HomeMy WebLinkAbout5.17.2023 Agenda1
Zoom Link 4118425407
Village of Cayuga Heights Board of Trustees Monthly Meeting
May 17, 2023 7:00 p.m.
1. Call To Order EXHIBIT/PAGE
2. Approval of April 19, 2023 Meeting Minutes 2024-017 pgs. 2-16
3. Report of the Fire Superintendent Tamborelle: Submitted Report 2024-018 pgs. 17-18
4. Privilege of the Floor:
5. Report of Treasurer Dolch: Submitted Report 2024-019 pgs. 19-20
6. Report of Mayor Woodard:
a. AOC Budget 2024-020 pgs. 21-22
b. T.G. Miller Rt. 13 Sewer main project 2024-022 pgs. 23-24
c. MS-4 Annual Report
d. PBA Contract/Teamsters Contract
7. Report of the Trustees:
8. Report of Superintendent of Public Works Cross: Submitted Report
9. Report of Police Chief Wright: Submitted Report 2024-023 pgs. 25-26
10. Report of Director of Public Works Wiese: Submitted Report 2024-024 pg. 27
11. Report of Clerk Walker: Submitted Report 2024-025 pg. 28
12. Report of Attorney Marcus: Submitted Report
13. Adjournment
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EXHIBIT 2024-017
VILLAGE OF CAYUGA HEIGHT April 19th, 2022
Zoom ID # 411842540 BOARD OF TRUSTEES 7:00 p.m.
MONTHLY MEETING
Present: Mayor Woodard; Trustees: Biloski, Hubbard, Marshall, Rennekamp, Robinson, and Salton;
Village Engineer B. Cross; Director of Public Works Wiese; Police Chief Wright; Village Attorney Marcus;
Clerk Walker; Treasurer Dolch;
1. Call to Order: Mayor Woodard calls the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
2a. Approval of Meeting Minutes: March 15th , 2023 Meeting Minutes (Exhibit 2024-005)
Resolution: 9440
BE IT RESOLVED THAT: the Village of Cayuga Heights Board of Trustees approves March 15, 2023,
Board Meeting Minutes as presented.
Motion: Trustee Biloski
Second: Trustee Marshall
Ayes: Mayor Woodard; Trustees: Biloski, Hubbell, Marshall, Rennekamp, Robinson, and Salton
Nays: none
Abstentions: none
Motion Carried
2b. Approval of Meeting Minutes: April 3rd , 2023 Organizational Meeting Minutes (Exhibit 2024-006)
Resolution: 9441
BE IT RESOLVED THAT: the Village of Cayuga Heights Board of Trustees approves April 3rd, 2023,
Organizational Meeting Minutes as presented.
Motion: Trustee Marshall
Second: Trustee Biloski
Ayes: Mayor Woodard; Trustees: Biloski, Hubbell, Marshall, Rennekamp, Robinson, and Salton
Nays: none
Abstentions: none
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Motion Carried
3. Report of Fire Superintendent Tamborelle: Submitted Report (Exhibit 2024-007)
• Fire Superintendent Tamborelle states that the fire station air conditioning upgrade has been completed.
• Fire Superintendent Tamborelle states that the water pump on Engine 203 has failed and he is hoping that
Cummings will cover some of the cost to replace it but the exact amount is unknown.
• Fire Superintendent Tamborelle states that the Annual Fire Company Installation Dinner will be held this
Saturday, April 22nd, 2023, at Lakewatch Inn.
•In Closing, Fire Superintendent Tamborelle states that the CHFD roofing contract with Quick
Construction has been revised by Village Attorney R. Marcus and all parties agreed to the changes. The
contractor intends to start in June and wrap up the work before August.
Resolution: 9442
BE IT RESOLVED THAT: the Village of Cayuga Heights Board of Trustees authorizes and approves
the revised contract from Quick Construction Inc. in the amount of $125,000 for the replacement of the
Village of Cayuga Heights Fire Station roof and $3500 for the Ice/Water Shield throughout and authorizes
Mayor Woodard to sign the contract.
Motion: Trustee Salton
Second: Trustee Hubbell
Ayes: Mayor Woodard; Trustees: Biloski, Hubbell, Marshall, Rennekamp, Robinson, and Salton
Nays: none
Abstentions: none
Motion Carried
4. Privilege of the Floor: Village resident Jeffrey Briggs addresses the Board.
• Village Resident J. Briggs states that what he is about to read is strongly worded and the Board will
understand why when you hear it. It is not meant to be in any sense disrespectful.
Jeffrey Briggs
Privilege of the Floor
Village of Cayuga Heights Board of Trustees Meeting
(Please include this in the minutes of this meeting.)
April 19, 2023
I returned to my native Ithaca in _search of clean air after months
of suffocating smoke-induced asthma caused by continual
wildfires in California, a terrifying and traumatic experience. A
single breath of smoke can induce an allergic reaction that shuts
down normal respiration.
