Mayor & Village Board of Trustees

VILLAGE OF PELHAM BOARD OF TRUSTEES REGULAR MEETING TUESDAY, MARCH 9, 2021, 8:00 PM VILLAGE HALL - 195 SPARKS AVENUE, PELHAM, NY 10803 Pursuant to Executive Order 202.1 issued by Governor Andrew Cuomo on March 12, 2020, all in-person public access to Village Board of Trustees Meeting is suspended. Each Village Trustee will participate remotely either by video or telephone via Zoom. Join by Video: https://zoom.us/j/98917409392?pwd=U09KN2MxTnJHWEU2Nm9ndWxQSEgwZz09 Join by Telephone: (929) 205-6099 Meeting ID: 989 1740 9392 Passcode: 030699 Minutes 1. Call to Order 2. Pledge of Allegiance 3. Roll Call 4. Trustees’ Reports 5. Acting Village Administrator’s Report 6. Mayor’s Report 7. Public Comments - email comments/questions to cara.farrell@pelhamgov.com Agenda Items: Non-Recurring Items 8. Resolution Authorizing the Promotion of a Firefighter to the Position of Fire Lieutenant in the Village of Pelham Fire Department 9A./9B. Resolutions Authorizing the Completion of Probation for Firefighters Anthony M. Borsella & Christopher Paolercio 10. Resolution Calling for a Public Hearing on Local Law No. 2 of 2021 to Amend Chapter 98 Zoning, Article II; Definitions and Article XIA; Office O-2 District of the Code of the Village of Pelham 11. Resolution Calling for a Public Hearing on Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s Executive Order No. 203: New York State Reform & Reinvention Collaborative 12. Resolution Authorizing the Execution of an Inter-Municipal Agreement with Westchester County for Use of Westchester County's Firing Range Facility 13. Other Business Recurring Items 14. Resolution Authorizing Budget Amendments & Transfers for Fiscal Year 2020-21 15. Authorizing Accounts Payable 16. Authorizing Minutes of: 17. Adjournment Next Regularly Scheduled BoT Meetings: March 23, 2021 April 13, 2021 Village Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, March 9, 2021 Item # 1 - Meeting called to order: Mayor Mullen called the meeting to order at 8:00 PM. Item # 2 - Pledge of Allegiance: Mayor Mullen led the Pledge of Allegiance. Item # 3 - Roll Call: Attendee Name Present Absent Late Mayor Mullen ☒ ☐ ☐ Deputy Mayor Carpenter ☒ ☐ ☐ Trustee Hill-Ries ☒ ☐ ☐ Trustee Kamal Eldahry ☒ ☐ ☐ Trustee McGreal ☒ ☐ ☐ Trustee Solomon ☒ ☐ ☐ Trustee Spira-Cohen ☒ ☐ ☐ Acting Village Administrator Scelza ☒ ☐ ☐ Deputy Village Clerk Farrell ☒ ☐ ☐ Item # 4 - Trustees’ Report: Trustee Hill-Ries had nothing to report. Trustee Kamal Eldahry mentioned Pelham Examiner’s article on the April 11th kickoff of the Residential Food Scrap Recycling Program, the launch of Con Edison’s GridRewards Program, Sustainable Westchester’s EnergySmart Campaign Event on April 8th. Trustee McGreal said the Council on the Arts is coming up with a mission and working on a new Village sign. Trustee Solomon had nothing to report. Trustee Spira-Cohen congratulated two sergeants in the Pelham Police Department’s De-escalation Instructor Course which allows them to train the rest of the Department on an annual basis. Deputy Mayor Carpenter thanked a resident for their suggestion regarding the temporary bridge Lincoln Avenue Bridge Project which the Village passed along to our community liaison. He said if you have an idea, please bring it forward and we will reach out to the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT). Item # 5 – Acting Village Administrator’s Report: Acting Village Administrator Scelza and Deputy Village Clerk Cara Farrell attended a meeting with Westchester County which went over the timeline and reviewing report items of the Resurfacing Project on Lincoln Avenue. He said once the engineering report is fully executed at the County level, they will come back to the Village and Pedestrian Safety and Traffic Calming Committee to work with us by incorporating our input. Village Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, March 9, 2021 Secondly, he spoke with NYSDOT regarding the First Avenue traffic signal replacement project and the intersection upgrade, which is the last component of the Lincoln Avenue Bridge Project. Acting Village Administrator Scelza also said a notice was given to residents in the area of Young Avenue Field and Harmon Avenue. H2M Engineers and our infrastructure contractor, ELQ Industries will be digging test holes on Thursday, March 11th during regular business hours. Lastly, he mentioned the upcoming transition to curbside, spring loose-leave collection beginning on March 15th and ending on April 30th. To learn more, you can visit https://www.pelhamgov.com/sites/g/files/vyhlif3661/f/uploads/march_2021_sanitation_calendar_0.pdf. Item # 6 - Mayor’s Report: Mayor Mullen announced the current number of COVID-19 active cases and urged residents to reach out to the Town of Pelham Recreation Department to learn more about getting vaccinated. He also said the Pelham House Project is working on schematic drawings and focusing on the interior layout of the building as it relates to each department. Third, Mayor Mullen brought up the correspondence about the upcoming Westchester County Civil Service Exams for Police Officer and Police Officer (Spanish Speaking), as the Village of Pelham is preparing to ratify its Action Plan to ensure racial equity in our local policing efforts. You can learn more about becoming a Pelham Police Officer here: https://www.pelhamgov.com/home/news/become-pelham-police-officer. He also shared the great news that we have an anonymous donor for a new Village of Pelham sign, so the recently established Council of the Arts will work closely with the donor on that project. Lastly, the Mayor shared his condolences for the loss of