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HomeMy WebLinkAboutReg Mtg. Minutes 9/22/19991 2 .- Minutes of the Regular Meeting September 22, 1999 VILLAGE OF CAYUGA HEIGHTS BOARD OF TRUSTEES Present: Mayor Anderson; Trustees, Kira, Bisogni, Kusse, and Dunning; Attorney Tyler, Treasurer Silber, Supt. of PW Cross, Police Chief Lansing, Asst. Fire Chief DiVenti, Clerk Kord. Absent: Trustees Fleming and Meinhardt, Fire Chief Day. Others: David Allee, Robert and Jane Kalter, Jim Shreve. Mayor Anderson called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM and opened it to the Privilege of the Floor. David Allee representing the Intermunicipal Organization of the Cayuga Lake Watershed Management Organization asked the Board to place a $900 expenditure in their 2000 budget to continue funding the Cayuga Lake Watershed Management Plan for a second year. They are seeking funding from all of the participating municipalities. Robert Kalter asked to speak in order to give a rebuttal to the opinions and statements given by his neighbors Faust and Louise d'Ambrosi at the Regular Meeting on August 16, 1999 concerning a dispute between them about a ditch between their properties in the Village right -of -way. Mr. Kalter gave a lengthy statement of the history of the situation and his views and opinions on the matter. He concurred that if the Village were to smooth out the ditch in question that this solution to the problem would be acceptable to him. He also noted that in the near future NYSEG would be putting in a new gas line, which will probably change and disrupt water flow in that area of the right - of -way. Mayor Anderson asked Supt, of PW Cross to make sure that the swale be smoothed out in order to eliminate any safety concerns. .............. ... ......... .... .......... ..... ...........................� Motion by Trustee Kira and seconded by Trustee Bisogni, VOTED to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of September 22, 1999, previously furnished to the Trustees in photocopy form. Trustees Kira, Bisogni, Kusse, and Dunning voted YES. Mayor Anderson reported on the following: - The Village had just received a contract from Mitchell Ross for completion of Architectural services for the renovations and addition to the Fire Station. There was a discussion of the estimated 1.7 million dollar cost of the project as well as the $132,000 fee for services involved in the contract. Treasurer Silber asked for a separate meeting in order to have the opportunity to study the projected budget and to meet again with the architect. A Special meeting of the Board was tentatively set for October 4, 1999 at 5:00 PM at Village Hall. - There was a FOIL request for records of the Village of Cayuga Heights relating to its franchise agreement with Time -Wamer Cable. Attorney Tyler will direct response to the request. - A petition signed by 166 residents of Kendal and Cayuga Heights was submitted requesting a pedestrian crosswalk on North Triphammer Road at the TCAT bus stop. 126 There was a discussion of the safety of the bus stop locations and the need for a crosswalk. Mayor Anderson will communicate with TCAT about their plans and the Village's concerns and will report to the Board at the next meeting. There are new regulations for the County FIood Mitigation Money. Completed applications for Drinking Water State Revolving Fund are due by March 1, 2000. There will be a Conference for Neighborhood Watch Volunteers October 29, 1999. The Tompkins County Planning Federation will meet October 7, 1999 at 7:00 PM at the Holiday Inn to discuss "The Cost of Sprawl." The NY Department of State has revised the NYS Building, Fire and Energy Code. - Mayor Anderson has had a letter of resignation from Trustee Meinhardt resigning from the Environmental Management Council as of August 19, 1999. The Environment Management Council is restructuring. The Village must nominate a new member by December 1, 1999, or a member at -large may fill the seat. Mayor Anderson is talking with two individuals about possible nomination. Mayor Anderson received a list of the towers and tall structures in the County. The Village Hall approx. 100' antenna and the Sheldon Road water tank are both on the list. The IWS Committee meeting at Bolton Point is rescheduled for Sept. 30, 1999, as well as their regular meeting. The Cayuga Lake Watershed will hold its Fall Bus Tour on Sat., Oct. 16. Please respond by Oct. 16 if you plan to attend. - Mayor Anderson has received the final Environmental Impact Statement from the City on the North Campus Project. This report no longer includes the road that was previously discussed to the North of the "A" parking lot. The new location for the Cradit Moore house has not yet been decided. Supt. ofPW Cross has indicated to Cornell that there should be some discussion with the Village about possible subdivision of the proposed Pleasant Grove site. There was a meeting on Sept. 9, 1999 of the Joint Sewer Proposal with the DEC, Tara Yorashek and Steven Eidt. There was favorable response from the DEC on our proposals for new settling tanks and sand filter for phosphorus removal. CHIPS money has been restored for 99/00. There is an $835 increase. Capital $46,763 and O and M $12,618 for a total of $59,381.00. Letters: Patty Davis asked that the fence height ordinance be amended to allow for 6 %2 foot fences in order to control the deer. The Board felt that deer could easily leap over such a fence. Ms. Hatcher suggested that the islands on North Triphammer be covered in ground cover. Sarah How and James Alexander wrote regarding the number of trees cut down at 406 Klinewoods Road. The ITCTC policy committee will meet Tues., Sept. 28, 1999 from 1— 3 PM, to discuss NESTS. Police Chief Lansing made his report, which is on file, and reported on the following - Michael St. Angelo has been hired to fill the part-time position. 