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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 2-21-2017 DRAFT.pdf EXHIBIT 2017-106 page 1 of 8 Minutes DRAFT VILLAGE OF CAYUGA HEIGHTS Tuesday, February 21, 2017 Anderson Fire Station BOARD OF TRUSTEES 7:00 p.m. MONTHLY MEETING Present: Mayor Woodard; Trustees: Marshall, Robinson, and Salton; Police Chief Steinmetz; Historian Szekely; Assistant Superintendent of Public Works Wiese; Superintendent of Public Work Cross; Clerk & Treasurer Mangione; and Attorney Marcus (arrives 8:19 p.m.) Call to Order: Mayor Woodard calls the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. 1. Approval of Meeting Minutes: January 17, 2017 (Exhibit 2017-097a) Resolution #7948 BE IT RESOLVED, THAT: The Village of Cayuga Heights Board of Trustees approves the Meeting Minutes of January 21, 2017 as presented in Exhibit 2017-097a. Motion: Trustee Salton Second: Trustee Marshall Ayes: Mayor Woodard; Trustees Marshall, Robinson, and Salton Nays and Abstentions: none Motion carried 2. Approval of Meeting Minutes: January 27, 2017 (Exhibit 2017-097b) Tabled until March Board of Trustees Meeting. 3. Report of Fire Superintendent Tamborelle (Exhibit 2017-098) Superintendent Tamborelle is not in attendance. There are no questions on his submitted report. 4. Privilege of the Floor No members of the public are in attendance. 5. Historian’s Annual Report (Exhibit 2017-099) The Historian’s Annual Report is prepared corresponding with the calendar year, as requested by Tompkins County Historian, Carol Kammen. Village Historian, Beatrice Szekely offers the mayor and trustees the following remarks about who their antecedents were on the first village board formed 100 years ago and what they were doing in the late winter of 1917. In accordance with New York State village law the board of trustees at that time consisted of a president and two trustees who were empowered to make the municipality’s laws. An interim board, having been elected immediately after incorporation of the village in June 1915, served until March of 1916 when a new board was elected to serve for one year. The same three men served on both the interim and first full-year village boards, all were Cornell faculty members. President and law professor C. Tracey Stagg served a total of four one-year terms until 1920; the trustees were professor of entomology Glenn Herrick and dairy scientist William Stocking who succeeded Professor Stagg as president, also serving four terms. There were two other elected officials, a treasurer who was Cornell math professor John Tanner, and tax collector, Walter Bells, the golf pro at the Ithaca Country Club then located on Highland Road. Cayuga Heights developer Jared Newman was appointed by the board as street commissioner, and entomology professor Oskar Johannsen was the first appointed village clerk. All these men were unpaid volunteers with the exception of Collector Bells who received 1 cent for every dollar collected up to a maximum of $1 per tax parcel. On March 1, 1917 President Stagg and Trustee Stocking met, likely in the former’s Boardman Hall office at the Cornell law school, to go over a report from Treasurer Tanner on expenses from the village’s first fiscal year that had just ended on February 28. The March 1916 to February 1917 treasurer’s report had receipts of $941.41 turned over to Clerk Johannsen to fund the first village budget. Of this $890 had been raised by Collector Bells from the first round of Cayuga Heights property taxation and the balance from county mortgage taxes and cash on hand. The property tax was levied by the village board at a rate of 3 mills, or $3.00 per $1,000 of assessed valuation, on some 70 land parcels, roughly half built on to date, with a total assessed valuation of just under $280,000. How was the budget spent? Twelve initial streetlights were installed by the Ithaca Gas & Electric Company at a cost of just over $100, and $200 was spent by Mr. Newman to take care of walkways and the dirt roadways including $8 for a street sign. Within “general expenses” a payment of $250 plus $5 interest was made to Treasurer Tanner who had loaned the village that amount to cover expenses before the first taxes were collected. The village corporate seal in use today was purchased for $3.50; costs related to the filing for the 1915 incorporation were recorded as having totaled $8. An unexpended balance of $330 was held over. EXHIBIT 2017-106 page 2 of 8 Cayuga Heights was in startup mode a century ago with a population of only 119 when the election of the interim village board following incorporation took place. Using an online-based inflation rate calculation, $940 in 1917 was worth roughly $19,000 in today’s dollars. Very small when compared with the budget that our current mayor, trustees and village department heads are building for the upcoming fiscal year starting June 1, to be partially funded by taxes paid this summer. Historian Szekely presents a report prepared by Patricia Longoria, Deputy Historian concerning the ongoing Map Archive Project. EXHIBIT 2017-106 page 3 of 8 EXHIBIT 2017-106 page 4 of 8 EXHIBIT 2017-106 page 5 of 8 Historian Szekely notes that it is imperative to identify all other Village documents require safeguarding. Many have already been moved to the Laserfiche document storage system and are used from there on a regular basis. However, some of these printed documents have historical importance to the Village and will need environmentally controlled storage to survive. The Historic Preservation Committee proposes to acquire, through donation when possible, books written by authors