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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991-09-16 - Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes 001994 MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING BOARD OF TRUSTEES VILLAGE OFFICES 90 SOUTH RIDGE STREET RYE BROOK, NEW YORK . SEPTEMBER 16, 1991 CONVENE MEETING The Meeting of the Board of Trustees was called to order by Mayor Cresenzi at 7:30 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 Michele R. Daly Trustee Joseph Pellino Trustee Robert J. Ravich Trustee Randy Solomon Also present were: Christopher J. Russo, Village Administrator Lori Ann DeMarco, Ass't. to Village Administrator Judd Seibert, Attorney, Keane & Beane Albert C. Moore, Architect, Albert Moore & Associates Elizabeth Czajkowski, Secretary to the Village Board - 1 - 001996 September 16, 1991 PUBLIC HEARING 1. ANTHONY J. POSILLIPO COMMUNITY CENTER RECONSTRUCTION Mayor Cresenzi called the Public Hearing to order at 7:30 p.m. Administrator Russo began by providing a chronological history explaining that an extensive process took place within the Senior Citizens Program prior to January 1990, but on this date, the proposal to renovate the Posillipo Center was mentioned in the Mayor's Statement of the Village Message, which coincided with the completion of the parking lot at the Posillipo Center. In October of 1990 the Village completed and filed with the Westchester County Community Development Block/Grant Program, an application for partial funding for Posillipo Center reconstruction. The application was revised in January of 1991 based on various meetings and contacts that took place between October 1990 and January 1991. In early January 1991, an article and picture highlighting the Seniors Program and proposed renovation of the Anthony J. Posillipo Community Center appeared in the Westmore News and also in the Daily Item. On January 8, 1991 at the Village Board of Trustees Meeting, Albert . C. Moore, our Architect for the project, made a formal presentation. On January 22, 1991, at a Public Hearing held by the Village Board of Trustees, much of the background was covered regarding a needs assessment, completed by the Seniors and the Board voted to endorse the submission of an application to the Westchester County Community Development Block Grant Program for funding assistance. In February of 1991, the Mayor's State of the Village Message discussed the Grant Application and the Renovation project. Also in February of 1991, the Village Newsletter included an article regarding the renovation project. On April 23, 1991 the whole project was discussed at the Village Board Meeting and also in April of 1991 there was an article in the Daily Item listing the awards, as approved by Westchester County for the Grant Applicata , d Application, in which the Village of Rye Brook receive funding in the amount of $200,000. On July 23, 1991 at a Village Board Meeting, a written communication was received from Westchester County Deputy Commissioner of Planning, Lawrence J. Salley, formally announcing that the Village if Rye Brook had been awarded $200,000. - 2 - x®019910 September 16, 1991 On August 20, 1991 a Public Hearing was set for this evening by Resolution and letters were sent to neighbors in the area of the site informing them of the proposed reconstruction and Public Hearing. Administrator Russo then introduced Lori Ann DeMarco, Assistant to Village Administrator, who is also the Rye Brook Senior Citizen Coordinator. Ms. DeMarco introduced O'Gretta Logan, who is the Community Development Liaison and was very instrumental in assisting through the Grant Application process. Ms. DeMarco explained that the Seniors Program has evolved from a very limited bi-monthly meeting schedule in 1984 to a dynamic and diversified activity schedule offering four consecutive days of programming each week. According to the By Laws of the Senior Center, the mission of our organization is to create an environment where older persons can congregate, receive services, and participate in activities that will enhance their dignity, support their independence and encourage their involvement in and with the community. Our objective has been to institute a multi dimensional program of activities for Seniors, which satisfies the needs and interests of the most passive and the active aged. Ms. DeMarco stated that her perception is that we had succeeded in accomplishing this goal. Presently, over 150 Village of Rye Brook Seniors congregate at the Posillipo Center to recreate and receive valuable services that enhance their quality of life in our community on a regular basis. Since 1985, two very important issues have negatively impacted the Seniors program and have placed an unnecessary burden on participants. First, the lack of available parking on Garibaldi Place, which has recently been addressed by the construction of a new 23 space parking lot, which we are very grateful and thankful for. Second, the lack of space and poor physical condition of the Anthony J. Posillipo Community Center are extremely problematic. our Center has experienced growth not only in the quantity of seniors that we serve, but-in the quality of the programs and services that are available to participants. The lack of space severely limits both programs and services that can be made available to the public. The simultaneous occurrence of activities works presently because the seniors make it work. This unique one room