Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-04-09 - Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes April 9, 1996 AGENDA VILLAGE OF RYE BROOK BOARD OF TRUSTEES AGENDA MEETING APRIL 9, 1996 7:30 P.M. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ACTION PUBLIC HEARING: 1. VILLAGE OF RYE BROOK PROPOSED 1996-1997 BUDGET RESOLUTIONS: 2. ANNUAL ORGANIZATIONAL RESOLUTIONS 3. RYE HILLS PARK ADDITIONAL COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH REVISED PLAN 4. REFERRAL. TO THE PLANNING BOARD _ DAW ENTERPRISES, INC - APPLICATION INSTALLATION OF ROOF MOUNT ANTENNA/DISH 5. REFERRAL TO THE PLANNING BOARD SUBDIVISION APPROVAL APPLICATION BLIND BROOK ESTATES/998 KING STREET SECTION 1; BLOCK 5; LOT 813-213 & 8C 6. REFERRAL TO THE PLANNING BOARD AND ADVISORY COUNCIL ON ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION NEUMAN SUBDIVISION/HILLANDALE ROAD WETLANDS APPLICATION 7. CHECK REGISTER NEXT MEETING DATES: APRIL 23, 1996 - 7:30 P.M. - REGULAR MEETING MAY 14, 1996 - 7:30 P.M. - AGENDA MEETING 12 MINUTES OF AN AGENDA MEETING 006118 VILLAGE OF RYE BROOK BOARD OF TRUSTEES 90 SOUTH RIDGE STREET RYE BROOK, NEW YORK APRIL 9, 1996 CONVENE MEETING: Mayor Cresenzi convened the meeting at 7:40 p.m. in the meeting room and the Pledge of Allegiance followed. Present were the following members of the Village Board: Mayor Salvatore M. Cresenzi Trustee Eugene R. Strum Trustee Gary J. Zuckerman Trustee Joseph Pellino Trustee Nancy Stein Tunis was not in attendance. Also present were: Christopher J. Russo, Village Administrator Kenneth E. Powell, Village Attorney Lori Ann DeMarco, Director of Human Services/Ass't to Administrator Joseph Cortese, Village Treasurer Diane DiSanto, Deputy Village Treasurer Thomas Hroncich, Superintendent of Parks & Recreation Robert Santoro, Police Chief Lisa B. Marinaccio, Secretary to the Village Board PUBLIC HEARING: 1. VILLAGE OF RYE BROOK- PROPOSED 1996-1997 BUDGET: Administrator Russo reported few changes to the overall budget this year. He explained the proposed budget to the Village Board and displayed several charts. The first chart -- basically the same as last year's-- showed local real property taxes escalating on a state-wide basis. Rye Brook's State taxes are approximately nine percent above the national average, but the local property taxes are still approximately 77 percent above the national average. It emphasizes what the Village has worked towards with organizations like the New York State Conference of Mayors (NYCOM) requesting the State to support legislation that would help municipalities like Rye Brook reduce local property tax burdens. He mentioned as an example a proposal which some local legislators are considering which would eliminate the gross receipts tax on certain utilities. That gross receipts tax helps keep two- to three percent off of local property taxes. Mr. Russo explained the next chart as reflecting a state-wide trend for the percentage of revenues that the State shares with localities, which remains at 1.8 percent. The next chart represented Rye Brook's assessed property value history through 1996. The Village's assessed values peaked in the mid-80's at about $66 million dollars, but have dropped to roughly $52 million. 006119 April 9, 1996 Administrator Russo reported that Rye Brook's bond rating has been upgraded to "Aa." On another note, he mentioned his attendance at a NYCOM meeting where Rye Brook was cited as having one of the greatest reductions in assessed value for a municipality in the State. The next chart displayed Rye Brook's total budget appropriations. He attributed the main increase in the budget to the Rye Town Hilton tax certiorari settlement. Administrator Russo's next chart displayed the increase in tax levy for the past six years, with the average increase at approximately 3.6 percent. The next chart showed where the tax dollars are spent by