MINUTES
of a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the
PRESENT:
Mayor Donald Hartill; Trustee Larry Fresinski, and Frank Moore; David Dubow,
Village Attorney; Doris Brown, Planning Board Member; Dave Putnam, TG Miller
Engineer
Mayor
Donald Hartill called the meeting to order at 7:34P.M. He opened the public
comment period. John Oneill was present representing the Community Party.
Motion-To Close the Public
Comment Period
Trustee Fresinski moved to close the public comment
period. Trustee
Mayor Donald Hartill-
Aye Trustee Frank Moore-
Aye Trustee
Larry Fresinski- Aye
The
Mayor proposed that we open the Public hearing to consider Proposed Local Law A
(2003) providing for increasing the Village’s building/land use permit fees.
Motion-To Open the Public Hearing on Proposed Local
Law A-Amendment of Zoning Law Section 302.04 to modify Fees to be Imposed for
Certain Building/Land Use Permits
Trustee Fresinski moved to open the public hearing. Trustee Moore seconded the motion. A vote was taken:
Mayor Donald Hartill-
Aye Trustee Frank Moore-
Aye Trustee
Larry Fresinski- Aye
Mr.
Oneill stated that he was in favor of the fee increase and that the logic was
very well supported.
Motion- To Close the
Public Hearing
Trustee Fresinski moved to close the public hearing. Trustee Moore seconded the motion. A vote was taken:
Mayor Donald Hartill-
Aye Trustee Frank Moore-
Aye Trustee
Larry Fresinski- Aye
A
short Environmental Assessment Form was completed and it was found that the
proposed action will not result in any significant adverse environmental
impacts.
Resolution #3968-Proposed Local Law A, Amendment of Zoning Law Section 302.04 (Entitled “Fees For Building/Land Use or Special Permits”) To Modify Fees To Be Imposed For Certain Building/Land Use Permits, Will Not Result in Any Significant Adverse Environmental Impacts.
Trustee Fresinski moved this resolution. Trustee Moore seconded the motion. A vote was taken:
Mayor Donald Hartill-
Aye Trustee Frank Moore-
Aye Trustee
Larry Fresinski- Aye
The
Board was advised as follows: Notice of this public hearing was advertised in
the Ithaca Journal on May 8, 2003. At their May 12th meeting, the
Planning Board unanimously recommended the adoption of this proposed law. The
proposed law was reviewed by Tompkins County Planning and they determined that
it has no negative inter-community, or countywide impacts. The Mayor signed the
SEQR form.
Resolution#3969
-Amendment of Zoning Law Section 302.04 (Entitled “Fees For Building/Land Use
or Special Permits”) To Modify Fees To Be Imposed For Certain Building/Land Use
Permits
Be it enacted by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Lansing as follows:
SECTION I. PURPOSE AND INTENT.
The
purpose of this Local Law is to modify fees to be imposed for certain
Building/Land Use Permits. The
modifications are intended to reflect (i) the inflationary effect on Village
costs and expenses as a result of the passage of time, and (ii) the increased
demands on Village staff as a result of the adoption by the State of New York
of the International Building and Fire Prevention Codes and the implementation
and administration of such Codes in the Village.
SECTION II. AMENDMENT.
A.
Village Zoning Law Section 302.04 (entitled “Fees For Building/Land Use
or Special Permits”), subsections a (i) and a (iii) are hereby amended in their
entirety to read as follows:
(i)
For each one-unit or two-unit residential building:
Over 1,400 S.F. and up to 2,400
S.F.
of floor area $300.00
Over 2,400 S.F. and up to
3,400 S.F.
of floor area $400.00
Over 3,400 S.F. and up to
4,400 S.F.
of floor area $500.00
Over 4,400 S.F. of floor area $600.00, plus $100.00 for each 1,000 S.F., or fraction thereof, in excess of 5,400 S.F.
N.B. Floor area shall not include cellar, non-inhabitable basement, non-inhabitable attic, but shall include garage or carport, whether or not such garage or carport is attached to the main residential building. Floor area shall be based upon outside dimensions of the building, all floors to be calculated.
(iii) For any multi-unit residential building:
$100.00 basic fee plus $4.00 per $1,000.00 of estimated cost
B.
