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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-11-04 November 4, 2020 1 BUDGET TOWN BOARD MEETING November 4, 2020 Town of Lansing YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs2FqU2xFnDyGS8DwXgoJwA Zoom Meeting ID – 899 5291 6006 Password – 947394 Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89952916006 Dial 1-646-558-8656 US (New York) A Budget Meeting of the Lansing Town Board was held at the Town Hall Board Room, 29 Auburn Road, Lansing, NY on the above date at 6:40 p.m. The meeting was called to order by Edward LaVigne, Supervisor, and opened with the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. Roll call by Deborah K. Munson, Town Clerk, showed the following to be PRESENT: Andra Benson, Councilperson Doug Dake, Councilperson (remotely) Bronwyn Losey, Councilperson (remotely) Joseph Wetmore, Councilperson (remotely) Edward LaVigne, Supervisor ABSENT: No one absent ALSO PRESENT: Guy Krogh, Town Counsel (remotely), C.J. Randall, Director of Planning (remotely), Mike Moseley, Deputy Highway Superintendent (remotely) MOTION TO OPEN PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED LOCAL LAW #5 OF 2020 – REPEAL LOCAL LAW #4 OF 2020 AND REINSTATE THE TAX CAP LIMITS Councilperson Andra Benson, moved to OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED LOCAL LAW #5 OF 2020 – REPEAL LOCAL LAW #4 OF 2020 AND REINSTATE THE TAX CAP LIMITS at 6:41 p.m. Supervisor Edward LaVigne, seconded the motion. All in Favor – 5 Opposed – 0 No one addressed the Town Board. MOTION TO CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING All persons desiring to be heard, having been heard, Councilperson Doug Dake, moved to CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED LOCAL LAW #5 OF 2020 – REPEAL LOCAL LAW #4 OF 2020 AND REINSTATE THE TAX CAP LIMITS at 6:42 p.m. Councilperson Joseph Wetmore, seconded the motion. All in Favor – 5 Opposed – 0 MOTION TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED 2021 ASSESSMENT ROLLS FOR TOWN WATER, LIGHTING, DRAINAGE, AND SEWER DISTRICTS Supervisor Edward LaVigne, moved to OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED 2021 ASSESSMENT ROLLS FOR TOWN WATER, LIGHTING, DRAINAGE, AND SEWER DISTRICTS at 6:43 p.m. Councilperson Andra Benson, seconded the motion. All in Favor – 5 Opposed – 0 No one addressed the Town Board. November 4, 2020 2 MOTION TO CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING All persons desiring to be heard, having been heard, Councilperson Joseph Wetmore, moved to CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED 2021 ASSESSMENT ROLLS FOR TOWN WATER, LIGHTING, DRAINAGE, AND SEWER DISTRICTS at 6:46 p.m. Councilperson Doug Dake, seconded the motion. All in Favor – 5 Opposed – 0 MOTION TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED 2021 TOWN OF LANSING ASSESSMENT ROLLS AND PRELIMINARY BUDGET Councilperson Andra Benson, moved to OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED 2021 TOWN OF LANSING ASSESSMENT ROLLS AND PRELIMINARY BUDGET at 6:47 p.m. Councilperson Doug Dake, seconded the motion. All in Favor – 5 Opposed – 0 No one addressed the Town Board. MOTION TO CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING All persons desiring to be heard, having been heard, Councilperson Doug Dake, moved to CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED 2021 TOWN OF LANSING ASSESSMENT ROLLS AND PRELIMINARY BUDGET at 6:48 p.m. Councilperson Joseph Wetmore, seconded the motion. All in Favor – 5 Opposed – 0 RESOLUTION ADOPTING LOCAL LAW #5 OF 2020 – A LOCAL LAW TO REPEAL LOCAL LAW #4 OF 2020 AND REINSTATING THE TAX CAP LIMITS OF GENERAL MUNICIPAL LAW § 3-C Discussion on the highway budget – concern regarding road work getting done Supervisor Edward LaVigne: • Sales tax revenue – 2020 o September 30% above last year o Project 15% decrease for remainder of 2020 – decrease about $112,000 o Highway receives 80% – short about $90,000 o Highway giving back $200,000 – not doing road improvements • 2021 o If revenue ok – highway will have $400,000 o Highway will cut back, if necessary o Fund balance total about 8 months Deputy Highway Superintendent Mike Moseley: • Unexpected similar situation / 2008 Depression • Do more maintenance to extend road use o Maintenance keeps roads going until major improvements are done • If additional sales tax revenue, will do more highway improvements • 2021 still plan for $200,000 • Infrastructure good • Major road re-construction is highway improvement o Town receives CHIPS reimbursement for improvements o Still will do road improvements – do less miles o Did about $200,000 this year o Cost about $100,000 per mile • Equipment o Conservative this year o Replaced some equipment ahead of schedule when Town had money