Trustees Present: Mayor Helen Day, Ron Erickson, Cheryl Ziegler-Greer, Chris Ryan Don Tavener

Staff Present: Joan Rusinko, Clerk/Treasurer
Marilyn Baader, Deputy Clerk
Dan Patterson, Superintendent of Public Works

Consultants Present: Shannon Walters, Sage Stone Engineering

Residents Present: Shane Ellis, Linda Uebelman

Others Present: Nathan Baker, The Citizen

The Mayor called the meeting to order at 7:00PM. She then led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

The minutes of February 16, 2011 were approved as distributed on a Motion: by Erickson, second by Tavener. Approved 4/0.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Linda Uebelman reported on behalf of the Waterfront Festival Committee. The festival is scheduled for August 6, 2011. Uebelman is contacting FingerLakes Railroad (FLRR) regarding a flat bed for the music portion of the festival. If it will not be available, she asked for suggestions as to other alternatives. Alternatives provided were the south deck of the Railroad Building, the gazebo (would need upgrade to electrical system) or a flatbed wagon.

The train, on its regular schedule, would come through the Village between 5PM-9PM. Fireworks are scheduled for 9:30PM and there is concern for public safety during these hours. Mayor Day will contact Village Counsel Charles Lynch, requesting he contact FLRR to see if a compromise can be worked out.

TRUSTEE REPORTS

Ron Erickson reported on the sewer rate increase needed in order to begin to reach a comparable system charge recognized by funding agencies and for current debt coverage. The Village must demonstrate that residents are paying sufficient charges in order to be eligible for additional funding.

The current sewer rent is $112/quarter and will increase to $146/quarter, which is a $34 increase/quarter. The annual sewer rent would be $584. Each of the following two years there would be a 15% increase.

· There is a need to raise the manhole covers in order to prevent grey water from entering the sewer system. Cost has been incorporated into the 2011-2012 budget.

· Cayuga County Water and Sewer Authority is once again asking the Village about joining the Village of Union Springs sewer plant. The Union Springs plant has current capability, but would be put at its maximum. With any additional use or need during periods of "run-off" control, their sewer plant would need to expand. At this time, our costs are comparable.

· The repaired sewer pump is not functioning again. There needs to be a grinder installed in order to prevent continuing failure of the pump. Estimate costs for the grinder are being requested and will be incorporated into the 2011-2012 budget.

The Village Board Meeting was suspended at 7:35PM in order to recognize Don Tavener. This will be Tavener's last Board meeting as he chose to retire from Board service. Mayor Day thanked Tavener for his 33 years of service to the residents of Cayuga. She noted that his historical knowledge of the Village will be needed and his continued involvement in Village affairs would be welcome. The Board's best wishes and sincere thanks were extended. His family joined the Board in recognition of his achievement

The official meeting restarted at 8:10PM

Chris Ryan

· The Town of Aurelius representatives, Mayor Day and Trustee Ryan met on March 8, 2011 to finalize water rates for the Town. The Town rates will start at the same time as the increase in Village water rates.

· Ryan is still in discussion with MRB Group regarding past invoices.

Cheryl Ziegler-Greer noted that the Recreation Commission will meet on March 24, 2011 at 6:30PM at Memorial Hall.

· Notice for lifeguard openings for the summer swim program will be placed in The Citizen this month.

Don Tavener thanked Dan and his work crew for the excellent job done in keeping Village roads plowed this season.

· A cremation area will be developed to the east of the cemetery this summer.

Mayor Helen Day reported for the Fire Department.

· OSHA required refresher program has been completed.

· All fire gear must be replaced every 10 years regardless of use or wear. Quotes on cost of 2 sets of gear are being obtained.

· All trucks have been NYS inspected.

· Physical examinations were completed in February as required. This action will be added to the Time Line for the Village.

SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC WORKS - DAN PATTERSON

Water

· There was a water break on Lake Street, which was repaired.

· Filters at the water plant were acid washed to decrease turbidity. CCHD was notified of this activity.

· The heater at the water plant has stopped working. It was last inspected by Halco. Patterson has not been pleased with their work. Mayor Day asked that the warranty on the new heater be checked.

· All required annual tests on the water system have been completed. The 2010 annual water report is due to residents by the end of May 2011.

Streets - snow plowing has been extensive this year.

Shop - A portion of the shop is being rebuilt by staff as time permits. Trustees recommended contacting Corcraft to determine if they could do the building project. Cost of labor is $75-80/square foot.

Sewer - ponds will be opened on April 1, 2011. Patterson has read that adding barley straw to the ponds will decrease algae build-up. Local farms will be contacted to obtain barley straw as a trial.

Budget - a new lawn mower is needed. Mayor Day asked that a quote be obtained and available for the upcoming budget meetings.

CLERK/TREASURER REPORT - JOAN RUSINKO

· The February 2011 financial report will be available at the Budget Meeting scheduled for March 12, 2011.

· Report requested by Christina Cerio, Area Specialist, USDA Rural Development sent to Municipal Solutions had the following sections completed by Rusinko and returned to Municipal Solutions for submission. Rusinko provided (1) Copy of proposed sewer rates, (5) Copy of annual update document submitted to NYS Audit and Control for FY5/31/10, (6)Balance Sheet showing current assets and liabilities for general and sewer funds and (7)signed up on line with Central Contractor Registration.

