Aurora Village Board
Aurora, New York 13026

Minutes 
Regular Monthly Meeting
July 15, 2009

Present – Mayor Tom Gunderson, Trustees Jim Chase, Janet Murphy, Lili MacCormick and George Farenthold
Also Present – Village Clerk Dee Nance, Treasurer Deborah Brooks
Members of the Public – David Brooks, Marie Fenner, Cayuga County Legislator George Fearon

Regular Monthly Meeting
Mayor Gunderson called the regular monthly meeting to order at 7:00 PM, and led the room in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Trustee Farenthold reminded those present that he is married to Lisa Marsh Ryerson, President of Wells College.

Mayor Gunderson asked for approval of the June 17, 2009 Regular Monthly Meeting and Public Hearing minutes.  After minor corrections were noted, a motion of acceptance was made by Trustee Farenthold; seconded by Trustee Murphy.  Motion carried 5:0.

Changes to the agenda – Mayor Gunderson announced that Life Safety Consultants has informed him that they are dissolving the company.  The process of finding a new code enforcement officer will be discussed under New Business.  Also, there is no treasurer’s report for June.  That was an error on the agenda.

Announcements – Clerk Nance reported on her attendance at the NYCOM conference in Saratoga Springs on Monday, June 29, 2009, which included a presentation on the problems with the new law governing the consolidation and dissolution of local governments.

In response to a request from Mayor Gunderson to research NYCOM protocol regarding public speaking at village board meetings, Ms. Nance read from NYCOM’s Handbook for Village Officials, which states that speakers must limit their comments to 5 minutes and observe “commonly accepted rules of courtesy, decorum, dignity and good taste.” 

Ms. Nance reported on her visit with Tee-Ann Hunter and tour of the Ithaca Town Hall.  Ms. Hunter has some records management software she has offered to share with the village at no cost; however, the software will not be useable without a computer upgrade.  

Ms. Nance reported that she and Ms. Brooks are attending a New York State Archives records management workshop in Auburn on August 5th.

Ms. Nance reported that The Citizen subscription was up for renewal and she and Ms. Brooks questioned the necessity of receiving it at the village office as they both receive it at home and the village historian is clipping and saving articles that pertain to the village.  After some discussion, a motion was made by Trustee MacCormick to drop the subscription; seconded by Trustee Chase.  Motion carried 4:0:1 with Trustee Farenthold abstaining. 

Visitor Recognition – David Brooks thanked the board for relocating the speed bump on Court Street.  Drivers turning right onto Court Street from Lafayette will have more time to see the speed bump before they hit it.

Treasurer’s Reports – There was no monthly report for June.

Mayor Gunderson presented the budget modifications to the board.

General Fund – Year End Budget Modification – May 31, 2009 
$6.38		FROM		A9030.8 – Social Security
		TO		A8020.1 – Planning Board – Personal Services

Trustee Farenthold moved approval of the Year End General Fund Budget Modification; seconded by Trustee Murphy.  Motion carried 5:0.

General Fund – Budget Modification – July 15, 2009
$99.50		FROM		A1990.4 – Contingent Account
		TO		A9050.8 – Unemployment Insurance

Treasurer Brooks explained that this modification was to pay the unemployment claim of former cleaner, Kathy Bennett.  Trustee Farenthold moved approval of the General Fund Budget Modification; seconded by Chase.  Motion carried 5:0.

Trustee Gunderson presented the bills for payment on Abstract #2.

General Fund – voucher #s 036-038, 040-042, 044-048, 050-051, 055-059, 061-064, 066, 068-072, 074-075 in the amount of $19,919.83.  Chase moved payment of the General Fund; seconded by Farenthold.  Motion carried 5:0.

Water Fund – voucher #s 002, 052-054, 056 in the amount of $4,732.35.  Trustee Farenthold moved payment of the Water Fund; seconded by Trustee MacCormick.  Motion carried 5:0.

Sewer Fund – voucher #s 002, 039, 043, 049-050, 053, 055-056, 060, 062, 065, 067, 073 in the amount of $11,378.05.  Trustee Farenthold moved payment of the Sewer Fund; seconded by Trustee MacCormick.  Motion carried 5:0.

Committee Reports
Buildings and Grounds – Trustee Farenthold reported that he had assisted the diver hired by Superintendent of Public Works, Kurt Wilmot, to reattach chain to the anchor for the swim program’s floating dock.  Ropes were replaced/repaired that had been shortened last year by vandals.

