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HomeMy WebLinkAboutReg Mtg. Minutes 3/15/199979 Minutes of Regular Meeting March 15, 1999 VILLAGE OF CAYUGA HEIGHTS BOARD OF TRUSTEES Minutes of a regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Cayuga Heights, held March 15, 1999 at 7:30 PM in the Village Hall. Present; Mayor Anderson, Trustees Kira, Fleming, Bisogni, Kusse, Meinhardt, Collyer; Attorney Tyler; Treasurer Silber, Police Chief Lansing, Fire Supervisor Day, Supt. of Public Works Cross; Clerk Kord, Others; Bill DeWire, Exec. Director, Kendal at Ithaca; Richard Charsky, NYSEG; Joy Barr, Judy Dunning, Jolene DiGiacomo, Kay Newman, Walter Lynn, Randi Brown, an unidentified High School Student, Jeff Randal. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Anderson at 7:35 and was opened to the Privilege of the Floor. Y..YY .... .YYY..Y.YY ...... ... ... son ... Aux ...... ..... Y....... Y.,Y.YY., .... I Bill DeWire, Exec. Director, Kendal at Ithaca, appeared requesting approval of a Zoning Permit to build a 24 bed, 19,050 square foot addition to the Cascadilla House, the Health Care wing. There was a discussion of the proposed changes to the Original Planned Unit Development of 1993 and the Revised PUD of 1994 as well as the methods of approval available to the Board. It was concluded that the following facts support this request: 1. That the 1993 Preliminary PUD application, which was approved by the Village, included 12 more health care beds and an undetermined 20,000 sq. ft. Health Center future expansion. 2. The 1994 Final PUD application, which was approved by the Village, deleted 12 of the preliminary health care beds at the request of Kendal, which could not commit to these beds at that time due to financing constraints. 3. The lot coverage of the proposed 19,050 sq. fl. Health Center addition is provided for in the Preliminary/Final PUD approvals. 4. Kendal at Ithaca wishes to confirm their maximum lot coverage as 566,100 sq. ft., which represents their original acreage x 12.44 %. They acknowledge that their maximum build -out will not be allowed to exceed 566,100 sq. ft. RESOLUTION — 4990 Authority to grant Building and Zoning Permit Motion by Trustee Fleming, seconded by Trustee Kira. VOTED to authorize Engineer Cross to grant a Building and a Zoning Permit to Kendal at Ithaca for a 24 bed. 19,050 sq. ft. Health Care Wing addition. Trustees Kira, Fleming, Bisogni, Meinhardt, and Collyer voted YES. Trustee Kusse abstained. •YYYYYYY.YYYYY YYYYYYYYYYYYY. Y.YY YYY.YY.YYYYYYYYYYYYYYY YYY..YYYYYYYYYYY..1 Dick Charsky, from NYSEG, appeared to familiarize the Board with their Customer Advantage Program, Retail Access coming up Aug. 1, 1999. This program allows the customer to choose their energy supplier. NYSEG has sold their coal fired Power Plant which results in a credit to the customers. They feel that this will give incentive to customers to choose NYSEG over other energy suppliers. O Trustee Kira noted that the date of the meeting was in error in the Minutes of the Special Meeting of February 22, 1998. Motion by Trustee Kira, seconded by Trustee Fleming VOTED to approve the minutes of the Special Meeting of February 22, 1999, previously furnished to Trustees in copy form, as amended. Trustees Kira, Fleming, Bisogni, Kusse, and Meinhardt voted YES. Trustee Collyer abstained. The Mayor Reported on the following: Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Central New York and the Cayuga Medical Center have reached agreement, effective March 1, 1999. Cayuga Medical Center has available geriatric psychiatric care available March 1, 1999. There will be a free Y2K Teleconference March 18, 1999, 6:30 -8:45. There was a brief discussion of the Village's Y2K compliance and the possibility of performing some testing prior to the year 2000. - Cayuga Lake Watershed Meeting March 24, 7 -9pm at the Seneca Falls Town Offices. David Alee will be the Village Representative. - ITCTC Policy Committee meeting March 16, 1999, 2pm - NESTS had a public meeting, Feb. 25, 1999. Approx. 200 people attended. - The Citizens Planning Alliance meeting is Monday, Mar. 22, 1999, 2pm - Tompkins Co. Water Quality Strategy, March 15, will meet to reschedule public meeting. - Kendal at Ithaca has requested approval of their Health Care Center Plan. They are also proposing a new maintenance barn enlargement in the near future. There was a meeting with the architect on the site plan for the fire station project on Feb. 25, 1999. - Bolton Point is involved in a possible lawsuit. Bolton's Liability Insurance attorney will be the lead attorney. The Village's involvement will be addressed by Attorney Tyler later in the meeting. - Recent NYCOM publication has the rules re: Executive Session. - A partial payment of the Town of Ithaca 1998 -1999 Fire Contract arrived. - There was a letter from Computel Consultants, claiming that they could save Village money on street lighting, telephone, etc. It was referred to Jeff Silber. - The snow, sidewalk clearing has improved. There have been a few complaints about damaged mailboxes with the recent bad weather. - Received letters from Jolene DiGiacomo and Bill DeWire of Kendal at Ithaca, thanking the Village for the Village Newsletter. Superintendent of Public Works Cross presented his report, which is on file, and reported on the following: The Renwick Road Bridge Project, is a Federally funded NYSDOT project through Tompkins County. 