the Village of Rye Brook. Continuing on, he explained that fire contract expenditures for 1996-1997 were probably the most level ever, with the Village finally in control over these expenditures. Administrator Russo noted last year's fire service budget was $755,256, compared to the current contract for $755,600. Rye Brook had tentatively budgeted $750,000 last year as a guess because Port Chester had not provided Rye Brook with a final figure. Subsequently it was found out to be $755,256. During various meetings and discussions that number was proposed to be changed by the Village of Port Chester while Rye Brook had already budgeted $726,000. Administrator Russo's next chart broke down the Recreation Trust and Agency Account. Two proposed projects were changed because monies did not come through to get them started in the last fiscal year, so that money will be carried into the new fiscal year. There were expenditures made out of the Recreation Trust and Agency for tennis court work last year, and for the consultant preparing plans on Rye Hills Park. Rye Brook had received a grant of$50,000 for a revised plan of Rye Hills Park. The Village had also received additional funds from a grant for the Garibaldi Park Playground Project. However, the proposal to replace the Pine Ridge Park playground was not reflected in the proposed budget. Next, on taxes, Administrator Russo reported that Rye Brook remains the second lowest Village in terms of tax burden in the County. Reviewing legal expenses, Administrator Russo reported that the largest expense was the general legal services under the retainer agreement with the Village Attorney. He added that besides items related to the Police labor contract as well as the defense of the lawsuit regarding the fire issue. The rest of the lawsuits are with respect to insurance recovery money and miscellaneous lawsuits. Administrator Russo explained the significant items behind the proposed 9.82 percent tax increase. He explained that the Rye Town Hilton settlement accounted for 5 percent of the proposed tax increase, a portion of the Police arbitration award accounted for approximately 1.4 percent, a contractual request from the Library accounted for approximately .75 percent, health insurance accounted for 1.1 percent and discretionary/miscellaneous items accounted for approximately 1.57 percent. He repeated that the main issue in this budget is the Rye Town Hilton settlement, with a tax refund to the Hilton of roughly $940,000, and the$2.4 million assessed value reduced to approximately$955,000. Approximately $265,000 of unappropriated funds would be used to pay a"chunk" of the refund. The difference was roughly $600,000 paid off over the next six years at approximately $116,000 per year. Trustee Zuckerman noticed the office rent budget line and asked how it was computed, keeping in mind construction of the new Village Hall. Administrator Russo explained that because the offices will move into the new Village Hall by the end of the year, the rent budget was cut 40%. 2 006-120 April 9, 1996 He was able to negotiate with the landlord to keep the rent fixed at its current level through the end of the year, although the Lease provided for an increase as of April 1996. Trustee Pellino said that during the fire service reviews, the subject of the 2 percent of return money from fire insurance premiums was discussed many times. He asked whether the money would be paid to the Village or directly to the Fire Department, and if it was coming to the Village, how would it be counted as revenue. Administrator Russo responded that the money would not be received until the next fiscal year so it was not included in this budget. He noted that it would be paid to the Village for items that directly benefit the safety and well-being of the firefighters. The contract provides that the money be used for its intended purpose. The Village's