VILLAGE OF AURORA BOARD OF TRUSTEES

MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING

MAY 24, 2000

 

 

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 7:34 PM on May 24, 2000 with Mayor Gunderson presiding.

 

Present:  Trustees Jim Chase, Janet Mapstone, Jeri Vargo and Ken Zabriskie.

Also Present: David Brooks, Debbie Brooks, Melinda Kostreva, Treasurer; and Nancy Yann, Clerk.

 

Trustee Vargo moved to accept the Minutes on the Public Hearing for the Proposed 2000-01 Budget held on April 12, 2000.   Seconded by Trustee Mapstone, motion carried 4:0.  (Trustee Zabriskie was not in the room at this time.)

 

Trustee Mapstone moved to accept the Minutes of the Organizational Meeting held on April 12, 2000.  Seconded by Trustee Vargo, motion carried 4:0. (Trustee Zabriskie was not in the room at this time.)

 

Trustee Chase moved to accept the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Village Board of Trustees on April 12, 2000.   Seconded by Trustee Vargo, motion carried 4:0. (Trustee Zabriskie was not in the room at this time.)

 

CHANGES TO THE AGENDA:

 

MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS:

 

The Mayor brought the Board up-to-date on the proposed kiosk.  Ed Maassen is drawing up the plans for a four (4) sided unit to be placed in front of the Post Office.  The kiosk will be used to post information from the County for the Scenic Byway, community postings, village postings, and historical happenings.  The County Planning Board will provide up to $500 towards this project.

 

The Mayor announced that Chuck Clark, Aurora Postmaster, has agreed to look into and received a new postal drop box to place on the north east side of the Post Office by the curb on Route 90.

 

The Mayor announced that he had received from Central New York Regional Planning, the response fate for Cayuga County regarding the 2000 census:  In 1990 the rate of return was 79% while the rate for 2000 was 60%.  The target rate was to receive a minimum of 84%.  Mayor Gunderson did not know why the rate was so low, but attributed part of it as being that the long form was too invasive for many people.


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The Mayor reported that the New York State Thruway regarding a “Drive New York’s Main Street Program” scheduled for Friday, June 16th through 18th.  This will showcase local merchants ware.

 

The Mayor reported that the Sterling Nature Center is having a 1st Annual Legislators Day June 16th with a 1 o’clock picnic lunch.  The invitation was issued to the Village Board for anyone interested in attending.

 

CLERK’S ANNOUNCEMENTS:

 

The Clerk reported that the theme for this years Aurorafest would be “Time Well Spent”.  She will give up-dated reports next month.

 

The Clerk reminded the Board that the Aurora Arts & Merchants Association would be holding a community recognition picnic on Sunday, June 11.  She asked Debbie Brooks if she would like to discuss the festivities.  Debbie gave a brief report.

 

The Mayor reported that there is an issue of safety regarding increased traffic congestion usually during the lunch hour in the main section of the village.  The Mayor contributed much of the problem being the delivery trucks parking on Route 90.  The streets are too narrow, and when cars pull out to pass them, someone is going to cause an accident.  It is becoming more difficult to maneuver around the truck.  It was suggested that Debbie bring this up at the next Merchants meeting, to see if the business owners would talk to their drivers.  Debbie agreed to do this.  It was also suggested that “Delivery Area” or “Loading Zone” signs be put up.  The Mayor asked the Board to think about possible solutions.

 

VISITOR RECOGNITION:

 

The Mayor welcomed Dave and Debbie.

 

TREASURER'S REPORTS:

 

Trustee Mapstone moved to accept the Treasurer’s Report for the Month of April.  Seconded by Trustee Vargo, motion carried 5:0.

 

The Treasurer stated that she wanted a meeting between the Mayor, herself, the Clerk and Kurt Wilmot to discuss basic policies and procedures.  The Mayor said that they would all meet at 11AM on Friday the 23rd.

 

A.                 Monthly Reports:

 

Trustee Mapstone moved to accept the Monthly Report for the General Fund dated April 30, 2000. Seconded by Trustee Vargo, motion carried 5:0.

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Trustee Mapstone moved to accept the Monthly Report for the Water Fund dated April 30, 2000.  Seconded by Trustee Vargo, motion carried 5:0.

 

Trustee Mapstone to accept the Monthly Report for the Sewer Fund dated April 30, 2000.  Seconded by Trustee Vargo, motion carried 5:0.

