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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-12-021.61 December 02, 1998 . The Lansing Town Board met in Special Session at the Lansing Town Hall Board Room at 7:00 P.M. with Supervisor Kirby presiding. Jeannine Kirby Herbert Beckwith Paul Butler Jeffrey Cleveland Stephen Farkas Bonita Boles Debbie Crandall Rich John ROLL CALL Supervisor Present Councilman Present Councilman Present Councilman Present Councilman Present Town Clerk Absent Deputy Town Clerk Present Town Attorney Present VISITORS: George Totman, Dave Herrick, 6 Representatives for AES Transission Team, Kevin Kauffman, Henry Doney, Matt-Shulman, Tom Ellis, John Deshler, Richard and Linda Carlton. The Supervisor called the meeting to order and had the clerk take the Roll Call. REPRESENTATIVES FROM AES CAYUGA STATION Mark Adams introduced himself and the AES Transission Team, (former Milliken Station). Mr. Adams gave an overview of the facts and history of AES. He stated that AES is a corporation that was founded in 1981. It is considered the largest global company. There are 90 plants, 27 thousand megawatts in 13 different countries. AES employs 40,000 people throughout the world. There are currently 9 power distribution plants in the United States. After presenting the overview Mr. Adams asked if there were any questions from the Town Board. 1. Mr. Farkas asked if AES anticipated any expansion at the Milliken plant? Mr. Adams stated that AES currently does not see any expansion. 2. Mrs. Kirby asked how the Milliken plant compared efficiency wise with their other plants? Mr. Adams replied that even though it was an older plant, it was a very good plant and very efficient with a good heat rate. It is extremely maintained and NYSEG has modernized it as best they could. 3. Mr. Butler asked Mr. Adams what his title was? Mr. Adams stated that AES isn't big on titles. There are not a lot of levels on management at AES they empower the people and let them make the decisions. AES strips out many layers of management so the people can make their decisions so they do not have to run to their boss to get an answer. The power is given to the people. The employees are good people with a lot of years experience and they are very proud of the people that are in these plants. Mr. Adams stated that they are not big on titles and they strip away titles. He is a part of the transition team and is a Team Leader at Shady Point, Oklahoma. Mr. Adams stated that the Public Service Commissions has approved the sale but he did not know the closing date. Mr. Farkas stated that if the Town Board could be of assistance to AES to please ask as they are a vital part of the Community. WATER RATE SCHEDULE Dave Herrick passed out the water rate schedule to all Board members. Mr. Herrick asked the Town Board to review the rates and make a decision at the next meeting so the rates can be established before the next billing period. 162 December 02, 1998, continued INTEGRATED WATER SYSTEM Integrated Water System Committee Representatives Kevin Kauffman, Bolton Point CEO and Henry Doney, Director of Activities at Cornell University addressed the Board concerning the integrated water system. Mr. Kauffman handed out and discussed a copy of an operational budget and how it would effect the Town of Lansing. Mr. Kauffman also handed out two draft resolutions for the Board to review. After a lengthy discussion the following resolution was duly adopted. INTEGRATED WATER SYSTEM RESOLUTION RESOLUTION, offered by Mr. Cleveland and seconded by Mr. Butler: WHEREAS, the Towns of Dryden, Ithaca and Lansing and the Villages of Cayuga Heights and Lansing are partners in the Southern Cayuga Lake Inter-municipal Water Commission ( SCLIWC), and WHEREAS, Cornell University, the City of Ithaca and five municipal partners of SCLIWC (the seven entities to now-be referred to as the seven partners) each own, operate and maintain their own individual water supply systems, and WHEREAS, the seven partners executed a memorandum of understanding, dated July 2, 1996, to jointly undertake a comprehensive water system study with the assistance of O'Brien & Gere Engineers (OBG), and WHEREAS, based on the results of the OBG study, the seven partners agreed to participate in an Integrated Water System Committee (IWSC) to study the recommendations of the OBG report and to determine what cooperative actions the seven partners should take in order to receive the benefits of a regionalized water supply system, and WHEREAS, the progress of the IWSC has reached a point where the representatives of the seven partners think it appropriate that all six municipal governing boards provide 'a resolution and Cornell provide a letter to the IWSC authorizing their representatives to develop and propose a final draft memorandum of understanding and agreement of municipal cooperation for the creation of a regional water supply system for the seven partners, now be it therefore, RESOLVED, that the (town, village, city) does hereby express its intention to become one of seven partners participating in a