Village of Lansing

MINUTES of a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Lansing held on Monday, October 16, 2006, in the Village Office.

Present: Trustees, Larry Fresinski, Lynn Leopold, John O’Neill and Frank Moore; Clerk/Treasurer Jodi Dake; Attorney David Dubow; and Planning Board Chair, Ned Hickey; TG Miller Engineer, David Putnam.

Deputy Mayor Fresinski called the meeting to order at 7:34 P.M. and opened the public comment period. There were no comments from the public.

Motion-To Close the Public Comment Period

Trustee Moore moved to close the public comment period. Trustee O’Neill seconded the motion. A vote was taken:

Trustee-Larry Fresinski -Aye Trustee Frank Moore- Aye Trustee John O’Neill-Aye Trustee Lynn Leopold-Aye

Dave Putnam gave the Engineer’s Report. With respect to the North Triphammer Road project, he stated that Suit Kote would be done this year, but he isn’t sure if the electrical subcontractor, O’Connell Electric, will also complete its work. The decorative walls will not be done until next year. That subcontractor is busy finishing up a Cornell Project. Mrs. Kim’s sidewalk issue has been figured out. Crosswalks will be completed and some trees planted.

The 2^nd left turn onto Pyramid Drive has been opened. There seems to be an issue with the Graham Road West signal as you turn left to go on N. Triphammer Road. It may have malfunctioned over the weekend, and John Courtney is making sure that Byron has it fixed. It was indicated that there has been no change to the signaling of the intersection, only new loops installed. Dave Putnam stated that at the end of the conversation he had with Byron, John told him to fix the problem, and if it ended up being the Village’s problem then we’d pay for it. It’s believed that it is all due to the new construction. Larry will talk to Byron also to determine what the problem is.

Larry asked about the markings for the bike lanes. He thought it was strange that at the Graham Road light there is a right turn lane with a bike lane on the left side of it. It was explained that this is standard for this type of intersection.

Ned Hickey indicated that he has noticed that there appear to be a lot of speeding now that the new road is completed and paved. The Board discussed ways to slow down traffic. Lynn suggested getting permanent radar speed signs like they have in the Village of Aurora. Dave Putnam will find out what they would cost. Larry has seen speed limit signs that say 27 ¼ mph and which seem to have the effect of slowing traffic.

Another point that was brought up was the problem of shopping carts being left around the Village. It was acknowledged that the apartment residents who don't have cars need to get their groceries home somehow, but they don't return the carts to the store. The Board discussed different strategies but didn’t come up with a resolution to this problem. A major issue is that there is no easy and affordable way to enforce any policy.

Dave Putnam stated that John Courtney has done a wonderful job installing storm sewers on Bush Lane. The new storm sewers were installed from N. Triphammer Road up to Brook Way. Lynn suggested that we get plaques that can be installed at the storm sewer drain locations that prohibit the dumping of impermissible substances and a notice that everything going into the storm sewers flows to the lake. She thought this would be good public education consistent with the new Phase II stormwater requirements. Lynn will see if the Watershed Network can get them and what the cost would be.

Ned stated that he received an email from Kathryn Wolfe asking about way finding signage related to the North Triphammer Road project. Ned handed out copies of the signage that Communiqué Incorporated had presented to the Village several years ago. He reported that the Planning Board discussed this in September and decided that they did not like the design of the previously designed signage. They also felt that if they listed every business there would be too many signs. Therefore, Ned presented drawings of signs for those businesses that sit off of N. Triphammer Rd. and don’t have signage at on the street. Larry stated that Trowbridge and Wolfe had designed signs that were arches at each intersection. Ned indicated that if the Village wants directory signs at locations such as Cayuga Mall and the Craft Road entrance, the Village would have to change its sign law. Ned had also thought of having signs hang above the road, but that too may not be allowed. Larry indicated that he will ask Kathryn where we are with this since he has been talking with her about signage at Sevanna Park. He will then update Ned. Ned feels the Village should pay for the signs so that we can dictate size, color and standard design. Ned stated that Communiqué originally gave us a price of $35,0000 in 2000. Ned doesn’t feel we need to spend that much.

