Minutes

City of Beacon Council Meeting

August 4, 2008

REGULAR MEETING

The regular meeting of the Beacon City Council held at the Municipal Center, One Municipal Plaza on August 4, 2008 was called to order at 7:10 p.m. immediately following the Safety and Traffic Committee Meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

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

Excused: Deanna Leake and Marlene Fredericks

Also Present: City Administrator Meredith Robson

City Attorney Richard Wolf

Media Represented by: Goldee Greene, Beacon Free Press

Residents at beginning of Meeting 30

Mayors Response to Public Comments to Address Concerns Brought Forward to the Council from Previous Council Meeting:

The comments from the City Council meeting of July 21 were not transcribed as of yet so I do not have any responses.

However I do want to inform the public that Lisa-Marie Rinaldi’s valuable comments were temporarily removed from the Channel 22 broadcast of the July 21^st Council Meeting by me. It will be inserted with the public comments from tonight’s meeting along with a subtitle that they were from the July 21^st meeting. I had some safety concerns for Lisa that have now been addressed. After consulting with our Attorney, her constitutional rights to free speech were not violated as she was permitted to speak at the Council Meeting. In fact she was allowed to speak much longer than the three minute maximum we allow all others. Her comments will be included in the written transcript of our officially adopted minutes of July 21^st. I do apologize to Lisa for not informing her in advance that I was taking this action and why.

I will offer some thoughts of my own to her comments later in tonight’s meeting during my report.

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.

First Opportunity for Public Comments: (On any item not on the agenda).

John Gilvy, 162 Main Street: First of all I would like to congratulate the city council on carrying on a long standing tradition in Beacon government in not communicating with the business community. Last Wednesday I came to work and they shut down my street. It was the first I heard that this was going to happen. Apparently, the city council knew about it or somebody in the city must have known about it earlier because the police were there to shut down the street. In the future I would hope that things would be different on that aspect. What I really came to talk about is 249 Main Street. Again, I don't speak for all of the businesses in the community but the business community that I communicate with. We are wondering what this council is doing about 249 Main Street and what is going to happen there. We are not sure what is going to happen there since the city council unanimously voted against them. We are wondering what is happening and what is being done. We are not being communicated with by the city. Finally, this is a question that I have had since the very beginning about that whole project there. We know that Mr. Cappillino bought the property. We don't know who it was in Dutchess County Government and the Dutchess County Mental Health System that worked very closely with Mr. Cappillino behind the scenes to make that happen. I have asked reporters and people in Dutchess County and nobody seems to be able to give me that answer. I would like someone to tell me who that person is. Thank you.

Mayor Steve Gold: Some of your issues will be addressed later in the Mayor's Report.

Betty DiPompo, 62 Pearce Place: I was going to ask you why that young lady's were not on TV because I watch every week. I found that, to let you know, Mayor, you can't do something like that because it is against the law. That actually happened at the Council Meeting and you just can't cut it out. In the future I would be more careful. Thank you.

Maurice Baxter, 7 Vine Drive: I read in the Poughkeepsie Journal on Monday that it showed a lot of leadership there with their Mayor and their council people because they started to work on a budget where a 10% was cut off the line items on the budget right off the bat. It was a good article and I would like to see that leadership. If they can do that I don't know why this city can't do that. They have a lot more money. If they can cut 10% I don't see why Beacon can't cut 20% off their line items. I see where Council Member Casale and Council Member Thompson are always speaking out about cutting taxes and stop spending the money like we are. When we work on the budget, we should stop spending, spending, spending. That's a part of leadership. I admire those two council members and I don't understand why all of the council members are not doing that also. You are city leaders but you are a voice of the people. The people in Beacon want the taxes reduced. They do not want them to keep going up. I like what they have to say. No one seems to be listening to them. They have good ideas. I admire Randy for the knowledge he has. He is coming up with reasonable, sensible ideas. Tell the guy that does the zoning that he is wrong. Not to take anything away from Mayor Gold but Randy is acting like a mayor up there. He's concerned about the people. We have six council members but we don't need six, we only need four. Why can't we take two of them off and save twenty thousand dollars? Two of them are not here anyway. We are paying for six but we never have six. One is always excused, sick or late. We don't need two Council-At-Large. One last thing: Whenever I call the city hall to speak to the Mayor or the Administrator, they are always at meetings. It takes about four or five times to get in touch with somebody.

