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.

Hits: 0

WPCNR Common Council Chronicle-Examiner. By John F. Bailey. March 29, 2004, UPDATED with Rate Structure Chart, 10:45 A.M. E.S.T. Correction, April 1, 2004: The city’s former Budget Director, Eileen Earl, took the wraps off a study of trends in White Plains water consumption  at last week’s Council meeting, calling for rates that would virtually double water charges for commercial buildings using over 250,000 cubic feet of water in a three-month period, not in a one-year period as previously described. Ms. Earl advised WPCNR of the error, which actually means even higher annual costs for excess per capita users.  The new rates seek to have these buildings with a “large non-resident population” pay 85% more for  their “excess water usage” on a quarterly basis  while homeowners would pay 15% more  beginning today, April 1.

BEST PERFORMANCE IN A CONSULTING ROLE: Eileen Earl returns. The former Budget Director proposed sharply higher water rates to turn red ink to black by fiscal year 2005-2006, with out depleting the rapidly declining Water Fund Balance. Ms. Earl made her presentation last Wednesday at the Common Council marathon Special session. Photo by WPCNR News.

Ms. Earl’s study recommends the city raise initiate an excess usage for commercial users that will close-to-double water charges for 30 major buildings in White Plains consuming in excess of 500,000 cubic feet of water in six months (not annually as stated in the first edition of this article)  by the non-resident tenants of their properties.

Rates will go up on residential users, but not at the same rate. New York City’s 272% increase in Excess Per Capita Charges is the factor driving the need for the hike in White Plains water rates to make up a deficit eating into the Water fund Balance  at the rate of $1.1 Million in 02-03, and  $1.8 Million in ’03-04.

Earl said the water fund balance was currently sitting at the $16 Million level, and could absorb the last two years of deficits but would be faced with a $6 Million-PLUS hit, because of the city needs to replace its 120 Million Gallon water tank at the Kensico Reservoir within the next two years, according to Commissioner of Pubic Works, Joseph Nicoletti.

THE NEW RATE STRUCTURE EFFECTIVE APRIL 1, 2004, pending Common Council approval April 7. Note the graduated rates for heavy water use in the extreme right hand column. The doubling occurs when consumption is flowing at the 500,000 cubic foot level. Photo by WPCNR News. Source: City of White Plains

 The Basic Schedule for the typical homeowner would go up 15%. An average White Plains Family Dwelling with 4 persons, Earl said, using 16,042 Cubic Feet of water, currently pays $136.34 a year in water charges. Under the new rate, effective April 1, they would pay $159.20, an increase of 15%.

It is a different story if you are a big commercial operation, exceeding Ms. Earl’s guideline of 250,000 cubic feet of water in a quarter, you are hit hard, paying $4.62 per 100 cubic feet as opposed to the $2.51 you pay currently.

 Ms. Earl’s study proposed quarterly billing of these water clients (of which there are 30 in the city), and racheting up their rate 85%, from $2.51 [per  cubic foot], which consumers pay now to $4.62, for consuming over 500,000 cubic feet of water in six months (not annually, as previously reported).

Real Building Example — a $182,620 Increase Annually

Earl cited a specific example of a current building in White Plains that uses 5.2 Million cubic feet in six months. That building pays $111,057 currently. The new proposed rate goes up 85%, raising that building 2004-2005  six-month water bill to $202,367. In this building’s case, their water charges almost double over six months from the current rates, and would be up $182,620 for the year.  The same 85% hike will affect 29 other existing buildings around the city. No list of the effected properties was provided. Consumption it should be noted, is charged at a gradient rate, and will be billed quarterly.

Earl said the new rates would begin retroactive to April 1, pending Common Council approval of the rate hikes at their April 7 regular monthly meeting. Also included in the rate hike would be increases in connection charges. ranging from $2 for a 1″ connection (now $8) to $45 for an 8″ connection.

