Workshop Minutes
City of Beacon Council Workshop Meeting
January 14, 2008
WORKSHOP
Mayor Gold: We have to go into executive session at this time. We promise that it will be brief. It will be no longer than 20 minutes.
Mayor Gold asked for a Motion to go into Executive Session at 7:05 regarding Litigation: Council Member Pasti. Seconded: Council Member Leake. All voted in favor. Motion carried.
Motion to end Executive Session at 7:25: Council Member Thompson. Seconded: Council Member Pasti. All voted in favor. Motion carried.
The Workshop Meeting of the City of Beacon Council held at the Municipal Center, One Municipal Plaza was held at January 14, 2007 and began at 7:25 p.m. immediately following the executive session.
In Attendance were Council Members: Mayor Steve Gold, Deanna Leake, Eleanor Thompson, Marlene Fredericks, Randy Casale and Sara Pasti.
Excused: Council Member Kelly
Also in attendance was: City Attorney Richard Wolf
AGENDA
Alamo Ambulance Update Tim Dexter
Mayor Gold: Tim, do you have any updates on the Alamo situation?
Tim Dexter: They have not responded. I have nothing to report on that at this time.
Mayor Gold: Does the council want to discuss that before I move on?
Council Casale: Do you know how long they are going to stay at the monthly rate of $13,000.00?
Tim Dexter: That is something that I will send to you in an email.
Mayor Gold: If there are other steps that we can take we can talk about it. Our next step depends on their answer.
Tim Dexter: It will not be any less per moth.
Council Member Casale: I am concerned that they will pull the rug out from under us. Do we know how long that is?
Tim Dexter: I can give you an answer in Executive Session. I can also send you an email.
Mayor Gold: It doesn't make sense that they should drop us without coming to some agreement.
Tim Dexter: They also want to be with us long term. We need to wait until the city attorney is on board so I can put it in his court.
Tim Dexter: On the subject of Absentee Landlord. I sent a draft to the new council. If it looks okay I can do a draft and we can pick away at it.
Mayor Gold: If you have nothing more to say about these items you can be excused.
Friends of Hiddenbrooke The following letter from Friends of Hiddenbrooke, email address: Friends@Hiddenbrookebeacon.org addressed to Mayor Steve Gold and the Council Members from Sue Infante dated 01/02/08.
Dear Mayor Gold and council members:
Friends of Hiddenbrooke, a non-profit citizens group based in Beacon, congratulates you and the city staff on the acquisition of the Hiddenbrooke property for open space preservation. We thank you for your efforts and express our appreciation for all that you have accomplished to date.
We now urge you to quickly address three urgent issues:
1. Form a broad-based
task force panel to handle the work ahead, which is properly planning the
future of Hiddenbrooke. We recommend that you avoid attempting to do this on
your own, as
the
public wants to be a part of guiding the future of important city projects.
2.
Post
a temporary sign near the entry on DePuyster Avenue identifying the park and
applying
the same
basic rules as apply to other parks, including closing it from dusk to dawn and
banning motorized vehicles except for residents and services.
3.
Post
a temporary sign on Hiddenbrooke Drive at the point where the park ends and the
Carmelites'
property begins. It should be a gentle sign. Perhaps it could say, "Public
park ends
here.
Further passage is private."
It is not enough to simply say that it's a park. Detailed planning must be done. While broad outlines of passive recreation and education were outlined in the agreement, what must follow soon is a formal planning stage to define these objectives and work out the details. The importance of this was emphasized by Dutchess County officials during their site visit in mid-2007 that led to the panel awarding the city $550,000 toward acquisition. They recommended using the county's assistance in creating a plan for Hiddenbrooke.
In our view, developing a thorough and practical plan requires the input of a variety of participants - the public, including neighbors and stakeholder groups; the city government, including pertinent boards like the Conservation Advisory Commission and departments like parks and public works; funders, including the county; and various outside experts whose knowledge will be needed, such as for conducting a biodiversity survey.
