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HomeMy WebLinkAboutReg Mtg. Minutes 4/21/2001Minutes of the Regular Meeting May 21, 2001 Village of Cayuga Heights Board of Trustees Present: Mayor Anderson, Trustees Fleming, Lynn, Kusse, Collyer and Dunning, Attorney Tyler, Supt. Cross, Treasurer Silber, Chief Lansing, Chief Day, Chief Randall. Absent: Trustee Antil Others: Fred Gouldin, Dick Staples, Shahab Farzangan, Sue Woodard, Charlotte Shull, Fair Gouldin, Francis Davis, Tom McCarthy, Kathleen Damiani, Adelaid Gomer, Robin Palmer, Susan Benisch, Jerome Van Buren, Jeffrey Cox, Douglas Fowler, Ron Schmitt, Carol Schmitt, Kay Newman, Karen Jackson Mayor Anderson called the meeting to order at 7:40 PM and opened the meeting to the Privilege of the Floor. Fred Gouldin, representing the Deer Committee, presented the recommendations of the Committee to the Board. The Committee is recommending sterilization as the preferred method of fertility control. A NYSDEC permit is necessary for any capture or treatment of deer in the Village, as the animals are under DEC jurisdiction and control. The DEC is likely to approve such a permit only as part of a research project. The Village may have to enter into an agreement with Cornell to conduct a study of the effectiveness of sterilization as well as to sterilize deer. In order to implement a program to capture, tag, and surgically treat deer in early autumn, prior to the deer - breeding season, the research plan should be submitted to the DEC by late June. Also, the Deer Committee encourages the Trustees to modify the fencing ordinance to allow those homeowners with serious deer problems to build deer -proof fencing. The Committee would also like to send the recommendations to all residents of Cayuga Heights. There was much discussion between the Board and the members of the Deer Committee. Adelaid Gomer spoke on funding contingencies. The Board all agreed that no decisions could be made without a concrete proposal. Fred Gouldin asked if a member of the Board would be a liaison between the Village and the Committee so that a proposal could be put together with the Board's input. Trustee Dunning volunteered for that position. The Deer Committee left the meeting with the charge to put together a concrete proposal to present to the Board before the next meeting, which is June 18. Trustee Dunning then asked the Board for their consensus on the recommendations put before them. Trustee Kusse, along with the Mayor and Trustee Fleming agreed that "money is the issue." However, a decision will not be made until a proposal is presented. Mayor Don Hartill of the Village of Lansing was also present for the Privilege of the Floor. Mayor Hiutill was requesting the Board to advance the Village of Lansing 6 sewer permits based on the impending work being done on the I/I leak in the Town of Ithaca along Hanshaw Road east of the village line. The work is scheduled to be completed by summer, but the construction season begins now so permits are peeded now. There was some concern that if the units were given to the Village of Lansing now, and the project upon completion did not resolve the 1/I problem, then the units would be already gone. Motion by Trustee Fleming, Seconded by Trustee Lynn VOTED to approve issuance of G sewer units based on the work to be completed this summer. Mayor Anderson and Trustees Lynn and Fleming voted YES Trustees Dunning and Kusse voted NO. Trustee Collyer ABSTAINED. The Motion FAILED. (Three in favor not a majority.) Trustee Lynn suggested that we should pass along to Mayor Hartill that we're looking for some results, then we'll reconsider his request. **************************************** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** Motion by Trustee Fleming, Seconded by Trustee Lynn VOTED to approve the minutes of April 2, 2001 with the addition of Trustee Antil as Present at the Meeting. Trustees Fleming, Lynn, Kusse, Collyer and Dunning voted YES. ***************************************** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** Mayor Anderson gave his report. The 2001 priority for the Village DPW is the Highland Road project. There have been several interruptions to the project so far - water main breaks. However, the project is continuing along now. Bolton Point has won the taste- testing award for Tompkins County for the second year in a row. Bolton Point is currently embroiled in negotiations with their Engineers on forming a Union. Bolton Point is, however, standing their ground on