Press Alt + R to read the document text or Alt + P to download or print.
This document contains no pages.
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-06-27-TB-FINAL-minutesTOWN BOARD MEETING
Town of Ulysses
June 27, 2023
The meeting was held in person at the Town Hall at 10 Elm St., Trumansburg NY as well as via Zoom
videoconference. Notice of Town Board meetings are posted on the Town's website and Clerk's board.
Video recordings of meetings are available on Youtube at
httlis://www.voutube.com/chcinnei/UCWV/s--ci9CIjH/Xdk9YxZvPw.
CALL TO ORDER:
Ms. Olson called the meeting to order at 7pm.
ATTENDANCE:
TOWN OFFICIALS
Supervisor- Katelin Olson
Board members- Michael Boggs, Mary Bouchard, Rich Goldman, Liz Weatherby
Town Clerk- Carissa Parlato
In -person:
Bart Gragg
Via Zoom:
Roxanne Marino, Linda Liddle
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
Motion: Mr. Boggs moved to approve the agenda with the additions of the RCAP contract and an
Executive Session for land negotiations. This was seconded by Mr. Goldman and passed unanimously.
PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR: (3 minute limit)
Ms. Marino said that she supports the latest draft of the water policy but made a few additional
suggestions.
CONSENT AGENDA: (Resolutions # 118-122)
ACCEPT PLANNING BOARD MEMBER RESIGNATION
RESOLUTION #118 OF 2023: ACCEPT PLANNING BOARD MEMBER RESIGNATION
WHEREAS, the Town Board appreciates Elizabeth Garner's service to the Ulysses Planning
Board;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board accepts Elizabeth Garner's
resignation, submitted to the Town Clerk on 6/26/23, effective immediately.
APPOINTMENT TO THE PLANNING BOARD
RESOLUTION #119 OF 2023: APPOINTMENT TO THE PLANNING BOARD
RESOLVED that the Town Board appoints Matt Butler, currently serving as an alternate to the
Ulysses Planning Board, to fulfill the balance of the appointment, through December 31, 2025.
1
TEMPORARY NO -PARKING FOR RABBIT RUN, CEMETERY ROAD, AND FALLS ROAD
RESOLUTION # 120 OF 2023: TEMPORARY NO -PARKING FOR RABBIT RUN, CEMETERY ROAD„
AND FALLS ROAD
WHEREAS, it is in the public's interest that the increased parking needs related to the
GrassRoots Festival and related activities are regulated on narrow Town roads during the
month of July;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Town Board approves the temporary elimination of parking along Rabbit
Run, as well as Cemetery Road between Route 96 and Falls Road, and Falls Road between
Route 96 and Cayuga View from July 13, 2023 through July 27, 2023; and
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Town Board directs the Highway Superintendent to post no -
parking areas.
CANCEL AUGUST 22, 2023 REGULAR MEETING OF THE TOWN BOARD
RESOLUTION #121 OF 2023: CANCEL AUGUST 22, 2023 REGULAR MEETING OF THE TOWN
BOARD
RESOLVED, the Town Board cancels its regular meeting on August 22, 2023.
END PROBATION PERIOD FOR EXISTING EMPLOYEE
RESOLUTION # 122 OF 2023: END PROBATION PERIOD FOR EXISTING EMPLOYEE
WHEREAS, the 2021 contract between the Teamsters and the Town of Ulysses allows the
Highway Superintendent to request that the Town Board reduces the standard twelve-month
probationary period for a Highway employee to six months; and
WHEREAS, the Highway Superintendent requested that Dennis Achilles probation period be
reduced from twelve months to six months on June 19, 2023;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Board approves the reduction in probation
from twelve months to six months for Dennis Achilles retroactively effective as of June 19,
2023.
Moved: Mr. Boggs Seconded: Ms. Bouchard
Olson aye
Boggs aye
Bouchard aye
Goldman aye
Weatherby aye
Vote: 5-0
Date Adopted: 6/27/23
OLD BUSINESS:
AUTHORIZATION TO SECURE ACCIDENT INSURANCE FOR 2023
Mr. Goldman noted that this policy is cheaper than the one previously presented.
2
RESOLUTION #123 OF 2023: AUTHORIZATION TO SECURE ACCIDENT INSURANCE FOR 2023
WHEREAS, the Youth Commission advises obtaining accident insurance in order to provide
additional coverage to Recreation Program participants who potentially have health insurance
that would not cover all medical costs associated with a no-fault injury during programming;
and
WHEREAS, funds from the Youth Commission Budget will be utilized to pay for the cost of this
insurance policy;
WHEREAS, the Board agrees to purchase the insurance coverage as outlined at the meeting,
totaling $1906;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Ulysses Town Board authorizes the Town Supervisor to sign documents to
secure accident insurance as quoted in the June 8, 2023 document.
