VILLAGE OF AURORA BOARD OF TRUSTEE’S MEETING
December 19, 2007
Held at the Aurora Firehouse Meeting Room
Present: Mayor Thomas Gunderson; Trustees - James Chase, Kenneth Zabriskie,
Janet Murphy & George Farenthold
Also Present: Legislator George Fearon
David Brooks, Village resident
Deborah Brooks, Deputy Village Clerk/Treasurer.
The Mayor called the meeting to order at 7:32 PM. He led the room in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Trustee Farenthold informed those present that he was married to Lisa Marsh Ryerson, President of Wells College.
Mayor Gunderson asked for approval of the November 21, 2007 Minutes. Trustee Farenthold moved approval and Trustee Chase seconded. Discussion - Trustee Zabriskie corrected wording of water repair at Steve Taylor‘s house to “defective fitting” from “water connection“. The Mayor asked that correction to be noted in the Minutes. He then called the vote. Unanimously approved with correction. Motion Carried 5:0.
Changes to the Agenda - Addition of Old Business item - Computel Survey of Time Warner Cable Franchise Fees.
Announcements - The Mayor addressed a letter dated December 5, 2007 by resident Laura Holland pertaining to the October 2007 Minutes in which Trustee Farenthold made a comment she felt was incorrect regarding the height of her new home. Discussion ensued as to whether the Minutes could be corrected after having been approved. Mr. Fearon commented that once the proceedings of a meeting have been voted on, they could not be changed; but an amendment to the issue could be noted in the current Minutes. Trustee Farenthold amended his original comment of “ that the height of their house was the same or higher than the Koepp/Place (Webb House)” to “that the height of their house has a relative difference between 14” to 20” than that of the Koepp/Place (Webb House)” . Trustee Farenthold expressed his thanks to Laura for noting the error in terminology.
Mayor Gunderson referred to a letter dated December 12, 2007 from William Mullarney on behalf of the Aurora-Ledyard Fire District Board of Commissioners. Commissioner Mullarney asked that the Village Board address needed repairs to the Fire House structure. As the District pays for 75% of the operating expenses through an Annual Lease Agreement, Mr. Mullarney questioned the Village not having the manpower or the time to do these repairs. He offered that the Fire District would be willing to hire out for services and then reduce the amount of rent paid accordingly to cover the expenses. Discussion ensued. Trustee Zabriskie noted that Village Maintenance Person, Adam
Van Horn was currently working on cleaning out the floor drain in the southwest bay of the apparatus room. Mayor Gunderson noted that the AVFD used to flush the lines yearly to prevent clogs in the floor drainage, but this hasn’t been done recently. Trustee Zabriskie also addressed the ventilation fans in the apparatus room saying that they never worked properly from the day they were installed and were causing roof leaks thus the roof units were removed when the new roof was installed. Mayor Gunderson noted that the bid projection on resurfacing the front parking area came in at $35,000 which was considerably over the amount in the current budget. He said that the Village would have to refigure this project into next year’s budget if possible. Mayor Gunderson informed the Board that he and Trustee Zabriskie have been working with Mike Grillo from Horizon Painting on a bid for painting the apparatus room, hallway, etc. Mayor Gunderson passed around the proposal for the Board to review. Trustee Zabriskie was asked to inquire about type of paint to be used and to get a second estimate for comparison of costs. Trustee Zabriskie felt that the paint job needed to be done and to get a second estimate would push the job off into March. Mayor Gunderson also remarked that the AVFD would have to remove all items on or near the walls and steelwork before the work could commence. Mayor Gunderson asked Trustee Farenthold, as Chairman of Buildings and Grounds, if he had hired an Electrician to review the building’s ventilation system, yet. Trustee Zabriskie noted that Trustee Farenthold was given the task of checking on the electric in the building several months ago and no report had come before the Board. Mayor Gunderson asked Trustee Farenthold to gather two estimates using Saxton Electric and Pleasant Valley Electric and report back to the Board in January. Mayor Gunderson remarked that he had a contractor come down to investigate the east panel that has bowed out on the rear entrance to the meeting room. The gentleman noted to him that the cement slab beneath the panel has heaved and would have to be fixed in warmer weather. The contractor told Mayor Gunderson that he didn’t feel that the panel would pop out on its own at this time.
