HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes of the Regular Meeting April 7, 2008.pdfMINUTES
Village of Cayuga Heights
Board of Trustee/Planning Board Meeting
held on
April 7, 2008
Trustees Present: Ron Bors, Roy Staley, David Donner, Diana Riesman, Frank Collyer
Trustee Excused: Ann Antil
Mayor Present: Walter Lynn
Other Officials Present: Jeffrey Silber, Brent Cross, David Tyler, George Tamborelle,
Thomas Boyce, Glenn Galbreath and Mary Jane Neff
Guests: Patty Mutkoski, Sarah Hatcher, Anita Watkins, John Snyder, Rick Manning,
Don Campbell, Mindy Mindlin, Linda Bors, David Feeney, Joe Perry, Jim Gilmore
Mayor Lynn called the Public Hearing for the 2008-2009 Tentative Budget to order at
7:00 PM. The public hearing procedure was explained by Mayor Lynn. Treasurer, Jeff
Silber, reported that there was no proposed change in the tax rate, the water percentage
added to water bills, nor the sewer unit fee. He also explained that State Aid estimate for
the Capital fund was incorrectly stated on the tentative budget, it should be $1,020,000
instead of $1,275,000 and that this difference will be offset by an equal amount of change
in the expense account HO.8130.201 Phosphorus Project. He also stated that one of the
proposed salaries is incorrect and that some of the DPW hourly rates are not per the
contract due to changes in classification and new hires. He commented that the tentative
budget contains projects that are estimated for the 2008-09 fiscal year, but that the
projects have not been finalized. He also explained that the Board had the authority to
change the budget to reflect the actual projects as long as the expenditures did not exceed
the total expense budget. If emergencies arise during the year, the Village has a fund
balance that, upon Board approval, can be used for funding emergencies.
The Mayor proposed the following changes to the tentative budget: Add $3,000 to
Planning Board Contractual (A8020.400) for the training of the Planning Board and
$1,500 to ZBA Contractual (A8010.400) that is required by NYS law.
Mindy Midlin presented a list of questions regarding the budget. The Treasurer answered
them as follows:
Village Hall renovations – Renovations of Village Hall is not included in the tentative
budget and if the Board decided to proceed with the project funds would have to be
appropriated or the Village would need to Bond the funds necessary for the renovations.
Although the Board had authorized bonding for a Village Hall renovation project the
process would have to be started again because of the change in costs.
Water line replacement – A $2,000,000 water line replacement would require bonding
and at this time is not included in the tentative budget.
Street work - An $8,000,000 street project does not have a plan. To undertake such a
large project would require a set of plans and authorization to bond the project.
New position to assist the Superintendent of Public Work – No new positions have been
approved by the Board; however, there are funds already in the budget for help for the
Code Enforcement Officer
Website funding – There is no funds in the current tentative budget and the clerk’s
contractual would need to be increased.
Phosphorous Treatment plan – The project is underway and finances have been planned
Laptop computer for Assistant Superintendent of Public Works – One has not been
requested and will need to be researched to determine the correct size for the anticipated
uses.
Employee benefits – no change in employee benefits have been included in this year’s
tentative budget.
Ms. Midlin asked what the following accounts and dollar amounts were planned:
$160,000 special contingency – This account is for unusual items and it is anticipated that
the majority of this year’s contingency will be used to finance the PBA contract, once it
is finalized. The tentative budget does not reflect any changes in the police department’s
wages. This Board will be working on a new contract with the PBA representative.
$200,000 capital improvement – This is for proposed street improvements
$210,000 water purchase – This is for the purchase of water from Bolton Point
$225,000 Capital fund transfer – This is the sewer funds share of the phosphorous
treatment capital project.
$1,275,000 capital fund state aid – This is the amount that should be changed to
$1,020,000 grant from New York State for the Wastewater Treatment Plant updates.
$3,000,000 Bond Anticipated Notes - $1,000,000 will be need for the Wastewater
Treatment plant updates until the grant funds are received and $2,000,000 is for water
projects that are planned for the 2008-09 fiscal year.
$50,000 Bus capital expense – The Village is exploring the construction of some bus
shelters for the Village.
Jim Gilmore asked if the tentative budget could be changed. The Treasurer explained
that the tentative budget public hearing is a time to hear the public’s comment on the
proposed budget which can be taken into consideration. The Board still has the option to
make changes prior to adopting the budget. Mr. Gilmore asked if there was funding for
the deer problem; Treasurer responded that it was not included in this tentative budget.
