[00:00:02]
[Call to Order]
I ALWAYS WANTED TO DO THAT.I CALL THIS JANUARY 5TH MEETING OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WHITE PLAINS TO ORDER.
I'D LIKE TO CALL ON COUNCIL MEMBER JEREMIAH FRYE PEARSON TO LEAD THE PLEDGE.
TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS.
ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
[OATHS OF OFFICE]
THANK YOU.UH, JUDGE PRESS, I'D LIKE YOU TO COME UP AND TO ADMINISTER THE OATHS OF OFFICE.
I'LL CALL MY WIFE, JULIE, TO COME UP.
I DO SOLEMNLY AFFIRM THAT I WILL SUPPORT THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.
AND I WILL SUPPORT THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.
THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF WHITE PLAINS.
CHARTER OF THE CITY OF WHITE PLAINS.
AND THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY DISCHARGE THE DUTIES.
THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY DISCHARGE THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICE OF MAYOR.
THE OFFICE OF MAYOR, MEMBER OF THE WHITE PLAINS CITY COUNCIL.
MEMBER OF THE WHITE PLAINS CITY COUNCIL.
RICH PAYNE AND HIS LOVELY WIFE, LAUREN.
THAT I WILL SUPPORT THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.
THAT I WILL SUPPORT THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED.
STATES, THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF WHITE PLAINS.
AND THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY DISCHARGE THE DUTIES.
AND I WILL FAITHFULLY DISCHARGE THE DUTIES.
AS A MEMBER OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WHITE PLAINS.
WHAT ABOUT YOU? WHAT KIND OF DEVICE IS THAT? WHAT IS THAT? SURE IT IS.
DO SWEAR OR AFFIRM THAT I WILL SUPPORT THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.
THAT I WILL SUPPORT THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.
THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF WHITE PLAINS.
AND WILL FAITHFULLY DISCHARGE MY DUTIES AS A MEMBER OF THE COMMON COUNCIL.
I WILL FAITHFULLY DISCHARGE MY DUTIES AS A MEMBER OF THE WHITE PLAINS COMMON COUNCIL.
BEFORE I START, I JUST WANT TO TELL EVERYBODY.
TODAY WOULD BE THE 119TH BIRTHDAY OF MY FATHER.
AND HE GAVE ME THIS BIBLE IN 1969 WHEN I GRADUATED FROM HIGH SCHOOL.
DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR OR AFFIRM THAT IT WILL FAITHFULLY.
[00:05:02]
I'M SORRY THAT IT WILL SUPPORT THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.I WILL SUPPORT THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES, THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF WHITE PLAINS.
AND I WILL FAITHFULLY DISCHARGE THE DUTIES OF.
I WILL FAITHFULLY DISCHARGE THE DUTIES OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEMBER TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY, THE BEST OF MY ABILITY.
OKAY, WHY DON'T WE TAKE A FIRST MOMENT TO THANK JUDGE ERIK PEREZ FOR HELPING US OUT WITH THAT.
OKAY. AT THIS POINT UNDER OUR STRUCTURE, WE ARE ASKING FOR NOMINATIONS TO FOR COMMON COUNCIL PRESIDENT, MR. FRED PEARSON.
IS THERE A SECOND? YES I SECOND THE MOTION CARRIED.
WE HAVE ONE CANDIDATE VICTORIA PRESSER.
CONGRATULATIONS. VICKIE PRESSER.
AND BELIEVE IT OR NOT, I ADMINISTER THE OATH.
AND WE'RE JOINED BY HER HUSBAND, BARRY PRESSER.
STAND BY THE THING TO MAKE IT NICE.
THEN I WILL SUPPORT THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.
I WILL SUPPORT THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.
THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF WHITE PLAINS.
THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF WHITE PLAINS.
AND THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY DISCHARGE THE DUTIES OF.
AND THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY DISCHARGE THE DUTIES OF.
THE OFFICE OF COMMON COUNCIL PRESIDENT.
THE OFFICE OF COMMON COUNCIL PRESIDENT.
SO AT THIS TIME WE'RE GOING TO GIVE EVERYBODY AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.
BUT BEFORE THEY SPEAK, I WANT TO SAY IT'S A TREMENDOUS PLEASURE TO BE HERE WITH ALL OF YOU.
I WANT TO WELCOME EVELYN, AND I WANT TO WELCOME NICK TO OUR COUNCIL.
AND I WANT TO CONGRATULATE RICH ON HIS.
AND I WANT TO CONGRATULATE VICKI ON HER ELECTION AS COUNCIL PRESIDENT.
SO IT'S A LOT OF GOOD STUFF GOING ON.
I'VE HAD SPOKEN MANY TIMES, SO I'M NOT GOING TO SPEAK TO YOU EXCEPT TO SAY I'M REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE AS YOUR MAYOR.
AND, YOU KNOW, WE'RE GOING TO WORK HARD, DO GOOD THINGS, BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER, AND CONTINUE TO TAKE OUR CITY IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
WITH THAT, I WILL CALL ON I BETTER DO THIS ALPHABETICALLY CORRECTLY.
UM, I THINK IT'S MR. PAYNE IS FIRST BY ALPHABETICAL.
OR DO YOU THINK YOU WANT TO BE COUNCIL PRESIDENT? AND I THINK WE'RE OKAY.
I WANT TO CONGRATULATE OUR NEW MAYOR, JUSTIN BRASH.
I AM SO EXCITED TO BE A PART OF HIS NEW ADMINISTRATION.
AND I WANT TO CONGRATULATE MY COLLEAGUES ON THEIR THEIR WINNING ELECTIONS.
UH, EVELYN SANTIAGO AND NICHOLAS WOLFF.
THEY'RE GOING TO BRING A WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE AND EFFORT AND WORK TO THIS COUNCIL.
I'M JUST VERY PROUD TO SERVE ALONGSIDE THEM.
YOU KNOW, WITH THE FOLKS ON CITY COUNCIL YOU HAVE TODAY BEFORE YOU PROBABLY ABOUT I TRIED TO DO THE MATH OVER A HUNDRED YEARS SITTING HERE, A HUNDRED YEARS OF SERVICE TO THIS CITY IN A VOLUNTEER CAPACITY, WHETHER THAT BE COMMITTEES THAT THEY CHAIR, THEY VOLUNTEER ON WORK IN THE COMMUNITY.
THE FOLKS UP HERE HAVE SPENT HUNDREDS OF HOURS WORKING HARD FOR THE CITIZENS OF WHITE PLAINS FOR FREE, JUST AS THEY CAN SIT HERE AND SERVE BEFORE YOU TODAY.
AND THAT'S A REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENT FOR PEOPLE IN THE CITY.
EVERYONE'S JUST TRYING TO MAKE A LIVING HERE.
AND THESE ARE DEDICATED CITIZENS HERE TO SERVE YOU.
AND I AM PROUD TO BE ONE OF THEM.
AND I JUST WANTED TO THANK MY BEAUTIFUL WIFE, LAUREN, FOR PUTTING UP WITH ME FOR ALL THESE YEARS AND THE LATE DINNERS THAT I DON'T COOK AND THE LAUNDRY I DON'T FINISH BECAUSE I'M OUT HERE, BUT I'M
[00:10:01]
SO PROUD TO BE A PART OF THIS COUNCIL.I'M SO PROUD TO BE A RESIDENT OF THE CITY OF WHITE PLAINS, AND I'M SO PROUD TO BE SERVING ALONGSIDE THESE DEDICATED PUBLIC SERVANTS.
AND THANK YOU AGAIN, MR. MAYOR, FOR THE OPPORTUNITY.
I BELIEVE COUNCIL PRESIDENT PRESSER WILL COME.
I AM DEEPLY GRATEFUL FOR THE PRIVILEGE OF SERVING ANOTHER TERM AS PRESIDENT OF THE COMMON COUNCIL AND WORKING ALONGSIDE THESE DEDICATED AND COMPASSIONATE COUNCIL MEMBERS, AND LED BY OUR NEW MAYOR, WHO BRINGS HIS HEART AND SOUL TO THIS WORK.
IT IS AN HONOR TO HAVE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE WHATEVER HELP I CAN OFFER TO OUR NEW ADMINISTRATION AS IT SHOULDERS THE COMPLEX TASK OF GOVERNANCE.
AND I AM PROFOUNDLY GRATEFUL AND THANKFUL FOR MY INFINITELY PATIENT HUSBAND, BARRY, WHOSE LOVING SUPPORT GIVES ME THE COURAGE TO CARRY ON.
AND A SHOUT OUT TO MY SONS WHO ENCOURAGE ME AND INUNDATE ME WITH PUNS, WHICH WE ALL NEED FROM TIME TO TIME.
DEMOCRACY CAN BE MESSY AND SOMETIMES EVEN A BIT TEDIOUS AND FRUSTRATING, BUT IT IS OUR BEST HOPE WHEN WE WORK TOGETHER FOR THE GOOD OF THE COMMUNITY.
WHEN WE SIT AT THE SAME TABLE TO CONSIDER THE BEST WAY FORWARD.
WHEN WE TAKE THE TIME TO HEAR WHAT IS ON OUR NEIGHBOURS MINDS.
