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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988-04-26 - Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes VILLAGE OF RYE BROOK BOARD OF TRUSTEES REGULAR MEETING APRIL 26, 1988 8:00 P.M. PUBLIC HEARINGS 1. Rye Ridge Shopping Center/Merritt & Holby - Rezoning Approval and Preliminary Site Plan Approval 2. The Establishment of Regulations re: Floor Area Ratio Proposed Local Law #2 - 1988 RESOLUTIONS/AGREEMENTS 3. Resolution Adopting 1988/89 Budget 4. Resolution Amending Village Office Lease Agreement 5. Resolution Declaring May as Mental Health Month APPOINTMENTS/AUTHORIZATION 6. Check Register Authorization APPROVAL OF MINUTES. March 16, 1988 March 22, 1988 April 12, 1988 NEXT MEETING DATES May 10, 1988 - Agenda Meeting May 24, 1988 - Regular Meeting June 14, 1988 - Agenda Meeting Rye Brook Village Offices are Handicapped Accessible 001041 MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE VILLAGE OF RYE BROOK, HELD ON THE 26th DAY OF APRIL, 1988 IN THE VILLAGE OFFICES, 90 SOUTH RIDGE STREET RYE BROOK, NEW YORK CONVENE REGULAR MEETING The regular meeting of the Board of Trustees was called to order by Mayor Cresenzi at 8:05 P.M. in the Meeting Room and the Pledge of Allegiance followed. Present were the following members of the Board: Mayor Salvatore M. Cresenzi Trustee Francis L. Filipowski Trustee Robert J. Ravish Trustee Michele R. Mendicino Also present were: Christopher J. Russo, Village Administrator Georgia Kramer, Corporation Counsel Rocco V. Circosta, Director of Public Works Jean A. Marra, Deputy Village Clerk 001048 April 26, 1988 PUBLIC HEARINGS 1. Rye Ridge Shopping Center/Merritt & Holby - Rezoning Approval and Preliminary Site Plan Approval On motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that the Public Hearing be, and it hereby is, reconvened. Bruno Gioffre, attorney for the applicant, reiterated what the original proposal consisted of and how, on the recom- mendation of the Planning Board, it has been reduced in square footage thus limiting its protrusion into Roanoke Avenue. Several sketches were presented by Mr. Gioffre and he proceeded to explain the proposal by comparing the original application to the scaled-down version which he was now seeking approval on. Parking was the next item Mr. Gioffre addressed, saying that according to the Zoning Code, 637 spaces were required and 709 parking spaces would be available. These spaces are larger than normal to allow room between cars and more maneuverability. The traffic study done by Raymond E. Keyes Associates was briefly discussed before the subject changed to garbage facilities and the possibility of consolidating the dumpsters and perhaps moving it to one location such as in the back of the deli. In answer to Mayor Cresenzi's question, Mr. Gioffre stated that discussions were held with the local residents and the closest building on the west side of Roanoke would be approximately 115 to 120 feet away from the dumpster. Mayor Cresenzi requested that the discussions with the Roanoke Avenue residents continue regarding the placement of a dumpster. - 2 - 001049 April 26, 1988 Mayor Cresenzi then asked if the applicant would consider making a sewer connection change by taking from the bank to the deli off the Village's sewer line and tying it into the County' s trunk line. Mr. John Merritt replied that if they had to, they would. Several questions were raised concerning such things as the occupancy of the existing building, landscape plans and the distance from the parking area to the nearest home. Trustee Filipowski requested a detailed breakdown of the parking spaces: how many were in front, how many in back, how many would be eliminated and how many would be added. Mr. Gioffre said that specific information would have to be obtained. A local resident, Mr. Benvenuti, said that according to an agreement with the Town of Rye, dated November 27, 1978, the shopping center was 172 spaces short of the require- ments. In response to this, Mr. Gioffre said he could only address the Village of Rye Brook Code, and added that parking could not be blanketed with so many different uses existing in one location because there are different parking require- ments for the different uses. Mrs. Terry Benvenuti stated that the traffic report regarding Roanoke Avenue was incorrect in that the street was used as a bypass to avoid the Ridge/Bowman inter- section. Mr. Ken Heller questioned the drainage and Mr. Gioffre replied that the building code would have to be met before final site plan approval was granted. He added that if the Village Engineer wanted any work done differently, it would be done differently, and Mr. Circosta stated that it would be looked into. Mr. Bernie Klem of the Planning Board recommended that the parking lot be ended at the home' s property line so the house would not have parking near it. He then suggested that any plans for landscaping and screening be referred back to the Planning Board for their recommendations. 