Beacon City Council Workshop

November 28, 2005

The Beacon City Council Workshop was held on Monday, November 28, 2005,

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

Mayor Gould reported the discussion regarding Special Use Permit and PILOT for the Beacon Community Foundation’s senior housing facility will be held at the December 12, 2005 workshop.

Councilmember Way made a motion to into executive session to discuss possible litigation and personnel issues, seconded by Councilmember Fasano. All voted in favor. Council went into executive session at 7:03 p.m. Council came out of executive session and returned to the regular workshop meeting at 7:25 p.m.

Councilmember Antalek raised the concern that the City does not purchase wind or solar power to supplement conventional power sources. City Administrator Braun reported that when this idea first came about, he contacted the state comptroller about the City’s legal ability to pay a higher rate wind power than conventional means. Although other communities are, unless advised by the comptroller or City Attorney, City Administrator Braun feels paying a higher rate would go against appropriate public fiscal methods. On average, the cost of alternate power is 20% higher than currently paid to Central Hudson. Councilmember Antalek’s line of reasoning was that the more agencies to obtain this alternate power, the less it will cost. City Attorney Pisanelli said he would need to research the issue further with the comptroller to be sure its legal. City Administrator Braun recalled that a provision was made that permitted municipalities to pay a certain percentage more for products made with recycled materials. A similar law would be appropriate to clear any confusion on the matter. City Administrator Braun reported the County bid for power services and determined Central Hudson rates were the least expensive option. Councilmember Kyriacou explained his understanding is that they are cheaper now however long term contracts are due to expire and rates will raise significantly. He expressed concern about air quality and power plants that contribute to air pollution.

Police Chief Sassi, Lt. Dondero, Detective Lt. Schofield, Sargent Gooding and Lt. Dowd attended the workshop to review the proposed 2006 budget. Chief Sassi reported a bulk of the budget is governed by contractual obligations, i.e. salaries, standard contracts.

Councilmember Way asked if funds are taken from the crossing guard line item when DPW employees work overtime to cover a crossing. Chief Sassi reported when highway staff works overtime to cover a crossing guard position, funds are taken from the Highway budget. Chief Sassi recommended that line item remain as proposed and any excess funds be either returned to the general fund or transferred to the Highway overtime line item. Councilmember Kyriacou felt one department should be in charge of the crossing guards and suggested the responsibility be shifted to the Highway Department. Chief Sassi explained crossing guard placement is reviewed and recommended by the Traffic Safety Committee.

Councilmember Antalek asked how much money is received through police programs. Approximately $9,000 is received; the budget provides a breakdown of income and is deposited into the police budget.

Councilmember Way asked about the increase in traffic equipment since no funds were requested last year and this year $30,000 is requested. Sgt. Gooding explained these funds cover the purchase of a speed-indicating trailer that has a message board and is capable of reporting speeds; training for traffic enforcement programs so more officers can be certified for commercial weight and vehicle inspections; accident investigation training; child safety restraint training; additional radar units, including one hand held for bike patrol; updates to digital video recorders. St. Gooding explained he proposed eight hours a month in overtime for various program enforcement training. Specifically for commercial vehicle enforcement which can essentially repay the cost because commercial fines are substantially higher. He was not aware that his proposal had been reduced from $50,000 to $30,000 but will look to work within that amount. He explained of the $50,000, $30,000 was for equipment, $15,000 was for training and $5,000 was for overtime. The video camera recorders are approximately $7,000 each.

A great deal of discussion took place regarding factors relating to overtime for both patrol and detective divisions. Councilmember Kyriacou asked for a breakdown of how the proposed amounts were derived. Chief Sassi asked Lt. Dondero and Lt. Dowd to explain how they arrived at the proposed overtime figure for patrol. Lt. Dowd was not in attendance at the time, therefore Lt. Dondero reported on their findings. He explained a number of variables, i.e. number of officers, number of injuries, and personal and vacation leave time affect overtime. New hires that need to attend the academy create overtime because although they are on the payroll, they are not in regular rotation. Lt. Dondero said in order to calculate an estimate for 2006, they used an average of overtime from the last four years (2001-2004) because those years provided better documentation and all variables related to how overtime was generated. An average per hour rate salary median (Sergeants vs. lowest paid patrol officers) was calculated and multiplied by the average overtime hours per year to get the proposed figure. Lt. Dondero reported he and the Chief reviewed overtime statistics from 2004 to determine what types of activities caused overtime. A breakdown report was provided to the City Administrator. Councilmember Kyriacou asked if he could review that study and City Administrator Braun said a copy could be provided.

