Village of Lansing

 

 

MINUTES of a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Lansing held on Wednesday, March 31, 2004 at 7:30 P.M. in the Village Office.

 

PRESENT:  Mayor Donald Hartill; Trustees Janet Beebe, Larry Fresinski, Lynn Leopold, and Frank Moore; Attorney David Dubow; Planning Board Liaison Ned Hickey, and Clerk, part-time Carol Willard.

 

Mayor Hartill called the meeting to order at 7:35 P.M. and opened the public comment period.  John O’Neill, 53 Janivar Drive, stated he wanted to distribute materials to the Board of Trustees which he distributed at last night’s Planning Board meeting.  O’Neill also stated that an agenda item for the Board of Trustees meeting on April 19th would be regarding preliminary plat approval for Lansing Trails II.  Attorney Dubow stated the matter of the Board’s authorization for the Planning Board to continue with the proposed Lansing trails II cluster subdivision would be on the agenda.  This would not be an open forum for public comment unless the Board so determines.  (Trustee Leopold noted she would not be present at the April 19th meeting.)

 

            Motion – Close Public Comment Period

 

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

 

Mayor Donald Hartill – Aye                              Trustee Lynn Leopold – Aye

Trustee Janet Beebe – Aye                               Trustee Frank Moore - Aye

Deputy Mayor Larry Fresinski – Aye               

 

Next, Trustee Beebe introduced the following:

 

            Motion – To Open the Public Hearing on the Proposed 2004-2005 Budget

 

Trustee Beebe moved to open the public hearing on the proposed 2004-2005 budget.  Trustee Fresinski seconded the motion.  A vote was taken:

 

Mayor Donald Hartill – Aye                              Trustee Lynn Leopold – Aye

Trustee Janet Beebe – Aye                               Trustee Frank Moore - Aye

Deputy Mayor Larry Fresinski – Aye               

 

Mayor Hartill gave the overview of the budget.  The proposed budget will have a tax rate of $1.80 per thousand of assessed value, which is the same as last year.  The tax rate can remain the same since assessments have been increased by the County.  The “Budgetary Provision for Other Uses” of  $888,883 in the General Fund, $95,496 in the Water Fund, and $152,015 in the Sewer Fund are monies intended to be use for the  North Triphammer Road improvement project.  When this project is actually paid for it will be done so by transferring money out of the Capital Reserve Funds into the Capital Projects fund.

 

The snow removal line item has increased from $35,000 as budgeted last year to $54,750.  Mayor Hartill explained that the Village contracts with the Town of Lansing and last year, there were many storms on weekends with large overtime charges.  Street sweeping will also begin as soon as feasible and should there be another snowfall this year, the town has been advised to use pure salt on the roadways.  Mayor Hartill noted that the Board might also want to revisit their policy on the cinder/salt mixture used on the roadways as there have been many complaints about the amount of grit left on the streets.     

 

Mayor Hartill noted that A5112.2 Permanent Road Improvements includes $100,000 for normal road improvements that will include repairs to Dart Drive, as well as other areas in the northeast quadrant of the Village.  Dart Drive will be a rotor-tiller approach and sidewalks will not be a consideration. 

 

Mayor Hartill noted that the Village has been experiencing greater expenses than income in the water and sewer funds.  Presently the Village surcharge rate for both is 33% but it is contemplated that it be raised to 50%.  This can be done in the Water Fund without a local law but requires a local law and public hearing for the Sewer Fund to accommodate this change.  Presently there is a sewer charge on the tax bill for Village of Cayuga Heights sewer usage of either Village of Cayuga Heights rate or rate and a half, and in the future all users will be charged rate and a half.

 

Hickey asked if the new Kline Road project would have an impact on the sewer rates.  Mayor Hartill stated he did not contemplate a significant change although it might be 10%.  Mayor Hartill will be meeting with Town Supervisor Steve Farkas to work out the details.  Mayor Hartill stated there is $100,000 in the Sewer Fund budget under capital projects.  The Town of Lansing is required to set up a sewer district before monies can be spent.  To move the project along, the Village of Lansing will front the money and then expects to recoup it back from the Town of Lansing.  Mayor Hartill sees this as a good investment and is hopeful the Village can recoup the $100,000.  The Village of Cayuga Heights will be the prime contractor and the Village of Lansing will be writing the checks.  Mayor Hartill stated the project should be completed by the end of the summer and the Village will have sewer units at that time. 

