Board of Trustees

Village Board of Trustees 07 -23-2013 P a g e | 231 THREE THOUSAND ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY-SIXTH LIMITED AGENDA MEETING Rutherford Hall Village Hall July 23, 2013 A Limited Agenda meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Scarsdale was held in the Trustees’ Room in Village Hall on Tuesday, July 23, 2013 at 8:30 A.M. Present were Mayor Steves, Trustees Brodsky, Eisenman, Lee, Mark, Martin, and Stern. Also present were Village Manager Gatta, Deputy Village Manager Pappalardo, Village Attorney Esannason, Village Treasurer McClure, Village Clerk Conkling, Assistants to the Village Manager Azrelyant and Goodwin, and Administrative Intern Schnabel. ******** The minutes of the Board of Trustees Regular Meeting of July 9, 2013 were approved as amended on a motion entered by Trustee Mark, seconded by Trustee Eisenman, and carried unanimously. ******** Bills & Payroll Trustee Brodsky stated that she had audited the Abstract of Claims dated July 23, 2013 in the amount of $1,066,755.75 which includes $56,405.84 in Library Claims previously audited by a Trustee of the Library Board which were found to be in order and she moved that such payment be ratified. Upon motion duly made by Trustee Brodsky and seconded by Trustee Eisenman, the following resolution was adopted unanimously: RESOLVED, that the Abstract of Claims dated July 23, 2013 in the amount of $1,066,755.75 is hereby approved. ******** Municipal Services Committee Mayor Steves requested a motion that a resolution be added to this morning’s agenda which establishes mandatory lawn watering restrictions; so moved by Trustee Mark, seconded by Trustee Brodsky and carried unanimously. Upon motion entered by Trustee Eisenman, and seconded by Trustee Mark, the following resolution was approved by a unanimous vote: Village Board of Trustees 07 -23-2013 P a g e | 232 WHEREAS, the Village Manager has received reports from the Water Department that early morning water use has exceeded the capacity of the Village’s water supply pumping stations to provide adequate water pressure in some areas; and WHEREAS, the diminished water pressure is attributed to the extraordinary volumes of the water use between 1:00 am and 8:30 am for lawn watering which has increased as a result of unseasonable warm weather and water pump equipment failure at the Reeves Newsome Pumping Station, the Village’s primary pumping station; and WHEREAS, the Reeves Newsome Pumping Station is over six decades old and is currently operating through the utilization of two of its three pumps, as it undergoes renovations and improvements; and WHEREAS, as a public health and safety matter the Village must provide and maintain adequate water pressure throughout the Village and, as such, the establishment of mandatory use restrictions for lawn watering are now essential; and WHEREAS, prior use of these mandatory water restrictions has proven to help reduce early morning water usage and aid in maintaining manageable water levels throughout the historically elevated water usage during the summer months; now therefore be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Scarsdale, pursuant to the Mayor’s declaration and sections A320-8D and A320-32B of the Scarsdale Village Code, herein, impose mandatory water restrictions to be effective immediately on the watering of lawns in accordance with a schedule established by the Water Superintendent, in substantially the form attached hereto, said mandatory restrictions to remain in effect until otherwise determined by the Water Superintendent upon notification of the Village Board; and be it further RESOLVED, that notice of the mandatory water restrictions be placed on the Village website, reported through the Emergency Notification System and mailed to each water customer receiving services from the Scarsdale Water System; and be it further RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Scarsdale encourage all residents to utilize water conservation techniques and/or equipment to increase their water efficiency and reduce water demand. ******** Village Board of Trustees 07 -23-2013 P a g e | 233 Assistant to the Village Manager Goodwin read the following statement that will be placed on the Village’s website regarding the lifting of the water emergency and going to a water alert. The only water restrictions in place will be that on watering lawns: Water Emergency Downgraded to Water Alert The Water Emergency declared on Saturday, July 20, 2013 has been downgraded to a Water Alert. The Water Alert lifts all of the restrictions placed by the Water Emergency, except for lawn watering. The Water Alert maintains mandatory restrictions for the watering of lawns. Lawn watering is restricted to two days per week and effective immediately.  