Minutes of a special joint meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Lansing and the Town of Lansing held on Wednesday March 10, 1999 at the Village Office.
PRESENT : Village: Mayor Don Hartill, Trustees Cliff Buck, John Caren, Larry Fresinski and Lynn Leopold; Attorney Randall Marcus; Clerk/Treasurer Jodi Dake.
Town: Supervisor Jeannine Kirby, Trustees Jeff Cleveland and Herbert Beckwith; Attorney Richard John; Pete Larson.
Engineers Dave Putnam and Dave Herrick.
Mayor Donald Hartill called the meeting to order at 5:35P.M. First Pete Larson spoke on behalf of the Town of Lansing. He would like to offer their services for doing our water main repairs. Presently the City of Ithaca, Town of Dryden, Village of Cayuga Heights and Town of Lansing all do their repairs in-house. The Village of Lansing is the only one who does not. The Town would do everything as far as the repair. The only time they would need back up is if there is a snowstorm and in that case SPUD’s is their back up. Bolton Point supplies most of the parts for the repairs. The Town relies on Bolton Point’s expertise to tell them what needs to be done, and Bolton shuts and opens valves. Pete would need guidance from Dennis as to what he wants to see. Mayor Hartill asked Pete to get us the projected rates. Pete feels they will probably bill us for hard and soft costs but no surcharge. He’ll send us a sample of the paper work and prices. John Caren asked if there would be any reason why we wouldn’t have the Town do this work. The Mayor replied that there was no reason not to. John also asked Randy that same question and he responded that we’re purchasing a service, so it would not be a problem to select a new supplier. Pete stated that they would also be able to help us with paving.
Trustee Cliff Buck-Aye Trustee John Caren-Aye
Trustee Larry Fresinski-Aye
Mayor Hartill stated that we still have to make sure we can get out of the Bolton Point Contract. This is an as needed contract so it shouldn’t be a problem.
We then came to the main reason for this evenings meeting, to discuss sewer. At the Municipal Leaders Conference Mayor Hartill had a brief conversation with Mayor Alan Cohen and Cohen stated that things were going along well. The question is, how does Cayuga Heights view this. Originally they wanted to be independent and maintain their cash flow. Alan said things have changed and Cayuga Heights is interested in becoming partners. Mayor Hartill is interested in the operation of the Cayuga Heights plant and how we might help in arriving at a solution that is satisfactory to all parties.
The Village of Lansing does not want to be a customer. Jeff Cleveland stated that becoming a partner makes the most sense for everyone. There was talk of an inside and an outside rate. If this occurs the increased rate would go to capital reserve for plant expansion. At this time Mayor Hartill turned the meeting over Dave Herrick from TG Miller, P.C.
First Dave gave us an overview of the regional efforts to date. Engineers and municipal leaders are meeting almost weekly. The Town of Ithaca, Town of Dryden and City of Ithaca (the current partners) have some internal issues they need to resolve but once that is taken care of an agreement will be drawn up, hopefully by spring. Engineering studies for SJS and Village of Cayuga Heights treatment plants have been done. Dave had maps illustrating where sewer lines would go. The Kline Road by-pass design would enable us to divert the Village flow to the Ithaca Plant so that VCH could take care of the Town of Lansing. This involves reactivating old lines and putting in a flowmeter. Renwick doesn’t need to be connected to do this. Another diversion can go down Renwick’s 8" main to divert all that is South of RT13 but the pipe on Lake Street would have to be upsized. The Bond Act supports the work on Kline & Remington Road for 1999-2000. DEC is in favor of a regional solution.
Portland Point is the best place for the Town to run lines. What the Town can do depends on what VCH can handle and how much the Village can divert from VCH to SJS. In the Town they would need pump stations at Myers, Portland Point and Reach Run. A portion of the 24 inch gravity transmission main passes through the old railroad bed in the Village. This is a designated unique natural area and has to be dealt with in a sensitive manner.
Dave Herrick explained what the NYSDEC expectations are based on their March 9th meeting in Syracuse. Some hurdles have arisen. The Town & Village of Lansing don’t have much to do but the City and Cayuga Heights both have to get their plans together.
As far as scheduling, we will not lose any money for not getting the work done this fiscal year. Phase II 1999-2000 won’t be spent in time either but DEC says this won’t jeopardize our funding. DEC suggests we apply for the money we did not receive before June. They would also like to see one agency responsible for the region.
Decisions on all details will have to be approved by each board. The following steps must take place:
1. SJS Statement
2. Memo of understanding
3. Memo of understanding agreed to by all parties
Dave feels it will take around a year to get the final agreement. There was discussion of how the decisions that will lead up to a successful regional solution to our wastewater treatment needs will be made. The process that is being followed for the joint water system seems to be a good model.
Finally, the question arose as to if we want to become either customers of, partners in, or some hybrid arrangement with the proposed joint sewer system. Both the Town and Village of Lansing want to be full partners in the new joint venture. Both Boards are interested in seeing the proposal from the present partners and hope it will require payments in manageable chunks. Don and Jeannine will send a joint letter to Frank Liguori, SJS Committee Chair, outlining this joint meeting. Collective planning will send a strong message that we have a need.
The meeting adjourned at 7:10pm.
Jodi Dake, Village Clerk