Board of Trustees

Board of Trustees Minutes March 8, 2021 Meeting called to order at 7:30 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Dennis Siry, Deputy Mayor Kevin Smith, Trustee Jessica Bernius, Trustee Whalen, Trustee O’Neill ALSO PRESENT: Village Attorney Bruce Kennedy AFD Chief Rob Waegerle APD Chief Bryan Burton Superintendent Bruce Hopper Building Inspector Bryan Donato Clerk/Treasurer Catherine Murdock Assistant to the Mayor Wendy O’Neill The salute to the flag was led by Chief Bryan Burton. Mayor Siry welcomed everyone to the March 8th Meeting of the Board of Trustees, held via Zoom Meeting. He reminded everyone to stay safe and prevent the spread of Covid. He also reminded residents to check out the Village website Amityville.com for events and information. The Mayor announced the following: Friday is the deadline for summer employment applications for the beach and DPW; the Village is accepting requests for proposals for operation of the beach food concession; this Saturday, there will be a webinar presented by Save the Great South Bay regarding reusing rainwater; The Great South Bay Creek Defender clean-up of Ketcham’s Creek in Amityville will take place April 10th. Go to Savethegreatsouthbay.org to participate. Information is also on the Village website. Deputy Mayor Kevin Smith announced that Legislator Jason Richberg has information on Vaccine registration help for seniors, so please call his office for information. Assemblywoman Kimberly Jean Pierre is sponsoring a candy drive for Easter baskets for children in need and donations can be brought to her office. Town Supervisor Steve Bellone has announced that Connect Long Island is presenting information on transportation on Long Island. City Life Nutrition has just opened at 214 Broadway with protein drinks so please visit them. Mayor Siry also stated that Bay Village Civic Association will hold a shredder event on April 17th, at 9/11 Park. Donations are $10. Mayor Siry thanked Joan Donnison for their public service. Also, on April 24th, Kiwanis will conduct a garage sale at the Beach Pavilion. Contact them if you wish to reserve a table. The tax sale that was to be held on March 12th is being rescheduled, per Executive Order, for a later date. Committee Reports were deferred to the March 22nd meeting, given the two public hearings on the agenda. Mayor Siry opened the agenda for Mayor’s Actions. Mayor’s Actions: Approve Board of Trustees Minutes from the February 8th, 2021 meeting MOTION to APPROVE was made by Trustee Whalen and was seconded by Deputy Mayor Smith Vote on Motion: Mayor Siry aye Deputy Mayor Smith aye Trustee Bernius aye Trustee Whalen aye Trustee O’Neill aye Motion Carried: 5 aye 0 nays 1  Board of Trustees Minutes March 8, 2021 Licenses: Landscaper License -Renewal Jose V. Pineda-Baires for Jose Victor Landscaping, 381 Waldo St., Copiague, NY Santos B. Rodriguez, for Santos Landscaping, 97 Archer St., Freeport, NY 11520 Henry Rheel for HJR Landscaping Inc., 8 Argyle Pl., Massapequa, NY 11758 Bryan Schilling for Bryan Schilling Landscaping, 327 51st St., Lindenhurst, NY 11757 MOTION to APPROVE the above four applications (a. through d. on agenda) with prior stipulations was made by Trustee Whalen and was seconded by Trustee O’Neill Vote on Motion: Mayor Siry aye Deputy Mayor Smith aye Trustee Bernius aye Trustee Whalen aye Trustee O’Neill aye Motion Carried: 5 aye 0 nays Carting License Long Island Waste Services LLC, 390 N. Broadway Suite 220, Jericho, NY 11753 MOTION to APPROVE was made by Trustee Bernius and was seconded by Trustee Whalen Vote on Motion: Mayor Siry aye Deputy Mayor Smith aye Trustee Bernius aye Trustee Whalen aye Trustee O’Neill aye Motion Carried: 5 aye 0 nays Request from Deputy Treasurer Request to approve abstract from February 18th, 2021 – March 3rd, 2021 MOTION to APPROVE was made by Trustee O’Neill and was seconded by Trustee Whalen Vote on Motion: Mayor Siry aye Deputy Mayor Smith aye Trustee Bernius aye Trustee Whalen aye Trustee O’Neill aye Motion Carried: 5 aye 0 nays Request from Clerk/Treasurer Request from Joe Morin to use the Village of Amityville Courtroom for Amityville Little League registration on Saturday, April 10th, 2021 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and permission to use the Louden Ave. and County Line Rd. fields from April 15th through September 1st (Games/practices Mondays through Sundays) Mayor Siry called to table the request to use the Court Room, as the facility is closed due to