Minutes
City of
Note: A Special Council Meeting was held at this
Workshop. Minutes for that meeting are
in a separate document dated
WORKSHOP
The City of
In attendance were:
Mayor Clara Lou Gould
Council Members
Present: Lee Kyriacou, Elizabeth Foster,
Charles Kelly, Phil Shea and Steve Gold.
Excused: Eleanor Thompson.
Also in attendance
were: City Administrator, Joseph Braun
and City Attorney, Gerard Pisanelli.
Guest Speaker: James Jay Bodrato Business Representative
IBEW Intl. Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
AGENDA ITEMS
Crossing Guard Increase Effective
City Administrator, Joseph
Braun: It is my recommendation to
raise the rate of pay for crossing guards to $13.00 per hour. Some crossing guards work three hours and
some work four hours. They have to come
in the morning, go home and come back again in the afternoon. This is competitive with other
communities. This is a substantial
increase. There is some training
involved. The majority of the crossing
guards are retirees. When the Building
Department acts as a crossing guard, it is on overtime and costs approximately
$40.00 per hour. .I was thinking about
doing a bonus system as an incentive for them to come to work during bad
weather or if it is too cold.
Consistency is really the key.
Council Member
Kyriacou: How about $15.00 per
hour. When we use Police Officers, it
was costing us $150.00 to $200.00 an hour.
This will be placed on the
Special meeting Agenda for
Police
Officers -
Hiring of Three New Police Officers - Hiring of Three New Police Officers - The
following Letter dated
I have completed background investigations on three police officer
applicants,-Kate Capalbo, Jason Fasano, and Patrick
O'Dell. Nothing was discovered in their background investigations that would
exclude them from holding the position of Police Officer in the City of
Kate is
originally from Rhinebeck and has recently moved to Beacon. Kate has graduated
from Marist and is currently enrolled at
I would request that they be put on the agenda for the 20th
as a MPTC class starts in
Council
Member Kelly: How many more vacancies do we have at this
time? Answer: There are five more. Two will graduate from the academy on June 15
This
will be placed on the Special Meeting Agenda for
Human
Relations Commission Budget Amendment - Rental of Office Space.
City
Administrator, Joseph Braun: The Human
Relations Commission is requesting office space. The space at the
Human Relations
Rent
I spoke with DCCAA.
It has an office for $350 a month at
Transfer
Human Relations Commission
From: To:
Part time Clerical $2,358 Rent
- $3,500
Social Security $659
Training $483
Total $3,500
Council
Member Kyriacou: What about the space at the
Memorial building, which has been under utilized for far too long?
City
Administrator Braun: They prefer to have their
space away from the city. They were
asked for a summary of activity for 2006.
The Human Relations Committee would prefer someplace more private.
Mr. Braun Suggested that they get
together with the
This will be placed on the
Special Meeting Agenda for
Martin Luther King Bus Agreement
Agreement
to provide senior citizen Dial-A-Ride Service dated the___ day of ____, 2007.
The
A place for
signatures was provided for the signatures of
We would agree to transfer
the money if they would do something for the city. They agree to provide Dial-A Ride local
service. They are anxious to get the
money.
A resolution was prepared
and will be placed on the Agenda and voted on at the Special Council Meeting on
Ratifications/Appointments - Career Firefighters Appointments - David Brewer and Brian Davis. Wee Memo dated
The following is a
memo from Lt. Tim Dexter addressed to City Administrator, Joseph Braun dated
As you know Firefighter Timothy Dexter Jr. transferred to the City of
In addition, I will need a final decision regarding the leave requests
of Firefighter Dexter Jr. and Firefighter Moore. The overtime will cost
approximately $2,400 per week to cover the two vacant shifts so the sooner the
council acts the less money we will have to expend for overtime costs. If we are
unable to get in this probationary class the next class will be in the fall of 2007. Please let me know if you need further
information regarding my recommendations. I have discussed these
recommendations with the Fire Chief and he concurs.
Tim Dexter: 2 fire fighters have moved on. As stated in my letter to the City
Administrator, I would like to offer the names of David Brewer and Brian
Davis. I am requesting that this be
placed on the workshop agenda for
One left effective Feb
8. Next Monday there will be a second
vacancy. We want to tell the applicants
whether it is full time or temporary.
