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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014_01_08 Town Board Minutes January 8, 2014 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING AND WORK SESSION OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF MAMARONECK HELD ON JANUARY 8, 2014, BEGINNING AT 5:00PM IN CONFERENCE ROOM A AND CONTINUING AT 8:00 PM IN THE COURT ROOM OF THE TOWN CENTER, 740 W. BOSTON POST ROAD, MAMARONECK, NEW YORK PRESENT: Supervisor Nancy Seligson Councilman Ernest C. Odierna Councilwoman Abby Katz Councilwoman Jaine Elkind Eney ABSENT: Councilwoman Phyllis Wittner ALSO PRESENT: Christina Battalia, Town Clerk Stephen V. Altieri, Town Administrator William Maker, Jr., Town Attorney CALL TO ORDER - WORK SESSION On motion of Councilwoman Katz, seconded by Councilman Odierna, the Work Session was unanimously opened at 5:00PM. Salary Authorization Procedure The Town Board reviewed a memo from Connie Green O’Donnell dated January 3, 2014 outlining a recommendation for a policy change with respect to the Recreation Department’s Salary Authorizations. Currently the Recreation Department submits the seasonal and part-time new hire report to the Town Administrator who then incudes it in the Town Board Meeting Agenda. There is then an additional processing by the Recreation Department and Payroll Department. This is a lengthy and paper dependent process that due to Town Board meeting schedules can take several additions weeks to process. It is the recommendation that the Town Board approve a salary schedule annually based on approval of Budgeted funds by the Town Administrator. This would “reduce paperwork, improve workflow and ensure timely payments to employees”. The Board discussed that all of these salaries are detailed and authorized during the budget process and that these biweekly authorizations are approvals of salaries and rates of pay already approved as part of the Budget. Town Board would like to move forward with this policy change and asked Steve Altieri to prepare the needed paper work. Review of Organizational Meeting Agenda The Town Board reviewed the resolutions for this evening’s Organizational Agenda as prepared by the Town Clerk. Assessment Administration The Town Board reviewed an updated proposal by GAR Associates to help the Town continue to properly maintain the new assessment roll. This was accompanied by a memo from Mr. Altieri dated January 6,2014. The revised proposal outlines three areas for assessment administration services: Statistical Analysis of Possible Inequities, Sales Verification, and Updating the Valuation Models. The Town Board discussed the proposal as well as ways to keep the residents informed of the processes being utilized to maintain full value. This item is on tonight’s Regular Agenda. 1 January 8, 2014 Joint Session with Recreation Commission Re: Energy Service Contract Additionally Present: Members of the Recreation Commission: Jim Druker, Chair, Rita Plansky and Susie Sigel. Frank Owens of the Sustainability Collaborative, and Fred Seeba of BBS Architecture. Jill Fisher, Superintendent of Recreation and Rob Lunde, Hommocks Ice Rink Manager. Mr. Seeba gave a brief recap of the process thus far, noting that after subsequent meetings with the contractors additional paper work will be submitted to the Town by each. As some of these discussions just took place Mr. Seeba has not had a chance to update the matrix distributed to the Board, but will note any changes during the discussion this evening. The group reviewed in detail a matrix of the proposed Energy Service Contracts submitted by Con Edison, Honeywell and Johnson Controls. Mr. Seeba also distributed a matrix of just the Ice Rink proposals extracted from the overall Energy Service Contracts. The group discussed the Ice Rink renovations in detail. Mr. Seeba gave an analysis of what was included in each proposal. Mr. Seeba stated that in reviewing these proposals the Board should analyze which proposal has the right package that best suits the Town’s needs. This project is time sensitive so work on the Rink can be done with the least disruption from April through September. Ideally awarding of a contract should take place at the February 22 Town Board Meeting in order to stay on schedule. Mr. Owens stated that he recommends the Town consider retaining an attorney to review and negotiate this contract; one who has experience