A model for this is the process used by the state Department of Environmental Conservation for properties it manages. They involve the public and professionals in developing a "unit management plan" that includes study, discussion and decision-making to determine uses, responsibilities, improvements and costs.
We suggest forming a Hiddenbrooke Working Group. This would be an advisory body custom-made to incorporate all necessary and useful participants to join in drafting what could be called a "park management plan." The Hiddenbrooke Working Group would serve at the pleasure of the council and report either to it or through the Conservation Advisory Commission. It would need to work until a full management plan is forwarded to and accepted by the council.
We also strongly recommend that the council should proceed with caution and avoid any "throw the gates open" approach that could cause damage, annoyance or supervision problems and bring troubles to the Carmelite sisters or other neighbors of the site. It is likely that this will, in fact, happen, because the boundaries of the park are not marked nor obvious. Also, there is no proper, marked and cleared path to the chapel area because the Via Madonna road is not in proper condition for general public use. We are concerned that people will simply trespass through the Carmelite lands by continuing on Hiddenbrooke Drive.
However, because the public should be allowed to enjoy their new purchase, we advise that organized, supervised activities, like guided tours, should be permitted between the time of acquisition and the implementation of a full park management plan. We would be pleased to assist with this.
Soon, the city will also have another park, the University Settlement Camp, to deal with. All of what we say here is offered as good advice for that facility's future, as well. It may be possible and advisable to integrate the two tasks.
Also, we recommend that the council arrange with the fundraising and grants consultant to begin searching for aid to help with the study, planning, improvement, restoration and other work relating to our new parks.
We also request to be placed on a council agenda "Community Segment" to discuss these issues publicly.
Sincerely,, Suzanne Infante, Secretary, Friends of Hiddenbrooke
Mayor Steve Gold invited Sue Infante and Shannon Murphy to come up to the council table to give their report. Just so you understand what this is, the city has acquired the Hiddenbrooke property.
Shannon Murphy: We want to express our gratitude and happiness on what has been done. It is a wonderful beginning. This is important for our city because of what is happening on the waterfront and having these key places. The city is plowing the road and we are happy about that. We would really like to see a working group formed as soon as possible for anyone who desires to take part. All those already involved are doing a great job. (Foresters, Architect, Cooperative Extension, etc.) These are people who can use their expertise before the work is done
Sue Infante: The mowing of the lawn can harm habitat because it is destroying birds' nests. It might be a good idea to wait for a time in the summer to do this. The comprehensive plan worked beautifully and it can work on a smaller scale at Hiddenbrooke. We will need a management plan consisting of maintenance, costs, etc. Whatever is decided, it will be the council who has the final decision. It's great that Hiddenbrooke was opened to the public soon after it was purchased. One important thing is the placement of signs. One should say "pedestrians only". Another should say, "This is the park boundary". The carriage road needs stepping stones in the wet area. The Chapel will be a draw to visitors because it is so beautiful. There are three deep hole that are a safety hazard and need to be filled in. We would love to go for a walk with the council to show them these things. Everyone is happy and everything is going very well. Once the spring comes the problem will be the pond which is not on our property. There needs to be a sign that says "private property in that area.
Council Member Thompson: I think we should take the time and do that. We may be able to get some grants to do some gardening. I think it is a wonderful idea.
Council Member Gold: Right now we will be looking at signs. For anything else, we will work on in the future. There are some things that are discretionary and some are necessary.
Zep: There are a lot of dead trees and branches that need to be cleaned up.
Council Member Gold: The friends of Hiddenbrooke have been stewarding this and I will speak to them about it.
Council Member Casale: Will you meet with Dutchess County Conservation Dept?
Zep: They will be here on Thursday.
Shannon Murphy: Things should be looked at before they are done. Sometimes if we act too fast, we would not do what needs to be done in the best way.
Mayor Steve Gold: Before anything is done on Hiddenbrooke, speak to me about it.
