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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-07-25-TB-FINAL-minutesTOWN BOARD MEETING
Town of Ulysses
July 25, 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
https://www. voutube.com/channel/UCWV/s--cl9Cj)Hlxdk9YxZvPw.
CALL TO ORDER:
Ms. Olson called the meeting to order at 7pm.
ATTENDANCE:
TOWN OFFICIALS
Supervisor- Katelin Olson
Board members- Michael Boggs, Mary Bouchard, Liz Weatherby, Rich Goldman
Town Clerk- Carissa Parlato
Second Deputy Supervisor/Budget Officer- Michelle E. Wright
Bookkeeper- Blixy Taetszch
OTHERS:
In -person:
(none)
Via Zoom:
Linda Liddle- Water Source Protection Plan Committee (WSPPC) chair, Duane Shoen, Edward
Koppel
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
Motion: Mr. Boggs moved to approve the agenda with the addition of the painting contract
resolution. This was seconded by Ms. Weatherby and passed unanimously.
PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR: (3 minute limit)
none
PRESENTATION/DISCUSSION: Insero- 2023 Audit Report
Mr. Shoen thanked town staff for their efficiency in providing documents during the audit.
He presented his findings, noting that the final result, an "unmodified opinion" means that the audit
was clean and without material weaknesses, significant deficiencies, or non-compliance.
He shared that the town's fund balance has grown and added that there are some upcoming changes
to governmental accounting practices, including tracking of compensated absences.
Ms. Taetszch and Wright confirmed that this is already a practice for the town.
Mr. Shoen was excused at this time (7:31pm).
OLD BUSINESS:
2023 TRAINING REQUIREMENTS FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS, PUBLIC OFFICERS, AND THE
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Ms. Olson noted that this policy has been in the works for a while and it was crafted with the needs
of busy volunteers in mind by allowing plenty of time (up to 120 days) for completion and keeping the
modules short (about 2 hours).
Board and staff members discussed mandating a specific training vs. giving credit for trainings that
may have been taken elsewhere. Ms. Olson said that the town's attorney recommends this as the
selected trainings are more specific to municipal functions and the town does not have the capacity
to vet potentially several other trainings.
Ms. Taetszch shared that she has taken several trainings in her service on many boards.
Ms. Weatherby inquired about the definition of "public official". Ms. Olson answered that it is
defined by the state and includes the Planning Board, Board of Zoning Appeals and the Historian.
RESOLUTION #132 OF 2023: 2023 TRAINING REQUIREMENTS FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS,
PUBLIC OFFICERS, AND THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBERS
WHEREAS, the Town's Personnel Policy addresses state and local training requirements for
staff but does not specifically outline requirements for elected official, public officers, and
advisory committee members; and
WHEREAS, the Town Board is committed to supporting a civil, respectful, inclusive
environment for the public and staff to engage in the business of the Town in accordance with
our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policy and all applicable state and federal laws; and
WHEREAS, the Town recognizes that elected officials and public officers serve important,
unique, independent roles interacting with the public and Town staff; and
WHEREAS, the Town recognizes that the Town Historian and members of the Planning Board
and Board of Zoning Appeals constitute Public Officials in the Town of Ulysses; and
WHEREAS, the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee, while an advisory committee, is
serving an important role in leading the development of our Comprehensive Plan update, with
significant potential impacts for Ulysses' residents, property owners, workers and visitors
alike; and
WHEREAS, the Town has received advice from legal and human resources experts in
developing these requirements; and
WHEREAS, uniform training requirements provide the best value to the taxpayer in the
unfortunate event of legal challenges or insurance -triggering events; and
WHEREAS, the Town appreciates its elected and appointed officials and committee members,
and endeavors to provide training options that fit a range of schedules and provide a
reasonable timeframe for fulfillment;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED that the Ulysses Town Board adopts the following trainings as the required
trainings for all Town board and committee members for 2023:
• Sexual Harassment training provided in person or remotely at the Annual Staff Training
on May 18, 2023; OR "Workplace Harassment", an online program which meets NYS
training requirements, provided by the Town; and
• Ethics training provided in person or remotely at the Annual Staff Training on May 18,
2023; OR the recording of Ethics training provided at the Annual Staff Training on May
18, 2023; and
• Civil Rights training provided in person or remotely at the Annual Staff Training on May
18, 2023; OR Preventing Employment Discrimination for Managers, an online
program which meets NYS training requirements, provided by the Town; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all elected officials and those individuals appointed as a public
officer or member of the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee serving as of July 25, 2023
are required to fulfill the training requirements within 60 days of the adoption of this
resolution, and provide proof of completion to Human Resources in the Town Supervisor's
office; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that up to two additional 30-day extensions (from the original
deadline) for medical, caregiving, or other specified extenuating circumstances may be
granted by the Town Board upon request by an elected official, public officer, or
Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee member; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that anyone elected or appointed as a public officer or member of
the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee in 2023 after July 25, 2023 will be required to
complete the required 2023 trainings and provide proof of completion to Human Resources in
the Town Supervisor's office within 60 days of appointment; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Town Board directs the Town Supervisor's office to inform
the Town's elected officials, public officers, and members of the Comprehensive Plan Steering
Committee of these training requirements and the opportunities to fulfill them.
