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 September 19, 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 Johnson City Police Department recently earned re-accreditation from the New York State Division of Criminal Justices and Mayor Lewis presented a plaque he recently received from a ceremony in Albany, New York to Police Chief Douglas Potts in which the re-accreditation is effective September 12, 2006 through September 11, 2011.

 

Mayor Lewis also presented a plaque from the Division of Criminal Justices to Patrolman William Mitchell for his efforts in leading the Police Department through the re-accreditation process as the lead contact.  

 

BOARD MINUTES

 

Motion by Trustee King - seconded by Trustee Balles to accept and place on file the Work Session and Regular Meeting of September 5, 2006. 

 

Motion Carried                                                                          Ayes 5  Nayes 0          

 

BID OPENINGS                                                                      None

 

PUBLIC HEARINGS

 

Mayor Lewis opened the Public Hearing to accept public comment on the 2006 New York State Communities Initiative Grant that was recently submitted by the Village with a grant request amount of $1,143,280 in order to demolish a property on Ozalid Road.  The Mayor stated that the Village must provide a 10% match to the grant but this amount will not be through property tax dollars but rather through cooperative efforts with Broome County.

 

Dave Alamo – 240 Main Street – Asked who currently owns the property.

 

Planning Director Daria Golazeski stated that Broome County has temporary ownership in order to conduct an environmental review of the site but the property is owned privately by a person in New Jersey.

 

Tom Brown – 211 Cyndy Street – Asked what potential the site has if the building is demolished.

 

Planning Director Daria Golazeski stated that a new development could occur at that site in addition to the existing properties surrounding it would benefit greatly.

 

There being no further public comments Mayor Lewis closed the public portion of the public hearing.

 

Trustee Jones asked the time table on demolishing the property.

 

Planning Director Golazeski stated that a successful grant and then demolition could take up to one-year.

 

RESOLUTION #139

 

Motion by Trustee Balles - seconded by Trustee Jones to approve the following:

 

         WHEREAS, The Village Board of Trustees authorized the submittal of an application for the Restore NY Communities Initiative Municipal Grant Program; and

 

          WHEREAS, The building at 46 Corliss Avenue is a blighting condition on the neighborhood; and

 

           WHEREAS, The demolition of the building will enhance the neighborhood; and now therefore;

 

           BE IT RESOLVED, that the Village of Johnson City Board of Trustees does hereby certify that the proposed project is consistent with the Broome County Plan and the Broome County Brownfield Opportunity Program in eliminating brownfield sites; the proposed cost is appropriate for this project; the proposed financing is appropriate to preserve existing jobs, promote economic development and will enhance the neighborhood.   

 

Board members polled                                                                      

Motion carried                                                                                   Ayes 5  Nayes 0   

 

PETITIONS

 

Mayor Lewis stated that he has received a Petition from Nassau Street residents who have requested assistance from the Village to mark parking spaces on Nassau Street in order to force vehicles to park within the marked spaces, then enforce through the issuance of parking tickets, violations.

 

PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR – VISITORS                

 

P.J. Corry – 46 Rose Lane – Asked if any communications have been received from Senator Libous or Assemblywoman Lupardo regarding the Home Rule Legislation requiring non-profits to pay for services.

 

Mayor Lewis stated that he forwarded a letter requesting such legislation and that he has yet to receive a reply.

 

Tom Brown – 211 Cyndy Street – Asked about the status of dissolving the Village.

 

Mayor Lewis stated that there is a process to be followed in dissolving the Village and part of that process is to present the Village Board with a petition signed by at least one-third of the electorate in order to place the issue on the ballot. 

 

Trustee Jones stated that he attended a meeting hosted by Broome County in which the dissolution process was explained.

 

Attorney Westfall provided additional details on the process in which to dissolve a Village.

 

Dave Alamo – 240 Main Street – Asked if the Board has contacted consultants that can prepare a study.

 

Attorney Westfall and Mayor Lewis provided details on their efforts to research the cost of a study and those who have prepared similar studies.

 

Leo Meaney – 35 Greenridge  Street – Asked how the County Executive got involved in dissolving Villages.

 

Mayor Lewis stated that he does not have an answer to that question.

 

P.J. Corry – 46 Rose Lane – Asked who funds the study to dissolve a Village.

 

Mayor Lewis stated that the taxpayers would pay for the study because the petition is in essence requesting that study be done.

 

Mike Rey – 233 Main Street – Asked if taxpayers will know what services they will receive if the Village dissolves.

 

Mayor Lewis stated that the study will illustrate which services and the level of services that the taxpayers can expect after a Village dissolves.

 

Mike McCann – 36 Margaret Street – Stated that Village residents receive great services and he would not like to see those services diminished.

 

Leo Meaney – 35 Greenridge Street – Stated that municipalities with Police Departments pay for the Sheriff Patrol even though the Sheriff is only legally required to serve warrants, protect the courts and operate a jail.  He asked what percent does Johnson City pay for road patrol costs even though they do not receive the service.

 

Mayor Lewis provided details on information on the subject.

