Board of Trustees

. Village of Walden Board of Trustees Regular Meeting June 19, 2018 Mayor Rumbold called the regular meeting of the Village of Walden Board of Trustees to order at 6:30pm. On roll call the following were: Present: Mayor Sue Rumbold Deputy Mayor Faith Moore Trustees Brian B. Sebring Larry Kraus John Ramos Dan Svarczkopf Lynn E. Thompson Absent: Also Present: John Revella, Village Manager Tara Bliss, Village Clerk Dave Donovan, Village Attorney Village Manager’s Report  There are a few Housekeeping items about the agenda. Agenda item C, Budget Amendment Resolution, is tabled until the next meeting and we had to add agenda item F for a resolution to apply for the OC tourism grant for the 2019 Harvest Fest for up to $5,000.  Attended the Orange County Transportation Council meeting today and did receive word that our Ulster Avenue sidewalk project was approved and we can go to contract bid. It is a project 14 years in the making.  Did have PBA & CSEA negotiations since the last meeting and he has some updates for the Board some items were accepted some were rejected and we have further meetings scheduled.  Attended the sunshine society luncheon which was very lovely. They gave a donation towards the costs for a youth to attend the summer camp.  Went through the review of the status of parks and program with the Rec Coordinator to follow up from last meeting.  Reviewed some items from the last meeting with Chief Holmes. There was progress on both items brought up by the public regarding Highland Avenue and Wait Street and were addressed. They are both going through the court system at this time.  Went through with the Superintendent of Public Works regarding the clean-up from the disaster and Treasurer who got the figures together and sent to the office of emergency management and onto the state so we can hopefully get reimbursed. June 19, 2018 1  .  Attended the seminar from the GFOA at the Culinary Institute with the Treasurer. Got updated GASB forms and updates for the coming years. Most was regarding post-employment benefits and the changes and how it affects us.  Attended the Flag Day ceremony at Veterans Park, attendance and weather was great!  Reviewed with the Treasurer the year-end adjustments. There are a few more minor adjustments to make and will be ready for the next meeting.  Went through some personnel items with the County Civil Service. We will be getting updates from them on the 2 positions that were created for this budget year for the Building Department and DPW.  Went through the Capital projects with the Superintendent and Engineer. Mayor Rumbold thanked the Manager for working diligently to finally get the ok for the Ulster Avenue sidewalk project. Did you by chance get anything signed from the state? Manager Revella replied yes he got it in writing. Approval of June 5, 2018 Minutes Trustee Svarczkopf made a motion to approve the June 5, 2018 Minutes. Seconded by Trustee Thompson. All ayes. Motion carried. Trustee’s Committee Reports DPW Liaison– Trustee Sebring Trustee Sebring reported that he spoke with Fred today and discussed that the Village has been sweeping and will do more when they do the storm clean up. Today was the last day of debris chipping from the May storm. They pulled out many trees from the Tin Brook at Wooster and chipped them. The Water Department replaced 12 meters even with the busy weather that we had with the storm. Recreation & Parks Department and Valley Central School Board Liaison – Trustee Ramos Trustee Ramos reported that as you know today is the revote for the Valley Central budget so get out there to vote by 9pm tonight. He spoke with Mr. Bliss our Recreation Coordinator and we had our pre-operational inspection from the Department of Health for summer camp and we had no deficiencies and are 100% ready to go and expect a good season. He also spoke to him regarding a number of issues with our parks and there is a punch list of issues they we are completing as quickly as possible. Police Department and Justice Department Liaison – Deputy Mayor Moore Deputy Mayor Moore reported that she met with Chief Holmes and corresponded with him several times. As the Manager said all issues brought up at the last meeting have all been handled. In addition Sgt. Werner met with the neighbors on Highland Avenue where 15 people attended and they addressed the issues that were stressed at the last meeting. Our Police Department was involved in several drug sweeps that resulted in 5 arrests over the past 2 week period. The Police Awards ceremony went very well where 25 officers were recognized. There will be firearms training at the end of this month. The Police Department is getting ready and working collaboratively with the other municipalities on National Night Out. Sgt. Werner and the Treasurer worked to get an additional grant from Target. It will be held at Valley Central High School on August 7th. They have