Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout7.19.2023-Minutes1 VILLAGE OF CAYUGA HEIGHT July19,2023 Zoom ID # 411842540 BOARD OF TRUSTEES 7:00 p.m. MONTHLY MEETING Present: Mayor Woodard; Trustees: Biloski, Hubbard, Marshall, Rennekamp, Robinson; Village Engineer B. Cross; Director of Public Works Wiese; Police Sergeant Manning; Attorney Marcus; Clerk Walker; Treasurer Dolch Absent: Trustee Salton 1. Call to Order: Mayor Woodard calls the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. 2. Approval of the June 21, 2023 Meeting Minutes (Exhibit 2024-057) Resolution: 9472 BE IT RESOLVED THAT: the Village of Cayuga Heights Board of Trustees approves June 21, 2023, Board Meeting Minutes as presented. Motion: Trustee Biloski Second: Trustee Marshall Ayes: Mayor Woodard; Trustees: Bilsoki, Hubbell, Marshall, Rennekamp, and Robinson Nays: none Abstentions: none Motion Carried 3. Report of Fire Superintendent Tamborelle: Submitted Report (Exhibit 2024-058) •Fire Superintendent Tamborelle states that they have been busy. •Fire Superintendent Tamborelle states that two fire trucks have been serviced and the station has completed its annual maintenance program. •Fire Superintendent Tamborelle the roof project should kick-off at the beginning of August and the new pickup truck has been built and should arrive soon. •Mayor Woodard asks Fire Superintendent Tamborelle if movie night could be extended into the fall. •Fire Superintendent Tamborelle states that is a lot of work and students will be back in school so it would be hard to keep going. 4. Privilege of the Floor: No members of the public wished to speak 5. Report of Treasurer Dolch: Submitted Report (Exhibit 2024-059) 2 •Village Treasurer Dolch states that the bank to book reconciliations are complete for May and June. •Village Treasurer Dolch states that our NYCLASS investments are doing well and we put a lot of the property tax money into that account to take advantage of the interest rate. •Village Treasurer Dolch states that the annual Village Audit has been scheduled for early October. Approval of Abstract 2: Resolution: 9473 BE IT RESOLVED THAT: the Village of Cayuga Heights Board of Trustees authorizes and approves Abstract #13 for FYE2023 consisting of TA vouchers 4-10 in the amount of $14,648.45 and Consolidated Fund vouchers 33-125 in the amount of $556,537.00 and the Treasurer is instructed to make payments thereon. Motion: Trustee Biloski Second: Trustee Rennekamp Ayes: Mayor Woodard; Trustees: Biloski, Hubbell, Marshall, Rennekamp, and Robinson Nays: none Abstentions: none Motion Carried 6. Report of Mayor Woodard: a. Cayuga Heights Road Sidewalk Project Selection: The Village was awarded a grant to put sidewalks on Cayuga Heights Road. A Village taskforce has been evaluating the three engineering firms ( Fisher & Associates, Hunt EAS, and Erdman/Anthony) to engage for this project. •Mayor Woodard states that we are still working through some of the information and do not feel that we need to make a decision here tonight. •B. Cross states that one of the other reasons to wait is that the Village does not have the NYS Cayuga Heights Road Sidewalk Road Contract from NYSDOT yet. •B. Cross states that he is hopeful that Michele Palmer will be able to be the grant administrator for this project as well. b. Retiree Healthcare Benefit Language for Non-Bargaining Group: In an effort to have all Village’s employee’s retirement healthcare benefits the same, the Non-Bargaining groups handbook needs updating. •Mayor Woodard states that the main issue is in the event an employee dies and has a sick time banked of time current language states they lose that benefit. We would like that language to state the following. If the employee dies prior to retirement, or after retirement, their spouse can continue to receive health 3 insurance by paying the same rate as outlined in Section 12.13. The spouse shall pay their share of the premium to the Village in advance on a quarterly basis as outlined in Section 12.13. Should an employee die prior to retirement, all unused sick time can be used by the spouse to pay for their 25% responsibility of health insurance. 