Visitor Recognition - Mr. Fearon commented on the County’s Gas Cap, the County’s Proposed 2008 Budget, the infrastructure of the County Buildings and the Town of Ledyard’s need to reassess their property and their new Assessor. Discussion ensued.
Treasurer’s Reports - Ms. Brooks noted that the Board had before them the October and November 2007 Monthly Reports. She informed the Board that she had prepaid the State Retirement by December 15, 2007 so as to take advantage of the discount offered. Trustee Chase moved acceptance of the Treasurer’s Monthly reports. Seconded by Trustee Farenthold. Motion Carried 5:0.
Ms. Brooks also noted that Village Attorney Andrew Fusco had faxed several more bills to the office yesterday and today dating back to 2005 and 2006 pertaining to Zoning issues he handled and that the Budget was already depleted in his category from last month‘s bills.. Mayor Gunderson said that due to the short notice of the billing, he had not had the time to pursue the matter with Mr. Fusco. Discussion ensued. Trustee Zabriskie commented that any future bills be held until after 2008-09 Budget is completed so that they could incorporate the needed funds into that budget. Trustee Farenthold asked Mayor Gunderson to write a letter to Attorney Fusco requesting timely billings and stating why.
The Mayor noted the December Budget Modifications as follows:
GENERAL FUND-
$1,929.01 from A1990.4 - contingent account
1,000.00 A7310.2 - youth program - equipment
801.06 A7310.1 - youth program - personal services
2,000.00 A7180.2 - recreational facilities - equipment
302.73 A7180.4 - recreational facilities - contractual
271.87 A8140.2 - storm sewers - equipment
to A9010.8 - state retirement (total $6,304.67)
$115.50 from A7310.1 - youth program - personal services
79.29 A1210.4 - mayor - contractual
to A1620.4 - buildings - contractual
$2,737.50 from A9962.2 - budgetary provision for other uses
to A1420.4 - law - contractual
This transfer was needed to cover bills received from Village Attorney Andrew Fusco for his services for the past two years.
Trustee Chase moved approval of the General Fund December Budget Modifications. Seconded by Trustee Farenthold. Motion Carried 5:0.
WATER FUND -
$1,378.63 from F1990.4 - contingent account
to F9010.8 - state retirement
Trustee Farenthold moved approval of the Water Fund December Budget Modifications. Seconded by Trustee Murphy. Motion Carried 5:0.
Sewer fund-
$3,152.33 from G1990.4 - contingent account
to G9010.8 - state retirement
$68.50 from G1990.4 - contingent account
to G8110.4 - sewer administration - contracutual
Trustee Farenthold moved approval of the Sewer Fund December Budget Modifications. Seconded by Trustee Chase. Carried 5:0.
The Mayor presented the bills for payment on Abstract # 7:
General Fund voucher #s 220-222, 224, 225, 227-232, 234-238, 241-247, 249-255, 258 & 261 in the amount of $21,804.63. Trustee Chase moved payment of General Fund bills, seconded by Trustee Farenthold. The Board unanimously approved payment of the General Fund bills. Motion Carried 5:0.
Water Fund voucher #s 220, 225, 232, 234, 248, 256 & 261, in the amount of $4,894.42. Trustee Farenthold moved payment of Water Fund bills seconded by Trustee Zabriskie. The Board unanimously approved payment of the Water Fund bills. Motion Carried 5:0.
Sewer Fund voucher #s 220, 223, 225, 226, 230, 232-234, 238-240, 247 & 258-261 in the amount of $11,990.76. Trustee Murphy moved payment of Sewer Fund bills with a second by Trustee Farenthold. The Board unanimously approved payment of the Sewer Fund bills. Motion Carried 5:0
Committee Reports:
Buildings and Grounds - Trustee Farenthold reported on the Safety Task Force meeting held in NYC on November 27, 2007. He noted that the meeting was productive and that special “environmental sensitive zones” were established to route the truck traffic through the smaller communities. He hoped the new contracts would be worded stiffly as to what routes would be allowed. Trustee Farenthold also noted his disappointment with the NYS Assembly as they didn’t call for a Special Session before recessing for the holiday break. He expressed his concern that the NYS Government would not take up this issue in 2008 without a new Bill being put on the floor. Skaneateles Police Chief, Lloyd Perkins, Mayor Gunderson and many others have written to Governor Spitzer and other representatives voicing their concern that this issue be addressed immediately for the sake of the public and their highways. He noted that the Safety Task Force would meet in January. Discussion ensued on the recent hike in Thruway Tolls and that effect to the whole issue.
