White Plains Times - Breaking News


	Business Council of Westchester, Con Edison, Westchester County Partner in Green Initiative By: Westchester County Published: August 03, 2010 The Business Council of Westchester is partnering with Con Edison and Westchester County in launching Phase II of the Westchester Green Business Challenge (WGBC), a proactive educational program aimed at sensitizing the county’s businesses to improving the environment, spurring economic development and improving the quality of life for county residents. To initiate Phase II, Con Edison is awarding a $20,000 grant to the Westchester Chamber Educational Foundation, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Business Council of Westchester, the entity that will administer the program. The Westchester Chamber Foundation Inc. is a 501 (c) (3) corporation and will work with Westchester County, Synergis of South Salem and Green Team Spirit of Croton-on-Hudson in implementing the Phase II initiative. The purpose of the grant is to educate and encourage Westchester County businesses to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) while improving operational efficiency and saving money. “Con Edison’s grant is a seed that will bloom into healthier businesses throughout the county. We salute the Business Council of Westchester’s vision recognizing environmentalism will grow efficiency, benefiting business owners and their customers,” said Tim Cawley, Con Edison Vice President of Bronx/Westchester Electric Operations. Phase II will expand the program beyond the current 50+ companies registered for the WGBC primarily through a series of educational seminars and networking events to facilitate progress and exchange best practices; on-going support to help businesses progress through the program; website and scorecard upgrades and monitoring (new links to helpful resources and improved strategies) based on feedback from participants; and an annual recognition event to celebrate participation and achievements. “Westchester County is providing in-kind services and support to this effort to help our businesses become green,” remarked Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino. “This is good for the county and good for business. It promotes economic development and helps our environment.” The WGBC was developed and launched last year as a public-private partnership with Westchester County and modeled after the Chicago Green Office Challenge, a successful program developed by the ICLEI USA – Local Governments for Sustainability and the City of Chicago. Phase I included the launching of a website, www.westchestergov.com/greenchallenge, complete with green business case studies, funding sources for green initiatives, green events listing and a green business directory. It also featured the WCGB Scorecard, a fully interactive tool that establishes baseline performance and links companies to targeted resources to help improve performance. “We are pleased to be working with Con Edison and Westchester County on educating businesses about the benefits reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions will have on improving the quality of life and their bottom line,” noted Dr. Marsha Gordon, President and CEO of The Business Council of Westchester. “We are uniquely positioned to lead this important effort because our membership covers the broad range of businesses in every sector of the county’s diverse economy.”


	Statement from Governor David A. Paterson on the Passage of a Property Tax Cap By: Governor Paterson Published: August 03, 2010 "New York currently holds the dubious distinction of having the highest property taxes in the nation. The crushing burden on New Yorkers is astounding. New York State's local taxes are 79 percent above the national average, and outside of New York City, 62 percent of property taxes are school property taxes. Nine of the top ten highest taxed counties in the nation are in Upstate New York, and include Wayne, Niagara, Monroe, Erie, Chautauqua, Onondaga, Cayuga, Chemung and Schenectady Counties. When calculated in terms of taxes per household, residents of Nassau, Westchester and Rockland Counties count themselves in the nation's top ten. Property tax levies are rising at more than twice the rate of inflation and salary growth. Hardworking New Yorkers deserve better. "Today, in a bipartisan vote of 51-8, the Senate joined with me in taking the first significant step toward easing the burden on property taxpayers across the State. I applaud Conference Leader John Sampson, Minority Leader Dean Skelos and the entire New York State Senate for passing legislation to provide New Yorkers a much-needed and long overdue property tax cap. This property tax cap would ensure real, sustainable property tax relief that New Yorkers need now more than ever. "But this relief will not become a reality until my proposal has passed in the New York State Assembly. I am calling on Speaker Sheldon Silver and the entire Assembly to join with me and the Senate and make the property tax cap law. It is time to put taxpayers above the special interests by bringing the tax cap to the floor for an up or down vote. Unfortunately, because the Assembly failed to take up this legislation today, I will be forced to consider using my executive authority to call for another Extraordinary Session so that this critical issue can finally be debated by both houses of the Legislature."

