Village of Lansing

 

MINUTES of a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Lansing held on Wednesday, January 15, 2003 in the Village Office.

 

PRESENT:  Deputy Mayor Larry Fresinski; Trustees Janet Beebe, Lynn Leopold, Frank Moore; Code Enforcement Officer Ben Curtis, Superintendent of Public Work Dennis Reinhart, Motor Equipment Operator Rick Beckwith, and Clerk part-time Carol Willard.

 

Deputy Mayor Fresinski called the meeting to order at 12:07 P.M. and opened the public comment period.  Nancy Lorenzini, 4 Coventry Walk, addressed the Board with her concerns and those of her neighbors regarding the road leading from Warren Road to Coventry Walk.  She desired to know the status and progress of the road now that it has been dedicated to the village.  She was informed by Planning Board Chairman Ned Hickey in November that the Mayor is proceeding with this issue and would get back to them within ten days.  She had heard nothing.  It appears that this issue of the roadway being brought up to Village specifications is slow in happening.  This has been discussed for many years and the residents in her area would like it resolved.  She had been told that money has been budgeted for engineering costs yet nothing is being done.  Curtis has a call into TG Millers regarding the status of this project.  Board members were unclear of the status of this project.  Fresinski stated that the Mayor has been working on this and has all the background info.  Lorenzini restated that the residents are very frustrated.  She is hopeful that the Board will not spend all their time on N. Triphammer Rd. and forget about their road situation.  She would like to request a Board member be assigned to this and it be followed though to completion.  Lorenzini thanked the Board for allowing her input and will leave an e-mail address so she can receive follow-up.   Fresinski stated the Board is glad she brought it to their attention as the Board likes to be responsive to the community, and he will follow up on this issue.      

 

The first item to be discussed was the request by the Lab of Ornithology for a temporary Certificate of Occupancy (CO).  Curtis stated they are requesting a temporary CO so they can move into the new building on Feb. 1 and open to the public on March 1.  The temporary CO is needed so they can vacate the old building and then tear it down.  There is also substantial site work to be completed in the spring.  Cornell University has provided a check for the temporary CO as well as supporting information for the Board to review.  Curtis stated the project has been exemplary and has met or exceeded all of the requirements of the Village.  He would request a $10,000 security deposit although there is approx. ¼ million dollars of outstanding work.  Curtis stated the Lab has also been a model for erosion and storm water management and he is sure the $10,000 will be adequate.  Beebe introduced the following:

           

            Resolution  #3924 - Temporary CO for Lab of Ornithology

 

Be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees grants a temporary Certificate of Occupancy to the Lab of Ornithology with a Security Deposit of $10,000 and an expiration date of August 1, 2003.

 

Trustee Beebe moved this resolution for a temporary Certificate of Occupancy and Trustee Leopold seconded the motion.  A vote was taken:

 

Deputy Mayor Larry Fresinski – Aye                Trustee Lynn Leopold – Aye

Trustee Janet Beebe – Aye                               Trustee Frank Moore - Aye

 

Next, the Board discussed the Lab of Ornithology’s request that they become a part of Cornell B & T’s Planned Sign Area.  The Lab is requesting a 15 s.f. sign to be placed on Route 13 subject to all approvals from the NYSDOT.  Curtis stated the Lab could either go for a variance from the present Sign Law because they are requesting a larger sign and the sign would also be off-premise which is currently not allowed. They could also request to become a part of an existing sign area since they are contiguous to it.  They are choosing the latter route.  The Lab is requesting an amendment to the PSA and have gone before the Planning Board which has recommended it to the Board of Trustees, subject to approval of the NYSDOT for signage in the Route 13 ROW.  The request is to extend the PSA for Cornell B & T Park to add the Lab of Ornithology for two additional signs – one by the road which would serve as an entry sign and an additional sign on the actual building.  Fresinski has checked with Attorney Troy and he stated a public hearing is not required.  Fresinski expressed his concern that all businesses be treated consistently within the Village.  Moore would like to see the Planning Board’s rationale for approving something which is not currently approved in the Sign Law but he feels this might be a safety issue.  Leopold felt it is a safety issue as Sapsucker Woods Road is difficult to locate at night and a larger sign might be beneficial.  Leopold introduced the following:

 

                        Resolution #3925 -  Adjustment to Cornell B & T Park

Planned Sign Area to include Lab of Ornithology       

 

Be it Resolved, that the Board of Trustees amends the Cornell B & P Park Planned Sign Area to include the Lab of Ornithology’s request for up to a 15 s.f. sign on Route 13, subject to all NYSDOT approvals, and additional signage up to 50 s.f. for the building mounted sign.

 

Trustee Leopold moved to authorize the amendment to the Cornell B & T Planned Sign Area and Trustee Moore seconded the motion.   A vote was taken:

 

            Deputy Mayor Larry Fresinski – Aye                Trustee Lynn Leopold - Aye

            Trustee Janet Beebe – Aye                               Trustee Frank Moore – Aye

           

Beebe expressed her concerns regarding traffic in the Triphammer Mall entranceway and Substation Alley.  Reinhart stated that this is private property and the Village has no control but he will speak again with the mall manager, Bill Barnes, about the situation. 

 

Moore stated that Cayuga Heights Rd. now has walkways and he would like to see pedestrian signs installed to indicate their location.  Reinhart stated he is placing an order for signs and he will order the green/yellow pedestrian signs and will install them

 

Leopold had retired and her new e-mail address is lynnbird58@yahoo.  Fresinski offered to set up an account with the Village through Danica if Leopold desired it.