Zep: Dutchess County Conservation will tell us what to do about the water that is there
Mayor Steve Gold: This will be to everyone's advantage. I will work with your group to go over everything. Regarding the Unit Management Plan, that group would fall under the city's type of a committee such as an advisory committee. We ask Shannon and Sue to make recommendations. Then we will start taking names of people who want to help.
Council Member Casale: Can we have a copy of whatever Dutchess County Conservation says?
Council Member Gold: Certainly.
Shannon Murphy: The property has never been salted and is now is being plowed and salted.
Zep: If you don't want salt, then we won't salt it. If there is an accident we will be liable. We don't always use salt. We generally use sand many times.
Mayor Steve Gold: Let's not salt it for now. Just sand it. Put a sign up that the roads are sanded and not salted Use caution. Let's try to find another method for doing this so we don’t have to do the salting. We also need to know where those holes are.
Mayor Gold: Thanked Shannon and Sue for their informative presentation and all their hard work.
Michele Rhone - LionSun Program at the University Settlement Camp
Speaker: Michele Rhone - Executive director of community development
The Beacon Community Center proposes to hold its summer camp program at the University Settlement Beacon Campus for the summer of 2008. The Beacon Community Center (BCC) currently operates after school and summer programs for over 100 children ages 5-12 at three sites, Forrestal Elementary School, Sargent School and the Beacon Community Center
For the first year, under the direction of the new director, Michelle Rhone-Collins, the Beacon Community Center operated the LionSun Creative Arts Camp for children in Beacon and in surrounding areas. The camp facility located at the University Settlement Campus and featured art, environmental recreational and educational programs for seven weeks during the summer. Young people are together
We publicize the camp through posters and post cards left in businesses, press releases, email blasts, and information meeting. No one is turned away. Some families attended for free in exchange for service. The majority of campers paid $75.00/week. The cost covered materials, two snacks each day and a t-shirt. The school district provided free breakfast and lunch. This summer campers participated in the following art programs: Mural painting, Mosaic, Fabric Arts, Music Production, African Dance and Drum, Theater Arts, Visual arts and sculpture, Digital Photography and Creative Writing.
As part of the rental arrangement, the BCC LionSun Camp will: (Highlights of the Brochure).
Rent the campus from University Settlement at a rate of $10,000 for the summer season.
Hold an eight-week camp season.
Cover basic maintenance costs of operating the site while the program is in session
Operate Monday - Friday from 8:AM to 6:30 PM.
Use only the lower portion of the camp facility.
Use the bathrooms associated with the lower portion of the camp.
Get the appropriate insurance coverage for running a camp at the facility with University Settlement listed as the additional insured.
Have parents sign an indemnification clause.
Receive a Department of Health permit for running a camp.
Staff structure is listed.
Past and potential collaborators will include Mt. St. Mary's College, Beacon Artists Community Association, Martin Luther King Cultural Center, Common Ground Farms, Green Teens, Scenic Hudson, Stonykill Farms, Clearwater and Beacon Institute.
We look forward to being a part of building an important tradition for the Beacon Community.
Mayor Steve Gold: This sounds like a wonderful program. Before you use any of these places, the city needs to certify that they are safe.
Council Member Thompson: I am program director with Martin Luther King. I want to do the very best that I can do with the kids of Beacon. I am going to say "no: to this. Not because I don't like your program. We have the Kids Place, and MLK. I would like to say that you are good at what you do. This is owned by the City of Beacon and should be shared by all residents of Beacon. The swimming pool caused a lot of problems. We are not going to have that problem again. This council body will work this out. All youth organizations should be under one umbrella. I would like to see what you are doing happen but not under only one group.
Mayor Steve Gold: First of all there are seven council members and not everyone is going to vote yes. You have listed so many positive things. Eleanor brings up a youth services committee. I don't think Eleanor's group is as well organized. I do not want to jeopardize your program. When I see something that is working I would not want to interfere
Council Member Thompson: I give Michelle credit. I am only saying that it comes under the title of Youth Services.
