Village Board of Trustees Meeting

Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Village of Nyack Board of Trustees Held at Village Hall at 7:30 pm on Thursday, April 24, 2025 Present: Joseph Rand, Mayor Pascale Jean-Gilles, Trustee Donna Lightfoot-Cooper, Trustee Joseph Carlin, Trustee Nathalie Riobe-Taylor, Trustee Also Present: Andrew Stewart, Village Administrator Dennis Michaels, Village Attorney Linda Donnelly, Village Clerk Kyle Coimbra, Treasurer Absent: Meeting called to order at 7:32 pm Pledge of Allegiance Mayor’s Introduction • Certificates of appreciation were presented to honorees at the NAACP Freedom Fund Dinner in Suffern. • Fresh Market will host a Grand Re-Opening on Saturday, April 26 at 11 AM after receiving and implementing community feedback. • Nyack Restaurant Week has started and will run until May 1. Come out and support our local restaurants. • Thank you to Tyrone “Yogi” Williams for organizing a very successful Easter Egg Hunt at Memorial Park. • Congratulations to Strawtown Studio on their 20th Anniversary Celebration this weekend. • Happy birthday to Administrator, Andy Stewart. • Take Note that the Dogs in Fashion Show has been postponed due to expected inclement weather. COMMENTS FROM THE VILLAGE BOARD Trustee Carlin – Thank you to Keep Rockland Beautiful, Nyack Fresh Market, YMCA, and the 90+ volunteers for the spring cleanup. Watch for upcoming information regarding the fall cleanup! Trustee Lighfoot-Cooper – Attended the Rivertown Film documentary by Ashley Dawson of That Kid, centered around Nyack Plaza, using local residents and filmed in Nyack. Well done! Page 1 of 10 PUBLIC HEARINGS Village Annual Budget FY 2025-2026 Continue Public Hearing on Village Annual Budget FY 2025-2026 from 04/10/2025 Open Public Hearing on Public Hearing on Village Annual Budget FY 2025-2026 – 8:05 p.m. Mayor Rand invited public comment. Mayor Rand – Summarized the process and noted a structural deficit of $300,000-$400,000 annually; budget remains within the 2% tax cap and includes new revenue streams from hotel and cannabis sales taxes. John Carleo – Is the $400k Treehouse? Will we get from the medical? Mayor Rand – Yes, based on 4th Qtr. cannabis sales in the village; medical has no sales tax Motion by Trustee Carlin, seconded by Trustee Riobe-Taylor to close the public hearing on 04/24/2025. Motion carried unanimously. Amend Village Zoning Code, so as to Modify Certain Regulations Regarding Adult-Use Retail Dispensaries (Recreational Cannabis) Motion to open the public hearing offered by Trustee Lightfoot-Cooper, seconded by Trustee Riobe-Taylor Open Public Hearing on Amending Village Zoning Code, so as to Modify Certain Regulations Regarding Adult-Use Retail Dispensaries (Recreational Cannabis) Mayor Rand invited public and Board comment. Trustee Carlin – Contacted owners of Main St. medical dispensary and questioned intentions of going recreational. Owner stated that the Nyack location does not meet their criteria for going recreational; Contacted owners of the old Communal Kitchen location. Their license is pending and when received they will be submitting site plans to the Village Planning Board; With the Communal Kitchen location, this will block any other adult-use dispensary from opening in the downtown area. Speakers Michael Hassan, Yelena Graves, Dominick Pilla and Chaya Pilla – Advocating for greater distance restrictions and limiting locations to CC district Extensive public comments received advocating for greater distance restrictions between dispensaries and limiting to CC district. Shawn, Piermont Ave – Change zoning; eliminate illegal sales Kevin Sheehan, Grand Ave – Limit to CC zone; regulate ability to smoke openly Kal Toth – Clarify distance The Village Board received multiple written submissions regarding the proposed local law to modify certain regulations