Rate History

Earl noted that the last water rate hike in White Plains was administered in 1999 and it was 12% across the board.

Since then, her study notes, New York City has raised the price of “raw water” to White Plains 41.3% from $383.78 per million gallons to $542.36 per million gallons.

New York City has also assessed White Plains  272.7% more in Excess Per Capita Charges, (which are charges for excess water consumption beyond the levels dictated by the 2000 census). These charges, Earl said have gone from $112,440 a year to $419,073 a year, because of the growth in White Plains non-resident population in the downtown that increases consumption, yet does not pay for the water they use. Instead, the city has to make up the difference not collected from residents. Commercial building owners use more water but do not pay the surcharge New York City charges the city.

Earl noted dryly that the census will not be adjusted until 2010 and the city has to find a way to meet these excess water consumption needs. Her solution is to charge commercial users a premium for their excess water consumption to meet those charges.

Ms. Earl said that White Plains charges the lowest water rates of any other city or town in the County. White Plains charges the consumer currently $115 a year per 1,000 gallons. Yonkers is next. Mount Vernon is next up the list at $140. In the middle of the list is New Rochelle at $307 per 1,000 gallons.

THE TOP 50: White Plains was last in water rate charges among 50 Towns, municipalities, cities in Westchester County in 2001. Photo by WPCNR News. Source: Westchester County Fall Water Conference, 2001. 

Hits: 0

WPCNR’S ADAM IN ALBANY. By Assemblyman Adam T. Bradley. 89th Assembly District. March 27, 2004: Prevention is the best way to keep our families and loved ones protected from terrorism. This can be accomplished by stepping up security at vulnerable targets, making it harder for terrorists to use their weapons of choice, and providing law enforcement with the tools they need to put terrorists behind bars.

I support a new package of bills to improve security at small airports like Westchester County Airport and other forms of mass transit, and terrorist targets like Indian Point and other nuclear power plants, as well as taking deadly weapons out of the hands of terrorists and bring terrorists to justice.

Preventing terrorism

Since the September 11^th terrorist attacks, Westchester families have become increasingly concerned about the potential harm we all face due to the presence of the Indian Point nuclear facility. The Assembly’s plan calls for a resolution to be passed directing the governor and the state’s Congressional delegation to make the strongest efforts to obtain federal homeland security funding.

The Assembly’s plan also places private security services currently employed to safeguard nuclear power plants under the supervision of the New York State police and gives them peace officer status in order to better protect these critical facilities.

To protect us in the event of an emergency, the anti-terrorism package also includes a plan to develop a statewide communications system linking not only state agencies with each other, but local first responders with local agencies and with the state as well.

The Assembly’s plan would upgrade security at smaller airports and heliports that are not protected by the federal guidelines large airports abide by. Specifically, it would implement federal security guidelines for general aviation facilities, expand the availability of grants and loans to implement security measures, and require that all facilities enact several common-sense security measures.

Other security measures the plan includes would implement background checks for hazardous material drivers; improve security at chemical plants and reservoirs; and require the Office of Public Security to assess the safety of New York’s transportation system, such as subways, ferries and trains.

Protecting families from biological and chemical weapons

The harm and anxiety that could result from the terrorist use of chemical and biological weapons is beyond imagination. We need tougher laws to punish anyone who would unleash these inhuman weapons on our families.

To protect New Yorkers from the danger of weapons of mass destruction, the Assembly’s legislation would:           

·        make possession of chemical and biological weapons a felony carrying the punishment of life imprisonment without possibility of parole;

·        make it a crime punishable by up to seven years in prison to send or place substances designed to resemble a chemical or biological weapon; and

·        require the State Health Department to develop plans to prepare for and react to health care disasters.

Apprehending terrorists and their supporters

Terrorists use very sophisticated tactics to plan their attacks against our families. We have to give the police and prosecutors more extensive tools to combat these activities and bring terrorists to justice.

