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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12.21.2022_Minutes1 Minutes VILLAGE OF CAYUGA HEIGHT December 21, 2022 Zoom Meeting ID # 4118425407 BOARD OF TRUSTEES 7:00 p.m. MONTHLY MEETING Present: Mayor Woodard; Trustees: Biloski, Hubbard, Rennekamp, Robinson, and Salton; Village Engineer B. Cross; Director of Public Works Wiese; Police Chief Wright; Clerk Walker; Treasurer Dolch; Attorney Marcus; Planning Board Member McMurry Absent: Trustee Marshall. 1. Call to Order: Mayor Woodard calls the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. 2. Approval of Meeting Minutes: November 16, 2022 (Exhibit 2023-103) Resolution # 9310 BE IT RESOLVED THAT: the Village of Cayuga Heights Board of Trustees approves the November 16, 2022, Board Meeting minutes as presented. Motion: Trustee Salton Second: Trustee Biloski Ayes: Mayor Woodard; Trustees: Biloski, Hubbell, Rennekamp, Robinson, and Salton Nays: none Abstentions: none Motion Carried 3. Report of Fire Superintendent Tamborelle: Submitted Report (Exhibit 2023-104) •Fire Superintendent Tamborelle states that staffing levels at the department are a little light due to winter break. •Fire Superintendent Tamborelle states that Cayuga Heights Fire Chief Joe Price has been able to secure a class for interior firefighting training for all 13 CHFD recruits. •Mayor Woodard states that she would like some more information about the condition of the CHFD roof. •Fire Superintendent Tamborelle states that J.D. Ferro inspected the roof and discovered 42 different penetrations (leaks) in the roof. The next step is to get quotes and put together a cost analysis for the next budget season. •Trustee Salton states that the whole roof should be replaced. Fire Superintendent Tamborelle will work with Village Engineer B. Cross on collecting bids from the RFP. •In Closing Fire Superintendent Tamborelle states that the 2015 Tahoe was sold at the December Tiestworth auction for $15,100 and needs a Board resolution declaring it surplus. Resolution: 9311 BE IT RESOLVED THAT: the Village of Cayuga Heights Board of Trustees hereby declares the 2015 Chevy Tahoe Vin: 1GNSK3EC0FR305968 as surplus and accepts the December 2022 auction settlement from Teitsworth Inc. in the amount of $15,100.00. 2 Motion: Trustee Robinson Second: Trustee Hubbell Ayes: Mayor Woodard; Trustees: Biloski, Hubbell, Rennekamp, Robinson, and Salton Nays: none Abstentions: none Motion Carried 4. Report of Treasurer Dolch: Submitted Report (Exhibit 2023-091) •Village Treasurer Dolch states that Trustee Rennekamp signed off on the November bank to book reconciliation last week. •Village Treasurer Dolch states that she has three budget modification resolutions to present tonight. •Village Treasurer Dolch states that the first resolution is to create an expense account for the lawn maintenance costs for the two vacant Village properties. Resolution: 9312 BE IT RESOLVED THAT: the Village of Cayuga Heights Board of Trustees authorizes and approves funding of expense account Village Vacant Property Maintenance (A1620.491) with a budget of $700 to be funded from Contingency (A1990.400). Motion: Trustee Hubbell Second: Trustee Salton Ayes: Mayor Woodard; Trustees: Biloski, Hubbell, Rennekamp, Robinson, and Salton Nays: none Abstentions: none Motion Carried •Village Treasurer Dolch states that the VCH Finance Committee took a close look at the expenses related to the Village insurance policies. Each policy was analyzed to see where those expenses should be allocated across funds. In doing so, we decided G1910.430 was underbudgeted by $11,388.90 (A Fund insurance account and F Fund insurance account were both overbudgeted). Resolution: 9313 BE IT RESOLVED THAT: the Village of Cayuga Heights Board of Trustees authorizes and approves moving $4535.69 from A Insurance (A1910.410) to G Insurance (G1910.430) AND $5917.05 from F Insurance (F1910.430) to G Insurance (G1910.430). Motion: Trustee Biloski Second: Trustee Hubbell Ayes: Mayor Woodard; Trustees: Biloski, Hubbell, Rennekamp, Robinson, and Salton Nays: none Abstentions: none Motion Carried 3 Resolution: 9314 BE IT RESOLVED THAT: the Village of Cayuga Heights Board of Trustees authorizes and approves moving $936.16 from G Fund Contingency to G Insurance (G1910.430) in order to meet current fiscal year insurance expenses. Motion: Trustee Salton Second: Trustee Biloski Ayes: Mayor Woodard; Trustees: