Minutes of a Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Johnson City, New York, held at 7:30PM in the Municipal Building on January 2, 2007

 

PRESENT:    Harry G. Lewis                                     Mayor

 

                     Donald Adams

                     Richard Balles

                     Ron Jones

                     Bruce King                                                       Trustees

 

                     Beth Westfall                                        Village Attorney

 

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

 

The meeting was opened with the pledge of allegiance led by Mayor Lewis.

 

FIRE EXITS

 

Directions to the fire exists were noted by the Mayor.

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Mayor Lewis thanked everyone for attending the Organizational Meeting and wished everyone a Happy New Year.

 

BOARD MINUTES

 

Motion by Trustee Balles - seconded by Trustee Jones to accept and place on file the Village Board Minutes for the Work Session and Regular Meeting of December 19, 2006.

 

Motion Carried                                                                                   Ayes  5  Nayes  0 

 

BID OPENING                                                                     None   

 

PUBLIC HEARING                                                              None               

 

PETITIONS RECEIVED                                                       None

 

PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR                      

 

Leo Meaney – 35 Greenridge Street – Asked about the possibility of having a second meeting for

the Village Board during the months in which only one is scheduled.

 

Mayor Lewis stated that a second meeting is being discussed and that the Village Board can call

for Special Meetings at anytime should the need arise.

 

 

Leo Meaney – 35 Greenridge Street – Asked about code problems and the need to provide

quicker resolutions to problem properties.

 

Ann Davis – 63 St. Charles Street – Feels that the old Felters Building should be addressed as it is

in terrible condition.  Stated that a building on Hudson has code issues and should be addressed as

well.

 

Kelly O’Conner – 6 Deborah Drive – Asked Attorney Westfall for the exact number of signatures

needed for the dissolution petition.

 

Attorney Westfall stated that the Broome County Board of Elections should be able to provide

that information.  Attorney Westfall stated that she would contact Ms. O’Conner with additional

information.

 

Marty Meaney – 41 Weymouth Lane – Stated that the hospital recently tore down approximately

five houses and he asked if these would be tax-exempt. 

 

Attorney Westfall stated that these properties would be taxable.

 

Marty Meaney – 41 Weymouth Lane – Asked if the Village could place a special tax or surcharge

on parking spaces.

 

Attorney Westfall stated that this would not be possible.

 

Ann Davis – 63 St. Charles Street – Asked about the old Johnson home on Main Street and the

old High School on Main Street.

 

Mayor Lewis stated that the plans for the old Johnson home on Main Street call for it to be

renovated for a bank.  The Mayor also stated that the old High School has recently been sold but

that it will remain on the tax rolls.

 

William Klish – 260 Zoa Avenue – Asked about the dissolution process.

 

Attorney Westfall detailed the dissolution process should a petition be accepted by the Village

Board.

 

COMMUNICATIONS                                                         

 

Motion by Trustee Adams - seconded by Trustee King that the following communications be accepted and placed on file:

 

Town of Union – Reg. Mtg: December 20, 2006

Village of Endicott – Reg. Mtg: November 13 and 27, 2006

 

Board members polled

Motion carried                                                                           Ayes 5  Nayes 0

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS                                                      None   

 

DEPARTMENTS REPORTS                                                            None

 

PAYROLL AND BILLS PRESENTED

 

Motion by Trustee Balles - seconded by Trustee Jones that Abstract #11 for the Fiscal Year 2006-07, having been audited by the board and approved, be ordered paid as follows:

 

GENERAL

$490,807.46

WATER

$54,058.42

SEWER

$23,561.23

REFUSE

$63,652.70

LIBRARY

$10,900.04

JSTP – PHASE III

$768,322.18

 

TRUSTEE DISCUSSION:

 

Trustee Balles stated that he received answers to his questions in the Work Session related to the

abstract.

 

Board members polled                                                                       

Motion carried                                                                                    Ayes 5  Nayes 0 

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS                           

 

Mayor Lewis and Trustee Balles each provided details on the progress of the Goodwill Theatre,

Inc.  Representatives of the Goodwill Theatre, Inc. will be at the next meeting to provide details

of their project.

 

NEW BUSINESS

RESOLUTION #1

 

Motion by Trustee King – seconded by Trustee Adams to accept the following appointments from Mayor Lewis:

 

ONE YEAR APPOINTMENTS                                   JANUARY 1, 2007 TO DECEMBER 31, 2007

VILLAGE ATTORNEY                                                           Beth Westfall (Coughlin & Gerhart)

ACTING JUSTICE                                                                   Thomas Dellapenna, Jr.

