At a public hearing held during the meeting of the Glen Cove City Council meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 22, Mayor Ralph V. Suozzi introduced the public to changes to the city charter being considered in the organization of the Glen Cove Police Department. According to the mayor, since he has taken office there has been quite a bit of transition in the department, including resignations, retirements and promotions. As the tenor of society has also changed, the mayor stated, the department needs changes, "in an ongoing effort to improve our police department."

The changes would involve the delineation in the charter of the number of officers allotted per grade level. Currently, according to the charter, the department is to have nine sergeants and two lieutenants. In discussions with Police Chief William Whitton, the two officials have determined that Det. Sgt. Tom Fitzpatrick should be promoted to lieutenant, as a description of the jobs he performs is more in line with a lieutenant position than that of a sergeant. In addition, the mayor and chief are proposing utilizing Sgt. Jack McDougal in the area of "community policing," positioning him part time in the Glen Cove Middle and High schools as a "school resource officer." The mayor has been in touch with other municipalities that have initiated such a position, and has received "great feedback." The objective is to work toward diffusing problems among the youth of the city before they escalate. "No one is better than Sgt. McDougal at relating to the youth of our city," said Mayor Suozzi, adding with a smile, "just in case there's anyone who has not seen him in action."

The reorganization would require the charter to have the restrictive language of the number of officers allotted per position changed or removed. Mayor Souzzi said that most municipalities do not specify such information, and as such, believes there should not be a problem in revising the city charter. Suggestions he made included adding "recommended" to the maximum personnel specified, or striking the section completely, although, he added, he was not sure about leaving the section "open-ended." Chief Whitton summed the reorganization up as "placing round pegs in round holes."

Mayor Suozzi remarked that it is not unusual to amend the city charter, which has been done 11 times since it was adopted in 1980, just as the U.S. Constitution has been amended over the years, to reflect changing societal norms.

Members of the public tended to agree with the decision to amend the charter, with Timothy O'Rourke suggesting that the police department should have the flexibility to make its own changes, and not need to appear before the city council to do so. The public hearing remains open until the next meeting of the city council on Tuesday, Jan. 29, a special meeting with an agenda consisting of just two public hearings - one on Section 8 Housing, a formality which is done annually, the other on the recommended charter changes. Paul Meli expressed his hope that the mayor would present his, the city council members' and Chief Whitton's ideas at the meeting, with a chance for the public to comment.

Following a brief business meeting, the floor was open to the public. Again taking the microphone, Mr. Meli referenced a joint meeting of the Glen Cove IDA/CDA which was held just prior to the city council meeting. Most of that meeting was held in executive session, with Don Monti and Michael Posillico of Glen Isle Development and Scott Rechler, CEO and chairman of RexCorp Realty, invited to stay. Following the executive session, the IDA/CDA voted to allow RexCorp to join the waterfront project, a public/private partnership, partnering with Glen Isle. Mr. Meli questioned the mayor on whether any "concessions" had been made with the inclusion of RexCorp. He stated that Mr. Rechler had stated at a previous IDA/CDA meeting that if the city planned to change any zoning on the project, "he [Rechler] was 'not the guy you want'" as he felt the zoning in the current contract was "crucial" to the waterfront development. Mr. Meli addressed the fact that the mayor has told the public the new partnership will lead the city in a new direction, but that the public does not know what that direction is.

Mayor Suozzi stated that the addition of RexCorp will give the waterfront negotiations a "new beginning" adding that Mr. Rechler is bringing a different team to the table, which will serve to relieve the "stalemate" of current negotiations, lower the chances of litigation, and will give the IDA/CDA "a hand on one of the reins, as opposed to being off to the side, watching." In fact, said the mayor, he would like to see the model of the proposed development that Glen Isle has presented to the public "pulled," as the new negotiations would be "working on something new."

