Village of Canton, New York

Transcription

1 Village of Canton, New York VILLAGE BOARD MEETING Meeting : Present: Mary Ann Ashley, Mayor Carol Pynchon, Trustee Daniel McDonnell, Trustee Gerald Ducharme, Village Attorney Nicole Parrish, Deputy Clerk Michael Dalton, Trustee Brooke Rouse, Trustee Brien Hallahan, Superintendent Sally Noble, Village Clerk 6:00 PM Executive session Trustee McDonnell made a motion to enter into executive session at 6:00 PM to discuss issues identified by Public Officers Law 105(l)(c)(d)(f). The motion was seconded by Trustee Dalton. All voted in favor. The motion carries. Trustee Dalton made a motion to come out of executive session at 6:55 PM. Trustee Rouse seconded the motion. All voted in favor. The motion carries. 7:00 PM Presentation by Jason Clark regarding solar power opportunities Jason was not able to attend the meeting; will reschedule at a later time. ORDER OF BUSINESS: The Mayor opened the regular meeting. Approve minutes of December 16, 2013 Trustee Pynchon made a motion to approve minutes of December 16, 2013; seconded by Trustee Dalton. All voted in favor. Motion carries. MAYOR S REPORT: The Mayor expressed how well things have been going since the election. There have been several meetings and communications, two department head meetings, met with non-union contract employees and golf course food service contractor. It has been really busy. Mayor Ashley is in need of a new computer. The Mayor is hoping that by the end of the month things will be more settled. Annual Report 2013 Mayor Ashley held a strategic planning session with the Board on December 30, Her presentation included a mission statement, a vision statement, a small sample of achievements, Mayor s goal, and strategic planning session multiyear goals. The Mayor shared the framework with the public; the annual report will be posted on the website within a week; this report may change at any time depending on the circumstances. The Mayor wants the record to state this may change. DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS: Historian, Linda Casserly, reported that she sold all fifty calendars and has ordered more.

2 Page 2 Trustee Dalton discussed the department heads using the drop box as a means of communication with the Board; nothing has been settled, more will be available within the next week. The Town has been very successful using the drop box and the Village Board is eager to get started. COMMITTEE REPORTS: Fire Committee Nothing to report; rollover from last month. Cell Tower Update Trustee Dalton discussed whether the contract is an annual increase or every five years. Attorney Ducharme noted that the draft says it is every five years. The adjustment over five years is much higher. There will be further discussion about meeting with an AT&T representative at the Special Village Meeting on January 28, Golf Committee Trustee McDonnell discussed the committee meeting from last Thursday - Skip s current office space, budget development, and work schedule. Currently his office space is temporary. In alignment with the Mayor s goals, the committee wants to provide Skip with a good workable space. Superintendent Brien Hallahan is to get quotes on replacing the trailer. Skip is working closely with Supt. Hallahan to put together a budget for the golf course for next year. There were some personnel issues that will be further discussed in executive session. There is also some critical work that needs to be done at Mulligan s - one wall has extensive water damage, bathrooms need updating, and a couple of doors need replacing. Skip submitted some personal goals that the committee will go over at their next meeting on February 5, Supt. Hallahan is also looking into air conditioning at the golf course. Waterfront Advisory Committee Trustee McDonnell discussed the official letter announcing the CFA grant award was received by the Town, and to move forward on the Blueway and comprehensive trail master plan. Mr. Button suggested that a committee be formed consisting of members from each municipality along with the Grasse River; Trustee McDonnell and Mr. Button will serve on this committee. The Town of Canton is the administrator of the grant money. The completion of the canoe dock project of Pyrites is a priority in the grant and specifically to this project; the waterfront advisory committee will be the lead on that part of the grant. The Pedestrian Bridge study at Bend in the River Park is ongoing. A feasibility study for the St. Lawrence White Water Park is ongoing and we hope to get an update soon. There is a lot of buzz on the Whitewater Park. It was mentioned in a National magazine. Another public meeting for the waterfront advisory committee will be scheduled soon. COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION: Request from Richard Grover for a Zoning Change Mayor Ashley received a request from Richard Grover for a zoning change on 6 Railroad Avenue from R1 to R2. Attorney