After being here for several months my pulmonologist said my
asthma had disappeared.
Recently my wife and I moved to Cayuga Heights.
In a stunning irony our neighbors have polluted the air over our
property 24 hours a day for more than 4 months with smoke from
their wood burning stove. Although I told them about my smoke-
induced asthma and repeatedly asked them to curtail their fires,
they continued to pollute, causing my asthma to return, along
with the anxiety of post-traumatic stress.
My shortness of breath has continued to this day, indicating
lasting damage, since the particulate pollution of wood smoke
stays in the lungs.
The Police, the Fire Department, the County Health Department,
the District Attorney, and our local Congressman all told me they
had no authority to make these people stop their assault on my
health, since apparently it is legal to pollute your neighbor's air
and even injure them with complete impunity in Cayuga Heights.
I am here because your lack of regulation of residential smoke
means you share responsibility for the damage it has caused to
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•Trustee Biloski asks if J. Briggs has been in touch with the neighbor who is operating the wood stove.
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•J. Briggs states that he has repeatedly been in contact with him. He has made refinements to reduce the
smoke, but it has not worked.
•J. Briggs states that he cannot open his windows and struggles with breathing because of the neighbor’s
smoke.
•Trustee Salton asks if the stove that is burning wood is inside the house or a back yard wood boiler type.
•J. Briggs states that it is inside the house but is a supplement heat since they also have a furnace they
could use.
•J. Briggs states that he has tried everything and has contacted all departments heads at the Village and
County level. He further states that the only thing he was told he could do sue, and he does not want to do
that and that the Board should not take that as a threat.
•In Closing J. Briggs states that he only wants relief from the smoke, or he is going to have to move. He
would really appreciate the Village taking action on this. Even if the Village would make the neighbor stop
burning at 10:00 p.m. just to allow for some period of time where there was fresh air.
•Mayor Woodard states that she is sympathetic, but it is unrealistic for us to try to regulate such a request.
•Trustee Rennekamp states that some people burn wood as a source of heat.
• Village Attorney R. Marcus states that he is not aware of any municipalities in New York State that have
restrictions on burning wood inside a home. There are however state regulations on outside wood boilers.
• B. Cross stated he received a complaint on March 23, 2023 and went to the property on March 24,2023
but saw no smoke. In fact, he spoke to the owner who burns the wood and he has been trying to provide
relief for J. Briggs and was genuinely concerned for him.
•B. Cross further states that the neighbor had stopped burning wood on March 1st, 2023.
•B. Cross states that the neighbor intends to purchase a new stove for next year hoping the technology is
better and will provide less emission for his neighbor.
In closing there is no action the Board can or will be taking on this topic. Clerk Walker will provide a copy
of meeting minutes and the Zoom link for Mr. Briggs.
5. Report of Treasurer Dolch: Submitted Report (Exhibit 2024-009)
• Village Treasurer Dolch states that the March bank-to-book reconciliation is complete.
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• Village Treasurer Dolch states that she will need resolutions to establish three reserve funds for this upcoming
fiscal year.
• Trustee Salton would like to see more reserves established in the future. This should include maintenance
reserves for Water mains, Wastewater treatment plant, etc.
• Trustee Rennekamp states that the Village Finance Committee has been talking about this and knows there
are definitely other reserves worth setting up. We are starting with these since we have a good sense of what
the cost is going to be.
Resolution: 9443
BE IT RESOLVED THAT: the Village of Cayuga Heights Board of Trustees authorizes and approves
establishing a reserve fund (A962) and allocate $14,000 from the fiscal year ending budget 2023-2024 for
the Village garbage truck replacement cycle of fifteen years.
Motion: Trustee Rennekamp
Second: Trustee Biloski
Ayes: Mayor Woodard; Trustees: Biloski, Hubbell, Marshall, Rennekamp, Robinson, and Salton
Nays: none
Abstentions: none
Motion Carried
Resolution: 9444
BE IT RESOLVED THAT: the Village of Cayuga Heights Board of Trustees authorizes and approves
establishing a reserve fund (A962) and allocate $30,000 from the fiscal year ending budget 2023-2024 for
the Village LED Streetlights repayment plan.
Motion: Trustee Biloski
Second: Trustee Hubbell
Ayes: Mayor Woodard; Trustees: Biloski, Hubbell, Marshall, Rennekamp, Robinson, and Salton
Nays: none
Abstentions: none
Motion Carried
Resolution: 9445
BE IT RESOLVED THAT: the Village of Cayuga Heights Board of Trustees authorizes and approves
establishing a reserve fund (A962) and allocate $15,000 from the fiscal year ending budget 2023-2024 for
the Village water main breaks.