created a calendar for speed enforcement as well. June 19, 2018 2  . Planning and Zoning Boards as well as the Building Department Liaison – Trustee Thompson Trustee Thompson reported that she met with Dean 3 times and he has his zones all set up for fire and safety and is just waiting for paperwork form John. He just finished Squire Village and is back on track. Had a little lull in between the 2 sets of letters going out but he is back in full swing. He is going to be now adding the abandonment properties and taking care of those. Her first date is set for when she will go to work with him in July. There is a lot going on in the department. They met with the Treasurer and shifted grass and snow billing to finance office. Next will be fire and safety inspections. Overall going well. Town of Montgomery & Library Board liaison – Trustee Kraus Trustee Kraus reported that he wasn’t able to meet with Ginny’s so he met with her assistant and the Library is doing well. Mayor Rumbold asked if they went out for a rebid on the Children’s Room renovation project. Trustee Kraus replied no. Village Offices Liaison – Trustee Svarczkopf Trustee Svarczkopf reported that the office is collecting a lot of taxes and water and sewer and we are still looking at software. We saw a new one and didn’t like it and they have another one we are looking at and if we don’t like that we will go back and look at the original one we looked at. Mayor Rumbold read the list of community events into the minutes. Public Comment on Business of the Board None Action Items Veterans Day Request – November 4, 2018 1pm at Veterans Memorial Park Deputy Mayor Moore made a motion to approve the Veterans Day Request for November 4, 2018 at 1pm at Veterans Memorial Park. Seconded by Trustee Ramos. All ayes. Motion approved. Designating Official Depositories for the Village of Walden Trustee Sebring made a motion to designate M & T Bank, Key Bank, Greater Hudson Bank, Sterling National Bank, and Orange County Trust as official depositories for the Village of Walden. Seconded by Trustee Ramos. All ayes. Motion carried. Resolution 4-18-19: 2017-2018 Year End Budget Adjustments Tabled for revisions until the July 17th meeting. Blu Mango Grill LLC – 81 East Main Street Liquor License request for 30 day notice waiver Manager Revella explained that this applicant already had a liquor license at this location but it is a new entity at this location so they have to get their own license. To do that they need to do a 30 day notice. They are looking to waive that so they can get it sooner. June 19, 2018 3  . Attorney Donovan stated that unless the Board wants to do an investigation for whatever reason this is just fine. Clerk Bliss stated that Chief Holmes did do a search that came back ok for the past year. Deputy Mayor Moore made the motion to approve the Blu Mango Grill LLC, 81 East Main Street Liquor License request for a 30 day notice waiver. Seconded by Trustee Ramos. All ayes. Motion carried. Abandoned Property Registration Form Approval Trustee Sebring made the motion to adopt the Abandoned Properties registration form as presented. Seconded by Trustee Svarczkopf. All ayes. Motion carried. Resolution 4-18-19: OC Tourism Grant for 2019 Harvest Fest $5,000 Trustee Ramos made a motion to approve Resolution 4-18-19 authorizing the grant application for the 2019 Orange County Arts, Heritage, & Tourism Grant for the September 2019 Harvest Fest for an amount not to exceed $5,000. Seconded by Trustee Thompson. All ayes. Motion approved. Public Comment Mary Ellen Matise asked about IWS. Today she saw on Ulster Avenue and there were garbage cans lying sideways on the shoulder of the road. Don’t these guys know where the cans need to go after they empty them besides in the middle of the road? They are everywhere all over the Village. Manager Revella stated they had a long discussion about that today. Clerk Bliss stated that one can was hit by a car today on Ulster Avenue. Mary Ellen continued about Planet Aid as she is the watch dog for that. Today there was somebody, and they’ve been talked to a number of times, that still today there is a plastic black bag next to the one at the Frostee Freeze and another one on West Main Street next to Chester Lebarron’s property at 110 West Main Street. Deputy Mayor Moore asked Mary Ellen to continue sending those emails to her. Mary Ellen interjected that sometimes she doesn’t have the chance to stop. Deputy Mayor Moore continued that the Building Inspector has been calling for pick up as soon as they call and it is the best remedy that we have right now. Mary Ellen interjected just tell them bye bye; how long does this go on? And it is always the 2 on our main street. Check the one by the medicine shop which always seems empty as they don’t see it on a main by way. It’s a convenient drop off spot but it makes us look trashy especially on Main Street. In the minutes it says we would