Village Board of Trustees Meeting

Minutes of the regular meeting of the Village of Nyack Board of Trustees held at 7:30pm on Thursday October 24, 2019 at Nyack Village Hall, 9 N. Broadway, Nyack, New York Hon. Dr. Don Hammond Presiding: PRESENT Dr. Don Hammond Mayor Louise Parker Trustee Marie Lorenzini Trustee Donna Lightfoot-Cooper Trustee Elijah Reichlin-Melnick Trustee ALSO PRESENT James Politi Village Administrator Walter Sevastian Village Attorney Jennifer Hetling Village Clerk/Treasurer Meeting called to order at 7:30pm Pledge of Allegiance Moment of Silence – Judith Johnson Adoption of Minutes October 10, 2019 Motion by Donna Lightfoot-Cooper, seconded by Marie Lorenzini to accept the motion as presented. Motion passed by unanimous vote. Public Comment - None Action Items Resolution No. 2019 – 79 Resolution of the Nyack Village Board to accept the Audited Voucher Summary #17-2019 Motion by Louise Parker, seconded by Elijah Reichlin-Melnick to accept the motion as presented. Motion passed by unanimous vote. Resolution No. 2019 – 80 Resolution of the Nyack Village Board approving the 15th Annual ArtWalk on June 19, 2020 through June 21, 2020 Motion by Marie Lorenzini, seconded by Donna Lightfoot-Cooper to accept the motion as presented. Motion passed by unanimous vote. Resolution No. 2019 – 81 Resolution of the Nyack Village Board to award the Nyack Memorial Park Inlet Bridge contract to Arben Group LLC Motion by Donna Lightfoot-Cooper, seconded by Louise Parker to accept the motion as presented. Motion passed by unanimous vote. Public Comment Drew Burke – The paint on the crosswalks is smooth and causes a falling hazard when wet. Traffic near HeadStart on Depew Ave. is a problem and the crosswalk sign there is missing.  There are many people allowing their dogs to roam off leash in Memorial Park and the police don’t seem to be enforcing the law on this matter. Doug Foster – The Nyack Boat Charter is finishing their 3rd and final season on the license and requested that the RFP, when it goes out, contain the same requirements and conditions as the current license agreement but be for a longer time frame. Henry Rand – There is a proposed parking lot agreement between Nyack School District and Nyack Hospital on N .Midland Ave and Haven Court where there is currently a baseball field and other park area and he is concerned that the change in use will set a precedence for future changes. He also stated that this could effect that value of the properties in the area. He asked that the board make sure that the school district and hospital are held to following the standards required by the land use board. Beth Riso – Concerned that the proposed parking lot sets a precedence for future commercial use. Stated she is willing to work with the hospital to find alternatives but does not think the proposed area for the parking lot is a good solution. Joe Carlin – Does not want to see the baseball field turned into a parking lot. Suggested that the hospital use the staff parking lot for visitors and then shuttle the staff in from other locations where parking is more available. Susanna Willingham – The baseball field is being actively used as a park and should remain that way. Justin Machia – Owns the home next to the field and is putting together a petition against the proposal. Paving one of the two fields in the Village would be a loss to the community. Kyle Ryan – Dealing with the hospital on a regular basis is frustrating. The hospital uses all the parking in the area so that the residents do not have access to street parking. A loss of open space should not be an option. The proposed parking garage has all the open areas facing the residential area and the noise will be forced out towards the houses. The construction crews are starting as early as 6:45am and not abiding by the noise ordinance and the police are not enforcing the law. Tina Guarasci– She concurs with the statements of her neighbors who spoke tonight about the proposed parking lot. The Village Attorney responded that in his opinion of the law regarding the qualified immunity of governmental agencies, the school district would have to go through the zoning process if they chose to move forward with a plan for the proposed parking lot however, the school district could interpret the law differently and it could turn into a legal debate between the district and the Village. Beth Riso – Asked if the Village Board could make the determination on the proposed parking lot rather than the land use boards to which the Board said no. Yvette McCurdy – Against the proposed parking lot and is concerned that big corporations get whatever they want. Justin Machia – Asked if the school district would be required to show the public where the funds received from the proposed lease for the parking lot were being used. Joe Carlin – Asked if the Village Board would weigh in with the School Board before the next School Board meeting. Laura Gould – Green space is very important in general and the green area on N Midland Ave. is very important to maintain. The support of the Village Board on this issue is very important to the residents. Henry Rand – Asked if a letter could be sent from the building department similar to the one sent when there are a proposed permanent parking lot stating that they would have to go through the land use boards, now that the plan has been changed to a temporary parking lot. The Mayor responded that the building department cannot yet send a letter because no plans for a temporary parking lot have not yet been submitted. Nina Petricone – Nyack Hospital urbanizes the neighborhood and if they take the field for parking there will be more security and traffic concerns. Department Reports to the Board of Trustees Orangetown Police Department – None Village Attorney – The culvert issues are moving forward and testing is being done. The Riverclub RFP is not yet drawing any attention at the current time. Village Administrator – Presented a capital projects update (see attached) Presented a recreation department update as prepared by Recreation Leader, Melody Partrick (see attached). Stated that the Parking Authority collects approximately $2500 on a typical Saturday and this should be considered when requests come in for free parking for events. Village Clerk – Treasurer – Parking Authority financials are available (see attached) Commission and Authority Reports to the Board of Trustees Water Commission - None Parks Commission – None Nyack Parking Authority - None Nyack Housing Authority – Donna Lightfoot-Cooper reported that after attending a Housing Authority meeting last Tuesday, the displaced residents of Depew Manor will be moving back in on November 7, 2019. The Housing Authority also is requesting a speed bump in the area of Waldron Terrace. Village Administrator, James Politi will contact Toni Keys and see what can be done. Asked if the building department has worked with the Depew Manor displaced residents to get personal items they needed from their apartments to which James Politi responded that they have. The Housing Authority is considering ending their breakfast program and will be looking for funding to continue the program next year. It was discussed that the administration should suggest tenant insurance when new residents move in. Old Business Review of request for a handicap parking space in the vicinity of 237 High Ave. Notices were sent out to residents of the block there was no negative feedback. Motion by Donald Hammond, seconded by Marie Lorenzini to install a handicap parking space on the southside of High Ave near 237 High Ave. Motion passed by unanimous vote. Communications New Business Public Comment John Dunnigan – As a representative of the Chamber of Commerce, they would be willing to agree to free parking only in the Artopee Lot instead of Village-Wide. Joe Carlin – The school board will be meeting on November 12, 2019. He asked if the board could conduct a special meeting to hold a public hearing regarding the proposed parking lot before the school board meeting. Trustee Elijah Reichlin-Melnick stated that he publicly opposed the proposed parking lot lease between the hospital and the school district several years ago when it had come up and he still does. Henry Rand – Thinks that green space in the Village of Nyack is very important and a resolution to the School Board as such would be valid. Beth Riso – Would like the Board to send a resolution reiterating that the neighborhood is concerned about the proposed parking lot to the School Board. Kyle Ryan – Asked if the Village could look into the noise issues with construction around the hospital. Drew Burke – The last street fair had an abundance of dogs which are not allowed. Some of the Housing Authority Board members are missing too many meetings. Comments from the Village Board of Trustees Elijah Reichlin-Melnick – None Marie Lorenzini – None Louise Parker – None Donald Hammond – None Donna Lightfoot-Cooper – None Adjournment Motion by Marie Lorenzini, seconded by Donna Lightfoot-Cooper to adjourn the Village board meeting at 9:37pm. Motion passed by unanimous vote.