 

B.        Budget Modifications:

 

            Trustee Mapstone moved to accept the following Budget Modifications:

 

General Fund:

 

$2,900.00 from A1990.4 Contingent to A1410.1 Clerk – Personal Services

$500.00 from A1410.41 Clerk/Treas ComputerCopier to A1410.12 Treasurer – Pers Services

$50.00 from A1410.4 Clerk/Treas Contractual to A1410.42 Clerk/Treasurer  – Telephone

$14,050.00 from A599 Appropriated Fund Balance to A1620.2 Building –Equip Cap Outlay

$445.00 from A1620.4 Buildings – Contractual to A1620.45 Buildings – Fuel Oil

$104.00 from A1990.4 Contingent to A1989.4 Unclassified Expenses

$950.00 from A5112.2 Perm Improvements (CHIPS) to A5110.1 Street Maint – Pers Services

$500.00 from A5112.2 Perm Improvements (CHIPS) to A5110.4 Street Maint - Contractual

$450.00 from A5112.2 Perm Improvements (CHIPS) to A5110.2 Street Maint - Equipment

$395.00 from A1990.4 Contingent to A6410.4 Public Relations

$54.00 from A7180.2 Recreational Facilities – Equip to A7180.4 Recreational Facilities – Contr

$545.00 from A1990.4 Contingent to A7550.4 Celebrations – Contractual

 

Water Fund:

 

$2,200.00 from F1990.4 Contingent to F8340.1 Transmission & Distribution – Personal Serv

$135.00 from F1990.4 Contingent to F8340.2 Transmission & Distribution - Equipment

$555.00 from F1990.4 Contingent to F8340.4 Transmission & Distribution - Contractual

$400.00 from F8310.4 Water Admin – Contractual to F8340.4 T & D - Contractual

$150.00 from F9010.8 State Retirement to F9030.8 Social Security

 

Sewer Fund:

 

$15,042.65 from G511 Appropriate Reserves to G8130.2R Sewage Treat – Cap Improv

 

Seconded by Trustee Chase, motion carried 5:0.

 

C.        Approval of Bills:

 

Trustee Mapstone moved to approve the bills from the General Fund, Claims #348 to 391 in the amount of $6,457.22.  Seconded by Trustee Chase, motion carried 5:0.


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The Board unanimously agreed to pull the bill for the service contract with Agway for the Post Office Building.  The Board will decide whom they want to hire to serve the needs of the Village.

 

Trustee Zabriskie moved to approve the bills from the Water Fund, Claims #348 to 391 in the amount of $2,802.25.  Seconded by Trustee Mapstone, motion carried 5:0.

 

Trustee Zabriskie moved to approve the bills from the Sewer Fund, Claims #348 to 391 in the amount of $6,853.17.  Seconded by Trustee Chase, motion carried 5:0.

 

Before going into Committee Reports, Mayor Gunderson asked Ed Heslop to give an up-date on the Time Warner Cable Franchise Contract.  Mr. Heslop reported that working on this particular contract took an extraordinary amount of time.  The original agreement ran out two years ago and has been extended every six months.  Mr. Heslop talked about the major changes:  1.) The access fee will remain at 3%.  This could have risen to 6%.  This will help keep the cost down for village users of the cable network.  2.) The agreement has changed from a base cable fee to a gross cable fee.  The village will have the right to audit records whenever there may be a need.  3.) The Villages of Cayuga, Union Springs and Aurora will be able to use the Public Access channel.  This will require a committee to set up events and run the cameras.  Several people were suggested, including:  George Peter, Joe DeForest, Eric Dimiceli, Janet Heslop, someone from Wells College Physical Education or Arts Department.  Time Warner has purchased equipment in the amount of $20,000 for this purpose, being housed at the Frontenac Museum.  Training will be needed, the site has not been decided as of this date.  In order to be granted the Public Access site, there will be a six-month period in which the three villages will have to prove they have a need for this channel.  Such things as commencements from local schools and Wells College, sports games, and the Morgan Opera House activities are just a few areas that could be broadcast.  A combined total from the three villages must total 15 hours per month to make this possible.  The Board thanked Mr. Heslop for all the time and energy he put into this undertaking.

 

COMMITTEE AND BOARD REPORTS:

 

A.                 Buildings and Grounds:

 

Trustee Vargo gave an update on the SARA/PEGI computer classes she and the clerk were taking.  The classes have been very informative.


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B.        Recreation, Parks and Public Events:

           

Trustee Mapstone reported that the Recreation Program would begin on Monday, June 26 and end on Friday, August 11.  Hours will be 9AM to Noon, Monday through Friday.  The Program is shorter this year because of Wells College’s sports camp.

