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Home My WebLink About2023-11-08 November 8, 2023 1 BUDGET TOWN BOARD MEETING November 8, 2023 A Budget Meeting of the Lansing Town Board was held at the Town Hall Board Room, 29 Auburn Road, Lansing, NY, and streamed live on YouTube on the above date at 6:31 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 Ruth Groff, Councilperson Bronwyn Losey, Councilperson Joseph Wetmore, Councilperson Edward LaVigne, Supervisor ABSENT: No one absent ALSO PRESENT: Mary Ellen Albrecht, Bookkeeper, Jennifer Schenck, Information Aide and John Zepko, Director of Planning. RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING 2024 WATER RATES FOR THE TOWN OF LANSING CONSOLIDATED WATER DISTRICT AND USERS THEREOF, INCLUDING DISTRICT EXTENSIONS AND OUTSIDE USERS RESOLUTION 23-124 RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING 2024 WATER RATES FOR THE TOWN OF LANSING CONSOLIDATED WATER DISTRICT AND USERS THEREOF, INCLUDING DISTRICT EXTENSIONS AND OUTSIDE USERS The following Resolution was duly presented for consideration by the Town Board: WHEREAS, the Town of Lansing is a member municipality of the Southern Cayuga Lake Intermunicipal Water Commission (“Bolton Point”) and a signatory to Bolton Point’s Intermunicipal Cooperative Agreements as periodically updated since 1979 (the “Agreement”); and WHEREAS, the Town and the Consolidated Water District (“CWD”) purchase water from Bolton Point as a supplier for the CWD, CWD extensions and districts, outside users, fire-fighting and other municipal purposes, and for use and consumption by residents; and WHEREAS, the 2024 water rate from Bolton Point is $6.33 per thousand gallons, and the Town must set its rates for the CWD and its districts and users; and WHEREAS, upon due deliberation thereupon, the Town Board of the Town of Lansing has hereby RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Lansing does hereby establish the following water rates for the Town of Lansing residents within the Town of Lansing Consolidated Water District for the year 2024. Water Rate (SCLIWC) $ 6.33 per thousand gallons Operation and Maintenance Fee (TOL) $ 1.16 per thousand gallons TOTAL RATE $ 7.49 per thousand gallons BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that #1, #2, #4 and #5 accounts are not included in the current Town of Lansing Consolidated Water District. Therefore, the Town Board of the Town of Lansing does hereby establish the following water rates for the Town of Lansing residents in the #1 accounts being Algerine and Lansing Station Roads, #2 and #4 accounts being Drake Road and #5 accounts being Peruville Road. This rate will also include future water district extensions established in the year 2024. November 8, 2023 2 Water Rate (SCLIWC) $ 6.33 per thousand gallons Operation and Maintenance Fee (TOL) $ 1.92 per thousand gallons TOTAL RATE $ 8.25 per thousand gallons BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that #9 account Outside User Agreement residents using CWD services and water must pay 2 times the combined water and tax rate of the users that are not included in the current Town of Lansing Consolidated Water District, as outside users must equalize the taxed capital costs of the CWD that inside users must pay. This rate will be charged until such time as the applicant’s lands are brought within the Consolidated Water District. Water Rate (SCLIWC) $ 6.33 per thousand gallons Operation and Maintenance Fee (TOL) $ 10.17 per thousand gallons TOTAL RATE $ 16.50 per thousand gallons The question of the adoption of such proposed Resolution was duly motioned by Councilperson Ruth Groff, duly seconded by Councilperson Joseph Wetmore, and put to a roll call vote with the following results: Councilperson Andra Benson – Aye Councilperson Ruth Groff – 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 8, 2023. RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING 2024 SEWER RATES FOR WARREN ROAD SEWER DISTRICT IN THE TOWN OF LANSING RESOLUTION 23-125 RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING 2024 SEWER RATES FOR WARREN ROAD SEWER DISTRICT IN THE TOWN OF LANSING The following Resolution was duly presented for consideration by the Town Board. WHEREAS, on June 15, 2011 by Resolution 11-101, the Town Board adopted an updated formula for sewer charges; and WHEREAS, the Town Clerk, hereby recommends an increase of $14.75 per quarter ($59 annually) in Sewer District fees which are billed a flat rate; and WHEREAS, vacant parcels will be charged an Operation and Maintenance annual flat fee of $88.50 which will be placed on the Town and County Tax Bill starting with the 2024 tax year; and WHEREAS, dwellings that are not hooked up to sewer with water accounts will be billed $88.50 Operation and Maintenance annual flat fee. Said fee will be billed by S.C.L.I.W.C. (Bolton Point) on the quarterly water bills, beginning February 2024 in the amount of $22.13 per quarter; and