with Energy Performance Contracts. Mr. Owens continued by emphasizing that all these EPSO firms are big, experienced firms, with a lot of resources and it would be in the Towns best interest to have an attorney to match that experience. ADDED ITEM Supervisor Seligson noted the upcoming Charrettes being held by the Sustainability Collaborative. Local neighborhood Associations’ were invited to participate in the interactive workshop to gather feedback from residents on resiliency, sustainability and quality of life initiatives. An email invite will being going out to Boards and Commissions. Jill Fisher reported on the upcoming community skating event with the New York Rangers taking place on nd January 22at the Hommocks Ice Rink. There will be a Rangers Alumni game after the ‘Try Skating for Free’ Event. Jill noted that this is a second event being held with the Rangers, adding that the previous one was a great success. RECEPTION FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS CALL TO ORDER - REGULAR MEETING The Regular Meeting of the Town Board was called to order by Supervisor Seligson at 8:00 PM, she then pointed out the location of the exits. Supervisor Seligson noted that the Town Board met for a worksession beginning at 5:00 o’clock this evening, adding this is an open meeting that all residents’ are welcomed to attend. SWEARING IN CEREMONY Town Justice Ronald Meister sworn in by Town Justice Jean Marie Brescia, followed by remarks from Town Justice Ronald Meister. Town Councilwoman sworn in by the Honorable Dolores Battalia, followed by remarks from Town Councilwoman Jaine Elkind Eney. 2 January 8, 2014 Town Councilman Ernest Odierna sworn in by Town Justice Jean Marie Brescia, followed by remarks from Town Councilman Ernest Odierna. Town Supervisor Nancy Seligson sworn in by Town Justice Jean Marie Brescia. STATE OF THE TOWN ADDRESS As per our Town custom, I would like to give a brief summary of the previous year, 2013, and a look forward to the New Year, 2014. 2013 was a busy and productive year for the Town of Mamaroneck. We embarked on recovering after Storm Sandy in our conservation areas by rebuilding bridges and catwalks in the Hommocks Conservation Area and the Colonial Greenway and reconstructing damaged streets and sidewalks. The Town joined with five other Sound Shore municipalities in a first-ever joint road resurfacing contract. The joint contract enabled the Highway Department to repave 21 streets. In 2013, our sanitation workers collected 8,170 tons of garbage and over 2,700 tons of recycling material. An improving economy meant more construction activity in the Town leading to Town Building Department revenues increasing by 15% in 2013 to total $466,064. The Recreation Department served over 4,300 children in a wide variety of programs ranging from Bubble Babies to Babysitter Training. The Fire Department responded to 1,254 calls. The Ambulance District had 2,663 calls and the Police Department responded to 9,590 incidents. Ours is a busy and responsive government with 123 employees who provide a high level of daily services throughout the year. The Fire and CSEA unions worked with the Town this year to renew their contracts. In a cooperative and mutually beneficial effort the new contracts include contributions to health insurance costs throughout employment and into retirement for all new employees. This will reduce costs for the Town and was a great step forward in collaborating with our employees in recognizing the value of the benefit and the burden of municipal costs. We are always looking for ways to control costs and increase revenues for the Town. In the recent past we relied heavily on surplus funds to cushion required budget increases. This year we adopted a formal fund balance management policy to guide the Town in the use and replenishment of surplus funds. Surplus funds are savings or funds for a rainy day. Our target is to have a surplus in each budget fund equal to at least 15% of the appropriations in that fund. As of the end of 2013, I’m proud to say that our largest budget funds have surpluses at or above 15%. Another increased source of revenue in 2013 was the payment of back taxes. In a new effort, we actively pursued back taxes owed to the Town. The Town completed the property reassessment project this past year. A reassessment had not been done in the Town since 1968. The reassessment project established a