Commission on Property Tax Relief Hears Testimony in Yonkers

YONKERS, NY — The Commission on Property Tax Relief held its
eleventh hearing today in Yonkers. 

The hearing was led by Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi,
Chairman of the Commission on Property Tax Relief.

The experts and interested parties that testified today included
representatives of school districts, local governments, nonprofit
organizations and taxpayers.  As the Commission works to provide relief to
property owners and reduce local costs, the hearings are designed to gather
information on issues that the Commission identified in its Preliminary
Report as needing special consideration: Special Education, School District
Mandate Relief and the impact of property taxes on the Big Four Large City
Dependent School Districts.  For the Yonkers Hearing, the Commission
invited testimony on these topics, as well as on BOCES and School District
Consolidation issues.

“In the face of a statewide and national fiscal crisis, Governor Paterson
has shown extraordinary leadership while continuing to champion a property
tax cap that would provide substantial relief to taxpayers statewide,” said
Commission Chairman Suozzi.  “New York’s local taxes are the highest in the
nation, which is particularly crushing during this time of economic
downturn.  Outside of New York City, 62 percent of property taxes are
school property taxes, and there are only three ways to address rising
school costs – reduce expenses in school districts, increase state aid for
education or continue to increase school property taxes.  The third can no
longer be an option and the Governor’s cap would provide taxpayers with
that assurance.”

Data released last month by the Census Bureau showed that Westchester
County has the highest household property taxes of any county in the
nation, with Nassau and Rockland Counties also in the top ten. The data
also showed Nassau, Westchester, Rockland and Putnam Counties are ranked in
the nation’s top ten for the amount of property taxes paid as a percentage
of income.  In addition, the nation’s seven counties with the highest
effective tax rates are in Upstate New York: Niagara, Monroe, Chautauqua,
Wayne, Oswego, Onondaga, and Erie Counties.

In June, Governor Paterson introduced legislation to cap the growth of
school property taxes, which was passed by the Senate in August. The
legislation would cap the growth at a level that allows for reasonable
growth of school expenses, while allowing for new construction and
protecting capital expenditures already approved by voters. The cap would
put voters in control of their school taxes. Voters could choose to
increase their local school taxes past the capped amount by “overriding”
the cap at the ballot box; alternatively, if voters decide to spend less,
they could enact an “underride” of the cap.

New York State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins said, "The Commission’s
preliminary recommendations provided an excellent foundation for
discussions regarding much-needed relief for property taxpayers.  I
appreciate that the Commission is taking the next step to hear the
perspectives of my constituents and individuals statewide.   I look forward
to working with the Commission, my community and my fellow legislators to
arrive at real strategies for property tax relief and school district
mandate relief that will benefit all communities across our state,
including the taxpayers and the children of Yonkers and the other Big Four
Large City School Districts."

Merryl Tisch, Vice Chancellor of the New York State Board of Regents and
Commission member, said, “Since January, the Commission has maintained a
focus on quality education for our children, and the testimony we’ve heard
today provides us with a broad base of perspectives and insights.  It is
critical during these times of fiscal restraint that we identify
opportunities for cost reduction and mandate relief while continuing to
ensure a high quality education for all children.”

Commission member Michael Solomon, a municipal finance expert, said, "Two
of the main drivers of school district costs are special education and
mandates.  As a resident of Westchester, I know first-hand the impact of
property taxes on working families here.  The Commission is taking crucial
steps to provide necessary relief so that families and businesses can
thrive and prosper here and across the state."

Phil Amicone, Mayor of Yonkers, said "New York‘s crushing property tax
burden is one of the biggest contributing factors to the flight of middle
class jobs and small businesses out of our state, and it must be addressed
on a statewide level if we are to once again become competitive in the
region and around the world.  No matter what we do on the local level, if
the growing problem of state mandates, education funding, and health care
costs aren’t tackled by our leaders in Albany, then the problem will
persist.  That’s why I’m encouraged by the steps Governor Paterson and
Commission Chairman Suozzi are taking to build consensus on this crucial
issue."