November 4, 2020 3 Councilperson Doug Dake: • Good to recognize situation and discuss • Departments do great job • March 2020 – Highway Department good foresight to evaluate situation • Appears to be in control RESOLUTION 20-141 RESOLUTION ADOPTING LOCAL LAW #5 OF 2020 – A LOCAL LAW TO REPEAL LOCAL LAW #4 OF 2020 AND REINSTATING THE TAX CAP LIMITS OF GENERAL MUNICIPAL LAW § 3-C The following Resolution was duly presented for consideration by the Town Board: WHEREAS, on July 15, 2020, the Town adopted a local law to override tax cap limits set forth in GML § 3-C (Local Law #4 of 2020), and due to other NYS legislation allowing certain limited tax refunds under stated conditions, one of which is that no tax cap override may be in place at the time of adoption of a final budget for 2021, the Town Board has decided to repeal Local Law #4 of 2020, the tax cap override local law; and WHEREAS, a public hearing was duly held at the Lansing Town Hall, 29 Auburn Road, Lansing, New York, being in the Town of Lansing, and via ZOOM, on November 4, 2020, to consider the adoption of proposed Local Law #5 of 2020, and all persons interested therein were duly heard and all evidences were taken; and WHEREAS, since this action is a Type II SEQRA action for which no environmental review is required, and upon due consideration thereupon, the Town Board of the Town of Lansing has hereby RESOLVED, that Local Law #5 of 2020 be and hereby is approved and adopted in the form as presented to this meeting, and in such form “be it so enacted”; and it is further RESOLVED, that in accord with §21 of the Municipal Home Rule Law, the final adopted version of this Local Law shall be presented to the Supervisor for approval; and it is further RESOLVED, that upon such approval by the Supervisor (or other approval occurring pursuant to said §21 of the Municipal Home Rule Law), and within 20 days after the final adoption of this Local Law, the Town Clerk shall file a certified copy of this Local Law, together with the required certifications, if any, as follows: (i) in the Office of the Town Clerk; and (ii) with the New York State Secretary of State as required by Municipal Home Rule Law §27 (said filing may be made by delivery to the NYS Department of State, Division of Corporations, State Records and Uniform Commercial Code, One Commerce Plaza, 99 Washington Avenue, Albany, New York 12231). The question of the adoption of such proposed Resolution was duly motioned by Supervisor Edward LaVigne, duly seconded by Councilperson Andra Benson, and put to a roll call vote with the following results: Councilperson Andra Benson – Aye Councilperson Doug Dake – Aye Councilperson Bronwyn Losey – Aye Councilperson Joseph Wetmore – Aye Supervisor Edward LaVigne – Aye Accordingly, the foregoing Resolution was approved, carried, and duly adopted on November 4, 2020. RESOLUTION APPROVING THE SPECIAL DISTRICTS BUDGET AND TOWN BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2021 The Preliminary Budget for Fiscal Year 2021 for Town of Lansing was available as a handout. November 4, 2020 4 Summary of Fiscal Budget by Fund for 2021 Supervisor Edward LaVigne, reviewed the following: Appropriations Estimated Revenue Unexpended Fund Balance Amount Raised by Tax Appropriated Reserves General Fund Townwide 2,108,886.00 857,034.77 118,500.00 1,133,351.23 0.00 General Fund Outside Village 403,004.00 340,181.00 62,823.00 0.00 0.00 Highway Fund Townwide 1,302,968.00 190,181.07 0.00 1,112,786.93 0.00 Highway Fund OutsideVillage 1,542,621.00 1,290,715.00 251,906.00 0.00 0.00 TOTAL TOWN 5,357,479.00 2,678,111.84 433,229.00 2,246,138.16 0.00 Councilperson Andra Benson, reviewed the Drainage Districts, Councilperson Bronwyn Losey, reviewed the Lighting, Sewer and Water Districts, and Councilperson Joseph Wetmore reviewed the totals: Special Districts Appropriations Estimated Revenue Unexpended Fund Balance Amount Raised by Tax Appropriated Reserves SDD1–Drainage District #1 3,000.00 0.00 0.00 3,000.00 0.00 SDD2–Drainage District #2 1,340.00 0.00 0.00 1,340.00 0.00 SDD4–Drainage District #4 2,750.00 0.00 0.00 2,750.00 0.00 SDD5–Drainage District #5 1,340.00 0.00 0.00 1,340.00 0.00 SDD6–Drainage District #6 3,740.00 0.00 0.00 3,740.00 0.00 SDD7–Drainage District #7 3,345.00 0.00 0.00 3,345.00 0.00 SDD8–Drainage District #8 7,602.00 0.00 0.00 7,602.00 0.00 SD10–Drainage District #10 3,788.00 0.00 0.00 3,788.00 0.00 SL1–Ludlowville Light District 2,000.00 0.00 0.00 2,000.00 0.00 SL2–Warren Road Light District 7,500.00 0.00 0.00 7,500.00 0.00 SL3–Lakewatch Lighting District 7,000.00 0.00 0.00 7,000.00 0.00 SS1–Warren Rd Sewer District 134,007.88 107,300.00 0.00 26,707.88 0.00 SS3–Cherry Rd Sewer District 65,730.00 25,200.00 40,020.00 510.00 0.00 SW–Lansing Water District 1,383,941.56 778,000.00 49,260.59 556,680.97 