residing in Cayuga Heights. Carole Schiffman will lead the effort to assemble a modest collection to be housed in the display case in the Marcham Hall court room. The case will be fitted with a lock since the books are for display only; they are not intended as a lending library. EXHIBIT 2017-106 page 6 of 8 6. Report of the Mayor a. Security Cameras: Public Works Yard, Clerk’s Office, and Fire Station Lot Mayor Woodard introduces the question of whether cameras should be installed at the DPW and Fire Station. Chief Steinmetz interjects that he plans to request a larger DVR which could handle the addition of cameras in these locations. The Clerk’s office has a simple camera to video system which allows the Clerk and Deputy Clerk to see who enters the building and proceeds to the second floor. There are also two panic alarm buttons which connect to Tompkins County 911 Dispatch. Neither of these systems are located at the reception desk. DPW management questions whether there is a need for cameras at the barn facility. Ideas for less costly deterrents are mentioned. Until pricing estimates are available the project cannot be evaluated. b. Backup Generator: Marcham Hall Mayor Woodard expresses her support for a backup generator for Marcham Hall. There have been attempts in the past to provide it with backup power, however that solution relied on action by the police to set up the generator. This is problematic because during a power outage event, such as an ice storm, they are occupied with other responsibilities. Superintendent Cross will contact generator sales companies and determine if they provide design services as part of their proposed solution. Updates to the building’s wiring may be required to implement a backup power solution. c. Zoning Review The Zoning Review Committee (ZRC) is almost done with the proposed rewrite of the Village’s zoning code. It will be moved to the Planning Board for review within a time frame to be determined. Once the Planning Board is finished and it is presented to the Board of Trustees, one or more public hearings will be scheduled. 7. Report of the Trustees a. Street Lighting Trustee Salton notes that there are several nonfunctioning street lights throughout the village. The street lights are owned by NYSEG. When there is a reported outage, the information is forwarded to the police department. An officer will confirm the outage and get a pole number during an overnight shift. The problem is then reported to NYSEG. It can take several weeks or even months before a repair or bulb replacement occurs. 8. Report of Police Chief Steinmetz - Submitted reports (Exhibits 2017-100 a, b, c) There are no questions on the Chief’s submitted reports, however the first sentence of the report should reference January, not December. Chief Steinmetz explains that the 139 hours of full-time officers’ overtime is partially due to five days of bereavement leave. Regarding the injured deer report, it is not known if the deer was tagged. The standard process of informing Paul Curtis at Cornell about the deer is always followed, enabling the deer population study to be updated. Officer Brandon Manheim has been awarded the Medal of Valor at the Tompkins County Sheriff’s Annual Banquet. The recognition is for his actions during the events following the murder of a UPS driver at the Ithaca Walmart. Officer Manheim identified the vehicle on Route 13. He then participated in the subsequent chase and apprehension of the suspect. The suspect shot a firearm at him, fortunately he was not injured. Officer Manheim will again be recognized as Small Agency Officer of the Year for Tompkins County DWI enforcement. The Cayuga Heights Police Department will again receive Small Agency of the Year for the third year in a row. On May 20th, Officer Manheim and a deputy who was also active in the Walmart murder event will be recognized by the Badge of Honor Association. The Chief has been actively working on an awards policy to recognize longevity, life-saving, and valorous actions. Attorney Marcus arrives at this time. 9. Report of the Assistant Superintendent of Public Works Wiese (Exhibit 2017-101) Sandwich style signs have been created and are being used to announce right-of-way brush trimming. Public response has been positive; residents are contacting the DPW for additional information. A significant amount of brush has been cleared so that the sidewalk plow will be unimpeded. A web-based work order tracking system is discussed. ASPW Wiese has developed an Excel spreadsheet to track work orders, however a system which prompts email messages to appropriate personal and can sort and produce reports is preferred. 10. Report of the Superintendent of Public Works Cross (Exhibit 2017-102) Installation of the new belt-press at the Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) is progressing. The belt-press has been delivered and is in place. It should be up and running within the month. There has been no response regarding the Village’s report to the DEC. EXHIBIT 2017-106 page 7 of 8 GHD Engineering has proposed a WWTP inspection and plant-wide analysis. In some instances, $25,000 planning grants are available from NYS. The Village average income exceeds the limit to be considered for one of these grants. Since the WWTP treats waste from other communities, it may be possible to factor the average incomes from those communities to the extent that a grant may be obtained. It is recognized by all parties that the influent building needs attention. An engineering analysis of the entire facility with recommendations for steps to update and expand it would be advisable. The GHD