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 5, 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 Broome County Association of Towns and Villages will meet on September 28, 2006 at 6:30PM at Brother’s II Restaurant with representatives from the Broome County Sheriff’s Department Narcotics Division to discuss Meth Labs and other related items.  

 

BOARD MINUTES

 

Motion by Trustee Balles - seconded by Trustee King to accept and place on file the Work Session and Regular Meeting of August 15, 2006. 

 

Motion Carried                                                                          Ayes 5  Nayes 0          

 

BID OPENINGS                                                                      None

 

PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR – VISITORS                

 

Leo Meaney – 35 Greenridge Street – Stated that the Goodwill Theatre property has several broken windows.  He asked when the old police station, which is now owned by the Goodwill Theatre, will be demolished.

 

Mayor Lewis stated that bids have been sent out in order to receive price quotes on the demolition of the building.

 

Leo Meaney – 35 Greenridge Street – Stated that too many neighborhoods are becoming almost unlivable because of the crime and something needs to be done.

 

 

Ann Davis – 63 St. Charles Street – Thanked the Mayor for helping remove a basketball hoop which was being utilized in the middle of the street near her house.  Asked about the status of the various businesses that sustained flood damage.

 

Mayor Lewis stated that Maines Cash & Carry has decided to move to Upper Front Street.  The Mayor stated that he talked to the owners about rebuilding in the Village but that a business decision was made to relocate the business to a different location.  The Mayor stated that Toys R Us and Gander Mountain are remodeling as is Cosmo’s Restaurant to name a few of the businesses.

 

Dennis Mack – 45 N. Harrison Street – Asked why there was so much flooding on the flat section of the Northside.

 

Mayor Lewis provided details on where the water originated, where the water flowed to and how high the water crested.  The Mayor then added that this is the most amount of water that this area has ever received.

 

Trustee Jones provided additional information on why certain areas flooded.

 

Frank Dohnalek – 913 Reynolds Road – Stated that taxes are everywhere regardless of where one lives.  Asked why Broome County wants to takeover every municipal operation in the County.

 

Mayor Lewis provided detail on consolidation talks and the cost of operating a Village or overall municipal government.

 

Leo Meaney – 35 Greenridge Street – Suggested that Code Enforcement be done by the Fire Department.

 

Mayor Lewis provided details on the history of the Fire Department being responsible for this area.

 

Marty  Meaney – 41 Weymouth Lane – Asked the Village Board to forward a letter to County Executive Fiala requesting that the Village Board be contacted before any suggestions are made by the County that directly affects the Village of Johnson City.

 

Carolyn Laskoski – 37 Edwards Street – Asked about the dissolution process and the County involvement.

 

Mayor Lewis stated that the County is trying to educate the public on how to dissolve but that there are only two ways to dissolve and the County has no direct involvement in either one.

 

Leo Meaney – 35 Greenridge Street – Stated that the Committee to dissolve the Village is not representative of the entire Village.

 

Sue Brink – 255 Floral Avenue – Stated that she does not want the Village to dissolve.  Asked if the Village has examined other ways to finance costs.  She also stated that she does not favor the Town of Union taking over control of the Parks.

 

Trustee Jones stated that Ms. Brink is coordinating “Clean Sweep Days” throughout the Village and that this will occur on September 16.  Anyone interested in volunteering their time to help the Downtown Partnership Group can contact Ms. Brink at the Floral Avenue Diner.

Ann Davis – 63 St. Charles Street – Feels that pride must be kept so that neighborhoods remain strong and vibrant and this will help in keeping out the undesirables from infiltrating and ruining the neighborhoods.

 

P.J. Corry – 46 Rose Lane – Asked about lobbying efforts with our State representatives in order to pursue home rule legislation that would require non-profits to contribute toward public services.

 

Marty Meaney – 41 Weymouth Lane – Asked for a copy of the letter that the Village forwarded to Senator Libous requesting legislation requiring non-profits to pay for services.

 

Sue Brink – 255 Floral Avenue – Stated that she has requested assistance from Home Depot to clean-up Floral Avenue Park.  She feels that the public needs to be aware of the efforts being made to improve Johnson City.

 

Art Fernan – 110 New York Avenue – Mentioned several areas where the Village needs to improve, with an emphasis on run-down properties.  The Village needs to determine what services are essential and scale back on other areas.  He stated that Code Enforcement is an area that needs to remain strong and active.

