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HomeMy WebLinkAboutReg Mtg. Minutes 8/27/2001Minutes of the Regular Meeting August 27, 2001 Village of Cayuga Heights Board of Trustees Present: Mayor Anderson, Trustee Fleming, Trustees Kusse, Lynn, Collyer, Antil and Dunning, Police Chief Lansing, Supt. Cross, Attorney Tyler, Treasurer Silber Absent: Fire Chief Day Others: Tom McCarthy, Mr. and Mrs. Wharton, Jack Little, Kay Newman, Anita Watkins, Don Campbell, Martha Hsu, and Joanne Garrard (True, Walsh and Miller). At 7:00, Mayor Anderson called to order the continuation of the Public Hearing advertised on July 6 to consider the application of Tom McCarthy to subdivide parcels 1: 4 -2 and L -2 -4 into three separate building lots. The Board of Trustees was sitting in its capacity as the Planning Board. Zoning Officer Cross distributed information on the sub - parcel L -2 -4, which was originally left out of the advertisement in the newspaper. The notice was re- advertised to include both parcels. The revised subdivision map was reviewed. Zoning Officer Cross answered a question about driveway steepness. A neighbor in the audience confirmed it would be similar to their own and workable. There being no further comment, the Mayor closed the hearing at 7:14 P.M. Zoning Officer Cross then worked with the Board through the "Short Form" Environmental Assessment Form (EAF) questions and completed it, with a "Negative Declaration" of Environmental Impact resulting. Then Attorney Tyler distributed a document wording the proposed Planning Board Resolutions to be considered in this application. Motion by Trustee Fleming, Seconded by Trustee Collyer VOTED to approve Resolution #5228. Trustees Fleming, Collyer, Kusse, Lynn, Dunning and Antil voted YES. WHEREAS, on or about July 16, 2001, Thomas J. McCarthy filed pursuant to the state Environmental Quality Review Act ( SEQRA) an Environmental Assessment Form (EAF) with this Planning Board, and with the Zoning/Code Enforcement Officer of the Village, a copy of which is incorporated herein by reference, relating to the proposed consolidation of Tax Parcels L -4 -2.2 and L -24 and the subdivision of the said combined parcels into three new building lots at 208 North Sunset Drive in said Village, and WHEREAS, notice was duly posted in the Village Clerk's signboard and published in the Ithaca Journal. the official newspaper of the village of Cayuga Heights, on July 2, 2001 and amended notice published August 17, 2001 on motion duly made by Trustee Fleming and seconded by Trustee Collyer and Trustees Fleming, Collyer, Kusse, Lynn, Dunning and Antil voting in favor thereof, it is hereby determined that the action proposed does not constitute a Type I Action as defined in 6 N.Y.C.R.R. 617.12 of the SEQRA regulations and further pursuant to 6 N.Y.C.R.R. 617 of said regulation it is determined this date, August 27, 2001, that the proposed action is an "unlisted action" and as set forth in said application, will not have a significant effect upon the environment, and may be processed by other applicable government agencies and officers without further regard to the State Environmental Quality Review Act. Motion by Trustee Collyer, Seconded by Trustee Fleming VOTED to approve Resolution #5229 Trustees Fleming, Collyer, Kusse, Lynn, Dunning and Antil voted YES. WHEREAS, on June 11, 2001, an application was filed with Brent Cross, the Zoning Officer of the Village of Cayuga Heights, by Thomas J. McCarthy for approval of subdivision at 208 North Sunset Drive which was subsequently determined by the Zoning Officer to be a major subdivision under the Village Ordinances and WHEREAS, the Planning Board met on July 16, 2001, as well as this date, August 27, 2001, both at 7:00 p.m. in the Village Hall to review this application, and WHEREAS, the proposal for major subdivision approval as submitted at the first meeting on July 116, 2001, was revised at the suggestion of the Planning Board, and WHEREAS, the matter was referred to the County Planning Department pursuant to General Municipal Law 239(l), (m), and (n), and the County having duly responded that the proposal as submitted will have no negative intercommunity, county or state impacts and WHEREAS, the hearing on the matter convened July 16, 2001, was continued to August-27, 2001, the property under review being Village Tax Parcels 1.4-2.2 and L -24 and due consideration having been given to the proposal and WHEREAS, the requirements of the subdivision regulations of the Village of Cayuga Heights, in conjunction with the New York State Law, having been met with respect to final subdivision approval, NOW THEREFORE, IT IS RESOLVED by the Planning Board of the Village of Cayuga Heights as follows: 1. The application of Thomas J. McCarthy for approval of a revised subdivision plat prepared by R. James Stockwin, P.L.S. dated 5/18/01, last revised 8/18/01, be and the same hereby is approved subject to the following condition: a. That the subdivision plat with the signed approval of this Planning Board, the Tompkins County Health Department, the Tompkins County Assessment Department be filed with the Tompkins County Clerk's Office no later than November 25, 2001. 