Biloski, Hubbell, Rennekamp, Robinson, and Salton Nays: none Abstentions: none Motion Carried •Village Treasurer Dolch states that the DPW had a higher-than-expected expense in November with regards to shared service with the Town of Ithaca (chipper truck). •Director Wiese states that the Town of Ithaca had to find a new contractor and his rates were much higher. Resolution: 9315 BE IT RESOLVED THAT: the Village of Cayuga Heights Board of Trustees authorizes and approves moving $4000 from A Fund Contingency (A1990.400) into A8160.410 (Refuse – Contractual) in order to cover future expenses. Motion: Trustee Salton Second: Trustee Hubbell Ayes: Mayor Woodard; Trustees: Biloski, Hubbell, Rennekamp, Robinson, and Salton Nays: none Abstentions: none Motion Carried Approval of Abstract 7 Resolution: 9316 BE IT RESOLVED THAT: the Village of Cayuga Heights Board of Trustees authorizes and approves Abstract #7 for FYE2023 consisting of TA vouchers 449-58 in the amount of $17,503.85 and Consolidated Fund vouchers 462-547 in the amount of $488,866.49 and the Treasurer is instructed to make payments thereon. Motion: Trustee Biloski Second: Trustee Hubbell Ayes: Mayor Woodard; Trustees: Biloski, Hubbell, Rennekamp, Robinson, and Salton Nays: none Abstentions: none Motion Carried 5. Privilege of the Floor: No Members of the Public Wished to Speak. 4 •Village Fire Inspector Chris Hamilton joins the meeting via Zoom at 7:16 p.m. 6. Report of Mayor Woodard: a. Public Hearing on Proposed Local Law F of 2022 Affinity House. •Mayor Woodard opens the Public Hearing at 7:16 p.m. •Village Attorney R. Marcus states that the definition of an affinity house currently is very broad and lacks detail. The new law would add the wording “as a family” as defined in subsection 305 of the Village Code. •Village Attorney R. Marcus states that the changes to the existing local law are intended to clarify the existing definition of an affinity house. The intent of this change is not to completely overhaul the criteria to establish an affinity house, but it was to give more criteria to the definition so that the Village Planning Board had a path to evaluate any application. Because the word “family” is defined in great detail in the Village Zoning Law, adding it to the definition of affinity house will make satisfying the criteria for an affinity house more difficult. •Mayor Woodard states that Trustee Hubbell and herself did reach out to Cornell University to see if they were interested in creating graduate student co-ops when a fraternity or sorority became vacant. At this time there is not any interest. •Mayor Woodard states that one of Trustee Salton’s objections to this law is that if we make the definition to include family then that would basically mean no one could do an affinity house. •Trustee Salton states that this law will then produce empty real estate and that is not good for property values. •Trustee Salton states that for him the rule of a family does not represent an affinity house. He feels that the way this statute is written is disingenuous because there is no way for anyone to act as a family in an affinity house. •Trustee Salton states that he cannot support this drafted proposed local law. He supports having guidance for affinity houses but not the way this proposed local law is drafted. •Mayor Woodard states that there is already an offer to purchase the empty fraternity house located at 509 Wyckoff Rd. •B. Cross states that the prospective buyer is aware of the current zoning situation on an affinity house. There is a challenge for affinity houses now with this new proposed local law from the standpoint of future enforcement. •Trustee Salton suggests that the Village could license an affinity house and have an annual inspection similar to the Village Short-Term Rental Law. •Trustee Hubbell states that he sees the path of least resistance would be to convert such buildings into individual apartments. •B. Cross states that we will get into those properties every two years for fire inspections, and at that point could confirm the house is still being used as an affinity house. •Trustee Robinson states that an affinity house could change over time and possibly rent rooms to others who are not associated with the organization in order to cover expenses. 