Mrs. Eastman, 35 Washington Avenue: I am a shopkeeper at 232 Main. I would like to propose to the council that they consider passing a resolution against the Methadone Clinics on Main Street now or in the future. Thank you.

Michael Benzer, 162 Main Street: I want to look to the future and in light of the collapse of the Planning Process I would like the city council to immediately start implementing the comprehensive master plan that many of you have also worked on. Time is slipping very quickly and we may be able to prevent this kind of a catastrophe in the future. Thank you.

Cathy Deutermann, 27 South Brett Street: I originally hoped to have a fund message tonight but I come here extremely upset. Graffiti: You come to a community watch as all of you have that is one of the first things I talk about. Graffiti is a big danger to our neighborhoods and my business district. Studies show that if graffiti is not removed within twenty-four hours, the chance for it repeating itself is 75% on that same piece. We cannot allow that criminal element. Graffiti is illegal. We cannot give it credence. I stand here and I listen to the people from Main Street and I support their efforts for the revitalization of Main Street. I stood here and talked about how we need to have public transportation to get people from the riverfront and Dia to Main Street. I support Clearwater coming here and making this their homeport. All of this will be for naught unless we get a handle on this. Nothing will drive people away faster than graffiti. It is a community on the downward spiral. We need to handle it and we need to handle it now. I talked to the city administrator and the Mayor and thank them for their efforts. However, I am going to point that tomorrow as part of National Night Out, we are holding Field Day at Memorial Park. I drove by the back road of that today. Every piece of playground equipment is tagged with graffiti. There will be 300 children going there tomorrow. They deserve better than to have all their playground equipment tagged by graffiti. They will be there at 10:00 a.m. I want to know what we plan on doing about it. We are having National Night Out tomorrow night. I would hope that there's going to be another walk through park. Tomorrow night is anti crime and anti drugs. I do hope that there will be another walk-through to make sure that we have no graffiti. We have a lot of important people coming tomorrow night. Tomorrow night is supposed to be a great night. The night will be one of community spirit. It is a night for us to stand up together and say what I am saying tonight that I am getting tired of this. We need to get a handle on it. I had the opportunity to speak to four other communities today and the way graffiti is handled in other communities is that the DPW goes to places, the police are called immediately, pictures are taken and within one-half-hour, that graffiti is expected to be removed. I spoke to a mayor of a large community today. He told me that if it got to the point that his office had to be called about graffiti from the public, he would personally be there screaming on his cell phone as to why it was still there. We need to get rid of it. It is serious. We need to get rid of it immediately. Thank you.

Mayor Steve Gold: I would like to take a moment, Cathy. On behalf of the city council and the city I thank you so much for all the hard work that you are putting into National Night Out. You took this on your own shoulders. It's a wonderful effort and it always hard to do something for the first time. I want to congratulate you. (Cathy received a round of applause from the audience).

Clark Gebman, 2 Wilson Street: The first time that I laid my eyes on Steve Gold and Charlie Kelly was at the Strawberry Festival. The first thing that I said to these two men was defending our state and our economy and our way of life. If the environmental movement had changed the positions regarding urbanization since 9/11, I made the observation that the valley was ripe to hold NYState jobs and prosper. I find that a better way that the city allow me to put four 60 story towers on the Beacon Waterfront at the station. I recommend that we can call them Clark, Chase City Bearer. You people are assaulting my economic well-being.

