Workshop Minutes
City of
WORKSHOP MEETING
The City of
In attendance were:
Mayor Clara Lou Gould
Council Members present
were: Lee Kyriacou, Phil Shea, Steve
Gold and Eleanor Thompson.
Excused: Elizabeth Foster and Charles Kelly
Also in attendance
were: City Administrator, Joseph Braun
and City Attorney Gerard Pisanelli and David
Stolman, President
Frederick P.
Agenda Items
Traffic / Safety Committee
Install Handicapped Parking Spaces: One in South Chestnut /
This
will be on the tonight's agenda.
Building Department - The building Department was present.
Amend Chapter 119 of the City Code to Reflect Changes
in the State Code Administration Law. See Attached Member from Lt. Tim Dexter dated
Speaker: Tim Dexter: (Tim gave
each council member a copy of the proposed new local law for the Administration
and Enforcement of the Uniform Code).
The state has come out with some new requirements. We have to adopt the local law for the
administration and enforcement of the uniform code. We have one now which was adopted in
1991. What you have is a copy of the law
that reflects those changes. Most of
them are what we currently do. There is
a lot more record keeping that the state wants.
There are state funds available and the amount awarded will depend on
the extent of the record keeping.
Significant changes are the ability to Issue temporary certificates of
occupancy. The requirement for Operating
Permits is in there. I incorporated our
local law with minimum standards that the state proposed. The state provided us with a sample. If needed, we will propose to the council
that they charge a fee. Less time will
be spent on building plans. I made a
sample law from the state and inserted items that apply to Beacon.
Lee Kyriacou: We need to develop an easy way to explain
this to people. This will make it easier
for us as well.
The following is the
letter sent to City Administrator, Joseph Braun from Tim Dexter dated
SUBJFX.T; New ("ode Administration Law
The Department of State has revised 19NYCRR Part
1203 which addresses the minimum standards
for the administration and enforcement of the Uniform Code for each municipality throughout the State.
Each community must provide for administration and enforcement of the
Uniform (lode by ioeal law. Part I 203 sets minimum
program requirements thai
must be included in the local law. In order
to comply with this requirement we must amend Chapter 11 9 of the City
Code to reflect the changes outlined in the attached law. The attached proposed local law was based from a
sample provided from the Department of State.
There are many new
requirements which will require more record keeping, administrative duties and
actual field inspections. Many of the changes that are found in the proposed
law simply codify how we currently do business. There arc three changes that arc noteworthy.
•
The ability
for us to issue Temporary Certificates of Occupancy which is currently not
permitted.
•
"1 he requirement for us to inspect all
structures other than one and two family homes within our community in intervals that are consistent with
local conditions not to exceed three years. What this means is we will be
required to inspect every store, office and other commercial buildings at least
every three years.
• The requirement for operating permits
(Section 10) for certain types of occupancies such as buildings containing one
or more areas of public assembly with an occupant load of 100 persons or more. This will require places like churches, clubs (K. of C., Elks,
fire companies) with areas for 100 persons or
more to obtain an operating permit. The operating permit will require an inspection by the department prior to issuance. 1 recommend
the council consider establishing a Fee to cover our costs to issue operating permits.
The minimum State standards are effective January 1.
2007. 1 know that we will not be able to
adopt our revised local law for the administration and enforcement by that time
so I would request that we place the law on the agenda for the first workshop
in January for discussion.
TPD;jm
Tim Dexter: We are not ready at this time. I need to speak to Attorney Pisanelli to have
his thoughts as to what I have done so far and to be sure everything was done
properly. After that we can put it in a
workshop and then on the agenda and set a public hearing or whatever you have
to do. This should have been in effect
on
Thomas Estates
Proposed Resolution is as follows:
WHEREAS, the City's Engineers, Lane & Tully,
have performed a final inspection
concerning the Thomas Estates Project located on
WHEREAS, the Engineers
have determined that all required improvements have been completed in accordance with the approved plans for the
Thomas Estates Project; and
WHEREAS, the City Attorney
has reviewed the legal documents as follows: Irrevocable Offer of Cession and Dedication of Properties within
Thomas Estates Subdivision; the Quitclaim Deed for the drainage parcel to be
conveyed to the City of Beacon (equals 0.41 ac.) which parcel is to be used as
a Detention Pond and another parcel located at the northerly end of said
"Thomas Estates Subdivision" and being located at the intersection of
the southerly line of lands now or formerly
Jerzak with the easterly line of the lands now or
formerly Belekis, as shown on said filed map no. 11517 designated on subdivision map as TO
BE DEDICATED TO THE CITY OF BEACON 16.986 SF (0.39 ac.)";
NOW, THEREFORE, be it
RESOLVED, that the City of
This is in regard to
Mayor: This will be placed on tonight's agenda.