Lisa Davis, Executive Director of the Westchester Putnam School Boards
Association, said, "School districts are faced with a staggering array of
mandates from the state and federal level, the costs of which are
inevitably passed on to taxpayers.  During this current fiscal downturn,
the volatility of the stock market will have a significant impact on
schools and taxpayers, particularly in regard to New York State‘s
defined-benefit pension costs.  We find the Commission’s recognition of
these and other local cost drivers to be critical to any discussion of
school property tax relief."

Background on the Commission

The Commission on Property Tax Relief was established by Executive Order
No. 22 in January, 2008 to investigate and make recommendations regarding:

* Root causes of the high property tax burden, including unfunded
      mandates and local expenditures;
* Impacts of increased state aid and existing property tax relief
      programs;
* Effectiveness of property tax caps in other states and, potentially,
      in New York; and
* The most effective means to impose a limit on school property tax
      growth without adversely impacting the ability of school districts
      to provide a quality education to all students.

The Commission members are Chairman Thomas R. Suozzi; Nicholas J. Pirro,
former Onondaga County Executive; Paul A. Tokasz, former Majority Leader of
the State Assembly; Merryl H. Tisch, Vice Chancellor, State Board of
Regents; Shirley Strum Kenny, President, Stony Brook University; and
Michael Solomon, municipal finance expert.  The special advisors to the
Commission are Elizabeth Lynam, Citizens Budget Commission; Robert Ward,
Nelson A. Rockefeller Institute of Government; Lisa Donner, Center for
Working Families; Karen Scharff, Citizen Action of New York; and Sandra
Parker, Rochester Business Alliance.

The Commission released its Preliminary Report in June. The primary
recommendation of the Commission was a cap on the growth of school property
taxes. The Commission also recommended that, once the cap is enacted, a
circuit breaker be put in place, as well as more than 20 recommendations to
reduce mandates on school districts and address the root causes of high
property taxes.

The Final Report will be submitted by December 1, 2008.

Westchester County To Control Odor At Yonkers Joint Waste Water Treatment Plant

WHITE PLAINS, NY — Longstanding odor concerns at the Yonkers Joint Waste Water Treatment Plant will be addressed as per legislation advanced in today’s vote by Yonkers Legislators Jose Alvarado (D-Yonkers) and Ken Jenkins (D - Yonkers)

County Legislator Alvarado, Budget and Appropriations Chairman, said “at my request, the County commissioned a study to identify sources of odor.  Several people around the plant participated by having the odor meters installed at their homes.  

The results of that study were presented to the residents by the engineers scrutinizing the plant and we will be following their recommendations to continue to improve the quality of life around the plant.”  

The Yonkers Joint Water Treatment Plant is in his district.

County Legislator Jenkins, Government Operations Chairman, said “Legislator Alvarado and I have been working on controlling the odor at the Yonkers Treatment Plant for a long time and we are both committed to continuing to be vigilant in addressing concerns at the treatment plant.  I am pleased that work on these projects will begin immediately.”

The County Board of Legislators passed all of the required legislation, including several bond acts, to address the ongoing odor concerns.  

The first bond act will fund the design and construction of heating, ventilating and air conditioning improvements and the installation of an odor control system at the screen and grit building.  

In conjunction with that measure, an additional bond act was passed to finance the cost of the design and construction for modifications and upgrades to odor control facilities at the Plant, as well as the installation of an odor control system at the Ludlow Street Pump Station. 

A final bond act was passed to repair and upgrade the Alexander Street influent structure and the North Yonkers Pump Station tower.  The County Board also approved an IMA (Intermunicipal Agreement) with the City of Yonkers for repairs to several lines of municipal sewers that have a direct impact on the Plant.

Legislators Alvarado and Jenkins thanked all of their colleagues for their support of funding for this vital part of the County infrastructure.

Education Committee Meeting Scheduled for October 23, 2008

YONKERS, NY – Education Chair and Majority Leader Sandy Annabi has advised that she will conduct an Education Committee Meeting Thursday, October 23, 2008 at 5:00 PM and conclude promptly at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers, City Hall, 4th Floor.

