VILLAGE OF AURORA BOARD OF TRUSTEES
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
JANUARY 17, 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 8:05 PM on January 17, 2007 with Mayor Gunderson presiding.
PRESENT: Mayor Tom Gunderson, Trustees Jim Chase, Janet Murphy, and Ken Zabriskie.
ABSENT: Trustee George Farenthold.
ALSO PRESENT: David Brooks, Debbie Brooks, Melinda Kostreva (Treasurer) and Nancy Yann (Clerk).
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Trustee Chase moved approval of the December 20, 2006 Regular Meeting Minutes with corrections noted. Seconded by Trustee Zabriskie, motion carried 4:0.
CHANGES TO THE AGENDA:
The Clerk asked to have placed under New Business the Cayuga County Transportation Project (SCAT Van) Agreement.
MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Mayor Gunderson had no announcements.
CLERK'S ANNOUNCEMENTS:
The Clerk reported that the Association of Villages meeting and dinner would be held at Smokey’s Restaurant on Tuesday, January 30. The Guest speaker will be Sheriff Gould.
The Clerk reported that the Village had received the following letters:
1.Aurora-Ledyard Fire District Commissioners asking for permission to install a “lighted sign” in front of the firehouse to advertise upcoming meetings and events. Mayor Gunderson stated that this made sense. The Board asked what the size would be and the location staked out where the sign will be installed. Mayor Gunderson stated that there would be paperwork to complete and that it would have to go to the appropriate Boards for approval. Mr. Brooks said that this would be done. The location was discussed and suggested that it might be better to put it on the north side of the property. There may be requirements from DOT.
2.New York State Department of Environmental Conservation regarding Vehicle Dismantler Facilities (Auto Junk Yards). There are none in the Village of Aurora. A question arose on how to get the dismantled cars in the rear of the firehouse removed. One has been there since October 12, 22006.
3.Cayuga County Civil Service Commission regarding the position of Deputy Village Clerk. This position has been approved.
4.Cayuga County Homeless Task Force regarding the Point-in-Time homeless count. This will be done on Tuesday, January 30. The board knew of no homeless persons in the Village.
5.Veteran Memorial Park located at Pomeroy Park. The letter was asking for someone from the Municipalities to be a representative to work with the group. Trustee Zabriskie felt that this was a worthy project to show support those who have served our country.
6.James Orman, Cayuga County Treasurer regarding the Enforcement Notification in the Matter of the Foreclosure of Tax Liens.
7.Amy D’Angelo, Department of Planning and Economic Development regarding County Planning Board Activities and membership.
8.Ms. D’Angelo has also sent a letter regarding New Training Requirements for Local Officials. There are two resolutions; 1) Resolution – Waiving and Modifying Required Training for Zoning Boards of Appeals and Planning Boards, and 2) Resolution – Clarifying Required Training for Boards of Appeals and Planning Boards. The Board is being asked to consider which resolution they would like to pass. No action was taken at this time.
VISITOR RECOGNITIONN:
Mayor Gunderson welcomed the Dave and Debbie Brooks. Mr. Brooks discussed the issue of the southwest door of the meeting room regarding the HAVA Law (Handicap Accessibility).
Ms. Brooks noted that John Miller is the 2007 Chairman of the Fire Commissioners.
TREASURER'S REPORTS:
A.Monthly Reports:
The Village Board accepted the December 2006 Monthly Reports.
B.Budget Modifications
Trustee Zabriskie moved the following Budget Modification:
Water Fund:
$445.70 FROM F1990.4 – Contingent Account TO F8340.4 – Transmission & Distribution – Contractual
Seconded by Trustee Chase, motion carried 5:0.
