Resolution Presented Requesting Home Rule Request Establishing School Speed Zone Camera Demonstration Program in New Rochelle
By Stephen E. Lipken
New Rochelle Mayor Yolanda Ramos-Herbert called the Tuesday, May 19th City Council meeting to order, beginning with Consent Agenda, including Federal Emergency Agency Management Agency (FEMA) Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities Grant (BRIC) Grant Program Application via NYS Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES).
The Project “Whitewood and Pelham Drainage Improvements” total cost is estimated at approximately $5.5 million, including a federal BRIC funding request of $4.125 million (75%) and a required local match of approximately $1.375 million (25%) to be funded from the Citywide Drainage Improvement Fund. City Council commits to providing the required 25% non-federal local match from Citywide Drainage Improvement Fund, subject to final scope and cost adjustments.
Another Resolution authorized the appropriate Officers of the City to sign a Home Rule Request for Enactment of Senate Bill S9238 and State Assembly Bill A10903 relative to amending the Vehicle and Traffic Law and Public Officers Law, in relation to establishing a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the City.
We had started the process a couple of months back with areas already in our Code for school zones,” Village Manager Wilfredo Melendez stated. “We had gotten word recently that it had progressed through the Assembly into the Senate. The demonstration program allows us to monitor these areas in three locations at our discretion.” Suggested locations are Webster Avenue, Quaker Ridge Road and Lincoln Avenue.
“What constitutes a school speed zone,” Tarantino asked. “How far away from the schools does that go? Can you only put one camera system at one school? How do you prioritize where this stuff goes?” “We priortize based on the initial studies that we did, as far as accidents and incidents that occured,” Melendez replied. “Child safety has become a top priority,” Tarantino continued. “The way people are driving to and from the school is an accident waiting to happen.”
The measure was approved by Roll Call Vote.
The final two items, “Proposed Amendment to Chapter 312 of the City Code re: Vehicle Impound Authority” and “Proposed Reallocation of Community Development Block Grant Funds” (CDBG) for ADA Sidewalk Improvements and Gateway Sign/Traffic and Facade Improvements were approved.