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Motion: Trustee Salton
Second: Trustee Rennekamp
Ayes: Mayor Woodard; Trustees: Biloski, Hubbell, Marshall, Rennekamp, Robinson, and Salton
Nays: none
Abstentions: none
Motion Carried
• Village Treasurer Dolch states that the Proposed Annual Budget had a couple of changes due to the collective
bargaining agreements salary increases and the proper funding of the CHFD F-150 pickup truck. This results
in a tax rate of 6.30/1000 which is 1.94 % higher than last year and we will use $334,125 of fund balance.
• Mayor Woodard continues the Public Hearing on the Proposed Annual Budget at 7:33 p.m.
-No members of the public were present to speak
• Mayor Woodard closes the Public Hearing on the Proposed Annual Budget at 7:33 p.m.
• Trustee Salton states that he is disappointed that there was no discussion on a flat tax rate when Village
assessments have been going up. There should always be a discussion of a zero percent increase.
• Trustee Rennekamp states that the tax rate last year was reduced to 6.18/1000 and the previous years were
flat at 6.40/1000.
• Trustee Hubbell states that the goal is to reduce the fund balance over the next five years and be more inline.
•In Closing Trustee Salton states that he appreciated the efforts to keep the tax rate low but would like this
to be reevaluated next year.
Resolution: 9446
BE IT RESOLVED THAT: the Village of Cayuga Heights Board of Trustees authorizes and approves
the Proposed FYE 2023-2024 Annual Budget as presented in Exhibit 2024-011.
Motion: Trustee Rennekamp
Second: Trustee Marshall
Ayes: Mayor Woodard; Trustees: Biloski, Hubbell, Marshall, Rennekamp, and Robinson
Nays: Trustee Salton
Abstentions: none
Motion Carried
Approval of Abstract 11:
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Resolution: 9447
BE IT RESOLVED THAT: the Village of Cayuga Heights Board of Trustees authorizes and approves
Abstract #11 for FYE2023 consisting of TA 83-94 vouchers in the amount of $17,919.24
and Consolidated Fund vouchers 772-868 in the amount of $578,986.89 and the Treasurer is instructed to
make payments thereon.
Motion: Trustee Marshall
Second: Trustee Hubbell
Ayes: Mayor Woodard; Trustees: Biloski, Hubbell, Marshall, Rennekamp, Robinson, and Salton
Nays: none
Abstentions: none
Motion Carried
6. Report of Mayor Woodard:
b. Arbor Day Planting:
• Mayor Woodard will read the 2023 Village of Cayuga Heights Arbor Day Proclamation at the Cayuga
Heights Elementary School on April 28,2023. There will be a short ceremony followed by the planting of
an Elm Tree.
c. Tompkins Community Bank Update: Last month Trustee Hubbell inquired to the financial status of
our depository.
•Mayor Woodard states that it was hard to determine the financial status of the reports we received.
However, most of our money is in NYCLASS and they are self-insured.
•Trustee Salton asks what is the makeup of NYCLASS.
•Trustee Rennekamp states that NYCLASS is only open to municipalities and serves as a money market
for New York Municipalities. NYCLASS hold around 50% U.S. Treasuries and 40% are repurchased
agreements that are back by U.S. Treasuries and 10% collateralized bank deposits.
• Trustee Rennekamp states that the current interest rate is 4.7%.
d. Village of Cayuga Heights Comprehensive Plan: At a previous meeting Trustee Salton made the
recommendation that a group be formed to review the Village Comprehensive Plan.
•Mayor Woodard states that Planning Board is already tasked with reviewing the Village Comprehensive
Plan therefore there is no need to set up a different taskforce or committee will be necessary.
•Trustee Salton agrees with this analysis of the current plan to move forward with a resolution stating the
Village Board request that the Village Planning Board Review the comprehensive plan for any updates.
Resolution: 9448
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WHEREAS, the Village of Cayuga Heights adopted the Village Comprehensive Plan in January 2014, and
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT: the Village Board of Trustees request the Village’s Planning
Board review the 2014 Comprehensive Plan and advise the Village Board of Trustees as to whether the
Comprehensive Plan should be revised.
Motion: Trustee Salton
Second: Trustee Biloski
Ayes: Mayor Woodard; Trustees: Biloski, Hubbell, Marshall, Rennekamp, Robinson, and Salton
Nays: none
Abstentions: none
Motion Carried
7. Report of Superintendent of Public Works Cross:
a. WWTP General Contract Change Order:
•B. Cross states that as the Phase 2 WWTP project is coming out of a winter “shut-down” (really just slow
down), and Blue Heron will be re-mobilizing their equipment to begin the cleaning out of the old digesters
(second attempt due to delayed electrical equipment). The shut down was necessary so that Yaws (on
behalf of Village) didn’t have to haul liquid sludge over the winter season.
