Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrganizational Mtg. Minutes 4/3/2000Minutes of the Organizational Meeting April 3, 2000 Village of Cayuga Heights Board of Trustees Present: Mayor Anderson, Trustees Fleming, Kira, and Kusse. Lynn, Police Chief Lansing, Fire Chief DiVenti, Supt. of PW Cross, Attorney Tyler, Treasurer Silber, Clerk Kord. Absent: Trustees Dunning and Meinhardt. Others: David Donner, Paul Sarokwash, Will Thompson, Matt Rogers, Barbara Thuesen, Willie Evans and Jeff Randall. Mayor Anderson called the meeting to order and then opened the Public Hearing, duly published and posted, at 7:05 PM to consider the Proposed Budget for the 2000/2001 Fiscal Year and asked Treasurer Silber to present the tentative budget to the Board. Treasurer Silber gave a brief summary of the budget and noted that this budget is only modestly different from the previous budget. There will be a 2% tax increase, from $5.51/M to $5.62/M - which results in a total levy if $1,332,080. Other levies remain the same (Water district Charge $15/Unit; Sewer Rent$70/Unit; Remington Road Special District Assessment $2.50 /foot frontage). The most notable item in the budget is that the Capital Fund contains an appropriation for the construction of a new Fire Station. This project, approved by the Village Board in November, has an estimated cost of $2 million. Currently it is expected that $1.5M of the $2M total cost (of which $200,000 will occur in the current 2000 fiscal year) will be provided through the issuance of serial bonds (approved in November), but this expectation may change upon review of the bids just received. Drawing down the Village's surplus will fund the balance of the project, which is estimated to total $1 million by the end of the current fiscal year. Other major capital items contained within the various funds include a new fire truck ($205,000) a truck for the DPW, and a new patrol car. Most salaries are budgeted to be increased 3 %. The tentative budgets for each fund are as follows: General Fund: $2,566,000; Water Fund: $350,000; Sewer Fund: $660,000; Capitol fund: $2,096,900. There was a brief discussion of the proposed budget. Trustee Lynn asked if there was a formal replacement schedule for vehicles and was told that the there is generally a change in fire equipment every 5 years, The DPW replaces one of its seven vehicles approximately every year and the police replace one of their cars each year. Mayor Anderson pointed out that the county is considering waiving their portion of sales tax on clothing under $200. Some of the adjacent counties have done this and Mayor Anderson noted that it would represent a loss of approximately $19,000 to the Village. Barbara Thuesen asked if the draws on the surplus would wipe out the reserve. Treasurer Silber noted that the surplus would be drawn down to approximately $400,000 which is where he feels it should be. It had been built up to accommodate anticipated expenses for the Fire House Project and a hedge on potential assessment changes. Ms. Thuesen also asked if the census will have an effect on the Village and was told that the 1 numbers in the Village should be increasing because of the addition since the previous census of Kendal and a more thorough counting of students. Mayor Anderson closed the Public Hearing on the proposed budget at 7:35 PM. and opened the Public Hearing to consider proposed Local Law #1 of 2000 - Establish Sewer Unit Rates for 2000/2001 Fiscal Year at 7:36 PM. Treasurer Silber recommended that the sewer rates remain the same as the previous year at $70/Unit for the Inside Rate and $105/Unit for the Outside Rate. There was no discussion and the hearing was closed at 7:40 PM. Motion by Trustee Kira, seconded by Trustee Fleming, VOTED to close the Public Hearings at 7:40 PM. Trustees Fleming, Kira, Kusse and Lynn voted YES. ***************************************** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** Mayor Anderson opened the Annual Organizational Meeting at 7:41 PM and opened the meeting to the Privilege of the Floor. No one asked to speak. Mayor Anderson then gave his report on the following: Cornell has asked for approval from the Board to establish temporary parking during Student Move -in Day each fall on the grassy areas west of A -Lot on Pleasant Grove Road. Maps were provided of the proposed parking areas. Resolution 5173 - Approve Cornell Temporary Parking Motion by Trustee Kira, seconded by Trustee Fleming, VOTED to allow Cornell to establish temporary parking in designated areas west of A- Lot on Pleasant Grove Road for one day only each year for two years during Student Move -in Day. Trustees Fleming, Kira, Kusse and Lynn voted YES. - Mayor Anderson received a letter of thanks from Officer Boyce for the contribution that the Village made on behalf of his daughter to the