I AM SO HONORED TO TAKE PART IN THIS WORK AND FOR ALL YOUR ENCOURAGEMENT OVER THE YEARS.
NEXT UP WE HAVE NEW COUNCILWOMAN EVELYN SANTIAGO.
GOOD EVENING, AND THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AND SHARING THIS MOMENT WITH ALL OF US.
ONE YEAR AGO, I WOULD NOT HAVE IMAGINED MYSELF STANDING HERE BEFORE.
WE ARE COMMITTED TO SERVING YOU AND KEEP WHITE PLAINS A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE WANT TO COME TO WORK, PLAY, SHOP AND LIVE.
WE WILL CONTINUE WORKING TO ENSURE THAT WHITE PLAINS WILL BE AVAILABLE AND AFFORDABLE TO THOSE WHO HAVE WORKED HARD TO BUILD OUR CITY, AND TO THOSE WHO CONTINUE TO WORK HARD TO SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITY IN RESTAURANTS AND SMALL BUSINESSES, AND THOSE WHO PROVIDE ALL THE SERVICES IN THIS CITY LIKE FIREFIGHTERS, POLICE OFFICERS, SANITATION WORKERS, DPW AND FELLOW TEACHERS.
AS A TEACHER AND PUBLIC SERVANT AND ADVOCATE FOR ALL MY LIFE, I TAKE THAT CHARGE VERY SERIOUSLY.
MY CAREER CALLED FOR ME TO PROTECT THE INNOCENT AND VULNERABLE UNDER MY CHARGE.
I WILL CONTINUE THAT WORK IN WHITE PLAINS.
OUR MOST VULNERABLE ARE NOT ONLY THE POOR AND UNDEREMPLOYED, BUT ALSO OUR AVERAGE WORKING CLASS FAMILIES LIVING PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK.
OUR CHILDREN, ESPECIALLY THOSE WITH MENTAL CHALLENGES AFTER COVID, OUR SENIORS WHO ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO AGE IN PLACE IN A CITY THAT THEY LOVE, AND OUR IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY, WHO ARE ABOUT 30% OF OUR COMMUNITY.
AND IF 30% ARE NOT DOING WELL, THEN WE AS A WHOLE ARE NOT DOING WELL.
THE PHILOSOPHER JOHN STUART MILL ONCE SAID, THE TRUEST TEST OF A SOCIETY IS HOW IT TREATS ITS VULNERABLE MEMBERS, AND THIS IS A TEST THAT WE MUST MEET.
WE MUST RISE TO THAT CHALLENGE IF WE ARE TO THRIVE AS A WHOLE.
THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE THAT I WANT TO THANK.
WHO? GOD THE CREATOR, WHO MAKES EVERYTHING POSSIBLE THANKS TO MY FAMILY, MY HUSBAND WHO'S THE BACKBONE OF OUR FAMILY AND WITHOUT WHOM I COULD NOT DO WHAT I DO.
MY ADULT CHILDREN JASON, CHRISTINE AND BRANDON.
MY GRANDDAUGHTER JAYLEN, WATCHING FROM HOME.
I WANT TO THANK ALL OF MY FRIENDS AND SUPPORTERS WHO CAME OUT TONIGHT AND THOSE WHO ARE WATCHING ONLINE FROM NEW YORK CITY, NEW JERSEY, PENNSYLVANIA, FLORIDA AND PUERTO RICO, INCLUDING MY GRANDMOTHER ROSARIO ORTIZ, AND MY DAUGHTER, CHRISTINE SANTIAGO.
MAS GRACIAS A MI COMUNIDAD A EDAD HISPANO HABLANDO POR SU AMOR Y APOYO CONSTANTE FUERZA PARA HACER ESTE TRABAJO.
[00:15:01]
AQUI ESTOY PARA SERVERLESS Y PARA REPRESENTA.THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN TO ALL THE VOTERS WHO BELIEVED ENOUGH IN ME TO CAST THE BALLOT IN MY FAVOR.
AND I WILL BE HERE TO SERVE EVERYONE, EVEN THOSE WHO DIDN'T VOTE FOR ME, TO CONTINUE MAKING THE CITY OF WHITE PLAINS THE CARING, INNOVATIVE, THRIVING CITY THAT WE ARE ALL PROUD OF.
OKAY. NICK WOLFE IS OUR NEXT NEW COUNCIL MEMBER, AND WE WELCOME HIM.
AND AS MOST OF YOU KNOW, HE IS MORE COMMONLY KNOWN AS MR. WHITE PLAINS.
SO IT'S AN HONOR FOR ALL OF US TO SERVE WITH HIM.
I NEVER MET A PODIUM I DIDN'T LIKE.
SO UNACCUSTOMED AS I AM TO SPEAKING IN PUBLIC.
I AM EXTREMELY EXCITED TO START THIS JOURNEY THAT I HAVE BEEN TRAINING FOR MY WHOLE LIFE.
I WAS BORN 75 YEARS AGO IN WHITE PLAINS HOSPITAL.
I HAVE SO MANY PEOPLE TO THANK FIRST GOD FOR GUIDING ME, PROTECTING ME, KEEPING ME SAFE AND HEALTHY.
MY PARENTS WHO SET THE EXAMPLE.
KINDNESS, LOVE, VOLUNTEERING, COMMUNITY SERVICE AND GIVING BACK WHICH I HAVE BUILT MY CAREER IN LIFE.
ON SERVING ON EIGHT CURRENT BOARDS.
I WILL NOW BE ABLE TO DO IT ON A HIGHER OFFICIAL LEVEL.
MY UNWAVERING GRATITUDE AND THANKS GOES OUT TO SO MANY OF YOU IN THE ROOM, AND OTHERS WHO VOTED.
AS EVELYN SAID, WE HAD OVER 3000 PEOPLE CAME OUT AND VOTED FOR OUR SLATE, SO WE'RE VERY GRATEFUL FOR THAT.
I'D LIKE TO THANK MY WIFE, EILEEN, MY TWO OLDER CHILDREN, LAURA AND JOANNA, LAURA AND JENNY, WHO ARE HERE IN THE AUDIENCE.
MY OTHER TWO, MATT AND JOANNA, WHO? ONE IS IN CALIFORNIA, THE OTHER LIVES IN BROOKLYN, AND SHE HAS TWO LITTLE KIDS, SO IT WAS A LITTLE HARD.
BUT MY FIVE GRANDCHILDREN, MY OLDEST GRANDDAUGHTER ELIZABETH, WHO IS ALSO HERE.
ALLIE AND KATIE, WHO ARE WORKING, AND THE YOUNGEST, JACK, FIVE, AND CHARLIE, 22 MONTHS IN BROOKLYN AND MY SONS IN LAW, JOHN IN BROOKLYN AND MY SON IN LAW, DAN, WHO I WORK WITH, WHO'S ALSO HERE.
AS YVONNE, AS I MENTIONED BEFORE, I AM NOT A POLITICIAN.
I AM A VOLUNTEER DOING COMMUNITY SERVICE BY GIVING BACK TO THE CITY I LOVE AND THAT HELPED ME DEVELOP.
THERE ARE SO MANY OTHER PEOPLE TO THANK THAT I DON'T HAVE TIME TO DO THAT, BUT THE BOARDS THAT I'VE SERVED ON, THE FRIENDS, THE NEIGHBORS, PAST CLIENTS, MY GRANT, MY UNWAVERING GRATITUDE.
SO FINALLY, AS MARTIN LUTHER KING SAID, DON'T RUN BECAUSE YOU WANT TO BE SOMETHING.
RUN BECAUSE YOU WANT TO DO SOMETHING.
FINALLY, I AM SO LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING WITH ALL OF MY FELLOW NEW, NEW AND OLD OR NOT MY AGE, BUT COUNSEL PEOPLE AND I THINK, THANK YOU ALL AND GOD BLESS YOU FOR THIS WONDERFUL CITY AND OUR CITIZENS.
SO CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYONE.
IT'S REALLY WE HAVE A TERRIFIC COUNCIL.
WE'RE GOING TO WORK VERY HARD, GET A LOT DONE.
AND I'M HONORED TO WORK WITH ALL OF YOU.
OKAY. MADAM CLERK, WE'RE GOING TO GO INTO THE REGULAR STATED MEETING AT THIS TIME.
WELL, WE'RE IN THE REGULAR STATED MEETING, BUT GET TO MORE BUSINESS.
MADAM CLERK, COULD YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
[RECOGNITION]
YES.THE NEXT ITEM ON OUR AGENDA IS THE RECOGNITION OF WHITE PLAINS YOUTH BUREAU YOUTHS OF THE YEAR.
SO THAT'S KIND OF A BEAUTIFUL THING WE HAVE TODAY.
THEY ARE CO AWARD WINNERS, BRENDAN ARCHER AND LEO KENNEDY.
SO I THINK WE'RE GOING TO BE CALLING UP, UH, FRANK WILLIAMS, OUR FEARLESS LEADER, THE HEAD OF THE YOUTH BUREAU, OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO COME OUT AND TO HELP.
[00:20:01]
US GIVE OUT THESE AWARDS.I'M GOING TO READ A FEW THINGS ABOUT MR. ARCHER, WHO WAS ONE OF OUR TWO YOUTHS OF THE YEAR.
