Workshop Minutes
City of
WORKSHOP
The Workshop Meeting of the City of
In attendance were:
Mayor Clara Lou Gould
Council Members Lee Kyriacou, Elizabeth Foster,
Charles Kelly, Phil Shea, Steve Gold and Eleanor Thompson.
Also in attendance were: City Administrator, Joseph Braun and City
Attorney, Gerard Pisanelli.
Agenda Items
GIS Mapping - Guest Speakers: Art Tully and John D. Russo from Lanc &
Tully Engineering and Surveying, P.C. and HydroQual Representatives Gary M.
Grey and Barry J. Cheney, P.E.
Mr. Tully introduced the guests
from HydroQual and gave a brief explanation of what this program would mean to
the City of
Representatives from HydroQual
were Gary M. Grey and Barry J. Cheney, P.E.
They gave a slide presentation, which covered the project. They distributed a booklet, which, described
the program in detail and asked that this booklet be used to follow along with
their presentation. The slide headings
were as follows:
Beacon MS4
Mapping, Evaluation and Management Project, Municipal Separate Storm Sewer
System (MS4), Stormwater and Wastewater Infrastructure Management Program,
Solving Water Quality Impairments, The Environmental Benefit, NYC Water Quality
Improvement Application Budget, Infrastructure Inspection and GIS, Why develop
An Infrastructure GIS, Typical Approach, Electronic Field Mapping, a Inspection
Form, Arc View Display, Data Management, Example of a Drainage Area
Characterization Map, Example of an overflow locations Map - 10-Year Storm
Event, New York City Catch Basin Program, and James Madison Harrisonburg, Va.
University. After his presentation, the guest speakers from HydroQual and Lanc
and Tully representatives, Mr. Tully and Mr. Russo nswered questions from
council members and the audience.
Storm water Presentation: Presentation
to Council and CAC. Proposed Local Law
tabled at the 12/18/06 for Committee to Study
The CAC was given a copy of the Proposed Local Law
prior to the Workshop Meeting. A Brief
rundown of this Local Law was given by Mr. Russo and Mr. Tully of Lanc and
Tully. He also stated the departments
who are responsible for enforcing these regulations, such as the building
inspector, etc. These amendments are
directed at construction sites and new construction in the area, as far as
enforcement occurs and what fines and levy will be placed against anyone who
violates the law.
A copy of the proposed fourteen page local law
entitled "City of Beacon Local Law for Stormwater Management and
Erosion & Sediment Control was included in the March 29, 2007 Workshop
packet
Mayor Gould
asked Chris Erickson if he had an opportunity to look over this law and he said
he did
Conservation Advisory Commission - CAC
request for Board Status
Chris Erickson, Chair Person - We recently were made
subcommittees. We are still at a loss as
to what our gold will be and what is expected of us. Is there anything else that we are being
charged with at this point that we do not know about? We need assistance and more direction from the
council. We need to know exactly what
you want us to do?
Mayor Gould: By law we are required to
form a committee and that is what we did.
We are asking you to advise us of and make recommendations regarding
environmental, open space and the comprehensive plan.
Council Member Shea: There must be some guidelines as to public
awareness.
City Administrator Braun: The city engineer will be available to
discuss and provide the technical capacity and assistance. Council Member Shea's suggestion as to public
outreach is important. We need to
involve the public since a lot of the stormwater problems are a public problem. An important role is to sort of do your own
housekeeping.
Council Member Gold: There a lot of things that should go into
this plan. CAC should have
oversight. We have a building dept. that
will assist CAC. Also they should review
any subdivisions that are before the Planning Board and offer suggestions and
recommendations when decisions have to be made
City Administrator
Braun: We have regulations that the
council has asked the CAC to review and submit recommendations
Mayor Gould: If it is an environmental problem it will go
to the CAC commission.
Chris Erickson: We will review this and make a
recommendation. Regarding Open Space -
Open space is extremely important to this committee. We did develop a plan many years ago. A lot of it is still the same. We would like to become a conservation board
rather than a committee. It is important
that we become a board so that we have a say as to where funds are
appropriated. As a committee we feel
that we do not have the right to appropriate these funds the way we feel that
they should be appropriated. That is the
reason that we feel that we should be a board.
Mayor Gould: We do not want to take any more time than we
have to in the planning process which is 45 days because that costs everybody
money. We cannot have another 45 days
tacked onto the planning process. We
thought that some of the things could be done at the same time as much as
possible in order to save time.
Council Member Gold: I don't think that we considered the ramifications
of going from a commission to a board.