insurance payment would be reduced by that amount of money. That money will be reflected in the 1997-1998 budget because the State system collects the money for a year (i.e. 1996) and distributes it to municipalities in July of the following year(i.e. July, 1997). Trustee Pellino asked if any information had been received with respect to the funding increase from the Village of Port Chester to the Port Chester Public Library. Administrator Russo said he had not officially received anything to date. Trustee Zuckerman reported that the Port Chester budget had the same amount listed for the next fiscal year as stated in the current fiscal year. Trustee Pellino asked if the Village of Rye Brook was planning to meet with the Library soon. Administrator Russo urged the Board to schedule a meeting with the Library Board, as well as a work session with the Police Department. Trustee Pellino asked about the MIS budget for the Village. Administrator Russo said that the MIS budget is still being reviewed, but the Village is in the process of getting the PC's tied in, possibly using the A/S 400 as the file server for all minutes of all the different boards so that they can be uniformly accessed. However, that aspect of the project will not happen until the offices are moved into the new Village Hall because it includes substantial wiring. Trustee Pellino asked whether monies were included in the budget line for software for the Public Works Department because there was discussion in prior years about getting software installed to produce work orders for every job done by the Highway Department or the Building Department. Administrator Russo reported he hoped to do that when staff was hired for that Public Works. Trustee Pellino asked whether plans were made for the coming year to move forward on creating a home page on the Internet. Administrator Russo answered not at this time. Trustee Zuckerman mentioned his hope that standards could be set for government usage of the Internet. He asked that the Village start working on it in the coming year. Trustee Pellino asked whether the "Shade Tree" budget line of$9,000 would be sufficient for the Village to retain Tree City U.S.A. status. Administrator Russo replied that it was sufficient, and that the Village would reapply for the grant. Trustee Pellino asked for the application deadline, and the Administrator responded that the deadline is usually in May. Trustee Strum asked if the extensive tree removal on North Ridge Street would be done during this fiscal year. Administrator Russo said yes, it would be done by a budget modification in the "contingency" line because of the storms. A number of trees have been identified for removal by the Village's Landscape Architect. Some trees will be pruned and others will be removed. He reported that this work will be done under a contract that has been put out for bid. 3 006121 April 9, 1996 Trustee Pellino asked about the line for the Anthony J. Posillipo Community Center Rentals which indicated the same proposed revenue as last year. He asked, "Is this because rentals are not as expected?" Administrator Russo mentioned concern with respect to the rental fees being somewhat high which may deter people from renting the facilities. It was decided to leave the number the same for another year. Mayor Cresenzi asked about Road Maintenance and suggested someone get in touch with Mr. Noto about curb restoration on Ridge Street because the County's resurfacing over the years has lowered the curb height, which will affect the catch basins and increase maintenance costs. Mr. Kenneth Heller, 22 Lincoln Avenue, asked for clarification on a salary increase reflected in the proposed budget (Page 7.) Administrator Russo explained that as for a full time caretaker of the new Village Hall. Mr. Heller asked other questions that were answered by the Administrator. Trustee Pellino brought