3 - 001050 April 26, 1988 Mr. Gioffre said that the plans could be revised to reflect the change Mr. Klem recommended. In answer to a question raised by Mr. Circosta, Mr. Gioffre stated that a deed restriction would be made regarding the 200 foot intrusion into the residential zoning. On the recommendation of Mayor Cresenzi, and on motion by Trustee Ravich, seconded by Trustee Filipowski, with a unanimous vote of the Board, it was RESOLVED, that the Public Hearing on the application of the Rye Ridge Shopping Center be, and it hereby is, adjourned to the Agenda Meeting on the 10th day of May, 1988 at 8:00 P.M. 2. The Establishment of Regulations re: Floor Area Ratio Proposed Local Law #2 - 1988 Having met with the members of the Board of Architectural Review, Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals, Mr. Circosta said it was the general consensus to go with floor area ratio rather than the original proposal of controlling lot coverage through footprints. Following a brief discussion, Mr. Circosta said he will be meeting again with the Planning Board and then make a final presentation to the other Boards. Mr. Walter Lipman then requested that the problem of establishing "FAR" for new developments be addressed and Mayor Cresenzi stated that the overall FAR would be addressed for developments as this was a valid point. Thereafter, on motion by Trustee Ravich, seconded by Trustee Filipowski, with a unanimous vote of the Board, it was RESOLVED, that the Public Hearing regarding proposed Local Law #2 - 1988 be, and it hereby is, adjourned to the 24th day of May, 1988, at 8:00 P.M. - 4 - 001051 April 26, 1988 RESOLUTIONS/AGREEMENTS 3. Resolution Adopting 1988/89 Budget In reply to a question raised by Mr. Jules Harris, Adminis- trator Russo stated that salary, training and benefits for a new police officer would total approximately $35,000. In response to Mr. Joseph Pellino' s question, Mr. Russo said the Village can get out of the Empire Health Insurance Plan but could not get back into it for five years. At present, the health insurance consortium of municipalities is investigating the possibility of going with a plan similar to the County's plan, which is called MEBCO. Mr. Randy Solomon then read the following: "I note that in a recent newspaper article, it was reported that the proposed budget for Rye Brook increased by 1 or 2 percentage pts. over the preliminary figure of 8.9%. I am asking the Board to reconsider this increase as well as reviewing the 8.9% proposed budget. "Villages in Westchester of similar size and population, tax base such as Larchmont, under 7%; Dobbs Ferry, under 6%; Pelham and Pelham Village, 5% or less. "Inflation has only been 4.5% this past year; medical benefits insurance has added an extra 2.5 to 3% to the total; our tax rate increase should be closer to 7 or 7.5% -- even 8% -- not 8.9%. . . . . Rye Brook has many residents on fixed incomes. . . . who cannot continue to pay higher taxes. . . . "I am concerned over this proposed budget increase as being extra high. "I am concerned that higher taxes can result in lower home values. "I am concerned for residents who find it difficult to accept even an 8.9% increase. "I am concerned that the Village Administrator is blaming increased medical benefits of our employees as the prime cause for this enormous increase. "I would hope that this new Village Board would be more prudent and cost conscious of increases in our budget." - 5 - 001052 April 26, 1988 Administrator Russo remarked on Mr. Solomon's excellent observation but said Rye Brook continues as second-lowest tax rate in the County; it (the budget increase) did not change the Village's status. Mr. Joseph Pellino then suggested that department heads cut 5% across the board for operating expenses and Mr. Ken Heller said that certain positions pay higher salaries compared to other areas. Mayor Cresenzi pointed out that the rest of the staff is probably below the medium throughout the County. . . the Village is below average for a Village Engineer and a Deputy Village Clerk, and he added that Rye Brook does not have the staff Port Chester has. "I went through this budget and searched for areas to save in but from a business point of view, it's a sound budget," Mayor Cresenzi concluded. This is a conservative budget, Trustee Ravich