HomeMy WebLinkAboutReg Mtg. Minutes 8/20/2002Minutes of Regular Meeting
August 20, 2002
Village of Cayuga Heights
Board of Trustees
Present: Mayor Lynn, Trustees Collyer, Kusse and McNeil and Mount, Attorney Tyler,
Supt. of PW Cross, Police Chief Lansing, Fire Supt. Randall
Absent: Trustees Antil and Dunning, Treasurer Silber
Others: Kathy Yen, Ron and Carol Schmidt
Mayor Lynn opened the meeting at 7:05 pm to the privilege of the floor. There being no
one desiring to be heard, Mayor Lynn proceeded to approval of the minutes of July 15.
Motion by Trustee Collyer
VOTED to approve the Minutes of the July 15, 2002 Board of Trustees Meeting.
Trustees Kusse, Collyer, Mount and McNeil voted YES.
Mayor Lynn congratulated Trustee McNeil on obtaining her J.D. degree.
Mayor Lynn reported on the following:
- A meeting was held with Dick Charsky of NYSEG, along with Mayor Lynn,
Chief Lansing, and Supt. Cross where Mr. Charsky presented NYSEG's proposal
for the use of the Segway HT research and development project for meter reading
in the Village.
- Tompkins County Community Development— block grant with matching funds
for building improvement. Mayor Lynn opted out of getting the Village involved
because of the amount of things the Village has going on.
A letter from the District Attorney's office was received by the Village along with
other municipalities regarding a 20% reduction in spending which could directly
affect the Assistant District Attorneys which are assigned to the different
municipalities. Tim Joseph followed up with a letter of his own explaining that
the 20% cut has not passed yet and there should be no immediate plans on
implementing any personnel changes yet.
- There are ongoing negotiations with Time Warner and the municipalities in the
area. Mayor Lynn is authorizing Cathy Valentino to act in the Village's behalf
since the Town's interest is the same as ours (Village of Cayuga Heights).
Police Chief Lansing presented his report, which is on file. Chief Lansing announced to
the Board the appointment of Jerry Wright as our new full -time police officer.
Chief Lansing reported that a letter to parents of Cayuga Heights Elementary School will
go out with their school information advising them that the school zone speed limit will
be strictly enforced when school begins.
The NYSEG "structure" has been removed from the corner of Hanshaw and E. Upland
Roads by the elementary school.
Fire Supt. Randall presented his report, which is on file.
A bunker report was prepared by Fire Supt. Randall and distributed to the Board
members. Mayor Lynn asked Supt. Randall to explain the importance of the bunkers.
Supt. Randall explained how the bunkers maintain the fire station and get the equipment
out when there is a fire call. He further explained that the fire personnel go to the station
when there is a fire call to get the equipment; however, the EMS personnel can respond
directly to the scene. There was discussion on the size of the bunker's rooms. Supt.
Randall reported that the rooms now have only one person in them, and felt that the
rooms are too tight for two people to live in comfortably. If we get more bunkers,
however, people would be assigned to two per room.
Trustee Kusse asked if we currently have enough bunkers to keep the Village safe. Supt.
Randall said that we do.
Superintendent of Public Works Cross presented his report, which is on file.
Supt. Cross stated to the Board of Trustees for the record (and for those who don't
already know) that he has provided consulting services for the Village of Lansing
Planning Board for site plan review for the past seven years. There is an ongoing project
that Supt. Cross has been working on that everyone may become aware of. Supt. Cross
just wanted to be sure everyone understood that he gives advisement to the Planning
Board — he does not represent Lansing.
The Public Works Committee did not meet in August due to the absence of Trustees
Mount and MacNeil.
Supt. Cross reported on several miscellaneous projects and expenses that were not
included in the current budget. The following projects can be handled with the current
budget:
- The planned asphalt floor for the new salt building structure was postponed until
this year. The cost will be less than $5,000 and will be paid for out of an existing
line account.
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The location of the new salt building requires the relocation of approx. 1001£ of
Bolton Point Water transmission main. The cost will be less than $5000 and will
be paid for out of the water system budget.
A one time cost of approximately $2872 for a 1001f fence along the top of the
embankment will be paid for out of contingency /reserve.
The DPW vehicles have mobile two -way radios which are in various states of
disrepair. They have, in the past, been covered for repairs under a service
agreement that the P.D. had with Motorola. The P.D. recently replaced all of their
mobile radios with new Kenwood Radios on NYSOGS contract. Therefore, Supt.
Cross believes that now is the time to install new radios (14) in the D.P.W.
vehicles. The NYSOGS contractor has quoted $6,556.31 for this project. The
expense was not planned for in this year's budget. Supt. Cross is asking the
Board to authorize the purchase of these radios to be paid out of a
contingency /reserve account. If that is not possible, Supt. Cross will forego the
purchase of a truck which is in the budget for this year to pay for the radios.
