HomeMy WebLinkAbout12.15.2021_Agenda Zoom Link 4118425407
Village of Cayuga Heights
Board of Trustees
Monthly Board
Meeting
December 15, 2021 7:00 p.m.
EXHIBIT/PAGE
1. Call To Order
2. a. Approval of October 28, 2021 Special Meeting Minutes 2022-092 pgs. 2-6
b. Approval of November 17, 2021 Special Joint Meeting Minutes 2022-093 pgs. 7-19
3. Report of the Fire Superintendent Tamborelle: Submitted Report 2022-094 pgs. 20-21
4. Privilege of the Floor:
5. Report of Treasurer Laskaris: Submitted Report 2022-095 pgs.22-24
6. Report of Mayor Woodard
a. Joan Laskaris Resolution 2022-096 pg. 25
b. Williamson Accounting Training 2022-097 pg. 26
c. NYSDOT Annual Maintenance Permit for the Right-of-Way 2022-098 pg. 27
d. J2326- 1018 Triphammer Rd. Water Bill 2022-099 pgs. 28-30
e. Climate Smart Community Update:
7. Report of the Trustees:
8. Report of Police Chief Wright: Submitted Report 2022-100 pgs. 31-32
9. Report of Director of Public Works Wiese: Submitted Report 2022-101 pgs. 33
10. Report of Superintendent of Public Works Cross:
11. Report of Clerk Walker: Submitted Report 2022-102 pgs. 34
12. Report of Attorney Marcus:
13. Adjournment
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EXHIBIT 2022-092
Minutes VILLAGE OF CAYUGA HEIGHTS Thursday, October 28, 2021 Marcham Hall BOARD OF TRUSTEES 7:00 p.m. SPECIAL MEETING
Present: Mayor Woodard; Trustees: Hubbell, McMurry, Rennekamp, Robinson, and Salton; Police Chief Wright, Village
Attorney Marcus. Absent: Trustee Marshall
1. Call to Order: Mayor Woodard calls the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
• Mayor Woodard states that the significant rain event from October 26, 2021 resulted in the Village turning on the
Kline Road By-pass which sent all sewer flows from the old village directly to the Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment
Facility in an effort to keep our WWTP from reaching maximum capacity.
•B. Cross tried to inform the IAWWF Manager that this was taking place but could not get ahold of anyone.
•Trustee Robinson asks if we have heard anything back from the IAWWF? Mayor Woodard states that B. Cross did
hear back from them, and they appreciated the information and stated that the amount of sewer flow we sent to the
IAWWF was insignificant and not concerning.
•Village Attorney R. Marcus recommends filing that conversation as an official document.
2. Village of Cayuga Heights Mandated Vaccination Policy:
• Mayor Woodard states that she has called this Special Board of Trustees Meeting tonight to discuss the concerns the
Village Police Department staff have with the Board passing a resolution making vaccination for COVID-19 or testing
mandatory starting November 1, 2021.
•Mayor Woodard further states that as part of that discussion with the CHPD she would like to propose two
amendments to the original resolution.
•Trustees McMurry and Salton suggested first suggested that the Board listen to the concerns of the officer’s present
before discussing any resolution amendments.
•Village Police Officer Manheim states that he is looking for clarification on what liability the Village has when a
vaccinated, untested employee unknowingly passes the virus to a resident.
•Village Attorney R. Marcus states that it is not likely that the Village would have any different liability in a situation
when a vaccinated or unvaccinated employee unknowing infects a village resident.
•Trustee McMurry states that it is relevant to add that a determining factor would be, did the Village take all
reasonable precautions to reduce the spread of the virus.
•Village Police Officer Manheim states that no one in our department wants to cause any public health risk to anyone.
It is his understanding that some people are not comfortable yet making that healthcare decision. He knows that all
officers are on board with testing until they are comfortable.
•Village Labor Attorney J. Valentino states that for the Village to enact a policy would help minimize that liability.
Causation would be hard to prove because the Board is taking a reasonable step to ensure the safety of its employee
and residents by enacting this policy.
•Seargent Manning states that the reason he requested an amendment to the original resolution was to clarify that an
individual would not be responsible for paying for any testing in the future if testing was not covered by the County.
•Village Labor Attorney J. Valentino states that in New York State an employer has the right to mandate a vaccine
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against Covid-19 as part of the employment. An employee always has the right to reasonable accommodation from
their employer.
•Seargent Manning also states that it didn’t seem reasonable to implement the November 1, 2021 mandate since the
complexity of shift changes with part-time officers was not considered. He also asks for clarification on the
disciplinary side of this policy.
•Mayor Woodard states that the Board understands that accommodations will have to be addressed. The disciplinary
action is only designed for someone who purposely defies the policy.
•Village Labor Attorney J. Valentino states that it is not uncommon for a “re-set” of disciplinary action to be
established.
•Trustee Salton suggests that the Village of Cayuga Heights Police Department has a clause within their BPA contract
that stipulates 18 months.
•Chief Wright would like clarification on who will be responsible for the disciplinary process. Trustee McMurry states
that the exemptions will be decided by the Mayor. If there is a situation an employee wants to appeal the Mayor's
decision, then the Human Resources Committee will take up that appeal and if the employee still was not satisfied with
that decision and is terminated then it would trigger the arbitration process as stated in the PBA Contract.
•Trustee McMurry states that within the BPA contract it states the provision that trigger arbitration is not termination,
but arbitration is triggered when an "action" has taken place against an employee.
•Chief Wright states that he was surprised that the Board did not consider more input from career staff before the
Board made their decision at the October 20, 2021 Board of Trustee meeting.
•Trustee Salton states that he did offer an amendment to push back the November 1. 2021 rollout date but that
amendment was not considered by the Board at the October Meeting.
•Chief Wright further states that he respects and understands the Board's decision to implement this policy but as he
heard at the October Board of Trustees meeting, the sentiment of the Board was “get vaccinated or be terminated”.
•Trustee McMurry states that the process is affecting how the Board should have looked at this. Trustee Hubbell adds
that he felt we did get sucked up at the moment given the sense of urgency.
•Trustee Robinson states that we only meet once a month, so the Board wanted to get the thing moving and the
outcome shows we moved too fast and didn't think about all the "what if's". This discussion has added value to the
overall policy.
•Trustee Salton states that he still wants to require testing twice a week. He further states that we still have a health
crisis and we all need to help do our part.
•Village Police Officer A. Langlois states that is the Board willing the to re-write the exemption for testing since it has
been determined there is no opt-out of testing and will the Village offer exemptions for employees who are getting
tested at another workplace.
•Mayor Woodard and the Board agree that those changes will be incorporated in the final policy and exemptions are
possible from testing if you can provide proof of a negative PCR test within the timeframe testing would have taken
place through the Village.
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•Village Police Officer B. Manheim asks for clarification on quarantine and the use of sick time for an employee is
tested and then is shown to be positive for Covid-19 but a systematic.
•Mayor Woodard states that the employee would have to use their sick time but if you are vaccinated and test positive
and a systematic you do not have to quarantine.