It would be helpful for us to know what is involved. We need to know what are the consequences and
the advantages. There may be a
disadvantage to it. The mayor brought up
that there might be a disadvantage to it.
I don't think we can make that decision right now.
Chris Erickson: At this time, anything involving open space
does not have to come to us. If we
became a board they would have to come in front of us.
Council Member Kyriacou: I rejected this before but I am prepared to
vote for it now. When a piece of
development occurs in open space, I would like the review to take place with
the conservation advisory board. I am
prepared to wait an extra 45 days on the parcels that are open space parcels
because they are important to us. I do
not know where the rest of the council stands, but it perfectly fine with
me. The other areas that I would like
you to participate in are the use of funds for open space. Even though you make recommendations, the
council makes the final decision. When
construction is going to be placed on a piece of vacant land, I think it should
go in front of the CAC. Also, since the
council does not know what they are doing regarding stormwater, I would
appreciate someone who will make sure we are doing our job regarding
stormwater. I would be willing to give
you funds if you need it. I would also
like to put greenway activities in front of this board.
A CAC Member from the audience: The city seems to be working on getting a
law out. What is the city's plan for
this committee after the law is out?
Mayor Gould: We are required by law to pass a law on this. Now we all have to go out and educate people
Art Tully: As a MS4 Community we have to have a law and
a way to enforce that law for violators and polluters and the penalties, which
will be imposed.
This will be placed on the
next workshop for April 9, 2007.
University Settlement Camp - Agreement
with Scenic
An email dated 3.14.07 was
received from Lou Lewis, Esq. by City of Beacon Attorney J. Pisnaelli who
provided the council with copies of this email as well as the attached
documents. They are drafts of a two page
"Memorandum of Agreement" and a six-page "Contract of Sale"
between The Scenic Hudson Land Trust, Inc. and The City of Beacon.
Margery Groten of Scenic
Hudson made a few comments and showed
the council a map and said that until there is an appraisal she cannot tell
what the cost will be.
Spirit of Beacon Day: Spirit of Beacon Day –
Tabled February 20, 2007 for thirty days.
Committee to Discuss
Council
Member Foster: - A suggestion was made to include a non-discrimination clause on the
application for events in Beacon, which the applicant agrees to and which
should be included on the permit. I am
requesting that Attorney Pisanelli provide the proper wording.
Council
Member Kyriacou: My concern is whether they
have liability insurance? We need to
have proof of insurance so that the city is not liable. I want to be sure we are protected. I requested in an email a copy of the
application but I never received it.
Council
Member Gold: I would like to take this
opportunity to thank the Spirit of Beacon Committee for cooperating with us in
the entire process and in coming to this final conclusion.
Mayor Gould: I
did not get a copy of your email but I will be sure to provide you with a copy
of the permit application. There is a
separate permit application for parades.
The permits state that the applicant must provide proof of insurance.
This will be placed on the
workshop agenda.
Mayor Clara
Lou Gould: We have a request to move the
agenda to Non-union Employees Increase in Salaries
Non-Union Employees - Increase
in salaries
Council
Member Thompson: I think this is something that we
have to look at for all of our employees.
Council
Member Kelly: Are we talking about
confidential employees? What we want to
do is to make these benefits for union and non-union employees consistent with
each other across the board. Would this
include department heads?
Mayor Gould: Joe sent out a memo with a breakdown of CSEA
salaries. This would include those
employees that are not covered by CSEA benefits. This would include some department heads?
Council
Member Kyriacou: Please correct me if I am
wrong, Joe, but a couple of years ago on the exact same issue, we asked the
county to do a review of job descriptions and they determined that several
positions were clerical and secretarial in terms of duties, but the mayor's
secretary was paid at a higher rate I
was opposed to the increase that just went through because that particular one
is the highest salary paid. If you are
going with parody, they have already broken that rule.
City
Administrator Braun: It was reviewed and
determined that this was appropriate based on the classification.
Mayor Gould: When we hire someone, we should be able to
show them the benefits that go with the job rather than having to go through
this each time.
This resolution should say
that the non-union employees would receive the same benefits as the union
members.
To be placed on Agenda for
April 2, 2007
Water Quality Improvements: - Bond
Resolution for $240,000 - Bond Issue for Match.
City Administrator, Joseph Braun gave a brief explanation of the Bond Resolution. Some work is in-house work.
Council Member Gold: Going back to the presentation
on the GIS, I feel that we should have further discussions on that issue.
