Public Works provides city services such as garbage collection, street light repairs, pothole repairs and street cleaning. Garbage collection begins at 7am, and the department performs street cleanings every six weeks, depending on the season. The department is not responsible for sidewalk repairs or shoveling sidewalks in front of private residences, as these duties are the responsibility of the homeowner.
The Building Department issues permits for changes in the structure or construction of certain properties and pieces of land. These include public or private utility structures, tennis courts and other recreational facilities.
The department issues two kinds of permits: interior and exterior. Approval for interior permits take about two weeks, while exterior permits could take anywhere from three to five weeks. All exterior permits are subject to review by the Board of Architectural Review. Building permit fees are a minimum of $55 or $15 per 1,000 of assessed property value, whichever number is greater.
The City of Rye Boat Basin is located at the northernmost part of Milton Harbor in the western section of the Long Island Sound. Equipped to house boats of various sizes, the Boat Basin has about 425 summer slips in the water and also stores trailered boats on land. In the winter, the Basin is capable of storing about 175 boats on land and an additional 25 boats in a de-iced winter wet area.
The facility is open to non-Rye residents, which make up about 30% of the Boat Basin population. However, non-residents pay a higher annual mooring fee and do not take priority on the waiting list.
Though it is owned by the City of Rye, the Boat Basin must generate its own revenue to fund operations.
The City Manager's Office oversees the city's operations and the operations of all departments within Rye's city government. The city manager also prepares the tentative budget, hires personnel, and provides regular and special reports to the council, while simultaneously working with city officers, boards and commissions appointed by the council. Since the city manager is also appointed by the City Council, the council can replace him or her at any time.
The Rye Recreation Center oversees parks and park services in the city. The department offers a variety of programs including men and women's softball, basketball, exercise, yoga and karate. Athletic fields in Rye are made available through a rental reservation system, but approved youth leagues and department programs have priority use of these fields.
The Rye Recreation Center accepts cash, check and credit cards (MasterCard, Visa, Discover and American Express), though residents are required to pay by check when paying for a program anywhere other than the Damiano Center. Check online to sign up and get immediate confirmation on certain activities.
The City of Rye Planning Department is responsible for preserving and enhancing the quality of life in the City of Rye by assisting in the review of land development applications. This ensures that all future development abides by the city code and New York State law. The department also provides technical assistance to the City Council, city staff, and other city boards and commissions, prepares and/or oversees special planning studies and analysis, and assists Rye residents, businesses and professionals with planning-related matters.
The Personnel Department is in charge of the city's hiring and termination procedures, working with the Westchester County Personnel Office to ensure the city's compliance with New York State Civil Service rules. The personnel director also serves as the health insurance administrator, handles all other employee benefit plans, assists in labor negotiations and monitors compliance with employee agreements. This department is also responsible for maintaining all employee records and filing necessary reports to federal, state and county agencies.
The Clerk's Office is generally responsible for the city's record keeping. The office is also tasked with providing voter registration forms and absentee ballots to residents during elections. It also issues parking permits to local residents and maintains a waiting list for parking at the Metro-North Railroad station.
The Clerk's Office also issues marriage licenses to couples, which can be obtained anywhere from 24 hours to 60 days before the marriage.
The government of the City of Rye is run by the city manager and a city council, which includes an elected mayor and six council members.
This governing body handles various municipal duties like managing city funds and forming local laws and ordinances. They also appoint a city manager who supervises the city's 17 departments. These departments include the assessor's office, police and fire, engineering, public works, recreation, building, the planner's office, boat basin and the city clerk's office, among others.
City Council meetings are held in the council chambers every two weeks on Wednesday at 8pm.
The Assessor's Office keeps records of all property within the limits of the City of Rye. The assessor determines the value, condition and taxes assessed on each piece of property in the city. The determined value is then used to figure the amount of city, county and school taxes that each property must pay.
The Engineering Department oversees and manages the city's sidewalk replacement program. It also handles street resurfacing, an effort to which the city allocates $300,000 each year. The department uses these funds to resurface three of the 50 miles of roadway in Rye. It also issues surface water control permits to residents who want to widen their driveways or install patios, and gives permits to property owners who want to change the grade of their land.