Michelle Rhone: The children that will be involved are Beacon residents and surrounding areas. Council Member Casale: You ran it for 7 weeks. How do we decide who goes there? How many people can it hold?
Michelle Rhone: This past year we had 60 people. The camp can hold up to 150 people.
Council Member Casale: How do we hire staff? If we hire volunteer for sports, we have to be finger printed.
Michelle Rhone: The fee is determined by income and number of children in the family. Some families go for free if they cannot afford to pay.
Council Member Pasti: We need to have a program that will work in the long term. We want to be sure that the group can be handled. All of these things can be worked out.
Mayor Steve Gold: It makes sense if we all agree to this good program. We could let it run for 2008 and also do what Eleanor wants. Perhaps we should use the same model that they are using at Hiddenbrooke.
Council Member Thompson: The program that she has, she can use it under the umbrella that I spoke of. Before we take on that liability, I would ask the city to check it out.
Council Member Casale: We just took over this settlement camp. I 'm not up to giving up the whole summer for one group. I would be willing to agree to four weeks. I am uncomfortable giving this up for the whole summer. I want to make it known to the public that we are going to do this.
Mayor Steve Gold: I agree with you. Are we organized enough to entertain the other group. We don't have any group that is established now. I don't know when those will be put in place. This is coming sooner than what we are prepared for. Perhaps we can get a couple of volunteers to do this. How much time do you need before you go to the public for registrations?
Michelle Rhone: I would need to know by mid February. I would like to advertise that we would be having the program at University Settlement.
Mayor Steve Gold: We will give some thought as how we can get this organized. We need to have insurance information and the facilities that you want to use. . It's a great program and thank you very much.
Noise Ordinance:
Mayor Steve Gold: Mr. Wolf, have you had an opportunity to review this ordinance?
Mr. Wolf: I need to look into this further.
Mayor Steve Gold: How about outdoor use and patios?
Council Member Casale: I would like the Mayor to send a letter to the ABC Board and ask them to send a representative to sit down with us and explain the ABC laws and provide us with some guidelines.
Spring Valley Street - Sara Pasti
Primary Points of Agreement:
• Spring Valley Street will remain a 2-way street
• Sidewalks and parking along Spring Valley Street will run along the mountain side of the road until Union, after which both will switch to the creek side
• Curbs will be installed on the side of the street opposite the sidewalk
• Sidewalks will be 4'6" wide to allow for maximum street width to accommodate the roadway and parking
• The City will work with residents to deed the City's right-of-way to the four adjacent homeowners (at 165, 161, 157 & 155), two of whom (165 & 161) are seeking to develop an approved driveway and off-street parking. Easements allowing access across properties will need to be created so homeowners at 157 & 155 can access the street and parking lot.
• A six-car parking lot with 2 permitted parking space for 2 homes on the creek side (157 and 155) of the road and 1 home on the mountain side (164) of the road will provide parking for homeowners that cannot provide off-street parking.
• There will be no on-street parking allowed on Spring Valley Street from the retaining wall located west of the intersection of Union to the intersection of Wolcott Avenue
Additional Considerations:
•
A
yellow double-line will be painted down the center of the road to assist with
traffic
calming
• Intersections along Spring Valley will be raised to assist with traffic calming
• If desired by the City and residents, the street can be designated a 25 mph zone with linear posting of signs along the street
• No trucks will be allowed on Spring Valley Street except for local deliveries; the City will work with the Town of Fishkill to install a "No Trucks/Local Deliveries Only" sign at the entrance to Glenham Road off Route 52 in Fishkill. An additional "No Trucks/Local Deliveries" sign at the entrance to Spring Valley will also be explored.
