Minutes

City of Beacon Council Meeting

July 7, 2008

REGULAR MEETING:

The regular meeting of the City of Beacon Council held at the Municipal Center, One Municipal Plaza on July 7, 2008 was called to order at 7:13 p.m. immediately following the Traffic and Safety Committee Meeting by Mayor Steve Gold with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

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

Also in attendance were: City Administrator, Meredith Robson

City Attorney, Richard Wolf

Media represented by: Goldee Greene, Beacon Free Press

Mayor Steve Gold: I want to thank you all for coming tonight. We cannot do anything if we do not know what is on your mind. We appreciate you coming out here and offering to make comments. Before that happens tonight, let me explain a few things about the comment segment. What is going to start at this meeting is a statement made by the Mayor to previous comments made by the public. This will be a new way for the city to communicate with the residents when someone comes up to the microphone and speaks. The council is not permitted by our by-laws to respond. Statements that are made by the public go unanswered. That is the way it has been since January. In this new segment, we allow the public to speak to the city council on any subject, which is not on the agenda. In the past, you had to wait until the end of the meeting before you could speak about a subject that was not on the agenda. What we found and what we appreciate is that many people are interested in coming to talk and to give us their viewpoints.

There is no avenue to respond to that. For that reason, there are a couple of comments that I will be making now based on statements made by the public in the June 16, 2008 council meeting.

The following are my responses to some of the statements were made at the June 16^th meeting.

Regarding the comments made by Douglas Osgood, 12 West Main Street.
The problem stated was that there is selective enforcement of illegally parked vehicles on West Main Street, during the morning rush few drivers come to a complete stop at the stop sign on Bank Street, there is high-speed traffic on West Main Street, In the evening hour drivers leaving the train station will often take West Main Street. This is illegal.

The City’s response is the Police Chief is reviewing the creation of a Beacon Parking Enforcement position that would employ local residents.  The policy is for any car that is illegally parked will receive a summons. The Chief will review the situation at the roads around the MTA station and when available more patrols will be sent to West Main Street in the morning and evening rush hours. 

Betty DiPompo, 6 Pierce Place made two requests.  

The first is that the City establish a periodic payment plan for senior citizens to pay their taxes.  The second is to raise the limit set at $25,000.00 for a Senior Citizen tax discount.

The City’s response is to consider both ideas. The Council will be given information at upcoming workshops. We thank Ms. DiPompo. Here are the basic facts subject to conditions set forth in section 199-1 Senior Citizens Tax Exemption…

The real property owned by one or more persons, each of whom is 65 years of age or over, shall be exempt from taxation based on the following sliding scale…

Income Range Percentage of Exemption

Less than $20,500 50%

$20,501 to $21,500 45%

$21,501 to $22,500 40%

$22,501 to $23,500 35%

$23,501 to $24,400 30%

$24,401 to $25,300 25%

$25,301 to $26,200 20%

Dorothy Paulin, Martin Luther King Center:

She asked the city to supply them with garbage cans for their playground.

The City’s response is that although we would like to accommodate the Martin Luther King Center the city cannot give resources or enrichments to private or not-for-profit organizations.

Barbara McCaskill, 242 Rombout Avenue
Requests a speed bump on Rombout Avenue.

The City’s response is that New York State law does not permit a city to install speed bumps. There are however other speed reduction devices that can be used. The city will consider them when new roads are installed and other locations. We will consider Rombout Ave.

Kathy Deutermann, 27 South Brett Street: 

She witnessed an act of violence on Main Street along with Councilperson Eleanor Thompson. They immediately called the Beacon Police who arrived quickly with three cars, sirens, and lights, bumper to bumper to bumper to bumper.  She stated that the problem was that every one of them came from the Police Station. 

