HomeMy WebLinkAboutReg Mtg. Minutes 1/19/1998i
VILLAGE OF CAYUGA HEIGHTS
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
,Minutes of a regular meeting of the Board of Trustees held January 19, 1998 at
7:30 PM in the Village Hall.
PRESENT: Mayor Anderson; Trustees Bisogni, Collyer, Kira, Kusse, Meinhardt;
Attorney Tyler; Treasurer Silber; Supt. of P.W. Cross; Police Chief Wall; Fire
Supt. Day.
ABSENT: Trustee Fleming.
OTHERS PRESENT: Martha Armstrong, Robert Mitchell, Dooley Kiefer, M/M Ron Schmidt,
Willie Evans, Mike DiVenti.
Mayor Anderson called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM opening it to privilege of
the floor.
Martha Armstrong, Economic Development Planner with T.C. Area Development,
appeared before the Board to explain briefly the goals of the economic development
plan for Tompkins County and presented an update on the economic strategy that is
currently taking place. She hopes a plan will be in place by July. Two meetings
are scheduled for February 19 and February 24. She distributed a survey which
she hoped Board members will complete and return to the Clerk for forwarding to
her office. The Mayor will keep in contact with her.
Discussion ensued concerning a letter from Joyce Mueller and Helen Pai, co- presidents
of the Northeast Senior Citizens' Unit, requesting once again financial support for
the second half of the 1997 -98 season - $500. (See Minutes of 10/20/97 under
Attorney's report). The letter outlines the activities offered by the group. Since
it would appear that they are still not cognizant of what the Village is asking of
them, and further, since neither appeared to answer questions raised by Board mem-
bers, action was taken as follows:
Motion by.Trustee Bisogni, seconded by Trustee Meinhardt:
RESOLUTION 4886 - POSTPONE DECISION ON REQUEST FOR CONTRIBUTION TO
NORTHEAST SENIOR CITIZENS
VOTED to postpone the decision on the request by the Northeast Senior Unit for
financial support in the amount of $500 until such time as someone representing the
organization or the Office of the Aging who can answer Trustees' questions will
appear before the Board. Trustees Bisogni, Collyer, Kira, Kusse, Meinhardt voted YES.
Robert Mitchell of 'Mitchell Ross Associates Architects, P.C. of Voorheesville, NY,
presented the feasibility study for modifications to the Fire Station. He reviewed
the four tasks he was asked to look at regarding the possibilities for renovations
and /or additions to the Fire Station. He had added a fifth which he felt should
also be looked at as well - demolition of the existing building and building new on
the same site, commenting on the benefits and drawbacks of this option. He pro-
ceeded to elaborate on an additional task: that of evaluating the construction
of a possible new Fire Station on a parcel that may be obtained from the Kendal ;
property on N. Triphammer Road. He compared construction cost of a new building
on the Kendal site with renovation /addition cost associated with Task 3. The
Treasurer will review the Study and comment at the February meeting.
Motion by Trustee Kira, seconded by Trustee Bisogni:
VOTE-D to approve the minutes of a regular meeting held December 15, 1997 and a
special meeting held January 5, 1998 as previously furnished Trustees in copy form.
Trustees Bisogni, Collyer, Kira, Kusse, Meinhardt voted YES.
**
The Mayor's Report:
- Chilled Water Project has been approved by the DEC and sent on for necessary signa-
tures.
-NE Area Transit study met as a group on Saturday, January 17.
Minutes of regular meeting - 1/19/98 2 3
-ITCTC - new Executive Director - Fernando de Aragon.
- Letter from Stu Stein, Chairman of the T.C. Electric Power Committee, regarding
deregulation of the cost of electricity, states he foresees the possibility that
all municipal governments in the County will find it profitable to band together
tp purchase power. He asks that he be informed of any contact from companies i
wishing to sell the Village services pertaining to electric power and to suggest
to these companies that they contact him.
Supt. of P.W. Cross presented his monthly report which is on file.
Supt. Cross wished to state for the record that the DPW crews had done an out-
standing job during the recent snow storm and subsequent thaw. The Mayor noted
that he, too, had acknowledged their efforts in a memo which he hand delivered
and posted at the DPW. Regarding the hazardous condition of snow sliding from
the Village Hall roof and onto the sidewalk directly in front of the main entrance,
the Supt. suggests building a canopy over the entry sidewalk per a sketch attached
to his report. Supt. Cross was advised to investigate cost of this construction.
There was discussion concerning the need for an updated alarm system in the Village
Hall. Supt. Cross presented three written quotes.
