WPCNR COMMON COUNCIL CHRONICLE-EXAMINER. By John F. Bailey. May 26, 2004: Edward Dunphy, City Corporation Counsel reported to the Common Council this evening that the council would receive a home rule resolution to vote upon at their June 7 Council meeting to pave the way for dissolution of the White Plains Parking Authority by the State Legislature. Mr. Dunphy reported that in conversations with White Plains Albany representatives this afternoon that Adam Bradley of the 89th District in the Assembly, and Suzi Oppenheimer, State Senator would sponsor rules bills in the Assembly and Senate respectively. "We even have the Senate Bill Number and the Assembly Bill Number" Dunphy said.

DUNPHY reports status of Parking Authority Legislation. Photo by WPCNR News

Dunphy said the council would also receive legislation for action at their June 7 meeting that would establish a Department of Parking that would take over all White Plains Parking Authority functions. Dunphy noted  in response to questions by Councilwoman Rita Malmud that the Parking Authority Operating Agreement established between the city and the Parking Authority in 1997 established the city's right to take over certain Parking Authority functions if they chose to do so.

"YOU GOT IT." Assemblyman Adam Bradley speaking to WPCNR at his FundRaiser at Coughlin's Thursday night, said the Rules legislation would be offered as soon as he received the White Plains home rule request, saying that if the Common Council and the people of White Plains felt the dissolution of the Parking Authority was in the city's best interest, he would support it. Photo by WPCNR News.

Dunphy said he had been assured by Mr. Bradley and Ms. Oppenheimer that all was on schedule to pass the legislation terminating the existence of the Parking Authority by June 30, allowing the city to absorb all the Parking Authority assets and properties, including its $7.5 Million Fund Balance.

 Ms. Malmud queried Dunphy on whether these funds had to be dedicated to parking, or whether they could just go into the general fund. Dunphy said they could be included in the general fund without being dedicated to any specific use. She asked what would happen if the homerule and Parking Authority Dissolution Legislation were not to pass by June 30. Dunphy said based on his discussions with Rome, New York, that he expected the city could absorb the assets anyway for the 05-06 budget year.

No other Councilperson asked any questions about how the city would organize the new Department of Parking, and who would run it. Paul Wood, City spokesperson, when asked if Albert Moroni and John Larson, the Executive Director and Deputy Executive Director would head the new Department of Parking said he did not know. It is assumed that is what would happen, but no councilmember  asked that question.

Mayor Joseph Delfino announced that a presentation of the Department of Parking structure and organization would be made to the Parking Authority Board June 14, which may be the last meeting ever of the White Plains Parking Authority Board.

In a possibly-related Parking Authority development, William Holzel, a member of the Parking Authority Board who had voted to hire outside counsel to research legal issues for the Parking Authority Board three weeks ago, faxed his resignation to the Mayor today.