“The City’s response is that Patrol Officers do not remain at Police Headquarters unless they are there for a specific reason. All other times they are on foot patrol or in their police vehicles driving through neighborhoods. Chief Glenn Scofield has reviewed the records and as per policy, the Officers that responded were performing their required work at Headquarters when the call came in. I am more than satisfied and I commend the Beacon Police Department for responding in such a rapid and overwhelming manner to the call placed by Ms. Deuterman.

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.

Statement concerning the sale and use of 249 Main Street - By Mayor Steve Gold

July 7, 2008

For those who are here to talk about 249 Main Street, I have organized a Town Hall meeting for this Wednesday at the Veterans Memorial Building, 6:00PM to discuss 249 and general Main Street issues. Present will be representatives from the Dutchess County Department of Mental Hygiene, the three organizations utilizing 249, The Beacon Police Chief, the Beacon Building Department and members of the Beacon City Council and County Legislature. The forum will provide an opportunity to hear directly from each organization and to ask questions. The dialogue will be a positive exchange of ideas with the goal of improving Main Street for our visitors and residents.

The building at 249 Main Street was purchased by a private owner. He has rented space to two organizations; a third is pending the signing of a lease. All three organizations are not-for-profit based. The organizations are not owned or operated by Dutchess County. Reports that the Dutchess County Mental Hygiene Department has used funds in any direct connection to the purchase or lease of the space is incorrect. As a matter of policy, the Dutchess County Department of Mental Hygiene has been providing supplemental funds for these organizations in order for them to operate for many years.

The City of Beacon’s responsibility for this use is limited to only a certificate of occupancy. The use of the building as described by the applicants is permitted by our zoning regulations. As such, there is no requirement for approvals or public hearings by any of our city authorities (The Planning, The Zoning Board of Appeals or the Beacon City Council). This was a private transaction and as such, the City cannot prevent the sale or direct it to any other location.

The fact of the matter is that the city administration was not informed of the sale or use of the building. There was no contact or presentation of any kind made by the Dutchess County Department of Mental Hygiene, the new property owner or any of the leasing organizations to the City Council or to the Mayor, either before or after sale of the property or the signing of the leases, to provide information, to ask for acceptance or to conduct a dialogue. As Mayor I am disappointed that, an attempt was not made for the City’s input. Upon being informed of the sale and leases, I contacted by personal visit or by phone each of the organizations. Their comments are that there will be no new programs offered (with the exception of a physician’s clinic…see below). The three organizations state that Main Street businesses and residents will not be negatively affected by clients coming and going and that Main Street will not be any different than it is at present. The expansion of these organizations indicates that there is an additional need for these services for our residents.  

The three organizations involved are The Lexington Center for Recovery, The Mental Health Association and the Hudson Valley Community Services.

The Lexington Center for Recovery and the Mental Health Association has been operating in Beacon for many years. They plan to use the building in the same manner as in the past with no new services. The purpose of the move from their previous locations is to gain more space so they can better serve the public. Both organizations perform casework and one helps recently released prisoners. The third organization is a medical clinic that will provide services to people with psychological needs and traumatic brain injury. They plan to offer services to the general public as well.

If you are here today to make a statement, here are the rules of this segment of the City Council Meeting. The first thirty minutes of the city council is open for residents to speak for up to three minutes on any topic that is not on the agenda. Our meeting rules do not permit the Council to respond to the public at this time so please make a statement in a professional and respectful manner. This is an opportunity to inform the City Council of an issue. Please do not single out any member of the City Council for direct criticism. The Mayor may make a brief comment to clarify an issue or respond appropriately, however this is not an opportunity for dialogue. Lastly, I encourage residents to call City Hall and speak with the City Administrator or the Mayor about your concerns. Mayor, Steve Gold

I have a statement to make about what many of you are here for this evening and that is 249 Main Street. There is also a resolution that I wish to discuss if it is added to tonight's agenda.

I am going to read this resolution to you so you will know what many of the council members have in mind after I polled them. I have not heard back from every council member. This is something that was created today.