Dennis Pavelock, 34 Judson Street: I was going to wait until the end of the year to ask these questions but I feel that I have to ask them now. How many jobs have been created for Beacon so far? How is our Rec Center coming along in the planning stages? Fishkill has one that is being built. Bill Green, Recreational Director in East Fishkill proposed ideas to the Senior Committee and the community at large for a dome type building for activities in East Fishkill that is being proposed. Here we are in the city of Beacon still talking about a Rec Center for our seniors and our youth. Still talking about a ten-year club. I am not talking about tax base. I am not talking about who has more money, less money or whatever it takes to get it done. The bottom line is that it gets done. We are still talking about it. We are still talking about what kind of building we want to have. Wood, Steel or Brick. How long does that take? We still don't have anything in cement with the Emergency Preparedness. Steve, you were big on that with me when you were on the council. You supported me every step of the way. We are no closer to that either. A while back I brought up that with the graffiti in the City of Beacon, have our probation youth come down and clean the entire city. That was accomplished. These are the things that the residents in Beacon want to know. How many good paying jobs have been brought to Beacon? Where is the commercial industry coming from? That needs to happen too. Thanks for your time.

Lisa Rinaldi: Last week I was asked to come up with some suggestions for some of the problems that I spoke about at the last meeting. Regarding the graffiti in town - I tried to get in touch with Tim Dexter and he got back to me but we haven't spoken. Maybe we can construct some type of wall at the park on 9D near Loopers Plaza where we can then encourage young kids to put graffiti on or paint on with spray paint or whatever materials they might like to use. I would suggest that we go to our two local hardware stores on Main Street also maybe Home Depot where the supplies can be donated.

Maybe down at the Waterfront, where the ferry comes in to welcome visitors when they get off the train, maybe we can construct one there. Also, I think it is important to have a good sign at that park also. Also for South Davis Terrace and Forrestal Heights, I think it is important to have appropriate signs for those residents' facilities.

Last week I asked about police presence in the community on foot or on bike. I am interested to know if there is a logging system and how it is published to the community about what the police are doing in town when they are actually walking around or driving around and not just making appearances at calls.

I am also interested to know about community service and if its mandatory for youth if they are on drug related charges or violent charges or burglary or theft - it may be mandatory for youth to work at this methadone clinic. Last week I also suggested that there is going to be a mural at this new methadone clinic that it is done by young community members or local artists or local people from Beacon. Those are some of the suggestions I came up with for how we can get the youth to become involved in the community and for the youth to get a hold of what we are doing. Thank you.

Mayor Steve Gold: Thank you very much, Lisa. Some of those were good ideas. (The audience applauded Lisa's recommendations.)

Lisa Rinaldi's Comments from July 21, 2008: This four-page transcript is at the end of these minutes.

Lisa Rinaldi: Because of the length of the transcript, Lisa Rinaldi's Comments are at the end of these minutes.

Public Hearings:

1. Special Use Permit – 1258 North Avenue – Applicant Jose Henao – For an Accessory Apartment at 1258 North Avenue.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the City of Beacon will hold a public hearing on Monday, August 4, 2008 at the City of Beacon Municipal Center, One Municipal Plaza, Beacon, New York at 7:30p.m, or as soon thereafter as the matter is reached on the agenda, to consider a Special Use Permit Application, Applied for by Jose Henao, for use of 1258 North Avenue, identified on City Tax Maps as Section 5955, Block 75, Lot 856191, as an Accessory Apartment.

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

Reports for August 4, 2008: Text from the following reports is at the end of these minutes

Mayor's Communications read by Mayor Steve Gold

City Administrator Meredith Robson read her Report of Activities

City Attorney Richard Wolf read his Report of Activities – Will Submit Written Report next week. First Meeting of the Month

Council Members read their Reports of Activities

Mayor Steve Gold read his Report of Activities

County Legislator read their Reports of Activities

Second Opportunity for Public Comments: Pertaining to This Agenda Only

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.