2 127 RESOLUTION 5036 — To approve hiring of Michael St. Angelo Motion by Trustee Kira seconded by Trustee Kusse, VOTED to approve hiring Michael St. Angelo to fill the part-time Officer position in the Police Department. Trustees, Kusse, Kira, Bisogni and Dunning voted YES. - The 1997 Ford, Crown Victoria police car has been sold to the highest bidder. RESOLUTION 5037 — To congratulate Officer Boyce on promotion. Motion by Trustee Kira seconded by Trustee Bisogni, VOTED to congratulate Officer Thomas Boyce on his promotion to Sergeant. Trustees Kira, Kusse, Bisogni and Dunning voted YES. Assistant Fire Chief DiVenti presented the Fire Department report, which is on file, and reported on the following: - There were 29 emergency calls in August, 18 medical and 11 involving fire fighting operations. - The Fire House Open House will be October 16, 1999 from noon until 4:00 PM. •///// R// R// R/ Y//// Y/ R/ R/ Y// YR/ Y/ YY// YRfR/ /RR /RIY /IlfRl /I! /Il /11 / /1 / /1 ►!I Superintendent of PW Cross presented his report, which is on file, and reported on the following: - He thanked Cayuga Landscape for succeeding in getting grass to grow on the islands in North Triphammer Road. - Re: Kalter /d'Ambrosi. The Board asked the DPW to create a gentle swale in order to eliminate concern for public safety. - The owner of 105 Winthrop Dr. is considering the possibility of diverting a stream that runs behind his home. He had previously turned down funding from Flood . Mitigation monies for this project, but is now interested in attaining such funding. Supt. Cross will investigate to see if this new project will qualify for the same program. - Supt. Cross has met with the new Manager at the Lansing Borg -Warner plant to discuss the possibility of surcharging the violations for exceeding the quality limits on their industrial discharge. The Board discussed a multi- tiered limit and reviewed a formula suggested by Yaws for such surcharges. - Yaw's Environmental has a new designated licensed operator, Jeff Overstrom. - Bruce Hoyt was approved for his disability retirement. He has been removed from our payroll as of 8/22/99. Mr. Cross thanks him for his many years of service and wishes him a long and enjoyable retirement. - Supt. Cross attended a Conference in the Catskills on the coming Code Enforcement changes. Attorney Tyler reported on the following: - He sent a letter in early August to the Mayor on the currency of the sewer contracts. The Mayor suggested the Village needs to have information from the D.E.C. as to what funds will be available for the joint sewer project before pursuing contract renewals. 128 He asked that Fire Chief Day, Police Chief Lansing and Supt. of PW Cross complete their survey of fire access on private property in the Village. He was advised by the Board not to pursue any further action on the day care facility on Highgate Road. He asked Supt. Cross to complete the sketch for the sewer easement at the Webster property at 105 Iroquois Rd. The progress on the Putnam and Marcus sewer bypass easement to the Village, on Kline Road, has been put on hold. There is a need to change the Healthcare part of the Personnel Policy since the new insurance has been put into place. Attorney Tyler asked for an Executive Session to discuss one issue of possible litigation and one personnel issue of a specific individual, RESOLUTION 5038 — Executive Session Motion by Trustee Kira, seconded by Trustee Bisogni, VOTED to move into executive session at 9:44 PM in order to discuss one issue of possible litigation and one issue of personnel for a specific individual. Trustee Kira, Kusse, Bisogni and Dunning voted YES Motion by Trustee Kusse, seconded by Trustee Dunning, VOTED to move out of Executive Session at 10:24 PM. Trustees Kira, Kusse, - Bisogni and Dunning voted YES. The Trustees had reviewed a draft letter regarding the PBA and the "wage and hour issue" previously brought before them. Attorney Tyler was directed to have his firm send a letter along the lines discussed to John Stevens as the Village would prefer settlement over litigation of this matter. RESOLUTION 5039 — Adjust Police Chiefs salary. Motion by Trustee Kusse, seconded by Trustee Dunning, VOTED to adjust Police Chief Lansing's salary to $72,000 yearly, retroactive to 611199, in recognition of his appointment to Chief of Police. Trustees Kira, Kusse, Bisogni and Dunning voted YES. Treasurer Silber presented his report, which is on file, and reported on the following: - He is continuing to work on the Accounting upgrade. There have been problems with the new software that have not yet been completely resolved. - He is continuing to research computer support for the Village staff. - He will discuss the offer of Y2K computer compliance checks with Danica, since the computers were to be compliant when purchased. Treas. Silber is looking into methods of eliminating the number of invoices that come into the Village through combining accounts and/or implementing purchasing cards. There is one correction to the Abstract of Warrants, on the last page, the final entry should be $4,884.67 for the City of Ithaca, water purchase. Motion by Trustee Bisogni, seconded by Trustee Kira, !l 12y VOTED to accept the Abstract of Warrants dated Sept. 22, 1999, as amended, in the following amounts: General Fund, $32,802.19; Sewer Fund, $53,837.93; Water Fund, $65,263.53, Trustees Kira, Kusse, Bisogni and Dunning voted YES. The Clerk reported on the following: - There were two letters from Village residents who requested refunds on the penalties on their Village taxes. Both claimed to have sent in their payments on time, however the Village did not receive their checks. The Board denied their requests on the grounds that it is the homeowner's responsibility to make sure that the payments are received, which can be done by requesting payment receipts be returned to the taxpayer. - There was a letter from SCLIWC requesting approval of a water rate reduction from $2.04 to $1.79 per 1,000 gallons, with a surcharge of 40% to take effect October 16, 1999. RESOLUTION 5140 — SCLIWC rate change. Motion by Trustee Bisogni, seconded by Trustee Dunning, VOTED to approve a rate reduction by SCLIWC from $2.04 to $1.79 per 1,000 gallons, with a 40% surcharge, effective October 16, 1999. Trustees Kira, Kusse, Bisogni and Dunning voted YES. Motion by Trustee Dunning, seconded by Trustee Bisogni, Voted to adjourn at 10:5I PM. Trustees, Kira, Kusse, Bisogni and'Dunning voted YES. Elizabeth Kord Village Clerk 1