•The Board moves on to discuss the Village School Crossing Guards. Trustee McMurry states that the crossing guards
working conditions make them a low risk in terms of impacting the public. The Board agrees that Crossing Guards are
unique and could be exempt from testing.
•Mayor Woodard states that the Board needs to amend the previous resolution to add a clause that Village employees
will not be financially responsible for the mandated PCR testing if the County eliminates funding for this program.
Resolution # 9068
BE IT RESOLVED THAT: the Village of Cayuga Heights Board of Trustees authorizes and approves the amending
Resolution 9054 to include a clause that Village employees will not be financially responsible for PCR testing if
Tompkins County eliminates funding for this program.
Motion: Trustee Salton
Second: Trustee McMurry
Ayes: Mayor Woodard; Trustees: Hubbell, Marshall, Rennekamp, Robinson, and Salton
Nays: none
Abstentions: none
Motion Carried
•Mayor Woodard states that she would also like to amend the number of testing days from two times a week to one
time a week.
Resolution # 9069
BE IT RESOLVED THAT: the Village of Cayuga Heights Board of Trustees authorizes and approves the amending
Resolution 9054 to reduce the number of Covid-19 testing days to one per week which is defined as the first workday
in that calendar week.
Motion: Trustee McMurry
Second: Trustee Hubbell
Ayes: Mayor Woodard; Trustees: Hubbell, Marshall, Rennekamp, Robinson, and Salton
Nays: none
Abstentions: none
Motion Carried
•Village Labor Attorney Valentino states that when it comes to the Village Crossing Guards there is no reason to
exempt them from the policy. Mayor Woodard will reach out to them and obtain proof of vaccination as part of the
new Village Vaccination Policy.
•Fire Superintendent Tamborelle makes the point that he does not have set hours and work a normal schedule and is
paid by the Village therefore Crossing guards should be treated the same.
•Trustee Robinson states that the Trustees fall into the same category.
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•Village Labor Attorney J. Valentino states that he will be adding language allowing an appeal process and alternative
testing from other employees.
•Mayor Woodard states that one last amendment that needs to be considered is changing the start date of this policy
from November 1, 2021, to November 15, 2021.
Resolution # 9070
BE IT RESOLVED THAT: the Village of Cayuga Heights Board of Trustees authorizes and approves amending
Resolution 9054 to move the start date of this policy from November 1, 2021, to November 15, 2021.
Motion: Trustee Robinson
Second: Trustee Hubbell
Ayes: Mayor Woodard; Trustees: Hubbell, Marshall, Rennekamp, Robinson, and Salton
Nays: none
Abstentions: none
Motion Carried
Resolution # 9071
BE IT RESOLVED THAT: the Village of Cayuga Heights Board of Trustees authorizes and approves a final Village
of Cayuga Heights mandatory vaccination policy as amended by Village Attorneys R. Marcus and J. Valentino in
conjunction with the Village Administrative Committee.
Motion: Trustee Salton
Second: Trustee Robinson
Ayes: Mayor Woodard; Trustees: Hubbell, Marshall, Rennekamp, Robinson, and Salton
Nays: none
Abstentions: none
Motion Carried
Covid Vaccine and Testing Policy
By November 15, 2021, all staff must do one of the following:
1. Provide the Mayor with satisfactory proof of COVID vaccination.
2. Submit to weekly surveillance salvia testing provided by Tompkins County (at no cost to the employee)1;
Apply for a religious or medical exemption for submitting to the saliva test.*
*Information on how to apply for an exemption will be provided to any employee requesting it. If an exemption is
granted, the parties will need to engage in an interactive process to determine if a reasonable accommodation can be
provided. If an exemption is denied and/or a reasonable accommodation cannot be provided to those granted an
exemption, the employee will need to either provide proof of vaccination, submit to weekly testing, or be subject to the
consequences set forth below.
Weekly Testing Protocol
On the first day of the week that an employee is scheduled to work, they must take a saliva test with a kit that will be
provided at no cost to the employee.
Once you have completed the test, you will put the sealed vial in an outer plastic bag and into the locked drop box in
the police department. The exact placement is TBD. The kits will be picked up twice weekly by Tompkins County
Health Department personnel on Tuesday and Thursday.
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Consequences for Missing a Test
1. Step One. The first missed test receives a verbal non-disciplinary warning.
2. Step Two. Second missed test within 30 days receives a written notice of discipline that is put in the
employee’s personnel file.
3. Step Three. Third missed test within 30 days receives a suspension without pay that will last until the person is
tested or 30 days, whichever is shorter. Failure to get tested within 30 days will result in termination.
4. Once an employee has received a verbal warning at any time, the next time a test is missed there will be no
verbal warning and the discipline process will initiate at Step Two.
5. Once an employee has received two written warning(s) at any time, there will be no further written warnings
and the discipline process will initiate at Step Three.
6. Once an employee has received a suspension for missing a test and then is returned to work, the next time a
test is missed the employee will be subject to a second suspension per Step Three.
7. Once an employee has received two suspensions at any time, there will be no further suspensions for
violations and the next missed test will result in termination.
Consideration will be given for extenuating circumstances, at the discretion of the Village. A weekly test will not be
necessary if an employee is not at work for the entire week.
1 In the alternative to taking the Village's saliva test, an employee may submit to the Mayor proof of a COVID test
result taken by an approved third party (such as a doctor's office or approved testing facility) administered within 48
hours of the employee's first shift of the week.
3. Adjournment: Mayor Woodard adjourns the meeting at 8:36 p.m.
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EXHIBIT 2022-093
Minutes VILLAGE OF CAYUGA HEIGHTS Wednesday, November 17, 2021 Zoom Meeting ID # 4118425407 BOARD OF TRUSTEES 7:00 p.m. SPECIAL MEETING
Present: Mayor Woodard; Trustees: Hubbard, Marshall, McMurry, Rennekamp, Robinson, and Salton; Police Chief Wright;
Village Engineer Cross; Director of Public Works Wiese; Clerk Walker; Treasurer Laskaris; Treasurer Dolch; Attorney Marcus;
Planning Board Members, Chair F. Cowett, M. Johnston, E. Quaroni, Andy Monroe, R. Segelken
1. Call to Order: Mayor Woodard calls the Special Joint Board of Trustees meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. Planning
Board Chair F. Cowett call the Village Planning Board Meeting to order as well.
•The following minutes on the RaNic Gold Club Planned Development Zone were prepared by Planning Board Chair
F. Cowett.
2. RaNic Golf Club Planned Development Zone Presentation (PDZ):
•S. Whitaker, owner of RaNic Golf Club, states that his objective is to transform the former Ithaca Country Club into
a full-service golf club with lodging. Over the last few months, he has learned that changes need to be made to
support this type of operation.
•N. Demarest, STREAM Collaborative, states that he will present some concepts for making changes to the property;
consultants include STREAM Collaborative which will advise on architecture, landscape architecture, and golf
course improvements, Jason Demerest who will advise on improvements to the existing clubhouse, and Marathon
Engineering which will advise on stormwater management, utilities, and interaction with the NYS DEC; the property
consists of 120 acres of which 15 acres are located in the Village of Cayuga Heights and 105 acres are located in the
Town of Ithaca.
