WHITE PLAINS CITIZENETREPORTER SETS RECORD VISITS FOR YEAR 7,017,658 VISITS! 2,098,003 VISITORS MADE 6 VISITS A DAY EVERY DAY. 63,330 UNIQUE VISITORS MADE 133,730 VISITS IN DECEMBER. WPCNR AVERAGED 17,284 VISITORS A WEEK, VISITING 31,270 TIMES.

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WPCNR WHITE PLAINS LAW JOURNAL. Special to WPCNR September 15, 2010:

 Mayor Adam Bradley and his wife, Fumiko Bradley, filed separate claims for divorce with the Westchester County Clerk on Tuesday, according to county online records,  each naming the other as the defendent.

Tonight, WPCNR obtained this statement from Mayor Bradley on the filings, in which he says he would have no further  comment on the matter and disdains that the filings were leaked to the press:

“This week, I filed paperwork to begin divorce proceedings from my wife, a difficult decision that was reached only after exhausting every other recourse.

Divorce is an unfortunate situation that, sadly, impacts many families every day, and obviously this is a difficult moment for my own family.

I was disappointed to learn that details of this have been leaked in a public way, as most families are afforded a modicum of privacy when dealing with a similar situation.

While I understand the public interest given my public profile as Mayor, I want to be very clear that this will be the only time I address this matter. This is an intensely personal situation that will be handled in the appropriate court of law, where hopefully my family’s privacy will be respected.

In the meantime, and as I have done every day since I took office, I will continue my work on behalf of the people of White Plains. My commitment to this city and my devotion to my duties as Mayor are unwavering.”

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WPCNR PHOTOGRAPH OF THE NIGHT. September 13, 2010:

During the September 7 Council meeting last week, the council passed a set of resolutions amending traffic ordinances which have eliminated valet parking in the city. As of Monday evening, the valet parking that was a fixture at City Center in front of Zanaro’s and Legal Seafood after 5 P.M.,  in place since 2003, is no longer in operation.

So long Valets!

For seven years the valet operation in front of Legal Seafoods and the former Zanaro’s through a private firm parked cars dropped in front of the two restaurants for a fee of $5 per car, with attendants parking cars for patrons in vehicles who queued up often 5 to 6 cars deep (which were then parked on either side of Church Street cutting back the lanes on Church Street from 2 to 1),between Main Street and Martine Avenue causing traffic congestion. Now, according to City Hall, there are no more valet parking operations in the city.

 

 

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WPCNR QUILL & EYESHADE. By John F. Bailey. September 12,2010:

 

The August Sales Tax Receipts are in for the City of White Plains showing sales tax receipts up for the month of August, though the sales volume in the city is down about 4%, WPCNR has found.

 

Using figures released by the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance today, White Plains August sales tax  receipts rose  8.5% over August 2009, the third consecutive month the city sales tax receipts have risen. However this increase does not cover the overall 12% proportion increase in the city sales tax rate that went into effect in June. In June the city sales tax rose to 2-1/2%, up from 2-1/4%.

 

If the August 2010 sales volume ( when $3.8 Million in sales tax revenues on that revenuer were generated in White Plains) had stayed even with August 2009 ( $3,474,630.18 in sales tax revenue), the city should have generated $500,000 in additional sales tax in August, rather than the $400,000 additional sales tax revenues the city was credited. This indicates to WPCNR, retail sales volume subject to sales tax within the city declined slightly from August 2009

 

On the county side of the ledger, County sales tax receipts declined from last month by $400,000,  a decline of 1.2%, generating $33,220,412.28 in August 2010 compared to $33,635,339.68 in July.  To date, the County through the first eight months of its 21010 fiscal year has generated $286.7 Million in sales taxes.  Last month the county sales tax receipts had a 7-1/2% upswing which disappeared last month.

 

For one month any way  County hopes of a dramatic surplus over budget sales taxes have had a set back/

 

Should Westchester county generate the $149 Million in sales taxes last four months of the year – the “handle” the county generated in 2009, the county will just about make their budget of $432.6 Million in sales tax receipts, generating a $436 Million sales tax handle.

 

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WPCNR POLICE GAZETTE. From My Sisters’ Place, White Plains. September 7, 2010:  

My Sisters’ Place has hired a legal expert to aid the agency in the sensitive and growing problem of human trafficking.