put the housing task force on the agenda for the next meeting; what is the status of that? Mayor Rumbold replied she has not had a lot of interest in it. Mary Ellen would like it put on the agenda and see if there is interest. We can have interest unless we talk about it. She gave out pamphlets for TOMSIP who desperately needs volunteers. Most of the volunteer’s effort is in driving seniors to doctor’s June 19, 2018 4  . appointments. She has been on that committee for 13 years, since it started. She is hoping you will be ambassadors. Becky Pearson thanked the Board for the Flag Day Ceremony and for those that attend. Also the sprinkler system has been donated just so everyone knows about it. Manager Revella replied that the Village paid $600 for it as well. Becky replied that most of it was donated for Veterans Memorial Park instead of the volunteers watering the plants by hand. Mayor Rumbold asked if the spigot is in so they don’t have to fill up a bucket to water them. Becky replied that we left it there as we won’t need it as often. She asked about the 2 holes that were dug there. We have a concern about what happened there, we are watching it. We don’t know if it is vandalism going on or not. Manager Revella stated that the camera doesn’t reach that angel down there, it only gets the top of the park. Becky said that Brenda noticed the holes and she went and filled them back up and she will check on them tonight to see if it happened again. She asked if Fred could call her because she wants to see where the lines are at the bottom perhaps it could be that. If you see someone down there just kind of let the police know. It didn’t look like an animal did it, it was odd. If we can maybe keep an eye on that from a Village perspective it would be great. She’ll keep checking on it. The bluestones on Ulster Avenue, what will happen with them Mr. Sebring? Trustee Sebring replied we will have to wait until the contract comes out that is all he can say. Becky continued if there is a bid already done didn’t they give us that in the bid. Manager Revella corrected that they just gave us authorization to go to bid and we plan to get options for bluestone is some areas. Becky asked if they would be leaving the bluestone that is there. Manager Revella replied it would probably be repurposed if any are salvageable. Not sure the condition after it is moved as they have to reset every single piece. Becky asked if you remove it what happens. Is there a plan for what will happen if you remove it? Who gets it? Where it goes? Mayor Rumbold replied that we discussed it but we will see the bids and go forward from there. We don’t want to put the cart before the horse. If that becomes an issue we will have to discuss the homeowners there whether it will be used in other places in the Village. Becky stated it might be nice to know ahead of time, have a plan in place before we get there. June 19, 2018 5  . Mayor Rumbold replied there are so many variables and we want input from those that live there before we get people upset about what the possibilities are let’s find out what the bids are and we will know better what we are talking about. Becky stated there are 2 variables either you are keeping it or you are not. Mayor Rumbold corrected that we could repurpose it, give it away, throw away, auction it off, or give it to the owners. Would we do something other places in the Village. Becky stated that is what she is asking can’t we have a discussing before it is last minute and you are scrambling to decide what we are going to do about it. Mayor Rumbold feels we are more organized than that. We have had discussions about it and she wants to know what our options are before we decide. Manager Revella replied that we have a lot of time. He doesn’t know if they will get to construction in this calendar year or not. We will try. Becky asked about the clothing bin law. Just get rid of them if they aren’t abiding by the law. Thanks for approving Veterans Day. Garrett Smith got wind that the Village might be closing the skate park which hits home because back in 2004-2005 he was one of the people who got it going. We had no other place we got kicked out of everywhere. It is illegal to skateboard in the Village of Walden so we were just getting harassed all the time and we had nowhere to go. He has been a resident for almost 30 years here and we all got together and did everything and had a place to go. The younger kids had a place to go without getting kicked out or tickets. It is a little emotional for him. Manager Revella stated that is not the case, we are not closing it. We took some pieces out that were not safe. Garrett confirmed there is no closing for insurance issues. Manager Revella replied there is always insurance issues but 2 of the pieces were removed due to safety concerns. We are considering what to do and the options on that. Garrett stated that kids from out of town have taken