May 21, 2019 Regular Meeting Minutes
REGULAR MEETING – VILLAGE OF NORTHVILLE
Tuesday, May 21, 2019
The Village Board met Tuesday, May 21, 2019 at 7:00 PM at the Village offices.
Present: John Spaeth, Mayor
Steve Collins, Trustee
Sue Eckert, Trustee
John Markiewicz, Trustee
Absent: Sue Sedon, Trustee
Wendy Reu, Village Clerk
Nathanial Matthews, Treasurer
Mayor Spaeth called the meeting to order at 7:00p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Motion to approve the minutes of the April 16, 2019 Regular Meeting was made by Trustee Markiewicz, seconded by Trustee Eckert, and passed by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Collins, Trustee Eckert, Trustee Markiewicz
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
PUBLIC COMMENTS – Wolfgang Vonberg from Troop 55 addressed the Board regarding his proposed Eagle Scout project which consisted of constructing 20 barricades for the Village. He indicated he has been working with Highway Superintendent Reidell on the legal standards and type of materials that need to be used. After a brief discussion, Trustee Collins made a motion to approve the Scout Vonberg’s Eagle Scout project concept as presented. The motion was seconded by Trustee Eckert and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Collins, Trustee Eckert, Trustee Markiewicz
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
REPORT OF COMMITTEES:
Police – There was no police report. Mayor Spaeth stated he would see what he could do about getting reports generated.
Streets – Highway Superintendent Dan Reidell’s monthly report was read. He provided the Board with solar powered replacement options for the existing signs on Bridge Street. He indicated it is not possible to get replacement parts for the older signs and he was looking to replace them with solar, one a year.
It was reported that the auction for the DPW pickup had ended on Auctions International and it brought in $ 28,500.00, which was the amount that the Village would have gotten for trade in value at the dealership.
Highway Superintendent Reidell reported that his two summer workers, Dan Ryan and Avery Bradt, would be starting in early June.
Highway Superintendent Reidell wanted to work on a garbage policy that the Village could enforce. He said that right now, people put furniture and other items out after garbage day and he would like to have a policy that those items cannot be put to the curb before Sunday night for pickup on Tuesdays. Mayor Spaeth stated he would be working with Dan to develop a policy to put before the Board.
Highway Superintendent Reidell stated they would be installing the ADA ramps around the Village next week and continuing curbing on Fourth Street. He indicated they would be paving Center and Prospect to Ridge in early June.
Water – It was reported that usage increased from 2,616,000 gallons in April 2018 to 3,043,000 this year. Water testing and operations were normal.
Mayor Spaeth presented the consumption report of the Skiff Road blow off to the Board. He stated that sometime during the winter, the gentleman at the end of the private line on Skiff Road took it upon himself to run his hose at his residence when his water started turning brown and didn’t call the Village for two weeks. As a result, this gentleman has a large water bill that he is looking for relief for. Mayor Spaeth spoke with the property owner and they are looking at options to replace the private line with a larger one.
Fire – No report submitted
Code Enforcement – Code Officer Ginter reported that seven permits were issued during April. It was noted that five inspections were completed by the Building Inspector in April.
Dog Control – No Report
Joint Youth – Trustee Eckert reported that Joint Youth was going to be helping with the upcoming ADK event in the park by loaning the inflatable screen to show the Harnessing Nature video.
It was reported that the JY program was looking to conduct STEM days during camp sessions this year.
Marketing – A marketing report was received by the Board. Mayor Spaeth resented the 2019 calendar of Summer events that came out April 30th. He indicated that it was distributed to many of the businesses around the Village. Mayor Spaeth stated that come July, we will try to update the calendar to add end of the year events and include the movies in the park.
Park Use Requests – No requests.
Zoning Committee- Mayor Spaeth reported that the public meeting of the Zoning Committee at NCS was not well attended. He indicated that the Open House that was held at the Bradt Building on May 11th was also not well attended but the Committee members had good conversations and took comments from those that did attend. He stated the key items discussed by those attending were:
The concept of 5 acre to 1.5 acre lots
Signage pertaining to feather flags
Manufactured home park
Mayor Spaeth stated that we have to allow manufactured homes in the village but we can limit where they are allowed. He stated the Committee felt they would do away with the manufactured home park but allow manufactured homes in the area designated but limit the number.
He stated that in addition to verbal comments, written comments were received and reviewed by the Committee.