BINGO INSPECTOR                                                               Gail Lucas

DEPUTY BINGO INSPECTOR                                                           Kris Ferranti

FIRE/POLICE CHAPLAIN                                                      Father Dennis Ruda

BUILDING INSPECTOR & CODE ENF. OFFICER                Daria Golazeski

DEPUTY BUILDING INSPECTOR                                         Robert Dempsey

DEPUTY CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER                         Daria Golazeski

DEPUTY CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER                         James Wallace

DEPUTY CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER                         William Kenville

CHIEF COURT CLERK                                                          Rachelle Gallagher       

COURT CLERK                                                                      Leah Delameter

POLICE MATRON                                                                  Diane Deyo

OSHA ADMINISTRATOR                                                      Henry Michalovic

HISTORIAN                                                                            Janet Ottman

PLUMBING INSPECTOR                                                       Michael Arcangeli

DEPUTY PLUMBING INSPECTOR                                       Andrew Gavula

ADA COORDINATOR                                                                       Judith Snedaker

 JOINT SEWAGE BOARD ATTORNEY                                 Ken Helisek

 RECREATION DIRECTOR                                                    Chris Hinkey

 

 TWO YEAR APPOINTMENT                                    JANUARY 1, 2007 TO DECEMBER 31, 2008

EDZ (Business Representative)                         Michelle Moelder

EDZ (Community Representative)                      Robert Hall

Heritage Area Commission                                Judith Snedaker

 

THREE YEAR APPOINTMENT                     JANUARY 1, 2007 TO DECEMBER 31, 2009

Joint Sewage Treatment Board                          Thomas R. Augostini

Sus. Heritage Advisory Board                            Michael Tugwell

                                                                       

FIVE YEAR APPOINTMENT                         JANUARY 1, 2007 TO DECEMBER 31, 2011

Electrical Board                                                            Robert Smolinsky         

Library Board                                                   Carol Ward

Planning Board                                                  Gerald Putman

Recreation Board                                              Michael Howland

Zoning Board                                                    Ed Mazanek

Plumbing Board                                     John Martin

 

Board members polled                                                                       

Motion carried                                                            Ayes 5  Nayes 0 

 

RESOLUTION #2

 

Motion by Trustee Balles - seconded by Trustee Jones to authorize the Village Attorney to represent the Village in bargaining unit negotiations and prosecution of parking tickets and code violations from January 1, 2007 through December 31, 2007.

 

Board members polled                                                                       

Motion carried                                                                                    Ayes 5  Nayes 0

 

RESOLUTION #3

 

Motion by Trustee King - seconded by Trustee Jones that Roberts Rules of Order, including previous amendments (which includes the “holdover” provision, which must be used prior to the vote, and which will hold over the subject matter until the next scheduled meeting) and future amendments by the Village Board, be used as the governing material for the Village Board meetings for the year 2007.

 

Board members polled

Motion carried                                                                                    Ayes 5  Nayes 0 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RESOLUTION #4

 

Motion by Trustee Balles - seconded by Trustee Jones to authorize the Village Treasurer to pay Village taxes, payroll, debt service, telephone, electric, gas, obligations to other governments and postage bills for Water, Sewer, Refuse and Tax bill bulk mailings, prior to authorization by the Board at their regular meetings.

 

Board members polled                                                                       

Motion carried                                                                                    Ayes 5  Nayes 0 

 

RESOLUTION #5

 

Motion by Trustee Jones - seconded by Trustee King that HSBC, JPMorgan Chase Bank,

M&T Bank, NBT Bank, Partners Trust, Charter One and First Niagara are the Bank Depositories for the year 2007.

 

Board members polled

Motion carried                                                                                    Ayes 5  Nayes 0 

 

RESOLUTION #6

 

Motion by Trustee Jones - seconded by Trustee Balles that the Press & Sun-Bulletin be designated as the official newspaper for the Village of Johnson City for the year 2007.

 

Board members polled

Motion carried                                                                                    Ayes 5  Nayes 0  

 

RESOLUTION #7

 

Motion by Trustee Adams - seconded by Trustee King that the Village Board of Trustees will meet on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 7:30PM in the Municipal Building with the four exceptions as noted* in the following schedule;

 

Jan       Feb       Mar      Apr      May     Jun       Jul        Aug      Sep       Oct       Nov      Dec

   2          6          6          3          1         -         -            -            4          2          -           4

 16        20        20        17        *29       *19       *17       *14       18        16        *20      18

 

and that Work Sessions commence at 5:30PM on the night of each meeting.

 

MISCELLANEOUS BOARD MEETING SCHEDULES;

 

BOARD                                               TIME               DAYS                          LOCATION      

 

ELECTRICAL BOARD                       7:00PM             2nd Tuesday                  Village Hall

                                                                                    (No Meeting in July and August)

           

PLANNING BOARD                           7:00PM             (Work session)

                                                            7:30PM             4th Tuesday                   Village Hall

(Except December - 3rd Wednesday)

            

ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS        7:00PM             (Work session)

                                                            7:30PM             2nd Monday                   Village Hall

                                                                                   

RECREATION COMMISSION                        As announced

 

PLUMBING BOARD                          7:00PM             2nd Wednesday              Water Dept.