Village Zoning Law Section 302.04 (entitled “Fees For Building/Land Use
or Special Permits”) subsections b (i), (ii), (iii), and (v) are hereby amended
in their entirety to read as follows:
(i)
For each principal building of
non-residential occupancy:
$200.00
basic fee plus $4.00 per $1,000.00 of estimated cost.
(ii) For each accessory building to
non-residential occupancy: (maximum area of 200 square feet, maximum height
of 15 feet)
$200.00 basic fee plus $4.00 per $1,000.00 of estimated cost.
(iii)
For any repairs, alterations or additions:
$100.00
basic fee plus $4.00 per $1,000.00 of estimated cost.
(v) For any site improvements or change
in use of lands:
$100.00 basic fee plus $4.00 per $1,000.00 of estimated
cost.
C.
Village Zoning Law Section 302.04 (entitled “Fees For Building/Land Use
or Special Permits”), is hereby amended to add a new subsection (viii) reading
in its entirety as follows:
(viii) For Temporary Commercial Activities:
$50.00
SECTION III. EFFECTIVE DATE.
This Local Law shall be effective ten (10) days after publication and posting as required by law, except that it shall be effective from the date of 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.
Trustee Fresinski moved that this resolution be
adopted and Trustee Moore seconded the motion.
Mayor Donald Hartill -Aye Trustee Frank Moore-Aye
Trustee Larry Fresinski
-Aye
Dave
Putnam, TG Millers, reported that he would be meeting tomorrow with Fisher
Associates. Sewer flushing started today and they will be replacing a manhole
on Thornwood Drive. Bush Lane and Highgate Circle repaving will be completed by
the end of the month.
The
Mayor asked Dave if he knew where all the heavy trucks that are going up Cayuga
Heights Road were going. Dave was unsure but thought they might be related to
the ongoing Cornell West Campus construction project. It was commented that
this heavy truck traffic is not normal and the Mayor indicated that he would
try to get the name of the trucks. The Mayor also noted that on Cayuga Heights
Road there are some spots that still need to be filled in. Dave reported that
he and Calice Construction have met with both the DeBoers and Zikakises to
discuss these issues. Calice was back but didn’t have enough fill so they will
be returning to complete the task. Frank asked if re-striping was going to be
done. Dave reported that Dennis has it arranged.
Dave
went on to inform the Board that RC Wilson will return to fix the bad spots on
Bush Lane. Suit-Kote will then pave an 18-19 foot wide road. After this is
complete we will go back and put in shoulders and drainage. The Mayor asked
Dave to make sure the neighbors are informed. Dave stated that the word is
already out.
Mayor
Hartill stated that there are many potholes on N. Triphammer Road that need to
be filled. He was concerned with the alligator cracking and suggested that
something be done. Dennis Reinhart is checking into a possible fix.
Next
on the agenda was the approval of the May 5th minutes. This could
not be done because there was not a quorum for that purpose since Larry
Fresinski was not present at that meeting..
The
Board then reviewed the vouchers. Frank asked for clarification on the
insurance reimbursement given to Ben & Rick. Jodi informed him of the
Village’s policy to contribute $1550 per employee annually plus 55% of
additional cost of family coverage through a spouse’s health plan. This helps
to keep the Village’s health care costs down.
Resolution # 3970- Abstracts of Audited Vouchers
Be it RESOLVED, that Abstract of Audited Vouchers
No. 12 for the General Fund, in the amount of $37,612.65, is hereby approved
for payment, and
Be it RESOLVED, that Abstract of Audited Vouchers
No. 12 for the Water Fund, in the amount of $76,531.93 is hereby approved for
payment, and
Be it RESOLVED, that Abstract of Audited Vouchers
No. 12 for the Sewer Fund, in the amount of $772.85, is hereby approved for
payment
Trustee Moore moved that this resolution be adopted
and Trustee Fresinski seconded the motion.