up a recent newspaper article that conveyed that Villages and Towns are paying tax on the water charges for the fire hydrants. "It sounds ridiculous because taxpayers are being asked to pay a tax on a tax." He suggested that Rye Brook file a formal protest. Administrator Russo reported that the Village has filed a protest in the past, and he would be happy to have Joel Dichter -- the Village's representative on such matters -- do so again, although past attempts had failed. Mayor Cresenzi asked if anyone had further comments. Hearing no response he asked for a motion to adjourn the public hearing. On the motion by Trustee Strum, seconded by Trustee Zuckerman, the Board unanimously agreed to adjourn the public hearing at 8:35 p.m. RESOLUTIONS: 2. ANNUAL ORGANIZATIONAL RESOLUTIONS: On the Motion made by Trustee Strum, seconded by Trustee Pellino, the following Resolution was hereby adopted: ANNUAL ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING RESOLUTIONS 1996 DECLARATION OF ELECTION OF BOARD OF TRUSTEES RESOLVED, that Salvatore M. Cresenzi of 13 Holly Lane is hereby declared elected to the office of Mayor of the Village of Rye Brook for a two year term of office; and be it FURTHER RESOLVED, that Nancy Stein Tunis of 23 Pine Ridge Road and Gary J. Zuckerman of 29 Hillandale Road are hereby declared elected to the office of Trustee of the Village of Rye Brook for a two year term of office; and be it 4 006126: April 9, 1996 FURTHER RESOLVED, that Eugene R. Strum of 308 Betsy Brown Road is hereby declared elected to the office of Trustee of the Village of Rye Brook for a one year term of office; and be it FURTHER RESOLVED, that said term of offices are effective at noon on the 1 st Monday of April 1996. TRUSTEE STRUM VOTING AYE TRUSTEE TUNIS ABSENT TRUSTEE ZUCKERMAN VOTING AYE TRUSTEE PELLINO VOTING AYE MAYOR CRESENZI VOTING AYE On the Motion made by Trustee Strum, seconded by Trustee Pellino, the following Resolution was hereby adopted: APPOINTMENT OF THE VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR RESOLVED, that Christopher J. Russo, of 14 Jennifer Lane is hereby appointed Village Administrator for the Village of Rye Brook for the next ensuing official year. TRUSTEE STRUM VOTING AYE TRUSTEE TUNIS ABSENT TRUSTEE ZUCKERMAN VOTING AYE TRUSTEE PELLINO VOTING AYE MAYOR CRESENZI VOTING AYE On the Motion made by Trustee Strum, seconded by Trustee Pellino, the following Resolution was hereby adopted: APPOINTMENT OF VILLAGE ATTORNEY RESOLVED, that Kenneth E. Powell of the law firm of Maroney, Ponzini and Spencer is hereby appointed as Village Attorney for the Village of Rye Brook for the next ensuing official year subject to the terms of the retainer agreement. TRUSTEE STRUM VOTING AYE TRUSTEE TUNIS ABSENT TRUSTEE ZUCKERMAN VOTING AYE TRUSTEE PELLINO VOTING AYE MAYOR CRESENZI VOTING AYE On the Motion made by Trustee Strum, seconded by Trustee Pellino, the following Resolution was hereby adopted: 5 006.123 April 9, 1996 APPOINTMENT OF REGISTRAR OF VITAL STATISTICS RESOLVED, that Frances Nugent, Registrar of Vital Statistics for the Town of Rye, is hereby appointed as the Registrar of Vital Statistics for the Village of Rye Brook for the next ensuing official year. TRUSTEE STRUM VOTING AYE TRUSTEE TUNIS ABSENT TRUSTEE ZUCKERMAN VOTING AYE TRUSTEE PELLINO VOTING AYE MAYOR CRESENZI VOTING AYE On the Motion made by Trustee Strum, seconded by Trustee Pellino, the following Resolution was hereby adopted: APPOINTMENT OF VILLAGE ASSESSOR RESOLVED, that William Wendlandt, Assessor for the Town of Rye, is hereby appointed as the Assessor for the Village of Rye Brook for the next ensuing official year. TRUSTEE STRUM VOTING AYE TRUSTEE TUNIS ABSENT TRUSTEE ZUCKERMAN VOTING AYE TRUSTEE PELLINO VOTING AYE MAYOR CRESENZI VOTING AYE On the Motion made by Trustee Strum, seconded by Trustee Pellino, the following Resolution was hereby adopted: APPOINTMENT