Dave Stolman: I believe the city takes streets that were
built to city standards. This street was
designed and built to city standards. It
is a routine matter that that is done. I
don't know of a situation where a street was not taken over when it conformed
to city standards. There is a whole
document that has been modified adding a section and has been on the books for
a long time.
Mayor: This makes it easier for Garbage
collection.
Joseph Braun::
Just to clarify. This is
a subdivision plan that was approved by the planning board and part of that
sub-division was the street and it was anticipated at that time that the street
would be built to city specifications and eventually become a city street. This is typical for the process.
Dave Stolman:: In the last 15 years, all streets were built and
designed to city standards - the only thing that had to be decided is whether
they would be private. One of the Meadow
Ridge projects has private roads and they have not been designed or built to
city standards. They are perfectly fine
standards but not city standards.
Grant Writer - Susan Roeller Brown
Joseph Braun: I spoke to people I know and got some recommendations,
one of which is in
Steve Gold: The paper work that she gave us on Hiddenbrook was very complete and comprehensive. This impressed me. She is very good.
Joseph Braun: I think a resolution would be good to make her the
grant person. Maybe Attorney Pisanelli
would like to talk to her regarding the rate of pay, etc.
Mayor: Can we get this on the agenda so we can go
forward on this?
Steve Gold: We have to take a look at her contract before
we do anything, we should read her contract thoroughly..
Joseph Braun: Yes, we can do that. We should authorize the Mayor to negotiate
and get this thing started.
This will be placed on
tonight's agenda.
MLK request for $8,000 to
help purchase vans for senior transportation and meal programs. See
Correspondence dated December 18th addressed to Mayor Clara Lou
Gould from Dot Paulin as follows:
Dear Mayor Gould and
The
Over the past two years, we
have been actively writing grants and having other fund-raisers to purchase a
van; to date we have raised $12,000. Most recently, we located a van for
$22.000. The dealer has agreed to sell it to us for $20,000. The
We need to get back to the
deal within the next week or two. Thank you for vour consideration and
assistance.
Speaker: Dot Paulin.
We take seniors
shopping and to daily activities. We
deliver meals. A lot of the work is done
by volunteers and if they do not show up, I get the job of doing the work. We charge $3.00 plus to go to
Joseph Braun: We can look at community development for the
money.
Lee Kyriacou: If it was individuals we can provide taxi vouchers
which the city will pay for.
Eleanor Thompson: MLK is very dependable. He delivers Prescriptions, delivers the mail.
Consensus Vote: Kyriacou:
We should look at alternative funding.
Shea: Yes. Gold:
Yes. Thompson: Yes.
Dot Paulin has used her own car to help.
I also used my car to help.
This will be on tonight's
agenda.
Comprehensive Planning
Committee to present a very brief update. Review of Next Steps and Request additional
Funds to Complete work on the Plans. See Email Dated 12/18 from Sara Pasti
The following email from Sara Pasti addressed
to Mayor Clara Lou Gould dated
Dear
Mayor Gould:
I hope you are
enjoying our long, warm fall and holiday season!
As you know, the
Beacon Comprehensive Plan Committee is meeting this Wednesday for a final
meeting to review draft comprehensive plan
chapters in preparation for presentation of the draft plan to the City
Council. In keeping with our
original timeline, we expect that we will have printed copies of the revised
documents available to present to Council members by the end of December
2006. However, there is still work to be
done by our planning consultants before the plan is finalized. The work still
to be done consist of a SEQR review, which is a comprehensive plan requirement,
and was included in the original scope of work for the plan, and a Generic
Environmental Impact Study.
I understand from our
consultants that additional monies will be needed by them to cover costs of
time that is required to complete the work. They are working on a cost estimate
for presentation to the Committee and to the Council.
(David & Chris: Please let us know
if I have presented this correctly and when you think you will have completed
your estimate.)
In addition to
providing this brief update, I am writing to request time at the City Council
meetings as follows:
First Council Meeting
in January (is that January 2nd?): Appearance by Plan Committee members to
present a very brief update, review of next steps, and request for additional
funds to complete work on the plan.
Earliest Workshop
Meeting Date in January: Our Comprehensive Plan Committee wishes to schedule a
date to make a full presentation of the draft plan and plan recommendations to
the Council.
Thank
you for making time in the Council's schedule for the Committee's update and to
hear a presentation of the full report. If you can review the Council's calendar and let me know
what dates will work for the Council. I will let our Committee members know
this at our upcoming meeting on Wednesday.
Sincerely,
Sara J. Pasti,, Building Community Through
Culture, Building Culture in Community,
Sara Pasti
introduced members of the committee.
I
am happy to tell you that we completed the first draft. There are next steps involved that we will be
working on.
We feel comfortable with this plan and we have worked
on it for over a year. There are
additional funds needed, which have to be voted on by the council. If all goes as planned, we should have this
completed in six months. Sara asked
David Stolman to comment.
