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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04162012minutes.pdfVillage of Cayuga Heights Minutes April 16, 2012 Page 1 Present: Mayor Supron, Trustees: Andolina, Crooker, Karns, Riesman, Szekely, Attorney Marcus, Superintendent Cross, Asst Superintendent Frisbie, Fire Superintendent Tamborelle, Chief Steinmetz, Treasurer Mangione, Clerk Mills, Absent: Trustee Hamilton Mayor Supron called the meeting to order at 7:06PM Mayor Supron opened the Public Hearing – Tentative Budget at 7:06PM M. Mindlin questioned if the Board finished discussion the budget and Mayor Supron’s response was this was the next step in the process and a time for the public to express opinions and or concerns to the Board regarding the budget. The Board may or may not be voting on the Tentative Budget later in the meeting. No other comments came from the floor on the Tentative Budget. Mayor Supron closed the public hearing on the Tentative Budget at 7:10PM Mayor Supron opened Public Hearing #2 – at 7:10PM Proposed Local Law “C” of the Year 2012: A Local Law Establishing Annual Sewer Rates, as defined in Article XII, Sewer Rents, of the Village of Cayuga Heights Articles Be it enacted by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Cayuga Heights as follows: Section I. PURPOSE The purpose of this Local Law is to establish annual sewer rates of $2.15/1000 gallons consumed for inside users and a rate of $3.22/1000 gallons used for outside users, as defined in articles XII, Sewer Rents, of the Village of Cayuga Heights Articles. Section II. AUTHORITY This Local Law is enacted pursuant to the grant of powers of local governments provided for in (i) Section 10 of the Municipal Home Rule Law to adopt and amend local laws not inconsistent with the provisions of the New York State Constitution or not inconsistent with any general law relating to its property, affairs, government or other subjects provided for in said Section 10 of the Municipal Home Rule Law, (ii) General Municipal Law Article 14-F, (iii) General Municipal Law Sections 451 and 452, and (iv) Village Law Article 14. Section III. ESTABLISHMENT OF SEWER RATES As of June 1, 2012, annual sewer rates shall be established at a rate of $2.15/1000 gallons used for inside users and a rate of $3.22/1000 gallons used for outside users. Section IV. SUPERSEDING EFFECT Village of Cayuga Heights Minutes April 16, 2012 Page 2 All Local Laws, resolutions, rules, regulations and other enactments of the Village of Cayuga Heights in conflict with the provisions of this Local Law are hereby superseded to the extent necessary to give this Local Law full force and effect. Section V. VALIDITY The invalidity of any provision of this Local Law shall not affect the validity of any other provision of this Local Law that can be given effect without such invalid provision. Section VI. EFFECTIVE DATE This Local Law shall be effective as of the date of June 1, 2012. Discussion: The methodology for determining the sewer rate and the fact that it will no longer be on the property tax bill – but will now be on the Bolton Point Water bill was discussed in length at the April 2nd meeting. This is now the process for the public to voice their opinions and concerns. No comments came from the public. Mayor Supron closed the public hearing on the proposed local law “C” at 7:15PM Approval of Minutes April 2, 2012 Organizational minutes Motion: Trustee Karns Second: Trustee Crooker Resolution # 7075 approve the April 2nd Organizational minutes as amended. Discussion: none All approve – no nays or abstains – motion carried Mayor Supron asked the audience if there were any questions or problems from retrieving the various reports from the website. Treasurer Mangione indicated that the last two reports to be placed on the website would be her report and the abstract. She provided the most up to date information for the Clerk to post on the site. J. Stein – suggested indicating on the website when reports are forthcoming, but not yet posted. Report of Fire Superintendent Tamborelle  Submitted report Village of Cayuga Heights Minutes April 16, 2012 Page 3  Reminder that the dedication of the Truck will happen at 1:00 at the CHFD and later that night will be the installation banquet at 7PM. Report of Asst Superintendent of Public Works Frisbie  Submitted report o The DPW is doing the Spring clean up of leaves and anticipate finishing by Thursday, April 19th. o The DPW crew is also working on finishing this year’s capital projects to avoid high escalation. Trustee Szekely asked if there were other municipalities asking for Suit-Cote to schedule