Laren Pesso  will be a resource to MSP staff and to our community at large as she coordinates the agency’s response to actual and suspected cases of human trafficking.  In addition, she will conduct trainings for law enforcement and community groups, develop strong internal protocols for handling trafficking cases, and draft a best practices guide for domestic violence agencies that are looking to add the work of human trafficking to their mission. 

Ms. Pesso, MSW, MPA carries the official title the of  My Sisters’ Place/LexisNexis/Somaly Mam Foundation Human Trafficking Fellow. 

Ms. Pesso has worked directly with domestic violence victims, as well as in important international research experience around issues of human trafficking, gender-based violence, and women’s health. 

She has held positions with Women’s Political Resource Center as a project manager in Tbilisi, Georgia and Engender Health leading a team of researchers in Uganda in the study of gender based violence.  Her graduate internship posts were at Sanctuary for Families at the Brooklyn Family Justice Center and the Crime Victims Treatment Center at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital. Additionally, she has published and conducted trainings on her experiences abroad working to advance women’s rights.  Ms. Pesso holds joint masters degrees in social work and public administration, with a focus on human rights, from Columbia University.

 

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WPCNR COMMON COUNCIL CHRONICLE-EXAMINER. September 4,2010 UPDATED 10:30 A.M. September 5, 2010:

The White Plains Common Common Council meets Tuesday evening at 7:30 P.M. at City Hall, with several items of interest.

New Metropolitan Plaza Main Street Proposal, according to Council Agenda it includes retail, offce space and a hotel. Details to come in an upcoming work session, council sources say.

The Plaza balconey wraps around overlooking City Place. City Center Garage is in background.

A communication from the Commissioner of Buildng which is scheduled to go out to city departments for review describes a site plan revision for  Metropolitan Plaza construction (currently undergoing a facelift phase diagonally across the street from City Hall, it is property owned by the developer, A.J. Rotundi). The description indicates a beginning of possble economic revival across the street from Wal Mart and city hall, including a small hotel. The item of interest reads in part:

“a site plan application submitted on behalf of Metropolitan Plaza, WP, LLC, for the re-development of the first story at 250-270 Main Street for retail space, the construction of 17,000 square feet of retail space on the second floor, a pedestrian walkway from City Center Garage to Main Street, the construction of 9,000 square feet of office space over existing buildings at 254 – 270 Main Street, the construction of a mechanically operated parking system for up to 150 cars under 250 Main Street, and a Phase II to add an additional six to eight stories of additional hotel rooms or residential units over 150 Main Street

Elizabeth Wallace will have her contract extend through 2016 as Personnel Director.

The council will amend Traffic Ordinances doing away with overnight parking and the hours where one hour and two-hour parking are allowed at parking meters, (details upcoming when backup material is obtained by WPCNR), there is a new round of certioraris affecting the 2011 tax roll.

Councilman David Buchwald explains, “I saw your online article on the upcoming Common Council meeting and wanted to inform you that there is no item on the agenda “doing away with overnight parking.”  You may have seen that the reference to the Traffic Commission Ordinance says that it will amend, among other things, a “No Parking 6:00PM to 6:00AM” provision.  However, this is simply a proposal to change from No Parking 6PM to 6AM to No Parking 6PM to 8AM on a small stretch of Church Street to line up the No Parking restriction with the 15 minute parking zone that begins at 8AM.”

WPCNR notes that there always has been no overnight parking from 2 A.M. to  6 P.M. with courteous exceptions granted. However, police since mid-August, now are only granting relief and requests for overnight parking in the city only in emergencies. The Common Council did not weigh in on that policy change at all, which inconveniences residents when they have overnight guests.

Public hearings involving the granting of cabaret licenses for The Hudson Grille, Sela Salong Lounge, Wicked Wolf Tavern, Black Bear Saloon  and Section 8 guidelines are also scheduled.

The Agenda:

 

COMMON COUNCIL

AGENDA

REGULAR STATED MEETING

September 7, 2010

7:30 P.M.