8 hrs. will equal one (1) month of full health insurance. Should an employee die after retirement, all unused sick time will be able to be used by the spouse to pay for their 25 % responsibility of health insurance. Eight (8) hours will equal one (1) month of full health insurance. At the conclusion of exhausting all sick time, payment of premium will be paid by the spouse as outlined above. Resolution: 9474 BE IT RESOLVED THAT: the Village of Cayuga Heights Board of Trustees authorizes and approves changing the Village Employee Handbook to reflect the same sick benefit in case of an employee death as the Village of Cayuga Heights bargaining groups. Motion: Trustee Rennekamp Second: Trustee Hubbell Ayes: Mayor Woodard; Trustees: Biloski, Hubbell, Marshall, Rennekamp, and Robinson Nays: none Abstentions: none Motion Carried •Mayor Woodard states that the other section pertains to the Medicare Supplement Plan that is now offered by the Village. This would switch any retirees who are Medicare eligible to the Medicare Supplement Plan from the Retiree Classic Blue Plan. When an employee or their spouse becomes eligible for Medicare, they must enroll in Medicare Part A, and switch to the GTCMHIC MS3 (Medicare Supplement), which is single coverage. If they are a couple and one of them is not Medicare eligible, that person can continue using the PPO 10/35 (3T6) single coverage plan. The village will pay 75% of this premium. Dental coverage is optional in all situations. If an employee has a spouse and a dependent under their health insurance coverage in retirement, the person who is Medicare eligible must switch to the GTCMHIC MS3 (Medicare Supplement), which is single coverage. The other members of the family will continue with family coverage under the GTCMHIC PPO 10/35 (3T6) until both spouse and retiree are of Medicare age and no dependents are covered under their insurance. When the retiree and spouse both reach Medicare age and have no dependents covered under their health insurance, they will both be covered under Medicare with the GTCMHIC MS3 supplement coverage. If a Medicare eligible retiree is single with a dependent, they can continue with family coverage under the GTCMHIC PPO 10/35 (3T6) until their dependent is no longer eligible for health insurance coverage with their parent. Afterwards, the retiree must switch to the GTCMHIC MS3 (Medicare Supplement). Resolution: 9475 BE IT RESOLVED THAT: the Village of Cayuga Heights Board of Trustees authorizes and approves changing the Village Employee Handbook to reflect the language that states any Medicare eligible employee must move to the Village Medicare Supplement Plan. Motion: Trustee Biloski 4 Second: Trustee Marshall Ayes: Mayor Woodard; Trustees: Biloski, Hubbell, Marshall, Rennekamp, and Robinson Nays: none Abstentions: none Motion Carried c. RaNic Golf Club Update: It has come to the Villages attention that Warren Real Estate has the club listed forsale and there is some concern about the language in that listing of a PDZ available. •Mayor Woodard states that the listing states that whoever buys the property has the Villages permission to continue with the proposed PDZ as presented from the current owners. •Attorney R. Marcus spoke to Mr. Warren about the misleading information on the listing and he was understanding and was willing to make the changes to the listing. •Attorney R. Marcus states that it is clear that more communication needs to happen because this was not what Village Attorney R. Marcus requested. •Mayor Woodard states that she spoke to the Town of Ithaca Supervisor R. Howe and he is hoping Cornell University will purchase the golf course. •Trustee Marshall states that he heard that Cornell University’s first right of refusal was dissolved when the current owners purchased the property. Click here for more information. d. IAWWTF Pre-Treatment Agreement: •Mayor Woodard states that the agreement is making some progress. The sticking point right now is that the IAWWTF would like the ability to at any time open Village manholes and inspect or correct any issue that they might find. •Mayor Woodard states that the Village does not support that type of language. Village Attorney R. Marcus made some changes to that section and is waiting for C. Brock to respond. •Mayor Woodard also states that she has reminded Ithaca’s C. Brock that they have not billed the Village for the Kline Road by-pass flows first two quarters of 2023. e. Zero Waste Ithaca: A public meeting was held to explain the next 10-year Tompkins County Waste Reduction Program. •Mayor Woodard states that there was some misinformation circulating that the Village WWTP was hauling sludge to Steuben County farms and having it spread on Farmland. •Mayor Woodard states that the was a contractor that had brought our sludge to a NYSDEC permitted farm back in 2016. The main concern about this practice is the “forever Chemicals” PFAS. 5 •Mayor Woodard states that she thinks it is a bad idea to put sewer sludge on farmland. We all need to find different ways to reduce waste. •Trustee Marshall states that it is not a one-sided equation, because the use of sludge at that state reduced the amount of chemicals to break down the