issues. Copies of the Cayuga Lake Watershed Restoration and Protective Plan are available at the Village office. There is a public meeting upcoming. A request for motion to authorize the Mayor to sign the Intermunicipal Agreement regarding The Cayuga Lake Watershed Restoration and Protection Plan Motion by Trustee Lynn, Seconded by Trustee Collyer VOTED to authorize the Mayor to sign the Intermunicipal Agreement attached. Trustees Fleming, Lynn, Kusse, Collyer and Dunning voted YES 2 The Annual meeting of TCAT is scheduled for June 5 at Kendall from 8:00 - 9:30 AM. The guest speaker will be Nick Pirro, County Executive of Onondaga County. The Mayor received a newsletter from the Youth Employment Program of Tompkins County. A copy is on the bulletin board in the Village Hall. The Environmental Management Council sent us a copy of their Annual Report, which focuses on the new Library and "T.C. Shines ", their Solar Panels, which are the largest in the Northeast. Jeff Cox still hasn't attended an EMC meeting, as they have been conflicting with the Deer Committee meetings. He will try to attend one shortly. The Water Resources Council is having an aquifer conference on May 23. Treasurer Silber is working on the fire protection agreement with the Town of Ithaca. The Treasurer mentioned recent developments involving him, to be discussed in depth later in the meeting. There is continuing discussion on County Redistricting - should the City be able to keep their five Board members when they have lost population. There has been County discussion on the siting of the new radio towers, toxic waste at the Tompkins County Airport, and the new facility at the Solid Waste Management Center, the "Depot", which takes care of household hazardous waste. Their grand opening is on May 25. The report of the Police Chief, which is on file, was presented. Chief Lansing reported that Rose Morusty, one of the Crossing Guards, broke her leg. She will be unable to finish out the year. A friend of hers, whom Chief Lansing knows, is filling out an application for the position to finish this school year and to be a substitute for next year. Chief Lansing asked the Board for a motion to allow him to hire Debi Petersen Moore as the fill -in crossing guard for Rose Morusty for the remainder of this school year, and to be a substitute next school year. Motion by Trustee Collyer, Seconded by Trustee Fleming VOTED to authorize Chief Lansing to hire Debi Petersen Moore. Trustees Fleming, Lynn, Kusse, Collyer and Dunning voted YES The report of the Fire Chief, which is on file, was presented. Chief Day has been in touch with Wayne Tyler of Tyler Fire Equipment. We should be receiving our new fire truck at the end of June. Some firefighters will travel to Florida to inspect the truck to be sure it meets the specifications. Chief Day asked the Board what they would like to do with the old engine. It is not worth much. Chief Day thinks we should keep it in our station for a spare until something goes on it. It was just inspected and is operating properly; however, the body is in bad condition. The Mayor suggested that we house it and also advertise it for sale. Chief Day is working on a policy for acceptable supplemental uses for the use of the Fire Station. He will forward them to Attorney Tyler who will then send them to the Clerk to bring before the Board for review and approval. The ladder truck is having some problems. Sullivan's is coming up in the next week or two to give the Chief an estimate for the repairs needed. Supt, of PW Cross presented his report, which is on file. The Village received one bid for the backhoe/loader, which was advertised in the Ithaca Journal. The bid was received from Five Star Equipment, Inc. for a price of $67,819 with a trade -in allowance of $13,000. Supt. Cross asked for a resolution to purchase the backhoe /loader from Five Star Equipment, Inc. There was some discussion among the members of the Board as to the bid process when an item is not being purchased with a state contract. Motion by Trustee Fleming, Seconded by Trustee Kusse VOTED to pass Resolution No. 5224 authorizing Supt. Cross to purchase a backhoe /loader from Five Star Equipment, Inc. Trustees Fleming, Lynn, Kusse, Collyer and Dunning voted YES Resolution No. 5224 Resolution No. 5224 to purchase 2001 Backhoe /Loader. Whereas the Village of Cayuga Heights Department of Public Works has publicly advertised for bids to purchase a new 2001 Backhoe/Loader, and Whereas the low (and only) bidder, Five Star Equipment, Inc., has