5 •B. Cross reminds the Board that the tenants are not part of the relationship with the Village. The only enforcement action the Village can take is with the property owner. •Mayor Woodard states that the Board might consider eliminating affinity houses all together. •Village Fire Inspector C. Hamilton states that if the Village decides to allow affinity houses in an existing structure that has a fire safety system in place, then it makes it a much safer place to live. •Planning Board Member M. McMurry states that there is a provision in the Village Zoning Code that allows an affinity house within the Special Use Permits. The purpose of adding this to the zoning law was to provide an extra layer of criteria for certain uses that are allowed but could be problematic. The Board could simply add affinity house to that list. •Village Attorney R. Marcus states that affinity house is actually already listed in the multiple housing district. •Trustee Biloski asks if there is a mechanism for charging programming fees in an affinity house. •Village Attorney R. Marcus states that the one affinity house in the Village that acts as a halfway house/rehabilitation house charges rent to the tenants which may include some programs. •Trustee Hubbell would like to see vacant fraternity and sororities houses turned into Co-Ops sponsored by the university. •Mayor Woodard asks if the Board should just eliminate an affinity house as an allowed use in the Village of Cayuga Heights. •Trustee Rennekamp states that she agrees with Trustee Salton that defining an affinity house as a “family” is disingenuous, if we don’t want them then just disallow them. •Planning Board Member M. McMurry states that she would like to point out that if we allow affinity houses pursuant to a special use permit if both give us an extra level of review and in terms of enforcement that it has to continue to comply with the terms of the special use permit. •Mayor Woodard states that as a result of this conversation, the Board should close the Public Hearing and pass a resolution rejecting Proposed Local Law F of 2022 and schedule a Public Hearing in January to remove the term infinity house as an allowed use in the commercial and multi-housing district. •Mayor Woodard closes the Public Hearing at 8:08 p.m. •Trustee Robinson makes a motion to vote against passing this local law. Resolution: 9317 BE IT RESOLVED THAT: the Village of Cayuga Heights Board of Trustees authorizes and approves removing Proposes Local Law F of 2022 as written. FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED THAT: The Board now authorizes Village Attorney to draft the language in a new proposed local law removing affinity houses as a permitted use in the Village Zoning Law. Motion: Trustee Robinson 6 Second: Trustee Hubbell Ayes: Mayor Woodard; Trustees: Biloski, Hubbell, Rennekamp, Robinson, and Salton Nays: none Abstentions: none Motion Carried •B. Cross states that as a reminder, the Village Planning Board will be addressing the new owners of 509 Wykoff Rd. who have submitted an application to develop an affinity house. Does the Planning Board then base that application on the current law? •Village Attorney R. Marcus states that the applicant is subject to any law changes and the Board would have already passed a law eliminating an affinity house from a permitted use in the Village. B. Cross should notify the applicant as soon as possible that this appears to be the direction the Board is going. Resolution: 9318 BE IT RESOLVED THAT: the Village of Cayuga Heights Board of Trustees hereby schedules a Public Hearing on January 18, 2023, at 7:10 p.m. for Proposed Local Law B of 2023 amending the Village Zoning Law eliminating affinity houses from a permitted use in the Village of Cayuga Heights. Motion: Trustee Robinson Second: Trustee Biloski Ayes: Mayor Woodard; Trustees: Biloski, Hubbell, Rennekamp, Robinson, and Salton Nays: none Abstentions: none Motion Carried b. Corners Community Address Changes: In an effort to communicate the correct business address for the Corners Community Shopping plaza Village Fire Inspector C. Hamilton, Village Police Clerk J. Carr, and Tompkins County ERC have met with the landowner and assigned new 911 addresses. •C. Hamilton states that over the years NYSEG and the post office would assign addresses. The new map (Exhibit 2023-107) shows the new suite numbers and defined street addresses. Resolution: 9319 WHEREAS, the Tompkins County Department of Emergency Response (DoER) oversees emergency dispatch and communications systems that allow residents to dial 911, and; WHEREAS, 911 is the number to report a police, fire, or medical emergency that requires the immediate presence of police officers, fire fighters, or emergency medical personnel, and; WHEREAS, new address designations are approved by a municipality’s governing body. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT: the Village of Cayuga Heights Board of Trustees authorizes and approves the changes made to the Corners Community Shopping Plaza as attached in Exhibit 2023-107. 7 Motion: Trustee Robinson Second: Trustee Biloski Ayes: Mayor Woodard; Trustees: Biloski, Hubbell, Rennekamp, Robinson, and Salton Nays: none Abstentions: none Motion Carried c. 2021 -2022 VCH Court Audit: Mayor Woodard states that INSERO has completed the Village Court audit and the Board has reviewed the results and supports the findings. Resolution: 9320 BE IT RESOLVED THAT: the Village of Cayuga Heights Board of Trustees authorizes and approves the new Corner Community address changes as presented in Exhibit 2023-107. Motion: Trustee Hubbell Second: Trustee Robinson Ayes: Mayor Woodard; Trustees: Biloski, Hubbell, Rennekamp, Robinson, and Salton Nays: none Abstentions: none Motion Carried d. Schedule a Public Hearing for Proposed Local Law A- 2023 Street Trees and Shrubs. Village Forester F. Cowett states that this proposed local law addresses two key changes. 1. currently there is no mechanism in place to bill a property owner who has a tree fall from private property onto Village Property. 2. The Village forester can make a request that a property owner has a tree that is considered an immediate threat removed within 60 days versus the current 14 days. •Mayor Woodard asks Village Forester F. Cowett what happens if the Village resident does not comply within 60 days. •Village Forester F. Cowett states that the Village could have the tree removed and bill the resident for the cost. DRAFT VILLAGE OF CAYUGA HEIGHTS PROPOSED LOCAL LAW A OF THE YEAR 2023 A LOCAL LAW TO AMEND THE VILLAGE OF CAYUGA HEIGHTS CODE CHAPTER 248, "STREET TREES AND SHRUBS," SECTION 11, "REMOVAL AND PRUNING OF TREES AND SHRUBS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY" 8 Be it enacted by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Cayuga Heights (the "Village") as follows: SECTION I PURPOSE AND INTENT The Village's Board of Trustees has found that the existing requirements in the Village of Cayuga Code, Chapter 248, "Street Trees and Shrubs," Section 11, "Removal and pruning of trees and shrubs on private property," do not completely address the subject matter of such Section and warrant clarification. Therefore, the Village Board has determined that the terms of said Section should be modified. The purpose of this Local Law is to revise the text of Village Code Chapter 248, "Street Trees and Shrubs," Section 11, "Removal and pruning of trees and shrubs on private property" as stated below. SECTION II AUTHORITY This Local Law is enacted pursuant to the grant of powers to local governments provided in Section 10 of the Municipal Home Rule Law to adopt and amend local laws not inconsistent with the provision of the New York State Constitution and not inconsistent with any general law relating to its property, affairs, government or other subjects provided for in said Section 10 of the Municipal Home Rule Law. SECTION III AMENDMENT OF VILLAGE CODE CHAPTER 248, "STREET TREES AND SHRUBS," SECTION 11, "REMOVAL AND PRUNING OF TREES AND SHRUBS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY" Village Code Chapter 248, "Street Trees and Shrubs," Section 11, "Removal and pruning of trees and shrubs on private property," is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following text: § 248-11. Pruning and removal of trees and shrubs on private property. A. It shall be the duty of any person or utility owning real property bordering on any property owned by the Village, including, but not limited to, any public street or park, at their own expense, to prune or remove any trees located upon their property which are dead, harbor insects or disease, or which are so damaged as to be a public nuisance or in danger of falling, thereby potentially causing damage to person or property on any such adjacent property owned by the Village, including, but not limited to, any public right-of-way or park. B. It shall be the duty of any person or utility owning real property bordering on any property owned by the Village, including, but not limited to, any public street, at their own expense, to ensure