Documents

minutes 14 pages

Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Croton-on-Hudson, NY, held on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, in the Georgianna Grant Meeting Room at the Stanley Kellerhouse Municipal Building, Van Wyck Street, Croton-on-Hudson, NY 10520. 1. Mayor Pugh asked for a moment of silence in memory of Lance Amato, a member of the Conservation Advisory Council, who recently passed away. Mayor Pugh called the meeting to order at 6:00pm and led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance. Trustee Nicholson made a motion to approve the following Fiscal Year Vouchers, Claims numbered 24253422-24253799. The Motion was seconded by Trustee Simon and approved with a 5-0 Vote. $549,571.34 Water Fund $45,894.87 Sewer Fund $207,170.95 Capital Fund $477,281.01 3. RESPONSES TO QUESTIONS SUBMITTED BY EMAIL - none. 4. PUBLIC COMMENT - AGENDA ITEMS Michael Mamone, 19 Young Avenue, Croton on Hudson, spoke out against the Village purchasing more electric car charging stations and does not support the Village considering the purchase of additional electric Police vehicles. Resolution approving the Consent Agenda On motion by Trustee Simon and seconded by Trustee Nicholson the Board of Trustees of the Village of Croton-on-Hudson approved the Consent Agenda. Motion was approved with a 5-0 vote. 5. CONSENT AGENDA: Village Attorney Joshua B. Subin Trustee Politi – Via Zoom Village Treasurer Daniel Tucker Trustee Slippen Village Board of Trustees February 12, 2025 a. CORRESPONDENCE TO THE BOARD: 1. Letter from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation awarding a $20,000 grant to the Village for the 2024 Municipal Zero-Emission Vehicle Rebate Program. 02/89368b4f239f7e82eecf98f595b980585411bded.pdf 2. Email from the New York State Pro-Housing Community Program announcing the program's recertification requirements for 2025. 02/630c8c7b212cd1cde37ba0b763527c6a270018ec.pdf 3. Letter from Paul Rush, Deputy Commissioner, Bureau of Water Supply, NYC Dept. of Environmental Protection, regarding the agency's 2025 initiatives and investments. 02/07ed197037e57874b25227b3e353d56ee30e665e.pdf b. RESOLUTIONS: Resolution #12-2025 On motion of TRUSTEE SIMON and seconded by TRUSTEE NICHOLSON, the following resolution was adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Croton- on-Hudson, New York with a 5-0 vote. WHEREAS the Croton Free Library has requested that the Croton-on-Hudson Police Department establish parking restrictions in its parking lot, and WHEREAS New York State Vehicle & Traffic Law Section 1640-a permits the regulation of traffic at places of public assembly, such as the library, and WHEREAS the parking restrictions will prohibit parking overnight between 9:30 p.m. and 9:30 a.m. daily, except by special permit, and WHEREAS the Conservation Advisory Council has requested that non-profits be able to participate in the Earth Day festival without charge, and Village Board of Trustees February 12, 2025 WHEREAS the Board of Trustees must establish these changes in the Master Fee Schedule, NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Village Board of Trustees hereby amends the 2024-2025 Master Fee Schedule as follows: Earth Day §122-4 Non-profit organizations $0 All other organizations $25.00 Local Parking Permits §215-34 Croton Free Library (for 2024-25) $5.00 §215-34 Croton Free Library (for 2025-26) $10.00 Resolution #13-2025 On motion of TRUSTEE SIMON, seconded by TRUSTEE NICHOLSON, the following resolution was adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Croton-on- Hudson, New York with a 5-0 vote. WHEREAS the property located at 192 Grand Street, known as Sheet 68.17, Block 4, Lot 56 on the tax map of the Village of Croton-on-Hudson, encroaches onto Village-owned property within the Grand Street right-of-way, and WHEREAS the encroachments have existed since at least 1924 without interference with the operation and maintenance of the Village street, and WHEREAS it is in the best interest of the Village of Croton-on-Hudson to formalize the existing encroachment through a license agreement with the owners of 192 Grand Streett, and WHEREAS the License Agreement attached hereto outlines the terms and conditions for the use and occupation of the encroached portion of the Village-owned property by the Licensee, NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Village Manager is hereby authorized to sign the License Agreement with the owners of the property located at 192 Grand Street, subject to review and approval by the Village Attorney, to formalize the existing encroachment as outlined in the agreement attached hereto, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: that the Village Manager and the Village Attorney are hereby authorized to execute an assignment of said license agreement to the parties currently in contract to purchase the 192 Grand Street parcel. February 12, 2025 Resolution #14-2025 On motion of TRUSTEE SIMON, seconded by TRUSTEE NICHOLSON, the following resolution was adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Croton-on- Hudson, New York with a 5-0 vote. WHEREAS New York State enacted legislation in 2012 