2. This resolution shall take effect immediately. VA There being no further questions or comments, Motion by Trustee Fleming, Seconded by Trustee Collyer VOTED to end the August 27, 2001 meeting of the Planning Board of the Village of Cayuga Heights at 7:25 PM. Trustees Fleming, Collyer, Kusse, Lynn, Dunning and Antil voted YES. At 7:25 PM. Mayor Anderson commenced the Privilege of the Floor. Trustee Lynn gave an overview of the papers distributed to the Board on the proposed ISC Partnership proposal, which had been discussed at length at a Special Meeting of the Board this past June. Jack Little of Ciaschi and Dietershagen (Auditors for the Village) was present to speak on the financial status of the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Mr. Little explained that the current revenues are flat, expenses are going up much faster than inflation. The Plant is not in a bad situation but the fund balance is down. Treasurer Silber explained the fund balance had been purposely spent down at the demand of the N.Y.S. auditors. It is important to develop a model to determine the impact of any partnership scenarios. Baseline — what would happen if we do nothing, account for expenses which are growing raise sewer rates, etc. From that, you can compare the "what ifs" i.e. "selling" the sewage treatment plant to the consortium vs. "gifting" it with future cost limit guarantees to the Village, etc. Someone has to compare "apples and apples ". Try to make the best assumptions you can make. Jack suggested financial modeling... if we need that. Trustee Lynn felt that we do if we stay the way we are. Trustee Lynn asked for answers to Mr. Little's questions. There was discussion among the Board with Supt. Cross and Treasurer Silber. Trustee Lynn would like the Board to recommend to the Intermunicipal Sewer Committee (I.S.C.) one of the alternatives presented with details to be worked out later. Supt. Cross said that we need to let the I.S.C. know if we are still in the game. Trustee Kusse asked if we would lose the Lansings if we "go it alone ". There is no clear answer to this query. Trustee Lynn proposed we say that "we are ready to offer our Sewage Treatment Plant for sale ". This gives us time to get figures in place (financial modeling). Motion by Trustee Fleming, Seconded by Trustee Lynn VOTED to have the Village of Cayuga Heights communicate to the ISC that the Village is prepared to sell its Wastewater Treatment Plant to the Consortium, and become a full partner in the forthcoming arrangement. Trustees Fleming, Collyer, Kusse, Lynn, Dunning and Antil voted YES. At 8:20, Attorney Tyler had to leave to attend a previously scheduled meeting, so Joanna Garrard sat in for Attorney Tyler. Mayor Anderson asked for a motion to approve the minutes of July 16. Motion by Trustee Fleming, Seconded by Trustee Antil VOTED to approve the Minutes of the July 16, 2001 Board of Trustees Meeting. Trustees Fleming, Collyer, Kusse, Lynn, Dunning and Antil voted YES ki The Mayor gave a short report, speaking briefly about the Vital Communities Initiative. Police Chief Lansing presented his report, which is on file. Trustee Collyer asked about re- painting the double lines throughout the Village. Chief Lansing said that he would bring it up to Supt. Cross. Chief Lansing asked for a resolution to hire Jerry Wright, a new part-time police officer, to replace Deb Lawrence who resigned. Motion by Trustee Collyer, Seconded by Trustee Fleming VOTED to approve the hiring of part -time Patrolman Jerry Wright. Trustees Fleming, Collyer, Kusse, Lynn, Dunning and Antil voted YES Chief Lansing reported that the new police car is in service but doesn't have the computer installed in it yet. The Chief will urge the County to get the equipment installed as soon as possible. Fire Chief Day was not in attendance, however, his report was on file. Trustee Kusse asked how the bunkers were doing. Treasurer Silber suggested that we wait until Chief Day is present to discuss the bunkers. Treasurer Silber presented his report, which is on file. Motion by Trustee Fleming, Seconded by Trustee Dunning VOTED to approve Abstract of Vouchers as presented. Trustees Fleming, Kusse, Lynn, Antil, Collyer and Dunning voted