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HomeMy WebLinkAboutReg Mtg. Minutes 11/20/2000Minutes of the Regular Meeting November 20, 2000 Village of Cayuga Heights Board of Trustees Present: Mayor Anderson, Trustees Fleming, Kira, Kusse, Lynn, Attorney Tyler, Treasurer Silber, Fire Chief Evans, Supt. of Public Works Cross, Clerk Manning Absent: Trustee Dunning, Meinhardt, Police Chief Lansing Others: Charlotte Anderson of I.H.S., Larry Fresinski, Deputy Mayor of Lansing, John Majeroni of Comell University Real Estate, Michael Stamm of TCAD. Mayor Anderson called the meeting to order at 7:40 PM and opened the meeting to the Privilege of the Floor. John Majeroni of Comell University Real Estate gave the Board a letter requesting approval to apply three sewer permits held by the Cornell Business & Technology Park on the basis of one permit each to three new buildings being erected in the Park. He explained how the new buildings will house four companies that are having a dramatic impact on the economic health of Tompkins County. Michael Stamm of TCAD also gave an overview on the importance of these businesses to Tompkins County, and how the "home grown entrepreneurs" are committed to staying in our community if we can meet their facility needs. Attorney Tyler said that there needs to be discussion on this request. At this point, Lary Fresinski of Lansing wished to comment with regard to sewer permits — there is 1000 ft. of pipe yielding 30,000 gal/day INI problem. (INI is ground water getting into the filter.) John Majeroni has agreed to fund the INI repairs. The 30,000 /day problem is due to a crushed line and was discovered on the Warren Road complex. Mr. Fresinski was requesting that the Village of Lansing be granted 30 permits, and they would split them with the Business and Industrial Park. 30 Permits represent 10,000 gallons — solving the Uptown Road problem would solve that concern. Attorney Tyler requested Executive Session to discuss this issue at the end of the meeting.. Supt. Cross stated that he wanted to officially run the situation past the DEC. There were corrections to the minutes of the meeting of October 20, 2000. On page 3, the wording of "getting rid of should be changed to "grinding our pile of brush, but we can have it trucked away for a lessor amount" Insert on page 4 - ... give a deadline to get things moving on the required intermunicipal agreement. On page 1, ROW should be Right of Way. Motion by Trustee Fleming, seconded by Trustee Lynn VOTED to approve the minutes with the changes in wording of the Regular Meeting of October 20, 2000. Trustees Fleming, Kira, Lynn, and Kusse voted YES. Mayor Anderson reported on the following: A letter from Laurie Johnson dated November 9 was received replying to Mr. Klein that she will respond to their request for several things. Trustee Lynn also received the same letter from Ms. Johnson. 1 Regarding the proposal for a new fire contract: there was a proposal for changes in blre boundaries. Fire Chief Evans voiced his opinion on this matter. He feels that we shouldn't give up our jurisdiction in that area. We are closer than any other station. The town of Ithaca wants to take our portion of forest Home. Treasurer Silber said that we will lose money with this proposal. It takes assessed property and non - assessed property away from us. While the town makes the decision on the bridges, there is more to the area being protected. Treasurer Silber said that we have an obligation to negotiation. Treasurer Silber will work up figures and comment of the formula. Bargaining strength is that they can't cover from Collegetown to the Northeast. It has been covered by the Heights for 50+ years. Treasurer Silber will phone Cathy Valentino and speak to the financial issue. We will get her a written response. The Proposal is unacceptable in its present form. There is a Joint Sewer Agreement Meeting proposed for December 13 called by Cathy Valentino. The Board does not want highter sewer rates for our residences. There is a Transportation Planning Committee Meeting on November 21. There has been a request from the Phalon practitioners of Ithaca to proclaim the 15t full week in December week. There will be a meeting at Bolton Point on December 7 at 4 pm. We have received the Water Supply Emergency Plan to be returned. The Mayor will send his copy back to Paul Tunison shortly. The Mayor received a letter from Fred Gouldin of the Cayuga Heights Deer Committee. There are approximately 135 deer in the Village. 