Ray Fusco, 58 Washington Avenue: I have some significant concerns with the University Settlement Camp. I never received an RFP and I am a well-known recreational person in the city. I have asked City Administrator Robson for it and followed up with two phone calls. I never got the RFP. The problem is a problem - inconsistent. Second: The city council stood up and said, "we are going to make the DIA and other non-profits to take notice that we want money from them then you came here and talked about a pilot tax and the city council in their agreement you have is giving the thing away the farm to Clearwater. The Barter System is inappropriate, too loosely written and giving way too much for the little that they do for us. The assessment on the building was assessed at $1,200.00.

This is a three-story structure, six bedrooms, two kitchens, 3 grand rooms and they assessed it at $1,200.00. I have a tiny one-bedroom apartment for $900.00. How did they come up with an assessment for $1,200.00? This is completely inappropriate. I agree with the structure of barter and I think the barter system can be good and can lighten the load of the finances but this should be only major necessary infrastructure work, roofs, furnace, electric, plumbing, foundation - no landscapes, no gardening, no painting, no removal of walls inside the building because they want a slightly larger room. It is inappropriate. We can't give away the house on this one. No other real estate agent does that.

The barter system must be for major and necessary work. The last thing I have to say is that the water bound agreement should be two completely separate agreements. Scenic Hudson does not get special treatment on the water front because they have Mt. Beacon. They are two separate agreements. One is for water front dockage and the price to be paid for that should be completely separate from them having a space in a state park.

Maurice Baxter: A couple of us went down to the University Settlement Camp this weekend and looked at it too. I also walked into the white house. The person before me did not mention that this house also has three bathrooms. That's a big thing on the tax roll. When we were down there, that place was filthy. No one is taking care of it. Where the kids are, there is garbage all over the place, clothes, everything. I was shocked when I saw it. I wouldn't let kids in there. I think that is disgraceful. What the previous gentleman was talking about - you are going to give this to Clearwater. From what I heard, this is going to pay the utilities. On a house like that, $1,200.00 is totally ridiculous. Three thousand a month would be more appropriate. If they are going to take that over, are they are going to have everything up to code before they move in? That is the question I have. From what I heard does anybody do a background investigation on the Sloop Club to see how their finances are? When you move to a house, the landlord wants to know your financial status is, to know if you can pay the bills. I heard that they are a bankrupt club. They do not have any money. Why are we letting them in? Did anybody or the city administrator go down there and say, "let's talk about your finances?" Are you qualified to be in here and have all this work done? I don't think they do. From everybody that I talk to around here, it seems that you just want to get rid of the building so that you don't have to worry about it. What about if they go in there before everything is up to code? Who is responsible? You have to have everything in code before they even set foot in that front door. Thank you.

Clark Gebman, 2 Wilson Street: The nuance of getting a correct real estate transaction is important. About eight years ago there was a relatively famous analyst in real estate who teaches at NYU who said most of local government seems to be real estate related. Are we protecting real estate? Allowing wealth to come to generations of families? Or properly disposing of administrating city properties for the benefit of the public. Time and time again it's the lack of documentation and planning that goes into the problem and causes legal conflicts and they cause questions to ask the public for ever as part of their by product of performance. Your obstacle time and again has been presented this city needs to move on to have its own employee, its own planner and let the cost come from the applicants if necessary. We need to have home grown ongoing inventory of real estate, etc. This is an important part of the city's wealth as well as the public's wealth.

No further comments.

Mayor Steve Gold: Thank you. I just want to remind the public to try to fine tune their comments about the items that are on the agenda and speak specifically about them and not in generalities that we lose site of what the discussion is about.

No further comments.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Resolutions: None

Local Laws And Ordinances: None

NEW BUSINESS

Resolutions:

1. Resolution No. 109 of 2008 - Approve Special Use Permit – 1258 North Avenue – Applicant Jose Henao – For an Accessory Apartment at 1258 North Avenue.

