HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes of July 2007 Board of Trustees.pdfi
Minutes of the Board of Trustees July 16, 2007
Village of Cayuga Heights
Meeting of the Board of Trustees
Present: Mayor Lynn, Trustees Antil, Bisogni, Collyer, Mount, Treasurer Silber, Police
Chief Lansing, Sgt. Boyce, Fire Supt. Tamborelle, Supt. Cross, Asst. Supt. Frisbie,
Attorney Tyler
Absent: Trustees Staley, Kaplan
Others: Luke Wooden, Rob Strawderman
At 7:00 P.M. Mayor Lynn opened th=meeting of the Board of Trustees. The June
minutes were inadvertently left out of the packets so they will be approved at the August
Board Meeting.
Privilege of the Floor—Rob Strawdennan, a Village resident, asked about the existing
fence ordinance....why can't we change the present fence ordinance? Can the
specifications be revisited? He would like to install a 6 ft. fence in the rear of his property
for deer protection.
Luke Wooden, another Village resident, commented that he recently installed a fence on
his property and was told by Brent Cross that it was too high. He also was inquiring if the
Village would be addressing the current fence ordinance.
Report of the Mayor— Mayor Lynn addressed the Trustees regarding the deer and fence
issues. At the last Board meeting,Dave Riehlman of the D.E.C. spoke about the ongoing
deer problem and how the Village could try to reduce the deer population. We all have to
recognize the problem that property owners are experiencing as it relates to property,
plants,pets and children. Suggested culling solutions are controversial, difficult and
problematic to implement. One alternative is to revise Section 9 of the Zoning Code which
specifies the size of fences. There are many different kinds of fences available. One
suggestion is to modify Section 9 to have the property owners protect their property.
Mayor Lynn proposes that the Zoning Officer, Village Attorney and any Trustees meet
with him to prepare a revised Section 9. Changing the ordinance will not be easy. Trustee
Bisogni asked who will determine the height of the fence. The Mayor answered that the
Trustees will. Trustee Antil commented that the Village should consider trying to take
care of both issues, getting rid of the deer and changing the fence ordinance.
Regarding the deer situation, Mayor Lynn read a letter from Mr. John D. Crump of
Remington Road relating to NOT spending taxpayer money on deer control. Treasurer
Silber pointed out that all earlier studies done in the Village on the deer were not paid for
by Village funds, but were paid by an anonymous donor.
The Town of Lansing has abandoned its sewer system plan. Their actions have an adverse
effect on the Village of Cayuga Heights W WTP budget and costs because of Town of
fl�diverted to the city plant in anticipation of the Lansing flow to replace the
diverted flow. The Village would like to open a dialogue with Lansing.
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At this time, Trustee Mount left the meeting.
The Village Justice will submit a grant proposal to the State to make the Courtroom
handicap accessible. Supt. Cross gave an overview of the tentative plan. The Village
would need to give a local share of the money. The Board needs to approve this
application.
Motion by Trustee Antil
Seconded by Trustee Collyer
Move to pass Resolution 6271 authorizing the preparation of a Justice Dept. grant for
handicap accessibility to the court room and authorize the Mayor to sign the
completed grant documents.
Mayor Lynn, Trustees Antil, Collyer and Bisogni voted YES.
Report of the Police Chief—Chief Lansing presented his report, which was distributed
and is on file. The department doesn't have any radio proposals yet. The County is
bearing the cost of radios for the cars and those that are hand-held. The base station will
have to be paid for by the Village. It was asked if this radio situation would have any
impact on the D.P.W. Supt. Cross answered that it would not at this time, maybe later.
The Village has to maintain its present radio system to be able to talk to those who will not
be on board with the 900 mgh system.
Trustee Bisogni asked about a noise ordinance. There is no noise ordinance in the Village,
the Police will use "disorderly conduct" when necessary.
Report of the Fire Supt. - Supt. Tamborelle had to leave but his report was distributed
and is on file. Treasurer Silber spoke on the radio situation. The County is being very
good to the Fire Departments so the Village will only have to purchase approximately
$19,000 worth of radios. The County is picking up about $100,000 worth of equipment.
The equipment should be ordered soon, therefore, the Village should be ready to order its
share for the fire department so we can "piggy back" onto the County order.
Motion by Trustee Collyer
Seconded by Trustee Antil
Move to pass Resolution 6272 requesting appropriation from contingency not to
exceed $20,000 for additional radio equipment(portable and mobile radios, chargers,
batteries, and other miscellaneous parts) required for the Fire Department and to
approve the piggyback of this order onto the County project order.
