Mayor & Village Board of Trustees

VILLAGE OF PELHAM BOARD OF TRUSTEES REGULAR MEETING TUESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2014, 7:30 PM VILLAGE HALL – 195 SPARKS AVENUE, PELHAM, NY Minutes 1. Call to Order 2. Pledge of Allegiance 3. Mayor’s Report 4. Trustees’ Reports 5. Village Administrator’s Report 6. Public Comment # Agenda Items: Non-Recurring Items 7. Acknowledgment of 30 Years of Service to Detective Rick Deere Discussed 8. Presentation on Actuarial Valuation under GASB #45 by Danziger & Discussed Markhoff 9. Resolution Authorizing the Annual Pumpkin Festival and Children’s Center Approved Fun Run on October 18, 2014 10. Authorizing a Contract with Westchester County for the Stop-DWI Tabled Reimbursement Program for Police Special Enforcement Details 11. Authorization to Retain Legal Counsel for United Water New Rochelle Approved Issues 12. Announce Development of Village of Pelham Business District Advisory Discussed Committee Recurring Items 13. Authorizing Accounts Payable Approved 14. Authorizing Minutes of: June 17, 2014, July 8, 2014 Approved 15. Adjournment to Executive Session Approved Next Regularly Scheduled BOT Meetings: Tuesday, September 2, 2014 Tuesday, September 16, 2014 All meetings start at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Item #1 – Meeting called to order: The meeting of the Board of Trustees was called to order by Mayor Cassidy at 7:30 p.m. The following members of the Board of Trustees were present: Mayor Cassidy, Trustees Senerchia, Mutti, Marty, Volpe, Reim, and Kagan The following members of the Board of Trustees were absent: Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, August 19, 2014 Village staff in attendance: Village Administrator Robert Yamuder, Secretary to the Village Administrator Peter Bonington Item #2 – Pledge of Allegiance: The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Cassidy. Reports: Mayor Cassidy Report Mayor Cassidy stated there is a discussion going on among municipal mayors about what budget items can be excluded from the tax cap with the interest of providing better service to taxpayers. He said although this can be a slippery slope it has the potential to benefit residents through services provided to them by the Village. Trustees Reports: Trustee Kagan Trustee Kagan reminded residents to lock their car doors as there have been a number of burglaries recently. Trustee Marty Trustee Marty reported that a new seafood restaurant will be opening in Pelham shortly. He thanked DPW Foreman Michael Shriman and his department for cleaning catch basins around the Village. He thanked Administrator Yamuder as well for his direction. Trustee Mutti Trustee Mutti stated that 5th Avenue and Wolfs Lane look great after the paving operations were completed earlier this summer. She thanked DPW Foreman Michael Shriman for his work on the project coordination. Page 2 Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, August 19, 2014 Trustee Reim Trustee Reim stated he is working on developing a shared services committee for several Westchester communities including Pelham Manor, New Rochelle, Scarsdale, and Larchmont. He said the purpose will be to define who to speak with about combining services. He hopes to have an inaugural meeting in September. Trustee Senerchia Trustee Senerchia stated that the Chamber will be hosting several events in the next few weeks. He said Fabulous Finds on the Green will be coming up. The Gift Expo will take place December 7th at the Daronco Townhouse. He reminded residents that School will be back in session soon and asked for them to obey the speed limits. Trustee Volpe None (arrived at 8 p.m.) Village Administrator’s Report Administrator Yamuder said Westchester County will be holding a Shared Services conference in the coming weeks. He said they will publicize the event as more becomes available. He said the PBA interest arbitration for years 2010 to 2012 has been settled and wanted to state for the record that that award has been paid. He said the 5th Avenue paving operation went very smoothly and thanked all members of the government and contractors for their efforts on the project. He said the Hurricane Sandy reimbursements are finally starting to be released and hopes to have more to report in future meetings. He finished report by saying the law firm of Cuddy and Fedder representing ExteNet has written a letter to the Village. He said the letter was forwarded to counsel for their review. Page 3 Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, August 19, 2014 Item #6–Public Comment John Cassone complimented the Board on the paving operations on 5th Avenue and Wolfs Lane. He said however that Joe Trotta Park is in