The salary for a civilian dispatcher is separated from the general police salary line item and is listed as a “general police assistant”. The position has not been refilled since the former assistant left early in 2005 to take a job with Dutchess County 911. This position only covered the day shift and really didn’t affect the number of officers on duty. The radio is now handled by the officer assigned to the desk similar to the other two shifts. Chief Sassi reported he is interviewing someone tomorrow and hopes to fill the position. Councilmember Kyriacou expressed concern that other officers have been hired in between and that the police assistant position is being filled with higher paying personnel.

Councilmember Way noted $74,000 was proposed for communications equipment. City Administrator Braun explained this equipment has been discussed in the past and the $74,000 would pay for the entire complement needed to cover the department. This includes a new base station and provides separate spaces for two positions. City Administrator Braun explained this cost must be bonded or paid from fund balance and recommended the purchase.

City Administrator reduced the firearms budget to $40,000. Lt. Dondero explained the officer that was trained in firearms resigned and the other trained officer has ceased training. Lt. Dondero explained the proposed training budget will be needed to cover basic training to bring someone new on board as well as for his own recertification. Discussion regarding the officer that is no longer training cannot be discussed in this forum and Councilmember Kyriacou asked for a confidential memo outlining the situation to which Chief Sassi agreed. Lt. Dondero reviewed the firearms budget line item by line item: ammunition was reduced; gun repair was reduced because they will be getting new guns eliminating the need to dismantle and clean old ones; rifle training can be reduced; and a trailer to hold equipment was eliminated. Lt. Dondero explained the department has a taser gun but cannot be used until a “use of force” form is updated. The budget includes funding to purchase another taser gun because they are instrumental and used successfully by many departments.

Lt. Dowd reviewed the chemical agent line item. He explained it recommended that chemical agents be rotated every two years. This line item includes disposal of ammunition that is acquired from civilians, whether it was confiscated or handed in to the department. Lt. Dowd explained the department has three training instructors and two must be recertified in 2006. Currently the force is using surplus military gas masks, however according to OSHA and NOSA regulations, they are no longer certified. The entire county has been given Homeland Security masks that must be fit tested. Each mask has a filter and new ones must be purchased to keep in stock. Councilmember Kyriacou asked what the Town of Fishkill handled the fit testing for new masks. Lt. Dowd explained the Town of Fishkill has already fit tested their new masks. Overall, the bigger ticket items are filters, fit testing and ammunition disposal.

The general police training line item was increased and Councilmember Way asked if all conventions and training programs were necessary. Detective Lt. Scofield explained many of the upper level trainings are out of town and last more than one day. This advanced level of training reaches beyond the first level and although not all are mandated at this time, some were recommended by the Department of Justice. Councilmember Way suggested putting $25,000 into a contingency fund to use in the case some of the optional training becomes mandated.

Councilmember Way noted that two juvenile detectives spend time at school during week. Chief Sassi reported a meeting is scheduled with school officials regarding the DARE program, however the detectives still work cases in between. Detective Scofield asked to reschedule his community presentation from December 5, 2005 as he will be out of town. He will do the presentation on the December 19^th meeting.

Councilmember Way made a motion to go into executive session to discuss a detective appointment, seconded by Councilmember Leake. All voted in favor. Motion carried. Council went into executive session at 8:42 p.m. Council returned to the regular workshop meeting at 8:54 p.m. on a motion made by Councilmember Fasano, seconded by Councilmember Leake. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

Council reviewed a proposed local law regarding parking restrictions at the Municipal Center parking lot. A four-hour restriction will not include employees. A suggestion was made to designate a space for the Mayor and City Court Judge. A permit card can be given to each employee to display in their window while working. This restriction can be limited to daytime hours so not to affect meetings at night.

Ron Piccone presented a proposal to convert the unused bank drive-through structure located in the Eliza Street parking lot into storage for clients of his building. Specific information is needed regarding the easement and lease agreement. Mr. Dexter reported a search of city records revealed only easement documentation provided by Mr. Piccone. This item will be discussed at a future workshop.

Council reviewed a proposed sanitary facility law to required toilet facilities to be maintained on all construction projects. This law is in response to complaints that workers did not use appropriate lavatory facilities during new subdivision construction. A new section, “G”, will be added to Section 135 to facilitate this law. This item will be put on the upcoming agenda.

