Village of Lansing

MINUTES of a regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Lansing held on Monday, May 17, 1999, in the Village Office.

PRESENT: Mayor Don Hartill; Trustees Clifford Buck, John Caren, Larry Fresinski

and Lynn Leopold; Planning Board Chairman, Ned Hickey; Attorney Randall Marcus

Mayor Don Hartill called the meeting to order at 7:35 P.M. and asked for Public Comment. John Sherbon of 2 Leifs Way would like to put in an 8’x10’ garden shed. John has spoken with Ben and the only thing he needs is the approval of the adjoining property owner, which is the Village of Lansing. Cliff Buck has looked at the area and feels it would be a good spot for a shed. There are two trees on the Village’s property, which shelter the shed from the park area.

Trustee Clifford Buck- Aye Trustee Lynn Leopold- Aye

Trustee John Caren- Aye Mayor Donald Hartill- Aye

Trustee Larry Fresinski- Aye

There was no further public comment.

Trustee Clifford Buck- Aye Trustee Lynn Leopold- Aye

Trustee Larry Fresinski- Aye Mayor Donald Hartill- Aye

Trustee John Caren-Aye

Phil Dankert is the Village’s representative on the Inter-Municipal Recreation Planning Group. This group was put together last January to provide access to shared recreation programs which ends in December 1999. The County Planning and Intergovernmental Relations and Education Committee invited officials from all municipalities and the Ithaca School District to jointly plan for 2000 and beyond. There was agreement at the initial meeting to find a clear and fair system to maintain recreational programs that complement and supplement locally sponsored services. A working group from all interested municipalities has been meeting bi-weekly. This is not county wide, it’s school district based. The main issue Phil wanted to discuss was the population to serve. He feels both seniors and youths need supplemental support. The Mayor agreed with Phil. Phil would like the Board to e-mail their thoughts or insights to him at prd2@cornell.edu. Cliff asked if there is an overlay with the Joint Youth Commission. Phil stated that the Youth Commission is strictly program oriented where as the Planning Group focuses on the cost and long range management aspect. A whole new body will evolve out of this. Phil stated that there doesn’t seem to be a major shift from the programs now. He is concerned that the seniors will need help paying for the programs, subsidizing. Ned Hickey stated that he has to pay $30 more a year at Newman Golf Course because he lives outside the City. These are the types of things Phil would like to know. Analysis of current costs and revenues will be reviewed starting May 26,1999. Cost is the biggest question that will be discussed more fully after the detailed budget analysis is reviewed.

Next on the agenda was the engineer’s report by Dave Putnam of TG Millers, PC. Sheraton Drive is still waiting for final acquisition of easements and land before rescheduling the bid date. The Mayor was unable to reach Mr. Homik today. Dennis has televised the sewer along Sheraton Drive and discovered at least one section of pipe that needs to be replaced prior to the sidewalk improvements. This corrective work will be completed as soon as possible.

The next topic of discussion was the Churchill Drive Right-of-way. The Talandis property on Churchill Drive, purchased recently by George Gesslein, has been sold to Mark Goldberg. According to Gesslein, Mr. Goldberg is in favor of the improvements that were discussed last month. An updated sketch of the improvements and a cost estimate were presented to each board member. In 1960 a water main was installed and there should be a fire hydrant there at the end, however, if there is one it is now five feet underground since the grade has changed so much. Dave had outlined a yellow area on the map, which indicated the area to be deeded to the Village. 6500-sq. ft. is being given to the Village and he wants us, in return, to resurface a part of the driveway where the snowplows have destroyed it. This portion of their driveway has been plowed and maintained as if it were part of the street. Another advantage to the Village is that they will also give us a sewer maintenance easement. Basically, what will happen is part of the water main will be abandoned, a new hydrant will be installed and water service to the Goldberg house and the vacant lot will be replaced. This will cost approximately $4,400. The turnaround improvements will include installing culverts, excavating the proposed turnaround to an acceptable subgrade, disposal of unsuitable material, install geotextile fabric, install subbase, pave the turnaround and repave part of the driveway. The cost for this is approximately $17,000. There was never a cross culvert and that is why Churchill Drive is presently in such bad shape. This will create a definite end to the road. The Village will then not be responsible for the area north of the turnaround. Dave asked the Board what they would like to do.

Trustee Clifford Buck- Aye Trustee Lynn Leopold- Aye

Trustee John Caren- Aye Mayor Donald Hartill- Aye

Trustee Larry Fresinski- Aye

The proposed timeline is to do the water line work in 1999. Then repair and repave Churchill Dr. and Wakefield Dr. in 2000.