 

Fresinski stated he has met with Engineer David Herrick, TG Millers, regarding underground utilities.  There have been many scenarios regarding cost estimates for this project which run from $350,000 to $800,000+.  They will continue to meet with the three public utilities (NYSEG, Verizon & Time Warner) to better project the costs.  Fischer Associates continues to do an excellent job and provided a model for review which showed the effect of traffic now and in 20 years and the impact of doing nothing or  of placing traffic lights at various locations.  A meeting has been set for February 5th at the Village Office where there will be a general informational meeting with models and information for the public to review as well as an informal comment period.  Following that, there will be a formal presentation by Fisher Associates.  Fisher Associates will then review the public input.  Fresinski stated minutes have been maintained from the meetings with Fisher Associates and he will e-mail them to all Board members.

 

Curtis stated things are beginning to slow down for building activity.  Victoria’s Secret and Bon Ton Home Stores will be coming to the Pyramid Mall.

 

Reinhart spoke about the newspaper tube which belongs to Don and Marie Edwards on Bush Lane.  In 1999, it was damaged by the snow plow.  It is a custom box which cost $135 and the village reimbursed them $75 as this is the limit for the Village’s mailbox replacement policy.  The newspaper tube has been damaged again and the Edwards may request payment.  After much discussion, it was decided that the Village is responsible only for mailboxes and mailbox posts placed in the Village ROW.  Anything else placed in the ROW is the responsibility of the homeowner and the Village is not obligated to pay.  Reinhart will notify Edwards of this.

 

Reinhart spoke next about the claim for water damage incurred by the Sudans ($11,500) on Cayuga Heights Rd.  Their insurance company has paid the Sudans and there is now a claim against the Village.  Reinhart stated that between himself, Bolton Point, David Putnam and the contractor, they can not see how any damage was done.  Reinhart is providing this information so the Board is aware of it.

 

Regarding the payment of bills, Willard explained the bill to pay the bond for the construction and installation of the Village sewage collection system due GMAC for $18,700.  From 1987 to 2002, the Village paid $12,500 each Feb.1.  For the years, 2003 to 2019, the Village is responsible for a payment of $18,700 each Feb. 1.  In the last year of the bond (2020), the Village would pay $13,500.  The Village now owes $18,700 and only $12,500 was budgeted, for a shortfall of $6,200.  Money must be transferred from the sewer fund to the special assessment sewer fund to cover this difference.  Leopold introduced the following:

 

Resolution #3926 - To Increase Debt Service, G9710.6, and Increase Special Assessment Revenues, G1030 by $6,200 to Correct the Budget for the Change in Debt Service Contract Per Agreement and to Collect the Monies in the 2003-04 Budget Year.

 

Trustee Leopold moved this resolution and Trustee Beebe seconded the motion.   A vote was taken:

 

            Deputy Mayor Larry Fresinski – Aye                Trustee Lynn Leopold - Aye

            Trustee Janet Beebe – Aye                               Trustee Frank Moore – Aye

 

Regarding the payment of bills, Moore desired more information about the Intermunicipal sewer bill from the Town of Ithaca for $29,504. Frank was uncertain if the numbers are accurate and would like to see the total costs for all paying entities.  The bill will be pulled this month and Mayor Hartill will be asked to verify the numbers.  If he does not know this information, Attorney Susan Brock or Cathy Valentino will be contacted.  Willard noted that prior to paying this bill, there would also need to be a transfer of funds because there is only $10,000 budgeted for this line item and the bill is for the engineering report is $20,000.

 

Trustees Fresinski introduced the following:

 

                        Resolution #3927 – Abstracts of Audited Vouchers

 

Be it RESOLVED, that Abstract of Audited Vouchers No. 8 for the General Fund, in the amount of $65,706.90 is hereby approved for payment, and

 

Be it RESOLVED, that Abstract of Audited vouchers No. 8 for the Water Fund, in the amount of 1,566.81 is hereby approved for payment,

 

Be it RESOLVED, that Abstract of Audited vouchers No. 8 for the Sewer Fund, in the amount of $6,791.99 is hereby approved for payment, and

 

Be it RESOLVED, that Abstract of Audited vouchers No. 8 for the Special Assessment Sewer Fund, in the amount of $20785.00 is hereby approved for payment, and

 

Be it RESOLVED, that Abstract of Audited Vouchers No. 8 for the Capital Projects Fund, in the amount of $8,854.20 is hereby approved for payment.

 

Trustees Beebe moved that is resolution by adopted and Trustee Leopold seconded the motion.  A vote was taken.

 

            Deputy Mayor Larry Fresinski – Aye                Trustee Lynn Leopold - Aye

            Trustee Janet Beebe – Aye                               Trustee Frank Moore – Aye

 

Trustee Fresinski introduced the following:

 

                        Motion – Adjournment

 

Trustee Beebe moved to adjourn the meeting.  Trustee Leopold seconded the motion.  A vote was taken:

 

Deputy Mayor Larry Fresinski - Aye                Trustee Lynn Leopold – Aye

Trustee Janet Beebe – Aye                               Trustee Frank Moore – Aye

        

The meeting adjourned at 1:24 P.M.

 

                                                                                    Carol J. Willard

                                                                                    Clerk, part-time