VILLAGE OF AURORA BOARD OF TRUSTEES
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
AUGUST 15, 2007
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Aurora, New York was called to order in the Firehouse Meeting Room at 7:30 PM on August 15, 2007 with Mayor Gunderson presiding.
PRESENT: Mayor Tom Gunderson, Trustees Jim Chase, George Farenthold, Janet Murphy, and Ken Zabriskie.
ALSO PRESENT: Richard Bradley (ACN Representative), David Brooks, Debbie Brooks, Claire Holland, Jennifer Holland, John Holland, Laura Holland, Pam Holland, Melinda Kostreva (Treasurer), Jay O’Hearn and Nancy Yann (Clerk).
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
REMINDER
Trustee Farenthold reminded those in attendance that he is married to Lisa Marsh Ryerson, President of Wells College.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Trustee Zabriskie moved approval of the June 20, 2007 Public Hearing Minutes on the Zoning Law Amendments and Flood Plain Law as written. Seconded by Trustee Murphy, motion carried 5:0.
Trustee Zabriskie moved approval of the July 18, 2007 Regular Meeting Minutes as written. Seconded by Trustee Chase, motion carried 5:0.
CHANGES TO THE AGENDA: Mayor Gunderson added the following item under New Business: Audit Proposal from Cuddy & Ward.
MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Mayor Gunderson had no announcements
CLERK'S ANNOUNCEMENTS:
The Clerk announced that Jean Saroodis, President of the Cayuga County Association of Villages and Mayor of Weedsport had sent a letter to all municipalities regarding the need for support and suggestions to keep the Association a viable organization. Mrs. Saroodis has contacted all the Village Offices to see when Regular Meetings are held. At this time is seems that the third Thursday of the month might be the best meeting night for CCAV. She would like input from everyone on this issue. Mrs. Saroodis met with Carl Lincoln and Don Thompson on July 25 to discuss some important issues that are pending that will affect all Villages. Among these are:
¬Proposed changes in Workman’s Compensation
¬Relationship with NYSDOT
¬Village Courts – if the State combines town and village courts, how do we fare?
¬Sales tax - the County is discussing changing the formula and giving the City more – does this reduce our share?
The next meeting will be hosted by the Village of Cato and is planned for September 25 at the Sunset Restaurant. There will be an open discussion on these issues. It is hoped that each municipality will have at least one representative present so that decisions can be made. Trustee Murphy said that she would attend.
VISITOR RECOGNITION:
Mayor Gunderson welcomed Richard Bradley from ACN (American Communication Network). Mr. Bradley asked the Board to read over the information that he handed out regarding Digital Phone Service. Mr. Bradley is confident that he can save the village money amounting to several hundred dollars over the year. Mr. Bradley stated that the start-up cost would be $49.99 for the ACN Phone Adaptor with a $$49.99 rebate leaving a $10.99 charge for shipping and handling. Therefore, the start up cost will be only $10.99. The monthly charge will be less than $30.00. Mr. Bradley stated that the Board could upgrade any time in the future, making it possible to add the Video Phone. Mayor Gunderson stated that the Board would look into this matter and will tentatively have an answer by the end of September. Mr. Bradley thanked the Board for taking the time to listen to his presentation and will let the Board know when there will be a presentation/demonstration for the Video Phone.
Mayor Gunderson welcomed Laura Holland. Ms. Holland asked the Village Board why no “Stop Work Order” had been issued to the property located at 327 Main Street after the Village Attorney had issued a letter offering his opinion addressing Ms. Holland’s concerns. Mayor Gunderson will ask the Code Enforcement Officer why this has not been issued. Ms. Holland asked who was the enforcer. Mayor Gunderson responded that the Building Inspector/Code Enforcement Officer was. Ms. Holland stated that she thought the Mayor was the one person to oversee that things were done accordingly. Mayor Gunderson supplied that the Village Attorney was only advising. Trustee Murphy was concerned that Mr. Fusco’s letter was very vague and did not answer the questions. Ms. Holland asked why construction was allowed to extend from the property at 327 onto property at 331 Main Street without an application being submitted from Wells College as required in the Village Zoning Law. A discussion also ensued on the unapproved open ditch proposal from Ms. Koepp and NYS DOT. Mayor Gunderson will talk to both the Village Attorney and the Code Enforcement Officer tomorrow to take care of this request. A copy of Ms. Holland’s concerns is attached. Trustee Zabriskie informed Ms. Holland that the Village Board did not control subordinate Boards. Trustee Murphy stated that the Board needed to do something to resolve this issue. Mayor Gunderson stated that the Board would not go out on a limb and will get the Village Attorney involved.
TREASURER'S REPORTS:
A.Monthly Reports:
The Treasurer reported that there were no Monthly Reports for August, as she is continuing to work on the Annual Report. Ms. Kostreva informed the Board that there was an excessive fund balance in the General Fund Revenues. She asked how the Board would like to handle this. The Board will make a decision soon.
B.Budget Modifications:
There were no Budget Modifications.