Covid. MOTION to TABLE the use of the Court Room and APPROVE use of the ballfields was made by Trustee O’Neill and seconded by Trustee Whalen Vote on Motion: Mayor Siry aye Deputy Mayor Smith aye Trustee Bernius aye Trustee Whalen aye Trustee O’Neill aye Motion Carried: 5 aye 0 nays 2  Board of Trustees Minutes March 8, 2021 Request to pay Cullen & Danowski, LLP for accounting services for FYE 2020 (June through December) in the amount of $15,540.00 (A1410.440) MOTION to APPROVE was made by Trustee Whalen and was seconded by Trustee O’Neill Vote on Motion: Mayor Siry aye Deputy Mayor Smith aye Trustee Bernius aye Trustee Whalen aye Trustee O’Neill aye Motion Carried: 5 aye 0 nays Request to pay Nelson & Pope for 2/26/21 Invoice #52423 N20X067.001.000 James Caples Park Shoreline Stabilization in the amount of $6,500.00 (A1410.440) MOTION to APPROVE was made by Trustee Bernius and was seconded by Trustee Whalen Vote on Motion: Mayor Siry aye Deputy Mayor Smith aye Trustee Bernius aye Trustee Whalen aye Trustee O’Neill aye Motion Carried: 5 aye 0 nays Request to allow Satty, Levine and Ciacco, CPAs, PC to conduct a single audit for the Village in the year 2021 in the amount of $7,500 (A1420.440) MOTION to APPROVE was made by Trustee Whalen and was seconded by Trustee O’Neill Vote on Motion: Mayor Siry aye Deputy Mayor Smith aye Trustee Bernius aye Trustee Whalen aye Trustee O’Neill aye Motion Carried: 5 aye 0 nays 3  Board of Trustees Minutes March 8, 2021 Request from Liz Fanning of Great South Bay Dance, 187 Broadway, Amityville, to conduct a 2021 Spring Dance program at the Peter Pappas Pavilion at the Amityville Beach on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, from April 22 through September 4th. Programs include children’s dance, adult ballet, children’s yoga, and adult yoga MOTION to APPROVE was made by Trustee Bernius and was seconded by Trustee O’Neill Vote on Motion: Mayor Siry aye Deputy Mayor Smith aye Trustee Bernius aye Trustee Whalen aye Trustee O’Neill aye Motion Carried: 5 aye 0 nays Request from Police Department Request for permission to purchase an upgraded closed circuit camera system including three IP cameras for headquarters, a new mobile license plate reader and all-band mobile radio for dispatch area in the amount of $41,937.75 (A3120.261) MOTION to APPROVE was made by Trustee O’Neill and was seconded by Trustee Whalen Vote on Motion: Mayor Siry aye Deputy Mayor Smith aye Trustee Bernius aye Trustee Whalen aye Trustee O’Neill aye Motion Carried: 5 aye 0 nays Request to pay Lexipol LLC for Law enforcement manual and training; full implementation of law enforcement product in the amount of $21,043.95 (A3120.116) MOTION to APPROVE was made by Trustee O’Neill and was seconded by Trustee Whalen Vote on Motion: Mayor Siry aye Deputy Mayor Smith aye Trustee Bernius aye Trustee Whalen aye Trustee O’Neill aye Motion Carried: 5 aye 0 nays Request from Fire Department Request to pay LI Proliner Inc. for Invoice 22874 12/9/2020 on 2018 Ford f-350 in the amount of $7,308.14 (A3410.231) MOTION to APPROVE was made by Trustee O’Neill and was seconded by Trustee Whalen Vote on Motion: Mayor Siry aye Deputy Mayor Smith aye Trustee Bernius aye Trustee Whalen aye Trustee O’Neill aye Motion Carried: 5 aye 0 nays 4  Board of Trustees Minutes March 8, 2021 Request to pay Motorola Solutions, Inc. for transaction #41297185 all band mobile radios in the amount of $3,976.74 (A3410.250) MOTION to APPROVE was made by Trustee Bernius and was seconded by Trustee Whalen Vote on Motion: Mayor Siry aye Deputy Mayor Smith aye Trustee Bernius aye Trustee Whalen aye Trustee O’Neill aye Motion Carried: 5 aye 0 nays Request to pay Firematic Supply Co. Inc. for Invoice #386123 – misc. supplies in the amount of $4,147.00 (A3410.251) MOTION to APPROVE was made by Trustee O’Neill and was seconded by Trustee Whalen Vote on Motion: Mayor Siry aye Deputy Mayor Smith aye Trustee Bernius aye Trustee Whalen aye Trustee O’Neill aye Motion Carried: 5 aye 0 nays Request for a Budget Modification: Increase A1624.460 Building Repair, $8,000.00; Decrease A3410.450 Leases & Rentals, $8,000.00 MOTION to APPROVE was made by Trustee Whalen and was seconded by Trustee O’Neill Vote on Motion: Mayor Siry aye Deputy Mayor Smith aye Trustee Bernius aye Trustee Whalen aye Trustee O’Neill aye Motion Carried: 5 aye 0 nays Request from Department of Public Works Request to pay Sprague for 2004 gallons of gas in the amount of $3,973.33 (A1625.410) MOTION to APPROVE was made