• Guardrails need to be enhanced and several traffic poles moved back in order to provide adequate road width and parking
• Landscaping surrounding the new parking lot should provide an attractive buffer along Wolcott Avenue
Because the work required represents a total reconstruction of the roadway, it is recommended that the City consider assuming folding the entire cost of construction into the capital project budget for this project
Next Steps:
Copy of a letter outlining this plan to be delivered to all homeowners affected by the ban on on-street parking at the west end of Spring Valley to solicit their concerns Approval from the City to seek engineer approval and advice for this project Initiation of deeding of City right-of-way to two homeowners (#165 and #161) and for access right-of-way easements along all creek side properties adjacent to the retaining wall
Council Member Pasti: Update: Tony Furco and David Miller came to meet the residents of Spring Valley Street. All of them were in agreement.
Mayor Steve Gold: This group has gotten together five or six time to work up a plan. They are dedicated to this
Council Member Casale: Regarding the easement for parking.
Tony Furco: We are just giving them the property. They will design their driveway.
Council Member Casale: How do we know if it will work or if they will do what they say they will do? If this creates a problem, where do we come into this thing? Why can't our engineers get involved so they do it right?
Tony Furco: The engineer is coming and they are going to approve the plan that is agreed to by the council.
Council Member Gold: We need to decide if we want to go forward with this plan. How many people on that street agree to this?
George Mansfield (from audience): It addresses safety and parking.
Mayor Steve Gold: The city needs to officially say that there was a group that has been meeting and came up with a plan.
Council Member Pasti: The engineer needs to see it and agree that this will work. After we take the necessary steps, we can go to the residents.
Council Member Casale: Be sure that all the people that are involved are there.
Council Member Pasti: There was an issue with truck traffic.
Mayor Steve Gold: It is a narrow road and kids play there. When trucks go there it is very dangerous.
Street Superintendent Anthony Thomaselli (Zep) Road Program
Mayor Steve Gold: I am concerned about the finances. We need information for the last five years. Regarding snow removal - Attorney Wolf is working on the resolution.
Council Member Casale: Regarding the sidewalks - we need to move forward regarding the sidewalks. Zep: I need to be sure Central Hudson does the gas line.
1. Liberty Street Sidewalks
2. Main Street from Teller to Dead End
3. Spring Valley Street
4. Talbot Avenue
5. Orchard Place
Street Superintendent will advise Council of any other Street that needs to be added to Road Program
Street Trees: Who has authority to deem unsafe and to remove these trees.
According to City Code:
Council Member Casale: If we are going to have the forester do it we need to change the charter. The biggest pain is trees. If you want to have an expert do it, it will take the liability off of the city
Mayor Steve Gold: The highway supt. will not be liable for this. Regarding the expert -, under his job description for DEC Forrester, would that be the service they provide?
Council Member Thompson: Maybe they do only consultation.
Mayor Steve Gold: I like the idea of having experts check the trees.
Council Member Casale: The perception is that when someone is cutting the tree down, he is making money. This is not true.
Council Member Leake: What about if the tree is healthy but the sidewalk is horrendous?
Mayor Steve Gold: If the sidewalk is dangerous, the homeowner will be responsibility.
Council Member Thompson: What about if the homeowner wants to cut down a tree?
Council Member Casale: A homeowner has the right to cut down two trees. If they want to cut down more, they need to get permission from the city. There is no clear-cut rule as to who owns trees. Main Street is completely different. I was always told that the city owns the trees on Main Street.
Mayor Steve Gold: The trees and sidewalks on Main Street belong to the city. Historically Clara Lou Gould and Joe Braun have said this. There is a Main Street Committee who has met several times. I am concerned about those serious sidewalk conditions.
Council Member Casale: The sidewalks on Main street are the same law as they are on any other street. The city put those trees up during the community development program. We would tell the property owner with bad sidewalks that they are responsible for making those sidewalks safe. We spent $800,0000 from South St. all the way around Main Street because they felt that the property owners on Main Street should not be responsible because everybody uses those sidewalks.
Mayor Steve Gold: Regarding the law - the charter says one thing and we are doing something else. That has to be cleaned up.