Children's House at Johns Hopkins Hospital. - Time Warner Cable sent their 1999 Social Contract Report stating that they are providing service to the community as promised and asked that they be notified if there are any areas of the Village not serviced by the cable. - The Regional Planning Group has been discussing the results of the potential increase in sewer usage when the new sewer line in Lansing comes into being. - Dooley Kiefer the Village representative on the County Board has informed Mayor Anderson that in order for the Village to be eligible for certain grant monies available a Master Plan is necessary. The Mayor will call County Planning to question this. - The County Board is considering waiving their portion of the sales tax revenue. The loss to the Village would be approximately $19,000. - There have been several letters urging participation in the census. - Mayor Anderson received the annual retainer statement from Village Attorney, David Tyler as required by law. - The Cayuga Medical Council will hold their 20`h Annual Meeting on April 27, 2000. Trustee Kira will attend as the Village Representative. - The Time -Warner Cable Franchise renewal is due by 5115100; it will need to be extended again if agreement is not reached by that time. - Mayor Anderson responded to the letter from Bruce Ganem, President of the Pleasant Grove Residents Association, on 3/24/00, informing him that the Village 2 DPW will do what cleaning up is possible at the Sheldon Road property as soon - as the weather permits and the DPW workers have time to attend to the matter. At that point the Mayor and Supt. Cross will meet with the Residents Assoc. Mayor Anderson has provided Peter Newell, the Village Representative to the Environmental Management Council, with a list of Village of Cayuga Height projects. Fire Chief DiVenti reported on the following: He presented a Status Report on the Fire Station Project, which is on file, and gave a brief summary of the project. Chief DiVenti informed the Board that the bids that were opened last week came in over the amount that the Board previously approved for the project and that the total of the low bids comes to approximately 2.0 Million (total project including equipment and "soft" costs: $2.3 Million). He presented to the Board several alternate resolutions to the problem which include: • Re -bid some of the project packages, with a short bid period. • Accept low bids, as is. Discuss certain deductions with the selected contractors after signing a contract for the full amount. • Reject all bids, consider redesign and re -bid at a later date. There was a discussion of the alternatives. Chief DiVenti itemized a number of things that could be eliminated from the project that would save some monies, ' such as eliminating the concrete aprons at the front doors, doing the earthwork using Village DPW, install basic windows, eliminate the divider in the training room, replace limestone work on the exterior with brick, etc. Supt. Cross pointed out that some of the items that were discussed would simply delay expenses rather than eliminate them. Paul Sarokwash pointed out that re- bidding might result in higher costs. Trustee Kusse asked if there wasn't an alternative to the brick that would reduce the cost. Supt. Cross expressed his opinion that a metal roof as opposed to a shingle roof was simply an aesthetic decision and would not make a major difference in quality. Trustee Fleming asked how increasing the project cost from 2 million to 2.3 million would impact the taxes and what the impact would be if the length of the bond was extended. Treasurer Silber agreed to provide the numbers on the alternate financing to the Board as soon as possible. Mayor Anderson recommended that the Board accept the low bids and then working with the Contractors to reduce costs, since re- bidding will probably cost more in terms of Architectural costs, etc. Treasurer Silber also pointed out that the new facility has acdommodations for up to 16 bunkers which will cost more in the building phase, but will save the Village monies by providing volunteer fire fighters. He also pointed out that the Town of Ithaca has given a positive response for the project and their part in cost sharing. The Board agreed to discuss the project further at a continuation of the Organizational Meeting on 4/5/00 at 5 PM. Attorney Tyler reported on the following: Rl Joseph Ciaschi has signed the agreement for the easement on his property at the Corners Community Center that is necessary for the Fire House Project. He reminded the Board that in situations where the bidders on a project are very close, according to law it is necessary not to favor some and prejudice others. Police Chief Lansing presented his report, which is on file. Treasurer Silber presented his report, which is on file, and reported on