work. Mr. Frisbie’s response was that the other municipalities are on a different budget cycle and this was a good time for the Village to be on their schedule. Mr. Cross has done an excellent job coordinating the Village’s schedule with Suit-Cote over the last six years and being able to save money. o Trustee Szekely asked if there were monies available to purchase the magnolia and cherry trees recommended by Forester Bensadoun. Mr. Frisbie replied that the DPW crew works with Forester Bensadoun any time there are questions to tree removal and plantings. The DPW will not only do the plantings, but will also place a bench at the same location. The budget covers the Emerald Ash borer prevention strategy, for new trees and for tree removals. There is an ongoing cost of the Silver Maples – this may be a safety priority. The monies in the account should be left there in the event of emergency tree removal, or plantings as recommended by the Forester Bensadoun and left at the discretion of the Dept heads. o Mr. Cross asked Mr. Frisbie to explain the improvement for the enforcement of the trash pickup and trash tag usage. The Village has always covered the cost of the tipping fees compared to trash tag sales. There is a loss between man hours, equipment usage and fuel compared to the monies received from the sale of trash tag sales. The people using a 50 lbs trash can are putting only ONE ticket on their can – regardless of the weight of the garbage. There have been items in the past Courier issues that have explained the size of the trash can used and the weight of the garbage per trash bag that goes into the can. The enforcement will begin on Tues, April 17, 2012. If there is a violation – a sticky label will be placed on the offending can. The size of the can should be 30 – 33 lbs ONLY. The weight in the can should only be 50 lbs total. Each bag used to hold the garbage should not weight more than 15 lbs total and have one trash tag on each bag within the can. Mayor Supron read the Privilege of the Floor guidelines (PoF) Village of Cayuga Heights Minutes April 16, 2012 Page 4 Mayor Supron opened PoF at 7:50PM C. Temple – commented on this year’s “robust” election and the Village Matters people had a great turnout of voters – symbolizing what democracy is all about – even with the difference of opinions and points of view we can vote. Also, was impressed with the amount of support from the entire county with regard to Chris Bordoni – the local armed forces person killed in the line of duty – as the convoy escorted his body home to Ithaca – this is democracy in action. Anonymous #1 – declined to speak Mayor Supron closed PoF at 7:53PM Mayor Supron opened discussion for proposed Local Law “C” to establish the annual sewer rate. Motion: Trustee Szekely Second: Trustee Karns Resolution #7076 to approve the establishment of the annual sewer rate to be set at $2.15 /1000 gallons of water as a new line item on the sewer bill to begin on the August billing for inside the Village and a $3.22 /1000 gallons of water consumption for the outside the Village rate – to be billed quarterly. Discussion: no further discussion All approve – no nays or abstains – motion carried Superintendent Cross expresses thanks for all the work that has been done – beginning in Walter Lynn’s term and continuing through Jeff Silber’s term as Treasurer. Everyone has worked very hard for this moment. The Board of Trustees expressed their thanks to Mr. Cross as well.  Budget Discussion – The remaining $90,000 for the Marcham Hall addition has now been budgeted. It was also discussed to keep in the $67,000 Garage improvement – this is for site improvement of the impervious areas – off the paved surfaces. The final consensus was to removed until it was time to actually do the work. Trustee Andolina explained that the monies used for Capital projects should be spent from the General Fund Surplus and not out of general revenues. Superintendent Cross explained that the Garage improvement has been a part of the Storm Water Management – a part of the annual report. DEC has not specifically requested we follow through with this project – but they could. Trustee Karns asked is there time this year to do this work. Mr. Cross said, yes, it would take about a month. It was also asked if it should be done in this calendar year. Mr. Cross indicated that “no” would be acceptable as long as there was a “future” date in place to do the project. Trustee Szekely asked if the DPW crew could do this work. Mr. Cross said that most of the work could be done by staff. The surveying and paving would have to be contracted out. Asst. Superintendent Frisbie