Mayor & Village Board of Trustees

VILLAGE OF PELHAM BOARD OF TRUSTEES REGULAR MEETING TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 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. Resolution Authorizing the Successful Completion of Probation for Approved Firefighter Michael Mullen 8. Authorizing a Contract with Westchester County for the Stop-DWI Approved Reimbursement Program for Police Special Enforcement Details Recurring Items 9. Authorizing Accounts Payable Approved 10. Authorizing Minutes of: August 19, 2014 Approved 11. Adjournment to Executive Session Approved Next Regularly Scheduled BOT Meetings: Tuesday, September 16, 2014 Tuesday, October 7, 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, Volpe, Reim, and Kagan The following members of the Board of Trustees were absent: Trustee Marty Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, September 2, 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 said of the recent letter of intent with United Water that this negotiation has been a long process and commended Trustee Kagan’s efforts. He also thanked Administrator Yamuder and DPW Foreman Shriman for their assistance with these negotiations. He said the Village responded to a Housing Urban Development (HUD) monitor request last week. He stated the Village was given short notice and only a slight extension to respond to this initial request and as a result could not look into greater detail as the Board would have liked. The Mayor said that Monday, September 15th would be the first meeting of the Business Development Committee beginning at 7:30 p.m. He said this committee will benefit business owners, property owners, and residents. Trustees Reports: Trustee Kagan Trustee Kagan reported that the Mayor signed a letter of intent with United Water of New Rochelle with the purpose of divesting the Village of its water system. He also thanked Administrator Yamuder, DPW Foreman Shriman and Debbie DelGrosso for their assistance putting together the required information. He further stated that any deal would have to be approved by the public service commission but this was an important first step. Trustee Marty Page 2 Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, September 2, 2014 Absent Trustee Mutti Trustee Mutti reported that the Pelhamwood block party is scheduled and more information is available on their recently created Facebook page. She said residents can also be added onto their email list. She said she is investigating maintenance for Joe Trotta Park. She said she was speaking with some landscape architects regarding the plantings and the stain on the concrete. Trustee Mutti stated the MTA holds regular meetings at Grand Central Terminal in New York to hear inquiries and complaints. She said the first meeting will be on September 2nd at 8:30 a.m. Anyone interested must sign up for a meeting and speaking time slot which is limited to two minutes. She said encouraged public participation in these meetings. Trustee Reim Trustee Reim thanked Trustee Kagan and the Mayor for their work with United Water. He said this was an excellent outcome. Trustee Senerchia Trustee Senerchia stated the A-frame sign law has been registered with the State of New York despite already being in full force and effect. He said the Village has not received any submissions as of yet despite ample time and notices given to Village merchants. He added that Pelham is on the forefront of allowing this type of signage and the $25 yearly fee is not too onerous a permit fee to charge. He said a copy of the memo and law are available on the website. Mayor Cassidy stated that the Board worked hard to assist the merchants and the permit fee is a nominal check to ensure compliance. Trustee Volpe Trustee Volpe thanked Mayor Cassidy and Trustee Kagan and applauded their efforts at negotiating this letter of intent. He said there have been many attempts to do this in the past and it is Page 3 Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, September 2, 2014 monumental for Village Heights residents. Trustee Volpe encouraged merchants to come in and get a permit for their A-frame signs. He stated that on August 19th the Village received the first submission from ExteNet regarding the three telecommunications nodes placed around the Village. He added the Village has since received a supplement to that application. Trustee Volpe outlined the process by saying the Board will review the application, consult with legal counsel, and retain an engineer to complete the SEQRA review process. He said the Board will probably finish in the next few weeks. He added the more information will be available on the website. Village Administrator’s Report Administrator Yamuder thanked DPW Foreman Mike Shriman for his restriping of the Village roads in time for school to start. Item #6–Public Comment Cristina Lang of Senator Jeff Klein’s office invited anyone interested to the Senator’s First Responders BBQ. She said more information would be available on flyers that she would circulate. Item #7– Resolution Authorizing the Successful Completion of Probation for Firefighter Michael Mullen Trustee Volpe reported that Firefighter Mike Mullen was hired in 2013 with a probationary period of one year. He stated the Firefighter Mullen has successfully completed his probation and has been recommended by Fire Chief Stone to become a full member of the Department. Trustee Kagan asked that the letter of recommendation be modified to confirm Firefighter Mullen’s date of hire as of August 9th, 2013 and his completion of probation as August 9th, 2014. A motion was made by Trustee Volpe and seconded by Trustee Senerchia to approve the resolution. The vote was approved by a vote of six in favor, none opposed. Trustee Marty was absent. BE IT RESOLVED, that the Mayor and Board of Trustees hereby authorize the acknowledgement of Successful completion of probation for Michael Mullen as a Firefighter, which is approved based on the positive evaluation and recommendation of the Fire Chief. Page 4 Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, September 2, 2014 Item #8– Authorizing a Contract with Westchester County for the Stop-DWI Reimbursement Program for Police Special Enforcement Details Administrator Yamuder said he is recommending the Board pass the Stop-DWI program contract as amended. He said Village counsel suggested some language changes to benefit the Village and they were accepted by Westchester County. The Administrator stated that this contract was late getting to the Village which the reason for it being almost at the end of the contract period. He said after September 30th, the Village will be ready for a new contract period. He said the Police Chief is satisfied with the agreements as presented to the Board. Trustee Volpe described the agreement as a reimbursable program from the County for performing high visibility road tests involving DWI’s. He said some of the contract language involving FOIL requests needed to be revised and has been to the Board’s satisfaction. Trustee Reim asked if the Village is doing enough to support this program. Trustee Volpe responded it is a fair question to look into. A motion was made by Trustee Volpe and seconded by Trustee Senerchia to approve the resolution. The vote was approved by a vote of six in favor, none opposed. Trustee Marty was absent. 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 #9– Authorizing the Accounts Payable Trustee Volpe audited the Accounts Payable. A motion was made by Trustee Volpe and seconded by Trustee Senerchia to approve the resolution. The vote was approved by a vote of six in favor, none opposed. Trustee Marty was absent. Page 5 Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, September 2, 2014 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 $23,673.39 Water Fund $620.00 Capital Projects Fund $0.00 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 $24,293.39 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that this Board hereby approves payment of the above mentioned claims and authorizes payment thereof. Item #10– Authorizing Minutes of: August 19, 2014 A motion was made by Trustee Volpe and seconded by Trustee Senerchia to approve the resolution. The vote was approved by a vote of six in favor, none opposed. Trustee Marty was absent. August 19, 2014- Approved Item #11–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 8:02 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 six in favor, none opposed. Trustee Marty was absent. Respectfully submitted, Peter Bonington, Secretary to the Village Administrator Page 6