacon High School. The library operates on a very small budget, and the planned expansion will challenge us to provide more services while operating as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible.

Therefore, the Board of Trustees is asking the City Council to consider acquiring the South Cedar Street properties (see attached tax map) to develop and maintain them as municipal parking. This would help alleviate a long-standing problem for the City and bestow much-needed support for our project, the success of which is very much in the best interest of the community.

We look forward to working with you.

Sincerely,

Patricia Hasapis, President

Howland Public Library Board of Trustees

Recently three parcels on South Cedar Street near the library have become available and could be considered for a parking solution. Mr. Guarneri reported they have an estimated purchase price of $865,000 for all three parcels, which does not include the cost of clearing or constructing a parking lot. The parcels are located in the PB zoning district which supports both commercial and residential uses. Councilmember Kyriacou reported that he had encouraged the Library Project Committee to discuss the issue with the City Council due to the overall need for parking on Main Street. He also suggested considering another adjacent L-shaped parcel for purchase with the idea that local business customers could be allowed to utilize the lot as well. Ms. Hasapis explained they have been in the planning stages for some time and several parking alternatives have been considered. This property acquisition option has recently come to light however it would be a massive addition to an already costly project. The committee expressed concerns that the additional cost may deter citizens from approving the referendum required to move forward with construction. Councilmember Way agreed a solution is needed, however expressed concern with attaining adequate funding. City Administrator Braun advised the cost could be bonded over time. Councilmember Kyriacou suggested creating a parking district by bonding $10 million to begin an overall project that could extend to other blocks in the future. He noted the middle parcel has a house that has some historical value therefore suggested moving the structure to an alternate location. Councilmember Way expressed concern that moving one house and demolishing another could be quite costly. Councilmember Kyriacou reported that at one time he had looked into relocating a house from Fishkill to Beacon and the only real prohibitive cost was that of moving telephone poles along the roadway to accommodate the size of the structure. He also felt that the cost of moving the house could be offset by selling it. Councilmember Leake supported coordinating efforts and noted the library is an asset to the community. Mr. Guarneri explained that 50% of the library funding comes from residents in the Town of Fishkill and Town of Wappingers so additional parking would encourage their support. Mayor Gould also felt they would have a better opportunity to obtain grant funding if more than one community is involved. Mr. Guarneri said they would like to go through with this transaction in the first quarter of 2005 or as soon as the referendum (optimistically) passes. City Administrator Braun agreed that keeping the library in its existing location is vital to maintaining a healthy Main Street. Each parcel must be appraised because by law the City cannot pay more than a property’s appraised value. Any agreement for purchase should be optional and hinge on the approval of the library referendum. The City Council’s first order of action would be to allocate funds for property appraisals. The City Administrator and City Attorney will be authorized to begin work with members of the Library Project Committee and Board of Trustees to prepare a preliminary budget for the entire project (including costs related to the purchase of real estate, structure demolition, house relocation and parking lot construction). This item will be placed on the upcoming agenda for approval. The library referendum is scheduled for the end of March 2005.

The President of the Beacon Community Center requested an additional trash container for their facility without paying the typical cost of $189.00. Councilmember Way did not support the request because he felt every other not-for-profit organization would ask for the same courtesy. City Administrator Braun said the only distinction is the City owns the Community Center property whereas the programs are not completely City funded. He suggested the money could be better spent by giving them additional funding to support a program rather than providing an additional can. All Councilmembers agreed.

As a result of public comments, possible amendments to the Local Law for the Repair of Sidewalks were reviewed. Mayor Gould said someone suggested a list of qualified contractors be provided to homeowners that need work done to their sidewalks. Discussion took place regarding liability and problems that may occur if the City were to recommend certain contractors. Although there is a difference between providing a name and making a recommendation, Council agreed it best not to provide any more information than refer to contractors in the Yellow Pages. Also of concern was liability when damage to a sidewalk results from a modular home delivery or other contractor. Mayor Gould reported Fred Antalek advised her that homeowner’s insurance would cover such damage in the event the person responsible for the damage cannot be located. With regard to sidewalk work being done improperly, it was suggested that a time period of contractor responsibility be established. City Administrator Braun thought a law was passed that guaranteed work for as long as the payment period, so he will review City Code for that clause. Questions were raised with regard to the repair of slate sidewalks. The Street Superintendent will be asked to generate a priority list of sidewalks that should be replaced. If any sidewalks are damaged by a contractor, the homeowner should submit a claim. This discussion will continue at next the next workshop.