 

O’Neill asked about the feasibility of the Village making a contribution of $200-$500 to the Foodnet.  Mayor Hartill stated the Village contributes annually to the NE Seniors and Gadabout.  Mayor Hartill stated the Village would consider it and Attorney Dubow will research whether it would be legal to make a contribution.  Trustee Fresinski feels it is a top-notch organization, which benefits residents as well as others, and he requested a budget or statistics on use by Village residents.  O’Neill will provide the Board with Foodnet’s Annual Report.  Mayor Hartill did not see a problem with contributing $200 if allowed and noted monies could be found in the budget to do so.

 

Trustee Moore expressed concern about the line item in the budget for $8000 which is for sidewalks and Greenway.  Trustee Moore felt this item was low and would not allow for serious maintenance costs and upkeep of what currently exists as well as future infrastructure.  Although Trustee Moore does not have a current project in mind, he feels the amount is too low as there is serious neglect in the Janivar area.  Mayor Hartill stated if there were specific proposals and a manager to oversee it, funding could be made available as line items may be transferred if needed.  Mayor Hartill will be requesting the Village Department of Public Works take a more active role in trail upkeep.  Hickey stated that when Lansing Trails were rehabilitated, a poor job was done and the contractors should be requested to return and make repairs as many cinders have washed out and seeding is needed for some areas.  Kirkway Farms was the contractor for much of the work and there is probably a performance clause in the contract. Mayor Hartill stated the Village would look into this. Hickey also noted that blacktop is needed where Craft Road meets Janivar Drive as there are many walkers in that area.  Hickey stated Superintendent of Public Works Reinhart is aware of the needs but Hickey will e-mail the details to Mayor Hartill.

 

Hickey also advised the Board of the need to have Bob Dean construct the sidewalk and road extension on Bomax Drive through to Warren Road concurrently with the sidewalk and road being built for Lansing Trails II by Ivar Johnson.  Mayor Hartill felt Lansing Trails II might start construction this fall and the Village should be aware of the need for the sidewalk and road extension at the same time.

 

Trustee Fresinski noted that this budget is a milestone as it is the first time since he joined the Board that he can recall passing a budget without a tax rate increase.

 

O’Neill expressed concerns about removal of snow on the N. Triphammer bridge and sidewalk.  Mayor Hartill stated the bridge and ramps are owned by NYS, who maintains the integrity of the pavement, but the Village is responsible for keeping the area cleared.  O’Neill felt there was not good snow removal this year as he often saw pedestrians walking in the roadway. 

 

Mayor Hartill stated that with the N. Triphammer Road reconstruction project, there will be sidewalks on both sides of the road with guide rails placed 10 ft. back from the roadway.  Bidding will be in June and the infrastructure will begin this construction season.  Sewer and water lines, as well as utilities, and some paving will occur this year.  Since the project has been improved, it will take 2 seasons to complete the project.  

 

O’Neill asked about the sidewalk from Tops on Pyramid Drive, which empties into the parking lot.  Mayor Hartill stated this is private property and the Village can do nothing although there are currently negotiations with Pyramid Mall to improve the situation.     

 

Motion – To Close the Public Hearing on the Proposed 2004-2005 Budget

 

Trustee Leopold moved to close the public hearing on the proposed 2004-2005 budget.  Trustee Fresinski seconded the motion.  A vote was taken:

 

Mayor Donald Hartill – Aye                              Trustee Lynn Leopold – Aye

Trustee Janet Beebe – Aye                               Trustee Frank Moore - Aye

Deputy Mayor Larry Fresinski – Aye               

 

Mayor Hartill introduced the following:

           

Resolution #4037 – To Adoption the Proposed 2004-2005 Budget

 

Be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees approves the proposed 2004-2005 budget for the General Fund of $1,917,842; Water Fund of $603,896; and Sewer Fund of $649,035 at a tax rate of $1.80 per thousand of assessed value.