schoolhouse setting is overcrowded, noisy and uncomfortable. The spacial problem had been identified as early as 1985 in several reports given to various Commissions, in Frederick P. Clark's 1987 Recreation Study, and again in 1989 by the Expansion Committee that was compiled of Seniors, Executive Board Members, Center Members and also Committee Chairpersons. The findings of this Expansion Committee, in terms of a needs assessment for Anthony J. Posillipo Community Center is as j follows: i - 3 - September 16, 1991 0 0199's The Anthony J. posillipo Center is overcrowded, uncomfortable and noisy. There is poor light, heat and ventilation. It is drafty. There is no air conditioning. The windows do dot open. There is no coat room. There is no reception area. It is not handicapped accessible. There is a lack of storage for supplies. There is no utility closet. There is poor circulation. There are inadequate bathroom and kitchen facilities. No TV lounge for quiet, relaxing activities. No office to conduct business. Lack of privacy for confidential or sensitive discussions. Broken tile floor, which is slippery when wet. Dark and dreary environment. Lacks separate activity rooms, and needs a larger multipurpose room. We have a poor public address system and rear a entry from the parking lot is needed. Ms. DeMarco explained that in an attempt to enhance this public facility to better accommodate the needs of Village Seniors and other recreation users, several interior and exterior improvements have been made to the Center since 1984. These enhancements include, but are not limited to, the installation of baseboard heating, ceiling fans, handicapped bars in the lavatories, the installation of exit lights, emergency lights, a smoke detector and, out of necessity, a new roof. In spite of these minor renovations, the facility lacks adequate space and is burdened by an overall state of disrepair. Architectural barriers which restrict the mobility of participants, impact upon the accessibility of services for the physically challenged and must be eliminated. Although longevity has increased, the quality of life has not increased at the same rate, therefore, the present state of affairs suggests that the scope of the program that the Village of Rye Brook offers meets the special needs of this population but the facility that hosts the program places the greatest burden on service delivery. The Anthony J. posillipo Community Center, according to Village of Rye Brook Building Code regulations, is classified as a C-5 assembly use. Code requirements prohibit assembly of individuals in this facility in excess of 100. At times, Senior Center functions have totalled in excess of 95 which forces the Village of Rye Brook closer and closer to a code violation. Special Celebrations must be enjoyed off- site due to this spacial problem. This places a burden on participants in terms of transportation and cost. The pre-design report compiled by architect Albert C. Moore indicates that not only is the Anthony J. posillipo Center inadequate for Rye Brook's needs, but the Center is also in violation of a number of code requirements. Ms. DeMarco then introduced Albert C. Moore, AIA, to explain the pre-design report and also the proposed plans for the reconstruction of the Anthony J. posillipo Community Center. Mr. Moore stated that it has been a pleasure working with Ms. DeMarco and Mr. Russo over the past year. He explained that they are currently in the pre design phase, having gone through and analyzed both the existing conditions and the existing site conditions. They have developed what is known as a program for development which consists of all the rooms needed and proper sizes based upon standards that are applicable to this type of building. We have also prepared three alternative ways to approach this problem and are currently in the third scheme of design. Cost estimates have been prepared and a recommendation has been made based upon the findings. 4 - September 16, 19P 19 9 6 In reviewing the program, we discovered that about 85 - 90% of the existing building would have to be removed and then rebuilt upon for it to best suit the Village's needs. The Village would not benefit from this as it would cost approximately one million dollars and would not provide the space, size and organization that would meet the needs expressed in the needs assessment. Another alternative was to demolish the structure and reconstruct the facility. One of the caveats of the design work was that the parking layout currently there could not be disturbed or changed so each alternative does not disturb the existing parking lot. Greater emphasis was placed on Scheme II, which involves building a new building with a gross area of six thousand square feet. The cost again was projected at approximately one million dollars. In June of 1991, after formal notification of funding from the County was received, we devised the plan that we currently have, known as Scheme III in the pre-design phase. The result is a fifty-five hundred square foot building. Given the technology that is available, we are very certain that the cost of this project could be approximately $750,000 which is significantly less than our alternative Schemes proposed. Some of the elements included in this design are handicapped accessible restrooms, a reception area, and office and storage area, a large coatroom, an arts and crafts room which could double as an exercise area, a large area to store art