added that this project has started. He has utilized the Village of Cayuga Heights Minutes April 16, 2012 Page 5 “waste” asphalt and begun the underlying of the project. This could be done in the construction season. Most of the cost of the $67,000 would be for materials yet to be purchased. Treasurer Mangione indicated that some of the operating monies from Water and Sewer will be put into the Capital Projects fund. The 90,000 for the Marcham Hall addition will come from the General Fund. Fire Station - 2 Bond payments $180,000 Marcham Hall renovation $90,000 Air Packs for CHFD $100,000 DPW Bus Stop $25,000 Total $395,000 With some adjustments of reduction to the budget in the various departments, the deficit would be around $300,000. Also, a certain portion of the air packs will be funded by the Town of Ithaca. However, the Town of Ithaca will reimburse for the air packs in their next years budget based on our budget for 2012-13. Mayor Supron pointed out the funds for the new bus stop was asked by the DPW to remain in the budget of $25,000. TCAT provides the shelter itself. The Village will provide the labor and materials - the pad itself. The $25,000 was removed as a budget item. The DPW crew will pour the pad with funds from the maintenance budget from the General Fund. Trustee Andolina spoke about the Police Dept currently being down by one person. The discussion continued – full-time coverage vs. part-time coverage and contributing costs. There are several items that may be a factor: scheduling, contractual, outfitting 5 part- time officers with training, not being able to send a full-time officer to needed training because of scheduling, management time of the Chief over the part-time officers, and the changing of the nature of the department with part-timer officers and service to the Village. It was determined that it would be in the best interest of the Village to hire a full time police officer. Other items in the budget were discussed. Trustee Andolina recommended not voting on the Budget at this meeting but schedule another meeting to allow going over each line item one more time and allow Treasurer Mangione to make the already suggested changes. Mayor Supron suggested April 23rd at 9AM, at Marcham Hall for the next Budget meeting. Motion: Trustee Riesman Second: Trustee Szekely Village of Cayuga Heights Minutes April 16, 2012 Page 6 Resolution #7077, to schedule and advertise a Board of Trustees special budget meeting to be held April 23rd at 9AM – Marcham Hall. Discussion: none All approve – no nays or abstains – motion carried  TCCOG TW Cable Group negotiations – Ms. Wies van Leuken, who is the Village’s TWC’s access oversight committee representative, has attended several meetings. The following resolution has been submitted to the Village by TCCOG for inclusion to participate. The Village receives 3% franchise fee from TWC which is on the Village scribers bill. 1/6 of the 3% of monies go to Public Access on Cable and is in the Access Oversight Committee (AOC) budget – studio hours and staff salary. Motion: Trustee Andolina Second: Trustee Crooker RESOLUTION #7078 WHEREAS, the Village of Cayuga Heights is provided cable service by Time Warner Cable; and WHEREAS, the Village of Cayuga Heights recognizes the advantage of cooperation with other municipalities with regard to cable franchise issues; and WHEREAS, the Village of Cayuga Heights is interested in exploring, through the Tompkins County Council of Governments, the possibility of entering into an agreement with other municipalities to form a Consortium to negotiate, on behalf of (the Municipality), a renewal franchise agreement with Time Warner Cable; and WHEREAS, the intent would be to form a Consortium with the authority to conduct public hearings, conduct surveys, and engage in all activity, within the limits of applicable State and Federal Law, that is necessary and appropriate to negotiating a renewal franchise agreement for its member municipalities; and WHEREAS, the Consortium may be charged with analyzing the financial, technical, and legal issues related to cable television regulation to enable the member municipalities to reach sound judgments in exercising their regulatory authority with regard to such matters as cable television rates, franchise fees, and nature and quality of service; and WHEREAS, all members of the Consortium would individually reserve the right to approve, disapprove, or amend the franchise agreement so negotiated on their behalf; and NOW THEREFORE, it is Village of Cayuga Heights Minutes April 16, 2012 Page 7 RESOLVED, that the Village of Cayuga Heights does hereby express interest