Workshop Minutes

City of Beacon Council Workshop Minutes

April 14, 2008

WORKSHOP MEETING

The City of Beacon Council Workshop Meeting began at 7:00 p.m. at the Municipal Center, One municipal Plaza on Monday, April 14, 2008.

In attendance were:  Mayor Steve Gold, Council Members Deanna Leake, Charles Kelly, Eleanor Thompson, Marlene Hendricks, Sara Pasti and Randy Casale.

Also in attendance were:  City Administrator Meredith Robson and City Attorney Richard Wolf.

AGENDA:

Bus Shelter / Polling Place at Forrestal  - Beacon Housing Authority Director   Roland Traudt, Director and Assistant Director Veronica Schetter   to discuss Bus Shelter and the possibility of having a polling place at Forrestal Heights 

Roland Traudt:  In 1988 I started working in Poughkeepsie.  I have been working here in Beacon since February 18.  Beacon is a nice city.  It reminds of Hudson 20 years ago.  I have been spending a lot of time and going through every filing cabinet and organizing things.  Last week we invited a representative from the Police Department to give a talk on safety.  Our main goal is to renovate and occupy 60 or more apartments.  Occupied apartments have been there 20 years and need to be modernized.  The staff is good.  It has been a pleasure working with them. 

Mayor Steve Gold congratulated both new members of the staff and their new positions.  There is one issue that we would like to talk about.  I will let Council Member Kelly talk about it.

Council Member Kelly:  Thank you for coming.  I represent the ward that Forrestal heights is in.  There is a request to have a bus stop shelter in front of that building.  This is a stop that is frequented by the loop bus.  How would we go about getting the bus stop shelter?  We need the cooperation of the housing authority to work with us.  Our research found that the bus stop shelter across the street had very little graffiti on it.  We got enormous resistance from the housing authority.  I see this as an opportunity to establish a good rapport.  I thought we could have accommodated all of the seniors.  The issue at the time was law enforcement.  You can build it in such a way that it is graffiti resistance.  We will take the full responsibility to build it and the cost of it.  We did not want to go into a lawsuit.  The city attorney that was here at that time was an attorney that we both had.  I welcome your tenure and your position and ask that you rethink this through.  We want to serve our seniors and know that you want to serve them as well.  I have been waiting for the right moment and I see this opportunity at this time: 

Director Traudt:  I will definitely discuss this with the board when the board meets next Monday night at 5:30 p.m.  You are welcome to come to this meeting.

Council Member Kelly:  I will rearrange my schedule so that I will be able to attend this meeting.

Mayor Steve Gold:  There was talk about that becoming a polling place.  If the city council wants that it will only require a resolution and a vote on that.  What the board of elections wants to do is to combine polling places and reduce the number of polling places.  I want to tell the council that I do not encourage a new polling place but if it is what the council wants, we would like you to consider this request.  Parking and handicap accessibility would not be a problem.

Council Member Kelly:  Maybe you should ask the residents of the building if they are having a problem getting to a polling place.  It is not that we are imposing this on you but this will be what the residents want.  The downside of that is the parking.  You might want to run that by them.

Council Member Casale:  I am not for this.  If we do it for one, we should do it throughout the city.

Council Member Kelly:  I think this is to maximize voting throughout the city.  We should look at both to see if it is feasible. 

Council Member Casale:  There are other senior citizens that we should also be concerned about. 

Mayor:  The council will consider this when it is discussed at a workshop.

Beacon Soccer - Invite Representatives Rheyan Cader and Kari Willis from:

1.  Beacon Soccer Club – See Attached Bylaws and Financial Report from Summer 2006

2. Just for Kicks.

Mayor Steve Gold:  We are going to examine all the programs.  These are two programs that cost the city money.  What we are looking at now is just funding.  The last discussion that the city had was that there was a certain amount of money.  We want to make a decision on the financial part of this. 