The Assembly’s terrorism package includes legislation that will crack down on terrorism by:

·        requiring that tracer elements, or “taggents,” be placed in all explosive materials sold in New York;

·        significantly increasing the penalties for money laundering to facilitate terrorism;

·        increasing penalties for terrorist accomplices;

·        requiring those convicted of terrorism crimes to submit samples to the DNA databank;

·        adding terrorism to the list of crimes for which eavesdropping warrants could be obtained; and

·        extending – and in some cases eliminating – the statute of limitations for terrorist crimes.

Improving emergency response

The Assembly’s plan would also create a task force to develop a statewide communications system which ensures that local first responders are able to communicate across local agencies and with the state. It would also enhance the ability of emergency medical service workers to respond to medical emergencies.

 These new laws represent a no-nonsense strategy to fight terrorism and protect innocent people from attacks. New York is sending a strong message that we are serious about fighting terrorism and will take necessary steps to ensure the safety and well-being of all New Yorkers.

— Adam Bradley, Assemblyman, 89th Assembly District, New York State Legislature

Hits: 0

WPCNR MAIN STREET From The Mayor’s Office. March 25, 2004, UPDATED 8:45 P.M. E.S.T.: Paul Wood of the Mayor’s Office reported today that County Parks Department workers noticed an uprooted tree in the vicinity of Walworth Avenue and Colvin and the Bronx River Parkway, had snagged a sewer line, the root wrapping around the pipe, apparently causing a break in the pipe seam, causing a slow, odoriferous leak.

Wood reports that a White Plains Department of Public Works crew has repaired the pipe and it is back to normal. Stan Johnson of the DPW, Wood said, attributed the leak to the uprooting and the root which had grown around and sewer line caused the pipe to leark at the joint. Wood said the seam had cracked  and the city called the County Health Department as precaution…and that things were back to normal as of this afternoon.

Donna Green of the Westchester County Department of Communications reports this update that another leak in the sewer is further down the line in Scarsdale: “Apparently at first it was believed that this leak was caused by a WP sewer and some trees that were uprooted.. WP DID fix that. But it has now been determined that was not the main problem… Scarsdale officials have now been notified. The Department of Health, has put dye into the river that is green, so if it seems green to people it is NOT the sewage doing that.  

Hits: 0

WPCNR COMMON COUNCIL CHRONICLE-EXAMINER BRIEFS March 24, 2004: Wednesday evening in addition to the Kids City and Louis Cappelli buzz, the Common Council agreed to raise Parking Rates, Water Rates, (details to come in future stories) and approved Bensidoun USA as the operator of the French Market at $1,000 a year, with no futher financial details disclosed. The Council also agreed to raise the amount of the Downtown Business Improvement Association assessment of member businesses from $400,000 to $450,000, raising the BID Budget overall to $500,000. John Martin said the BID receives the extra $50,000 in donations.

The Council said it was reviewing the Draft Findings Statement on the Cappelli Hotel Project.

Mr. Cappelli updated the Council on the status of the City Center South Tower, saying he would begin construction again Monday and complete the South Tower building and the Loft Condominum by June 1, 2005.  He said he would be opening a sales office for the condominums next to sales office in the North Tower. He said his crews had been laying power under the City Center Garage to deliver the power to run his construction crane to proceed with the South Tower the last week.

The Council wrapped up the action at 11:40 P.M., after Joseph Nicoletti advised the council that the city spent $300,000 over their snow budget ($500,000) this winter. Half of the $300,000 was for salt, another $100,000 for overtime, and the balance asphalt and chemicals. They postponed their Executive Session until another day.