regarding adult-use retail dispensaries. These documents have been entered into the record and are attached as ‘Exhibit 1’. Motion to continue public hearing on 05/08/2025, 8:00 p.m. at Village Hall offered by Trustee Jean-Gilles, seconded by Trustee Lightfoot-Cooper Page 2 of 10 Amend Village Zoning Code, so as to Modify the Regulations that Proscribe the Maximum Height of Fences, Walls and Hedges at Corner Lots Motion to open the public hearing offered by Trustee Carlin, seconded by Trustee Riobe-Taylor Open Public Hearing on Amending Village Zoning Code, so as to Modify the Regulations that Proscribe the Maximum Height of Fences, Walls and Hedges at Corner Lots Mayor Rand invited public and Board comment. Village Atty, Dennis Michaels and Mayor Rand – Briefly summarized proposed law and exceptions to existing restrictions based on safety and neighborhood character. Mayor Rand suggested the possibility of concave mirrors at some locations. Chief Bldg. Insp, Manny Carmona – Discussed recommended changes to maximum height and discretionary issues. Most residents are receptive to violations. Residents can appeal to the ZBA for review for potential variance. Trustee Jean-Gilles – Pay more attention to sightlines; likes idea of concave mirror; doesn’t like idea of appealing to ZBA Trustee Carlin – Sightlines aren’t always affected by hedges based on driving direction John Carleo, Nyack – Appreciates Board review and revisions; several intersections that don’t have hedges and sightlines are worse Robert Silarski, Local resident/business owner – Appreciate Board addressing concerns; would like some type of appeals process; parking impedes sightline; definition of “street line” should be included in code James Dawson-Hollis, 240 N. Broadway – Thank you to Board for listening and addressing; not an issue of sightline on his property; how to access accident records; would future accidents affect future proposal; mirror great suggestion Eric Johnsmeyer, 35 Marion St. – Corner he lives on, hedges on a one-way; stop sign on northeast corner in wrong location Jennifer Eno, 121 N. Broadway - Requesting a stop sign at 4th and Broadway Administrator Stewart – There is a traffic study on 3rd from March of 2022. Motion to continue public hearing on 05/08/2025, 8:05 p.m. at Village Hall offered by Trustee Lightfoot-Cooper, seconded by Trustee Riobe-Taylor ADOPTION OF MINUTES – 04/10/25 On motion of Trustee Carlin, seconded by Trustee Jean-Gilles. The minutes of the meeting held on 04/10/2025 were accepted as presented. ACTION ITEMS RESOLUTION NO. 2025-56 – ACCEPTING AUDITED VOUCHER SUMMARY The following resolution was offered by Trustee Lightfoot-Cooper, seconded by Trustee Carlin. WHEREAS, the Audited Voucher Summary was presented to the Nyack Village Board of Trustees at its regularly scheduled meeting of April 24, 2025. Page 3 of 10  RESOLVED, the General Fund Claims set forth on Pages 1 through 9 in the below listed amounts are approved for payment: GENERAL FUND $ 20,693.59 NYACK PARKING AUTHORITY $ 39,434.16 WATER FUND $ 2,652.88 CAPITAL PROJECTS – 2017 Improvements $ 7,990.15 CAPITAL PROJECTS – Water Improvements $2,785,705.08 On roll call the vote was as follows: Trustee Jean-Gilles . . . . . . . Yes Trustee Riobe-Taylor . . . . . Yes Trustee Lightfoot-Cooper . . Yes Mayor Rand . . . . . . . . . . . . Yes Trustee Carlin. . . . . . . . . . . Yes RESOLUTION NO. 2025-57 – CALL FOR A NYSDOT STUDY OF IMPROVED PEDESTRIAN SAFETY AT THE INTERSECTION OF HIGH AVENUE AND NYS ROUTE 9W The following resolution was offered by Trustee Carlin, seconded by Trustee Lightfoot-Cooper. WHEREAS, the intersection of Rte. 9W and High Ave is located in an important residential and commercial area of the Village of Nyack, and people regularly need to walk across Rte. 9W to access Walgreens, Nyack Montefiore Hospital, Hotel Nyack, the West Gate