HomeMy WebLinkAbout1.18.2005 Minutes.pdf
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Minutes of Regular Meeting
January 18, 2005
Village of Cayuga Heights
Board of Trustees
Present: Mayor Lynn, Trustees Antil, Collyer, Staley, McNeil, Tavelli, Atty. Tyler, Police Chief
Lansing, Supt. Tamborelle, Supt. Cross, Supv. Quick, Clerk Manning.
Absent: Trustee Mount
Others Present: Joe and Peggy Petrillose
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At 7:06 pm, Mayor Lynn opened the Public Hearing on revising the Village sewer rent
ordinance. Supt. Cross explained the proposed change in the existing law which is scheduled to
become effective June 1, 2005. The intention of the change is that the homeowner will continue
to pay an equivalent amount to what they are currently being charged, but the amount will vary
from property to property based on water consumption which will become the basis of sewer
rents levied. The local law changing the existing rate will provide that the sewer rent rate will be
established annually with the adoption of the Village budget in April so as not to have to pass a
separate new local law each year. Payments would be made quarterly on the existing water bills.
There being no comments, the Hearing was closed at 7:20 pm.
The regular meeting was opened at 7:20.
The Mayor asked for a motion to approve the minutes of December 20, 2004.
Motion by Trustee Mount
Seconded by Trustee Antil
Move to approve the minutes of December 20, 2004 with minor corrections noted
below:
Page 3 – Resolution 6115
sb ~Trustees Antil, Collyer, Staley, and Tavelli voted YES.
Page 4 - Resolution 6113
sb ~ Trustees Antil, Collyer, Staley, and Tavelli voted YES.
Attorney Tyler amended his remarks on page 4 to read as follows: The situation with the
sign ordinance will be a low priority for resident’s sensitivities.
Mayor Lynn, Trustees Antil, Collyer and Tavelli voted YES.
Trustee McNeil Abstained.
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Privilege of the Floor –
Peggy Petrillose spoke on her behalf. She would like to change her business, Hair Etc.
from one existing business to two businesses. She has someone who would like to take over the
massage therapy part of the existing business, bring on two more employees and operate that
business separately.
Supt. Cross said that the Planning Board previously approved the site plan review when
the existing business was formed. To go from one to two proprietors, Ms. Petrillose again needs
to appear before the Planning Board. The Code Enforcement Officer, Brent Cross, suggested
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that Ms. Petrillose has a legitimate request, and the Planning Board could accept the application
and schedule a Public Hearing for next month.
Motion by Trustee Antil
Seconded by Trustee McNeil
Move to hold a Public Hearing as a Planning Board for the purpose of a site plan
review for the proposed alteration at 828 Hanshaw Road.
Trustees Antil, Collyer, McNeil and Tavelli voted YES
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Mayor’s Report
The Mayor reported that the election of Trustees is underway. Three incumbents are running,
Trustees Antil, Collyer and Mount. These trustees should bring all their signed petitions to the
Village office and the Mayor will take them to the Board of Elections. The Village election is
being held on March 15 at the Village Hall.
The Mayor asked the Trustees to recruit residents to serve in positions on Town/County
committees which have positions allocated to the Village. These include but are not limited to
the EMC, Fire Disaster & EMS, and Water Resources Council. The vacancy on the Zoning
Board of Appeals will be filled by Robert Powers. Mr. Powers is a former Town of Ithaca ZBA
member.
Trustee Mount, who was absent from the meeting, had asked the Mayor to report that the next
issue of the Courier is due out during the second week in March. Trustee Antil will consult on
an article for the March issue about the Village committees that need volunteers.
The Mayor reported that Wies van Leuken, the Village’s representative to the cable service
provider Time Warner/Pegasys, asked the Board’s input on public access issues discussed in the
Access Oversight Committee that she attends. The Mayor, with the Board’s approval, will
instruct Ms. Van Leuken to proceed as she feels appropriate.
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Report of the Police Chief – Report was distributed and on file.
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Report of the Fire Superintendent – Report was distributed and on file. Chief Tamborelle
reminded the Board that the 50th Anniversary Fire Banquet is scheduled for April 23 at the
Country Club on Pleasant Grove Road.
The ladder truck is slated to be off the production line in Florida at the end of March, and in the
station no later than April 15. The ladder truck committee will be traveling to Florida at the end
of February for inspection.
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Report of Working Supervisor – Report was distributed and on file. Supv. Quick reported that a
safety meeting is scheduled for January on snow plow safety and trench safety sponsored by our
new insurance carrier. Training is provided free of charge.
Trustee Collyer asked if the DPW employees collecting the garbage are watching the weight of
the garbage cans as he had observed some misuse by some Village residents. Supt. Cross will
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draft an article for the next issue of The Courier for residents to watch the weight of the garbage
cans and use the appropriate number of tags on each can.
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Report of the Supt. of Public Works –
Supt. Cross commented on the proposed sewer rent modification. He would like to send a letter
to the other municipalities involved to explain the proposed changes that the Village will be
making to the Sewer Rent Ordinance.
Regarding the WWTP, the contractor has completed the first of the two trickling filter
replacements. The first is back on line and is beginning to be functional. The second filter will
not be taken “off-line” until the first one is confirmed to be fully functional. Attorney Tyler
asked about the flow limits with the recent rainfall. Supt. Cross feels that all is within the limits.
Attorney Tyler asked if both units will be online during our Spring rainy season. Supt. Cross
doesn’t think so.
