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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-08-21REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING Date: August 21, 2002 Time: 7:00 p.m. Place: Lansing Town Hall Board Room AGENDA 1 . Call Meeting to Order. 2 . Roll Call 3 . Fledge of Allegiance 4 . Privilege of the Floor: A. Anyone wishing to address the Board 5 . Highway Superintendent Report 6 . Code Enforcement Officer's Report 7 . Engineer's Report 8 . Time Warner Franchise 9 . Resolution supporting County Empire Zone Application. 10 . Motion to approve 2002 Election cost & Inspectors payments. 11 . Discuss and formally prepare for change in term limits for the following elective positions: A. Town Clerk B. Highway Superintendent C. Town Supervisor 12 . Approve Audit 13, Approve Minutes of June 19th and July 17th, 2002. 14, Board Member Reports 15. Executive Session if needed. 16. Adjournment iii August 21, 2002 The Lansing Town Board met in Regular Session at the Lansing Town Hall Board Room at 7:00 p.m. with Supervisor Farkas presiding. The Supervisor called the meeting to order and had the clerk take the Roll Call. Stephen Farkas Katrina Greenly Doug McEver Meg Overstrom Francis Shattuck Bonita Boles Richard John ROLL CALL Supervisor Present Councilperson Present Councilperson Present Councilperson Absent Councilperson Present Town Clerk Present Town Attorney Present VISITORS: Connie Wilcox, Jack French, Dick Platt, Dave Herrick, Mark Weidman, Guy Krogh, Mr. Boerman and his Attorney, Noel Desch and William Albern. The Supervisor lead all present in the Pledge of Allegiance. OPEN BURNING: Mark Weidman of 20 Reach Run stated that Boris Simkin, an area developer burns constantly in the area of his home. He stated that he burns many things that should not be burnt. He stated that the field next to his home caught on fire earlier in the day and that the flames were approximately 12 feet high and 20 feet from his property line. He stated that open burning of construction materials is not allowed and that the DEC will investigate it along with the Health Department. He asked the Board to enact an ordinance to prohibit open burning in residential areas. He stated that he will not tolerate Mr. Simkin's burning any longer. Mr. Shattuck felt it might be better to put a stipulation.on building permits instead of adopting an ordinance. Mr. John will draw up something for the Board to look at. HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT: WHISPERING PINES - ARROWOOD: Mr. French stated that he wrote a letter to Mr. Thaler on August 13, 2002, regarding Whispering Pines and Arrowood Lane extensions and to date, has received no response regarding the repair of the extensions. Mr. French felt that Mr. Ottenschott will not make the extensions to code anytime in the future. Mr. John stated that Mr. Thaler wrote a letter to Mr. Ottenschott and discussed the situation with his engineer, Larry Fraboni. Mr. French wants to have the road repaired by mid September at the latest. BUSH LANE: The Town Highway Department has helped the Village of Lansing rebuild 1200 feet of Bush Lane. WATER MAIN BREADS: There has been two more water main breaks on North Triphammer Road. Mr. French feels there is a need to replace the line. MUNICIPAL AUCTION: Said Auction will take place at the Highway Department on September 14, 2002. �'7 113 Continued, August 21, 2002 AMTEK: Mr. Farkas stated that they would like to have Amtek look at the positions of MEO and Mechanic. The cost would be $ 600.00 per position. RESOLUTION, offered by Mr. Shattuck and seconded by Mr. McEver: WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of Lansing has undertaken a review of the procedures and structures used within the Town of Lansing; and WHEREAS, the Town Board has retained a consultant, Amtek, to assist in evaluating the procedures and structures used within the Town: and WHEREAS, the Town Board wishes to undertake a review of the positions of Truck Driver, Mechanical Equipment Operator and Mechanic in the Town Highway Department; therefore, it is RESOLVED, that the Town Supervisor be authorized to retain Amtek to undertake a review of the positions of Truck Driver, Mechanical Equipment Operator and Mechanic in the Town Highway Department to determine whether these positions should be redefined or restructured. Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Katrina Greenly, Councilperson Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Doug McEver, Councilperson Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Francis Shattuck, Councilperson Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Stephen Farkas, Supervisor DRUG AND ALCOHOL TESTING• RESOLUTION, offered by Mrs. Greenly and seconded by Mr. Shattuck: WHEREAS, the Town of Lansing has participated in a joint drug and alcohol testing program in conjunction with Tompkins County for Town Highway Department employees who hold Commercial Driver's Licenses; and WHEREAS, the Town of Lansing has enlisted the services of Amtek, Inc., a personnel policy consulting firm for assistance in addressing Town human resources issues; and WHEREAS, the Town Board wishes to revise its drug and alcohol testing procedures while still using the Tompkins County drug and alcohol testing program for employees who hold commercial drivers licenses; therefore, it is hereby RESOLVED, that the Town of Lansing retain Amtek, Inc. to assist in drafting a new Town of Lansing drug and alcohol policy for use in conjunction with the Tompkins County drug and alcohol testing program at a cost not to exceed $ 1,000.00. Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Katrina Greenly, Councilperson Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Doug McEver, Councilperson Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Francis Shattuck, Councilperson Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Stephen Farkas, Supervisor CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER'S REPORT• MONTHLY REPORT: Mr. Platt stated that they are up by 8 permits but down in project costs by $ 373,814.00 from last year. ift Continued, August 21, 2002 Mr. Platt stated that he will write Mr. McDermott a letter telling him to clean up the property on Auburn Road. Mr. John will look into the Junk Yard aspect part of this situation and get back to the Board at the next Regular Meeting. Connie Wilcox stated that the Town needs to do something now as they have made others comply with the law and she felt he is getting away with not complying. Mr. Shattuck stated that Mr. McDermott will be given a "date" to have his property comply with Town law. IT W-1 00 11 1 ; / A meeting was held with Mr. Straub to discuss the possibility of extending water service to his home on Sperry Lane. The Straub parcel is north of the WD 17, Ext. 1 boundary and minimally would require the formation of a district extension for his single property. Mr. Straub was asked to contact his neighbors on Marion Lane to determine interest in public water with the possibility of forming a larger district. The large landowner to the north (Eisenhut) will be asked if there is any development potential that would suggest a larger diameter main be considered for the Marion Lane project alternative. Andrew Boerman is requesting the Town's approval to for WD #7, Ext. 11 in order to serve new subdivision lots with public water. Some corrections and additional information will be required in the Engineer's Report. If acceptable with the Board, a public hearing could be scheduled for the regular meeting in October. Mr. Herrick felt a 20 foot wide maintenance path would be needed and deeded to the Town. Mr. Boerman was proposing a six foot wide gravel walk within the twenty foot wide path. Split rail fences would be on the outside. Mr. Boerman will install both at his expense. The intention of the pathway is so kids can walk to school. Mr. French felt it would be almost impossible to maintain it in the winter if it were not frozen. Mr. Boerman's engineer asked the Board for approval of extension # 11 and for approval for the extension of the water lines. Mr. Herrick stated that the process would be to go through the SEQR process, notification process and finally a public hearing in October. UNNOLMISIDIMU III 1 TG Miller is arranging a meeting with the engineer for the Cayuga County Water and Sewer Authority to discuss the technical aspects of extending water to Cayuga County. The Town received a petition from five properties on Myers Road ( # 228 - # 238) requesting a feasibility study for creating a district. Mr. Herrick will do a brief estimate to obtain a ball park figure before going further. TGM and the Bookkeeping staff have finished reviewing all of the parcel data for existing indebted districts. 15 Continued, August 21, 2002 A draft notice to landowners in the proposed consolidation water system was passed out to Board Members for review and comment. Prior to releasing the letter TGM must confirm the calculated EDU's for every parcel. The majority of the residential properties are straight forward. Large water users (institutional, industrial, commercial) need to be equated to a number of residential units based on the users consumption. A list of current large users (lmg +per year) includes Borg Warner, NSYDFY, Lansing CSD, Cargill, The Rink, AES Cayuga and Lansing Housing Authority. Dave recommended reviewing the preliminary determination of the units for these users with the appropriate party before publishing the final number of EDU's. Dave Herrick will talk to all of the big users individually before any informational meeting take place. TOWN OF PLATTSBURG TRIP• This trip will take place on September 13, 2002. The Town of Plattsburg has gone through the consolidation process this year. SEWER: Noel Desch urged the Town Board to stay on course with the sewer process as it has come so far and it would be a major set back if anyone quits. Mr. Desch has prepared a draft resolution and will