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HomeMy WebLinkAboutReg Mtg. Minutes 3/17/2003Minutes of Regular Meeting March 17, 2003 Village of Cayuga Heights Board of Trustees Present: Mayor Lynn, Trustees Antil, Collyer, Kusse, McNeil, Staley; Attorney Tyler, Fire Supt. Pique, Police Chief Lansing, Supt. Cross, Treasurer Silber. Absent: Trustee Mount Others: George Tamborelle, Robin Cisne, Michael Lenzner, Ronald and Linda Bors, Darrell Brown, Valerie Hubbs and Morgan Staley, students at I.H.S. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 by Mayor Lynn who asked the Board to change the order of the agenda by moving the Attorney's report to follow the Treasurer's report. Mayor Lynn opened the Public Hearing on the proposed fence revision. Supt. Cross gave an overview of the existing law, and the problems encountered under it, and then this proposed change in the law. Members of the audience spoke on different aspects of the proposed changes. Height was a big issue, ranging from allowing fences up to 8' high to keeping the requirements to 4' high. It was generally felt that there needs to be some distinction between regular "privacy" fences and deer fences. The question was raised as to who is going to define a "fence". Residents are circumventing the issue of a fence by planting trees where a fence would ordinarily be placed. Robin Cisne, speaking on behalf of the ZBA urged the Board to give the ZBA as much latitude as possible when defining exactly what a fence is. This is now and has always been a "hot" issue with the residents of Cayuga Heights. It was decided that the Village will craft a proposal and reconvene a hearing on a revised ordinance. There will be a copy of the current law and the new proposed wording in the Clerk's office. The hearing was closed at 7:35 pm. Approval of the Minutes. The minutes of the meeting of February 17, 2003 were previously distributed. MOTION by Trustee Antil VOTED to accept the minutes with a change noted on page 2. Trustees Antil, Collyer, Kusse, McNeil and Staley voted YES. Mayor Lynn presented his report. The Mayor reminded everyone that the Village elections would be held the following day, Tuesday, March 18. Trustees Antil, Collyer and Staley are running unopposed. Mayor Lynn reported that the newsletter was being prepared on a quarterly basis and the web page needs to be kept up to date. The Mayor has received complaints from a resident who is not happy with solicitors knocking on his door. The Mayor directed the resident to the ordinance on the books which addresses solicitors. Cayuga Medical Center is asking the Board to appoint a Village resident to take Marian Kira's place on the Cayuga Medical Center at Ithaca Corporation for a two -year term. If anyone is interested, or knows of someone who would be interested, he should contact the mayor. Jim Larounis of The Heights Cafe will be seeking approval in the near future to serve alcohol in the summertime on the patio in the rear of his building. The Mayor suggested that the Trustees should take a walk around the back of The Heights so they will be familiar with the area that Jim is talking about when he comes before the Board with his request. Report of the Police, Police Chief Lansing presented his report which is on file. Report of the Fire Supt. Fire Supt. Pique presented his report which is on file. Supt. Pique reported that the ladder truck is out of service for the time being. Repairs amount to approximately $8000 will be done on the truck. The Ithaca Garden Club would like to present their proposed garden project to the Board at the April meeting. The Cayuga Heights Fire Banquet will be held on April 12 at the Country Club on Pleasant Grove Road (across from the Fire Station). Please get your reservations in as soon as possible. There are presently 7 active bunkers. More are waiting to come in. Report of the Supt. of Public Works. Supt. Cross distributed a written report form Stearns and Wheeler regarding the trickling filter project (copy attached to these minutes). Report of the Attorney, Regarding the fence issue, Attorney Tyler suggested that the Trustees should decide whether the Planning Board or Board of Zoning Appeals should handle the decisions under the proposed fence ordinance, preferably the ZBA. If that is the decision, the Trustees should send the draft ordinance to the ZBA for their input. On the subject of the ZBA, Mayor Lynn would like to see them schedule a monthly meeting. Two salary issues should be decided before the new budget is passed — the Mayor's which has been fixed since 1992, and the Treasurer's increase due to his extra work done with the fire contract with the Town of Ithaca. Treasurer's Report Treasurer Silber presented the Abstract of Vouchers for the Board's approval with the following corrections: Voucher 5102, Haylor, Freyer & Coon should be A03410.430 Voucher 5019, I.D. Booth should be A01640.410 Voucher 5021, I.D. Booth should be A03410.410 MOTION by Trustee Collyer Seconded by Trustee Kusse VOTED to pass Resolution 5099 to approve the Abstract of Vouchers. Trustees Anti], Collyer, Kusse, McNeil and Staley voted YES. The proposed budget was distributed and discussed. Treasurer Silber proposed that the Board meet to discuss the department requests which were not part of the proposed budget. The Treasurer presented the Tentative Budget to the Clerk and a Special Meeting to review budget issues will be held on Saturday, March 29 at 10:00 am at the Village Hall. MOTION by Trustee Antil VOTED set a Public Hearing on the Budget on April 7 at 7:00, and a Public Hearing on the proposed sewer rate at 7:20. Trustees Antil, Collyer, Kusse, McNeil and Staley voted YES. The Clerk reported that 25 resumes were received for the position of Deputy Clerk. There are 4 call backs for interviews. A decision will be made before the next meeting. ***************************************** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** Motion by Trustee Staley VOTED to move into Executive Session to discuss personnel matters pertaining to a specific employee and grievance issues at 9:50 pm. Trustees Antil, Collyer, Kusse, McNeil and Staley voted YES Motion by Trustee Antil VOTED to move out of Executive Session at 10:05 pm. Trustees Antil, Collyer, Kusse, McNeil and Staley voted YES. Motion by Trustee Antil VOTED to adjourn at 10:06 pm. Trustees Antil, Collyer, Kusse, McNeil and Staley voted YES. Respectfully submitted, Norma Manning Village Clerk