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HomeMy WebLinkAboutReg Mtg. Minutes 7/21/19972',b VILLAGE OF CAYUGA HEIGHTS BOARD OF TRUSTEES Minutes of a regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Cayuga Heights held July 21, 1997 at 7:30 PM in the Village Hall. PRESENT: Mayor Anderson; Trustees Collyer, Fleming, Kira, Kusse, Meinhardt; Treasurer Silber; Supt. of P.W. Cross; Police Chief Wall. ABSENT: Trustee Bisogni, Attorney Tyler, Fire Supt. Day. OTHERS: Robin Palmer and Kay Newman. Mayor Anderson called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM opening it to privilege of the floor. Robin Palmer, Village rep to the County Cable Commission, appeared to report to the Board that Bill McCormick, candidate for the Democratic nomination for Second Ward alderperson, was scheduled to appear at 8 o'clock that evening on Channel 13: Finger Lakes Forum "The Race for Common Council." Mr. Palmer wished to apprise the Board that Mr. McCormick in the past and on Channel 13 has made disgusting and obscene comments in his descriptions of certain people and in general when appearing on Channel 13, and he wished to get Board sanction to bring up the topic of Mr. McCormick's inappropriate, vulgar behavior during an upcoming Cable Commission meeting. Consensus was that he should. Motion by Trustee Kira, seconded by Trustee Collyer: VOTED to approve the minutes of a regular meeting held June 16, 1997 as previ- ously furnished Trustees in copy form. Trustees Collyer, Fleming, Kira, Kusse, Meinhardt. voted YES. Mayor's Report: -Issue re a female volunteer firefighter who wishes to fill the vacancy of bunker at the'Fire Department. Discussion ensued at great length concerning the fact that the other three bunkers are males and there is no private space to accomodate a female. Supt. Cross was instructed to provide a layout of the Firehouse for Board perusal at the August meeting with a view toward finding a short -term solution and relative to long -range needs of the Fire Department, perhaps a con- sultant should be hired to study the situation. Supt. Cross then raised the issue of lack of space in the Village Hall, especially in his office. When asked to draw up a layout of the Village Hall, as well, Supt. Cross stated the better way to proceed would be to name a committee or a consultant to study the problem. No formal action was taken. - Resignation of Yoram Szekely on the Zoning Board of Appeals. Trustees were asked to offer names for a replacement. - Letter from Mrs. Gertrude Shepherd listing numerous, unsightly conditions on Highland Road and elsewhere throughout the Village relative to clogged ditches, trees and bushes overhanging sidewalks (she asks whose responsibility it is to keep them trimmed back), weeds and grass overgrowth along roadways "giving the area a neglected appearance." Chief Wall responded that, in addition, there is a problem concerning sight distance from intersections. Motion by Trustee Meinhardt, seconded by Trustee Fleming: RESOLUTION 4842 - VILLAGE -WIDE MAILING CONCERNING MATTERS OF UNSIGHTLY APPEARANCE AND SUBSEQUENT SAFETY HAZARDS VOTED to send a letter to the entire community addressing these issues discussed relating to the ovetall•unsightly•.appearance of the Village and to inform property owners there is going to be a campaign to try to address the issues concerning safety and also encroachment (of overgrowth), and further, that within a reason- able time frame the Village will move forward to correct these issues, charging the homeowner for same. Trustees Collyer, Fleming, Kira, Kusse, Meinhardt voted YES. * ** r n0 Minutes of Regular Meeting - 7/21/97 2 It was suggested that a letter addressing brush pick -up policy should be in- cluded with this Village -wide mailing. ® - Letter from Bruce Kusse of 144 N. Sunset Drive requesting that Water & Sewer Units be reduced on his property since the basement apartment has now been con- verted to regular living space for the main part of the house. Moved by Trustee Kira, seconded by Trustee Fleming: RESOLUTION 4843 - REDUCE WATER & SEWER UNITS FOR PROPERTY AT 144 N. SUNSET DRIVE VOTED to reduce units to 1 Water Unit and 1 Sewer Unit on the Village Tax Roll for property at 144 N. Sunset Drive due to incorporation of basement apartment to main living quarters and further, to reimburse the homeowner for these unit charges in the amount of $105.00. Trustees Collyer, Fleming, Kira, Kusse, Meinhardt voted YES. - Letter from the N.E. Senior Citizens Unit requesting receipt of the annual Village contribution of $1,000. Since, in past years, this contribution has been channeled through the CHCA3 which no longer exists, Treasurer Silber questioned