3 Page 3 Ducharme explained that the Planning Board will be receiving this request from Russell Lawrence. A public hearing would be held as well as a notice to adjoining property owners. Attorney Ducharme will look into the request and talk directly to Mr. Grover. Congressman Owen packet regarding CSX Railroad Mayor Ashley received a packet from Congressman Owen s regarding CSX and tank cars transporting hazardous materials. He was contacted through Senator Ritchie s office when she coordinated the meeting. This packet was his response. The Mayor will share the correspondence with the Department Heads, Fire Chief, Superintendent Hallahan, and Police Chief McDougal next week. Complaint Form from Planned Parenthood Mayor Ashley discussed a complaint from Planned Parenthood regarding water running-off the Municipal parking lot and onto their land which caused extensive internal water damage. The Mayor asked Superintendent Hallahan to follow-up with them, as the Village Board has been notified of the complaint, and then communicate back to the Board. Partridge Run Marketing Plan Kevin Maginn The Board received Kevin Maginn s goals as per his contract. This will be passed along to the golf committee. PUBLIC COMMENT: Sue Mende inquired about a goal that was mentioned in the annual report regarding a Village Manager position. Mayor Ashley responded that the idea will be discussed further at another time. Trustee McDonnell explained that the position is more of a model that is followed by other municipalities. Sue asked if it would be in addition to a Superintendent or a replacement. Trustee McDonnell answered that this model is different everywhere. Sometimes there is a Superintendent and an administrator while sometimes there is simply an administrator. There are ways the roles can be complimentary and ways that they are not. It is something the Board will be discussing further and exploring our options. Brad Mintener wanted to congratulate the Police Chief and the Board for working on a hazardous plan in the event of a disaster. OLD BUSINESS: YESELEVEN discussion Mayor Ashley recapped the YESELEVEN presentation from the last meeting. A drafted resolution was distributed to the Board members to review. Trustee Pynchon asked if us pushing now for a planning process is a good thing, or should we wait. Klaus Promme answered, it would be smart to be ahead of the game, have a committee in place, and have a list of businesses and farms that would be affected before some of DOT s contractors come in and start making maps. Trustee McDonnell voiced that he is very much in favor of being proactive in signing this resolution. He also expressed his fear of a bypass around Canton s downtown that could potentially hurt us. Trustee McDonnell would like the resolution to be more specific about the criteria.

4 Page 4 Richard Grover explained the importance of getting a process in motion. The genesis for this idea in fact came from DOT; the 2008 Northern Tier Expressway Study emphasized the need to do local planning ahead of highway improvements. If you wait until the engineer plans are already drawn then your reaction time frame might be too late. It is better to do it in advance. The thought process is when you have no money, you plan. Then when the money becomes available, you re ready to put it to work. It s important to get the communities involved and organized to figure out how this kind of thing will proceed. Richard displayed and discussed a map of the area they are talking about. The region involved would be Canton, Potsdam, Hermon, DeKalb Junction, Stockholm, Morley, Pierrepont, Colton and other surrounding communities. Ultimately, the process is important in how we are going to get things done. Richard voiced the importance of not going into the process with a criteria that is too strict; it ll be more powerful and more implementable if this emerges out of a community process. Trustee Dalton discussed when the governor gave his speech about I-98, his concern about where we were at is answered now. The group will be meeting with the Potsdam s Mayor to gain support moving ahead with the resolution. Trustee Dalton supports the resolution. Trustee McDonnell agrees and is ready to sign the resolution as is. Trustee Rouse believes being proactive is key. Trustee Pynchon appreciates what Richard said about getting the community s input. She also feels being proactive is the way to go. Mayor Ashley expressed what is disheartening is not having any input. Do we know if the Mayor of Potsdam is putting forth a resolution? Canton would be the first. The Mayor asked the Board if it makes sense to have a joint resolution between both Boards. There was continued discussion about passing the resolution to start to set an example and then draft a separate joint resolution. Trustee Dalton made a motion to pass the resolution; seconded by Trustee Rouse. All voted in favor. Motion carries. The Mayor requested a copy to be sent to St. Lawrence County Planning Board, John Casserly of YESELEVEN group, Senator Ritchie, Assemblywoman Addie Russell, DeDe Scozzafava, Town of Canton, Town of Potsdam, Village of Potsdam, Tony Collins (REDC) and John Greenwood. NEW BUSINESS: Authorize payment of vouchers & transfer of funds Trustee Dalton made a motion to authorize payment of vouchers & transfers of funds. Trustee McDonnell seconded the motion. All voted in favor. Motion carries. Discussion of student internships/community-based learning Mayor Ashley voiced that we have been approached by St. Lawrence University on two occasions requesting a student to do work-based learning through the Village to a tune of 3 hours/week. The other request is a student intern of some sort. Trustee Pynchon further discussed the specifics of both requests. Attorney Ducharme had explained to Trustee Pynchon that we would