                                                                                                                        44 Camden St.

                                                                                    (No Meeting in July or August)

 

Motion carried                                                                           Ayes 5  Nayes 0 

 

RESOLUTION #8

 

Motion by Trustee Balles - seconded by Trustee Adams to authorize the Mayor to approve travel requests, with the exception of his own travel, without Board of Trustee approval.

 

Board members polled                                                              

Motion carried                                                                           Ayes 5  Nayes 0   

 

RESOLUTION #9

 

Motion by Trustee Balles – seconded by Trustee Adams to authorize the Mayor to attend the NYS Conference of Mayors Annual Winter Legislative Conference in Albany, NY from

February 25 through February 27, 2007 with all reasonable and customary expenses to be paid by the Village.

 

Board members polled

Motion carried                                                   Ayes 4  Nayes 0  Abstain 1 (Lewis)

 

RESOLUTION #10

 

Motion by Trustee Balles – seconded by Trustee Jones to authorize the Public Employer Risk Management Association (PERMA) to provide workers’ compensation coverage for the Village of Johnson City for 2007.

 

Board members polled

Motion carried                                                                           Ayes 5  Nayes 0 

 

RESOLUTION #11

 

Motion by Trustee Adams – seconded by Trustee King to authorize the Mayor the sign the Westover Fire Protection Agreement with the Town of Union for $240,000.00 for 2007.

 

Board members polled

Motion carried                                                                           Ayes 5  Nayes 0 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RESOLUTION #12

 

Motion by Trustee King – seconded by Trustee Balles to appoint Leonard Sas, Jr. to the Planning Board to fill the unexpired term of Michael Hovancik through December 31, 2010.

 

Board members polled

Motion carried                                                                           Ayes 5  Nayes 0

 

RESOLUTION #13

 

Motion by Trustee Jones – seconded by Trustee Adams to appoint Robert Deemie to the Zoning Board through December 31, 2010.

 

Board members polled

Motion carried                                                                           Ayes 5  Nayes 0

 

RESOLUTION #14

 

Motion by Trustee Adams – seconded by Trustee King to appoint Dan Feduke to the Plumbing Board to fill the unexpired term of George “Fred” Adams through December 31, 2010.

 

Board members polled

Motion carried                                                                           Ayes 5  Nayes 0

 

RESOLUTION #15

 

Motion by Trustee Balles – seconded by Trustee Jones to appoint Al Kukol to the Empire Development Zone (EDZ Resident) to fill the unexpired term of Margaret Mackey through December 31, 2007.

 

Board members polled

Motion carried                                                                           Ayes 5  Nayes 0

 

 

RESOLUTION #16

 

Motion by Trustee Jones – seconded by Trustee King to appoint Kate Marie Kocan to the position of part-time Clerk in the Planning Department, effective January 11, 2007 through August 31, 2007 at the hourly rate of $7.15 per hour.

 

Board members polled

Motion carried                                                                           Ayes 5  Nayes 0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RESOLUTION #17

 

Motion by Trustee King – seconded by Trustee Adams to set a Public Hearing for January 16, 2007 to consider issuing a Quick Claim Deed to the Johnson City Central School District for an area of property at 235 Harry L. Drive (Harry L. Johnson School).

 

Board members polled

Motion carried                                                                           Ayes 5  Nayes 0

 

RESOLUTION #18

 

Motion by Trustee Adams – seconded by Trustee Balles to continue to declare the following:

 

         A State of Emergency is hereby continued in the Village of Johnson City for a period of

time beginning at 9:00AM on June 28, 2006 and continuing in effect until the next Regularly

Scheduled Board Meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Johnson City, January 16th,

2007. 

         The State of Emergency has been declared due to emergency conditions produced by

massive flooding in which the Susquehanna River crested at almost 33’, which is the highest level

ever recorded.

         These conditions threaten or imperil the public safety of the Citizens of the Village of

Johnson City, Broome County, New York.

         As Chief Executive Officer of the Village of Johnson City, Mayor Harry G. Lewis has

exercised the authority given to him under New York State Executive Law, Article 2-B, to

preserve the Public Safety and hereby render all required and available assistance in order to

secure the well-being and health of the Citizens of the Community.

         The Mayor hereby directs all Departments of the Village to take whatever steps necessary

to protect life and property, public infrastructure and other such emergency assistance as deemed

necessary as it relates to the damage caused by the flooding events of June 2006.