supplies. A quiet activities room which can be divided into two rooms for different activities is also planned. There will be a kitchen area and another storage area for tables and chairs. A large activity room which will hold anywhere from 125 to 150 people seated at tables. An auditorium setup will hold a little over 200 people comfortably in the same space. The building would include a partial basement with an exterior stair and entrance so that the basement could also be used by the Recreation Department as storage space. In addition, there is a covered walk, to protect residents from inclement Weather. Mr. Moore also mentioned that they have complied with the newest regulations known as the American Disabilities Act, with respect to exits. The structure is all on one floor involving no steps. The art area, quiet area and the large meeting room are directly accessible to the outdoors in case of an emergency. Ms. DeMarco suggested that the wall separating the lobby from the activity rooms be partially made out of glass to provide participants with visual access with one another to make the building appear larger. Mr. Moore concluded by stating that different types of heating and air conditioning systems have been looked into, and one of the things that we would like to see done is a radiant slab, which is the most convenient system and should keep everyone's feet warm. Mayor Cresenzi opened the Public Hearing for discussion from the floor. - 5 - c®1s9 September 16, 1991 A.C. Ferraro of 506 West William Street questioned how long this project would take and how long the seniors would be without a meeting place. He also asked if this building would be available to seniors five days a week, as seniors should have someplace to go. Mayor Cresenzi stated that there will be different rooms to accommodate both senior citizens and children from the recreation department at the same time, whereas, currently, Seniors are not able to use the facility during the summer while the Junior Camp is in session. There is no reason why the center should not be available to the Seniors five days a week. I Mr. Moore stated that to complete the architectural plans and to put it out to bid, it would probably be a six month process and that there will be approvals from various Boards and an environmental impact statement that would have to be made, which would take between eight and ten months. In addition, there is a bidding process that is a month long and construction is a ten month period. We are looking at two years to complete this project in it's entirety. Dominick Anni questioned if the building would be exclusively for senior citizens and youths or would it be rented out. Ms. DeMarco replied that the uses of the facility will not change when the facility is reconstructed. It will remain primarily for Senior Citizens and open to other recreation uses. It will also be a rental facility. The new facility will enable renters to come into the building, have access to the bathrooms, the coatroom and also the multi-purpose room without negatively impacting upon those areas of the center designated for the Seniors and the Recreation Department. Eugene Grant of 39 Garibaldi Place thanked Ms. DeMarco for sending him a letter regarding the reconstruction of the Posillipo Center and informing him of the Public Hearing. He complained that as he leaves his driveway, which is directly across from the Center, there are cars parked in front of the building which make it a hazardous area. He requested that a No Parking Sign be put up adjacent to the open walkway so that his family could get out of his driveway safely. Mayor Cresenzi agreed that Garibaldi Place was a very unsafe area, with cars parked on both sides of the street. Parking, traffic and speed will all be addressed, however the request of a No Parking Sign will be referred to the Village Administrator who will then refer it to the Traffic Commission. Frances Forti of 17 Division Street, asked if the Senior Citizens Group will have to disband during this reconstruction process. Ms. DeMarco stated that the Seniors will not disband, but will meet at a temporary site which has not yet been determined. A.C. Ferraro stated that for Senior Citizens, two years is a long while to wait. - 6 - 00 00�" September 16, 1991 Mayor Cresenzi explained that, off hand, the Village has leeway without cutting any corners. We would be able to expedite the process for obtaining approvals so that it would not take quite two years. O'Gretta Logan, a resident living next door to the Center, questioned if the flowers and bushes will remain, as they are so beautiful. Mr. Moore replied that stated that the flowers will remain. He added that all sides of the building have been designed according to the Zoning regulations and have the same front yard as the houses around the area. Mrs. Grant of 39 Grant Street questioned if the Center would be blocking Mrs. Logan's home, interrupting her view down the street. Mr. Moore stated that the Center is moved away from her house along the sideyard and there will be no blockage. Mr. Moore stated that the current building is built up against the property line and part of it is being moved back six feet and part of it is being moved back twenty feet. Millie Kachinski of 57 Roanoke Avenue stated that this proposal sounds like a wonderful idea, but is concerned as to how much residents will have to pay for this through their taxes. Administrator Russo explained that he would be able to