YES. Supt. of PW Cross presented his report, which was on file. Supt. Cross reported that we received two bids for the new hot asphalt trailer. Patch King of Seattle, Washington bid $22,540 and Seneca Supply bid $12,428 for a Marathon HMT 8000. Supt. Cross proposed that the Board pass a resolution to purchase the hot mix transporter from Seneca Supply. Motion by Trustee Kusse, Seconded by Trustee Collyer El WHEREAS, the Public Works Committee of the Board of Trustees has identified a need to improve the street maintenance efforts of the DPW, and WHEREAS, the Village Engineer has recommended that a "hot mix asphalt trailer" would assist the DPW in accomplishing this goal, and WHEREAS, the Village has advertised and received bids for such equipment, and WHEREAS, although the current budget does not include provision for purchase of such equipment, the Village has a Capital Reserve for DPW Equipment, and NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the Village Board of Trustees, to authorize the purchase of (1) Marathon HMT 8000 Hot Mix Transporter from Seneca Supply for the sum of $12,428, with payment to be made from the D.P.W Capital Reserve Account. This resolution is subject to permissive referendum. VOTED to pass Resolution 5230 authorizing Supt. Cross to purchase the Hot Mix Transporter, Marathon HMT 8000 from Seneca Supply for $12,428. Trustees Fleming, Lynn, Kusse, Antil, Collyer and Dunning voted YES There was discussion regarding an identification logo for all the D.P.W. vehicles. Should we create a new logo or stay with the one we have. It was decided that the village would retain its present logo. Supt. Cross reported that we received three bids for the new salt storage building. The base bid was specified as a 40' wide x 52' long x 24' eave height, wooden post/frame structure. An alternate bid was offered as a proprietary specification. Secor Lumber bid $99,885 for the base bid as specified. Finger Lakes Construction bid $75,000 for a gambrel style alternate design, but changed the size to 50' wide x 40'. Bulk Storage bid $88,740 for a concrete wall design, and reduced the size to 40' x 40'. Supt. Cross proposed that the Board pass a resolution to accept the base bid by Secor Lumber. There was much discussion on the placement of the building. Motion by Trustee Fleming, Seconded by Trustee Dunning VOTED to pass Resolution #5231 approving the purchase of the salt storage building from Secor Lumber as drawn and subject to placement approval by the Public Works Committee. Trustees Fleming, Kusse, Dunning and Antil voted YES Trustee Collyer ABSTAINED Trustee Lynn voted NO Supt. Cross asked the Board to pass a resolution to spend up to $8500 to effect emergency repairs to damage Sunset Park. He will need to hire someone on an hourly basis to repair the stonework. Motion by Trustee Collyer, Seconded by Trustee Antil VOTED to pass Resolution #5232 authorizing Supt. Cross to spend up to $8500 to effect emergency repair to the damage done to Sunset Park. Trustees Fleming, Lynn, Kusse, Collyer, Dunning and Antil voted YES. Supt. Cross read a letter written by Steve Bradshaw of Lowell Place with many specific complaints with the D.P.W. facility. Supt. Cross has issued a directive to the D.P.W. employees that they need to clean up the property. They have done well, but Brent will continue to monitor the situation. A chain has been installed with signage at the entrance to the D.P.W. garage to list the hours of operation, etc. This will affect the use of the D.P.W. by both the Police and Fire Dept. Regarding the `outhouse" issue, i.e., the structure that NYSEG erected adjacent to the Cayuga Heights Elementary School, Supt. Cross gave the background of the structure and distributed a copy of a letter sent to NYSEG regarding an alternative design. NYSEG has agreed to take down the barbed wire fence, but would like to make the fence closed in at the top. The brush pile at the D.P.W. needs to be removed. Supt. Cross received two quotes, one for $7900 and one for $7125 to remove the existing brush pile. Motion by Trustee Lynn, Seconded by Trustee Fleming VOTED approve the cost of removing the brush pile at the D.P.W. Trustees Fleming, Kusse, Lynn, Dunning, Collyer and Antil voted YES. Clerk Manning reported that she will attend the NYCOM Conference on September 11- 13 at Hudson Valley Resort. Trustee Dunning reported on the deer project. Adelaide Gomer left a message for Trustee Dunning that the deer project is a "go" when Paul Curtis returns from his overseas trip. Motion by Trustee Fleming, Seconded by Trustee Dunning VOTED to adjourn the meeting at 10:25 PM Trustees Fleming, Kusse, Lynn, Dunning, Collyer and Antil voted YES Norma Manning Clerk