Mayor & Village Board of Trustees

VILLAGE OF PELHAM BOARD OF TRUSTEES REGULAR MEETING TUESDAY, APRIL 13, 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 Appointing Zoning Board of Appeals Member 9. Public Hearing on the Tentative Budget for Fiscal Year 2021-22 10. Resolution Calling for a Public Hearing on the Draft Scope for Generic Environmental Impact Statement “Village of Pelham Downtown Restoration Initiatives” 11. Other Business Recurring Items 12. Authorizing Accounts Payable 13. Authorizing Minutes of: December 8, 2020 (Regular Meeting), December 15, 2020, January 12, 2021 & January 26, 2021 14. Adjournment Next Regularly Scheduled BoT Meetings: April 27, 2021 (Note: Fiscal Year 2021-22 Budget Adoption) May 11, 2021 All meetings start at 8:00 PM unless otherwise noted. *The Agenda is subject to change* Village Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, April 13, 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 Trustee McGreal had nothing to report. Trustee Solomon had nothing to report. Trustee Spira-Cohen said the Police Department submitted for a grant for body cameras and noted the vacant school crossing guard position. Deputy Mayor Carpenter had nothing to report. Item # 5 – Acting Village Administrator’s Report: Acting Village Administrator Scelza updated residents on the upcoming NYS Department of Transportation’s border-to-border construction replacing the guide signs in the Bronx and Westchester Counties. He said the expected completion is set for December 2021. Item # 6 - Mayor’s Report: Mayor Mullen said the launch of the Residential Food Scrap Recycling Program was successful and well attended. Village Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, April 13, 2021 Secondly, he said he met with the Council on the Arts regarding driving foot traffic into our downtown this summer. They’re working with the Chamber of Commerce and other local organizations about creating outdoor events. He released a budget video (https://www.pelhamgov.com/home/news/our-path-recovery) describing the Tentative Budget for FY2021-22 and what the budget process looks like. Item # 7 - Public Comments Heather Eliezer of 261 Highbrook Avenue commented on the enforcement of eco-beneficial standards as it relates to the Code of the Village of Pelham. Village Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, April 13, 2021 Non-Recurring Items Item # 8 - Resolution Appointing Zoning Board of Appeals Member Resolution Appointing Zoning Board of Appeals Member Whereas, Kenneth Shirreffs of 146 Loring Avenue, tendered his resignation as a member of the Village of Pelham Zoning Board of Appeals following the Zoning Board of Appeals meeting on January 27, 2021. Now, therefore, be it resolved, that Moira Weinberg of 121 Pelhamdale Avenue, is hereby appointed as a member of the Zoning Board of Appeals expiring December 1, 2025, or until such time as a successor is appointed. Vote Record - Item # 8 - Resolution Appointing Zoning Board of Appeals Member Village of Pelham Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, April 13, 2021 Yes/Aye No/Nay Abstain Absent ☐Approved Mayor Mullen ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒Approved as Amended Deputy Mayor Carpenter ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Tabled Trustee Hill-Ries ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Withdrawn Trustee Kamal Eldahry ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒ ☐Discussed Trustee McGreal ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Trustee Solomon Motion ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Trustee Spira-Cohen Second ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Village Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, April 13, 2021 Item # 9 - Public Hearing on the Fiscal Year 2021-22 Tentative Budget VILLAGE OF PELHAM NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Tentative Budget of the Village of Pelham for Fiscal Year 2021-22. The Board of Trustees of the Village of Pelham hereby schedules a public hearing to be held at 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 13, 2021. 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 *** A copy of the budget is available at the office of the Village Clerk and on the Villages’ website at www.pelhamgov.com in compliance with New York State Law. Any interested person may inspect the Tentative Budget or request a copy during normal office hours of 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. As required by New York State Law, notice is hereby made that the compensation of the Mayor and Village Board of Trustees is as follows: Title Positions Annual Compensation Mayor (1) $5,000 Trustees (6) $2,000 * Note: The Budget Hearing may be continued for more than one meeting, but must be adjourned on or before April 20, 2021. By New York State Village Law, the Budget must be adopted on or before May 1, 2021. By order of Mayor Chance Mullen and Village Board of Trustees Terri Rouke, Village Clerk Publication Date: April 6, 2021 The public hearing was opened at 8:42 PM with a motion from Trustee Solomon and seconded by Trustee Spira-Cohen. The vote passed 6-0 (Trustee Eldahry was absent). Arthur Long of 165 Boulevard and David Forte of 359 Washington Avenue commented on the tentative budget. The public hearing was closed at 8:58 PM with a motion from Trustee McGreal and seconded by Trustee Solomon. The vote passed 6-0 (Trustee Eldahry was absent). Village Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, April 13, 2021 Item # 10 - Resolution Calling for a Public Hearing on the Draft Scope for Generic Environmental Impact Statement “Village of Pelham Downtown Restoration Initiatives” Resolution Calling for a Public Hearing on the Draft Scope for Generic Environmental Impact Statement “Village of Pelham Downtown Restoration Initiatives” Whereas, in 2008 the Village of Pelham adopted a Comprehensive Plan that recommended initiatives, projects, and actions to guide village leaders and residents in planning for the future; and Whereas, on March 23, 2021, the Board of Trustees of the Village of Pelham passed a resolution pursuant to the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA), the General Municipal Law, the Westchester County Administrative Code and the Code of the Village of Pelham regarding the intent of the Board of Trustees of The Village of Pelham to serve as lead agency in the preparation of a Draft Generic Environmental Impact Statement (“DGEIS”) evaluating various downtown revitalization and municipal building initiatives; and Whereas, The Village Board of Trustees, acting as lead agency, has agreed to undertake the preparation of a DGEIS to evaluate the potentially adverse and/or beneficial impacts of several projects referred to as proposed Downtown Restoration Initiatives, of which the cornerstone is the construction of a new Municipal Center; and Whereas, under the New York Statement