 

PLEDGE TO THE FLAG:           Hon. Benjamin Boykin

ROLL CALL:                                        City Clerk

APPOINTMENT:

 

1.       Communication from the Mayor in relation to the re-appointment of Elisabeth Wallace as Personnel Director to a term which will expire on September 15, 2016.

ADJOURNED

PUBLIC HEARINGS:

 

2.       Public Hearing in relation to an application submitted by BMS Management Corp. for an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance to allow the parking of commercial vehicles at motor vehicle service stations in the BR-1 District.

PUBLIC HEARINGS:

 

3.       Public Hearing in relation to the application submitted on behalf of 165 Café Corp., (“Applicant”) for a one year Special Permit to operate a cabaret at The Hudson Grille located at 165 Mamaroneck Avenue.

 

4.       Public Hearing in relation to a request submitted by Selah Salon Lounge for a Special Permit for Cabaret Use at 182 East Post Road.

 

5.       Public Hearing in relation to a request submitted on behalf of WPENT Inc., d/b/a Wicked Wolf Tavern for a Special Permit for Cabaret Use at Wicked Wolf at 166 Mamaroneck Avenue.

 

6.       Public Hearing in relation to a request submitted on behalf of WPENT Inc., d/b/a Black Bear Saloon for a Special Permit for Cabaret Use at Black Bear Saloon at 166 Mamaroneck Avenue.

 

7.       Public Hearing in relation to the approval of amendments to the White Plains Section 8 Program Administrative Plan.

FIRST READING

ORDINANCES:

 

8.       Communication from Corporation Counsel in relation to the settlement of various tax review proceedings.

 

9.                 Ordinance authorizing the settlement of certain tax review proceedings.

 

10.     Communication from Commissioner of Public Works in relation to an amendment to the Water Fund Budget in order to encumber funds for goods and service not received by fiscal year end June 30, 2010.

 

11.               Ordinance authorizing the Mayor, or his designee, to direct the Budget Director to amend the FY 2010-2011 Water Fund Budget in order to make payment for outstanding purchase orders and contracts for goods and services that have not yet been received by the end of FY 2009-2010.

 

12.     Communication from Commissioner of Public Works in relation to the closure of a portion of a certain City street and appropriate parking restrictions on September 22, 2010 for a rally to be held by the Service Employees International Union, Inc.

 

13.               Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of White Plains authorizing the closure of a portion of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvdv., near the intersection of Barker Avenue and any appropriate parking restrictions on Saturday, September 22, 2010, for a rally to be held by the Service Employees International Union, Inc.

 

14.     Communication from Commissioner of Public Safety in relation to a grant in the amount of $1,000 from the National Law Enforcement and Firefighter’s Children’s Foundation to support the Public Safety Explorer Program.

 

15.               Ordinance authorizing the Mayor, or his designee, to accept a donation from the National Law Enforcement and Firefighter’s Children’s Foundation to be used for the Public Safety Explorer Program for the purchase of uniforms and to amend the FY 2010-2011 General Fund Budget to reflect said donation.

 

16.     Communication from Commissioner of Public Safety in relation to a grant from Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee in the amount of $15,748.00 to be used in support of the Buckle Up New York Campaign.

17.               Ordinance authorizing the Mayor, or his designee, to enter into a modification agreement accepting a Buckle Up New York Grant from the State of New York Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee and to amend the FY 2010-2011 General Fund Budget to reflect said grant.

 

18.     Communication from Commissioner of Public Safety in relation to a grant from the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program in the amount of $14,456 to be used for the purchase of computers and other programs.

 

19.               Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of White Plains authorizing the Mayor to execute grant documents on behalf of the City of White Plains, including an Inter-municipal Agreement (IMA) for the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program for funds to be used by the Department of Public Safety.

 

20.     Communication from Commissioner of Planning in relation to a Community Development Special Rehabilitation Loan to Habitat for Humanity to be used for the rehabilitation of 10 Odell Avenue.

 

21.               Ordinance authorizing a Community Development Rehabilitation Program Special Rehabilitation Loan not to exceed $100,000 to Habitat for Humanity, Inc., for the rehabilitation of the property located at 10 Odell Avenue pursuant to an agreement with the White Plains Urban Renewal Agency, as owner of the property, and a Special Rehabilitation Loan Agreement with the Community Development Rehabilitation Program.