WHEREAS, Jose Henao of 1258 North Avenue, having applied for a Special Use Permit from the City Council requesting approval for an accessory apartment in his existing home, and

WHEREAS, the Planning Board has recommended the City Council issue said permit with no need to return to the Board for final site plan approval; and

1. The location and size of the use, nature and intensity of the operations involved in such use, the size of the site in relation to it, and the location of the site with respect to streets giving access to it, are such that it would be in harmony with the appropriate and orderly development of the district in which it is located; and

2. The location, nature and height of the buildings, walls and fences, together with the nature and extent of the landscaping of the site are such that the use will not hinder or discourage the appropriate development and use of adjacent land and buildings; and

3. The operations in connection with the accessory apartment in the existing home located at 1258 North Avenue is not more objectionable to nearby properties by reason of noise, fumes, vibration or other characteristics, than would be the operation of any permitted use not requiring a special permit; and

4. Parking areas are of adequate size for the particular use, are properly located in the driveways are laid out to achieve maximum safety; and

WHEREAS, the City Council has determined that the application submitted by

Jose Henao for a Special Use Permit is an action subject to the provisions of the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA); and

RESOLVED, that the City Council hereby declares itself lead agency under SEQRA relative to the application by Jose Henao for a Special Use Permit, and be it further

RESOLVED, that the City Council as lead agency under SEQRA, has reviewed the submitted Environmental Assessment Form and has determined that the proposed action is an unlisted action, and that the proposal will not have a significant effect on the environment, and a Draft Environmental Impact Statement need not be prepared, and be it further

RESOLVED, that a Special Use Permit be hereby issued to Jose Henao with no need for final site plan review and in accordance with the conditions set forth herein.

City Attorney Wolf: Before you consider the resolution you must make an environmental evaluation in accordance with what was in your packet as the short form EAF. I just want to mention that there is something that you should be careful of. It is your determination as a council, your hard look as to whether the facts found on these applications constitute something of environmental concern or not. Although I will and should lead you through it I just want to reemphasize that it you who say this is environmentally relevant or not relevant. At the end you make a final determination as to whether it is a positive or negative DEC. This, as you know, is an accessory apartment and an overall assessment. You need to review Part 1, Page 1 and complete your evaluation on Part 2, which I will be happy to go through before you vote on the resolution. You need to declare yourselves lead agency for this project. The Planning Board approved it then passed it on to you through the Special Permit process for approval.

Motion to be lead agency: Council Member Kelly. Seconded: Council Member Thompson. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

Discussion:

City Attorney Wolf reviewed in detail the short form environmental impact statement.

Motion to approve Special Use Permit: Council Member Casale. Seconded: Council Member Pasti. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

2. Resolution No. 110 a, b, c and d of 2008 - Traffic & Safety Committee Ratifications:

Council Member Casale: I have a memo here from Deanna Leake that I would like to read:

Good Evening Everyone! I have asked Council Member Casale to read this brief comment for me. Tonight we are voting on the recommendation from the Traffic Safety Committee. You have heard my comments on the safety issues regarding Dutchess and Verplanck intersection. I strongly urge this council to bear this in mind when voting tonight. Again, I thank Dave Miller and Tony Furco for all the hours spent meeting with my constituents, researching the site and concluding with the recommendations. Their expertise with traffic and safety issues is an asset to our city. Respectfully, Deanna Leake, First Ward Council Member.

a. Install "No Parking, Stopping or Standing" on Dutchess Terrace from Verplanck Avenue to Point 50' from intersection.

Motion to ratify: Council Member Casale. Seconded: Council Member Pasti. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

b. Dutchess Terrace "one-way" southbound between Verplanck Avenue and Ralph Street, "No Stopping, Standing or Parking" on the north side of Dutchess Terrace (both sides), 50' back from the crosswalk.

Motion to ratify: Council Member Thompson. Seconded: Council Member Pasti. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

c. Make the intersections of Cross Street, Sivers Pl., Deerfield Place and Wilkes Street a 4-way STOP

Motion to Ratify: Council Member Pasti. Seconded: Council Member Thompson. Council Member Kelly excused. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

d. Make a 4-way STOP at the intersection of Sivers Place and Dutchess Terrace.

