Village of Lansing
MINUTES of a regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Lansing held on Monday, August 16, 1999, in the Village Office.
PRESENT: Mayor Don Hartill; Trustees Larry Fresinski and Lynn Leopold; Planning Board Member, Steve Halevy & Ned Hickey, Attorney Randy Marcus
Mayor Don Hartill called the meeting to order at 7:33P.M. and asked for Public Comment.
Ned gave the Board members an information sheet on the Tompkins County Planning Federation Workshop to be held October 7,1999 at the Holiday Inn. Robert W. Burchell, a distinguished Professor at the Center for Urban Policy Research, will be speaking on the Fiscal Impact of Development. Ned also gave the Board Planning Federation Topic Sheets and asked them to give input and get the sheets back to Jodi who will forward them on to Ned.
Cliff Buck stated that at the May 3,1999 meeting Randy said he would draft a letter to Time Warner Cable regarding getting the money back that is charged to each subscriber in the Village. It’s been 100 days, has it gone out yet? Randy will make every effort to get it out in the next week. Cliff also asked where the Village was regarding the codification. The Village has spent $10,000 on this and he wanted to know if the Village was still committed to this. Randy stated that $10,000 was spent under a 1990-91 contract to have an outside service do the codification. They did not do a good job and the relationship was severed. The project took new direction as of 1998, by proceeding to complete the codification "in house", and last August Randy got a copy and has not yet completed the editing. Cliff expressed that he does not want to see this abandoned. Randy stated that it was not abandoned, just not a top priority.
Neil McLain was present to offer dedication of Pembroke Lane and open space to the Village of Lansing. Brent Cross has suggested that the road go through one winter before the topcoat seal is applied. Neil agreed to this. Randy asked Neil to get the Village a copy of the contract. The Mayor stated that these issues would be formally addressed later in the Board meeting.
Motion- To Close Public Comment Period
Trustee Larry Fresinski moved to close the public comment period.
Trustee Lynn Leopold seconded the motion. A vote was taken:
Mayor Donald Hartill - Aye Trustee Lynn Leopold- Aye
Trustee Larry Fresinski- Aye
Next on the agenda was the Engineer’s Report. Dave Putnam stated that AMSTAR has started steel fabrication and is mobilizing painting equipment. AMSTAR will repaint the pump station under the airport elevated tank at no additional cost if this is acceptable to the Village. Dave requested permission to modify the ladder safety gate for a cost not to exceed $1,500. The Mayor approved. Dave asked the Board to make a decision on how the sidewalk is to be constructed on Sheraton Drive. Mayor Hartill has all the documentation that is necessary. He will send Mr. Homik a letter tomorrow and give him 1 week to respond. Dave will have a recommendation to accept or reject the bids at the September 15th Board Meeting. The project bid will have a completion date of 11/5/99.
Next were the Mayor’s comments. He explained that the resolution to form a Regional Planning Group is an outcome of City of Ithaca Common Councils fears of a sewer solution spurring development outside of the City. It basically outlines what we do anyway. Two members from each of the six municipalities’ would be on this regional committee. The Mayor feels there are no downside risks. A copy of this resolution will go to Stearns & Wheler to be submitted with the final grant application on August 18th. Mayor Hartill has a 12:30 meeting tomorrow with the partners at which time all proposals must be in to be eligible for Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act funding. If approval for the 3rd year funding is approved for $4-5 million then the money we have fronted for the Kline Road connection can be reimbursed to the Village. There was a meeting to decide on which plan to use for the grant proposal. Don was the first to speak and his premise was the original plan was the best financially and the Village of Cayuga Heights Sewer Plant still has a lot of life, and we’d be crazy not to accept this. The meeting went well, and it was decided to go with the original plan.
The amendment to the SCLIWC agreement to allow the City of Ithaca to participate is on track. There still is the question of Bolton Point Road, which is being designed by the Town of Ithaca to Village specifications. Documentation wording is not clear. Randy Marcus will check into this. The Mayor hopes to have an agreement by the first of the year.
