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HomeMy WebLinkAboutReg Mtg. Minutes 8/18/2003Minutes of Regular Meeting August 18, 2003 Village of Cayuga I-Icights Board of Trustees Present: Mayor Lynn, Trustees Antil, McNeil, Staley, Collyer, and Mount. Laurie Johnston sitting in for Any. Tyler, Police Chief Lansing, Fire Supt. Tamborelle, Supervisor Quick, Supt. Cross, Treasurer Silber, Deputy Clerk Kessler Absent: Trustee Kusse, Others: irladison \Wright, Robert Seigart of Schopfer Architects, Steve Phillips, CHFD. At 7:00 pm, Mayor Lynn called the meeting to order. The minutes of July 21, 2003 were approved. Motion by Mayor Lynn to approve the minutes of July 21, 2003. Seconded by Trustee Antil Trustees Antil, Collyer, McNeil, Mount, and Staley voted YES ################################### # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # ## Privilege of the Floor Madison Wright, resident of the Village, gave a presentation on the invasion of "invasive plants" which have migrated into the Village. Mr. Wright brought a specimen of the Japanese Knotweed to show the Board. A suggestion was made that the Public Works Dept. and the contractors working in the Village recognize the species and avoid operations that would help spread it further into the Village. Trustee Mount invited Mr. Wright to write an article for the upcoming article of the village newsletter. Robert Seigart of Schopfer Architects spoke on behalf of the renovation project at the Country Club of Ithaca. Brent Cross, acting as Zoning Officer, said that since the project is within the residence zoning district, the Village is under no obligation to provide a site plan review. {A golf course is permitted in a residence district.} There was a concern about runoff water into the parking lot, but that will be addressed by the architects during the renovation process. Report of the Mayor A Public Hearing on the DEIS for Intermunicipal Sewer Consortium was held on July 31. There were approximately 20 attendees, with Supt Cross and Mayor Lynn in attendance as representatives of the Village. The Mayor will be receiving impact statements from Susan Brock soon. The "brown box ", which is being used by residents for both water and tax payments, is now going to be locked at 4:00 P.M. on the evening that the payments are due. There is a sign placed on the box informing residents of the reason for the lock. There was also discussion on a request by Dr. Stephen Ungberg to have the late payment he paid on his late tax bill reimbursed back to him. Dr. Ungberg maintains that lie put his tax payment into the brown box on time and it was removed from the box after the due date. Since there is no proof that he did not put it in on time, Mayor Lynn requests the Board to approve reimbursing Dr. Ungberg the amount of the late payment, which is $49.28. Motion by Trustee Collyer to approve de reimbursement of the late charge paid on his 2003.04 taxes in the amount of $49.28 to Dr. Stephen Ungberg. Seconded by Trustee Antil Trustees Antil, Collyer, McNeil, Mount, and Staley voted YES Given the range of complications affecting the deer project during the 2002 season, Dr. Paul Curtis has requested a no -cost extension to the deer trapping and sterilization contract with the Village. The Village has granted i no -funds extension to Comell on the deer project until December 31, 2003. Mayor Lynn, in conjunction with Chief Lansing of the Cayuga Heights Police Department, has given Dr. Paul Curtis and Dr. Milo Richmond of Cornell University percussion to discharge a dart rifle within the Village of Cayuga Heights for research purposes or emergency situations when required to capture white -tailed deer in conjunction with the ongoing Cornell University research investigation. A copy of the official notice of percussion is on file in the clerk's office. Mayor Lynn is going to appoint a committee to prepare a recommendation to the Trustees on the status of 825 Hinshaw Road. This committee will also examine the Village Hall at 836 Hinshaw Road and bring recommendations to the Board on improvements needed to house both the Police Dept. and the Clerk's office. There was discussion on "Prior Notice" and the importance of written vs. verbal notice. Counsel was asked to review the Village's responsibility regarding "Prior Notice" as it pertains to Village law. On this subject, Supt. Cross requested that the "side rear view mirror" accident of this past winter be revisited. Trustee Mount reported on the upcoming issue of The Courier. August 27 is the deadline to get articles ready for print. The department heads, along with the Public Works and Public Safety Committees have prepared various articles for the Courier and Trustee Mount is anxious to get the next issue out to the residents of the Village. Trustee McNeil reported on the ongoing improvements to the Village web page. Susan has talked to Treasurer Silber about specifics and will be investigating an outside source to help in designing the website. ************************************ * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** Report of the Police Chief — Distributed to the Board. Chief Lansing reported that Officer Jerry Wright's twin daughters are home and doing well. The Chief also reported on two issues regarding his personnel - Officer Jerry Cain developed another brain tumor and underwent brain surgery in August. The tumor was removed and he is doing well. The P.B.A. is sending out a notice to other departments in the area asking for donations to send to Jerry. Officer Jim Steinmetz's mother passed away and Jim is attending to settling her affairs. The Board extended their thoughts and best wishes to both Officer Cain and Officer Steinmetz. ************************************ * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** Report of the Fire Superintendent — Distributed to the Board. July and August were both busy months. However, there was a great