a retired Pelham Police Lieutenant, Rocco DelGrosso on March 6th. He read the statement the Village of Pelham posted in his honor. Village Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, March 9, 2021 Item # 7 - Public Comments There were no public comments. Village Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, March 9, 2021 Non-Recurring Items Item # 8 - Resolution Authorizing the Promotion of a Firefighter to the Position of Fire Lieutenant in the Village of Pelham Fire Department Be it resolved, that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Pelham hereby confirms the Mayor’s promotion of Francesco Bellantoni of Pelham, NY to the position of Fire Lieutenant (contingent permanent), from Westchester County Civil Service Eligible List # 78-827, effective Wednesday, March 10, 2021 at an annual salary of $112,940.00 subject to the requirements of Westchester County Civil Service, the current Pelham Professional Firefighters Association Collective Bargaining Agreement, Village of Pelham Employee Handbook and any other applicable regulations in place and for a probationary period of twelve (12) months; and Be it further resolved, that the Mayor, Acting Village Administrator and Fire Chief are authorized to take the necessary and appropriate actions to effect this appointment. Vote Record - Item # 8 - Resolution Authorizing the Promotion of a Firefighter to the Position of Fire Lieutenant in the Village of Pelham Fire Department Village of Pelham Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, March 9, 2021 Yes/Aye No/Nay Abstain Absent ☒Approved Mayor Mullen ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Approved as Amended Deputy Mayor Carpenter Motion ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Tabled Trustee Hill-Ries ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Withdrawn Trustee Kamal Eldahry ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Discussed Trustee McGreal ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Trustee Solomon ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Trustee Spira-Cohen Second ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Village Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, March 9, 2021 Item # 9A - Resolution Authorizing the Completion of Probation for Firefighter Anthony M. Borsella Be it resolved, that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Pelham hereby authorize the acknowledgement of the successful completion of probation for Anthony M. Borsella as a Firefighter, which is approved based on the positive evaluation and recommendation of the Fire Chief; and Be it further resolved, that the Mayor, Acting Village Administrator and Fire Chief are authorized to take the necessary and appropriate actions to effect this appointment. Vote Record - Item # 9A - Resolution Authorizing the Completion of Probation for Firefighter Anthony M. Borsella Village of Pelham Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, March 9, 2021 Yes/Aye No/Nay Abstain Absent ☒Approved Mayor Mullen ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Approved as Amended Deputy Mayor Carpenter Motion ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Tabled Trustee Hill-Ries ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Withdrawn Trustee Eldahry ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Discussed Trustee McGreal ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Trustee Solomon Second ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Trustee Spira-Cohen ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Item # 9B - Resolution Authorizing the Completion of Probation for Firefighter Christopher Paolercio Be it resolved, that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Pelham hereby authorize the acknowledgement of the successful completion of probation for Christopher Paolercio as a Firefighter, which is approved based on the positive evaluation and recommendation of the Fire Chief; and Be it further resolved, that the Mayor, Acting Village Administrator and Fire Chief are authorized to take the necessary and appropriate actions to effect this appointment. Vote Record - Item # 9B - Resolution Authorizing the Completion of Probation for Firefighter Christopher Paolercio Village of Pelham Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, March 9, 2021 Yes/Aye No/Nay Abstain Absent ☒Approved Mayor Mullen ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Approved as Amended Deputy Mayor Carpenter Motion ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Tabled Trustee Hill-Ries ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Withdrawn Trustee Eldahry ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Discussed Trustee McGreal ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Trustee Solomon Second ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Trustee Spira-Cohen ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Village Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, March 9, 2021 Item # 10 – Resolution Calling for a Public Hearing on Local Law No. 2 of 2021 to Amend Chapter 98 Zoning, Article II; Definitions and Article XIA; Office O-2 District of the Code of the Village of Pelham Whereas, the Board of Trustees of the Village of Pelham has proposed a local law to amend Chapter 98-71.2 of the Code of the Village of Pelham to add Child Day-Care Services as a special permitted use in the Office O-2 Zoning District and to amend Chapter 98-6 to add a definition of Child Day-Care Services; and Whereas, pursuant to the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA), on February 9, 2021, the Village Board of Trustees received a Short