Motion by Trustee Collyer, seconded by Trustee Kira:
RESOLUTION 4887 - AUTHORIZE REPLACEMENT OF VILLAGE HALL ALARM SYSTEM
AND CONNECT TO COUNTY
VOTED.to execute a contract with Gallagher 6 Sheen, Inc.., lowest bidder, to re-
place the alarm system in the Village Hall to include adequate wiring, at a cost
not to exceed $4,000. Trustees Bisogni, Collyer, Kira, Kusse, Meinhardt voted YES.
WWTP - annual NYSDEC SPDES inspection report has been received and results are
® very good. Supt. Cross reported a return of the high daily volume measurement of
wastewater passing through the plant which had been a concern in the past.
Fire Supt. Day presented his monthly report which is on file in the Village Office.
In response to Supt. Day's query as to the next step in connection with the Fire
House feasibility study, he was advised to have discussion meetings with the
Public Safety Committee during the next month in anticipation of presenting their
recommendations to the full Board at the February meeting in time for inclusion
in the budget for the coming year.
Treasurer Silber distributed financial and monthly reports including budget
calendar and budget development, explaining to Dept. Heads how to prepare their
budget based on the Board's desire to keep the tax increase to 2%.
Regarding a new health plan for Village employees, Treasurer Silber reported that
he has investigated the Empire Plan through the State and it looks promising. He
has contacted Ken Lansing and hopes it will be acceptable to the PBA. He will
update the matter at the February meeting.
Motion by Trustee Collyer, seconded by Trustee Kusse:
RESOLUTION 4888 - APPROVE TRANSFERS
VOTED to approve the following transfers as recommended by the Treasurer:
FROM TO AMOUNT
A1640.41 Vehicle Maintenance Other A1640.42 Vehicle Maintenance Supply $500
A1640.41 Vehicle Maintenance other A1640.45 Vehicle Maintenance Conir Fxp 500
A5110.42 Street Maint Supply A'5110.45 Street Maint Street Signs 500 I
A1990.4 Contingency A8160.49 Refuse Collection Eqpt Maint 500
G1990.4 Sewer Contingency G1950.4 Taxes/ Assessments 450
Trustees Bisogni, Collyer, Kira, Kusse, Meinhardt voted YES.
A
Minutes of regular meeting - 1/19/98
? Motion by Trustee Collyer, seconded by Trustee Kira:
3
VOTED to approve the Abstract of Warrants dated 1/19/98 in the following amounts:
General Fund - $45,489.16; Sewer Fund - $37,363.45; Water Fund - $1;121.21.
Treasurer Silber added: Christina Giordano - A3410.46 - EMT tuition - $660.00
and Mirella Reznic - A3410.46 - EMT tuition - $660.00. Trustees Bisogni, Collyer,
Kira, Kusse, Meinhardt voted YES.
Attorney Tyler reported on the following:
-Re the memo from Attorney Tracy Mitrano to Attorney Tyler concerning the proposed
Village Personnel Policies, the language in the Sexual Harassment and Violence in
the Workplace sections were reviewed leaving several questions unanswered - among
them, what constitutes the definition of a Village employee and how many there are.
Are firefighters and Trustees considered such, or only those on payroll? It was
agreed there needs to be further investigation. Chief Wall will draft language
he would like included to be forwarded to the Attorney with regard to an employee's
option for criminal prosecution and concern was expressed about the number of days
in which action is to be taken. Attorney Tyler addressed the issue of "romantic
entanglement" and questioned whether the Trustees wished to include such a pro-
vision (i.e., a prohibition of dating between employees). Having such a policy
will give the Village further protection in.certain types of sexual harassment
cases. He indicated, however, there was a consensus that such a situation would
be rare and further, it was criticized as too obtrusive into people's persona).
lives.
- Receipt by the Village Clerk of a letter from Joan Noteboom, Town of Ithaca
Clerk, regarding the sewer plant parcels located in the Town, indicating that
the requirements have been met and that the correct number of units for the
consolidated parcel should be one water and sewer unit. The 1998 Town tax
bill for the two parcels prior to consolidation is for $643.71. The adjusted
water and sewer unit billing should be $129.00 thereby necessitating a refund
of $514.71 which will be issued to the Village upon payment of the 1998 tax
bill in full and confirmation from the County Assessment Department that the
consolidation had been effected.
Police Chief Wall. submitted his monthly report which has been placed on file.
Motion by Trustee Kira, seconded by Trustee Bisogni:
RESOLUTION 4889 - ENTER EXECUTIVE SESSION
VOTED to enter into Executive Session at 10:21 PM to discuss employee benefits.
Trustees Bisogni, Collyer, Kira, Kusse, Meinhardt voted YES.
The Board reconvened into regular session at 10:57 PM.
Moved by Trustee Collyer, seconded by Trustee Kira to adjourn the meeting.
Adjournment - 10:57 PM
Anne.Krohto
Clerk
1
I