0.00 TOTAL SPECIAL DISTRICTS 1,627,084.44 910,500.00 89,280.59 627,303.85 0.00 GRAND TOTAL TOWN & SPECIAL DISTRICTS 6,984,563.44 3,588,611.84 522,509.59 2,873,442.01 0.00 Supervisor Edward LaVigne and Bookkeeper Charmagne Rumgay stated the Cherry Road Fund Balance is being used because meters will be installed to measure by flow instead of EDU. RESOLUTION 20-142 RESOLUTION APPROVING THE SPECIAL DISTRICTS BUDGET AND TOWN BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2021 The following Resolution was duly presented for consideration by the Town Board: WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of Lansing, having duly held public hearings on November 4, 2020, upon the Preliminary Budget approved by this Board and filed with the Town Clerk for the fiscal year commencing January 1, 2021, including the lighting, water, drainage districts, and sewer Special District Budgets for 2021, and the Town Board having heard all persons desiring to be heard in the matter, and the matter of the Budget for this Town for such fiscal year having been fully discussed and considered, and WHEREAS, the Town Board, at such meeting, having discussed the changes and final updates to such Preliminary Budget, and as so amended, duly approved and established the same as the annual Budget for this Town for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2021; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the said Budget approved and filed as aforesaid, for 2021, is hereby amended as follows: November 4, 2020 5 General Fund (A) and Highway Fund (DA) Accounts: Tax rate: Increase by 0.01% from 1.5432 to 1.5433 (due to assessment decrease of $85,000); A1001 Real Property Tax Decrease from $1,133,351.23 to $1,133,350.56 A1081 In-lieu of taxes Increase from $13,397.77 to $13,398.44 DA1001 Real Property Tax Decrease from $1,112,786.93 to $1,112,786.27 DA1081 In-lieu of taxes Increase from $12,971.07 to $12,971.73 RESOLVED, that the proposed Preliminary Special Districts Budget and the proposed Preliminary Town Budget, as so amended, be and hereby are approved and adopted as the Town of Lansing Final Budget for the Fiscal Year 2021; and be it further RESOLVED, that the Clerk of the Town shall prepare and certify as provided by law duplicate copies of the said annual Budget hereby adopted and deliver one of such copies to the Supervisor of the Town, and that the Supervisor shall present such copy to the Board of Legislators of the County, as required by law. The question of the adoption of such proposed Resolution was duly motioned by Supervisor Edward LaVigne, duly seconded by Councilperson Andra Benson, and put to a roll call vote with the following results: Councilperson Andra Benson – Aye Councilperson Doug Dake – Aye Councilperson Bronwyn Losey – Aye Councilperson Joseph Wetmore – Aye Supervisor Edward LaVigne – Aye Accordingly, the foregoing Resolution was approved, carried, and duly adopted on November 4, 2020. WORK SESSION MEETING ITEM OF DISCUSSION Ethics Board Town Board discussed: • No Town officials can serve on the Ethics Board • Ethics Board shall review all Ethics Disclosure Statements annually • Ethics Board will have staggered 5-year terms o Two people on Board now – Ed will check to see if they want to reapply • Prohibitions should extend to officers / employees immediate family Town Counsel Guy Krogh: • Law states a town public officer or employee is on Town Ethics Board o Can be superseded because not general law • Default to County if Town does not have own Ethics Board or does not have quorum • Suggest Ed stays on Ethics Board until Town has amended Local Law and law is superseded and new Board is formed • Recommend one (1) person currently on Board should be long term (4-5 years) • Ethics Board could be three (3) people, five (5) people probably better Supervisor Edward LaVigne: • Will resign when new people on Ethics Board • Application will be put on web tomorrow • Need criteria for Ethics Board candidates • Maybe review applications in December November 4, 2020 6 Town Counsel Guy Krogh: • Determination / outcome of Board of Ethics decides whether it is subject to FOIL o Finding of wrong doing – subject to FOIL o No finding of wrong doing – is confidential and not subject to FOIL • Annual ethics statements are confidential • Association of Towns and Committee on Open Government have expertise in ethics and can give guidance • Two (2) local ethics attorneys could give some training Supervisor Edward LaVigne: • All Board members (from all boards including advisory) should read and sign off Town Ethics Policy annually • Discuss more at next meeting ADJOURN MEETING Meeting adjourned at the call of the Supervisor at 8:00 p.m. Minutes taken and executed by the Town Clerk. Respectfully submitted, Deborah K. Munson, RMC Town Clerk