AND I DON'T KNOW IF ANY OF YOU KNOW, BUT I'M A HUGE FAN OF THE YOUTH BUREAU.
I WAS THE CHAIR FOR FOUR AND A HALF YEARS, AND I HAVE TO SAY THAT ONE OF MY INSPIRATIONS IN MY ENTIRE LIFE IS FRANK WILLIAMS STANDING NEXT TO ME.
HE IS FOR 37 OR 38 YEARS, RUN OUR YOUTH BUREAU.
THE YOUTH BUREAU IS THE SECRET TO THE THE SECRET SAUCE AND TO THE SUCCESS OF OUR CITY.
WE OFFER 68 PROGRAMS TO OUR KIDS, AND THEY CAN LEARN AND DO EVERYTHING.
AND BY GIVING, KEEPING OUR KIDS BUSY WITH OPPORTUNITIES IN EVERY FIELD YOU COULD IMAGINE, FROM STEAM AND STEM TO BOXING TO HAVING FLIGHT SIMULATORS, IT IS THIS MAN, FRANK WILLIAMS, WHO'S DEVOTED HIS LIFE TO OUR YOUTH AND CHANGED OUR CITY, AND I AM VERY GRATEFUL FOR THAT.
NOW WE WILL MOVE ON TO THE YOUTH OF THE YEAR.
AND I WANT TO BEGIN BY TELLING YOU A LITTLE BIT ABOUT BRANDON ARCHER, WHO IS GOING TO BE THE FIRST ONE TO RECEIVE HIS AWARD.
BRANDON ARCHER IS A SENIOR AT WHITE PLAINS HIGH SCHOOL AND A MEMBER OF THE CLASS OF 2026.
HE IS A DEDICATED CIVIC LEADER WITH A STRONG COMMITMENT TO SOCIAL JUSTICE, PUBLIC SERVICE, AND YOUTH ADVOCACY.
BRANDON SERVES AS PRESIDENT OF THE MAYOR'S YOUTH COUNCIL AND IS A MEMBER OF THE WHITE PLAINS GREENBERG NAACP YOUTH COUNCIL.
HE IS ALSO A 2025 MY BROTHER'S KEEPER FELLOW.
HIS PASSION FOR ACCESSIBLE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AND URBAN AND URBAN PLANNING HAS SHAPED HIS GOAL TO MAJOR IN URBAN AND REGIONAL PLANNING.
HE HAS ACTIVELY PARTICIPATED IN ONE WHITE PLAINS PUBLIC MEETINGS AND WORKED TO ENCOURAGE GREATER STUDENT INVOLVEMENT AND CIVIC INITIATIVES.
BRANDON HAS GAINED HANDS ON EXPERIENCE THROUGH AN INTERNSHIP WITH THE CITY OF WHITE PLAINS PLANNING DEPARTMENT.
HE IS ALSO A MEMBER OF THE WHITE PLAINS HIGH SCHOOL VARSITY TENNIS TEAM.
IN ADDITION TO HIS LEADERSHIP ROLES.
BRANDON HAS VOLUNTEERED EXTENSIVELY THROUGH FOOD DRIVES, MLK DAY OF SERVICE, POLITICAL CANVASSING, AND YOUTH FOCUSED COMMUNITY EVENTS.
BRANDON IS A SCHOLARLY ATHLETE WITH AN EXCEPTIONAL 4.57 GRADE POINT AVERAGE AND.
BRANDON'S POST-SECONDARY GOALS FOCUS ON MATRICULATION AT EITHER THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO OR BROWN UNIVERSITY.
UM, I, I JUST, UH, I'M REALLY NERVOUS RIGHT NOW, BUT I JUST I JUST WANTED TO TO SAY THAT, UM, I'VE LIVED IN WHITE PLAINS ALL 18 YEARS OF MY LIFE, AND I'M SO GLAD THAT I WAS ABLE TO, UM, GROW UP WITH THE WHITE PLAINS YOUTH BUREAU AND ACCESS ALL OF ITS PROGRAMS EVER SINCE I WAS A LITTLE SIXTH GRADER AND, UM, AND ABLE TO NAVIGATE THROUGH COVID.
AND THANK YOU TO MR. WILLIAMS AND, UH, ALL THE PEOPLE WHO RECOMMENDED ME TO THIS MISS EL MONTE, UM, MR. RIOS WHO ISN'T HERE, BUT I HOPE HE'S WATCHING, UH, MY MOTHER, WHO IS RECORDING AND MY MY MY DAD AND MY SISTER, WHO ARE, UH, IN THE BACK ROW, UM, AND, UH, AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR THIS AWARD, MR. WILLIAMS. AND, UM.
OKAY, LET'S GIVE IT UP FOR BRANDON ARCHER.
OUR SECOND YOUTH OF THE YEAR IS, UH, LEO KENNEDY.
UH, LEO KENNEDY IS A SENIOR AT IONA PREPARATORY SCHOOL, HAS DISTINGUISHED HIMSELF AS A POWERFUL AND DEDICATED VOICE
[00:25:03]
FOR YOUTH IN THE CITY OF WHITE PLAINS AND BEYOND.THROUGH SUSTAINED CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, LEADERSHIP, AND SERVICE.
LEO HAS DEMONSTRATED AN EXCEPTIONAL COMMITMENT TO STRENGTHENING HIS COMMUNITY AND ENSURING THAT YOUNG PEOPLE ARE MEANINGFULLY REPRESENTED IN PUBLIC LIFE.
AS AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF THE YOUTH COUNCIL OF MAYOR'S YOUTH COUNCIL, LEO PLAYS A SUBSTANTIVE ROLE IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT BY COLLABORATING WITH CITY LEADERS AND FELLOW YOUTH REPRESENTATIVES TO IDENTIFY COMMUNITY NEEDS AND PROPOSED THOUGHTFUL SOLUTIONS.
HE REGULARLY PARTICIPATES IN POLICY DISCUSSIONS, COMMUNITY FORUMS, AND CIVIC INITIATIVES ADDRESSING CRITICAL ISSUES SUCH AS EDUCATION, PUBLIC SAFETY, MENTAL HEALTH, AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT.
HIS CIVIC LEADERSHIP ALSO EXTENDS TO HIS SERVICE ON THE WHITE PLAINS, THE MAYOR'S WHITE PLAINS YOUTH BOARD, WHERE LEO PROVIDES INSIGHTFUL ADVOCACY ON BEHALF OF YOUNG PEOPLE.
AS A NATURAL LEADER, LEO CONSISTENTLY MODELS RESPONSIBILITY, EVIDENCED BY HIS FOUR YEAR COMMITMENT AND INVOLVEMENT WITH THE WHITE PLAINS COMMUNITY YOUTH COURT INITIATIVE.
YOUTH COURT IS COMPRISED OF YOUTH VOLUNTEERS THAT RECEIVE LEGAL AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE BASED TRAINING, AS WELL AS THE OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP PRACTICAL CIVICS AND LAW EXPERIENCES.
THEY WORK TO DIVERT FIRST TIME YOUTH OFFENDERS FROM THE JUVENILE SYSTEM.
HIS PARTICIPATION IN WESTCHESTER POLAR PLUNGE HIGHLIGHTS HIS COMMITMENT TO ADVOCACY FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES, AS HE RAISES BOTH FUNDS AND AWARENESS FOR THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS IN NEW YORK.
LEO HAS SET HIS POST-SECONDARY GOALS ON ATTENDING NYU OR HOFSTRA UNIVERSITY TO TO PURSUE A DEGREE IN DATA SCIENCE.
WELL, FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU TO MY MOTHER, WHO'S ALSO RECORDING MY BROTHER IN THE BACK.
AND LIKE COUNCILMAN WOLF, I WAS ALSO BORN IN AT, UH, WHITE PLAINS HOSPITAL.
UM, I'VE SPENT ALL 17 YEARS OF MY LIFE HERE IN WHITE PLAINS.
I'M ESPECIALLY GRATEFUL TO THE COMMON COUNCIL FOR THIS HONOR.
I'M ESPECIALLY GRATEFUL TO COUNCILMAN FRYE PEARSON, WHO IS CHAIRMAN OF OUR YOUTH BOARD AND HAS CONSISTENTLY SHOWN THAT YOUTH VOICES MATTER IN THIS CITY.
UM, I CAN'T IF I WERE THANKING ALL THESE PEOPLE, I'D BE UP HERE FOR TOO LONG.
BUT I'D LIKE TO THANK EVERYONE AT THE WHITE PLAINS YOUTH BUREAU, PARTICULARLY FRANK WILLIAMS, ELIZABETH ALMONTE, KATHERINE BACKUS, GINA COVINGTON, CONNIE JONES, ERIC RIOS.
SO MANY PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE IN YOUNG PEOPLE LIKE BRANDON AND I WITH SO MUCH PASSION, AND THEY REALLY TAKE PRIDE IN IT.
UM, FINALLY, I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T THANK MY FRIEND AND MENTOR LENNY WALLACE, WHO MADE IT TONIGHT.
UM, BUT I AM SO PROUD TO RECEIVE THIS AWARD.
I'M SO PROUD TO BE IN WHITE PLAINS.
AND IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE KEEP HAVING OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO STEP UP AND SERVE.