Resolution

CITY COUNCIL STATES ITS OPPOSITION TO THE USE OF

249 MAIN STREET AS A TREATMENT CENTER

Whereas Beacon Main Street business owners have invested their savings, time and occupation to attract customers to Main Street; and

Whereas the condition of Main Street is paramount to the economic growth and quality of life for the residents of the City of Beacon; and

Whereas the planned use for the building at 249 Main Street is to be occupied by organizations that treat mental health, drug and alcohol abuse, released prisoner assistance and individuals with other social conditions; and,

Whereas the planned use at 249 Main Street creates health, safety and loitering concerns for the residents, visitors and business owners; and

Whereas the planned use at 249 Main Street is not a recommended use for the improvement and development of Main Street as described by the Comprehensive Plan enacted in December 2007; and

Whereas the parties involved in the facilitation, including the Dutchess County Department of Mental Hygiene, sale, ownership, lease and occupation of 249 Main Street for the above stated purpose failed in all ways to work cooperatively, to involve, to discuss or state their intended plans in advance of taking action, to the Mayor of the City of Beacon or to the Beacon City Council, and

Whereas the City Council of the City of Beacon fully recognizes the need for social services as described above to assist and help to the residents of Beacon…

Therefore Be It Resolved that the Beacon City Council hereby states to all parties involved in the facilitation, ownership, lease and occupation of 249 Main Street that we declare our firm and unequivocal lack of support for the uses as stated above at 249 Main Street, and

Further Be It Resolved that the City of Beacon agrees to work cooperatively to find and be approved by the City of Beacon an alternate location that is mutually acceptable to all parties, or, if such a location cannot be found, that the location at 249 Main Street be re-configured architecturally in a manner that supports existing and future commercial activities on main street and that is agreeable to the city of beacon and all of the involved parties.

Mayor Steve Gold: That will be discussed and added to the agenda tonight. Since this is not on the agenda, it is the appropriate time for the public to speak about that. We look forward to hearing what you have to say.

Jessica Weisman, 34 Washington and I have a business at 232 Main Street in Beacon. I commend you for that resolution. I want to say that the part that you wrote which states that it wouldn't have a negative impact yet it would not change Main Street at all is the very issue that I have a problem with. We need positive change. This town is not a "done deal". It can go back down instead of way up very easily. So many businesses have closed in this town and so many businesses are empty. I think we really need to be conscious of our choices.

Faith Supple, 27 Liberty Street: It seems to me on watching on the TV, which I enjoy, if you would amend or pass a resolution that requires anything happening on Main Street to be approved. In fact, anybody buying any piece of property, leasing any piece of property, needs to go before the zoning board authority or some other authority to get things approved. If that were already on the books, we would not be hearing, "oh, we don't have a zoning code for that." You could proactively be in a position to deal with these issues before we have public safety issues as we have right now. People should not have to send their children to the library with bodyguards. It should not have to be. It does not have to be.

John Gilby, Hudson Beach Glass on 162 Main Street: I am also on the Mayor's advisory committee for the revitalization of Main Street. I have to say that a drug rehab center was not one of the things that we had considered in our work. As it is, I understand that we were all blindsided by this. That is what disturbs me most. In one of your emails, you mentioned that Dutchess County facilitated this. Dutchess County seems to have come into our community and affected our economic development plans in a negative way and without consulting us. I understand the law and that this still is America and property rights have to be respected but I also think that what we need in this case is real transparency. We need to know who it was in Dutchess County and who the parties were that thought that this was a good idea and that they needed to do this in a way that they chose not to consult us. I think that is important that we know that. It is important that they know that they should not do this in our community again.

Frank Baxter, I might be living on 10 Mackin next week. I do not know yet. I have been selling hotdogs in Beacon for twenty-eight years. I started off with my permit at $5.00. The last fee was $165.00. I went down here last month to talk about the unfortunates that hang out on Main Street and the people from Hedgewood. They come down here from Hedgewood heavily medicated. They do not know where they are. I have been asking for a month to keep these people off Main Street and I have not seen anything done. I decided that if I cannot beat you, then I would join you. I think they need a leader out there and I am the man for the job. I will boycott Beacon until you people get these people off Main Street. I will not work in this town.

