Massena Town Council

Massena Town Meeting March 20, 2024 MINUTES Massena Town Board Meeting Date/Time: Wednesday, March 20, 2024, 4:30 PM Location: Massena Town Hall Rm 30 This meeting was streamed live on Zoom. ATTENDANCE: MEMBER Present Excused Absent Town Supervisor Susan Bellor X Council Member Raymond Lancto X Council Member Patrick Facteau X Council Member Adrian Taraska X Council Member Kristy Baker X Also Present: Jeannine B. Miller, Town Clerk; Brenda Mossow, Secretary/Bookkeeper; Sean Lynch, Deputy Town Clerk; Eric Gustafson, Town Attorney; Austyn Allen, IT; Krista Briggs, Library Director; Patrick O’Brien, Town Code Enforcement; Jason Hendricks, H3 Designs; Don Meissner, Fishing; Linda McQuinn, Grants; David Fogel, CEO of NCCS, Members of the Press, Members of the Public. Call to Order: Supervisor Bellor called the meeting to order at 4:30 PM and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Public Hearing: Facteau/Taraska motion to open the Public Hearing at 4:31 PM, said hearing for the purpose of “Establishing Regulations and Guidelines for Cryptocurrency Mining Operations in the Town of Massena.” David Fogel, CEO of North Country Collocation Services (NCCS) spoke on the impact that the Crypto Currency Mining Regulations would have on the company and those who are employed at the facility. He stated that the current wording of the proposed local law on Crypto Mining Companies would have a direct negative effect on a 100-million-dollar expansion project at their Alcoa East location in the Massena township. He stated that this project has been underway for the past 3+ years and millions have already been spent. Mr. Fogel said they utilize local and regional suppliers as much as possible. Mr. Fogel noted that NCCS is in an industrial zone, and no one complains about the containers or any noise coming from the facility. He referenced that over the past 6+ years, the company has grown from 5 contact workers when they first opened to now having 85 full-time employees. 35+ Employees of NCCS came in support of the company. Andy Blaine, a manager with the company, stated that he was brought on to improve working conditions for the employees. Something he said that has never happened while working for his previous employers. Some of the employees spoke about how the company gave them a chance at employment when others would not, many stated that without the company they would not be able to provide for their families. Others spoke about how flexible scheduling is, stating that their families come first. Overall, the employees who spoke to the board and the others who were there in support do not want to see the company closed due to the wording of the proposed law. Pat O’Brien, Chief of the Massena Fire Department stated that out of all the Crypto Mining business he has dealt with, he has never had any issue with NCCS. He stated he and the entire fire station are in favor of NCCS and support them 100%. There being no further comments, Facteau/Taraska motion to close the Public Hearing at 5:15 PM. Closed by unanimous consent. Announcements/Notifications: The Supervisor extended a thank you to Congresswoman Elise Stefanik and Senator Chuck Schumer for their part in helping the Town acquire grant funds for the South Racquette Water District Project. The Supervisor also reminded attendees to visit the Massena Public Library Art Show. Presentations/Discussions: None Resolution 45 - 2024 Approving a One-time Training /Services Fee with Edmunds GovTech in the amount of $350.00 for the migration of the BAS (Business Applications Solutions) System to the new server. Motion by: Taraska Vote: Second by: Baker Aye Nay Abstain Absent Susan Bellor X Raymond Lancto X Patrick Facteau X Adrian Taraska X Kristy Baker X Motion is Carried. Page 1|6 Massena Town Meeting March 20, 2024 Resolution 46 - 2024 Supporting the Continued Operation of the New York State Correctional Facilities in St. Lawrence County. Motion by: Taraska Vote: Second by: Lancto Aye Nay Abstain Absent Susan Bellor X Raymond Lancto X Patrick Facteau X Adrian Taraska X Kristy Baker X Motion is Carried. Resolution 47 - 2024 Authorizing the Town Supervisor to Execute the Airfield Marking Improvements Project to C&S Engineers FAA AIP No. 3-36-0054 -_ - 23 (D&C) BIL Funding. NYSDOT Project No. 7902. (D&C) Motion by: Lancto Vote: Second by: Facteau Aye Nay Abstain Absent Susan Bellor X Raymond Lancto X Patrick Facteau X Adrian Taraska X Kristy Baker X Motion is Carried. Resolution 48 - 2024 Authorizing completion of an