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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-02-26 - Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes REGULAR MEETING VILLAGE OF RYE BROOK BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING VILLAGE HALL, 938 KING STREET TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2008-7:30 P.M. AGENDA 6:30 PM– Executive Session– Contract Negotiations ROLL CALL PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE REPORT: (1) Fire Chief Report - (A) Standard Operating Guidelines and Department Activities. (B) Fire Advisory Board update. PUBLIC HEARINGS RESOLUTIONS: (1) Considering an agreement for online registration for recreation programs (2) Considering a budget transfer for online registration for recreation programs (3) Setting a public hearing for a proposed local law to amend Chapter 250 of the Village of Rye Brook Village Code, zoning, and referring it to the Planning Board ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT OLD BUSINESS NEW BUSINESS Board of Trustees Meeting February 26,2008 Page 1 DISCUSSION ITEMS (1) A local law to allow Cold War Veterans to receive a property tax exemption ACTION ON NON-AGENDA MATTERS SUBJECT TO THE CONSENT OF THE TRUSTEES PRESENT AT THE MEETING THE NEXT TRUSTEES MEETINGS: March 1, 2008 and March 11, 2008 BOARD: Mayor Lawrence A. Rand Trustee Michael S. Brown Trustee Joan L. Feinstein Trustee Patricia Sanders Romano Excused: Trustee Paul S. Rosenberg STAFF: Christopher Bradbury, Village Administrator Dave Burke, Assistant to the Village Administrator Gregory Austin, Chief of Police Edward Beane, Village Counsel CONVENE: Mayor Rand called the February 26, 2008 Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees to order. He noted that the Board just came from an Executive Session on contract negotiations. The first matter on the agenda was a report made by the Fire Chief. REPORT: (1) FIRE CHIEF REPORT (A) Standard Operating Guidelines and Department Activities Board of Trustees Meeting February 26, 2008 Page 2 Fire Chief Nielsen noted that the Standard Operating Guidelines, which has been presented to the Board of Trustees, has taken a long time to prepare. This document was a collaborated effort between Port Chester and Rye Brook, and the document was put together without the assistance of any outside consultants. Mayor Rand noted that the report was voluminous which in itself shows how many hours were spent putting these guidelines together. He stated that this document brings the communities together to protect the residents of both Rye Brook and Port Chester. Mr. Christopher Bradbury, Village Administrator, noted that this is a good long-term document. It shows two departments working together. This document is not just for Port Chester or not just for Rye Brook. Mr. Bradbury noted that at one point the Village was considering hiring outside consultants to create this document, but the fire chiefs worked together and they have done an excellent job in the creation of these guidelines. The Fire Chief noted that along with the guidelines, an operating report was also presented to the Board. Trustee Feinstein congratulated the fire chiefs on the document. She asked whether or not the number of calls responded to in each municipality was known. The Fire Chief responded that there were 595 calls in Rye Brook last year. He also noted that the average response time was four minutes, no matter where in the Village the call came from. Mr. Bradbury stated that this is a changing document. As recommended changes come in from the Chiefs and the Advisory Board, the document will be reviewed and changes can be made. He noted that the long term staffing goals for the fire departments will be the next large task. The Board thanked the Chiefs for their hard work. Board of Trustees Meeting February 26, 2008 Page 3 Mayor Rand called for the update from the Fire Advisory Board. (B) Fire Advisory Board update. Nancy Tunis, Chairperson of the Fire Advisory Board, noted that the Board is thrilled with the Standard Operating Guidelines. The training schedule is going great. Now the Advisory Board will start looking at long term needs. Mayor Rand called for the first item on the agenda under resolutions: (1) CONSIDERING AN AGREEMENT FOR ONLINE REGISTRATION FOR RECREATION PROGRAMS Mr. Bradbury read the following resolution: RESOLUTION CONSIDERING AN AGREEMENT FOR ONLINE REGISTRATION FOR RECREATION PROGRAMS WHEREAS, the Recreation Department desires to implement online registration for many of its recreation programs; and WHEREAS, online registration will improve operational efficiencies and allow residents to more conveniently sign up for programs; and WHEREAS, the Recreation Superintendent and IT Coordinator of Computer Services and Village Administrator have evaluated several different firms offering to provide such services; and WHEREAS, the Village has determined that Capturepoint.com's Community Pass program best supports the Village's online registration services. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees hereby authorizes the Village to enter into an agreement with Capturepoint.com for online registration services; and be it Board of Trustees Meeting February 26, 2008 Page 4 FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Mayor and Administrator are authorized to sign all necessary documents to implement this agreement. Mayor Rand noted that having the applications on line will make it easier for the children to register for these programs. The Village of Rye Brook is always looking for alternative ways to reach out to the residents. The goal is to have the online registration ready for the spring. Residents will be able to learn about the programs, register for them, and pay for them all online. There will be some database management work for the staff, but all-in-all the program to be used is very reasonable and easy to use. In addition, family information and history will be maintained. On the administration end of it, the online registration will make the process quicker. The credit card system is also very helpful. Mr. Bradbury noted that the cost from Capturepoint.com for the on-line program is reasonable, and the company comes highly recommended. This program will be good for both the residents and the Village. Trustee Feinstein noted that there are certain programs that have limited enrollment. Working parents often find it difficult to make it into Village Hall within the deadline. The option of registering online helps the working parents register their children for recreational programs without having to miss work. Mr. Bradbury noted that there will be an adjustment period while everyone is getting used to the new program. It will be as user friendly as possible. On a motion made by Trustee Joan Feinstein, and seconded by Trustee Patricia Sanders Romano, the resolution was adopted. Mr. David Burke, Assistant to the Village Administrator, called the roll: TRUSTEE BROWN VOTING AYE TRUSTEE FEINSTEIN VOTING AYE TRUSTEE SANDERS ROMANO VOTING AYE MAYOR RAND VOTING AYE Board of Trustees Meeting February 26,2008 Page 5 Mayor Rand called for the next item on the agenda: (2) CONSIDERING A BUDGET TRANSFER FOR ONLINE REGISTRATION FOR RECREATION PROGRAMS Mr. Bradbury read the following resolution: RESOLUTION CONSIDERING A BUDGET TRANSFER FOR ONLINE REGISTRATION FOR RECREATION PROGRAMS RESOLVED, that the following budget modification be hereby approved as part of the total payment for online registration services through Capturepoint.com's Community Pass program: FROM TO AMOUNT 101.1991.424 101.7140.499 $5,000 (Contingency) (Recreation Dept.- Contractual) There was no discussion on this item. On a motion made by Trustee Sanders Romano, and seconded by Trustee Michael Brown, the resolution was adopted. Mr. David Burke called the roll: TRUSTEE BROWN VOTING AYE TRUSTEE FEINSTEIN VOTING AYE TRUSTEE SANDERS ROMANO VOTING AYE MAYOR RAND VOTING AYE Mayor Rand called for the next item on the agenda: Board of Trustees Meeting February 26,2008 Page 6 (3) SETTING A PUBLIC HEARING FOR A PROPOSED LOCAL LAW TO AMEND CHAPTER 250 OF THE VILLAGE OF RYE BROOK VILLAGE CODE, ZONING, AND REFERRING IT TO THE PLANNING BOARD Mr. Bradbury read the following resolution: RESOLUTION SETTING A PUBLIC HEARING FOR A PROPOSED LOCAL LAW TO AMEND CHAPTER 250 OF THE VILLAGE OF RYE BROOK VILLAGE CODE, ZONING, AND REFERRING IT TO THE PLANNING BOARD WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees are considering amendments to Chapter 250, Section 38 of the Village Code regarding Tier II Home Occupations. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Rye Brook shall hold a public hearing on April 8, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. at the Village Hall, 938 King Street, Rye Brook, New York, to consider the proposed local law; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees hereby refers the proposed local law to the Planning Board for report and recommendation. Trustee Feinstein noted that it was not clear who had the final authority to issue an approval. This amended law provides that the Board of Trustees has approval authority. On a motion made by Trustee Sanders Romano, and seconded by Trustee Brown, the resolution was adopted. TRUSTEE BROWN VOTING AYE TRUSTEE FEINSTEIN VOTING AYE TRUSTEE SANDERS ROMANO VOTING AYE MAYOR RAND VOTING AYE Board of Trustees Meeting February 26, 2008 Page 7 Mayor Rand called for the Administrators' Report: ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT Mr. Bradbury noted that the Loch Lane project is moving along. There may be some temporary closures in the next few weeks, which will be listed on the Village's website. The County held a meeting to discuss Ridge Street on February 13, 2008. The update is also on the Village's website. The Village is considering various applications and capital projects. One project currently being considered by the Village is some improvements to Garibaldi Park. Chief Gregory Austin addressed the Board. He noted that winter is progressing without any major incidents. Vacation time is now upon us. As many residents vacation at this time of the year (spring break), officers check on vacant houses. He suggested that if a resident was planning a trip and their home was going to be empty for any period of time, that they advise the police department so that they can keep an eye on the house. Mayor Rand moved to the Discussion portion of the agenda: DISCUSSION ITEMS 1) A LOCAL LAW TO ALLOW COLD WAR VETERANS TO RECEIVE A PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION Mayor Rand noted that the Board will be holding a special meeting on this matter. The State gave the Village precious few days to deal with this matter, and therefore the Village must move quickly. Mr. Bradbury noted that New York State has extended certain benefits to veterans of the Cold War. The Village and the Town are also considering the exemptions. This local law would need to be in place by March 2nd in order for this exemption to apply to the current tax year. There are two (2) different levels of benefits. In order to take advantage of this benefits if the local law is enacted, the veterans will need to submit an application by June 1, 2008. Board of Trustees Meeting February 26,2008 Page 8 Mayor Rand noted that this will be a benefit to some of the residents. A public hearing will take place on Saturday, at which time a resolution will be voted upon. The meeting will be held at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday morning. Mayor Rand noted that the next Board of Trustees Meeting were scheduled for March 1st and March 11 th. There being no further business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 8:19 P.M. Board of Trustees Meeting February 26,2008 Page 9