Niles Hildaguard, Owner of 177 Main Street: I am opposed to having a drug rehabilitation center or any other type of Mental Health facility at the location that is proposed. I feel as though the greater good of Beacon is not served by placing that type of facility at that location and I would like to also add that I noticed in your reading of the resolution that you indicated that you are opposed to anything regarding mental health but it seemed to exclude drug rehabilitation as part of it.

George Atkinson, 4 Locust Place: For the last two Thursday nights, people in our neighborhood have been subjected to this screaming and drum beating coming from the Piggy Bank Restaurant. I do not see how this could not be declared a violation of the noise ordinance that we have in the City of Beacon. Last Thursday it went on for five and one quarter hours - from 6:00 p.m. to 11:15 with hardly any kind of a break. All amplified and everything else was just unbearable and unacceptable. I would like to have the council do something about it. I realize it is only one night a week but we do not know what is going to happen for the rest of the summer. They may have it for other nights of the week and past 11:00 p.m. Two years ago, it was two-o'clock in the morning before they stopped. I would like to have you give it some serious consideration for the citizens living in our neighborhood.

Resident: 18 Oak Street. I like your resolution and I agree what you said about that in reference to adding drug rehabilitation and prisoner release or the mental health thing but what it was before was actually mothers without a lot of money bringing in kids to the doctors. That is the way it was for years. It included elderly people who could not afford regular doctors and stuff like that. They would use that as their practitioner. I am not opposed to that. I do not that is the best use of the property on Main Street in my personal opinion. If it stayed that way, I do not think I would have any objection to that because I think there is a need for that. I do not think it should be on Main Street but once again, it private property but if we can put in a stipulation that you cannot do the other things. I do not think that people would object to mothers being treated for shots, injections, etc. I do not object to that but the other stuff I do.

Maurice Baxter: A big red flag came to me when I heard that they were going to treat released prisoners. I think that the Beacon Police Department should be contacted to find out what kind of prisoners are they. What were their crimes? That would be my one big concern. Another concern is the taxes in Beacon. I have complained about them before. We go back to the old administration, this is the new administration. You say do not blame it on the new administration. Everyone on the left side of the Mayor and the mayor were on the old administration. Like one lady said, there is going to be a lot of empty buildings on Main Street and people are just going to walk away from their responsibilities. They will just say I will go somewhere else because the taxes are ridiculous. The newspaper said that the increase in taxes would reach double digits. The only one that I heard talk intelligently on this panel is Randy Casale. We have to cut down on the budget. We are doing too much for this little town. I think the old ways are better. This is not "good ole times". This is not the pursuit of happiness. I get a letter in the mail from the city telling me my taxes are going up. I had to sell a piece of my property because I could not afford it. You were supposed to stop hiring but you are still hiring. I saw it in the paper that someone was hired for the waste plant. Why don't we stop hiring? Why do we need the plants on Main Street? How much do those plants cost? Another thing is recreation. They are making a lot of money. Another thing is that Settlement Camp. I took a walk down there. I could see law suits coming left and right out of that place. I agree with Tim Dexter that some of these buildings should be taken down rather than boarded up.

Michael Benzer, 162 Main Street: I am here tonight as opposed to tomorrow night because there are some issues with the city council that we all have to address right away. We were blindsided by Dutchess County. I sit on the economic development task force and we are trying to have a task force that addresses the economic problems of all of Beacon as well as Main Street. Not to be included in the planning process of this is horrifying. They have taken a prime piece of property which has cut Beacon in half now. Any developer that wants to come in and invest in the middle of Main Street, which is the Comprehensive Master Plan target for densification, is not going to happen now. I do not know how long the leases are. They might be for twenty years. This is deeply disappointing. We are in for it. The receipts of property taxes could plummet. Your statement is good. Unfortunately, it has no bite. The City of Beacon could stop it by suing them but then you have another lawsuit and we already have too many lawsuits.