regional water supply system, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the (town, village, city) does hereby authorize its representatives on the IWSC to develop and propose a final draft memorandum of understanding and agreement of municipal cooperation for the creation of a regional water supply system for the seven partners. Vote of Town Board Vote of Town Board. Vote of Town Board. Vote of Town Board. Vote of Town Board. DRAKE ROAD WA'T'ER REQUEST (Aye) Herbert Beckwith, Councilman (Aye) Paul Butler, Councilman (Aye) Jeffrey Cleveland, Councilman (Aye) Stephen Farkas, Councilman (Aye) Jeannine Kirby, Supervisor Richard and Linda Carlton and Tom Ellis, residents of Drake Road approached the Town Board in regards to water on Drake Road. The Carlton's had previously written a letter to Supervisor Kirby and the Board 163 December 02, 1998, continued Members on November 18, 1998 concerning their water supply and requesting public water on Drake Road. Mr. Herrick addressed the questions in the Carlton's letter. Mr. Herrick stated that the difficulty with Drake Road is that there is a large number of vacant land that does front on the property and the owners of that property have expressed during the studies their indifference. Excluding the properties that have the larger acreage would increase the cost. The second problem was that in 1995 the project did not qualify for HUD funding as a result of not having a majority of low income. Mr. Herrick stated that the Town did submit an application to the State including Drake Road to be added to the Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund list. This would allow the Town to secure long term no or 16W interest loans. Mr. Herrick explained the scoring system concerning qualifying for the loan fund. Mrs. Kirby informed the Carlton's, as their letter indicated, that a resident is not taxed for water to support other water districts. The Town is not a town wide district and the Board has never taken water anywhere without it being subsidized by a grant, a developing contractor or the residents want the water so badly that they are willing to pay for the water themselves. As far as any money coming out of the general fund to construct a waterline, it has not been done. The only thing the Town has done is conduct feasibility studies and that money is always reimbursed after the district is formed. Mr. Herrick stated in the case of Drake Road, there have been studies done and the money has come out of the general fund. If and when the district is formed the money will be reimbursed to the general fund. After further discussion, it was the consensus of the Town Board to mail letters to all property and landowners on Drake Road inviting them to attend a Town Board meeting in February to see if there is interest in forming a water district. Also at the time of the meeting provide a petition that residents can complete. COMPLAINT OF JAKE BRAKES ON 34B Tom Ellis, resident of Drake Road, informed the Board that he is still being bothered by the fake brakes {Jacobson brakes). Mr. Cleveland asked him if he had.found any Town where they were outlawed. He stated that they were outlawed in Astoria, Washington due to logging trucks. Mr. Farkas asked Mr. John to check with the Town of Skaneateles as he had heard they were having problems with truckers. Mr. Ellis suggested that the Board send a letter to Cargill and have it posted at the scale house to be courteous to the residents. Mr. John stated that if these are legal for use on the roads, you might have some trouble with Interstate Commerce problems. Mr. Cleveland stated that Cargill is not at fault, it is the truckers hauling the salt. Mr. John will prepare a courtesy letter for Mr. Cleveland to sign and send to Cargill asking them to post it at the scale house. STATE DOT PLANS FOR CULVERT REPLACEMENT Mr. Herrick informed the Board that the State DOT plans a culvert replacement on E Shore Drive. Mr. Herrick passed out a draft resolution to authorize relocating the water main for the Board to review. Mr. Herrick would like this resolution to appear on the next meetings agenda on December 16, 1998. 16 !� December 02, 1998, continued HUD APPLICATIONS Mr. Herrick provided the Board with a copy of Bernard Thoma's letter in regards to the HUD applications. Mrs. Kirby will have Mr. Thoma attend the December 16, 1998 meeting to further explain things. Mr. Herrick suggested that the Board also address Mr. Thoma in regards to the East Shore Circle request for water at the December 16, 1998 meeting. MR. DESCHLER - HILLCREST ROAD LOT Mr. Deschler addressed the Town Board in regards to the proposal from Ed Mazza and the letter from his wife Beverly in regards to the Hillcrest Road lot. After further discussion the Town Board will look at the proposal. In closing Mr. Deschler stated that they would like to resolve the situation and work with the Board to do this. DISCUSSION ON ADVERTISING IN PUBLIC NEWSPAPERS Rich John reported that he did some research on how you designate a newspaper as an official newspaper. The following is an opinion of the New York State Comptroller. 