offered to sell a John Deere 410G unit for a base bid of $63,906, with an accessory and attachment package for 0 additional $3,913. They have also offered to deduct $13,000 as a trade -in allowance for the Village's 1992 John Deer 510 backhoe /loader, and Whereas the cost of the new backhoe /loader is included in the Village's approved budget for 2001 -02, and Whereas this equipment will be used for work on the streets, water, and sewer systems. Now, therefore, the Board of Trustees hereby authorizes the Superintendent of Public Works to sign a purchase order to Five Star Equipment, Inc. for $67,819 with a trade -in of $13,000 for delivery of a new 2001 John Deere 410G Backhoe /Loader. Supt. Cross brought up the possibility of purchasing a "hot" trailer for asphalt road patching. We have received a quote from a local supplier of $12,900 plus other options between $500 and $2650. The Mayor asked if the Village could share one with another municipality. Supt. Cross thought that might be possible, and also will investigate the possibility of purchasing a used trailer. Supt. Cross reported on an incident that occurred on Sunday evening on the D.P.W. grounds. A Village resident was backing his truck up to the mulch pile to retrieve mulch when the heat from the exhaust ignited the mulch, causing a smoldering fire. This brings up problems, not only with lack of space but also with security at the DPW "barn ". With the space issue, the pile of shredded mulch and loose brush has grown substantially since the D.P.W. cleaned it last fall with money from "disaster relief." A call was made to Earl Burgess, the individual who cleared away last year's brush, and the cost to haul it all away ASAP would be $9300. Other options would be: The D.P.W. would truck the mulch/brush to Burgess' property, which is in Interlaken, for a smaller charge Dump the brush into a waiting trailer, then truck it or have it trucked off - site. The Board concurred that there would be no emergency removal of the pile and the DPW needed to look into long range planning of what to do not only with the existing pile, but also with future brush. Supt. Cross presented a draft resolution to participate in a contract for SEQRA work related to the Unified Sewer Project and NYS Clean Water Bond Act. There was much discussion on the wording of the resolution. Motion by Trustee Lynn, Seconded by Trustee Fleming VOTED to pass Resolution No. 5225 authorizing to participate in a contract for SEQRA work related to the Unified Sewer Project and NYS Clean Water Bond Act. Trustees Fleming, Lynn, Kusse, Collyer and Dunning voted YES. E Resolution No. 5225 Resolution No. 5225 to participate in contract for SEQRA work related to the Unified Sewer Project and NYS Clean Water Bond Act. Whereas, the Village of Cayuga Heights has made applications for funding through the NYS Clean Water Bond Act as part of a Unified Sewer Project with the City of Ithaca, Village of Lansing, and Towns of Ithaca, Dryden and Lansing, and Whereas, all of the municipalities listed above are interested in forming an intermunicipal partnership to administer the Unified Sewer Project and other related activities. All of the six municipalities are currently negotiating an agreement to establish such a partnership, and Whereas, the NYSDEC requires that an environmental impact statement be undertaken to study the effects of the Unified Sewer Project on the local areas, and Whereas, Steams & Wheler Engineers, Consultant, and Chazen Engineering and Land Surveying, Subconsultant, have proposed to provide the services necessary to meet the requirements of the State Environmental Quality Review Act ( SEQRA) for a fee of $171,300, and Whereas, the six municipalities intend to sign a contract with Stearns & Wheler to provide SEQRA services, and Whereas, the City of Ithaca will be designated as the entity responsible for the collection and distribution of payment under such contract. Now, Therefore the Board of Trustees of the Village of Cayuga Heights hereby resolves to authorize the Mayor to sign such contract once the following conditions are met: 1. Continued participation by theVillage of Cayuga Heights in this contract is contingent on the terms of the Intermunicipal Agreement including provisions for the new partnership to assume responsibility for the Wastewater Treatment Plant, 951 E. Shore Drive, that is owned and operated by the Village of Cayuga Heights. Accordingly, the Village will make payments towards contract work when the Intermunicipal Agreement has been successfully negotiated. 