The Glen Cove City Council met in public session on Dec. 11 and considered a rather short agenda. Mayor-elect/city councilwoman MaryAnn Holzkamp presided over the meeting in Mayor Suozzi's absence.

The city council authorized the amendment of the agreement with STV, Inc., the company constructing the esplanade at the waterfront. STV has completed the first 5,660 feet of the esplanade at a cost of $75,000 being funded through a New York State Department of Transportation TEA-21 grant. TEA grant parameters mandate that the funds awarded be used for public access to a waterfront area. The city would like to continue with the esplanade construction along the creek so they voted to amend the agreement with STV from $75,000 to a cost not to exceed $250,000 thereby paving the way for the esplanade to continue. This action by the city council is pursuant to the TEA-21 grant parameters.

The city council voted to accept property consisting of the roadway immediately behind the Samuel Pierce Apartments this is essentially a minor exchange of land without any intention of creating a new buildable lot or creating a site for specific use. Also receiving unanimous approval was the city's contract with the Glen Cove Police Benevolent Association for the years 2002 and 2003. The terms are a 2.25 percent raise the first six months of 2002; a 2.25 percent raise the next six months computed on the base salary, (not compounded); and a 2.375 percent raise the first six months of 2003 followed by a 2.375 raise also computed on the base salary, (not compounded). February 13, 7:30 p.m. is the date for a public hearing in council chambers to discuss the Section 8 Administrative Plan.

Steve Gonzalez had several questions for the city council regarding the city's fiscal business. Mr. Gonzalez asked if there were checks being held back by the city controller therefore leaving the city's vendors unpaid for services rendered. City controller John Macari said whatever checks are being held will be mailed out by the end of this week. Mr. Gonzalez asked if it's true the checks amount to $3 million. Mr. Macari said that was not true. The former city councilman, who lost a bid for a seat in the recent election, then questioned Mr. Macari regarding the payment, or not, of employee health insurance premiums. Mr. Macari said two payments were made recently and by this Friday, the city would be up to date. Continuing in this vein, Mr. Gonzalez then asked if the city council had approved the issuance of $1 million in tax anticipation notes, (TANs). City Councilman Michael Norman said TANs had not been approved by the city council and to the best of his knowledge there wouldn't be any need to do so in the future.

Resident Babe Grella launched a discussion between him, the city's DPW director and the DPW foreman regarding leaf disposal. Mr. Grella took exception to the vacuuming up of leaves in certain Glen Cove neighborhoods while the city code dictates the raking and clear plastic bagging of leaves for pickup by the city's sanitation crew. He felt it was unfair for those who are raking and bagging the leaves to have some folks just put them in the street. The DPW director said there is an ordinance regarding leaf pickup and a flier was mailed to all residents explaining procedure. If the city's code enforcers receive calls about residents putting leaves on the street-which is unsafe-a warning is issued with a violation written the second time this happens. Mayor-elect Holzkamp asked Mr. Grella to call the Glen Cove Youth Board in the event he knew of someone who needed help raking leaves or couldn't afford to pay for the clear plastic bags.

The Glen Cove City Council's final meeting of the year is December 28.