Sea Cliff village board to vote on digital switch

The Village of Sea Cliff is poised to take a significant step toward modernizing its administrative processes as the Board of Trustees prepares to vote on the adoption of electronic payment systems for tickets at their upcoming Sept. 9 meeting.

The initiative, discussed for several months, aims to streamline the payment process for residents and bring the village’s operations into the digital age.

During the Sept. 3 Board of Trustees meeting, the discussion focused on the online payment system and the electronic ticketing hardware. Village Clerk Sarah Beaudin provided an overview of the systems under consideration, emphasizing that the changes are part of a broader effort to enhance convenience and efficiency for residents.

“We’re really trying to move forward with this and make it as easy as possible for everyone involved,” Beaudin said in a previous interview. “The goal is to provide residents with a seamless experience when it comes to paying their fines and other fees.”

The first component of the plan involves the adoption of a digital payment system, which would allow residents to pay fines and fees online. This system, managed by AllPaid, is designed to manage several types of payments, including court fines, parking tickets, and potentially other municipal fees in the future. However, there are still some details to be worked out before the system can be fully implemented.

Village Attorney Brian Stolar raised concerns about the system’s limitations, particularly regarding its ability to process payments for building department fees and village code fines. He suggested that further clarification from AllPaid would be necessary before the board could move forward with the plan.

The second component of the proposed transition involves the acquisition of electronic ticketing hardware. The village is considering purchasing handheld devices that would allow parking enforcement officers to issue tickets electronically. The devices, which include scanners and printers, are expected to reduce errors and improve efficiency by allowing officers to scan vehicle registrations and input violations directly into the system.

The proposed cost for the electronic ticketing system includes an initial setup fee and the purchase of two devices, totaling approximately $9,100 for the first year. This fee covers the hardware, software, and a three-year license agreement, with an ongoing annual cost of $600 per device after the initial period.

The board also discussed the potential need for additional devices, given the village’s current parking enforcement personnel. With three officers now on staff, including a new evening shift, the board debated whether two devices would be sufficient or if a third might be necessary to ensure consistent enforcement throughout the day and night.

Mayor Elena Villafane, a strong advocate for modernizing the village’s operations, expressed her support for the electronic ticketing system.

“This is a step in the right direction,” Villafane said in a prior interview. “It’s part of our broader effort to bring the village’s operations into the 21st century and provide better service to our residents.”

The decision to move forward with the electronic payment systems will be put to a vote at the Sept. 9 meeting. If approved, the village will finalize its agreements with AllPaid and the electronic ticketing vendor, with plans to implement the systems in the coming months.

The move toward digital payments is part of a larger trend in Sea Cliff, where the village has been working to modernize its operations across various departments. In addition to the proposed digital payment systems, the village is also exploring options for electronic payments for building permits and real estate taxes, with the goal of offering a fully integrated, user-friendly system for residents.

Residents interested in learning more about the proposed changes or voicing their opinions are encouraged to attend the Sept. 9 Board of Trustees meeting, which will be held at Village Hall. For those unable to attend, more information will be available on the village’s website, SeaCliff-ny.gov, or calling the village office at (516) 671-0080.