•Any changes sought in Cayuga Heights will require the creation of a Planned Development Zone (PDZ) by the
Village's Board of Trustees; a PDZ in Cayuga Heights requires a 5-acre minimum and, for the purposes of this PDZ,
the entire 15 acres located in Cayuga Heights should be considered the PDZ; a PDZ would facilitate the best use of
the property not permitted under existing zoning and is consistent with the purpose of a PDZ as articulated in § 305-
43. An of Village E-Code in that it affords flexibility in land use encourages development in an imaginative and
innovative way and promotes the objectives and recommendations of the Village’s comprehensive plan;
•the Streamsong Resort in Bowling Green FL, the Sand Valley Resort in Nekoosa WI, and the Bandon Dunes Resort
in Bandon OR are three golf-focused facilities serving as inspiration for this project; the Bandon Dunes clubhouse
and its shingle roof are consistent with the architecture found in Cayuga Heights and may serve as a model for the
changes needing to be made to the existing RaNic clubhouse.
•S. Whitaker states that the plan for RaNic is to create a golf-focused operation that will become a destination for
golfers coming to stay and play; this type of destination stay and play concept requires RaNic to transition to more of
a lodging facility.
•N. Demarest states that in keeping with the stay and play concept, RaNic's existing pool house will become a three-
story boutique inn overlooking the golf course’s 18th green that will accommodate visitor stays; there will also be 9
stand-alone cabanas associated with the inn tucked into the nearby woods; RaNic would additionally like to
incorporate condominium townhouses into portions of the property; this housing would be comprised of 32
townhouses and would include a mix of both two-story units and one-story aging-in-place units
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•S. Whitaker states that townhouses are being proposed partly in response to requests from current club members
who are empty nesters wishing to scale down the size of their current housing and who may also be snowbirds
interested in spending the winter months away from Ithaca in a warmer climate; the boutique inn will provide a
lodging option not currently available to the Cornell community, including parents dropping off students on move-in
day.
•N. Demarest states that a presentation similar to this one will be made in December to the Town of Ithaca; the
project team envisions a formal application being made to the Village in January, design and engineering plans to be
finalized in the spring and summer of 2022, groundbreaking to begin in the fall of 2022, and the facility to open in
the fall of 2023.
•Trustee P. Salton asked if the drawings shown in the presentation can be shared with the Village. N. Demarest states
that he will share the drawings with Code Enforcement Officer B. Cross for distribution to Board members; the
drawings show the creation of a driveway leading from RaNic onto Hanshaw Road; this driveway will reduce the
project’s potential traffic impact on Pleasant Grove Road.
•Trustee M. McMurry asked about the approximate number of housing and lodging units and the demands to be
placed on parking. N. Demarest states that 32 townhouses are currently envisaged, but that number may need to
be reduced for stormwater management needs; the inn will be comprised of 24 to 32 rooms and 9 cabanas.
•Trustee K. Hubbell asked whether there will be a relationship between RaNic and the adjacent Cornell golf course.
N. Demarest states that there is a close relationship with the Cornell course; Cornell is in the process of renovating its
course and there are discussions between RaNic and Cornell concerning drainage; the possibility of reciprocal
playing privileges between the two courses will also be explored.
•Trustee J. Marshall asked about the potential traffic impact on existing roads and neighboring intersections. N.
Demarest states that the project team will be looking at traffic closely and will likely hire a traffic engineer to
determine that impact but has yet to do so.
•Planning Board Chair F. Cowett asked if the number of townhouses dwelling units is equivalent to the number of
townhouses. N. Demarest states that they are equivalent and currently total 32.
•Planning Board Member, M. Johnston asked if the townhouses will be privately owned. N. Demarest states that the
townhouses will be privately owned, but owners will not be responsible for managing areas exterior to them, similar
to a condo.
•N. Demarest also states that there will be an increase in roadway surface, and the increase will not be insignificant,
but the increase has not yet been calculated; emphasis has been given to introducing the housing and lodging
proposals.
•Planning Board Member, M. Johnston asked if there is a concern for creating a greater visual boundary between the
RaNic and Cornell golf courses. N. Demarest states that there are ongoing discussions about the boundary between
the two courses due to a large portion of the RaNic course draining across the Cornell course; a better definition
between the two courses is therefore being considered.
•Planning Board Member, E. Quaroni asked how the inn cabanas will be used. N. Demarest states that the cabanas
should be considered to be stand-alone cabins associated with the inn which afford greater privacy than the rooms in
the inn.
•Trustee P. Salton asked if the cabanas will be offered for sale. N. Demarest states that the cabanas will not be for sale.
•Trustee R. Robinson asked about the number of persons occupying the site with 80% in occupancy. N. •Demarest
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states that he would estimate townhouse occupancy to be one- and one-half persons per townhouse, or 48 persons,
plus 39 hotel rooms at 80% occupancy, for an approximate 60 to 75 persons on site.
•Trustee R. Robinson asked about the number of employees on-site and the increase from current staffing. S.
Whitaker states that current golf course staffing is 4 full and 4 part-time employees and will increase to 8 full and
8 part-time employees; clubhouse staffing will increase from 8 to 15.
•At this time the RaNic presentation was concluded.
•Planning Board Chair adjourns the Village Planning Board meeting at 7:39 p.m.
•The Village Board of Trustees resumes their agenda at 7:39 p.m.
3a. Approval of Meeting Minutes: October 20, 2021 (Exhibit 2022-083)
Resolution # 9072
BE IT RESOLVED THAT: the Village of Cayuga Heights Board of Trustees approves the October 20, 2021 meeting
minutes as presented.
Motion: Trustee Marshall
Second: Trustee Rennekamp
Ayes: Mayor Woodard; Trustees: Hubbell, Rennekamp, Robinson, and Salton
Nays: none
Abstentions: Trustee McMurry
Motion Carried
3b. Approval of Meeting Minutes: October 28, 2021 (Exhibit 2022-084)
•The Board tabled approving October 28, 2021; Meeting Minutes until Trustee Salton had time to review them.
4. Report of Fire Superintendent Tamborelle: Submitted Report (Exhibit 2022-085)
•Fire Superintendent Tamborelle states that things are going well at the fire station. He also states that the ladder truck
will be delivered in the first week of February.
•From Fire Superintendent Tamborelle’s report, Trustee Robinsons asks if there were any repercussions for the
occupants at the sorority that had an activated carbon monoxide alarm but did not evacuate the building. Fire
Superintendent Tamborelle states that his staff carry multi-gas detectors on all the heavy apparatus and when
they entered the building the detector alarm activated almost immediately showing CO levels of 180 ppm.
Any reading above 18 ppm is dangerous. At that point they evacuated the house and during the investigation
found that the highest levels were in the furnace room. The furnace was turned off and NYSEG tagged the
furnace out of service.
•Trustee Hubbell is concerned that with winter coming someone should inspect the flue and make sure gases
are not getting trapped. Chief Tamborelle states that this is a good idea, but beyond the scope of emergency
services.
•B. Cross states that he will inspect the property or if the Village Fire Inspector, Chris Hamilton is available he will ask
him to go inspect the property.