Trustee Farenthold informed the Board that he had spoken with Reverend French of the United Ministry Church, to ask if they needed to have two Handicap Parking Places in front of the facility. He noted the need for a sign at the rear door of the Aurora Free Library Handicap entrance. Reverend French felt that the church could do without one sign at this time. Mayor Gunderson noted that the Handicap Parking Space should be to the East of the driveway/ramp area to allow for easier movement of anyone using a wheelchair.
Recreation, Parks & Public Safety - Trustee Murphy had no report.
Streets & Public Safety - Trustee Chase reported that he had not received too much comment on the changes to Cherry Avenue traffic pattern. Mayor Gunderson informed the Board that he has spoken to one resident about a sign that turn up missing in their yard and parking rules for the winter. He also understood that the School Bus was having difficulty making the swing onto Court Street from Cherry Avenue with the cars parked so close to the corner. That issue is being worked on. Trustee Chase also hoped that the residents who have a Fire Hydrant in their yards would help out the Village by keeping them clear of snow.
Water & Sewer - Trustee Zabriskie had no report.
Community Preservation Panel - no report
Planning Board - Minutes for the Planning Board was accepted for November 14, 2007. Mayor Gunderson informed the Board that Alan Connors would not be able to accept the appointment to the Planning Board due to a change in his work schedule from day shift to night shift. Mayor Gunderson said that he will advertise the position in the January News & Notes to see if someone in the Village Community would volunteer for the position.
Zoning Board of Appeals - no report
Zoning Officer - November 2007 Report was accepted by the Board.
Village Historian. - No report
Old Business - Mayor Gunderson informed the Board that the changes to the Zoning Law were in the hands of the Dave Miller for presentation to the Cayuga County Planning Board. Mayor Gunderson noted that the County Planning Board would meet Thursday this week.
Mayor Gunderson reported on the Computel Survey for the Time Warner Franchise Fees. He noted that at the present time the Village is receiving a fair rate without taxing the users too excessively. Mr. Fearon commented that fees might be different for the Village if Time Warner had a better idea of addresses that were actually located in the Village compared to those in the Town as “Aurora” is a common address. Trustee Farenthold asked if the Village could access the County Legislative meetings and other local programs by writing a letter to Time Warner. Mayor Gunderson noted that their new representative is Chris Muller and that it would be good to have him come to a future meeting to discuss these issues. Trustee Chase agreed with Mayor Gunderson that the Village should not change the current franchise fee. Mr. Fearon noted that reconfiguration of the tower could be done so as to acquire signals from other satellite dishes. The Board asked Mayor Gunderson and Trustee Farenthold to write to Mr. Muller about their concerns and ask for a meeting.
New Business - Mayor Gunderson reviewed the 2008 Lease Agreement with the Aurora-Ledyard Fire District. Questions of who does what for maintaining the facility were discussed. The Board agreed that the Tenant would be specifically responsible for custodial services for the Apparatus Bay, front office, small truck bay, kitchen and store room. The Village will provide janitorial services for the Village Clerk’s Office, meeting room, hallways, bathrooms and boiler room plus mop the kitchen floor. The new 2008 rental amount is $15,478.00. Mr. Brooks noted that there was no 2007 Lease Agreement signed yet. Trustee Farenthold moved acceptance of the 2008 Lease agreement with the Aurora-Ledyard Fire District with noted additions. The motion was seconded by Trustee Chase. Motion Carried 5:0.
Trustee Chase motioned for adjournment at 9:05 PM. Seconded by Trustee Murphy. Motion Carried 5:0.
Respectfully Submitted by
Deborah M. Brooks,
Deputy Village Clerk