Mayor & Village Board of Trustees

VILLAGE OF PELHAM BOARD OF TRUSTEES REGULAR MEETING TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2017, 8:00 PM VILLAGE HALL – 195 SPARKS AVENUE, PELHAM, NY 10803 MINUTES 1. Call To Order 2. Pledge of Allegiance 3. Roll Call 4. Mayor’s Report 5. Trustees’ Reports 6. Village Administrator’s Report 7. Public Comments # Agenda Items: Non-Recurring Items 8. Discussion on Third Avenue Parking Discussed 9. Discussion on Proposed Business District Floating Zone and Subdivision Discussed Legislation 10. Resolution Authorizing the Use of Village Streets and Assistance for Traffic Approved Control for the Annual Pelham Little League Parade on Saturday, April 22, 2017 11. Other Business – Highbrook Highline Tree Removal Discussed Recurring Items 12. Authorizing Accounts Payable Approved 13. Authorizing the Minutes of: None 14. Adjournment Approved Next Regularly Scheduled BOT Meetings: Tuesday, February 7, 2017 Tuesday, February 28, 2017 All meetings start at 8:00 p.m. unless otherwise noted. *The Agenda is subject to change.* Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, January 17, 2017 Item # 1 – Meeting called to order: The meeting of the Board of Trustees was called to order by Mayor Volpe at 8:00 p.m. Item # 2 – Pledge of Allegiance: The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Volpe. Item # 3 – Roll Call: Present were Trustees Deere, Ferrara, Kagan (via FaceTime), Mutti, Reim and Reinke. Also present were Village Administrator Yamuder and Assistant to the Village Administrator Scelza. Mayor’s Report: Mayor Volpe reported that a school crossing guard was struck by a vehicle and is recovering from her injuries. She is going through further testing and is currently home. Mayor Volpe expressed his gratitude to the Police and Fire Departments for their quick response and assistance at the scene of the accident. Mayor Volpe stated resources were deployed last year because there was an active shooter as well as three bomb threats at the middle/high school complex. He proceeded by thanking Chief Benefico and Lieutenant Jason Pallett for expanding the training program. Mayor Volpe announced the retirement of Building Inspector Leonard Russo. He further stated that he is actively in the process of searching for a new Building Inspector. Mayor Volpe mentioned that Trustee Ferrara will undertake an internship program in the Spring. Trustees’ Report: Trustee Deere had nothing to report. ******** Trustee Ferrara reported that she attended the Active Shooter Training on Monday, January 16th which was organized by the Pelham Police Department. She thanked the training organizers. ******** Page 2 Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, January 17, 2017 Trustee Kagan reported that he persuaded Con-Edison that resident bills were processed incorrectly under the Community Choice Aggregation program. He mentioned that Con-Edison has acknowledged this issue and has agreed to send a letter to residents. Trustee Kagan further discussed the Sustainable Westchester Program Solar equipment on public places. (rooftops, village hall, firehouse) Trustee Kagan mentioned that the Sustainable Westchester Program would finance solar installation and utility equipment. The Village of Pelham’s obligation under the program is to purchase the power generated. Trustee Kagan stated that a survey is required and requested that the Village Administrator delegate his staff to fill out the 2 page survey. Trustee Kagan expressed concerns on working with Sustainable Westchester, because he was skeptical due to lack of proper handling with Con-Edison on the billing error for residents. Mayor Volpe responded that the Sustainable Westchester Program is present in the meeting in representation by Dan Welsh. ******** Trustee Mutti discussed the parking map as it relates to merchant parking. Trustee Mutti stated that the Wolfs Lane Park construction is continuing and the Memorial Court-yard is on its way. She is printing a banner for the balance of improvements taken place at the park for residents. ******** Trustee Reim reported that the Village is moving into budget season and he is receiving early information from the Department Heads. Trustee Reim stated that he will report further information on this matter in the next meetings along with having more detailed plans for capital opportunities for the next 1-2 years. ******** Trustee Reinke reported that she is working closely with Trustee’s Deere and Ferrara in reviewing a residential parking permit system to ensure that residents have ample convenient parking while preventing or deterring commuter parking. The trustees have appointed responsibilities to one another. Trustee Deere is responsible for sign mapping. Trustee Ferrara is responsible for meeting with community groups to hear the concerns of the people. Trustee Reinke is researching legalities and logistics of the possibility of residential parking permit system. Trustee Reinke stated that she will make further recommendations in the upcoming meetings. Lastly, Trustee Reinke is investigating a mobile parking app system to recommend for the Village. She will begin researching vendors, paying particular attention to: upfront cost, ongoing fees, integration with existing meter infrastructure, and enforcement issues. The goal is to have a recommendation for the Board within 2-3 months. Village Administrator’s Report: Village Administrator Yamuder reported that there will be no organic