•B. Cross states that as At the time of the decision to shut-down it was known that there would eventually
be some added cost for expenses incurred by Blue Heron to go away and then come back with the rental
equipment to do the cleaning process. Blue Heron has put together into one Change Order request for
expenses that they have already incurred (not a delay fee).
•B. Cross states that GHD has put together a summary of these costs which comes to the amount of
$87,269.00. Our 5% contingency for the overall combined Phase 1 & 2 projects allows us to take
advantage of any unspent contingency from Phase 1 on extras costs for Phase 2. Therefore, of the original
$469,279 contingency for the whole project, this change order brings us up to $351,544.24, leaving
$117,735.46 available for future change orders.
•Trustee Salton states that he wonders about the contingency number of $117,738.46 and if that is going to
be enough.
•B. Cross states that he is confident that there will be enough for any future change orders.
Resolution: 9449
BE IT RESOLVED THAT: the Village of Cayuga Heights Board of Trustees authorizes and approves Mayor
Woodard to sign the General Contact with Blue Heron Construction Company llc. change order G-002 in the amount
of $87,269.00 for as part of Contract #1 of Phase 2 for the Village WWTP.
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Motion: Trustee Biloski
Second: Trustee Marshall
Ayes: Mayor Woodard; Trustees: Biloski, Hubbell, Marshall, Rennekamp, Robinson, and Salton
Nays: none
Abstentions: none
Motion Carried
b. Industrial Pre-Treatment Sewer Ordinance:
•B. Cross states that the recent plant-to-plant agreement has a requirement that the Village provide a
revised draft of the Village Sewer Use Law (in ecode 360) that identifies the industrial sewer users (not
residential) located within the Old Village, which is connected to the Kline Road diversion, be regulated
using the IAWWTF’s industrial sewer regulations.
•B. Cross states that GHD has drafted language that will be added as a new section 226 (or as otherwise
determined by General Code) that effectively makes “users” in the Old Village subject to the “current”
(may change in future) IAWWTF industrial regulations. A map will be attached that shows every tax
parcel that could be subject to this regulation if they discharge anything other than residential sewage.
*Any user located within the “Old Village” area of the Village and tributary to the Kline Road diversion
(see Figure/Exhibit/Map XX) shall be subject to the sewer use laws, as amended from time to time,
governing the use and discharge thereto of wastewater for the Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Facility
(IAWWTF), along with the requirements and terms of the “Multijurisdictional Pretreatment Agreement
Between City of Ithaca, Town Ithaca, Town of Dryden, and Village of Cayuga Heights.” This requirement
is in addition to those requirements and standards set forth herein for the Village.
•B. Cross states that there is a possibility that an industrial user could send their discharge to the
IAWWTF, therefore they want to make the Village responsible for making sure that user is regulated using
the Ithaca Plant rules.
• Village Attorney R. Marcus states that the way the City of Ithaca has drafted this local law makes the
most sense. The Village and other municipalities that contribute to the Klien Rd. By-Pass will be regulated
under the City’s law.
•B. Cross states that the plant-to-plant agreement gives us 60 days to accomplish this draft and forward it
to IAWWTF for review and agreement. Once it is received back from them, we will then have 60 days to
put it into the form of a proposed local law and conduct a public hearing.
Resolution: 9450
BE IT RESOLVED THAT: the Village of Cayuga Heights Board of Trustees authorizes and approves the
revised language for the multijurisdictional pretreatment agreement between the City of Ithaca, Town of Dryden,
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Town of Ithaca and the Village of Cayuga Heights for industrial discharge regulations that go to the IAWWTF to
mirror the City of Ithaca Sewer Law.
Motion: Trustee Biloski
Second: Trustee Marshall
Ayes: Mayor Woodard; Trustees: Biloski, Hubbell, Marshall, Rennekamp, Robinson, and Salton
Nays: none
Abstentions: none
Motion Carried
8. Report of the Trustees:
•Trustee Biloski states that she attended her first Ithaca-Tompkins County Transportation Council (ITCTC)
Meeting.
• Trustee Biloski states that there was a call for projects to evaluate the carbon impacts of the streets and
pedestrian walkways.
• Trustee Hubbell states that the Cayuga Lake Watershed Intermunicipal Organization (CLWIO) manager
is fitting in well.
a. Sunset Park Update:
•Trustee Marshall states that the open house will be on Mya 7th, 2023 from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. here at
Marcham Hall.
•Trustee Marshall states that the survey has received 181 responses with a goal of 200.
•Trustee Marshall states that the plan to plant trees on the west side of N. Triphammer Rd in the extended
Village Right-of-Way is progressing.
9. Report of Police Chief Wright: Submitted Report (Exhibit 2024-013)
• Police Chief Wright states that tickets have been up all year, mainly due to Officer Miller who has been
extremely productive.
• Police Chief Wright states that the Emergency Vehicle Operation Course (EVOC) was completed and was
part of the training module that the department purchased.
