Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutReg Mtg. Minutes 12/20/1999LIM Minutes of the Regular Meeting December 20, 1999 Village of Cayuga Heights Board of Trustees Present: Mayor Anderson; Trustees Fleming, Kira, Bisogni; Attorney Tyler, Treasurer Silber, Supt. of PW Cross, Police Chief Lansing, Fire Chief DiVenti. Absent: Trustees Kusse, Dunning, and Meinhardt. Others: Willie Evans, Steve Shif lin, Adelaide Gamer, Robin Palmer, Kay Newman, Francis Davis, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Gouldin, Richard Staples, Leonard Weinstein, Jeff Cox, Charlotte Shull, Susan Woodard, Jerry VanBuren, Paul Curtis. Mayor Anderson called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM and opened the meeting to the Privilege of the Floor. Fred Gouldin had asked to speak on behalf of the Village Deer Committee. Mr. Gouldin mentioned that since the Board Meeting of November 15, 1999, he has met with Mayor Anderson, Paul Curtis and Dan Decker of Cornell to discuss the recommended deer management study. Previous to this meeting he distributed a revised proposal, which is on file, to the Board Members. He proceeded to give an overview of the proposal and its revised budget. The study would set up 8 trap sites throughout the Village where deer would be trapped in baited Clover traps at night. The deer would be sedated and then given ear tags and some deer fitted with radio collars. Paul Curtis, Extension Wildlife Specialist at Cornell would oversee the study with the assistance of a graduate student from Cornell. The purpose would be to get a more accurate count of the deer as well as to track the deer movement within the Village. The cost to the Village would be $6,694.00 with the remaining $38,078 coming from a Hatch Research Grant through Cornell. Mr. Curtis noted that there are studies being conducted at Penn State to determine if oral contraceptives are feasible for deer. This method of deer management would be the preferred method according to the majority of Village residents as indicated in the Cornell Questionnaire. Adelaide Gomer informed the Board that she has learned from the National Humane Society that it is possible to do a similar study by flying over the area with infrared cameras, however Mr. Curtis pointed out that this is not effective with our local terrain. Steve Shiffrin felt that it would be a waste of the Village's money to pursue the study since consensus of opinion of Village residents as to the solution for the deer problem, would be impossible to reach. Robin Palmer agreed that that the money should not be spent for the study and felt that the deer were not a problem. Mayor Anderson closed the discussion at 8:30PM. The meeting continued with a consideration of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of November 15, 1999, and the Special Meeting of November 22, 1999, previously furnished to the Trustees in photocopy form. 1 1 Motion by Trustee Kira, seconded by Trustee Fleming, VOTED to approve the Minutes from the Regular Meeting of November 15, 1999 and the Special Meeting of November 22, 1999. Trustees Fleming, Kira, Bisogni and Mayor Anderson voted YES. wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww *www Mayor Anderson reported on the following: Peter Newell has volunteered to be the Village Representative for a 1 -year term or. the EMC. The Fire Council recommendations for the Fire, Disaster EMS Advisory Board be Mike DiVenti, 1 year term, Willie Evans, alternate, and Phil Me Neil, 2 year term, Ray Knauer alternate. Resolution 5155 - Advisory Board Appointments Motion by Trustee Fleming, seconded by Trustee Kira, VOTED to recommend to the County Board that Peter Newell be appointed to a one -year term on the Environmental Management Council. And voted to recommend appointment of Mike DiVenti to a one -year term with Willie Evans alternate, and Phil Me Neil to a two -year term with Roy Knauer alternate to the Fire, Disaster EMS Advisory Board, Trustees Fleming, Kira, Bisogni and Mayor Anderson voted YES. - There will be Intermunicipal Cooperative Training at TC3 Ithaca Extension , Center in January 2000 for Supervisors, Mayors and Clerks in how to manage conflict. - In a recent notice from Tompkins County Assessment it was noted that the request by Kendall to have its property assessment lowered by $25,000,000, has been withdrawn. - Bolton Point notified the Village that the water rate surcharge was being lowered from $2.04 to $1.79 as of the Feb. 1, 2000 billing. Treasurer Silber recommended that the rate charged by the Village not be changed until budget time in the spring. - Mayor Anderson received a letter from Bruce Ganem, President of the Homeowners Assoc. of Pleasant Grove Lane, which is on file, expressing concern for the unsightly refuse in the wooded area behind the Village Barn on Sheldon Road which is adjacent to property owned by the residents of Pleasant Grove Lane. And also expressing displeasure with the access road built from Pleasant Grove Road to the Barn. Mayor Anderson and Supt. of PW Cross have agreed to have the wooded area cleaned up and are considering building a fence to shield the area. However it was stated that the access road was necessary and properly opened when it was put in. Mayor Anderson received a phone call from a resident expressing displeasure at the suggestion that household refuse be put into a plastic bag and then put into garbage cans. She felt that it was not a good idea to add more plastic to the landfill. Mr. Henderson of 202 Winthrop Dr. wrote that he had trouble buying garbage tags recently, that the leaf pick -up was slow, and that he was disappointed in the 1 Halloween vandalism that occurred this year. Mr. Cross spoke with him about the situation. There are several local meeting scheduled: - Local Government Leaders, Jan. 19, 2000 - Regional Planning Group, Jan. 24, 2000 - Special Joint Subcommittee, Ithaca Area 21, 1999 Wastewater Treatment