the following: The accounting system is up and running and the March checks were printed with the new system. The system will result in considerable time savings. There were numerous transfers for approval. Resolution 5174 - Approve Transfers Motion by Trustee Fleming, seconded by Trustee Kira From To I Amount A01990.41 General Cont A01110.41 Just. Contr Ex $ 500 A01990.41 General Cont A01325.20 Treas Equip $ 1,00-0- A01990.41 General Cont A01325.41 Treas Cont Ex $ 2,000 A01990.41 General Cont A01410.41 Clerk cont Ex $ 1,000 A01990.41 General Cant A01620.41 Village Hall Cont Ex $ 5,000 A01990.41 General Cont A01620.44 Village Hall Utilities $ 4,000 A01990.41 General Cont A01640.41 Cent Gar Cont Ex $ 1 000 A01990.41 General Cont A01640.44 Cent Gar Utilities $ 1 000 A01990.41 General Cont A03410.10 Fire Personnel Ser $ 2,000 A08160.10 Refuse Per Services A05142.10 Snow Pers Svcs $ 2,100 A01990.41 General Cont A05142.41 Snow Cont Ex $ 2,100 A01990.41 General Cont A08020.40 Planning Cont Ex $ 5 000 A01990.41 General Cont A08160.41 Refuse Cont Ex $ 2000 A0960.81 Emp Benefits Health A09160.82 Emp Ben Health/VCH $ 700 F01990.41 Water Coming. F08320.42 Water Purch/Ithaca $ 1,600 F01990.41 Water Contin . F08350.10 Water Sys Pers Svc $ 300 G01990.41 Sewer Conting G08120.10 Sewer Lines Pers Svc $ 3 000 G01990.41 Sewer Conting G08130.10 Sewer Plant Pers Svc $ 2,000 G01990.41 Sewer Coming G08130.48 Sewer Plant Purch Svc $ 3.000 VOTED to approve the transfers as listed. Trustees Fleming, Kira, Kusse and Lynn voted YES. Treasurer presented the Abstract of Warrants. Motion by Trustee Fleming, seconded by Trustee Kira, VOTED to approve the Abstract of Warrants in the following amounts: General Fund, $9,112.37; Water Fund, $2,458.34; Sewer Fund, $38,882.98; and Capital fund, $10,648.21. Trustees Fleming, Kira, Kusse and Lynn voted YES. Supt. of PW Cross reported on the following: The employees at the DPW have requested a change in the longevity compensation policy. Mr. Cross presented the options. The Board agreed to study the situation and to discuss it at the next meeting. 4 1 Trustee Kusse asked what the plans were for street repair this year since many of the Village streets are in need of such repair. Mr. Cross informed him that a study and priority list had been done last summer and work would begin when weather permits. ***************************************** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** Clerk Kord had no report. ***************************************** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** Mayor Anderson Appointed D. Wayne Fleming Deputy Mayor for the 2000 Official Year. Resolution 5175 - Appointments Motion by Trustee Fleming, seconded by Trustee Kira, VOTED to approve the following appointments: Elizabeth Kord, Clerk for two official years. True, Walsh and Miller, Law Firm for one official year. Brent Cross, Building Commissioner for one official year. Brent Cross, Engineer for one official year. Brent Cross, Zoning Officer for one official year. Walter Lynn, Acting Treasurer for one official year. David Pimentel, Village Forester for one official year. Clarence Larkin, Acting Village Justice for one official year. David Donner, ZBA Member for a five -year term to expire in April 2005. Jeffrey Silber, treasurer for two official years. Trustees Fleming, Kira, Kusse and Lynn voted YES. ***************************************** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** Resolution 5176 - Official Depositories Motion by Trustee Lynn, seconded by Trustee Fleming, VOTED that the Tompkins County Trust Company of Ithaca, NY is designated as the official depository for the Village funds for the 2000/2001 Fiscal Year. Trustees Fleming, Kira, Kusse and Lynn voted YES. Resolution 5177 - Official Check Signatures Motion by Trustee Lynn, seconded by Trustee Fleming, VOTED to authorize the clerk to notify the Tompkins County Trust Company of Ithaca, NY of the following names to be honored on checks for the 2000/2001 official year, with two signatures required: Ronald E. Anderson, Mayor or D. Wayne Fleming, Acting Mayor Jeffrey Silber, Treasurer of Walter Lynn, Acting Treasurer Elizabeth Kord, Clerk Trustees Fleming, Kira, Kusse and Lynn voted YES. ***************************************** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** Resolution 5178 - Official Newspaper Motion by Trustee Fleming, seconded by Trustee Kusse VOTED to designate the Ithaca Journal the official Newspaper for the 2000/2001 official year. Trustees Fleming, Kira, Kusse and Lynn voted YES. ***************************************** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** 5 Resolution 5179 - Adopt 2000/2001 Budget and Salary and Wage Schedule Motion by Trustee Fleming, seconded by Trustee Kusse, VOTED to adopt the Budget and appended Salary and Wage Schedule