Minutes

City of Beacon Council Meeting

June 2, 2008

 

REGULAR MEETING

 

The regular meeting of the City of Beacon Council held at the Municipal Center, One Municipal Plaza on June 2, 2008 at 7:05 p.m. was called to order by Mayor Steve Gold with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

 

Council Members In attendance were:             Mayor Steve Gold, Deanna Leake, Sara Pasti, Charles Kelly, Eleanor Thompson, Marlene Fredericks and Randy Casale.

 

Also in attendance were:                                  City Administrator Meredith Robson

                                                                        City Attorney Richard Wolf

 

Media Represented by:                                    Goldee Greene, Beacon Free Press

 

Residents at beginning of meeting:                  25

 

First Opportunity for Public Comments:  Pertaining to any item. Maximum time for this section is 30 minutes. Maximum time for individual public comment is 3 minutes.

 

Comments contain a brief synopsis of what the residents say at the podium.  If you would like your comments posted in more detail in the minutes, please submit them to the recording secretary in writing.  Include your name and address.

 

Michael DiPompo, 6 Pierce Place:  I have a lot of problems with the past council and what people have done in the job as City Manager. We have a serious problem when people Band-Aid our bridges and our roadways and put them in closets so they don't disappear.  One example is the bridge by Tuck Tape.  I am under the assumption that we had a grant a few years ago to replace and rebuild that bridge and the council members could not decide to make it a one-way, a two-way or a walkway bridge.  We lost that money.  We need money to fix things on Mountain Avenue.  You people have to get together and plan on these things like the city department where they were dumping snow and there was a water problem.  Common sense says that we have to maintain our structures.  I do not know if it is incompentency.  I think the city manager should live in the city so that she can say, "I live here too."  We have these problems and should not be spending money on frivolous stuff.  This is Beacon; this is not New York City.  You have a mountain with hundreds of acres.  That is open space.  You got the Hudson River.  Now I hear that we are fighting another lawsuit because we bought this commissary on Washington Avenue.  Let us become organized.  Pre-plan.  Look in the future.  These things just do not happen overnight.

 

Lou Sabesta, 47 Beacon Avenue:  I take exception with what the previous gentlemen said about open space that was supported by the vast majority of Beacon residents and I thank the city council for the support.  It is very essential for our quality of life in the urban sprawl that we are living in.  I also support the city council on their stand on the Tioronda Bridge.  It really does not merit high volume traffic.  You have made the right decision.  About the deer situation, I do not know how much the deer was hurt.  I suggest that the city get a tranquilizer gun take him out to Beacon Mountain and let him go his own way.

 

Thomas Clark, III, 6 Green Street:  About two weeks ago, there was a stabbing at Green Street Park.  For years now, we have been telling this city that in this park, teenagers are allowed to run around at night.  That pavilion should have been cut down years ago.  I am going to make suggestions before I chastise whoever was on the city council.  1.  Fencing a side of Green Street.  2.  Talk to the Recreation Committee and get an over 35-court basketball league.  This way you will have adults there to oversee the kids.  3.  Three Strike rule - If kids are there after sundown, they are taken to their parents.  The second time they have to do community service.  The third time they are turned into Social Services.  The Beacon Police have had their hands tied on this.  Years ago when Clara Lou Gould was running for Mayor the democrats tried to undermine her.  They stood there and commented on the overtime and we cut out the overtime at the sacrifice of the citizen's protections.  Then they turned around and said, lets talk about police brutality Handcuffed them all.  All they can do is come to the park and say "shoo".  It does no good.  The night the stabbing happened, the following night there was a party there.  Why did I have to call the police to have them come up?  Monday night, Memorial Day, again there were kids having a barbecue and ready to have a party.  After sun down, the cops came and because they had a grill there.  The cops had to wait until the grill cooled down before they could tell them to leave the park.  This is atrocious.  It seems like nobody cares.  I understand you are under a budget.  Someone found a grant of $90,000.00 for the Howland Center but they could not find a grant for the Police Department.

