HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-08-25-TB-FINALTOWN BOARD MEETING
Town of Ulysses
August 25, 2020
Audio of the minutes are available on the website at ulysses.ny.us.
The meeting was held via videoconference on the Zoom platform.
Notice of Town Board meetings are posted on the Town’s website and Clerk’s board.
Ms. Zahler opened the meeting at 7pm.
ROLL CALL:
The Town clerk called the roll:
TOWN OFFICIALS PRESENT:
Supervisor- Nancy Zahler
Board members- Richard Goldman, Michael Boggs, Katelin Olson, Marc Devokaitis
Town Clerk- Carissa Parlato
Second Deputy Supervisor- Michelle Wright
Environmental Planner- John Zepko
OTHERS PRESENT:
Roxanne Marino, Pete Angie, Mary Bouchard, Linda Liddle, Anne Koreman (7:38pm), Liz
Thomas (9:05pm)
APPROVAL OF MEETING AGENDA
RESOLUTION 2020-162: APPROVAL OF MEETING AGENDA
BE IT RESOLVED that the Ulysses Town Board approve the agenda for August 25, 2020.
Moved: Ms. Zahler Seconded: Mr. Boggs
Ms. Zahler aye
Ms. Olson aye
Mr. Boggs aye
Mr. Goldman aye
Mr. Devokaitis aye
Vote: 5-0
Date Adopted: 8/25/2020
PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR:
(none)
BRIEF REPORTS:
Mr. Boggs reported that he read water meters with Mr. Stevenson and has been working on a
spreadsheet to track water loss.
Ms. Olson reported that she has continued to do fire services research.
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Mr. Devokaitis reported that he has been working on reading proposals for the watershed
organization; keeping the mutual aid cabinet supplied; and working on the Tree City application.
Mr. Goldman reported that he will attend the upcoming health consortium meeting to find out
what/if any increase there will be for 2021 premiums.
Ms. Wright reported that the aerator project is starting soon, and the HVAC project is in its final
stages of completion.
OLD BUSINESS:
CAYUGA LAKE WATERSHED INTERMUNICIPAL ORGANIZATION (IO) POSSIBLE PROJECT
RECOMMENDATIONS FROM ULYSSES
The board discussed whether they wanted to recommend two projects to the IO:
Ditch Remediation Project:
Mr. Devokaitis gave a brief overview and noted that this type of remediation is the last opportunity to
manage water before it goes into the lake.
Mr. Zepko felt that this is a valuable project and a good first step.
Ms. Marino noted that the IO is nearing its deadline for project ideas to apply for grant funds. She
further noted that if the town recommends a project, it does not commit them to anything.
Drainage Law Project:
Mr. Zepko shared his concerns with this law with regards to associated costs to both the town and
landowners. He also felt that NYS Ag & Markets would push back on this type of law as farmers need
to be able to drain their land.
Ms. Marino shared that there are many regulatory issues associated with this law that would be
expensive but it would be valuable.
RESOLUTION 2020-163: WATER QUALITY PROJECTS RECOMMENDED TO THE CAYUGA
WATERSHED INTERMUNICPAL ORGANIZATIONS
WHEREAS, the Town of Ulysses is a member of the Cayuga Watershed Intermunicipal
Organization (IO) and
WHEREAS, the IO has invited members to suggest possible projects for the IO to consider in
developing its workplan and grant-seeking activities, and
WHEREAS, the Town of Ulysses has expressed interest in protecting our creeks and
watershed, septic inspections, and water quality, including our proposed zoning change
which, if adopted, will strengthen the performance standards for those wishing to develop in
the steep slopes and unique natural areas of the Lakeshore and Conservation zones to reduce
erosion and runoff and
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WHEREAS, the following projects have been reviewed by the Ulysses Town Board as
potentially valuable to the Town in its efforts to assure the health and safety of our watershed
and are consistent with Town priorities,
Now Therefore Be It
RESOLVED, that the Town of Ulysses forwards to the IO the following project through our
representative and alternate on the IO Board:
• Ditch management remediation project proposal for best management practices design
and resources to reduce erosion, nutrient runoff, and damage related to flash flooding
along steep slopes strategies.
RESOLVED, that the recommendation of potential projects does not constitute a financial
commitment for these or other projects by the Ulysses Town Board at this time and further
RESOLVED, that the Ulysses Town Board directs the Town Supervisor to forward the
recommended projects to IO representative Elizabeth Thomas and IO alternate and CSAC
chair Roxanne Marino.