Ned next reported that the 71-acre Dart parcel has been divided between the three Dart children. He described the property as prime development land. The Planning Board is attempting to come up with a plan that takes into consideration an overall view of the possible development of the entire property. Nancy Ross will be in on Oct. 24^th to submit a sketch plan to the Planning Board. Ned explained that the best place for drainage on this whole parcel will be in the southwest corner of Nancy’s portion of the property. He also explained that the current thinking is to have a park on JoAnn’s parcel adjoining John’s parcel so that if and when his parcel is developed adjoining parkland can be added. There will also be trails. Ned reported that permission from the NYSDEC has been granted to fill in the pond on Dart Drive. It was originally a fire-fighting pond. Further approval from the Arm Corp of Engineers is still required.

The next item on the agenda was to discuss the Lansing Trails II Letter of Credit. David Dubow stated that when Lansing Trails II was approved the Village’s engineer determined the amount of the required letter of credit for Phase I of the subdivision, which Letter of Credit was then approved by the Board of Trustees. The Letter of Credit requires that all work be completed by September 30, 2006 with the Village having two months thereafter to draw against funds from that Letter of Credit if necessary. Therefore, since the Village has only until the end of November to draw funds, David just wanted the Board to be aware that this may come back before the Board at one of its upcoming meetings after the Village’s engineer has determined if all of the required work has been completed. If everything is ok then the letter will just lapse. If additional work is required, the Letter of Credit can be drawn against or it can also be extended to later date to permit the work to be completed.

Dubow stated that the new portion of Bomax Drive and Bomax Circle located on the Jonsons’ property will not be conveyed to the Village until after the winter in accordance with the Village’s usual policy. In accordance with the Village’s previous agreement, the new portion of Bomax Drive on the Dean’s property will be conveyed to the Village very shortly.

Next on the agenda was approval of minutes from September 14 & 18, 2006.

Motion - To Approve the Minutes from September 14^th & 18^th, 2006

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 O’Neill seconded the motion. A vote was taken:

Trustee Larry Fresinski -Aye Trustee Frank Moore- Aye Trustee Lynn Leopold-Aye Trustee John O’Neill

It was reported that at the September 18th Board meeting Tim Joseph and Cathy Valentino gave a presentation on the Tompkins County Council of Government (TCCOG). The TCCOG is intended to be an association of local governments organized to provide a forum for discussion, study and negotiation on leading to agreements for a more efficient, improved or more cost effective delivery of government services. It was reiterated that TCCOG votes would be non-binding. If a municipality so chooses, it will have no obligation to participate. Each municipality selects an elected official as a designated representative and will also indicate an alternate member to attend if the designated representative is unavailable.

The Board acknowledged that it has now had time to review this matter and the following resolution was proposed:

Resolution#5279 –To Join the Tompkins County Council of Governments (TCCOG)

Whereas, the Tompkins County Intermunicipal Steering Committee has been meeting to discuss ways the local governments could work together to reduce costs to the residents; and

Whereas, the Committee has learned that other Counties have created a Council of Governments made up of local government officials; and

Whereas, the Tompkins County Counsel of Governments is intended to be an association of local governments organized to provide a forum for discussion, study, and negotiation leading to agreements for a more efficient, improved, or more cost effective delivery of government services; and

Whereas, the Village of Lansing desires to be a member of the Tompkins County Council of Governments;

Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, the Village of Lansing does hereby approve becoming a member of the Tompkins County Council of Governments;

Resolved, that Mayor Donald Hartill is appointed as the voting member and Larry Fresinski as the alternate member.