fair and equitable apportionment of property taxes amongst property owners. The project took two years to complete, at a cost of $1.1 million, $200,000 under our original budget for the project, and brought the assessed values of property in the Town to 100% of value. The average assessed value of a home in the Town is now $1.1 million. Residents will see the effect of the new assessed values in their April 2014 tax bills. To our dismay, the Town of Mamaroneck was included in a list of 7 communities that supposedly had exclusionary zoning as determined by the Federal Housing Settlement with the County. We worked hard to show the Federal Monitor and HUD the true nature of housing in the Town of Mamaroneck. We met with the Federal Monitor in the summer and fall to explain the history and current situation of fair and affordable housing in the Town. We proudly showed them the Hommocks Park Apartments, built by the Town in 1993. We toured them around the dense apartment areas of the Town and explained how the three municipalities of Village of Larchmont, Village of Mamaroneck and Town of Mamaroneck are inter-related and form a regional municipal area. We talked about our robust Section 8 housing program. Most importantly, we passed a new zoning ordinance in 2013 that allows residential and multifamily housing in the business and service business districts in the Town. We also adopted a model housing ordinance requiring new developments to include fair and affordable housing. As a result, the Federal Monitor applauded our “exemplary” steps and in December requested the County Executive to remove the Town from the list of communities with exclusionary zoning. This is a great development for the Town and relives a great pressure. 3 January 8, 2014 On the environmental front, the Town completed a greenhouse gas inventory that allows the Town to measure its carbon footprint. You can’t change what you don’t measure. And the measurement showed that the Town of Mamaroneck greenhouse gas emissions decreased 17% from 2007. Now the Town will be able to work more efficiently to reduce energy use, save more money, reduce greenhouse gases and set reduction targets. We know we have to renovate the Hommocks Ice Rink and the Town Center. Both buildings are over 23 years old and have mechanical system failures. The question in 2013 has been how best to structure those renovations. The Sustainability Collaborative, which is made up of local residents who consult with and assist the Town on environmental initiatives, helped the Town understand and move forward with an Energy Service Contract. This type of project structure guarantees energy savings and allows the Town to work through one general contractor instead of monitoring multiple trades. We will include work on the Fire House and Street Lighting as well. The Town passed a Complete Streets Resolution, joined the Southern Westchester Energy Consortium and conducted two beach cleanups at the Hommocks Conservation Area and the Premium Marsh. In the summer of 2013 we all lived through the Weaver Street bridge reconstruction and thankfully it was completed before school reopened. I’m sure most people have noticed that the construction of the Cambium apartment building at Maxwell Ave. and Myrtle Blvd. has begun. It is scheduled to be completed in 2015. Thanks to the efforts of the Town Board, there will be 10 fair and affordable units in the building. Here are some of the initiatives we look forward to in 2014: We look forward to beginning the renovations of the Ice Rink, Town Center, Fire House and Street Lighting through the Energy Service Contract. The Town was part of an awarded grant application by Pace University to work with municipalities to update their land use codes with environmental initiatives. We look forward to amending our zoning and building codes through this process to reduce flooding, protect natural areas and save energy in 2014. We also look forward to implementing staff work plans and strengthening Town identity as part of Strategic Planning efforts begun last year. We plan to redesign the Town website in 2014 and have already held planning meetings for it. The website redesign will be part of an entire review of Town/Public communications. We will look at our email blast and robocall systems. We will look at Facebook and twitter and all media possibilities. I also look forward to continuing our partnership with