Charlie Symon and Mike Laneri attended the meeting to review equipment upgrades for the government and educational channel (Channel 22). Mr. Symon explained that when the franchise agreement is finalized, the cable company will provide a capital contribution of $23,000 for video equipment. A list of equipment that he would like to purchase with a portion of the funds was reviewed. One of the items was an internet broadcast encoder and time contract with an internet repeater company that would provide the ability to broadcast to homes in the area that do not currently have the Channel 22 signal (approximately one-third of Beacon City School District residents). Mr. Symon reported that Cablevision is aware of the list of equipment, including the internet broadcast encoder. Mr. Symon suggested setting up an account to hold the remainder of funds for future use. Additionally, he would like to hold fund raising events to add and keep the account developing. Mr. Symon reminded Council that another clause in the franchise agreement after five years, the City and school must prepare to provide matching funds in the amount of $12,500 each ($12,500 will be paid by the cable company) as a capital contribution. Discussion took place regarding notices and the duration they remain active.

Council reviewed a proposed local law to add Chapter 33 to Beacon City Code entitled, “Harbor Management” to establish a course of action for permit applications, procedures, fees, etc. City Attorney Pisanelli reviewed laws from the City of Newburgh and Kingston and drafted a proposal for Council consideration. This law will be utilized when scheduling tour boat use of the ferry dock. Although the Sloop Club was contacted a few months ago, they will be notified of the public hearing. Scenic Hudson and Metro North will also be informed of the proposed legislation.

Council reviewed a resolution to authorize the Mayor to approve the application for, and willingness to accept, the Dutchess County 2005 STOP-DWI Enforcement Program funding for the Police Department. This City has accepted this grant annually to aid in enforcement efforts. Councilmember Way requested that the overtime generated by this program be tracked separately. Councilmember Kyriacou requested a breakdown of Police Department overtime in two ways: one by person and one by reasons for overtime. City Administrator agreed that if information was appropriately entered into the police time system it would have the ability to track those items. Councilmember Kyriacou also requested a list of total time for each member of the Police Department.

City Attorney Pisanelli reported he and City Assessor Tom Logan reviewed the contract for MJW Consulting, the Real Property reassessment firm chosen to perform a revaluation, however Council had inadvertently not been provided a copy. This item will be placed on the upcoming agenda for Council to authorize the Mayor to sign the contract. Councilmember Way asked how the Building Department will handle instances of construction that has taken place without benefit of a Building Permit. There will be no fines but in order to bring something into compliance, one would be obligated to go through the permitting process. Inspections for compliance will be conducted and may include the need for electrical surveys. It was unclear whether the reassessment company will cross reference Building Department records.

Councilmember Kyriacou reviewed the taxes on parcels in the Polo Fields development and noted they are all paying $10-12,000 in city, county and school taxes. Each of the homes sold for $400-500,000. Discussion took place regarding the inequities in tax payments between new construction and the existing housing stock. A revaluation should create a better balance in the City. Councilmember Kyriacou asked if there were

some way to provide some type of temporary relief to the properties that are paying much more. City Attorney Pisanelli advised him that the only course of action would be for the homeowner to grieve their property assessment through the grievance procedure.

The NYS Department of Transportation sent revised Supplemental Agreements for the Route 9D sanitary sewer project for the Mayor’s signature. This item will be placed on the upcoming agenda.

David Stolman, City Planner, submitted a proposal for updating the City’s comprehensive plan. The Comprehensive Plan will develop guidelines to support the vision of future planning and zoning based on physical, economic, environmental and social concerns. This will be placed on the agenda for the last meeting in January.

Council discussed annual appointments for services of the City Engineer (Lanc & Tully Engineering & Surveying), City Planner (F.P. Clark Associates), Auditor Services (Sedore & Company) and Real Estate broker. RFP’s for these services are done every five years, therefore City Administrator Braun will check to see if they need to be rebid.

Real Estate brokerage services will be rebid although the City is using their services to determine the worth of a property.

The following appointments will be placed on the upcoming agenda: Timothy Joseph as Fire Chief; James Greenough as 1^st Assistant Fire Chief; and Patrick Kelliher as Chairman of the Fire Advisory Board. The following will be appointed as the Official Newspapers: Poughkeepsie Journal; Southern Dutchess News/Beacon Free Press; and Hudson Valley Press. Mayor Gould announced vacancies exist on the Board of Ethics (1) and Human Relations (2).

There was no further business to discuss and the meeting was adjourned at

8:25 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Etha Grogan