 

Betty DiPompo, 6 Pierce Place:  I would like to address the council on how they plan to set up a payment plan for taxpayers to pay their taxes if they do not come up with the money when you say your taxes are due.  I want to know what you are going to put in.  I want to know if there will be interest on it because this is not the taxpayer's fault and they should not suffer for it.  Also, I would like to say that on Grievance Day, there were people there with documentation that their houses were over assessed.  They had to try to get that straightened out.  The company that did this for the city of Beacon is being investigated by the Federal Government.  Isn't that wonderful?  We cannot even hire someone that is honest.

 

Judy Corrigan, 12 Beacon Dr.:  I am here from the Beacon Community Center.  I am here to announce our second annual "Taste of Beacon".  Many of you attended last year and found that it was a great event. It is sponsored by the Beacon Community Center and all proceeds go to pay for their programs for children to seniors and anyone in between.  We will have restaurants from Beacon giving out samples of their food.  We will have wine tasting.  We will have entertainment and music throughout the afternoon.  We will also have raffles.  Tickets are $25.00, which can be obtained by calling the center.  It is on Saturday, June 28, 2008 at Riverfront Park from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.

 

Frank Baxter, 10 Mackin Avenue:  The flowers and the flags on Main Street are beautiful.   The weeds on the trees have not been cut since spring.  I asked you about this and was told that they would be done for Memorial Day.  They are still not done.  I also asked you about the people hanging around on the street.  They are drunk, belligerent, smoking crack and nobody cares.  Open containers every day.  For the last ten years, they have been here and nobody can get them off the street.  I want to know why these people are not off the street. 

 

Clark Gebman:  Gone, Corrupt, dishonest, things that people are talking about tonight at this council meeting and the connectivity that I see to those words are found in the oath of office that each of you have taken to uphold the constitution of this country.  When I inspected the oath book, I would have taken copies of where you actually signed this document with my camera but the city clerk stopped me.  I was really struck with the nomination of Council Member Sara Pasti as the No. 2 person in charge of this city in the case of an emergency.  She was selected before Eleanor Thompson or before the firefighters of this city who have served this city and know everyone in this city is merely a demonstration of your illegal unconstitutional conduct.

 

Jeff Rumpf, Clearwater:  I want to give an update on our work, on our letter of intent to improve the facility at University Settlement Camp and create a very positive collaborative plan that would benefit both the city and the community.  We have had some successful opportunities.  We met with the governor’s office and have gotten on top of the agenda to really put the post industrial cities that have had a hard time on the map.  We have created great opportunities for funding.  One of them has come through.  The city of Beacon shows great vision and shows a diversity of strength and is a city that can look at the potential of creating jobs and a green job revolution.  We feel very strongly that Clearwater can support that cause.  We applied for DEC funding and we received a 50,000.00 grant to use to provide services for Beacon’s young people.

 

Resident:  There seems to be an issue on Beacon Street.  There is a house at the corner of Beacon and South Avenue.  There is a lot of traffic going on there.  There is gang nonsense going on.  You can tell because they are wearing colors and blah, blah, blah.  Sometimes you cannot get through there.  You get the evil looks.  Beacon Street has been paved and the traffic travels on this street as if it is a freeway.  I know you have posted speed marks around the school and the churches.  Legally they can do 30 miles an hour because there are no postings.  Have you thought about reducing the speed within city limits?  Is there any way that this can be corrected?

 

Lou Amoroso, 40 Vale Avenue:  I think all the paintings look great on Main Street but there is one that I don't think is sending a good message.  It says that, "you don't need your boss, your boss needs you".  I do not think that is such a good thing especially in today's work force.

 

Dan Rigney, 14 Green Street:  As a neighbor of mine reported to you earlier, two weeks ago we had a stabbing.  In January, my wife and I moved into a beautiful house and near a beautiful park.  Today that park is just as beautiful as or more beautiful than I have ever seen it.  In the daytime there are kids playing on the swings, others playing basketball and just having fun.  In the nighttime, everything changes.  Thanks to Sara Pasti and thanks to the work that the council members have done so far, we finally do have a light that we have been complaining about for a little over two years.  We appreciate the action and the work that the Beacon City Police Department has done on the night that was difficult for all of us.  I am happy to report that what we are trying to do is to organize.  On Wednesday night at 7:30 at 6 Prospect Street, one of our neighbors has allowed us to have an organizational potluck dinner.  I invite the Mayor, the council members to come down and sit with us as neighbors and talk about solutions.