the legality of the Village's role in making this contribution. More information will be provided to the Board at the August meeting and action will be taken at that time. -T.C. Waterfront Plan - gained approval of Town of Ithaca, and the Dept. of Plan- ning is asking for approval and support from the VCH (sample resolution for Board consideration was included). Trustee Meinhardt stated that since she has not had opportunity to review it, such action. - should be delayed. -July 22, 4 PM - discussion on deregulation in the electrical field with legal consultants and consultant from Albany - County Court House. Supt. of P.W. Cross presented his monthly report which is on file. Supt. Cross mentioned that he had met with his Public Works Committee the previ- ous Thursday at the Central Garage in the presence of DPW employees who were given opportunity to air any concerns they had. Nothing specific was brought up. He submitted a conceptual plan for construction of N. Triphammer Road and asked for comments. He stated he will provide a cost estimate at the August Board meeting. The Treasurer raised the question of funding, stating that serious consideration should be given to borrowing and other options. Questions arose re bike lanes and Supt. Cross will investigate the standard width of same. Motion by Trustee Fleming, seconded by Trustee Kira: RESOLUTION 4844 - AUTHORIZE PURCHASE OF DUMP TRUCK AT STATE CONTRACT BID PRICE VOTED to authorize Supt. Cross to purchase a 1998 NYSOGS Dump Truck from Inter- national, who has been awarded the contract, at state bid price not to exceed $62,000. Trustees Collyer, Fleming, Kira, Kusse, Meinhardt voted YES. Supt. Cross discussed a need for a new pick -up truck, stating that a basic truck would serve the DPW needs as opposed to the one he proposed to the Boar.B,+atlitbhe June meeting. Treasurer Silber asked if this new truck is assigned to someone for commuting purposes and Supt. Cross responded it would be used at the Central Garage and not for commuting purposes. Motion by Trustee Fleming, seconded by Trustee Kira: I RESOLUTION 4845 - AUTHORIZE PURCHASE OF PICK -UP TRUCK VOTED to authorize Supt. Cross to purchase a basic truck, 1997 Chevy C -1500 from NYSOGS Contract for $17,474.10. Trustees Collyer, Fleming, Kira, Kusse, Meinhardt voted YES. 23133 Minutes of Regular Meeting - 7/21/97 3 Supt. Cross once again raised the issue of confined office space and overall Village Hall space limitations and asked again that the Board designate a person or committee to study space needs in the entire building: When the Board suggested that Supt. Cross, himself, devise a plan, he agreed to meet'with De- partment Heads and the Mayor in the hopes of finding options that can be pre- sented at the August meeting. Trustee Kira, referencing the Supt.'s report under "WWTP," commented on the statement that the Town of Ithaca, contrary to prior belief, is not the major contributor of infiltration,.but instead, it is the Village of Lansing. Supt. Cross noted there has been a drop in flow from May to June and he is not certain if it is a true drop or whether it is due to changing flow meters. Re removal from properties of "SOLD" signs, Supt. Cross was instructed to remove them himself if a call to the realtor to do so produces no results. It was suggested that realtors be informed that their signs not be placed so close to fire hydrants so as to obstruct their view. Supt. Cross presented his suggestions for revisions to current Brush Collection Policy. It was reviewed and several changes were recommended. Trustee Kira asked to have it printed on bright (fluorescent?) colors. Fire Supt. Day's report was submitted in his absence, it is on file. Motion by Trustee Collyer, seconded by Trustee Kira: RESOLUTION 4845 - AUTHORIZE PURCHASE OF EIGHT SETS OF TURNOUT GEAR . FOR FIRE DEPARTMENT VOTED to authorize Fire Supt. Day to purchase eight sets of turnout gear for the Fire Department from. FireGear, low bidder, in the amount of $6,494.64. Trustees Collyer, Fleming, Kira, Kusse, Meinhardt voted YES. Treasurer Silber submitted his monthly- report which is on file. Treasurer Silber reported that the Annual Financial Report for FY 1996 -97 has been filed with the State. He reported a $150,000 surplus in the General Fund, a deficit of $45,000 in the Water Fund and a Sewer Fund Balance of $200,000 - $865,000 worth of debts next year (down by $150,000). Motion by Trustee Collyer, seconded by Trustee Fleming: RESOLUTION 4846 - VILLAGE OF CAYUGA HEIGHTS ADOPTION OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN WHEREAS, the Village of Cayuga Heights wishes to adopt the Deferred Compensation Plan for Employees of the State of