The Special Meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Aurora, New
York was called to order in the Firehouse Meeting Room at 3 PM on
Thursday, December 29, 2005 with Mayor Gunderson presiding.
PRESENT: Mayor Tom Gunderson, Trustees Jim Chase, George Farenthold,
Janet Murphy and Ken Zabriskie.
ALSO PRESENT: Avery & Nancy Ayers, Grace Bates, David Brooks, Debbie Brooks, Stephen Cannerelli (The Post Standard), Derwood Crocker, JohnDentes, Bill Dugan, Sheila Edmunds, Jacci & Virgil Farlow, Bob Fitzgerald,Kenneth Furness, Karen Hindenlang, Laura Holland, Ken Kabelac, Elizabeth Knight, Dave Kauber, Ethan & Susan MacCormick, Lili MacCormick, John McCartney, Bill Maloney, Michelle Miller, Michael Montgomery, Art & Nancy Nelson, Linda Ober (The Citizen), Jay O’Hearn, Jim Orman, Jason Rearick (The Citizen), Laurie Roberts, Ann Rollo, Elisabeth Rollo, Susan Sandman, Linda Schwab and Nancy Yann (Village Clerk)
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Gunderson stated that this meeting was for one purpose and one purpose only, the Village Board will decide whether or not the existing Post Office building will be allowed to be razed. The decisions are contingent on the United States Postal Service having the final say in whether they move or not to the Aurora Place Building (Federal Building, Old Post Office).
Mayor Gunderson went on to say that the survey that was sent out to village residents, letters, etc., were taken into account as well as comments that were made to the Mayor, Trustees and the Board as a whole.
Mayor Gunderson wanted to thank those that took the time to write. Over the past five months the Village Board has been in negotiations with Wells College and the Aurora Foundation, LLC. The Village Board kept hearing the same thing from many people, “Don’t give up anything without getting something in return!” and “what about the loss of revenue?” With this in mind, a committee was set of Mayor Gunderson and Trustee Zabriskie to meet with Wells College. During the past three months, a MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) was forthcoming.
Trustee George Farenthold reminds the residents and visitors in tonight’s audience that he is married to Lisa Marsh Ryerson, President of Wells College.
The Village of Aurora owns the property that houses the current Post Office building. All negotiations will be null and void if the United States Postal Service decides not to accept the offer from the Aurora Foundation, LLC. to fully fund a new facility that would be build within the Aurora Place (aka; the Old #6 School House, Federal Building, Village Hall, Heary Building).
Today’s decision is intended to remove a major stumbling block that would have thwarted the remaining efforts of the Aurora Foundation to complete the take over of the commercial district of our village that for the most part is owned by Wells College. The Village Board has been negotiating with the Wells College Administration over the past four months to seek some form of restitution for giving up the building and the income it derives from rent paid by the USPS. Theresults of these months of negotiations, if the USPS accepts the offer of the Aurora Foundation, LLC will provide for Wells College to convey ownership of lakefront property both sides of Clifton Creek located at the south end of the village consisting of some 535 feet (plus or minus) of lake frontage to the village and an additional 350 feet (plus or minus) of lake frontage will be leased to the Village of 30 years followed by 2 ten-year guaranteed renewals.
The intended use of this lake frontage will be for recreational purposes. No specific plans have been proposed at this time and it is our expectation development will not happen over night but will likely take several years to occur. In addition to the lakefront the village will also have access to a section of the old railroad bed to lease and develop into a scenic walkway along the shore of the lake between the proposed recreational area and the Wells College Boat House.
This provision will provide for a safe walkway remote from Route 90 through a congested area in front of the Wells College Service Building. The Village Board felt that this was an important consideration for the safety of children and pedestrians who might wish to walk or ride a bicycle to the proposed recreational area. The connecting link between
the proposed lakeside walkway and the village’s existing sidewalk system will occur via the Boat House driveway. A portion of this walkway will also be of sufficient width to accommodate fire fighting apparatus which
would then have access to a much needed drafting site behind the Service Building.
The Mayor said that as we all know the land that the current parking lot is on is owned by Wells College for the purpose of the Aurora Inn, Inc. The Village will continue to maintain the parking lot with snow removal services and other seasonal maintenance. Additional benefits to the Village will be forthcoming when the parking lot reconfiguration occurs. Most beneficial will be a direct paved access drive from the parking lot to the existing Village Park. This driveway will be built to ADA specifications and be of sufficient width to accommodate fire and rescue equipment.
Because the Village Park property is not very large, the roadway will not be used for routine access by motor vehicles. It will be allowed for vehicles to maintain the park grounds and setups needed forspecial events. Eventually some sort of dry hydrant drafting site will be built to provide for an emergency water supply for fire fighting purposes. The Village will retain ownership of the current post office land, which will become a short village street that will provide both an access route to the new parking lot and to a loading dock for the proposed new post office.