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• Police Chief Wright states that the criminal justice TST Boces ride-along program graduated two more
students this year. He anticipates that they will continue to be asked to run this program for future students.
10. Report of Director of DPW Wiese: Submitted Report (Exhibit 2024-014)
• Director Wiese states that the guys continue to prepare for paving work on Cambridge, Burleigh,
Randolph and Warwick, which will happen on the first week in May. Right now, the crew is re-
establishing ditch lines in that area.
• Director Wiese states that the I Trackers have been installed and there is now enough data to see where
sewer flows have changed enough to suspect we have groundwater entering the sewer line.
11. Report of Clerk Walker:
• Clerk Walker states that Village resident M. Timmons, who is present and wishes to address the Board
about his penalty for advertising a short-term rental without a permit.
•Mr. Timmons states that he moved to Florida in June of 2022 and his wife resides here in the Village. The
first time he rented his home was for Cornell Graduation in May of 2022.
• Mr. Timmons states that a short time later he was informed by Village Clerk Walker that he needed a
permit for operate a short-term rental. He further states that he thought he had completed the application
and everything was fine. I soon realized now 2023 Clerk Walker is still asking for a valid permit which
was confusing.
• Mr. Timmons states that he thought the check for 2022 in the amount of $125 covered the 2023 rental
permit.
•Mayor Woodard states that she remembered Mrs. Timmons coming into the office and paying for the
2022 permit. She also recalls telling her that the Village will waive the penalty for advertising without a
permit in 2022 but going forward every January renewal are due if you plan on advertising in 2023.
•Clerk Walker states that Mr. Timmons just paid his 2023 permit fee on April 4, 2023 however we did not
get the penalty payment of $300.00 and that is why Mr. Timmons is here tonight to ask the Board to waive
that fee.
•Trustee Salton states that he would just waive the penalty. This is a unique case in which he only advertise
for 4 days out of the whole year.
•Mayor Woodard states that we forgave the penalty last year and made it clear that we would not do the
same again and here we are.
•Mr. Timmons asks for just one more break, and if he does it again next year the Board could charge him
three times the amount. He now understands that it has to be done by January 1, 2024.
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•Mayor Woodard states the Board has the responsibility to decide if Mr. Timmons should pay the penalty
for advertising without a permit that was due in January.
• Trustee Rennekamp asks if there was any communication between or before the February 2023 email
which states that this was a reminder that your 2023 permit is past due.
•Clerk Walker states that he had spoken to Mr. Timmons on the phone on this subject.
Resolution: 9451
BE IT RESOLVED THAT: the Village of Cayuga Heights Board of Trustees authorizes and approves the
issuance of a $300 penalty fee for advertising a short-term rental in the Village of Cayuga Heights without a valid
2023 permit.
Motion: Trustee Hubbell
Second: Trustee Marshall
Ayes: Mayor Woodard; Trustees: Biloski, Hubbell, Marshall, Rennekamp, and Robinson
Nays: Salton
Abstentions: none
Motion Carried
•Clerk Walker states that the only action item on his report is the Cayuga Heights Elementary School
(CHES) 5K Fun Run Special Events Application.
•In the past the Village Board has waived the $25 application fee for this event. The 2023 CHES PTA
organization is asking for that again.
Resolution: 9452
BE IT RESOLVED THAT: the Village of Cayuga Heights Board of Trustees authorizes and approves waiving
the Special Events Permit fee of $25 for the annual Cayuga Heights Elementary School 5k Fun Run.
Motion: Trustee Marshall
Second: Trustee Rennekamp
Ayes: Mayor Woodard; Trustees: Biloski, Hubbell, Marshall, Rennekamp, Robinson, and Salton
Nays: none
Abstentions: none
Motion Carried
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12. Report of Attorney Marcus:
•Village Attorney R. Marcus states the annual Village of Cayuga Heights letter of engagement is ready for
Mayor Woodard to sign. The firm will still honor the 25% discount off the normal rate.
Resolution: 9453
BE IT RESOLVED THAT: the Village of Cayuga Heights Board of Trustees authorizes and approves Mayor
Woodard to sign the Bousquet Holstein PLLC 2023 letter of engagement for the fiscal year of June 1, 2023 to May
31, 2024.
Motion: Trustee Marshall
Second: Trustee Salton
Ayes: Mayor Woodard; Trustees: Biloski, Hubbell, Marshall, Rennekamp, Robinson, and Salton
Nays: none
Abstentions: none
Motion Carried
13 Executive Session:
Resolution: 9454
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. As well as subsection (E)
collective negotiations pursuant to article fourteen of the civil service law;
discussions regarding proposed, pending, or current litigation;
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Motion: Trustee Salton
Second: Trustee Marshall
Ayes: Mayor Woodard; Trustees: Bilsoki, Hubbell, Marshall, Rennekamp, Robinson, and Salton
Nays: none
Abstentions: none
Motion Carried
Resolution: 9455
BE IT RESOLVED THAT: the Village of Cayuga Heights Board of Trustees exits the Executive Session
and returns to an open meeting at 8:59 p.m.