the Villages of Mamaroneck and Larchmont and the Mamaroneck School District in 2014. I’m not sure if people are aware that the Town, Villages and School District meet regularly throughout the year to update one another on a variety of issues and look at ways to collaborate on services. We look forward to more fair and affordable housing opportunities in keeping with the Town’s goals. Finally, I want to thank my fellow Town Board members for their enthusiastic level of work, dedication to their liaison assignments, cooperative communication and genuine concern for the Town. I also want to thank Steve Altieri and all the staff Department Heads for their great work for the Town. We are lucky to have them. We accomplished a lot in 2013 and I look forward to more work and accomplishments in 2014. Town Supervisor, Nancy Seligson CITIZEN’S COMMENTS Supervisor Seligson asked if anyone in the audience would like to address the speak. Jay Wegimont on behalf of US Assemblyman Eliot Engel congratulated the sworn in officials. BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS 4 January 8, 2014 The Meeting was called to order by Commissioner Seligson, and then on motion of Commissioner Odierna, seconded by Commissioner Katz, the Board of Fire Commissioners was unanimously declared open. Present were the following Members of the Commission: Commissioner: Nancy Seligson Commissioner: Ernest C. Odierna Commissioner: Abby Katz Commissioner: Jaine Elkind Eney Absent was the following Member of the Commissioner: Commissioner: Phyllis Wittner 1. FIRE CLAIMS On motion of Commissioner Katz, seconded by Commissioner Elkind Eney, it was RESOLVED that this Commission hereby authorizes payment of the following Fire Department Claims as approved by the Fire Chief and audited by the Comptroller’s Office: AAA Emergency Supply Tic Batteries Amazon.Com Notebooks AT & T Mobility Wireless Service for 11/12-12/11/13 Byram Mason & Building Supp. 4 Bags of Calcium Brewer Hardware Repairs to Day Room Chairs Cablevision Cable Services for 12/23/13-1/22/14 Grainger Cleaner Goosetown Communications Parts & Batteries for Beeper Repairs Home Depot Grinder Blades Nick Bruno Electric, LLC Electrical Work Oakland Beach Deli 12/7/13 Special Drill at Wires Down Call - Meal Pallett, Christopher Reimbursement for Uniform purchase Poland Spring Rent for Water Cooler & Dispenser 11/19-12/18/13 S. G. Fire Protection Kitchen Hood cleaning Town of Mam'K Fire Dept. 12/11 & 12/17/13 - Food for Dec. 2013 Drill & OSHA Drill Tony's Nurseries Inc. Christmas Decorations United Communications Corp. Minitor Repair Verizon Monthly Service 12/10/13-1/9/14 Westch Joint Water Works Water Charges - 9/3-12/2/13 The above resolution was put to a roll call vote: Commissioner Elkind Eney Aye Commissioner Katz Aye Commissioner Odierna Aye Commissioner Wittner ABSENT Commissioner Seligson Aye There being no further business to come before the Commission, on motion of Commissioner Odierna, seconded by Commissioner Katz, the Commission unanimously adjourned and the Town Board reconvened. AFFAIRS OF THE TOWN 5 January 8, 2014 1.Organizational Agenda SUPERVISOR’S APPOINTMENTS DEPUTY TOWN SUPERVISOR BE IT RESOLVED, that the Supervisor does hereby appoint Councilman Ernest Odierna, as Deputy Town Supervisor, effective January 1, 2014 and terminating December 31, 2015. BUDGET OFFICER BE IT RESOLVED, that the Supervisor does hereby appoint Stephen V. Altieri, the Town Administrator, as Budget Officer, effective January 1, 2014, terminating December 31, 2015. TOWN COMPTROLLER On motion of Councilwoman Elkind Eney, seconded by Councilwoman Katz, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that Anthony Siligato is hereby reappointed Comptroller of the Town of Mamaroneck, for a term of two years commencing January 1, 2014, terminating on December 31, 2015. RECEIVER OF TAXES On motion of Councilwoman Katz, seconded by Councilwoman Elkind Eney, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that Anthony Siligato is hereby reappointed Receiver of Taxes of the Town of Mamaroneck, for a term of two years commencing January 1, 2014, terminating on December 31, 2015. MARRIAGE OFFICER On motion of Councilman Odierna, seconded by Councilwoman Elkind Eney, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Mamaroneck does hereby appoint Nancy Seligson as a Marriage Officer, effective January 1, 2014 and terminating on December 31, 