 

Board members polled

Motion carried                                                                                    Ayes 5  Nayes 0

 

Mayor Lewis read the following appointments and committees

 

DEPUTY MAYOR                                          TRUSTEE DON ADAMS                                                              

VILLAGE BOARD COMMITTEES

 

FINANCE COMMITTEE                                 ALL BOARD MEMBERS

 

RULES COMMITTEE                                     ALL BOARD MEMBERS

 

HUMAN SERVICE &                                     TRUSTEES ADAMS & JONES

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

 

LIBRARY                                                        TRUSTEES BALLES

 

PUBLIC SAFETY-FIRE                                  TRUSTEES ADAMS & BALLES

PUBLIC SAFETY-POLICE                             TRUSTEES ADAMS & KING

 

PUBLIC WORKS/PARKS                               TRUSTEES JONES & KING

 

PLANNING & ZONING                                   TRUSTEES KING & JONES

                       

JOINT SEWAGE BOARD                               TRUSTEES JONES & BALLES

 

RECREATION/SUMMER PROGRAMS          TRUSTEE ADAMS & KING

 

RECORDS ADVISORY BOARD:

 

CLERK/TREASURER                                     TOM AUGOSTINI

ADMINISTRATIVE ASST.                             JUDITH SNEDAKER

VILLAGE HISTORIAN                                   JANET OTTMAN

MAYOR                                                          HARRY G. LEWIS

VILLAGE ATTORNEY                                   BETH WESTFALL

 

Mayor Lewis asked each Board Member to declare any conflicts of interest.

 

Trustee Ron Jones stated that he is employed by Broome County in the Department of Social Services with the Adult Protective Services.

 

Trustee Richard Balles stated that he is employed by Lockheed Martin, is a landlord in the Village and is the brother-in-law of Village Justice Richard H. Miller, III.

 

Trustee Bruce King stated that he is Self-Employed and has contracts with Broome County to provide vending machine services and also has a contract with the Johnson City Police Department to provide vending services but that contract pre-existed him being a Village Trustee.

 

Trustee Donald Adams stated that he is a retired Village of Johnson City Police Officer after serving for 25 years and he is currently employed by Finkelstein and Partners as an investigator.

 

Mayor Lewis stated that he is retired from IBM.

 

PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR                         

 

Leo Meaney – 35 Greenridge Street – Asked if the local paper could provide notices of the Village Board Meetings.

 

Mayor Lewis stated that the Binghamton Press has the dates for the Board Meetings and that tonight’s meeting was posted in the paper.

 

William Klish – 260 Zoa Avenue – Asked about the Westover Fire Protection Agreement.

 

Mayor Lewis provided details on the agreement between the Village and the Town of Union and how the Village Fire Department provides Fire Protection services to the Westover area of the Town of Union.

 

William Klish – 260 Zoa Avenue – Asked about any expired collective bargaining agreements.

 

Mayor Lewis provided details on the collective bargaining agreements that are expired.

 

Ellen Proctor – 60 Nadine Way – Asked about the status of the Parks Consolidation Plan.

 

Mayor Lewis stated that the proposed agreement was forwarded to the Town and he is awaiting a response.

 

Kelly O’Conner – 6 Deborah Drive – Asked about the details of the proposed Parks Agreement.

 

Mayor Lewis provided details on the proposal that includes the Town absorbing the operations and maintenance of the Village parks into the Town parks in addition to planned improvements to the Johnson City parks.

 

William Klish – 260 Zoa Avenue – Asked if there is a deadline with expired collective bargaining agreements.

 

Mayor Lewis explained the process of an expired collective bargaining agreement but that a hard and fast deadline does not exist.

 

Marty Meaney – 41 Weymouth Lane – Asked if the Village has a hiring freeze.  He stated that openings exist in the Fire Department and why they are not being filled.

 

Mayor Lewis stated there is not a hiring freeze.

 

Ann Davis – 63 St. Charles Street – Stated that it is a tragedy to what happened recently to the Johnson City Police Officer over at Calvary Cemetery.

Marty Meaney – 41 Weymouth Lane – Asked if Towns could provide police protection.

 

Attorney Westfall stated that the New York State Legislature need to authorize the creation of a Town Police Department.

 

Chris Phelps – 440 Main Street – Stated that his brother-in-law was the officer attacked recently and that the family sincerely appreciates the support and encouragement he has received.

 

Leo Meaney – 35 Greenridge Street – Stated that he is very appreciative of the Johnson City Police Department and is glad to hear that the police officer is doing better.

 

Mike McCann – 36 Margaret Street – Thanked Ms. Kradjian for the coat of paint on the doors at the Goodwill Theatre, Inc.

 

Marty  Meaney – 41 Weymouth Lane – Stated that most of the roof to the Felters Building has collapsed.

 

Mayor Lewis stated he would pass along the information to Code Enforcement.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

The meeting was adjourned at 9:11P.M.

 

 

_____________________________________

Thomas R. Augostini, Village Clerk/Treasurer