Rheyan Cader:  The kids that we serve are 94 children that pay and 15 that do not pay.  We carry the expenses.  One of the things we want to do is to expand the discussion.  I want to thank you for your support.  Thank you for allowing us to do what we do.  He handed out some information.  The children in the program are from 4-1/2 to 19 years old.  The breakdown of players is 294 boys and 196 girls.  Our travel soccer program is for competitive programs.  They travel as far away as Virginia.  Last year 6 children from Beacon represented New York State.  Some of these children will be playing in college at the highest level.  As of this fall, we will have a girls travel team.  We do not discriminate in any way shape or form.  The program is broken up into two seasons of play.  There is a fee.  We also provide training equipment and we maintain the fields.  We pay over $12,000.00 a year for this maintenance.  We do not utilize city property.  One of the major fundraiser is the summer camp. 

Kari Willis:  We try to work things out with the schools.  It has been a challenging year.  It is becoming very difficult to keep this club going.  Kari gave the budget for this year. We do fundraisers to help raise money such as tag sales and selling candy bars.  We do not have fields.  We were under the impression that we had a long-term lease with Sargent School.  That was a mistake.  We do not have a field.  We need help.  There is no field for us at Memorial Park.  We received a letter from the Recreation Department that we would not be getting the $10,000 that we thought we would be getting.  It was cut way down.  Our total revenue is $6,900.00.  Our total expense:  $12,000.00 field maintenance fees.  We raise  $12,000 and all that goes for maintenance,

Player Registration for 2007/08

463 Players for Recreational Soccer

294 Boys - 63.5%

169 Girls - 36.5%

54 Players Travel Soccer

41 Boys - 76%

13 Girls - 24%

Mayor Steve Gold:  What I am hearing now is that Beacon Soccer is more than what we have been hearing.  The Beacon Soccer Club is a non-profit organization.  The camp is a step aside of a minute program.

Rheyan Cader:  We are looking at anything to get money for the fields and the kids.  Also there are coaching opportunities.  Other communities have professional coaches on staff.

Mayor Steve Gold:  I need to see a copy of the letter where you received a letter for $6,600.00 because this is a major concern to us.  I am very grateful to hear of all the work you are doing.  What would happen to a program if the city goes forward with its original plan?

Rheyan Cader:  About the one-week - we had some of the best coaches that were named the national high school coach of the year.  We have also had the women's coach of the year.  The one-week gave us an opportunity to bring these people in.  For this one-week, we want them to learn from the best.  We are paying less than any other place in New York.  They brought in at least twenty-five helpers.  There were six children to each coach.  We volunteer our time.  I have taken a week's vacation to work on this program.  We had fifteen volunteers to help us.  They also donated all the work and costs required to provide copying, etc.  I don't know how we are going to do it this year without the funding.

Council Member Kelly:  Are you legally non-profit?  You say this is a major fundraiser.  How much money are you asking for to fund this thing?

Rheyan Cader:  We do not make money from the camp.  Every child receives a ball, refreshments, etc.

Council Member Kelly:  Is that seed money?

Rheyan Cader:  We buy equipment that is needed for the camp.  The things that we purchase are used for the camp.  The balls cost $25.00 and the vests cost $8.00 each.  Out of 110 kids, 92 were paying.  If they charge $75.00 per child that would be for 110 kids and not 92. 

Council Member Casale:  You are asking for 10,000.00.

Kari Willis:  This is based on what we expected to be budgeted.

Rheyan Cader:  We are looking for whatever help you can give us.

Council Member Casale:  I want people to know that I never heard of a program doing their own maintenance.  I think we should support your programs.  Why can't you use the fields behind the high school?  We let them use our memorial park.

Rheyan Cader:  We found out today that we might not be able to use their field this Saturday.

Council Member Casale:  I am going to ask the Mayor to have someone go the field to mark the fields for you at the high school.

Council Member Thompson:  I want to thank you for what you do.  According to NY State law, we have to show a need for the program you are doing.  I would like the Beacon Recreation Dept. to fund this program.  I will be happy to work with you.

Rheyan Cader:  We would like to work with you.

Council Member Pasti:  Why are there so many more boys?

Kari Willis:  It is open to anyone.

Council Member Leake:  I'm sure the people are not aware of the services you perform for the children of Beacon.  I would like to take this opportunity to thank you.