OF RECEIVER OF TAXES RESOLVED,that Hope Vespia, Receiver of Taxes for the Town of Rye, is hereby appointed as the Receiver of Taxes for the Village of Rye Brook, effective immediately. TRUSTEE STRUM VOTING AYE TRUSTEE TUNIS ABSENT TRUSTEE ZUCKERMAN VOTING AYE TRUSTEE PELLINO VOTING AYE MAYOR CRESENZI VOTING AYE On the Motion made by Trustee Strum, seconded by Trustee Pellino, the following Resolution was hereby adopted: DESIGNATION OF DEPUTY VILLAGE TREASURERS RESOLVED, that Diane DiSanto of 98 Lakeview Avenue, Scarsdale, New York is hereby appointed as First Deputy Village Treasurer for the Village of Rye Brook for the 6 006124 April 9, 1996 next ensuing official year. RESOLVED, that Catherine M. Spinosa of 28 Division Street is hereby appointed as Deputy Village Treasurer for the Village of Rye Brook for the next ensuing official year. TRUSTEE STRUM VOTING AYE TRUSTEE TUNIS ABSENT TRUSTEE ZUCKERMAN VOTING AYE TRUSTEE PELLINO VOTING AYE MAYOR CRESENZI VOTING AYE On the Motion made by Trustee Strum, seconded by Trustee Pellino, the following Resolution was hereby adopted: DESIGNATION OF BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING NIGHT RESOLVED, that the second (2nd) Tuesday of each month and every month is hereby designated as the Agenda Meeting night of the Village of Rye Brook Board of Trustees; and be it FURTHER RESOLVED, that the fourth (4th) Tuesday of each month and every month is hereby designated as the Regular Meeting night of the Village of Rye Brook Board of Trustees; said meeting to commence at 7:30 p.m. TRUSTEE STRUM VOTING AYE TRUSTEE TUNIS ABSENT TRUSTEE ZUCKERMAN VOTING AYE TRUSTEE PELLINO VOTING AYE MAYOR CRESENZI VOTING AYE On the Motion made by Trustee Strum, seconded by Trustee Pellino, the following Resolution was hereby adopted: DESIGNATION OF SIGNATORIES RESOLVED, the Mayor, the Village Administrator and the Village Treasurer are hereby authorized to sign checks on behalf of the Village of Rye Brook for the next ensuing official year; and be it FURTHER RESOLVED, that bank transfers from one account to another can be made by telephone by any one of the above named signatories or by Catherine M. Spinosa, followed by written confirmation to the bank in accordance with the Village's Investment Policy. TRUSTEE STRUM VOTING AYE TRUSTEE TUNIS ABSENT TRUSTEE ZUCKERMAN VOTING AYE 7 00612b April 9, 1996 TRUSTEE PELLINO VOTING AYE MAYOR CRESENZI VOTING AYE On the Motion made by Trustee Strum, seconded by Trustee Pellino, the following Resolution was hereby adopted: DESIGNATION OF DEPOSITORIES RESOLVED,that the Bank of New York, Chase Manhattan, First Union National Bank, Hudson Valley Bank and National Westminster Bank are hereby designated as depositories for the Village of Rye Brook. TRUSTEE STRUM VOTING AYE TRUSTEE TUNIS ABSENT TRUSTEE ZUCKERMAN VOTING AYE TRUSTEE PELLINO VOTING AYE MAYOR CRESENZI VOTING AYE i On the Motion made by Trustee Strum, seconded by Trustee Pellino, the following Resolution was hereby adopted: DESIGNATION OF OFFICIAL NEWSPAPERS RESOLVED, that the Daily Item or the Westmore News are hereby designated as the official Newspapers of the Village of Rye Brook for the next ensuing official year. TRUSTEE STRUM VOTING AYE TRUSTEE TUNIS ABSENT TRUSTEE ZUCKERMAN VOTING AYE TRUSTEE PELLINO VOTING AYE MAYOR CRESENZI VOTING AYE On the Motion made by Trustee Strum, seconded by Trustee Pellino, the following Resolution was hereby adopted: RESOLUTION FRIENDS OF RYE BROOK, INC. RESOLVED, that it is hereby disclosed by members of the Board of Trustees that they are directors of a not-for-profit corporation, the Friends of Rye Brook, Inc., created to assist in obtaining donations from prospective grantors in support of qualifying activities of the Village. TRUSTEE STRUM VOTING AYE TRUSTEE TUNIS ABSENT TRUSTEE ZUCKERMAN VOTING AYE TRUSTEE PELLINO VOTING AYE MAYOR CRESENZI VOTING AYE 8 006126 April 9, 1996 On