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HomeMy WebLinkAboutReg Mtg. Minutes 1/20/2004Minutes of Regular Meeting January 20, 2004 Held at the Village Fire Station Meeting Room 194 Pleasant Grove Road Village of Cayuga Heights Board of Trustees Present: Mayor Lynn, Trustees Antil, McNeil, Staley, Collyer, Mount and Kusse. Atty. Tyler, Fire Supt. Tamborelle, Police Chief Lansing, Supv.Quick, Supt. Cross, Treasurer Silber. Others: David Dormer, Alex Traina, Marshall Stocker, Judge Galbreath At 7:00 pm, Mayor Lynn opened the Public Hearing on the proposed law to change the term of office for the Fire Chief from one year to two years. The Mayor gave an overview on the proposed change, and then asked for comments. Trustee McNeil stated that she was concerned that there was not an adequate manner in place to dispose of the Chief if he was not a good fit for the job. David Donner, a resident of the Village and a member of the CHFD for 4' /z years, stated that there have been 6 fire chiefs in office during his tenure — 7 terms were filled by 6 different people. He would like to see more stability in whatever way possible. A two year term tends to cast issues in a different light. People coming into the office know that it is a two year position and will think before making the commitment. Trustee Mount agreed. Trustee Collyer also agreed that a person accepting the job should commit to two years. Trustee McNeil disagreed. Treasurer Silber addressed the compensation of the Fire Supt. position, which, technically is a two year position. There is a procedure for dismissing a Fire Supt., if necessary. Mayor Lynn reiterated the stability factor. At this time Fire Supt. Tamborelle echoed his feelings of favoring a two year commitment and stability with this change. Marshall Stocker, 3'd Assistant Chief of CHFD, spoke. He stated that it is difficult to legislate stability. A 2 year term allows the Chief and fire council to legislate decisions that may not be as popular. There being no further discussion, Mayor Lynn closed the Public Hearing at 7:30 and opened the regular meeting of the Board. The Minutes of December 15, 2003 were previously distributed to the Trustees. Motion by Trustee Antil Move to approve the minutes of December 15, 2003. Trustees Ana Collyer, Kusse, McNeil, Mount, and Staley voted YES. Privilege of the Floor No members of the Public wished to speak at the Privilege of the Floor. Page 1 of Report of the Mayor Mayor Lynn reported that the upcoming Village election is on March 16. Trustee Kusse will not be running for re- election; however, the Mayor, and Trustees Mount and McNeil will run. The last day to submit nominating petitions to the Board of Elections is February 10. Mr. Young, a resident of the Village living on Triphammer Road wrote a letter of concern regarding the placement of a statue by Cornell on land across from his house. Mayor Lynn replied that Cornell does not require Village approval to erect this statue. The Village has begun preliminary discussion on the various municipal sewer district contracts, in the light of the intermunicipal agreement signed 12/3/03. The Space Committee, chaired by Clerk Manning, has met and is currently looking at the needs and requirements of the departments in the Village Hall. *************************************** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** Report of the Police Chief — Report is on file. Chief Lansing reported on the proposed car purchase. The Chief has put a Chevy Impala on hold and will dispose of the unmarked Ford. The Chief asked the Board to approve the purchase of the Chevrolet, with an expected delivery in February. Motion by Trustee Antil Move to authorize Police Chief Lansing to purchase a Chevrolet Impala Police Cruiser on State Contract not to exceed $20,000. Trustees Antil, Collyer, Kusse, McNeil, Mount, and Staley voted YES. *************************************** * * *** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** Report of the Fire Superintendent— Report is on file. Fire Supt. Tamborelle reported that that the promptness of the department's responses to fire /ems calls is outstanding. The Supt would like to put the fire station exhaust system, which is in the capital projects, out to bid. The bid specs are ready except for a few needed minor corrections. Motion by Trustee Collyer Move to authorize Fire Supt. Tamborelle to go out to bid on the Exhaust System. Trustees