Motel, residential apartment buildings, bus stops and other destinations, WHEREAS, the absence of a pedestrian crosswalk over Rte. 9W at the High Ave intersection creates a significant hazard for both pedestrians and vehicles, RESOLVED, the Board of Trustees of the Village of Nyack calls for NYSDOT to perform a traffic study of this intersection, plan, and implement safety improvements. Trustee Jean-Gilles – Are we asking for traffic light improvements – syncing with timing of crossing? On roll call the vote was as follows: Trustee Jean-Gilles . . . . . . . Yes Trustee Riobe-Taylor . . . . . Yes Trustee Lightfoot-Cooper . . Yes Mayor Rand . . . . . . . . . . . . Yes Trustee Carlin. . . . . . . . . . . Yes Page 4 of 10 RESOLUTION NO. 2025-58 – APPROVE THE 2025-2026 GENERAL FUND BUDGET AND TAX RATE The following resolution was offered by Trustee Carlin, seconded by Trustee Riobe-Taylor RESOLVED, that the Nyack Village Board hereby approves the 2025-2026 General Fund Budget for the fiscal year June 1, 2025, through May 31, 2026, and the salaries and wages set forth therein are hereby fixed at the amounts shown therein effective June 1, 2024, and be it further RESOLVED, that the tax levy is hereby set at $4,393,250.00 Homestead – Town of Orangetown $ 9.8484 per 1,000 Units Homestead – Town of Clarkstown $14.1376 per 1,000 Units Non-Homestead – Town of Orangetown $14.7746 per 1,000 Units Non-Homestead – Town of Clarkstown $21.1826 per 1,000 Units Trustee Carlin – What’s the difference between homestead and non-homestead? Administrator Stewart – Homestead is residential and non-homestead is commercial. Each Town assessment differs. On roll call the vote was as follows: Trustee Jean-Gilles . . . . . . . Yes Trustee Riobe-Taylor . . . . . Yes Trustee Lightfoot-Cooper . . Yes Mayor Rand . . . . . . . . . . . . Yes Trustee Carlin. . . . . . . . . . . Yes RESOLUTION NO. 2025-59 – APPROVE AN APPLICATION TO THE NYS MUNICIPAL GRANT PROGRAM FOR FUNDING FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO MEMORIAL PARK The following resolution was offered by Trustee Riobe-Taylor, seconded by Trustee Jean-Gilles WHEREAS, improving public access to Nyack’s Memorial Park is a key part of the Village’s Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan, and Village efforts to provide recreation, climate change resiliency, and tourism amenities, WHEREAS, the Village has completed and planned various improvements, including a waterfront walkway, yet substantial repairs to existing park assets are needed, Page 5 of 10  RESOLVED, the Board of Trustees of the Village of Nyack approves an application to NYS for improvements to Nyack Memorial Park, including: repairs to the skatepark, repairs to the basketball court, repairs to the historic stairway, and repairs to the shoreline of the inlet, with an expected village match of 10%. On roll call the vote was as follows: Trustee Jean-Gilles . . . . . . . Yes Trustee Riobe-Taylor . . . . . Yes Trustee Lightfoot-Cooper . . Yes Mayor Rand . . . . . . . . . . . . Yes Trustee Carlin. . . . . . . . . . . Yes RESOLUTION NO. 2025-60 – SCHEDULE A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER AMENDING VILLAGE CODE 330-50(B) TO EXEMPT THE ARTOPEE WAY MUNICIPAL PARKING LOT AND ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING SPACES FROM THE PROHIBITION ON ALL-NIGHT PARKING The following resolution was offered by Trustee Lightfoot-Cooper, seconded by Trustee Jean- Gilles RESOLVED, the Nyack Village Board of Trustees schedules a public hearing for Thursday, May 22, 2025, at 8:05 PM, to consider amending village code 330-50(b) to exempt the Artopee Way municipal parking lot from the 3:00 AM – 6:00 AM prohibition on parking to allow parking on Saturday and Sunday mornings, and to consider amending the code to exempt vehicles using the electric vehicle charging spaces from