14 tagged deer have been killed in car /deer collisions. There is a public meeting scheduled for January 17 at Dewitt Middle School to present an update of findings of the Deer committee and to give residents a thence to voice their concerns. Trustee Lynn waants the Deer committee to make the Board a recommendation and not cloud the issue with politics. Trusttt Lynn will convery this to oMr. Gouldin directly. Peter Newell has resigned his position on the Environmental Management Council. The Mayor will ask Mr. Newell if he wuld like to continue on the council. We have other vacancies — thetompkins County Youth Board (the Mayor has asked Mary Agnes to serve another term) and there is an opening on the Tompkins County Planning Federtion. Trustee Lynn asked to have the Clerk put a list of vacancies in the Newsletter. - The Mayor has receied news from the Attorney General's office regarding asbestos dumping around Tompkins, Schuyler and tioga Counties. - The Health Department of Tompkins County has noted that the tompkins County Board of Health officially promotes walkways to help the residents keep physically active. - The Mayor asked if Supt. Cross had heard back from Bruce Ganem, the President of Pleasant Grove Lane Homeowners Association regarding their Lane. Supt. Cross said that he hasn't. - The Mayor has several Service to the Community Awards. These should be handed out at the Holiday Lunch. They include Trustee Fleming and Ed Quick for 30 years service, Chief Lansing and Officer Day for 25 years of service, and, of course, the Mayor for 30 years of service. 2 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + ++ The Police Chief was not in attendance. The report of the Police Chief is on file. At this point, Trustee Fleming stated that he had received three phone calls from the Fraternal Order of the State Police asking for donations. He was wondering if this was legall. The answer was yes, but they didn't represent the state Pollice. Trustee Kusse asked that things like this be included in the Newsletter after checking with the Police Chief. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + ++ The report of the Fire Chief, which is on file, was presented and Chief Evans reported on the following: - The Fire Station is coming along, slowly. The Roof is done and the bays are almost complete. The dry wall lis also up. Trustee Kira asked if the delays are costing us anything? Supt. Cross answered that we have agreed to pay a premium if completed by December 1. Our goal is substantial completion by Decmeber 15. Beyond that, there is a $300 /day or pro -rate figure. It will cost us a little more in the long run if the station isn't completed by December 1. At full capacity, the bunkers will hold 18 people at 2 people per room. We have finished the specs for thenew engine. Changes have been made Attorney Tyler and Treasurer Silber. Fire Chief Evans stressed that we need to move on this. The prices will go up on January 1. The Clerk will advertise in the newspaper for bids. Motion by Trustee Fleming, seconded by Trustee Kira Voted to have Fire Chief Evans to put the new fire truck out to Bid. Trustee Fleming, Kira, Kusse and Lynn voted YES. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + ++ Supt. of PW Cross presented his report, which is on file, and reported on the following: - Regarding the TCAT bus stop at Kendal, Supt. Cross said that there is no open line of communication with TCAT. He can't reach them to discuss the bus shelter. We need to talk to TCAT before we proceed. A suggestion was made to get Kendal to talk to TCAT. - There was a problem with the lline striping project done on our Village streets. Because of a change in paint used, the lines were wet for a longer period otf time than normal and cars were running through the wet paint. Attorney Tyler reported on the following: The Putnam case was submitted without oral argument before the court. A decision is pending. A letter was sent to the Teamsters Union regarding the organizing of the DPW as discussed in Executive Session. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + ++ Treasurer Silber reported on the following: 3 The books have been closed for the year. The Sewer Fund ran a deficit in FY 1999 -2000 due to a shortfall in revenues. We may need to raise sewer rates. The Water Fund is healthy so we may wish to consider elimination of the water levy. The annual independent audit begins on Tuesday morning, October 17. Treasurer Silber asked for a resolution to approve transfers for fiscal year 1999- 2000 as listed in the handout. Motion by Trustee Fleming, seconded by Trustee Kira VOTED to approve the transfers for fiscal year 1999 -2000. Trustees Fleming, Kira, Dunning, Meinhardt and Kusse voted YES Treasurer Silber asked for a resolution to approve transfers on item 6 of the Treasurers Report for fiscal year 2000 -2001. Motion by Trustee Fleming, seconded by Trustee Kira VOTED to approve transfers on item 6 of the Treasurers Report for fiscal year 2000 -2001. Trustees Fleming, Kira, Dunning, Meinhardt and Kusse voted YES. Treasurer Silber distributed copies of the Village of Cayuga Heights Vehicle Use Policy. He asked the Board to note and approve a change on page 3 of the policy regarding routine commuting and/or personal use of Village vehicles. Motion by Trustee Meinhardt, seconded by Trustee Dunning VOTED to approve the Village of Cayuga Heights Vehicle Use Policy as modified. Trustees Fleming, Kira, Dunning, Meinhardt and Kusse voted YES. Motion by Trustee Fleming, seconded by Trustee Kira. VOTED to approve Abstract of Vouchers with one addition of $400. Trustees Fleming, Kira, Dunning, Meinhardt and Kusse voted YES Clerk Manning had no report. Motion by Trustee Fleming, seconded by Meinhardt. VOTED to adjourn at 10:25 PM. Trustees Fleming, Kira, Dunning, Meinhardt and Kusse voted YES. Norma Manning Clerk 4