Board Of Trustees Meeting News
By Stephanie Mariel Petrellese

The following issues were discussed at the May 17th Garden City Board of Trustees meeting:

Steve Cabrera of Dvirka & Bartilucci gave his annual presentation on the village's storm water management plan. This presentation is required by the New York State Dept. of Environmental Conservation.

Cabrera stressed the importance of increasing public awareness of the dangers of pollution. Storm water pollution is defined as "anything that gets in the path of a raindrop." Examples of possible pollutants include sediment, trash, automotive fluids like used oil or antifreeze, grass clippings, leaves, yard waste, excess fertilizers, animal waste and pesticides. The public was reminded that animal waste should not be deposited down storm drains.

The Village is in full compliance with the Department of Environmental Conservation's regulations. The annual report can be reviewed by the public at Village Hall. For more tips to prevent storm water pollution, visit the administration page at the Village's Web site www.gardencityny.net and click on "Storm Water Report."

Superintendent of Buildings Michael Filippon announced that the Garden City Hotel has hired new architects who have been improving plans for architectural enhancements to the façade. The owners of the Garden City Hotel are seeking to convert the top four floors of the building to condominiums.

In other news, some trustees want to see entire contracts before they vote to renew. Two contract agreements are up for renewal, two one-year agreements with Adelphi University for the use of parking fields at Community Park, and a one-year agreement with Cathedral Nursery School that allows them to lease the cottages on the St. Paul's campus. The Board will vote on renewing the contracts at the next meeting on June 7th.

Deputy Mayor John Mauk said the entire agreement is not needed; instead, Village staff should provide trustees with a summary of the essential contract elements before they are asked to make a decision. Village staff will look into possibly making contracts, as well as summary sheets, available to trustees online.