5. Privilege of the Floor: No members of the public wish to speak.
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6. Report of Treasure Laskaris: Submitted Report (Exhibit 2202-086)
•Treasurer Laskaris introduces Village Treasurer L. Dolch to the Board. Treasurer Laskaris states that there are several
budget modifications that need resolutions tonight.
Resolution # 9073
BE IT RESOLVED THAT: the Village of Cayuga Heights Board of Trustees approves a Budget increase of $30,692
in the EMPLOYEE BENEFITS Retirement account A9010.800 to be funded from the Police/Fire account A9015.800
budget surplus of $4,889 and the General Fund remainder of $25,803 from Contingency A1990.400 currently with a
balance of $96,880; a Budget increase to Water Fund Retirement account F9010.800 of $2,500 funded from Water
Contingency currently with a balance of $20,000 and a Budget increase to Sewer Fund Retirement account G9010.800
of $2,829 funded from Sewer Contingency currently with a balance of $35,000.
•Treasurer Laskaris states that she does not know why our numbers were so far off since the amounts come from the
NYS.
•Trustee Salton asks if this information was discussed at the Village Finance Committee. Mayor Woodard states yes,
these budget modifications are a result of those discussions.
Motion: Trustee Salton
Second: Trustee Hubbell
Ayes: Mayor Woodard; Trustees: Hubbell, Marshall, McMurry, Rennekamp, Robinson, and Salton
Nays: none
Abstentions: none
Motion Carried
•Treasurer Laskaris states that the reason for the next several resolutions resulted from a retiree passing away and
staffing changes that affect current health care expenses as well as the retiree healthcare plan.
Resolution # 9074
BE IT RESOLVED THAT: the Village of Cayuga Heights Board of Trustees approves a Budget increase of $4,587
in the Retiree Healthcare account A9060.820 to be funded from Contingency A1990.400 resulting in a Budget of
$124,693; a Budget increase to Water Fund Healthcare account F9060.820 of $318 resulting in a Budget of $10,209
funded from Water Contingency and a Budget increase to Sewer Fund Healthcare account G9060.820 of $3,500
resulting in a Budget of $10,938 funded from Sewer Contingency.
Motion: Trustee McMurry
Second: Trustee Robinson
Ayes: Mayor Woodard; Trustees: Hubbell, Marshall, McMurry, Rennekamp, Robinson, and Salton
Nays: none
Abstentions: none
Motion Carried
Resolution # 9075
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BE IT RESOLVED THAT: the Village of Cayuga Heights Board of Trustees approves a Budget increase of $3,825
in the BRI Out-of-Pocket Subsidy account A9060.811 to be funded from Contingency A1990.400 resulting in a
Budget of $102,744; a Budget increase to Water Fund BRI Out-of-Pocket Subsidy account F9060.811 of $1,513
resulting in a Budget of $8,461 funded from Water Contingency and a Budget increase to Sewer Fund BRI Out-of-
Pocket Subsidy account G9060.811 of $2,232 resulting in a Budget of $9,670 funded from Sewer Contingency.
Motion: Trustee Marshall
Second: Trustee Rennekamp
Ayes: Mayor Woodard; Trustees: Hubbell, Marshall, McMurry, Rennekamp, Robinson, and Salton
Nays: none
Abstentions: none
Motion Carried
Resolution #
BE IT RESOLVED THAT: the Village of Cayuga Heights Board of Trustees approves a Budget increase of $7,932
in the Police Health Insurance account A9060.800 to be funded from Contingency A1990.400 resulting in a Budget of
$132,413.
•The Board did not make a motion on this resolution and therefore this will be presented at the December Board of
Trustees Meeting.
Resolution # 9076
BE IT RESOLVED THAT: the Village of Cayuga Heights Board of Trustees approves a Budget decrease of $11,847
in the Sewer Fund Non-Bargaining Employee Healthcare account G9060.800N to be transferred to Contingency
G1990.400 resulting in a Budget of $5,228.
Motion: Trustee Robinson
Second: Trustee McMurry
Ayes: Mayor Woodard; Trustees: Hubbell, Marshall, McMurry, Rennekamp, Robinson, and Salton
Nays: none
Abstentions: none
Motion Carried
Resolution # 9077
BE IT RESOLVED THAT: the Village of Cayuga Heights Board of Trustees approves a Budget increase of $1,535
in the General Fund Teamsters Healthcare account A9060.800T to be funded from Contingency A1990.400 resulting
in a Budget of $105,730 and a Budget increase in Sewer Fund Teamsters Healthcare account G9060.800T of $3,820
resulting in a Budget of $9,951 funded from Sewer Contingency.
Motion: Trustee Marshall
Second: Trustee Salton
Ayes: Mayor Woodard; Trustees: Hubbell, Marshall, McMurry, Rennekamp, Robinson, and Salton
Nays: none
Abstentions: none
Motion Carried
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•Trustee Salton states that we have never had budget modifications during the year, why now.
•Trustee Robinson states that in the past we (the Board) have always given the Village Treasurer a blanket resolution
to make all budget modifications at the end of the fiscal year. Now, through a recommendation from the Village
Finance Committee, we are requesting any budget modifications to be presented to the board at any given time.
•Treasurer Laskaris states that the out of balance budget for non-bargaining healthcare had to be some kind was of
carryover from the previous year.
•Trustee Salton thanks Treasurer Laskaris and the Board for providing this information.
•Treasurer Laskaris states that there is a September draft reconciliation on the agenda, and she is still working on
closing October, and the last item on her report is the approving the monthly abstract.
Abstract # 6
Resolution: 9078
BE IT RESOLVED THAT: the Village of Cayuga Heights Board of Trustees approves Abstract #6 for FYE2022
consisting of TA vouchers 38 - 45 in the amount of $20,688.48 and Consolidated Fund vouchers 394 - 481 in the
amount of $895,938.80 and the Treasurer is instructed to make payments thereon.
Motion: Trustee Rennekamp
Second: Trustee McMurry
Ayes: Mayor Woodard; Trustees: Hubbell, Marshall, McMurry, Rennekamp, Robinson, and Salton
Nays: none
Abstentions: none
Motion Carried
7. Report of Mayor Woodard:
.
a. Report on Vaccination Testing: The Village began COVID-19 testing to Village employees who have not
indicated that they are fully vaccinated. The Village has a total of 47 employees of which 5 have not shown their
vaccination status. 4 within the police department and 1 in the administrative staff.
•No discussion from the Board
b. Employee Identification: In an effort for the public to identify Village staff the Village Department Heads
suggested that the Board take up this discussion.
•Mayor Woodard states that in the event that Village Engineer, B. Cross or Director of Public Works M. Wiese or Fire
Inspector C. Hamilton or a summer intern has to go onto a Village residents’ property they should have some form of
identification.
•Police Clerk J. Carr has developed a lanyard identification card for the Village Fire Inspector which is passed around
to the Board members.
•Trustee McMurry states that a lanyard seems like a simple solution to offer but asks why we don’t have one for all
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staff members not just for the Village Engineer and a few select others.
•Director of Public Works M. Wiese and Village Engineer both express that they have never had any negative
experience with a Village resident not trusting who they say they are.
