Village of Lansing

 

MINUTES of a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Lansing held on Monday, February 2, 2004, in the Village Office.

 

Present: Mayor Donald Hartill; Trustees Janet Beebe, Lynn Leopold, Frank Moore, Larry Fresinski; Attorney David Dubow; Clerk/Treasurer, Jodi Dake

 

Mayor Hartill called the meeting to order at 7:40P.M.and opened the public comment period. There were no comments.

 

Motion-To Close the Public Comment Period  

 

Trustee Fresinski moved to close the public comment period. Trustee Leopold seconded the motion. A vote was taken:

 

                        Mayor Donald Hartill-Aye                    Trustee Larry Fresinski- Aye                                        Trustee Janet Beebe-Aye                      Trustee Lynn Leopold-Aye

                        Trustee Frank Moore-Aye

 

Motion-To Open the Public Hearing to Consider the Offer of Dedication of a       

              Portion of Sapsucker Woods Road

 

Trustee Leopold moved to open the public hearing. Trustee Fresinski seconded the motion. A vote was taken:

 

                        Mayor Donald Hartill-Aye                    Trustee Larry Fresinski- Aye                                        Trustee Janet Beebe-Aye                      Trustee Lynn Leopold-Aye

                        Trustee Frank Moore-Aye

 

Motion-To Close the Public Hearing to Consider the Offer of Dedication of a       

              Portion of Sapsucker Woods Road

 

Trustee Leopold moved to close the public hearing. Trustee Fresinski seconded the motion. A vote was taken:

 

                        Mayor Donald Hartill-Aye                    Trustee Larry Fresinski- Aye                                        Trustee Janet Beebe-Aye                      Trustee Lynn Leopold-Aye

                        Trustee Frank Moore-Aye

 

David Dubow explained that Village Law is complicated in that a resolution has to be passed by the Board of Trustees to accept a road and then a public hearing needs to be held. After this a new resolution has to be adopted to reaffirm the previous resolution passed to accept the road.  There were no public comments.

 

Motion-To Close the Public Hearing to Consider the Offer of Dedication of a       

              Portion of Sapsucker Woods Road

 

Trustee Fresinski moved to close the public hearing. Trustee Moore seconded the motion. A vote was taken:

 

                        Mayor Donald Hartill-Aye                    Trustee Larry Fresinski- Aye                                        Trustee Janet Beebe-Aye                      Trustee Lynn Leopold-Aye

                        Trustee Frank Moore-Aye

 

Resolution #4021- To Reaffirm the Acceptance of a Portion of Sapsucker Woods with Conditions

WHEREAS, the Village of Lansing and Cornell University entered into a certain Agreement to Dedicate Brown Road Extension dated June 18, 2001 (the “Village/Cornell Agreement”), providing for certain terms, provisions, requirements and conditions governing the new construction and relocation of Sapsucker Woods Road and Brown Road Extension in conjunction with the construction of a new Laboratory of Ornithology facility, which project is located partially in the Village of Lansing and partially in the Town of Dryden; and

 

WHEREAS, in accordance with the Village/Cornell Agreement, the Village of Lansing, has received from Cornell University a written offer of dedication by letter dated May 14, 2003 (together with the proposed deed attached to said letter), for the portion of the newly constructed Sapsucker Woods Road (formerly, in part, Brown Road Extension) in the Village of Lansing (the “Offer of Dedication”); and

 

WHEREAS, the Village Engineer has recommended that the Offer of Dedication be accepted by the Village of Lansing; and

WHEREAS, the Village of Lansing wishes to accept the Offer of Dedication, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Lansing as follows:

 

1.   The Village of Lansing hereby accepts the Offer of Dedication made by Cornell University, subject to full and complete satisfaction of each of the following conditions:

a.       Delivery to, review by and approval by the Village Attorney of original, executed copies of each and every document required in order to complete conveyance of the subject property in accordance with (i) the Village/Cornell Agreement and (ii) all applicable provisions of the State of New York and Village of Lansing laws, rules and regulations; and

b.      Recording and filing of the bargain and sale 

      deed conveying the subject property to the 

      Village of Lansing, and recording and filing 

      of any other documentation necessary to

      complete the conveyance of such property

      free and clear of all liens and encumbrances

      (except as expressly provided for in the

      Offer of Dedication), and receipt by the

      Village Attorney from Cornell University of

      all required funds sufficient to effect such

      recording and filing; and

c.       Receipt by the Village Attorney of a satisfactory updated abstract of title and title search for the subject property confirming the conveyance of such

d.      Compliance with all terms, provisions, requirements and conditions of the Village/Cornell Agreement; and

e.       Satisfactory conclusion of the public hearing to be held in reference to the dedication of the subject property.