proposal is tabled until additional information on the possibility of receiving a planning grant is researched. A draft permit required by NYS DEC between the Village of Cayuga Heights, Village of Lansing, and Macom has been prepared by Attorney Marcus. It will be presented to Macom soon and due to its length and complexity some modifications are anticipated. The target is to have the permit ready by the March 20, 2017 Board of Trustees Meeting. Superintendent Cross has been seeking quotes on other WWTP projects. A relighting project and a full alarm system project are among them. The cost range for relighting is in the mid-$30,000s. The first quote for an alarm system was over $40,000. There may be NYSEG rebates available for the replacing old lighting fixtures with more efficient ones. A letter from the of Ithaca WWTP has been written to the NYS DEC identifying itself as a stakeholder in regulation of Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL). Cornell University created a computer model of Cayuga Lake and provided it to the DEC. Draft TMDL regulation is expected from the DEC by the end of March. As a member of the Water Resources Council and the Tompkins County Soil and Water Conservation District, the Village is aware of the DEC’s target date. It is also known that the DEC does not intend to involve stakeholders in drafting the regulation; a comment period will occur. The new and different manner of measuring phosphorus in the lake will affect the Village’s testing protocols, its permit, and will be highly sensitive to fluctuations in flow due to wet weather conditions. The Police Department restroom remodel is underway. Tompkins County Assessment organized a meeting for code enforcement officers with Tom Knipe from the Tompkins County Tourism. ASPW Wiese and Supt. Cross attended. Room taxes are being collected from Airbnb, which in turn collects the taxes from its member properties. Establishment of the tax took place without input from code enforcement which causes problems in municipalities where short term rentals are regulated or prohibited. Inclusion in the Agenda packet, of a new monthly report from Yaw’s Environmental on WWTP operations is noted. 11. Report of the Clerk & Treasurer Mangione (Exhibits 2017-103a, b) The number of eNewsBlast subscribers is now at over 400. Jeffrey Walker, the new Deputy Clerk has started. The Tompkins County Workers Center has approved the Village’s Living Wage Certification as a Living Wage Employer. Budget work is on schedule. Resolution #7949 BE IT RESOLVED THAT: Abstract #009 for FYE2017 consisting of TA vouchers 73 – 84 in the amount of $17,146.84 and Consolidated Fund vouchers 680 - 770 in the amount of $313,773.44 is approved and the Treasurer is instructed to make payments thereon. Motion: Trustee Robinson Second: Trustee Salton Ayes: Mayor Woodard; Trustees Marshall, Robinson, and Salton Nays and Abstentions: none Motion carried (Exhibit 2017-104) A request from Neil Olver for refund of a portion of his water and sewer bill for the quarter ending January 15, 2017. No action was taken by the Board. 12. Report of the Attorney No additional matters to discuss. EXHIBIT 2017-106 page 8 of 8 13. Executive Session Resolution #7950 WHEREAS: The NYS Open Meeting Law §105 prescribes matters for which a public body may conduct an executive session; and, WHEREAS: Upon a majority vote of its total membership, taken in an open meeting pursuant to a motion identifying the general area or areas of the subject or subjects to be considered; and, WHEREAS: The conduct an executive session for these enumerated purposes only, provided, however, that no action by formal vote shall be taken to appropriate public moneys: THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT: An Executive Session of the Village of Cayuga Heights Board of Trustees is conducted for the purposes of subsections (c) information relating to current or future investigation or prosecution of a criminal offense which would imperil effective law enforcement if disclosed; (f) the medical, financial, credit or employment history of a particular person or corporation, or matters leading to the appointment, employment, promotion, demotion, discipline, suspension, dismissal or removal of a particular person or corporation. Motion: Trustee Robinson Second: Trustee Salton Ayes: Mayor Woodard; Trustees Marshall, Robinson, and Salton Nays and Abstentions: none Motion carried Resolution #7951 BE IT RESOLVED THAT: The Village of Cayuga Heights Board of Trustees ends Executive Session and returns to an open meeting. Motion: Trustee Marshall Second: Trustee Robinson Ayes: Mayor Woodard; Trustees Marshall, Robinson, and Salton Nays and Abstentions: none Motion carried Resolution #7952 BE IT RESOLVED THAT: The Village of Cayuga Heights Board of Trustees authorizes Mayor Woodard to sign a contract with White Buffalo for deer management activities for the FYE2017, not to exceed $29,000. Motion: Trustee Salton Second: Trustee Marshall Ayes: Mayor Woodard; Trustees Marshall, Robinson, and Salton Nays and Abstentions: none Motion carried Resolution #7953 BE IT RESOLVED THAT: The Village of Cayuga Heights Board of Trustees authorizes an education and special assignment payment of $750.00 to Tayo E. Johnson for her outstanding work on a new website and creation of the eNewsBlast in addition to out of title assignments during the period that the Deputy Clerk position was open. Motion: Trustee Robinson Second: Trustee Marshall Ayes: Mayor Woodard; Trustees Marshall, Robinson, and Salton Nays and Abstentions: none Motion carried 12. Mayor Woodard adjourns the meeting at 10:39 p.m.