MINUTES
of a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the
PRESENT:
Deputy Mayor
Deputy Mayor Fresinski called the meeting to order at 7:34 P.M. He opened the public comment period. Jennie Daley, a reporter from the Ithaca Journal, introduced herself. Jodi will add her to the email list for receiving the agenda.
Motion-To Close the Public
Comment Period
Trustee Beebe moved to close the public comment period. Trustee Leopold seconded the motion. A vote was taken:
Trustee Lynn Leopold-Aye Trustee
The next item on the agenda was the Engineer’s report.
Dave Putnam indicated that he had nothing new to report and would be willing to
answer questions that any Board member might have. He also indicated that he
was present to listen to Sharon Anderson’s presentation on stormwater issues.
Larry asked Dave why the pavement on
Sharon Anderson introduced herself as part of the Cayuga
Lake Watershed Network Program that is providing training and information to
municipal officials as it relates to water quality. She explained that LEAPE
(Locally Led Education & Action for Protecting the Environment) is software
designed for local governments interested in protecting water resources in
their communities. LEAPE offers basic education about the pollution of surface
and groundwater, the relationship of water resources protection to traditional
local government responsibilities, actions local government can take to protect
and improve water quality, and technical and financial resources.
In conjunction with certain matters presently pending
before the Planning Board, Ned asked Sharon who would be responsible for
spraying for mosquitoes in stormwater retention areas that are required as part
of subdivision and similar projects reviewed and approved at the local level.
Next on the agenda was the proposed Settlement and Release Agreement from Computel Consultants. David Dubow gave some history on the original arrangement pursuant to which the Village engaged the services of Computel in 1996 to seek possible refunds from NYSEG, the compensation to be payable on a success basis with 50% of the recovered refunds going to Computel. Dennis Reinhart, the Village Superintendent of Public Works, has been dealing with Dave Rose of Computel Consultants. Dennis has gotten some clarification from Computel and has given the Board the following report:
Date:
November 17, 2003
Re:
Street Light Settlement from NYSEG
I recently received a call from Dave Rose from Computel and was informed that NYSEG had reached a settlement on part of the Village’s complaint before the Public Service Commission. NYSEG agreed to pay the Village and the 64 other participating municipalities a certain amount based on the size of each municipalities lighting system. For us that amount is $3,000, $1500 of which is Computel’s fee. This blanket payment to all participants is to cover past billing inaccuracies and just plain poor bookkeeping. The Village of Lansing, apart from the other participants, has a separate complaint (#907303) before the PSC involving depreciation schedules and pole heights. Mr. Rose sent the documents to us; David Dubow reviewed them and called me with concerns about the wording.
I
called Mike Caton of Computel to make sure. He said that articles 1-5 do
indicate a signing away of the rights to further claims before July 31, 2003,
and indeed for the other 64 municipalities it’s true. The document we received
is different from the others in it’s reference in the 6th “Whereas”
and in article 6 to complaint #907303. (Incidentally the number in article 6 is
wrong and needs to be changed and initialized) Computel had its own lawyers
review the agreement to assure that the complaint can still be pursued. After
all, they do have a 50% vested interest in a successful conclusion.
The Board, after making inquiry concerning the nature of the claims against NYSEG and the amounts that may be owing, was uncomfortable with releasing their rights to claim prior to July 31, 2000 as provided for in the proposed Agreement. After some discussion, the Board decided to wait until the Mayor had returned since it is a financial issue. David Dubow also recommended that the Board wait to act on this until talking further with Dennis to ease some of their concerns. It was suggested that we ask Computel for a spreadsheet as to how they came up with the proposed settlement dollar amount of $3,000. If the Board decides to accept this proposed Settlement & Release agreement, David indicated that he had prepared a few minor changes and revisions to the recommended resolution submitted by Computel and to the proposed Agreement. It was agreed that this matter will be placed on the agenda of the next meeting.
Motion-Approval of Minutes for November 3, 2003
Trustee Moore moved that the draft meeting notes, as reviewed and revised by the Clerk/Treasurer and the Board, are hereby adopted as the official minutes. Trustee Leopold seconded the motion. A vote was taken:
Trustee Larry Fresinski- Aye Trustee Janet Beebe-Aye Trustee Frank
Moore- Aye Trustee Lynn
Leopold-Aye
Next
on the agenda was Ned Hickey speaking on certain parking related issues in the
Village. He explained that during the
discussion of the Cardamone/Hamlet/ Shannon Park subdivision at the last
Planning Board meeting, there were many comments on the parking issues at the
end of Wedgewood Drive. Apparently, according to the nearby residents, cars are
parking there and the occupants of the cars are then walking up the path to
Pyramid Mall. It was reported that the residents in this area have called the
Sheriff’s Department, but have been advised that nothing can be done because
there are no “No Parking” signs there.
In response to a request regarding signs, Dennis Reinhart, the Village
Superintendent of Public Works, told Ned that the creation of a new “No
Parking” area would need to be done as an amendment to the Village’s Traffic
Rules & Regulations. David Dubow also outlined what procedures would need
to be followed in order to amend the Traffic Rules & Regulations and what
existing rights the Village has as to parking restrictions and removal of
offending vehicles. The Board indicated that it is willing to work with the
residents and consider amending the Traffic Rules & Regulations and putting
up signs. Ned will inform the residents of this and ask them how they would
like the Board to proceed.
Larry
reported that Fisher Associates is holding a 2nd public information
meeting at the Village Office on Thursday, November 20 at 2pm on the N.
Triphammer Road Project. The hope is that this meeting will provide feedback
from the public as to the updated project and certain of the “amenities”
proposed.
Frank
advised the Board that he has walked the new Janivar/Wakefield Trails. He feels
the work recently done is clearly an improvement and the surface is fine. He
commented on the variable widths of the trail. He indicated that it appears
that Kirksway, the contractor engaged by the Village, cleared a lot of the
weeds by the pond but there still needs to be some work done there. Ned added
that there are some trees down in that area that should be removed. There is a
brush dam just above the new bridge, which should also be cleaned out. Frank
predicts that we will have continuing maintenance issues.
Larry
asked if we should deal with the Tompkins County Municipal Equipment and Shared
Services Agreement tonight. Jodi informed the Board that the Mayor requested we
wait until the next meeting so that he may have a chance to talk with other
public officials and see how they feel about the Agreement.
Motion-To Adjourn
Trustee Leopold moved adjournment. Trustee Beebe
seconded the motion.
Trustee Larry Fresinski-
Aye Trustee Janet Beebe-Aye Trustee
Frank Moore- Aye Trustee
Lynn Leopold-Aye
The
meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m.
Jodi Dake
Clerk/treasurer