COMMUNICATIONS

 

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

 

JSCD – Reg. Mtg: August 22, 2006

Town of Union – Reg. Mtg: September 6, 2006

Village of Endicott – Reg. Mtg: June 26, July 10 and 24, 2006

Broome County Office For Aging – 2006 Updated Plan

 

Motion carried                                                                           Ayes 5  Nayes 0       

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS                                                         None

 

DEPARTMENTS REPORTS              

 

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

 

Police Department

April and May 2006

Water Department

August 2006

Code Enforcement

August 2006

 

Motion carried                                                                           Ayes 5  Nayes 0    

 

PAYROLL AND BILLS PRESENTED

 

Motion by Trustee Adams - seconded by Trustee Jones that Abstract #5 for the Fiscal Year 2006-07, having been audited by the board and approved, be ordered paid as follows:

 

GENERAL

$104,427.96

WATER

$10,916.14

SEWER

$13,845.44

REFUSE

$61,600.17

LIBRARY

$16,663.62

JSTP-PHASE III

$424,075.51

 

Board members polled

Motion carried                                                                                    Ayes 5  Nayes 0   

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS                                                    None

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

RESOLUTION #140

 

Motion by Trustee Balles - seconded by Trustee Jones to authorize the Lions Club to utilize CFJ Park for the Annual Christmas Tree Sale  from November 19, 2006 through December 31, 2006 contingent upon meeting the Village’s insurance requirements and adding the Village as additional insured.  

 

Board members polled                                                                       

Motion carried                                                                                    Ayes 5  Nayes 0      

 

RESOLUTION #141

 

Motion by Trustee Adams – seconded by Trustee King to promote Police Sergeant George Hayes

to the position of Lieutenant at the negotiated salary of $56,254.00, effective September 28, 2006,

from Broome County Personnel eligible list #72-496B.

 

Board members polled                                                                       

Motion carried                                                                                    Ayes 5  Nayes 0         

 

RESOLUTION #142

 

Motion by Trustee Balles – seconded by Trustee Jones to authorize the advertisement in order to

receive bids for a new utility tractor to be utilized by the Department of Public Works. 

 

Board members polled                                                                       

Motion carried                                                                                    Ayes 5  Nayes 0         

 

RESOLUTION #143

 

Motion by Trustee Jones – seconded by Trustee King to authorize the Mayor to sign a

maintenance agreement with ASR Systems Group, Inc. related to the Lektriever in the Clerk’s

Office, effective October 1, 2006 through September 30, 2007 with a cost of $1,080.75.

 

Board members polled                                                                       

Motion carried                                                                                    Ayes 5  Nayes 0         

 

RESOLUTION #144

 

Motion by Trustee Adams – seconded by Trustee Jones to amend a previous Resolution to the

financing of the Phase III Improvements at the Binghamton/Johnson City Joint Sewage Treatment

Plant and approve bonding of the project for $30,284,000.00.

 

Board members polled                                                                       

Motion carried                                                                                    Ayes 5  Nayes 0         

 

 

 

 

 

RESOLUTION #145

 

Motion by Trustee Balles – seconded by Trustee King to approve a block party permit to the

residents of Haynes Avenue on September 30, 2006 from 4:00PM until 10:00PM contingent upon

emergency vehicles being able to gain access.

 

Board members polled                                                                       

Motion carried                                                                                    Ayes 5  Nayes 0    

 

RESOLUTION #146

 

Motion by Trustee Balles – seconded by Trustee Adams to name the Concession Stand at the

Senior League Field after Larry Zopp, Sr. for his years of dedication and unselfishness to the

youth of Johnson City.

 

Board members polled                                                                       

Motion carried                                                                                    Ayes 5  Nayes 0   

 

RESOLUTION #147

 

Motion by Trustee King – seconded by Trustee Balles to name the First Base Dugout at the Little

League Field after Bill Barkman for his years of dedication and unselfishness to the youth of

Johnson City.

 

Board members polled                                                                       

Motion carried                                                                                    Ayes 5  Nayes 0   

 

RESOLUTION #148

 

Motion by Trustee King – seconded by Trustee Balles to name the Third Base Dugout at the

Little League Field after Elmer Barkman for his years of dedication and unselfishness to the

youth of Johnson City.

 

Board members polled                                                                       

Motion carried                                                                                    Ayes 5  Nayes 0   


RESOLUTION #149

 

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, October 3,

2006. 

         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

 

Board members polled

Motion carried                                                                                    Ayes 5  Nayes 0

 

PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR                                                 

 

Trustee Jones suggested that the Pagoda would fit nicely into Jennison Park across from the old Police Station.  He also suggested that the archway to the Fountain Pavilion be relocated to the vicinity of the Harry L. Johnson statue near the library. 

 

Tom Brown – 211 Cyndy Street – Asked for a contact person for the Johnson City Partnership.

 

Mayor Lewis suggested that he contact Sue Brink at the Floral Avenue Diner.

 

Tom Brown – 211 Cyndy Street – Asked about the status of the Johnson Home on Main Street.

 

Planning Director Golazeski stated that no development plans have been received by her office.  She also stated that no demolition permit has been issued and that the property is not on a historical list because the owners never made such a request.

 

Leo Meaney – 35 Greenridge Street – Asked who owns the Pagoda.

 

Mayor Lewis stated that the developer who owns the property owns the Pagoda.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

The meeting was adjourned at 8:00P.M.

 

 

_____________________________________

Thomas R. Augostini, Village Clerk/Treasurer