by Trustee O’Neill and was seconded by Trustee Whalen Vote on Motion: Mayor Siry aye Deputy Mayor Smith aye Trustee Bernius aye Trustee Whalen aye Trustee O’Neill aye Motion Carried: 5 aye 0 nays Request to pay Atlantic Salt for salt, tickets #21-013727; 21-013866; 21-014633; and 21-014635 (A5142.419) MOTION to APPROVE was made by Trustee Bernius and was seconded by Trustee O’Neill Vote on Motion: Mayor Siry aye Deputy Mayor Smith aye Trustee Bernius aye Trustee Whalen aye Trustee O’Neill aye Motion Carried: 5 aye 0 nays 5  Board of Trustees Minutes March 8, 2021 Request to purchase a Rayco 2021 RG55-0129 Super J Stump Cutter, Sourcewell ID #89767, from Essco Distributors, Bay Shore, NY in the amount of $45,231.13 (A5112.200) MOTION to APPROVE was made by Trustee O’Neill and was seconded by Trustee Bernius Vote on Motion: Mayor Siry aye Deputy Mayor Smith aye Trustee Bernius aye Trustee Whalen aye Trustee O’Neill aye Motion Carried: 5 aye 0 nays Resolutions Resolution 21-03-08-01 to approve an audit by Skinnon and Faber, CPAs, P.C., of the Justice Court of the Incorporated Village of Amityville, for the period June 1, 2019 to May 31, 2020 MOTION to APPROVE was made by Trustee Bernius and was seconded by Trustee Whalen Vote on Motion: Mayor Siry aye Deputy Mayor Smith aye Trustee Bernius aye Trustee Whalen aye Trustee O’Neill aye Motion Carried: 5 aye 0 nays Public Hearing Conduct a public hearing for Introductory Local Law No. 1 of the Year 2021 amending the requirements for accessory buildings in the A, BB, and B Residence Districts regarding interior plumbing MOTION to OPEN the public hearing was made by Trustee O’Neill and was seconded by Trustee Bernius Vote on Motion: Mayor Siry aye Deputy Mayor Smith aye Trustee Bernius aye Trustee Whalen aye Trustee O’Neill aye Motion Carried: 5 aye 0 nays Mayor Siry stated the purpose of the hearing is to discuss plumbing in accessory buildings to get public input. He suggested a revision to the code might make it easier for residents to add a bathroom near their pool, a cabana/tiki bar, or shed with outdoor showers near their docks for convenience of boaters. Trustee O’Neill suggested curtailing the size of the structure to avoid illegal apartments. Mayor Siry agreed 100%. Jane Schmidt, 6 Unqua Pl., Amityville, stated she is in an Article 78 against the Zoning Board of Appeals and is concerned about giving residents carte blanche to add plumbing. The Mayor suggested that it might be a better process and less costly to the Village to update the code rather than have residents apply individually to the Zoning Board of Appeals. Joan Donnison, Bay Village Civic Association, was in favor of keeping oversight through the Zoning Board, on a case-by-case basis. Richard G. Handler, 195 Ocean Avenue, Amityville, submitted a statement in advance against the introductory local law for many of the same reasons stated at the meeting. Trustee Bernius expressed concern about a potential increase of illegal apartments. Deputy Mayor Smith stated we should include in the law pre-determined fines and a provision that the Village has the right to inspect the property. 6  Board of Trustees Minutes March 8, 2021 Mayor Siry asked for any additional public input. There being none, he advised that if the law was to be considered further, the language will be drafted carefully, and that we are watching out for illegal apartments. MOTION to CLOSE the public hearing was made by Trustee O’Neill and was seconded by Trustee Bernius Vote on Motion: Mayor Siry aye Deputy Mayor Smith aye Trustee Bernius aye Trustee Whalen aye Trustee O’Neill aye Motion Carried: 5 aye 0 nays Conduct a public hearing for public comment on the proposed Plan for Police Reform for the Amityville Police Department MOTION to OPEN the Public Hearing was made by Trustee O’Neill and was seconded by Trustee Bernius Vote on Motion: Mayor Siry aye Deputy Mayor Smith aye Trustee Bernius aye Trustee Whalen aye Trustee O’Neill aye Motion Carried: 5 aye 0 nays Mayor Siry stated that transparency and accountability are essential in policing. He reported on the well-rounded, diverse Police Reform Committee which has met weekly for the past few months to evaluate and revise Police Department policies and procedures. A questionnaire in English and Spanish has been circulated to solicit public input and comments. In accordance with the Governor’s mandate for reform, several initiatives were discussed and changes are being made. Among the initiatives are a youth mentorship