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HomeMy WebLinkAboutReg Mtg. Minutes 2/17/2004Minutes of Regular Meeting February 17, 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, Mount and Kusse. Atty. Tyler, Fire Supt Tamborelle, Police Chief Lansing, Supt. Cross, Treasurer Silber. Absent: Trustee Collyer, Working Supervisor Quick. Invite Guest: Phil Tavelli Others: Steve Beyers, Catherine O'Hora, Robert Smith, Peter Karp, Larry Stewart, John McKeown, Salah Hasan, all of Comell University. Also, Joni Carroll, Dave Gordon, Michael Ireton, Ron and Carol Schmidt. At 7:00 pm, Mayor Lynn opened the meeting. The Minutes of January 20, 2004 were previously distributed to the Trustees. There were two changes: On page 4, paragraph 2, change "of "to to "to ". Page 5; add the number 6050 to the resolution. Motion by Trustee Antil Move to approve the minutes of January 20, 2004. Trustees Antil, I{usse, McNeil, Mount, and Staley voted YES. ********************** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** The Board then convened as a Planning Board. As required by the Village's Zoning Ordinance, all building construction located in a Multiple Housing District is subject to Site Plan Review by the Planning Board. Peter Karp spoke on behalf of Cornell University for the permit application to construct an addition on the African Studies building at 310 Triphammer Road. The Trustees then asked various questions including questions on parking spaces and access for fire trucks. There being no further comments, the Board entertained a motion to set a public hearing on this application. Motion by Trustee Antil Seconded by Trustee Mount Move to schedule a Public Hearing at 7:10 P.M. on March 15 for the purpose of public comment on the application for an addition on African Studies at 310 Triphammer Road. Trustees Antil, Kusse, McNeil, Mount, and Staley voted YES. Page 1 of 6 The Planning Board then reviewed a permit application from Joni Carroll and Michael Ireton to subdivide the lot at 117 Cayuga Park Road. The proposal would create one new lot that meets the current requirements for minimum lot size (125'x150'). Since the Zoning Ordinance classifies tivs type of project as a minor subdivision, no public hearing is required. Also, the SEQRA law classifies this type of action as a Type II, wluch means that no further evaluation is required. Motion by Trustee Antil Seconded by Trustee Mount Move to approve the permit application to subdivide the lot at 117 Cayuga Park Road. Trustees Antil, Kusse, McNeil, Mount, and Staley voted YES. The Attorney reminded the applicants that once the map showing the approved subdivision was issued by the Planning Board Chair, the map must be timely filed pwer N.Y. Village Law, with the Tompkins County Clerk. No members of the Public wished to speak at the Privilege of the Floor. Report of the Mayor Mayor Lynn reported that the Board of Assessors is continuing to access property in Tompkins County. The "Courier" is currently at Challenge Industries being prepared for mailing. Mayor Lynn applauded Trustee Mount for her continuing excellent job being done on the newsletter. Report of the Police Chief — Report is on file. Chief Lansing reported on the recent resignation of one of the department's part -tune police officers. He informed the Board that he will be filling that vacancy as soon as possible. Chief Lansing asked the Board's permission to approve the sale of the 2000 Crown. Victoria (unmarked police car) not being used. Motion by Trustee Mount Seconded by Trustee Antil Move to approve the Clerk to advertise the 2000 Crown Victoria for sale by public bid. Trustees Antil, Kusse, McNeil, Mount, and Staley voted YES. Page 2 of 6 Regarding the recent robbery at the Fleet Bank, Chief Lansing reported that the facts were all being collected and an end was in sight. *************************************** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** Report of the Fire Superintendent — Report is on file. Fire Supt. Tamborelle thanked Trustee Mount for the great article in the Courier on the Fire Dept. The Chief distributed a flyer on the TIC (Thermal Imaging Camera) that was recently purchased by the Fire Department. The Chief reported that the ladder truck has gone out to bid. The bids will be opened on March 8 at 11:00 am. Chief Tamborelle also announced that fifteen new members were accepted into the latest recruit class in the fire department. Three individuals out of this class, along with three individuals from the other class are permanent residents of the fire district. Assistant Chief Marshall Stocker has done a great job on recruitment and retention. Report of the Working Supervisor — Working Supv. Quick was absent, but his report is on file. The Board wished to send a message to the D.P.W. to keep their eyes open for large potholes. Trustee Mount asked if the weather has been warm enough for hot patching? Supt Cross answered that it has been warm enough to patch, and patching is continuing to be done throughout the Village. ***************************************************** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** Report of the Supt. of Public Works — Supt. Cross reported on the following additional items: We have received the time extension from the NYSDEC on the contract for the WWTP Trickling Filter project. We are still waiting for final approval of the plans and specifications for the NYSDEC. Upon approval, we can put the plans out for bids from contractors. Steams & Wheler Engineers, ,who have designed the project, have proposed a scope of services and a fee for oversight of the bidding and construction phases of the project. The initial quote was for $87,000. The Mayor and Supt Cross felt that they had included too much time and hourly rate for the on -site inspection services. Therefore, S &W has submitted a new quote of $71,000. The final cost will be determined by the actual hours spent on the project, billed at the schedule value for the individual employee working on the job. Trustee Staley expressed great concern about time and material charges. Supt Cross explained that it is the way most Architects and Engineers bill. Although it was still felt that it was