IFE for the proposed Sand Storage Building Construction Project. The cost will be approximately $1,800.00 to $3,000.00 and is reimbursable through the grant. Motion by: Taraska Vote: Second by: Lancto Aye Nay Abstain Absent Susan Bellor X Raymond Lancto X Patrick Facteau X Adrian Taraska X Kristy Baker X Motion is Carried. Resolution 49 - 2024 Approving the contract documents with Baseline King Corp for the Construction of the Airfield Electrical Improvements at the Massena International Airport FAA AIP Project No. 3-36-0054-97-22 (D), 3-36-0054- _-23 (C), NYSDOT Project No. 7902. _ (D), 7902 (C). There are 6 Binders pertaining to this project and they will be in the office of the Secretary/Bookkeeper for inspection. Motion by: Lancto Vote: Second by: Baker Aye Nay Abstain Absent Susan Bellor X Raymond Lancto X Patrick Facteau X Adrian Taraska X Kristy Baker X Motion is Carried. Page 2|6 Massena Town Meeting March 20, 2024 Resolution# 50 - 2024 Declaring the Town of Massena as lead agency pursuant to SEQRA whereas the Town of Massena Town Board desires to enact a Local Law regulating the operation of Cryptocurrency Mining Operations within the Town. Motion by: Taraska Vote: Second by: Facteau Aye Nay Abstain Absent Susan Bellor X Raymond Lancto X Patrick Facteau X Adrian Taraska X Kristy Baker X Motion is Carried. Resolution 51 - 2024 Authorizing the Town Supervisor to Execute the Final Application for the Airfield Pavement Marking (Design & Construction) BIL-($234,918 Federal, $6,182 State, $6,182 Town) Total Project $247,282 Motion by: Lancto Vote: Second by: Facteau Aye Nay Abstain Absent Susan Bellor X Raymond Lancto X Patrick Facteau X Adrian Taraska X Kristy Baker X Motion is Carried. Resolution 52 - 2024 Awarding contract to Hi-Lite Airfield Services, LLC for $194,282.40 for the Airfield Marking Improvements FAA AIP No. 3-36-0054_24 (D&C) BIL Funding, NYSDOT Project No. 7902. _(D&C). This award is contingent upon Federal Aviation Administration funding and approval. Motion by: Baker Vote: Second by: Lancto Aye Nay Abstain Absent Susan Bellor X Raymond Lancto X Patrick Facteau X Adrian Taraska X Kristy Baker X Motion is Carried. Resolution 53 - 2024 Accepting the IFE from McFarland Johnson for the Sand Storage Building CA/CO for a lump sum fee of $2,000.00. Motion by: Baker Vote: Second by: Lancto Aye Nay Abstain Absent Susan Bellor X Raymond Lancto X Patrick Facteau X Adrian Taraska X Kristy Baker X Motion is Carried. Page 3|6 Massena Town Meeting March 20, 2024 Resolution 54 - 2024 Acknowledging that the required examination of 2022 Justice Court Records was conducted. Motion by: Facteau Vote: Second by: Taraska Aye Nay Abstain Absent Susan Bellor X Raymond Lancto X Patrick Facteau X Adrian Taraska X Kristy Baker X Motion is Carried. Resolution 55 - 2024 Authorizing the Town Supervisor to Execute Advanced Business Systems’ quote of $323.50 for a telephone for the new Keyboard Specialist position. Motion by: Baker Vote: Second by: Facteau Aye Nay Abstain Absent Susan Bellor X Raymond Lancto X Patrick Facteau X Adrian Taraska X Kristy Baker X Motion is Carried. Resolution 56 - 2024 Accepting the Proposal from Bowers & Company for the preparation of the Town’s Annual Financial Reports as follows: FY 2021 ($5,500), FY 2022 ($6,000) and FY 2023 ($6,500). Motion by: Taraska Vote: Second by: Baker Aye Nay Abstain Absent Susan Bellor X Raymond Lancto X Patrick Facteau X Adrian Taraska X Kristy Baker X Motion is Carried. Resolution 57 - 2024 Authorizing the Town Supervisor to Execute the Brett Westgrove Performance Contract for Rockin the River 2024 in the amount of $5,000. Motion by: Taraska Vote: Second by: Lancto Aye Nay Abstain Absent Susan Bellor X Raymond Lancto X Patrick Facteau X Adrian Taraska X Kristy Baker X Motion is Carried. Page 4|6 Massena Town Meeting March 20, 2024 Resolution 58 - 2024 Scheduling a Public Hearing for April 17, 2024 at 4:30 PM, the purpose of which is to consider extending the moratorium on Cryptocurrency Mining Operations for 60 days. Motion by: Baker Vote: Second by: Facteau Aye Nay Abstain Absent Susan Bellor X Raymond Lancto X Patrick Facteau X Adrian Taraska X Kristy Baker X Motion is Carried. Resolution 59 - 2024 Authorizing Budget & Cash Transfers and Amendments CASH TRANSFERS: TRANSFER: $1,000.00 from NBT Bank A/C#****8489 Town of Massena – General Fund to NBT Bank A/C#****9869 – Brian Chase. This transfer will allow for a portion of the Town’s share of insurance deductibles to be deposited as needed. TRANSFER: $565.06 from Town of Massena