Mayor Spaeth further explained the process of adoption of zoning to the Board. He indicated that there would be a review of the proposed zoning by the Planning Board and then the document would come to the Village Board, at which time there would be additional public input sessions. He sated that Zoning is the one law that does not go out for public vote as there are too many opinions and nothing would ever get passed. He stated that was the reason to obtain as much public input as possible for the Board to consider when it comes to looking at adopting new zoning.
Tree Committee – Mayor Spaeth stated he met with Carl Sedon a week ago and the Commission has concerns over people parking on terraces, near trees, which compact the soil and can damage the trees. He indicated that Code Officer Ginter met with the Commission to discuss definitions of soil compaction. He indicated they are looking at verbiage changes in the Local Law pertaining to Trees. Mayor Spaeth indicated that the Commission’s job is to make recommendations, not make changes to the law. He indicated the Commission would be making a presentation at a future meeting of the Board.
Doins Committee – The Clerk gave an update on the Doins/Parade meetings. They are continuing to receive vendor applications and parade participants. Vintage posters have been ordered to advertise the event. It was reported that they would be holding a house decorating contest to create increase community spirit.
LWRP Committee – The Committee will conduct an open house session on May 23rd, in the Library of NCS from 3 p.m. – 8 p.m.
END OF YEAR TRANSFERS:
Treasurer Matthews requested the following end of year transfers:
Trustee Eckert made a motion to authorize salary increases for all bi-weekly employees to take effect with the first payroll with a pay date falling in June 2019, which encompasses May 18, 2019 through May 31, 2019; and to authorize non-modified accrual of the first payroll with pay date on or after June 1, 2019. The motion was seconded by Trustee Collins and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Collins, Trustee Eckert, Trustee Markiewicz
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
Trustee Markiewicz made a motion to approve the following end of year transfers as submitted by Treasurer Matthews :
$3,500.00
From: A1990.4 Contingent
To: A3120.1 Police – Personal Services
$4,200.00
From: A1990.4 Contingent
To: A6989.404 Economic Dev.- Waterfront Revitalization
$1,000.00
From: F8340.402 Water Trans/Dist – Repair Exp
To: F8340.1 Water Trans/Dist – Personal Services
$3,000.00
From: J7320.102 Joint Youth – Personal Services/Lifeguards
To: J7320.200 Joint Youth – Equipment
$26,000.00
From: A3410.411 Fire – Contractual Exp
To: A9950.901 Cap. Reserve fund for Fire Equipment
Reason: To increase amount being put into reserve
$73,500.00
From: A9950.901 Cap. Reserve fund for Fire Equipment
To: A5031 Inter-fund Transfer for Fire Equipment
Reason: Transfer to reserve
$2,500.00
From: A9950.902 Cap. Reserve fund for Repair Fire Equipment
To: A5031 Inter-fund Transfer for Repair Fire Equipment
Reason: Transfer to reserve
$5,575.00
From: A9950.903 Cap. Reserve fund for Street Equipment
To: A5031 Inter-fund Transfer for Street Equipment
Reason: Transfer to reserve
$4,750.00
From: A9950.905 Cap. Reserve fund for Police Equipment
To: A5031 Inter-fund Transfer for Police Equipment
Reason: Transfer to reserve
Motion Second Vote
The motion was seconded by Trustee Eckert and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Collins, Trustee Eckert, Trustee Markiewicz
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
PAYMENT OF BILLS
Bills to be paid from the General Fund in the amount of $ 40,115.91, from the Water Fund in the amount of $ 6,126.78, and from the Joint Youth Fund in the amount of $ 4,140.00 were presented for payment. Motion to approve payment was made by Trustee Markiewicz, seconded by Trustee Collins discussed, and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Collins, Trustee Eckert, Trustee Markiewicz
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
OLD BUSINESS:
Mayor Spaeth reported that Jay Gander called him regarding the handicapped parking spots that are in front of the Café and Timeless Tavern. Jay asked that one of them be removed as he has no parking places in front for his customers to park. Highway Superintendent Reidell indicated that at the time the Board decided to make those spots handicapped, he went to the owners of both businesses and they had no issue with creating those spots at the time. Mayor Spaeth indicated that Jay also stated that he remembered agreeing to the spots but at the time, he was just opening the business and didn’t give it additional thought. After discussion, Trustee Markiewicz made a motion to remove the handicapped spot that is closest to the firehouse. The motion was seconded by Trustee Eckert and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Collins, Trustee Eckert, Trustee Markiewicz
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
Mayor Spaeth stated he has received multiple complaints regarding cars blocking sidewalks. He stated that the Village does have a law that says you cannot block the sidewalks, but we have not been enforcing it. Mayor Spaeth stated he would be talking with the PD and asking them to put some informational tickets/warnings on cars that are parking on sidewalks to start getting the information out there.
