A special meeting was held by the Glen Cove City Council on Tuesday, Jan. 29, with just two items on the agenda, both public hearings.

Mayor Ralph V. Suozzi introduced Fred Moore, the Glen Cove Section 8 program administrator, who was on hand to present the Annual Plan of the Glen Cove Section 8 Existing Housing Program, a presentation mandated by HUD.

Mr. Moore stated that the agency's administrative plan is updated each year according to HUD regulations and changes. He explained the distribution of vouchers, including requirements for qualification, as well as the requirements for landlords to rent to Section 8 tenants. Before allowing a landlord to rent, said Mr. Moore, an apartment must meet safety and space regulations. While Section 8 has the responsibility to qualify applicants, he said, the responsibility for finding an apartment is in the hands of the applicant. The Section 8 office, however, does have a list of many landlords offering availability, although not all landlords list with the agency. Mr. Moore added that the agency works on the premise of "deconcentration," encouraging tenants to look in every area of the city for a place to live, as opposed to there being one Section 8 section of the city.

Mr. Moore addressed a question he said he has been asked often, that of Section 8 tenants living at the Avalon apartment complexes. There are no Section 8 tenants in the Avalon, said Mr. Moore, due to the fact that the Avalon apartments are luxury housing units, with rents that start far above HUD fair market rents. Therefore, he said, the difference between the HUD allowance and what Avalon is asking for minimum rent would require an overage amount that would make Section 8 tenants income ineligible.

The second public hearing was a continuation of the hearing from the last city council meeting regarding changes to the city charter in regard to the allotted number of police officers by rank in the department. No public comments were made. Following the meeting, Mayor Suozzi stated that at the next pre-council meeting, to be held Tuesday, Feb. 5, he and the council would discuss the available options. The mayor said he would recommend that the restrictive language currently in the charter be removed. After research, the mayor said he found that Glen Cove was one of very few municipalities that delineated the number of officers by rank.

One of the charter changes will allow Det. Sgt. Tom Fitzpatrick to be promoted to lieutenant, as the duties he performs, and has performed for quite some time, are actually those of the higher rank, a topic discussed by both Mayor Suozzi and Police Chief William Whitton at the earlier public hearing.

Another change will position Sgt. Jack McDougal in the Glen Cove High and Middle schools, parttime, as a school resource officer in the area of community policing. The mayor has previously stated that he had 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 by giving them a contact person with whom they might discuss any difficulties they are having that might not be within the purview of the school guidance department.

Speaking with this reporter, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Larry Aronstein said he is "very enthusiastic" about Sgt. McDougal's involvement with the school district and added that he has a wonderful working relationship with the Glen Cove Police Department, which he called "top notch...better than in any district I've worked in." He remarked that having Sgt. McDougal in this position was like "one-stop shopping" and said having one specific person as a liaison between the school district and the police department "will only strengthen the relationship we already have." Regarding the sergeant himself, Dr. Aronstein said he couldn't ask for a better liaison. "Jack's always got a smile, he's very cooperative and he knows the students. It's a blessing to have people like that," said the superintendent.

Unanswered questions about Sgt. McDougal working in the schools include whether or not he will be in uniform and if he will carry a gun. Both Mayor Suozzi and Dr. Aronstein believe these to be police decisions, however, Police Chief Whitton was not available to comment at press time.

This meeting marked the last for former Deputy Mayor Marilyn Brenner to attend in a professional capacity. Ms. Brenner announced earlier this month that she was leaving her position to pursue personal interests. The mayor and council members thanked, congratulated and commended Ms. Brenner.

The next public meeting of the Glen Cove City Council will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 12, 7:30 p.m.