Dear neighbor, Here is the 435th installment of Decoding Village Agendas to keep Croton residents informed of the actions of the Village Board at their meetings.  I continue to add recipients to this email update on agendas so you may be receiving it for the first time. I enjoy getting your feedback and hope to continue to hear from you.  If you do not wish to receive these periodic email updates from me, please reply to this email and your name will be removed from the email list.

Ann Gallelli

 

 

Decoding Village Agendas – March 4, 2019

Regular Meeting of the Village Board

8:00 pm

(Open to Public – Televised)

 

 

 

PUBLIC HEARING:  Public Hearing to amend Section 197 of the Village Code, Streets and Sidewalks, to revise the existing sidewalk improvement program and establish a general sidewalk improvement program for the Village. 

The Village is considering reinstituting a sidewalk replacement program of past years. The amendment to the Streets and Sidewalk Law would add a new section taking effect June 1, 2019 and continuing for three years, the Village will cover 40% of sidewalk replacement costs.

 

CORRESPONDENCE:

1. Letter from Glenn Simpson, Little League President, regarding Opening Day Parade.  Mr. Simpson requests the assistance of  the DPW, Police Dept. and Fire Dept. in facilitating the  Opening Day parade and ceremony in Dobbs Park on Saturday, April 13 starting at 9:30 am.
2. Press release and comments from Moody’s Investment Services on the Village maintaining its Aa2 credit rating.    The Village recently refinanced $4.9 million in bonds resulting in savings of future debt payments.  Moody’s ratings of Aa2 (highest for this size municipality) states that “The Aa2 issuer rating reflects the village’s moderate and stabilizing tax base favorably located in Westchester County (Aa1 negative) and strong financial position supported by conservative fiscal policies. The rating also reflects ongoing draws on fund balance for capital expenses, and elevated fixed costs.”

 

PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS:

1. Acknowledge receipt of letter from Ms. Desiree Drapala, owner of Happy Hearts Take Two, requesting an expansion of the special permit for her business located at 365 South Riverside Avenue and refer such application to the Planning Board for review.   The proposed expansion at the site calls for replacing the portion of it with an automotive repair business with ten ( 10) classrooms for children enrolled at Happy Hearts. 
2. Consider authorizing the Village Manager to accept the proposal from Provident Design Engineering of Hawthorne, New York, to conduct a traffic study around the intersection of Grand Street and Old Post Road South for an amount not to exceed $5,900.   At the request of the Bicycle Pedestrian Committee, the Board would like to gain a better understanding of traffic patterns at the intersection named.  Thirteen proposals were received in response to a RFP for a study. This Study will include a written text of the study describing the study methodology and findings as well as a discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of the different methods of vehicular and pedestrian traffic control along with our recommendations.
3. Consider authorizing the Village Treasurer to publish the list of unpaid taxes for the fiscal year 2018-19.  Annually, in accordance with the NYS Real Property Tax Law, the Village publishes notice of all unpaid property taxes.  There are 39 properties on the list. The total of taxes owed is $90,191.50.  With the addition of penalties the amount is $101,014.46.
4. Consider amending the Master Fee Schedule to establish vendor fees for Summerfest.  This year the Village will be taking over the allocation of vendors spaces at Summerfest.  The proposed vendor fees are categorized into three categories:  General vendor, Food and Beverage vendor, non-profit.  Discounted Early Bird fees of $75, $100, and $40, respectively, are available for signups prior to May 1.  Slightly higher fees apply after that date.
5. Consider authorizing the Village Manager to sign an Inter-Municipal Agreement with the Town of Cortlandt providing for the advertisement of bids by the Town’s Purchasing Director for the period of January 1, 2019, through December 31, 2019.   This is an annual shared services agreement with the Town allowing the Village to share in bids for items needed by both entities.
6. Consider authorizing the Village Manager to sign an Inter-Municipal Agreement with the City of Peekskill, Towns of Cortlandt and Philipstown and the Village of Buchanan providing for the sharing of equipment and vehicles for the period of January 1, 2019, through December 31, 2019.   This is an annual shared services agreement among the above entities  allowing for sharing equipment when applicable
7. Consider authorizing the Village Manager to execute a revised proposal with Peter Gisolfi Associates of Hastings-on-Hudson, New York, for the purposes of creating an additional concept design for the renovation and alteration of the first floor of the Municipal Building at an additional amount of $2,000.   Gisolfi has been previously engaged to provide concept plans for the modernization and renovation of the Police Dept. located in the Municipal Building. New requirements resulting from Raise The Age Legislation by NYS has added to space requirements. Gisolfi would include the revised requirements in their concept plans which would encompass the first floor of the Municipal Building.  The increase in expenditure would be $2,000.
8. Consider authorizing the Village Treasurer to make an interfund transfer in the amount of $9,513.56 to provide funding for the NYS Volunteer Firefighter Cancer Benefit Program.  New York State has imposed an unfunded mandate that Cancer liability coverage be provided to eligible members of volunteer fire departments.  The Village has obtained this coverage for $9,513.56 but it was not budgeted in the 2018/2019 Budget.  The amount would be taken from the Contingency Account.
9. Consider authorizing the Village Treasurer to amend the 2018-2019 General Fund Budget in the amount of $3,328.67 for monies received from insurance recovery.   This is budget housekeeping that reflects the recovery of money from storm-related computer damage in July 2018.