it apart and done other stuff to it and it is hard to get it put back together but he knows that the older kids all take care of it. If we had tools we would fix it but there are special screws. He wanted to speak his mind and talk about it when he heard there was the possibility it might close. Mayor Rumbold stated it is unfortunate because there is vandalism there. Garrett stated that we kind of do our own policing when we see it happen and short of putting a camera there he doesn’t know what else we could do. There is also no garbage can there anymore, not sure if the Village keeps taking it away or not but there is always trash there. Maybe we can get a can there and keep it a little cleaner. If the town needs help with keeping the park up to date and safe like replacing panels and screwing them in and whatnot we would be more than happy to help out. Mayor Rumbold asked if these kids show up when you are there. June 19, 2018 6  . Garrett replied it is never really when we are there it is more like when we aren’t there. We see the damages and don’t really know who is doing it but we have all put in a lot of time into the park so we know it is not anybody we know around here. Manager Revella stated that we have been trying every year to replace pieces of fence. Garrett replied that the fence is an issue because it’s just not strong enough always an issue with bodies hitting it that are 150-160 lbs. or so. Mayor Rumbold confirmed you hit the fence with your body, it is not on purpose. Garrett replied yes when you come off the end. When you put the ramps up there was more heavily on one side and no actual ramp to go off and turn around all the ramps point you that way so there is nowhere to go but into the fence. Other than making it bigger just reinforce the fence with bigger metal beams. Manager Revella stated that is why we have put the boards along the bottom. Garrett stated that the boards are shooting out basically breaking the fence underneath but event eh boards are breaking. It has been at least 5 years since they have been replaced since we first had the issue. Trustee Svarczkopf asked if he was part of the original design team. Garrett replied yes he was one of 6 kids and is pretty much the only one who still rides Trustee Svarczkopf asked if it would be better to have the ramp on the other side. Garrett replied 100%. When we were getting it done we were promised the world but didn’t get exactly what we thought we were going to get; it got scaled back. Also Midge Norman and Bill Pullar said that every year in the budget we would want to add something to keep kids interested and off the streets. We have had this park been the same for 15 years that’s why kids are migrating towards the streets. We like new terrain and we get tired of the same stuff. A new thing would definitely help out and bring more flow to the park, less accidents, less pushing up against the fence that is always breaking. It is a lot of just going off the ramp and the fence is very close and if you are going fast you have no chance to turn before you hit your shoulder into it. Trustee Svarczkopf asked since he was part of the original committee do you have any knowledge of what we would put on the other side of it. Garrett replied if you were going to go with skate Masonite stuff which is expensive but we could definitely get if it would be approved by you guys people building ramps and we would put the time in to make it. When we did that in the past but it would be taken away because it didn’t meet insurance requirements and stuff. It has a been a long time since he has been here for a skate board meeting it has been about 15 years since he looked at that kind of stuff so he doesn’t have a number or amount. Mayor Rumbold asked if he would like to meet with the Recreation Coordinator to talk about it and figure out what is allowed and what is not allowed. Give our Clerk your contact number and we will have him contact you. June 19, 2018 7  . Trustee Thompson asked when they talked about vandalism and things that happened at the park. She thought that some of the graffiti is not vandalism it is art that you put there deliberately, is that correct. Garrett replied some of it was. Anything is considered art it is so abstract like skateboarding is art. Graffiti culture and skateboarding culture kind of goes hand in hand but it is what you perceive it. It wasn’t vulgar it was more inspirational. They did spray paint on the back of his friend Joe’s memorial which was unacceptable. It doesn’t affect the park really. It wasn’t done badly, it could have been better. If we had someone do something nice there it would be a think. We lost one of our friends a year or so ago and some of it was for him and it was covered up which was upsetting to all of us. As you can see we are not well versed in the skate board world. Trustee Thompson stated that as you can see, this team up here is not well