A resolution to regarding establishing a payment period for recent high water bills will be ended to eight quarters.

Discussion returned to the proposed 2006 budget. Chief Sassi explained the police assistant/dispatcher position does not affect minimum staffing on a shift. Minimum staffing levels are not affected whether the assistant’s position is filled or not.

City Attorney Pisanelli provided Council with his interpretation of the charter with regard to the budget. City Administrator Braun asked Council to write down any budget changes needed write them down so they can be incorporated.

Budget changes include a reduction in the Human Relations line item. Councilmember Way recommended a reduction in the salary line item submitted for the Mayor’s secretary based on the study performed by Dutchess County Personnel. He also recommended putting $25,000 of the general police training line item be placed into contingency. Discussion took place regarding putting off the purchase of another taser gun until next year. City Administrator Braun explained the taser guns are a great benefit to the department because they potentially will reduce injury to officers. This year three officers were out due to on-the-job injuries. Combative offenders are easily apprehended with taser guns and their success has been proven. City Administrator Braun said those funds could come from the fund balance so the tax rate would not be affected. Councilmember Antalek suggested contacting the City’s insurance company because some people have had heart related affects from taser guns. City Administrator Braun talked to insurance representatives and they are onboard with their use.

Dave Miller representing the Traffic Safety Committee attended the workshop to discuss proposed changes to the City’s traffic code. A suggestion to make a three-way stop at the intersection of DeWindt Street and South Brett was reviewed by the committee. Sgt. Gooding’s of accident information over the last two years revealed only two accidents took place at that intersection, however there were seven other accidents on DeWindt Street. There is a sight distance issue at that intersection so they felt a three-way stop would be warranted. This item will be placed on the upcoming agenda.

Dave Miller explained the Committee’s reasoning for proposing to remove two parking spaces on Cross Street near the Main Street intersection. Before new double yellow lines were painted on Main Street, efforts were made to provide additional on street parking and as a result, the lines were extended further north. Although the intersection is wide, Cross Street narrows beyond that point. Mr. Miller witnessed a box truck turning around because two cars were parked on Cross Street near the intersection. Councilmember Kyriacou did not support loosing two spaces for one box truck that had to turn back. Councilmember Antalek suggested a compromise by making those two spaces available only on weekends when more people are on Main Street. Mr. Miller suggested eliminating one space. City Administrator Braun suggested taking no action until the City Engineer looked at the intersection to determine if the intersection is provided with an adequate turning radius.

Fire Chief Joseph asked Council for a list of budget cuts anticipated for the fire Department. City Administrator Braun said he would review those cuts with the Fire Chief.

Council reviewed a proposed ordinance to authorize the issuance of $1,000,000 serial bonds to pay the cost of purchasing open land for preservation purposes. This bond will provide a portion of funding in combination with funding in the form of grants from state, county or federal sources. Approval does not mandate spending it will be in place and provide funds for matching grants if needed. Mayor Gould indicated some sources are more willing to approve grant applications when moneys have been set aside. There is a nominal cost to prepare bond and it will not affect the 2006 budget. City Attorney Pisanelli explained the bonding can be subject to permissive referendum.

The Special Use Permit application for retail/residential renovation of a building at 217 Main Street was amended to clarify that a residential unit is proposed for the rear of the ground floor level.

Parking fines can now be paid with a credit card or personal check in addition to money orders or certified check. Police Chief Sassi reported that agreement was put into place tickets do not yet reflect the options available. A copy of the agreement will be sent to the City Administrator and some type of method will be put into place so it is made known when a ticket is issued.

Councilmember Antalek revisited the possibility of raising salaries for council and mayor. They are lowest in the area and he feels in order to attract candidates, recommendations of the Charter Review Committee should be followed. Councilmember Antalek feels Council salaries should be raised from $3,000 to $6,000 and the Mayor’s salary increased from $6,000 to $12,000. He explained serving is “volunteer” however hidden costs related to materials, supplies and miscellaneous items add up. An increase voted on now would not take affect until 2008. A general consensus was taken with the following results: Councilmember Way, no; Councilmember Leake, felt there should be an increase but not that much; Councilmember Kyriacou believed budget time is a tough time to approve an increase; Councilmembers Fasano and Antalek, yes. This item will be reconsidered when Councilmember Thompson is also present.

Council reviewed the upcoming agenda and anticipated appointments. There was no further business to discuss and the meeting adjourned at 9:40 pm