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 June 20, 2006

 

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

 

The Mayor noted directions to the fire exits.

 

MISCELLANEOUS ANNOUNCEMENTS                             

 

The Mayor noted that the July Village Board Meeting is July 18.

 

Mayor Lewis noted that the Graduation Ceremony for the Johnson City Citizens Police Academy is June 22, 2006.  Eleven persons will graduate from the Academy.

 

BOARD MINUTES

 

Motion by Trustee Balles - seconded by Trustee Adams to accept and place on file the Work Session and Regular Meeting of May 23, 2006. 

 

Motion Carried                                                                          Ayes 5  Nayes 0       

 

BID OPENINGS                                                                      None

 

PUBLIC HEARINGS                                                               None

 

PETITIONS RECEIVED                                                          None

 

PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR – VISITORS                

 

John Sullivan – 701 Marian Drive – Stated that Village residents want tax relief.  He stated that the total tax burden, County, Town, School and Village along with water and sewer fees are no longer tolerable.  Mr. Sullivan feels that the Police Department is too large and a reasonable alternative must be examined.  He added that the costs of the Police and Fire Departments will be so cost prohibitive that these departments will price themselves out of existence.  Mr. Sullivan asked the Village Board to adopt a model of government to that of the Town of Union.  Mr. Sullivan stated that he will continue to call Johnson City his home even though he feels dissolving the Village is the answer.  Mr. Sullivan asked the Village Board to pass a resolution to dissolve the Village.

 

Art Fernan – 110 New York Avenue – Feels that the continuation of more property taxes, higher sewer and water fees must end.  Efforts need to be made to reduce expenses to ensure affordability of services.  He stated that employees would be better off contributing to health insurance rather than not having a job at all.

 

James Coughlin – 808 Cyndy Street – Asked how each of the Trustees feels toward the idea of dissolving the Village.

 

Trustee Jones stated that all the details need to be considered and worked out to provide a transition from a Village to not having a Village.

 

James Coughlin – 808 Cyndy Street – Stated that it is unaffordable to live in New York State.

 

Trustee Balles stated that educational sessions should be held so that everyone knows the process.

 

Jeff Rake – 341 Arthur Avenue – Feels that the voters should decide whether or not they want the Village to continue to exist.  He feels that the Village Board should be able to make a timely decision on a proposed parks merger with the Town of Union.  He also stated that the Village taxpayers should be taken into consideration on all fiscal matters.

 

Tom Senigla – 6 Pamela Drive – Feels that the taxpayers are getting slighted by the amount of taxes paid.

 

James Coughlin – 808 Cyndy Street – Talked about getting back money from the County because the Town of Union residents pay a library district tax.

 

Leo Meaney – 35 Greenridge Street – Stated that it is nice to see everyone at the meeting but wanted to know where everyone who is upset has been prior to this.  He stated that these problems have not occurred overnight.  He feels that everyone at the meeting tonight should have been at the meetings leading up to tonight to share their feelings.

 

Liz Johnson – 230 Myrtle Avenue – Asked about a vacancy in the Fire Department that the Village recently back-filled.

 

Mayor Lewis provided details on the position not being filled.

 

John Bonzek – 22 Miriam Street – Asked that the taxpayers be kept in mind on all fiscal matters.

 

Paul Cooper – 70 Greenridge Street – Stated that he has lived in the Village and paid property taxes for over 50 years and served the Johnson City Fire Department for over 29 years.  He feels the public safety departments serve the Village very well.

 

Rob Salamida – 71 Pratt Avenue – Stated that he served on a committee to examine supplementing the Village’s paid Fire Department with volunteers in the early 1980s.  He has an issue on metering outflow of water that he would like to discuss with the Village.

 

 

Robert Hall – 15 Avenue B – Stated that Mr. Salamida’s problem could be solved by metering what leaves his property. 

 

John Hussar – Asked for procedures on how the Fire Department inspects properties.  He feels inconsistencies exist in how inspections are being done.

 

Mayor Lewis stated he would look into the situation.

 

Tom Senigla – 6 Pamela Street – Asked about communicating to the public when a collective bargaining agreement is settled.

 

Mayor Lewis stated that the Village Board approves all collective bargaining agreements.

 

Paul Cirba – Real Estate Broker, Westover – Stated that homes in Broome County are worth roughly one-half of the homes on a national average.  He added that property taxes in Broome County are twice the national average.  He stated that the Village Board can do a courageous thing and pass a resolution to dissolve the Village.

 

Peggy Slavik – 42 Rose Lane – Feels that everyone needs to work harder on lowering costs so that we can all afford to live better.  She asked the Village Board to take the necessary steps to create a more affordable cost of living.

 

Art Fernan – 110 New York Avenue – Commented on how public and private jobs have reversed themselves in structure.  He stated that in order for the community to survive we must work together as both public servants and taxpayers.

 

Rob Salamida – 71 Pratt Avenue – Stated that the economy has changed drastically from the days of IBM, EJ and Binghamton Savings Bank to a service sector oriented economy where products are bought less expensively in foreign countries.  The New York economy is no longer competitive is providing these products.  As the economy changes so does government have to change because people can no longer afford what was once affordable.

