‚WELCOME‚ - Happy Valentine’s Day
ANNOUNCEMENTS
NCSA Fund-raiser
Kaufmann’s - April 12th : 6pm-10pm at Eastview Mall
25% off coupon, as well as about 6 to 7 vendors
$10 admission tickets - see Mike Visconte
aiming for Goal of $32K since budgets were cut
New Board Members - vote passed: Secretary - Pam Davis and Security - Franklin Louk
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CERTIFICATE OF USE - presented by Gary Kirkland(?) co-coordinator with NET
This is a document required by businesses to operate in the City of Rochester.
- Certificate of Use: in 1996, this was originally created to deal with problem businesses
- program was recently re-evaluated and compared with other cities
~ new businesses must get Certificate of Use before opening
~ Certificate of Use is signed by Mayor
~ 200 per month - until 1st year is over - they are mailed out to existing businesses
~ NET oversees this process
~ they are up for an annual renewal - only good for the life of that particular business
conditional certificates were created
~ eliminates the power of attorney - only the business operator is on the Certificate Of Use
~ provides enhanced screening of applicants - more in depth information is gathered and kept
~ immediate ticketing - giving them a 30 day notice to comply
~ NET has the authorization to deny or revoke the Certificate Of Use
~ expands list of business types to include: food, bars, restaurants, dry cleaners, etc.
~ new stores: retail, liquor stores, hair and nail shops, etc.
Fee Structure:
~ $100 Certificate Fee - the separate $10 application fee is waived for current license holders
Conditional Certificate Of Use for problem location:
~ $300 application fee - are there any "points" on the property?
~ requested by recommendation by NET assessor
- can suggest better screening of customers
- NET can revoke without due process after notification, via court order
- they would then be ineligible to reapply for one (1) year
NET to review/assess applications
- can vacate that unit of the building
- police calls for service
- resident complaints
- nuisance points
- works with residents/neighbors
- strengthens the community
Question: What if the operator refuses to pay the $300 fee? Answer - Sharon C. of the NET: immediate ticketing
Question: Does the NET have the authority to shut down the problem business? Answer: YES
~ building owners could be brought in to assist in vacating the problem business
~ application requires disclosure if there are any other persons/or previous owners
- any falsification on application will result in denial of Certificate Of Use
Question: Why does it seem some places are open 24hours?
zoning dictates the hours of operation
example: R-1 cannot exceed 11pm C-2 area has a 2am limit - when applying, hours must be listed
- business can request a Certificate of Non Conformity: must show why they need to be open past 11pm
Question: How does the monitoring work?
~ each mid-month the list is updated
~ it is required that the Certificate Of Use be prominently posted
~ to make sure no business is skipped nor targeted, the list will be alphabetical
~ after the 1st year, all will have the new Certificate Of Use, or they will not be in business
Violations
example: garbage/board of health will enforce - also contact NET office
~ problem with a "mixed use" building - property owner will be brought in to enforce codes
~ business will be on warning
Question: How many tickets before enforcement?
~ property can be taken - after taxes are unpaid: LONG PROCESS
~ hoping for voluntary compliance
Question: Is the Certificate Of Use renewed every year?
~ 95% of businesses are not problems
~ fees are to pay for the program
~ no doubling-up on fees - example: $350 Entertaining $250 Amusement
~ business operator pays, not building owner
~ the C of U person has to be the operator of the store, IE: the one who is accountable
Question: How does this apply to franchises, such as Wilson Farms?
~ corporation’s regional manager or store’s manager on certificate - not the corporation’s name
~ Certificate Of Use is issued to "John Doe" - operator of the business
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HOUSES LIST: Mike V.(Pres.) read - problem locations ready for demolition or other work: fines are growing!
Mike V. (Pres.): made note of some large fines - Otis St location owes $8000 - Willow St location owes $1100
HOUSING REPORT - Sharon C. of the NET:
~ "hopeful lights"- some locations are inspectedevery month via work order
Question: What about vacant buildings?