2015. CIVIL OFFICERS On motion of Councilwoman Elkind Eney, seconded by Councilman Odierna, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that Jay Reynolds is hereby reappointed as Civil Officer of the Town of Mamaroneck to serve a term of office of one year, effective January 1, 2014 and terminating on December 31, 2014, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Frank Cioffi is hereby reappointed as Civil Officer of the Town of Mamaroneck to serve a term of office of one year, effective January 1, 2014 and terminating on December 31, 2014, and BE IT FURTHER, RESOLVED, that the foregoing appointments shall be effective immediately upon the appointees taking and subscribing the oath mandated by section 25 of the New York Town Law. 6 January 8, 2014 TOWN BOARD MEETINGS On motion of Councilwoman Katz, seconded by Councilman Odierna, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that the regular meetings of the Town Board be held at 740 W. Boston Post Road, Mamaroneck beginning at 5:00 PM on the following dates: January 8, and January 22 July TBD February 12 and February 26 August TBD March 5 and March 19 September 3 and September 17 April 2 and 16 October 1 and October 15 May 7 and 21 November 5 and 19 June 4 and 18 December 3 and 17 AND, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that said meetings, dates and places may be changed at the pleasure of the Board upon adequate notice being given. OFFICIAL NEWSPAPERS On motion of Councilman Odierna, seconded by Councilwoman Katz, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that The Journal News is hereby designated as the official newspaper of the Town of Mamaroneck for the purpose of publishing legal notices during 2014. DEPOSITORIES OF FUNDS: On motion of Councilwoman Elkind Eney, seconded by Councilwoman Katz, it was RESOLVED, that the following banks and trust companies are hereby designated as depositories for funds of the Town of Mamaroneck for the year 2014 to be: NYCLASS Investment Pool The Bank Of New York Mellon JP Morgan Chase Bank, Mamaroneck Wells Fargo Bank NA, Mamaroneck Capital One Bank, Larchmont Hudson Valley Bank, Mamaroneck The above resolution was put to a roll call vote: Elkind Eney Aye Katz Aye Odierna Aye Wittner ABSENT Seligson Aye BANK SIGNATURES On motion of Councilwoman Katz, seconded by Councilwoman Elkind Eney, it was RESOLVED, that all authority heretofore granted to withdraw funds from and to draw checks, drafts and other orders upon the Town of Mamaroneck accounts maintained at the aforesaid banks hereby is rescinded and revoked and hereafter such withdrawals, checks, drafts and other orders shall be authorized by signatures or facsimile signatures of the Town Supervisor or 7 January 8, 2014 Deputy Supervisor and Comptroller or Deputy Comptroller and Deputy Receiver of Taxes; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that all withdrawals, checks, drafts and other orders relative to the Community Services Discretionary Fund located at JP Morgan Chase Bank shall be authorized by the signatures of Anna Danoy, Director of Community Services, and Stephen V. Altieri, Town Administrator. The above resolution was put to a roll call vote: Elkind Eney Aye Katz Aye Odierna Aye Wittner ABSENT Seligson Aye 2.Authorization – Assessment Administration Contract – GAR Associates On motion of Councilwoman Elkind Eney, seconded by Councilman Odierna, it was RESOLVED, that the Mamaroneck Town Board does hereby approve the proposal dated December 16, 2013 with GAR Associates to assist the Town in assessment maintenance for the year 2014 at a cost not to exceed $25,000, and BE IT FURTHER, RESOLVED, that the Town Administrator is hereby authorized to sign said contract on behalf of the Town. The above resolution was put to a roll call vote: Elkind Eney Aye Katz Aye Odierna Aye Wittner ABSENT Seligson Aye ADDED ITEM State Senator George Latimer joined the Meeting and addressed the Town Board. Senator Latimer congratulated the newly elected Officials and then gave a brief update on the state of state. He asked the Board to review any needs the Town might have for Home Rule Legislation. 3.Authorization – IMA – Westchester County Clerk – Land Record Access On motion of Councilwoman Elkind Eney, seconded by Councilman Odierna, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that the Mamaroneck Town Board does hereby approve the Renewal Agreement between the Town of Mamaroneck and the County of Westchester to provide the Town electronic access to County Land Records for the year 2014. 