pick up until March 15th. Mr. Yamuder further stated that the Department of Public Works will pick up Christmas trees until January 31st. Page 3 Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, January 17, 2017 Item # 7 – Public Comments Mayor Volpe introduced Dan Welsh from Sustainable Westchester. By way of background Trustee Kagan has been reporting over the last couple of months that he filed a complaint against Con Edison with the New York State Public Service Commission over incorrect billing of certain Pelham Village residents. Specifically Con Edison was not giving the lower electricity rate that is part of the Village's Community Choice Aggregation contract with Sustainable Westchester to residents of what was North Pelham until its merger with the Village of Pelham in 1975. Dan Welsh and the Board discussed the billing issue as well as an appropriate solution at length. Patricia Mazza, 410 Ninth Avenue, expressed her opposition to the recently enacted parking legislation on Ninth Avenue. She mentioned the parking restriction creates issues for her and her guests and she presented a petition in opposition to the parking regulation with 18 signatures from residents in the neighborhood. Robert Rehm, 403 Ninth Avenue, expressed his opposition to the parking restriction on ninth avenue through an email read by Trustee Reinke. Adam Newman, 535 Third Avenue, explained that he has a one car garage and that he and his family rely on on-street parking. He discussed the issue of a business owner parking business vehicles in front of his home. William Federice, 529 Third Avenue, requested a handicap parking space for himself on Third Avenue and other residents that are handicap. He expressed his disapproval of the Village Administrator’s lack of an adequate response to his request. Page 4 Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, January 17, 2017 Non-Recurring Items Item # 8 – Discussion on Third Avenue Parking See public comments section. Page 5 Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, January 17, 2017 Item # 9 – Discussion on Proposed Business District Floating Zone and Subdivision Legislation Mayor Volpe asked that any additional edits on the proposed legislation be sent to him so the process can continue. The legislation will be discussed on February 7, 2017. Page 6 Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, January 17, 2017 Item # 10 - Authorizing the Use of Village Streets and Assistance for Traffic Control for the Annual Pelham Little League Parade on Saturday, April 22, 2017 Mayor Volpe explained that the Pelham Little League has requested the closure of Fifth Avenue from Lincoln Avenue to the High School for their Annual Parade on Saturday April 22, 2017 from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Resolution Authorizing the Use of Village Streets and Assistance for Traffic Control for the Annual Pelham Little League Parade on Saturday, April 22, 2017 Be it resolved, that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Pelham hereby authorizes the use of Village streets and assistance for traffic control for the Annual Pelham Little League Parade on Saturday, April 22, 2017, with streets closed from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., for the parade to take place from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on 5th Avenue from Lincoln Avenue through Wolfs Lane to the High School, with a staging area on 3rd Street between 4th Avenue and 7th Avenue; and Be it further resolved, that the Little League Organization will be responsible for all Village of Pelham overtime costs and all other direct costs that are incurred by this event including appropriate insurance requirements; and Be it further resolved, that the Village Administrator, Chief of Police, Fire Chief and DPW General Foreman are authorized to take the necessary and appropriate actions to implement the plan and make arrangements for this parade. Motion by: Trustee Mutti Seconded by: Trustee Ferrara Vote: 7-0 Page 7 Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, January 17, 2017 Item # 11 – Other Business Trustee Mutti circulated a proposal from Almstead Tree Company sharing their recommendations on proposed tree work that needs to take place at the Highbrook Highline property. Page 8 Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, January 17, 2017 Recurring Items Item # 12 - Authorizing the Accounts Payable Trustee Reinke audited the Accounts Payable. A brief discussion took place on voucher 8108. Resolution Authorizing the Accounts Payable Whereas, pursuant to § 5-524 of the New York State Village Law, the Board of Trustees shall audit all claims against the Village. Now, therefore, be it resolved, that the Board of Trustees after audit of the following vouchers, 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 $61,288.89 Capital Projects Fund $35,604.80 Trust and Agency Fund $350.00 TE Expandable Trust Fund $0.00 Grand Total $97,243.69 Be it further resolved, that this Board hereby approves payment of the above mentioned claims and authorizes payment thereof. Motion by: Trustee Reim Seconded by: Trustee Ferrara Vote: 7-0 Page 9 Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, January 17, 2017 Item # 13 – Authorizing the Minutes of: Item # 14 – Adjournment The public portion of the Board meeting was adjourned at 9:24 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Christopher Scelza Assistant to the Village Administrator Page 10