 

COMMUNICATIONS

 

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

 

JSCD – Reg. Mtg: August 8, 2006

Town of Union – Reg. Mtg: August 9, 2006

Liquor License – Frank A. Johnson American Legion Memorial, 429 Main Street (Renewal); St. John’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church – One Saint John’s Parkway (Renewal)

 

Motion carried                                                                           Ayes 5  Nayes 0       

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS                                                         None

 

DEPARTMENTS REPORTS              

 

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

 

Code Enforcement

July 2006

 

Motion carried                                                                           Ayes 5  Nayes 0    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PAYROLL AND BILLS PRESENTED

 

Motion by Trustee Balles - seconded by Trustee Adams that Abstract #4 for the Fiscal Year 2006-07, having been audited by the board and approved, be ordered paid as follows:

 

GENERAL

$456,568.56

WATER

$50,242.59

SEWER

$69,570.25

REFUSE

$117,087.63

LIBRARY

$8,947.22

OVERBROOK

$75.00

 

Board members polled

Motion carried                                                                                    Ayes 5  Nayes 0   

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS                                                    None

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

RESOLUTION #123

 

Motion by Trustee Adams - seconded by Trustee Balles to authorize a Parade Permit to the Johnson City School District for their Annual Homecoming Parade on October 7, 2006 beginning at 12:00PM and starting at the Johnson City Library on Main Street and proceeding to Arch Street to Carlton Street and into Greensfield with the permit contingent upon the proper proof of liability insurance and adding the Village as additional insured.  

 

Board members polled                                                                       

Motion carried                                                                                    Ayes 5  Nayes 0      

 

RESOLUTION #124

 

Motion by Trustee Jones – seconded by Trustee Balles to deny Authorization to the United Way

to utilize People’s Park in order to place a “Goal Thermometer” for the annual Giving Campaign.

 

Board members polled                                                                       

Motion carried                                                                                    Ayes 5  Nayes 0         

 

RESOLUTION #125

 

Motion by Trustee Adams – seconded by Trustee Jones to approve the hiring of

Eileen Michalak-Edwards as a Part-time Court Clerk, effective September 6, 2006, at an hourly

rate of $8.50 per hour contingent upon a successful background check. 

 

Board members polled                                                                       

Motion carried                                                                                    Ayes 5  Nayes 0         

 

 

 

 

RESOLUTION #126

 

Motion by Trustee King – seconded by Trustee Jones to authorize the Mayor to sign the 2006

Restore New York Communities Initiative Grant Application in the amount of $1,143,280.00.

 

Board members polled                                                                       

Motion carried                                                                                    Ayes 5  Nayes 0         

 

RESOLUTION #127

 

Motion by Trustee Balles – seconded by Trustee King to set a Public Hearing for

September 19, 2006 in order to accept Public Comment on the Restore New York Communities

Initiative Grant Application being submitted by the Village of Johnson City.

 

Board members polled                                                                       

Motion carried                                                                                    Ayes 5  Nayes 0         

 

RESOLUTION #128

 

Motion by Trustee Adams – seconded by Trustee King to approve RFM 3B-0011,

Phase III – Contract 3B – Electrical with Matco for extra Electrical Work associated with the

Control Net System at the Binghamton/Johnson City Joint Sewage Treatment Plant with an

additional cost of $827.00

 

Board members polled                                                                       

Motion carried                                                                                    Ayes 5  Nayes 0    

 

RESOLUTION #129

 

Motion by Trustee Jones – seconded by Trustee Balles to approve RFM 1A-0004,

Phase III – Contract 1A – Procurement General with IDI for equipment repair associated with

flood damage with IDI’s BAF equipment at the Binghamton/Johnson City Joint Sewage

Treatment Plant with an additional cost of $1,643,488.20 with reimbursement being submitted to

FEMA/SEMA

 

Board members polled                                                                       

Motion carried                                                                                    Ayes 5  Nayes 0   

 

RESOLUTION #130

 

Motion by Trustee Jones – seconded by Trustee King to approve RFM 3A-0038,

Phase III – Contract 3A – General with C.O. Falter for general construction repairs associated

with flood damage at the Binghamton/Johnson City Joint Sewage Treatment Plant with an

additional cost of $2,385,265.00 with reimbursement being submitted to FEMA/SEMA

 

Board members polled                                                                       

Motion carried                                                                                    Ayes 5  Nayes 0   

 

 

 

 

RESOLUTION #131

 

Motion by Trustee Jones – seconded by Trustee King to approve RFM 3B-0012,

Phase III – Contract 3B – Electrical with Matco for extra Electrical Work associated

with flood damage at the Binghamton/Johnson City Joint Sewage Treatment Plant with an

additional cost of $603,670.40 with reimbursement being submitted to FEMA/SEMA.

 

Board members polled                                                                       

Motion carried                                                                                    Ayes 5  Nayes 0   

   

RESOLUTION #132

 

Motion by Trustee Jones – seconded by Trustee King to approve RFM 3C-0004,

Phase III – Contract 3C – HVAC with J&K Plumbing for extra HVAC Work associated

with flood damage at the Binghamton/Johnson City Joint Sewage Treatment Plant with an

additional cost of $24,774.95 with reimbursement being submitted to FEMA/SEMA.

 

Board members polled                                                                       

Motion carried                                                                                    Ayes 5  Nayes 0   

 

RESOLUTION #133

 

Motion by Trustee King – seconded by Trustee Adams to approve RFM 3D-0003,

Phase III – Contract 3D – Plumbing with Louis N. Picciano & Son for extra Plumbing Work

associated with flood damage at the Binghamton/Johnson City Joint Sewage Treatment Plant with

an additional cost of $24,934.23 with reimbursement being submitted to FEMA/SEMA.