4.Salary Authorization – Recreation On motion of Councilwoman Elkind Eney, seconded by Councilwoman Katz, it was RESOLVED, that the Mamaroneck Town Board does hereby approve of the following 8 January 8, 2014 salary authorizations as approved in the 2013 Town Budget as follows: ATTACHMENT A The above resolution was put to a roll call vote: Elkind Eney Aye Katz Aye Odierna Aye Wittner ABSENT Seligson Aye ADDED ITEM 5.Exchange of dates for 2014 Town Holiday Schedule The Town Board noted that the Town Offices will remain open on February 12, Lincoln’s Birthday, and in exchange be closed on December 26, 2014. APPROVAL OF MINUTES On motion of Councilman Odierna, seconded by Supervisor Seligson, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that the Mamaroneck Town Board does hereby approve the Board Minutes from the Meeting of December 4, 2013. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS None REPORT OF COUNCIL Councilman Odierna noted that there have been many holidays events, adding that due to the cold weather a few meetings have been cancelled. Councilman Odierna noted that he has used this time to catch up on emails. Councilwoman Elkind Eney attended many holiday events, of which she will not fully report, but would rather th use this time to announce the Martin Luther King, Jr. Events. Tomorrow evening will be the 27 Annual Community Celebration of the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. with An Evening of Jazz and Poetry at the Mamaroneck High School at 7:00 pm. On Sunday, January 12 at 4:00pm, the Human Rights Committee in conjunction with the Friends of the Library will present Barnard College Professor, Jonathan Reider’s book Gospel of Freedom: Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Letter from Birmingham Jail and the Struggle that Changed a Nation. This will be followed by the Awards Presentation to this year’s recipients’, the Community Counseling Center and the former Village Historian Gloria Pritts. Councilwoman Katz attended a website redesign meeting along with Councilman Odierna. Councilwoman Katz attended the Sustainability Collaborative Meeting last night, noting that they are getting ready for their community Charrettes in order to get feedback from the community on sustainability. Councilwoman Katz attended the Recreation Department’s Holiday Breakfast. She attended the Village of Larchmont Environmental Council Meeting at which there was a presentation by the STEM Alliance. The STEM Alliance is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting and enhancing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education and enrichment. The Alliance is gearing up for a May event that Councilwoman Katz will keep the Board apprised of. Supervisor Seligson attended the Sanitation and Highway Departments’ Holiday Lunch, adding that the Holidays are a wonderful time to be a part of a community that has such good spirit. Westchester Joint Water 9 January 8, 2014 Works also had a very nice party which Supervisor Seligson attended. Supervisor Seligson added to the comments by Councilwoman Katz regarding the Sustainability Collaborative, stating that the collaborative is a group of volunteers helping with environmental initiatives. They are currently working on creating a sustainability plan and with those efforts they will be holding workshops with the community for public participation and to talk about resiliency, quality of life, and sustainability in crafting a sustainability plan. Councilman Odierna commended the Highway Department on their great efforts during the recent storm! The Town Board ended the Regular Meeting to relocate to Conference Room A for an Executive Session. On motion of Supervisor Seligson, seconded by Councilwoman Katz, the Board unanimously agreed to enter into an Executive Session to discuss the employment history of a particular employee with respect to a an appointment to the Town Council. EXECUTIVE SESSION Employment History of a Particular Employee with respect to an appointment to the Town Council. ADJOURNMENT On motion of Councilwoman Katz, seconded by Councilwoman Elkind Eney, the Board unanimously agreed to close the Executive Session and adjourn the Meeting at 10:00pm. ________________________________ Submitted by Christina Battalia, Town Clerk 10