need of maintenance. He said plants need to be watered and there are stains on some of the concrete. He said he is not sure who was designated to perform the maintenance; the Town or the Village. Trustee Mutti said the arrangement between the Town and Village is informal and she will speak with the Town to get more clarification on the maintenance of the park. Item #7– Acknowledgment of 30 Years of Service to Detective Rick Deere Mayor Cassidy thanked Detective Rick Deere for his 30 years of service to the Pelham Police Department. He said it is an honor to receive this award and represents the level of dedication officers in the Police Department. Detective Deere accepted the award. Item #8– Presentation on Actuarial Valuation under GASB #45 by Danziger & Markhoff Ed Echrevarria of the firm Danziger & Markhoff gave a report to the Board regarding its GASB #45 obligations. He said the Village’s OPEB obligation rose from 2.3 million to 2.5 million which represents a 1.5 million increase from last year. He stated this an expected increase and is in line with other communities. Trustee Kagan stated the Village does not have the option to pre-fund this obligation. Mr. Echeverria stated that is the case. He said the Village cannot raise taxes to fund this obligation and it really boils down to designing a sustainable plan with the Police and Fire as well as CSEA and non-union employees. Trustee Marty stated the Village will be paying only a third of its obligations under the GASB #45 calculations for years to come. Mr. Echeverria stated that is the case as new employees enter the Village and others retire. Trustee Volpe asked if the Village could offer a buy-out incentive if a former employee moves to a jurisdiction with a private plan comparable benefits and wants to switch. Page 4 Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, August 19, 2014 Mr. Echeverria said that is out-of-the-box thinking and is a good idea in concept. He said he has seen examples of that in other communities. Trustee Kagan stated he wanted to make sure Mr. Echeverria has a copy of the new Employee Handbook to incorporate into their calculations. Administrator Yamuder said the handbook numbers were provided prior to the completion of the actuarial assessment. Mr. Echeverria said the handbook will have little impact on their calculations but it is good information. Trustee Kagan repeated his request that Administrator Yamuder file the necessary paperwork with NY Empire Plan to bring the Village’s filing into line with the adopted handbook, so that both require 20 years of service prior to providing full health coverage in retirement for all employees hired after June 1, 2014. The documents on file with NY Empire only require 5 years of service as a default. Administrator Yamuder asked when the next full evaluation will be. Mr. Echeverria stated it will be in July, 2015. Item #9– Resolution Authorizing the Annual Pumpkin Festival and Children’s Center Fun Run on October 18, 2014 Administrator Yamuder received a letter requesting to hold the Pumpkin Festival and Children’s Center Fun Run in October. He said as usual, Children’s Center will be responsible for all overtime and any direct costs related to the event. Insurance has been provided that shows the Village as additionally insured. Trustee Marty asked if 5th Avenue and Wolfs Lane for the duration of this event. Trustee Senerchia stated this is how it has been done in the past and the road is opened as the racers pass through the area. A motion was made by Trustee Mutti and seconded by Trustee Marty to approve the resolution. The vote was approved by a vote of seven in favor, none opposed. BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Pelham authorizes the annual Pelham Children’s Center Pumpkin Festival, 5K and Fun Run Saturday, October 18, 2014 from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m., with the 5K race beginning at 8 a.m. starting and ending at Michael Schwerner Way and Fifth Avenue and the Fun Run starting at 9 a.m. at Franklin Field, running ½ mile up Wolfs Lane and 5th Avenue, and finishing up at Fifth Ave. and Michael Schwerner Way, with the request that Michael Schwerner Way be closed for the entire event to stage the Pumpkin Festival and games; Page 5 Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, August 19, 2014 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Pelham Children’s Center will be responsible for all Village Of Pelham overtime costs that occur for this event; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Mayor and Board authorize the appropriate Village officials and staff to take the necessary and appropriate actions to allow the event to take place, with the