Patricia Zolback, 22 Hillside Road: We are new owners. We moved here from Queens looking for a prosperous place to live and possibly retire. My son has been in the Coast Guard, has taken the Police Officer's test in Beacon and passed. He hopes to be a police officer on the Beacon Police force. I am disappointed because, when I walk half way up to Beacon’s Main Street, I see tourists walking, stopping, and turning around going the other way. I stopped them and tell them to go to Max's for lunch, go to Helen, and go to the other side of Main Street. They are afraid. Coming from Queens I can spot a drug dealer with the snap of my fingers. So can my son. If we can see it, someone else has to see it. So therefore, what is proposed at that particular address, I think would be devastating to our community. I hope I will be able to live here the rest of my life and die here.

Rich Caplin: I do not reside in Beacon but I do live here. I live at 246 Main Street. I know many people here because I patrol up and down Main Street. I do see a lot on Main Street. I can tell you that

over on Max's on Main, we would not be here if we did not have the support of everyone in Beacon. That is what we are. We are part of Beacon. Main Street needs help. It does not need hurt. With that, I can see that everyone here is going in the same direction and wants to do whatever we could do to help Main Street. I like people and I want to make sure people that are mentally ill and those that get out of prison, get help. I am interested in Main Street. Main Street needs help.

No further comments.

Public Hearings:

1. Special Use Permit – 416 Main Street – Applicant FIR Properties – Construct New Three Story Building on the vacant lot at 416 Main Street.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the City of Beacon will hold a public hearing on Monday, July 7, 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 a Special Use Permit for the construction of a three-story building @ 416 Main Street, Applied for by FIR Properties.

A copy of the proposal is available for inspection at the Municipal Center, lower level, One Municipal Plaza, Beacon, New York during regular business hours (Monday-Friday 8:30a.m. –3:30 p.m.)

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: None

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

1 through 4 - Proposed Zoning Changes:

1. Proposed Local Law B Changing The Zoning Of Property From Waterfront Park (WP) District To Waterfront Development (WD) District

2. Proposed Local Law D Changing The Zoning Of Property From R1-20 One Family Residence District To R1-120 One Family Residence District.

3. Proposed Local Law E Changing The Zoning Of Property From R1-40 One Family Residence District To R1-120 One Family Residence District.

4. 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) - 1, 2, 3, and 4 Adjourned May 19, 2008, June 2, 2008, June 16, 2008

Mayor Steve Gold: The public hearings that we started a few months ago regarding zoning changes have previously been adjourned and are not ready for us to continue the public hearing

Motion to adjourn Public Hearings for 1, 2, 3, and 4: Council Member Kelly. Seconded: Council Member Thompson. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

Community Segment:

Mayor Steve Gold: It is a pleasure and a good time to have you here considering all the comments regarding Main Street.

Guest Speaker: Glenn Scofield – Chief of Police

Good evening, Mayor and Council Members, City Administrator and City attorney. Thank you for inviting me to spend time with you this evening. The first item would be the department's sincere desire to pursue hiring some new police officers. As you recall back in November of last year the discussion was regarding the civil service exam. The results came out and I was notified of the eligible candidates who scored highest. The give you a list of 25 names to start with. It would be to the city's benefit if we were to go forward with these positions. We are ready to move forward. We have six vacancies that exist. We sent out over 20 canvas letters. We received three responses, two of which met with our requirements. Background checks have been done. They show a lot of promise but we are a point now where we would need council permission to move forward with the process of having a psychological exam and other required exams and offer them a position of employment. Dutchess County's Police Academy begins at the end of August. They will graduate by February.

Mayor Steve Gold: Since this is time sensitive, we will ask the city attorney to write up a resolution to hire the officers you are speaking about.

