The following is an update from the Garden City Mayor Theresa A. Trouvé.
On Wednesday, June 10th, we began to move closer toward complete reopening. We were cleared to open many of our restaurants on an outdoor dining basis. This will involve closing Seventh Street and placing tables out in front and down into the street for our restaurants there, tables in the back of sections of Franklin Avenue east and west, New Hyde Park Road, even Kellum Place. At a special meeting of the Village Board I and the Trustees voted unanimously on a contingent plan to set the wheels in motion. Outdoor dining will take place Thursday through Sunday. You will receive all the details well in advance. Let’s not forget social distancing will be followed along with masks when it makes sense.
If you don’t feel well, contact your doctor immediately. If you need immediate medical assistance, call 911. We have a Village email: mayor@gardencityny.net and a telephone number: 516-465-4000. Let us know if we can help you. Should you wish to share your thoughts with me, you can reach me directly at 516-650-8847. Please be well and be safe.
The people of Garden City are strong, and we will come through all of this stronger than we ever were before. All of you are in my thoughts.
IMPORTANT RECYCLING CHANGES
In response to changes in global recycling markets, our recyclers have informed us of changes in what they will accept from the Village. The only acceptable materials allowed in the green recycling bins are certain plastic, glass, tin and aluminum. Specifically, the following items, which must be cleaned and washed, can be placed in the green bin:
ï Plastics #1 (Water Bottles, Clamshells)
ï Plastics #2 (Laundry Detergent, Bleach Containers, Clear Milk Jugs)
ï Tin Cans
ï Aluminum (Cans, Foils, Pans)
ï Glass Bottles and Jars only
Other numbered plastics #3-#7 which are commonly found in yogurt containers, plastic cups, plastic flower pots, etc. should not be placed with recycling neither should aseptic packaging used in milk and juice boxes.
Paper must be tied and bundled or put in paper bags and placed curbside next to the recycling bins. Cardboard should be bundled and placed out on Wednesdays with Rubbish or dropped off at the Village Yard for recycling.
Non-Paper Recycling should not be placed in ANY type of bag. If it is, it will not be collected. Granted, this previously was acceptable, but it is no longer being accepted at the recycling centers.
Household Metals such as tools and appliances should be placed to the curb with your recycling.
The Village has begun distributing the new recycling bins. Bins will be distributed on the day your recycling is normally collected. Please be advised that recycling bins are the property of the Village. As part of this distribution process, the Village is collecting your old recycling bins. The old bins are being taken out of service and are not available to be returned. Residents may call 465-4003 with questions and/or concerns.
VILLAGE DUMP RESUMES SATURDAY HOURS
The Village Dump will resume Saturday hours this weekend, June 13. The hours of operation on Saturday will be from 8:00am – 3:00pm. In addition, going forward the Dump hours will remain 8:00am – 3:00pm Monday through Saturday.
For the safety of Village employees and fellow residents, access to the Dump will be restricted to no more than three vehicles at a time. Vehicles will be asked to queue outside the Dump until directed to enter the area. Dump rules, as listed in the Sanitation guidelines, will be strictly enforced. We appreciate your patience and cooperation with these guidelines, which can be found on the mailing schedule that goes out to all the residents.
HEALTH AND SAFETY OF EMPLOYEES, THE PUBLIC
The Board, at its June 4, 2020 meeting, declared an emergency to purchase without competitive bidding 150,000 3-ply masks from Global Geeks, Inc. for a total cost of $48,450 by reason of necessity in order to preserve the health and safety of employees and members of the public. Telephone solicitations of other vendors’ comparable masks indicated alternative prices would be significantly higher. Staff engaged in a “due diligence” investigation of Global Geeks so as to be satisfied of its reputation and reliability.
OUTDOOR DINING IN BUSINESS DISTRICTS
The Board held a special meeting on Tuesday, June 9, to discuss the Chamber of Commerce’s request to close Seventh Street to vehicular traffic for the summer, at least until October. After a brief discussion by the Trustees, Village Counsel and input from the Village’s Police, Fire and Public Works Departments and Chamber of Commerce, the Board of Trustees voted unanimously on a contingent plan to close Seventh Street and Kellum Place on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays for 12 weeks, pending the filing and approval of an application for Municipal Extension with the New York State Liquor Authority. The Trustees will review this plan every two weeks. Outdoor dining will take place between the hours of 5:00 and 10:00 p.m. Social distancing guidelines will be strictly followed and masks will be worn when required.
LED STREET LIGHTS IN BUSINESS DISTRICTS
Anker’s Electric Service, Inc. was awarded the contract to install LED streetlight fixtures on Franklin and Stewart Avenues. Work is expected to begin later this summer. This phase of the capital improvement project began in June 2019 along Seventh Street and Franklin Avenue. After this work is completed, more than 2,200 streetlights in the Village will have been converted to LED. Conversion of the remaining 400 fixtures is the final phase of this project.
THIRD TRACK
Trustees retained Beveridge & Diamond, PC for legal services in connection with the Village’s relationship to the MTA/LIRR for certain third track issues. Mayor Theresa Trouvé executed the $25,000 retainer agreement, a copy of which is on file with the Village Clerk.
BOARD EXTENDS AGREEMENT WITH COVANTA
Trustees extended an existing agreement with Covanta on a month-to-month basis pending the negotiation of a successor agreement with a vendor for comparable services. The Village had an Agreement with Covanta Hempstead Company through May 31, 2020. In order to contract for a successor agreement for the disposal of waste, there is an extensive RFP and public hearing process that must be followed. The Board has already engaged D & B Architects, P.C. to assist the Village in the procurement of a successor vendor agreement for the disposal of solid waste.
