WPCNR COMMON COUNCIL-CHRONICLE EXAMINER. By John F. Bailey. February 4, 2010: Prior to agreeing to initiate a lawsuit to overturn the police 12-hour patrol work shift settlement of 2008,. as reported exclusively by WPCNR, the Common Council had voted unanimously Monday to establish a Contingency and Tax Stabilization Fund to be a repository for another ¼% increase in the sales tax, dedicated to rebuilding the city depleted fund balance. The groundwork for increasing the city take of every eligible sales tax item to 2-1/2% was first reported by WPCNR last week and the legal framework was established Monday night.
Mayor Bradley noted that the spanking new contingency fund with nothing in it yet, could not be tapped (for city expenses) without a 2/3 vote of the Common Council (5-2). Either Assemblywoman Amy Paulin or the winner of the Democrat, Harckham and Republican Bob Castelli Special Election taking place next Tuesday, February 9 for Mr. Bradley’s former 89th District, seat would carry the ¼% request to Albany in the spring. Harckham has told WPCNR he would support the increase. Mr.Castelli told WPCNR he is withholding a decision on support until he is assured all cost cutting measures by the city have been explored.
The council also implemented a series of budget cuts(including 10 layoffs involving actual filled positions and line item cuts) and elimination of positions totaling $3.3 Million. The layoffs were reported by WPCNR last Friday.
In other action, the council voted to spend $6,000 a year on a system allowing visitors to enhance their “parking experience” by equipping White Plains Parking Garages and parking lot meter kiosks to accept payment for parking via cellphone. Doing so would enable persons to “feed the meter” by dialing the service provider and extending their parking time remotely. There will be a 35 cent additional service fee for the use of this service.
Mayor Bradley promised changes in parking policy were in the making to make White Plains parking less adversarial to visitors to the city.
The Council approved appointments of Adam T. Bergonzi, Steven H. Hochman and Saul Yanofsky to the Budget and Management Advisory Committee and appointed Dennis Power, the Councilman as Chair of the Recreation Advisory Committee. Michael Genito, the new Commissioner of Finance was approved as interim Budget Director. Larry Delgado and Joe Lenchner were dropped from the Budget Committee.
The Council approved a $851,000 expenditure to replace White Plains Public Library windows, but in comments afterwards, they pointed out that $650,800 of the $851,000 was being furnished with “stimulus funds” from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which was achieved through the efforts of Congresswoman Nita Lowey. The council also agreed to issue bonds for a $502,000 “Electrical Upgrade” to the library, which is solely the city responsibility.
The Council approved changes in Department of Recreation and Parks Fees which are expected to raise an additional $180,000 revenue into the city, if usage remains the same.