sludge which are heavy in PFAS’s. 7. Report of the Trustees: a. Sunset Park Grant Application Resolution: •Trustee Marshall states that the grant submission is ready and the budget amount for this project to be $235,500. This grant is a 75% -25% and if the Village is awarded it will result in a Village obligation of $58,854. Resolution: 9476 WHEREAS, the Village desires to undertake the Cayuga Heights Sunset Park Restoration Project to restore the park and promote ecological sustainability, WHEREAS, the State of New York has various grant programs available to help fund such projects and, WHEREAS on or about May 15, 2023 the State of New York issued a request for applications under Round XIII of the Consolidated Funding Application program, and WHEREAS the Governor has directed over $225 million in State resources to be made available in 2023 to support the economic development priorities of the regions and spur job creation across the state, including $225 million in competitive funds from Empire State Development. NOW THEREFORE BE IT, RESOLVED, that the Village Board of Trustees of the Village of Cayuga Heights hereby agrees to submit a 2023 Consolidated Funding Application for the implementation of the Sunset Park Restoration Project, and, be it further RESOLVED, that the Village Board of Trustees of the Village of Cayuga Heights hereby agrees to enter into contracts with the State for potential grant disbursements for the Sunset Park Restoration Project, and, be it further RESOLVED, that the application will request no more than $235,500 in total project cost, and, be it further RESOLVED, the Village Board will appropriate the necessary matching funds and supply in-kind services as required by the grant contracts, and, be it further RESOLVED, that the Mayor of the Village of Cayuga Heights is hereby authorized and directed to file a Consolidated Funding Application requesting funds from the State agency, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation Environmental Protection Fund, in accordance with the provisions of Title 9 of the Environmental Protection Act of 1993, as applicable, and, be it further RESOLVED, that upon approval of said request, the Mayor of the Village of Cayuga Heights is hereby authorized and directed to enter into and execute a project agreement with the State and other entities for such financial assistance as is made available to the Village of Cayuga Heights for the Sunset Park Restoration Project; and, be it further RESOLVED, if appropriate, the Village shall enter into and execute any conservation easement and/or preservation covenants for the benefit of the assisted property(ies) owned by the Village that is the subject of the Sunset Park Restoration Project. Motion: Trustee Hubbell 6 Second: Trustee Biloski Ayes: Mayor Woodard; Trustees: Biloski, Hubbell, Marshall, Rennekamp, and Robinson Nays: none Abstentions: none •Clerk Walker inquires to the possibility of the Village DPW helping complete any work that might result in a cost savings. •Trustee Marshall states that the grant would allow for reimbursement of money for supervision and management of this project. Motion Carried 8. Report of Superintendent of Public Works Cross: •B. Cross states that the only action item needed tonight is the bid breakdown for Walking Safe Cayuga Heights Kline Road sidewalk project. We have been advised by Fisher and Associated that the 2018 Grant award of 80% reimbursement is currently $150,000 over that budget. •B. Cross states that the design team has decided to break down the job into five segments and use that money to cover the most critical sections (1-3) in Exhibit 2024-063. The lower two sections could be completed by our Village DPW staff section (4-5) in Exhibit 2024-063. •B. Cross states that by doing this we do not have to adjust the budget at all. After a discussion with the Village Finance Committee, we agreed that the Village could support increasing the budget to $487,000 by adding $28,945.This will allow us to receive the full grant award of $535,000. •Trustee Marshall asks what the timetable is for the Village DPW staff to complete the lower two segments and is there a deadline imposed by the grant to complete that work. •B. Cross states that is a great question and right now the contract doesn’t expire until December 31, 2024. This would give us enough time to complete that work. Or since it is not part of the awarded contract, we could complete that on our own timeline. •B. Cross states that we also set aside $30,000 in ARFP funds for sidewalks. Ideally, we need to wait until the first three segments are complete before we start. Resolution: 9470 BE IT RESOLVED THAT: the Village