IT'S PART OF WHAT MAKES WHITE PLAINS SUCH A SPECIAL PLACE.
TO YOU TO CONGRATULATE YOU ON CATCHING UP.
LET'S GIVE HIM A ROUND OF APPLAUSE.
OKAY, NOW ON TO THE BUSINESS PORTION OF OUR MEETING.
SO, UH, COUNCILMAN PRESSER, DO WE HAVE A CONSENT AGENDA? MR. MAYOR, WE DO INDEED.
I OFFER THE CONSENT AGENDA OF ITEMS 1 TO 2 AND 17 TO 42 AND REQUEST UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO CONSIDER FOR ACTION THE ORDINANCES ON FOR A FIRST READING.
I FURTHER MOVE TO ADOPT THOSE ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS.
FILE AND SPREAD ALL COMMUNICATIONS APPROVAL APPOINTMENTS.
REFER THOSE MATTERS THAT ARE NECESSARY TO THE APPROPRIATE CITY DEPARTMENTS, BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS AND FILE ANY ATTACHMENTS.
DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND? SECOND.
WE CAN WE HAVE A ROLL CALL VOTE.
PEARSON. YES, MR. PAYNE? YES, MISS PRESSER? YES, MISS SANTIAGO.
[00:30:02]
BEFORE WE CONTINUE TO GO THROUGH THE CONSENT AGENDA, IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING WE NEED TO MOVE THE PODIUM OUT.UH, OUR OUR FELLOW GENTLEMAN HERE TO HELP US WITH THAT.
AND THEN WE WILL MOVE ON TO TONIGHT'S CONSENT AGENDA.
NICK IS GOING TO HELP, WHICH IS WHAT HE'S BEEN DOING FOR THE LAST 75 YEARS.
SO IT'S EXTREMELY APPROPRIATE.
[Consent Agenda]
OKAY. TONIGHT'S CONSENT AGENDA IS AS FOLLOWS.ITEM ONE APPOINTS WADE HARTY AS COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC SAFETY FOR THE CITY OF WHITE PLAINS.
UH, JEREMIAH FRYE, PEARSON, COUNCILMAN.
SO I JUST WANT TO BEGIN BY CONGRATULATING COMMISSIONER HARDY AS OUR NEW PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSIONER.
AND I ALSO WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO THANK COMMISSIONER CHONG FOR HIS MANY YEARS OF SERVICE.
BUT COMMISSIONER HARDY IS REALLY GOING TO BUILD ON THE GREAT WORK THAT OUR POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT ARE ALREADY DOING.
HE'S IN CHARGE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEROES.
RIGHT. WHEN THERE'S A FIRE, THE FIREMEN, THE MEN OF PUBLIC SAFETY, THEY RUN TOWARDS THE FIRE WHERE ALL THE REST OF US RUN AWAY WHEN THERE'S A DANGEROUS SITUATION.
THE POLICE OFFICERS ARE THE ONES WHO RUN TOWARDS IT.
MR.. COMMISSIONER HARDY IS IN CHARGE OF ALL OF THEM.
AND THAT REALLY IMPORTANT WORK.
AND I JUST HAD THE HONOR OF ATTENDING A SWEARING IN CEREMONY WHERE COMMISSIONER HARDY LED THE WAY.
AND ONE THING THAT HE WAS TELLING THE NEW POLICE OFFICERS, WHICH SPEAKS SO MUCH TO WHAT WE'RE ABOUT IN WHITE PLAINS AS HE GOES.
YOUR NUMBER ONE JOB IS TO BE KIND AND TO HELP PEOPLE, BECAUSE THAT IS REALLY WHAT OUR PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENT DOES.
AND IF I COULD JUST BRAG ON A COUPLE THINGS ABOUT COMMISSIONER HARDY, HIS HISTORIC APPOINTMENT, HE'S GOING TO BE THE HIGHEST RANKING AFRICAN AMERICAN IN THE HISTORY OF THE WHITE PLAINS PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENT.
AND HE'S GOT 39 YEARS OF MAKING HISTORY.
HE STARTED OUT AS A DETECTIVE IN THE WHITE PLAINS POLICE FORCE.
HE'S BEEN INVOLVED IN LEADERSHIP AT THE, UH, RIGHT NOW WITH OR JUST PREVIOUSLY AT THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, WHERE HE DEALT WITH SOME REALLY DIFFICULT STUFF.
HE DEALT WITH SEX CRIMES, WHICH I DON'T THINK ANY OF US WANT TO DEAL WITH, BUT HE DEALS WITH REALLY DIFFICULT PROBLEMS AND PUTS PEOPLE FIRST.
HE VOLUNTEERED FOR THIS CITY ON OUR POLICE REFORM COMMISSION, AND THERE'S SOME UNFINISHED BUSINESS FROM THAT COMMISSION THAT I KNOW HE'S GOING TO GET DONE.
I AM SO HONORED TO SUPPORT COMMISSIONER HARDY, AND I'M SO LOOKING FORWARD TO OUR PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENT.
AND AGAIN, THE MEN AND THE WOMEN IN THAT DEPARTMENT ARE HEROES, AND THEY DO REALLY GOOD WORK, AND WE'RE GOING TO BUILD AND MOVE FORWARD EVEN MORE.
I WANT TO CONGRATULATE YOU AGAIN, COMMISSIONER HARDY.
AND YOU SHOULD KNOW THAT THIS ENTIRE COUNCIL IS BEHIND YOU, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOU TAKING OUR CITY TO AN EVEN HIGHER LEVEL.
WELL, AS IS MY WANT, I CHECKED THE LINKEDIN RESUME FOR WADE HARDY AND THE POSITIONS ARE IMPRESSIVE ENOUGH, BUT THE DEPTH AND BREADTH OF HIS VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES, BOTH PROFESSIONAL AND COMMUNITY BASED, TELLS YOU ABOUT HIS CHARACTER AND HIS COMMITMENT TO SERVICE.
WE ARE SO FORTUNATE TO HAVE WADE HARDY AS OUR NEW COMMISSIONER.
I WILL ECHO THE SENTIMENTS OF MY COLLEAGUES, AND I ASSURE YOU THAT COUNCILMAN FRY PEARSON STOLE MY NOTES ABOUT THE NEW COMMISSIONER.
I COULD NOT BE PROUDER OF OUR PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENT.
A FEW OF THEM ARE HERE WITH US THIS EVENING.
AND I KNOW THAT COMMISSIONER HARDY IS GOING TO TAKE THEM TO THE NEXT LEVEL WITH HIS DEDICATION AND HIS HISTORY OF PUBLIC SERVICE.
I'VE GOTTEN TO KNOW COMMISSIONER HARDY OVER THE YEARS.
HE SHOWS UP AT MORE EVENTS THAN WE DO, AND THAT'S HARD TO DO.
AND HE'S DEDICATED TO WHITE PLAINS.
WE'RE GOING TO BE SEEING QUITE A BIT OF HIM.
AND AGAIN, HE IS HE'S TAKING CHARGE OF A DEPARTMENT THAT WE ALL SIT HERE AND ARE SO PROUD OF.
AND WE KNOW THAT COMMISSIONER HARDY IS GOING TO DO THE SAME.
I CANNOT WAIT TO SEE WHAT HE DOES WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY GOING FORWARD.
AND I WANT TO CONGRATULATE HIM AND HIS DEPARTMENT MOVING FORWARD INTO THE NEW YEAR.
[00:35:02]
SO I HAVE TO SAY THAT I LOVE WADE HARDY.HE'S. AND HE'S ACTUALLY A PERSON OF FULL OF LOVE.
AND, YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE THINGS I ACTUALLY SERVE ON THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S ANTI-BIAS TASK FORCE, AND IT WAS AMAZING TO HEAR PEOPLE AROUND THAT TABLE TALK ABOUT WADE HARDY AND HOW HE GIVES ALL THE KIDS HIS CELL NUMBER.
SO IF THEY HAVE PROBLEMS AND THEY NEED MENTORING AND NURTURING ON TOP OF ALL THE THINGS YOU'VE HEARD, EVERYBODY KNOWS HOW TO CALL WADE HARDY AND HE WILL HELP YOU ANY TIME OF DAY AND NIGHT.
I WILL ADD EVERYTHING THAT I WANT TO SAY HAS BEEN SAID, EXCEPT ONE THING.
IN ADDITION TO ALL OF HIS PUBLIC SERVICE, HE HAS TREMENDOUS PRIVATE SECTOR EXPERIENCE.
HE DID SECURITY FOR CON EDISON, LEADING IT FOR SEVEN YEARS.
SO WE REALLY HAVE A SUPERSTAR AND I KNOW WE'RE ALL EXCITED ABOUT IT.
I WANT TO THANK MY COLLEAGUES FOR, OF COURSE, ENCOURAGING AND SUPPORTING EVERYONE IN OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT, ENFORCEMENT AND AND PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENT, AND I KNOW THAT WE'RE ALL VERY GRATEFUL FOR THIS.
ITEM NUMBER TWO APPOINTS DOREEN AS ACTING CORPORATION COUNSEL.
I HAVE HAD THE PRIVILEGE OVER THE YEARS OF WORKING WITH, UM, DOREEN RICH AS CORPORATION COUNSEL ON VARIOUS COMMITTEES, UH, WHERE WE BOTH SERVED, UH, IN THE CITY.