Trustee Farenthold reported on his inspection of the firehouse roof with Mr. Wilmot and Charlie Cook.  Interior leaks seem to be arising from a patch on the roof.  There was some discussion regarding the type of patch that was used and the roof warranty.  Mayor Gunderson believes the roof has a 10-year warranty.  Ms. Brooks has been asked to find the original contract with J & B. 

Trustee Farenthold reported that the Upstate Safety Task Force is meeting tomorrow at noon at the Chamber of Commerce.

Trustee Farenthold again raised the issue of forming a Wells College/Village collaboration committee.  Discussion ensued, with Mayor Gunderson concluding that he did not want to establish the committee without first giving them a charge and clear objectives.

Trustee Farenthold reported that village signs are in good condition, but he has noticed that the posts that support them need to be sandblasted and repainted.  Trustee Farenthold will follow up on this issue with Mr. Wilmot.

Trustee Farenthold reported on his recent conversation with John Adamski of the Fingerlakes Cultural and Natural History Museum.  Mr. Adamski told Trustee Farenthold that the selection committee is impressed with the Cayuga County site proposals.

Trustee Farenthold also commented that he felt we had reached good consensus at the special Saturday playground meeting held in June.
    
Parks and Recreation – Trustee MacCormick reported that the Summer Swim Program is up and running, and that Carolyn Connors is doing an excellent job as director.  The lifeguards have undergone a fireman’s safety training.  Trustee Murphy commented that the lifeguards would soon be taking a rigorous fitness test.  Trustee Murphy also said that several of our fire department’s members are certified divers and could have saved the village the $200 diver fee.

Trustee MacCormick reported on updates to the Memorial Playground.  She has redrawn the swing set plan and is moving it into the middle of the open space, 20 feet from the rear perimeter.  In this location the Reuss family won’t see it, the Fitzgerald family will have their view of it blocked by trees, and the Fenners won’t have children swinging onto their property.  The new swing location is currently marked with flags and Mr. Wilmot has promised to set it in concrete on Monday, July 20.

Trustee MacCormick was disappointed to report that due to a miscommunication, the picnic table being built for us by the Ithaca BOCES students was not picked up before they closed for the summer.  The board encouraged her to try again to reach the instructor.  Mayor Gunderson will supply her with a phone number to try.

Trustee MacCormick expressed her desire to find a new, more suitable location for a 20’ x 40’ half basketball court.  She inquired about the grassy area just east of the firehouse.  Mayor Gunderson replied that the area has a considerable slope.  It would require expensive grading and would create sharp banks.  Trustee MacCormick will investigate this further with Dave Reynolds.

Marie Fenner commented that she had lived next door to a basketball court for 39 years and the noise can drive you nuts.  Trustee MacCormick responded that she likes the site east of the firehouse because it does not have neighbors close by. 

Streets and Public Safety – Trustee Chase reported that he and Mayor Gunderson and Mr. Wilmot examined the sidewalk and driveway at the Haenlin home at 261 Main Street.  Modifications to the driveway have helped with light rains, but there is still a major problem of water flooding their garage during heavy rains.  A drain located north of their driveway is about 1½ feet higher than the sidewalk and never catches any water.  Mr. Wilmot will contact the DOT about cutting down that drain.  Trustee Chase reported that it could cost $4,000 or more to replace the sidewalk, grade it, and create a trough into the drain.  Mayor Gunderson commented that it’s almost an unfixable problem.  When the culvert on the east side of Route 90 gets blocked up, the Haenlin’s are hit hard.  Trustee Chase will follow up with Mr. Wilmot to see what can be done.
Mrs. Fenner complained that her neighbor’s cars are often parked directly across from her driveway, making it difficult for her to exit her driveway.  There was some general discussion of parking habits in the village.

Water and Sewer – Trustee Murphy reported on her meeting with Mr. Wilmot.  He tells her that he is pleased to have three pumps up and running and had been “running without a spare tire for awhile.”

Mayor Gunderson reported that papers have been filed with MRB Engineering Group for the Route 90 S. Water Main Extension.  He hopes that by the August board meeting we can be ready to award a contract for the work.  

Mayor Gunderson also reported on conversations with Mr. Dave Fitzgerald regarding extension of the water line to the Fitzgerald property at the north end of the village.  A one-inch line extension will be sufficient for now. 