Environmental Assessment Form (EAF), declared itself to be lead agency and identified the proposed action as an unlisted action; and Whereas, notice was duly provided to the County of Westchester as required by General Municipal Law §239- m, 239-n and 239-nn and Westchester County Administrative Code §277.61 and 277.71; and Whereas, the Board of Trustees of the Village of Pelham determined the Code of the Village of Pelham §98- 141 requires the proposed action be referred to the Architectural Review Board and Planning Board and such referral was made on 2-9-2021. Now, therefore, be it resolved, that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Pelham hereby calls for a Public Hearing on Tuesday, March 23, 2020 at 8:00 pm or soon thereafter at on a proposed local law to amend Chapter 98 of the Code of the Village of Pelham and this meeting will be held virtually on Zoom and members of the public wishing to present comments may do so online during the public comment phase of the hearing by accessing the meeting at: https://zoom.us/j/98917409392?pwd=U09KN2MxTnJHWEU2Nm9ndWxQSEgwZz09 Join by Telephone: (929) 205-6099 Meeting ID: 989 1740 9392 Passcode: 030699 Be it further resolved, that the Village Clerk is hereby directed to publish notice of said public hearing. Vote Record - Item # 10 – Resolution Calling for a Public Hearing on Local Law No. 2 of 2021 to Amend Chapter 98 Zoning, Article II; Definitions and Article XIA; Office O-2 District of the Code of the Village of Pelham Village of Pelham Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, March 9, 2021 Yes/Aye No/Nay Abstain Absent ☒Approved Mayor Mullen ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Approved as Amended Deputy Mayor Carpenter Motion ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Tabled Trustee Hill-Ries ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Withdrawn Trustee Eldahry ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Discussed Trustee McGreal ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Trustee Solomon Second ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Trustee Spira-Cohen ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Village Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, March 9, 2021 Item # 11 - Resolution Calling for a Public Hearing on Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s Executive Order No. 203: New York State Reform & Reinvention Collaborative Whereas, on June 12, 2020, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo signed Executive Order No. 203, requiring local municipalities with police departments to develop a reform plan based on community input; and Whereas, on July 14, 2020, the Village Board of Trustees issued a call for volunteers to serve on the Steering Committee on Policing and Inclusion; and Whereas, the Steering Committee on Policing and Inclusion held three public forums for residents to provide input on the draft Action Plan, which are available for viewing on the Village website (https://www.pelhamgov.com/home/pages/2021-meeting-videos); and Whereas, the draft Action Plan takes into account all of the above feedback; and Whereas, the Village Board of Trustees is required by Executive Order No. 203 to hold a public hearing on the plan before moving for its adoption on or before April 1, 2021. Now, therefore, be it resolved, that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Pelham hereby schedules a Public Hearing on Tuesday, March 23, 2021 at 8 p.m. or shortly thereafter to hear public comments on the Steering Committee on Policing and Inclusion Action Plan in accordance with Executive Order No. 203 and this meeting will be held virtually on Zoom and members of the public wishing to present comments may do so online during the public comment phase of the hearing by accessing the meeting at: https://zoom.us/j/98917409392?pwd=U09KN2MxTnJHWEU2Nm9ndWxQSEgwZz09 Join by Telephone: (929) 205-6099 Meeting ID: 989 1740 9392 Passcode: 030699 Be it further resolved, that the Village Clerk is hereby directed to publish notice of said public hearing. Vote Record - Item # 11 - Resolution Calling for a Public Hearing on Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s Executive Order No. 203: New York State Reform & Reinvention Collaborative Village of Pelham Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, March 9, 2021 Yes/Aye No/Nay Abstain Absent ☐Approved Mayor Mullen ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒Approved as Amended Deputy Mayor Carpenter Motion ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Tabled Trustee Hill-Ries ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Withdrawn Trustee Eldahry ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Discussed Trustee McGreal ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Trustee Solomon Second ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Trustee Spira-Cohen ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Village Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, March 9, 2021 Item # 12 - Resolution Authorizing the Execution of an Inter-Municipal Agreement with Westchester County for Use of Westchester County's Firing Range Facility Whereas, the Village of Pelham Police Department protects and assures the safety and welfare of the citizens of the Village of Pelham (“Village”); and Whereas, in order to maintain the high level of service and professionalism of the department, the ongoing training, certification and preparation of the officers is an integral facet of the public safety program; and Whereas, one of the training requirements is certification and recertification of firearms training; and Whereas, for