be prepared to bring it up at the meeting tomorrow morning at 9:30a.m. Another meeting will be held on August 26th at the Ithaca City Hall, TIME WARNER FRANCHI E• Mr. Shattuck that the Time Warner contract is up in October of 2002. A few Town's have asked the Town of Lansing to go in with them to have a new contract with Time Warner. The following resolution was then adopted: RESOLUTION, offered by Mr. Shattuck and seconded by Mr. McEver: WHEREAS, Time Warner, Inc. Supplies cable television services to residents of the Town of Lansing, and WHEREAS, the Town Board has received a request to decrease the number of homes per mile that Time Warner requires to be present in order to run cable services; therefore, it is RESOLVED, that the Town Board authorize the Town Supervisor to approach Time Warner, Inc. With this request and att empt to negotiate a decrease in the number of homes per mile required to provide cable television services to the Town of Lansing residents. Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Katrina Greenly, Councilperson Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Doug McEver, Councilperson Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Francis Shattuck, Councilperson Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Stephen Farkas, Supervisor TOMPKINS COUNTY EMPIRE ZONE: After a short discussion, the following resolution was adopted: RESOLUTION SUPPORTING AND CONCURRING WITH TOMPKINS COUNTY AREA DEVELOPMENT'S APPLICATION FOR DESIGNATION OF CERTAIN AREAS WITHIN TOMPKINS COUNTY AS AN EMPIRE ZONE 1_.16 Continued, August 21, 2002 RESOLUTION, offered by Mr. Shattuck and seconded by Mrs. Greenly: WHEREAS, Section 961 of Article 18 -13 of NYS General Municipal Law authorizes application by Tompkins County Area Development for designation of Tompkins County as an Empire Zone within the meaning of said statute; and WHEREAS, such designation could greatly benefit Tompkins County in that new businesses would be encouraged to locate in the zone area, and existing businesses would be encouraged to expand in the zone area and such new and expanded businesses would generate new employment opportunities for Tompkins County residents; and WHEREAS, Tompkins County intends to authorize submission of an application for designation of areas within Tompkins County as an Empire Zone; and WHEREAS, Tompkins Area Development, in consultation with the Town of Lansing wishes to designate certain areas within the Town of Lansing as part of the proposed Empire Zone; and WHEREAS, the Town of Lansing is desirous of working with Tompkins County Area Development through the Empire Zones Program to provide enhanced employment opportunities for its residents; now therefore BE IT RESOLVED, by the Town Board of the Town of Lansing, that it fully supports and concurs in the Tompkins County Area Development actions to authorize and submit an application for an Empire Zone application within the Town of Lansing and other areas of Tompkins County. Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Katrina Greenly, Councilperson Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Doug McEver, Councilperson Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Francis Shattuck, Councilperson Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Stephen Farkas, Supervisor RESOLUTION, offered by Mr. McEver and seconded by Mrs. Greenly: WHEREAS, the Town of Lansing is responsible for providing the appropriate personnel to conduct elections in the Town of Lansing, including the cost of opening the polling places and providing election custodians and inspectors to conduct the polls; and WHEREAS, the Town of Lansing conducts polling at eight locations within the eight voting districts in the Town, requiring the employment of two custodians and 32 inspectors; and WHEREAS, the Town of Lansing has received proposed rates for payment of election expenses for the 2002 elections as follows. ro--Mtol C 1� Swearing In Training Schools (Max.2 /yr) Registration Day (every 4 yrs.) Primary Day (10 hours) Election Day (16 hours) Chairman (8) Return Election Bag 0 $ 1.00 $ 10.00 $ 65.00 (4 inspectors) $ 65.00 flat rate $104.00 flat rate $ 10.00 $ 5.00 ( 1 per district) $ 32.00 $ 640.00 $ 260.00 $ 2,080.00 $ 3,328.00 $ 80.00 $ 40.00 Custodians (Max 3 /yr) Therefore, it is Continued, August 21, 2002 $ 425.00 /set -up /custodian 250.0 $ 9,010.00 RESOLVED, that the Town of Lansing adopt the proposed rates for the payment of election expi 1 Vote Vote Vote Vote .muses as I of Town of Town of Town of Town ►resented. Board ... (Aye) Katrina Greenly, Councilperson Board ... (Aye) Doug McEver, Councilperson Board ... (Aye) Francis Shattuck, Councilperson Board ... (Aye) Stephen Farkas, Supervisor FOUR YEAR TERMS, After a short discussion which stated the good and bad of four year terms, the following resolution was offered: RESOLUTION, offered by Mr. Shattuck and seconded by Mr. McEver: WHEREAS, the service terms for the Town of Lansing Town Clerk, Highway Superintendent and Town Supervisor are each two years; and WHEREAS, the Town Board has received a request to consider amending the terms for these positions so that the terms for Town Clerk, Highway Superintendent and Town Supervisor would be four years; and - WHEREAS, the Town Board wishes to receive public comment on the proposal for a change in service terms for Town Clerk, Highway Superintendent and Town Supervisor to four years, therefore, it is RESOLVED, that the Town Board hold a Public Hearing on September 18th, 2002 at 7:15 p.m. at the Lansing Town Hall to receive public comment on the proposal to change the service terms for Town Clerk, Highway Superintendent and Town Supervisor to four years. Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Katrina Greenly, Councilperson Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Doug McEver, Councilperson Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Francis Shattuck, Councilperson Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Stephen Farkas, Supervisor BUDGET MODIFICATIONS• RESOLUTION, offered by Mrs. Greenly and seconded by Mr. McEver: RESOLVED, that the bookkeeper is hereby authorized and directed to make the following Budget Modifications: FROM TO FOR A1990,400 Al 110.401 Justice - acting Justice ti A1990,400 A1910.400 Unallocated Insurance A7180.400 A7020.400 Rec. Admin - Contractual A7180.400 A7140.400 Playground/Rec. Fields -contr Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Katrina Greenly, Councilperson Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Doug McEver, Councilperson Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Francis Shattuck, Councilperson Vote of Town Board .... (Aye) Stephen Farkas, Supervisor AMOUNT 600.00 3,042.83 188.56 110.00 117 118 Continued, August, 21, 2002 &A WiteAURD1 A 11� RESOLUTION, offered by Mr. Shattuck and seconded by Mr. McEver: RESOLVED, that the bookkeeper is hereby authorized and directed to pay the following bills: VOUCHER NUMBERS PREPAY VOUCHERS General Fund Highway Fund Lansing Lighting Lansing Water Districts Water 2,3 Water 12,2 Water 19 634 - 773 634 - 638 90,748.96 59,033.30 1,249.74 13,820.27 198.06 198.06 198.06 Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Katrina Greenly, Councilperson Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Doug McEver, Councilperson Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Francis Shattuck, Councilperson Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Stephen Farkas, Supervisor A copy of the minutes of June 19th and July 17th, 2002, having been furnished to the Board Members beforehand, the Supervisor asked for a motion to make corrections or to accept the same as submitted. RESOLUTION, offered by Mrs. Greenly and seconded by Mr. Shattuck: RESOLVED, that the Minutes of June 19th and July 17th, 2002 are hereby approved as submitted. Carried. s_ 5 1 I - RESOLUTION, offered by Mr. McEver and seconded by Mrs. Greenly: RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Lansing does hereby accept the Audit performed by Andrew LaVigne for the year 2001. Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Katrina Greenly, Councilperson Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Doug McEver, Councilperson Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Francis Shattuck, Councilperson Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Stephen Farkas, Councilperson Mr. Shattuck stated that he would like to receive the Audit earlier in the year. Mr. Farkas stated that the Town has hired Cindy Stull as a clerk in the Supervisor's Office at a rate of $ 12.54 per hour which is below mid -point for the classified job. He also stated he would like to re- classify this job, on Amtek's recommendation, along with a job in the Recreation Office. �� Continued, August 21, 2002 BOARD MEMBER REPORTS: DOUG MCEVER: Floating Classroom: The work on the floating classroom is moving along slowly. The network may be receiving a grant in the amount of $ 475,000 with 25% of that to be in kind work. Historic Building_ Crunching figures for the new Town Historical Building. Mr. McEver felt the cost of materials would be approximately $ 70,000.00. He will keep the Board updated. Grants could come into play in this building. KATRINA GREENLY: County Librar: The County Library is loosing funding and would like the Town's to come up with another $ 1,000.00. It was not felt that the Town of Lansing needed all they claim we do. Better Housing rant: Mrs. Greenly informed the Board that the Town of Lansing did NOT receive the grant that was applied for. FRANCIS SHATTUCK. Concerts in the Park: Mr. Shattuck stated that he attended many of the concerts that were held in Myers Park over the summer and really enjoyed them. He stated that the series had very good attendance. Planning Board: The Planning Board is in the final stages and would like to get the changes out to the public. Mr. Shattuck stated that Mr. Brad Griffin is stepping down from the Planning Board with approximately