City Administrator Robson: It is my recommendation that rather than only approving the three that Chief spoke about, we approve all six of the officers which are budgeted. A copy of the resolutions is as follows:

CITY COUNCIL AUTHORIZES CITY ADMINISTRATOR IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE CHIEF OF POLICE TO HIRE SIX (6) NEW POLICE OFFICERS

WHEREAS, the City Council has previously resolved to consider the need for each new hire by the City of Beacon Council before a commitment to a position offer be made; and

WHEREAS, there is a demonstrated present need for six (6) new police officers;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT

RESOLVED, that the Council hereby authorizes the hiring and conditional employment of six (6) police officers by the City Administrator in conjunction with the Chief of Police pursuant to the Civil Service Law and the applicable collective bargaining agreement.

Guest Speaker Glen Scofield continued his segment:

I want to talk about our Main Street Initiative. Again, with the limited personnel that we have, we have a directive to walk the beat of their assigned section of the city. We do have certified bike officers. There is a down side during the vacation season. The possibility of having the shifts above minimum will be sporadic. We will do the best that we can. We will address Main Street by having someone visible the best we can until we can fill up the slots and move forward. If business owners are not having contact with their officers, they are asked to contact me and I will follow up. There are times when officers are tied up and just cannot get to it. It is the beginning of a long busy summer. I have to commend the department for their accomplishments with the limited staff. We have not had to call outside help.

Questions:

Council Member Pasti: I keep hearing that everyone knows where the drug dealers are and the activity that is going on. What do you recommend as being the way that citizens can actively let you know? Otherwise, how do you recommend addressing those pockets? Should these issues be addressed by bike police or someone walking or just when groups are congregating having the people who see it call and you can send an officer.

Chief Scofield: I recommend that they contact us if they see any drug activity, graffiti, or gang activity or anything like that. What we need the public to do is to be good witnesses. Be cognoscente of what is going on. Get a pencil and write down what the person is wearing. A lot of people are concerned about giving out their name. We do not advertise when people contact us. We do not discount if you wish to remain anonymous. We cannot be everywhere. They certainly are not going to sell drugs in front of a police officer in a police car. I know the public wants more police presence in the city. You have to be patient. Once we get up to staff, it will be better. We are proactive and not reactive.

Question: Council Member Casale:

If it were pockets like those that Sara suggested, wouldn't the task force be able to come down and set up some surveillance where the pockets are.

Glenn Scofield: We are currently engaged with another law enforcement agency that is addressing these issues. The drug task force does not handle that type of thing. We are working with a law enforcement agency that does.

Council Member Thompson: I have been talking to some people in Albany. I will be going back to Albany with Council Member Casale. I have a situation that I do not understand. Why are we not able to utilize the services of the Sheriff's office? Asking for help does not mean that we cannot do our job. It just means that we just need some help. I was told that if we had specific programs, they would come to help. How can we utilize other services? It is being done in other communities. People just want to feel safe again.

There was discussion among the council members regarding hiring civilians to do ticketing of vehicles who are parked illegally. This would be looked into.

The Mayor and the council thanked Chief Scofield for his informative presentation.

Mayor Steve Gold asked a motion to approve the following minutes:

May 19, 2008

Council Member Fredericks: Seconded: Council Member Thompson. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

June 2, 2008

Motion to approve Council Meeting Minutes: Council Member Thompson. Seconded: Council Member Fredericks. All voted in favor. Motion carried.:

Reports: Text from the July 7, 2008 reports is at the end of these minutes.