2. Thereupon the Village's financial obligation is limited to 1/6 of the SEQRA services contract value, in an amount not to exceed $34,000. Attorney Tyler presented his report. Attorney Tyler received a call from Dryden Town Attorney, Mahlon Perkins regarding the Sapsucker Woods sewer extension issue from our last meeting. This was in response to Mayor Anderson's letter to the Dryden Town Supervisor of April 12, 2001 suggesting the methodology to achieve the desired sewer service extension. Mr. Perkins promises a reply to us shortly. Fire Chief Day is working on a "use policy" for the fire station and will pass it on to Attorney Tyler when he is finished. There was one member of the Fire Board, which was replaced by the Fire Council. Mariano Garcia is now the 2nd Assistant Chief of the Cayuga Heights Fire Station. He was sworn in with the others at the Fire Department Banquet in April. Attorney Tyler asked for a motion to approve the slate of fire officers as it stands now. Motion by Trustee Lynn, Seconded by Trustee Fleming VOTED to approve the slate of fire officers replacing Scott Lovely with Mariano Garcia as 2"d Assistant Chief. Trustees Fleming, Lynn, Kusse, Collyer and Dunning voted YES ***************************************** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** Treasurer Silber presented his report, which is on file. The Treasurer counseled all departments to monitor their expenditures closely as the close of the fiscal year approaches at the end of this month. There were transfers shown in the Treasurer's report to be approved with the following changes: A02680.000 Insurance Recovery $4,200 A04960.000 Disaster Assistance 19,500 A01990.400 Contingency 23,700 A01110.100 JUSTICE: Pers Sery 5000 A01110.410 JUSTICE: Contr Exp 250 A01410.410 CLERK: Contr Exp 700 A01620.410 VIL HALL: Contr Exp 1800 A01640.100 CENT GAR: Pers Sery 5000 A01640.200 CENT GAR: Equip 4600 A01640.410 CENT GAR: Contr Exp 20000 A01640.440 CENT GAR: Utilities 4000 A01650.410 TELECOM: Contr Exp -3000 A01680.410 INFO TECH: Contr Exp -900 A01990.400 SPECIAL: Contingency -34750 7 A03120.120 POLICE: Pers -Non Sworn -5000 A03410.110 FIRE: DPW Pers Sery 200 A03410.200 FIRE: Equip -5000 A03410.440 FIRE: Utilities -2000 A05110.410 STREET: Contr Exp 14000 A05110.430 STREET: Insurance 1100 A05112.100 CAP IMPR: Pers Sery -14000 A05112.410 CAP IMPR: Contr Exp 10000 A05142.410 SNOW: Contr Exp 2000 A08160.100 REFUSE: Pers Sery -10000 A09030.800 EMP BEN: FICA 4000 A09040.800 EMP BEN: Workers Comp -6000 A09060.800 EMP BEN: Health 8000 F01990.400 SPECIAL: Contingency -4000 F08350.100 SYSTEM: Pers Sery 2000 F08350.410 SYSTEM: Contr Exp 2000 G01990.400 SPECIAL: Contingency -32000 G08120.410 LINES: Contr Exp 4000 G08130.200 PLANT: Equip -20000 G08130.410 PLANT: Contr Exp 48000 Motion by Trustee Fleming, seconded by Trustee Kusse VOTED to approve Transfers with changes listed above. Trustees Fleming, Lynn, Kusse, Collyer and Dunning voted YES There was one addition to the Abstract of Vouchers - A01640.440 Cingular Wireless for cell phone usage for $233.78; and one deletion - A09040.800 PERMA for premium deposit of $53,092.00. Motion by Trustee Collyer, Seconded by Trustee Fleming VOTED to approve Abstract of Vouchers with the noted addition and deletion. Trustees Fleming, Lynn, Kusse, Collyer and Dunning voted YES Clerk Manning reported on the following: . A letter was received from Diane Nathanielsz requesting the return of her $200 fee that she paid to the Village for a permit to subdivide her lot at 507 Cayuga Heights Road. She withdrew her request before the hearing took place. After discussion, the Board agreed to deny the request for reimbursement, based on substantial work done by Supt. Cross prior to withdrawal. M Clerk Manning asked for the policy regarding reimbursement of garbage tags. The Mayor said that we would reimburse money for full sheets only of garbage tags. Motion by Trustee Fleming, Seconded by Trustee Kusse VOTED to go into Executive Session at 11:50 pm to discuss personnel matters on a specific person, and to discuss with Counsel matters on contract negotiations. Trustees Fleming, Lynn, Kusse, Collyer and Dunning voted YES Motion by Trustee Fleming, Seconded by Trustee Lynn VOTED to move out of Executive Session at 12:12 am. Trustees Fleming, Lynn, Kusse, Collyer and Dunning voted YES Motion by Trustee Fleming, Seconded by Trustee Lynn VOTED to adjourn the meeting at 12:13 am. Trustees Fleming, Lynn, Kusse, Collyer and Dunning voted YES Norma Manning Clerk 0