80% of funding will come form the Federal Highway Adm., DOT 15 %, 2'/:% from Town of Ithaca and 2' /Z% from the Village (approx. $5,000). There was a discussion as to whether or not to ask the Town to take over the Village's portion. Supt. Cross will study the matter. The removal of a rubber blade on the sidewalk snowplow has improved the efficiency of the sidewalk plow. �1 Kendal has asked permission, at Kendal's expense to add a standard green street sign in the island at the entrance to Kendal on Triphammer Road to indicate Savage Farm Road. The Board gave its approval. This summer Kline Road will be repaved and the sewer main from Cayuga Heights Road to Needham Place at the City line will be replaced in anticipation of the so- called "Kline Road Bypass" and the Clean Water Bond Act Project, There needs to be a reorganization of the piping system at the top of Kline Road to connect to the old City system and there is a conflict with a gas main. The resolution is being studied. There were two bids for the new Garbage packer. Robert's Equipment @ $21,722, and Cyncon Equipment @ $24,970. The new truck cab and Chassis have been delivered and there are some potential problems that are detailed in the report on file. There was a discussion as to the unsuitability of the truck chassis to the packer and alternative solutions. The Board directed Supt. Cross to refuse the new truck and negotiate an alternative settlement. Supt. Cross and Jerry Smith from Yaw's visited Borg Warner to check on what has been done about the mini - pretreatment permit violations. Borg Warner has installed new electronics that they feel will remedy the situation within 30 days. Yaws will continue to monitor the situation. The Village of Lansing has used up all their allotted sewer permits and Supt. Cross asked if the Board would consider issuing them additional permits. There was a brief discussion and Supt. Cross will look into the matter further, ask the Village the number required and report again at the next meeting. Fire Superintendent Day gave his report that is on file, and reported on the following: e There were 30 calls this month, 10 fire and 20 medical emergencies. The Public Safety Committee met with the Architect to review the Fire House Project. Car 4243 needs a new transmission. Supt. Day asked if he should replace the transmission or replace the aging car. The Board decided to replace the transmission. Attorney Tyler reported on the following: Attorney Tyler brought up the matter of the Village Cat Ordinance discussed at previous meetings. The Board declined to adopt an ordinance, The transfer of land between the Village of Cayuga Heights and Cornell University that was approved at the previous meeting will be delayed because of litigation on the Lake Source Cooling Project, involving the Town of Ithaca Subdivision Approval. The Village Insurance Provider, Titan Insurance, has requested a list of the Village equipment covered under their policy. Treasurer Silber will provide the list. The communications are continuing with the PBA Attorney about the issue of pay differentials. - It was requested that the Board go into Executive Session for two matters of possible litigation. Treasurer Silber made his report that is on file, and reported on the following: Treasurer Silber presented the Board with a draft copy (a working copy) of the budget and made various comments, At this time he is working with a 3% tax increase and he is proposing a reduction in the sewage disposal fee and the water district assessment, Salary increases will be at 4 %. There was a discussion of financial strategy with regard to low, savings, transfers, reserves and surplus. This budget is being set up as a no growth budget. Treasurer Silber has met with the PBA and is continuing to look into health care coverage through Health Now. The settlement between BC/BS and the Cayuga Medical Center now makes the plan in the PBA contract viable and will be re- studied. The current contract with BC /BS needs to be renewed by April 1, 1999 in order to provide interim coverage until a final decision on Health Coverage is reached. The possibility of piggybacking on the County contract will also be investigated. RESOLUTION 4991- Authorize renewal of BC/BS Contract Motion by Trustee Collycr seconded by Trustee Kira. VOTED to authorize the renewal of the Blue Cross/Blue Shield contract with the new rates for a period beginning April 1, 1999 pending a new agreement or contract (now