 

Board members polled                                                                       

Motion carried                                                                                    Ayes 5  Nayes 0   

 

RESOLUTION #134

 

Motion by Trustee Jones – seconded by Trustee King to approve RFM 4A-0015,

Phase III – Contract 4A – General with Pinnacle Construction for extra General Construction

Work associated with flood damage at the Binghamton/Johnson City Joint Sewage Treatment

Plant with an additional cost of $1,626,455.05 with reimbursement being submitted to

FEMA/SEMA.

 

Board members polled                                                                       

Motion carried                                                                                    Ayes 5  Nayes 0   

 

RESOLUTION #135

 

Motion by Trustee Balles – seconded by Trustee Jones to approve RFM 4B-0009,

Phase III – Contract 4B – Electrical with Nelcorp for extra Electrical Work associated with flood

damage at the Binghamton/Johnson City Joint Sewage Treatment Plant with an additional cost of

$341,323.24 with reimbursement being submitted to FEMA/SEMA.

 

Board members polled                                                                       

Motion carried                                                                                    Ayes 5  Nayes 0   

 

RESOLUTION #136

 

Motion by Trustee Adams – seconded by Trustee King to approve RFM 4D-0003,

Phase III – Contract 4D – Plumbing with James Ll. Lewis for extra Plumbing Work associated

with flood damage at the Binghamton/Johnson City Joint Sewage Treatment Plant with an

additional cost of $30,753.35 with reimbursement being submitted to FEMA/SEMA.

 

Board members polled                                                                       

Motion carried                                                                                    Ayes 5  Nayes 0   

 

RESOLUTION #137

 

Motion by Trustee Adams – seconded by Trustee King to authorize the hiring of Louis Berardini,

effective September 7, 2006, at an hourly rate of $10.00 as a Part-time Code Enforcement

Officer.

 

Board members polled                                                                       

Motion carried                                                                                    Ayes 5  Nayes 0   

 

RESOLUTION #138

 

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

 

         A State of Emergency is hereby declared 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, September 19,

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                                                 

 

Leo Meaney – 35 Greenridge Street – Asked for the name of the newly hired Code Enforcement Officer.

 

Mayor Lewis stated that his name is Louis Bernardini.

 

 

Frank Frear – 114 Virginia Avenue – He stated that damage recently occurred at Virginia Avenue Park.  He was wondering who repaired the damage so quickly.

 

Trustee King stated that a volunteer for the Girls Softball program quickly repaired the damage by painting the building.

 

Mayor Lewis stated that one of the culprits was caught and normally the Village would ask the Court to have the offender repair the damage personally but in this situation the damage was repaired very quickly so the Girls Softball Program will have to seek restitution for the damage. 

 

Sue Brink – 255 Floral Avenue – Asked if Floral Avenue would be re-paved this year.  She also asked about possibly removing some parking meters.

 

Mayor Lewis provided details as to what streets are going to receive attention this year and that the Director of Public Services will monitor progress and funding status in order to determine if Floral Avenue will be the last street paved this year or the first street next year.

 

Art Fernan – 110 New York Avenue – Stated that Floral Avenue is a corridor between the Village and City of Binghamton and the street really needs attention.

 

Ann Davis – 63 St. Charles Street – Asked about the traffic flow on Main Street with the soon to open Walgreen’s.

 

Mayor Lewis provided details on the process that the Department of Transportation (D.O.T.) takes in order have the smoothest flow of traffic.  He stated that new development usually means that people might be inconvenienced a little bit but that the overall good outweighs the small inconvenience in most cases.

 

Ann Davis – 63 St. Charles Street – Asked about the Johnson Family Home on Main Street.

 

Mayor Lewis stated that he does not know the future of the old Johnson Family Home.  He added that a bank is looking at that property but the status of the home is unclear but it is very possible that the home could be razed as part of the development process.

 

Ken Kinsman – 179 Deyo Hill Road – Stated that parking meters are a no-win situation.

 

Marty Meaney – 41 Weymouth Lane – Thanked the Board for their consistency in denying the United Way permission to use People’s Park for their “Goal Thermometer”.  He stated that the energy to improve Johnson City is encouraging.  He asked if the Village could convert to Town status.

 

The Village Attorney stated that she does not have an example of that type of conversion.

 

Terry Skinner – 49 N. Harrison Street – Asked if any upgrades are being planned for storm sewers on the flat section of the north side of the Village.

 

Mayor Lewis stated that no plans are in the works at the present time but that discussions are on-going with FEMA regarding mitigation upgrades for the future.

 

Amy Miller – 21 Berkley Street – Asked about the old Municipal Building and if there are any plans for improvements.  She also asked about 74-76 Corliss Avenue because she feels that property is extremely dangerous. 

Mayor Lewis stated that the Goodwill Theatre recently purchased the old Municipal Building and that they are in the process of evicting tenants and that he would pass along information to Code Enforcement regarding 74-76 Corliss Avenue.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

The meeting was adjourned at 9:35P.M.

 

 

_____________________________________

Thomas R. Augostini, Village Clerk/Treasurer