in exploring the possibility of forming a consortium of municipalities to negotiate on its behalf for the renewal of its franchise agreement with Time Warner Cable; and it is further RESOLVED, that Village of Cayuga Heights does hereby reserve the right to refrain from joining the consortium should the terms and conditions of joining the consortium prove to be unacceptable to the Board. Discussion: none Aye Votes: Trustees: Andolina, Crooker, Karns, Riesman, Szekely No Nays or Abstains - Trustee Hamilton absent - Motion Carried Trustee Szekely indicated it would be nice to have members of the AOC come to a Board meeting to report on this issue. Trustee Privilege of the Floor  Trustee Crooker spoke about the Communication committee. The Village website will host a new page that will allow the Trustees, Mayor and members of the other Boards to provide more timely communication to residents. This page will be also used to voice the opinions and comments of Village staff. There will be an effort to invite all residents who have access to the website to subscribe to the E-Blast. The E-Blast provides information on the monthly meeting schedule, emergencies, water-main breaks, road construction, etc. Report of Chief Steinmetz  Submitted report  There are two pedestrian signs that will be placed in the road in front of Village Hall – for the business district. The monies were donated from Asst Superintendent Frisbie’s sign budget. There is grant money available for items such as this and flashing lights for the school.  The Cayuga Heights Police Dept was asked to participate with the traffic duty involving escorting the Bordoni funeral procession from the Syracuse airport to Ithaca.  Resolution – Agreement with Douglas Robertson to update and review policies Trustee Andolina commented that there are policies that need to be updated on a regular basis and they haven’t been – some for a period of time. Ideally, it needs the attention of a supervisor, if the Chief were to do this it would be two or three months of his time to bring them up to date. Once done they need to be distributed to all the officers and hold them accountable to receiving the information, consuming the information and then be in command of the information. Otherwise the Village is open to a liability. This is an important initiative and the trade of is 2 or 3 of the Chiefs time and $800 or $2000 to do the review, writing and sorting out the standards. Village of Cayuga Heights Minutes April 16, 2012 Page 8 Motion: Trustee Andolina Second: Trustee Karns Resolution # 7079 to authorize the Mayor to enter into an agreement with Douglas W. Robertson, Law Enforcement Administration & Operation Consultant, to review and revise the existing Cayuga Heights Police Department’s Policy & Procedure Manual and in addition, identify and implement any additional policies that are mutually agreed on. The cost of this agreement should not exceed $2,000.00. Discussion: none All approve – no nays or abstains – motion carried Report of Superintendent Cross  Statement of progress on Marcham Hall – the office has been extremely busy with the new fence law compliance, this has delayed contacting carpenters for framing.  The Town of Lansing has a sewer district that it wants to expand, located on Warren Road. They want to expand the boundary, but not the number of units. Motion: Trustee Karns Second: Trustee Riesman Resolution #7080 to authorize the Mayor to sign an amended agreement for the Warren Road Sewer District expansion boundary. Discussion: none All approve – no nays or abstains – motion carried Report of Clerk Mills  Submitted report – has no other business to discuss Report of Treasurer Mangione  Submitted report – the Treasurers report and abstract went out late so that it could include all items that had been received. The AUD has been corrected and accepted. The Bond that was due the beginning in April has been paid. There are no changes on the Abstract. The audit letter was signed as presented by CDLM. Motion: Trustee Andolina Second: Trustee Szekely Resolution #7081 to approve Abstract 11 in the amount of $155,788.44 and instruct the Treasurer to make payments thereon. Discussion: none All approve – no nays or abstains – motion carried Report of Attorney Marcus Village of Cayuga Heights Minutes April 16, 2012 Page 9  It has been exceedingly busy in relation to the fence law and a deluge of variance requests with the Zoning Board and many communications between he and Mr. Cross and between the various members of the Zoning Board. Meeting adjourned at 10:15PM Submitted by: Clerk Mills Village of Cayuga Heights Minutes April 16, 2012 Page 10