 

Trustee Mapstone reported that the Swimming Program would begin on Saturday, June 24 and end on Saturday, August 26.  Hours will be Noon to 5 PM Monday through Friday and 11AM to 5PM Saturdays and Sundays.

           

Trustee Mapstone reported that she would like to hire the following:

 

            Recreation Program                                       Swimming Program

 

            Sara Miller       Recreation Leader                  Matt Van Orman          Head Lifeguard

            Nora Mattingly Recreation Assistant              Chris Chase                Lifeguard

            Erin Wilkinson Recreation Assistant              Becky Dugan              Lifeguard

            Jeremy Yann   Recreation Assistant              Desaree Redmond     Substitute Guard

            Andy Zimdahl  Recreation Assistant

            Jenna Conklin Substitute

 

The Board agreed to hire the above mentioned.

 

Trustee Mapstone asked the Clerk to obtain a Certificate of Insurance for the dock and AA field, and to make sure that the Ball Field is taken off.

 

B.                Streets and Public Safety:

 

Trustee Chase reported that Kurt is looking into getting estimates for proposed sidewalk plans.

 

Trustee Chase reported that the Village would put crushed stone in front of Jane Morgan’s Little House.

 

Ms. Brooks asked Trustee Chase he would have Kurt look at a hole in the road on Court Street across from Burnham Lane.  Trustee Chase agreed to do this.

 

D.        Water and Sewer:

 

            Trustee Zabriskie had nothing to report.


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E.        Preservation Panel:

 

There was nothing to report.

 

F.         Planning Board:

 

            There was nothing to report.

 

G.                Zoning Board of Appeals:

 

There was nothing to report.

 

H.        Zoning Officer:

 

            No report was received.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

 

The Mayor asked the Board to approve the Aurorafest Contract.  Trustee Mapstone moved acceptance of the contract.  Seconded by Trustee Vargo, motion carried 5:0.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

The Clerk submitted the list of delinquent water/sewer accounts to be relevied to Village Taxes.  Trustee Vargo moved to accept and approve the list in the amount of water - $1, 196.02 and sewer - $1,060.78 for a total of $2,256.80.  Seconded by Trustee Mapstone, motion carried 5:0. 

 

Trustee Mapstone moved the following resolution:

 

RESOULTUION 2000-7

TO APPOINT CHRISTINE NABINGER AT PART-TIME ACCOUNTS CLERK

 

WHEREAS, the Village of Aurora has hired a new Treasurer, who may need help completing the end of year reports,

 

AND WHEREAS, Christine Nabinger has the Village Treasurer for the past two years,

 

THEREFORE, The Village Board of Trustees wishes to hire Christine Nabinger as a part-time accounts clerk through July 31, 2000 to help when needed completing the year-ending reports.

 

Seconded by Trustee Vargo, motion carried 5:0.

 

Village of Aurora Board of Trustee’s Meeting              May 24, 2000                                  Page 7 of 7

 

 

Trustee Mapstone moved the following resolution:

 

RESOLUTION 2000-8

TO APPOINT PHIL HURST AS SEASONAL LABORER

 

Be it known, that the Village Board of Trustees of the Village of Aurora does hereby appoint Phil Hurst as a seasonal laborer.

 

Seconded by Trustee Chase, motion carried 5:0.

 

Trustee Mapstone moved the following resolution:

 

RESOLUTION 2000-9

PART-TIME EMPLOYEES DESIGNATION FOR RETIREMENT BENEFITS

 

BE IT KNOWN,  that the Village Board of Trustees of the Village of Aurora hereby authorize part-time employees eligible to qualify for “New York State Retirement” have days worked based on a 6-hour day.

 

Seconded by Trustee Vargo, motion carried 5:0.

 

Trustee Mapstone moved to move into Executive Session to discuss the hiring of a Village Maintenance Person.  Seconded by Trustee Vargo, motion carried 5:0.

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

The Board discussed the qualifications and needs of the Village to hire a Village Maintenance Person.  Upon motion of Trustee Vargo and seconded by Trustee Mapstone, the Executive Session was adjourned.

 

Upon resuming its regular session, the Board discussed the candidates being considered for the position of village maintenance person at $9.50 per hour to start with an additional 5% after the three-month probationary period.  Trustee Zabriskie moved to offer the position to Adam VanHorn.  Seconded by Trustee Chase, motion carried 5:0.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

 

Trustee Zabriskie moved adjournment at 9:40.  Second by Trustee Chase, motion carried 5:0.

 

                                                                                    Respectfully submitted,

 

                                                                                    Nancy M. Yann

                                                                                    Clerk