Village Board of Trustees Meeting

Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Village of Nyack Board of Trustees held at 7:30 on Thursday, November 10, 2022 Present Don Hammond Mayor Louise Parker Deputy Mayor Marie Lorenzini Trustee Donna Lightfoot-Cooper Trustee Joseph Rand Trustee Also Present Walter Sevastian Village Attorney Andrew Stewart Village Administrator Jennifer Hetling Village Clerk/Treasurer Meeting called to order at 7:30pm Pledge of Allegiance Moment of silence in honor of Veteran’s Day. Children from the Nyack School District gave a short presentation on what they learned at the “A Day in the Life” which occurred on October 13th in Memorial Park. Adoption of Minutes – October 27, 2022 A motion was offered by Donna Lightfoot-Cooper to approve the adoption of the minutes of October 27th, 2022, seconded by Louise Parker. The motion was approved by a unanimous vote. Public hearing to consider a local law to establish the residency requirements for the appointed offices of village attorney, and deputy and assistant village attorneys, to be designated as a new Article “V,” to be entitled “village attorney, and deputy and assistant village attorneys,” of Chapter 79 (Residency Requirements) of the code of the Village of Nyack. Public Comment – Steve Knowlton – Cautioned the board stating that the attorney should have a good knowledge of the Village of Nyack and its intricacies. Peter Voletsky – Hopes that the Village Board doesn’t look outside of the Village of Nyack until they have done an expansive search within as the attorney should have a vast knowledge of Nyack. Board Comments - Trustee Lightfoot-Cooper stated that our Village is different than other villages and she would like the new attorney to be from the Village of Nyack. Trustee Parker stated that since there is a limited amount of time to hire an attorney, this is just opening up the options should they not be able to find a village resident. Trustee Rand stated that the preference would be for the attorney to be a village resident but shouldn’t be limited. Trustee Lorenzini stated that preference should be given to Nyack resident applicants but there knowledge base should be considered as well. Mayor Hammond stated that the value system is more important than residency. Motion by Marie Lorenzini, seconded by Joseph Rand to close the public hearing at 8:03pm. Motion passed by unanimous vote. Public hearing to consider amendments to local laws 95 and 330 to enable the Village Board to establish parking fees and fines via the Standard Schedule of Fees of the Village of Nyack. Motion by Donna Lightfoot-Cooper, seconded by Louise Parker to close the public hearing at 8:05pm. Motion passed by unanimous vote. Public Comment - None Resolution No. 2022-163 Resolution of the Nyack Village Board accepting audited voucher summary. Motion by Joseph Rand, seconded by Louise Parker to accept the resolution as presented. Motion passed by a unanimous vote. Resolution No. 2022-164 Resolution to adopt amendment to local law to add a new Article “V,” to be entitled “village attorney, and deputy and assistant village attorneys,” of Chapter 79 (Residency Requirements) of the code of the Village of Nyack. Motion by Donna Lightfoot-Cooper, seconded by Marie Lorenzini to accept the resolution as presented. Trustee Rand stated that if the applicant selected is not a Village resident then the board should issue a statement as to why a resident was not selected. Motion passed by a vote of 4 yeas, 1 nay (Trustee Lightfoot-Cooper) While strong preference will be given to Nyack residents during the hiring process, the intent of the Village Board is to allow for open competitive evaluation of candidates. Upon final hiring the board will express why they proceeded in the way that they did. Motion by Joseph Rand, seconded by Marie Lorenzini to approve the above statement. Motion passed by a unanimous vote. Resolution No. 2022-165 Resolution to adopt amendments to local laws 95 and 330 to enable the Village Board to establish parking fees and fines via the Standard Schedule of Fees of the Village of Nyack. Motion by Louise Parker, seconded by Joseph Rand to accept the resolution as presented. Motion passed by a unanimous vote. Resolution No. 2022-166 Resolution to adopt a schedule of street closures for ACADA and Chamber street fairs and the Pride Promenade: ACADA: May 21, 2023, July 9, 2023, October 8, 2023; Chamber: SpringFest. 4/16/2023, SeptemberFest 9/10/2023; Pride Promenade: Sunday, June 11, 2023. Motion by Donna Lightfoot-Cooper, seconded by Joseph Rand to accept the resolution as presented. Motion passed by a unanimous vote. Resolution No. 2022-167 Resolution to approve the submission of 2022 unpaid taxes to Rockland County for re-levy. Motion by Louise Parker, seconded by Marie Lorenzini to accept the resolution as presented. Motion passed by a unanimous vote. Public Comment – None Department Reports to the Board of Trustees Village Attorney – None Village Administrator – The Broadway sidewalk project is almost complete and the contractor is just finishing up. Two of the cracks in the sidewalk will be repaired and the remainder of small cracks will be sealed. The drainage project at First Ave will take place in the spring. Mayor Hammond thanked Administrator Stewart for his hard work on the sidewalk project. Paving starts next week with High Ave, South Mill St. Prospect St. and Hudson Ave. New Business Street Fair vendor fee – The board is proposing that the Village recover the actual costs for the day of operation. Currently the fee paid is less than actual costs. They also propose a $10 fee for the number of vendors in order to cover the costs of administrative work done by the Village. Nyack businesses, non-profit organizations and political vendors would not be counted in the vendor number. This will be discussed in further detail at the next meeting. Emergency Tenant Protection Act – With rents getting high quickly, the Village Board wants to look at ways to protect renters. Communications Gran Fondo NY Annual Bike Race – The board approved this request. Public Comment Nancy Jagelka – She is a renter and her complex is giving rent increases of $750 to $1000. Asked if there is a mediation process for her to take up with the landlord. Christina – Lives in the Riverview apartments. Her rent started at $1000 and will go to $1950 in January. Asked is the board could look into the fast increases and do something if there is anything that can be done. Comments from the Village Board of Trustees Joseph Rand – Congratulated Roger and Mark on the successful Halloween Parade. Louise Parker – None Donna Lightfoot-Cooper – None Marie Lorenzini – None Donald Hammond – None Adjournment Motion by Joseph Rand, seconded by Marie Lorenzini to adjourn the meeting at 8:56pm. Motion passed by a unanimous vote.