2.                            A public hearing was conducted in regard to this Offer of Dedication and no comments from the public were received.

 

Trustee Fresinski moved to approve this resolution. Trustee Leopold seconded the motion. A vote was taken:

 

                        Mayor Donald Hartill-Aye                    Trustee Larry Fresinski- Aye                                        Trustee Janet Beebe-Aye                      Trustee Lynn Leopold-Aye

                        Trustee Frank Moore-Aye

 

Next on the agenda was to set a public hearing for a municipal subdivision of the New Plan Excel Realty Trust Property. Dubow explained the following: There is a driveway to the north of the FSBC Bank property and owned by New Plan Excel Realty Trust, Inc., a 75-ft. piece of which the Village is acquiring as part of the N. Triphammer Road Project. The additional property will allow the Village to have a driveway off of Mrs. Kim’s property onto this roadway and eliminate access onto North Triphammer Road.  As with all the other property acquired for this project, this will create a subdivision. The Village previously adopted a local law providing for the procedure, including a public hearing, to approve such minor subdivisions by the Board of Trustees.  All of the other properties previously acquired for the North Triphammer Project were done under one public hearing.  A public hearing on this municipal subdivision is therefore required.

 

Motion-To Set a Public Hearing for a Municipal Subdivision of the New Plan Excel Realty Trust Property for Wednesday February 11,2004 at 12:05 at the Village Office.

 

Trustee Beebe moved to set the public hearing. Trustee Leopold seconded the motion. A vote was taken:

 

                        Mayor Donald Hartill-Aye                    Trustee Larry Fresinski- Aye                                        Trustee Janet Beebe-Aye                      Trustee Lynn Leopold-Aye

                        Trustee Frank Moore-Aye

 

Next item on the agenda was the approval of the minutes for January 5, 2004

 

Motion-Approval of Minutes for January 5, 2004

 

Trustee Beebe 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 Fresinski seconded the motion. A vote was taken:

 

Mayor Donald Hartill-Abstain   Trustee Larry Fresinski- Aye                Trustee Janet Beebe-Aye                      Trustee Lynn Leopold-Aye

                        Trustee Frank Moore-Abstain

 

Motion-Approval of Minutes for January 14, 2004

 

Trustee Leopold 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 Fresinski seconded the motion. A vote was taken:

 

Mayor Donald Hartill-Abstain   Trustee Larry Fresinski- Aye                            Trustee Janet Beebe-Aye                        Trustee Lynn Leopold-Aye

                        Trustee Frank Moore-Aye

 

The Board needed to surplus the TV/VCR that is no longer used since we purchased our new video recording system.

 

 

 

                        Resolution#4022- To Surplus the Samsung TV/VCR

 

Trustee Leopold moved that the TV/VCR be surplused and Trustee Fresinski seconded the motion. A vote was taken:

 

Mayor Donald Hartill-Aye                    Trustee Larry Fresinski- Aye                            Trustee Janet Beebe-Aye                   Trustee Lynn Leopold-Aye

                        Trustee Frank Moore-Aye

 

Jodi stated that Ben Curtis was interested in buying the TV/VCR for $50.

 

Resolution#4023- To Sell the Surplused TV/VCR to Ben Curtis for $50.

 

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

 

Mayor Donald Hartill-Aye                    Trustee Larry Fresinski- Aye                            Trustee Janet Beebe-Aye                   Trustee Lynn Leopold-Aye

                        Trustee Frank Moore-Aye

 

The Board was advised that Earl Westbrook had previously been appointed to the County Youth Board at the October 20, 2003 Board of Trustees meeting however, he was appointed for two years and the term is for three years. To rectify this situation the Board passed a new resolution to replace resolution #4003.

 

Resolution#4024- To Reappoint Earl Westbrook to Serve on the County Youth Board for a Three-year Term Ending December 31, 2006.

