HomeMy WebLinkAboutReg Mtg. Minutes 8/15/1988MINUTES of Regular Meeting - 8/15/88
Minutes of a regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Cayuga
Heights held August 15, 1988, 7:30 p.m. in the Village Hall.
PRESENT: Mayor Anderson; Trustee Camp, Fleming, Kira, Pimentel, Searle, Wheeler;
Attorney Sovocool; Treasurer Walker; Engineer /ZO Rogers; Police Chief Wall; Fire
Chief Miller.
OTHERS PRESENT: Mike Schwartz, Joe Ciaschi, Kay Newman, Mary Berkelman.
Mayor Anderson called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
Mike Schwartz of Fred H. Thomas Associates presented a proposal, in behalf of
Joe Ciaschi, for expansion at the Corners CommunityCenter as follows: 1.
Small addition to Norstar Bank, including drive through. 2. Small addition
to Tompkins County Trust Company. 3. Proposed new retail /office building.
Discussion focused on the terms of the Bldg. /Zoning Permit issued in July of
1985, and specifically, of overhangs, percent land coverage, available parking,
alternatives (addition of second story over Carls Drug), etc. A second issue
raised by Mr. Schwartz was Mr. Ciaschi's wish to develop the land which he owns
on E. Upland Road (zoned residential) into retirement housing - the entire
acreage to be developed as a unit. He was advised to bring before the Board,
for i itial review, a "roughed -out" proposal, perhaps in letter form, showing
parcel size, number of units, etc. In regard to Mr. Ciaschi's proposal to
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MINUTES of Regular Meeting - 8/15/88
expand the commercial area, he was asked to provide the detailed survey of the
property, after which the Board will make its decision.
1 Trustee Camp requested that the minutes of the previous two meetings be amended
as follows:
Rice ular meetin - July 18, 1988: Page 1, last paragraph, to begin the second
sentence w tf NE went on to say' and to change the word "create" to
"represent." Page 2, two separate motions: the first, to table Resolution
3930 and to show how the Trustees voted. The second, to approve the minutes of
July 18, 1988, with the exception of the tabled resolution and to show how the
Trustees voted. Page 4, Trustee Searle had met informally with Mary Grainger.
Special Meeting - Jul' 27, 1988: Page 2, to leave in the record that Trustee
Camp ssqquestion was raise ut to strike Attorney Sovocool 's "terse" response
that "he thought not, in most respects." To include, at the bottom of page 2,
before Resolution 3941, the defeated motion by Trustee Camp and second by
Trustee Searle to table the motion to honor the commitment made by the Board
Of Trustees in 1967 relative to the re- opening of Remington Road. Page 2,
Attorney Sovocool requested a change in the paragraph beginning "The question
of costs was discussed...." The third sentence to read as follows: "Sovocool
expressed the opinion that all property, improved and unimproved, with frontage
on Remington would be subject to assessment if costs are assessed against
property owners."
In regard to Trustee Camp's objection that Attorney Sovocool's response to
his question, "Is Tyler Road comparable to W. Remington," was a terse one as
recorded in the Minutes of July 27, 1988, Attorney Sovocool made the following
additional points: Each one (road)stands on its own merits; they should not
be compared; they are different fact situations."
Engineer Rogers called attention to the error in the Minutes of the July 27
Special Meeting referencing Remington Road as West Remington. He stated there
are two "REmingtons" - East Remington and, the road at issue is Ip ain "Remington."
Moved by Trustee Camp, seconded by Trustee Searle:
VOTED to approve the minutes of a regular meeting held July 18, 1988 and a
special meeting held July 27, 1988 with changes as so noted made on the originals
and further, that copies of same be sent to Trustees. Unanimously passed.
Trustees Camp, Fleming, Kira, Pimentel, Searle and Wheeler voted yes
Motion by Trustee Kira, seconded by Trustee Pimentel:
RESOLUTION 3942 - TABLED RESOLUTION LIFTED
VOTED to lift the tabled Resolution #3930, per Resolution #3935 (7/18/88).
Trustees Camp, Fleming, Kira, Pimentel and Searle voted YES. Trustee Wheeler
ABSTAINED.
Moved by Trustee Pimentel, seconded by Trustee Kira:
VOTED to approve the Abstract of Audited Vouchers dated August 15, 1988 in the
following amounts: General Fund - $35,723.96; Sewer Fund - $22,908.42.
Unanimously passed.
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MINUTES of Regular Meeting - 8/15/88
Trustees Camp, Fleming, Kira, Pimentel Searle and Wheeler voted yes.
Mayor Anderson reported on the following:
- Sewer Plant - Reports for the month are good. New Plant Manager.
- Representative needed to replace Nelson Greer - Tompkins County Transportation
,Commission.- Suggestions,_needed.
- Documents available in the Village Office for Board examination as follows:
Sun Downs Farm - 8/1/88 Supplement; T.C. Proposed Landfill DEIS; NYDEC -
Workshops on Local Resource, Reuse and Recovery Program - .Syracuse, August 24th.