•Trustee Salton states that the Public Safety Committee recommendation is if you are knocking on someone’s door
unannounced that you have some form of identification such as a lanyard around your neck.
•Trustee Robinson asks the Board if we are going to require identification for all staff?
•Trustee McMurry states that she doesn't see a downside to every staff member having the identification and only
wearing the identification when a staff member is going onto someone's property which is unusual and unlikely so just
have the identification in the vehicles or at the barn.
•Trustee Marshall states that he thinks this is helpful but wonders if it is worth the imposition for the number of times
an employee would use it or need it.
•Mayor Woodard states that she does not think the DPW staff needs to have a Village employee identification
Lanyard.
•Trustee Salton states that all Village employees need to either have identification or none at all.
•Trustee Robinson states we should start with providing Village identification for the Village Engineer, Director of
Public Works, Village Fire Inspector, and summer intern.
•Director of Public Works M. Wiese states that he can attempt to have the DPW staff wear them when they are going
onto private property. He could also just have the staff call him and he would approach the property owner.
•Trustee Hubbell states that this is a kind of courtesy to the Village Community to have our employees identifiable.
•Trustee Marshall states that we can provide Village staff with identification Lanyards, but it is not mandated for them
to wear them. Trustee McMurry states that we should make it mandatory for the Fire Inspector, Village Engineer,
Director of Public Works, and summer intern.
•In closing Mayor Woodard states that going forward the Village Fire Inspector, Village Engineer, Director of Public
Works, and summer intern will be given a Village identification that they will be required to wear when approaching a
Village residents property. The DPW staff will also be given an identification lanyard and will wear theirs when the
situation becomes reasonable.
c. EMS Task Force Resolution: Mayor Woodard states that this came from the Tompkins County Council of
Governments (TCCOG). The Dryden Town Board has drawn attention to the need to recognize the shortage of
ambulance services in rural areas.
Resolution: 9079
WHEREAS, the Village of Cayuga Heights Board of Trustees recognizes the critical role that ambulance services
providers in rural communities,
WHEREAS, the Village of Cayuga Heights Board of Trustees understands that rural ambulance companies are under
unprecedented financial stress which is causing many rural companies to shut down and others to take on larger
service areas, which increases response times,
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WHEREAS, the decreasing availability of ambulance service creates issues equity that impacts poorer disadvantaged
communities in remote areas,
WHEREAS, the Town of Dryden in Tompkins County, and many other rural municipalities have been forced to
substantially increase their ambulance tax rates in 2020, causing a regressive tax burden on low-income households,
WHEREAS, fewer people are pursuing the paramedic profession, primarily due to extremely low pay and a stressful
work environment. Therefore, there is a growing shortage of Paramedics forcing ambulance companies to compete in
recruiting and retaining qualified staff,
WHEREAS, the problems facing Dryden are shared by rural municipalities throughout New York state,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Villag of Cayuga Heights requests that the Honorable Kathy Hochul,
Governor of the State of New York, sign pending legislation establishing the New York State Rural Ambulance Task
Force, Senate Bill S3503C.
ALSO RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution, accompanied by a letter from the town, be sent to Governor
Hochul, Senator Hinchey, Senator Helming, Senator Oberacker, and Assemblywoman Kelles.
Motion: Trustee Robinson
Second: Trustee Hubbell
Ayes: Mayor Woodard; Trustees: Hubbell, Marshall, McMurry, Rennekamp, Robinson, and Salton
Nays: none
Abstentions: none
Motion Carried
d. Gang of Six Update:
•Mayor Woodard states that the significant rain event from the other night resulted in the Village turning on the Kline
Road By-pass which sent all flows from the Old Village directly to the Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Facility. As
part of the new agreement with the " Gang of Six," the Village will be paying the City of Ithaca $10,500 annually for
the ability to send sewage to the IAWTF Plant.
•Mayor Woodard states that she is hopeful that Susan Brock will have the new draft agreement soon.
9. Report of The Trustees:
a. Walking Safe Cayuga Heights Update:
•Trustee McMurry states that the Walking Safe team met with NYSDOT regarding the most recent request for changes
to the project resulting from the historic resources review. The meeting was productive and resulted in a new outlook
on this project. The Village will be able to explain why the NYSDOT request to relocate the sidewalk to the other side
of Kline Road does not make sense for this project and justify the reasons and submit that back to NYSDOT.
•Trustee McMurry also states that it was good to hear from the NYSDOT that we have the opportunity to push back
when there is an unreasonable request on a project and hopefully, we can apply this learning curve on future projects
.
b. Tompkins County Municipal Health Insurance Consortium Update:
•Trustee Salton states that the Greater Tompkins County Municipal Health Insurance Consortium has increased the
2022 premium rate by five percent.
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8 . Report of Police Chief Wright: Submitted Report (Exhibit 2022-088)
•Police Chief Wright states that both of the new part-time police officers have started their two-month field training
program.
•Mayor Woodard asks Chief Wright if he had any comments on the article in the Ithaca Voice which criticized the
amount of law enforcement deployment for the shooting suspects that were pulled over in the Village last week.
•Chief Wright states that he did not view the article but has heard his name was mentioned in it. Chief Wright also
states that he has discussed the incident with Sheriff D. Osborne but has not received any call from the individual who
wrote that article.
•Trustee McMurry states that she would like to commend Chief Wright and the Village Police Department for all the
support with this incident. It reminded her of how fortunate we are to have a local police department. Trustee
McMurry elaborated that the article was trying to make that point that in light of the charges that were ultimately filed
was the law enforcement response proportionate. Trustee McMurry feels that the article did not accurately take into
account the context of the incident, the timing of it, the nature of our Village, and the fact that we have a lot of
residents who are out walking around at that time of day and that the tone of the article was unfair.
•Trustee Salton states that he doesn’t think any law enforcement agency did anything wrong handling this situation.
All agencies did a marvelous job with this. Trustee Salton further states that the takeaways as a member of the public
is we are hearing about guns going off all the time downtown and we don't want this to be acceptable behavior in our
Village.
•Chief Wright states that given that type of circumstance is very dynamic and extremely stressful and there's a lot of
different ways it can go and is something that changes very quickly, and we have to adapt to it with an understanding
of worst-case scenarios and trying to protect the people we serve.
•Chief Wright further states that the author of the article has not contacted him at any point regarding the incident. has
a lot more he could say in regards to the individual that wrote that article. He has yet to see or hear anything positive
ever written about law and order. He also finds it interesting that he's yet to ever call me at any point in regards to
anything specifically since that incident obviously occurred in the village.
•In closing Chief Wright states that it is very fortunate how the situation played out. We know who the other individual
is and it is just a matter of time before he'll be held accountable for his actions, at least in this incident.
•Mayor Woodard states that she didn’t mean to imply any criticism of Chief Wright or any other officers. She feels
that Chief Wright all the staff did a really good job handling this situation.
•Trustee Rennekamp states that at the Cayuga Heights Elementary School PTA meeting the principal had mentioned
reaching out to the Village Police Department for a debriefing on the dismissal process from that incident.
