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 28, 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 (arrived at 7:39pm) Trustee Joe Rand Trustee Marie Lorenzini 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 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 28, 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 28th 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. Mayor Hammond recognized Gertha Eubanks of the Village of Nyack who will be turning 100 on February 3, 2021 Adoption of Minutes – January 14, 2021 - Motion by Marie Lorenzini, seconded by Louise Parker to accept the motion as presented. Motion passed by a vote of 4-1 (Trustee Lightfoot-Cooper absent) Public Comment – None Resolution No. 2021 – 3 Resolution of the Nyack Village Board to accept the Audited Voucher Summary #2-2021 Motion by Donald Hammond, seconded by Marie Lorenzini to accept the motion as presented. Motion passed by a vote of 4-1 (Trustee Lightfoot-Cooper absent) Resolution No. 2021 – 4 Resolution of the Nyack Village Board appointing members to the Village of Nyack Business Council Motion by Joe Rand, seconded by Marie Lorenzini to accept the motion as presented. Motion passed by a unanimous vote. Public Comment – Margaret Amador – Stated that if you’re not on Facebook you don’t get all the notices that go out. Asked if emails could go out when there is an issue. Mayor Hammond stated that all news is also reported on the website. Department Reports to the Board of Trustees Orangetown Police Department – None Village Attorney – Justice Court is struggling getting back to normal. They are behind in code enforcement matters. There was a change in the NYS regulations related to acceptable levels of chemicals in the water which might result in a necessary upgrade to the water department facilities. There is a class action suit related to the companies that make the chemicals and he is researching this. Village Administrator – The water main replacement project is moving along and work is progressing. The Broadway TAP project is going to be resubmitted. The scope is condensed to include Cedar Hill to First Ave.in order to stay within the budget. The DPW is getting ready for the upcoming snow event. Budget packs will be going out next week and the board will be updated on timelines for budget soon. The Village Hall will be closed to the public tomorrow due to an internal COVID scare but staff will be in and can be contacted by email or phone. Village Clerk – Treasurer – None New Business Discussion of possible parking regulation modifications in vicinity of Nyack Hospital garage Rooftop dining – Mayor Hammond stated that the board has always been against rooftop bars but have not discussed rooftop dining. An owner from Maura’s Kitchen stated that with COVID, restaurants are struggling and this would give owners more space and take advantage of the summer months. Attorney Sevastian stated that rooftop dining is not currently permitted in the Village Code. A similar scenario was looked at by the planning board a few years ago and there are many issues to consider. Trustee Rand asked, if the board was open to the idea, what would the next step be? He would like to see businesses survive so he would like to explore rooftop dining. Trustee Parker thinks it’s a great idea but would have to consider the liability issues. Trustee Lightfoot-Cooper agreed and would be open to further discussions. Trustee Lorenzini also agreed but would have to consider all aspects. Mayor Hammond would like to setup a workshop to review this and give the public time to speak. Communications The Chamber of Commerce is requesting June 27 for a street fair. Mayor Hammond stated that the Village could hold the date but he doesn’t see a street fair as a viable option during COVID. He also spoke to the Chamber about how to include the brick and mortar stores more during these street fairs in the future. Parks Commissioner Jim Willcox has proposed putting food trucks with picnic tables and high-end portable bathrooms in the footprint of the old Riverclub Restaurant. This would require some maintenance to the area before it would be able to be done. Mayor Hammond stated that this is not in the budget but the Parks Conservancy would be willing to fundraise for this purpose. Trustee Lightfoot- Cooper stated that this is a good idea and it’s nice to not create a permanent structure in case someone wants to develop the area later. Request from Bridget Scott for a handicap parking space in the vicinity of 24 Gail Drive – Administrator Politi will review the area and report back to the board. Request from Rafael Vicencio for a food truck license for 2021 – A list of rules and regulations related to this will be provided to the board at the next meeting and a resolution will be added to the next agenda. Request from Barbara Noyes to host the penguin plunge in Memorial Park on March 7th from 12pm – 2pm – Motion by Donald Hammond, seconded by Marie Lorenzini to approve the 2021 Penguin Plunge as requested. Motion passed by unanimous vote. Public Comment – Marcella Mazzeo - stated that the businesses have been discussing creating a promenade on some Sundays where the streets would be closed off so that businesses can expand outside. This would be done in the footprint of the street fairs. Comments from the Village Board of Trustees Joe Rand – A new promotion called Nyack Feast is going to be in February where there will be discounts at certain businesses. Louise Parker – None Donna Lightfoot-Cooper – Stated that Section 8 will be closing on February 28th. Marie Lorenzini – Thanked the DPW for their work during the last snow event. Donald Hammond – Asked if the board would like to consider the South Nyack annexation/consolidation options going forward. The board all agreed to continue the discussions. Motion by Donald Hammond, seconded by Louise Parker for an executive session for personnel related to the position of Village Administrator. Motion passed by unanimous vote. Executive Session – Personnel relating to the position of Village Administrator Motion by Donna Lightfoot-Cooper, seconded by Marie Lorenzini to move to executive session at 8:51pm. Motion passed by unanimous vote. Motion by Marie Lorenzini, seconded by Joe Rand to close executive session at 9:18pm. Motion passed by unanimous vote. Adjournment – Motion by Joe Rand, seconded by Louise Parker to adjourn the meeting at 9:19pm. Motion passed by unanimous vote.