- Meeting with Lee cornell an August 5 to discuss recycling program.
- Village Clerk automatically designated as Records Management Officer. Will
attend workshop in Syracuse, September 15.
- Ribbon - cutting at Ithaca Area Sewer Plant - September 1.
- Joint letter to Jack Dougherty requesting engineers' meeting re scope of
request for preliminary engineering study. Meeting was held 8/11 with
"hopeful outcome."
- Letter from Jeffrey Weiss of 301 Cayuga Heights Road re traffic and accidents
at Hanshaw /Cayuga Heights Road.
- Dooley Kiefer's memo re right -to -know ordinance in connection with Prior
Notification Law (pesticide appliciation). Board will consider at a later time.
- Re suitable engineering services for improvement of Remington Road, Tom
Miller has been asked to look into the problems and procedures the week of
'
August 22.
- Town of Dryden's Resolution #140 re sewer units (for transfer to Hospital
facility). The Board decided not to accept a sewer unit from the Town of
Dryden.
Next issue of Village Voices - September 10.
- Meeting re City's justification of charges for Youth Services. Helen Searle
attended and reported that the Town of Ithaca represents the Village in
discussions concerning youth services as they relate to the'Village.
- Arts Council's request for donation. Discussion focused on the role of
the Community Center as a vehicle for such contributions. Matter will be
taken up after Trustee Searle has had opportunity to discuss the concept
with the Association's Board.
- Call for Executive Session at the end of the regular meeting to discuss
personnel matters.
- Telephone calls re sidewalk installation on The Parkway and on Triphammer
Road.
Trustee Kira reported that the Safety "Committee will meet at 7 p.m. on
the 23rd.of August.
Trustee Camp stated that the committee studying surface drainage problems I
will meet sometime next week.
Mayor Anderson reviewed briefly some of the items on a list of unfinished
business: Attorney Sovocool stated he is revising some language of the
Prior Notice Law; also, the amendment to the Zoning Ordinance (Section 20)
will be reviewed with the Engineer.
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MINUTES of Regular Meeting - 8/15/88
Trustee Searle, reporting on the activities of the Cayuga Heights Community
Association, mentioned that the new deadline for Village Voices is September
10 and Elizabeth Mount has been named co- editor. She reported that Lee
Cornell plans to begin the recycling program in the Village on October 17,
hoping first to hold public meetings during that first week. The new Board
was named at the annual meeting of the Association: Betty Matyas, President;
Philip Tavelli, 1st Vice President; James Bisogni, 2nd Vice President; Bea
Szekely, Secretary; Terry Minor, Treasurer. Trustee Searle reported that
the Association is willing to accept future liability insurance costs and will
reimburse the Village for 1988 -89 upon receipt of a letter from the Mayor stating
the amount. The Mayor was instructed to write the new principal of Cayuga Heights
School, copy to Superintendent of Schools, expressing a hope that the Association
will be given the use of space in the school on a regular basis.
Fire Chief Miller presented his monthly report which has been placed on file.
The Fire Chief reported that the Freese Road bridge in Varna will be closed for
4 -5 weeks and the Forest Home bridge #2 will be closed also for the same lenght
of time. He reported that the Department has a first response mutualaid agreement
with Varna for the duration of the bridge closings.
In reference to Bolton Point's request that they be notified of the location of
hydrants being used by the Fire Department during drills, Chief Miller stated
that they have tried to notify them on several occasions and have been advised by
the Answering Service to call Bolton Point staff in the morning. Mayor Anderson
is instructed to write the Commission concerning the matter.
The Treasurer reported that he is in the process of completing three reports that
are overdue: NYS Annual Report, 0 &M and CHIPS. He reported that he has renewed
the Repurchase Agreement with Tompkins County Trust Company to run to September
6, 1988.
Attorney Sovocool reported that he had reviewed with Ray VanHoutte, President of
Tompkins County Trust Company, the lease agreement between the Bank and Joe Ciaschi
which provides for a limited expansion of their branch at Community Corners.
This will be settled between the parties involved.
Attorney Sovocool stated he will draft the language for a proposed local law
re unregistered vehicles and will review it with the Police Chief.
Police Chief Wall submitted his statisticalreport which is on file in the
Village Office.
Chief Wall informed the Board that the new principal at Cayuga Heights School
is Mrs. Leslie Plume. The School Crossing Guard is Mrs. Romano.
Chief Wall was asked to investigate the parking area and walkway on the School
grounds and in particular whether the lights which have been installed there
will remain on all night.
Engineer Rogers reported that the survey from George Schlecht for Triphammer Rd.
at Klinewoods has been held up due to the disclosure by the owner of the property
at that location of an earlier survey. This will be examined by Mr. Schlecht
who will then submit a plot plan to the Board.
There was discussion concerning the Engineer's recommendation that the contract
between the Village and OBG for the operation of the sewer plant be terminated.
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MINUTES of Regular Meeting - 8/15/88
Motion by Trustee Pimentel, seconded by Trustee Kira:
RESOLUTION 3943 - NOTICE TO TERMINATE CONTRACT WITH OBG OPERATIONS, INC.