Antil, Collyer, Kusse, McNeil, Mount, and Staley, voted YES. Page 2 of 6 Firefighter Joe Lisi's final version of the Ladder truck spec is in the Fire Supt.'s hands. This version is going to Treasurer Silber for a final read. Discussion ensued on the proposed purchase of a new ladder truck. The truck being asked for is the same as the current truck 231. The question that arose was whether we want to completely rebuild the existing 231 at an approximate cost of $200,000, or purchase a new truck for approximately $550,000. Supt. Tamborelle commented that a 20 year rotation of trucks is standard. There are no state contracts on ladder trucks. Fire Council has been involved in the specs of this truck, as well as a committee of five individuals. Attorney Tyler asked Supt Tamborelle if he feels comfortable with the quality of the vendors who will be bidding. Supt. Tamborelle vouched with four vendors who he feels will bid on the truck. Motion by Trustee Collyer Seconded by Trustee Antil Move to authorize Fire Supt. Tamborelle to go out to bid on the Ladder Truck, subject to final approval of the bid documents by the Treasurer and the Attorney. Trustees Antil, Collyer, Kusse, McNeil, Mount, and Staley voted YES. Mayor Lynn asked Treasurer Silber for a short explanation of our debt service since we are now looking at a significant purchase. Trustees McNeil and Kusse are concerned about purchasing a truck now and how this purchase will relate to all the other things we should be planning. A philosophical discussion ensued on long range planning in the Village. Treasurer Silber suggested that if the Board is not ready to move ahead when the bids come in, the Board should hold off on putting the truck out to bid until they are ready to act. The Mayor is questioning how much we should spend on the roads and other infrastructure as well as the ladder truck. The roads and the future of fixing them are on everyone's mind. Trustee Staley suggested that we purchase the fire truck, and then move on. Treasurer Silber reminded the Board that the Town will end up paying for a portion of the new ladder truck according to the Fire Contract. Trustee Kusse is not if favor of purchasing a new truck now. The Mayor suggested that the Board meet with the Treasurer to work out the Village's long range plan. Trustee McNeil stated that any big purchase at this time would be irresponsible. The Mayor stated that at this time a motion would have to be made to rescind the previous motion, which was already passed. No one made a motion to that effect Supt. Tamborelle continued with his report. Josh Weisman's resume has been distributed regarding his appointment to fill the vacant Lieutenant spot (284) in Fire Council. All approved. ***************************************************** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** Report of the Working Supervisor — Report is on file. ***************************************************** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** Report of the Supt. of Public Works — Supt. Cross reported on the following additional items: Page 3 of 6 A memo was distributed from Terry Byrnes asking the Village to formally identify by assigning a street address, the piece of property she owns between 870 and 876 Highland Road as 872 Highland Road. The Board approved and directed Supt. Cross to send a letter to the Byrnes' and to notify the other appropriate parties involved on this address addition. The mail box replacement policy on file by the County was distributed for discussion. The major question is how we make decisions on mailboxes knocked over by our snowplows. After much discussion, the Mayor directed Supt. Cross to draft a policy with the help of Trustee Mount to be presented at the February meeting. Treasurer Silber suggested that the Committee include only mailboxes, not garbage cans, parked cars, etc. Information item — The Village currently has rules pertaining to enforcement of zoning laws, but not on building /fire code violations. The Board should consider adopting a law on how to bring building /fire code violators before the judge. Supt. Cross will meet with Attorney Tyler to draft a proposed law before the February meeting. Supt. Cross was recently appointed to the Governor's Sub - Committee on Code Development for Fire Codes. Contract discussions on renewing sewer agreements with other municipalities are beginning. Sewer contracts have expired with all the municipalities. We have