WHEREAS, dwellings that are hooked up to sewer but do not have a water account will be billed an annual flat fee of $354.00 which will be placed on the Town and County Tax Bill starting with the 2024 tax year, and WHEREAS, dwellings that are hooked up to sewer that have water accounts will be billed an annual flat fee of $354.00. Said fee will be billed by S.C.L.I.W.C. (Bolton Point) on the quarterly water bills, beginning February 2024 in the amount of $88.50 per quarter, WHEREAS, upon consideration and deliberation upon the same, the Town Board of the Town of Lansing has hereby November 8, 2023 3 RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Lansing does hereby approve the above increase and formula for the Warren Road Sewer District in the Town of Lansing. The question of the adoption of such proposed Resolution was duly motioned by Councilperson Andra Benson, duly seconded by Councilperson Joseph Wetmore, and put to a roll call vote with the following results: Councilperson Andra Benson – Aye Councilperson Ruth Groff – 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 8, 2023. RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING 2024 SEWER RATES FOR CHERRY ROAD SEWER DISTRICT IN THE TOWN OF LANSING RESOLUTION 23-126 RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING 2024 SEWER RATES FOR CHERRY ROAD SEWER DISTRICT IN THE TOWN OF LANSING The following Resolution was duly presented for consideration by the Town Board. WHEREAS, on June 15, 2011 by Resolution 11-101, the Town Board adopted an updated formula for sewer charges; and WHEREAS, the Town Clerk, hereby recommends an increase of $21.50 per quarter ($86 annually) in the Cherry Road Sewer District fees which are billed a flat rate; and WHEREAS, vacant parcels will be charged an Operation and Maintenance annual flat fee of $95.25 which will be placed on the Town and County Tax Bill starting with the 2024 tax year; and WHEREAS, dwellings that are not hooked up to sewer with water accounts will be billed $95.25 Operation and Maintenance annual flat fee. Said fee will be billed by S.C.L.I.W.C. (Bolton Point) on the quarterly water bills, beginning February 2024 in the amount of $23.81 per quarter; and WHEREAS, dwellings that are hooked up to sewer but do not have a water account will be billed an annual flat fee of $381.00 which will be placed on the Town and County Tax Bill starting with the 2024 tax year, and WHEREAS, dwellings that are hooked up to sewer that have water accounts will be billed an annual flat fee of $381.00. Said fee will be billed by S.C.L.I.W.C. (Bolton Point) on the quarterly water bills, beginning February 2024 in the amount of $95.25 per quarter, WHEREAS, upon consideration and deliberation upon the same, the Town Board of the Town of Lansing has hereby RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Lansing does hereby approve the above increase and formula for the Cherry Road Sewer District in the Town of Lansing. The question of the adoption of such proposed Resolution was duly motioned by Councilperson Joseph Wetmore, duly seconded by Councilperson Ruth Groff, and put to a roll call vote with the following results: Councilperson Andra Benson – Aye Councilperson Ruth Groff – Aye Councilperson Bronwyn Losey – Aye Councilperson Joseph Wetmore – Aye Supervisor Edward LaVigne – Aye November 8, 2023 4 Accordingly, the foregoing Resolution was approved, carried, and duly adopted on November 8, 2023. MOTION TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED 2024 ASSESSMENT ROLLS FOR TOWN WATER, LIGHTING, DRAINAGE, AND SEWER DISTRICTS Councilperson Andra Benson, moved to OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED 2024 ASSESSMENT ROLLS FOR TOWN WATER, LIGHTING, DRAINAGE, AND SEWER DISTRICTS at 6:36 pm. Councilperson Joseph Wetmore seconded the motion. All in Favor – 5 Opposed – 0 No one addressed the Town Board. MOTION TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING All persons desiring to be heard, having been heard, Councilperson Ruth Groff, moved to CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED 2024 ASSESSMENT ROLLS FOR TOWN WATER, LIGHTING, DRAINAGE, AND SEWER DISTRICTS at 6:37 pm. Councilperson Joseph Wetmore seconded the motion. All in Favor – 5 Opposed – 0 MOTION TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED 2024 TOWN OF LANSING ASSESSMENT ROLLS AND PRELIMINARY BUDGET Councilperson Ruth Groff, moved to OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED 2024 TOWN OF LANSING ASSESSMENT ROLLS AND PRELIMINARY BUDGET at 6:38 pm. Councilperson Joseph Wetmore seconded the motion. All in Favor – 5 Opposed – 0 No one addressed the Town Board. MOTION TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING All persons desiring to be heard, having been heard, Councilperson Ruth Groff, moved to CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED 2024 TOWN OF LANSING ASSESSMENT ROLLS AND PRELIMINARY BUDGET at 6:39 pm. Councilperson Joseph Wetmore seconded the