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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes of the Regular Meeting March 19, 2007.pdf 1 Minutes of the Board of Trustees March 19, 2007 Village of Cayuga Heights Meeting of the Board of Trustees Present: Mayor Lynn, Trustees Antil, Bisogni, Collyer, Kaplan, Mount, Treasurer Silber Police Chief Lansing, Fire Supt. Tamborelle, Supt. Cross, Asst. Supt. Frisbie, Attorney Tyler, Absent: Trustee Staley Others Present Lawrence Heotzlein - Cornell, Don Gordon, Betsy Shire, Gary Stewart, Cornell, Bruce Brittain, Doug Brittain, Steve Wampler, WHCU, Mike Lindstrom and Bill Mensinger, Horizons Design, Susan Barnett. At 7:00 P.M., the Trustees acting as the Planning Board opened the Public Hearing on the Cornell Child Care Facility. Supt. Cross introduced Mr. Hoetzlein, the project architect from Cornell to present the plan to the Board. Mr. Hoetzlein gave an overview of the project: the new child care center will be accredited, accommodating up to 158 children divided into 1/3 infants, 1/3 toddlers and 1/3 school age children. The size is approximately 14,800 sq. ft. located on Pleasant Grove Road adjacent to ‘A’ Lot. They hope to have the design completed by Summer 2007, with construction completed by Summer 2008. The site is bound by the cattail marsh, Palmer Woods, the sledding hill and ‘A’ Lot, which will be used for access and parking. The site plan is a compact 2 story building. The only parking that will be added will be part of ‘A’ Lot – drop off parking (19 spaces). There will be minimal new lighting as ‘A’ lot lighting will be utilized. Attorney Tyler asked if a study has been done for the demand for such a facility. Ms. Shrire said that a study has been done and the needs have been documented. There will be no expansion options built into the project. Mayor Lynn asked how many employees the center will employee. Answer was given at approximately 35. Before ‘A’ Lot was created, the Village was inundated with parking problems from Cornell employees. Will there be parking on the streets again? Is Cornell going to displace the existing people parking now in ‘A’ lot for the new people who will need parking? What about further development from Cornell? Does the Village have a master plan that says “enough is enough”? Supt. Cross answered that because the Village is built out, the Village’s zoning laws are essentially the “master plan”. The zoning is currently divided into residential, commercial and multi-family. This project is within the multiple housing district. There is currently a study being conducted by Cornell on the transportation environmental issue. Attorney Tyler wanted to add that a “comprehensive plan” is the roadmap for zoning. This Village is largely developed…the undeveloped land is minimal and its use is dictated by zoning. It is within the Board’s power to make changes to the Zoning district if it deems it necessary. Doug Britton wanted to make the Board aware that this is the last opportunity for discussion on the “village” concept that was supposed to prevail for this project. He doesn’t think the building will be built with a “village” concept. The building also does not appear to be a “green” project. Supt. Cross reiterated that the Village is currently in the process of a site plan review, not an architectural review. Supt. Cross also wanted to interject that he was quoted as referring to the project to being “green”. What he meant by that was that the impact on the land was not great, he used the word “green” in a generic sense, not an eco-sense. Bruce Britton also mentioned that the “little village” concept had been lost. He also asked about the fact that this project was mentioned previously as being a not for profit operation; yet Bright 2 Horizons, who is managing it, is a profit company. Mr. Hoetzlein answered that Cornell will make all the decisions, not Bright Horizons. Cornell will pay Bright Horizons a management fee. Treasurer Silber interjected that the fee to Bright Horizons may, however, be a profit fee. Bruce Britton wanted to discuss the fact that the building will block the area that could be the gateway into Cornell from the north that was previously discussed in the North Campus Gateway Project. Supt. Cross said that there was a previously identified road corridor when the surrounding municipalities looked at the impact that Cornell had on traffic. The Committee came up with a recommendation but fell short of seeking approval from the municipalities. Supt. Cross said that this site plan will not prohibit some sort of Gateway into the Campus in the future. It should also be noted that statements have been made that Cornell and The Village have made some sort of agreement not to touch any land north of ‘A’ Lot. That sort of agreement does not exist on any record. Mayor Lynn stated that no decision will be made tonight. From the time the hearing is adjourned, the Trustees have 62 days to act. It was noted for the record that the Mayor and some of the Trustees are involved with Cornell. Supt. Cross asked the Trustees in February to make the Village of Cayuga Heights Planning Board the SEQRA “lead agency” for