for the Fiscal Year, 2000/2001. Trustees Fleming, Kira, Kusse and Lynn voted YES. ***************************************** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** Resolution 5180 - Levy and Extend Taxes, Special Assessments and Sewer Rents, Establish Rates Motion by Trustee Fleming, seconded by Trustee Kusse, VOTED that the amount of $1,332,080 be levied upon the taxable real property of the Village for the 2000/2001 Fiscal Year as real property taxes and to authorize the Clerk to extend and carry out upon the assessment roll this amount to be charged against each parcel of real property shown thereon, according to the total levy of $1,332,080. Also VOTED that the amount of $28,445 be levied upon the benefited properties in the Village for the 2000/2001 Fiscal Year as special assessment on the Water District and to authorize the Clerk to extend and to carry out upon the assessment roll this amount to be charged against each benefited property for special assessment in the Water District shown thereon, according to the levy of $28,445. Also VOTED that the amount of $122,010 be levied upon benefited properties connected to VCH sewer system for the 2000/2001 Fiscal Year and to authorize the Clerk to extend and carry our upon the sewer rent assessment roll the amount to be charged against each benefited property according to the total levy of $122,010. Also VOTED that the amount of $8010 be levied upon the benefited properties on Remington Road for the 2000/2001 fiscal Year as special assessment for road improvements and to authorize and direct the Clerk to extend and carry out upon the assessment roll the amount to be charged against each benefited property on Remington Road for special assessment for road improvements shown thereon, according to the total levy of $8010. Also VOTED that the amount of $1191 be levied upon the benefited properties on Remington Road for the 2000/2001 Fiscal Year as special assessment for water and sewer service laterals, and to authorize and direct the Clerk to extend and carry out upon the assessment roll the amount to be charged against each property on Remington Road for special assessment for water and sewer service laterals shown thereon, according to the total levy of $1191. Also VOTED to establish rates for the 2000/2001 Fiscal Year as follows: Real Property Tax $ 5.62/M Sewer Plant Disposal & Maintenance: 1743 Units Inside Village $ 70.00/Unit 132 Units for Cornell Business & Tech Park (Inside Rate) $ 70.00/Unit 3979 Units Outside Village $ 105.00/Unit Special Assessment Water District $ 25.00/Unit Special Assessment Remington Rd. Imp. $ 2.50/Ft. Front. Special Assessment Remington Rd. Water And Sewer Service Laterals $1191.00 Trustees Fleming, Kira, Kusse and Lynn voted YES. ***************************************** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** Resolution 5181 - Add Delinquent Water Bills to 2000/2001 Tax Roll Motion by Trustee Fleming, seconded by Trustee Kira, VOTED to authorize the Clerk to add to the Village Tax Roll for 2000 /2001, the amount of $3,762.88 due for delinquent water use bills for the calendar year, 1999. Trustees Fleming, Kira, Kusse and Lynn voted YES. Resolution 5182 - Adopt Local Law #1, 2000 - Establish Sewer Rates Motion by Trustee Fleming, seconded by Trustee Kusse, VOTED to adopt Local Law #1 of the Year 2000 entitled, 'Establish Sewer Rates for 2000/2001 Fiscal Year." Establish sewer rates for the Fiscal Year 2000/2001 fiscal Year at $70.00 per unit for the Inside Rate and $105.00 per unit for the Outside Rate. Trustees Fleming, Kira, Kusse and Lynn voted YES. ***************************************** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** Resolution 5183 - Set Time for Regular Meetings Motion by Trustee Kusse, seconded by Trustee Fleming, VOTED that regular meetings of the Board of Trustees for the 2000/2001 official year will be held on the third Mondays in each month, except the annual Organizational Meeting which is held on the first Monday in April of each year. Trustees Fleming, Kira, Kusse and Lynn voted YES. ***************************************** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** Resolution 5184 - Set Time for Next Regular Meeting Motion by Trustee Fleming, seconded by Trustee Lynn, VOTED to hold the next regular meeting on May 15, 2000. Trustees Fleming, Kira, Kusse and Lynn voted YES. ***************************************** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** The Board called a Special Meeting to authorize the Abstract of Warrants for April 17, 2000 at 5 PM in the Village Hall. ***************************************** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** This meeting was recessed at 10:14 PM and will be continued at 5 PM, Wednesday April 5, 2000 in the Village Hall. Elizabeth Kord Clerk 1