The following item(s) will be on the Agenda: 

1.      Resolution – requesting the Yonkers Public
Schools Administration provide an update on the School District’s
finances, and any plans to mitigate government finance shortfalls.

2.      Any additional items that may properly come before this Committee.

Planned Treated Sewage Discharge Monday

YONKERS, NY — The Westchester County Department of Health is notifying boaters and marinas on the Hudson River that there will be a controlled discharge of several million gallons of screened and chlorinated raw sewage into the Hudson River between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m. on Monday, October 20, 2008, weather conditions permitting. 

The treated sewage bypass is needed so that the
flange gasket on the North Yonkers trunk sewer line can be replaced,
thereby avoiding a potential major sewage spill. The repairs are
planned for the time when sewage flows through these sewer pipes are
lowest to minimize the discharge.

The flange gasket was last replaced in 2001.

As a precaution, boaters and people who use the waters from Tarrytown to the Bronx for
recreational purposes should avoid direct contact with the water on
Monday. An advisory is being issued to marinas located on the Hudson River as well as to county and local police departments.  

Real Estate Committee Meeting to Convene October 16, 2008

YONKERS, NY – Notice was sent yesterday advising that a Real Estate Committee Meeting has been scheduled for today, Thursday, October 16, 2008 at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers, City Hall, 4th Floor.

The following items will be on the Agenda:

* Resolution – approving the recommendation of the
Landmarks Preservation Board and designating the former Health Center
Building, 87 Nepperhan Avenue, as a landmark, pursuant to Section 45-5
of the Code of the City of Yonkers.

* Presentation on 87 Nepperhan Avenue by the
applicant of the landmarking application, originally filed with the
Landmarks Board.

* Presentation on the costs and benefits of alternative development proposals
for 87 Nepperhan Avenue by SFC

YONKERS TRIBUNE: Councilmember Gronowski Cites Administration for Ignoring Constituent Outreach

YONKERS, NY –Yonkers Third District Councilmember Joan Gronowski has criticized the Yonkers Administration for its refusal to allow departmental representation at a Town Hall meeting she held in the Northwest section of the 3rd District last evening, with more than ninety residents present.  Although the city allowed for the attendance of 4th Precinct Police Captain Sal DiMaggio, they refused Gronowski’s request for representation from the Administration, City Engineer’s office, the Bureau of Code Enforcement, and the Police Community Affairs Block Watch.

Gronowski hoped to address several issues that
have been pending for many years, such as the need for alternate egress
for MaryLou Avenue and the problems emergency vehicles have in
navigating that street; complaints received from residents concerning
an unlicensed amateur radio tower in the area; issues on upper
Warburton Avenue; and other quality of life issues.  Gronowski said,
“It would have been helpful to have had the proper department
representatives at the Town Hall meeting to be able to answer and
address the residents’ issues together.  Working in partnership with
the City Council is something that the Administration has claimed to be
in the best interest of our residents.

In emails exchanged with Deputy Mayor William
Regan, Gronowski referenced the Amicone Administration’s past practice of
affording this representation to councilmembers through the years for
their respective district Town Hall meetings.  The Deputy Mayor’s
responses to Gronowski indicated that residents should forward any
issues to his office, since “City Departments always give attention to
residents concerns.”  Gronowski said, “The Deputy Mayor’s further
comments state that her Town Hall meeting ‘is not the best use of our
department heads’ time’ as an insult to the residents.”

