The village board of trustees at its Oct. 13 meeting unanimously approved to hold a public hearing at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 10, on Local Law No. 3 of 2011 — to amend the village code concerning off-street parking and the Parking Trust Fund.
The proposed law would replace the previous “off-street parking space fee” of $7,500 per space to having no fee to businesses for a lack of required parking spaces; and it would scale back on the requirement for off-street parking spaces.
It also would establish a new “off-street parking trust fund” to be used to “ease the shortage of public parking in the downtown area.” The fund will be financed by the gross receipts of parking pay stations and parking passes from the central municipal parking lot and the Fennell Street parking lot.
The proposed law is the result of three months of work by the board’s ad hoc parking committee, which is comprised of Trustees John Cromp and Mary Sennett, Chamber Members Bob Eggleston and Arnie Rubenstein (With input from Sarah and Peter Wiles), and Chamber Director Sue Dove.
“We believe this will support economic development in the village,” Sennett told the board.
The proposed language of Local Law No. 3 is available for download on the village website under the “publications” link.
Also at the meeting:
—Village DPW Director Bob Lotkowicz said West Lake Street has received a thin re-pavement and been “buttoned up for the winter,” and is now open for thru traffic. The road will remain open until next year’s construction season starts in the spring. He also reminded the board that Monday, Oct. 17, is the last day for brush pickup in the village. Leaf pickup will continue until the snow falls.
—The trustees also approved a resolution of appreciation for long-time Skaneateles police officer Reid R. Renner, who retired and recently moved to the state of Georgia.
Renner became a police officer in the village in 1983. In January 2004 he received a letter of commendation for his “alertness and prompt action” that interrupted a robbery in progress. In February 2008 he was awarded the Police Meritorious Service Medal for actions that saved the life of a fellow police officer.
For his diligence, his friendly, caring and courteous demeanor, and his 26 years on the police force, the board resolved to “sincerely express its genuine gratitude to Reid R. Renner for his capable, dependable and committed service and does earnestly wish him many, many years of fishing, boating, traveling and the good life of retirement.”
—The board stated that it has received one application for the vacant seat on the Historic Landmarks Preservation Commission. That application, from Carol Young, also received multiple letters of support. The board referred the application to the HLPC for its consideration, and will make the final appointment to the board at its Nov. 10 meeting.
— Resident Jim Lanning informed the board of his project to launch the first annual Davey Oram Memorial Ice Dishing Derby on Skaneateles Lake, to be held in conjunction with Skaneateles WinterFest 2012. The derby will be the first in a series of fundraising events with the ultimate goal to purchase of a piece of land somewhere in the local area to preserve as a forever wild conservation area.
—The board rescheduled its second November meeting from 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 24, to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 28 to avoid a conflict with the Thanksgiving holiday.
Jason Emerson is editor of the Skaneateles Press. He can be reached at [email protected].
