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Home My WebLink About2025-01-14-TB-FINAL-minutes1 TOWN BOARD MEETING Town of Ulysses Jan. 14, 2025 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.youtube.com/channel/UCWVIs--g9CpHIxdk9YxZyPw. CALL TO ORDER: Ms. Olson called the meeting to order at 7pm. ATTENDANCE: TOWN OFFICIALS: In person- Supervisor- Katelin Olson Board members- Mary Bouchard, Liz Weatherby, Michael Boggs Town Clerk- Carissa Parlato WSPPC (Water Source Protection Plan Committee) member & CSAC (Conservation & Sustainability Advisory Committee) chair- Roxanne Marino Absent- Board member- Rich Goldman OTHERS: Via Zoom- Anne Koreman APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Motion: Mr. Boggs moved to approve the agenda. This was seconded by Ms. Bouchard and passed unanimously. PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR (3 minutes per person): none PUBLIC HEARING- 2025 FIRE AGREEMENT: Ms. Bouchard moved to open the hearing at 7:03pm. This was seconded by Mr. Boggs and passed unanimously. Ms. Olson asked whether there were any comments. Ms. Marino said that the town is given the contract and has no choice in it. Ms. Olson agreed and said it was the same as prior years except for the date and amount. Ms. Bouchard moved to close the hearing. This was seconded by Mr. Boggs and passed unanimously. 2 MUNICIPAL BOARD & STAFF REPORTS: Ms. Koreman shared the following updates from the TC Legislature: • New chair and vice-chair elected: Klein & Mezey • New county admin- Korsah Akumfi • Town of Danby received $695k funding for homeowner/housing rehab. Started with $8k from county to hire a grantwriter. TOU can look into this if interested • Airport is resuming flights to DC Committee reports: Ms. Marino gave the following updates: • CSAC o Worked with CLEAN on comments for Cargill’s DEC permit o Working on setting meetings for year • WSPPC o Getting closer to having a draft- maybe by end of Feb. • CEC/NYSERDA grant o Energy assessment at highway dept. o Will try to get the town recertified as a Climate Smart Community Ms. Weatherby gave an update on the CPSC (Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee) • Visioning session with Town Board was held: o Discussed why live here, concerns… Ms. Olson gave the following updates: • Youth Commission- o job posted for Recreation Activity Specialist o Youth survey results from 2023 • Three Falls- o Met for operations discussions o State is managing the property for the winter o Applied for a parks & trails NY grant to do planning/assessment of the property Ms. Bouchard shared the Bee Committee wants to submit monthly newsletter items. OLD BUSINESS: 2025 FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT AGREEMENT Ms. Olson reiterated that fire protection is a mandated service for towns to provide. RESOLUTION #40 OF 2025: APPROVAL OF THE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT AGREEMENT FOR 2025 WHEREAS, a fire protection district known as the “Fire Protection District of the Towns of Ulysses, Hector and Covert” (hereafter referred to as “the Fire Protection District”) has been duly established in the said towns; and 3 WHEREAS, the Fire Protection District encompasses the following territory in the Town of Ulysses: All of the Town of Ulysses, excepting the area within the limits of the incorporated Village of Trumansburg; and WHEREAS, the Village of Trumansburg (hereafter referred to as “the Village”) maintains a volunteer fire department, with adequate and suitable apparatus, equipment and training for the furnishing of fire protection services within the Fire Protection District; and WHEREAS, Town Law §184 permits a town to contract with a village which maintains adequate and suitable apparatus and appliances for the furnishing of fire protection services in such fire protection district; and WHEREAS, the Town wishes to contract with the Village to provide fire protection services in the Fire Protection District; and WHEREAS, a public hearing as required by §184 of the Town Law was duly advertised on December 14, 2024; and WHEREAS, the Public Hearing was held on January 14, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. and all members of the public wishing to share their opinions in person or in writing had the opportunity to do so; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Ulysses hereby approves and authorizes