many years, this has been accomplished through the use of the Westchester County's firing range facility in Valhalla, NY; and Whereas, our most recent Inter-Municipal Agreement allowing access to this facility has expired and Westchester County has proffered a successor agreement to the Village for its consideration; and Whereas, use of the County's facility provides a service to the Village that could not easily reproduce on its own and the Police Chief recommends that this Inter-Municipal Agreement be authorized. Now, therefore, be it resolved, that the Mayor is herein authorized to execute an Inter-Municipal Agreement with Westchester County to allow for use of the County's firing range facility; and Be it further resolved, that the Mayor, Acting Village Administrator and Police Chief are herein authorized to undertake such administrative acts as may be required to effectuate this Inter- Municipal Agreement. Vote Record - Item # 12 - Resolution Authorizing the Execution of an Inter-Municipal Agreement with Westchester County for Use of Westchester County's Firing Range Facility Village of Pelham Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, March 9, 2021 Yes/Aye No/Nay Abstain Absent ☒Approved Mayor Mullen ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Approved as Amended Deputy Mayor Carpenter Motion ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Tabled Trustee Hill-Ries ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Withdrawn Trustee Eldahry ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Discussed Trustee McGreal ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Trustee Solomon ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Trustee Spira-Cohen Second ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Village Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, March 9, 2021 Item # 13 - Other Business The Mayor and Village Board of Trustees and Village Staff determined four dates for budget workshops: 1. March 25th 7:00-10:00 PM (Revenue & Police Department) 2. March 28th 6:00-8:00 PM (Non-departmental Expenses) 3. March 29th 7:00-10:00 PM (Departments of Public Works & Building) 4. April 3rd 9:30-11:30 AM (Fire Department) Village Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, March 9, 2021 Recurring Items Item # 14 - Resolution Authorizing Budget Amendments & Transfers for Fiscal Year 2020-21 Whereas, pursuant to the provisions of §5-520 of the New York State Village Law, the Village Board of Trustees, by resolution, may increase existing appropriations by transferring funds from the unexpended balance of another appropriation, from the contingent account, from available cash surplus or unanticipated revenues within a fund, or by borrowing; and Whereas, in all cases, there are sufficient unexpended balances in other appropriation accounts, excess revenues or fund balances available to cover the amendments and transfers. Now, therefore, be it resolved, that pursuant to New York State Village Law § 5-520, the Board of Trustees of the Village of Pelham hereby authorizes and directs the Acting Village Administrator/Village Treasurer to modify the 2020-21 Budget by making the following budget amendments and transfers (attached hereto and made part hereof). Vote Record - Item # 14 - Resolution Authorizing Budget Amendments & Transfers for Fiscal Year 2020-21 Village of Pelham Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, March 9, 2021 Yes/Aye No/Nay Abstain Absent ☒Approved Mayor Mullen ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Approved as Amended Deputy Mayor Carpenter Second ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Tabled Trustee Hill-Ries Motion ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Withdrawn Trustee Eldahry ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Discussed Trustee McGreal ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Trustee Solomon ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Trustee Spira-Cohen ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Village Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, March 9, 2021 Item # 15 – Resolution Authorizing the Accounts Payable Trustee Solomon audited 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 of the Village of Pelham 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 Acting Village Administrator and Deputy Village Treasurer: Fund Name: Amount General Fund $90,521.40 Capital Projects Fund $28,269.60 Grand Total $118,791.00 Be it further resolved, that the Village Board of Trustees hereby approves payment of the above-mentioned claims and authorizes payment thereof. Vote Record - Item # 15 - Authorizing the Accounts Payable Village of Pelham Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, March 9, 2021 Yes/Aye No/Nay Abstain Absent ☒Approved Mayor Mullen ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Approved as Amended Deputy Mayor Carpenter ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Tabled Trustee Hill-Ries Motion ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Withdrawn Trustee Kamal Eldahry ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Discussed Trustee McGreal ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Trustee Solomon ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Trustee Spira-Cohen Second ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Item # 16 - Authorizing Minutes: There are no minutes to be approved at this time Item # 17 - Adjournment The Village Board of Trustees meeting was adjourned at 9:10 PM with a motion by Trustee McGreal seconded by Trustee Spira-Cohen. The vote passed 7-0. Respectfully submitted, Cara R. Farrell, Deputy Village Clerk