under discussion). Trustees Kira, Fleming, Bisogni, Kusse, Meinhardt and Collyer voted YES. The Town of Ithaca's assessed valuation on tax- exempt properties that Treasurer Silber received, appears to be incorrect and he will investigate. He has received an informal quote from Bailey Agency for the Village General Insurance that might save the Village approximately $10,000, approximately 20% savings. He will get more information. There was a brief discussion of the need for bonding as opposed to simply paying for the portion of the N. Triphammer Road Project that was intended to be bonded. The decision will be made at the May meeting. • RESOLUTION 4992 —Approve Transfers Motion by Trustee Fleming seconded by Trustee Collyer, From: To: Amount a A1990.4 Contingency Al 110.41 Justice Contr Exp 300 A1990.4 Contingency A1410.44 Clerk Utilities 200 A1990.4 Contingency Al 620.42 Village Hall Supplies 200 A1620.45 Village Hall Contr Ser A1640.42 Central Gar Sup 6000 A1620.42 Village Hall Ins A1990.4 Contingency 1100 A8160.1 Refuse Pers Sery A1640.1 Cent Gar Pers Sery 2000 A5110.47 Street Equip Rental A5110.46 Street Signs 1500 A5110.1 Street Pers Sery A5112.1 Cap Impr Pers Sery 14000 A8160.1 Refuse Pers Sery A5112.1 Cap Impr pers Sery 14100 A1990.4 Contingency A5142.49 Snow Remov Eq Maint 1200 A8160.43 Refuse Col. Insurance A1990.4 Contingency 4100 A1990.4 Contingency A9060.8 Health Insurance 20000 G1990.4 Sewer Contingency G8130.42 Sewer Supply 5000 VOTED to approve transfers as listed in Treasurer's report. Trustees Kira, Fleming, Bisogni, Kusse, Meinhardt, and Collyer voted YES. One item on the final page of the Abstract of Warrants was erroneously repeated and should be deleted - Salino Electric Motors Inc, appears twice. AM Mel Motion by Trustee Collyer seconded by Trustee Fleming, VOTED to approve the Abstract of Warrants dated March 13, 1999 in the following amounts: General Fund: $41,561.22; Water Fund: $53,494.03; Sewer Fund: $30,943.18. Trustees Kira, Fleming, Bisogni, Kusse, Meinhardt, and Collyer voted YES Police Chief Lansing gave his report that is on file, and reported on the following: The new incident report cards are working well. Officer Cain has returned to active duty. There has been a request to convert the portion of E. Upland Road between Triphammer Road and Hanshaw Road to a one way street heading North. This has been suggested in order to eliminate cars sliding into the properties at the curve at the bottom of the road in inclement weather. The matter is under consideration. Treasurer Silber brought up purchasing ammunition and other police related items of equipment. Previously the Police Department has been buying these things from a Syracuse company, but this company has been undependable and expensive. Police Chief Lansing has a connection with a company, Camo -Hut, in which he has a personal financial interest, that can provide such items at cost with no profit to himself. This was disclosed as a potential conflict of interest. Treasurer asked the Board to approve acquisition of certain firearms related items from Camo -Hut, provided that the items are sold at cost, which includes shipping, on an acquisition by acquisition basis, each transaction approved by either the Treasurer or the Clerk. RESOLUTION 4993 — To approve acquisition of firearm equipment from Camo -Hut Motion by Trustee Kira seconded by Trustee Fleming, VOTED to approve acquisition of police related items of equipment and supplies from Camo - Hut, of which Chief Lansing has an interest, with approval of the Treasurer or Clerk. This agreement to be reviewed annually each year starting in the year 2000. Trustees Kira, Fleming, Bisogni, Kusse, Meinhardt, and Collyer voted YES. RESOLUTION 4994 — Enter into Executive Session Motion by Trustee Kira seconded by Trustee Bisogni, VOTED to enter into Executive Session to discuss two matters of potential litigation and a personnel issue of a specific individual at 10:45 PM. Trustees Kira, Fleming, Bisogni, Kusse, Meinhardt, and Collyer voted YES. .......................................... ..............................$ Motion by Trustee Fleming seconded by Trustee Meinhardt, Voted to move out of Executive Session at 11:15. Trustees Kira, Fleming, Bisogni, Kusse, Meinhardt, and Collyer voted YES. The regular session resumed at 11:15. Attorney Tyler recommended that the Board hire outside counsel to handle possible litigation. His first choice will be attorney Dirk A. Galbraith of Ithaca. RESOLUTION 4995— To hire outside counsel Motion by Trustee Kira seconded by Trustee Fleming, VOTED to hire outside counsel to handle possible litigation, Trustees Kira, Fleming, Bisogni, Kusse, Meinhardt, and Collyer voted YES. .sang ........................ ... son .... ... ..............................l Motion by Trustee Fleming seconded by Trustee Kira, VOTED to adjourn at 11:21pm. Trustees Kira, Fleming, Bisogni, Kusse, Meinhardt, and Collyer voted YES. Elizabeth Kord Clerk F1 1 NZ