of Cayuga Heights Board of Trustees authorizes and approves increasing the Walking Safe Cayuga Heights Sidewalk Project Budget $28,945 for increase costs. Motion: Trustee Rennekamp Second: Trustee Hubbell Ayes: Mayor Woodard; Trustees: Biloski, Hubbell, Marshall, Rennekamp, Robinson, and Salton Nays: none Abstentions: none 7 Motion Carried WWTP Phase II Project: •B. Cross states that the WWTP digesters have been cleaned out of all the old sludge and are ready for their upgrades. After accounting for all the costs, thanks to yaws cleaning out that area we have saved almost $300,000. This keeps the project within the bonding limits of 12.4 million dollars. •B. Cross states that the next step is for Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) to determine what our long- term loan amount and payment will be. The Village is hoping to move our project to the next round of financing since we are not close to finishing Phase 2. Village of Lansing: •B. Cross states that that there is a new company named Menio Micro Transistor Company that is coming to the Village of Lansing. Chip manufacturing is considered a hazardous process and the EPA has stiff regulations and we will need to be the front line of defense for regulating that. •Trustee Robinson asks if there is some way from a County level or others that we could be briefed on the manufacturing process and disposal process. •B. Cross states that it’s a good question, the key is to work as close as we can with the Village of Lansing on industrial discarding waste into the sanitary sewer lines. Bridge New York Grant Update: •B. Cross states that we were not awarded the $1,000,000 grant for the Renwick Creek Culvert Pipe Project that we submitted in December. He does not think it is a good idea to wait another year and apply at the risk of not getting it. •B. Cross states that the Cayuga Heights Road Sidewalk Project will go right over this culvert. We will have until the end of 2024 to put a plan together and complete replacing that culvert. 9. Report of Police Sergeant Manning: Submitted Report (Exhibit 2024-063) •Police Sergeant Manning states that the month was busy with several felony arrests and a few misdemeanors as well. •Mayor Woodard asks about the MVA involving a deer. •Police Sergeant Manning states that there was an accident down by the Stewart Park exit. 10. Report of Director of DPW Wiese: Submitted Report (Exhibit 2024-064) •Director Wiese states that he has met with two contractors that can do the lead service material discovery. He is selecting Hydro-X to preform the work. A letter will be sent out to all residents that are listed as unknown materials and work should begin in two weeks. 8 •Director Wiese states that the I Trackers are still having trouble reading data correctly. As a result, the company is providing a cellular connection so that we can monitor them remotely. •Director Wiese states that he has found a traffic rated plastic manhole covers which are water tights, lightweight and allow for better communication with the meters in the sewer drains. •Director Wiese states that there has been a private sewer line backup at the house on the corner of The Parkway and E. Upland. We are helping in any way we can, but it does not fall on the Villages responsibility. •Director Wiese states that the Town of Lansing is submitting a grant application for money to purchase a vacuum truck. The Town of Lansing will share the truck with area municipalities. •In closing, Director Wiese states that he needs the Boards approval to authorize Mayor Woodard to sign a letter of support to the Town of Lansing as presented in Exhibit 2024-064. Resolution: 9477 BE IT RESOLVED THAT: the Village of Cayuga Heights Board of Trustees authorizes and approves Mayor Woodard signing the letter of support to the Town of Lansing for a WQIP Grant Application for the purchase of a vacuum truck in MS4 areas. Motion: Trustee Hubbell Second: Trustee Bilsoki Ayes: Mayor Woodard; Trustees: Biloski, Hubbell, Marshall, Rennekamp, Robinson, and Salton Nays: none Abstentions: none Motion Carried 11. Report of Clerk Walker: Submitted Report (Exhibit 2024-065) •Clerk Walker states that the 2023 Village Property Taxes collection is going well, to date we have only $108,000 outstanding. The Office will be emailing those residents who still have not paid. •Clerk Walker states that the google analytics is up and running for the Village website. The Website averaging just over 1000 users each month and the top hits tend to be associated with Village Refuse Schedules. 12. Report of Attorney R. Marcus: No report at this time. Motion Carried 14. Adjournment: Mayor Woodard adjourns the meeting at 8:45 p.m.