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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-03-0456 MARCH 4, 1998 The Lansing Town Board met in Lansing Town Hall Board Room at 7:00 p . m . presiding. Jeannine Kirby Herbert Beckwith Paul Butler_ Jeffrey Cleveland Larry Tvaroha Bonita Boles Richard John ROLL CALL Special Session at the with Supervisor Kirby Supervisor Present Councilman Present Councilman Absent Councilman Present Councilman Absent Town Clerk Present Town Attorney Present VISITORS: George Totman, Matt Shulman and Brad Griffin. The Supervisor called the meeting to order and had the clerk take the Roll Call, BRAD GRIFFIN* Mr. Griffin reported to the Board regarding the Northeast Subarea Transportation Study that the County Planning Department is organizing. Mr. Griffin is the Town of Lansing's representative. Mr. Griff=in stated that at this point it is just a comprehensive view of traffic problems. Mr. Griffin will keep the Board informed as things progress. Mr. Griffin has been in touch with Pete Larson and TCAT and will also use the Lansing Community Newspaper to solicit transportation problems. He also asked the Town Board to comment at any time. Mrs. Kirby read an Citizen stating that the were too high for Senior Said letter stated Citizen's except holidays The writer asked the "unsigned" letter from a Lansing Senior rates to camp and enter the Myers Park Citizens. that State Parks do not charge Senior and weekends. Town Board to give Senior Citizens over 62 a break. The Town Board discussed to respond as the letter was about the letter. the letter and felt it would be hard unsigned. are Mr. Colt will be informed Mr. Beckwith suggested Mr. Colt do a survey to see how many residents use the park versus non - residents. Mrs. Kirby discussed a resolution regarding the Dairy Compact situation. She stated that other Town's and Tompkins and Cortland County's have both adopted said resolution. She also stated that both Senator Seward and Senator Luster are in favor of the resolution. Mrs. Kirby stated that it will need ALL of the northeast sector to get this passed. After some discussion, the following resolution was adopted: RESOLUTION RESOLUTION, offered by Mr. Beckwith and seconded by Mr. Cleveland: WHEREAS, agriculture is one of the Town of Lansing's largest industries, producing numerous agriculture products annually which create a significant local financial impact; and WHEREAS, the dairy industry in the Town of Lansing is a primary agricultural enterprise, contributing specifically to the social and economic well -being of the Town; and WHEREAS, the dairy farmers of the Town of Lansing are one of the most efficient and productive industries in the Town; and WHEREAS, Town of Lansing dairy farmers are suffering stress due to high input and associated costs of doing business, coupled 57 continued March 4, 1998 with extremely low milk prices and a non - competitive financial position compared to milk producers in other regions of the country; and WHEREAS, Town of Lansing dairy farmers have seen the price they receive for their milk drop to the price levels of early this decade, and during the same time, the average cost of producing milk has grown higher; and WHEREAS, with the lower margins, Town of Lansing dairy farmers are also experiencing severe swings in price, causing a significant drop in income; and WHEREAS, in order to relieve the tremendous amount of stress and to prevent the demise of dairy farmers which would devastate the economy of the Town of Lansing and significantly hurt the economies of Tompkins County and New York State; therefore be it RESOLVED, that the Lansing Town Board encourages New York State legislative leaders and Governor Pataki to immediately take any emergency milk price relief measures available; and be it further RESOLVED, that r approve the Northeast income and eliminate producers in New York, those in other regions few York State officials move swiftly to Dairy Compact to enhance milk producers milk price inequities between the milk as well as between New York producers and of the United States; and be it further RESOLVED, that New York legislative leaders and Governor - Pataki urge Federal officials to review the milk pricing concerns of local dairy farmers of New York State, including the. dairy farmers of the Town of Lansing, to bring the price of milk to a competitive level; and be it further RESOLVED, that New York State governmental officials continue to work at developing ways to improving the business climate of dairy farmers in this State; and be it further RESOLVED, that copies of this Resolution be forwarded to the appropriate state and federal elective officials, as well as the appropriate state /federal departments, agencies and /or associations. Vote of Town Board (Aye) Herbert Beckwith, Councilman Vote of Town Board (Aye) Jeffrey Cleveland, Councilman Vote of Town Board (Aye) Jeannine Kirby, Supervisor Dated: March 4, 1998 Mr. John passed out suggestions that NYMIR has made to the Town. After some discussion, the following Resolution was adopted: RESOLUTION, offered by Mr. Beckwith and seconded by Mr Cleveland: WHEREAS, the Town of Lansing has received a proposed revision to the Town of Lansing sexual harassment policy from the New York State Municipal Insurance Reciprocal (NYMIR), and WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of Lansing has considered the proposal and wishes to adopt the revision as the official policy of the Town of Lansing, therefore, it is, RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Lansing adopts the revised sexual harassment