 

Trustee Jones commented on how successful Mr. Salamida is and feels the Broome County area must re-create itself from a manufacturing economy.

 

Ken Kinsman – 179 Deyo Hill Road – Feels that people need to attend these meetings and learn what is going on with Village matters and to get involved in order to make a difference.

 

Bob Carr – 1166 Anna Maria Drive – Feels that the Village Board should offer something considerable less expensive as a form of government so that the Village can survive.

 

Marty Meaney – 41 Weymouth Lane – Feels that everyone who wants to dissolve the Village should gather the necessary signatures to place this issue on the ballot.

 

Leo Meaney – 35 Greenridge Street – Stated that dissolving a Village is not an overnight process.

 

Bob Hall – 15 Avenue B – Feels that proper procedures must be followed so that liability problems are avoided.

 

Bob Carr – 1166 Anna Maria Drive – Feels that people of the Village are frustrated and a decision was made to ask the Village Board to adopt a dissolution resolution rather than collect signatures.

 

Marco Michitti – 40 N. Baldwin Street – Asked about trying to collect property taxes from exempt or non-for-profits properties.

 

Mayor Lewis stated that the Village Board does work for the residents and that the Village Board does look very closely at trying to reduce costs or keep costs to a minimum.

 

Marie Masters – 3 Eric Drive – Asked if  Village employees contribute toward benefits such as health insurance and pensions.

 

Mayor Lewis provided details.

 

Marie Masters – 3 Eric Drive – Feels that employees should pay a more realistic share of these benefits.

 

Bob Carr – 1166 Anna Maria Drive – Provided details on his business and what he does for his employees.

 

COMMUNICATIONS

 

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

 

JSCD – Reg. Mtg: May 2, 2006

Town of Union – Reg. Mtg: June 7, 2006

Binghamton/JC JSB – Reg. Mtg: May 9, 2006

Village of Endicott – Reg. Mtg: May 8, 2006

 

Motion carried                                                                           Ayes 5  Nayes 0    

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS                                                        

 

Trustee Balles stated that 1st Graders of the Johnson City School District raised $147 toward the Beautification Project at Veterans Park.  A plaque will read “Class of 2017” to recognize there efforts.  The next meeting is scheduled for June 22, 2006 at 6:30PM at Village Hall.

 

DEPARTMENTS REPORTS              

 

Motion by Trustee Adams – seconded by Trustee Balles to accept and place on file the following Department Reports:

 

Code Enforcement

May 2006

Water Department

May 2006

 

Motion carried                                                                           Ayes 5  Nayes 0 

 

 

 

PAYROLL AND BILLS PRESENTED

 

Motion by Trustee King - seconded by Trustee Balles that Abstract #1 for the Fiscal Year 2006-07, having been audited by the board and approved, be ordered paid as follows:

 

GENERAL

$379,493.27

WATER

$23,795.22

SEWER

$90,424.65

REFUSE

$26,370.64

LIBRARY

$6,519.40

JSTP-PHASE III

$1,169,515.79

 

Board members polled

Motion carried                                                                                    Ayes 5  Nayes 0 

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS                                       

 

Trustee Balles asked the Mayor to contact Town of Union Supervisor Bernardo in order to hold

Another meeting on the Parks Plan that was recently presented to the Village Board by the Town

of Union.

 

Trustee Adams thanked all the people involved in erecting the float the Village of Johnson City

used for both the Broome County Bi-Centennial and the Centennial of the Village of Endicott. 

 

Mayor Lewis added that Bill Mihalko deserves a special thanks for all his efforts toward the float.

 

Trustee Balles asked that Code Enforcement look into high grass on the corner of Richard Street

and Fairview Street.  Trustee Balles also asked that the Planning Department attend the next

Village Board Work Session to provide an update on a code enforcement problem on Elizabeth

Street.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

RESOLUTION #90

 

Motion by Trustee Adams - seconded by Trustee King to appoint Steve Jones to the position of Laborer to fill a vacancy created by a retirement, effective July 6, 2006 at the salary set forth in the AFSCME Collective Bargaining Agreement contingent upon a successful background check and drug screening test.   

 

Board members polled                                                                       

Motion carried                                                                        Ayes 4  Nayes 0  Abstain 1 (Jones)    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RESOLUTION #91

 

Motion by Trustee Balles – seconded by Trustee Jones to approve a request from Giblin’s,

256 Main Street, to close Wilbrow Alley on July 9, 2006 from 4:00PM until 8:00PM as part of

their Annual Golf Tournament contingent upon supplying the Village with proper insurance

coverage and naming the Village as additional insured for this event.

 

Board members polled                                                                       

Motion carried                                                                        Ayes 5  Nayes 0        

 

RESOLUTION #92

 

Motion by Trustee Adams – seconded by Trustee Jones to authorize St. John Ukrainian Church to

hold their Annual Ukrainian Day Festival and issue a block party permit in order to block off St.