He also asked about the sales tax income; the Treasurer responded that he uses the prior
year’s actual amount for the next year’s estimate. Mr. Gilmore asked if there was
funding for improvements at Bolton Point; the Treasurer explained that all Bolton Point
improvement projects are financed by the five municipalities that make up the Southern
Cayuga Lake Intermunicipal Water Commission. Mr. Gilmore asked if there was
funding for the intersection at Triphammer, Hanshaw, Klinewoods and East Upland; the
Treasurer responded that there not specific funds for that intersection, nor are there any
plans available at this time to change that intersection.
There being no additional questions or comments at this time, the public hearing was
closed at 7:34 PM.
As a courtesy to Rick Manning and John Snyder, Mayor Lynn asked the Board to
convene as the Planning Board at this time. The Board had no objection to convening as
the Planning Board at this time.
Superintendent of Public Works, Brent Cross, presented his report on this project
which he distributed this evening. He explained that as the code enforcement officer he
has determined that the building meets the requirement of the Village’s Codes and New
York State Building Codes. However, projects in the Commercial District are subject to
a site plan review per the Village’s Local Law on the duties of the Planning Board. As in
the past, the applicant is given the opportunity to present a preliminary plan to the
Planning Board. The Planning Board members can ask questions, make suggestions and
schedules the site plan review public hearing. Superintendent Cross also explained to the
Board that it will need to make a decision on what form of State Environmental Quality
Review that they will require for this project, (Type I, Unlisted or Type II).
Superintendent Cross stated that according the regulations, which are attached to his
report, this project would be a Type II action and would not require a SEQR. However, it
is the Planning Board’s decision.
John Snyder and Rick Manning, Chemung Canal Bank’s architects presented a
side show showing the site as it currently exists and what is being proposed for the
renovations. The garage and a portion of the building where Bank of America was
located will be demolished and the new structure will be built in the general area of the
garage and its parking area. A rain garden and driveway for the drive-thru windows will
be in the area of where the Bank of America was located.
The Board asked questions about the design in regards to pedestrian safety and
expressed concern about the driveway that exits onto Pleasant Grove Road. During busy
times of the day they recommend that a sign be posted that would allow right turns only
during those times. Superintendent Cross and Architect John Snyder stated that they are
not renting that portion of the property from Mr. Ciaschi and that his cooperation would
be needed to post a sign at that entrance and exit to his parking area for the other tenants
of the property.
Landscape Architect, Rick Manning, provided an overview of the landscape
design. The Board expressed that it would be an improvement over the current
landscape. However, the did express concern that the proposed landscape not be of a size
that would impede the site of motorists exiting from Pleasant Grove Road onto Hanshaw
Road, nor motorists tuning onto Pleasant Grove Road from Hanshaw Road.
Fire Chief Tamborelle expressed concern that the drive-thru roof be high enough
to fit a fire truck under ii incases there was a fire in that area. Mr. Snyder confirmed that
it was of a height that would accommodate an emergency vehicle.
Motion made by Trustee Staley, seconded by Trustee Collyer the following
was passed with a unanimous vote of the Board.
RESOLUTION # 6330 ACCEPTING THE CHEMUNG CANAL
BANK’S SITE PLAN, CLASSING THE PLAN AS A TYPE II SEQR AND
SETTING PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE SITE PLAN REVIEW
RESOLVED, that the Chemung Canal Bank’s plan as presented this evening
is hereby accepted, and
BE IT RESOLVED, that this project be declared a Type II SEQR action and
therefore does not require a SEQR, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Public Hearing for this project is
hereby set for April 21, 2008 at 7:00 PM.
There being no other business for the Planning Board this portion of the meeting
was closed at 8:39 PM.
The regular meeting was opened at 8:39 PM
Mayor Lynn asked if the Board had anything to add to the draft agenda. The
Board members had nothing to add. The draft agenda was approved.
The minutes of March 17, 2008 was distributed to the Board. The consensus of
the Board was to table approval until the next regular meeting of the Board.
The Board discussed the tentative budget. The Treasurer recommended the
change in the capital budget that he had explained, adding training funds to the planning
contractual and correcting the Police Chief’s salary and DPW employees per contract.
Trustee Bors requested that the approval of the tentative budget be tabled until the April
21, 2008 meeting.
Mayor Lynn stated that the Organizational Meeting has been postponed until the
court’s decision on the contested absentee ballots.
Since the Organizational Meeting is not being held, Mayor Lynn recommended
that the Board set April 21, 2008 as its next regular meeting. This would continue the
Board’s meeting per the previous year’s schedule. This was also the consensus of the
Board.
Mayor Lynn reported that he had authorized deferring departmental reports to the
April 21, 2008 meeting as has been the practice.
Report of the Mayor
Mayor Lynn introduced the newly elected board members – Ronald Bors, David
Donner and Diana Riesman.