Trustee O’Neill moved this resolution and Trustee Leopold seconded the motion. A vote was taken:

Trustee Larry Fresinski-Aye Trustee Frank Moore- Aye Trustee John O’Neill-Aye Trustee Lynn Leopold-Aye

Frank expressed his feeling that the entire Board should be very interested in this and reminded the Board that any of them are welcome to attend the meetings. He feels that others on the Board should also attend the meetings. Larry usually makes notes when attending these types of meetings and it was suggested that these notes be emailed to the Board.

It was then explained that the TCCOG is currently working on a health care consortium. TCCOG will be applying to New York State for an intermunicipal shared services grant to work on health insurance and they need a resolution of support from each municipality and a letter of support to go with the application.

Resolution #5280 - To Support the Council of Governments’ Grant Application for New York State Shared Municipal Services Program-Local Health Insurance Incentive Award

WHEREAS, the Village of Lansing has joined the Tompkins County Council of Governments, and

Whereas, the Council of Governments has resolved to apply for an incentive award under the New York State Shared Municipal Services Program, and

Whereas, the grant will assist the municipalities in Tompkins County to create a local health consortium, and

WHEREAS, the health care consortium will seek to develop health care coverage for all municipalities with the intent to provide a net savings to the taxpayers of Tompkins County, now therefore be it

Resolved, on recommendation of the Board of Trustees, That [MAS1] the Mayor is hereby authorized to act on behalf of the Village of Lansing in all matters related to this grant,

RESOLVED, further, That the County of Tompkins shall be designated as the Lead Applicant and that the County Administrator is authorized to act as the contact person for this grant.

Trustee O’Neill moved this resolution. Trustee Moore seconded the motion. A vote was taken:

Trustee Larry Fresinski-Aye Trustee Lynn Leopold-Aye Trustee Frank Moore- Aye Trustee John O’Neill-Aye

Since Don, Larry and John will all be out of town for the next regularly scheduled Board of Trustees meeting on November 6, it was acknowledged that there will not be a quorum for that meeting. At this point the Board did not see a reason to reschedule it. Dubow suggested that a special meeting could always be called if a pressing issue arises.

Resolution # 5281-To Cancel the November 6, 2006 Board of Trustees Meeting

Trustee O’Neill moved this resolution. Trustee Moore seconded the motion. A vote was taken:

Trustee Larry Fresinski-Aye Trustee Lynn Leopold-Aye Trustee Frank Moore- Aye Trustee John O’Neill-Aye

During general discussion John O’Neill asked the Board to consider installing a streetlight on Graham Road about half way between Votapka & N. Triphammer Roads. He reported that he was out walking the other night and it is very dark in this area. Ned stated that with all the new sidewalks we are installing we are getting more people walking, especially to and from the apartments. He indicated that by design, our community has not had extensive street lighting. David Dubow stated that as the Village creates parks, recreational areas, sidewalks and trails, it then needs to address lighting and maintenance issues. John also asked if streetlights were needed on Cayuga Heights Road. Frank didn’t think there was much walking there at night. Larry stated that there is a balance because we see the street lighting electric bills that come in every month. Ned stated that we have been putting in streetlights and sidewalks in subdivisions. There are no lights on the greenway as those areas are generally considered as limited use and seasonal. It was acknowledged that recently the Village has gone from a rural area to more of an urban area. We are more densely populated now. Larry suggested that the Village consider identifying areas that may have needs with regards to lighting and discuss the matter further at another meeting. Lynn added that studies have been done and there is no strong correlation with lighting and safety. John O’Neill will look into the costs of a streetlight.

Motion- To Adjourn

Trustee O’Neill moved for adjournment. Trustee Moore seconded the motion. A vote was taken:

Trustee Larry Fresinski-Aye Trustee Lynn Leopold-Aye Trustee Frank Moore- Aye Trustee John O’Neill-Aye

The meeting adjourned at 9:15 PM.

Jodi Dake

Clerk/Treasurer