that established a “property tax cap” on the amount that a local government’s property tax levy can increase each year, and WHEREAS under this law, the total amount to be raised through property taxes charged on the municipality’s taxable assessed value of property, is capped at 2% or the rate of inflation, whichever is less, with some exceptions, and WHEREAS the rate of inflation this year has been set by the State Comptroller’s Office at 2.99% for municipalities operating on a June through May fiscal year, and WHEREAS the state legislation provides for local governments to override the cap to protect the Village from unforeseen financial circumstances, and WHEREAS the state legislation requires that in the event an override is necessary, the law enabling it must already have been adopted by the Board of Trustees, and WHEREAS Local Law Introductory No. 1 of 2025 has been drafted to override the “property tax cap” law enacted by State Legislature, if necessary, NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Village Board of Trustees hereby calls for a Public Hearing on February 26, 2025, at 7:00 PM in the Georgianna Grant Meeting Room of the Stanley H. Kellerhouse Municipal Building to consider Local Law Introductory No. 1 of 2025 to override the “property tax cap” law enacted by State Legislature. Resolution #15-2025 On motion of TRUSTEE SIMON, seconded by TRUSTEE NICHOLSON, the following resolution was adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Croton-on- Hudson, New York with a 5-0 vote. WHEREAS the winter season has been colder than normal, resulting in high heating costs at Village facilities, and WHEREAS additional funding is required in the Parks budget to cover the expenses of heating the Gouveia Park building, Village Board of Trustees February 12, 2025 NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Village Board hereby authorizes the Village Treasurer to transfer $3,000 from Contingency Account A1990.4000 to the following account: A7110.4310 – Parks – Heating Oil. Resolution #16-2025 On motion of TRUSTEE SIMON, seconded by TRUSTEE NICHOLSON, the following resolution was adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Croton-on- Hudson, New York with a 5-0 vote. WHEREAS the boiler at the DPW garage recently required emergency repairs, and WHEREAS the emergency repairs were extensive and not fully budgeted in the 2024-2025 fiscal year, NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Village Board hereby authorizes the Village Treasurer to transfer $8,175 from Contingency Account A1990.4000 to the following account: A1640.4000 – Garage – Contractual. c. Approval of Minutes Motion to approve the minutes, as amended, of the Regular Meeting held on January 22, 2025, was made by Trustee Simon. The motion was seconded by Trustee Nicholson and approved with a 5-0 vote. Motion to approve the minutes of the Work Session held on February 5, 2025, was made by Trustee Simon. The motion was seconded by Trustee Nicholson and approved with a 5-0 vote. 6. PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS: Resolution #17-2025 On motion of TRUSTEE NICHOLSON, seconded by TRUSTEE SIMON, the following resolution was adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Croton-on- Hudson, New York with a 5-0 vote. WHEREAS the Village Board of Trustees wishes to amend Chapter 230, Zoning, of the Village Code to update various provisions, and WHEREAS Local Law Introductory No. 12 of 2024 has been drafted for such purposes, and Village Board of Trustees February 12, 2025 WHEREAS on October 9, 2024, the Village Board of Trustees declared itself Lead Agency for SEQRA purposes, and WHEREAS the Village Board held a public hearing to consider Local Law Introductory No. 12 of 2024, which was opened and closed on January 22, 2025, and WHEREAS on January 22, 2025, the Village Board of Trustees undertook the process and review described in detail in Parts 2 and 3 of the EAF “Determination of Significance” attached hereto, and WHEREAS the Village Board has received a recommendation of consistency from the Waterfront Advisory Committee with the Village’s Local Waterfront Revitalization Program, and WHEREAS the Village Board must make its own determination of consistency with the LWRP policy standards and conditions, and WHEREAS on January 22, 2025, the Village Board reviewed the LWRP Policy standards and conditions, and found no policies or conditions to be applicable, NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Village Board of Trustees confirms its determination that the Proposed Action complies with the policy standards and conditions set forth in the Village’s LWRP, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Village Board of Trustees hereby issues and adopts the EAF Parts 2 and 3 Determination of Significance attached hereto and adopts a Negative Declaration in connection with this action, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Village Board of Trustees hereby adopts Local Law Introductory No. 12 of 2024, to amend Chapter 230, Zoning, of the Code of the Village of Croton-on-Hudson to update various provisions, which upon adoption becomes Local Law No. 3 of 2025. Mayor