MBIA/CLASS Account# NY-01-0307-0001, $.06 from the Town of Massena T Hangar Account# NY-01-0307-0002, $82,916.36 from the Town of Massena Res Squad Capital Account# NY-01-0307-0009, $50,123.83 from the Town of Massena Rescue General Fund Account# NY-01-0307-0016 for a total of $133,605.31 and transfer to Town of Massena MBIA/CLASS. Account# NY-01-0307-0030 BOCES Lawsuit These transfers will close out the accounts in the MBIA/CLASS. TRANSFER: $8,144.69 from Town of Massena Supervisor Office A/C#****0120 at Community Bank (Ck#1014) to Town of Massena General Fund A/C#****8489 at NBT Bank. This check is for the St. Lawrence Seaway Dev Corp. P.I.L.O.T payment 2024. TRANSFER: $7,690.62 from Town of Massena Supervisor Office A/C#****0120 at Community Bank (Ck#1015) to Town of Massena General Account A/C#****8489 at NBT Bank. This check is for the TSA Lease for January – March 2024. BUDGET TRANSFERS: TRANSFER $129.90 from Code Enforcement Contractual A/C#B.8664.400 to Planning Contractual A/C#B.8020.400 This transfer will cover the over-run in this general ledger account. TRANSFER $23,864.42 from Town of Massena Supervisor A/C#****0120 to Town of Massena Taxiway “C” Rehabilitation (Const) A/C#****3113 at Community Bank. This transfer is for FAA#15 and Final TRANSFER $33,389.29 from Town of Massena Supervisor A/C#****0120 to Town of Massena Fence Improvements and Stabilization (Const) A/C#****2081 at Community Bank. This transfer is for FAA#11 and Final. TRANSFER $2,010.00 from Town of Massena Supervisor A/C#***0120 to Town of Massena Sand Storage Building (Design) A/C#****7981 at Community Bank. This transfer is for FAA#10 TRANSFER $1,535.20 from Town of Massena Supervisor A/C#****0120 to Town of Massena Rehabilitate Terminal Building Roof (Design) A/C#****3369 at Community Bank. This transfer is for FAA#2. TRANSFER: $17,742.64 from Town of Massena Supervisor A/C#****0120 to Town of Massena GA Apron Rehabilitation (Const) A/C#****3014 at Community Bank. This transfer is for FAA#12 and the Final. CREATE DUE TO/DUE FROM: Create a Due to A Fund from the HMI Fund Airfield Marking Improvements (Const) in the amount of $1,373.49. This transaction will allow for a payment for North Country Now, Daily Courier Observer and Watertown Daily Times advertisement. The HMI will pay the General A Fund back once the Federal revenue is received. Motion by: Facteau Vote: Second by: Baker Aye Nay Abstain Absent Susan Bellor X Raymond Lancto X Patrick Facteau X Adrian Taraska X Kristy Baker X Motion is Carried. Page 5|6 Massena Town Meeting March 20, 2024 Resolution 60 - 2024 Authorizing Warrant #3 (2024 Invoices) FUND DESCRIPTION AMOUNT A GENERAL $179,231.98 B GENERAL OUTSIDE 55,484.19 DA HIGHWAY 57,917.66 DB HIGHWAY OUTSIDE 2,577.90 HAG CRRSA 23,000.00 HBR REHAB TERMINAL ROOF (DESIGN) 2,000.00 HCG CARES ACT 27,666.46 HCP AIR PRODUCTS & CHEMICALS, INC. 225.00 HDA RUNWAY 5-23 REHAB (DESIGN) 39,480.00 HDB RUNWAY 5-23 REHAB (CONST) 535,970.42 HMI AIRFIELD MARKING IMPROVEMENTS 1,373.49 HPA ARPA ACT GRANT 59,000.00 HRC TAXIWAY “C” REHAB (CONST) 25,270.45 HTM FISHING TOURNAMENT MKTG PROGRAM (2022) 1,750.00 L LIBRARY 19,733.03 SRW SOUTH RACQUETTE WATER DISTRICT 49,538.25 SSH HIGHLAND BUCKTOWN SEWER 26,292.84 SSM SOUTH MAIN STREET SEWER 103.33 SWA E MASSENA CONSOLIDATED WATER DISTRICT 1,796.65 TOTAL $1,108,411.65 WARRANT #3 CHECK #S 52179 - 52275 $381,344.11 ACH 9,214.00 MANUAL CHECKS 717,853.54 TOTAL $1,108,411.65 Motion by: Facteau Vote: Second by: Baker Aye Nay Abstain Absent Susan Bellor X Raymond Lancto X Patrick Facteau X Adrian Taraska X Kristy Baker X Motion is Carried. Financial Reports: Presented by Brenda Mossow. Committee/Department Reports: None included. Public Comment: Library Board members comment on why it would be beneficial for the residents of Massena and other communities that utilize the Library to vote for the Library to become a School District Library. A Friends of the Massena Library member spoke about what it would mean for taxpayers, while another stated that they would like a positive and transparent campaign. Executive Session: Baker/Taraska motion for an Executive Session at 6:22 PM to discuss any proposed, pending, or current litigation, medical, financial, credit, or employment history of a particular person or corporation, or relating to the appointment, promotion, demotion, or removal of a particular person with all in favor. Open Session: The Board returned to Open Session at 6:57 PM. Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 6:58 PM by unanimous consent. Page 6|6