Moved: Mr. Devokaitis Seconded: Ms. Olson
Ms. Zahler aye
Ms. Olson aye
Mr. Boggs aye
Mr. Goldman aye
Mr. Devokaitis aye
Vote: 5-0
Date Adopted: 8/25/2020
COURT ADMINISTRATION GRANT – PROJECT IDEAS FOR UPCOMING GRANT
The NYS Office of Court Administration allows local courts to request funds for equipment to enable
the safe operation of local justice courts. In September, the Town Board will receive an application
from Town Justice Dresser requesting Town authorization to submit a grant proposal that includes
requests that will be of mutual benefit to the Courts and the Town Hall. The following ideas are
under consideration and feedback is requested before cost research is undertaken:
• An automated door opener for the rear door of Town Hall to make the entrance more ADA
compliant for those with mobility issues and/or
• A new building security system that uses a camera, intercom and buzzer system (like at
schools) to screen and admit visitors to Court and Town Hall for hours when the building
needs to be locked for safety and/or
• Video conference technology for the court room that would enable the Court to hold
arraignments remotely and to enable the Town Board to continue to allow members of
the public (or board) to join remotely whenever the Town Board resumes in-person
meetings.
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The Town Board’s first priority is for video conferencing to be able to engage the public if and when
in-person meetings resume. This may be an expense to budget for outside of the grant. Ms. Olson
noted her support for all items and expressed concern for the safety of staff so if all items could not
be funded, the security system might be a slightly higher priority. Ms. Zahler will provide feedback to
the Court to guide research on pricing.
NEW BUSINESS:
INVESTING HIGHWAY FUND BRIDGE REPAIR CAPITAL RESERVE FUND MONEYS IN $48,120
STATUTORY INSTALLMENT BOND OF THE TOWN (FOR AERATOR PROJECT IN WD#3)
Ms. Wright shared current financial projections for borrowing funds from the bridge reserve for the
aerator project, and a sample resolution to be passed at a future meeting, pending more research on
the most appropriate interest rates.
RESOLUTION 2020-____: INVEST HIGHWAY FUND BRIDGE REPAIR RESERVE FUND MONEYS IN
$48,120 STATUTORY INSTALLMENT BOND OF THE TOWN (for the WD3 Aerator Project)
Whereas, the Town has previously established a Highway Fund Bridge Repair Reserve Fund
pursuant to section 6-d of the General Municipal Law, and pursuant to the terms of the
establishment of such Reserve Fund, the Supervisor may invest the moneys of such Reserve
Fund in any manner provided by Section 11 of the General Municipal Law, and consistent with
the investment policy of the Town;
Whereas, the Town Board has previously adopted a bond resolution authorizing the issuance
of up to $977,000 of serial bonds to finance the costs of the increase and improvement of the
facilities of Water District No. 3 within the Town;
Whereas, a Statutory Installment Bond issued by the Town is an allowable investment of such
Reserve Fund;
Therefore, be it resolved that the Town shall issue a $48,120 Statutory Installment Bond to
the Reserve Fund pursuant to the terms contained within the bond certificate as follows:
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
STATE OF NEW YORK
TOMPKINS COUNTY
TOWN OF ULYSSES
$48,120
GENERAL OBLIGATION (STATUTORY INSTALLMENT) BOND, 2020 (FEDERALLY TAXABLE)
The Town of Ulysses, in Tompkins County, a municipality of the State of New York (the
"Town"), hereby acknowledges itself indebted and for value received promises to pay
to the Town of Ulysses Bridge Repair Capital Reserve Fund (the "Original Registered
Owner"), or registered assigns, the principal sum of FORTY EIGHT THOUSAND ONE
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HUNDRED TWENTY DOLLARS ($48,120) in three (3) annual installments and to pay
interest on the unpaid balance of such principal sum at the rate of ONE AND NINE
TENTHS PERCENT (1.90%) per annum as set forth below:
DATE OF PAYMENT PRINCIPAL AMOUNT INTEREST AMOUNT TOTAL AMOUNT
September 1, 2021 $16,120.00 $914.28 $17,034.28
September 1, 2022 $16,000.00 $608.00 $16,608.00
September 1, 2023 $16,000.00 $304.00 $16,304.00
The interest is computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve (12) 30-day months
beginning as of the September 1, 2020, and payable annually thereafter on August 15
in each year from the date of this bond until this bond matures, or prior redeemed.
Interest will not be paid on any installments of principal, or of interest, after the due
date thereof. Both the installments of principal of and interest on this bond will be
paid to the registered owner of this bond in lawful money of the United States only
upon presentation of this bond for notation of any such payment thereon at the
offices of the Town.
This bond is a statutory installment bond, the principal sum of which cannot exceed
One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) unless it is issued and sold to the United States of
America or an agency thereof, and is issued pursuant to Section 62.10 of the Local
Finance Law and pursuant to a bond resolution duly adopted by the Town Board of the
Town on June 13, 2017 authorizing the issuance of up to $977,000 bonds to pay the
cost of the increase and improvement of the facilities of Water District No. 3 within the
Town. This bond may not be converted into a coupon bond.