motion. All in Favor – 5 Opposed – 0 TOWN HALL HEATING SYSTEM DISCUSSION Would be best to fix heat and air conditioning issues that last for years (new system), rather than “patch it for now”. Repair Reserve Equipment has about $106,000 which may be used for building system repairs. This requires a public hearing and is subject to a permissive referendum (30 day waiting period). Could put money in 2024 Budget, but amount is unknown. Difficulty obtaining bids. Director of Planning, John Zepko stated: • Zero heat on North side of Town Hall • Excess heat on South side of Town Hall • Town Hall originally had eight (8) zones, o Currently has between one (1) and three (3) zones • Spoke with Tompkins County Energy Specialists o Assess Town Hall – Town chooses engineering firm from their list November 8, 2023 5 o Give Town high level cost o No cost to Town for this service o Appointment is set for them to come look at the Town Hall o Will take about one and a half months to receive report Discussion tabled – need information from Guy Krogh, Town Counsel PROPOSED RESOLUTION BELOW WAS TABLED. RESOLUTION APPROVING THE SPECIAL DISTRICTS BUDGET AND TOWN BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2024 The Preliminary Budget for Fiscal Year 2024 for Town of Lansing was available as a handout. Councilperson Joseph Wetmore tabled this proposed Resolution until the November 15, 2023 Town Board meeting, stating the first meeting with the highway representatives, to discuss the 2024 contract, will be Thursday November 9, 2023. Town Board Discussion The following items from the “Changes to Preliminary Budget for Final Adopted Budget” were discussed: #10-Conservation Advisory Council – The Town has a contract with Bergman for $65,000. The $65,000 was not originally budgeted because there was a grant for $58,500. The full $65,000 does not need to be spent. However, to use the full contract an additional $10,000 is needed to cover this. #12-Fund Balance • Optimum fund balance for “B” fund is $300,000 • Current balance is about $702,000 - healthy • Allocate some of this money to “A” fund, to help “A” fund • Adding more expenses to fund balance o Using half of the fund balance without reasonable purpose (high variation) will create “red flag” for the Comptroller’s Office • Town Fund Balance Policy is to have three (3) to six (6) months operating expenses Director of Planning, John Zepko stated: • Hiring another planner is more important than zoning code update • If Town Board wants zoning code update, they need to allocate money for it • Zoning code update could be tabled for now • Zoning re-write or comprehensive plan update first o What is vision of the Town • Did not originally put $100,000 in budget for zoning code update o $100,000 pulled out of “thin air” Zoning Consultant • B8020.420 (Planning Consultants) has $30,000 in Budget o Move $30,000 to contingent account ▪ Later it can be moved to where it is needed o Add additional $20,000 to contingent account ▪ Contingent account total will be $50,000 • Take $100,000 out of zoning consultant account RESOLUTION 23- RESOLUTION APPROVING THE SPECIAL DISTRICTS BUDGET AND TOWN BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2024 November 8, 2023 6 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 8, 2023, upon the Preliminary Budget approved by this Board and filed with the Town Clerk for the fiscal year commencing January 1, 2024, including the lighting, water, drainage districts, and sewer Special District Budgets for 2024, 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, 2024; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the said Budget approved and filed as aforesaid, for 2024, is hereby amended as follows: Changes to Preliminary Budget for Final Adopted Budget 1) A1610.400 (Technology Contractual) – Currently $102,750, Increase to $113,750 per updated quote from Edmunds a. Updated quote also includes, Employee Self Service Portal, HR Admin, Fleet Maintenance, Inventory and Work Orders 2) A1950.400- Taxes & Assessments Municipal Prop – in light of September budget mod and increased assessment, change to $10,500 from $8,750 3) A7320.110- Increase to $19,373 from $19,074 after receiving actual budget from Cornell Coop Ext 4) A7320.400- Increase to $57,229 from $53,936 after receiving actual budget from Cornell Coop Ext 5) A9060.800 (Health Ins.) – Increase to $225,000 based on new allocation formulas 6) A1289- Drop In – Program suspended for 2024, revenue needs to be removed. 7) A3821- State Aid- Youth Drop In – Need to remove, program suspended for 2024 8) Preliminary Budget Fund Balance $ -88,725.79 a. Adopted Budget Fund Balance increase would be $49,995.79 9) B8010.400 (Zoning Contractual)- Removed $100,000 for Zoning Consultant to correct coding, moved to: a. B8010.411- Put $100,000 here for correct coding of Zoning Consultant 10) B8020.433- Conservation Advisory Council – Per Ruth Groff request, increase by $10,000 to $16,000 11) B9060.800 (Health Ins.) - Increased from $70,000 to $80,000 based on new allocation formulas 12) Preliminary Budget Fund Balance Used $377,739.84 a. Adopted Budget Fund Balance Used would be $397,739.84 after these changes b. This would use more than half of the current fund balance in this fund and is not advised. 