Motion: Trustee Salton
Second: Trustee Hubbell
Ayes: Mayor Woodard; Trustees: Biloski, Hubbell, Marshall, Rennekamp, Robinson, and Salton
Nays: none
Abstentions: none
Motion Carried
14 Adjournment: Mayor Woodard adjourns the meeting at 9:00 p.m.
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EXHIBIT 2024-018
May 17, 2023
Honorable Linda Woodard
Board of Trustees
Village of Cayuga Heights
Monthly Report February 2023
We continued the trend with another busy month! We had 38 calls in the Village of Cayuga Heights, 10
calls in the Town of Ithaca and 7 mutual aid requests for a total of 55 runs. There were 29 EMS calls and
26 fire responses. We did have a storm roll over the district on April 1st generating 8 runs in about 45
minutes for trees and power lines down. Power was not restored until 4:00 in the morning to most of the
village. We helped Lansing and The City of Ithaca several times throughout the month.
April was a full month for training as well as calls. Early in the month we did a scene/Incident Safety
class. Safety is our priority on all calls and training. Our second training for the month was on scene size
up. This followed the safety training to further our skills in evaluating the call and then attacking the
problem as safely as possible. After the first two fire trainings we followed up with Search and Rescue.
Safety then sizes up the search and rescue. These are some of the most important skills for firefighters.
We can do a dangerous job as safely as possible and brining everyone home from the call is everyone’s
priority. We did finalize the fall EMT class being held at the fire station. This will be a blended learning
EMT class incorporating some in person and some virtual lessons. The instructor planned this class
around the Cornell schedule and our members are excited for this opportunity.
The contracts have been signed for the roof project and we are looking forward to that project starting in
early June. We are still working with E-One on the engine that we hope to order now and take delivery on
in 2025. There is still no word on the build out time for the new F-150 pickup that was budgeted for this
year. At this time, we are making calls around the region to see if anyone has stock on hand that we could
take but have so far been unlucky in this. We did find a Chevrolet dealer expecting some vehicles in
during June but the price tag on the truck is more then the budgeted money without any outfitting. We will
continue to work on this and hope to resolve the order soon.
We held our first banquet since 2019 in April. It was a wonderful event attended by members, village
trustees and staff and officers from surrounding agencies. I think everyone had a good time at the event.
All our new officers are sworn in and performing their duties.
Coming up we are looking forward to May and are excited to host the 5th Grade class from Cayuga Heights
Elementary school at the station for a fund-raising movie night. This will be the first time we will get to
use our new equipment that we purchased with the grant from the Triad Foundation.
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We are looking ahead to the summer and many members are staying in the area and at the station for all or
part of the summer. Many of these staying are doing so to be able to take state fire classes.
April was a busy but fun month. We packed a lot of calls around a lot of social events.
Sincerely,
George Tamborelle
Fire Chief/Fire Superintendent
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EXHIBIT 2024-019
VILLAGE OF CAYUGA HEIGHTS
TREASURER’S REPORT
May 2023
Revenues and Expenses:
April 2023 bank to book reconciliations are complete and been reviewed and approved by Trustee and
Deputy Treasurer Rennekamp. A copy of the accounting system generated Monthly Treasurer’s Report is
attached.
Budget:
Both G8130.410 (WWTP Contractual) and G8130.490 (WWTP Equipment Maintenance) are overdrawn
due to higher than expect expenses for labor, supplies, and cost of repair and maintenance. We will need to
move money from Fund Balance into these accounts to cover what we have overspent, to cover Abstract 12,
and to cover upcoming Abstract 13.
For G8130.410 - Overbudget $82,182. Abstract 12 expenses are $89,600. Abstract 13 estimated expenses
are $85000.
BE IT RESOLVED THAT: The Board of Trustees approves moving 1739.20 from Contingency
(G1990.400) AND $255,060 from Fund Balance to cover expenses in G8130.410.
For 8130.490 - Overbudget $4,022. Abstract 12 expenses are $1,900. Abstract 13 estimated expenses are
$2000.
BE IT RESOLVED THAT: The Board of Trustees approves $8,000 from Fund Balance to cover expenses
in G8130.490.
Approval of Abstract 12:
BE IT RESOLVED THAT: the Village of Cayuga Heights Board of Trustees authorizes and approves
Abstract #12 for FYE2023 consisting of:
• TA vouchers 95-100 in the amount of $5,628.18 and
• Consolidated Fund vouchers 869-944 in the amount of $589,757.46
and the Treasurer is instructed to make payments thereon.