Discussion/comments:

Council Member Casale: I would like to say something. I am kind of hesitant on this one for the simple fact that it is 150' away from another four way stop at Barrett Place at Barrett and Dutchess Terrace. When I bring this up, I am told that no one stops there. So my answer is if no one stops there by putting up four more stop signs does not solve the problem that we are having. As much as the Traffic Safety Committee recommends this and I am willing to go along with it, unless there is enforcement in that area during the peak hours we have a problem. No one can go fast enough from Barrett to Sivers to be a speed thing. If they are going through that stop sign, what makes you think that they will stop for the next stop sign? That's the only thing I want to bring out on this issue. When I was on the Traffic Safety Committee when I was a highway guy and it used to bug me when they used signs to think they solve problems. This is a false pretence. Hopefully it will work but I feel that there needs to be more enforcement.

Motion to ratify: Council Member Pasti. Seconded: Council Member Thompson.

Council Member Casale: To repeat what I last said, I am willing to go along with this since there was a public hearing and no one spoke against it here tonight. But if you have signs, it has to be more than just signs.

Mayor Steve Gold: If anybody in the audience or in TV land is listening to what Randy said, when you come to a stop sign, you are supposed to stop. Please do.

All voted in favor. Motion carried. (Council Member Kelly stepped away and is excused from this vote.)

3. Resolution No. 111 of 2008 - Grant the HVFCU Permission to Proceed with its Plans to Construct at the 324 Main Street Site.

City Attorney Wolf: I would like to mention before Meredith reads that resolution, that once you approve, please note that an easement is being negotiated with the credit union pertaining to the rear sidewalk and perhaps to the overall place.

WHEREAS, the Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union desires to locate a branch of the Credit Union in an existing building at 324 Main Street in the City of Beacon; and

WHEREAS, the proposed Credit Union branch constriction will provide credit union services to City of Beacon residents and others, and improve the physical site where the Credit Union branch is to be located; and

WHEREAS, there is a need to construct a landscape planter and sidewalk improvements to a portion of the existing sidewalk area owned by the City of Beacon near the 324 Main Street building, which will enhance the rear ingress/egress into and from the proposed branch; and

WHEREAS, there is a further need to fence off the sidewalk area in the rear of the parking lot to assist in the contraction of the Credit Union branch and engineering closure sketches have been submitted to the City indicating the nature of the proposed construction; Now therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Beacon hereby grants the Credit Union permission to proceed with its plans pursuant to an agreement with the City to construct as set forth above at the 324 Main Street site under the over-all supervision and control of the City of Beacon Building Inspector, subject to the Credit Union maintaining a liability and damage insurance policy naming the City of Beacon as an additional insured in the amount of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence and $3,000,000 in the aggregate, and that the Credit Union shall comply with the State Environment Quality Review Act and all other applicable laws and regulations in its proposed construction at the site and agree to an easement for sidewalk access at the site under appropriate terms and conditions.

Motion to grant permission to proceed with plans: Council Member Casale. Seconded: Council Member Thompson.

Council Member Pasti: I just want to say that I am glad to see that building is being developed and is going to be used. It has been vacant for a while and I hope this leads to other buildings on Main Street also being developed.

Mayor Steve Gold: We expect to have more activity on Main Street because of the Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union being there. They usually do have quite a crowd in their locations. It will be really positive for Main Street.

All voted in favor. Motion carried.

4. Resolution No. 112 of 2008 - Authorize Mayor to sign Agreement between the City of Beacon Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, Inc. for Lease of White House at University Settlement Camp.

WHEREAS, the City of Beacon (“City”) has proposed an agreement with Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, Inc. (“Clearwater”) for the lease of the White House site at the University Settlement Camp, and

WHEREAS, pursuant to a management agreement with the NYS Office of Parks and Recreation and Historic Preservation the City has the right to sublease the area and structure, and

WHEREAS, Clearwater has responded to the City’s general Request for Expression of Interest with a plan for the proposed use of the White House facility, and

WHEREAS, Clearwater is an internationally renowned organization promoting and undertaking environmentally sound projects, environmental education and leadership training, and local job opportunities in the environmental field and operates a sailing vessel known as the “Clearwater” for training and participation in environmental activities sailing on the Hudson River at and near the City, and

WHEREAS, Clearwater’s use of the White House facility will provide enhanced environmental, educational and related benefits for the City’s residents, and will create property improvements to the site, and

WHEREAS, the proposed lease agreement sets forth terms and conditions consistent with the requirements of the State of New York and the City of Beacon codes and procedures of the site including any appropriate environmental review,

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Beacon Mayor is authorized to sign the agreement with Clearwater for the lease of the White House site at University Settlement Camp.