City Administrator Robson:  Do you have a separate accounting for the camp?

Kari Willis and Rheyan Cader:  Yes

City Administrator Robson:  Do you have other financial information available?

Kari Willis and Rheyan Cader:  No.  We need someone to volunteer to audit our books.  We are willing to open our books to anyone who wishes to look at them.

City Attorney Wolf:  Is it true that anyone from beacon is invited.  Anyone at all even outside the city of Beacon.

Rheyan Cader:  We have increased the non-resident fee.

Mayor Steve Gold:  The council needs to make a decision as to how much we will fund.  We have an amount already approved for the league.  And then for the $4,462.00, which we do not know if it includes both kids for kicks.  We will need another  $3,000.00

Council Member Thompson:  I think we need to resolve this right now.  I would like to see that you run this program and for you to work with recreation.

City Attorney Wolf:  This will need a contract.

Mayor Steve Gold:  Explained that this program will require them to sign a contract.  The council is making a decision to make this for the leagues.  Just for kicks will cost $3,000.00 and for Beacon Soccer Camp, we are talking about $4,000.00.  Cathy, is there anything that you need to add to this? 

Mayor took a Poll:  that we fund 3000 for kids and soccer for 4,000.00.  On a consensus vote, All said yes

Fees - University Settlement Camp – Establish a Fee Schedule

Mayor Steve Gold:  Any use of the camp will require fees.  Meredith is working on surrounding areas regarding fees.  Eleanor and I were at a meeting.  The public should be allowed to use the pool from 11:00 to 1:00 during the week or after five.

Council Member Kelly:  Regarding the fee, we should make it very low.  I want to encourage people to use it and that is why I would like the fees to be reasonable.

Mayor Steve Gold:  Do you know what the fees are?  Person in the audience:  $2.00 per person.  What is the fee for an organization?  Is it the same thing?  I just wanted to get feedback regarding the fee for the pool.  We may want to change the $2.00 fee to be more or less.  Organizations will have to know sometime soon.  How would we do that?

City Administrator Robson:  We will work on that as a certain category.

Council Member Pasti:  I agree with Charlie.

University of Michigan Archeologs  - Give Permission to the University of Michigan Archeologists Crew to use USC.   Fee of 5,000 for two month.  One building only (Infirmary) This University has been using this site for the past five years, as part of their program

Mayor Steve Gold:  This group is interested in getting permission to use the University Settlement Camp.  They work at the Cold Spring Foundry.  They use the USC for lodging and showering.  They are offering $5,000.00 for two months.  They will not use the camp for activities but just to sleep.  I am very much in favor of this.

City Administrator Robson:  We have to make sure resident permits that are required are completed.

Mayor Steve Gold:  There are twelve to fifteen people.  They have insurance.

Council Member Casale:  Have you thought about if another group wants it at the same time?

Mayor Steve Gold:  I got mail on this on Sunday and we will work on this at our next workshop.

Noise Ordinance

See attached Correspondence regarding Noise Ordinance, including Pub Crawl Documentation.

Mayor Steve Gold:  We should read what the attorney gave us and it will be on the next workshop.

Proposed Zoning Laws:

Will Continue to Discuss at Workshop of 4/28 and 5/12 if Necessary.

Council Set Public Hearing for Monday, April 21^st.  Will reschedule Public Hearing for Monday, May 19^th.  This gives the County and City of Beacon Planning Board thirty days to review and comment.

See Attached Memo from David Stolman dated 4/7 – Checklist along with all Proposed Local Laws

· Local Law A:  Change the Zoning Property from L1 to CB (A Colony at Beacon Falls Property at East Main Street)

· Local Law B:  Changing the Zoning of Property from WP to WD (A City of Beacon Property at Red Flynn Drive and two Conrail properties at Rail Road Drive)

· Local Law C:  Changing the Zoning of Property from R1-10 to R1-120 (A portion of a City of Beacon Property at Depuyster Avenue

· Local Law D:  Changing the Zoning of Property of R1-20 to R1-120 (A portion of a property at VanKleeck Avenue)

· Local Law E:  Changing the Zoning of Property from R1-40 to R1-120 (A portion of a City of Beacon property at Mountain Lane, two Southern Dutchess County Club properties and a portion of NYS Bridge Authority property)

· Local Law F:  Changing the Zoning of Property from R1-80 – R1-120 (Properties along South Avenue, Grandview Avenue and Route 9D)

Mayor Steve Gold:  We will talk about this and have another public hearing.  There are three properties that were not included and should be included.  I have to speak to the attorney on how we will do this.  The letters have not yet been sent to the property owners.  There will be plenty of time for them to study the subject.