that trees and shrubs located upon their property are pruned in a manner that they do not obstruct or shade streetlights, obstruct the passage of pedestrians on sidewalks, obstruct the vision of traffic signs or obstruct the view of any street or sidewalk intersection. C. The Village Forester may deliver to the property owner written notification that a tree or shrub located upon their property should be pruned or removed for the reasons stated in Subsection A or B above. The property owner shall have fifteen (15) days after the date of service of the notice to confirm its receipt and to inform the Village Forester or Code Enforcement Officer as to when the tree or shrub shall be pruned or removed. After so informing the Village Forester or Code Enforcement Officer, the 9 property owner shall prune or remove the tree or shrub within sixty (60) days unless the Village Forester or Code Enforcement Officer delivers to the property owner written notice that such work is required to occur sooner than such sixty (60) day period. If the property owner fails to comply with such provisions, the Village may prune or remove the tree or shrub and deliver to the property owner an invoice for the Village's cost of pruning or removal. D. Notwithstanding the terms of Subsection C above, in the case of any tree located on private property, (a) which tree was the subject of a notice delivered to the property owner in accordance with Subsection C above, that falls and obstructs any property owned by the Village, including, but not limited to, any public right-of-way or park, or (b) which tree poses an imminent threat to person or property on any property owned by the Village, including, but not limited to, any in the right-of-way or park, and, whether due to the tree’s size, its proximity to electrical utilities, or some other factor, must be removed on an emergency basis by a professional tree care management company, the Village may arrange for said removal and deliver to the property owner an invoice for the Village's cost of removal. E. If the property owner objects to payment of the invoice described in either Subsection C or D above, the property owner may appeal the requirement to pay such costs by written notice delivered to the Village Board of Trustees within thirty (30) days of the date of such invoice, and the Village Board will consider the such appeal at its next regularly scheduled Board meeting following receipt of such appeal. If the property owner does not deliver to the Village payment of the Village's cost of such pruning or removal within sixty (60) days of the Village's delivery of the invoice, and the Village Board has denied the property owner's appeal of such invoice, the cost stated on a such invoice shall be added to the next real estate tax bill for the subject property. SECTION IV SUPERSEDING EFFECT All Local Laws, Articles, resolutions, rules, regulations, and other enactments of the Village of Cayuga Heights in conflict with the provisions of this Local Law are hereby superseded to the extent necessary to give this Local Law full force and effect. Without limiting the foregoing, to any extent that the terms of the Zoning Law of the Village of Cayuga Heights are deemed to be in conflict with the requirements of this Local Law, the terms of this Local Law shall govern and control. SECTION V PARTIAL INVALIDITY. In the event that any portion of this Local Law is declared invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the validity of the remaining portions shall not be affected by such declaration of invalidity. SECTION VI EFFECTIVE DATE. This Local Law shall be effective immediately upon filing in the office of the New York State Secretary of State, except that it shall be effective from the date of its service as against a person served with a copy thereof, certified by the Village Clerk, and showing the date of its passage and entry in the Minutes of the Village Board of Trustees. Resolution: 9321 BE IT RESOLVED THAT: the Village of Cayuga Heights Board of Trustees hereby schedules a Public 10 Hearing on January 18, 2023, at 7:15 p.m. for Proposed Local Law A of 2023 amending the Village Zoning Law Section 248, Street Trees, and Shrubs. Motion: Trustee Biloski Second: Trustee Hubbell Ayes: Mayor Woodard; Trustees: Biloski, Hubbell, Rennekamp, Robinson, and Salton Nays: none Abstentions: none Motion Carried e. Plant to Plant Agreement: Mayor Woodard states that going forward there