program, publication online of traffic stop and other demographic data, transparency with civilian complaints/misconduct, body cameras or dash cams for accountability, and outreach to the community to cultivate more diverse talent/recruitment. Chief Bryan Burton and Mayor Siry thanked the Committee for their hard work, passion and valuable input. Chief Burton also reported that the department will be pursuing accreditation to have regular, external reviews of its policies and practices. He explained their efforts are a part of a larger community relations plan, which includes an emphasis on restorative justice. Marcus Duffin, 408 Wellington Park Villas, Amityville, stated this process is a good start but it will need follow through. He agrees with the mentorship program and suggests offering internships so that students go on to college and return to become police officers in the community. He asked if the department could broaden the search for candidates, and that the APD consider the perspectives of people of color living in North Amityville. Eugenia Woods, 4c Williamsbridge Ct., Ridge, NY commented that police recruitment needs to be diverse and asked about their hiring practices when it comes to candidates of color. Beverly Brewster, 110 Harrison Ave., Amityville, was in favor of the mentorship program and suggested that the police have with them a person of color to ensure students are receptive. She commended the Committee and the Board. Reynolds Hawkins, 58 Miller Ave., Central Islip, NY agreed that positive police involvement is a good idea. 7  Board of Trustees Minutes March 8, 2021 Kelly Urena, a member of the Latina Moms and the Police Reform Committee, encouraged hiring homegrown talent. Dorothy Santa, of Latina Moms and a North Babylon resident serving on the Reform Committee, encouraged cultural awareness training and that complaints against police are heard. She encouraged everyone to complete the survey that is on the Village website. Fr. Randolph Jon Geminder, St. Mary’s Church and Committee member, shared that his church has a large Caribbean population and he appreciates the proactive steps being taken. Joe Rutigliano, 192 Bayview Ave., stated oversight and accountability are critical. Dr. Terry Fulton, President of the School Board and Committee member, called for healing wounds, diversity, and the need to learn from history. Mayor Siry told those present that the Board of Trustees is entrusted with oversight of the Amityville Police Department and if anyone has any comments, they can reach out to him. Trustee Bernius suggested the Committee should have a few more taxpayers on it. John Diliberto, president of the Amityville Chamber of Commerce and a representative of the business community (Island Drafting School) reported that the Committee could not be more thorough, and he pointed out that our Village Police Department is unique in comparison with larger, county departments. Kelly Urena brought out that there are businesses renting in the Village that are El Salvadorian and every person needs to feel a sense of belonging. Trustee Smith suggested that communication and compassion are key, and we are all in this together. MOTION to CLOSE the public hearing was made by Trustee O’Neill and was seconded by Trustee Bernius Vote on Motion: Mayor Siry aye Deputy Mayor Smith aye Trustee Bernius aye Trustee Whalen aye Trustee O’Neill aye Motion Carried: 5 aye 0 nays Call for a public hearing on March 22, 2021 for Introductory Local Law No. 2 of the Year 2021 to authorize the Planning Board to establish and implement guidelines for signs in the Broadway Corridor. MOTION to APPROVE was made by Trustee Bernius and was seconded by Trustee O’Neill Vote on Motion: Mayor Siry aye Deputy Mayor Smith aye Trustee Bernius aye Trustee Whalen aye Trustee O’Neill aye Motion Carried: 5 aye 0 nays 8  Board of Trustees Minutes March 8, 2021 Mayor Siry opened the floor to public comments: Jack Magnani, 75 Meadow La., reported that neighbors Al and Edna Strollo who were known to the Board, had passed away. Mayor Siry extended the Board’s condolences to the Strollo family. There being no further agenda items or discussions: MOTION to ADJOURN was made by Trustee O’Neill and seconded by Trustee Whalen Vote on Motion: Mayor Siry aye Deputy Mayor Smith aye Trustee Bernius aye Trustee Whalen aye Trustee O’Neill aye Motion Carried: 5 aye 0 nays Meeting adjourned at 9:59 p.m. ______________________________________ Catherine C. Murdock Clerk/Treasurer 9