Environmental Quality Review Act (“SEQRA”) regulations (6 NYCRR Part 617), a DGEIS is typically used when an action or project may have a village-wide impact; and Whereas, the Village Board of Trustees is proposing the following required elements of the DGEIS (collectively, the “Required Elements”): • A description of the initiatives, projects and actions and their environmental setting; • A statement of the environmental impacts of the proposed initiatives, projects and actions, including their short-term and cumulative impacts; • An identification of significant adverse environmental effects that cannot be avoided if the proposed initiatives, projects and actions are implemented; • A discussion of alternatives to the proposed project and actions; • An identification of any irreversible and irretrievable commitments of resources that would be involved in the proposed initiatives, projects and actions should they be implemented; and • A description of mitigation measures proposed to minimize or avoid significant adverse environmental impacts of the proposed initiatives, projects and actions. Now, therefore, be it resolved, that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Pelham hereby calls for a Public Hearing on Tuesday, April 27, 2021 at 8:00 pm or soon thereafter concerning the Draft Scope for Generic Environmental Impact Statement for the Village of Pelham Downtown Restoration Initiatives. The hearing 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 Village Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, April 13, 2021 Vote Record - Item # 10 – Resolution Calling for a Public Hearing on the Draft Scope for Generic Environmental Impact Statement “Village of Pelham Downtown Restoration Initiatives” Village of Pelham Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, April 13, 2021 Yes/Aye No/Nay Abstain Absent ☐Approved Mayor Mullen ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒Approved as Amended Deputy Mayor Carpenter ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Tabled Trustee Hill-Ries ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Withdrawn Trustee Kamal Eldahry Motion ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Discussed Trustee McGreal Second ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Trustee Solomon ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Trustee Spira-Cohen ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Village Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, April 13, 2021 Item # 11 – Other Business The Village Board of Trustees continued the discussion surrounding the three special event requests from the Work Session. The Village Board of Trustees came up with dates (April 19th and [April 20th if needed]) for additional Budget Workshops. Village Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, April 13, 2021 Recurring Items Item # 12 – Resolution Authorizing the Accounts Payable Mayor Mullen audited the Accounts Payable. 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 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 $321,288.24 Capital Projects Fund $7,732.63 Trust & Agency $1,624.00 Grand Total $330,644.87 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 # 12 - Authorizing the Accounts Payable Village of Pelham Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, April 13, 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 Second ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Discussed Trustee McGreal ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Trustee Solomon ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Trustee Spira-Cohen ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Village Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, April 13, 2021 Item # 13 - Authorizing Minutes: December 8, 2020 (Regular Meeting), December 15, 2020, January 12, 2021 & January 26, 2021 Vote Record - Item # 13A - Authorizing Minutes of December 8, 2020 (Regular Meeting) Village of Pelham Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, April 13, 2021 Yes/Aye No/Nay Abstain Absent ☒Approved Mayor Mullen ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Approved as Amended Deputy Mayor Carpenter Second ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Tabled Trustee Hill-Ries ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Withdrawn Trustee Kamal Eldahry ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Discussed Trustee McGreal ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Trustee Solomon Motion ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Trustee Spira-Cohen ☐ ☐ ☒ ☐ Vote Record - Item # 13B - Authorizing Minutes of December 15, 2020 Village of Pelham Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, April 13, 2021 Yes/Aye No/Nay Abstain Absent ☒Approved Mayor Mullen ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Approved as Amended Deputy Mayor Carpenter Second ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Tabled Trustee Hill-Ries ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Withdrawn Trustee Kamal Eldahry ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Discussed Trustee McGreal ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Trustee Solomon Motion ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Trustee Spira-Cohen ☐ ☐ ☒ ☐ Vote Record - Item # 13C - Authorizing Minutes of January 12, 2021 Village of Pelham Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, April 13, 2021 Yes/Aye No/Nay Abstain Absent ☒Approved Mayor Mullen ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Approved as Amended Deputy Mayor Carpenter Second ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Tabled Trustee Hill-Ries ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Withdrawn Trustee Kamal Eldahry ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Discussed Trustee McGreal ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Trustee Solomon Motion ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Trustee Spira-Cohen ☐ ☐ ☒ ☐ Vote Record - Item # 13D - Authorizing Minutes of January 26, 2021 Village of Pelham Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, April 13, 2021 Yes/Aye No/Nay Abstain Absent ☒Approved Mayor Mullen ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Approved as Amended Deputy Mayor Carpenter Second ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Tabled Trustee Hill-Ries ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Withdrawn Trustee Kamal Eldahry ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Discussed Trustee McGreal ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Trustee Solomon Motion ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Trustee Spira-Cohen ☐ ☐ ☒ ☐ Item # 14 - Adjournment The Village Board of Trustees meeting was adjourned at 9:30 PM with a motion by Trustee Carpenter seconded by Trustee Solomon. The vote passed 7-0. Respectively submitted, Cara R. Farrell, Deputy Village Clerk