Ned Hickey gave the Board a recommendation; if the opportunity arises through tax sale, to purchase the small parcel of land still owned by Mr. Talandis. This parcel would be a significant addition to the Greenway. It would serve to connect a future trail from the Kensington development to Wakefield Drive and the sidewalks along Graham Road.

Randy stated that he and Dave have been working on the Kline Road By-pass sewer connection. In the process of getting an easement for this, an invoice for survey work was sent to him. The Mayor told Randy to give the invoice to Jodi because it was the Village’s responsibility. The Village will front the money then we will be reimbursed by the Village of Cayuga Heights.

Next on the agenda were the yearly budget transfers.

Resolution #3556-Budget Transfers- General Fund

Be it RESOLVED to transfer

$21,600.00 from Special Items, Contingent Account, A1990.4, to Clerk, Personal

Services, A1410.1

$ 1,650.00 from Special Items, Contingent Account, A1990.4, to Employee benefits,

Employee Invest. In., A9089.8

$ 5,450.00 from Employee benefits, Employee Invest. In., A9089.8, to Clerk, Personal

Services, A1410.1

$ 1,700.00 from Employee benefits, Employee Invest. In., A9089.8, to Deputy Clerk,

Personal Services, A1415.1

$ 2,000.00 from Special Items, Contingent Account, A1990.4, to Shared Services

Building, Utilities, A1620.42

$ 1,875.00 from Employment Benefits, Employee Invest. In., A9089.8, to Public Safety

Code Enforcement Officer, Personal Services, A3620.11

$ 2,000.00 from Special Items, Contingent Account, A1990.4, to Public Safety

Code Enforcement Officer, Equipment, A3620.2

$ 3,500.00 from Employment Benefits, Employee Invest. In., A9089.8, to Transportation

Street Maintenance & Improvement, Personal Services, A5010.1

$ 2,175.00 from Employment Benefits, Employee Invest. In., A9089.8, to Transportation

Street Maintenance & Improvement, Personal Services, A5110.12

$ 100.00 from Special Items, Contingent Account, A1990.4, to Economic Assistance

and Opportunity, Publicity, Contractual, A6410.4

$ 1,875.00 from Employee Benefits, Employee Invest. In., A9089.8, to Home &

Community Services Zoning, Personal Service, A8010.1

$ 1,000.00 from Special Items, Contingent Account, A1990.4, to Home & Community

Services Zoning, Contractual, A8010.41

$ 6,600.00 from Home & Community Services, Planning, Consultants, A8020.45 to

Home & Community Services, Planning, Traffic, A8020.42

$ 1,600.00 from Special Items, Contingent Account, A1990.4, to Employee Benefits,

Social Security, A9030.8

$ 500.00 from Special Items, Contingent Account, A1990.4, to Employee Benefits,

Medicare, A9030.81

$ 425.00 from, Special Items, Contingent Account, A1990.4 to Employee Benefits,

Disability Insurance, A9055.8

Trustee Clifford Buck- Aye Trustee Lynn Leopold- Aye

Trustee John Caren- Aye Mayor Donald Hartill- Aye

Trustee Larry Fresinski- Aye

Resolution #3557-Budget Transfers- Water Fund

Be it RESOLVED to transfer

$ 50.00 from Special Items, Contingenent Account, F1990.4, to Water

Administration, Contractual Expense, F8310.4

Trustee Clifford Buck- Aye Trustee Lynn Leopold- Aye

Trustee John Caren- Aye Mayor Donald Hartill- Aye

Trustee Larry Fresinski- Aye

Resolution #3558-Budget Transfers- Sewer Fund

Be it RESOLVED to transfer

$12,000.00 from Special Items, Contingent Account, G1990.4, to Sewer

Administration, Engineering, G8110.42

Trustee Clifford Buck- Aye Trustee Lynn Leopold- Aye

Trustee John Caren- Aye Mayor Donald Hartill- Aye

Trustee Larry Fresinski- Aye

Trustee Clifford Buck- Aye Trustee Lynn Leopold- Aye

Trustee John Caren- Aye Mayor Donald Hartill- Aye

Trustee Larry Fresinski- Aye

Next on the agenda was the Village Lighting Plan. John Caren commented that it was very well done and easy to read. This plan is for new development. It tells us what to do and how to do it. The Mayor ‘s only concern was the high-pressure sodium lights. He prefers low-pressure sodium lighting. This lighting plan provides a guideline, it is not a law. On page five they changed "approve" to "consider" on the 3^rd line, and ended the sentence after "streetlights". Ned would like to see this as an addendum to the Comprehensive Plan. If we add it to the Comprehensive Plan then we need to have a public hearing.