policy received from NYMIR as the official policy of the Town of Lansing and the policy shall be included in the Policy and Procedure Manual of the Town of Lansing and also used as a separate policy of the Town to be posted in public places within the Town. 58 continued March 4, 1998 Vote of Town. Board (Aye) Herbert Beckwith, Councilman Vote of Town. Board (Aye) Jeffrey Cleveland, Councilman Vote of Town. Board (Aye) Jeannine Kirby, Supervisor Mr. John stated that NYMIR also suggested that the Town of Lansing implement. a policy and guide regarding internet usage. Mr. John will put said resolution together and get back to the Board for their approval. Mrs. Kirby stated that she had received a letter from Transonic System," stating that their current septic system will reach it's capacity within the next twelve (12) months. They asked if a sewer connection was likely in the foreseeable future. Mrs. Kirby will check with Cayuga Heights to see if they could be of any help to Transonic: Systems, Mr. Shulman informed the Board that he would like to do a follow -up story on the sewer. He will contact Mrs. Kirby for information in about ten (10) days. Gadabout Bu,N Service has contacted Mrs. Kirby asking if the Town would like to donate to Gadabout. It was the consensus of the Board to donate but will wait until all Board Members are present to decide on a dollar amount. Mrs. Kirby stated that the Lansing Senior's still want to continue with the Lansing Senior bus but that they would like to remove the wheelchair lift. Mr. Shulman suggested the Town offer the lift as a donation to Gadabout. This will be discussed at a later date. A discussion was held concerning the attendance of members of the Planning Board and the ZBA Board. It was the consensus of the Town Board to mandate training seminars and attendance. The following resolution was then adopted: RESOLUTION, offered by Mr. Cleveland and seconded by Mr. Beckwith: WHEREAS, the Planning Board and the Zoning Board of Appeals for the Town of Lansing exercise important government functions that have impacts on residents, including property owners within the Town, and WHEREAS, the and procedures to Appeals changes education is requ Town offices, and statutes, rules and regulations, court decisions be used by the Planning Board and Board of Zoning regularly such that a continuing program of fired to properly discharge the functions of these WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of Lansing has received a proposal to include an attendance requirement and a continuing educational requirement for membership on the Planning Board and Board of Zoning Appeals WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of Lansing has considered the proposal and wishes to adopt the attendance requirement and a continuing educational requirement for membership on the Planning Board and Board of Zoning Appeals as a policy of the Town of Lansing, therefore, it is RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Lansing adopts an attendance policy requiring that a board member not miss more than three regular meetings in a row or thirty percent of the regular meetings in a year without the excuse of the chairperson and a continuing educational policy requiring attendance at a minimum of one training session or seminar per year, as a condition of continued membership on the Planning Board and Board of Zoning Appeals as a policy of the Town of Lansing. Vote of Town Board (Aye) Herbert Beckwith, Councilman Vote of Town Board (Aye) Jeffrey Cleveland, Councilman continued March 4, 1998 Vote of Town Board (Aye) Jeannine Kirby, Supervisor Mr. Cleveland stated that the Town Board may want to set a policy whereas a new Town Board member could be required to attend a seminar or something similar. This will be discussed at a later date. Mr. Totman and Mr. John will get together before the next Board Meeting and prepare a resolution regarding one lot subdivisions in the Town of Lansing. Mr. Shulman asked the Board if they would be interested in running legal ads in the Lansing Community News as "Public Service" ads. He would give the Town of Lansing his non - profit government rate. No action was taken at this time. Mrs. Kirby stated that she was upset that a lot of County topics are almost "demanding" that Town's get involved in the committees. She feels the County Reps should handle these problems. Mrs. Kirby stated that Andy LaVigne has informed her that Mr. Ben Curtis from the Village of Lansing has approached him regarding receiving a contribution from the Town for the hiring of a consultant to protect the Town from Time Warner Cable Company. They are concerned that Time Warner will try to dictate to us. Mr. LaVigne will report back to the Board when he receives a figure. A copy of the Minutes of February 4, 1998, having been given to the Board Members beforehand, the Supervisor asked for a motion to make corrections or to accept the same as submitted. RESOLUTION, offered by ,Mr. Cleveland and seconded by Mr. Beckwith: RESOLVED, that the Minutes of February 4, 1998 are hereby approved as submitted. Carried. RESOLUTION, offered by Mr. Beckwith and seconded by Mr. Cleveland: RESOLVED, that the Regular Meeting be adjourned to go into Executive Session to discuss Town Insurance and a personal matter at the Highway Department at 8:42 p.m. Carried. RESOLUTION, offered by Mr. Beckwith and seconded by Mr. Cleveland: RESOLVED, that the Executive Session be terminated at 9:15 p.m. and the Regular Meeting be reconvened. Carried. On motion, meeting adjourned at the call of the Supervisor at 9.16 p.m. i nx�I/ Y /, , ', x, , 5q