 

Public Comment Session time ended.

 

Public Hearings:

 

Note:  This Public Hearing was conducted after No. 5 of the Zoning Change Public Hearings.

 

1.      Proposed Local Law to Add a New Chapter 173:  Rental Properties, Absentee Owner Registration Requirements.

 

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

 

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the City of Beacon will hold a public hearing on Monday, June 2, 2008 at the City of Beacon Municipal Center, One Municipal Plaza, Beacon, New York at 7:30 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the matter is reached on the agenda, to consider proposed local law to Create a New Chapter 173: Rental Properties, Absentee Owner Registration Requirements.

 

These local laws would take effect immediately upon filing with the Secretary of State.  Complete copies of the proposed local law are available at the Municipal Center for inspection during regular business hours.

 

All interested persons and citizens shall have an opportunity to be heard on said proposals at the date, time and place aforesaid.

 

Public Hearing Comments:

 

Mike DiPompo, 6 Pierce Place:  How can you enforce this law?  I can see doing this when you purchase the property.  What about the people who are already renting?  Do not misunderstand.  I think it is a good idea but how will you enforce it? I have a problem with this.  You are playing favoritism or selective prosecution.

 

Kathy Deutermann:  I strongly urge council to pass this law.  I live on a street where one block alone has 50% of the houses have absentee landlords.  It is a problem.  It has handcuffed our building department tremendously because they live two counties away.  We have a problem with quality of life issues.  We cannot enforce them.  It is not fair for the absentee landlord to be able to live in the city of Beacon and not have to suffer the consequences of living with some of the tenants who are renting.  It is not fair that we cannot make them pay for this.

 

No Further Comments:

 

Motion to close Public Hearing:  Council Member Casale.  Seconded:  Council Member Thompson.  All voted in favor.  Motion carried.

 

2.  Proposed Local Law B Changing The Zoning Of Property From Waterfront Park (WP) District To Waterfront Development (WD) District Adjourned May 19, 2008) 

 

BE IT ENACTED by the City Council of the City of Beacon as follows:

 

SECTION 1.   TITLE

 

This local law shall be entitled, "A Local Law Changing the Zoning of Property from

Waterfront Park (WP) District to Waterfront Development (WD) District."

 

SECTION 2.   INTENT AND PURPOSE

 

This local law is intended to implement the new City Comprehensive Plan.

 

SECTION 3.   REZONING

 

The zoning of the property in the table below is hereby changed from Waterfront Park (WP) District to Waterfront Development (WD) District.

 

Tax parcel #

Owner (s)

Owner's Mailing Address

130200-5954-33-519873

City Of Beacon

1 Municipal Center
Beacon NY  12508

130200-5954-33-549777

Conrail

1700 Broadway
New York NY 10019

130200-5954-33-549777 (portion)

Conrail

1700 Broadway
New York NY 10019

 

SECTION 4.   MAP

 

The Zoning Map of the City of Beacon is hereby amended to show the change specified in Section 3 above.  A map showing the proposed rezoning is attached hereto as Exhibit "A."

 

SECTION 5.   EFFECTIVE DATE

 

This local law shall take effect immediately upon its filing with the Secretary of State.

 

Public Hearing Comments:

 

Mike DiPompo, 6 Pierce Place:  Is that with the hotel and restaurants being built there?  Answer:  Yes. 

 

No further comments:

 

Motion to adjourn Public Hearing:  Council Member Thompson.  Seconded:  Council Member Kelly.  All voted in favor.  Motion carried.

 

3.  Proposed Local Law D Changing The Zoning Of Property From R1-20 One Family Residence District To R1-120 One Family Residence District.  Adjourned May 19, 2008 

 

BE IT ENACTED by the City Council of the City of Beacon as follows:

 

SECTION 1.   TITLE

 

This local law shall be entitled, "A Local Law Changing the Zoning of Property from

R1-20 One Family Residence District to R1-120 One Family Residence District."