Common Council Meeting August 2

By: White Plains Times

Published: August 02, 2010

COMMON COUNCIL
AGENDA
REGULAR STATED MEETING
AUGUST 2, 2010
7:30 P.M.

PLEDGE TO THE FLAG:

Hon. Beth Smayda

ROLL CALL:

City Clerk

ADJOURNED
PUBLIC HEARINGS:

1. 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.

2. Communication from City Clerk

PUBLIC HEARINGS:

3. Public Hearing in relation to an application submitted by Daniel J. Coughan, proprietor, on behalf of Coughlan, Inc., for a Special Permit to operate a cabaret at the Prophecy located at 15 South Broadway.

4. Public Hearings on the applications submitted by the owners and principals of 169 White Plains Rest. Inc., d/b/a The Porter House Restaurant and Bar, located at 169 Mamaroneck Avenue and 165 Café Corp, d/b/a Hudson Grille, located at 165 Mamaroneck Avenue (“Applicant”), for an amendment to the existing Outdoor Dining Special Permit for The Porter House Restaurant and Bar in the rear yard of the property at 163-169/171 Mamaroneck Avenue granted by the Common Council on June 7, 2007, and for an Outdoor Dining Special Permit for the new restaurant, the Hudson Grille, located at 165 Mamaroneck Avenue, respectively.

FIRST READING
ORDINANCES:

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

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

7. Communication from the Mayor in relation to a provision of General Municipal Law and the Municipal Code of the City of White Plains providing for a death benefit upon the death of a police officer of the City of White Plains.

8. Ordinance providing funds for payment of a death benefit to Theresa Gucciardo-Perry, as widow of Detective Officer Michael Perry.

9. Communication from Chairman, Capital Projects Board, in relation to Capital Project No. C5337, Fiber Optic Network As Builts.

10. Communication from Environmental Officer

11. Environmental Findings Resolution

12. Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of White Plains to amend the Capital Projects Fund by establishing Capital Project No. C5337 entitled, Fiber Optic Network As Builts.

13. Communication from Chairman, Capital Projects Board, in relation to Capital Project No. C5336, Fire Station Emergency Generators.

14. Communication from Environmental Officer

15. Environmental Findings Resolution

16. Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of White Plains to amend the Capital Projects Fund by establishing Capital Project No. C5336 entitled, Fire Station Emergency Generators.

17. Bond Ordinance authorizing the issuance of $226,125 Bonds of the City of White Plains, Westchester County, New York, to pay the cost of heating, lighting, plumbing, ventilating, elevator or power plant or system improvements to or the partial reconstruction of various City buildings, in and for said City.

18. Communication from Commissioner of Public Works in relation to the closure of certain streets and appropriate parking restrictions on August 3, 2010 for National Night Out.

19. Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of White Plains authorizing the closure of a certain portion of a public street, South Lexington Avenue, between Martine Avenue and Quarropas Street on Tuesday, August 3, 2010, for the purpose of a National Night Out on Crime Event, to be hosted by the Department of Public Safety on behalf of the City of White Plains.

20. Communication from Commissioner of Public Works in relation to easements tendered by Brypost LLC in and around the Shapham Municipal Garage.

21. Ordinance accepting various easements tendered by Brypost LLC with respect to the construction of a ramp from the Mamaroneck Shapham Garage to provide public access to Mamaroneck Avenue.

22. Communication from Commissioner of Public Safety, in relation to a donation in the amount of $1,000 from Target in support of National Night Out.

23. Ordinance authorizing the Mayor, or his designee, to accept a donation from Target Corporation to be used for National Night Out, being held on August 3, 2010, and to direct the Budget Director to amend the FY 2010-2011 General Fund Budget to reflect said donation.

24. Communication from Commissioner of Public Safety, in relation to a donation in the amount of $200 from the New York Law Enforcement Foundation in support of National Night Out.

25. Ordinance authorizing the Mayor, or his designee, to accept a donation from the New York Law Enforcement Foundation to be used for National Night Out, being held on August 3, 2010, and to direct the Budget Director to amend the FY 2010-2011 General Fund Budget to reflect said donation.

26. Communication from Commissioner of Public Safety, in relation to a donation in the amount of $1,000 from Wal-mart Corporation to be used for the purchase of Emergency Service Unit (ESU) Uniforms.