•Chief Wright states that he would be happy to meet to discuss that process. Once he knew the suspects were in a
different area of the Village, he felt the next step was to get these kids and parents who obviously were in an extremely
stressful state. We wanted to reunited them as efficiently and safely as possible. We sent two of our officers down to
CHES, along with two of the Cornell officers, and we actually connected with the bus garage and school to try to
facilitate recess as easily and safely as possible.
9. Report of Director of DPW Wiese: Submitted Report (Exhibit 2022-089)
•Director Wiese states that the Precision Group started on October 26, 2021, and lined the Pleasant Grove Road sewer
line. The project was completed on November 5, 2021. The Precision Group will now camera the line to make sure the
sleeving was complete.
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•A fire hydrant that was damaged by a vehicle involved with the active shooter incident was fixed and upgraded with a
commercial connection rather than a residential connection. At the same time, it was noticed that there were 2 other
hydrants within 100 feet of each other. At first, Director Wiese thought he could just remove one hydrant but it turns
out that the other two hydrants feed off of two different water mains which would be necessary if one water main went
down while fighting a fire in the area.
•Director Wiese states that Bolton Point has started their evaluation of hydrants in the Village. This process involves
checking to ensure caps are accessible and ensuring the valves associated with the hydrant are operating. This has
resulted in one hydrant needing to be replaced and 3 valves needing to be addressed. It is likely that a fair number of
the Village hydrants will need to be replaced since a majority are forty to fifty years old.
He is recommending Bolton Point hold off on any further work until Spring. The Board will need to budget for this
cost in the next fiscal year.
•Trustee Robinson asks if the hydrants that are in need of new valves, could be used if the fire department needed
them? Director Wiese states that they would work but would not be able to be shut off once open.
•Trustee Marshall asks if the hydrants could test properly during the flow testing that Bolton Point is performing but
still need to be replaced because of its age? Director Wiese states that the answer is yes, but he would not have a
reason to replace it if it was functioning properly.
•B. Cross states that since Bolton Point is performing a flow test of all Village hydrants every three years, we could
use their data for our own study on replacement costs.
•Director Wiese states that the last item on his agenda is the Tompkins County Shared Services renewable agreement
that the Village has supported over the years.
Resolution: 9080
BE IT RESOLVED THAT: the Village of Cayuga Heights Board of Trustees approves and authorizes Mayor
Woodard to sign the Intermunicipal Shared Services Agreement with the understanding that the word “sate” is
corrected to “state” in section 4 of the agreement in Exhibit 2022-090
Motion: Trustee Salton
Second: Trustee McMurry
Ayes: Mayor Woodard; Trustees: Hubbell, Marshall, McMurry, Rennekamp, Robinson, and Salton
Nays: none
Abstentions: none
Motion Carried
9. Report of Village Engineer Cross:
a. The Cornell North Campus Residential Expansion Project Road Use Agreement:
•B. Cross states that the work on Phase 2 of this project is winding down, the amount of heavy truck traffic is expected
to taper off to “normal” levels with occasional trucks to/from the site. Cornell has asked to review the “wear and tear”
on the Village roads for the purpose of establishing the amount of money that they will be responsible for
reimbursement to the Village. We have received cost estimates from Seneca Stone for the replacement of the asphalt
(grinding out and laying new) on Pleasant Grove Road and a new surface overlay on N. Triphammer Road. The total
cost of this work, inclusive of some aggressive consideration for material cost escalation, came out to $500,000.
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This is including the cost of the paving work that was done by the contractor on Hanshaw Road which came out to
about $30,000.
•In an attempt to allocate a fair/reasonable amount of cost to the project vs the village's obligation to provide a road in
good repair to the public, we arrived at a value of 50%. Therefore, we have unofficially discussed the amount of
reimbursement to be $300,000, which was arrived at by taking 50% of $500,000, plus the avoidance cost of $50,000
for another Geotech study.
•It is B. Cross’s understanding that Cornell is interested in paying this “reimbursement cost” ASAP. Cornell wants to
write a check to the Village before the end of the year.
•Mayor Woodard asks if the work performed by our own staff is incorporated into that amount. Director Wiese states
that they have accounted for those expenses.
•Trustee Salton questions the amount we are asking for to repair Pleasant Grove Road and would like more
information before agreeing to a settlement check.
•Trustee Hubbell states that maybe the Village should have a contingency amount of $100,000 on top of the current
settlement number.
•Director Wiese states that asking for a contingency could prompt Cornell to do an in-depth Geotech Studio which
could potentially show that the road is actually in much better shape than we assume it to be.
•Village Attorney R. Marcus asks if either B. Cross or M. Wiese has looked at the final agreement to see what the final
process is for Pleasant Grove Road.
•B. Cross states that as Trustee McMurry stated previously there might be another infrastructure bill coming our way
and is now the time to open back up the discussions of the traffic circle intersection discussion.
•Village Attorney R. Marcus states that the Board will make a final determination by resolution once B. Cross has
received an offer from Cornell on the Pleasant Grove Road Use Agreement.
b. Cayuga Heights Road Culvert Right-Sizing Project:
•B. Cross states that he has sent out letters to 25 property owners (accommodating 9 culverts with an easement on both
inlet/outlet ends). So far there have been about 5 owners who have responded and all but one have given verbal
agreement over the phone. He anticipates that this will continue in a similar manner for most of the rest of the owners.
There is one owner who has requested to see the detailed drawings for his property. Now that the easement process has
been initiated, he will focus on the task of getting documents in order for the bidding process.
•The total cost of all 9 culvert crossings is currently estimated at $638,803. The bidders will be providing a cost
breakdown for each of the 9 culvert locations. Therefore, if the bids come in over the total budget, then one or more
culvert locations can be "put on hold". In particular, it is anticipated that Site #1 will need to be put on hold because of
its relationship with the NYSDOT Route 13 Exit Ramp(s). If Culvert #1 is put on hold, then the total cost of
construction would be reduced to $530,323. The work at Culvert #4 may also be reduced or put on hold.
•During the development of the plans for this project, it became evident that the concentration of "downstream" flow
from culvert #7 has caused "flooding" conditions on N. Sunset Drive (next street to west). A plan has been devised to
run a pipe along Cayuga Heights Road between locations #7 and #8 to allow culvert #8 to share in the distribution of
the flow, thereby reducing the impact to N. Sunset downstream. The pipework between #7 & #8 has been identified as
#7 Diversion. It is estimated to cost $64,951. If we end up putting Culvert #1 on hold and add #7 Diversion, the total
project cost would be $595,274.
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•The NYSDEC Grant for this project is going to reimburse the Village for 50% of all costs up to $595,768. The next
step in the process is to authorize TG Miller to prepare bid documents (including bid forms, prevailing wage
schedules, bond requirements, contractual forms, etc). They would have these documents ready for bidders in early
February with the bid opening in early March for consideration of award by the Trustees at the March 2022 meeting.
•Trustee Salton asks if the Right-Sizing Culvert Project is the site work for the current TAP Grant submitted for the
Cayuga Height Road sidewalk project. B. Cross states that "yes" we have clear coordination with T.G. Miller on both
projects and that puts us in a good position when we are awarded the NYSDOT Grant. Trustee Salton is one hundred
percent behind having a pedestrian walkway on Cayuga Heights Road and believes this project would be one of the
biggest improvements to the Village and our residents.