Mayor Spaeth presented Resolution # 9 of 2019 Permissive Referendum RE: Dump/Plow Truck Reserve Fund :
WHEREAS it is the intention of the Governing Body of the Village of Northville to utilize funds that have been accumulated in a reserve fund the purpose of which is to support the purchase of a Dump/Plow Truck, which fund is designated A0230.3 Capital Reserve for Street Equipment, under General Municipal Law 6-c, and
WHEREAS the amount that will be utilized from the reserve fund should not exceed $180,000, and
WHEREAS the Village Law of the State of New York requires a permissive referendum in the event of taking such action,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Clerk of the village of Northville be directed to take appropriate steps with respect to holding a permissive referendum on the issue of whether to purchase the Dump/Plow Truck, and utilize funds not to exceed $180,000 from the reserve fund; toward that purpose; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in the event that a sufficient number of valid petitions by registered voters is not received within 30 days of passage of this resolution, the resolution will take full force and effect.
Trustee Eckert made a motion to approve Resolution # 9 of 2019. The motion was seconded by Trustee Collins and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Collins, Trustee Eckert, Trustee Markiewicz
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
NEW BUSINESS:
The Rotary presented a request for overnight police protection, barricades, cones, and garbage cans for the woodworking show July 11th through July 21st. Trustee Markiewicz made a motion to approve the Rotary request. The motion was seconded by Trustee Eckert and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Collins, Trustee Eckert, Trustee Markiewicz
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
NCS presented a request to have barricades put out for the annual Mary Habla Scholarship Color Run on June 11th from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Trustee Collins made a motion to approve the Color Run request. The motion was seconded by Trustee Eckert and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Collins, Trustee Eckert, Trustee Markiewicz
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
NCS presented a request to have barricades put out for the annual Bike A Thon/ Movie Night on June 14th. Trustee Markiewicz made a motion to approve the Bike A Thon/Movie Night request. The motion was seconded by Trustee Eckert and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Collins, Trustee Eckert, Trustee Markiewicz
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
At 8:30 p.m., Trustee Eckert made a motion to go into Executive Session to discuss contract renewal/personnel. The motion was seconded by Trustee Collins and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Collins, Trustee Eckert, Trustee Markiewicz
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
At 9:22 p.m., Trustee Markiewicz made a motion to reopen the meeting in Regular Session. The motion was seconded by Trustee Eckert and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Collins, Trustee Eckert, Trustee Markiewicz
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
Trustee Markiewicz made a motion to renew the current Marketing contract with the discussed changes to the contract. The motion was seconded by Mayor Spaeth. The voice vote on the motion resulted in a tie as follows:
Aye: Mayor Spaeth, Trustee Markiewicz
Nay: Trustee Collins, Trustee Eckert,
Abstain: 0
Trustee Eckert stated she wanted to put the position out for bid after making the revisions and changes they discussed. Trustee Eckert made a motion to authorize Mayor Spaeth to go out for bid for marking contract. Trustee Collins seconded the motion. The voice vote on the motion did not pass as follows:
Aye: Trustee Collins, Trustee Eckert
Nay: Trustee Markiewicz
Abstain: 0
Mayor Spaeth stated that as of right now, we do not have a formal marketing person. He stated that he is in the office most days and the Clerk has been getting a lot of information out on the FB page and website but without a formal marketing person, the gathering of information will get lost. He continued by stating that he is not expecting the Clerk to be the gather of information but if information is sent to her, it can be shared on our various pages.
Mayor Spaeth stated that now is the time to review what we are looking for in terms of marketing. He indicated it may be necessary to increase the marketing budget to develop a program that fits out needs.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business before the Board, motion was made to adjourn by Trustee Eckert, seconded by Trustee Collins, and passed by voice vote with no one dissenting. The meeting was adjourned at 9:42 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Wendy L. Reu, Clerk