John Parkway at its entrance on Virginia Avenue on July 22 and 23, 2006 contingent upon proper

insurance coverage and naming the Village as additional insured for this event..

 

Board members polled                                                                       

Motion carried                                                                                    Ayes 5  Nayes 0      

 

RESOLUTION #93

 

Motion by Trustee Jones – seconded by Trustee King to approve RFM 4A-0014

Phase III – Contract 4A – General with Pinnacle Construction for the installation of a Plumbing

Trap in the Influent Pipe to the Supernatant Manhole with an additional cost of $2,027.46.

 

Board members polled                                                                       

Motion carried                                                                                    Ayes 5  Nayes 0      

 

RESOLUTION #94

 

Motion by Trustee Adams – seconded by Trustee Jones to approve RFM 4A-0013

Phase III – Contract 4A – General with Pinnacle Construction for the installation of Valves in

Digester No. 1 and No. 2 overflow piping with an additional cost of $1,937.11.

 

Board members polled                                                                       

Motion carried                                                                                    Ayes 5  Nayes 0      

 

RESOLUTION #95

 

Motion by Trustee Jones – seconded by Trustee Adams to approve RFM 4A-0012

Phase III – Contract 4A – General with Pinnacle Construction for the Repairs to Digester Tank

No. 1 for Spalled Concrete and Broken Pre-Stressed Wired.

 

Board members polled                                                                       

Motion carried                                                                                    Ayes 5  Nayes 0 

 

 

 

 

 

RESOLUTION #96

 

Motion by Trustee Balles – seconded by Trustee King to approve RFM 4B-0008

Phase III – Contract 4B – Electrical with Nelcorp for Modifications and expediting the

manufacturing of the Conveyor Control Panel with an additional cost of $5,535.60.

 

Board members polled                                                                       

Motion carried                                                                                    Ayes 5  Nayes 0   

 

RESOLUTION #97

 

Motion by Trustee Adams – seconded by Trustee Jones to approve RFM 4B-0007

Phase III – Contract 4B – Electrical with Nelcorp for Additional Disconnects for proposed

Centrifuges No. 1 and 2 with an additional cost of $1,674.41.

 

Board members polled                                                                       

Motion carried                                                                                    Ayes 5  Nayes 0   

 

RESOLUTION #98

 

Motion by Trustee Jones – seconded by Trustee Adams to approve RFM 3A-0034

Phase III – Contract 3A – General with C.O. Falter for modifications to the Channel Lining and

Coating with an additional cost not to exceed $363,380.00 based on $10.85 per square feet.

 

Board members polled                                                                       

Motion carried                                                                                    Ayes 5  Nayes 0   

 

RESOLUTION #99

 

Motion by Trustee Jones – seconded by Trustee King to approve RFM 3A-0025

Phase III – Contract 3A – General with C.O. Falter for a five week time extension of the existing

contract between the Village of Johnson City and C.O. Falter due to the flood event of

April 3 and 4, 2005.

 

Board members polled                                                                       

Motion carried                                                                                    Ayes 5  Nayes 0   

 

RESOLUTION #100

 

Motion by Trustee Balles – seconded by Trustee King to waive a $12.24 penalty on an April 2006

Water bill for 152 Zoa Avenue

 

Board members polled                                                                       

Motion carried                                                                                    Ayes 4  Nayes 1 (Lewis) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RESOLUTION #101

 

Motion by Trustee Adams – seconded by Trustee Balles to appoint Zenia Lewis to the Recreation Board to fill the unexpired of Lisa Kost through December 31, 2008.

 

Board members polled

Motion carried                                                               Ayes 4  Nayes 0  Abstain 1 (Lewis)

 

PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR                                                 

 

Leo Meaney – 35 Greenridge Street – Stated that the person on Zoa Avenue should not have had the penalty waived.

 

Bob Carr – 1166 Anna Maria Drive – Thanked the Village Board for their work and for taking so much abuse tonight.  He feels that the concern of the community was the real concern of the residents tonight.

 

Sue Brink – 255 Floral Avenue – Asked about parking problems around her business on Floral Avenue which is near the Fire Station.

 

Mayor Lewis provided details and stated he would look into a potential solution to the problem.

 

Art Fernan – 110 New York Avenue – Discussed some of the change orders related to the Sewage Treatment Plant.

 

Director of Public Services Robert Bennett provided additional details on the change orders.

 

Marie Masters – 3 Eric Drive – Asked about the current costs of the upgrades at the Joint Sewage Plant.

 

Director of Public Services Robert Bennett provided a historical perspective of the project.

 

Mayor Lewis provided additional details on the project.

 

Marty Meaney – 41 Weymouth Lane – Asked the Village Board if they were aware that residents would be asking the Village to dissolve at tonight’s meeting.

 

The Village Board individually answered Mr. Meaney’s question.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

The meeting was adjourned at 10:05P.M.

 

 

_____________________________________

Thomas R. Augostini, Village Clerk/Treasurer