VOTED to give 90 days notice to OBG Operations, Inc. (9/1 - 12/1/88) to terminate
the contract for operation of the sewage treatment plant and to seek proposals
from other plant operators. Unanimously passed.
Trustees Camp, Fleming, Kira, Pimentel, Searle and Wheeler voted yes.
Attorney Sovocool left the meeting at 10:45 p.m.
It was Trustee Wheeler's suggestion that a handout sheet be supplied by the Zoning
Officer to contractors applying for Bldg /Zoning Permits listing information
concerning such zoning requirements as size of building lot, setback distances,
land coverage and height of buildings so as to avoid the possibility of their
receiving erroneous information through an outside source. The Zoning Officer
will make this available.
Motion by Trustee Camp, seconded by Trustee Fleming:
RESOLUTION 3944 - APPROVE REFUND
VOTED to approve a refund of $60.72 to Mr. John McClain for overpayment of his
water bill. Unanimously passed.
Trustees Camp, Fleming, Kira, Pimentel, Searle and Wheeler voted yes.
Regarding Village policy questioned by Trustee Camp concerning the use of Village
letterhead by a Trustee writing what he termed "personal" letters to Villagers
pertaining to Village - related matters and whether such writings on Village
stationery might be interpreted as an endorsement by the Board as a whole, the
Attorney will be asked about the properiety of such action by a Trustee.
The Board entered into Executive Session at 11:10 p.m. The Treasurer and
Engineer were excused.
The Board discussed the position of Treasurer. Trustee Fleming and Wheeler were
asked to review the job description on file and redraft it, takeing into account
the suggestions made byMr. Walker at the July Executive Session regarding
qualifications. The Mayor was instructed towrite Mr. Walker asking for prompt
completion, prior to his effective resignation date (9/1/88), of all past -due
NYS reports - financial, 0 &M, CHIPS, and also, that he fulfill his responsibilities
for the current fiscal year, i.e. budget status report as of 8/31/88.
There was some discussion regarding the position of Supt. of Public Works.. Mayor
Anderson referred to the Certification of Eligibles from the Tompkins County
Personnel Department showing that Jack Rogers was the only person who took the I
exam ant that his final rating was 82.0. Salary increase and vacation accrual
were discussed.
Motion by Trustee Fleming, seconded by Trustee Pimentel:
RESOLUTION 3945 - APPOINT JOHN ROGERS TO POSITION OF SUPT OF PUBLIC WORKS
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MINUTES of Regular Meeting - 8/15/88
VOTED to appoint Mr. John Rogers to the position of Supt. of Public Works, effective
August 29, 1988 at an annual salary of $30,000. Vacation will accrue at 4
weeks per year. Unanimously passed.
Trustees Camp, Fleming, Kira, Pimentel, Searle and Wheeler voted yes.
Motion by Trustee Searle, seconded by Trustee Kira:
RESOLUTION 3946 - NOTIFY TOMPKINS COUNTY PERSONNEL DEPT. OF APPOINTMENT
VOTED to authorize the Mayor to sign the Certificate of Eligibles notifying
the Personnel Department of the appointment by the Village of Cayuga Heights
Board of Trustees of John B. Rogers to the position of Supt. of Public Works.
Unanimously passed.
Trustees Camp, Fleming, Kira, Pimentel, Searle and Wheeler voted yes.
ETT7
Adjournment to Regular Meeting 11:37 p.m. /1
Adjournment 11:38 p.m. 0-4E4�
Anne Krohto
Clerk
MINUTES of a Special Meeting - 9113188
Minutes of a special meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Cayuga
Heights held September 13, 1988 at 4 p.m. in the Sutton Conference Room.
PRESENT: Mayor Anderson; Trustees Fleming, Kira, Pimentel, Searle; Attorney
Sovocool; Engineer /ZO Rogers.
ABSENT: Trustees Camp, Wheeler.
The Mayor reviewed with the Board the memo from Frank Liguori, T.C. Commissioner
of Planning, concerning the Draft Report and REcommendations on a Proposal for
Improving Coordination and Information on Development Activities Throughout the
County. There was some discussion concerning the Resolution "Urging Municipalities
to Voluntarily Extend the Review and Comment Process of the General Municipal Law
to Include All Significant Development" and action was taken as follows:
Motion by Trustee Fleming, seconded by Trustee Searle:
RESOLUTION 3947 - BOARD FAVORS CONCEPT OF PROPOSAL RE DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES
VOTED to favor the concept of the proposal by the County for improving coordination
between municipalities regarding development activities throughout the County
and will cooperate voluntarily and fully in such a program. Unanimously passed.
Trustees Fleming, Kira, Pimentel and Searle voting yes.
Mayor Anderson reported that he had attended a meeting on Municipal Youth
Services on September 2 at 7:30 a.m. He reported that Noel Desch proposes that
the County pay 100% of the cost of developmental services (concerned with troubled
youth, tutoring, special services) to begin with and back off as other sources