give us an idea of how much residents would be paying for this in taxes, but this all depends on how much the Village Board approves from the Recreation Trust. Mr. Moore's estimate on the current project is $750,000. We have received a grant from Westchester County in the amount of $200,000 which leaves us with a total of $550,000. In January, the Village Board made a minimum commitment that if it makes the final decision to go forward with this project it would put money towards it from the Recreation Trust and Agency, which is an account that developers contribute towards in lieu of land to be used for purposes such as this. Currently that account is just shy of $600,000 and within the next couple of years will increase to over $800,000. For discussion purposes, we will assume that the Board will give to this project $250,000. That will leave us with a balance of $300,000 for the taxpayers to pay, which is not a significant amount of money in a scope of municipal finance to go to any long term borrowing. Assuming we borrow for five years to pay it off, which is called short term borrowing. The amount that it would cost us with our bonding capacity, meaning that the Village gets a much lower interest rate than the average person borrowing money, would cost us approximately 75 to 80 thousand dollars a year, for a period of five years to pay off. This means if a house is assessed for $10,000 that will cost you $15 a year for five years. If a house is assessed at $15,000 it will cost approximately $23 per year for five years. This is only from the knowledge that we currently have. There are options that could make these numbers even lower. Mike Borrelli of 21 Magnolia Drive questioned if there would be a Bocci Court. - 7 - 002000 September 16, 1991 Mayor Cresenzi stated that it was discussed during the planning stage, and if possible will be included. It may not be the whole sixty feet, but perhaps a smaller court. Sam Greto of 3 West Street, questioned where the money for rental fees. of the Anthony J. Posillipo Community Center goes. Administrator Russo stated that rental fees will significantly increase, as the facility will be nicer. These increases in revenues could go towards this project, costing the taxpayer's even less, however there will be an increase in utility costs for a facility such as this and there may be a decrease in maintenance costs, as a new facility will require less work. Mr. Ferraro stated that the increase in taxes is nothing in this day and age. He added that he would like to see this project expedited. They are Senior Citizens, and two years is a long time to be without a Senior Center. Mayor Cresenzi replied that the Board has control over certain things and would do their best to expedite things. Mr. Heller of 22 Lincoln Avenue stated that he is a new Senior Citizen and is in favor of this facility, however, the youths of this Village should also benefit from this facility, perhaps an evening program to keep them off of the street. Mayor Cresenzi stated that he agreed with Mr. Heller. He added that this new facility will be a multi-use facility, which will accommodate seniors both during the day and in the evening. There will also be enough space to accommodate youths either during the day or in the evening. There is also an opportunity to mix the two programs. Dan Paniccia of 14 Wilton Road commended the Board for pursuing this project and also Mr. Russo and Ms. DeMarco, as it is very difficult to obtain grant funding. Anything that can be done for our Senior Citizens should be done. He stated that there is little for the youth of Rye Brook and this facility, with help, will solve that problem. Tom Hroncich, Superintendent of Recreation and Parks, stated that Youth programs have been run through the Posillipo Center since Rye Brook took over services in 1983. Jean Grant questioned if they would take into consideration how many parking spaces there are at the Posillipo Center when they rent it out for parties. Mayor Cresenzi stated that the Board would set the rental fees and how many people would be allowed to use it. Administrator Russo explained that they are thinking about off site (off Garibaldi Place) parking. Millie Kachinski reiterated that this project should be completed as soon as possible for many Seniors will be lost without this facility. - 8 - 00200 September 16, 1991 Betty Greto suggested that the title of the facility be known as a Community Center rather than a Senior Center. Ms. DeMarco, stated that currently the center is known as The Anthony J. Posillipo Community Center. Trustee Ravich stated that he was at the Senior Center a few weeks ago and urged as many Seniors as possible to show for this Public Hearing. He is thrilled that so many of the Seniors came to support this project, and he is very anxious to get this into the works as quickly as possible. Mayor Cresenzi also thanked the Seniors for their support, adding that the Senior Citizens run a great show, making Rye Brook what it is. He also thanked them for sharing their program on an ongoing basis with the rest of the Village. With that he thanked Ms. DeMarco, Senior Citizen Coordinator. ADJOURNMENT On Motion made by Trustee Ravich, seconded by Trustee Daly, the Public Hearing was adjourned at 7:30 p.m. TRUSTEE DALY VOTING AYE TRUSTEE PELLINO VOTING AYE TRUSTEE RAVICH VOTING AYE TRUSTEE SOLOMON VOTING AYE MAYOR CRESENZI VOTING AYE Respectfully submitted, Elizabeth Czajkowski Secretary to the Village Board 9 -