Pugh stated that while he is in favor of making an amendment to this law based on feedback they received from the public, he believes that the best course of action at this time is to adopt the current version and amend it at a later time. Trustee Simon stated that he concurs with the Mayor, the Board has spent a good deal of time on all of the provisions and supports moving forward in light of all the work that has been done by the Planning Board, Local Waterfront Committee and Village Board of Trustees February 12, 2025 others and we can certainly continue to look at this to see if we can improve it later on. Resolution #18-2025 On motion of TRUSTEE SIMON, seconded by TRUSTEE NICHOLSON, the following resolution was adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Croton-on- Hudson, New York with a 5-0 vote. WHEREAS the Village of Croton-on-Hudson wishes to have the legal authority to lease certain sports field fences for advertisements, and WHEREAS the authority would be granted to the following locations: Dobbs Park, Duck Pond Park and Firefighters Memorial/David J. Manes Fields, and WHEREAS Assemblywoman Dana Levenberg has introduced bill A810 in the State Assembly to permit the Village to lease certain sports field fences for advertisements, and WHEREAS State Senator Peter Harckham will be introducing a companion bill in the State Senate regarding same, and WHEREAS the Village is required to formally submit a home rule request to the legislature, NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: that the Village Board of Trustees hereby requests permission to lease certain sports field fences in the Village of Croton-on- Hudson under the state’s home rule authority, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this home rule request be sent to State Assemblywoman Dana Levenberg and State Senator Peter Harckham. Trustee Nicholson asked if we have always needed Home Rule for these advertisements. Village Manager Healy stated that there is a bit of a grey area in the law, and a number of municipalities in recent years have sought Home Rule Legislation just to make sure that they are on solid ground. Resolution #19-2025 Village Board of Trustees February 12, 2025 On motion of TRUSTEE SIMON, seconded by TRUSTEE NICHOLSON, the following resolution was adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Croton-on- Hudson, New York with a 5-0 vote. WHEREAS the Board of Trustees has received from the Treasurer of the Village of Croton-on-Hudson an account of unpaid taxes describing each parcel of real property upon which taxes are unpaid and showing the person or persons in whose name the property is assessed and the amount of unpaid tax, together with a verified statement from the Treasurer that the taxes in such account remain unpaid and that he has been unable to collect same, and WHEREAS the Board of Trustees has compared the amount of unpaid taxes with the original tax rolls and has found the account to be correct and the total amount of taxes, penalties, and charges unpaid to be $83,603.57, NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Trustees hereby gives notice to these property owners about their unpaid tax balances, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: that the Treasurer of the Village of Croton-on-Hudson be and is authorized, empowered and directed to take all action prescribed by law to collect such unpaid taxes through the advertisement and sale of taxes or tax liens pursuant to Section 1455 of the Real Property Tax Law of the State of New York, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: that the Board of Trustees hereby designates March 18, 2025, as the tax lien sale date for the Village of Croton-on-Hudson, New York, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that such sale shall be held on that date at 11 a.m. prevailing time in the Village Treasurer’s office in the Stanley H. Kellerhouse Municipal Building, 1 Van Wyck Street, Croton-on-Hudson, New York, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the advertisement of the notice required by law be inserted in The Gazette, the official newspaper of the Village, and that said notice shall be published once a week for three consecutive weeks, and the last date for publication shall be made on or before the 10th day of March 2025. Village Treasurer Tucker explained that in the early 1990’s the Tax Law changed to permit Villages to continue to hold Tax Lien sales even though most municipalities have chosen to do tax foreclosures, in 2024 the bill to renew the Tax Law was vetoed at the State level and he believed that we had lost our authority, but last Village Board of Trustees February 12, 2025 year the State adopted some updates for procedures and they approved the authority for Villages to continue Tax Lien sales. Resolution #20-2025 On motion of TRUSTEE SIMON, seconded by TRUSTEE NICHOLSON, the following resolution was adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Croton-on- Hudson, New York with a 5-0 vote. WHEREAS the Police Department has been replacing certain gas-powered vehicles in its fleet with electric vehicles, and WHEREAS additional electric vehicles for the