 

SECTION 2.   INTENT AND PURPOSE

 

This local law is intended to implement the new City Comprehensive Plan.

 

SECTION 3.   REZONING

 

The zoning of the property in the table below is hereby changed from R1-20 One Family Residence District to R1-120 One Family Residence District.

 

Tax parcel #

Owner (s)

Owner's Mailing Address

130200-6054-40-455651 (portion)

William C Toennigs (Primary)
M & P Manglass (Additional)

20 Van Kleeck Ave
Beacon NY 12508 (Primary)

 

SECTION 4.   MAP

 

The Zoning Map of the City of Beacon is hereby amended to show the change specified in Section 3 above.  A map showing the proposed rezoning is attached hereto as Exhibit "A."

 

SECTION 5.   EFFECTIVE DATE

 

This local law shall take effect immediately upon its filing with the Secretary of State.

 

No Public Hearing Comments:

 

Motion to adjourn Public Hearing:  Council Member Fredericks.  Seconded:  Council Member Kelly.  All voted in favor.  Motion carried.

 

4.  Proposed Local Law E  Changing The Zoning Of Property From R1-40 One Family Residence District To R1-120 One Family Residence District.  Adjourned May 19, 2008  -

 

BE IT ENACTED by the City Council of the City of Beacon as follows: SECTION 1. TITLE

This local law shall be entitled, "A Local Law Changing the Zoning of Property from R1-40 One Family Residence District to R1-120 One Family Residence District."

SECTION 2. INTENT AND PURPOSE

This local law is intended to implement the new City Comprehensive Plan. SECTION 3. REZONING

The zoning of the property in the table below is hereby changed from R1-40 One Family Residence District to R1-120 One Family Residence District.

 

Tax Parcel #

Owner s

Owner's Mailing I Address

130200-6054-02-596808

City of Beacon

1 Municipal Center

(portion)

 

Beacon NY 12508

130200-5955-04-770210

Southern Dutchess
Country Club

1209 North Ave
Beacon NY 12508

130200-5955-04-675230

Southern Dutchess
Country Club

1209 North Ave Beacon NY 12508

130200-5955-04-610320

NYS Bridge

PO Box 1010

(portion)

Authority

Highland NY 12528

 

Tax Parcel #

Owner (s

Owner's Mailing, Address

130200-6054-40-455651

William C

Toennigs

 (Primary)

M & P Manglass

(Additional)

20 Van Kleeck Ave
Beacon NY 12508 (Primary)

130200-6054-40-422686

Frederick Stepanek

32 Van Kleeck Ave
City Of Beacon 12508

130200-6054-40-406669

Marilyn Brammer
(Primary)
David Brammer
(Additional)

40 VanKleeck Ave
City Of Beacon 12508

_. ___

 

SECTION 4. MAP

The Zoning Map of the City of Beacon is hereby amended to show the change specified in Section 3 above. A map showing the proposed rezoning is attached hereto as Exhibit "A.

SECTION 5. EFFECTIVE DATE

This local law shall take effect immediately upon its filing with the Secretary of State. Dated: 2008

 

No Public Hearing Comments:

 

Motion to adjourn Public Hearing:  Council Member Leake.  Seconded:  Council Member Thompson.  All voted in favor.  Motion carried.

 

5.  Proposed Local Law F Changing The Zoning Of Property From R1-80 One Family Residence District To R1-120 One Family Residence District. (Excluding Tioronda, LLC) Adjourned May 19, 2008

 

BE IT ENACTED by the City Council of the City of Beacon as follows:

 

SECTION 1.   TITLE

 

This local law shall be entitled, "A Local Law Changing the Zoning of Property from

R1-80 One Family Residence District to R1-120 One Family Residence District."

 

SECTION 2.   INTENT AND PURPOSE

 

This local law is intended to implement the new City Comprehensive Plan.

 

SECTION 3.   REZONING

 

The zoning of the property in the table below is hereby changed from R1-80 One Family Residence District to R1-120 One Family Residence District.

 

Tax parcel #

Owner (s)

Owner's Mailing Address