will be a quarterly report of the average flow down Kline Road. Therefore, the deadline for the Village to comply has been removed. •Mayor Woodard states that she will be reviewing the original contract since there is time to revisit any changes. f. Walking Safe Cayuga Heights SEQR: As part of the NYSDOT TAP Grant the Village is required to sign off on the environmental review as part of the National Environmental Policy Act. •B. Cross states that Fisher & Associates has already classified this as an unlisted action but the Village will also need to make those findings through SEQR review. •Trustee Salton states that he has some concerns with the Fisher & Associates Design Report. His concerns are the location of the sidewalk on the south side and why the sidewalk is not ADA compliant. •Trustee Salton also states that the project seems to be focused on the dollars more than on the efficacy of the best solution. •Mayor Woodard states that there are pros and cons to both sides. The south side of the road was the best solution given the situation. She further states that the Village will be seeking public input through a Public Hearing. •Village Attorney R. Marcus states that the Village is not obligated to hold a Public Hearing on this project, but a Public Hearing does require notice and the community might respond to a notice. After discussions with Village Engineer B. Cross, it is his understanding that B. Cross was intending to meet one on one with the property owners that have voiced some objections to the project. •B. Cross states that the project had a public meeting a year or so ago before the preliminary design was done. The engineering report has every person's input and that was their opportunity to contribute to the design. That input was discussed, and a conclusion was reached and is supported by the Federal Government and NYSDOT, which is paying for most of this project. •B. Cross further states at this point in time there is no further opportunity for public input. What is available is to have each individual property owner who has some form of grievance review and comment on the design drawings or layout affecting their property. •Planning Board Member M. McMurry states that she agrees with B. Cross's statements and part of the delays with this project have to do with addressing the property owner's concerns from that initial public meeting. She further states that now we are finally at the point of approving the report and can move forward with the detailed drawing, which is something the residents have been asking us to provide. •Mayor Woodard states that it sounds like we should have an informational meeting with the public about the 11 final detailed design drawings. •Trustee Salton asks what if the project comes in at 50% higher than originally budgeted. •Planning Board Member M. McMurry states that there are options. One, we could segment the project so that when we bid it out we will have an idea of the cost for parts of the project and a cost for the total project. Two, there is a potential for other sources of funding. •Trustee Salton asks if there is a point in time that we decide this is not affordable and what will we do then. •Planning Board Member M. McMurry states that if we don’t proceed then we have to reimburse the Federal Government $133,000. •Mayor Woodard states that at the next Board meeting, we will be able to determine what that cost increase might be and further this discussion. •Village Attorney R. Marcus states that the Board would need to identify itself as Lead Agency under SEQR for this project, then categorize this action as an unlisted action under SEQR. Resolution: 9322 BE IT RESOLVED THAT: the Village of Cayuga Heights Board of Trustees intends to act as lead agency under SEQR and conduct the SEQR review for the Walking Safe Cayuga Heights Sidewalk Project. Motion: Trustee Robinson Second: Trustee Biloski Ayes: Mayor Woodard; Trustees: Biloski, Hubbell, Rennekamp, Robinson, and Salton Nays: none Abstentions: none Motion Carried Resolution: 9323 BE IT RESOLVED THAT: the Village of Cayuga Heights Board of Trustees has identified the Walking Safe Cayuga Heights Sidewalk Project as an unlisted action under SEQR. Motion: Trustee Robinson Second: Trustee Biloski Ayes: Mayor Woodard; Trustees: Biloski, Hubbell, Rennekamp, Robinson, and Salton Nays: none Abstentions: none Motion Carried •The Board has made the following SEQR determinations: 12 13 14 15 16 Resolution: 