the prohibition on all-night parking. On roll call the vote was as follows: Trustee Jean-Gilles . . . . . . . Yes Trustee Riobe-Taylor . . . . . Yes Trustee Lightfoot-Cooper . . Yes Mayor Rand . . . . . . . . . . . . Yes Trustee Carlin. . . . . . . . . . . Yes RESOLUTION NO. 2025-61 – APPROVE AN APPLICATION BY REV. JIJI VARGHESE, OF IGNITE CHURCH, FOR AN EVENT IN MEMORIAL PARK ON SUNDAY, AUGUST 17, 2025, 4-7 PM The following resolution was offered by Trustee Riobe-Taylor, seconded by Trustee Jean-Gilles RESOLVED, the Board of Trustees of the Village of Nyack approves an application by Rev. Jiji Varghese, of Ignite Church, for an Event in Memorial Park on Sunday, August 17, 2025, 4-7 PM. Page 6 of 10 On roll call the vote was as follows: Trustee Jean-Gilles . . . . . . . Yes Trustee Riobe-Taylor . . . . . Yes Trustee Lightfoot-Cooper . . Yes Mayor Rand . . . . . . . . . . . . Yes Trustee Carlin. . . . . . . . . . . Yes RESOLUTION NO. 2025-62 – AMEND RESOLUTION 2025-48, APPROVED ON APRIL 10, 2025, TO CHANGE THE DATE OF A WEDDING GATHERING AT MEMORIAL PARK FROM APRIL 19, 2025, TO SATURDAY, MAY 17, 2025 The following resolution was offered by Trustee Riobe-Taylor, seconded by Trustee Jean-Gilles RESOLVED, the Board of Trustees of the Village of Nyack approves an application by Karen Matthews for a wedding gathering in Memorial Park gazebo, May 17, 2025, from 6:00 - 7:00 PM. On roll call the vote was as follows: Trustee Jean-Gilles . . . . . . . Yes Trustee Riobe-Taylor . . . . . Yes Trustee Lightfoot-Cooper . . Yes Mayor Rand . . . . . . . . . . . . Yes Trustee Carlin. . . . . . . . . . . Yes RESOLUTION NO. 2025-63 – APPROVE SALARY INCREASES FOR THE NYACK HOUSING AUTHORITY STAFF The following resolution was offered by Trustee Riobe-Taylor, seconded by Trustee Jean-Gilles WHEREAS, the Nyack Housing Authority is a component of Village government providing essential housing services, over which the Village of Nyack Board of Trustees has the limited authority to appoint board members and approve staff salaries, WHEREAS, Nyack Housing Authority Board chair Don Hammond has requested Village of Nyack approval of cost-of-living increases for staff of 2.5% in FY 2024 and 3% in FY 2025. RESOLVED, the Board of Trustees of the Village of Nyack approves cost of living increases for staff of 2.5% in FY 2024 and 3% in FY 2025. On roll call the vote was as follows: Trustee Jean-Gilles . . . . . . . Yes Trustee Lightfoot-Cooper . . Yes Page 7 of 10  Trustee Riobe-Taylor . . . . . Yes Mayor Rand . . . . . . . . . . . . Yes Trustee Carlin. . . . . . . . . . . Yes RESOLUTION NO. 2025-64 – AUTHORIZE VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR, VILLAGE PLANNER AND LEGAL COUNSEL TO EVALUATE POTENTIAL ACQUISITION OF BLIGHTED/UNDERUTILIZED PROPERTIES IN THE DOWNTOWN FOR ACQUISITON AND REDEVELOPMENT VIA A PUBLIC/PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP AND/OR EMINENT DOMAIN The following resolution was offered by Trustee Jean-Gilles, seconded by Trustee Lightfoot- Cooper WHEREAS, the Village of Nyack is in the process of various initiatives aimed at upgrading public infrastructure, encouraging residential and commercial development and improving the overall economic vitality of the downtown area; and WHEREAS, such initiatives are consistent with the planning vision set forth in the Village’s 2016 Comprehensive Master Plan to strengthen and support the downtown community by helping existing businesses thrive, attracting new investments, and creating diverse housing options for seniors, young professionals and families; and WHEREAS, the Village Board has identified several properties in the downtown area along and in the vicinity of Main Street that have been shuttered, the subject of various unresolved property maintenance violations, underutilized and/or blighted, including, but not limited to 65 Main Street, 