Village Board of Trustees Meeting

Minutes of the regular meeting of the Village of Nyack Board of Trustees held at 7:30pm on Thursday August 13, 2020 at Nyack Village Hall, 9 N. Broadway, Nyack, New York Hon. Dr. Don Hammond Presiding: PRESENT Dr. Don Hammond Mayor Louise Parker Trustee Donna Lightfoot-Cooper (arrived at 7:41pm) Trustee Elijah Reichlin-Melnick Trustee Marie Lorenzini Trustee ALSO PRESENT Walter Sevastian Village Attorney James Politi Village Administrator Jennifer Hetling Village Clerk/Treasurer Meeting called to order at 7:30pm Pledge of Allegiance As we continue to address our respective challenges associated with COVID-19, Village government continues to operate. And as there are matters the Village must continue to address as part of keeping the Village operational, our August 13, 2020 Village Board meeting remains as scheduled. As Village Hall is closed, the meeting will have to be held remotely (see below). We will be keeping the Agenda (see posting on website) to essential items. On March 7, 2020, in Executive Order No. 202.1, Governor Cuomo suspended certain provisions of the Open Meeting Law to permit a Village Board to meet and take actions authorized by law without permitting in public in-person access and authorizing such meeting 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. The Village will be activating a remote meeting platform for the June 25th Village Board meeting, which will enable residents to phone in and listen to the meeting in compliance with the Executive Order. In the interests of the public's health and safety, the Village Board strongly encourages residents to utilize this platform. The Village Board appreciates your patience and understanding during this difficult and evolving situation. Please be sure to check in on the Village website for updates which will be posted on an ongoing basis. Adoption of Minutes June 18, 2020 - Motion by Elijah Reichlin-Melnick, seconded by Louise Parker to accept the motion as presented. Motion passed by unanimous vote. July 9, 2020 - Motion by Donald Hammond, seconded by Louise Parker to accept the motion as presented. Motion passed by unanimous vote. July 15, 2020 - Motion by Donald Hammond, seconded by Louise Parker to accept the motion as presented. Motion passed by unanimous vote. Public Comment – Joe Carlin – Asked if the bonding could be delayed since COVID could affect future revenues. Mayor Hammond responded that these are bonds resolutions allowing us to borrow but a borrowing has not been done as of yet. As we move forward we will decide if we want to actually sign contacts and borrow money. Village Administrator also responded and stated that the flocculators are a necessity to keep the water system functioning. Action Items Resolution No. 2020 – 48 Resolution of the Nyack Village Board to accept the Audited Voucher Summary #12-2020 Motion by Donald Hammond, seconded by Marie Lorenzini to accept the motion as presented. Motion passed by unanimous vote. Resolution No 2020-24 Resolution of the Nyack Village Board to approve the Amendment to Chapter 250 of the Village Code with respect to the fines associated with improper boat launching at the Village Marina Motion by Louise Parker, seconded by Elijah Reichlin-Melnick to accept the motion as presented. Motion passed by unanimous vote. Resolution No 2020 – 49 Resolution of the Nyack Village Board authorizing the issuance of $200,000 bonds in addition to the $450,000 bonds heretofore authorized and issued for the construction of a footbridge Motion by Donald Hammond, seconded by Elijah Reichlin-Melnick to accept the motion as presented. Motion passed by unanimous vote. Resolution No 2020 – 50 Resolution of the Nyack Village Board authorizing the issuance of $114,000 bonds for the construction of improvements to sidewalks and crosswalks in connection with the Safe Route to School Program Village Administrator explained that this borrowing would just be for the design phase which would take 12 – 18 months. Motion by Donna Lightfoot-Cooper, seconded by Louise Parker to accept the motion as presented. Motion passed by unanimous vote. Resolution No 2020 – 51 Resolution of the Nyack Village Board authorizing the issuance of $300,000 bonds for the construction of improvements to sidewalks and bump outs on Broadway Village Administrator Politi explained that this is the match for the second grant. Motion by Elijah Reichlin-Melnick, seconded by Marie Lorenzini to accept the motion as presented. Motion passed by unanimous vote. Resolution No 2020 – 52 Resolution of the Nyack Village Board authorizing the issuance of $500,000 bonds for the replacement of flocculators at the water plant Motion by Louise Parker, seconded by Marie Lorenzini to accept the motion as presented. Motion passed by unanimous vote. Resolution No 2020 – 53 Resolution of the Nyack