Motion by Trustee Kusse
VOTED to approve the recommendation of the Supt. of Public Works to purchase
radios for the Dept. of Public Works trucks under the appropriate accounts to be
designated by the Treasurer.
Trustees Kusse, Collyer, Mount and McNeil voted YES.
Supt. Cross discussed the request by a D.P.W. employee for a 6 week leave of absence to
attend to his newborn child. The employee requested the leave under the Family Medical
Leave Act. This act does not apply to the Village as the Village employs less than 50
employees. Supt. Cross was advised that since the request did not come through the
bargaining unit, the Board cannot deal with the request until it does come through the
proper channels (the bargaining unit), and the employee would be so advised.
Attorney Tyler presented his report.
Fire Station Close Out. Architect Bob Mitchell is close to agreement with
electrical contractor Fischbach & Moore on the final contract value. This
includes a $5,000 reduction to offset additional A &E fees. Bob Mitchell
reminded F &M that the Village is considering liquidated damages. Treasurer
Silber suggested that the Village attempt to have the bill reduced approximately
$4,800 further (to $25,000) for liquidated damages. Since Treasurer Silber was
absent from this meeting, Attorney Tyler was asking the Board's guidance on this
issue. The Board instructed Attorney Tyler to tell Treasurer Silber to proceed as
stated above.
The contract with Yaw's has been returned to the Attorney with revisions
requested by Yaw and/or his attorney.
Fire Contract with Town of Ithaca — Attorney Tyler suggested to the Board that
they think about a monetary "bonus" to Treasurer Silber for the extensive
commitment of his time and assistance in bringing the Fire Contract with the
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Town of Ithaca to its successful conclusion. Tyler suggested the amount of time
expended by the Treasurer far exceeded the duties of his position. Mayor Lynn
will prepare a resolution for the Board to discuss at the September meeting.
There was discussion on the Retirement Incentive. After review of the
requirements of fiscal benefit intended if such an incentive program were adopted,
in the light of the Treasurer's specific analysis, it was clear it would be a liability
to the Village. There was no motion made to proceed any further.
Trickling Filter — The Village of Cayuga Heights has received a proposed contract from
the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation in the amount of
$569,000 for the period February 18, 2002 through December 31, 2003 for the purpose of
making modifications in the two 60 foot diameter trickling filters at the Village's Waste
Water Treatment Plant. The NYSDEC has requested receipt of a signed contract in order
to begin processing the clean air /clean water bond act funds for the project. The Board
needs to authorize the Mayor to sign the design contract for this project with the
designated engineers for the project, Stearns & Wheler. The Attorney and Treasurer
spoke with prospective bond Counsel, Thomas Myers, of the firm of Orrick, Herrington
and Sutcliffe late last week on the financing aspects of the project.
Motion by,Trustee Collyer
VOTED to pass Resolution #5089
Mayor Lynn, Trustees Kusse, Collyer, and McNeil voted YES.
Trustee Mount abstained.
WHEREAS the Village has received a proposed contract from the New York
State Department of Environmental Conservation in amount of $569,000.00 in State
assistance for the period February 18, 2002 through December 31, 2003 for the purpose
of making modifications in the two 60 foot diameter trickling filters at the Village's
Waster Water Treatment Plant, and
WHEREAS the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has
requested receipt of the signed contract in order to begin processing the clean air /clean
water bond act funds for this project.
NOW THEREFORE it is hereby
RESOLVED that the Mayor on behalf of the Village is hereby authorized to
execute DEC contract #C301521 for the purpose of the funding of the modifications to
the two 60 foot diameter trickling filters at the Waste Water Treatment Plant with the
signed contract to be delivered to DEC with the following conditions:
That the Village is able to procure the necessary financing to pay for its
share of the project; and
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2. With the understanding that DEC will adjust if necessary the timetable
contained in the contract which was received several months after the
proposed "timetable" began running,
IT IS FURTHER RESOLVED that the Village Attorney is hereby authorized to
contact, engage and hire bond counsel on behalf of the Village, to procure the necessary
bonds for payment of its local share of the project costs, and
IT IS FURTHER RESOLVED that the Mayor is hereby authorized to sign the
design contract for the project with the designated engineers for the project, Stearns &
Wheler, with offices in Cazenovia, New York.
Treasurer Silber was absent but his report was distributed and is on file.
Motion by Trustee Kusse
VOTED to approve the abstract of vouchers as distributed.
Trustees Kusse, Collyer, Mount and McNeil voted YES.
Clerk Manning reported that she will be attending the NYCOM conference in Saratoga
Springs on September 24, 25 and 26.
Motion by Mayor Lynn
VOTED to move into Executive Session at 9:07 to discuss a matter of potential
litigation.
Trustees Kusse, Collyer, Mount and McNeil voted YES.
Motion by Trustee Kusse
VOTED to move out of Executive Session at 9:17 pm.
Trustees Kusse, Collyer, Mount and McNeil voted YES.
Motion by Trustee Mount
VOTED to adjourn the meeting at 9:18 pm.
Norma Manning
Clerk