AND I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT SHE'S GOING TO BRING A LEVEL OF DEDICATION AND INTELLIGENCE, UH, THAT IS GOING TO MAKE EVERYONE HERE PROUD.
UH, SHE IS PROFESSIONAL, INTELLIGENT AND HARDWORKING.
AND AT EVERY COMMITTEE THAT I'VE EVER SERVED ALONGSIDE WITH HER, I HAVE BEEN NOTHING BUT PROUD TO SERVE AND SIT ALONGSIDE HER.
AND SHE BRINGS INSIGHT AND A WARMTH TO EVERY MEETING.
AND SHE IS GOING TO BE A TREMENDOUS ASSET TO THIS CITY GOING FORWARD.
SO I JUST WANT TO CONGRATULATE HER.
ITEM 17 THROUGH 18 AUTHORIZES THE ASSIGNMENT OF AGREEMENTS FOR A PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE AND PARKING ITEMS 19 THROUGH 20.
ESTABLISH AND APPROVE A SCHEDULE FOR USER FEES FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION AND PARKS EFFECTIVE MARCH 1ST, 2026.
I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT AS A PROUD MEMBER OF THE RECREATION AND PARKS ADVISORY BOARD, I CAN TELL YOU THAT THE WHITE PLAINS RECREATION AND PARKS DEPARTMENT HAS HAS DONE AN EXCELLENT JOB MAINTAINING ITS PROGRAMMING OVER THE YEARS WITH MINIMAL INCREASES.
IT'S AMAZING TO SEE HOW MUCH THAT DEPARTMENT DOES WITH THE FUNDS, INCLUDING PROVIDING SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR MANY CHILDREN IN THE COMMUNITY WITHOUT NEGATIVELY IMPACTING FAMILIES.
UM, ESPECIALLY WITH THE SUMMER CAMP PROGRAMS, I JUST WANTED TO CONGRATULATE AND AND WHOLEHEARTEDLY SUPPORT THE WHITE PLAINS DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION AND PARKS.
ITEMS 21 THROUGH 22 AUTHORIZES GRANTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $35,000 FROM THE NEW YORK STATE GRANT IN AID PROGRAM TO SUPPORT A TEACHER IN THE LIBRARY PROGRAM.
ITEMS 23 THROUGH 34 AUTHORIZED GRANTS FROM THE WESTCHESTER COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER TO SUPPORT THE FOLLOWING YOUTH PROGRAMS THE YOUTH COURT PROGRAM, SPORTS PROGRAM, PROJECT HOPE, HEALTH AND FIT FOR LIFE PROGRAM, STEP UP, AND THE COMPREHENSIVE YOUTH ALTERNATIVES PROGRAM.
ITEMS 35 THROUGH 36 AMEND SECTION 2-5 76 OF THE WHITE PLAINS MUNICIPAL CODE BY REALLOCATING A CERTAIN POSITION.
AMEND THE TRAFFIC ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF WHITE PLAINS TO CREATE A NO PARKING.
ZONE ON BOTH SIDES OF THOMPSON AVENUE.
I WOULD JUST LIKE TO GENERALLY COMMENT ABOUT THIS ITEM COMING OUT OF THE TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION.
I CHAIR THIS COMMISSION AND WE MEET MONTHLY.
AND WHAT WE DO IS WE REVIEW ITEMS THAT THE RESIDENTS OF WHITE PLAINS BRING TO THE ATTENTION OF THIS COMMISSION, AND YOU CAN CONTACT THEM BY EMAILING PARKING AT WHITE PLAINS, NY GOV.
AND WE DISCUSS RESIDENTS CONCERNS, PARTICULARLY AS IT RELATES TO SAFETY WITHIN THE CITY OF THEIR RESIDENTIAL STREETS OR IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA, EITHER PARKING OR SIDEWALKS OR UNSAFE DRIVING.
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU, AND I JUST WANT TO START THE YEAR OFF BY REMINDING FOLKS THAT THEY CAN CONTACT US, AND WE MEET MONTHLY, AND ANY COMMUNICATION YOU SEND TO THIS COMMISSION WILL BE REVIEWED BY PROFESSIONALS.
AND WE DO TAKE ACTION, ESPECIALLY AS YOU CAN SEE THIS EVENING, WE ARE TAKING ACTION.
I JUST WANT TO LET FOLKS KNOW THAT THE COMMISSION SERVES YOU AND THAT YOU CAN COMMUNICATE WITH THEM AT ANY TIME.
ITEMS 39 THROUGH 40 DESIGNATE THE JOURNAL NEWS OF THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE CITY OF WHITE PLAINS FOR THE PURPOSE OF PUBLIC NOTICES.
ITEM 41 REFERS TO AN APPLICATION FOR AN EXTENSION OF A SITE PLAN.
APPROVAL FOR A PROPOSED PROJECT AT 390 NORTH STREET.
ITEM 42 AMENDMENT APPOINTS MEMBERS TO THE MAYOR'S YOUTH BOARD.
WE WILL BE APPOINTING GABE RODRIGUEZ AND, UM, AND AND
[00:40:02]
PARDON ME, UH, RICK.AND I KNOW THAT, UH, JEREMIAH FRYE PEARSON, OUR COUNCIL MEMBER, WANTS TO SPEAK ABOUT THAT.
I THINK AS WE SAW WITH, UM, BRENDAN AND LEO, THE WHITE PLAINS YOUTH BOARD JUST DOES.
BUREAU DOES INCREDIBLE WORK, AND WE JUST THEY GOT MORE GRANT MONEY, WHICH IS GREAT SERVICES FOR OUR KIDS THAT WE AS TAXPAYERS AREN'T, AREN'T PAYING FOR, WHICH IS JUST A WIN WIN.
I JUST WANT TO QUICKLY THANK, UM, GABE AND ENRIQUE FOR CHOOSING TO JOIN THIS BOARD.
JOINING THE BOARD IS ONE OF THE MOST FUN THINGS YOU CAN DO.
YOU SEE AMAZING PEOPLE AND YOU SUPPORT OUR YOUTH, BUT IT'S ALSO A TRIBUTE TO BOTH OF THESE FOLKS, BOTH OF WHOM ARE MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS, THAT THEY'VE TAKEN THEIR TIME TO MENTOR OUR YOUTH AND TO MAKE SURE OUR CITY MOVES FORWARD.
SO I JUST WANTED TO RECOGNIZE THEM AND THANK THEM.
COUNCILMAN. COUNCILWOMAN EVELYN SANTIAGO.
YEAH. I JUST WANT TO ECHO JEREMIAH'S COMMENTS ABOUT DOCTOR JENNETTE AND DOCTOR RODRIGUEZ ON JOINING THE YOUTH BOARD.
I HAVE GROWN TO KNOW AND RESPECT BOTH OF THEM, AND I KNOW THAT THEY WILL MAKE EXCELLENT ROLE MODELS FOR OUR YOUTH.
BOTH ARE BILINGUAL, AND THAT'S DEFINITELY AN ASSET IN THIS COMMUNITY.
THEY'RE BOTH DOCTORS IN THE COMMUNITY.
ONE IS A DOCTOR OF PHYSICAL THERAPY AND THE OTHER THE OTHER IS A PHD IN MEDICAL RESEARCH.
AND THEY WILL SERVE, THEREFORE AS ROLE MODELS IN THE TEACHING OF IN THE SHORTAGE AREA OF STEM, WHICH IS SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATH.
I'M PROUD TO SUPPORT THEIR ADDITION TO THE YOUTH BOARD.
[3. Public Hearing in relation to an application submitted on behalf of Life Time for a special permit and for an amendment to a site plan in an “S” Zone as approved and amended by the Common Council with respect to property known as One Maple Avenue White Plains NY.]
THANK YOU.UH, NOW WE ARE GOING TO MOVE TO THE DISCUSSION AGENDA.
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING IN RELATION TO AN APPLICATION SUBMITTED ON BEHALF OF LIFETIME FOR A SPECIAL PERMIT AND FOR AN AMENDMENT TO A SITE PLAN AND AN S ZONE, AS APPROVED AND AMENDED BY THE COMMON COUNCIL WITH RESPECT TO PROPERTY KNOWN AS ONE MAPLE AVENUE, WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK.
IS THERE A MOTION TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING? I MOVE THAT THE HEARING BE OPENED.
THE PUBLIC HEARING HAS BEEN OPEN.
MR. NOEL WILL SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THE APPLICANT.
MEMBERS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL.
MAYOR BRASH AND EACH OF THE COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH EACH OF YOU.
AND I'M HAPPY TO BE HERE TONIGHT ON BEHALF OF LIFETIME.
ASHLEY ASTOR WITH LIFETIME AND WILLIAM WELSH IN IN THE AUDIENCE ARE HERE TO ADDRESS QUESTIONS AND TO EXPLAIN THE APPLICATION IN MORE DETAIL.
THIS IS A PROPOSED RE OCCUPANCY OF THE FORMER RAYMOND FLANAGAN SPACE ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF ONE MAPLE AVENUE.