Village Board to reject all bids for the Broadway TAP Project and to rebid the project under a new scope of work. Village Administrator Politi explained that 3 bids were received and the lowest bid was well above the estimated cost. Motion by Louise Parker, seconded by Elijah Reichlin-Melnick to accept the motion as presented. Motion passed by unanimous vote. 1. PUBLIC HEARING 8:00pm Amendments to Chapter 250 of the Village Code with respect to the fines associated with improper boat launching at the Village Marina Motion by Marie Lorenzini, seconded by Louise Parker to open the public hearing at 8:00pm. Motion passed by unanimous vote. Attorney Sevastian explained the change to the local law as being a change in the fine for illegally launching a boat from $50 to $100. Joe Carlin asked how often people launch without paying the fee to which Village Administrator Politi responded that it happens quite often. Joe Carlin also asked if a barrier could be put into place where people would not be able to launch without paying the fee to which Village Administrator Politi responded that the board has reviewed that it would be costly and numerous problems could arise. Motion by Donald Hammond, seconded by Marie Lorenzini to close the public hearing at 8:05pm. Motion passed by unanimous vote. Public Comment – Joe Carlin – Has been to Memorial Park and there are many people not wearing masks and not social distancing. He also noted that there is no signage near the entrance from the footbridge. Mayor Hammond replied that he saw the email regarding this and the Village is working on getting signage there by the weekend. Department Reports to the Board of Trustees Orangetown Police Department – None Village Attorney – No report Trustee Reichlin-Melnick asked about the status of the building permit for TZ Vista. Attorney Sevastian replied that some permits have been extended due to COVID but the permit in place now is set to expire in December. Village Administrator – The free 15 parking in the new Parkmobile app is an issue. The app might need to be adjusted and would be an additional cost. Another option would be to create free 15 parking spots throughout the village. There would be permanent spots that are for a free 15 minutes only. This eliminates a transaction free which has cost about $40,000 in the prior year. To give up certain spots to this would reduce revenue by $28,000. These spots could be used by patrons multiple times a day. It would be completely contactless. PEA’s could enforce this by marking tires. If this is approved there would have to be a lot of communication with the community done. The concept is already in place in some areas like the post office, village hall, etc. Trustee Reichlin-Melnick suggested that the free 15 program should continue the same way but would have to be used at the meter and just would not be available in the app. The board decided to go with the option to allow for free 15 at the meters only and it would not be an option on the app. Village Clerk – Treasurer – None Old Business - None Communications Request from Marcella Mazzeo of Salonniere, located at 79 South Broadway, for a bike rack in front of their location Village Administrator Politi will look into the location and if installed it would be temporary until the Broadway TAP project starts and then it would be re-evaluated. Request from Jillian Orsini for a refund of $240 for prepaid parking passes for the months of April – June 2020 The board decided that refunds will not be given but a credit can be issued for future permits. Suggestion from Marie Somos to extend the free parking from 15 minutes to 30 minutes The board decided that they would not be moving forward with this suggestion. Correspondence from Jonathan Yaeger regarding the reopening of Memorial Park playground Correspondence from Louis Isch regarding Nyack College (informational only) Request from Chantale Bourdages to monitor and correct speed issues on Sickles Ave. Mayor Hammond asked Village Administrator to look back and see if a traffic study had been done in this area. Public Comment - None Comments from the Village Board of Trustees Elijah Reichlin-Melnick – Other local downtowns have given the sidewalks in front of restaurants to them for dining and moved the pedestrians to the parking spaces in front to walk around. He asked the board if this would be something they would be open to. The board will review this suggestion with the community and as it related to liability issues. Louise Parker – None Donald Hammond – He has been meeting 2 times per week with the community. They are working on proposals for future events. Marie Lorenzini – None Donna Lightfoot-Cooper – None Adjournment Motion by Louise Parker, seconded by Donna Lightfoot-Cooper to adjourn the Village Board meeting at 9:13pm. Motion passed by unanimous vote.