The Rye Arts Center’s 30-year lease with the City expires in 2016. The City has until April 2015 to notify RAC of its intentions. Mayor French stated that in order to give RAC time for strategic planning and fund-raising, the City would try to “put something in place by the fall.”

 

By Tom McDermott

 

The Art of the Long Lease

 

The Rye Arts Center’s 30-year lease with the City expires in 2016. The City has until April 2015 to notify RAC of its intentions. Mayor French stated that in order to give RAC time for strategic planning and fund-raising, the City would try to “put something in place by the fall.”

 

Helen Gates, RAC’s President spoke on its behalf and Councilwoman Parker noted that, while RAC does get access to the building it occupies from the City, RAC has invested its own funds to make many improvements.

 

Councilman Sack acknowledged RAC’s important role, but added that this was an opportunity for the City to appraise the property and practice due diligence before proceeding to extend the lease to RAC.

 

1037 Sale Estoppeled

 

According to Corporation Counsel Kristen Wilson, the closing of the City’s sale of 1037 Poston Post Road, scheduled for April 17, did not occur due to the failure of current tenant, Lester’s, to provide a clean, signed Tenant Estoppel Certificate. The lack of such a certificate prevents the issuance of title insurance.

 

Wilson recommended the Council authorize commencement of a lawsuit against Lester’s if they did not provide a signed certificate by April 22. The measure passed 7-0.

 

Crossing Guards, Finding a New Avenue

 

The Police Commissioner and City Manager have not been able to recruit enough crossing guards through traditional outreach methods or through County civil service. Crossing Guard rate of pay is $20 per hour.

 

They sought authorization from the City to enter into an agreement with All City Management Services (ACMS) for the outsourcing of school crossing guards, including: recruitment, training, background checks, equipment, supervision and management.

 

Mr. Pickup stated his severe concern regarding the crosswalk at Apawamis Avenue and Milton Road, near where major construction will take place at RHS in September.

 

The Council wanted to further examine ACMS’ capabilities and have a greater effort to attract more guards through marketing.

 

Deer Reduction: Bow-Hunting Program Needs Further Study

 

Suzan Porto, Director of the Westchester affiliate of the League of Humane Voters, stated that bow-hunting causes 20-60% of injured deer to suffer, with “many animals dying days later” or running into neighborhoods or into traffic. She recommended a humane contraception program.

 

Councilwoman Catherine Parker updated the Council regarding her meeting with Suzanne Clary of Jay Heritage Center, City Manager Scott Pickup and John Baker of Westchester County’s Deer Management Program. Parker reported that Greenhaven residents would like a program to commence soon, but that a bow-hunting program in the adjacent Marshlands Conservancy and JHC might actually make the problem in Greenhaven worse, since deer might scatter in that direction.

 

The problem will require more study, and possibly use of a fly-over survey. Also, Parker mentioned that her group will look at alternatives to bow-hunting, such as a contraception program similar to the one Porto recommended