Moved: Ms. Bouchard Seconded: Mr. Boggs
Olson
aye
Boggs
aye
Bouchard
aye
Goldman
aye
Weatherby
aye
Vote: 5-0
Date Adopted: 6/27/23
SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY- Discussion
Ms. Parlato reiterated that the goal of the policy to expand communication with citizens, push out
notifications and direct people who would like to comment or get more information to follow up via
website, email or phone. Social media will not be used as a public forum.
The board discussed. Mr. Goldman sought clarity around the term "town business" in the final
paragraph. Ms. Olson agreed to ask the attorney for clarified language.
WATER DISTRICT CREATION/EXTENSION POLICY- Discussion
The board discussed the current draft and added a few language changes.
APPROVAL OF RCAP SOLUTIONS CONTRACT
Mr. Boggs attended last night's WSPPC meeting to hear feedback on the contract.
RESOLUTION #124 OF 2023: APPROVAL OF RCAP SOLUTIONS CONTRACT
WHEREAS, RCAP Solutions is a publicly funded organization that provides services to rural
communities; and
3
WHEREAS, RCAP Solutions is well -suited to provide survey support for the Town and the
Water Source Protection Plan Committee; and
WHEREAS, the Ulysses Town Board is appreciative of the volunteer expertise of the members
of the Water Source Protection Plan Committee; and
WHEREAS, the provision of these services is at no cost to the Town and will result in a survey
process with the professional management of data and the delivery of the data in useful ways
to the Town, hereby saving the Town significant staff time;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Ulysses Town Board authorizes the Town Supervisor to sign the contract
with RCAP Solutions for survey services scheduled between June and November 2023; and be
it
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Town Supervisor and the Chair of the Water Source Protection
Plan Committee, or their designees, will serve as contacts for RCAP Solutions for the duration
of the contract; and
FURTHER RESOLVED, the Ulysses Town Board directs the Town Clerk to provide the signed
copy to RCAP Solutions.
Moved: Ms. Olson Seconded: Mr. Boggs
Olson aye
Boggs aye
Bouchard aye
Goldman aye
Weatherby aye
Vote: 5-0
Date Adopted: 6/27/23
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
Mr. Goldman moved to go into Executive Session at 7:53pm for the purpose of discussing land
acquisition. This was seconded by Mr. Boggs and passed unanimously.
Ms. Bouchard moved to end Executive Session at 8:14pm. This was seconded by Mr. Boggs and
passed unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS (Cont'd.):
LAND ACQUISITION UPDATE
Ms. Olson noted that the board has been discussing land acquisition for recreation purposes for a few
months. It is a goal in line with the comprehensive plan.
NYS requires an environmental review (SEAR) is necessary. Because acquisition is the only action at
this time, there are no negative findings.
RESOLUTION #125 OF 2023: APPROVAL TO ENTER INTO LAND NEGOTIATIONS
4
WHEREAS, the Ulysses Town Board previously submitted a purchase offer for land to expand
recreational opportunities in the Town in March 2023, but said offer was rejected; and
WHEREAS, the prior purchase offer was $129,000 for 13 acres, or approximately $9,923/acre,
and included deed limitations restricting its development potential; and
WHEREAS, the Ulysses Town Board remained committed to addressing constituent concerns
about the lack of recreational land in Ulysses, as reflected in the 2009 Comprehensive Plan,
surveys conducted by Trumansburg Community Recreation, and on the shared experiences of
the Ulysses Recreation Department related to more demand for space than is currently
available through the Trumansburg Central School District; and
WHEREAS, the Town Supervisor has continued to work with Trumansburg Community
Recreation to find suitable land per the request of the Ulysses Town Board; and
WHEREAS, the property owners of 2141 Kraft Rd. approached the Town of Ulysses in April
2023 with an offer to sell a portion of that land (the "Property"); and
WHEREAS, Trumansburg Community Recreation has reviewed the proposed location, agrees
that it is well -suited for recreational development, and has submitted a letter of support for
acquisition of the Property; and
WHEREAS, Trumansburg Community Recreation and the Town of Ulysses intend to develop a
Memorandum of Understanding to help codify and outline how their organization can support
fundraising efforts that will be critical to the development of a park and recreation facility;
and
WHEREAS, the Town is concurrently working with New York State Parks to develop an
extension of the Black Diamond Trail to run from the Village of Trumansburg to Taughannock
State Park, and the Property is accessible to the current Black Diamond Trail; and
WHEREAS, the specific size and scope of potential park and recreation facilities at the