still higher than it could be, it was recommended that the Board approve the contract. Page 3 of 6 Motion by Trustee Mount Seconded by Trustee Staley Move to pass Resolution 6055 to authorize the Mayor to sign the contract with Steams & Wheler to provide bidding and construction services on the WWTP Trickling Filter project for an amount not to exceed $71,000. Trustees Antil, Kusse, McNeil, Mount, and Staley voted YES. The New York State Building Code is established by NYS Law and enforcement of the Code is delegated to the individual municipalities. Although the NYS Law specifies the code and compliance, it is up to the municipality to specify who and how the code will be enforced, and to specify the penalties in case of failure to comply. The Village does not currently have a separate local law to address these issues. Therefore, Attorney Tyler has produced a draft of a local ordinance (available for inspection at the Clerk's office) from samples provided by the NYS Dept. of State Codes Division. Since the Code Enforcement is to be established by local ordinance, the Village will need to hold a public hearing before it can adopt the new law. Motion by Trustee McNeil Seconded by Trustee Antil Move to hold a Public Hearing at 7:00 P.M. on Monday, March 15, 2004 to consider a Village ordinance to establish administration of the building code as required by N.Y.S. Law. Trustees Antil, Kusse, McNeil, Mount, and Staley voted YES. Report of the Treasurer — Report is on file. The Treasurer reported that a new server is in place in the Village Hall replacing a five year old server. All that is needed now is new back -up software. Email is now working faster. The old server may be used to do backups and it may be housed at the Fire Station to keep it off -site. The business part of the Fire Department will soon be moving to the network. Mayor Lynn asked about email capability at the D.P.W. It is still available, but the question is who will be using it. There will be further discussion on this subject. The Treasurer distributed two graphs, "Outstanding Debt" and "Annual Debt Service Payments" and gave an overview of them. There was discussion and all agreed that the graphs were a good learning tool. The abstract of vouchers was distributed electronically to the Board and Dept Heads. The FY2003 Court audit has been completed. The Treasurer is working with Olver & Assoc. to get a quotation on the various insurance coverage the Village requires and to weigh that quote with that of the current agent servicing the Village, the Ithaca Agency.. Page 4 of 6 Treasurer Silber asked the Board to approve the following transfers: From: To: Amount A01990.400 Contingency A01110.410 Court Contr Exp 500 A01990.400 Contingency A01320.410 Audit Contr Exp 400 A01990.400 Contingency A01620.410 Village Hall Contr Exp 1,000 A01680.200 Info Tech Equipment A01680.410 Info Tech Contr Exp 2,000 A01990.400 Contingency A05142.410 Snow Contr Exp 5,000 A01990.400 Contingency A05142.490 Snow Eqpt Maint 3,000 A08160.410 Refuse Contr Exp A08160.490 Refuse Eqpt Maint 1,000 G01990.400 Sewer Contingency G08110.410 Sewer Adm: Legal 1,830 G01990.400 Sewer Contingency G08120.490 Sewer Lines Eqpt Maint 5o0 Reserve Mer (prev Month) G08130.450 %CRVI'P Planning 50,000 G01990.400 Sewer Contingency G08130.460 \X,"%VI'P Pretreatment Contr Exp 1,700 Capital Fund Balance H01620.200 Village Hall Capital Expense 3,825 Motion by Trustee Kusse Seconded by Trustee Antil Move to pass Resolution 6056 approving the above transfers dated 2/17/04. Trustees Andl, Kusse, McNeil, Mount, and Staley voted YES. Treasurer Silber presented the abstract of vouchers. Motion by Trustee Antil Seconded by Trustee Staley Move to pass Resolution 6057 approving the Abstract of Vouchers dated 2/17/04 in the amount of $104,668.91 and instruct that the Treasurer make payments thereon. Trustees Antil, Kusse, McNeil, Mount and Staley voted YES ***************************************************** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** Report of the Attorney — Attorney Tyler asked the Board to prioritize four issues that he has had on his list for action. The priorities became as follows: 1. Fire access to private property 2. Use by others of the Village Hall and Fire Department 3. Mailbox usage (and damage to them). . 4. Fence height ordinance issue. Supt. Cross said that the ZBA should look into the fence height ordinance issue, as it was originally requested to do a couple of years ago. Page 5 of 6 Report of the Clerk Clerk Manning reported that in her position as Chairman of the Space Committee, she has asked Supt. Cross to contact local planners and architects to discuss ideas and proposed plans for the proposed space changes. Supt. Cross will draft a letter to distribute to the Space Committee at their March meeting, and Clerk Manning will present it to the Board at the March Board meeting. The Clerk asked the Board to approve a refund of $221.31 for overpayment of a water bill to Jeffrey Dixon. Motion by Trustee Antil Seconded by Trustee Mount Move to pass Resolution 6058 approving the payment of $221.31 to Jeffrey Dixon for overpayment of a water bill. Trustees Antil, Kusse, McNeil, Mount and Staley voted YES Trustee Mount said that the "Kids for Hire" disclaimer prepared by Counsel will be distributed to Rose Moresco for distribution to interested parties. Mayor Lynn distributed a memo from Barry P. Schwartz of the Law Dept. of the Office of the Corporation Counsel of the City of New York asking for support of the Collateral Source Bill (S.622/A.3483; formerly S.2979 -A of 2002). By amending section 4545 of the State's Civil Practice Law and Rules (the "CPLR" ), the bill would end the current inequity under which only counties, cities, towns, villages and other public employers must pay what amounts to a plaintiff's double recovery for lost future earnings in tort actions. Move to pass approve support of the Collateral Source Bill (S.622/A.3483). Motion by Trustee Antil Seconded by Trustee Kusse Trustees Antil, Kusse, McNeil, Mount and Staley voted YES Norma Manning Clerk Motion by Trustee Antil Move to adjourn meeting at 9:17 PM. Trustees Antil, Collyer, McNeil, Mount and Staley voted YES Page 6 of 6