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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021_02_09 Town Board Minutes February 9, 2021 MINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF MAMARONECK HELD FEBRUARY 9, 2021 BEGINNING AT 6:00 PM. PURSUANT TO THE GOVERNOR’S EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 202.1, SUSPENSION OF LAW ALLOWING THE ATTENDANCE OF MEETINGS TELEPHONICALLY OR OTHER SIMILAR SERVICE: Article 7 of the Public Officers Law, to the extent necessary to permit any public body to meet and take such actions authorized by the law without permitting in public in-person access to meetings and authorizing such meetings to be held remotely by conference call or similar service, provided that the public has the ability to view or listen to such proceeding and that such meetings are recorded and later transcribed; PRESENT: Supervisor Nancy Seligson Councilwoman Abby Katz Councilwoman Jaine Elkind Eney Councilwoman Sabrina Fiddelman Councilman Jeffery L. King ALSO PRESENT: Christina Battalia, Town Clerk Stephen V. Altieri, Town Administrator Connie Green O’Donnell, Deputy Town Administrator William Maker, Jr., Town Attorney The Worksession was called to order by Supervisor Seligson, then on motion of Councilwoman Fiddelman, seconded by Councilwoman Katz, the Work Session was unanimously opened at 6:00 p.m. Additionally Present: Lindsey Luft Assistant to the Town Administrator Presentation – AKRF Review of Floor Area Ration (FAR) Review – Scope of Comprehensive Plan These two topics were discussed together. Shachi and Joellen Additionally Present: Peter Feroe of AKRF, Shachi Pandey of Metropolitan Urban Design (MUD) and Melissa Kaplan-Macey, Chair of the Steering Committee. The Town Board first discussed the changes in the Scope document for the Comprehensive Plan, as submitted by AKRF. Of significance, is the use of a virtual platform. Mr. Feroe stated that use of virtual platforms was always intended as a component, but this proposal has a much more robust and seamless platform which he feels will be a great enhancement. The platform integrates and takes feedback and collates it more effectively. The new Scope includes an additional meeting, called the Community Launch, which will be to hype up and kick off the public engagement. Ms. Pandey added, this meeting is intended as an open town hall, to receive ideas and feedback of what residents’ see as important, in a less structured way than the public forum. The last piece is to format the plan that ‘lives’ on-line and not just as PDF’s. This allows for engagement that is more public and allows the plan to be more adaptive and searchable. It was also noted that there are three additional training sessions for the Steering Committee before each virtual workshop. The Town Board asked for a comparison of the original proposal with this new one, as well as clarification of why the Scope and additional fees were not discussed earlier. Mr. Feroe explained and apologized for not discussing the additional fees sooner. The Town Board emphasized the importance of having virtual and in person forums and Mr. Feroe responded that they have found in person difficult, costly and under attended, but having said that, small targeted smaller events could be worthwhile. Councilwoman Katz asked if the final decision on the web based platform needed to be decided now, and Mr. Feroe said no, not immediately, but soon. Supervisor Seligson thanked Ms. Kaplan-Macey for attending this evening and asked for her feedback on this evening’s discussion. Ms. Kaplan-Macey responded that there is impetus to get this project off the ground, adding she does not see in-person formats any time soon. She thinks on-line formats are easier for some and more difficult for others, and agrees some specifically targeted in person would be beneficial. She believes that there are ways to navigate through this with the suggested formats. 1 February 9, 2021 Supervisor Seligson noted that the Steering Committee will be invited to an upcoming worksession. Mr. Feroe will send a comparison document, and as asked by Councilwoman Katz, Mr. Feroe will provide more detail and ‘bullet points’ for outcomes of each forum and meeting. The meeting moved to the discussion of FAR. Mr. Feroe described the four processes he would utilize to address the issue. First is to understand the concern, then investigate any regulatory problems, look at what other communities have done, and finally discuss solutions and implementation. Councilwoman Fiddelman stated that the Town should also look at other things besides FAR that could address the concerns. Ms. Pandey added, that size and bulk standards can sometimes be more effective than