versed in the skateboarding world. This is all new to her for example. Mayor Rumbold stated you have to realize and keep in mind that we understand what you want to do there but it is owned by the Village and taxpayers so if you have ideas or how to spruce it up and do something like that please come to the Village offices or talk to our Recreation Coordinator so that it’s done correctly and doesn’t look like vandalism. Garrett replied sure and a lot of the skateboard world is DIY, you can’t be taught how to do it, you just do it and just figure it out there. It is hard to go to the professional barrier when it comes to that. We completely understand. Mayor Rumbold replied you have to understand as we don’t get it so if we work together we can make it better for everyone and make it look nice. You can honor your friend and make it look nice but we need to be a coordinated effort so it is not perceived as vandalism. Trustee Svarczkopf said when he was up there the other day he was wondering about the actual concrete if that was the whole floor. Garrett replied that is wear and tear if you mean the chips. Trustee Svarczkopf said he meant if it was painted by a local artist how that would hold up. Garrett relied you could put a finish on it but weather will affect it. It will last but not effective over time. Mayor Rumbold asked how running over it with wheels would affect it. Garrett replied not really as skateboarding wheels are made of urethane and are not abrasive. That is why we are always told it is vandalism to ride on the sidewalks but there is no possible way it could be as it won’t possibly affect the concrete like that. You might get a few skate marks or something like that but it will not physically take up paint that is laid down. It might scuff it a bit but nothing crazy. Mayor Rumbold asked it set up something with the Park and Rec Coordinator and maybe we can figure out how to do that to be on the same page. Deputy Mayor Moore asked to be part of that meeting as did Trustee Svarczkopf. June 19, 2018 8  . Mayor Rumbold said it is Village property and people like her who don’t get it would look at it as vandalism and she doesn’t understand that it is not. So if we educate everyone and understand it we can help make it a better place for everyone. Garrett stated that we would all help out with that and keeping it maintained and vigilante justice for everyone. Steve Leone stated that in the end of everything he wanted to thank you for your time. Garrett spoke of everything that we wanted to speak about. He has been going there since day one and he gets upset just speaking about his friend and he loves that park dearly. We would do anything to keep it around. We had friends that passed away recently and the graffiti is upsetting to see people vandalize things that we had tirelessly worked for and keep doing it. That park is the reason I am still skating today 18 years later, he is 26 years old. He thanked whomever covered up the graffiti officially. It was very uncalled for and disrespectful to his friend. He wanted to thank Park and Rec. He would also like to be part of the meeting. Thanks again for the time. Brian Amrhein stated that he loves the skate park he has been going since he was 5 years old. We love the park and it means a lot to us. Joe Savage is dedicated to and skateboard is evolving and we want to evolve the park to keep it moving. There is a potential to have a skate team coming out of Walden and there is a really good potential to go pro and stuff which would be a good story for kids to see that we can do it from here and go big. He would love to keep it and would be part of that meeting also. Trustee Svarczkopf asked about the team and going pro, is that something on the horizon or is that just hopeful. Brian replied that his friend Shane is in riding right now so it is definitely an option and he is working hard. Trustee Svarczkopf said if you ever get sponsors remember our skate park. Payment of the Audited Bills Deputy Mayor Moore made a motion to pay the audited bills. Seconded by Trustee Ramos. All ayes. Motion carried. Correspondence Deputy Mayor Moore received an email regarding the Riverfront Park and she thought the Parks and Rec Liaison was cc’d on it as well. Trustee Thompson stated she received the same thing from Mr. Millspaugh. Manager Revella asked someone to please forward the message as Mr. Millspaugh asked us about it but we didn’t know what he was talking about. Mayor Rumbold received a thank you from the Veterans Memorial Park Committee for participating in the Flag Day ceremony. She read it aloud. Miscellaneous Comments from the Board of Trustees Deputy Mayor Moore stated that there was a bear sighting on Friday evening in the Village on High Meadow. She thanked the Treasurer for answering her numerous questions and pulling reports for her to have a better understanding of things. Thanks for the June 19, 2018 9  . condolences and participation in the loss that her family endured the last few weeks. She apologized for missing the events due to that loss. Trustee Thompson attended a half day class in Highland with Ginny about incident and catastrophe management. It was very educational and she hopes it will continue with what has been worked on with Police Department, John, and the Library staff about making our municipal building as safe as possible for the residents. Mayor Rumbold thanked everyone for the Flag Day Ceremony. The park looks magnificent. Thank you to everyone who works so hard making it one of the prettiest parks we have in the Village. The PBA Police Awards went well. Our men and women were honored and it was nice to see so many people come out for that. The Vendor Bazaar at Wooster Grove was nice thanks again for that. It was a nice event. Clerk Bliss added that it raised $928 for Harvest Fest which is amazing and wonderful. The Youth Employment program job fair is this Thursday, please come down and see what these young Village residents go through in a round robin kind of style even with 14-16 year old nerves talking to potential employers. There are 15 spots and she has 22 applicants. Mayor Rumbold thanked the young men who came to speak this evening on something that concerns you and for getting involved in your local government. It is really important and hopes you see the advantage of getting involved in your community. She appreciates that you took the time to come to us and hope you can see from this interaction that there is an advantage to working with us who may not understand what you care about as we want to make it a better Village for all of us. Please don’t hesitate. Volunteerism is a great way to get involved especially because you are their mentors. It can help other kids in Village. Executive Session Deputy Mayor Moore made a motion to enter into executive session to discuss PBA & CSEA Collective Bargaining Negotiations, 105-F, and Litigation regarding PEOPLe Inc. and another one regarding Wil Isnady. Seconded by Trustee Thompson. All ayes. Motion carried. Reconvene Deputy Mayor Moore made a motion to reconvene the regular meeting of the Board of Trustees. Seconded by Trustee Ramos. All ayes. Motion carried Motion Made After Executive Session – Manager’s Contract Trustee Ramos made a motion to approve the Village Manager’s contract with proposed changes until May 31, 2020. Seconded by Trustee Sebring. All ayes. Motion carried June 19, 2018 10  . Village of Walden Board of Trustees Regular Meeting June 19, 2018 Motions & Resolutions Approval of June 5, 2018 Minutes Trustee Svarczkopf made a motion to approve the June 5, 2018 minutes. Seconded by Trustee Thompson. All ayes. Motion carried. Veterans Day Request – November 4, 2018 1pm at Veterans Memorial Park Deputy Mayor Moore made a motion to approve the Veterans Day Request for November 4, 2018 at 1pm at Veterans Memorial Park. Seconded by Trustee Ramos. All ayes. Motion approved. Designating Official Depositories for the Village of Walden Trustee Sebring made a motion to designate M & T Bank, Key Bank, Greater Hudson Bank, Sterling National Bank, and Orange County Trust as official depositories for the Village of Walden. Seconded by Trustee Ramos. All ayes. Motion carried. Blu Mango Grill LLC – 81 East Main Street Liquor License request for 30 day notice waiver Deputy Mayor Moore made the motion to approve the Blu Mango Grill LLC, 81 East Main Street Liquor License request for a 30 day notice waiver. Seconded by Trustee Ramos. All ayes. Motion carried. Abandoned Property Registration Form Approval Trustee Sebring made the motion to adopt the Abandoned Properties registration form as presented. Seconded by Trustee Svarczkopf. All ayes. Motion carried. Resolution 4-18-19: OC Tourism Grant for 2019 Harvest Fest $5,000 Trustee Ramos made a motion to approve Resolution 4-18-19 authorizing the grant application for the 2019 Orange County Arts, Heritage, & Tourism Grant for the September 2019 Harvest Fest for an amount not to exceed $5,000. Seconded by Trustee Thompson. All ayes. Motion approved. Payment of the Audited Bills Deputy Mayor Moore made a motion to pay the audited bills. Seconded by Trustee Ramos. All ayes. Motion carried. Executive Session Deputy Mayor Moore made a motion to enter into executive session to discuss PBA & CSEA Collective Bargaining Negotiations, 105-F, and Litigation regarding PEOPLe Inc. and another one regarding Wil Isnady. Seconded by Trustee Thompson. All ayes. Motion carried. Reconvene Deputy Mayor Moore made a motion to reconvene the regular meeting of the Board of Trustees. Seconded by Trustee Ramos. All ayes. Motion carried Motion Made After Executive Session – Manager’s Contract Trustee Ramos made a motion to approve the Village Manager’s contract with proposed changes until May 31, 2020. Seconded by Trustee Sebring. All ayes. Motion carried June 19, 2018 11