 

22.     Communication from the Commissioner of Planning in relation to the appropriation of Restore Program Fund Balance to the Restore Revolving Fund.

 

23.               Ordinance amending the Restore Program Fund Budget by appropriating Fund Balance to the Restore Program.

 

24.     Communication from Director, Youth Bureau, in relation to an amendment to a previously adopted ordinance authorizing a contract with the Westchester Workforce Development Academy for Youth (WWDAY) and the Westchester/Putnam Workforce Investment Board to include the authority to contract with those agencies through the County of Westchester Department of Social Services.

 

25.               Ordinance amending an ordinance adopted July 6, 2010 entitled, An ordinance authorizing the Mayor, or his designee, to enter into a contract with the Westchester/Putnam Workforce Investment Board in order to receive a grant to provide Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Youth Employment Services to In-School Youth 14 to 18 years of age.”

 

26.     Communication from Director, Youth Bureau, in relation to an amendment to a previously adopted ordinance authorizing a contract with the Westchester Workforce Development Academy for Youth (WWDAY) and the Westchester/Putnam Workforce Investment Board to include the authority to contract with those agencies through the County of Westchester Department of Social Services.

 

27.               Ordinance amending an ordinance adopted July 6, 2010 entitled, An ordinance authorizing the Mayor, or his designee, to enter into a contract with the Westchester/Putnam Workforce Investment Board in order to receive a grant to provide Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Youth Employment Services to Out-of-School Youth 19 to 21 years of age.”

 

28.     Communication from Deputy Director, Youth Bureau, in relation to a donation from Mr. Stephen Abrams in the amount of $25,000 and a request to amend a previously adopted ordinance to replace the consulting services with authorization to purchase tickets for the event.

 

29.               Ordinance amending an ordinance adopted July 6, 2010 entitled, “An ordinance authorizing the Mayor, or his designee, to accept a donation from Mr. Stephen R. Abrams to support the professional production of “Slow Dance on a Killing Ground” for six performances at the White Plains Performing Arts Center during September 2010 and to enter into a contract for consultant services in this regard.”

 

30.     Communication from Deputy Director, Youth Bureau, in relation to a donation from ShopRite Grocery Stores in the amount of $500 in support of the Growing White Plains Community Agricultural Project Community Gardens at New York Presbyterian Hospital.

 

31.               Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of White Plains authorizing the Mayor, or his designee, to accept, on behalf of the City of White Plains Youth Bureau, a donation from the ShopRite Grocery Stores to support the purchase of supplies for the Community Gardens at New York presbyterian Hospital and to amend the FY 2010-2011 General Fund Budget for the After School Centers to reflect said contributions.

 

32.     Communication from Council Member Buchwald and Council President Roach in relation to an amendment to Section 7-6-16 of the White Plains Municipal Code in relation to the penalty for Solid Waste Violations.

 

33.               Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of White Plains amending Section 7-6-16 of the White Plains Municipal Code in relation to the penalty for Solid Waste Violations.

 

34.     Communication from Council President Roach and Council Members Lecuona and Power, in relation to an Inter-municipal Agreement for the City of White Plains to join the Long Island Sound Watershed Inter-municipal Council (LISWIC).

 

35.               Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of White Plains authorizing the Mayor to execute on behalf of the City of White Plains an Inter-municipal Agreement to join the Long Island Sound Watershed Inter-municipal Council (LISWIC).

 

36.     Communication from Chairman, Traffic Commission, in relation to proposed amendments to the Traffic Ordinance at various locations around the City.

 

37.               Ordinance amending the Traffic Ordinance of the City of White Plains in relation to Parking Meter Zones, No Parking, One Hour Parking, Two Hour Parking, No Stopping at Any Time, No Standing at Any Time, and No Parking 6:00 P.M. To 6:00 A.M.

RESOLUTIONS:

 

38.     Communication from Commissioner of Building in relation to a request for an amendment to a Special Permit for Outdoor Dining at the Porter House Restaurant and Bar, 169 Mamaroneck Avenue, for a reduction in the number of tables and seats in the rear yard, and an application submitted by 165 Café Corp., d/b/a Hudson Grille, 169 Mamaroneck Avenue, for a Special Permit for Outdoor Dining behind the restaurant.