Respectfully Submitted
Laura W. Dolch
Laura W. Dolch
Treasurer #1
20
21
TO Mayor Linda Woodard and Village Trustees
Village of Cayuga Heights
836 Hanshaw Road, Ithaca, NY 14850
by Email
FROM: Wies van Leuken, Village of Cayuga Heights Representative
Cable Access Oversight Committee (AOC)
1105 Highland Rd, Ithaca, NY 14850
pmv4@cornell.edu
607-257-3156
DATE: April 12, 2023
RE: AOC’s 2024 Budget Recommendations for PEGASYS
Attached with this letter, please find the Access Oversight Committee’s Resolution #78, dated of April 4,
2023 with recommendations for the 2024 Budget for Public, Educational and Governmental Access (“PEG”)
operations.
As you know, the City of Ithaca's Franchise Agreement with Charter Communications d/b/a Spectrum
Networks in NY (“Charter”), requires that the three participating municipalities (the City of Ithaca, the Town
of Ithaca and the Village of Cayuga Heights) approve a budget for equipment and facilities every year by
June 30th while the Agreement is in effect. This Budget is funded with the PEG Fees that are charged to
Subscribers in the Participating Municipalities ($0.15 / subscriber / month). Charter collects these fees and
keeps them to make AOC-approved purchases. The AOC drafts a budget for these purchases, upon
recommendations by Charter, and submits it to the respective municipalities for review and approval.
Municipal approvals are entered into the AOC’s minutes and submitted to Charter by the AOC.
The Resolution proposes a $29,000.00 contingency to purchase equipment as needed for the functioning of
PEG operations. This will probably go towards replacing the Studio’s old Nexus, the playback system that
enables cablecasting on Channel 13. We are currently using the Nexus that was donated to us by the City of
Ithaca when they updated their studio. This Nexus is no longer made or serviced by its manufacturer.
Please let me know if you need further information. The Village's resolution is due at the AOC no later than
June 30, 2023. It can be Emailed to me at <pmv4@cornell.edu>.
Cc. Access Oversight Committee
Jeff Walker, Village Clerk
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EXHIBIT 2024-020
AOC Recommendations for 2024 Budget
WHEREAS, Section 15.12 of the Franchise Agreement of January 2003 between the City of Ithaca and
the franchisee Time Warner Entertainment-Advance/Newhouse Partnership (TWC) (“Franchise
Agreement”), subsequently assigned to Charter Communications, Inc. d/b/a Spectrum Networks (Charter)
after Charter's 2016 acquisition of TWC, requires the participating municipalities (City of Ithaca, Town of
Ithaca, Village of Cayuga Heights) to provide the franchisee with an annual written budget for Public,
Educational and Governmental access operations (PEG) by June 30 of each calendar year; and
WHEREAS, Section 15.12 of the Franchise Agreement requires that PEG Access Staff provide the Access
Oversight Committee (AOC) with budget recommendations for the following year by April 30; and
WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca's Ordinance #2003-17, Par 18-4-G, requires the Access Oversight
Committee (AOC) to provide the Participating Municipalities with a recommended budget for the
following year by May 31; and
WHEREAS, the Franchise Agreement authorizes Charter to collect $0.15 per subscriber per month to be
used for the purchase of PEG equipment and facilities; and
WHEREAS, the AOC has reviewed PEG’s current equipment and facilities and anticipates that new
or replacement equipment and facilities will likely be needed, including certain playback equipment; now
therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the AOC recommends a $29,000.00 contingency to purchase equipment as needed for
the functioning of PEG operations, pending receipt and AOC approval of line-item estimates, and be it
further
RESOLVED, that the AOC forwards its recommendations for approval by the Common Council of the
City of Ithaca, the Town of Ithaca Board and the Village of Cayuga Heights Board of Trustees, so that
they may meet their obligation to provide Charter Communications with an annual written budget for
Public, Educational and Governmental access operations no later than June 30, 2023.
FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED, that the Village of Cayuga Heights Board of Trustees approves of the
AOC 2024 Budget for Public, Educational and Governmental access operation as written.
23
EXHIBIT 2024-022
24
25
EXHIBIT 2024-023
Village of Cayuga Heights
Police Department
Jerry L. Wright
Chief of Police
5/9/23
To: The Honorable Mayor Woodard
Members of the Board of Trustees
Village of Cayuga Heights
Re: Report of the Police Department for April 2023
In the month of April, the police department received 428 calls for service. In addition to these calls, 105 uniform
traffic tickets were issued, and 3 parking violations were cited. A breakdown of the calls for service is as follows:
There were no Felony incidents in the month of April.