These properties were discussed in great detail one by one by the mayor and the council

.

Council Member Pasti:  Made a suggestion that the Planning Board should come to a council workshop to discuss these proposed zoning changes.

A large part of the discussion was to change a property that is one acre zoning to three acre zoning.

Mayor Steve Gold:  I want us to think about this.

Council Member Casale:  I don't think we should be changing the zoning of property that people own.  It will bring the value down on their property.  I thought the zoning changes were going to be on the property that the city owns.

Mayor Steve Gold:  W e will have Dave come here to explain this to us.

Council Member Thompson:  I would like to wait until the final proposal is done.

Proposed Local Law

Absentee Landlord – Notification - Tabled at the April 7, 2008 – Council Meeting.

Mayor Steve Gold asked if the council members had any comments.

Council Member Kelly:  Section B:  I think Council Member Thompson suggested that we allow a family member to be a resident.  We would specify immediate family member.  Any member should file affidavit.

Council Member Casale says that it is difficult to tell whether it is a family member.  Attorney Wolf:  Agreed to put that into the law.

This law was gone over in detail by the council and changes were suggested and Attorney Wolf will make changes.

Council Member Casale:  We need to tighten up on two families.

Mayor Steve Gold:  This should apply to one family also.  This is to establish managing agents.  This has nothing to do with inspections.  We will look at the inspections later.  If this does not include a one family home, then we want it to.  This is only for absentee landlords.

This will be on the agenda

Recreation Director

See Attached Job Description for Parks Facilities and Program Director along with Recreation Director

Mayor Steve Gold:  asked the council if they got the job descriptions.  Look this over and I want to go over a few things. 

Proposed Charter Change to Reorganize Recreation Commission

Police Budget

A Representative will be available

1. Amend the General Fund Balance for the Police Department:  See Attached Memo from Captain Scofield dated 2/14/08

a. A3120.25001    Purchase Traffic Equipment    20,000

2.  See Correspondence from Police Officer Jonathan Crone regarding  (No Computer Budget)

Computer equipment will be on the agenda for Monday.

Illegal ATV’s

Fines / Enforcements / Confiscation for use of illegal ATV’s using Mount Beacon

Mayor Steve Gold:  We are going to start getting complaints.  The city has not enforced this in the past.  We will have officers present to implement those laws.  It is against the law.

City Owned Properties that are being considered to be sold

South Chestnut Street – Paper Street: Andrew Antalek interested in buying Parcel of Land (Paper Street). Correspondence dated 11/19/07 along with map was attached.

Andrew Antalek: 

Mayor Steve Gold:  I want to have the council discuss what is done when the city sells property.

City Administrator Robson:  I will meet with the person and come to the council with the recommendation.  I think if we have all the information, this will make the process run a little smoother.

Mayor Steve Gold:  One of the things that are required is that all the adjacent property owners should be notified.  We will go forward with the survey and you will have to pay for it.

Jesse Burns 19 Annan Street: is interested in buying city owned property

Mayor Steve Gold:  The cost of the survey will be paid by Mr. Burns.

City Administrator Robson:  The cost will be determined after the property is appraised.

Motion to go into Executive Session at 9:55 p.m.:  Council Member Kelly.  Seconded:  Council Member Fredericks.  All voted in favor.  Motion carried.

Motion to end Executive Session at 10:10 p.m.:  Council Member Kelly.  Seconded:  Council Member Fredericks.  All voted in favor.  Motion carried.

Workshop ended at 10:10 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted:  Lucy M. Cullinan - April 23, 2008