HomeMy WebLinkAboutReg Mtg. Minutes 11/16/199853
Minutes of Regular Meeting
November 16, 1998
VILLAGE OF CAYUGA IIEIGI -ITS
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Minutes of a regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Cayuga Heights, held
November 16, 1998 at 7:30 PM in the Village Hall.
PRESENT: Mayor Anderson; Trustees Bisogni, Collycr, Fleming, Kira, Mcinhardl; Attorney
Tyler; Treasurer Silber; Supt. Of P.W. Cross; Fire Superintendent Day; Clerk Kord.
ABSENT: Trustee Kusse; Chief of Police Lansing.
OTHERS-. Kay Newman, Carol Schmitt, Jolinc DiGiacomo, Joy Barr.
Mayor Anderson called the meeting to order, opening it to the privilege of the floor. Since the
announced speaker was not yet in attendance and there were no other comments from the
audience, the meeting resumed.
Attorney Tyler suggested that there be a change to the minutes of the regular meeting of October
19, 1998;
The word "crosswalks" to be substituted for the word "widening" at the end of paragraph 4 on
page one.
Motion by Trustee Collyer, seconded by Trustee Kira:
Voted to approve the minutes of the regular meeting held October 19, 1998, previously furnished
to Trustees in copy form, as amended. Trustees Bisogni, Collycr, Fleming, Kim, and Meinhardt
voted YES.
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The Mayor reported on the following:
- Iie received a report from Bill Gray, City of Ithaca Engineer, on the meetings on the
Integrated Water Systems. The report gave suggestions as to how various situations might be
handled.
- Cayuga Lake watershed network meeting Nov. 9, 1998 in Ledyard, Hoping to get
intermunicipal organization to sponsor projects to get funding, etc.
- Mayor Anderson had an inquiry from the local newspaper about any Local laws or
Resolutions about Adult Businesses in Cayuga Heights. He reported that at a Feb 26, 1998
meeting David Church, Exec. Dir. of the NY Planning Federation, assured him that it was
very unlikely that any such business would locate in Cayuga Heights since there is little
acceptable space available. The only area that would meet the requirements would be located
at Savage Farms, and that it would be most unlikely that Kendal would sell land for such
purposes.
- The Clean Water /Air Bond Act application meeting on November 7, 1998. It is going ahead,
but waiting to hear from the City.
- Letter from John Bailey, NE Subarea Transportation Working Group, he wants to review the
various insurance policies that the Village now has.
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Senior and Veterans exemptions from T.0 Assessment amounts to $700,000. Treasurer
Silber will look into the impact.
Response to letter from Resident on Oak Bill, Mayor Anderson spoke with her and felt that
she was satisfied with response.
The Dccr Study Committee has indicated concern about liability that they might incur in the
process of their study. The village only has general liability, and public official liability.
Trustee Collycr commented on the conformity of various fences to the Village Zoning
Ordinances. Supt. of P.W. Cross has inspected them and found them to be in compliance.
There has been a letter from the Dccr Study Committee to the Cayuga Heights residents to
follow up on the questionnaire that was sent out. There will be 3 more follow up letters.
Trustee Meinhardt said that there has been an informal canvas of some residents and that the
canvasers are receiving a negative response from many residents. Cornell Cooperative
Extension, USDA, and DEC have a new booklet for deer habitat improvement.
Tompkins County Officials Assoc. having meeting November 17, 1998 at Cornell
Cooperative Extension —Town and Village Officials only. They will discuss how to improve
cooperation between County and municipalities.
There are various vacancies on Boards to which we are entitled to have members. Fire Sept.
Day will look into an opening on the Fire Disaster and EMS Advisory Board expires Dec. 31,
1998. A seat on the Tompkins Co. Planning Federation expires Dec. 31, 2000. The
Tompkins County Youth Board has an opening Dec. 31, 2000. Karen McDonald may want to
continue in this post. Trustee Meinhardt would like to find someone in the Village to replace
her on the EMS Board since she has a difficult time attending meetings.
