Mayor & Village Board of Trustees

VILLAGE OF PELHAM BOARD OF TRUSTEES REGULAR MEETING TUESDAY, APRIL 25, 2023, 8:00 PM VILLAGE HALL - 195 SPARKS AVENUE, PELHAM, NY 10803 Join by Zoom Video: https://zoom.us/j/98917409392?pwd=U09KN2MxTnJHWEU2Nm9ndWxQSEgwZz09 Join by Telephone: (929) 205-6099 Meeting ID: 989 1740 9392 Passcode: 030699 AGENDA ITEMS 1. Call to Order 2. Pledge of Allegiance 3. Roll Call 4. Village Trustees’ Reports 5. Village Administrator’s Report 6. Mayor’s Report 7. Public Comments Non-Recurring Items 8. Resolution Authorizing the Appointment of a Chairperson for the Architectural Review Board 9. Resolution Authorizing the Appointment of an Architectural Review Board Member 10. Resolution Authorizing the Appointment of an Architectural Review Board Member 11. Fiscal Year 2023-24 Budget Adoption (All Resolutions A-E) 12. Resolution Authorizing Grant Consulting Agreement with Millennium Strategies 13. Other Business Recurring Items 14. Authorizing Accounts Payable 15. Authorizing Minutes of: March 14, 2023 Work Session, Regular Meeting, and April 11, 2023 Work Session, Regular Meeting and Executive Session 16. Adjournment Next Regularly Scheduled BOT Meetings: Tuesday, May 9, 2023 Tuesday, May 23, 2023 Village Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, April 25, 2023 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 at 8:00 PM. Item # 3 - Roll Call: Attendee Name Present Absent Late Mayor Mullen ☒ ☐ ☐ Deputy Mayor Carpenter - Virtual ☒ ☐ ☐ Village Trustee Hill-Ries - Virtual ☒ ☐ ☐ Village Trustee Eldahry ☒ ☐ ☐ Village Trustee McGreal ☒ ☐ ☐ Village Trustee Otondi - Virtual ☒ ☐ ☐ Village Trustee Solomon ☒ ☐ ☐ Village Administrator Scelza ☒ ☐ ☐ Asst. to the Village Administrator Zia ☒ ☐ ☐ Item # 4 - Village Trustees’ Report: Village Trustee Hill-Ries – Nothing to report. Village Trustee Kamal Eldahry – Nothing to report. Village Trustee McGreal – The Board of Education has four candidates who are running for two open spots. Jessica DeDomenico and Sue Childs are stepping down; Thank you for your service. The election will be on May 16th to vote for the candidates and for the budget. At the Pelham Art Center, there is an exhibit entitled “Mental Fragments” that will be running through May 7th, curated by the Teen Artist Council. Village Trustee Otondi – Nothing to report. Village Trustee Solomon – Nothing to report. Deputy Mayor Carpenter – Nothing to report. Item # 5 - Village Administrator’s Report: Nothing to report. Item # 6 - Mayor’s Report Thank you to Pelham Together for being an incredible resource for the Village residents, parents and children. Mayor Mullen noted that the Governor’s Housing Plan has been removed from the State budget. Village Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, April 25, 2023 Item # 7 - Public Comments No public comments. Village Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, April 25, 2023 Non-Recurring Items Item # 8 – Resolution Authorizing the Appointment of a Chairperson for the Architectural Review Board Whereas, Ron Czajka, Chairperson of the Village of Pelham Architectural Review Board was appointed for a three-year term which has expired. Now, therefore, be it resolved, that Greg Shunick is hereby appointed as the Chairperson of the Architectural Review Board expiring December 7, 2026, or until such time as a successor is appointed. Vote Record - Item # 8 - Resolution Authorizing the Appointment of a Chairperson for the Architectural Review Board- 8:05 PM Village of Pelham Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, April 25, 2023 Yes/Aye No/Nay Abstain Absent ☒Approved Mayor Mullen ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Approved as Deputy Mayor Carpenter ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Amended Village Trustee Hill-Ries ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Tabled Village Trustee Eldahry ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Withdrawn Village Trustee McGreal 2nd ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Discussed Village Trustee Otondi ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Village Trustee Solomon Motion ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Village Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, April 25, 2023 Item # 9 – Resolution Authorizing the Appointment of an Architectural Review Board Member Whereas, Greg Shunick, a member of the Village of Pelham Architectural Review Board was appointed for a three-year term which has expired; and Whereas, Greg Shunick has been appointed as the Chairperson of the Architectural Review Board, leaving a member position vacant. Now, therefore, be it resolved, that Danielle Devito is hereby appointed as a member of the Architectural Review Board expiring December 7, 2026, or until such time