“I am disappointed," Gronwoski continued, "that this
administration has so marginalized the people of the Third District by
its failure to provide the requested representation, often provided to
other councilmembers.”  Gronowski further noted a marked difference in the
way complaints from her office are handled by the administration, since
her negative vote on passing the Yonkers Budget in June, and her
comments about the city’s refusal to downsize its fleet of take-home
cars despite a gloomy budget forecast for next year.  Gronowski
stressed at her Town Hall meeting that all complaints from City
Councilmembers must be sent to Mayor PhilAmicone,
Deputy Mayor William Regan, and Chief of Staff LisaMirjaj,
with copies to the affected departments.  “Under this strong mayor form
of government, I am not allowed to send any requests directly to a
department head. I have several complaints outstanding which have not
even been acknowledged, let alone resolved, and it is a shame the
residents of my district are suffering the effects of my efforts to
have more accountability in government,” concluded Gronowski.

http://www.yonkerstribune.com/2008/10/councilmember-g

Yonkers City Council Declares FEIS for SFC Yonkers Project Complete

YONKERS, NY — The Yonkers City Council voted 5 -2 in approving as complete, the FEIS (final environmental impact study) for the SFC  Yonkers Inc. Project, a development project comprised of developers Struever, Fidelco, and Cappelli. The vote was conducted last night.

CLUSTER Launches Police/Youth Dialogue Project

YONKERS, NY — The Westchester Mediation Center, a program of CLUSTER Community Services will be announcing the beginning of the Police/Youth Dialogue Project, at a kick-off reception on Tuesday, October 14, 2007 at 5:30PM in the Atrium of the Yonkers Riverfront Library.

The Police/Youth Dialogue is an effort to promote positive collaborations
between young adults and law enforcement officers inYonkers. 

This exciting initiative has been developed by The Westchester Mediation
Center and the Yonkers Police Department.

The project is based on a nationally recognized model call “Study
Circles” which provides a safe space for youth and police to share
their fears, concerns, misconceptions, biases, experiences and hope as
it pertains to change.

Twelve students between the ages of 14 –18 years old, who attend Gorton, Roosevelt and Riverside High Schools and Palisades Prep
have been selected to participate.

As a result of Commissioner Edmund Hartnett’s unflagging support and
encouragement, twelve Yonkers Police Officers have also volunteered to
become involved in these Dialogues.

Tajae Gaynor, Supervisor of School Based Programs for Westchester
Mediation Center stated, “We are tremendously excited about this initiative.

It is a wonderful opportunity for police and young people to speak up
in a constructive and collaborative manner and to learn from one
another.  This is how change begins.”

For more information about the Police/Youth Dialogue Initiative,
please contact Tarjae Gaynor at 914-963-6440, ext. 202.

45 South Broadway Chapter 11 Case Dismissed

YONKERS, NY — The Chapter 11 case regarding 45 South Broadway was dismissed exposing  the owners, Cook and partners, to personal liability to the City of Yonkers for the Section 108 loan

Annabi Seeks Update on Schools to Focus Budget Lobbying Efforts

YONKERS, NY — Yonkers Majority Leader Sandy Annabi, (D – District 2) will be introducing legislation into the City Council at tonight’s Rules Committee meeting, calling for a meeting between the Yonkers Schools Administration and the Council’s Education Committee. As Education Chair, she is seeking an update on the School District’s financial status, future outlook, and planned direction, given the dire economic forecasts and uncertain fiscal climate in the State.

Annabi said, “Our School District provides over
25,000 students with educational services, in conjunction with
initiatives to address student needs in the areas of guidance, social
work, health, and enrichment in the arts and competitive sports. Our
School District has had a long-term struggle with securing funding, and
the current fiscal conditions in New York State deeply affect the
projections for the City of Yonkers and our School District.”

Annabi stressed,  “Now is
the time to gather our resources, and find ways to buttress the
District against the coming financial crisis. To ensure that the
District survives the coming turbulence, Yonkers must plan and
strategize in advance of the worst of the coming budget crunch. The
City Council requires an update on the status of and the projections
for the Yonkers Public Schools, encompassing the remainder of the
current and coming budget year.”

“I have full faith that meeting with the
Superintendent and his budget team to cooperatively review the state
and direction of the School District will enhance and can better focus
legislative efforts to lobby for our School District,” Annabi concluded.

The next Council Rules Committee meeting is set
for 6:30 pm on, Tuesday, October 07, 2008 in the City Council
Conference Room on the Fourth Floor of City Hall.