Facility, Dec. - Joint Policy and Planning Committee, Ithaca - Tompkins County Transportation Council, Dec. 21, 1999 - Facilities & Infrastructure Committee, Dec. 21, 1999 Senator Seward sent a legislative summary. Bolton Point sent out a customer notice on their Y2K readiness. Police Chief Lansing presented his report, which is on file, and reported on the following: Cayuga Heights resident Adelaide Gomer has made a donation of $6,995.00 to purchase a Speed Command Alert Trailer by Radar Stalker to aid in speed enforcement in the Village. - An officer from the department will be attending the DARE training next month. Fire Chief DiVenti presented his report, which is on file, and reported on the following: - There were 48 calls this month, 25 involving EMS and 23 involving firefighting. - Ladder truck 231 has been repaired and is back in operation. There will be a standby crew at the firehouse on New Years Eve. The computer software will be Y2K compliant by next week. - Willie Evans reported on the progress of the firehouse project. The ceilings were opened with the help of personnel from the probation crew for examination by the architect. And Mitchell -Ross has addressed a concern and has redesigned the roof to accommodate a pitch to the rear of the building. Mr. Evans expressed the need for hiring a Clerk of the Works for the project and presented a resume from Paul J. Sarokwash, who is applying for the position. Treasurer Silber disclosed that Mr. Sarokwash is a personal friend of his. Mayor Anderson agreed to speak with Mr. Skip Dunning to see if he is still interested in the position as well. Resolution 5156 - Appoint a Clerk of the Works Motion by Trustee Fleming, seconded by Trustee Kira, VOTED to authorize Mayor Anderson to appoint a Clerk of the Works for the firehouse project at a salary of up to $25.00 per hour. Trustees Fleming, Kira, Bisogni and Mayor Anderson voted YES. Mayor Anderson asked if the Board had reached a decision on the proposed Deer Management Study. It was disclosed that the Mayor and Trustee Bisogni have a working relationship as teachers with Cornell, which has offered to provide significant funding for the study. Resolution 5157- Authorize the Deer Management Study Motion by Trustee Kira, seconded by Trustee Fleming, 3 WILT 151 VOTED to approve the Deer Management Study as proposed by the Cayuga Heights Deer Committee, which is on file, for a cost of up to $7,000. Trustees Fleming, Kira, Bisogni and Mayor Anderson voted YES. Treasurer Silber will work with Cornell on the contract. Supt. of PW Cross presented his report and reported on the following: - He has spoken informally with Joe Chiaschi, owner of the Corners Community Center, about getting an easement or lease to enable parking for the firehouse on Comer's Community land. - The Syracuse Supply generator at the sewer plant is almost ready for operation and will be tested before Y2K. Richardson Bros. Electric has been very helpful in getting it operational. - Supt. Cross has requested that another vacuum leaf sweeper be included in the next budget to facilitate faster fall leaf pick -up. - Marion Electric has quoted $1,000 to install electric switch wiring for the back -up generator for the DPW Garage. Attorney Tyler reported on the following: He has received correspondence stating a check from Sigma Chi fraternity has been written to cover the costs of an incident last spring in which gravel was distributed over Village streets. Attorneys Thaler & Thaler for the fraternity require that a release of obligation be executed and sent to them on behalf of Sigma Chi. Resolution 5158 - Sign Release for Sigma Chi Fraternity Motion by Trustee Kira, seconded by Trustee Fleming, VOTED to authorize Mayor Anderson to sign a release of obligation for Sigma Chi Fraternity. Trustees Fleming, Kira, Bisogni and Mayor Anderson voted YES. The paperwork for the Bond issue for the firehouse project is complete, was delivered by the Clerk to the attorney and will forward it to bond counsel in New York City. Treasurer Silber presented his report, which is on file, and reported on the following: He has decided to continue with the MCS Spectrum accounting software. There was a meeting before the Board meeting of the Department Heads to discuss the contract with the Computing Center for computer support. The heads will continue to meet before the Board meetings for an indefinite period to discuss any concerns. He will discuss the bill received from Danica for computer Y2K updates for the Police Department with Daniell Computing. The IRS has agreed to waive the threatened penalty, on payroll tax payments, as they were shown to be in error. 4 152 The Independent audit was approved and the deferred compensation plan was audited. The Board has declined a formal, in person presentation by the auditors. Treasurer Silber will approach Cornell about making an annual contribution to the Village for the firehouse. He will also ask for Cornell to house the bunkers at Hasbrook Apartments for the time necessary during construction. The Board was also asked for suggestions as to methods of approach to a local private foundation for a major contribution for the project. The Abstract of Warrants was presented and it was noted that there are two additions to the Sewer Fund, both to Syracuse Supply, Acct. G8130.2. One for $42,963.30 and one for $30,064.50. Motion by Trustee Fleming, with best wishes to all for the Holidays and New Year, seconded by Trustee Kira, VOTED to approve the Abstract of Warrants, dated December 20, 1999, as amended, in the following amounts: General Fund, $37,789.61; Sewer Fund, $110,817.41; Water Fmid, $68,119.01; Capital Fund, $20,789.90. Trusted Fleming, Kira, Bisogni and Mayor Anderson voted YES. There was no report of the Clerk. Motion by Trustee Fleming, seconded by Trustee Bisogni, VOTED to adjourn at 10:15PM. Trustees Fleming, Kira, Bisogni and Mayor Anderson voted YES. Elizabeth Kord Village Clerk