as a successor is appointed. Vote Record - Item # 9 – Resolution Authorizing the Appointment of an Architectural Review Board Member – 8:06 PM Village of Pelham Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, April 25, 2023 Yes/Aye No/Nay Abstain Absent ☒Approved Mayor Mullen ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Approved as Deputy Mayor Carpenter ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Amended Village Trustee Hill-Ries ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Tabled Village Trustee Eldahry ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Withdrawn Village Trustee McGreal 2nd ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Discussed Village Trustee Otondi ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Village Trustee Solomon Motion ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Village Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, April 25, 2023 Item # 10 – Resolution Authorizing the Appointment of an Architectural Review Board Member Whereas, Kristin Austin, a member of the Village of Pelham Architectural Review Board was appointed for a three-year term which has expired. Now, therefore, be it resolved, that Iva Filipovic is hereby appointed as a member of the Architectural Review Board expiring December 7, 2026, or until such time as a successor is appointed. Vote Record - Item # 10 – Resolution Authorizing the Appointment of an Architectural Review Board Member – 8:07 PM Village of Pelham Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, April 25, 2023 Yes/Aye No/Nay Abstain Absent ☒Approved Mayor Mullen ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Approved as Deputy Mayor Carpenter ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Amended Village Trustee Hill-Ries ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Tabled Village Trustee Eldahry ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Withdrawn Village Trustee McGreal 2nd ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Discussed Village Trustee Otondi ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Village Trustee Solomon Motion ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Village Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, April 25, 2023 Item # 11 – Fiscal Year 2023-24 Budget Adoption (All Resolutions A-E) Budget Resolution (A) Resolution Amending and Revising the Tentative 2023-24 Village Budget for Finalization as Adopted Budget Whereas, the Village of Pelham Board of Trustees has met at the times and place specified in the Notice of Public Hearing on the proposed budget and heard all persons desiring to be heard thereon; and, subsequently consulted with the appropriate Village officials on the contents thereof and determined that certain modifications would be desirable; and Whereas, the tentative budget was reviewed and amended at Budget Work Sessions held on March 23, 2023, March 29, 2023, March 30, 2023, and April 25, 2023. Now, therefore, be it resolved, that the Tentative Budget be amended and revised as follows: SEE ATTACHED BUDGET CHANGES FORM Vote Record - Item # 11 (A) – Resolution Amending and Revising the Tentative 2023-24 Village Budget for Finalization as Adopted Budget – 8:19 PM Village of Pelham Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, April 25, 2023 Yes/Aye No/Nay Abstain Absent ☒Approved Mayor Mullen ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Approved as Deputy Mayor Carpenter ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Amended Village Trustee Hill-Ries ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Tabled Village Trustee Eldahry ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Withdrawn Village Trustee McGreal 2nd ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Discussed Village Trustee Otondi ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Village Trustee Solomon Motion ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Village Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, April 25, 2023 Budget Resolution (B) Resolution Adopting a Budget for the Fiscal Year Commencing June 1, 2023 and Ending May 31, 2024 Making Appropriations for the Conduct of the Village Government and Establishing the Rates of Compensation for Officers and Employees for Such Period Whereas, the Village of Pelham Board of Trustees has met at the time and place of April 11, 2023, as specified in the Notice of Public Hearing on the tentative budget and heard all persons desiring to be heard thereon; and Whereas, the Tentative Budget has been amended as specified in Budget Resolution (A). Now, therefore, be it resolved, that the budget as amended at Budget Work Sessions held on March 23, 2023, March 29, 2022, March 30, 2023, and April 25, 2023, and as presented at the Budget Public Hearing on