5 Page 5 have to fall within the fare wage laws and not have unpaid interns that we should in fact be paying. Trustee Pynchon believes that we should look into the information Attorney Ducharme has given us. The two situations do constitute learning based for the sake of learning of the educational value and not labor. Trustee Pynchon went into further discussion about the specifics of her conversation with the professors and what the students are looking to learn and gain in the experience. She feels this is a terrific thing that people are looking to the Village for this opportunity. It fits in well with the things we say we want to be doing for our community. Attorney Ducharme explained that you need to decipher if the activity is primarily education based; will it be a primary benefit to the student and of no immediate benefit to the municipality. The Village is subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act. The Department of Labor both federal and State have guidelines established for what properly constitutes internships which do not require pay. As long as you follow these guidelines, you ll be fine. There was further discussion regarding the internships and specific documents that would be required for the student to sign. Trustee McDonnell voiced that he thinks it s a good idea as long as it doesn t add workload to our employees. Mayor Ashley asked Trustee Pynchon to follow up with this. Golf Course Food Service Contract Agreement Table for now. Canton Chamber of Commerce Winterfest 2/6-2/15/14, Celebration Dinner SLU Eben Holden at 6:00 PM. Mayor stated that the Canton Chamber of Commerce Winterfest will be February 6 th through February 15 th. A celebration dinner is being held February 6 th at 6PM; please let the Mayor know what Board members will be attending. RSVP s need to be submitted by Friday, January 31 st. Canton/Potsdam Merger Feasibility Study Mayor Ashley extended her thanks to John Taillon, the Village s Recreation Director, for serving on this committee. They had a discussion about the impact this would have on the Village and the residents; John will be bringing those concerns to the committee. There is a meeting tomorrow night at the Canton High School in the Auditorium at 7PM, which the Mayor will be attending. Start Up New York Presentation March meeting The Mayor met with the SUNY President and Chief of Staff as part of her meet and greet tour. Part of the discussion was the Start Up New York new program. She asked Lenore Vanderzee, Chief of Staff, to come to our March meeting to do a brief presentation on this topic. Appointment of Jack Meyers to the Canton Housing Authority Board to fill the unexpired term of Grady Harrington Grady Harrington has resigned from the Canton Housing Authority Board; the recommendation is to have Jack Meyers replace him. Trustee Pynchon made a motion to appoint Jack Meyers to the Canton Housing Authority Board to fill the unexpired term of Grady Harrington; seconded by Trustee Dalton. All voted in favor. Motion carries. Hold Harmless Resolution with St. Lawrence County Dept. of Highways This is an annual routine document that we have to provide to St. Lawrence County. He recapped the

6 Page 6 resolution for the Board. Trustee Dalton made a motion to pass the Hold Harmless Resolution with St. Lawrence County Dept. of Highways; seconded by Trustee McDonnell. All voted in favor. Motion carries. Grant provided by Clerk Noble Clerk Noble described the Village s storage problem with our records. She would like to apply for a NYS Archives Grant; it s an individual grant in which you can apply up to $75,000. It would be an inactive storage record grant which would also do an inventory of the records. A representative is coming up to meet with Clerk Noble on February 6 th to look at the records and go over figures. This is straight grant money; reimbursed by the state. Trustee Dalton made a motion to approve Clerk Noble to apply for the NYS Archives Grant; seconded by Trustee Rouse. All voted in favor. Motion carries. Fire Contracts Trustee Dalton discussed the annual agreement that we make between the Town, Fire Department, and the Village; the funding of the Fire Department and contract areas that the rescue squad covers. The only changes on this contract from year to year are the amount of funds which is negotiated between the Town and the Fire Department. The rescue squad is a $1 contract and that s to ensure it s a binding contract. The Town of Canton funds the Fire Department in the amount of $106, that provides services throughout the Town. Trustee Rouse made a motion to approve the Fire Contracts; seconded by Trustee Pynchon. All voted in favor. Motion carries. Note: The Village of Canton funds the Fire Department $174, PUBLIC COMMENT: Trustee Rouse had a comment following up on the Start Up New York Program, would it be appropriate to promote that as a public meeting held downstairs with Lenore. The Board decided that we should let the community know. Trustee Rouse will follow up with Lenore to let her know. Brad Mintener inquired where interested citizens or business people could send ideas or suggestions for the process on the highway study. It was decided that the Planning Board would be the first to contact. Trustee McDonnell made a motion to enter into executive session at 8:23 PM. Trustee Pynchon seconded the motion. All voted in favor. The motion carries. Trustee Rouse made a motion to come out of executive session at 9:20 PM. Trustee McDonnell seconded the motion. All voted in favor. The motion carries. Trustee Pynchon made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:21 PM. Trustee Dalton seconded the motion. All voted in favor. The motion carries. Respectfully submitted, Nicole Parrish Deputy Clerk