IT'S A 60 ZERO ZERO ZERO SQUARE FOOT SPACE IN WHAT HAD WHAT'S CALLED THE SAUCE, UH, CHEESECAKE FACTORY AND WHOLE FOODS, AMONG OTHERS, AS WELL AS DICK'S SPORTING GOODS ARE IN THAT LOCATION.
AND, UM, THE PROPOSAL HERE IS FOR FOR A SPECIAL PERMIT FOR A HEALTH CLUB, WHICH IS A REQUIRED PUBLIC HEARING BEFORE THE COMMON COUNCIL.
WE'VE BEEN BEFORE THE DESIGN REVIEW BOARD AND THE PLANNING BOARD, AND EACH OF THESE BOARDS HAVE REVIEWED AND RECOMMENDED AFFIRMATIVELY WITH REGARD TO THE APPLICATION.
WE'VE SUBMITTED CONSIDERABLE DETAILS THAT ASHLEY WILL WALK YOU THROUGH, AND WE'VE ALSO SUBMITTED PROOF OF APPROPRIATE LEGAL NOTICE AS REQUIRED BY THE COUNCIL.
SO WITH WITH THAT, ASHLEY, IF YOU WOULD COME FORWARD AND IS THAT WORKING.
[00:45:03]
YEAH.I TOOK IT OUT AND PUT IT INTO.
YEAH. THIS THIS WAS GOING TO BE A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT, BUT WE COULD.
YEAH, I CAN, I CAN DO SOMETHING.
SORRY FOR THE TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES.
HOPEFULLY WE'LL GET THIS SORTED OUT.
OTHERWISE, I HAVE MY LAPTOP WITH IT AS WELL.
THERE'S, LIKE, A HDMI CORD I COULD PLUG IN AS WELL.
DID I SPELL THAT RIGHT? THERE WE GO.
NO, NO, ISN'T THAT IT? OH. YOU'RE NOT.
IS THAT YOUR JOB NOW? DON'T WORRY.
WE'LL BE WITH YOU IN A MINUTE.
JUST A FLASH OF OPTIMISM THERE.
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE THAT HELPED.
THE PRESENTATION BY THE APPLICANT.
GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
WE ARE HERE TO SEEK APPROVAL OF LIFETIME'S APPLICATION FOR A SPECIAL PERMIT FOR THE USE OF A HEALTH CLUB IN A B1 S ZONING DISTRICT.
LIFETIME WILL BE OCCUPYING APPROXIMATELY 60,000FT OF THE FORMER RAYMOND FLANAGAN FURNITURE STORE AT THE SOURCE, LOCATED AT ONE MAPLE AVENUE.
TONIGHT WE WILL WALK THROUGH THE SUBMITTED MATERIALS, STARTING WITH A QUICK OVERVIEW OF LIFETIME, THE SITE LOCATION.
OUR FLOOR PLAN, OUR ACOUSTIC ISOLATION STRATEGY, ELEVATIONS SHOWCASING THE WINDOW ADDITIONS WE'RE PLANNING, AND THE PROPOSED SIGNAGE FOR THE SITE.
LIFETIME'S BEEN AROUND FOR 30 YEARS.
OUR CEO AND FOUNDER, BRAHMA CROTTY, WANTED TO BRING A HEALTHY WAY OF LIFE LIFESTYLE TO COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE NATION.
AT LIFETIME, WE ARE COMMITTED TO HELPING IMPROVE THE WAY PEOPLE LIVE, WORK, PLAY AND THINK ABOUT THEIR HEALTH.
WE HAVE DONE THIS BY ALWAYS KEEPING UP WITH THE LATEST HEALTH AND WELLNESS TRENDS, AND BY PROVIDING HIGH END QUALITY PRODUCTS.
LIFETIME IS A PLACE FOR ALL, WHETHER YOU ARE 90 DAYS OLD OR 90 YEARS OLD.
LIFETIME AIMS TO PROVIDE A HEALTHY LIVING.
HEALTHY AGING AND A HEALTHY ENTERTAINMENT SPACE FOR EVERYONE IN THE COMMUNITY.
WE PROVIDE A KIDS ACADEMY WITH YOUTH PROGRAMMING AND LESSONS FOR KIDS FROM THREE MONTHS OLD TO 11 YEARS OLD, AS WELL AS AURORA CLASSES, PROGRAMS, AND GROUPS FOR SENIORS.
AURORA IS AVAILABLE FOR OUR ACTIVE AGERS OF 55 PLUS.
AT LIFETIME, WE PRIDE OURSELVES AS EXPERT OPERATORS IN THE HEALTH AND WELLNESS INDUSTRY WITH OVER 180 LOCATIONS.
75% MEMBER RETENTION, 2.1 PLUS MILLION MEMBERS IN 16.9
[00:50:04]
MILLION, AND GROWING SQUARE FOOTAGE OF REAL ESTATE ACROSS THE NATION.WITH OVER 180 ATHLETIC RESORTS IN OVER 43 MAJOR MARKETS, WE WANTED TO MENTION THAT WE HAVE NEVER CLOSED A CLUB NOR MISSED A PAYMENT OF A CLUB THAT WE HAVE OPENED.
EVEN THROUGHOUT COVID, WHEN MOST IN OUR INDUSTRY STRUGGLED TO DO SO.
FOR FOLKS IN THE ROOM UNFAMILIAR WITH LIFETIME, I'D LIKE TO OFFER SOME QUICK MARKET CONTEXT USING THIS MAP HERE.
WE CURRENTLY HAVE 20 CLUBS IN THE GREATER NEW YORK MARKET, SPANNING FROM LONG ISLAND TO NEW YORK CITY TO NEW JERSEY, WITH THREE CLUBS CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION, TWO IN NEW YORK CITY AND ONE IN NEW JERSEY.
OUR WESTCHESTER CLUB, FOR THOSE THAT ARE FAMILIAR, IS ACTUALLY OUR TOP PERFORMING CLUB IN OUR ENTIRE PORTFOLIO.
TO ALLEVIATE THE DEMAND AT THIS LOCATION AND TO PROVIDE AN URBAN EXPERIENCE FOR THE DOWNTOWN WHITE PLAINS COMMUNITY THAT WE BELIEVE WE ARE NOT CURRENTLY CAPTURING.
LIFETIME BELIEVES THIS LOCATION IS THE PERFECT SOLUTION.
WE HOPE TO MAKE THIS SITE THE 24TH LOCATION IN THE MARKET.
AS A COMPANY, WE HISTORICALLY FOCUS ON LARGER FORMAT GROUND UP DEVELOPMENTS.
BUT SINCE COVID AND THE CLOSURE OF MANY FITNESS OPERATORS AND OFFICE TENANTS IN URBAN DOWNTOWN DEMOGRAPHICS, WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO ENTER VERTICALLY INTEGRATED PROJECTS AND MARKETS WE DID NOT PRIOR THINK POSSIBLE.
WHILE SOME OF THESE LOCATIONS MAY BE SMALLER IN SCALE, WE EVALUATE LOCAL MARKET NEEDS AND LIFESTYLE HABITS TO TAILOR OUR OFFERINGS TO ALIGN WITH THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY.
NOW, A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE SITE IN AND OF ITSELF.
THIS SITE IS LOCATED AT 100 BLOOMINGDALE ROAD IN WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK AND SUPPORTS A 1025 STALL PARKING GARAGE.
OUR TRAFFIC ENGINEER PERFORMED A TRAFFIC ANALYSIS AND DEEMED THE EXISTING CONDITION SUFFICIENT TO SUPPORT A LIFETIME.
THERE IS ONE LOCATION TO THE GARAGE OFF MAPLE AVENUE AND ANOTHER OFF BLOOMINGDALE ROAD, BOTH MARKED HERE WITH RED ARROWS ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF THIS BUILDING AS WHOLE FOODS, THE DMV, THE CHEESECAKE FACTORY, DICK'S SPORTING GOODS IS ON THE SECOND FLOOR BELOW.
LIFETIME. ON THE FOURTH FLOOR IS DANNON AND HUDSON GATEWAY ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS OFFICES.
THE GOAL OF LIFETIME IS THAT EVERYTHING IS A ONE STOP SHOP, A HOME AWAY FROM HOME WHERE YOU CAN SPEND YOUR DAY WORKING OUT, RELAXING, SHOWERING, EATING, OR WORKING.
OUR FACILITIES ARE MADE WITH HIGH END FINISHES PROPOSED BY OUR IN-HOUSE INTERIOR DESIGN TEAM.
IN THESE NEXT FEW SLIDES, I'LL WALK THROUGH A BLOCK DIAGRAM OF OUR FLOOR PLAN.
UM, PAIRED WITH INSPIRATIONAL IMAGES FOR EACH OF THESE DEFINED SPACES.
ALL MEMBERS AND STAFF WILL ACCESS OUR CLUB FROM THE PARKING GARAGE AND CHECK IN AT THE RECEPTION DESK HIGHLIGHTED HERE.
DIRECTLY BEHIND THE RECEPTION DESK WILL BE OUR CLUB COWORKING LOUNGE, WITH SOME OVERFLOW FOR SEATING.
AS YOU MOVE TO THE LEFT WHERE WE HAVE OUR LIFE CAFE.
OUR CAFE OFFERS HEALTHY FOOD OPTIONS, OUR SLOGAN BEING IF IT'S HERE, IT'S HEALTHY.