1. A paper in general circulation. 2. At least weekly published for one year. 3. That it contains news, editorials and other matters of current interest. 4. Paid circulation. 5. Be entered as second class mail matter. Mr. John stated that the Ithaca Journal qualifies on these grounds. Mr. John stated that possibly the Lansing Community News could qualify as well. One question Mr. John had was whether it is being sent out as second class mail matter? Mr. Shulman stated it was not being sent out as second class mail matter. Mr. Shulman stated that paid subscriptions are sent out by first class mail. After further discussion Mr. John will look further at the opinion of the New York State Comptroller concerning the second class mail matter. Mr. John stated that the opinion of the State Comptroller is advisory. LANSING SENIORS' VAN AND GADABOUT Mr. Butler reported that Lansing's Senior Citizens are using Gadabout more because they can not get drivers for the Town van. Mr. Flinn, member of the Gadabout Board, has contacted Mr. Beckwith asking why the Town doesn't donate to Gadabout. It was the consensus of the Board that due to the increasing use of the Gadabout the following resolution was duly adopted: RESOLUTION, offered by Mr. Beckwith and seconded by Mr. Butler: RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Lansing, due to the increasing use of Gadabout by Lansing residents, does hereby authorize a donation of $2,500.00 to Gadabout. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that said amount be paid out of the 1999 budget. Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Herbert Beckwith, Councilman Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Paul Butler, Councilman Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Jeffrey Cleveland, Councilman X65 December 02, 1998, continued Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Stephen Farkas, Councilman Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Jeannine Kirby, Supervisor TAX RATES - THEN AND NOW Mrs. Kirby stated that she would like to publish in the paper annually, tax information on is responsible for what rates. The Board discussed listing the different kinds of taxes, Town & County, Town, Fire and School, the rates and telephone numbers to call in reference to each tax. After further discussion the Board will also provide a handout at tax time with this information on it. REQUEST TO RENAME MYERS BRIDGE The Town Board discussed a request to rename the Myers bridge to Nicholas George Bridge. The Town Board noted that the bridge is a County bridge. Mr. Totman stated that Rick Erb would be the person to contact in regards to finding out what the Counties policy is on naming bridges. Mrs. Kirby will contact him. After further discussion the Town Board will request that the residents present the Board with a petition requesting the renaming of the bridge. Also, the Town Board will inform the residents that this is a County bridge instead of a Town bridge. TAX EXEMPTION FOR THE DISABLED Mrs. Kirby received a pamphlet from the County in regards to the tax exemption for the disabled. Mrs. Kirby will copy the information for the Board members. After further discussion the Board will check to see if the County and other Towns are offering the exemption and discuss it further at a later date. APPROVE MINUTES A copy of the minutes of November 04, 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, by Mr. Beckwith and seconded by Mr. Farkas: RESOLVED, that the minutes of November 04, 1998 are hereby approved as submitted. Carried. CAYUGA LAKE WATERSHED Mrs. Kirby stated that she would like to appoint someone outside of the Board to attend these meetings. Mrs. Kirby stated that she would also like to attend these meetings. After further discussion Mrs. Kirby will ask Brad Griffin if he would like to be a representative at these meetings. TOWN HALL COMMUNITY CENTER Mr. Butler reported that the FLDA group is going to continue with their idea of painting a border at the community center. The Lansing Lady Lions will paint the base color. The project will not start until the new windows are put in. 166 December 02, 1998, continued EXECUTIVE SESSION RESOLUTION, offered by Mr. Beckwith and seconded by Mr. Cleveland: RESOLVED, that the Special Meeting be adjourned to go into Executive Session at 10:00 P.M to discuss a personnel matter in the Supervisor's Office and legalities regarding Hillcrest Road lot. Carried. RESOLUTION, offered by Mr. Beckwith and seconded by Mr. Farkas. RESOLVED, that the Executive Session be terminated at 10:15 P.M. and the Special Meeting be reconvened. Carried. PARKS & RECREATION REPLACEMENT TRUCK PURCHASE The Town Board received information from Steve Colt in regards to a replacement truck for the Parks & Recreation Department. After further discussiont it was the consensus of the Town Board to authorize the purchase and pass a resolution and budget modification at the Regular Meeting on December 16, 1998. Meeting adjourned at the call of the Supervisor at 10:20 P.M. Minutes taken and executed by the Deputy Town Clerk.