Right now Beacon is authorized 12 positions. These fire fighters will not have benefits. If the two people that left decided to come
back, the two people we hired will have temporary positions. This allows for an unpaid leave of absence up
to a year. Council Member Kyriacou said that he is not prepared to hire
additional staff. Mr. Dexter was asked
whether the new hires are willing to come on board on a temporary basis. Mr. Dexter's reply was that they are
willing. Council Member Gold suggested
that the city should not have to be responsible for the training. If we grant this leave what kind of problems
do we have if other people want to do the same?
We need to deal with things in a fair manner. We will be vulnerable. I foresee that being a problem. What kind of liability will we be in
for? You are really setting a legally binding
precedent. What problems will we
have? Would we be faced with a legal
lawsuit?
City Administrator, Joseph
Braun: I don't think it is fair to
permit this and not allow other people to do the same. Probably
Tim Dexter: They are leaving on their own volition. We don't want them to leave. I would say that we have no way to keep them
because they got another job. My answer
would be "no". Fire fighters
have left because of better opportunities.
Maybe we should think about raising salaries.
Council Member Kelly: said that we should consider three months. Six months is too long. If they do come back they should pay for the
training that we provided to those temporary employees. In the private sector you may be able to do
that but it might be difficult with the union.
Council Member Shea: Since training will begin on March 2, we
should do this as soon as possible before it costs us more money than we need
to spend
Tim Dexter: The timing is right because the academy starts March
26. The two that we are proposing are
currently volunteers.
Council Member
Kyriacou: This should be bargained for
in collective bargaining in the future.
This will be placed on the
Special Meeting Agenda for February 26, 2007.On Agenda
Police Chief Resolution (Not on the Workshop Agenda:
Council Member Kelly: read a resolution regarding
the Chief of Police. Maybe we should
stop the exam until we broaden the guidelines.
Is it in the guidelines to include the possibility of the sergeant
taking this exam? The mayor will appoint
a search and review committee. This
appointment is one of the most important decisions that the city will have to
make. The approval process will possibly
avoid some of the problems we have had in the past. I hope this resolution will be better than
what we have had. I think the chief of
police is important. I suggest that this
resolution be adopted.
City Attorney, Gerard
Pisanelli:: My suggestion to the council is that there be
no appointment of a police chief until issues are resolved. I think that the March 10 exam should be
canceled if possible.
Council Member Kyriacou: The exam is worrisome to me. We should know what the law means before we
go further. This is a move that is
occurring to fill the vacancy. I don't
know if you need a resolution - maybe we can just agree.
Council Member Gold: Does the council have the authority to present a
resolution?
Mayor Clara Lou Gould: suggested that we might be looking for a local law
rather than a resolution. Will we have
legal implications because the past chief is appealing this?
City Administrator, Joseph
Braun: There is a process that the
county uses to hire. They are there to
make sure positions are filled through the competitive process.
A Council Member: How will we know when it is legally sound?
City Attorney, Gerard
Pisanelli: I think you would have to
bring in the attorney.
City Administrator, Joseph
Braun will
check on that and report back to the council.
City Attorney, Gerard
Pisanelli: said that we may have to do
a special workshop. Today is February 2
and the exam is scheduled for March 10.
That is only two weeks away.
A Council Member: I think that we should go through with this
resolution with some changes. If we
can't do it then it just won't get implemented.
City Attorney, Gerard
Pisanelli's
advice is to not proceed with the replacing of the police chief until we are
ready.
Council Member Braun: I don't think it would hurt to pass the resolution.
Council Member Gold: We all agree to change date of the exam. Mr. Braun will ask if they can cancel the
exam. We just don't know the process.
Mayor Clara Lou Gould asked Mr. Braun to have
information ready for next Monday's Council Meeting.
At this point, The Workshop paused at 8:15 to enter a
Workshop Meeting continued at 8:26 p.m.
IBEW
Representative - (Lee asked that he be put on at 7pm?)