27. Ordinance authorizing the Mayor, or his designee, to accept a donation from the Wal-mart Corporation to be used for the purchase of Emergency Service Unit (ESU) Uniforms and to direct the Budget Director to amend the FY 2010-2011 General Fund Budget to reflect said donation.

28. Communication from Deputy Commissioner of Finance in relation to an amendment to a previously adopted ordinance which amended various sections of the Municipal Code in relation to appointed, elected and managerial confidential salaries and benefits.

29. Ordinance amending an ordinance entitled, “An ordinance amending various sections of the White Plains Municipal Code in relation to appointed and managerial confidential salaries and additional compensation, and appointed, elected and managerial confidential benefits.”

30. Communication from Director, Youth Bureau, in relation to a contract with the Westchester/Putnam Workforce Investment Board to accept an award to operate a Summer Youth Employment Program.

31. Ordinance authorizing the Mayor, or his designee, to enter into a contract with the Westchester/Putnam Workforce Investment Board to accept an award to operate a Summer Youth Employment Program.

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

33. Ordinance amending the Traffic Ordinance of the City of White Plains in relation to No Parking 10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. Monday through Friday.

RESOLUTIONS:

34. Communication from Corporation Counsel in relation to a request submitted by 165 Café Corp., d/b/a The Hudson Grille, for a Special Permit for Cabaret Use at 165 Mamaroneck Avenue, and scheduling a public hearing for September 7, 2010.

35. Communication from Commissioner of Building.

36. Resolution of the Common Council of the City of White Plains scheduling a public hearing for September 7, 2010 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.

37. Communication from Corporation Counsel in relation to a request submitted by Selah Salon Lounge for a Special Permit for Cabaret Use at 182 East Post Road and scheduling a public hearing for September 7, 2010.

38. Resolution of the Common Council of the City of White Plains scheduling a public hearing for September 7, 2010 in relation to the application submitted by 182 East Post Road d/b/a Selah Salon Lounge (“Applicant”) for a one year Special Permit to operate a cabaret at Selah Salon Lounge located at 182 East Post Road.

39. Communication from Corporation Counsel 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, and scheduling a public hearing for September 7, 2010.

40. Resolution of the Common Council of the City of White Plains scheduling a public hearing for September 7, 2010 in relation to the application submitted by WPENT LLC, for the Wicked Wolf (“Applicant”) for a one year Special Permit to operate a cabaret at the Wicked Wolf located at 166 Mamaroneck Avenue.

41. Communication from Corporation Counsel 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, and scheduling a public hearing for September 7, 2010.

42. Communication from Commissioner of Building.

43. Resolution of the Common Council of the City of White Plains scheduling a public hearing for September 7, 2010 in relation to the application submitted on behalf of WPENT Inc., (“Applicant”) for a one year Special Permit to operate a cabaret at the Black Bear Saloon located at 166 Mamaroneck Avenue.

44. Communication from Commissioner of Planning In relation to the scheduling of a public hearing for September 7, 2010 on the Section 8 Program Administrative Plan.

45. Resolution of the Common Council of the City of White Plains setting a public hearing for September 7, 2010 in relation to the approval of amendments to the White Plains Section 8 Program Administrative Plan.

46. Communication from Commissioner of Planning in relation to the federally mandated 2010-2011 Consolidated Plan and the 2010-11 Annual Action Plan.

47. Communication from Environmental Officer

48. Resolution of the Common Council of the City of White Plains, New York, approving the federally mandated 2010-2011 Consolidated Plan and 2010-11 Annual Action Plan for the City of White Plains and authorizing the Mayor to execute all necessary certifications and assurances and file the approved plan with the U.S. department of Housing and Urban Development.

49. Communication from Commissioner of Planning in relation to the commitment of funding and in-kind planning services of the City as matching funds under the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Challenge Planning Grant Program.

50. Resolution of the Common Council of the City of White Plains committing the funding and in-kind planning services of the City described herein in this resolution as matching funds for grant funding under the HUD Community Challenge Planning Grant Program.

ITEMS FOR INFORMATION:

51. Communications from Commissioner of Planning and Commissioner of Public Safety in response to a request submitted by Quick Cash USA, LLC, to permit a pawnbroker licensed in the City of White Plains to also be licensed as a second hand dealer.

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