David Stolman said that
they did a good job and there was nothing he could add to their presentation
NYS Workplace Violence Prevention Act (2006)
See Attached Correspondence dated 12/21/06 from J.
Pisanelli along with Correspondence from Salerno Brokerage Corp. dated 11/08/06
Email from NYCOM dated 12/21/06 Regarding a Sample Local Law Regarding
Workplace Violence
The following letter was addressed to Mayor Clara Lou Gould dated
Many public employers are
now required to develop and implement a workplace violence protection program since the
adoption of the amendment of 'NYS Labor Law (Section 27-B).
For affected public
employers, the new program required by Section 27-B must be in place by February 2007.
Part of the challenge this
new law creates is the added responsibility created by the documentation and management
of the program.
As a program designed to
minimize or even eliminate workplace violence it not only puts the municipality on notice for
any liability or workers compensation claims that result from workplace violence, it also
defines your compliance and creates a tracking history for any workplace violence lawsuits
that may occur.
We suggest that you along
with your municipal attorney review this law to determine how it affects your municipality and
how your current insurance coverage responds to it.
As insurance brokers
specializing in insurance and risk management for public entities, we bring your attention to the
deadline This new [aw imposes and we welcome any
opportunity to be of service to you.
We look forward to hearing
from you to work and develop a beneficial insurance program for
your needs. Very truly yours, Signed: Bill Noel, Towns & Villages Risk Management Corp.
Chapter 83, WORKPLACE VIOLENCE PREVENTION
POUCY
[HISTORY: Adopted by the
Town Board of the Town of
§ 83-1. Comprehensive of policy; purpose.
To ensure a safe workplace and to reduce the risk of
violence, all employees and officials of
the Town of
§ 83-2. Prohibited conduct.
A. The Town does not tolerate any type of workplace
violence committed by or against employees or Town officials. Employees
and Town officials are prohibited from making or encouraging threats or
engaging in violent activities.
B. This list of behaviors, while not inclusive,
provides examples of conduct that is prohibited:
(1)
Causing physical injury to another person;
(2)
Making overt or veiled threatening remarks;
(3)
Aggressive or hostile behavior that creates a reasonable fear of injury
to another person or subjects
another individual to emotional distress or intimidation;
(4)
Intentionally damaging or threatening to damage employer property or property
of an employee;
(5)
Possession of a weapon or facsimile thereof while on Town property or
while on
Town business.
§ 83-3. Reporting procedures.
Any potentially dangerous situations must be
reported immediately to the department head.
If you feel uncomfortable reporting such a situation to your department head or
you feel your complaint has not been adequately addressed, please report
it to John Zollo,
Town Attorney, or Eileen Tropea, Town Personnel Officer.1EN All reported incidents will be investigated. Reports or incidents warranting confidentiality will be
handled appropriately, and information will be disclosed to others only on a
need-to-know basis. Should the Town determine it necessary to interview the
employee alleged to be committing the
prohibited conduct where the employee is a member of a union recognized
by the Town, the employee shall be notified of his/her right to be accompanied
by a union representative at such interview. All panics involved in a situation
will be counseled and the results of investigations will be discussed with
them.
§ 83-4. Risk reduction measures.
While we do not expect employees or Town officials
to be specifically skilled at identifying potentially dangerous persons,
employees are expected to exercise good judgment
and to inform his/her department head or the Town's Personnel Officer if any employee exhibits behavior
which could be a sign of a potentially dangerous situation. Such behavior
includes:
A. Discussing weapons or bringing them to the
workplace;
B. Displaying overt signs of extreme stress,
resentment, hostility or anger;
C. Making threatening remarks;
D. Sudden or significant deterioration of performance;
E. Displaying irrational or inappropriate behavior.
§ 83-5. Enforcement; penalties for offenses.
Threats, threatening
conduct, or any other acts of aggression or violence in the workplace will not
be tolerated. Any employee or Town official determined to have committed such
acts will be subject to disciplinary action, as well as potential prosecution. Non-employees
engaged in violent acts on the Town's premises or against employees or Town officials
will be reported to the proper authorities.
Editor's Note: Consult the
Town for names of current Town Attorney and Personnel Officer.
This is a requirement that needs to be discussed.
Joseph Braun: As you can see, I spoke to the dept. of
labor. The date has been extended to
March 1. to get
a safer workplace. If anyone feels
unsafe in the workplace, they can come to me and we will deal with those
issues. We already have a policy in
place but we do need to put a plan assessment in place. City Attorney Pisanelli feels that we should
have a local law in place. This will be
discussed at an upcoming workshop,
Lee Kyriacou: took this opportunity to give a special thank you to Sara Pasti for
the great job she did on the Comprehensive Plan.
Open Space Committee
Potential
Committee Candidates:
I
do not have names but I am looking for any suggestions.
Steve Gold: I would think that the conservation advisory
committee would be interested in this.
Stormwater Committee
Potential Committee Candidates: Same as Open Space Committee.
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