Mayor Donald Hartill -Aye Trustee Frank Moore-Aye
Trustee Larry Fresinski
-Aye Trustee Janet Beebe-Aye
The
Mayor next advised the Board that the Southern Cayuga Lake Intermunicipal Water
Commission, Bolton Point, is in need of additional office space. Since the
Village of Lansing is one of six municipalities that make up this commission,
we need to approve the project. The
process will involve completing an environmental impact statement, a public
hearing and then final approval. The Mayor stated that the design is
substantially completed. It is an approximately $1 million project. It has been
scaled down from the initial elaborate design to a more conventional
design. The problem at Bolton Point is
that the staff is spread throughout the plant and the laboratory space is
inadequate. When Bolton Point was originally built they never did the office
wing in an effort to cut costs. The Town of Ithaca will be the lead agency for
the project. We will see an increased water rate to fund this project. Frank stated that the Board has no real basis
for supporting or opposing this project. Mayor Hartill indicated that he would
e-mail additional cost information to the Trustees.
David
Dubow advised the Board that he had rewritten the draft resolution to clarify
that it provides only preliminary approval and authorization for the concept of
the project. The Board was more comfortable with this resolution as revised.
Resolution #3971- Preliminarily Approving and
Authorizing in Concept the Southern Cayuga Lake Intermunicipal Water
Commission’s Office Space Addition Capital Improvement Project
WHEREAS, the Southern Cayuga Lake
Intermunicipal Water Commission (Commission) has identified the need to
construct additional office space at its treatment facility, and
WHEREAS, the Commission has
identified the office space addition as a capital improvement project, and
WHEREAS, all parties to the
Agreement of Municipal Cooperation must approve and authorize capital
improvements made by the Commission, and
WHEREAS, the Village of Lansing is a
party to the Agreement of Municipal Cooperation, and
WHEREAS, the Village of Lansing Board supports the
Commission’s need to construct additional office space at its treatment
facility and wishes to grant preliminary approval of and authorization for such
project, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Village of Lansing Board
hereby preliminarily approves and authorizes in concept the Southern Cayuga
Lake Intermunicipal Water Commission’s office space addition capital
improvement project and the expenditure of feasibility and design costs
therefor, final approval and authorization to be considered and acted upon
following the Village of Lansing Board’s review and evaluation of the final
plans for such project and the anticipated cost thereof.
Trustee
Fresinski moved that this resolution be adopted and Trustee Moore seconded the
motion.
Mayor Donald Hartill -Aye Trustee Frank Moore-Aye
Trustee Larry Fresinski
-Aye
Next
on the agenda was the Mayor’s comments. Don stated that there is a sewer
meeting Thursday at 9:30am to see where we are with the Intermunicipal sewer
agreement. There will be an update of the schedule and the evolution from here
on out.
The
Mayor further reported that the Village has repaired a 10,000-gallon per day
leak, which translates into receiving 10 more sewer units. There are still a number
of other opportunities to fix leaks and get additional sewer units. The sewer
flow meters are stable at the moment. Don is trying to get detailed records
from Brent Cross to do a comparison.
Don
met with Rich from Fisher Assoc. before the last meeting. Since then Rich has
met with NYSDOT in Syracuse and they have tentatively agreed to move forward
with the North Route 13 off ramp. This would result in 2 left turn lanes. The
bad news is that the NYSDOT “grading” requirements for project approval generally
provides that a “score” of 5 is necessary, and the additional Route 13
bridge/ramp project has initially been scored at between 3 and 5. There will be
another month of study before adding the bridge area to the project. To claim
80% Federal reimbursement, the project needs to have State approval. Don is
concerned that N. Triphammer Rd. will not make it through another winter. The
Village will need to do some remedial work on it to get through the next year.
Frank
Moore reported that he had tried to have a meeting last week regarding trails
but a meeting could not in fact be scheduled.
He and Dennis met. Frank is concerned that the trail work is being held
up because Dennis can’t get a third bid for work. He only heard back from 2 of
the 3 companies he contacted. Frank was concerned because he only asked three
companies to bid. The Board felt he should find someone else to bid the
project. Frank will remind Dennis. The Boy scouts are going to build the bridge
by Swartout but no one knows when. Frank is worried that this won’t happen this
summer. Don stated that one way or another, it will get done this summer. The
Miller property is still waiting on a site plan. What Frank hopes to do is
review the Greenway plan and divide things into feasible and unfeasible plans.