C.Approval of Bills:
Trustee Chase moved approval of bills in the General Fund for claims #263 to #291 for $5,783.22. A discussion ensued regarding the snow-blower billing and how it was charged. Mayor Gunderson asked if the Village was saving with the new phone company. Ms. Kostreva stated that there was a notable savings. Mayor Gunderson stated that there have been two large bills from Mohawk Fuel Oil. Trustee Zabriskie asked if the settings in the Bay area could be better controlled. The Clerk reported that the circulation pumps were not working earlier. Mark from Hills repaired them and now things were running nicely. Trustee Zabriskie asked if the Village could install locked covers for the thermostat controls. Mayor Gunderson asked Trustee Zabriskie to talk to Mr. Wilmot about purchasing and installing these items. Motion was seconded by Trustee Murphy, motion carried 4:0.
Trustee Zabriskie moved approval of bills in the Water Fund for claims #263 to #291 for $5,250.32. Seconded by Trustee Chase, motion carried 4:0.
Trustee Zabriskie moved approval of bills in the Sewer Fund for claims #263 to #291 for $3,910.83. Seconded by Trustee Murphy, motion carried 4:0.
Trustee Chase moved approval of bills in the Street Improvement Project Fund for claims #263 to #291 for $847.00. Seconded by Trustee Zabriskie, motion carried 4:0.
COMMITTEE AND BOARD REPORTS:
A.Building and Grounds
There was nothing to report.
B.Recreation, Parks, and Public Events:
Trustee Murphy reported that she and Trustee Farenthold had met with Jacci Farlow on the Web page. The Board discussed the progress of their concerns. The two Trustees will continue to oversee this project.
C.Streets and Public Safety:
Trustee Chase had nothing to report.
D.Water and Sewer:
Trustee Zabriskie reported that the Mr. Wilmot had not yet received the pumps for the WWTP.
Trustee Zabriskie reported that there was a crack in one of the castings.
Trustee Zabriskie reported that the water level was down.
E.Community Preservation:
There was no report.
F.Planning Board:
Mayor Gunderson asked to have the Minutes of November 8, 2006 changed to reflect an error in that Mr. Maloney filled the vacancy of Nancy Gil, not Pat Rittenhouse.
Zoning Board of Appeals:
There was nothing to report.
H.Zoning Officer:
The Board accepted the November and December 2006 Reports. Trustee Zabriskie noted that the reports were rather confusing due to the lack of correct information. The Village of Aurora does not have a “Wheat” Street, Cayuga does. The reports often have errors with names and addresses.
Historian:
There was nothing to report.
OLD BUSINESS:
The Board will take no action tonight on the two proposed Local Laws: 1) Local Law No. 1 of 2007 – a Local Law Providing For The Administration And Enforcement Of The New York State Fire Prevention And Building Code and 2) Local Law No. 2 of 2007 – Unsafe Buildings. Mayor Gunderson noted that the board is waiting to meet with Village Attorney, Mr. Fusco.
NEW BUSINESS:
Mayor Gunderson reported that he had thought the Village Board had done a Resolution regarding the split cost of a salt storage building at the WWTP. This will need to be done soon when the whole Board is present as he and Trustee Chase should abstain due to a conflict of interest.
Mayor Gunderson reported that the Budget process would begin in February. Since the Village Board’s next meeting date is Wednesday, February 21, 2007 and a Budget Hearing will need to be held in March, a Budget Workshop has been set for Thursday, February 15, 2007 from 2-5 PM. Trustee Murphy will be there at 4 Pm as she has school. Ms. Kostreva, Treasurer, reported that the Village would need to start paying back the loan for the Street Project. Ms. Kostreva also reminded the Board that they had approved $30,000 three times for this project and some of that money was still available and in the Street Reserve Account and could be moved.
The Clerk asked the Board if they would renew the Contract with the Cayuga County Transportation Project (SCAT Van). The Village is currently contributing $500.00. Trustee Chase moved to renew the contract commitment for $500.00. Seconded by Trustee Murphy, motion carried 4:0.
With no further business to discuss, Mayor Gunderson asked a motion to adjourn.
ADJOURNMENT:
Trustee Chase moved adjournment at 9:10 PM. Seconded by Trustee Murphy, motion carried 4:0.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy M. Yann
Village Clerk