ITEMS FOR FOOD CHOICES WILL INCLUDE GRAB AND GO FOODS, PROTEIN SHAKES, ASSEMBLES, PROTEIN BOWLS, SANDWICHES, KIDS MEALS, COFFEE, ETC..
TO THE RIGHT IS OUR KIDS ACADEMY, WHERE MEMBERS WILL RECEIVE 2.5 HOURS OF CHILDCARE FREE AND INCLUDED IN THEIR MEMBERSHIP.
AT THE TOP IS OUR OPEN FITNESS FLOOR, INCLUSIVE OF TWO OF OUR SIGNATURE BRANDED CLASSES GTX AND ALPHA.
THIS AREA WILL ALSO BE INCLUSIVE OF FREE WEIGHTS, RESISTANCE, CARDIO AND FUNCTIONAL TRAINING.
WE HAVE ALSO CONTINUED TO ENHANCE OUR RECOVERY OFFERINGS ACROSS OUR PORTFOLIO WITH HYDROTHERAPY AND MASSAGE CHAIRS, WHICH WILL BE OFFERED AT THIS LOCATION.
PLAN SOUTHEAST IS OUR GROUP FITNESS OFFERINGS INCLUSIVE OF GENDER, GROUP, FITNESS, BAR, PILATES, YOGA AND TWO MORE OF OUR SIGNATURE CLASS OFFERINGS MARIE, 60, AND CTR.
WHATEVER YOUR FITNESS PASSION IS.
LIFETIME WANTS TO SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGE YOUR HEALTHY HABITS.
PLAN. WEST OF OUR WORK LOUNGE IS OUR MIRROR PERFORMANCE AND LONGEVITY CLINIC.
THIS OFFERING IS NOT AVAILABLE AT ALL OF OUR LOCATIONS, BUT WE BELIEVE IT WILL BE.
IT WILL DO GREAT IN THE WHITE PLAINS MARKET.
PLAN WEST IS OUR MEN'S AND WOMEN'S LOCKER ROOM, DESIGNED WITH CUSTOM MILLWORK AND PREMIUM FINISHES.
MEMBERS WILL RECEIVE COMPLIMENTARY TOWELS, SHAMPOO, CONDITIONER, LOTION, HAIRSPRAY, BLOW DRYERS FOR A TRULY ELEVATED EXPERIENCE.
AND LASTLY, WITH ACCESS THROUGH BOTH OF THE LOCKER ROOMS WILL BE OUR LUXURY CO-ED WET SUITE INCLUSIVE OF A SAUNA, STEAM ROOM, WARM SPA AND COLD PLUNGE.
LIFETIME SUBMITTED AN ACOUSTIC REPORT FROM LONGMAN AND LINDSAY DETAILING THE EXTENTS OF THIS EXHIBIT, OVERLAYING THE ACOUSTIC ISOLATION STRATEGY ON OUR FLOOR PLAN.
AREAS WHERE THERE ARE LOUDER NOISE LEVELS WILL RECEIVE MORE ACOUSTIC TREATMENTS IN THE WALLS, FLOORING AND CEILING FOR NOISE TRANSFER, BOTH INTERNALLY WITHIN OUR SPACE AND EXTERNALLY TO ADJACENT TENANTS.
HINES, OUR LANDLORD, HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN OUR DESIGN AND REVIEW PROCESS AND THEY WILL BE OVERSEEING ALL STRUCTURAL WORK
[00:55:03]
IN AND TO OUR PREMISE.WE ARE PROPOSING TO PUNCH EIGHT WINDOWS INTO THE STRUCTURE OF THE BUILDING TO PROVIDE NATURAL LIGHT AND STRATEGIC LOCATIONS FOR OUR PROGRAMMING.
THE WINDOWS WERE ALSO PLACED TO ALIGN WITH DANNY'S WINDOWS ABOVE OUR PREMISE FOR CONTINUITY AND COHESION TO THE EXTERIOR FACADE.
THE GLAZING AND FRAMING WILL BE CONSISTENT WITH TANNINS.
EXISTING CONDITIONS AND ALL MATERIALS AND SPECIFICATIONS HAVE BEEN COORDINATED WITH OUR LANDLORD, HINES.
LIFETIME WILL BE SWAPPING OUT ALL EXISTING RAYMOND FLANAGAN SIGNAGE LIKE FOR LIKE PER THIS EXHIBIT.
THERE ARE EIGHT IDENTIFIED SIGNS THAT WILL REMAIN CONSISTENT WITH THE EXISTING CONDITION AND OVERALL AESTHETIC.
I WILL NOW SHOW SOME BEFORE AND AFTER IMAGERY OF THE PROPOSED SIGNAGE SHOWCASING THE DESIGN CONTINUITY.
I'M GOING TO GO THROUGH THESE PRETTY QUICK BECAUSE IT'S JUST A QUICK LITTLE BEFORE AND AFTER IMAGES, BUT THIS IS THE EXTERIOR BUILDING SIGNAGE ON THE GLAZING.
IT WILL MATCH THE LETTER HEIGHT AND INSTALLATION OF THE PRIOR RAYMOND FLANAGAN SIGNAGE.
JUST WILL OBVIOUSLY BE SAYING LIFETIME, AND YOU'LL SEE THAT AS WE GO THROUGHOUT THESE NEXT FEW SLIDES ON BLOOMINGDALE ROAD, THE TENANT TOWER TOWER WILL RECEIVE NEW SIGNAGE ALONG WITH THE FACADE FLAG THAT IS ON BLOOMINGDALE ROAD ON MAPLE AVENUE.
THE TOWER GLAZING WILL BE RECEIVING NEW SIGNAGE, ALONG WITH ALSO ON MAPLE AVENUE.
THE PARKING GARAGE WILL RECEIVE NEW SIGNAGE AND THEN WAYFINDING THROUGHOUT.
THE SITE WILL ALSO BE RECEIVING LIFETIME SIGNAGE ON THESE PYLON SIGNS.
ALSO INSIDE OF THE GARAGE THERE IS A LOT OF WAYFINDING INTERNAL, SO ALL OF THAT RAYMORE PLANNING AND SIGNAGE WILL ALSO BE REPLACED WITH LIFETIME.
ANY QUESTIONS? THANK YOU FOR THE PATIENCE.
AND THANK YOU FOR CONSIDERING WHITE PLAINS.
WE'RE REALLY EXCITED TO HAVE YOU.
AND THAT WAS A GREAT PRESENTATION.
I HAVE HEARD FROM RESIDENTS WHO ARE ALREADY VERY EXCITED TO SEE YOU GUYS OPEN.
I KNOW IT'S A LOADED QUESTION, BUT ANY ANY IDEA WHEN.
YEAH, I HAD A FEELING THAT'D BE A QUESTION.
UM, OUR GOAL IS TO OPEN BY 2027, BY THE END OF 27.
SO IT'S GOING TO DEPEND ON PERMITTING AND HOW QUICK WE CAN GET THROUGH THAT PROCESS, BUT WE WANT TO OPEN AS SOON AS WE CAN.
SO 2027 IS IS THE GOAL OF THE FINISH.
BUT I'D SAY, YOU KNOW, Q2, Q3 IS WHAT WE'RE AIMING FOR.
BUT YEAH, 2027 IS THE THE OPENING YEAR.
THANK YOU AND GOOD LUCK WITH THAT.
UM, WILL THIS BE A STANDALONE GYM OR WILL IT HAVE ANY RELATIONSHIP TO THE ONE IN HARRISON AS FAR AS MEMBERSHIP IS CONCERNED? YEAH. GREAT QUESTION.
SO OUR MEMBERSHIP OFFERINGS VARIES. SO THERE'S DIFFERENT MEMBERSHIP STRUCTURES.
SO YOU CAN HAVE A MEMBERSHIP WHERE WHITE PLAINS IS YOUR ONLY GYM.
YOU'LL RECEIVE A DISCOUNTED MEMBERSHIP IF YOU WANTED TO HAVE ACCESS TO MULTIPLE LOCATIONS.
SO IF YOU WANTED TO PAY A LITTLE MORE OF A PREMIUM, YOU CAN HAVE ACCESS TO THAT PRICE POINT AS WELL AS ANY PRICE POINT FOR CLUBS IN THE PERIMETER.
I WILL SAY THE NEW YORK MARKET IS A HIGHER PRICE POINT FOR US NATIONALLY.
SO YOU WOULD LIKELY HAVE ACCESS TO MOST CLUBS ACROSS THE NATION.
WILL THERE BE ACCESS TO ANY AQUATICS AT ALL? SO THE WET SUITE IS OUR WHAT WE'RE PROPOSING FOR AQUATICS.
IT'S A LITTLE TRICKY HERE, WITH THE SQUARE FOOTAGE BEING ONLY 60,000FT FOR US TO PROGRAM.
YOU KNOW, A SWIMMING POOL, WE NEED FULL LAP LANES.
AND WE'RE ALSO WORKING WITH ADJACENT TENANTS, SO IT'S A LITTLE BIT TRICKY.
WE WOULD HAVE LOVED TO PROPOSE.
IT'S JUST WE DON'T HAVE THE SQUARE FOOTAGE TO DO IT.
ASHLEY I TOO HAVE BEEN HEARING FROM MANY OF OUR RESIDENTS, AND WE'RE VERY EXCITED ABOUT WHAT IT WILL BRING TO THE CITY OF WHITE PLAINS.
