State Legislature Update

June 14, 2019

State Legislature Passes Rent Control – With the State’s rent stabilization law set to expire on Saturday, both the Senate and Assembly today passed and the Governor signed into law legislation that includes a number of tenant protections and expands the local option for rent stabilization statewide.  (Currently, the law applies only to New York City, Nassau, Rockland and Westchester counties, where 34 cities and villages have previously opted into the program.)  Rent stabilization applies to non-rent controlled apartments in buildings of six or more units built before January 1, 1974, in any city, village or town that has declared an emergency and adopted the Emergency Tenant Protection Act (ETPA) via a resolution of the governing board after having held a public hearing with at least 10 days public notice.  Unlike the rent stabilization in the past which expired every four years, this legislation would make the provisions permanent. In order for rents to be placed under regulation, there has to be a rental vacancy rate of less than 5% for all or any class or classes of rental housing accommodations, as determined by a vacancy study commissioned and paid for by the municipality.  Certain types of housing accommodations are not included in the provisions of ETPA, for example: housing  accommodations in buildings containing less than six dwelling units; rent controlled apartments; motor courts; tourist homes; nonprofit units; governmentally supervised housing; and housing accommodations in buildings completed on, or after, January 1, 1974. Some municipalities limit ETPA to buildings of a specific size, for instance, buildings with 20 or more units. When a building is rent stabilized under ETPA, the annual allowable rental increases are determined by the County Rent Guidelines Board (which each county has to form once a municipality within it opts into the ETPA). Additionally, the operation of rent stabilized units is regulated by rules promulgated by the New York State Department of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR). These rules establish requirements for lease renewals, establish building maintenance standards and penalties, and provide processes for building owners to recover the cost of capital improvements through bounded rental increases. Several Legislative Issues Remain Uncertain (including Transportation Funding) – The fate of the supplemental capital bill continues to be uncertain as it will likely be part of the end of session scramble by the Senate, Assembly and the Governor to get their legislative priorities passed.  In addition, still outstanding and of interest to NYCOM are the following issues: Recreational Marijuana – While the proposal currently being discussed (A. 1617-B – Peoples-Stokes / S. 1527-B – Krueger) does allow cities, villages and towns to opt out of allowing for the cultivation, processing, distribution and sale of marijuana within their jurisdiction (subject to a mandatory referendum), it does not provide a direct revenue stream to such communities.  NYCOM is therefore opposed for the reasons outlined here. Electric Scooters and Bicycles – A deal has been struck (A. 7431-A - Rozic) to legalize electric bicycles and scooters which includes language NYCOM fought for that provides for local opt-out and regulation within the boundaries of the municipality. Prevailing Wage – There continues to be talk of expanding prevailing wage laws beyond purely public projects although the details are still very much in flux. The coalition NYCOM has been working with to fight such expansion is calling for a series of legislative hearings prior to any legislative action taking place. MWBE – While it is unclear where things are heading with regard to changes to the State’s MWBE program, language has been proposed (A. 7814 – Bichotte / S. 6141 – Sanders) that would dramatically expand the definition of contracting agency to include all political subdivisions that receive State funding.  This will confuse local procurement processes and impose requirements that some municipalities will be unable to attain.  NYCOM has issued a memo in opposition to the bill’s passage.    Finally, while the village incorporation bill (A. 7997 – Thiele / S. 5793-A – Skoufis) that we reported on in our last Advocacy Update seems to have stalled, there is a new bill (S. 6473 – Gaughran) that would impose a moratorium on all village incorporations until July 1, 2021 (including those already in process) while a State study is conducted on the processes of village incorporation, merger, and dissolution for the purpose of developing recommendations for improvements to such processes.  NYCOM is opposed to this legislation and will be issuing a memorandum in opposition.

FLAG DAY CELEBRATION

Photo by Micheal Strenck

Flag Day!! I was honored today on June 14th to witness Gilbertsville's Flag Burning Ceremony at the monument in the center of the village.  American Legion Post 1339 assisted by Boy Scout Troop 44 conducted a formal ceremony to properly dispose of flags that are no longer in condition to be displayed.  What a wonderful and patriotic event.  Thank you so much for the invitation to observe.  I'm very proud to be a part of Gilbertsville!!

Photo by Micheal Strenck

Photo by Micheal Strenck

Photo by Micheal Strenck

Anticipated Vacancy Village of Gilbertsville Clerk Posting

Village of Gilbertsville

Village of Gilbertsville

107 Lovers Lane

Gilbertsville, NY 13776

Anticipated Vacancy

10 hours/week Village of Gilbertsville Clerk Posting

The village of Gilbertsville seeks candidates for an anticipated opening for the Village Clerk position. 

The candidate does not have to be a resident of the Village of Gilbertsville, but it is preferred.

The Village Clerk is responsible for the custody of books and records, minutes from all meetings, local legislation, order to pay claims, FOIL officer and administering the Oath of Office as well as the day to day operations of the Village.

A letter of interest and resume should be mailed by June 27, 2019 to:

            Mayor Mark Muller

             107 Lovers Lane

            Gilbertsville, NY 13776

            Or email to:

            mmuller20@gmail.com

Upcoming Summer Events (Village Improvement Society)

Thank you so much Kristina Strain for the following information:

This year, we'll be kicking off the festivities with our traditional Pet Parade on Wednesday, July 3rd at 6PM.

Everyone interested should meet at Centennial Park with their pet. All are welcome, and there will be free ice

cream for all participants courtesy of Huff Ice Cream afterward! All are welcome to attend.

Thursday morning at 9AM, the village will have its Independence Day Parade, featuring the GMU Marching Band,which dang near swept the Sherburne Pageant of the Bands two weeks ago! Come cheer them on!

Saturday, July 6th at 9AM, the Village Improvement Society will host the 2nd Biennial Mike Stensland Memorial 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament at Centennial Park. This event is always great fun, so if you know any sports-lovers,feel free to print out our flyer (attached) to show them. Sign-ups will be in the ValueWay shortly!

Later in the summer, the VIS will hold its Annual Meeting on Sunday, August 11th at the Major's Inn.

There will be a social hour with refreshments from 5-6PM, with the meeting to follow from 6-7PM. 

We invite anyone interested in the preservation and improvement of our village to attend, and welcome

new members!

Mark you calendars, everyone!

Gilbertsville Local Laws Search

Village of Gilbertsville Local Laws Search

Here's a link to search the local laws on file with the Department of State for the Village of Gilbertsville, NY. Click on Local Laws Search, then select "Local Laws Database Search"

Budget Committee Volunteer Request Form

Village of Gilbertsville Budget Committee Volunteer Request Form 

Call for Committee Volunteers!! Recruiting enthusiastic members to serve on our  Budget committee. Understand that this is an advisory committee, with no vote on the Budget.  This is one of my most important responsibilities as your Mayor. 

Working on a committee can be a source of personal and professional growth.  As a Village organization, we depend on the commitment of residents to keep our Village strong. 

Committees are essential for most Villages. They have multiple benefits, including:
               •Identifying future leaders.
               •Engaging members.
               •Developing creative ideas from the diverse input of members    and stakeholders.

I hope to have input from our community about the next budget.  Please consider volunteering.  We will meet once a month.  That date is to be determined.  If interested please fill out the form below.

Please fill out the form here:  Application to Volunteer

Sunday Morning Water Readings

Thank you Richard Gilbert for showing me how to record water readings.  Great way to start my Sunday!