Hits: 0

WPCNR Common Council Chronicle-Examiner. By John F. Bailey. March 24, 2004: A forty minute presentation by Ruben Cors, Chief Operating Officer of la ciudad de los ninos of Mexico City,  his popular Kids City combination childrens’ amusement center in the Mexico City “Santa Fe Mall” held the Common Council spellbound Wednesday evening. Senor Cors is ready to invest $30 Million with Leon Silverman of Silverman realty to construct a Kids City Pavilion on one floor of the Silverman and Minskoff Grant  block along Mamaroneck Avenue opposite the City Center. Silverman is seeking other partner investors for a sports academy and a major retail component for the other two floors.

INTERNATIONAL VISITOR: Ruben Coors Gil presents masterfully, enthusiastically to the Common Council Wednesday evening. Photo by WPCNR News

La ciudad de los ninos, Cors’ company, is willing to make White Plains the first United States location for the next million-visitor-a-year  center which features a mini city built to kids’ size indoors on approximate 80,000 square feet of the Silverman property which wraps around Mamaroneck Avenue and Quarropas Streets. The design concept has yet to be created. Wednesday evening’s event was to see if the Common Council would buy in to the idea before planning and development money was spent, said Mark Weingarten, attorney for the Silverman Realty Group.

COLORFUL SLIDES DEFINED WHAT KIDS CITY IS: Kids enter, “fly” to a destination, enter scale-down replicas of buildings where they participate as adults would in making a living activities, such as operations. Photo by WPCNR News.

Cors predicts his center, open 10 A.M. to 3 P.M., originally intended to go into the Palisades Mall in Rockland County, will bring 900,000 visitors to White Plains a year,  that works out to 2,400 visitors a day to the White Plains downtown. Tony Nardozzi (of Silverman Realty Group) said more of those visitors would probably come on the weekends.  Cors plans to charge $25 for  Children and $18 per Adult  (since it is a Kids City), and parking would be built on site underground on the Silverman block under the former Woolworth’s store.

Tony Nardozzi, a Silverman partner, told WPCNR that Silverman is attempting to finance the project by assembling investor/tenants  to construct and apparently own each floor of the three-story Downtown Crossing project, originally pitched to the Common Council last fall.

Cors is the first investor to be attracted. Terms of Mr. Cors’ engagement did not come up in the discussion in the hasty news conference after the presenatation. Mark Weingarten, of DelBello, Donnellan & Weingarten, attorney for Silverman, said other investor developer partners were being pursued. Downtown Crossing is seeking to attract a major retail anchor for the first floor and a sports academy for the third floor.

Cors said he did not have an idea yet when the project would be completed speculating it was at least three years away.

Kids City opened at the Santa Fe Mall in Mexico City in 1999. Santa Fe is a district of 8 million people outside Mexico City.  Kids City in the Santa Fe Mall has the capacity of over  1,800 visitors at one time, and features 42 pavilions, consisting of kid-scale models of typical city establishments, such as a hospital, television station, fire department, government buildings, etc.  It is a runaway success.

Kids Cityt attracted  762,000 visitors in its first year, when Mr. Cors had projected 400,000, In 2000, it attracted 789,000, and in 2001 it had reaced 830,000 visitors a year. In a metropolitan area of 20 million people. Westchester County has 9 million residents but with potential to draw from New Jersey, New York City, Connecticut and Long Island. At the Santa Fe Mall, the most trafficked mall in Latin America, Kids City attracts school groups booked 3 to 5 months in advance, and receives a lot of repeat business.

Named “the Best New Business” by  Expansion Magazine, in 1999, the leading business magazine in Mexico, it now seeks its first U.S.A. operation, and has picked White Plains. Kids City was also winner of the 2001 Best New Theme Park by the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA).

MR. CORS’ PRESENTATION set a new standard of enthusiasm and fact presentation, with slides and a 10 minute movie. It is easily the best  developer pitch delivered to the Common Council since yours truly has covered the council (five years). The media kit shown above, given each Councilman included DVD, sample credit card, CD, and play money children are given to “spend” in the Kids City pavilion. Photo by WPCNR News

The council gave a consensus swell of enthusiasm which means that planning for the project will now begin, according to Weingarten.