Rye City Council Updates from Mayor Douglas French

City Financial Update

The Council received an update from the Comptroller on the City’s financial status through the 3rd quarter of 2011.  While expenses compared favorably to budget and spending remains flat year-over-year for the last two years, the drop in other sources of revenue has not yet rebounded to 2007 levels.  Since then, revenue from interest income, sales tax, and mortgage tax is $2M below what it was.  The state of the economy continues to impact residents and all levels of government.  With limited financial options, the budget decisions heading into 2012 will be – what capital improvements can be funded, how to balance basic service levels with rising pension and healthcare costs, and where to identify new sources of funding.

Flood Mitigation Plan

The Council and staff continue to work through the core elements of the City’s flood mitigation plan:  Rebuild Safely, Implement Downstream Mitigation, Monitor Upstream Development, and Retain Water Upstream.

Rebuilding – The building department is working with residents on their cases as they rebuild.  The Council amended the local floodplain law to reflect changes in the standard for structures so that residents can continue to be covered as part of the National Flood Insurance program.  The City has supported a bill in the NYS legislature which provides real property tax relief for 2011 to property owners whose homes were flooded and sustained significant property damage.  The City is coordinating with other local organizations the creation of a volunteer network that will aid in response to those in need after storms or emergency conditions or clean-up.

Downstream Mitigation -- Crews have now cleared the Blind Brook of debris from the Nature Center up through Wappanocca Avenue.  The Council is looking to adopt a resolution that will call on all of boards and commissions to take additional scrutiny on reviewing land-use applications and variances with a greater sensitivity to stormwater impacts. 

Upstream Monitoring – The City continues to work with surrounding municipalities such as Rye Brook, Westchester County and Harrison on upstream development projects and the need to monitor and retain stormwater on site.  The Council is looking to establish a permanent City flood commission with a designated Council liaison.  

Upstream Retention Projects – Rye is roughly 500 feet below upstream elevation and will require several projects to retain the volume of water that runs downstream.  The Bowman Avenue Dam Sluice Gate site plan is under final review by the Rye Brook Planning Commission and Village Board.  With the Bowman Ave Dam Upper Pond Expansion, the City is looking to accelerate a feasibility study to determine the cost/benefit of expanding the upper pond.  The City is also taking the lead in establishing a Soundshore Regional Watershed Advisory Board consistent with Westchester County legislation that will coordinate and plan mitigation projects.

Moving On

Once again the Council heard complaints by a Purchase resident about conditions on Hen Island which is off the coast of Greenhaven.  The Westchester County Health Department regularly tests the Long Island Sound in and around Hen Island and those tests continue to show that water quality meets the County's health standards and there are no violations of any regulations.  The County and the Courts have ruled that no action is required with respect to mosquito control.  And finally, the seasonal cottages on Hen Island are not considered permanent dwellings under the New York State Building Code, and are therefore compliant with potable water requirements.  However, the Purchase resident continues his assault on the Rye community in hopes of developing the Island.  He has tried to embarrass some members of the City Council to include Richard, Peter, Suzanna, Paula, Catherine and me – by publishing and displaying rude, mocked-up photos.  While that is his right, Rye’s children find it most troubling as they try to reconcile such behavior.  He has tried to intimidate my family and neighbors by towing and leaving his distastefully decorated van in front of my home at all hours of the day and night.  He has shown great disrespect to our community, businesses and institutions as his van and crude costumed character parade in our downtown, in front of our businesses, Churches, historical society and at City Hall.  And as he has in the past, he continues to try to make his case personal against Rye’s Mayor, whoever is serving – this time broadly distributing communication defaming my wife and me with false claims of building without permits in the mid 1990s in order to advance his own personal case.   This Council is about representing Rye and will continue to do its work to address the issues that are important to you, the residents of Rye. 

Visit the City of Rye Website at www.ryeny.gov or contact me, City Council members or City Manager should you need more information.  Mayor Doug French, mayor@ryeny.gov.