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HomeMy WebLinkAboutReg Mtg. Minutes 7/15/1996VILLAGE OF CAYUGA HEIGHTS BOARD OF TRUSTEES Minutes of a regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Cayuga Heights held July 15, 1996 at 7:30 PM in the Village Hall. PRESENT: Mayor Anderson; Trustees Bisogni, Collyer, Fleming, Kira, Kusse; Attorney Tyler; Treasurer Silber; Public Works Supt. Cross; Police Chief Wall; Fire Supt. Day. ABSENT: Trustee Kozen. OTHERS: 12 -15 Villagers. Mayor Anderson called the meeting to order at 7:35 PM, opening it to privilege of the floor. Approximately 12 -15 Villagers residing primarily on Cayuga Heights Road and North Sunset Drive and whose signatures appear, among numerous others, in a letter addressed to Trustees, expressed their concerns relative to water run -off in the Village resulting from a severe storm in early May and urged the Board to initiate efforts to minimize future damage. Village Engineer Cross summarized the drainage problem and the course of action being taken to address it. He stated that he considers drainage to be of the highest priority and has taken steps to initiate a comprehensive drainage study, recognizing, however, that as a "one -man" Engineering Department, he cannot devote total concentration to this issue and indicated that if immediate resolution is deemed necessary, an engineering consultant will need to be hired to expedite the process. In an effort to explain the reason for delays in brush pickup and ack- nowledging the frustration felt by many homeowners, he pointed to recent, severe storm events occurring in the past year. (Attorney Tyler arrived at this point in the meeting.) Mayor Anderson addressed the suggestions outlined in the Letter: 1/ re advice from engineering consultants - Engineer Cross is qualified, although he may not have the time to devote to this issue, 2/ re services of U.S. Geological Survey - Soil and Conservation Service is willing also to do some work, 3/ re inspection and clean- ing of culverts and ditches - Village crews are already doing this. One thing homeowners can do to help the situation - they can keep their driveway culverts free of debris. As Villagers prepared to leave, Trustee Fleming assured them that the Board does not take the matter lightly and will do whatever is necessary to remedy the situation. The Villagers withdrew. Motion by Trustee Kira, seconded by Trustee Fleming: VOTED to approve the minutes of a regular meeting held June 17, 1996 as previously furnished Trustees in copy form. Trustees Bisogni, Collyer, Fleming, Kira, Kusse voted YES. Mayor Anderson reported on the following: -Court Clerk, Fran Stiles, is seriously ill and Judge Galbreath has hired, on a temporary basis, Julia Hughes to fill in for Mrs. Stiles. - Request from Bolton Point for a resolution to participate financially and to pro- vide its staff time for the regional issues of the City of Ithaca's Comprehensive Water System Evaluation. Motion by Trustee Kira, seconded by Trustee Fleming: , RESOLUTION 4769 - AUTHORIZE THE SOUTHERN CAYUGA LAKE INTERMUNICIPAL WATER COMMISSION (SCLIWC) TO PARTICIPATE IN THE, REGIONAL ISSUES OF THE CITY OF ITHACA'S COMPREHENSIVE WATER SYSTEM EVALUATION WHEREAS, the Commission of SCLIWC has expressed the desire to participate financially and by providing its staff time for the regional issues of the City of Ithaca's Comprehensive Water System Evaluation (the Study); and, Minutes of regular meeting - July 15, 1996 2 is? WHEREAS, the Commission of SCLIWC expects the Study to provide ideas and suggestions to continuously improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the combined Bolton Point - Municipal Water System (BP =MWS); and, ® WHEREAS, the Commission of SCLIWC plans to use revenues from its existing fund balance and water rate structure to pay for the cost of its participation in the Study; and, WHEREAS, the cost of SCLIWC's participation in this Study attributed to its share of the initial proposed City of Ithaca contract with O'Brien b Gere Engineers, Inc. is approximately $21,000; and, WHEREAS, the cost of SCLIWC's participation in this Study attributed to its share of the proposed City of Ithaca contract with O'Brien & Gere Engineers, Inc. plus any additional work ordered by SCLIWC of O'Brien b Gere Engineers, Inc. is estimated not to exceed $30,000; and, WHEREAS, the Commission of SCLIWC has requested that, if the existing Agreement of Municipal Cooperation (AMC) does not authorize it to participate in the Study, that the five municipal parties to the AMC consider such authorization; and, WHEREAS, the Commission of SCLIWC has requested that the Village of Cayuga Heights consider and provide authorization for SCLIWC to participate in the Study; and, WHEREAS, the Village of Cayuga Heights wishes to accept the need of SCLIWC to participate in the Study; be it therefore RESOLVED, that the Village of Cayuga Heights hereby authorizes the SCLIWC to participate financially and by providing its staff time in the regional issues of the Study (City of Ithaca's Comprehensive Water System