Lynn asked if the City election would have an affect on progress with water and sewer issues. The Mayor feels that there has been a substantial amount of money invested in large pipes and designs which this will pay for so he doesn’t think so. Don stated that the Village of Cayuga Heights is concerned with the preserving their current sewer rates. Jim Shrug is the new SJS Chairman and is handling things very professionally.
Ned Hickey had two concerns with the proposed resolution to become partners in the joint sewer project. The first was the Environmental Impact Statement. He feels the process for discovery must be completed and would be more comfortable if we replaced the language "Environmental Impact Statement" with "SEQR Process". The Board agreed. The second concern was the wording in the 2nd paragraph. He was concerned with what doors this would open. The Mayor shared his concern. The Regional Group would discuss issues; they have no powers or duties. Don sees some benefits through forming this Regional Planning Council.
RESOLUTION #3587-To Become Partners in Joint Sewer Project.
Whereas, the City of Ithaca, the Towns of Ithaca, Dryden, and Lansing, and the Villages of Cayuga Heights and Lansing have submitted a joint application for state grant funding under the New York State Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act of 1996 for municipal wastewater collection and treatment (sewer) system improvements, and
Whereas, Common Council of the City of Ithaca is committed to upgrading the condition of the Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Facility and improving phosphorous levels in Cayuga Lake, and
Whereas, it has been demonstrated throughout the country that the placement of infrastructure in the form of new roads and water and sewer lines has a direct effect on growth patterns in a region, and
Whereas, the Board of Trustees of the Village of Lansing is concerned about effects of growth in outlying areas of the county as it affects the future viability of the city and the welfare of the larger Ithaca area in Tompkins County, and
Whereas, the Board of Trustees understands that every municipality has the need to make its own decisions regarding the future use of land within its borders, and that growth issues in a region can have financial impacts on such matters as roads, bridges, and public transit in many areas, as well as on the central core of the county, and
Whereas, the SEQR Process will be undertaken as part of the decision-making process involved in the grant application process, with the expectation that generic environmental impact statement will be required, and
Whereas, the SEQR Process will provide information about any growth-inducing effects of the proposed sewer agreement and the impacts of growth in all municipalities in the agreement, now therefore
Be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees wishes to work cooperatively with the other municipalities on the SEQR Process and on a sewer agreement that will provide mutual benefits to all parties, with an understanding that growth and planning are an integral part of the final decisions remaining to be made prior to the final signing of a joint sewer agreement among the six possible partners, and
Be it further RESOLVED, that an inter-municipal group with representation from all municipalities be formed concurrent with the SEQR process in order to discuss regional planning issues that emerge as a result of the proposed sewer agreement.
Trustee Lynn Leopold moved to adopt this resolution and Trustee Larry Fresinski seconded the motion. A vote was taken:
Mayor Donald Hartill- Aye Trustee Lynn Leopold- Aye
Trustee Larry Fresinski- Aye
Resolution # 3588-Authorizing the Items Listed Below Pursuant to the Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act of 1996
Whereas, the Village of Lansing herein called the "municipality", after thorough consideration of the various aspects relating to wastewater treatment and study of available data, has hereby determined that certain work, as described in its application and attachments, herein called the "Project" is desirable, is in the public interest, and is required in order to implement the Project; and
Whereas, Article 56 of the Environmental Conservation Law authorizes State assistance to municipalities for water quality improvement projects by means of a contract and the Municipality deems it to be in the public interest and benefit under this law to enter into a contract therewith; now, therefore,
Be it RESOLVED, by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Lansing that
1. The Mayor is the representative authorized to act on behalf of the Municipality’s governing body in all matters related to State assistance under ECL Article 56, Title 3. The representative is also authorized to make application, execute the State Assistance Contract, submit Project documentation, and otherwise act for the Municipality’s governing body in all matters related to the Project and to State assistance;
2. That the Municipality agrees that it will fund it’s portion of the cost of the project and that funds will be available to initiate the Project’s field work within twelve (12) months of written approval of it’s application by the Department of Environmental Conservation;
3. That one (1) certified copy of this Resolution be prepared and sent to the Albany Office of the new York State Department of Environmental Conservation together with the Application of State Assistance Payments;
4. That this Resolution takes effect immediately.
Trustee Lynn Leopold moved to go to accept this resolution and Trustee Larry Fresinski seconded the motion. A vote was taken:
Mayor Donald Hartill- Aye Trustee Lynn Leopold- Aye
Trustee Larry Fresinski- Aye
The first issue in General discussion was Neil McLain’s road dedication. The subdivision infrastructure is complete. Brent has recommended that the road be able to winter before the topcoat is applied. Randy has done the title review. Neil was present to deliver the offer of dedication of Pembroke Lane and open space to the Village and to ask for a reduction in the amount of security retained by the Village leaving enough money for the final binding coat.