the Motion made by Trustee Strum, seconded by Trustee Pellino, the following Resolution was hereby adopted: RESOLUTION RE-ADOPTION OF RULES OF PROCEDURE OF BOARD OF TRUSTEES RESOLVED, that the attached rules of procedure of the Board of Trustees as originally adopted on January 25, 1983 are hereby re-adopted and promulgated. TRUSTEE STRUM VOTING AYE TRUSTEE TUNIS ABSENT TRUSTEE ZUCKERMAN VOTING AYE TRUSTEE PELLINO VOTING AYE MAYOR CRESENZI VOTING AYE 3. RYE HILLS PARK-ADDITIONAL COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH REVISED PLAN: On the Motion made by Trustee Zuckerman, seconded by Trustee Pellino, the following Resolution was hereby adopted: RESOLUTION APPROVING PAYMENT TO HUDSON & PACIFIC DESIGNS RYE HILLS PARK RESOLVED, that payment in the amount of$1,856.00 be hereby approved and made to Hudson &Pacific Designs for costs associated with the revision of the approved plan for Rye Hills Park for the Recreation Trust and Agency account. TRUSTEE STRUM VOTING AYE TRUSTEE TUNIS ABSENT TRUSTEE ZUCKERMAN VOTING AYE TRUSTEE PELLINO VOTING AYE MAYOR CRESENZI VOTING AYE 4. REFERRAL TO THE PLANNING BOARD - DAW ENTERPRISES. INC - APPLICATION - INSTALLATION OF ROOF MOUNT ANTENNA/DISH: Mayor Cresenzi announced that this item be taken off the agenda for lack of information. 5. REFERRAL TO THE PLANNING BOARD - SUBDIVISION APPROVAL APPLICATION-BLIND BROOK ESTATES/998 KING STREET- SECTION 1: BLOCK 5, LOT 811-211 & 8C Mayor Cresenzi reported that this item would be held over until the next meeting. 9 00612 April 9, 1996 6. REFERRAL TO THE PLANNING BOARD AND ADVISORY COUNCIL ON ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION - NEUMAN SUBDIVISION/HILLANDALE ROAD-WETLANDS APPLICATION: On the Motion made by Trustee Pellino, seconded by Trustee Zuckerman, the following Resolution was hereby adopted: RESOLUTION REFERRAL TO THE PLANNING BOARD AND ADVISORY COUNCIL ON ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION NEUMAN SUBDIVISION/HILLANDALE ROAD WETLANDS APPLICATION RESOLVED, that the wetlands permit application by Ralph George Mastromonaco, RE on behalf of Michael Neuman is hereby referred to the Planning Board and the Advisory Council on Environmental Conservation for their review and recommendation TRUSTEE STRUM VOTING AYE TRUSTEE TUNIS ABSENT TRUSTEE ZUCKERMAN VOTING AYE TRUSTEE PELLINO VOTING AYE MAYOR CRESENZI VOTING AYE 7. CHECK REGISTER: Trustee Strum questioned the payment to Port Chester for 5.5 days of fire service. He asked the Village Attorney whether Rye Brook was legally obligated to pay that bill. Attorney Powell answered, yes, under a court order. Trustee Zuckerman suggested that the check be sent to Port Chester with a notation that it was being sent under protest to reserve whatever rights Rye Brook may have to recover against anyone else. On the Motion made by Trustee Pellino, seconded by Trustee Strum, the following Resolution was hereby adopted: RESOLUTION CHECK REGISTER 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: On-Line Checks: 13704-13791 Pre Paid: NONE Payroll Checks: 19028-19116 Environmental: 112 Capital: NONE Capital Pre Paid: NONE 10 006128 April 9, 1996 Birthday Run: NONE NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that this Board hereby approves payment of the above mentioned claims and authorizes payment thereof. TRUSTEE STRUM VOTING AYE TRUSTEE TUNIS ABSENT TRUSTEE ZUCKERMAN VOTING AYE TRUSTEE PELLINO VOTING AYE MAYOR CRE SENZI VOTING AYE Mayor Cresenzi asked for a motion to close the public portion of the meeting so that the Board could go into executive session on personnel. On the motion made by Trustee Pellino, seconded by Trustee Strum, the Board members unanimously agreed to adjourn the meeting at 8:55 p.m. NEXT MEETING DATES: APRIL 23, 1996 - 7:30 P.M. - REGULAR MEETING MAY 14, 1996- 7:30 P.M. -AGENDA MEETING Respectfully submitted, Christopher J. Russo, Village Clerk 11