This bond is callable in whole or in part, on any date, at the option of the owner, prior
to maturity.
The faith and credit of the Town are hereby irrevocably pledged for the payment of
the installments of principal of and the interest on this bond according to its terms.
It is hereby certified and recited that all conditions, acts and things required by the
Constitution and statutes of the State of New York to exist, to have happened and to
have been performed precedent to and in the issuance of this bond, exist, have
happened and have been performed, and that this bond, together with all other
indebtedness of the Town, is within every debt and other limit prescribed by the
Constitution and laws of such State.
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JACKSONVILLE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION RESTROOM PROPOSAL
RESOLUTION 2020-164: APPROVAL OF JACKSONVILLE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
RESTROOM PROPOSAL
WHEREAS, the Ulysses Town Board entered into Memorandum of Understanding in 2017 with
the Jacksonville Community Association (JCA) to assist with the maintenance of the
Community Park to enable it to better serve the public and
WHEREAS, a grant from Tompkins County to the Town enabled the JCA to complete phase I of
a restroom project in 2019 and
WHEREAS, the JCA, after consultation with the Tompkins County Health Department, is ready
to complete the project and
WHEREAS, all but $1,400.00 of the funding needed to complete the project is available, now
therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the attached JCA Park Restroom Project Proposal is approved and further
RESOLVED, that the Town Board authorizes and appreciates the Ulysses Highway and Water
Department staff for assisting with completion of a water line to serve the park and the
restroom and further
RESOLVED, that the Town of Ulysses waive the Water Permit fee of $240 with the
understanding that the Jacksonville Community Association will be responsible for paying for
the water unit cost, Operations and Maintenance Costs and water use bills starting in 2021
and further
RESOLVED, that to afford this expense, the Mowing expense budgeted for the Park in line
A7110.4 Parks CE will be reduced by $222, by cancelling the final mowing and further
RESOLVED, that the sum of $1,400.00 is authorized by the Town Board to be expended from
the A7110.4 Parks CE line, reducing the anticipated savings in this line by $2,627, rather than
$3,805 as projected in the COVID-19 budget plan.
Moved: Ms. Zahler Seconded: Mr. Boggs
Ms. Zahler aye
Ms. Olson aye
Mr. Boggs aye
Mr. Goldman aye
Mr. Devokaitis aye
Vote: 5-0
Date Adopted: 8/25/2020
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CLARIFICATION OF ACCOUNTING FOR USE OF ACCRUED BENEFITS
RESOLUTION 2020-165: CLARIFICATION OF ACCOUNTING FOR USE OF ACCRUED BENEFITS
WHEREAS, a Town employee earning fringe benefits in one Town account may retire from a
position in a different budget account and
WHEREAS, the Town’s Personnel Policy allows the Town to apply unused sick time toward a
retiree’s share of health insurance upon retirement, and
WHEREAS, the Town wishes to clarify that the unused sick leave and other benefits payable
upon retirement shall be made from the account in which the leave or credits were earned,
now therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the Town Board authorizes the budget officer to make adjustments as needed
to current accounts to conform with this clarification and further
RESOLVED, that this clarification shall be guidance for future assignment when an employee
retires from an account different from the account in which fringe benefits were earned.
Moved: Mr. Goldman Seconded: Ms. Olson
Ms. Zahler aye
Ms. Olson aye
Mr. Boggs aye
Mr. Goldman aye
Mr. Devokaitis aye
Vote: 5-0
Date Adopted: 8/25/2020
2020-21 BUDGET UPDATES
Ms. Wright shared documents related to the following:
• Summary of reserve funds & resolution templates
• July sales tax
Other items discussed by the group: tax cap, assessed value.
PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR:
Ms. Thomas apologized for not being able to join sooner to discuss the IO projects.
Ms. Marino shared that the CSAC is working on the Tree City application.
Ms. Thomas noted that the IO has approved a job position for a Water Resources Coordinator
although there is no funding for it yet.
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APPROVAL OF MINUTES
RESOLUTION 2020-166: APPROVAL OF MINUTES
RESOLVED that the Ulysses Town Board approves the minutes from the Public Hearing held
August 11, 2020, the Regular Town Board meeting on August 11, 2020 and the Special Town
Board Meetings on August 13 and August 19, 2020.
Moved: Ms. Zahler Seconded: Mr. Boggs
Ms. Zahler aye
Ms. Olson aye
Mr. Boggs aye
Mr. Goldman aye
Mr. Devokaitis aye
Vote: 5-0
Date Adopted: 8/25/2020
ADJOURN:
Mr. Goldman moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:11pm. This was seconded by Ms. Olson and passed
unanimously.
Respectfully Submitted by Carissa Parlato,
9/2/2020