Village Finance Department Update
The Village of Garden City’s Finance Department continues working with FEMA in providing information related to COVID-19 and Tropical Storm Isaias:
- COVID-19—Since the start of the pandemic, the village has incurred about $364,000 of COVID-related costs. Costs include expenses for PPE, cleaning and disinfecting, overtime and technology. Some of these costs have been deemed non-reimbursable (approximately $33,000). To date, the village has received $210,000 of reimbursements from FEMA and the Town of Hempstead.
- Tropical Storm Isaias—Darcia Palmer, Deputy Village Treasurer, has been spearheading the extensive process of gathering all information and documents required by FEMA by working closely with various village employees and vendors. It is a village-wide effort from employees from the Public Works, Recreation and Parks, and police departments to provide information to the Finance Department staff who works with the NYS Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Services (DHSES) to submit complete and accurate information. Total estimated costs related to the Tropical Storm to date are $1.1 million, of which FEMA is expected to reimburse 75 percent of the costs.
Village Treasurer Irene Woo continues to work with representatives from the MTA Construction & Development team to obtain reimbursement for the Nassau Boulevard train station project. The village has incurred $1.1 million for the restoration of the parking lot. Thus far, the village has received $857,000 from the LIRR Expansion Project Community Benefits Fund.
Arbor Day Celebration
Like many other communities across the United States, the Village of Garden City will celebrate Arbor Day on Friday, April 30. The Recreation and Parks Department will plant a commemorative tree on the west side of the village hall property, between the fire department and the village gazebo. A small ceremony acknowledging the holiday will commence at 10 a.m. Residents are welcome to attend; please wear masks and follow social distancing protocols. First celebrated in 1872, Arbor Day was established as a way to encourage farmers and homesteaders to plant trees that would provide shade, shelter, food, fuel and beauty to open areas. In New York, Arbor Day is celebrated the last Friday in April. Trees are essential to a healthy environment, helping to provide clean air and creating rich aesthetics for all. They are vital to our economy and contribute greatly to our everyday lives by providing paper for many different uses, lumber for homes and businesses, maple syrup, fruits and nuts and decorations during the holidays. They add beauty to attract new business and tourism to our great state, as well as numerous other benefits.
Police Department Accident Reports Are Online
In September 2020 the Garden City Police Department partnered with LexisNexis to provide access to motor vehicle accident reports online. Involved motorists are provided with information directing them to the website where they can obtain reports. Links are also provided on the village and police department websites. Moving forward, reports will still be available for pick up at Garden City Police Department Headquarters for persons involved in an accident. Reports taken prior to Sept. 3, 2020 are only available at Garden City Police Department Headquarters. Reports are usually available in five to seven business days. When you enter your request at the LexisNexis website and your report is not ready, you will receive an email when it becomes available. You will also be notified by email if your report has been amended.
—Submitted by the Village of Garden City