Added as an Amendment to the Comprehensive Plan

Trustee Clifford Buck- Aye Trustee Lynn Leopold- Aye

Trustee John Caren- Aye Mayor Donald Hartill- Aye

Trustee Larry Fresinski- Aye

Next on the agenda was the employee manual. At this point John Caren had to leave. At Wednesday’s meeting we learned that it was unclear as to how the insurance reimbursement for employee’s who’s spouse carried the insurance was to be calculated. The mayor feels the Village Handbook should be separated into three chapters.

1. Employee Handbook

2. Municipal Officers

3. Code of Ethics for all Village Officials and Employees

Cliff had previously worked on the employee handbook with Jodi and Ben. He would like others to get involved now. The Mayor would like to see John work on this also. Randy will check his recommendations from several years ago to make sure we have included them. Don would like to have this completed by the end of the summer at the latest. He would like to have Jodi and Ben continue to assist them.

Randy had three issues he wanted to discuss with the Board. First, the snow plowing agreement that we had drawn up to change the dates of payment is complete and ready to be signed.

Trustee Clifford Buck- Aye Trustee Lynn Leopold- Aye

Trustee Larry Fresinski- Aye Mayor Donald Hartill-Aye

The second issue was Mr. Bieri on Oakcrest. Due to the timeline the Village will not be able to do. Randy told the Board to beware of these types of requests. It could end up being a sizable cost. The request is for the Village to participate financially in installation of erosion control measures on a natural drainageway on private property. It is possible that such a request could be for a private owners personal preferences, sometimes related to landscaping goals. Be careful not to set precedents for future requests that could involve even greater expense, unless the Village makes a policy decision to help all private property owners in all such cases.

Lastly, Randy had received a copy of the Tompkins County Intermunicipal Cable Commission request for proposal from Ben and he wondered if we wanted him to go over it. Larry commented that is just an unusually large RFP, we will get a contract and that should be looked over by Randy. Our approach is, as soon as we get our money we will consider the contract. Cliff asked if anyone else involved had the same money issue as we do. Larry stated that we have a unique situation because of the way we separated from the Town. No other municipality is in the same circumstances.

Trustee Clifford Buck- Aye Trustee Lynn Leopold- Aye

Trustee Larry Fresinski- Aye Mayor Donald Hartill- Aye

Stanley Goldberg has requested that the Village return his deposit, which has been held in escrow until the planting and landscaping has been completed at Bishop’s Small Mall. Ben has inspected the property and feels it is ok to return the deposit.

Trustee Clifford Buck- Aye Trustee Lynn Leopold- Aye

Trustee Larry Fresinski- Aye Mayor Donald Hartill- Aye

The George B Bailey Agency, inc. has sent the quote requested at the May 3^rd meeting for an increase in the Villages Umbrella coverage. To increase from $1million to $2 million the cost would be an additional $668. From $1 million to $3 million is $1,069. $1 million to $4 million is $1,369 and finally $1 million to $5 million is $1,669.

Trustee Clifford Buck- Aye Trustee Lynn Leopold- Aye

Trustee Larry Fresinski- Aye Mayor Donald Hartill- Aye

Lynn Leopold asked the Mayor if she could give a report from the Environmental Management Council (EMC) at the next meeting. The EMC is under review to find out if municipal representatives really represent their municipalities. Don will put this on the June 7^th agenda.

The question was asked as to where we are with the Codification. Once Randy Marcus completes editing of the code we can go forward with the adoption of the Codification.

Trustee Clifford Buck- Aye Trustee Lynn Leopold- Aye

Trustee Larry Fresinski- Aye Mayor Donald Hartill- Aye

Trustee Clifford Buck- Aye Trustee Lynn Leopold- Aye

Trustee Larry Fresinski- Aye Mayor Donald Hartill- Aye

Trustee Clifford Buck- Aye Trustee Lynn Leopold- Aye

Trustee Larry Fresinski- Aye Mayor Donald Hartill- Aye

Trustee Clifford Buck- Aye Trustee Lynn Leopold- Aye

Trustee Larry Fresinski- Aye Mayor Donald Hartill- Aye

The meeting adjourned at 10:22P.M.

Jodi Dake

Village Clerk