ONE QUESTION I RECEIVED FROM A COUPLE OF PEOPLE IS, WHAT DOES YOUR MEMBERSHIP INCLUDE IN TERMS OF PARKING FOR THE RESIDENTS? I KNOW IT'S IN THE BUILDING, BUT IS THERE A COST? IS IT FREE? YEAH. SO THEY'LL BE IF YOU'RE A MEMBER AND YOU, YOU'LL GO TO, YOU'LL DRIVE INTO THE PARKING GARAGE AND YOU'LL RECEIVE VALIDATION.
I BELIEVE IT'S UP TO THREE HOURS.
I'LL HAVE TO CONFIRM THE TRUE NUMBER.
BUT, YOU KNOW, TYPICALLY IF YOU'RE GOING TO A CLASS, YOU'RE SHOWERING, YOU'RE GETTING READY.
THAT'S THAT'S THE KIND OF THE SWEET SPOT.
BUT I'LL HAVE TO CONFIRM IF IT'S 3 OR 4 HOURS, BUT YOU WILL RECEIVE VALIDATED PARKING.
ARE THERE ANY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO SPEAK? THIS IS ACTUALLY A PUBLIC HEARING, SO COME ON UP.
PLEASE, PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND YOUR ADDRESS.
MR. MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL.
MY ADDRESS IS 24 NORTH DALE, UH, WHITE PLAINS.
AND, UM, I SHOULD, UH, IN THE INTEREST OF FULL DISCLOSURE, TELL YOU THAT I AM A MEMBER OF LIFETIME.
[01:00:02]
I DID NOT COME HERE EITHER TO SUPPORT OR OPPOSE THE PROGRAM.BUT I WILL SAY THAT I AM A VERY HAPPY MEMBER IN THE HARRISON LOCATION.
AND MY ONLY REAL QUESTION, HAVING READ THE DOCUMENTATION, HAS TO DO WITH THE PROPOSED HOURS.
I AM NOT AWARE OF SPECIFIC RESTRICTIONS IN THE CODE, AND I JUST LIKE TO KNOW WHETHER OR NOT EITHER THE COUNCIL HAS INTEREST IN RESTRICTING THE HOURS, OR THE CLUB IS READY TO SAY WHAT THE HOURS WOULD BE, AND HOW THAT MIGHT AFFECT THE DEMAND, BOTH FOR PARKING AND POTENTIALLY TRAFFIC IN THE AREA.
THE APPLICANT WILL HAVE TO TALK ABOUT THAT.
YEAH. AS FAR AS HOURS OF OPERATION.
SO WE FOR CLEANING PURPOSES ARE OPEN 24 HOURS, BUT OPEN TO THE MEMBERS WILL BE DIFFERENT.
SO AT OUR WESTCHESTER CLUB OUR HOURS ARE 4 A.M.
TO 12, AND IT VARIES, YOU KNOW, PER YEAR, PER CLUB BASED ON NEEDS.
SINCE THIS IS AN URBAN DEMOGRAPHIC AND A LOT OF PEOPLE WE ANTICIPATE WILL BE COMING FROM, YOU KNOW, TO WORK AND COMING TO THE CLUB PRIOR TO THE TO THEIR WORK DAY.
WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE GIVING THEM THAT, THAT TIME TO GET THERE IF THERE ARE EARLY RISERS.
SO FOR 4 TO 12 IS WHAT WE ANTICIPATE FOR HOURS OF OPERATION FOR MEMBER ACCESSIBILITY.
GRANTED, THOSE EARLIER AND LATER PEAKS ARE GOING TO, YOU KNOW, THERE'S LESS PEOPLE AT THOSE THOSE TIMES.
BUT THAT IS WHAT OUR PROPOSAL IS.
DOES ANYONE ELSE FROM THE PUBLIC WISH TO BE HEARD? OKAY. SEEING NO ONE.
CAN WE HAVE A MOTION TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING? I MOVE THAT THE HEARING BE CLOSED.
[Items 5 - 14]
I CARRIED, UH, COUNCILMAN FRY PEARSON, WILL YOU FILE AND SPREAD UPON THE COMMUNICATIONS? MR. MAYOR, I MOVE THAT THE COMMUNICATIONS.FILED AND SPREAD UPON THE MINUTES, INCLUDING THE COMMUNITY.
THE COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE DESIGN REVIEW BOARD, THE COMMISSIONER OF PLANNING, THE WHITE PLAINS PLANNING BOARD, THE COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC SAFETY, COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC WORKS, DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF PARKING, TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION, COMMISSIONER OF PARKING, WESTCHESTER COUNTY PLANNING AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL OFFICER.
CARRIED. UH, COUNCILMAN FRED PEARSON, WILL YOU MOVE ADOPTION
[15. Environmental Findings Resolution]
OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS RESOLUTION.I MOVE ADOPTION OF THE RESOLUTION.
[16. Resolution of the Common Council of the City of White Plains approving the application submitted on behalf of Life Time for a site plan and special permit approval for the development of a health club on property located at 1 Maple Avenue, White Plains, New York.]
CARRIED.OKAY. COUNCILMAN FRED PEARSON, WILL YOU MOVE ADOPTION OF THE RESOLUTION? I MOVE ADOPTION OF THE RESOLUTION.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO OPENING THE CLUB.
WE THINK IT WILL BE A GREAT THING FOR OUR CITY.
[Additional Item]
BEFORE WE CONCLUDE OUR MEETING, I AM PLEASED TO REPORT THAT OUR UNITED STATES CONGRESSMAN GEORGE LATIMER, IS HERE.CERTAINLY SOMEONE IN MY 23 YEARS IN WHITE PLAINS AND BEING INVOLVED HAS BEEN A TREMENDOUS SUPPORTER OF OUR CITY.
GEORGE LATIMER IS ALWAYS THERE TO HELP OUR CITY IN HIS MANY DISTINGUISHED POSITIONS IN GOVERNMENT.
SO I KNOW HE WANTS TO SAY A FEW WORDS.
I APOLOGIZE FOR NOT BEING HERE FOR THE OFFICIAL SWEARING IN OF THE NEW COUNCIL MEMBERS A LITTLE BIT EARLIER.
SCHEDULES ARE A LITTLE MANIACAL, AND I AM HEADING BACK TO WASHINGTON TOMORROW, BUT I WANTED TO JUST COME BY PERSONALLY TO CONGRATULATE COUNCILWOMAN SANTIAGO COUNCILMAN WOLFF ON YOUR OFFICIAL SWEARING INTO OFFICE AND COUNCILMAN PAYNE AND THE CARRYOVER COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I BEGAN MY CAREER AS A COUNCILMAN IN MY HOME COMMUNITY, AND IT'S A LONG TIME AGO, BUT I REMEMBER HOW MANY HOURS I HAD TO PUT IN.
I REMEMBER HOW COMPLICATED THE DECISIONS WERE.
LAND USE ISSUES AND ROOMS FULL OF PEOPLE THAT WEREN'T ALWAYS HAPPY WITH THE THINGS I DID IN THOSE DAYS.
AND SO I REALLY CONGRATULATE YOU.
KNOWING YOU WELL, KNOWING YOU FROM FROM THE TRAIL AND WANT IT TO BE HERE, AT LEAST FOR THE FIRST NIGHT, TO WISH YOU THE VERY BEST.
MY JOB IN WASHINGTON IS TRY TO BE HELPFUL TO YOU.
I WILL SEE HOW MUCH HELP I CAN DO IN WASHINGTON GIVEN THE WAY IT IS RIGHT NOW.
BUT I'M VERY PROUD TO WORK IN WHITE PLAINS AND TO BE HERE WITH YOU EVEN FOR A FEW MINUTES OF CONGRATULATIONS.
SO, MR. MAYOR, THANK YOU FOR THE INDULGENCE.
CONGRATULATIONS. MUCH SUCCESS IN THE NEW YEAR, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU IN THE DAYS TO COME.
THANK YOU AGAIN, CONGRESSMAN LATIMER.
UH, BEFORE WE HAVE A MOTION TO ADJOURN, I JUST WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY FOR THEIR SUPPORT.
I WANT TO CONGRATULATE COUNCIL
[01:05:01]
PRESIDENT PRESSER ON HER RE-ELECTION.COUNCIL MEMBER PAIN ON HIS RE-ELECTION.
COUNCIL MEMBER SANTIAGO ON HER ELECTION.
COUNCILMAN WOLF ON HIS ELECTION.
AND, WELL, WE LOVE JEREMIAH, EVEN THOUGH HE DIDN'T WIN RE-ELECTION THIS YEAR OR ELECTION OR ANYTHING.
SO ON BEHALF OF MYSELF AND MY COLLEAGUES, WE WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY.
I DO WANT TO REMIND EVERYBODY THAT IF YOU HAVE PROBLEMS, WE ASK YOU TO CALL US SO THAT YOU CAN WORK WITH US BECAUSE WE WANT TO HELP YOU WITH YOUR PROBLEMS. WITH THAT, DO I HAVE A MOTION TO ADJOURN? SO MOVE.
CONGRATULATIONS. THANK YOU TO ALL.
ALL RIGHT.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.