Sexual Harassment Policy changes, discussion deferred until Attorney Tyler's report.
e NE Area Traffic Study has met several times and will meet again on Thursday, November 19,
1998. Presentation by Chuck Manning, Traffic Consultant on Dec. 3, 1998, 5:30PM
and followed by a Client Meeting on Dec. 4, 1998, 9:OOAM. In Village Hall.
Village of Lansing has sent copy of proposed change to Local Law H, an amendment to
eliminated distinctions between lot sizes in sewcrcd and nonsewercd areas. Public hearing
Nov. IG, 1997,7:35PM
North Campus Residential Initiative Project. Village has signed off to City of Ithaca to allow
the City to be the lead agency on the second phase of the project. Mayor Anderson reminded
them that the Village is concerned about Jessup Road becoming "pedestrians only ", and
repeated the possibility that the road could jog and come out somewhere near the parking lot.
Letter: Barbara Pardee requested a Park and Drive lot on North Triphammer Road where the
current construction materials are piled, but the Village has a promise to the community that
that land would stay forever wild, and a car park would not be appropriate.
Letter: From the McKelveys indicating their desire to have more instead of less deer.
David Nutter came in to congratulate the Village on the good work on the N. Triphammer
bike lanes.
Letter Marsha Ascher, 524 Highland Road, asked that the penalty on their water bill be
waived since the bill didn't reach them at their temporary summer address. Discussion on
procedure for returned water bills.
Motion by Trustee Kiram seconded by Trustee Flemming.
VOTED that the penalty on the July 31 water bill of Marsha and Robert Ascher, 524 Highland
Road, be waived. Trustees Bisogni, Collycr, Fleming, Kira, and Meinhardt voted YES.
- Meeting - Using SEQR Everyday, Workshops Nov. 19, 1998, Ramada Inn 7 -10 PM
- Meeting— County Cable Commission, Nov. 19, 7 PM
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Memorandum from State of NY in reference to enforcement procedure for protection of
underground facilities. When doing emergency demolitions and repairs, there must be an
investigation or can be liable for damages.
Risk Management Seminar, Managing Employment Practices Liability, Horseheads, Friday,
Dec, 11, 1998. Presented by NYCOM. Attorney Tylcr fell that it was important. for the heads
of departments attend this seminar.
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Supt. of P.W. Cross gave his monthly report, which is on file, and reported on the following:
- Public Works Committee met on Thursday, Nov. 12, 1998, with a follow -up meeting on
Friday, Nov. 13, 1998.
- Report on N. Triphammer — Roadwork almost completed. The streetlights remain to be
installed. The first lights were placed too high by NYSEG and will be lowered by four feet in
the islands. The lampposts at the side of the road will remain at the present height because
they give better light distribution at the higher level.
- Trustee Kira asked that a letter of thanks and appreciation be sent from the Board of Trustees
to the Employees of the D.P.W. for the good work that they did on the road.
- The leaf pick -up is progressing as fast as possible. The D.P.W. is short one man and the
sidewalk work on North Triphammer should be completed in a day or two, which will free
those men to concentrate on leaf pickup.
- Discussion of proposed relocation of the sign for Kendal from the island at the entrance to a
spot on the lawn to the right of the entrance. The ten -foot sign will be in the Village owned
Right of Way. This is not to make a precedent in any way. '
Motion by Fleming and seconded by Kira
RESOLUTION 4966 — SIGN PERMIT FOR KENDAL AT ITHACA
VOTED to permit a sign on land that was given to the Village by Kendal, as additional right of
way and is not a precedent for any additional signage. Trustees Bisogni, Collyer, Flemming, Kira,
and Mcinhardt voted YES.
The property at 2 Spruce Lane fence variance, has been withdrawn request since the house
was sold. The new owners have put up a fence that is in compliance. There is a need to
rewrite the ordinances to make the fence regulations more clear.
Annual SPDES Permit Inspection Report for WWTP. Have met with the DEC and given a
verbal report that has been accepted, now need to follow up in writing action taken. It is the
feeling of the Board that YAWS needs to report. Discussion of DEC's suggestion of monetary
penalties for quality noncompliance by Borg Warner. A reply is due at the end of Nov.,
should be reviewed by P.W. Committee.