Space Committee Update – The Committee has met with Schickel Architecture numerous time
over the past few months. Tom Schickel is refining their plans and numbers for a presentation
to the Board at the February Board Meeting.
Road Report – Same situation as above. The Public Works Committee has reviewed the road
report and a presentation is scheduled for February.
At this point, Mayor Lynn interjected that there are 3 items on the immediate horizon that will
have a significant impact on this next budget year. They are: the Village Hall, the Village roads,
and the looming problem with our ancient water distribution system. Mayor Lynn wants the
Board to be aware of these items at budget preparation time.
Mayor Lynn reported that the Teamster’s contract ends on May 31. The business representative
met with the bargaining unit on January 12. The preliminary contract meeting with our attorney,
Laurie Johnston, is scheduled for February 9.
Supt. Cross reported on last year’s activity for issuing building permits. He wrote more permits
in 2004 than in any previous year since he began working here 11 years ago. He will distribute
his report at the next meeting.
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Report of the Treasurer – Treasurer Silber reported that he met with the Auditors. He asked
the Board if they wished to meet with the Auditors at a future meeting. The main reason would
be if the Board wanted to learn more about GASB34, the new accounting system being
implemented for municipalities. Treasurer Silber explained the particulars of GASB34, and the
Trustees declined meeting with the Auditors, at least at this time.
Treasurer Silber presented budget transfers.
From: To: Amount
A01990.400 Contingency A01210.410 Mayor Contr Exp $500
A01990.400 Contingency A01420.410 Attorney Contr Exp 15,000
A01990.400 Contingency A01620.410 Village Hall Contr Exp 2,000
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A01990.400 Contingency A09060.810 Empl Ben: Health/VCH 500
F08350.200 Water System Equip F01420.410 Water/Attorney 7,050
F08350.200 Water System Equip F08350.410 Water System Contr Exp 8,000
G01990.400 Sewer Contingency G08120.490 Sewer Lines Eqpt Maint 2,700
G01990.400 Sewer Contingency G08130.490 Sewer Plant Eqpt Maint 6,000
Motion by Trustee Mount
Seconded by Trustee Antil
Move to pass Resolution 6116 approving the transfers dated 1/18/05 as listed
above.
Trustees Antil, Collyer, McNeil, Staley and Tavelli voted YES
Treasurer Silber cautioned the Dept. Heads to watch their budgets as we are reaching the part of
the year where funds are getting low.
Motion by Trustee Collyer
Seconded by Trustee Antil
Move to pass Resolution 6117 approving the Abstract of Audited Vouchers dated
1/18/05 in the amount of $75,922.17, and instruct that the Treasurer make
payments thereon.
Trustees Antil, Collyer, McNeil, Staley and Tavelli voted YES
Treasurer Silber spent a few minute discussing various budget issues with the Trustees. The
budget packets will be distributed to department heads next week, and will expect them to be
returned to him at the end of February. A special budget meeting will be scheduled for the
beginning of March.
Clerk Manning asked for a Committee for guidance on preparing her budget for her department.
The Mayor and Deputy Mayor will meet with the Clerk regarding her budget items.
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Report of the Attorney – Atty. Tyler reported that the Judge was overdue in rendering his
decision on the Wilkinson Estate litigation but, as yet, has not issued a decision.
Treasurer Silber asked Atty Tyler about private fiber runs with utilities through the City of
Ithaca. The Attorney said that the City has a special ordinance which brings in $1000/month.
The Village would get far less than the City. Would the administrative hassle to pass a similar
ordinance in the Village be worthwhile? Likely not for receipts of less than $200 per month.
The Mayor advised Attorney Tyler he was prepared to sign the pre-treatment agreements. There
is a slightly revised technical change, which Mr. Tyler has yet to review.
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Other Business: The Trustees were presented with the Resolution to approve the new contract
for the Southern Cayuga Lake Intermunicipal Water Commission’s Employees.
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Motion by Trustee Antil
Seconded by Trustee Collyer
Move to Approve Resolution 6118 Approving the Contract with the International Union of
Operating Engineers for Southern Cayuga Lake Intermunicipal Water Commission’s
Employees
WHEREAS, the majority of the Southern Cayuga Lake Intermunicipal Water
Commission’s (Commission) non-managerial employees in the Production and Distribution
Departments voted affirmatively on January 31, 2001 to be represented by the International
Union of Operating Engineers for the purposes of collective bargaining; and
WHEREAS, the Commission, in good faith, entered into contract negotiations with
the union for a successor contract to the original contract that expired on December 31, 2004;
and
WHEREAS, on December 9, 2004, the Commission’s negotiating team reached
tentative agreement on a contract with the union’s negotiating team; and
WHEREAS, on December 15, 2004, the employees in the union bargaining unit
ratified the tentative contract; and
WHEREAS, the Commission has reviewed and approved the tentative contract; and
WHEREAS, the Village of Cayuga Heights Board of Trustees has reviewed the tentative
contract and determined it to be acceptable;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, the Village of Cayuga Heights Board of Trustees does hereby approve the
tentative contract; and, be it further
RESOLVED, the Village of Cayuga Heights Board of Trustees authorizes the
Commission’s negotiating team to sign said contract as presented.
Trustees Antil, Collyer, McNeil, Staley and, Tavelli voted YES
Motion by Trustee Antil
Move to adjourn meeting at 9:00
Trustees Antil, Collyer, McNeil, Staley and, Tavelli voted YES
Respectfully submitted,
Norma R. Manning, Clerk