9324 Walking Safe Cayuga Heights SEQRA Determination WHEREAS, The Village of Cayuga Heights (the “Village”) has received funding under the New York State Department of transportation through the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) to support the construction of new sidewalks along Kline Road (from Highland Road to Cayuga Heights Road) and Wyckoff Road (from Kline Road to the Lake View Cemetery, which project has been named Walking Safe: Cayuga Heights (the “Action”): and WHEREAS, the TAP program provides reimbursement for up to 80 percent of project-related costs with the remaining 20 percent provided by the Village; and 17 WHEREAS, the Village of Cayuga Heights is considered a local agency per Title 6 NYCRR Part 617.5C and the NYS Environmental Conservation Law (ECL) and is responsible for the implementation of the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA); and WHEREAS, the Action requires consideration under SEQRA per 6 NYCRR Part 617.5c, and WHEREAS, the Village of Cayuga Heights Board of Trustees has determined that the project shall be categorized as an Unlisted SEQRA action; and WHEREAS the Board of Trustees has completed Parts 1 and 2 of the SEQRA Short Environmental Assessment Form; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Cayuga Heights Board of Trustees has determined that supporting documentation of small or no environmental impact is provided in Transportation Project Report Final Initial Project Proposal /Final Design Report Dated October 2022 for Project Walking Safe Cayuga Heights Project Identification Number (PIN) 3950.69 and concurs with the determination of the New York State Department of Transportation that the proposed Action will create small or no environmental impact. Motion: Trustee Hubbell Second: Trustee Robinson Ayes: Mayor Woodard; Trustees: Biloski, Hubbell, Rennekamp, Robinson, and Salton Nays: none Abstentions: none •Mayor Woodard states that at the January 18, 2023 Board meeting we will hopefully hold a public information meeting on the final design plans for the Walking Safe Cayuga Heights Sidewalk Project. •B. Cross states that when we finally decide to ask Fisher & Associates to send the project out to bid there is a supplemental contract agreement with NYSDOT that will allow them to reimburse us for 80% of the $133,000 we have spent. Motion Carried 7. Report of The Trustees: No reports at this time. 8 . Report of Police Chief Wright: Submitted Report (Exhibit 2023-111) •Police Chief Wright states that after two years it looks like the City of Ithaca is looking to start over with their reimagining public safety process. •Police Chief Wright states that the Tompkins County Sheriff's Office was approved to hire a mental health employee that will be teamed up with a deputy and will be able to handle calls specifically related to mental health.. This is one area that the Village could use as a resource if needed. •Police Chief Wright further states that if this pilot program goes well then the County is likely to bring on more mental health employees. •In closing Police Chief Wright states that the 2017 Ford SUV is ready to be declared surplus and sold at auction. Chief Wright is confident this vehicle will sell for at least $10,000. 18 Resolution: 9325 BE IT RESOLVED THAT: the Village of Cayuga Heights Board of Trustees hereby declares the 2017 Ford Explorer Vin: 1FM5K8AR7HGD92694 as surplus and authorizes the sale of this vehicle through Teitsworth Inc. Auctions. Motion: Trustee Salton Second: Trustee Robinson Ayes: Mayor Woodard; Trustees: Biloski, Hubbell, Rennekamp, Robinson, and Salton Nays: none Abstentions: none Motion Carried •Mayor Woodard asks Chief Wright where the motor vehicle accidents that involved deer were located. •Chief Wright stated both accidents were located within the Village on Rt. 13. 