Property is to be determined at a later date, once funding and plans are completed as to
incorporation of some or all of the Property into other park and recreation opportunities
locally; and
WHEREAS, the Town has other potential uses of the Property for additional Town purposes, to
the extent some of the Property remains not needed for park and recreation purposes; and
WHEREAS, the Ulysses Town Board has available $210,000 in unallocated American Recovery
Plan Act funds, as well as $8,500 in a dedicated reserve fund for purchase of recreational
property, in support of achieving the goals of Trumansburg Community Recreation; and
WHERES, the Town has commissioned an appraisal of the property, and $7,000/acre has been
determined by a third -party appraiser to be the Property's fair market value; and
WHEREAS, the Ulysses Town Board desires to enter into a contract with the Property's owner
for the purchase of 30 acres of the Property at a cost of $7,000/acre, to be used by the Town
for Town purposes, including but not limited to parkland and recreational opportunities; and
WHEREAS, the Ulysses Town Board has reviewed Parts 1 and 2 of a Short Environmental
Assessment Form prepared concerning this potential purchase;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED that the Ulysses Town Board hereby determines that the potential acquisition of
the Property is an Unlisted Action pursuant to SEQRA, and hereby makes a negative
declaration concerning the environmental significance of such potential acquisition; and be it
further
RESOLVED that the Ulysses Town Board hereby determines that it is in the best interests of
the citizens of the Town to authorize the Town Supervisor to enter into negotiations as set
forth hereinabove and below; and be it further
RESOLVED that the Supervisor is authorized to sign a purchase contract for up to 30 acres of
the Property on commercially reasonable terms and conditions at a price of $7,000/acre, and
at a maximum expense to the Town of $210,000, not including appraisal, title search, abstract,
survey, and other regular closing costs and fees, to be paid for through the Town of Ulysses'
American Recovery Plan Act allocation and use of up to $8,500 of the aforementioned reserve
fund; and be it further
RESOLVED that the Town Supervisor is authorized to enter into agreements, pending legal
review and approval as to form, for the acquisition of services related to regular real estate
transactions, including a survey, an abstract, title search, legal fees and any other standard
real property closing costs and fees; and be it further
RESOLVED that the Town Board, after consultation with community stakeholders and further
discussion, clarification and identification of specific park and recreation opportunities, as well
as other Town needs, will then make final decisions regarding the extent of park and
recreation use of the Property; and be it further
RESOLVED that this resolution is subject to permissive referendum; and be it further
RESOLVED that the Town Clerk is directed to undertake any public notification as required by
law and provided a certified copy of the resolution to the Town Attorney.
Moved: Ms. Olson Seconded: Mr. Boggs
Olson aye
Boggs aye
Bouchard aye
Goldman aye
Weatherby aye
Vote: 5-0
Date Adopted: 6/27/23
NEW BUSINESS:
CREATION OF A DEPT. OF PUBLIC WORKS (DPW)- Discussion
Ms. Olson noted that this department title would be more in line with the current duties of the
highway dept. The position of director would be created and the elected highway superintendent
would be named to that position. There would be no effect on the budget. If the board is amenable,
additional steps will include discussions with the union, and adoption of a local law.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
July 4 — Town buildings Closed for July 4th
July 11— Regular Town Board Meeting
July 25- Regular Town Board Meeting
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
RESOLUTION #126 OF 2023: APPROVAL OF MINUTES
RESOLVED, that the Ulysses Town Board approve the meeting minutes from June 13, 2023
(regular meeting) as presented.
Moved: Mr. Boggs Seconded: Ms. Bouchard
Olson
aye
Boggs
aye
Bouchard
aye
Goldman
aye
Weatherby
aye
Vote: 5-0
Date Adopted: 6/27/23
PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR (3 min limit per person):
Ms. Marino would like to begin working on the RCAP survey now that the contract has been
approved. She requested that a spot on the August 8 agenda to share an update.
Ms. Liddle shared that she is concerned about the 75% threshold on the water district policy. She
feels that it could have a negative effect on farming because large development could be encouraged
by adding public water to an area.
Ms. Marino added that NYS Ag & Markets doesn't support public water in ag areas.
ADJOURN
Mr. Goldman made a motion to adjourn at 8:41pm. This was seconded by Ms. Bouchard and passed
unanimously.
Respectfully submitted by Carissa Parlato, Town Clerk
716123
7