three years of his term left. His position will be publicly advertised for. Cell Towers: The State is trying to help communities with the possibility of providing cell towers. Mr. Shattuck stated that the Town would like a height limit of 80 feet. STEVE FARKAS: Tractor for Recreation Department• Mr. Farkas stated that he had received a memo from Steve Colt stating that he will be purchasing a new tractor in the amount of $ 15,000.00. He will be selling an older tractor and hoping this will be a walk. Mr. Shattuck suggested Mr. Colt figure out a way to put the equipment purchases on a time table. He also wants to see it with his proposed budget for 2003. Re- classifying two (2) Job Titles: Mr. Farkas asked for a resolution to approve the re- classification of two jobs. One job is in the Supervisor's Office and the other is in the Recreation Office. 120 Continued, August 21, 2002 RESOLUTION, offered by Mr. Shattuck and seconded by Mr. McEver: WHEREAS, the Town of Lansing currently maintains two civil service classified positions for a job titled as Clerk in the Town Supervisor's Office and a job titled as Recreation Assistant in the Recreation Department; and WHEREAS, the Town Board wishes to review the descriptions of these two jobs to reflect the actual job duties performed and potentially have these positions reclassified; therefore, it is RESOLVED, that the Town Supervisor is authorized to submit the actual job duties being performed by the Clerk in the Town Supervisor's Office and the Recreation Assistant in the Recreation Department to Tompkins County for consideration of the creation of new job titles, descriptions and grades in compliance with the Civil Service Law. Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Katrina Greenly, Councilperson Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Doug McEver, Councilperson Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Francis Shattuck, Councilperson Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Stephen Farkas, Supervisor Mr. Shattuck stated that the Town could be faced with a 20% minimum tax hike. He stated that the taxable property rate for the Town of Lansing went up 7.65% for the year 2002. No one else even got to a 4% increase. Mr. Shattuck feels the Town of Lansing is being penalized by the County for a process that they get paid for, which is the total assessment each year. He stated that it use to be that the County would be paid a flat rate = no matter how much the assessed values went up. Now, the County is assessing properties based on sale areas. Last year the Assessment reassessed over 32,000 properties of which over 4,000 were in Lansing. He also stated that 62% of all assessments that happened in the county were in the Town of Lansing. Mr. Shattuck will go to the County Board hopefully along with many others and talk about the fact that the Town of Lansing is being penalized. He stated that he was not sure it is legal by basing the assessment on pockets of sales. There is no practical value to their method. He did not feel a "selective" way of assessing was fair. Mr. Shattuck was informed that another 1,300 units will be assessed in the Town of Lansing next year. It was stated that the Town Board could have a public meeting to inform and prepare all towns people of this problem and hopefully get a lot of them to attend a County Board meeting. RESOLUTION, offered by Mr. McEver and seconded by Mrs. Greenly: RESOLVED, that the Regular Meeting be adjourned to go into Executive Session to discuss personnel and litigation matters at 10:00 p.m. Carried. RESOLUTION, offered by Mr. McEver and seconded by Mr. Shattuck: RESOLVED, that the Executive Session be adjourned to go back into Regular Session at 10:04 p.m. Carried. Pjif.�140-191 i__.1 _ RESOLUTION, offered by Mr. Shattuck and seconded by Mrs. Greenly: WHEREAS, on occasion, Town of Lansing non - elected employees, other than Highway L2L Continued, August 21, 2002 Department employees, are called upon to attend night meetings or are requested to work and/or attend meetings which are not regularly scheduled to work; and WHEREAS, it has been proposed that in these instances, such employees be compensated for a minimum of three hours of work; therefore, it is RESOLVED, that on those occasions where Town of Lansing non - elected employees, other than Highway Department employees, are called upon to attend night meetings, or are requested to, and report for, work on days or nights other than those for which they are normally scheduled, these hourly employees will be guaranteed a minimum payment equal to three hours of their regular payroll wage rate. Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Katrina Greenly, Councilperson Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Doug McEver, Councilperson Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Francis Shattuck, Councilperson Vote of Town Board ... (Aye) Stephen Farkas, Supervisor On motion, meeting adjourned at the call of the Supervisor.