9. Report of Director of DPW Wiese: Submitted Report (Exhibit 2023-111) •Director Wiese states that the DPW crew was called in for a water main break at 1:00 a.m. on Thanksgiving morning. •Director Wiese states that the staff was able to reuse the handrail from the Village WWTP at the new culvert pipe located by the elementary school. •Trustee Salton states that he wanted to complement the DPW staff on how they are managing the use of salt. •Mayor Woodard asks how the new snowplow blades are working. •Director Wiese states that unfortunately with our roads the new plow blades are causing more damage than is desired. So at this point, we are back to our way and using rubber bars. •Trustee Robinson states that Director Wiese has reduced the LED streetlights to 70% for the winter months. •Director Wiese states that the maintenance contract has not been issued yet because as part of the smart cities grants, we chose to capitalize on some water level sensors that will be placed in certain culverts and at the Village WWTP. 10. Report of Village Engineer Cross: a. Phase 3 WWTP Grant: •B. Cross states that after begin awarded a Phase 1 and Phase 2 WWTP Grant, we were turned down for a Phase 3. •B. Cross feels that there is a change of awards toward areas that are socially and economically distressed. If that remains the case, we will not be in the running to receive any future awards. •B. Cross has reached out to a design / build third party that can complete what is needed for a lot less than what a grant match option might fund. At this point, we are hoping to just buy the parts and have a contractor install what 19 is needed. The two major areas we will be addressing are the three fifty-year-old pumps and the sludge collection rail equipment used in the WWTP settling tanks. b. Culvert Pipes: •B. Cross states that the largest, oldest culvert pipe in the Village is along the path of the Walking Safe Cayuga Heights Sidewalk Project. T.G. Miller has taken a look at the culvert which is located under Cayuga Heights Road along the bank of Remington Road. •B. Cross states that NYSDOT recently announced a grant opportunity call Bridge New York. T. G. Miller will provide some information for us to submit the grant by January 15, 2023. This project could range from $100,000 to $250,000. c. Village Greenhouse: •B. Cross states that Chris Lowe has completed the work on the greenhouse and crawlspace floor so the plumbing company can connect the hot water heat to the greenhouse. d. Community Science Institute (CSI): •B. Cross states that the CSI group presented to the Village Public Works Committee water samples taken from Village streams that they identified some potential high chloride (salt). •B. Cross states that the reports from CSI show that the majority of the chloride in the water that is entering the Village is coming from outside the Village. •Mayor Woodard asks Clerk Walker if we have contributed to CSI financially. •Clerk Walker states that we have in the past but nothing this year. •B. Cross will reach out to them to see if they will invoice for testing going forward. 11. Report of Clerk Walker: •Clerk Walker states that as a result of the Village Climate Smart Communities Taskforce the Village was awarded a $5000 grant for reaching 2000 NYSERDA points. The next step would be for the Village to decide how to use this money for clean energy initiatives. 12. Report of Attorney Marcus: •Village Attorney R. Marcus states that he would like to thank Police Chief Wright and Police Clerk Carr for their amazing responsiveness to an unusual FOIL request. 13. Executive Session: Resolution: 9326 WHEREAS: The NYS Open Meeting Law §105 prescribes matters for which a public body may conduct an 20 executive session; and, WHEREAS: Upon a majority vote of its total membership, taken in an open meeting pursuant to a motion identifying the general area or areas of the subject or subjects to be considered; and, WHEREAS: The conduct an executive session for these enumerated purposes only, provided, however, that no action by formal vote shall be taken to appropriate public money: THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT An Executive Session of the Village of Cayuga Heights Board of Trustees has been conducted for the purposes of subsection (F) the medical, financial, credit, or employment history of a particular person or corporation, or matters leading to the appointment, employment, promotion, demotion, discipline, suspension, dismissal or removal of a particular person or corporation. Motion: Trustee Salton Second: Trustee Robinson Ayes: Mayor Woodard; Trustees: Biloski, Hubbell, Rennekamp, Robinson, and Salton Nays: none Abstentions: none Motion Carried Resolution: 9327 BE IT RESOLVED THAT: the Village of Cayuga Heights Board of Trustees exits Executive Session and returns to an open meeting. Motion: Trustee Robinson Second: Trustee Salton Ayes: Mayor Woodard; Trustees: Biloski, Hubbell, Rennekamp, Robinson, and Salton Nays: none Abstentions: none Motion Carried 14. Adjournment: Mayor Woodard adjourns the meeting at 10:39 p.m.