Along the west side of Main Street to the south of Posies, there will be a green space provided between the sidewalk and the new parking lot approximately 50 X 100 feet. This grass-covered area will provide space for villagers and visitors to sit on benches that will offer spectacular views of our lake and our sunsets, and the revitalized waterfront.
Remember, with the parking lot being terraced you will be able to look out over the parked cars rather than through them, as is the case today. The green space will also offer a strategic location of sufficient size toallow for local groups to setup for the kinds of fund raisers we’ve come to know that support local organizations as well as Christmas-In-Aurora, Aurorafest and perhaps a farmers market. The Village Board asked for this space to accommodate a 20 X 40 foot tent.
Finally, with this new partnership in the revitalization of Aurora’s commercial district is a positive development brought about through an honest attempt to bring Wells College, the Aurora Foundation, LLC, and the Village together to work toward individual as well as common goals, goals we can not attain without each other’s support. All of this is being done with the best interest of the village as a whole. This will take time to complete and there will be challenges to deal with. However, by the decision the Board will make this afternoon, the Board hopes they will be providing a foundation for future village boards to build upon.
Residents who have chosen Aurora as their home, need to come together to lend and unify their support so chances that our village will remain intact for future generations will have the same opportunity to enjoy this special place as we have had. Change is never easy as it is filled with uncertainty and often marks the end of an era. Aurora, as we all know, is a unique and diverse village deep in history that has seen many changes over the years, many of which those of us living here today are unaware of, yet it has survived and it will continue to do so.
Mayor Gunderson asked if there were any questions.
Karen Hindenlang asked if the Village Board had determined the accessed value of the proposed land to be conveyed to the Village considering that the property is located in the Flood Plain. She also asked whether the curb cutback by Posies would be put back like it was before the changes were made. This is a self-created problem that never should have been allowed to happen. Mayor Gunderson replied that the Village has been and will continue working with the New York State Department of Transportation. The Mayor responded that the Board will meet again in the spring to deal with this and other issues.
Pat Bianconi commented that exiting her driveway is also very dangerous.Can anything be done about pulling onto Route 90 from driveways? This is on the agenda to discuss with DOT.
Steve Taylor congratulated the Board on this resolution and cast his vote to approve.
Mayor Gunderson commented on the Executive Sessions of the Village Board by saying that if the deliberations had been made public, someone could have come in and out-bid the Village.
Michelle Miller asked how the improvements would be funded (concessions, kiosk, access for boats, etc.).
Mayor Gunderson replied that the kiosk would be placed in the green area to the south of Posies. There are no plans at this time for a concession stand or other buildings except maybe restrooms near the new proposed park.
Elizabeth Knight asked how much the lease would cost the Villagers. Mayor Gunderson answered, $1.00 per year.
Lili MacCormick remarked, “The current Post Office will not be razed unless the Post Office moved to the “Heary Building”/”Old Post Office Building”/”Aurora Place” which is owned by Wells College.” Mayor Gunderson answered that this was correct. Mayor Gunderson commented that the Village Board worked hard on this arrangement and hopes everyone understands that the Village Board thinks that this MOU is right. Once the project starts, things will be a mess for a while, most likely up to 18 months.
Ethan MacCormick asked about the down side to this proposal regarding the loss of local businesses. Trustee Murphy answered that she had asked this question many times, but through the efforts of the Village Board, the Aurora Foundation, LLC and Wells College, this seems to be the best alternative for the Village.
Mayor Gunderson remarked that all Local and State Laws will be followed. This project will be brought to all appropriate Boards: NO EXCEPTION. Each Board will independently deal with the applications as they are brought in. This in no way allows for a “blank check” to be issued.
Sheila Edmunds asked again if this is all contingent upon the Postal Service’s decision. Will the current Post Office Building be maintained? Ms. Edmunds has talked with the Postal Service but has had no contact with them for the past six months. Mayor Gunderson responded by saying that this proposal only allows this to happen if the Postal Service decides to move. Handicapped access will have to be dealt with, although the Village does not have a say in this, they will certainly have input.
Trustee Farenthold reported that the USPS would NOT renew their lease with the Village as stated in a letter from Paul Senk USPS, Real Estate Manager, dated September 13, 2005 (see attached letter). Mayor Gunderson replied that the letter did not state that the USPS would NOT renew their lease, it merely states the need for a larger facility and parking area.
Crawford Thoburn asked if the loss of revenue from the rent would be madeup. The PO will begin paying rent to Wells College if they move into the proposed site.
Bob Fitzgerald asked what it would cost to maintain the current Post Office. Mayor Gunderson reported that the roof would need to be replaced at a cost in excess of $30,000.00. The Village will also have to deal with asbestos and asphalt removal.
Linda Schwab reminded the Board that they needed to consider the handicap accessibility to the proposed site and the Village Park. She questioned the length of distance of walking for a handicap person to both areas. As a handicap person that has difficulty walking, this could be a major stumbling block. Mayor Gunderson stated that the Board has made the Aurora Foundation, LLC aware of this issue and will continue to press this point.
Helen Theimer asked if the use of the “roadway” or “access way” could change to the Village Park as has happened in the past three years. Mayor Gunderson replied, “Probably not.”