related; the future budget years are being protected by being conserva- tive now. Trustee Mendicino complimented the work of Chris Russo and the rest of the staff regarding additional earned money. Some -discussion followed regarding Village vehicles and Mayor Cresenzi explained that if an employee was on 24 hour call, the vehicle may be taken home by them; the situation is under control. Thereafter, on motion by Trustee Filipowski, seconded by Trustee Ravich, with a unanimous vote of the Board, the following resolution was adopted: 1988/89 BUDGET WHEREAS, this Board of Trustees has met on the date, and at the time and place so specified in the Notice of Public Hearing on the Proposed Budget and has heard all persons desiring to be heard thereon; - 6 - 001053 April 26, 1988 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Proposed Budget as amended and revised, and as hereinafter set forth by the Board of Trustees, is hereby adopted; and be it FURTHER RESOLVED, that the amounts listed therein for payment of principal and interest on indebtedness be paid, and the salaries, wages, benefits and other terms and conditions of employment of employees, not represented by a bargaining unit, shall be paid such salaries as determined by the Board of Trustees. 4. Resolution Amending Village Office Lease Agreement It was announced by Mayor Cresenzi that the amendment to the Village Office Leas Agreement was handled by the previous Mayor and needed no further action. 5. Resolution Declaring May as Mental Health Month On motion by Trustee Filipowski, seconded by Trustee Ravich, with a unanimous vote of the Board, the following resolution was adopted: MENTAL HEALTH MONTH MAY, 1988 WHEREAS, since 1953, the Mental Health Association has petitioned national, state and local governments throughout the country to proclaim May as Mental Health Month; and WHEREAS, the needs of the mentally ill are with us the entire year and Mental Health Month offers a greater opportunity to reflect on the solutions; and - 7 - 001-054 April 26, 1988 WHEREAS, prevention is the primary objective of all involved with mental health; therefore, let us concern ourselves with the prevention of mental illness in our children by providing proper housing, nutrition and education in addition to protecting them from those who would cause mental or physical abuse; and WHEREAS, the abused child can become the abusing adult, so let us provide the means by which sufficient support and on-going help can be offered to both children and adults; and WHEREAS, prevention of mental illness can be advanced when housing is found for the homeless thus reducing the fear and anxiety for those overwhelmed with worry for themselves and their families. And for the homeless mentally ill, continued effort must be made to increase the resources for their medical and occupational needs; and WHEREAS, Mental Health Month can provide each of us in Westchester with the opportunity to examine our attitude towards the mentally ill and reflect on what we can do to help; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT I RESOLVED, that this Board of Trustees of the Village of Rye Brook hereby proclaims May, 1988 as MENTAL HEALTH MONTH in Westchester County and join in honoring our Mental Health Association which is working to create a community climate that will accept the mentally ill and help meet their community needs. /s/ SALVATORE M. CRESENZI Mayor of Rye Brook - 8 - 001055 April 26, 1988 APPOINTMENTS/AUTHORIZATION 6. Check Register Authorization On motion by Trustee Ravich, seconded by Trustee Mendicino, with a unanimous vote of the Board, the following resolu- tion was adopted: CHECK REGISTER RESOLUTION WHEREAS, the following checks, representing payment for services rendered, have been submitted to the Treasurer's office for payment and have been certified to by the Village Administrator: Payroll Checks #13064 - #13291; Combined Check Register #8754 - #8837; Combined Check Register (Hand Checks) #5347 - 5357. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that this Board hereby approves payment of the above-mentioned claims and authorizes payment thereof. APPROVAL OF MINUTES March 16, 1988 March 22, 1988 April 12, 1988 On motion by Trustee Filipowski, seconded by Trustee Mendicino, the Minutes of March 16th, March 22nd and April 12th, 1988 were unanimously accepted as presented. - 9 - 001056, April 26, 1988 ADJOURNMENT On motion by Trustee Ravich, seconded by Trustee Filipowski, the Board of Trustees adjourned into Executive Session at 9:30 P.M. to discuss personnel matters and contractual negotiations. Respectfully submitted, Jean A. Marra Deputy Village Clerk i i i i 10 -