Village Board of Trustees Meeting

Minutes of the regular meeting of the Village of Nyack Board of Trustees held at 7:30pm on Thursday January 14, 2021 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 Trustee Joe Rand Trustee Marie Lorenzini Trustee ALSO PRESENT Walter Sevastian Village Attorney Jennifer Hetling Village Clerk/Treasurer ABSENT James Politi Village Administrator 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 January 14, 2021 Village Board meeting remains as scheduled and was held remotely. 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 January 14th 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 – December 10, 2020 - Motion by Louise Parker, seconded by Donna Lightfoot-Cooper to accept the motion as presented. Motion passed by vote of 4 yay and 1 abstention (Trustee Rand) January 6, 2021 - Motion by Donald Hammond, seconded by Louise Parker to accept the motion as presented. Motion passed by unanimous vote. Public Comment – None Resolution No. 2021 – 2 Resolution of the Nyack Village Board to accept the Audited Voucher Summary #1-2021 Motion by Donna Lightfoot-Cooper, seconded by Marie Lorenzini to accept the motion as presented. Motion passed by a unanimous vote. Public Comment – Laura Weintraub – She is the owner of 43 N Broadway and a local resident. There are safety issues with the building next door (bricks falling off). She brought this issue to the attention of the board in June 2019. Scaffolding was put up and tape and tarps were put over the area where bricks were falling but bricks are still falling and are a safety issue for her tenants. Village Attorney Sevastian responded that the building department was interfacing with the owner of the neighboring building last year ad was issued an order to remedy. A few weeks ago they were issued a summons to appear in court. Margaret Amador – Parking at Fourth Ave and Gedney is an issue during a snowstorm because people from the condos move their cars out of their parking lot so it can be plowed. During a snow emergency this is an issue because then the street doesn’t get cleared properly. She suggests using more notification through the Village email alerts. Mayor Hammond replied that they have spoken to the condo association personnel about this issue and are working on a solution. Also, next year prior to snow season, the Village will send out info on how to find out if there is a snow emergency and a map where parking is and is not allowed. Nikki Hines – Asked if the basketball court at Memorial Park would be opening soon. Mayor Hammond replied that he would reach out to Clarkstown to see what their rational was for opening their courts. Department Reports to the Board of Trustees Orangetown Police Department – None Village Attorney – He is still working on getting the street light deal closed. Village Clerk – Treasurer – None Communications Letter from NYCOM regarding legislative priorities for 2021 Letter from Rockland County District Attorney regarding the village attorney prosecuting cases in the Nyack Justice Court Public Comment – None Comments from the Village Board of Trustees Joe Rand – He has been on other boards and is happy to be on a board that listens to the residents and tries to help find solutions. Louise Parker – None Donna Lightfoot-Cooper – Asked if there would still be a celebration for Martin Luther King Day as has been done in the past and Mayor Hammond replied that it would be on zoom. Marie Lorenzini – None Donald Hammond – He will be bringing a slate of candidates for the business council at the next meeting. There has been new people joining the meetings with new energy and ideas. There are issues with the water regarding PFAS’s and there is information on the Village website. The water department will brief the board at the 2nd meeting in February. The sustainability committee will be bringing information regarding the leaf blower issue in the coming months. Adjournment – Motion by Joe Rand, seconded by Marie Lorenzini to adjourn the meeting at 8:28pm. Motion passed by unanimous vote.