92-94 Main Street, and 78 Burd St; and WHEREAS, said properties could potentially be redeveloped with residential, commercial or other productive uses that would bring to the Village additional housing options, retail/restaurant space, tax revenue and patronage to businesses in the downtown; and WHEREAS, the Village Board desires Village staff and its consultants to explore a redevelopment plan for said properties consistent with the Village’s efforts to revitalize the downtown, which plan may involve entering into a public/private partnership and/or acquiring said properties through the exercise of eminent domain. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that upon consideration of the foregoing information, that the Village Administrator, Village Planner and legal counsel are hereby authorized to commence, review and compile the necessary assessments and reports for the Village Board to prepare a redevelopment plan for properties deemed a blight in the downtown, including retaining any legal or other consultants to assist the Village with proceeding through the public/private partnership and/or land acquisition process as required under the Eminent Domain Procedure Law. Dominick Pilla – Against Eminent Domain Guiseppe Pagano – Against Eminent Domain Page 8 of 10  Trustee Carlin – A preliminary study to see where the village stands On roll call the vote was as follows: Trustee Jean-Gilles . . . . . . . Yes Trustee Riobe-Taylor . . . . . Yes Trustee Lightfoot-Cooper . . Yes Mayor Rand . . . . . . . . . . . . Yes Trustee Carlin. . . . . . . . . . . Yes PUBLIC COMMENT DEPARTMENT REPORTS (based on availability) Orangetown Police Department – Village Attorney – Village Administrator – Consider PILOT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) Agreement for Up Lounge. Requires town and school district agreement as well. Proposal to build 8 or 9 apartments. Unlikely to occur without this agreement. Subject to Affordable Housing Law OLD BUSINESS NEW BUSINESS June 5, 2025, Village Board meeting re-schedule. NYF Planning Process and Local Planning Committee – Mayor’s Memo to LPC. First meeting of LPC, 5:30 PM, Angel Nyack, Tuesday, 5/6/25 Mayor Rand gave a brief description of the process. COMMUNICATIONS Bebb Stone, Nyack Garden Club – request to memorialize Betty Perry by putting a plaque with her name on it on the bench currently located inside the Butterfly Garden adjacent to the gazebo. Resolution for next meeting Chris Delaney, President, AFGE Local 3343, proposed resolution in opposition to closure of Social Security offices and staff cuts, cuts to Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security benefits. Local office benefits our community – write letter on behalf of Board to send to local congressional representatives Thomas Schneck – NTG Round 5 opens 4/25/25, deadline for applications is 5/30/25 Funds for marketing only Page 9 of 10 Courtney Bullen, Music Together, Application to provide music experience for toddlers and caregivers in Memorial Park gazebo, Saturdays, 4/26, 5/3, 5/10, 5/17, 5/31, 6/7, 6/21, 6/28, 10:00 AM to 10:45 AM, “It'll be free class for anyone who wants to join but I do a collect registration fee for families who want to come to the whole season, through music together international- there's a cd of the songs and a book too. The website is moonrivermusicrockland.com” Resolution for next meeting Trustee Jean-Gilles – great program Trustee Carlin – Opposed on grounds of public policy Okhee Yoon, owner of Runcible Spoon, request for bike parking rack occupancy of parking lane on NE corner of N B’way and High Ave. Pay fee for parking space EXECUTIVE SESSION ADJOURNMENT Motion offered by Trustee Jean-Gilles, seconded by Trustee Lightfoot-Cooper to adjourn meeting at 10:06 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. VILLAGE CLERK Page 10 of 10