Four Penal Law Misdemeanor incidents were handled. After an investigation of a Domestic Dispute, officers arrested
an individual on charges of Criminal Mischief 4th and Unlawful Imprisonment 2nd. Three reports of Fraud were
received. One report involved a local bank stating that a subject had forged checks that did not belong to them. There
is a suspect and the investigation is ongoing. The second complaint of Fraud was of a resident stating that an unknown
individual attempted to open a bank account in the complainant’s name. The bank intervened and no loss of funds
occurred, and no account had been opened. One incident of Larceny was handled which involved a resident stating
that a package had been delivered to their home and had been stolen. There are no suspects in this case and the
complainant was able to have the property replaced.
The investigation of 7 Traffic Stops led to 7 Vehicle and Traffic Misdemeanor charges. 3 for Suspended Registration
and 4 for Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle 3rd.
Three calls for service for Disorderly Conduct were handled. One complaint was of a person yelling threatening
obscenities outside of a local restaurant. Officers made contact with the individual who had admitted to being
extremely upset however had since calmed down and did not appear to be any further threat. The remaining two
complaints of Disorderly Conduct involved an individual observed cursing and acting in a belligerent manner in public
areas within the village. After investigation officers determined that the subject was in the middle of a mental health
crisis and the subject was taken into custody under the Mental Hygiene 9.45 Law and taken to the hospital for
evaluation.
Five complaints of Local Law Violations were investigated including one for Tompkins County Illegal Dumping. In
this complaint a resident stated that garbage had been left on the wall in Sunset Park. A suspect was contacted, and a
warning was rendered to the individual. One complaint of Dog Control-Loose Dog was received. Officers searched
the specified area for a loose dog however were not able to locate it. Three violations of the Village’s Noise Ordinance
were reported. One for a garbage truck being loud while emptying a dumpster outside of the ordinances specified
quiet hours. The investigating officer was able to make contact with the solid waste company to request that they
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delay picking it up until after Village quiet hours have ended. The remaining two Noise complaints came is as loud
music playing. Contact was made with the individuals responsible for the music and were advised to keep the volume
down. No further complaints were received from this location.
Three property damage Motor Vehicle accidents were handled, none involving deer. One crash occurred in the parking
lot of 909 Hanshaw Rd., another near 724 Cayuga Heights Rd., and the last at the intersection of Hanshaw Rd. and N.
Triphammer Rd.
No other incidents involving deer were reported.
12 calls for service were completed under the Tompkins County Mutual Aid Agreement involving CHPD officers
assisting other agencies and 6 calls involving agencies assisting CHPD.
Over the course of the month, Officers took part in the following training and/or events: Four traffic details were
conducted as part of the Patrol Traffic Safety Grant. Details were executed on the 4th, 11th, 20th and 27th, the last of
which was known as Operation Safe Stop, focusing on the passing of stopped school buses. On the 3rd, Part time
Officers took part in Spring Pistol Range Qualifications, while Full time Officers completed the qualifications on the
4th. On the 14th officers completed the on-line web training for non-adult arrests and arraignment procedures.
The full-time officers worked a total of 61.5 hours of overtime and the part-time officers worked a total of 298 hours.
Sincerely,
Chief Jerry Wright
27
EXHIBIT 2024-024
Village of Cayuga Heights
Mike Wiese – B.O.T Report
May 17th, 2023
Code Enforcement –
No code training was attended.
Street –
Cambridge Road, Warwick Place, Randolph Road, Winthrop Place and Burleigh drive have been
paved
A garbage can was purchased and installed at the park. This will be checked once a week on the a
Tuesday or Thursday.
Water –
A water main repair was made at the intersection of Highland Road and Highland Park Lane.
The Hydrant located across the road from the Fire Department on Pleasant Grove Road has been
elevated and is in service.
Continuing to meet with contractors to schedule the upcoming hydro-excavation work to expose
water service curb valves so the material can be determined.
Sewer –
The new tracking devices are installed in the Village and we are working through various small
issues to allow us to better utilize them.
Flushed sewer lines on Hanshaw Road and Hillside Drive.
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Clerks Report:
EXHIBIT 2024-025
NYSIF Workers Compensation Audits are complete: Reduction in premium for the Village, and no
change in premium for the Village Fire Department staff.
2023-2023 Property Taxes: Tax bill arrived on the 12th; Staff will be preparing them for mailing.
NYSEG: It appears that NYSEG has corrected their billing issues from this winter and we now are seeing
credits on accounts. This will affect payments to the supply side of our utilities.
Bolton Point: The 2023 Annual Water Quality Report is now available. DWQR Bolton Point Water
System
Tompkins County Parks and Trails Grant Award: The Village was awarded $5000, and Dave O’Brien
and I walked the park and discussed the plan for re-pointing the remaining stone.
Tompkins Insurance Renewals: Laura has completed them.
Short-Term Rentals: Granicus has not been able to find any new listings for Cornell Graduation.
Sump Pumps Inspections: We have received 15 applications for inspection this year.
2022 completed 37
2021 completed 47
2020 completed 48