Guest Speaker: James Jay Bodrato, Business Representative:
NYS Senate Bill No.
Mr. Bodrato spoke about the
N.Y.S. Senate Bill No. 5355A which "an act to amend the labor law, in
relation to granting governmental entities the authority to require contractors
and subcontractors on construction contracts to have approved apprenticeship
agreement. This Bill was signed into Law
by Governor Pataki on December 19, 2001.
Some of the things he
discussed were what an apprenticeship program is, how an individual applies,
the selection process, how long must an individual serve as an apprentice, is
it steady work, the pay, schooling required which is tuition free, age limits,
minimum educational requirements and out of pocket costs to the apprentice.
He talked about opening an
office in Beacon.
Included in one of the
booklets he distributed to the council called N.Y.S. Senate Bill # 5355A are
resolutions that he asked the council to consider.
Spirit of
Beacon Day Not on the Workshop Agenda
Council
Member Kelly: I spoke to Rose Story
regarding a meeting with the council members and she wants to meet on March 14,
2007
A "Spirit of Beacon
Day" committee was selected. They
are Council Members Foster, Gold and Thompson.
Downstate
Bid - See attached Email from T. Dexter to J. Braun dated
1/29/07 along with Fire Protection Service Contract
We had this for a
while. They are suggesting $6,000. They do have four to six calls a year. This is a chance to make $4,000.00. Chief Joseph's concern was man power and
public conception. We did this for a
couple of years. This is Downstate and
it is federal money. They have been
paying $18,000 a year. Council
Member Kyriacou: They are certainly getting a
good deal. They went out to competitive
bidders to get the best price.
Mayor Clara Lou Gould: If it is a fair price, I do not think they would
object? It's nice to get the extra money
Mr.
Braun: Why don't we sit down with
downstate and come up with a price.
Fishkill Correctional is in Beacon and we provide fire service to them.
Council
Member Kyriacou: We are getting pennies when we
should be getting the tax rate. No one
objects to the trucking out of the city.
If we do get the contract and our truck is there and we have a fire in
Beacon what do we do.
Mr.
Braun: In that situation we would
have aid.
Who agrees to approaching
Glenham to share the service? All said
"yes". This will go on the
agenda after the next council meeting
Dutchess
County Economic Development Corporation - See attached Letter dated February 22,
2007 in from Theresa M. Kelly regarding Empire Zone anti-invoice for I8,433.
18, for the empire
zone. We have to authorize.
The following letter dated
February 22, 2007 addressed to Mayor Clara Lou Gould was written by Theresa M.
Kelly, Empire Zone Coordinator for the Dutchess County Economic Development
Corporation
The Honorable Clara Lou Gould Mayor, City of
Dear Mayor Gould:
As in previous years we are requesting payment towards the
administrative funds for the Poughkeepsie Dutchess Empire Zone.
Please consider this an invoice for $18,433, the minimum
municipal fee, payable by the City of
Additionally, our counsel and auditors have advised us that it is
appropriate to execute a formal agreement with each community
participating in the Empire Zone. Therefore, we are
enclosing an agreement for your consideration. Please sign and return agreement
to me, or contact me with any suggested changes.