 

Trustee Fresinski moved to approve the budget and Trustee Leopold seconded the motion.  A vote was taken:

 

Mayor Donald Hartill – Aye                              Trustee Lynn Leopold – Aye

Trustee Janet Beebe – Aye                               Trustee Frank Moore - Aye

Deputy Mayor Larry Fresinski – Aye               

 

Next, the Board discussed the appointment of a new member to the Recreation Partnership.  Trustee Beebe introduced the following:

 

Resolution #4038 - Appointment of Barbara Nosanchuk to Recreation Partnership

 

Be it Resolved, that the Board of Trustees appoints Barbara Nosanchuk to the Recreation Partnership as a replacement for Janet Beebe.

 

Trustee Beebe moved the appointment of Barbara Nosanchuk to the Recreation Partnership and Trustee Leopold seconded the motion.  A vote was taken:

 

Mayor Donald Hartill – Aye                              Trustee Lynn Leopold – Aye

Trustee Janet Beebe – Aye                               Trustee Frank Moore - Aye

Deputy Mayor Larry Fresinski – Aye               

 

The next item on the agenda was to set a Public Hearing for proposed Local Law 1-2004 to increase the sewer surcharge to 50%.  Trustee Fresinski introduced the following:

 

            Resolution #4039 – Set Public Hearing for Local Law 1-2004

 

Be it Resolved, that the Board of Trustees sets the Public Hearing for proposed Local Law No. 1-2004 to increase the sewer surcharge from33% to 50% for April 19th at 7:35 P.M.

 

Trustee Fresinski moved to set the Public Hearing for Local Law 1-2004 and Trustee Beebe seconded the motion.  A vote was taken:

 

Mayor Donald Hartill – Aye                              Trustee Lynn Leopold – Aye

Trustee Janet Beebe – Aye                               Trustee Frank Moore - Aye

Deputy Mayor Larry Fresinski – Aye               

 

During General Discussion, Trustee Leopold spoke on stormwater management issues.  Trustee Leopold is active in the IO Organization, which will be based in the Town of Lansing with meetings held throughout the watershed area.  Trustee Leopold stated there is a free workshop in the near future that members might be interested in attending.  Also, the floating classroom is moving ahead and Wells College may soon be taking it over which would allow for private monies from foundations. 

 

Trustee Fresinski spoke about the Cayuga Medical Center annual board meeting scheduled for the evening of April 21st.  Since Trustee Fresinski will be unable to attend, it was opened to other Board members.  At this time, it appears there will not be representation from the Village. 

Trustee Moore asked for additional information on the meeting scheduled for April 19th regarding Lansing Trails II.  Attorney Dubow responded that the meeting is for the Board of Trustees to grant authorization to the Planning Board to continue their evaluation of clustering, which is requested by the developer.  The authorization will allow the Planning Board to review the project with clustering.  After it is reviewed, it will be the responsibility of the Planning Board to continue with the preliminary and final plat approvals.  This is not an approval process by the Board of Trustees but is rather an action authorizing the Planning Board to consider the idea of clustering.

 

Trustee Moore asked if any Board members knew if the Village of Cayuga Heights issued a report on their deer control study.  Trustee Moore stated there are many problems with deer within the Village and he wondered if the report could prove useful.  Other Board members expressed the same concerns regarding deer and the damage to property within the Village. 

 

Trustee Fresinski introduced the following:

 

            Motion – To Adjourn

 

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

 

Mayor Donald Hartill – Aye                              Trustee Lynn Leopold – Aye

Trustee Janet Beebe – Aye                               Trustee Frank Moore - Aye

Deputy Mayor Larry Fresinski – Aye               

 

The meeting adjourned at 8:54 P.M.                            

 

                                                                                                            Carol J. Willard

                                                                                                            Clerk, part-time