the project. The Town of Ithaca has announced that since some of the land lies within the town’s jurisdiction, there should be “coordinated review”. We would take the Town’s comments and input them into our SEQRA review. After the town Planning Board has their meeting, the Village will have its meeting. This public hearing will be adjourned to April 9 at 7:00 P.M. The Public Hearing was adjourned at 7:53 P.M. *********************************************************************** After a brief intermission, the March meeting of the Board of Trustees came to order at 7:58 P.M. The Minutes of February 20, 2007 were presented for approval. One item was added – page 1 -- Add: Trustee Mount and Trustee Antil confirmed they had publicly disclosed living near the proposed property but affirmed they could vote impartially on the subject of the Upland Road Estates Subdivision. Motion by Trustee Antil Seconded by Trustee Mount Move to pass Resolution 6248 approving the Minutes of February 20, 2007 with correction listed above. Trustees Antil, Bisogni, Kaplan, and Mount and voted YES. Trustee Collyer ABSTAINED. *********************************************************************** Privilege of the Floor – No one wished to speak at the Privilege of the Floor. *********************************************************************** 3 Report of the Mayor – Mayor Lynn met with Robin Cisne, Chair of the Z.B.A. She was in favor with the idea of training, and the Village will be looking into a time convenient for everyone for training. The Fire Contract between the Village of Cayuga Heights and the Town of Ithaca expired on December 31, 2007. The contract in place has been working very well and the contract will be extended. A resolution is needed to extend the current contract and allow the Mayor to sign a new contract. Motion by Trustee Antil Seconded by Trustee Collyer Motion to pass Resolution 6250 – Whereas the Village of Cayuga Heights has a Contract for Fire Protection with the Town of Ithaca originally dated March 18, 2002 and; Whereas this contract originally terminated on December 31, 2006 and; Whereas the parties wish to continue the benefits and provided thereunder and; Now therefore it is Resolved that the expired contract shall remain in force until such time as a new contract is established at a rate of $170,737 per annum. It is also Resolved that the Mayor is authorized to signed a new contract, with substantially the same terms as the previous contract with appropriate financial escalation, for the term January 1, 2007 through December 31, 2011. Trustees Antil, Bisogni, Collyer, Kaplan, and Mount and voted YES. The Organizational Meeting which was scheduled for April 2 conflicts with Passover. Therefore, the meeting will be changed to April 9. Items to be discussed at this meeting will include the public hearing on the budget, approving fire department officers, organizational items, sewer rate (if changed) and Upland Road Estates decision. Trustee Mount wanted to ask about the letter sent the Trustee’s by Attorney Tyler on the proposed Ciaschi development. There was discussion on what the Trustees should be thinking about regarding this proposed project. The Mayor indicated he would prepare and send a follow-up letter to the developer. Mayor Lynn will invite the D.E.C. to speak at the May Board meeting on the deer situation. *********************************************************************** Report of the Police Chief – Chief Lansing presented his report, which was distributed and is on file. The Chief also distributed the Annual Report for the Police Department. Sgt. Boyce took his Civil Service Examination for the Chief’s position on the previous Saturday and is awaiting his test scores. *********************************************************************** 4 Report of the Fire Supt. - Supt. Tamborelle’s report was distributed and is on file. Aside from the report, over the past few weeks Cayuga Heights responded to a Newfield house fire, motor vehicle accidents, and a house fire in the Village. There was discussion about the Fire Company adopting a code of ethics. *********************************************************************** Ass’t. Supt. of Public Works - Ass’t. Supt. Frisbie’s report was distributed and is on file. Spring season brings it’s own pile of work, so the D.P.W. will be working hard over the next few months. Ass’t. Supt. Frisbie wants to get the MEO position filled that is now open. *********************************************************************** Report of the Supt. of Public Works – The bid opening for the Phase I Water System Improvements was on March 15 and the lowest bid was submitted by Grant Street Construction of Cortland. Supt. Cross asked for a resolution to award the bid to Grant Street Construction. Motion by Trustee Bisogni Seconded by Trustee Collyer Motion to pass Resolution 6249 authorizing the Mayor to sign the conract with Grant Street Construction for Phase I Water System Improvements. Whereas the Village of Cayuga Heights (Village) hired T.G. Miller, PC Engineers (TGM) to prepare plans and specifications to construction various improvements