Moved: Ms. Weatherby- moved with addition of Public Officer definition Seconded: Ms.
Bouchard
Olson
aye
Boggs
aye
Bouchard
aye
Goldman
aye
Weatherby
aye
Vote: 5-0
Date Adopted: 7/25/23
NEW BUSINESS:
TITLE VI NON-DISCRIMINATION COMPLIANCE POLICY DRAFT PLAN- Discussion
Ms. Taetszch noted that the town does not have this policy but it is required and may be asked for if
federal grant funds are awarded.
Ms. Wright said that plan creates a formalized pathway for civil rights complaints and will be posted
clearly on the website.
OLD BUSINESS (Cont'd):
SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY
RESOLUTION #133 OF 2023: SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY
WHEREAS, the Town Board recognizes that social media is a unique platform of
communication that can be useful for the Town to utilize to share information with the public;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED that the Town Board adopts the Social Media Policy; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED that the Town Board appoints Carissa Parlato as the Communications
Officer through December 31, 2023; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED that the Town Board approves the establishment of a Town of Ulysses
Facebook page with any outside chat or outside posting options disabled.
Moved: Mr. Boggs Seconded: Ms. Bouchard
Olson
aye
Boggs
aye
Bouchard
aye
Goldman
aye
Weatherby
aye
Vote: 5-0
Date Adopted: 7/25/23
DISTRICT CREATION/EXTENSION POLICY PERTAINING TO NEW YORK STATE TOWN LAW, CHAPTER
62, ARTICLE 12A
RESOLUTION #134 OF 2023: DISTRICT CREATION/EXTENSION POLICY PERTAINING TO NEW
YORK STATE TOWN LAW, CHAPTER 62, ARTICLE 12A
WHEREAS, the Town Board desires to provide clear guidance to the public about how water
districts or extensions to existing districts can be created and provide a process for
considering the formation of districts by the Town Board under New York State Town Law,
Chapter62, April 12A;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED that the Town Board adopts the District Creation/Extension Policy Pertaining to
New York State Town Law, Chapter 62, Article 12A; and be it
E1
FURTHER RESOLVED that the Town Board directs the Town Supervisor and Town Clerk to
develop and application form that can be shared with the public reflecting the specifications
described in the policy.
Moved: Mr. Boggs
Olson
aye
Boggs
aye
Bouchard
aye
Goldman
aye
Weatherby
aye
Vote: 5-0
Date Adopted: 7/25/23
NEW BUSINESS (Cont'd):
Seconded: Ms. Bouchard
US DOT TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE GRANT- Discussion
Ms. Wright noted that this grant is tailored to smaller municipalities who may not have the capacity
to present a polished, analyzed application, nor provide local matching funds.
Ms. Wright added that this funding would help move the town to the next phase in capital planning
based on GIS-based asset data. For example, it would enable the town to collect stormwater and
culvert data in order to be able to take action steps in management plans.
The deadline to submit is Aug. 14.
PAYMENT OF CLAIM
RESOLUTION #135 OF 2023: PAYMENT OF CLAIM FOR PAINTING CONTRACT
RESOLVED that the Ulysses Town Board has reviewed and approves payment of claims
for voucher 321 in the amount of $8,140.
Moved: Ms. Bouchard
Olson
aye
Boggs
aye
Bouchard
aye
Goldman
aye
Weatherby
aye
Vote: 5-0
Date Adopted: 7/25/23
Seconded: Mr. Boggs
LOCAL LAW CREATING A DEPT. OF PUBLIC WORKS (DPW)- Discussion
5
Ms. Olson noted that she would like to bring a draft back to the town board on Aug. 8 with the
intention of setting a public hearing for Sept. 12.
The shift from a highway dept. to a DPW would codify the tasks that the highway dept. is already
doing as well as clean up the role of water supervisor as currently held by the highway
superintendent.
Mr. Goldman and Ms. Olson agreed to meet with the union to discuss the change.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
August 8 — Regular Town Board Meeting
August 10 —Town Board Retreat, 8-10am
August 22 — Regular Town Board Meeting- Cancelled
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
RESOLUTION #136 OF 2023: APPROVAL OF MINUTES
RESOLVED, that the Ulysses Town Board approve the meeting minutes from July 11 regular
meeting and the July 14 special meeting as presented.
Moved: Ms. Bouchard Seconded: Ms. Weatherby
Olson
aye
Boggs
aye
Bouchard
aye
Goldman
abstain
Weatherby
aye
Vote: 4-0
Date Adopted: 7/25/23
BOARD NOTIFICATIONS:
(none)
PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR (3 min limit per person):
none
ADJOURN
Mr. Goldman made a motion to adjourn at 8:37pm. This was seconded by Ms. Bouchard and passed
unanimously.
Respectfully submitted by Carissa Parlato, Town Clerk
812123