Community Preservation Panel – No report.
Planning Board – June 10, 2009 minutes.
Zoning Board of Appeals – No report.
Zoning Officer – June 2009 report.
Village Historian – No report.

Old Business – Mayor Gunderson reported that he is still trying to get a price quote on a storage container for historical records.

New Business – Mayor Gunderson reported that we might have to conduct a search for a new code enforcement officer.  Life Safety may dissolve if Doug Staley’s children cannot come to an agreement on the business.  Mayor Gunderson sees this as an opportunity to set things right and would like the board to consult with Attorney Fusco on the selection of a new officer.

Mrs. Fenner complained about the appearance of her neighbor’s yard.  Mayor Gunderson replied that he needed to stay on topic and Mrs. Fenner left the board meeting.

Trustee Chase stated that a new code officer would most likely want to be on the village payroll.  Code enforcement officers no longer carry their own errors and omissions insurance, as the cost is prohibitive.  Mayor Gunderson concluded that he would contact the board about setting up a meeting as soon as he hears from Attorney Fusco.

Mayor Gunderson reported on the firehouse front parking lot repaving project.  The project is more than $20,000 so it would have to be bid.  Mayor Gunderson would like to bring the cost down and avoid putting the job out for bid.  One way to do that might be to purchase the materials through the NY State O.G.S. bid.  This might result in a $3,000 savings.  Mayor Gunderson added that we could demolish the entire, 11,400 sq. ft. parking lot, however, a portion of it still looks good.  The original portion from the old gas station is still in good shape.  The newer portion is thinner and perhaps was not compacted properly.  Mayor Gunderson proposed putting in a new base for part of the lot and overlaying the rest.  Mr. Wilmot is looking into working with the Town of Ledyard for the demolition and debris removal.  Mayor Gunderson believes the estimated $32,000 job could be reduced to around $19,000.
Mayor Gunderson reported that Ken Zabriskie had contacted him to let him know that the Fire Department wants to install a small storage locker down by the rescue boat.  Mayor Gunderson told Mr. Zabriskie that no special permission or permit is required.  

The board discussed the issue of front and side yard parking in the village and whether to strike the prohibition on front yard parking from the Village Zoning Law.   Mayor Gunderson directed the clerk to research front yard parking in the 1993 law for the August board meeting.  No action was taken.

Mayor Gunderson reported that the village’s contract for cablevision with Time Warner expires in April 2010.  He recently attended an informational meeting on this complex issue.

Mr. Fearon told the board that he has a lot of experience on this issue and that we should have an entitlement to high-speed Internet service for the firehouse.  Mr. Fearon added that if it is not in our current contract, we should demand it when we renegotiate.

Ms. Nance reported on her call to NYCOM regarding assistance with negotiating a new cablevision contract.  She received little information but was told that a NYCOM attorney would contact her at the Village Office on Monday, July 20.

Mayor Gunderson raised this issue of selling the firehouse building to the Fire District through a lease to purchase agreement.  He believes that maintaining this building is costing the village a tremendous amount of money, and that this money could be better spent on a new facility.  Discussion ensued, but no action was taken.

Trustee Farenthold reported that he would like to move the flower planter from the front lawn to the rear lawn and perhaps put a sign on it that identifies the Village Office.  He also reported that he has hired Laurie Nolan as cleaner for the firehouse.

Trustee Murphy noted that inclement weather made for low attendance at the Aurorafest parade.  This was fortunate, however, because the Aurora Inn parking lot was reserved for a wedding.  There was some discussion, and it was agreed that the Aurorafest committee’s planning was very last minute, and they need to make a greater effort to coordinate with the Aurora Inn.   

Trustee Farenthold asked if we are on schedule with our street bond.  Ms. Brooks replied affirmatively and added that another payment is due next month.

Mayor Gunderson reported that he has hired Billy Hosford to paint the trim on the Village Post Office for $1,075.  A bit of carpentry repair to the fascia will also be completed.  A motion to approve hiring Mr. Hosford was made by Trustee Farenthold; seconded by Trustee Murphy.  Motion carried 5:0.

Trustee Farenthold moved for adjournment at 8:36 PM; seconded by Trustee MacCormick.  Motion carried 5:0.

Respectfully submitted,

Dee Nance
Village Clerk