Bob Benazzi said he wished to applaud the city for allowing RexCorp to join the partnership. "It's about time we get things going," he said. A former chairman of the planning board, he said he wanted the public to know that the inclusion of RexCorp will not alter the current LDA (Land Disposition Agreement) and MW3 zoning. "The height of he buildings can still be to the tree height and include 860 [residential] units," he said. Mr. Benazzi added that he did not want the public to be misled by the mayor's statement that "some things will be changing." The mayor said that concept and design can change and that, with the inclusion of RexCorp, "I see there is more than one way to develop."

Questions raised at the last city council meeting were reiterated when Janet Blatt took the microphone. She again questioned the appointment of John Grella as a consultant to the city by referencing information she said she received through a source she did not name that "someone retired on disability from the New York Police Department could not work personally or through a corporation" if said person is receiving a disability pension. Mr. Grella's company, Elm Consultants, was formed in December 2007 and Ms. Blatt said that "something is wrong," as it seems the company was put in place "to circumvent what you believe the regulations are and what I was told the regulations are."

Timothy O'Rourke stated that a police officer retired from the New York City Police Department can get a waiver allowing him or her to work, but that option is not available to someone receiving disability. "It's not illegal," he said, "but he will lose his pension." City attorney Vincent Taranto stated that the city did extensive research on the conditions of hiring retired personnel, as did Mr. Grella. He added that the agreement between Mr. Grella and the City of Glen Cove will be sent to the department in charge of his benefits.

Mr. O'Rourke then questioned the city appointments made at the Jan. 1 meeting of the city council, immediately following the inauguration ceremonies. He remarked that the appointments were not posted on the city's website, that "names were not mentioned" at the meeting and said he would like the city to "set apart some time to talk about the new appointments." Mayor Suozzi stated that traditionally, the public comments section of city council meetings is suspended at the meeting following an inauguration. He told Mr. O'Rourke that "the public can comment and make their concerns known, but are not part of the administration," and as such, "don't make decisions."

Mr. O'Rourke expressed concern as to "how much the new council members know" concerning the appointments. He referenced the duties of the deputy mayor, asking if the council is aware that the deputy mayor can take over for the city controller as an example. The propriety of the appointment of Deputy Mayor Kelly Morris, who is not a resident of Glen Cove, has been repeatedly questioned.

Mr. O'Rourke said he wished to "hear the city council members speak," as the mayor was always the voice that answered questions from the public and he directed the question, "Would you support a special meeting to address the appointments made on Jan. 1?" to each member. Contentious cross-conversations began, and answers were interspersed with comments from Mayor Suozzi. The council members who did comment agreed that the public always has an opportunity to voice comments and concerns. On the subject of sufficient information, Councilwoman Delia DeRiggi-Whitton added that the council discussed all the appointments before making its decisions. At one point, Mayor Suozzi remarked that while the city has traditionally allowed public comments at its meetings, it is not required to do so.

Mr. O'Rourke told the mayor that residents would be in favor of "90 percent of the appointments made" and said he was sure that many of the mayor's supporters would come to a meeting and say so, but that the issues he raised that evening "won't go away," to which the mayor replied, "There are no issues. There will not be a special meeting on agenda item already voted upon."

A resident took the microphone and stated that she had not come to the meeting with any intention of speaking, but was "infuriated" at the proceedings. She stated that residents have a say in government because "It is our money" that runs the city. She remarked on the amount of power held by the deputy mayor, including the fact that the "duties of the mayor can devolve to the deputy mayor." She then read from a list of city job listings, including account clerk, custodian and clerk typist, all of which require the candidate to be a resident of the City of Glen Cove.

"A bad tone is being set here tonight," she continued. "If this is government, it is government at its worst. We have indifference from the council and mayor." Acknowledging that Mayor Suozzi was elected in November, she added that in a city of 27,000 people, he received just 3,000 votes. "There was a wonderful aura when you were first elected," she remarked, "Don't turn government this way."