Resolution: 9081
BE IT RESOLVED THAT: the Village of Cayuga Heights Board of Trustees approves and authorizes T.G. Miller to
prepare the bid documents associated with the T.G. Miller Right-sizing Culvert Project Design Plans on Cayuga
Heights Road dates October 20, 2021.
Motion: Trustee Salton
Second: Trustee Robinson
Ayes: Mayor Woodard; Trustees: Hubbell, Marshall, McMurry, Rennekamp, Robinson, and Salton
Nays: none
Abstentions: none
Motion Carried
11. Report of Clerk Walker: Submitted Report (Exhibit 2022-091)
•Village Clerk Walker states that the Board of Trustees will need to approve and sign the annual certificate of Trustees
to allow the remaining unpaid Village property taxes to be relevied Tompkins County.
Resolution: 9082
WHEREAS, Diligent efforts to collect unpaid taxes by the Village of Cayuga Heights of the Town of Ithaca in the
County of Tompkins have been made; and
WHEREAS, the Collector of Taxes has certified a list consisting of the taxes remaining unpaid upon the Village Tax
Roll; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Real Property Tax Law of the State of New York Section 1442, an alternative method for
the collection of delinquent village taxes exists.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT: The Board of Trustees requests the collection of delinquent
Village of Cayuga Heights real property tax in the amount of $21,352.10 on (12) properties with $1708.18 in penalties,
totaling $23,060.28 to be submitted to Tompkins County.
Motion: Trustee Rennekamp
Second: Trustee Salton
Ayes: Mayor Woodard; Trustees: Hubbell, Marshall, McMurry, Rennekamp, Robinson, and Salton
Nays: none
Abstentions: none
Motion Carried
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12. Report of Attorney Marcus: No report at this time.
13. Executive Session: Mayor Woodard asks the Board for an Executive Session.
Resolution: 9083
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 money:
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT An Executive Session of the Village of Cayuga Heights Board of
Trustees are conducted for the purposes of subsection (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 Marshall
Second: Trustee McMurry
Ayes: Mayor Woodard; Trustees: Hubbell, Marshall, McMurry, Rennekamp, Robinson, and Salton
Nays: none
Abstentions: none
Motion Carried
Resolution: 9084
BE IT RESOLVED THAT: the Village of Cayuga Heights Board of Trustees exits the Executive Session and returns
to an open meeting at 10:20 p.m.
Motion: Trustee Salton
Second: Trustee McMurry
Ayes: Mayor Woodard; Trustees: Hubbell, Marshall, McMurry, Rennekamp, Robinson, and Salton
Nays: none
Abstentions: none
14. Adjournment: Mayor Woodard adjourns the meeting at 10:20 p.m.
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EXHIBIT 2022-094
December 15, 2021
Honorable Linda Woodard
Board of Trustees
Village of Cayuga Heights
Monthly Report November 2021
We ran 43 calls in the month of November. We had 29 calls in the Village of Cayuga Heights, 9 calls in the
Town of Ithaca and 5 mutual aid requests. There were 29 EMS calls and 14 fire responses. It was a routine
month in the district for fire and EMS calls. We were requested to the Town of Caroline late in the night for
a structure fire. We responded with a full crew. On our arrival we found that the fire had been knocked
down, but Brooktondale needed assistance with overhaul. Overhaul at a fire consists of going into the
burned area and ensuring that there is no more fire. This is exhausting work that requires moving debris out
of the fire area and pulling down ceilings and walls to make sure that there are no hot areas. That same week
we were requested to provide the exterior safety crew for a HazMat incident in Lansing. We sent a full
engine crew to stand by for firefighter rescue and potential decon. Luckily the incident was quickly
stabilized and was found to be not as serious as originally thought.
November is always a busy month for training. We finish the October craziness of recruit classes and start
to focus again on training for all members. Trainings for all members were done on large area search and
forcible entry. Searching a building is an important skill. Most buildings in our district are residential or
small business. Searching small rooms is relatively easy because the space is small, and the walls are always
in easy reach. Working around a room where you only have to move a short distance to a wall to reorient
yourself is a fairly safe. Large area search is an important and complicated skill. Searching large open areas
or large areas with many isles and disorienting obstacles is a very dangerous operation. Picture searching
Target during a fire where there is a heavy smoke condition and low visibility with all of the racks filled with
merchandise and the clothing area full of racks. Large area search is extremely dangerous, and therefore we
train as often as possible. Forcing entry is a skill that we need to use infrequently. Most structures in our
area are easy to get into with a simple whack to the door with the flat side of an ax. There are places that
have more robust doors and heavier locks. Gaining entry into those areas requires thinking and at times a
more heavy-handed approach. Saws and hydraulic tools are generally what we turn to in the stubborn
instances.
The latest update on the new ladder truck is that we now have a date scheduled in Florida for February 1st to
the 3rd and have given all our information to E-One for the purchase of tickets to go to Florida. While I do
not have the flight information, yet this is a new step forward that we have not done yet. They have assured
us the truck will be ready in mid-January and we hope that is in 2021. We would fly down and inspect the
truck and then it would be driven to New York and final radio installation would happen in Syracuse and
then in March, one full year after the initial delivery date, we would get our truck. That is the current plan.
Covid is still at the front of our minds during response. The recent local spike in cases and the new variant
has been frustrating but we still take all precautions during response. We do not see many cases of Covid
but the ones we are seeing seem to all be from unvaccinated individuals. All current members are fully
vaccinated and while we are not requiring the booster, we are strongly recommending is especially with the
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holiday approaching. Many of our members travel home for the break and we have been talking about how
much safer it would be to be boosted.
Many of our members will be traveling away for the entire break but a large group has said that they are only
going to leave for a brief period and then return to Ithaca. We have encouraged this as we are generally
short staffed through the holidays. Once everyone returns, we will hold our only all member required
training. Our OSHA refresher training is done on the last Saturday of the January every year. We usually do
this in the classroom but this year we are planning to use the truck bays. More room and better ventilation
prompted this change to the training schedule.
We hope everyone has a happy and safe holiday season.
Sincerely,
George Tamborelle
Fire Chief/Fire Superintendent
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EXHIBIT 2022-095
VILLAGE OF CAYUGA HEIGHTS
TREASURER’S REPORT
Audit:
Insero Inc. started the Village’s Annual Financial Audit on Monday, November 29, 2021.
Budget:
BE IT RESOLVED THAT: the Village of Cayuga Heights Board of Trustees approves a Budget increase of $7,932
in the Police Health Insurance account A9060.800 to be funded from Contingency A1990.400 resulting in a Budget of
$132,413.
Investments:
NYCLASS funds are moved to Tompkins Trust Company Savings to earn a higher rate of return.
Revenues and Expenses:
September and October bank to book reconciliation is complete. It has been reviewed and approved by Trustee and
Deputy Treasurer Rennekamp. A copy of the accounting system generated Monthly Treasurer’s Report is attached.