Motion to sign agreement with Clearwater for lease of White House at USC. Council Member Kelly. Seconded: Council Member Thompson.

Discussion/Comments:

Council Member Casale: I have a couple of questions that I would like to ask. One constituent tonight asked if they would be able to move in before the work is up to code. Are we going to have an answer to that? Answer from City Administrator: The answer is "NO". The other is: In the contract it says at Clearwater's Expense including the utilities. Clearwater will operate and maintain the white house at Clearwater's expense including utilities. Are there meters up on that building for all utilities or how are they going to pay the utilities?

City Administrator Robson: We have put in the water meters but the lines have to be re-done which Clearwater will have to do. We had that conversation with them just this afternoon about the separation of utilities. The electric and the water will all be separate.

Council Member Casale: And the last thing I want to say is that I had a tough time with this contract in the beginning and I asked many questions. As for Clearwater being up there I think it is good for the City of Beacon. I think that getting the white house off our hands is a plus because like Tim Dexter had said, it is a money pit. There are a few things in the contract that I would like to see different. I guess we negotiated the best deal we possibly could get with them. We tried at every angle I just want to say that I am going to be for this contract because overall I think it is in the best interest of the city and I don't want to be obstinate and hold it up. In the end, it is the best interest for the city because the white house is a money pit. I believe that with Clearwater there, we will get the best buy for our dollar.

Mayor Steve Gold: I do want to add that Randy did challenge every item to make sure that we were getting the best contract that we could get and that was to our benefit. And so did Eleanor. Thank you.

Council Member Kelly: I just want to say that I appreciate both Eleanor and Randy's comments earlier. They did stride to make this the best possible deal. I believe that it is a good deal - it's not a perfect deal. We can come back and revise those things that we feel are not working. I characterize this as the gift that continues to give. You have to remember that we don't own this park. The state owns it. We are renting out property that really belongs to the state. To invest in the property to service primarily the people in Beacon but it will be open for everybody in the state. The issue as to whether we should only barter the rent for structural changes or not for plants, etc., I believe the total image/improvement of the white house is going to serve the interest of the city and its citizens. I just completed building a house and when you contract with a builder, they just build the house. The landscaping and the improvements we put in order to dress up the house makes a big difference on making that an attractive place to go to. I think the white house ultimately will be an attractive place and it will generate more interest. Our desire is to get as many people up in the settlement camp to enjoy the jewels of the city. I think the other jewel of the city is Hiddenbrooke. Anything that is improved will have to have prior approval. This is a major step in moving forward. Keep your minds open and in a few years come back and see if we made the right choice. I believe that we made the right choice and I hope you keep your minds open to that.

Council Member Thompson: I am not going to go into my attitude regarding this contract because we did negotiate it and we do represent a balance of our own positions on things and in this particular contract I think that we fought very hard to make sure that we were doing the best thing. I would like to thank the mayor and the administrator for having an open mind too and listening to some of the thoughts that we had. This contract is not an easy one and it is the beginning of many contracts that we are going to do. I just want to make you aware of the fact that the state actually approved the Clearwater being there 100%. They are ecstatic about it. So, in a sense, this is secondary but they are supporting it. I am hoping and praying that it will all work out the way we want it to. Again I emphasize jobs so I will be right there to see to this. We have graduates from college who are marine biologists and environmentalists and I think this will grow. I am sure that along the way, we will do just fine. You have watchdogs like Randy and myself so you won't have to worry, it is going to be done.