Engineering Department and Parking Enforcement are regularly parked at the Municipal Building, and WHEREAS the electric infrastructure in the building has reached its maximum capacity for charging station, and WHEREAS the Dept. of Public Works has estimated that it will cost approximately $18,727 to upgrade the building’s electrical panel, and WHEREAS funding is available in the Village’s sustainable trust account for this purpose, NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Village Board hereby authorizes the expenditure of these funds from the Sustainable Trust Account, T94002. Village Manager Healy emphasized that this resolution is not for the purchase of additional electric vehicle chargers. Village Manager Healy explained that it was determined that the current electric service in the Municipal Building did not have enough power to support additional charging stations and those funds are coming from the DPW Solar Array Trust Account which is earmarked for sustainable initiatives. Resolution #21-2025 On motion of TRUSTEE SIMON, seconded by TRUSTEE NICHOLSON, the following resolution was adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Croton-on- Hudson, New York with a 5-0 vote. February 12, 2025 WHEREAS the Village has received complaints recently regarding the water quality along Lounsbury Road, and WHEREAS the water main in this location is over 80 years old and in need of being re-lined, and WHEREAS WSP USA Inc. of Valhalla, New York, has provided a proposal in the amount of $25,000 to undertake engineering services related to this project, and WHEREAS funding for this expense was not included in the 2024-2025 Water Fund budget, NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: that the Village Board hereby authorizes the Village Manager to accept the proposal from WSP USA Inc. of Valhalla, New York, in the amount of $25,000, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: that the Village Treasurer is hereby authorized to transfer $25,000 from Contingency Account F1990.4000 to the following account: F8340.4000 – Distribution: Contractual. Resolution #22-2025 On motion of TRUSTEE SIMON, seconded by TRUSTEE NICHOLSON, the following resolution was adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Croton-on- Hudson, New York with a 5-0 vote. WHEREAS the NYS Environmental Facilities Corporation has proposed revising the Project Scoring Criteria for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF), and WHEREAS the proposed changes may result in smaller municipalities having more difficulty in accessing funding from the CWSRF, NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Village Manager is hereby authorized to submit a public comment to the NYS Environmental Facilities Corporation on behalf of the Village Board of Trustees in support of revising the scoring criteria to facilitate access by smaller municipalities. Resolution #23-2025 On motion of TRUSTEE SIMON, seconded by TRUSTEE NICHOLSON, the following resolution was adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Croton-on- Hudson, New York with a 5-0 vote. February 12, 2025 AUTHORIZING TAX CERTIORARI SETTLEMENT WITH PETITIONER SO. RIVERSIDE CROTON, LLC. 79.13-2-26 WHEREAS petitions have been filed by the party above challenging real property tax assessments on the Village’s assessment roll, and WHEREAS the petitioner’s court challenge is now pending in Supreme Court, Westchester County, and WHEREAS the Village and petitioner have reached a mutually agreeable resolution and the cost to the Village based on the reductions in assessments is ±$10,354.57, and WHEREAS the Board of Trustees has had an opportunity to review this matter and has been satisfied that the proposed settlement is just, reasonable and in the interest of the Village of Croton-on-Hudson, NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Croton-on-Hudson hereby authorizes the Village’s Special Counsel to execute and sign the attached Consent Order & Judgment, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: that the Village Treasurer is authorized to make the payment to the petitioner as outlined in the Consent Order & Judgment, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: that the payment of $10,354.57 shall be payable from the Village’s Tax Stabilization Reserve Fund. Resolution #24-2025 On motion of TRUSTEE SIMON, seconded by TRUSTEE NICHOLSON, the following resolution was adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Croton-on- Hudson, New York with a 5-0 vote. WHEREAS Con Edison requested police services for their gas-main repair work last year, and WHEREAS police officers are assigned to conduct traffic control, as well as to ensure safety for residents and visitors to the Village, and WHEREAS Con Edison agreed to pay the cost of the overtime for these officers, NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Village Treasurer is authorized to amend the General Fund 2024-2025 budget in the amount of $51,834.78. February 12, 2025 GENERAL EXPENSES Increase Expense A3120.1200 Personnel Services - Overtime $51,834.78 GENERAL REVENUES Increase Revenues A3120.1520 Police Fees $51,834.78 7. PUBLIC COMMENT – NON-AGENDA ITEMS: Michael Mamone, 19 Young Avenue, Croton on Hudson, asked that the sound system be fixed, the dog ordinance and reckless driving be enforced, and addressed his objections to allowing businesses to park in the Harmon area destroying the quality of life for residents in that area, believes that the repaving of Olcott and Oneida Avenue was not necessary, and does not support the repaving of Cleveland Drive. Email from Ed Riely, 110 Truesdale Drive, Croton on Hudson, highlighting his concerns regarding Transit District housing proposals, as well as his concerns for the height of the proposed LOT A project and encouraged the Board to stay with the Planning Board’s recommendations. 