For properties located between the Bronx River Parkway and the Post Road, lawn watering is permitted only on Mondays and Thursdays.  For properties located between the Post Road and Palmer Avenue/Wilmot Rd/Secor Rd/Old Mamaroneck Road lawn watering is permitted only on Tuesdays and Fridays.  For properties located between Palmer Avenue/Wilmot Rd/Secor Road/Old Mamaroneck Road and the Town of Mamaroneck Boundary lawn watering is permitted only on Wednesdays and Saturdays or Sundays. These lawn watering restrictions will remain in effect for the balance of the summer and fall, unless otherwise determined by the Superintendent of Water. All residents are encouraged to utilize water conservation techniques and/or equipment to increase their water efficiency and reduce water demand. Please visit the Village website for more information. Any questions should be directed to the Water Department at 722-1138. Village Manager Gatta noted that the water restrictions are in place as a precaution; the water stations are currently on line. There were no water restrictions last summer due to heavier precipitation at that time. A schedule and map will be placed on the website instructing residents as to when they may water their lawns. Should some residents ignore the schedule they will first be issued warnings, though he stated that most residents are cooperative. Water Superintendent Anthony Capicotto was present and briefly explained that repairs were overdue but that repairs are usually done when water demand drops off in September. Village Manager Gatta added that normal water usage is approximately 2 ½ - 3 million gallons a day; in the summer that increases to over 10 million gallons per day – all due to irrigation. ******** Upon motion entered by Trustee Eisenman, and seconded by Trustee Lee, the following resolution to award VM Contract #1159 – Tree Work was approved by the vote indicated below: Village Board of Trustees 07 -23-2013 P a g e | 234 WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees provided an appropriation of $80,000 in the FY 2013/14 General Fund Budget in the Public Works Highway Division for the care of Village-owned trees; and WHEREAS, due to the effects of major storm events that occurred in July and September 2006, April 2007, March 2010 and October 2012 and other similar events, and to advance proper tree care while protecting the health, safety and welfare of the community, the Village has determined that contracting with a private tree service to supplement Village crews to prune and remove trees located on Village property is necessary; and WHEREAS, on June 28, 2013, the Village Manager reports that he publicly advertised for the receipt of bids under VM Contract # 1159 – Tree Work, sent bid proposals via BidNet, and mailed bid proposals to three contractors to provide tree pruning and removal services; and WHEREAS, on the bid opening date of Tuesday July 16, 2013, four sealed bids were opened with the apparent low bid received from Evergreen Arborists, 327 Northrup Avenue, Mamaroneck, NY 10543-2312 at the following prices: Proposal A – Bucket Truck, with Operator, Two Ground Men & Wood Chipper - $1,300.00/day, Proposal B – Same as A, Overtime Weekdays (4:30 p.m. to 8:00 a.m.), weekends and Holidays - $250.00/hour, Proposal C – 100 ft. Crane with Operator and 2 Ground Men - $200/hr, and WHEREAS, the term of the contract is for two (2) years commencing June 1, 2013 through May 31, 2015 with an option to renew for one (1) additional year at a price increase of four percent; and WHEREAS, the bid prices received are consistent with written quotes previously obtained for work requiring private contracting services, and the Village has previously contracted with Evergreen Arborists for certain tree work and has been satisfied with the work; now therefore be it RESOLVED, that VM Contract #1159 – Tree Work, was Evergreen Arborists, 327 Northrup Avenue, Mamaroneck, NY 10543-2312 at the following prices: Proposal A – Bucket Truck, with Operator, Two Ground Men & Wood Chipper - $1,300.00/day, Proposal B – Same as A, Overtime