· Received a visit from a resident who lives on State Route 90 (Willard Street) and is upset with the speed of traffic in front of his home. There is a large pothole in front of his home and when trucks hit the pothole at higher speeds, it jars his house and he has noticed cracks in the walls.

Rusinko questioned whether "speed monitors" need to be reconsidered. The Board is of the opinion that this equipment is too expensive at this time, but asked that Carl Cuipylo look into possible grants available.

· Duane Bergerstock has volunteered to help maintain the Village Park Trail. He was thanked and referred to Carl Cuipylo.

· Water meters need to be read this month. Reminder that meter manufacturer needs to be noted on work sheets as the reading is taken.

· Information for the Village Newsletter for April 2011 needs to be the Clerk's Office by March 28, 2011.

· CCAV meeting March 29, 2011 will be hosted by the Village of Cayuga at the Sunset Restaurant. Speaker will be Phil Smith, PE, MS Environmental Engineer, Wastewater Training & Consulting. His topic will be Asset Management.

OLD BUSINESS

· Work Rules continue to be reviewed. Trustee Ryan has asked for the past 4 years of payroll information for all employees.

NEW BUSINESS

· Motion: by Ryan, seconded by Tavener to accept the renewal quote from Hach for calibration of turbidity meters at the Water Treatment Plant for the period March 2011 to March 2012 at a cost of $3,146. Motion approved 4/0.

· Motion: by Erickson, seconded by Ryan to amend Sage Stone Engineering contract for the WWTP by an additional 55 hours for $5,500. Motion approved 4/0.

· Motion: by Ryan, seconded by Ziegler-Greer to accept the contract from Municipal Solutions to assist with the Water Plant project at a cost of not to exceed $15,000. Motion approved 4/0.

· Notice was received that the BAN to support the Water Plant renovation project was bought on March 8, 2011 at an interest rate of 3.725% by Oppenheimer Group and closed on March 15, 2011 for $400,100.

· Motion: by Erickson, second by Ziegler-Greer to increase sewer rent quarterly user charge from $112/quarter to $146/quarter to cover debt service for fiscal year 2011-2012. The increase will be announced to the users via a newsletter on April 1, 2011, be in effect July 1, 2011 and appear on the bill October 1, 2011. Motion approved 4/0.

· Additional information which is part of the Sewer Local Law states: excess water consumption over 20,000 gallons will be charged at 1/10th of a sewer unit ($146) for each 2,000 gallons of water consumed over 21,000 gallons of water.

· The Wastewater Treatment Plant 2010 annual certification was given to Consultant Shannon Walters to complete for the Village.

· Brett Carruthers of NYMIR notified the Village that a conference on electrical safety was being held in Syracuse and suggested that the Superintendent of Public Works attend. This would help decrease insurance costs. Patterson notified the Board that he had taken the OSHA update program, which covers this area. Patterson will bring his certificate to the office for his personnel file and for submission to Brett Carruthers.

· Mayor Day reminded Trustees of the budget meeting on March 12, 2011.

OPEN DISCUSSION BY VILLAGE BOARD

· Mayor Day met with Assemblyman Kolb and Joan Grela of Senator Nozzolio's office to relay information regarding the consent order to build a sewer facility and the need of the Village for support in obtaining federal, state or member initiative monies. A member initiative application was given to Mayor Day but told that member initiative monies were going to be limited due to the State budget. The application has been filed.

Senator Nozzolio sent a letter to Joseph Martens, Commissioner of NYSDEC. Senator Nozzolio supported the Village in asking if funding from the Environmental Protection Fund might help to bridge the funding gap that is preventing the Village from moving forward.

· Cemetery Costs need to be reviewed. Costs from area cemetery's will be obtained.

TIME LINE REVIEW

· Motion: by Tavener, seconded by Ziegler-Greer to increase the property rental rate of the camps by $500 to a total of $3,000. Motion approved 4/0.

· Contract with the Code Officer will be removed as the position is now an employee.

· Add required laboratory testing to the Time Line.

CORRESPONDENCE

· Mayor Day received an invitation from the Mayor of Syracuse and Executive Director of NYCOM, Peter Baynes to participate in a mandate reform roundtable. Mayor Day sent a message to Peter Bayens in support of NYCOM's mandate relief recommendations.

· Wells College is hosting its 10th annual Activism Symposium March 10-11, 2011. UCE President Dave Vickers, Esq. and Onondaga tribe's attorney Joe Heath will be at the symposium on March 11th at 3:30PM.

· The LWRP grant contract has been approved and received. The amount is $60,000. Susan Harris, Coordinator of the project, will be asked to attend the April Board meeting to update the Board on her plans.

ABSTRACT OF VOUCHERS

Motion: by Erickson, second by Ryan to approve the Abstract of Vouchers as follows:

General Fund ………………$19,936.81
Water Fund ………………... 9,800.50
Sewer Fund………………… 5,635.70
Join Youth Fund …………... 306.07
Sewer Plant Renovation ……. 6,894.00
Water System Improvement… 1,591.91

Motion approved 4/0.

ADJOURNMENT

Motion: by Tavener to adjourn at 9:25PM. Adjournment motion requires no second. Motion approved 4/0. Best wishes to Don Tavener as he closed out his last Board meeting.

Respectfully Submitted,

Marilyn Baader
Recorder