Sharon C. of NET: call us (the NET office) and we’ll cite it
Bob V. (V.P.): call us (L.O.N.A.) to add homes to the update list
Sharon C. of NET: trying to keep it to two pages
bold type is most recent action
HGW = High Grass and Weeds
"K" letter is sent before ticketing action is taken
talk to NET - give them a work schedule that will be done on the property
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BURGLARY/ROBBERY REPORT presented by Policeman Joe:
PCIC Meeting - 1st Tuesday of each month for Sector 3 run by Captain Davis at 1099 Jay St - 7pm
~ home invasions are up
~ Officer Vaughn gave a presentation (6 incidents)
~ female victim each time, 50+ years of age
~ robbery happened during daytime hours
~ women were shoveling or had just returned home with groceries
~ perpetrator is a male between the ages of 20-30 years old
~ targeting the victims because they were alone
~ Officer Joe stresses awareness - neighbors know who belongs - home safety / personal safety
Crime Stats are complied by sector: Offers comparisons by year/month/etc.
Officer noted: CRIME IS ACTUALLY DOWN / THINGS ARE GETTING BETTER
SEX OFFENDERS
4 new ones residing in Lyell-Otis Area
"Level 2" - injunction lifted - more notifications : Officer Joe will keep us up-to-date
SECTOR 3 PAC-TAC: van purchased, via Kodak grant, for use as a crime prevention tool
~ four (4) newly trained volunteers
~ Franklin Louk and Bob Stevenson trained on Lake section’s van
~ 31 volunteers = 1300 hours y-t-d 2005
Question: Can anyone drive the van?
Answer: Yes! No special license required
Comment: Snow shoveler coming around knocking on doors around midnight
Comment: Collectors at Mt. Read Blvd. and Lyell Ave begging for money - they claim to be from a church, but this cannot be confirmed - spotted on Sat 2/12/05
Comment: Snow shoveling incident at 10:45pm - the person came up Waldo St, van parked out front, two (2) women ask to "use your phone" — this was a SCAM!
Officer Joe: CALL HIM! Also, don’t take anyone’s word — verify work order from RG&E and such
Use your best judgement!
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ON A LIGHTER NOTE: Sharon C. of the NET
Susan B. Anthony House — open to all, no charge, 11am-4pm on 2/15/05 (Susan B. Anthony’s Birthday)
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CITY COUNCIL REPORT - presented by Bob Stevenson
CRIME STOPPERS - convicted felony fugitive flyer published in the D&C paper
~ $4000 each time — about six (6) times a year = about $24000/year
~ 78 were arrested in 26 days
~ $200 –> $5000
~ tips for warrant leads to arrest on murder charge
- Three (3) given out this year so far!
March 24, 2005 — Phon-A-Thon
~ govt.’ used to fund the printing costs - but this has been cut
~ raised $72K last year (goal had been $17K)
~ held from 5am-7pm on WHAM-AM 1180 and TV Channel 13
~ help us reach our $50K goal for this year!
LEAD ABATEMENT
headed by City Counsel and Board Of Health/Dept. Of Health
$1000 — $3000 can help pay for lots of new windows!
ADVISORY COMMISSION
County Executive Maggie Brooks - pushing for Pesticide Notification Law
~ 24 hour advance notice
~ legislation signed by Governor Pataki
~ to be voted on Thursday 2/17/05 at noon
~ at this time - not for drop spreader, spray application only
ADOLESCENT SMOKING
Two (2) gas stations lost right to sell lottery and tobacco products
$8000 assessed in fines to stores selling to under age by tactical unit working with kids
28 stores - no one sold to underage - held twice a year
FAST FERRY
city of Rochester can bid up to $26.5Mil
10% certified check needed to be able to bid
CERT TEAM
Civilian Emergency Response Team - activated when first responders are tapped out
- 20 people in Charlotte, 35 people in Maplewood - anyone is invited to participate!