Thank you again for your on-going support of the Poughkeepsie Dutchess
Empire Zone. We believe that the Zone continues to benefit
Southern Dutchess, including the City of
CC: Dr. D. David Conklin,
Chairman, Empire Zone Administrative Board Lynn Heuermann,
The programs provided by this agency are partially funded by moneys received
from the
Capital
Roads 2007 - See the following spread sheet titled Capital
Project Proposed for 2007
Capital Projects Proposed for 2007
Beacon Street
Sidewalks $235,453
North Elm
Main/Verplanck $1,061,045
Orchard Street
Reconstruction $863,912
Spring Valley
Street $2,792,383
Total Estimate $6,647,411
CD Funds Main side $400,000
Net Local S6.247.411
Projected Debt
Service ($443.269.16) 25 yrs., 5%
|
|
BEACON |
ROAD COST BREAK
DOWN |
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|
|
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|
Item I |
|||||
|
ROAD |
$382,882.50 |
$435,765.00 |
$490,160.00 |
$1,341,725.00 |
$730,917.00 |
|
SIDEWALK |
$71,461.50 |
$63,690.00 |
$54,604.00 |
$244,750.00 |
$202,125.00 |
|
SEWER |
$4,510.00 |
$0.00 |
$2,475.00 |
$551 ,870.00 |
$0.00 |
|
WATER |
$6,380.00 |
$141,680.00 |
$200,640.00 |
$333,960.00 |
$0.00 |
|
SURVEYING |
$6,000.00 |
$13,650.00 |
$13,650.00 |
$33,216.00 |
$16,600.00 |
|
ENGINEERING |
$25,600.00 |
$38,468.00 |
$44,873.00 |
$173,061.35 |
$65,312.94 |
|
INSPECTION |
$31,200.00 |
$46,800.00 |
$46,800.00 |
$83,200.00 |
$36,400.00 |
|
ADMIN |
$8,160.00 |
$10,710.00 |
$10,710.00 |
$30,600.00 |
$9,690.00 |
TOTAL $536,194.00 $750,763.00 $863,912.00 $2,792,382.35
$1,061,044.94
ROAD =
SIDEWALK = SIDEWALK REMOVAL COSTS + CURB REMOVAL COSTS -t- NEW SIDEWALK
COSTS
IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THE TOTAL COSTS MAY CHANGE ONCE THE PROJECT IS
FULLY DESIGNED
City
Administrator, Joseph Braun: The council has to authorize
the progress and get a bond resolution for the funds to pay for the
projects. We can do a bond resolution
for the entire amount. Rate is 4.75 or
5.0. Prices were determined by past
costs. These are estimates from the
engineer. When asked about the large
cost for inspections, City Administrator, Joseph Braun stated that there are
different types of inspections. Mr.
Braun would prepare a resolution. The
charter had 50,000 as a maximum but that was from fifteen years ago. It should probably be doubled. This is something that the council should
consider.
Dummy
Light:
Not on the Workshop Agenda.
Mayor Clara
Lou Gould: Dave Miller came in with
their proposal for the dummy light.
There is a bag on it at this time and it is unusable. They want to move it closer to the sidewalk.
You would be facing the dummy light and it will be operational. I think that we should see what it looks
like. School buses and fire trucks
cannot get around the dummy light.
Someone keeps hitting it. There
had been a glass cover on it similar to the light at
Cablevision: Not on the Workshop Agenda.
Council
Member Kelly: Do we have a contract with
them?
Council
Member Kelly: They have the right to
change the programs slightly. I believe that we have a contract for five
years. I said that I would not vote for
this franchise when it becomes due because they removed Turner Classic Movies..
Reassessment: Not on the Workshop Agenda
-
Council
Member Gold: I spoke to the man in charge
and he said that he will not post the reassessments on the website because they are only temporary and
not absolute and it would not do any good to put them on the website. What they are going to do is to provide a
list of the houses that sold and what they sold for. The grievance board will look at any
information provided to them. If you do
not grieve, most likely, the assessments received in the mail will stand. The rate is based on actual sales. The tax assessor said that he got 200
calls. They want people to call up.
Announcement
- Beacon Housing Authority - Vincent Jim Fredericks. - Three Year Term -
03/31/07 - 03/31/11 (No vote required)
All council members agreed
to place this announcement on the March 5, 2007 Agenda. It does not need a vote.
Proposed
Local Laws
Proposed
Local Law - Amending
the Current Section 2.06C, Prohibitions, of The City of
Proposed
Local Law - Amending
the Current Section 2.12 Inquires and Investigations of the City of
Proposed
Local Law - Amending
Chapter 17 entitled, Conservation Advisory Commission Section 17-3 Membership
to Expanding the number of members from seven to nine.
The three Proposed Local
Laws above were put on the Workshop Agenda in the event the Council Members had
any questions. There were no questions
and these three are each scheduled for a Public Hearing on March 5, 2007.
Updates
Budget Amendments
Other Business
Council Agenda - Monday, March 5, 2007
Executive Session
Adjournment
The
meeting ended at 10:00
Submitted
by Lucy M. Cullinan - March 3, 2007