of the water distribution system, including new hydrant locations and two small water main extensions, and Whereas the Village duly advertised the plans to seek bids and opened fie bids on March 15, 2007, and Whereas Grant Street Construction Co. submitted the low bid of $170,735, along with the proper documentation of bid security and acknowledgement of bid instructions, and Whereas TGM has recommended that the Village accept the low bidder, and Whereas this project is classified as a SEQRA Type II Action according to NYS Environmental Conservation Law 617.5.c.2 & 11, and Whereas the Tompkins County Health Department has reviewed and approved the plans and specifications, and now Therefore the Village of Cayuga Heights Board of Trustees hereby classify the project as a SEQRA Type II, which does not require further environmental review, and Therefore, the Trustees hereby accept the low bid of $170,735.00 from Grant Street Construction for the construction of Phase I Water System Improvements, and Therefore the Trustees hereby instruct TGM to prepare a contract with Grant Street Construction for signature by the Mayor upon review by the Village Attorney. Trustees Antil, Bisogni, Collyer, Kaplan, and Mount and voted YES. The cost of the project will be funded by the water fund and general fund surplus. Fire Supt. Tamborelle asked when the project will start. It will begin when the weather improves. Phase II will wait until next budget year. 5 The notice of claim received from Verizon regarding the broken fiber optics line has been referred to the insurance company. Supt. Cross has also given the insurance company information about the Dig Safely program. Regarding the Wadach Sewer Line exposure issue, Atty. Tyler, Trustee Bisogni and Supt. Cross will meet later in the week to discuss the situation. *********************************************************************** Report of the Treasurer – The January and February financial reports were emailed to the Trustees. The tentative budget was distributed and Treasurer Silber gave the Trustees an overview of the budget. Transfers: Motion by Trustee Bisogni Seconded by Trustee Antil Motion to pass Resolution 6251 approving the transfers dated 3/19/07 as listed below: From: To: A01990.400 Contingency A01325.410 Treasurer Contr Exp 4,000 A01990.400 Contingency A01420.410 Attorney Contr Exp 10,000 A01990.400 Contingency A01620.410 Village Hall Contr Exp 2,000 A03120.410 Police Contr Exp A03120.490 Police Eqpt. Maint 1,000 A03410.410 Fire Contr Exp A03410.4900 Fire Eqpt. Maint 3,000 A05142.200 Snow Equipment A05110.410 Street Contr Exp 2,000 A05142.200 Snow Equipment A05142.490 Snow Equip Maint 1,100 A08160.200 Refuse Eqpt A08160.490 Refuse Eqpt maint 1,000 Trustees Antil, Bisogni, Collyer, Kaplan, and Mount and voted YES. Approval of Abstracts Motion by Trustee Collyer Seconded by Trustee Antil Motion to pass Resolution 6252 approving the Abstract of Audited Vouchers dated 3/19/07 in the amount of $163,817.15, and instruct that the Treasurer make payments thereon. Trustees Antil, Bisogni, Collyer, Kaplan, and Mount voted YES. Trustee Collyer asked about NYSEG replacing the street light bulbs with sodium lights when each light begins to go out. This replacement would reduce our electrical cost. What happened to the program? Supt. Cross will check into this. *********************************************************************** 6 Report of the Attorney – The phosphorous project modification project is underway with the contract engineers, with revised plans to be submitted shortly to the DEC. The Upland Estates project will be discussed at the April 9 meeting. Discussion is needed on the Ciaschi tentative proposal. Attorney Tyler would like Supt. Cross to follow up with a letter to Ciaschi asking him to keep the Board informed on the progress of his report. The Trustees didn’t agree. Supt. Cross has since spoken to Mr. Ciaschi and explained that the Trustees were concerned about what he was planning. There was discussion on what should not be constructed at that site. Mayor Lynn will draft a letter to Mr. Ciaschi, showing it to Atty. Tyler and Trustee Mount before he sends it to Mr. Ciaschi. We need to remember, though, that the Village does not have architectural review on projects. *********************************************************************** Report of the Clerk – The Clerk reported on the following: Annual Reports from the Court and the Fire Department will be presented at the April 9 meeting. Judge Galbreath will be invited to answer any questions the Board may have for him. Mary Agnes Hamilton is being appointed to a 3 year term (1/1/07 – 12/31/10) on the Tompkins County Youth Services. *********************************************************************** Motion by Trustee Bisogni Seconded by Trustee Antil Move to enter Executive Session at 9:30 PM to receive advice of Counsel regarding a matter in dispute. Trustees Antil, Bisogni, Kaplan, and Mount and voted YES. Motion by Trustee Bisogni Seconded by Trustee Antil Move to exit Executive Session at 10:00 PM. Motion by Trustee Antil Seconded by Trustee Bisogni Move to adjourn meeting at 10:01 PM.