MINUTES BOARD OF TRUSTEES VILLAGE HALL CONFERENCE ROOM 222 GRACE CHURCH STREET VILLAGE OF PORT CHESTER, NEW YORK MEETING HELD TUESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2018 at 6:00 PM Meeting was called to order by Mayor Falanka followed by The Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Falanka welcomed all present. PRESENT: Mayor Richard A. Falanka Deputy Mayor Luis A. Marino Trustee Gregory K. Adams Trustee Daniel U. Brakewood Trustee Eugene R. Ceccarelli Trustee Bart A. Didden Trustee Francis Ferrara Via Skype ALSO PRESENT: Village Clerk, Janusz R. Richards Village Manager, Christopher Steers Village Treasurer, Leonie Douglas Director of Planning & Development, Eric Zamft Village Corporation Counsel, Anthony Provenzano Village Attorney, Anthony Cerreto Human Resource Officer, Ed Brancati Assistant to the Village Manager, Pamela J. Tarlow It should be noted that Trustee Adams left the meeting at 10:00 p.m. and Trustee Marino left the meeting at 10:07 p.m. On motion of TRUSTEE CECCARELLI, seconded by TRUSTEE MARINO, the meeting was declared opened at 06:14 p.m. AYES: Trustees Didden, Brakewood, Ferrara, Adams, Ceccarelli, Marino and Mayor Falanka. ABSENT: None. BOARD OF TRUSTEE MEETING 01/30/2018 1
MAYOR FALANKA asked for a motion to consider an add-on Executive Session to consult with Village Attorney, Village Corporation Counsel and Special Counsel, Justin Miller regarding the Bulkley Drain. There being no objection on motion of TRUSTEE MARINO, seconded by TRUSTEE BRAKEWOOD, the following motion was adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Port Chester, New York receiving a unanimous vote of those present. AYES: Trustees Didden, Brakewood, Ferrara, Adams, Ceccarelli, Marino and Mayor Falanka. ABSENT: None. At 06:15 p.m., on motion of TRUSTEE BRAKEWOOD, seconded by TRUSTEE MARINO the Board adjourned into an executive session to consult with Village Attorney, Village Corporation Counsel and Special Counsel, Justin Miller regarding the Bulkley Drain. AYES: Trustees Didden, Brakewood, Ferrara, Adams, Ceccarelli, Marino and Mayor Falanka. ABSENT: None. ALSO PRESENT: Village Clerk, Janusz R. Richards Village Manager, Christopher Steers Village Treasurer, Leonie Douglas Director of Planning & Development, Eric Zamft Village Corporation Counsel, Anthony Provenzano Village Attorney, Anthony Cerreto Assistant to the Village Manager, Pamela J. Tarlow Human Resource Officer, Ed Brancati Attorney, Justin Miller via Phone No action was taken in executive session. BOARD OF TRUSTEE MEETING 01/30/2018 2
At 07:00 p.m., a motion to come out of executive session was made by TRUSTEE CECCARELLI, seconded by TRUSTEE MARINO, the Board of Trustees closed the executive session. AYES: Trustees Didden, Brakewood, Ferrara, Adams, Ceccarelli, Marino and Mayor Falanka. ABSENT: None. WORK SESSION Downtown Waterfront Enhancement Local Improvement Area Eric Zamft, AICP, Director of Planning & Economic Development, provided the Board with the following statement and a presentation below. Over the course of the last twenty years, a number of Village planning documents have identified the train station, downtown, and the Byram River waterfront as the crown jewel of Port Chester, and represent the main economic engine for the Village. The Village s 2012 Comprehensive Plan, 2014 Economic Development Strategic Plan, and 2017 Strategic Plan all recommend that strategies be put in place to leverage and maximize the opportunities that these areas present to attract new investment, encourage redevelopment and smart growth, and help to further the revitalization of the Village. In its 150 th Anniversary, there are a number of new initiatives already underway which seek to implement the strategies identified in the Village s adopted planning documents. These include: Development of a downtown streetscape plan Reconstruction of the Marina bulkhead with transient boating slips New gateway signage Parking directional signage New form-based zoning New LED street lighting Parking and mobility improvements Bicycle and pedestrian enhancements BOARD OF TRUSTEE MEETING 01/30/2018 3
These improvements have an opportunity to make a transformative impact to downtown and the waterfront. In the past, the Village helped to fund improvements like these along North and South Main Street through the creation of a special assessment taxing district. Once completed, these enhancements helped lay the foundation for the economic resurgence of the Village, which continues apace with the appellation the Restaurant and Entertainment Capital of Westchester County. Based upon discussion with the Board, the Board requested that staff prepare information and a draft resolution regarding the possibility of creating a special district to help fund such improvements as described above. Attached hereto is a memorandum which describes the legal authority for a taxing district, the process by which one is created, a potential list of improvements and total estimate of costs, various boundary district scenarios, and a staff recommendation for moving forward. PRESENTATION BOARD OF TRUSTEE MEETING 01/30/2018 4
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MOTION FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION At 08:10 p.m., on motion of TRUSTEE MARINO, seconded by TRUSTEE ADAMS, the Board adjourned into an executive session to discuss particular persons in the Village Manager s office. AYES: Trustees Didden, Brakewood, Adams, Ceccarelli, Marino and Mayor Falanka. ABSENT: Trustee Ferrara. No action was taken in executive session. At 09:20 p.m., a motion to come out of executive session was made by TRUSTEE ADAMS, seconded by TRUSTEE MARINO, the Board of Trustees closed the executive session. BOARD OF TRUSTEE MEETING 01/30/2018 12
AYES: Trustees Didden, Brakewood, Ferrara, Adams, Ceccarelli, Marino and Mayor Falanka. ABSENT: None. Following the Executive Session the Board went over a February 5, 2017, proposed resolution on Formalizing a process of encouraging public engagement and participation with regard to the consideration of the options of governance/voting methods for Trustee in the Village election. Additionally the Board discussed the presentation of Dr. Robert Smith, Professor of Sociology at Baruch College who will share his findings regarding politics in Port Chester with the Board and the public at our February 5, 2017, Board of Trustees meeting. Mayor Falanka asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting. On a motion of TRUSTEE FERRARA, seconded by TRUSTEE CECCARELLI, the meeting was adjourned at 10:20 p.m. AYES: Trustees Didden, Brakewood, Ferrara, Ceccarelli and Mayor Falanka. ABSENT: Trustees Adams and Marino. Respectfully submitted, Janusz R. Richards Village Clerk BOARD OF TRUSTEE MEETING 01/30/2018 13