Mayor Steve Gold: Thank you, Eleanor. You and Randy fought very hard to see that we got the best that we could get from this contract and we thank you very much.

Council Member Pasti: I would like to say a few words again. I want to thank Randy and Eleanor because all of us take turns by being vigilant on certain contracts and issues and they were both very thoughtful and very concerned and diligent. Thank you for making that effort. One thing to remember about Clearwater is that they have a reputation in the valley. There are other cities that would be very eager to have Clearwater there. They have no doubt been courting Clearwater to come to their city. I think that we are very lucky when you think of the thousands of people who go to the festivals and participate in Clearwater's activities to see those people coming here is going to be to the benefit of Beacon. As Council Member Kelly said, I hope that the people who are opposed to this will say that this is a great opportunity that has come to us. I think that we are very lucky that the Clearwater will be here and will be taking care of a building that seriously needs a lot of work. I support the project.

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

Mayor Steve Gold: I thank the council for making a wise and thoughtful decision.

5. Resolution No. 113 - Authorize Mayor to sign Agreement between the City of Beacon and Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, Inc. for the one day event of August 6th at the White House site at the University Settlement Camp.

WHEREAS, Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, Inc. ("Clearwater") desires to conduct a one day event on August 6, 2008 at the White House site at the University Settlement Camp managed by the City of Beacon ("City"), and

WHEREAS, Clearwater will join with a Rodale International ("Rodale") volunteer workforce of up to 100 of Rodale employees to work at the White House site on August 6, 2008, and

WHEREAS, the clean-up and repair work projects which Clearwater represents will be undertaken by the Rodale volunteers is of value and will enhance and improve the White House site for the benefit of City of Beacon residents and others, and shall be under the overall supervision of the City Administrator and such project is an exempt action under the State Environmental Quality Review Act,

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Beacon Mayor is authorized to sign an agreement with Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, Inc., for the work projects to take place at the White House Site at the University Settlement Camp on August 6, 2008.

Motion to authorize Mayor to sign agreement with Hudson River Sloop Club for August 6, 2008 at the white house site at USC: Council Member Thompson. Seconded: Council Member Kelly.

Discussion/Comments:

Council Member Casale: The only question I have is: Has all their insurance been agreed to as we said at the workshop?

City Administrator Robson: They have submitted a sample insurance certificate that I am discussing with our insurance broker. They have one million/two million-dollar policy.

Council Member Casale: I think that we should go with whatever our insurance company says. I don't think that we should make any changes. We should go with the one million/three million because that is what the contract has.

City Administrator Robson: I don't think that was an issue. It was the five million dollar umbrella that was.

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

Mayor Steve Gold: That will be interesting to see. I believe there will be 100 volunteers that day.

Council Member Thompson: I have a question. We have children up there. What will we do with those kids?

City Administrator Robson: We had a discussion this afternoon and the work has been scaled back a bit in terms of the scale of the projects so they will be working on garden at the white house and the organic garden up further up the hill and they will be doing some cleaning in the kitchen. We talked about where to park in order to stay away from the public access and the camp access to the pool Patrick Freeman who is our caretaker there will be on site to manage that process so we are pretty comfortable that the separation of activities between that project and the kids at camp. That was a specific issue that we addressed today.

6. To Authorize Sun Up Enterprises, Inc To Complete The Removals And Repairs Determined By The Main Committee On The Main Street Sidewalk Areas In The City Of Beacon

WHEREAS, the Main Street Tree Committee has determined that certain Main Street sidewalk areas in the City of Beacon have trip hazards which require repairs, and

WHEREAS, the City has received a cost estimate for such repairs submitted by Sun Up Enterprises, Inc., dated July 8, 2008, which the City Council finds acceptable.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Sun Up Enterprises, Inc. is hereby authorized to complete the removals and repairs set forth in its July 8, 2008 proposal under the overall supervision of the City’s Highway Superintendent.

Motion to authorize: Council Member Kelly. Seconded: Council Member Pasti.