Council Member Kelly: Would it be possible for Joe
to invite someone from
City Administrator Braun: I
can do that. In one shape or form, we
have to do the mapping. We may not get
exactly this form but we will have to do this at some point. I would suggest that this take place in
timely manner. This is an estimate. We have not really gone out to get other
estimates. There are other organizations
that do this. We can spend less. This is not the last word in the budget. I ask that you take the time you need to
educate yourself on this.
Council Member Shea:
Mr.Tomaseli and McElduff
should come to our meeting to answer questions.
This should be on the next
workshop agenda.
Promoting Beacon - Referencing CGI Agreement and
Videotaping Company. The flyer is as
follows:
GSI Communications, Inc.
COST-FREE Streaming Video
Join the Growing List of
Communities that have taken advantage of our one-of-a-kind program offered
through our alliance with The
Contact us Today: Call 1-800-398-3029 ex. 700
Email: Learnmore@CGICommunications.com
The following is a copy of
the agreement with GSI Communications, Inc.
Community Video
& Business Showcase Agreement
CGI
Communications, Inc.
Joseph Braun, City
Administrator
1 Municipal Center
·
This agreement is between CGI
Communications, Inc. and the City of
·
of the three years of videos available
for viewing on the www.cityofbeacon.org website homepage. The term of this agreement shall
automatically renew unless either party gives 60 days written notice of
termination or modification prior to expiration.
·
CGI Communications, Inc. and its
e-LocalLink division shall provide a Community Video Showcase as follows:
·
Website Welcome video from your Mayor or other civic leader
(approx. 1 minute in duration)
·
3 additional videos (approx 1 minute each in duration) to
highlight various aspects of your community and/or organization
·
Script writing and video content consultation
·
A videographer to come to your location
to film videos
·
All aspects of video production and editing, from raw
footage to final video including professional voiceovers and background music
·
Final draft of Community Video Showcase content subject to
your approval
·
Patent-pending OneClick™ Technology
and encoding of all videos into multiple streaming digital formats to play on
all computer systems, browsers, and internet connection
speeds;
recognized player formats include WindowsMedia® and QuickTime®
·
Store and stream all videos on CGI's dedicated server
·
Viewer access of the Community Video Showcase from your
website shall be facilitated by e-LocalLink providing HTML source code for
graphic link to be prominently displayed on
the www.cityofbeacon.org website homepage. Code will be provided
immediately upon completion and approval of finished videos
·
Business sponsors allowed on the perimeter of video panels
·
Duration of sponsor participation will
be one year and e-LocalLink is solely responsible for annual sponsorship
fulfillment including all related aspects of marketing,
production,
printing, and distribution
·
e-LocalLink will own copyrights of the master Community
Video Showcase
·
The City of
·
·
A letter of introduction for the
program on your organization's letterhead
·
Assist with the content and script for the Community Video
Showcase
·
Agrees to give e-LocalLink the right to use organization's
name in connection with the preparation, production, and marketing of the
program set forth herein only
·
Agrees to place a graphic link on the
www.cityofbeacon.org website homepage within 10 business days of receipt of
HTML source code and have it remain there for the term of the agreement
·
Provides e-LocalLink exclusive streaming video rights for
the program described herein only
·
We, the undersigned, understand the
above information and have full authority to sign this agreement.
Mayor Gould: This is not the same project regarding the
video taping of our council meetings.
This video is to promote tourism.
City
Administrator Braun: Someone contacted
me offering to do a promotional video to promote tourism.
Council
Member Gold: suggested that
advertisements from the businesses will pay for this service. This is for tourists. Several communities have this. They may include such subjects as great
places to be. The company called Joe and
was very persistent. We will get more
information on that.
Special Use Permit - Artist Workshop –
This will be placed on the
agenda for April 2, 2007.
Special Use Permit - Wine Bar –
This came before the planning
board. The hearing will be on April 2,
2007.
Vacant Buildings - Local Law from
Tim Dexter: did not complete
his assignment. Jerry was to do the
aesthetics piece of it that we talked about.
I have drafted my changes except for fees.
