Cash, Nature, Golf and Guns on the Agenda for City Council Wednesday – July 16, 2008

The City Council’s agenda is out for this Wednesday July 16, 2008. See you at 8pm in the Council Room at Rye City Hall or on Cablevision Channel 75.

Let’s check the batting order and highlights from the 28 agenda items:

• Money, money, money. There are items to fund $365,000 worth of projects from the contingency and unreserved Fund Balance including part of the Boston Post Road Diet ($32K); a pilot project cost for Rye High School/Middle School pedestrian improvements ($20K); general "upcoming projects" ($275K – no details or breakout available); and fees for completed engineering work on the lower pond by Charles Sells Engineers ($38K). 
• Nature Center. Rye Nature Center will discuss the construction of a nature playground and the need for a bridge replacement.
• Rye Golf Club. There will be a resolution to approve the updated Rye Golf Club nomination and election process. The RGC has been under ongoing criticism for various policies. Its general manager Scott Yandrasevich goes on the defensive in the club’s July newsletter saying "I am proud to report the staff and commission have been working hard to keep the club moving in a positive direction. Despite parking lot conversations or articles in the paper, the club is financially strong and responsive to issues, however decisions are made based on the good of the club and the membership at large."
• Other Fun Items. Other items include consideration of draft revision of the “City of Rye Hurricane/Coastal Storm Emergency Response Plan”; a new Demolition Permit Fee Schedule; a city manager’s report on obstructions in the right of way (those white rocks…); resolution authorizing the city manager to enter into an indemnification agreement with the Town of Harrison and the Village of Harrison for the use of the Town of Harrison Police Department Pistol Range; authorization for city manager to execute an inter-municipal Agreement with the County of Westchester authorizing the operation of a transfer station at Public Works for organic waste; and appointments to the Conservation Commission/Advisory Council.

Also expect the Rye Flood Action coalition posse to show up for the open mic section. Organizer Carolina Johnson warned in an email "As you may be aware Rye was denied FEMA funding for the sluice gate a few months ago and now has submitted an application for County funding. Rather than wait how ever many months for another level of government to come to our rescue, we have submitted a request in writing asking City Council to act now with funds secured by George Latimer and money available through the City’s reserve fund. The project needs to be completed before the construction season is over and if we keep waiting it may be to late for many of us."

Sounds like it will be a late night…