Up in Smoke, NIMBY, Boo!: Rye City Council Agenda for August 11, 2021

(PICTURE: Rye City Hall by local artist Heather Patterson)

The city council’s agenda for its meeting at 7pm on Wednesday, August 11 22, 2021 is out. The meeting is, in person and not Zoom, in city council chambers at Rye City Hall. Masks are required in all city buildings.

The Council will hold an executive session at 6:00pm to discuss attorney-client privileged matters, personnel matters, and/or labor negotiations.

It seems that residents wishing to participate must do so in person and can no longer participate in the public meetings via a remote video link.

The meeting will also be aired on Cablevision Channel 75 and Verizon Channel 39. We’ll also see you on the Internet (live and archive).

Formal office hours of the Mayor and other officials have been suspended.

Let’s check the batting order and highlights from the 20 agenda items.

• Show Me The Money. Presentation of the 2020 City Financial results by Brendan K. Kennedy of the auditing firm of BST & Co, LLP.
• Open Mic. Residents may be heard on matters for Council consideration that do not appear on the agenda.
• Recent Vets. Formation by the Council of a Committee to consider and return to the Council with a plan for a plaque or similar memorial to be placed with our other like memorials on the Boston Post Road side of City Hall to honor Rye veterans serving since the Vietnam War, particularly those who served in the Gulf War and the War on Terror; the Committee to consist of the City Clerk, a representative of the Landmarks Committee, a representative of the Board of Architectural review, a representative of the Rye post of the American Legion and one member of the City Council to be selected by the Mayor.
• Up in Smoke. Set the public hearing for September 22, 2021 to opt-out of allowing adult-use cannabis retail dispensaries or on-site consumption licenses by passing a local law as defined in Legislation (S.854-A/A.1248-A): New York’s Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act. & Open a public hearing to amend Chapter 166 “Smoking and Vaping” to the City Code to expand the City’s prohibition to Rye Town Park.
• NIMBY (and try geothermal). Open a public hearing to amend Chapter 197-1 “Definitions” and Chapter 197-22 “Uses prohibited in all districts” to add a definition of “Peaking Station” and to prohibit the use of property for compressed natural gas peaking stations.
• Book It. Adoption of the 2021/2022 tax levy and tax rate for the Rye Neck Union Free School District. Roll Call
• Retiring. Adjourn until September 22, 2021, the public hearing for consideration of a petition from The Miriam Osborn Memorial Home to amend the text of the City of Rye Zoning Code Association to create new use and development standards for “Senior Living Facilities” in the R-2 Zoning District.

CONSENT AGENDA

• Book This Too. Consideration of a request from the Rye Free Reading Room to extend use the Village Green (already approved through September 6, 2021) to offer a variety of library programs through October 30, 2021. The programs include the summer reading kick-off, an outdoor museum walkthrough of Greek and Roman artifacts, baby wear dance classes, and other common library programs.
• Boo! Consideration of request for permission to close a section of Purchase Street for the 69th Annual Celebration of the Halloween Window Painting Event on Sunday, October 24, 2021.
• For the Birds. Consideration of request by the Recreation Department to hold their 45th annual Turkey Run on Thanksgiving Weekend.
• Red, White & Picnics. Consideration of a request by Christ’s Church for use of the City streets (Rectory Street) on Thursday, August 19 from 3:30 pm to 8:00 pm for the Blue Skies Camp final picnic and talent show. & Consideration of a request by Christ’s Church for use of the City streets (Rectory Street) on Sunday, September 12 from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm for the annual “Homecoming Picnic”.
• All Together. Consider a request by Christ’s Church Nursery School for use of the City streets (Rectory Street) on Saturday October 23, 20219 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm for their Nursery School’s Family Day.
• Patronage. Appointments to Boards and Commissions, by the Mayor with Council approval.

The next regular meeting of the City Council will be held on Wednesday, September 22, 2021 at 7:00 p.m.