Council Member Thompson: There are a lot of things that have to be cleaned up.
§ 203-8. Removal of dangerous trees. [Added 6-2-1997 by L.L. No. 3-1997]
The Street Superintendent shall direct that any trees, branches, shrubs or other growth that, in the Superintendent's opinion, endangers the users of a City street or right-of-way be remedied by the owner of said tree, shrub or growth. In the event that the property owner fails to remedy said dangerous condition within 10 days after the date of mailing said notice, the Street Superintendent shall undertake the remediation of said dangerous condition. The actual cost to the City of said remediation plus a sum equal to 5% of such actual cost for inspection and other additional costs in connection therewith shall be certified to the City Administrator. This amount shall become a lien upon the property on which said tree, shrub or growth was remediated by the City, and the total amount thereof shall be added to and become due and payable with the taxes remitted by the property owner upon the next tax bill prepared by the City.
Mayor Steve Gold: We concluded that when a tree is bad, we don't know whose property it is. If you can look at other communities and find out whose tree it is. The tree committee that we have wants to become a regular committee. We should look into a forester to do this.
Hiddenbrooke / University Settlement Camp Concerns
Zep: What do you want me to do up there? Do we have to do any plowing?
Mayor Steve Gold: Speak to the caretaker. Let us know what we need to do up there.
Zep: The trees are a big problem:
Council Member Casale: Should we put up signs saying the property is not safe?
Council Member Thompson: No one should be allowed on that property now until it is safe.
Zep: Maybe the new council should take a walk up there. I think some of those buildings should be taken down.
Attorney Wolf: If it is unsafe, you should take precautions now.
Council Member Casale: We should put up "no trespassing" signs.
Council Member Thompson: I will take some pictures.
Mayor Steve Gold: I will get a date that we can walk through the property.
City Attorney Wolf: The council can act reasonably and safely.
Mayor Steve Gold: We can go ahead with the cutting down of the dead trees
Town of Fishkill - Sharing Services with Town of Fishkill
Mayor Steve Gold: I am having a meeting with Joan Pagones and others regarding this.
Council Member Casale: Maybe you can check into our seniors going to their facility.
Council Member Thompson: I am the representative for this project
Bid Award: Beacon STP Sludge Cake
1. That The Lowest Responsible Bid Submitted Residuals Management Services, Inc. – dba Earth Care Vernon NJ in the amount of $83.24 for a 5-year Contract Be Accepted And Mayor Is Authorized To Execute A Contract For Performance Of Said Work.
Mayor Steve Gold: There were several bids and this company was the lowest bidder. Art Tully recommended this company.
Attorney Wolf: Do you know where the waste is being taken?
Mayor Steve Gold: We will get that information. This has the attorney's seal of approval.
Rental Properties, Absentee Owners - Proposed Local Law - New Chapter 173 Rental Properties, Absentee Owners Registration Requirements.
Mayor Steve Gold: This is ongoing
Council Member Thompson: I have gotten calls from Beaconites who are angry with me because they said there is a fee that they do not want to pay. Can we work around the fees? They were not very happy about the inspections. They feel that they don't need anyone to inspect their property.
Council Member Casale: We need to do whatever we have to do to make them keep their property in good shape.
Council Member Thompson: I think we can come up with something better. This law that we are using as an example is for Newburgh and we are much smaller than Newburgh. We are constantly increasing the responsibility of the building Department. We need to look at all the things that he does. I want to go over this again.
Council Member Leake: The only thing that will make people do what they should do about their property is a fee.
Council Member Thompson: There are laws in some communities that are not working even though they have fees. There are people who own the property and who rent. This is part of their income and they take care of their property. I think we should work with these numbers. Is there a way that we can shock them into keeping their property in good condition?
Mayor Steve Gold: We will take a good look at this at our workshop.
Comprehensive Plan - Council to set priorities for the Comprehensive Plan - Presented by Council Member Pasti, Co-chair of the Comprehensive Plan Committee.
