The Beacon City Council Workshop was held on
Marjorie
Groten, Senior Project Manager for Scenic Hudson, attended the meeting to
request Council consider passing a resolution in support of their grant
application to provide facilities along the riverfront trail. Municipal support is required to apply for
New York State Environmental Protection Funds since Scenic Hudson is a not-for-profit
agency. Ms. Groten explained Scenic
Hudson purchased 25 acres of land along the waterfront to improve public access
to the river by creating a 16 acre park and 8.5 acre mixed use development. These grant monies will be used to help fund
public amenities along the proposed boardwalk and civic plaza at Long
Dock. The application is for $515,000 and
the required matching funds will come from related development at the park to
be constructed by Scenic Hudson. Ms.
Groten explained they will be submitting the grant and forward the supporting
resolution. Councilmember Antalek
emphasized the importance of planning to provide adequate parking because he recently
could not find a parking space at the
City Administrator Braun reported Clough, Harbour & Associates, the engineering firm for the South Avenue/Tioronda Avenue Bridge project, has stopped work on the environmental assessment form until the City decides what course of action should be taken. Due to public opposition to opening the bridge to vehicular traffic, the Council may change the original plan for two way traffic. City Administrator Braun explained 95% of this project is being funded by the Department of Transportation, however if vehicular travel is no longer part of the plan, that funding will be taken away. Currently, the City has approximately $600,000 invested in preliminary engineering and if the EAF process is halted before completion, the City will be obligated to repay funds already reimbursed by the DOT. City Administrator Braun advised and urged the Council to continue with the EAF process before making a determination that the bridge should not be opened to any vehicular traffic. He explained that after the EAF process is completed, they can make a final decision. Historic Preservation funds can be applied for if the bridge is to be limited to pedestrian/bike travel, however, those grants are 50/50 matching funds. The current estimate to rehabilitate the bridge for pedestrian use only is $350-400,000 – this level of rehab would not provide for emergency vehicle traffic. City Administrator Braun will ask how much it may cost to rehabilitate the existing historic bridge to adequately support emergency vehicles. He explained the existing structure must be removed, the foundation redone and at least one pier rebuilt for even pedestrian travel. Councilmember Antalek asked if the DOT would consider continuing the process if the bridge were opened to only one lane of traffic. City Administrator believed they would but offered to confirm that with the DOT. He explained the bow trusses where examined several years ago by SHPPO and the Historic Preservation Agency who determined they could not be rehabilitated due to the rust damage. A similar bow truss could be created with alternative material so the structure would look like the original bow truss bridge. The bow trusses no longer function as supports for the span. Councilmember Kyriacou supported continuing the environmental process however opposed vehicular traffic if the historic bridge would be dismantled. Mayor Gould suggested moving the trusses elsewhere for use as a separate pedestrian path. After much debate, Council agreed to continue discussion at the next workshop.
Council reviewed possible expansion of the historical
overlay district. Councilmember Kyriacou
suggested comparing the 1997 audit of historical assets to the current zoning
map to determine appropriate areas for consideration. He suggested a review of creek side
properties, the remainder of
City Administrator Braun received a call from a local building owner who is creating artist/live work condos at Tallix. His financing agency expressed concern about the inspection language, specifically where the City Council has the authority to re-approve the Special Use Permit every two years. This law differs from the ordinance that covers inspection of accessory apartments, which are also inspected every two years, because the City Council does not get involved. City Planner David Stolman recommended amending the inspection portion of the law to make it similar to accessory apartments. This item will be placed on the upcoming agenda to set a public hearing.
Councilmember Antalek asked to discuss the possibility of increasing Council and Mayoral salaries which are relatively low. He felt it would be an opportune time since three sitting members are not running for re-election next term. Other communities pay more than $3,000 to Councilmembers and $6,000 to the Mayor. Councilmember Antalek noted County legislators make $15,000 a year and they only attend one meeting a month whereas Councilmembers attend four monthly meetings, attend various functions and incur miscellaneous expenses, i.e. faxing, mailing, etc. He suggested revisiting the study and recommendations of the committee formed to review the salary structure before new members are elected. The item was put on a referendum at the last election to get public input and was defeated. Councilmember Antalek felt an increase would also draw more interest in serving.
There was no further discussion and the meeting
adjourned at