C.Approval of Bills:
Trustee Chase moved approval of bills in the General Fund for claims #80 to #110 for $7,815.56. Motion was seconded by Trustee Farenthold. Motion carried 5:0.
Trustee Zabriskie moved approval of bills in the Water Fund for claims #80 to #110 for $2,097.70. Seconded by Trustee Farenthold, motion carried 5:0.
Trustee Zabriskie moved approval of bills in the Sewer Fund for claims #80 to #110 for $6,985.03. Seconded by Trustee Farenthold, motion carried 5:0.
COMMITTEE AND BOARD REPORTS:
A.Building and Grounds
Trustee Farenthold reported that he had been given a list of repairs for the firehouse from Chief Bailey.
Trustee Farenthold reported that he had met with Senator DeFrancisco and Mayor Green on the NYC Sanitation Department Enforcement Contract. Trucks should not be allowed to go through Villages, as the “shifting effect” affects the integrity of the structures and/or buildings. Senator Nozzolio would like to see a reduction on tolls to encourage haulers to use the NYS Thruway.
Trustee Farenthold reported that the 2008 Aurorafest would be held on July 12, the second weekend in July. Trustee Murphy stated that she would like to see the “fest” held at the Village Park again, which would mean making access to the park a priority. Trustee’s Chase and Zabriskie both noted that Wells College AA Field is not a good location.
Trustee Farenthold reported that he wanted to go on record the he was not in favor of replacing the roof on the Post Office. He is still opposed to this proposal.
B.Recreation, Parks, and Public Events:
Trustee Murphy reported that the Summer Recreation Program would be over on Sunday the 19. Trustee Murphy was pleased with the help this year. The average number of attendees for the Recreation Program was five per day. The average number of attendees for the Swim Program is 25/30 per day. Trustee Murphy is recommending that the Village extend the swimming hours next year and revamp the program. It was suggested that Trustee Murphy put something in the October 2007 Newsletter asking for what parents would like to see next year. Notices of the Program were sent home with report cards through Southern Cayuga in June.
Trustee Murphy reported that she had spoken to Mr. Wilmot on installing “rubber speed bumps” on Court Street. Mr. Wilmot has suggested purchasing 2.5 inch high by 10 feet wide strips at a cost of $240.00 each. Two to three sets would be needed depending on where they were to be installed. Trustee Zabriskie moved to purchase the speed bumps with a cap of $1,000 for this project. Seconded by Trustee Farenthold, motion carried 5:0.
C.Streets and Public Safety:
Trustee Chase suggested revisiting the issue of one-way parking on Cherry Avenue. Mayor Gunderson stated that the signs for winter parking would need to be changed so as not to confuse residents as to odd/even parking.
Mayor Gunderson reported that there was a company out of Waterloo that does striping for cross walks and no parking areas. He will look into this matter.
Trustee Chase reported that there would be a meeting with Smith and Sons regarding the Village Street Project on Monday, August 20.
Trustee Chase reported that Mr. Wilmot will be on vacation next week from Wednesday, August 22 through Tuesday, August 28 and returning on Wednesday, the 29th.
D.Water and Sewer:
Trustee Zabriskie reported as a point of interest that he had received an email from Karen Hindenlang regarding a response she received from Mr. Paul Senk of the USPS. In his message to her, he noted that the Postal Service would continue to use the current facility without reduction in size, as it this is not a new location.
Trustee Zabriskie reported regarding the issue raised from Jean Potter asking about water service to her property located on the south side of the village that it is currently being investigated and she would receive a letter once this has been sorted out.
E.Community Preservation:
There was nothing to report.
F.Planning Board:
There was nothing to report.
G.Zoning Board of Appeals:
There was nothing to report.
H.Zoning Officer:
The Board accepted the Zoning Officer’s Reports for July 2007.
I.Historian:
There was nothing to report.
OLD BUSINESS:
Mayor Gunderson reported that Dave Miller, Consultant for the Village Zoning Law, has asked the Board to pass the attached Resolution. Trustee Zabriskie moved Resolution No. 07-15 – A Resolution To Clarify Certain Aspects of And Improve The Efficiency of Administration of the Village of Aurora Zoning Law. Trustee Murphy seconded, motion carried 5:0.
NEW BUSINESS:
Mayor Gunderson reported that the Village needed to conduct an Audit for the Treasurer’s books. His recommendation was to hire Cuddy & Ward. Trustee Zabriskie moved to enter into a contract with Cuddy & Ward, not to exceed $3,000. Seconded by Trustee Chase, motion carried 5:0.
The Clerk reported to the Village Board that the NYCOM Fall Training would be held the same week at the Village Board meeting and asked if the Board would consider changing nights with the ZBA. Trustee Murphy moved approval to move the Village Board meeting to Wednesday, September 26, 2007 at 7:30 PM. Seconded by Trustee Chase, motion carried 5:0.
With no further business to discuss, Mayor Gunderson asked a motion to adjourn.
ADJOURNMENT:
Trustee Farenthold moved adjournment at 9 PM. Seconded by Trustee Chase, motion carried 5:0.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy M. Yann
Village Clerk