8. REPORTS: Trustee Slippen congratulated Ken Jenkins on his election as County Executive, met with the Gouveia Task Force and is pleased that they are moving forward on their various projects, the Library Board met and talked about the parking situation and how the school is making an effort to remind students not to park there, the Arts and Humanities Committee is working on a program to celebrate artists in August, Senator Shelley Mayer will be holding a webinar for municipal officials on Con-Edison’s rate increases, and a webinar will be held tomorrow, hosted by our local County and State Representatives in conjunction with Neighbors Link, on “know your rights and how to function in your community”, in light of the recent changes that could affect our immigrant population. Trustee Nicholson advised that she had the honor to work with Lance Amato, he was dedicated to our Village and in particular to the “dark skies” movement, and hopes that in Lance’s name we continue the good fight for our skies and to make sure that policy goes forward, the Police Advisory Committee and the IDEA committee are working with our Police Department Village Board of Trustees February 12, 2025 to improve and update Police procedures with respect to our local immigrants, the IDEA Committee is also coming up with recommendations on how best to get information out to our immigrant population and a representative from Neighbors Link has been invited to the February 26th Business Meeting to share information as well, the Visual Environment Board met last night and discussed the new sign for Mirage Glass, as well as the rebranding of BP on South Riverside to Citgo, there was also a robust conversation around the Maple Commons clock color, the Recreation Advisory Committee met last night and advised that they will be visiting our parks to make an inventory of what is needed, and the Arts and Humanities Jazz series continues this Sunday, 2pm at the Croton Library. Trustee Simon advised that he attended the New York Conference of Mayors Legislative Conference in Albany last week, they heard presentations from the State Comptroller, Attorney General and Lieutenant Governor, he also attended workshops on housing, economic development, and taxes as well an update on the Governor’s proposed budget, they also met with Assemblywoman Dana Levenberg and Senator Pete Harckham, attended the Westchester Municipal Officials Association meeting where Senate and Assembly representatives spoke to the group about their municipal priorities, met with the Rotary yesterday where they talked about their Student Exchange Program, the Rotary will also be making a contribution to our concert series, thanked everyone who worked and participated on the annual Eaglefest, earlier this week he and Mayor Pugh participated in the 133 anniversary of the Washington Engine Company, on February 8th the Croton River Artisans held a wonderful event in honor of Black History Month featuring the photography of Alan Haywood, the Sustainability Committee met on January 23rd and talked about possible at risk Federal funded programs, on Feb 4th the Planning Board met and discussed the site plan for the 1A Croton Point Avenue project, our next business meeting will be held on March 10th, Historic Hudson Valley will also meet with our local businesses and is delighted to welcome the Croton Grille back to Croton. Mayor Pugh stated that in the Spirit of Lance’s dedication to the Conservation Advisory Council, the Conservation Advisory Council will be co-signing a Monarch Butterfly Protection Pledge, as well as seeking the designation as a “Bee City’ to promote policies that are important to these very important pollinators, the CAC will also be holding a Community Clean-Up day on March 8th, on March 29th a Repair Café is scheduled, and Earth Day is scheduled for Saturday, May 3rd, with a rain date for May 10th. February 12, 2025 Village Manager Healy welcomed his new assistant Amy MacNamara, reminded everyone that offices will be closed next Monday in observance of Presidents Day, and reminded everyone to pay attention to the signs at Duck Pond that will indicate when it is safe for skating. There being no further comments to come before the Board, a motion to close the meeting was made by Trustee Slippen. Motion was seconded by Trustee Simon approved with a 5-0 vote. Meeting adjourned at 6:58PM Respectively submitted, Judy Weintraub, Board Secretary __________________________ Paula DiSanto, Village Clerk