been working on a year by year basis with everyone. We now have a chance to change the rate for the Cornell Industrial Park by charging the same rate to all outside customers. More information on this will be forthcoming. Sewer rent changes will be made at the April, organizational meeting. Cornell offers an educational program called "LEAP" which provides municipalities with environmental reviews. Currently the Town and Village of Lansing are participating. Supt. Cross has information if anyone is interested. Report of the Treasurer — Report is on file. The abstract of vouchers vas distributed electronically to the Board and Dept Heads. FY2003 audit has been distributed to the Board and Dept. Heads. Olver and Associates, a local insurance company located in the Village, has requested to quote on the Village's insurance for FY05. Sprague Insurance in Coming has also requested to quote. It was the Board's feeling, as well as the Treasuret's, to keep the bids local; therefore, a premium quote will not be solicited from Sprague. Treasurer Silber asked the Board to approve a transfer from the WWTP reserve to the Sewer Fund to cover costs associated with the WWTP improvement projects. Motion by Trustee Kusse Seconded by Trustee Antil Page 4 of 6 Move to pass Resolution 6054 approving a transfer of $50,000 from the WWTP reserve to the Sewer Fund to cover costs associated with the WWTP improvement projects. Trustees Antil, Collyer, Kusse, McNeil, Mount and Staley voted YES Treasurer Silber presented the Transfers. From: To: A05112.410 Capital Impr Contr Exp A01640.410 Central Garage Contr Ex $ 500 A01990.400 Contingency A05110.430 Streets Insurance $ 550 A05112.410 Capital Impr Contr Exp A05110.410 Streets Contr Exp $1,000 A05112.410 Capital Impr Contr Exp A05110.490 Streets Eqpt Maint $ 1,000 A01990.400 Contingency A08020.400 Planning Contr Exp $ 4,920 G01990.400 Sewer Contingency G08130.450 VAVTP Planning $15,000 G01990.400 Sewer Contingency G08130.460 WWTP Pretreatment Contr Exp $ 1,000 Motion by Trustee Kusse Seconded by Trustee Antil Move to pass Resolution 6051 approving the transfers listed above. Trustees Antil, Collyer, Kusse, McNeil, Mount and Staley voted YES Treasurer Silber presented the abstract of vouchers. Motion by Trustee Collyer Seconded by Trustee Staley Move to pass Resolution 6052 approving the Abstract of Vouchers dated 1/20/04 in the amount of $$134,815.64 and instruct that the Treasurer make payments thereon. Trustees Antil, Collyer, Kusse, McNeil, Mount and Staley voted YES Report of the Attorney — Attorney Tyler asked if the Board was going to act on the proposed Local Law #1, on which the hearing was conducted at the beginning of the meeting. On further discussion, there was the following motion. Motion by Trustee Collyer Seconded by Trustee Kusse Move to pass Resolution 6053 approving Local Law #1 changing the term of office for the Fire Chief from one year to two years. Page 5 of 6 Trustees Antil, Collyer, Kusse, Mount and Staley voted YES. Trustee McNeil opposed. Attorney Tyler distributed a copy of the proposed Village of Cayuga Heights Newsletter disclaimer for the "kids for hire" column that is being discussed. Trustee Mount will put a small notice in the upcoming edition of the newsletter informing everyone that a disclaimer needs to be signed before names can be used in the column. The fence ordinance issue should be reviewed by the Zoning Board of Appeals. Supt. Cross will take care of this. Trustee Mount reported that the deadline for the upcoming issue of the Courier is February 1. It will go to press two weeks after that. If anyone has any further suggestions on the content, please contact Trustee Mount. ***************************************************** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** Report of the Clerk Clerk Manning reported that the Village Hall Space Committee had its first meeting and is in the preliminary stages of drawing up the needs of each department. The two grants on Microfilming and Indexing Village minutes that the Village is applying for are in the process of being completed and will be mailed to Albany by the deadline, February 1, 2004. ***************************************************** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** Motion by Trustee Mount Seconded by Trustee Antil Move to adjourn meeting at 10:33 PM. Trustees Antil, Collyer, Kusse, McNeil, Mount and Staley voted YES Norma Manning Clerk Page 6 of 6