Notebooks had been prepared for the newly elected board member and present
board members. Mayor Lynn explained that it contained pertinent information. First is a
copy of the public officer’s law that authorized the continuation of his authority as mayor
until a decision is made and certified by the Board of Elections. The other sections are
some of the current contracts and agreements that the Village has approved or are to be
negotiated soon. He noted the Council of Governments’ resolution supporting the review
of a Health Insurance consortium under the New York State grant for consolidation of
governmental services. He also noted that the PBA (Police) contract expires May 31,
2008 and that the Board will be working on it with representatives of the PBA during the
next several months.
Fire Chief, George Tamborelle presented copies of the elected slate of Officer for
the Fire Council that was conducted at its annual meeting held on April 6, 2008 and
explains why the list was unavailable to be included with tonight’s board packet. Chief
Tamborelle requested the Board’s approval. Trustee Collyer asked if resumes were
available. Chief Tamborelle replied that except for the two Asst. Rescue Directors
position, the other officers were continuing in their elected positions. Resumes are
available in the Clerk’s Office for the continuing officers and the two new officers are on
this desk at the Fire Hall, if the Board would like to see them he will go get them.
Trustee Riesman stated that would not be necessary. Trustee Collyer asked why the slate
of officers had not been presented to the Public Safety committee prior to this meeting.
Chief Tamborelle reminded Trustee Collyer that the annual election of Fire Council
Officers is held on the first Sunday of April every year and that the officers are sworn in
at the Fire Departments annual meeting which has been scheduled this year for April 26,
2008. This creates a tight window for the Village Board to approve the officers.
Motion was made by Trustee Donner, seconded by Trustee Bors as follows:
RESOLUTION #6331 TO APPROVE THE OFFICERS FOR
THE CAYUGA HIEGHTS FIRE COUNCIL
RESOLVED, that the following slate of officers for the Cayuga Heights Fire
Council is hereby approved:
Fire Chief – George Tamorelle
Asst. Fire Chief – Matthew Abbinanti
Asst. Fire Chief – Dave Wolf
Lieutenant – Joe Lisi
Lieutenant – Dave Openshaw
Asst. Rescue Director – Stacey Lynch
Asst. Rescue Director – Will Waller
Treasurer Jeff Silber stated that he had found out that part time appointed officials are
eligible to join the New York State Employees Retirement System. He thought that the
Board had established by resolution a “work week” for part time appointed officials and
other hired part time employees a few years ago, but the resolution has not been found.
Therefore, he requests that the Board, by resolution, establish a work week for all elected,
appointed and part time employees of the Village at 35 hours per week. He further
requested the Board to approve the Treasurer’s position as it currently exists as a quarter
time position.
Motion was made by Trustee Collyer, seconded by Trustee Staley as follows:
RESOLUTION #6332 TO ESTABLISH A WORK WEEK AS
REQUIRED BY THE NEW YORK RETIREMENT SYSTEM
RESOVLE, that that a work week for the position of Treasurer, Village Justice,
or other village official not otherwise designated shall hereby be established for
the purposes of the New York State Local Employees Retirement System as 35
hours per week, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the position of Treasurer shall be deemed
to be one-quarter time.
Other Business
Trustee Collyer stated that the Public Safety Committee had met with Chief
Boyce and recommend the following:
1. Accept the resignation of Part Time Officer Kyle Koskinen.
2. Appoint David Honan to the vacated Part Time Officer’s position.
Chief Boyce explained, after the last group of interviews the department had
conducted for the two vacant part time officer positions, that Officer Honan had been the
third officer on their list. Rather than conduct additional interviews for the position
vacated by Officer Koskinen. Officer Honan currently works full time for Cornell
University and Part Time for the Village of Groton Police Department.
Chief Boyce also explained that Officer Koskinen had applied for a full time
officer’s position with the Tompkins County Sheriff’s Department. One of the new
requirements of the Sheriff’s Department is that full time officers cannot work part time
for other police agencies. Officer Koskinen had to resign from the Village before he
could accept the full time position with the Sheriff’s Department
Motion by Trustee Collyer, seconded by Trustee Staley the following
resolution was unanimously adopted:
RESOLUTION #6333 ACCEPTING THE RESIGNATION OF OFFICER KYLE
KOSKINEN AND APPOINTING OFFICER DAVID HONAN
RESOLVED, that the resignation of Part time Officer Kyle Koskinen is
hereby accepted with regret, and
BE IT RESOLVED, that Officer David Honan is hereby hired as a Part
Time Officer for the Village and that his hourly rate will be set per the
current PBA contract.
This meeting was duly adjourned at 9:19 PM by the consensus of the Board.
Respectfully Submitted,
Mary Jane Neff, Deputy Clerk