Discussion of formalizing Village policy on Overtime and compensation. When in writing
should be endorsed by Board.
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Presentation by Dwight Mengel, service Manager, and Nancy Oltz, Operations Manager, of
TCAT, reporting revised and added services to be put into place August 1999. At this point there
are no plans for the buses to drive into Kendal.
Fire Supt. Day submitted his monthly report, which is on file, and reported on the following:
w
lie corrected his report to indicate that there were 29 emergency calls instead of 28.
There was a fatal fire on Oct. 30, 1998. Oct. 15, 1998.
American Testing performed their annual ladder test. All ladders are certified with a few
minor repairs necessary.
There will be a tabletop disaster drill —a planning session.
There are films being sent out by the Federal Agencies on Terrorism and Bio- hazardous
training.
There is a need for 8 sets of new turnout gear, 600 feet of attack hose and supplies.
Motion by Trustee Kira, seconded by Trustee Fleming
RESOLUTION 4967 — APPROVE FIRE DEPT. PURCHASES
Vote to approve purchases of turnout gear, attack hose and supplies for the fire department,
totaling $11,397.00. Trustees Bigogni, Collyer, Fleming, Kira and Meinholdt voted YES.
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Attorney Tyler presented a proposed change in the Sexual Harassment policy. It was decided not
to act on the proposal until after the Dept. Heads attended the Seminar on Dec. 11, 1998. It will
be discussed at the Dec. 21 Board Meeting. For inclusion in the Personnel Policy Handbook.
He also reported:
- There will be an audit letter response going out shortly.
- Webster sewer line, to be handled by Supt. of P.W. Cross.
Flood mitigation -SWCS— no news.
Fire lanes on private property; need to follow up with Ken Lansing.
Lake Source cooling, slow, but moving forward.
Treasurer Silber made his monthly report, which is on tile, and reported on the following:
- He has new quotes on health insurance coverage, which will give some savings, and will
continue to explore options.
- The new computers and printer are in place. New software is now being sought to simplify
procedures.
It was necessary to make 2 transfers from the General Fund.
From To . Amount
A5110.42 Street Supply A5110.45 Street Contract $500
A8160.49 Refuse Eq Maint A8160.42 Refuse Supply 750
Motion by Trustee Fleming, seconded by Trustee Kira
RESOLUTION 4968 — APPROVE TRANSFERS
Y
Vole to approve transfers as listed in treasurer's report. Trustees Bigogni, Collyer, Fleming, Kira,
and Meinhardt voted YES.
- Discussion of higher cost for printer from Danica.
Motion by Trustee Fleming, seconded by Trustee Collyer:
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VOTED to approve the Abstract of Warrants dated November 16, 1998 in the following amounts:
General Fund: $73,422.46; Water Fund: $1,425.49; Sewer Fund: $23,979.56; Capital Fund:
$76,622.97. Trustees Bisogni, Collyer, Fleming, Kira and Meinhardt voted YES.
- Discussion of creating fewer accounts to give more flexibility in payment of accounts.
- Treasurer Silber expressed his thanks for the kind words of sympathy received concerning the
death in his family.
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Chief of Police Lansing previously submitted his monthly report and it is on file.
- Mayor Anderson reported that Officer Lanning is doing well.
- Trustee Kira expressed pleasure in the return of Officer Cain.
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Motion by Trustee Bisogni, seconded by Trustee Kira
RESOLUTION 4969 — ENTER EXECUTIVE SESSION
VOTED to enter into Executive Session at 9:45 PM to discuss issues of personnel. Trustee
Bisogni, Collyer, Fleming, Kira and Meinhardt voted YES.
Motion by Trustee Fleming, seconded by Trustee Bisogni.
VOTED to move out of Executive Session at 10:10. Trustees Bisogni, Collycr, Fleming, Kira,
and Meinhardt voted YES.
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Motion by Trustee Fleming, seconded by Trustee, Collycr.
VOTED to adjourn at 10:11. Trustee Bisogni, Collyer, Flemming. Kira and Meinhardt voted
YES.
Elizabeth Kord
Village Clerk
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