April 11, 2023, as hereinafter set forth is hereby adopted and the salaries and wages stated in the Salary Schedule of the budget are fixed at the amounts shown and are effective June 1, 2023, unless provided for by other means. Vote Record - Item # 11 (B) – Resolution Adopting a Budget for the Fiscal Year Commencing June 1, 2023 and Ending May 31, 2024 Making Appropriations for the Conduct of the Village Government and Establishing the Rates of Compensation for Officers and Employees for Such Period – 8:20 PM Village of Pelham Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, April 25, 2023 Yes/Aye No/Nay Abstain Absent ☒Approved Mayor Mullen ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Approved as Deputy Mayor Carpenter ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Amended Village Trustee Hill-Ries ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Tabled Village Trustee Eldahry ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Withdrawn Village Trustee McGreal 2nd ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Discussed Village Trustee Otondi ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Village Trustee Solomon Motion ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Village Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, April 25, 2023 Budget Resolution (C) Resolution Levying the 2023 Village Tax, Establishing the Tax Rate and Fixing Dates of Payment Note: In accordance with § 1420 of the Real Property Tax Law, upon completion of the budget, but not later than May 15th, the Village Board of Trustees shall determine and levy the tax for the ensuing fiscal year. Whereas, pursuant to § 5-508 of the New York State Village Law, the Board of Trustees has adopted the Village Budget for the fiscal year commencing June 1, 2023 and ending May 31, 2024; and Whereas, such budget as adopted establishes a general Village Property Tax Levy of $13,016,652.00 for this period. Now, therefore, be it resolved, that there are levied and assessed the sum of $13,016,652.00 against all taxable real property and special franchise in the Village, pursuant to this budget, as adopted, and the 2023 Village Tax Rate is set at $6.9640220 per thousand dollars of assessed valuation for Homestead Properties and $10.6044264 per thousand dollars of assessed valuation for Non-Homestead Properties. The Receiver of Taxes for the Town of Pelham is hereby authorized and directed to extend and carry out upon the 2022 tax roll the amount to be levied against each parcel of real property and each special franchise shown thereon; and Be it further resolved, that pursuant to § 1432 of the Real Property Tax Law, taxes levied as aforesaid are due June 1st, and payable by June 30, 2023, and the dates and rates of interest shall be set as follows: Vote Record - Item # 11 (C) – Resolution Levying the 2023 Village Tax, Establishing the Tax Rate and Fixing Dates of Payment – 8:22 PM Village of Pelham Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, April 25, 2023 Yes/Aye No/Nay Abstain Absent ☒Approved Mayor Mullen ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Approved as Deputy Mayor Carpenter ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Amended Village Trustee Hill-Ries ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Tabled Village Trustee Eldahry 2nd ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Withdrawn Village Trustee McGreal ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Discussed Village Trustee Otondi ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Village Trustee Solomon Motion ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Payment Due: June 1, 2023 From June 1, 2023 to June 30, 2023 – No Interest on July 1, 2023 – 5% will be added and 1% additional on the first day of each month thereafter until paid. Village Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, April 25, 2023 Budget for the Village of Pelham for the Fiscal Year June 1, 2023 to May 31, 2024 General Fund: General Government Support $1,921,689.00 Special Items $ 677,750.00 Public Safety $7,188,728.00 Transportation $ 421,540.00 Culture and Recreation $ 361,535.00 Home and Community Services $1,057,697.00 Employee Benefits $5,764,306.00 Debt Service $ 672,451.00 Transfer to Capital Fund $ 0.00 Total $17,387,946.00 Less Estimated Revenue $4,371,294.00 Property Tax Levy $13,016,652.00 Assessed Valuation: Homestead $1,534,507,957.00 Tax Rate per Thousand: Homestead $6.9640220 Assessed Valuation: Non-Homestead $219,748,314.00 Tax Rate per Thousand: Non-Homestead $10.6044264 The total amount of local assistance to the General Fund anticipated to be received from the State of New York during the Fiscal Year 2023-24 $73,154.00 PLEASE NOTE: It is the taxpayer’s responsibility to remember the due date of the tax payment – June 1, 2023 payable without interest until June 30, 2023 SENIOR CITIZENS: You may be eligible for tax exemption if you are age 65 and over. For more information, please call or write: Town Receiver of Taxes or Town Tax Assessor 34 5th Avenue 34 5th Avenue PELHAM, NY 10803 PELHAM, NY 10803 914-738-1642 914-738-2878 THIRD PARTY NOTIFICATION Under New York State Law (Chapter 758, Laws of 1986) if you are either 65 years of age or older or disabled and own and occupy a 1, 2, or 3 family residence, you may designate a consenting adult third party to receive duplicate copies of your tax bills and notice of unpaid taxes until further notice. Applications may be obtained in person from the Tax Office, 34 5th Avenue, Pelham, New York 10803 or by mail if you include with your request a self-addressed stamped envelope. Village Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, April 25, 2023 Applications for third party notification must be filed with the Receiver of Taxes no later than June 1, 2023. TAX SCHEDULE JANUARY: Second Half School Taxes Town of Pelham APRIL: Town Taxes Town of Pelham JUNE: Village Taxes are due w/o interest by July 1st To: Village of Pelham (Town Receiver of Taxes) SEPTEMBER: First Half School Taxes Town of Pelham The data used to calculate real property taxes due is shown in Appendix 4 of the 2023-24 Village of Pelham Budget. The Village of Pelham, assessed under Full Valuation by the Town of Pelham, shall submit assessment information in compliance with the applicable Section of the Real Property Tax Law. If you feel your assessment is too high, you have the right to seek a reduction in the future. Applications for challenging your assessment and a copy of the booklet “How to File a Complaint about Your Assessment” are available at the Assessment Office. Any tax questions can be answered by calling the Town of Pelham Tax Assessor at 738-2878 or the Town of Pelham Receiver of Taxes at 738-1642 for Village, School or Town tax information. Village Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, April 25, 2023 Budget Resolution (D) Resolution Authorizing 2023-24 Village of Pelham Budget for Investments Be it resolved, that the Village Administrator/Treasurer and/or Deputy Village Treasurer, during the Fiscal Year beginning June 1, 2023, are authorized to invest monies not needed for immediate expenditure in accordance with the provisions of the General Municipal Law, the Local Finance Law and the Village’s Investment Policy. Vote Record - Item # 11 (D) – Resolution Authorizing 2023-24 Village of Pelham Budget for Investments – 8:24 PM Village of Pelham Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, April 25, 2023 Yes/Aye No/Nay Abstain Absent ☒Approved Mayor Mullen ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Approved as Deputy Mayor Carpenter ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Amended Village Trustee Hill-Ries ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Tabled Village Trustee Eldahry 2nd ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Withdrawn Village Trustee McGreal ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Discussed Village Trustee Otondi ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Village Trustee Solomon Motion ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Budget Resolution (E) Resolution Authorizing 2023-24 Village of Pelham Budget for the Levy and Collection of Additional Taxes upon Termination of Exempt Status Be it resolved, that the Town Assessor and Receiver of Taxes for the Town of Pelham, during the Fiscal Year beginning June 1, 2023, are authorized to levy and collect additional Village taxes upon termination of exempt status of real property in accordance with provisions of § 494 of the Real Property Tax Law. Vote Record - Item # 11 (E) – Resolution Authorizing 2023-24 Village of Pelham Budget for the Levy and Collection of Additional Taxes upon Termination of Exempt Status – 8:25 PM Village of Pelham Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, April 25, 2023 Yes/Aye No/Nay Abstain Absent ☒Approved Mayor Mullen ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Approved as Deputy Mayor Carpenter ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Amended Village Trustee Hill-Ries ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Tabled Village Trustee Eldahry 2nd ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Withdrawn Village Trustee McGreal ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Discussed Village Trustee Otondi ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Village Trustee Solomon Motion ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Village Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, April 25, 2023 Item # 12 – Resolution Authorizing Grant Consulting