HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-09-22-TB-FINAL-minutesTOWN BOARD MEETING
Town of Ulysses
September 22, 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 and moved into a Public Hearing for Local Law 2 of 2020. (See
separate minutes)
ATTENDANCE:
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
OTHERS PRESENT:
Linda Liddle, Mary Bouchard
APPROVAL OF MEETING AGENDA
RESOLUTION 2020-191: APPROVAL OF MEETING AGENDA
BE IT RESOLVED that the Ulysses Town Board approve the agenda for September 22, 2020.
Moved: Mr. Goldman Seconded: Mr. Boggs
Ms. Zahler aye
Ms. Olson aye
Mr. Boggs aye
Mr. Goldman aye
Mr. Devokaitis aye
Vote: 5-0
Date Adopted: 9/22/2020
PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR:
(none)
BRIEF REPORTS from BOARD/STAFF:
Ms. Zahler noted that she sent out a Supervisor report. She called attention to a request from the
Grassroots organization, who are exploring their options for annexation to the village, and creating a
water district in the town. Ms. Zahler shared the town costs associated with exploration of these
options.
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Ms. Zahler gave an update of the recreation program’s school day program. It could serve up to 30
kids on Monday and Tuesday and Wednesday and Thursday. Mr. Glennon contracted with a company
to perform background checks on new hires.
Ms. Olson asked how/where the jobs for the program were posted. Ms. Zahler replied that it was
through the Tompkins County website. Ms. Olson recommended adding the recruitment notice to
the Town’s list serve.
Ms. Zahler noted that the town received a speed limit reduction request for Krum’s Corners. The
town would need to pass a resolution to pass the request on to the county and then to the state.
Board members agreed that they would like some sort of petition from residents on the road.
Updates on Capital Projects
Ms. Wright shared that the Cemetery Road bridge project is in the design/Right Of Way phase. The
HVAC project at the town hall is almost done. The aerator system for Water District 3 has been
ordered but there is a chance of supply delays.
Update on Union Negotiations
Ms. Zahler has not heard back from the union so there is no update.
OLD BUSINESS:
UPDATING THE 2021 BUDGET CALENDAR
Ms. Zahler gave an overview of the budgeting process and asked whether the board wants to allow
privilege of the floor at the budget meetings.
Ms. Olson suggested that public comments also be submitted in writing to save time. All agreed to
allow public comments.
FIRE/EMS DISCUSSION OF COSTS AND SERVICES
Ms. Olson requested that the board begin discussions on a projected 5% increase starting in 2022.
The group discussed district expansion and the associated increased costs (including new equipment
and personnel).
The board agreed that other options should be researched.
NEW BUSINESS:
ADOPTION OF LOCAL LAW # 2 OVERRIDE THE TAX LEVY LIMIT
RESOLUTION # 192 of 2020: ADOPTION OF LOCAL LAW # 2 OF 2020 TO OVERRIDE THE TAX
LEVY LIMIT ESTABLISHED IN GENERAL MUNICIPAL LAW §3-C
WHEREAS, municipalities of the State of New York are limited in the amount of real property
taxes that may be levied each year under the tax levy limit established in General Municipal l
Law §3-c, and
WHEREAS, subdivision 5 of General Municipal Law §3-c expressly authorizes a municipality to
override the tax levy limit if the town government decides to adopt a budget with a property
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tax levy that exceeds the level set by the State, by the adoption of a local law approved by
vote of at least sixty percent (60%) of the governing body, and
WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of Ulysses reviewed and discussed a proposed local
law to override the tax levy limit and adopted a resolution on September 8, 2020 for a public
hearing to be held by said Town on September 22,2020 at 7:00 p.m. to hear all interested
parties on the proposed local law entitled "A LOCAL LAW TO OVERRIDE THE TAX LEVY LIMIT
ESTABLISHED IN GENERAL MUNICIPAL LAW §3- C"; and
WHEREAS, in the event the Town of Ulysses annual tax levy exceeds the allowable tax levy
limit due to their own decisions or cost increases outside their control, New York State has the
authority to penalize the Town unless the Town has formally given itself permission to exceed
the tax cap, and
WHEREAS, adopting this local law is not predictive of the final tax levy but will provide the
Town of Ulysses Town Board the flexibility to exceed the Property Tax Cap if it is deemed
necessary, and
WHEREAS the Public Hearing on September 22, 2020 was publicized in the Ithaca Journal on
Friday, September 11, 2020,
WHEREAS, adoption of this law is a SEQRA Type II action exempt from any further
environmental review and,
Now Therefore be it
RESOLVED that the Town of Ulysses Town Board enacts a local law to override the tax levy
limit for the fiscal year 2021, as follows:
LOCAL LAW #2 OF 2020: TO OVERRIDE THE TAX LEVY LIMIT ESTABLISHED IN GENERAL
MUNICIPAL LAW §3-C
Be it enacted by the Town Board of the Town of Ulysses as follows:
Section 1. Legislative Intent: It is the intent of this local law to override the limit on the
amount of real property taxes that may be levied by the Town of Ulysses, County of
Tompkins pursuant to General Municipal Law §3-c, and to allow the Town of Ulysses,
County of Tompkins to adopt a town budget for (a) town purposes, (b) fire protection
districts, and (c) any other special or improvement district, and Town improvements
provided pursuant to Town Law Article 12-C, governed by the Town Board for the fiscal
year beginning January 1, 2021and ending December 31, 2021 that requires a real
property tax levy in excess of the “tax levy limit” as defined by General Municipal Law
§3-c.