 

39.               Communications from        Design Review Board

40.                                                          Commissioner of Planning

41.                                                          Planning Board

42.                                                          Commissioner of Public Safety

43.                                                          Commissioner of Public Works

44.                                                          Commissioner of Traffic

45.                                                          Traffic Commission

46.                                                          Commissioner of Parking

47.                                                          Westchester County Planning Board (2)

48.                                                          Environmental Officer

 

49.               Environmental Findings Resolution

 

50.               Resolution of the Common Council of the City of White Plains granting the application made on behalf of Porter House Restaurant and Bar for an amendment to its existing Special Permit granted by the Common Council on June 4, 2007, to allow Outdoor Dining in the rear yard located at 163-169 Mamaroneck Avenue by reallocating 13 tables and 52 seats of the approved 27 tables and 108 seats from the Porter House Restaurant and Bar located at 169 Mamaroneck Avenue to the new Hudson Grille located at 165 Mamaroneck Avenue.

 

51.               Resolution of the Common Council of the City of White Plains granting the application made on behalf of 165 Café Corp., d/b/a Hudson Grille, for a Special Permit to allow Outdoor Dining directly behind the bar/restaurant, located at 165 Mamaroneck Avenue, expiring October 31, 2010, subject to the conditions contained herein.

 

52.               Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of White Plains authorizing the execution of license agreement(s) between the City of White Plains and 165 Café Corp., d/b/a Hudson Grille, located at 165 Mamaroneck Avenue.

ITEMS FOR REFERRAL: 

 

53.     Communication from Commissioner of Building in relation to a request submitted by SOMA 107, Inc., d/b/a Cabo, 107 Mamaroneck Avenue, for a one year renewal of a Special Permit Cabaret Use

 

54.     Communication from Commissioner of Building in relation to a site plan application submitted on behalf of Metropolitan Plaza, WP, LLC, for the re-development of the first story at 250-270 Main Street for retail space, the construction of 17,000 square feet of retail space on the second floor, a pedestrian walkway from City Center Garage to Main Street, the construction of 9,000 square feet of office space over existing buildings at 254 – 270 Main Street, the construction of a mechanically operated parking system for up to 150 cars under 250 Main Street, and a Phase II to add an additional six to eight stories of additional hotel rooms or residential units over 150 Main Street

 

55.     Communication from Commissioner of Building in relation to an amendment to a proposed site plan previously submitted in May 2008 on behalf of Westchester Church of Christ, 511 North Street, for an addition to an existing building to add auditorium and classroom space.

 

56.     Communication from the City Clerk in relation to a request submitted on behalf of Crown Atlantic Company LLC, to permit MetroPCS New York, Inc., to co-locate additional antenna on a pre-existing telecommunications facility located on City-owned Property on Reservoir Road (a/k/a Old Road to Kensico), and approval of a tri-party agreement in relation to the same.

 

57.      Communication from Commissioner of Building in relation to an application submitted on behalf of 44 South Broadway Property LLC, (a/k/a Westchester One) for an amendment to a previously approved site plan, to permit the installation of three monument signs on the property located at 44 South Broadway.

 

58.     Communication from Commissioner of Building in relation to an application submitted on behalf of Westchester Healthcare Properties I, LLC, for a Special Permit/Site Plan Approval for the construction of a 180 bed skilled nursing facility at 116-120 Church Street, (at the corner of Church and Barker Avenue), to be known as White Plains Institute of Rehabilitation and Healthcare

 

59.     Communication from Commissioner of Building in relation to an application submitted by Antinozzi Associates Architects on behalf of Webster Bank, for a proposed amendment to a previously approved site plan for the installation of signage at One North Broadway, (a/k/a White Plains Plaza) on the North Broadway and Main Street sides of the building, including a new ATM proposed for the “Via” leading from North Broadway to the building lobby.

 

60.     Communication from Commissioner of Planning in relation to a proposed change to the fee-in-lieu payment schedule.

ITEMS FOR INFORMATION:

 

61.     Communication from Budget Director transmitting the Capital Improvement Program Status Report for Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2010.

 

62.     Communication from Commissioner of Finance transmitting a report on the Contingency and Tax Stabilization Reserve Fund.