 

Trustee Fresinski moved this resolution and Trustee Moore seconded the motion. A vote was taken:

 

Mayor Donald Hartill-Aye                    Trustee Larry Fresinski- Aye                            Trustee Janet Beebe-Aye                   Trustee Lynn Leopold-Aye

                        Trustee Frank Moore-Aye

 

Next on the agenda was the matter of Computel/NYSEG agreement. Dubow reported that he received a call about a week and a half ago from Computel explaining why they feel it is appropriate for the Village to sign this document. He was told that NYSEG had prepared this agreement for over 60 municipalities. He was also advised that they understand our position and concerns regarding the broad release and waiver language, and that they would have the attorneys for NYSEG, who prepared the agreement, contact him. Frank had no problem with this agreement after the email he received from Computel. Dubow ask Computel if not signing this agreement jeopardizes our other claim and he was told no. Larry thought that we should wait to hear from the New York City Attorney representing NYSEG. Frank feels there is a small likelihood that anything would happen. Dubow indicated that it is really up to the Board to decide how it wishes to proceed. The Board was still not agreeable with the all inclusive release language as to  “any and all claims,” finding that language very unreasonably broad and offensive. Larry questions why we even had to sign a contract for monies that are due us anyway. Dubow's response was that they would likely say that they are not acknowledging they owe the Village anything, but will pay the settlement amount to resolve the pending claim. The Board will wait for the response from NYSEG’s attorney.

 

Next on the agenda was the codification. It is in its final draft for the Board to review and give corrections. Jodi handed out a list of questions for the Board to answer as they reviewed the document. The document was divided up between Board members:

 

            Hartill-      Water & Sewer

            Leopold-   Subdivision

            Moore-     Zoning

            Beebe-      Part I Administrative Legislation

            Fresinski- Everything else

 

The Board needs to decide what they want in Part I Administrative Legislation. There are sections in there that are part of the Village’s policies & procedures but they aren’t necessarily laws. From looking at the table of contents it appears that at one point Chapters 15,20 & 34 were pulled. Currently they are in the document. Dubow stated that he and Randy Marcus have looked for legal authority on this issue, but have not found anything which clearly addresses the issue. Dubow will continue to explore this issue. Marcus will participate in the review since he was originally involved with this project from the start ten years ago.

 

The Mayor stated that the Intermunicipal Sewer Agreement was signed on December 31st. There is new administration in Dryden and the City of Ithaca. The Town and City of Ithaca and Town of Dryden have made a lot of progress and have formed a Sewer Joint Commission, which is an independent organization. Dan Cogin is the chairman of this commission.  The group of six will get back together to agree on a set of milestones. We are ready for the Kline Road Bypass. Steve Farkas and Don will talk to the DEC when Steve gets back from Florida to discuss the possibilities of a separate sewer plant in the Town of Lansing. Frank asked if Don had a factual argument to present to DEC in Albany. Frank feels that the main concern should be what is best for the lake.

 

The Mayor reported that there is a small setback with the North Triphammer Road Project. There was a meeting with the design consultants on January 19th and the day before Barry Dumbauld met with NYSDOT in Syracuse. The engineer had a number of suggestions and lots of questions. Rich Brauer has communicated with them and there appears to be necessary design modifications now being requested. NYSDOT wants dual right turn lanes onto N. Triphammer Rd. off of Rt. 13 coming from Dryden. This would mean there would be a three-lane ramp. Field surveying needs to be done for this and it can’t be done in the winter. We probably won’t send the project out to bid by March as originally hoped. This will likely result in the utility work being done this year and the road not being built until the following year.

The Mayor stated that it is budget time again. Everyone will review the same sections as they did last year. Janet will meet with the employees.

 

Lynn informed the Board that she attended a meeting of the Stormwater Group. The purpose of this group is to find ways to work together on Stormwater.  The new Stormwater Annual Report is due in June. Debbie Gross is looking at all the Notice of Intents from the different municipalities. Jodi will get a copy of our Notice of Intent to Lynn.

 

Don stated that the Millcroft Subdivision is on hold due to the current sewer situation. Don will meet with the Miller’s attorney to discuss this further.

 

                        Motion- To Adjourn

 

Trustee Fresinski moved for adjournment. Trustee Moore seconded the motion. A vote was taken:

 

Mayor Donald Hartill-Aye                    Trustee Larry Fresinski- Aye                            Trustee Janet Beebe-Aye                   Trustee Lynn Leopold-Aye

                        Trustee Frank Moore-Aye

 

The meeting adjourned at 9:10pm.               

                                                      

                                                                                                                               Jodi Dake

                                                                                                                           Clerk/treasurer