Jacci Farlow asked if the Postal Service decided not to move, would the Village still consider these issues: 1) parking lot, and 2) razing the current Post Office Building. It seems that the Board has already voted on this issue. Mayor Gunderson replied that the Board had not yet voted,that is why the Village is having this Special Meeting as stated in the Newspaper, the Board will vote after this briefing.
Karen Hindenlang again asked about the proposed site for the Post Office meeting ADA guidelines. Is the Village Board obliged to tear the current Post Office Building down? We still have a lease until March 31, 2009. So why is there a deadline from Pleasant Rowland for December 31, 2005?
David Kauber commented that he had talked to Paul Senk from the Postal Service in Connecticut who assured him that the Postal Service would meet with the Village residents about all these issues at least once more. So, is this decision premature? Shouldn’t the Board wait until after the USPS makes their decision before these meetings? Mayor Gunderson replied that the Village Board has a responsibility to pave the way to ensure that the Postal Service is kept nearby.
Michelle Miller asked what the timeline was for completing this project. Mayor Gunderson replied that it would take at least a year, if not longer. Nothing will happen until the current Post Office is razed. The Aurora Foundation, LLC will cover the cost of the parking lot, razing the building, moving the Postal Service, etc.
Jay O’Hearn read the following statement:
“Has the Board determined the viability of the proposed location as a swimming park? As we all know, the beach at the south end of town has been used by swimmers for years and years. But once that beachfront becomes a municipally owned and operated public swimming area, will it then be subject to some kind of water quality inspection?
This stretch of lakefront is densely inhabited by geese throughout the winter and spring. It is right around the corner from the Aurora SewageTreatment Plant, and it is in a cove setting, where the water may not move through very quickly. One would have to wonder if a problem may exist there with coliform contamination. Have any seasonal water samples been taken before this land is to be put to use as a swimming park?
Auburn’s Emerson Park beach has been closed for much of the past few seasons due to this problem. It’s a great beach, on a pretty lake, but no one can go in the water.
If there are some kind of required state or county health regulations to follow, would it not be wiser for the Village to run tests during the upcoming swimming season to determine if a potential problem exists at the site before the Village Board agrees to this land swap?
If the Village acquires this lakefront and finds it to be unsuitable for swimming, it would be stuck with a white elephant instead of a community asset, and we will have traded our last parcel downtown for something of limited value.
Deadline aside, a sensible and prudent course of action here would be to gather some empirical data from the site this summer, and make a final decision about this park later in 2006. Thank you.”
Trustee Farenthold commented that he was in favor of this project. Mayor Gunderson and Trustee Zabriskie negotiated approximately 1,000 feet of lakefront property, which he felt was a huge gift from the College to the Village.
Karen Hindenlang commented that promises have been made and broken in the past from the Aurora Foundation, LLC. She asked if she could obtain a copy of this MOU, if there were any termination clauses, and if the three parties could negotiate the deadline of March 2006?
Mayor Gunderson replied that this was a very generous offer from Wells College and that this would be good for the community. All properties in this project are currently on the tax-exempt section of the tax roll, so therefore, it would not mean the loss of taxable property.
Mayor Gunderson thanked those in attendance for their input and comments.
Mayor Gunderson asked the following:
RESOLUTION # 2005 – 30 A RESOLUTION AGREEING TO THE TERMS OF THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING, MOU, REPRESENTING AND AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE VILLAGE OF AURORA, WELLS COLLEGE AND THE AURORA FOUNDATION, LLC
I seek a motion agreeing to the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which represents an agreement between the Village of Aurora, Wells College and the Aurora Foundation, LLC; and
WHEREBY, Wells College will convey specified parcels of lake frontproperty to the Village of Aurora and to lease additional specified parcels of property to the Village of Aurora; and
WHEREBY, the Aurora Foundation and Wells College collectively will provide specific provisions beneficial to the Village of Aurora to be included in any of the Aurora Post Office (APO) approved by the United States Postal Service (USPS) and reconfiguration of the Aurora Inn Parking lot for which in return the Village Board will agree to allow the current post office building owned by the Village of Aurora to be used to accommodate these projects if and when all permits are approved by those having jurisdiction.
Trustee Zabriskie moved to approve this Resolution. Seconded by Trustee
Chase, motion carried 4:0:1 as follows:
Mayor Gunderson: Aye
Trustee Chase: Aye
Trustee Murphy: Aye
Trustee Zabriskie: Aye
Trustee Farenthold: Recused
Because of his marital relationship to the President of Wells College
Mayor Gunderson commented that the Board would work with any concerned person on any issue as the Village Board would like to have everyone behind them. A copy of the MOU will be made available the end of next week, as there is not a copy to hand out today. There is also a News Release that will be issued today by Wells College (not available to Village Clerk).
Trustee Zabriskie moved adjournment at 3:57 PM. Seconded by Trustee Chase, motion carried 5:0.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy M. Yann
Village Clerk