December 10, 2009
Council Adopts 2010 Budget
Amendments Reduce Tax Increase by 3%
Read the City Manager's proposed (not amended) budget.
In November, I reported in detail on the City Manager's 2010 budget proposal. My earlier comments, which provide a fair amount of background and context, are in my news archives HERE.
This week, after multiple special meetings and one public hearing, the City Council adopted a final budget for 2010. The adopted budget reduces the originally proposed tax increase from 8.9% down to 5.9%, translating into a cost of $169 for the average homeowner. This reduction was accomplished through two amendments:
The Council opted to issue bonds instead of paying cash to cover certiorari payments and certain capital costs. The resulting savings were applied evenly to the 2010 tax rate and to the City's fund balance, which can be utilized to moderate taxes in 2011. To be honest, this is really a cost shift, rather than a cost cut, but one that is justified by low interest rates and by the reasonable expectation that our fiscal challenges will be most acute this year and next.
More controversially, the Council opted to eliminate contractual salary increases, with the intent of freezing salaries for all City employees. The draft budget already froze salaries for non-represented employees, including all commissioners and elected officials, and for unionized employees not currently under contract. The Council's additional action -- a cut of $800,000 in total -- affects employees in the midst of a contract cycle, specifically those in our firefighter, public works, and civil service unions. It is the Council's hope and intent that employees in these bargaining units will accept a salary freeze as a fair and equitable means of addressing our fiscal condition. If not, then regrettably layoffs will be necessary in the affected departments.
I voted in favor of both of these amendments and also in favor of the final budget, but I will not pretend that these actions were easy. The 2010 budget is filled with painful choices that reflect both the weak economy and the constraints on our local authority. There is little in the document that will prove popular. That said, I accept my responsibility to govern by making the best choices available and by using common sense and candor to weigh competing priorities. Despite its many objectionable elements, I believe that the 2010 budget strikes a fair balance at a time when good options are in short supply. As always, I welcome your feedback and suggestions.
One final comment: it is noteworthy that the Council's vote on the budget as a whole and on specific amendments did not break down along party lines, but split instead in different configurations, depending on the issue. I think this is a healthy sign that demonstrates independent thinking on the part of Council members. To meet the difficult tests of the moment, we need to put aside partisan impulses and work together.
Judicial Appointments Made to New Rochelle City Court
Rice Elevated to Judge, Carbone Becomes Acting Judge
Read a press release concerning judicial appointments.
I recently had the great pleasure of making two appointments to the New Rochelle City Court, following the election of Judge John Colangelo to the Westchester County Court. Acting Judge Gail B. Rice, who currently sits on the bench in a part-time capacity, will assume the full-time judgeship being vacated by Judge Colangelo. The position of part-time Acting Judge will be filled by Anthony A. Carbone, currently Chairperson of the New Rochelle Planning Board. They will join City Judge Preston "Sandy" Scher on the three-member bench. You can read more about these appointees HERE. I would like to express my gratitude to the New Rochelle Bar Association for establishing a judicial screening committee that assisted greatly in the appointment process.
Echo Bay Timetable Revised
Council Extends Memorandum of Understanding by One Year
The City Council has voted six-to-one to extend our agreement with Forest City Residential for the redevelopment of the Echo Bay waterfront. Performance deadlines in our Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) were pushed back one year, but no other material changes were made. The Council took this action in recognition that current economic circumstances are not conducive to major development, but with the hope and expectation that Forest City will be able to proceed as the economy improves. The next major procedural step will be preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that will rigorously examine project costs and benefits, and which must precede any final approvals.
As a reminder, the Echo Bay project is proposed to be a roughly twenty-six acre mixed-use development, featuring six acres of parkland, a continuous public waterfront promenade, a new community center, and moderately-scaled housing and shops. It would be sited on East Main Street, in an area that is presently heavily contaminated and occupied principally by abandoned or industrial uses.
Water View Overlay Zone Approved
Aims To Protect Character and Property Values in Sans Souci Neighborhood
Read about the Water View Overlay Zone.
Following several months of discussion, negotiation, and public hearings, the City Council has approved revised zoning regulations intended to protect water views in the Sans Souci neighborhood on Davenport Neck. The new zoning resolves ambiguities and imposes enhanced controls on developments that impede view corridors to Long Island Sound. You can read the full text of the new regulations HERE.
New Rochelle High School Football Team Excels
Competes for New York State Championship
The New Rochelle High School varsity football team completed yet another outstanding season, confirming its reputation as one of New York's dominant teams. New Ro defeated arch-rival Monroe-Woodbury en route to an appearance in the State finals in Syracuse, falling just short of the State championship by a margin of 14 to 7. We can be very proud of the New Rochelle squad and of coach Lou DiRienzo.
CNBC Profiles NRHS Students
Stock Market Project Links Economic Theory to Real World
New Rochelle High School teacher (and my fellow member of the NRHS class of 1987) Darren Gurney leads his economics students in a Stock Market Project that pairs research and analysis with simulated stock purchases. It's a great program that recently received glowing coverage on CNBC. View the clip on YouTube HERE.
First Night Returns to New Rochelle
Celebration on December 31st Welcomes New Year
Learn more about First Night.
Our community will once again welcome the New Year with a special First Night celebration on December 31st. Sponsored and organized by the New Rochelle YMCA, together with a variety of community partners, First Night will feature a range of family-friendly performances, activities, and cultural displays. For more information about specific events and venues and to learn about admission, please log on to the official First Night website.
If you are interested in attending my 40th birthday celebration this Sunday, December 13th, you can RSVP HERE and find additional event details are HERE. This is my first major fund-raiser in more than three years, and I hope to celebrate a happy personal milestone with friends and neighbors.
Last Call for 40th Birthday Celebration
Event Is This Sunday, December 13th