Communications read by Mayor Steve Gold

City Administrator Meredith Robson read her Report of Activities

City Attorney Richard Wolf read his Report of Activities – First Meeting of the Month

Council Members read their Reports of Activities

Mayor Steve Gold read his Report of Activities

Second Opportunities for Public Comments: Pertaining to This Agenda Only

Betty Harkin, 17 Cross Street: Regarding the Beacon Sloop Club to use storage at the University Settlement Camp. I want to thank you for your consideration of this. I want to thank the council for all the cooperation that we have felt down on the waterfront from council and I think Beacon Sloop Club has taken care of a lot of property down there for a long time and now it is just great to see that people are going to be helping take care of it and are going to take over parts of it and the city is going to be involved. Many citizens and visitors are coming down to the waterfront. I want to thank you for your consideration of this resolution.

No further comments.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Resolutions:

1. Resolution No. 94 of 2008 - to Approve the Road known as Delavan Avenue Extension and any Easements within the Subdivision along with All Public Improvements completed as part of the Project. (Tabled May 5, 2008)

WHEREAS, the City Engineers, Lanc & Tully, P.C., have inspected the Delavan Avenue Subdivision Project to ensure that all required public improvements have been completed in accordance with the approved plans and the City of Beacon Street Specifications;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the City Council hereby accepts the extension of the road known as Delavan Avenue and any easements within the Delavan Avenue Subdivision, along with all public improvements completed as part of the project, subject to the recommended stipulations in the Lanc & Tully memo dated January 17, 2008, including submission of an acceptable maintenance bond in the amount of $26,745.00

Motion to approve: Council Member Casale. Seconded: Council Member Pasti.

Discussion/Comments:

Council Member Casale: Mr. Lanari and Mr. Joseph were at the Council Workshop and Mr. Joseph said that if Central Hudson does not do the work, he would do it himself. Both parties agreed. I am satisfied that there is enough money to do the job if this becomes necessary.

City Administrator Robson: $26,000 is more than enough to do the work.

On roll call, all voted in favor. Motion carried.

Local Laws And Ordinances: Tabled May 19, 2008, June 2, 2008, June 16, 2008

1. Second Reading: Proposed Local Law B Changing The Zoning Of Property From Waterfront Park (WP) District To Waterfront Development (WD) District

2. Second Reading: Proposed Local Law D Changing The Zoning Of Property From R1-20 One Family Residence District To R1-120 One Family Residence District.

3. Second Reading: Proposed Local Law E Changing The Zoning Of Property From R1-40 One Family Residence District To R1-120 One Family Residence District.

4. Second Reading: 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)

Public Hearings for the above local laws have been adjourned. As a result, these local laws will be tabled until after the public hearings are complete.

NEW BUSINESS

Resolutions:

Mayor Steve Gold: This has not gone through workshop. I am asking that we put it on the agenda this evening. If you have any comments or discussion, you can respond now. The council asked questions regarding the planning stage. Council Member Kelly questioned whether a City employee was involved in this project. Neither the architect nor the city attorney was aware of this. Council Member Casale stated that this property is in his ward/district and that he totally agrees with this request. It will eliminate unwelcome activities in that location such as drinking, loitering, and a resident using the parking lot to repair vehicles.

City Attorney Wolf reminded the council that there is an EAF connected to this property:

Motion for the Environmental Assessment Form: Council Member Thompson. Seconded: Council Member Pasti.

City Attorney Wolf: suggested to the council that they declare themselves as lead agency. He proceeded to go through the EAF with the council.

All voted in favor. Motion carried.

Attorney Wolf: Let me note for now and in the future. The findings that are made in the resolution are required findings to be made on all Special Permits based on the facts of each application.

1. Resolution No. 95 of 2008 - Authorize City Council to Approve Special Use Permit – 416 Main Street – Applicant FIR Properties – Construct New Three Story Building on the vacant lot at 416 Main Street.

WHEREAS, the City of Beacon Planning Board has recommended that the City Council issue a special use permit to FIR Properties for the premises 416 Main Street in the City of Beacon, and

WHEREAS, the City Council conducted a public hearing on the proposed special use permit, reviewed the application and the Planning Board’s recommendation and concluded that the proposed permit which meets the criteria for its issuance for the premises, and

WHEREAS