Resolution #3589- Acknowledge Receipt of McLain’s Offer of Dedication
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Lansing acknowledges the receipt of McLain’s offer to dedicate Pembrook Lane and open space and will consider such offer.
Trustee Larry Fresinski moved to acknowledge the offer of dedication and Trustee Lynn Leopold seconded the motion. A vote was taken:
Mayor Donald Hartill- Aye Trustee Lynn Leopold- Aye
Trustee Larry Fresinski- Aye
Resolution #3590- Set Public Hearing to Receive the Offer of Dedication of Pembroke Land and Open Space
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Lansing will hold a public hearing, to consider the offer of dedication of Pembroke Lane and open space on Monday, September 20,1999, at 7:35 P.M., in the Village Office, 2405 N. Triphammer Rd.
Trustee Larry Fresinski moved to set the public hearing and Trustee Lynn Leopold seconded the motion. A vote was taken:
Mayor Donald Hartill- Aye Trustee Lynn Leopold- Aye
Trustee Larry Fresinski- Aye
Resolution #3591- To Reduce the Security Retained By the Village in the Amount of $35,282 for Completed Work Contingent on Brent Cross’s Approval
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Lansing agrees to reduce the amount of security held by the Village by $35,282, contingent on the receipt of the Village engineer’s approval
Trustee Larry Fresinski moved the reduction and Trustee Lynn Leopold seconded the motion. A vote was taken:
Mayor Donald Hartill- Aye Trustee Lynn Leopold- Aye
Trustee Larry Fresinski- Aye
Resolution #3592- To Cancel the September 6th Board of Trustees meeting
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Lansing cancels it’s meeting on Monday September 6,1999 at 7:30 P.M. at the Village Office, 2405 N. Triphammer Rd.
Trustee Lynn Leopold moved to cancel the meeting and Trustee Larry Fresinski seconded the motion. A vote was taken:
Mayor Donald Hartill- Aye Trustee Lynn Leopold- Aye
Trustee Larry Fresinski- Aye
Steve Halevy reported to the Board of Trustees the following changes to the Planning Boards September schedule due to consultant interviews:
September 6th meeting is moved to September 8th at 7:00pm
September 28th meeting is moved to September 21st at 7:00pm
The Mayor asked Randy to look into what we could do in memorial to the passing of a Board member. It was suggested that we name a street after him. Steve Halevy suggested that we dedicate the trail to him or a bench area. Things that were near and dear to John’s heart were youth hockey and relationships with people. The Board wants to recognize what John has done for the Village.
Jodi has been approached by Fair Point Communication to switch the Village’s phone service. Fair Point is a reseller which can give us a 10% discount on our Bell Atlantic and AT&T bills. Service wouldn’t change because it is still through Bell Atlantic. This could save us approximately $42 a month. The Board approved the switch. Jodi had new bank signature cards for the Trustees to sign. There was general discussion regarding possible Board replacement candidates. Jodi gave the Board an update on the N. Triphammer Road Property owners regarding land acquisition. The Mayor had sent certified letters to all property owners whom we need to acquire property from and asked them to respond by July 31st. There were twelve property owners that hadn’t responded so Jodi contacted them by phone.
Motion- To Adjourn
Trustee Larry Fresinski moved to adjourn and Trustee Lynn Leopold seconded the motion. A vote was taken:
Mayor Donald Hartill- Aye Trustee Lynn Leopold- Aye
Trustee Larry Fresinski- Aye
The meeting adjourned at 9:50 P.M.
Jodi Dake
Village Clerk