display of emergency service agencies working together during the various incidents that required our fire department's services. At the last Fire Council meeting, Jon Pique, 111 Assistant Chief and former Fire Chief, resigned from the Cayuga Heights Fire Dept. Jon has relocated to the New York City area. His resignation leaves an open position in the fire department — that of 284 — Lieutenant. Supt. Tamborelle would like to move all the officers up a slot and would liken formal resolution stating the Board's approval. Motion by Trustee Mount Seconded by Trustee Antil Voted to Pass Resolution 6024 Move Officers Up One Position as Follows: 261 Chief George Tamborelle (no change) 262 Mariano Garcia 263 Steve Phillips 264 Marshall Stocker 281 Joe Lissi 282 Tim McNamara 283 Bruce Derrick 284 Open Trustees Antil, Collyer, McNeil, Mount, and Staley voted YES Supt. Tamborelle discussed with die Board his request to purchase a new ladder truck to replace our current ladder 231. Fire Supt. Tamborelle distributed a report he prepared for the Trustees outlining the costs and rationale behind his request. A copy of that report is attached to these minutes. It was determined that there needs to be discussion with the Town of Ithaca before we move forward with this purchase. Also, the bid specifications have to be written. The Board will hold on any resolution until Mayor Lynn, Treasurer Silber and Fire Supt. Tamborelle meet with Cathy Valentino of die Town of Ithaca. Trustee McNeil asked Treasurer Silber how this purchase would affect our bond ratings and our debt limit. Trustee Staley asked how we proceed if the Town of Ithaca says no to their involvement in the purchase. Treasurer Silber thinks that the Town will be receptive to this. Fire Supt. Tamborelle stressed that the truck is NOT unsafe; it could be costly to keep repairing. Trustee McNeil expressed her concerns on proceeding at this time with the purchase. She inquired about the mtntenance on the new truck, and about selling 231. Fire Supt. Tamborelle said that the warranties are getting better on the new trucks and we will incur minor maintenance costs. Also, Fire Supt. Tamborelle has been talking to two people who are looking to purchase a truck similar to ours in its present state. Trustee McNeil would Like to look into other options, i.e. new vs. used, etc. There was question of our liability if we sell the present ladder truck and something fails on it. Laurie Johnston repeated that all information about the truck would be disclosed as part of the sale. The next step will be to set up a meeting with Cathy Valentino of the Town of Ithaca to discuss this situation. The Cayuga Heights Fire Station has won first prize in Fire Chief Magazine "Station Style" awards in the renovation category. ************************************ * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** Report of the Treasurer Treasurer Silber presented the Abstract of Vouchers. Trustee Antil moved to accept the abstract as presented. Trustees Antil, Collyer, McNeil, Mount, and Staley voted YES There was discussion on the disability benefits available to Officer Jerry Cain while he is out recovering from his brain surgery. A resolution was passed authorizing the mayor to propose to the PBA the use of accrued benefit time during a non - service related disability. Motion by Trustee Antil to authorize the Mayor and his designees to enter into a discussion with the PBA regarding a disability benefit whereby the Village of Cayuga Heights will fund '/2 of Officer Cain's salary beginning this day and not to exceed 4 weeks. Trustees Antil, Collyer, McNeil, Mount, and Staley voted YES Treasurer Silber will present a resolution at a future meeting to acquire a new generator to carry a minimal load for 836 Flanshaw Road. Report of the Working Supervisor of the D.P.W. Report is on file. Report of the Supt. of Public Works Supt Cross proposed the following resolution regarding Phase II Stormwater Regulations: Motion by Trustee Antil, Seconded by Trustee Collyer Voted to pass Resolution 6025 Whereas Phase II Storm water Regulations have been promulgated by the US Environmental Protection Agency and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation; and Whereas the Village of Cayuga Heights is part of the urbanized area of Tompkins County and is a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) as defined by the Phase II Storm water Regulations; and Whereas the Phase II Storm water Regulations require that all MS4s implement a Storm Water Management Plan (S \WrifP); and Whereas the MS4s are strongly encouraged by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to collaborate in S \VlvfP implementation, including applications for funding; and Whereas the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has issued a Call for Applications for funding that may be used towards S \WMP implementation, Therefore, be it resolved that the Village of Cayuga Heights will cooperate with the other municipalities and school districts in the urbanized area of Tompkins County in seeking funding and implementing SWMPs and other activities relating to the control of storm water impacts on water bodies. Trustees Antil, Collyer, McNeil, Mount, and Staley voted YES Brent thanked Chief Tamborelle for his assistance on the Ecology House occupancy situation in his absence. There is no occupancy at 509 Wyckoff as of this date. #################################### # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # ## Report of the Clerk The Clerk requested the Board to pass a Motion as follows: Motion by Trustee Antil, Seconded by Trustee McNeil Move to authorize the Clerk to refund taxes as specified by the Tompkins County Board of Assessment. Trustees Antil, Collyer, McNeil, Mount, and Staley voted YES Trustee Mount moved to end the meeting at 9:50 pm. Trustees Andl, Collyer, McNeil, Mount, and Staley voted YES Respectfully submitted, Norma Manning, Clerk