Mayor Lynn, Trustees Antil, Collyer and Bisogni voted YES
It was noted that the existing equipment will eventually be sold and the money received
will revert to the Village's general fund.
Report of the Supt. of Public Works—Supt. Cross asked the Board to approve a
resolution promoting Jeff Frisbie to the position of Ass't. Superintendent of Public Works.
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Motion by Trustee Antil
Seconded by Trustee Bisogni
Move to pass Resolution 6273 as follows:
Whereas,Jeffrey Frisbie has successfully passed the Tompkins County Civil Service
examination for Assistant Superintendent of Public works which meets condition
number 3 of his December 28, 2006 promotion letter,
Now it is resolved that Jeffrey Frisbie is hereby appointed to the position of Assistant
Superintendent of Public Works with an additional 6 month probation period
beginning 7/16/07, and
Be it further resolved that the current annual salary for this poison is $53,144.
Mayor Lynn, Trustees Antil, Collyer and Bisogni voted YES.
Supt. Cross congratulated Ass't. Supt. Frisbie on a job well done.
Ass't. Supt. of Public Works - Ass't. Supt. Frisbie explained about the advancements
within his department. He asked the Board to approve a resolution moving Jeff Ellis into
the Mechanic position which was vacated when he (Ass't. Supt. Frisbie) assumed the
position of Ass't. Supt. of Public Works. Supt. Cross commented that Jeff Ellis has shown
a significant improvement in his work attitude. His daily responsibilities will lean toward
mechanic duties.
Motion by Trustee Bisogni
Seconded by Trustee Antil
Motion to pass Resolution#6274 as follows:
Whereas,Jeffrey Ellis has assumed the duties of Village Mechanic during Jeffrey
Frisbie's provisional appointment as Assistant Superintendent of Public Works,
It is resolved to promote Jeffrey Ellis to the position of Senior Motor Equipment
Operator/Village Mechanic, and the appropriate agreement between the Vilage and
the bargaining unit to cover the proper classification of the position.
Be it further resolved that Jeffrey Ellis' hourly rate remains the same per the
Teamster Contract's hourly rate for 6/1/07 of$20.49/hour.
Motion by Trustee Collyer
Seconded by Trustee Antil
Mayor Lynn, Trustees Antil, Collyer and Bisogni voted YES
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Report of the Treasurer—
Motion by Trustee Bisogni
Seconded by Trustee Antil
Motion to pass Resolution 6275 approving the Abstract of Audited Vouchers dated
7/16/07 in the amount of$138,600.35, and instruct that the Treasurer make payments
thereon.
Mayor Lynn, Trustees Antil, Collyer and Bisogni voted YES.
At this time, Mayor Lynn informed the Board that he will be talking to the County
about doing away with the garbage tags that are purchased by the residents of
Cayuga Heights.
Report of the Attorney— Attorney Tyler asked Supt. Cross if the Village has done
anythinga bout the fiber optic cables around the Village that seem to be "wrapped" around
our water/sewer lines. Supt. Cross said no. Atty. Tyler asked if the Village should look
into this situation and put Verizon on notice, perhaps in connection with the claim Verizon
recently made for damage that occurred to cable allegedly in connection with a Village
pipe repair last February.
Supt. Cross replied to Mrs. Wadach on her sewer line issue. Atty. Tyler advised Supt.
Cross to contact Mrs. Wadach and ask her if the Village can begin work on the line.
Regarding support services with other municipalities, the Clerk will get a certificate of
insurance for the Village and ask other municipalities for the same.
The consent order for the Phosphorous Treatment System installation at the W WTP has
been sent to Stearns and Wheler. The amended schedule for compliance seems to be
different from the others. We need to look into this further.
Report of the Clerk— A letter was received from Challenge Industries informing the
Village that they will cease their bulk mailing operation effective August 1. "There was
discussion on how Trustee Mount should proceed with the bulk mailing of The Courier.
Treasurer Silber suggested that Mailbox of Ithaca be contacted for information on their
operations.
The second part of the Diversity Training Session Thursday, July 20 at 10:30 A.M. at the
Village Hall.
Motion by Trustee Antil
Seconded by Trustee Bisogni
Move to adjourn meeting at 8:53 PM.
Mayor Lynn, Trustees Antil, Collyer and Bisogni voted YES.
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