Council Member Pasti: The next step is to begin to implement. I talked to David Stolman. David Stolman is making a list and he will prioritize the list. If there are zoning changes that need to be made, he will take that into account.
Mayor Steve Gold: If there are any changes, we will take all of them into account. We will look first at the zoning changes. We will also look at the various chapters s and indicate the suggestions. This plan has a lot of changes and recommendations.
Council Member Pasti: David Stolman has been sick but he will provide us with an updated book.
Council / Workshop - Council Reorganization: Dates, Rules, Times and Procedures
Mayor Steve Gold: I was asked to approve the schedule for the coming year. I wanted to recommend that we change the date of our meetings from Monday to Wednesday. I am withdrawing that request. As much as I wanted to accommodate the school, we cannot do that. We will stick to the same schedule. I would like the council to interact with the public. I would like to perhaps have a Town hall type meeting four times a year at the Memorial Building. We will let the residents speak about things that are of concern to them. I suggest that it be on a Saturday morning at 10:00 p.m. and not later than 12:00 Noon .four times a year.
Council Member Leake: There definitely has to be an agenda.
Mayor Steve Gold: I think we could have three topics. I think they will appreciate this.
Council Member Thompson: Saturday is not good for me.
Council Member Pasti: When we had our Comprehensive Plan Meetings, we got more residents in the evening during the week than we did on Saturday morning.
Council Member Casale: Why don't we have it before the workshop?
Mayor Steve Gold: I was coming to that. We should set aside a half hour before our workshop for this. We can try it out on Saturday and on a weeknight.
Council Member Leake: I feel that we can incorporate the people into one of our workshops and not add another night to our schedule. I would prefer coming in an hour early before the workshop instead of going out another night of the week.
Mayor Steve Gold: The point is that we want to get people into it. I was thinking of having this at every workshop one-half hour earlier for people to speak.
Council Member Casale: I suggest that since the council meeting starts at 7:30, we do this before the council meeting instead of the workshop. I believe that the people should have a chance to talk before the meeting.
Council Member Thompson: I want to make sure that the time should be just that. I feel that this should be separate from any of our meetings because the people should not feel that they are being rushed.
Council Member Leake: My problem is that because of our agenda being so long, we are going to be here longer than we should be. There was a time when we were here until 11:00 or after. We changed all that.
Mayor Steve Gold: We will not let that happen. The council meeting will start at 7:00 and at 7:30 we will go to the council meeting. If no one speaks from 7:00 to 7:30, we will go right into the meeting. We should look into the Saturdays and before the council meeting. We will not have the open "mic" before the workshop.
Council Member Casale: John Forman and I were at the Library advertised that we would speak to anyone about his or her concerns on a Saturday morning and no one showed up.
Mayor Steve Gold: We will think about open forum before workshop. We will work out a schedule for a town hall type meeting.
Committee Appointments
Planning Board – Term – Three Years
John Gunn (Current Member)
Board of Ethics – Term Five Years
Council Member Thompson: Regarding the Recreation Commission - You don't have to be running and jumping around to be a member of this commission.
Recreation Commission: Shannon Washington.
Additional Appointments
1. Appointment Toni Tracy – Director of Finance, City of Beacon
2. Appointment of City Engineer.
3. Appointment of City Planning Consultants.
4. Appointment of City Auditors.
5. Approve appointment of additional Newspapers? Times Herald Record?
Mayor Steve Gold: Asked the attorney to look into the situation of contracts with the city Engineer, City Planning Consultants and Auditors.
Other Business:
Workshop Agenda Items
Council Agenda - Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Motion to go into Executive Session at 10:05 p.m. regarding litigation: Council Member Leake. Seconded: Council Member Fredericks. All voted in favor. Motion carried
Motion to end Executive Session at 10:40 p.m. Council Member Leake. Seconded: Council Member Fredericks. All voted in favor. Motion carried.
Workshop ended at 10:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by Lucy M. Cullinan - January 19, 2008