requirement that the Village of Pelham be provided with the insurance satisfactory to the Village’s insurance carrier by the Pelham Children’s Center. Item #10–Authorizing a Contract with Westchester County for the Stop-DWI Reimbursement Program for Police Special Enforcement Details The Board decided to table this resolution until a later meeting. BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Pelham hereby authorizes a Contract with Westchester County for the Stop-DWI Reimbursement Program for Police Special Enforcement Details With Funding from the County not to exceed $12,000.00; and BE IT RESOLVED, that the term of the agreement shall be for a one (1) year period commencing on October 1, 2013 and finishing September 30, 2014; and IS IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Mayor, the Village Administrator, the Village Attorney and the Police Chief are authorized to take all necessary and appropriate actions, including signing all documents, to effect this agreement. Item #11– Authorization to Retain Legal Counsel for United Water New Rochelle Issues Mayor Cassidy stated this resolution calls for the hiring of legal counsel to coordinate with the Village during the United Water discussions. He said the resolution to authorize retaining legal counsel was approved at the July 8th Board meeting. This resolution officiates the hiring of the counsel. Trustee Volpe stated the Board can expect costs up to or less than $10,000 which he believes is a fair rate for their services. He stated that they must notify the Board if there are any costs over and above this amount. A motion was made by Trustee Mutti and seconded by Trustee Marty to approve the resolution. The vote was approved by a vote of seven in favor, none opposed. Item #12– Announce Development of Village of Pelham Business District Advisory Committee Mayor Cassidy said the Board has been discussing the feasibility of forming a Business Advisory Committee for some time. He said that they have received letters from residents and business Page 6 Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, August 19, 2014 owners interested in being on this Committee. They plan to hold a meeting on September 15th at Village Hall to inaugurate the Committee. He said the purpose will be to combine efforts of residents, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Board to encourage new business in Pelham. He said this may entail zoning changes but will solicit input from Committee members on how to best go about bringing new businesses in. The Mayor stated there would not be a full quorum at this meeting but two Board members would be in attendance. Item #13– Authorizing the Accounts Payable Trustee Mutti audited the Accounts Payable. A motion was made by Trustee Mutti and seconded by Trustee Senerchia to approve the resolution. The vote was approved by a vote of seven in favor, none opposed. RESOLUTION WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 5-524 of the New York State Village Law, the Board of Trustees shall audit all claims against the Village. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees after audit of the following claims, authorizes payment for services rendered and materials received, for the following items that have been submitted to the Treasurer's Office for payment and authorized by the Village Administrator: Fund Name: Amount General Fund $223,129.99 Water Fund $90,963.06 Capital Projects Fund $116,355.91 Trust and Agency Fund $0.00 CD NYS Main Street Fund $0.00 H3 Fund $0.00 TE Expand Trust Fund $0.00 Grand Total $430,448.26 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that this Board hereby approves payment of the above mentioned claims and authorizes payment thereof. Page 7 Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, August 19, 2014 Item #14– Authorizing Minutes of: June 17, 2014, July 8, 2014 A motion was made by Trustee Mutti and seconded by Trustee Kagan to approve the resolution. The vote was approved by a vote of seven in favor, none opposed. June 17, 2014- Approved A motion was made by Trustee Kagan and seconded by Trustee Mutti to approve the resolution. The vote was approved by a vote of five in favor, none opposed. Trustees Volpe and Marty abstained. July 8, 2014- Approved Item #15– Adjournment to Executive Session A motion was made by Trustee Kagan with a second by Trustee Volpe to adjourn the public portion of the Board meeting at 8:32 pm and go into Executive Session to discuss a particular personnel matter after which time the Board would adjourn for the evening. The motion was approved by vote of seven in favor, none opposed. Respectfully submitted, Peter Bonington, Secretary to the Village Administrator Page 8