Jodi informed Frank that for GASB 34 she has a list of properties owned by the
Village and what they are. Frank will come in to go over this and the tax maps
with Jodi.
Frank
also reported that he had spoken with Ben Curtis about sidewalks on Miller’s
property in conjunction with the pending subdivision proposal. Frank feels that
a suburban development needs sidewalks. It was explained that the Village
doesn’t have a definite plan on sidewalks, and that generally the Village is
responsible for all sidewalks. It was agreed that this policy would be reviewed
to see if it should be changed. The Mayor stated that an advantage of managing
our sidewalks is that we set the use standards. Moore & Leopold will talk
to the Planning Board and to David Dubow to see what makes legal sense. Doris
Brown added that we cannot consider ourselves rural any longer. We need to
consider safety first. She expressed her opinion that in new developments we
need to push for sidewalks. The Board continued to discuss ways to make our
roads more pedestrian friendly.
John
Oneill asked if when N. Triphammer Road is being done the bus stop in front of
the Mobil station would be moved. He feels it is very dangerous. The Mayor
indicated that the Village is continually negotiating with New Plan Realty
Trust (the owner of the Cayuga Mall) to put in a bus circle so that the busses
could load and unload off the main road.
With
respect to the Village budget previously approved by the Board, Jodi advised
the Trustees that she had discovered, unfortunately, that the Village cannot,
in New York State, refinance the existing sewer bond with a Bond Anticipation
Note (BAN). A BAN cannot be used to pay off a bond but you can do a refinance
of bonds with new bonds. This process is lengthy and expensive once you include
your financial analysis, accounting and legal fees. Jodi spoke with Tom Rothman
at Wilkie, Farr & Gallagher, the Village’s bond counsel, and he said as a
rule of thumb refinancing anything under a million dollars is usually not worth
what you save. While in the budget process, we had decided to refinance with a
BAN but now that we can’t, Jodi explained that the Board needs to adjust the
budget. At the suggestion of David Dubow, Jodi will call our accountants to see
how best to do this. In the meantime, our tax bills need to be printed so we
need to pass a resolution that authorizes the Mayor and Treasurer to change the
amount of the special assessment sewer tax. The new amount for the special
assessment tax (G1030) will be $41,413, Serial Bond Principal (G9710.6) will be
$18,700 and Serial Bond Interest (G9710.7) will be $16,486.
Resolution # 3972- To Adjust the Special Assessment
Sewer Tax on the Tax Roll to be $17.62 Per Unit and $.12 Per $1,000 of Assessed
Value to Reflect the Change of Not Getting a Bond Anticipation Note to Replace
Our Current Serial Bond and to Adjust the Budget to Reflect the Change in
Amounts for Principal, Interest and Special Assessment Subject to Confirmation
from Appropriate Officials
Trustee Fresinski moved that this resolution be
adopted and Trustee Moore seconded the motion.
Mayor Donald Hartill -Aye Trustee Frank Moore-Aye
Trustee Larry Fresinski
-Aye
David
Dubow asked if the Board could refocus its attention on getting the
codification completed and approved. He indicated that not having this document
finalized has caused a number of complications.
Most recently, confusion arose with respect to the Triad Foundation
project approved by the Planning Board and certain parking issues related to
that project. He advised the Board that the “draft” codification on the
Village’s web site should really not be used because it may in some cases not
be accurate and/or up to date. Mayor Hartill will speak with Dave Herrick and
Dave Putnam to see where we are. It was acknowledged that the codification will
need another thorough review before it is finalized and formally adopted. The
goal is to complete the codification by September.
Larry
asked the Mayor if at the engineer’s meeting on the North Triphammer Road
Project he had seen photos with the utility boxes in place. The Mayor indicated
that he had, and stated that the powerlines will look better with mature trees.
Larry suggested we try to minimize the number of cross road lines.
Motion- To Adjourn
Trustee Fresinski moved adjournment. Trustee Moore
seconded the motion.
Mayor Donald Hartill-Aye Trustee Frank Moore- Aye
Trustee Larry Fresinski-
Aye
The
meeting adjourned at 9:16pm.
Jodi
Dake
Village
Clerk/Treasurer