BILL NUMBER: S9804
SPONSOR: ROLISON
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act in relation to authorizing the city of Poughkeepsie to alienate
and discontinue the use of certain parklands
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
Authorizes the City of Poughkeepsie to construct an emergency communi-
cations tower on parkland.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section I authorizes the City of Poughkeepsie to discontinue the land
identified as parkland and alienate the lands described in section 3 of
this act and to construct an emergency communications tower on such
lands for use by the City of Poughkeepsie.
Section 2 provides that the authorization contained in Section 1 shall
only be effective on the condition that the City of Poughkeepsie dedi-
cate an amount equal to or greater than the fair market value of the
parklands being discontinued toward the acquisitions of new parklands
and/or capital improvements to existing park and recreational facili-
ties.
Section 3 describes the location for the new emergency communications
tower which will not be used as parkland in the future.
Section 4 provides that in the event that the City of Poughkeepsie
received any funding support or assistance form the federal government
for the purchase, maintenance, or improvements of the parklands set
forth in section 3, the discontinuance and alienation of parklands
authorized in this act shall not occur until the City has complied with
any federal requirements pertaining to the alienation or conversion of
the parklands. This includes satisfying the Secretary of the Interior
that the alienation or conversion complies with all conditions which the
Secretary deems necessary to assure the substitution of other lands
shall be equivalent in fair market value and usefulness to the lands
being alienated or converted.
Section 5 provides the effective date which is immediately.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
College Hill Park is owned by the City of Poughkeepsie. Currently, there
is a communications tower on the parkland which is used by the City of
Poughkeepsie for radio communication to the police, fire department and
other first responders.
The current tower is in need of repair and upgrades, and the City has
decided to construct a new tower. The City will use the new tower for
their radio communications and the existing tower will be removed. The
parkland previously used for the existing tower will be returned to use
as parkland and a portion of the park will be used for the new tower.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
None.  
EFFECTIVE:
This act shall take effect immediately.