Dear Mr. Braun: As requested per your correspondence of
February, we have revised the layout of
The first layout (magenta color)
provides for a sidewalk, a parking lane, and a lane for traffic in both directions. This layout creates several issues based upon the
width required to accommodate two-way traffic, while providing a parking lane
and sidewalk. To accommodate this type of layout, the road will need to be widened beyond its current width, which will
require existing retaining walls to be removed and
replaced, along with adding several additional retaining walls. Removal of the existing walls will cost $20,000 approximately, along with the removal
of approximately 1,425 cubic yards of material from behind the
walls at $20.00 per cubic yard, or $28,500. Approximately 800 linear feet of new wall, at an average height of 8 feet (2 feet below
grade), will need to be installed once the old walls
are removed. This equates to 6,400 square feet of retaining wall that would be required, at a cost of approximately $30 to $33 per square foot, this
equals $ 192,000 to $211,200. In order to install
the walls at this height, anchoring systems will be required to extend back
into the yards, which will require additional restoration to the yards and the
planting of new landscaping (frees, shrubs, etc.), to replace landscaping that
exists within the yards. The restoration of these yards could range from $17,000 to $25,000. The widening of the road will also
effect 7 sets of stairs, that will need to be reconstructed at an
approximate cost of $2,500 each, or $17,500. The total estimated cost for the
new walls is $302,200. This figure does not include costs for the acquisition
of land that may be required to complete the work.
Other issues also arise from the first
layout. This layout will impact an existing garage, as the widening of the road as shown, shows the back of the walk extending
into the garage by approximately 1 to 1.5 feet If the walk was
reduced in width to eliminate the impact to the garage, the sidewalk would have
an average width of 3 feet along the front of the garage. The next issue would
be that of the driveway grades. Presently several of the existing driveways
have steep grades ranging from 17% to 23%. With the increase in road width, the
grade on these driveways would increase to 20% to 30%, which would
inhibit several of the residents from using their drives.
Currently, Section 223-26, Paragraph
I-2a, of the zoning regulations allows for a maximum grade of 14% for
residential driveways unless a hardship can be demonstrated, in which case
driveways may have a maximum grade of 17%.
The second layout (green color)
provides for a sidewalk, a parking lane, and a 14-foot wide traffic lane for
one-way traffic. This layout eliminates the need to increase the grades of the
existing driveways, and in some cases may actually reduce the current driveway
grade. This layout will also minimize or eliminate any disturbance to the
existing retaining walls.
At this time we would ask mat the City
Council review the layouts provided, and determine as to which layout our office should proceed with for the design of
If you have
any questions, or require any additional information, please do not hesitate to
contact our office.
City Administrator
Braun: On the maps there are two options. One is a one-way and the other is a two
way. The problem is that it is one way
for part of it and a two way for part of it.
Council Member Gold: I
had discussions with just about everybody on that street. Some want it one way in one direction and
some want it in the other directions. I
am of the opinion that we should leave it a two way.
Mayor Gould and Council
Member Kelly agrees with Council
Member Gold.
City Administrator
Braun: If the city is rebuilding the street and it is too
narrow, there would be a problem. If
there were an accident, they will say, "Why in the world would you let
this street to be so narrow"?
Council Member Gold:
I spoke to the residents and
they all do not want the same thing.
Some want the one-way street some do not. They are not in agreement.
Council Member Kelly:
From what you say, probably
75% of residents will be unhappy.
Mayor Gould: This is a future item that requires more information
and discussion.
Gift
to the City - Map of Fishkill
Creek.
Mayor Gould: Joan VanVoorhis who was the City of
Parking: Appraisal of Cervone Property. Church & North Cedar to North
Chestnut. Grant remaining.
Mayor Gould asked
Jerry if he had updated information regarding parking
City Attorney,
Pisanelli: I have gotten no positive response from the attorney.
Mayor: We have a
grant.
City Administrator, Braun: We
went to Congresswoman Kelly and asked for a grant and she was able to give that
as part of the transportation program.
We have a 400,000 federal grant.
We had an appraisal.
Council Member Kyriacou: If we
purchased the property and because the lots are small, the taxes would go down?
City Administrator, Braun: Both lots are
large enough to build a home. It's a
500,000 project. For every dollar of the
400,000 we would have to provide 20 cents.
I see no reason to wait. The
business owners resent having to pay for parking. The money is there. We should use it. We have to show that we are spending this
money effectively.
Council Meetings - Videoing
As for the taping of the council meetings, Charlie
Symons couldn't do it. Why can't the
students do this as part of their learning?
Mayor Gould: We will continue to work on this.
Corrected Tax Bills: There are a
couple of Tax Bills, which need to be corrected. One is at 12 Mountain Lane and the other is
at 1212 North Avenue.
This will be placed on the agenda for April 2, 2007.
Other Business
Council Agenda - Monday, April 2, 2007
Two Special Use Permits
Hearing on Proposed Law -
Amendment of Article 6 - Section 6.00 and Section 6.02
Gift from Joan VanVoorhis
Salary Increases of
non-union employees
Corrected tax bills
Resolution regarding the 1986
Fire Truck
Community Segment:
Toni Tracy - Finance
Adjournment Workshop ended at 9:50 p.m.
Submitted by Lucy M. Cullinan -