Agreement with Millennium Strategies Whereas, the Village of Pelham seeks to hire a consultant to help acquire grants; and Whereas, on April 11, 2023, Millennium Strategies made a proposal to the Village of Pelham to provide grant consulting services; and Whereas, the Village of Pelham seeks to accept their proposal. Now, therefore, be it resolved, that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Pelham hereby authorizes the Village Administrator to sign an agreement with Millennium Strategies, in an amount of $39,600.00 per year to assist the Village in securing grants starting June 1, 2023 through May 31, 2024. Vote Record - Item # 12 – Resolution Authorizing Grant Consulting Agreement with Millennium Strategies – 8:26 PM Village of Pelham Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, April 25, 2023 Yes/Aye No/Nay Abstain Absent ☒Approved Mayor Mullen ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Approved as Deputy Mayor Carpenter ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Amended Village Trustee Hill-Ries ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Tabled Village Trustee Eldahry ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Withdrawn Village Trustee McGreal 2nd ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Discussed Village Trustee Otondi ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Village Trustee Solomon Motion ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Village Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, April 25, 2023 Item # 13 – Other Business No other business. Village Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, April 25, 2023 Recurring Items Item # 14 - Authorizing Accounts Payable Trustee Hill-Ries is auditing 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 Village Administrator and Deputy Village Treasurer: Fund Name: Amount General Fund (A) $325,312.80 Capital Projects Fund (H) $ 37,696.25 Trust & Agency (T) $ 13,875.00 Grand Total $376,884.05 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 # 14 - Resolution Authorizing the Accounts Payable – 8:30 PM Village of Pelham Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, April 25, 2023 Yes/Aye No/Nay Abstain Absent ☒Approved Mayor Mullen ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Approved as Deputy Mayor Carpenter ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Amended Village Trustee Hill-Ries ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Tabled Village Trustee Eldahry ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Withdrawn Village Trustee McGreal 2nd ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Discussed Village Trustee Otondi ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Village Trustee Solomon Motion ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Village Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, April 25, 2023 Item # 15 - Authorizing Minutes of: March 14, 2023 Work Session, Regular Meeting and April 11, 2023 Work Session, Regular Meeting and Executive Session Vote Record - Item # 15 – March 14, 2023 Work Session, Regular Meeting – 8:32 PM Village of Pelham Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, April 25, 2023 Yes/Aye No/Nay Abstain Absent ☒Approved Mayor Mullen ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Approved as Deputy Mayor Carpenter ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Amended Village Trustee Hill-Ries ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Tabled Village Trustee Eldahry 2nd ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Withdrawn Village Trustee McGreal ☐ ☐ ☒ ☐ ☐Discussed Village Trustee Otondi ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Village Trustee Solomon Motion ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Vote Record - Item # 15 – April 11, 2023 Work Session, Regular Meeting and Executive Session – 8:33 PM Village of Pelham Board of Trustees Regular Meeting Tuesday, April 25, 2023 Yes/Aye No/Nay Abstain Absent ☒Approved Mayor Mullen ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Approved as Deputy Mayor Carpenter ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Amended Village Trustee Hill-Ries ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Tabled Village Trustee Eldahry ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Withdrawn Village Trustee McGreal Motion ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐Discussed Village Trustee Otondi ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Village Trustee Solomon 2nd ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ Item # 16 - Adjournment A motion was made by Village Trustee Eldahry and seconded by Village Trustee McGreal, voted unanimously by all at 8:33PM to adjourn the meeting. Respectfully submitted, Sarah LoPuzzo Village Clerk