Evaluation). ® Trustees Bisogni, Collyer, Fleming, Kira, Kusse voted YES. - Requested and received from NYCOM a sample resolution adopted by the Village of Rye Brook re Home Occupations. A copy was given to Attorney Tyler for his review. The Board was asked to submit their ideas for changes to the current Village's Zoning Ordinances. -Visit from Matthew Shulman who is interested in promoting a weekly newspaper which will feature items pertinent to the Village and Town of Lansing, and he is willing to include the Village of Cayuga Heights. He will return with specific details. Attorney Tyler reported that regarding Elizabeth Mount's Proposal for the publica- tion of the Village Voices Newsletter (submitted to the Board) and her intent to revise the current Bylaws of the Cayuga Heights Community Associatton(now defunct), he will offer comment after he has reviewed both the original and revised Bylaws. In referencing his letter to Attorney Edward Hooks of the Law Firm of Treman 6 Clynes regarding bond counsel opinion required by Tompkins County Trust Company in the future, Attorney Tyler suggested setting a threshold for borrowings of perhaps less than $750,000 or $500,000 for which a simpler opinion of counsel can be given by municipal counsel. Attorney Tyler will pursue this premise. Attorney Tyler withdrew from the meeting. Fire Supt. Day presented his monthly report which is on file. ' Supt. Day reported that an offer of $20,000 has been made for the purchase of the old Rescue Truck. Minutes of regular meeting - Jt,ly 15, 1996 Motion by Trustee Kira, seconded by Trustee Fleming: 3 RESOLUTION 4770 - AUTHORIZE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO SELL USED RESCUE TRUCK VOTED to authorize the Fire Department to sell the used Rescue Truck #246 to the Fire Department in West Laurens for a price of $20,000. Trustees Bisogni, Collyer, Fleming, Kira, Kusse voted YES. Treasurer Silber distributed his monthly report which has been placed on file. The Treasurer reported that the Annual Report for FY95 -96 is underway and an extension may be required. The check for $1,000 made out to Jerome Van Buren is for Senior Citizens' annual contribution. Motion by Trustee Fleming, seconded by Trustee Collyer: VOTED to approve the Abstract of Warrants dated 7/15/96 in the following amounts: General Fund - $50,249.11; Sewer Fund - $16,377.36; Water Fund - $1,428.28. Trustees Bisogni, Collyer, Fleming, Kira, Kusse voted YES. Police Chief Wall presented his monthly report which is on file in the Village Office. Chief Wall reported that the Police Department has received a gift of $5,000 which has been deposited in the Public Safety Reserve Fund. He wishes to use this money for a Bike Patrol. One bid has been received for the used police car in the amount of $3,114. Motion by Trustee Fleming, seconded by Trustee Kira: RESOLUTION 4771 - REJECT BID FOR USED POLICE CAR VOTED to reject the single bid received for the used 1991 Chevrolet Caprice police car for $3,114. Trustees Bisogni, Collyer, Fleming, Kira, Kusse voted YES. Motion by Trustee Kira, seconded by Trustee Collyer: RESOLUTION 4772 - AUTHORIZE CHIEF WALL TO SELL POLICE CAR ON OPEN MARKET VOTED to authorize Chief Wall to sell the used Chevrolet Caprice police car on the open market for a minimum of $4,000. Trustees Bisogni, Collyer, Fleming, Kira, Kusse voted YES. Supt. of P.W. Cross presented his monthly report which is on file. Supt. Cross discussed the Memos addressed to the Public Works Committee which he distributed to all members of the Board. Re the Memo "Yard Waste /Brush Pickup" - Supt. Cross spoke of a need to change the present collection policy, reviewing his proposal with the Board and asking for their input before the August Board meeting at which time he hopes to present a final draft for Board approval. He noted the necessity for informing Village residents of policy changes well in advance of their implementation. He spoke also of a need for more manpower. Motion by Trustee Kira, seconded by Trustee Fleming: RESOLUTION 4773 - AUTHORIZE THE HIRING OF THREE LABORERS ON SEASONAL BASIS O VOTED to authorize Supt. of P.W. Cross to hire three people to pick up brush until November 1. Trustees Bisogni, Collyer, Fleming, Kira, Kusse voted YES. Report on Solid Waste: June garbage pickup - 39.45 tons, Bulky - 2.46 tons, WWTP daily average flow - 1.918, maximum flow - 2.5. One permit violation for phosphorus limit. Minutes of regular meeting - July 15, 1996 Motion by Trustee Fleming, seconded by Trustee Collyer: 4 / q/ RESOLUTION 4774 - AUTHORIZE REDUCTION OF WATER AND SEWER UNITS AND REIMBURSE PROPERTY OWNER VOTED to authorize the reduction of the number of water and sewer units from four to two units of each because there are two existing units on the property owned by Oliver French located at 508 Highland Road and a refund of $180.58 for overcharge on the 1996 -97 Village tax bill, noting that the property has lost its grandfathered status of four living units. Trustees Bisogni, Collyer, Fleming, Kira, Kusse voted YES. Meeting adjourned at 10:50 PM Anne Krohto Clerk