Approval of Abstract # 7
BE IT RESOLVED THAT: the Village of Cayuga Heights Board of Trustees approves Abstract #7 for FYE2022
consisting of TA vouchers 46 - 53 in the amount of $21,944.13 and Consolidated Fund vouchers 482 - 558 in the
amount of $305,768.14 and the Treasurer is instructed to make payments thereon.
Respectfully Submitted
Laura W. Dolch
** PDF’s Will be inserted.
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EXHIBIT 2022-096
RECOGNITION OF THE PAST AND CONTINUED OUTSTANDING
PUBLIC SERVICE OF JOAN LASKARIS
WHEREAS, Joan Laskaris has served the Village of Cayuga Heights with honor since November 2011,
providing the Village with exceptional stewardship as Village Clerk & Treasurer; and Chief Financial
Officer; and
WHEREAS, Joan has brought respect, honor, and integrity in her roles as the Village Clerk & Treasurer;
and
WHEREAS, Joan was also appointed Village Clerk in July 2013 and served through April 2018; and
WHEREAS, Joan previously served as a member of the Greater Tompkins County Municipal Health
Insurance Consortium Design Committee from April 2014 until April 2018; and
WHEREAS, Joan sat on various Village Committees and served for three years on the Code Codification
Committee where she contributed to re-drafting and codification of all local laws;
WHEREAS, Joan has consistently applied her meticulous attention to detail, utmost professionalism, and
unwavering dedication to the various roles she has played in Village government; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cayuga Heights Board of Trustees does hereby
commend Joan Laskaris for her dedication, commitment, and outstanding past and continued public service
to the Village of Cayuga Heights.
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EXHIBIT 2022-099
Hello Mr. Walker,
Thanks to Ms. Perkins, we can write to you today and explain what is happening with our very high
water bill:
Account No: J2326
Sharon & Mark Nelson
1018 Triphammer Road Ithaca, NY 14850
From our last water bill, there is a 259% increase from the previous bill:
04/16/21 - 07/15/21 = $146.39
07/16/21 - 10/15/21 = $525.63
We have not yet paid the water bill with the due date of 11/20/21. We are proposing a possible reduction of our water bill for the following reasons:
1) We knew that our two toilets (with same install date & brand) had seals that were inadequate. We
ordered the seals (9/26/21) the moment we realized the toilets may be leaking. We ordered online because local suppliers did not carry the part. The part was unavailable due to covid supply chain
issues and didn't arrive until late 10/21/21. We believe that the loss of water was out of our control
during the time period that our order continued to be delayed. (see attached email document)
2) One other note, in the past, Bolton contacted us when our water bill suddenly increased and this
time when our water increased suddenly, we did not hear from them. We were unaware that the loss
of water was so significant or we might have contacted them and explained the covid supply chain issue with our parts.
Several years ago, Bolton Point contacted us when we were dealing with a person in the house
having chemotherapy treatments and our water increased significantly due to that medical issue. We greatly appreciated the courtesy call from Bolton Point that they saw a sudden increase in our water
usage.
Thank you very much for the consideration of this unique proposal.
Sharon & Mark Nelson
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EXHIBIT 2022-100
Village of Cayuga Heights
Police Department
___________________________________________________
Jerry L. Wright
Chief of Police
12/9/21
To: The Honorable Mayor Woodard
Members of the Board of Trustees
Village of Cayuga Heights
Re: Report of the Police Department for November 2021
In the month of November, the police department received 288 calls for service. In addition to these calls, 36 uniform
traffic tickets were issued, and 3 parking violations were cited. A breakdown of the calls for service is as follows:
No Felony Penal Law Incidents were reported.
3 Misdemeanor Penal Law Incidents were handled: 2-Larceny and 1-Fraud. 1 Larceny complaint came in as a theft of
tires from a vehicle. There are suspects in this case and the investigation is on-going. The 2nd report of Larceny was
of a resident stating that a delivery had been made to his home, but the package was missing. After investigation the
parcel had not yet been delivered by the shipping company and but eventually showed up a few days later. The Fraud
complaint involved a resident sending money to assist an unknown individual that was found to be a scam.
Investigation into 3 Traffic Stops led to 3 Misdemeanor charges of Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor
Vehicle 3rd
There were no Penal Law Violations reported.
No Local Law violations were reported.
2 Motor Vehicle accidents were reported, neither involving deer.
One call for service involving a deer was reported. A passerby stated that there was an injured deer in the area. Upon
the officer’s arrival the deer had fled and was unable to be located.
In summary 3 persons were arrested on charges of Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle 3rd,.
Over the course of the month, Officers took part in the following trainings and/or events: On the 1st, Part time officers
completed Firearms Night Qualifications while Full time qualifications took place on the 2nd. On the 9th, CHPD
assisted the Tompkins County Sheriff’s Department with locating suspects involved in a shooting in the City of Ithaca
that had traveled into the Village of Cayuga Heights. On Wednesday the 10th, Officers Barr and Langlois conducted a
commercial vehicle inspection detail and on the 25th, Officer Langlois hosted a STOP DWI traffic detail for the
Thanksgiving crackdown period.
The full-time officers worked a total of 52 hours of overtime and the part-time officers worked a total of 287 hours.
Sincerely,
Chief Jerry Wright
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EXHIBIT 2022-101
Village of Cayuga Heights
Mike Wiese – B.O.T Report
December 15, 2021
. COVID-19 –
Every individual working for the DPW has been given a mask. The DPW facility is disinfected daily and the
trucks are disinfected nightly. Precautions are being taken to maintain the six-foot distancing when possible.
Code Enforcement –
No training events were attended.
Water –
Bolton Point has started their evaluation of hydrants in the Village. This process involves checking
to ensure caps accessible and ensuring the valves associated with the hydrant are operating. This has
resulted in one hydrant needing to be replaced and 3 valves needing to be addressed. We are
coordinating with Bolton Point and scheduling the repairs for each situation. Due to the lead time for
material and the temperature drop we have asked Bolton Point to hold off on any further work.
The hydrant which was found to be broken on Sheldon Road was replaced. While there we also
replaced the aging bolts on the guard valve associated with the hydrant.
Sump Pump Inspections –
No inspections were performed since the November board meeting.
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EXHIBIT 2022-102
Clerks Report
•Attended the Greater Tompkins County Municipal Health Insurance Design Committee meeting and requested
information on the Medicare Advantage plan. I also learned that BCBS will be re-working their website which
is in need of updates for benefit clerks.
•Attended the Tompkins County Environmental Management Committee meeting. I have joined two more
committees within EMC. The Unique Natural Areas Committee and Climate Adaptation Committee. My main
focus for them in 2022 is researching UNA’s in Tompkins County that my qualify as Critical Environmental
Areas (CEA) which will add additional protections.
•The 2022 Retiree and current employee health care contributions increases have been incorporated (5%).
•We have three employees reaching employment milestone this year. I would like to recognize Tim Eighmey
for 15 years of service, James Landon for 10 years of service and Mike Wiese with 5 years of service.
•As the Board agreed at last month’s meeting, employee identification lanyards will be made later this month.
•The Village website will go live on Monday December 27, 2021.
•Village offices will be closed on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve this year.