Section 2. Authority: This local law is adopted pursuant to subdivision 5 of General
Municipal Law §3-c, which expressly authorizes the Town Board to override the tax
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levy limit by the adoption of a local law approved by vote of at least sixty percent
(60%) of the Town Board.
Section 3. Tax Levy Limit Override: The Town Board of the Town of Ulysses, County of
Tompkins is hereby authorized to adopt a budget for the fiscal year 2021 that requires
a real property tax levy in excess of the limit specified in General Municipal Law §3-c.
Section 4. Severability: If any clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, or part of this
Local Law or the application thereof to any person, firm or corporation, or
circumstance, shall be adjusted by any court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or
unconstitutional, such order or judgment shall not affect, impair, or invalidate the
remainder thereof, but shall be confined in its operation to the clause, sentence,
paragraph, subdivision, or part of this Local Law or in its application to the person,
individual, firm or corporation or circumstance, directly involved in the controversy in
which such judgment or order shall be rendered.
Section 5. Effective date: This local law shall take effect immediately upon filing with
the Secretary of State.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, adoption of this local law is a Type II action under SEQRA and is
therefore not subject to any further environmental review,
AND FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Town Clerk shall file this local law with the Secretary of
State as required by law.
Moved: Ms. Zahler Seconded: Ms. Olson
Ms. Zahler noted that passage of this law gives the board authority to override the tax levy
limit if needed although they do not intend to.
Ms. Zahler aye
Ms. Olson aye
Mr. Boggs aye
Mr. Goldman aye
Mr. Devokaitis aye
Vote: 5-0
Date Adopted: 9/22/2020
APPROVAL OF COURT GRANT APPLICATION
RESOLUTION # 193 OF 2020: AUTHORIZING SUBMISSION OF A GRANT APPLICATION TO THE
JUSTICE COURT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
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WHEREAS the State of NY offers assistance to local municipal courts through the Justice Court
Assistance Program (JCAP), and
WHEREAS the Ulysses Town Court has consulted the Town Board and Town Hall staff on
improvements to make the Court and Town Hall safer and more accessible, and
WHEREAS, the Court is requesting a total of $11,511.50, to install a security camera system
for the Court Office to see those at the front and back entries at a cost of $2,906.50 which
should be 100% reimbursable; four webcams for Court desktop computers for a total of $560
(100% reimbursable) and $8,045 to install an automatic opening device to the door at the rear
entry to make the building more fully handicapped accessible, (50% reimbursable; requiring a
50% matching commitment of $4022.50 from the Town as a shared use), and
WHEREAS, the Town of Ulysses Procurement Policy requires bids to assure cost-effective use
of public funds and
WHEREAS, multiple attempts to contact competing vendors for second and third bids on the
automatic door and a second bid for the security cameras were unsuccessful and the bids are
authorized by the Town Supervisor based on the reasonable costs and timely response of the
vendor/installer,
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Ulysses Town Board gives approval for Ulysses Town Court to submit an
application requesting $11,511.50 in 2020-21 grant funding to NYS JCAP and further
RESOLVED, that the Town of Ulysses authorizes up to $4,022.50 in Town spending from
A1620.2 as the Town’s 50% share of the cost of installing the handicapped accessible door and
further
RESOLVED, that the Town Clerk prepare a certified copy of this resolution to be included in
the NYS JCAP grant application.
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: 9/22/2020
SUPPORT FOR VOTER EDUCATION
RESOLUTION # 194 OF 2020: SUPPORT OF ELECTION INFORMATION FOR VOTERS
WHEREAS, due to recent changes in New York State Election Laws, the introduction of early
voting, the Governor’s Executive Order allowing the use of absentee ballots by all voters,
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concerns about timely mail handling by the US Postal Service, and confusion in the national
media about voting in the general election on November 3, 2020, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the Town of Ulysses authorizes the appropriation of up to $375 from account
A1220.4 Supervisor CE to place ads in the Seneca County Area Shopper delivered free to most
homes in the town and the Trumansburg Free Press to remind voters about upcoming
deadlines for registration and requesting absentee ballots, and other voting rule and further
RESOLVED, that the Town Board authorizes the Town Clerk to place ads with content verified
by the Board of Elections to provide clear and accurate information about voting in New York
State and Tompkins County, including the location of polling places in the Town of Ulysses.
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: 9/22/2020
BUDGET UPDATES: BIG PICTURE & STRATEGIC CHOICES FOR 2021 TENTATIVE BUDGET
Ms. Wright and Ms. Zahler discussed updates to this year’s budgeting process as well as new
strategies and philosophies, and goals for next year. Discussion among Town Board members
provided the following guidance to the Supervisor and Budget Officer on preparation of the Tentative
Budget due by the end of September: increase resources for enforcement; if needed, increase the
tax levy but stay within the tax cap; include at least a 1% salary increase for employees if possible;
budget funds to research public safety alternatives and to prepare for an update of the 2009
Comprehensive Plan. Board members requested more background on the requests from community
agencies seeking funding for 2021.
PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR:
(none)
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
RESOLUTION 2020-195: APPROVAL OF MINUTES
RESOLVED that the Ulysses Town Board approves the minutes from the Regular Town Board
meeting on September 8, 2020.
Moved: Ms. Olson Seconded: Mr. Devokaitis
Ms. Zahler aye
Ms. Olson aye
Mr. Boggs aye
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Mr. Goldman aye
Mr. Devokaitis aye
Vote: 5-0
Date Adopted: 9/22/2020
ADJOURN:
Mr. Goldman moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:54pm. This was seconded by Ms. Olson and passed
unanimously.
Respectfully Submitted by Carissa Parlato,
10/6/2020