13) DA9060.800 (Health Ins)- Lowered from $200,000 to $145,000 per new allocation formulas 14) Decrease DA1120 (Sales Tax) from $125,000 to $75,000 15) Preliminary Budget Fund Balance $-96,607.90 a. Adopted Budget Fund Balance increase would be $101,607.90 16) DB9060.800 (Health Ins)- Decreased from $160,000 to $150,000 per new allocation formulas 17) Increase DB1120 (Sales Tax) from $1,150,000 to $1,200,000 November 8, 2023 7 18) Preliminary Budget Fund Balance used $310,124.78 a. Adopted Budget Fund Balance Used would be $250,124.78 19) SS1-9060.800 – Added code, and allocated $4,000 20) SS1-1030 – Per rate change increased from $4,277.50 to $4,779 21) SS3-9060.800- Added code, and allocated $2,000 22) SS3-1030 – Per rate change increased from $368.75 to $476.25 23) SW8310.401- Water Administration- Engineer a. Suggest changing to correct code SW1440.400 24) SW8310.402- Water Administration- Legal a. Suggest changing to correct code SW1420.400 25) SW8310.403- Water Administration- Fiscal Advisors a. Suggest changing to correct code SW1380.400 26) SW8320.400- Source of Supply – Contractual- Increase from $750,000 to $790,000 a. SW8320.401- Source of Supply- Lansing Station- Increase to $19,000 per rate increase b. SW8320.402- Source of Supply- Drake Rd CWD#2- Increase to $1,900 per rate increase c. SW8320.403- Source of Supply- Drake Rd CWD#4- Increase to $3,500 per rate increase d. SW8320.404- Source of Supply- Peruville Rd- Increase to $1,200 per rate increase 27) SW9060.800- Increase from $15,500 to $45,000 per allocation formula 28) SW2140- Metered Water Sales – per rate increases, this should be increased to $909,000 a. SW2141- Metered Sales-Lansing Station – Increase to $24,000 per rate increase b. SW2142- Metered Sales- Drake Road CWD#2- Increase to $2,400 per rate increase c. SW2143- Metered Sales- Drake Road CWD#4- Increase to $4,200 per rate increase d. SW2145- Metered Sales- Peruville Rd- Increase to $1,350 per rate increase 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 2024; 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 Councilperson __________, duly seconded by Councilperson ________, and put to a roll call vote with the following results: Councilperson Andra Benson – Councilperson Ruth Groff – Councilperson Bronwyn Losey – Councilperson Joseph Wetmore – Supervisor Edward LaVigne – PROPOSED RESOLUTION ABOVE WAS TABLED. November 8, 2023 8 PROPOSED MOTION BELOW WAS WITHDRAWN AND NOT VOTED ON- TABLED UNTIL 2024. MOTION TO REPLACE EXISTING BOARD APPLICATION PROCESS Code Committee • Working on new full policy, which this is part of • Recommended keeping the full policy together-do not pull this process out • Follow existing policy until new full policy is adopted • Will put new comments in new full policy and circulate again for changes The 2024 Town Board should be involved with the new policy which may be ready in February or March. The current members on boards / councils may remain, if they choose to, until new appointments are completed. MOTION M23- MOTION TO REPLACE EXISTING BOARD APPLICATION PROCESS Councilperson ______________, moved to replace “Town of Lansing Appointed Board Application Process (Conservation Advisory Council - Planning Board - Zoning Board of Appeals), Motion 20-05 approved at the March 18, 2020 Town Board Meeting, with the following BOARD/COUNCIL VACANCIES POLICY: BOARD/COUNCIL VACANCIES Vacancies upon Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA), Conservation Advisory Council (CAC), and Board of Ethics (BOE) will be advertised by the Town Clerk's office. Prior to interview, the Town Board shall refer, for comment and advice as to such appointment(s), the name and application materials of each candidate to the applicable board/council that has a vacancy to be filled. All applicants will be interviewed by the whole Town Board (with at least a quorum present). The board/council with a vacancy may appoint less than a quorum of its members who may participate in the formulation of questions, interview process and the discussion of candidates. The Department Head that works most closely with such board/council may participate in the formulation of questions, interview process and the discussion of candidates. Councilperson ___________, seconded the motion. All in Favor – Opposed – PROPOSED MOTION ABOVE WAS WITHDRAWN AND NOT VOTED ON- TABLED UNTIL 2024. MOTION TO ADJOURN MEETING Councilperson Andra Benson moved to ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 8:09 PM. Councilperson Joseph Wetmore seconded the motion. All in Favor – 5 Opposed – 0 Minutes taken and executed by the Town Clerk. Respectfully submitted, Deborah K. Munson, RMC Town Clerk