Weekdays (4:30 p.m. to 8:00 a.m.) weekends and Holidays - $250.00/hour, Proposal C – 100 ft. Crane with Operator and 2 Ground Men - $200/hr, and; and be it further RESOLVED, that the cost for FY 2013/14 be charged to General Fund Account # A-1490-HWY-SHDTR-400-483-1; and be it further Village Board of Trustees 07 -23-2013 P a g e | 235 RESOLVED, that the Village Manager is hereby authorized and directed to execute VM Contract # 1159 on behalf of the Village of Scarsdale with Evergreen Arborists, 327 Northrup Avenue, Mamaroneck, NY 10543-2312; and be it further RESOLVED, that this contract may be extended by the Village Manager for an additional one (1) year period subject to the availability of adequate budget appropriations; and be it further RESOLVED, that the Village Manager is herein authorized to undertake administrative acts as may be required under the terms of the contract. AYES NAYS ABSENT Trustee Brodsky None None Trustee Eisenman Trustee Lee Trustee Mark Trustee Martin Trustee Stern Mayor Steves ******** Other Committee Reports: None. ******** Liaison Reports None. ******** Written Communications Village Clerk Conkling reported that one (1) written communication has been received since the last meeting:  A letter from Ruth Frankel, 17 Richbell Road regarding flooding on her property. ******** Village Board of Trustees 07 -23-2013 P a g e | 236 Village Manager Gatta reported that the Quaker Ridge Golf Club is protesting their assessment for the past seven years. The Village has retained an expert to consult with the Village and try to work this out with the Golf Club. If the Golf Club prevails in their grievance, the grievance on seven years assessment would equate to a payment of approximately $637,000. The Village would be responsible for 17% of this payment, the School District 60%, and the County 20%. Trustee Eisenman asked Mr. Gatta if the Golf Club is having financial difficulties. Mr. Gatta stated that he did not know; however, this information will be available once the Club’s financial disclosure statements are filed. ******** Public Comment Lika Levi, 21 Lockwood Road, stated that she had emailed a statement to the Board of Trustees last evening at 11:00 P.M. regarding her position on development in Scarsdale. She stated that there is a new property owner on her block who has hired an architect and proposes alternations on all four stories of the house. She stated that she spoke to Mr. Saracino and Mr. Viola of the Building Department regarding this Building Permit application. She noted that this homeowner is increasing the square footage of their home by one-third. They will be building a wrap-around deck on the second story of the home and on the third floor. She questioned why the decks do not count as square footage under the FAR regulations. Ms. Levi continued, noting that she took pictures of the surrounding homes. These alterations will make the home look like a box compared to the others in the neighborhood. She noted that she brought these issues to a meeting of the Board of Architectural Review and stated that she doesn’t understand why this is being approved and asked if this could be appealed. Village Attorney Esannason informed Ms. Levi that she has to right to file an Article 78 proceeding. Mayor Steves added that he has not heard that the Village has not exercised its authority properly in this instance. ******** Mayor Steves announced the following future meeting schedule:  August 13, 2013 – Joint Law & Land Use Committees – 6:00 P.M. – Third Floor Meeting Room  August 13, 2013 – Agenda Meeting – 7:30 P.M. – Trustees’ Room  August 13, 2013 – Board of Trustees – 8:00 P.M. – Rutherford Hall  August 27, 2013 – Board of Trustees (Limited Agenda) – 8:30 A.M. – Trustees’ Room Village Board of Trustees 07 -23-2013 P a g e | 237  September 10, 2013 – Finance Committee Meeting – 6:00 P.M. – Trustees’ Room  September 10, 2013 – Agenda Meeting – 7:30 P.M. – Trustees’ Room  September 10, 2013 – Board of Trustees – 8:00 P.M. – Rutherford Hall  September 24, 2013 – Finance Committee Meeting – 6:30 P.M. – Trustees’ Room  September 24, 2013 – Agenda Meeting – 7:30 P.M. – Trustees’ Room  September 24, 2013 – Board of Trustees – 8:00 P.M. – Rutherford Hall ******** There being no further business to come before the Board the meeting adjourned on a motion entered by Trustee Lee, seconded by Trustee Eisenman, and carried unanimously at 9:06 A.M. Donna M. Conkling Village Clerk