New York and Other Participating Public Jurisdictions (the "Plan ") for the voluntary participation of all eligible employees-,'and WHEREAS, the Village of Cayuga Heights is a local public employer eligible to adopt the Plan pursuant to Section 5 of the State Finance Law; and WHEREAS, the Village of Cayuga Heights has reviewed the Plan established in accordance with Section 457 of the Internal Revenue Code and Section 5 of the State Finance Law of the Slate of New York; and WHEREAS, the purpose of the Plan is to encourage employees to make and continue , careers with the Village of Cayuga Heights by providing eligible employees with a convenient and tax - favored method of saving on a regular and long -term basis and thereby provide for their retirement; 40 t Mintues of Regular Meeting — 7/21/97 4 NOW, THEREFORE, it is hereby: RESOLVED, that the Village of Cayuga Heights hereby adopts the Plan for the voluntary participation of all eligible employees; and it is further RESOLVED, that the Treasurer of the Village of Cayuga Heights, or his designee, is hereby authorized to take such actions and enter such agreements as are required or necessary for the adoption; implementation, and maintenance of the Plan; and it is further RESOLVED, that the Administrative Services Agency Is hereby authorized to file copies of these resolutions and other required documents, with the President of the Slate of New York Civil Service Commission. Trustees Collyer, Fleming, Kira, Kusse, Meinhardt voted YES. Treasurer Silber reported that Express Mart has a draft Agency Agreement for consideration to sell Village trashtags. Motion by Trustee Fleming, seconded by Trustee Kira: RESOLUTION 4847 — APPROVE TRANSFERS Final Account Close and Transfer Request May -31 -97 Account Department Expense Type FROM TO General Fund A1420.42 Attorney Other $ 490 A1440.2 Sup Pub Wrks Equipment 799 A1440.41. Sup Pub Wrks Contractual Expense $ 799 A1620.45 Village Hall Contractual Expense 65 A1640.2 Central Garage Equipment 860 A1640.41 Central Garage Other 190 A1640..42 Central Garage Supplies 670 A1990.4 Contingency 3,875 A3120.2 Police Department Equipment 300 A3120.41 Police Department Other 300 A3410.2 Fire Department Equipment 20600 A3410.41 Fire Department Other 20600 A5112.41 Capital Improvements Contractual Expense 2270 A5142.42 Snow Removal • Supply 900 A8160.2 Refuse Collection Equipment 10 A8160.42 Refuse Collection Supply 10 ' A9030.8 Employee Benefits Social Security 160 1 Water Fund F8320.41 Source of Supply F8350.42 Water System Total Water Purch /SCLIWC Supply Total• $ 26,444 $ $ $ 2,480 $' 2,480 $ 26,444 2,480 2,480 J v U Minutes of Regular Meeting -.7/21/97 Sewer Fund 5 G1950.4 Taxes /Assessmenls Contractual Expense $ 610 G8120.42 Sewer Lines Supply 170 G8120.49 Sewer Lines Equipment Maint 90 G8130.2 Sewer Plant Equipment $ 3,600 G8130.41 Sewer Plant Other 3600 G8130.42 Sewer Plant Supply 260 G8130.44 Sewer Plant Utilities 1500 G8130.45 Sewer Plant Contractual Expense 6280 G813O.47 Sewer Plant Tipping Fees 3650 Total $ 9,880 $ 9,880 FY98: FROM TO AMOUNT A9030.8 Workers Compensation A1620.43 Village Hall Insurance $ 300 A9030.8 Workers Compensation A3410.43 Fire Dept Insurance 4,210 A9030.8 Workers Compensation A5110.43 Street Maint Insurance 520 A9030.8 Workers Compensation A8160.43 Refuse Collect Insurance 300 A9030.8 Workers Compensation A9050.8 Unemployment Insurance 1,800 Trustees Collyer, Fleming, Kira, Kusse, Reinhardt voted YES. Motion by Trustee Kira, seconded by Trustee Fleming: VOTED to approve the Abstract of Warrants dated 7/21/97 in the following amounts: General Fund - $31,028.11; Sewer Fund - $21,999.11; Water Fund - $573.58. Trustees Collyer, Fleming, Kira, Kusse, Meinhardt voted YES. Re the expenditure for Unemployment Insurance, Treasurer Silber stated he will investigate with the Labor Department as to whether Seasonal Employaea are eligible to collect unemployment insurance. There was no monthly report from the Village Attorney. Attorney George Pfann will handle Village matters, should any. arise, in Attorney Tyler's absence. Police Chief Wall presented.his monthly report which has been placed on file. Re the Memo from Jean Eaton, Police Clerk, to Chief Wall (copy attached to his Monthly Report) concerning the benefit change FROM sick time accrual of 120 days max TO sick time accrual above 960 hours to be cashed in at retirement at final rate of pay, the Treasurer explained this change in detail to Trustees and will do so with Mrs. Eaton before further action, if any, is taken by the Board. Motion by Trustee Collyer, seconded by Trustee Fleming to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned at 10:50 PM Anne Krohto Clerk '