FAR; specifically, height, setback, position on property and street character, for example. Overall, if your Zoning Board is addressing too many applications, than your regulations are not working. It was noted that doing this analysis simultaneous to the Comprehensive Plan, allows the Town to ‘test out’ concepts with the public and generate feedback. Review – Local Law – Sensitive Positions within the Code Ethics Law Supervisor Seligson stated that this is primarily a clean-up of the existing law to include additional sensitive positions which were not previously included, but should have been. The Town Board received a draft local law and the setting of the public hearing is on the regular agenda for this evening. Discussion – Study of Possible Amendments to the Town’s Cellular Antenna Law Deferred Discussion – Sanitation Commission The Town Board received a memo titled ‘Sanitation Commission’, dated February 6, 2021, and two schedules titled ‘Alternative Apportionments 2021 Garbage Commission Budget $3,498,333’ (Chart A) , and ‘Comparison of 2021 Commission Budget with Town Garbage District Budgets’ (Chart B). It was noted that Chart A is a revision from the last time the Town Board reviewed the apportionment. The Town Board discussed how the surplus would be retained moving forward to a District, adding that a new District cannot start without surplus. Mr. Altieri explained that Chart A is a budget based on curbside pickup agreed upon by the recent local law adoption. Chart B discusses the Commission Budget more specific to the creation of the Extended District. Mr. Altieri suggests that the District have a 12% surplus. The Town Board was presented with an additional chart through Mr. Altieri’s screen share, titled ‘2020 Budget Projection – Expenses Curbside Collection, which included figures for 2019, 2020 and 2021. It is still undetermined how the tax cap could be effected with the addition of an Extended District solely in the Town Budget. Supervisor Seligson restated that the Town would not be comfortable with anything less than a 12% surplus for an Extended District. Update – Town Administrator Recruitment The Town Board reviewed the Recruitment Timeline. The job posting has been distributed nationally and appears on the Town’s website. Joellene Cademartori will report to Supervisor Seligson, Councilwoman Elkind Eney and Councilwoman Fiddelman weekly. It is anticipated that by March Ms. Cademartori will have a first tier of candidates as well as a second and third tier, and by the end of March to begin interviewing. Ms. Cademartori will do extensive prepping of questions and skills assessments for potential candidates, and facilitate background checks. Training for Land Use Boards Mr. Maker issued a memorandum explaining the Town’s legal ability to decrease the required four hours of training for the Land Use Boards. Having determined its authority, the Town Board discussed drafting legislation requiring that during a member’s first term, four hours of training annually will be required, then after the first term or six years of service, they would be required to complete two hours of training annually. The Town Clerk’s Office will keep track of the training and annual notifications. New Business - LMC Media Councilwoman Katz reported that the grant, in the amount of $500,000, intended for the third floor renovation may be reduced. It was originally intended for the 2-3 million-dollar renovation of the Village of Mamaroneck Fire House, and the Town Center renovation is estimated to be $725,000. The proposal from 2 February 9, 2021 LMC Media is to utilize $325,000 in PEG monies for the shortfall. It was reiterated that the full grant is not guaranteed. Mr. Altieri recently met with Matt Sullivan and LMC Media’s Architect and suggested they meet with the LMC Media Board of Control and have them agree to fund the $725,000 project if the grant is not approved. Currently there is no funding available to begin this project, and it is suggested that the LMC Medial Board of Control, at minimum, agree to fund the architect so the project can begin. Supervisor Seligson will also reach out to Assemblyman, Steve Otis, for help with the grant. EXECUTIVE SESSION On motion of Councilwoman Elkind Eney, seconded by Councilman King, the Board unanimously agreed to enter into an Executive Session to discuss the employment history of a particular individual and the sale of land. On motion of Councilwoman Elkind Eney, seconded by Councilman King, the Board unanimously agreed to resume the Regular Meeting. ADJOURNMENT On motion of Councilwoman Elkind Eney, seconded by Councilman King, the meeting was unanimously adjourned. ________________________________ Submitted by Christina Battalia, Town Clerk 3