execution of the attached Agreement between the Village and the Town, whereby the Village will provide the Town with fire protection capable of responding to fire related and health related emergencies on an ongoing basis within the Fire Protection District, for the period from January 1, 2025 until December 31, 2025; and be it further RESOLVED that, pursuant to the Agreement, the Town shall pay the Village the sum of $263,315.41 for such services and the bill will be paid no later than February 15, 2025; and be it further RESOLVED that, the Supervisor of the Town of Ulysses is hereby authorized to execute the Agreement on behalf of the Town of Ulysses. Moved: Ms. Olson Seconded: Ms. Bouchard Olson aye Boggs aye Bouchard aye Goldman absent Weatherby aye Vote: 4-0 Date Adopted: 1/14/25 SUBMISSION OF PUBLIC COMMENTS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION (DEC) ON MINE LAND RECLAMATION PERMIT FOR CAYUGA LAKE CSAC adapted a document originally created by CLEAN and condensed it for the board to amend/approve. DEC did extended the comment period. 4 RESOLUTION # 41 OF 2025: SUBMISSION OF PUBLIC COMMENTS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION (DEC) ON MINE LAND RECLAMATION PERMIT FOR CAYUGA LAKE WHEREAS, the NY Department of Environmental (NYDEC) determined on November 19, 2024 that Cargill, Inc. has submitted a complete Mined Land Reclamation permit application to amend the water storage location within Cayuga Salt Mine’s currently permitted Life-of- Mine area; and WHEREAS, the Town of Ulysses passed a resolution on November 12, 2024 requesting a thorough environmental review of the project and submitted a letter to the NY DEC to that effect; and WHEREAS, the Town of Ulysses passed a resolution on December 10, 2024 requesting an extension to the public comment period, which was granted, thereby extending the comment period to January 15, 2025; and WHEREAS, the Conservation and Sustainability Advisory Committee prepared written recommendations for the Town Board to consider, and these comments were shared with the public in the agenda materials posted on January 10, 2025; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Ulysses Town Board authorizes the Town Supervisor to submit a letter on behalf of the Town outlining the numerous environmental concerns outlined in the letter drafted by CSAC and amended by the Town Board; and be it FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Town Clerk is directed to submit this letter to the NY DEC and any interested parties that were included on the letter authorized on November 12, 2024 by January 15, 2025. Moved: Ms. Olson Seconded: Ms. Bouchard Olson aye Boggs aye Bouchard aye Goldman absent Weatherby aye Vote: 4-0 Date Adopted: 1/14/25 CFA 2024 AWARD ANNOUNCEMENT: GARRETT ROAD Ms. Olson noted that the town received a grant award for $520k to replace the Garrett Rd. culvert, based on a 2023 grant to review the 5 worst culverts. This is 3rd culvert grant that the town has received. Ms. Olson recommends applying for another grant this summer. OVERVIEW OF PRIORITY PROJECTS IN 2025 Ms. Olson reminded the board of the projects that the town is committed to for 2025, including: • Curry Rd bridge- DOT staff person transition so delayed/on hold for now 5 • Waiting on contract for Maplewood Rd rehabilitation • Garrett Rd. DEC- contract • Parking lot- next steps are to coordinate with neighbors and formalize the plan • Comp Plan • Camp Barton • Public water requests and considerations • Salo Habitat mgmt. planning • NYSERDA funds for EV • Annual audit • Consultant for planning summer rec prog at CB • Energy audit for highway • Solar panel lease expiration • Possible local law changes for property tax exemptions • Grassroots water district request She added that other unexpected items come up. NEW BUSINESS: 2025 AMENDMENT TO THE MUNICIPAL COOPERATION AGREEMENT RESOLUTION #42 OF 2025: APPROVAL OF THE 2025 AMENDMENT TO THE MUNICIPAL COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT FOR THE GREATER TOMPKINS COUNTY MUNICIPAL HEALTH INSURANCE CONSORTIUM WHEREAS, the Town of Ulysses is a Participant in the Greater Tompkins County Municipal Health Insurance Consortium (the "Consortium"), a municipal cooperative organized under Article 47 of the New York Insurance Law, and WHEREAS, the municipal participants in the Consortium, including this body, have approved and executed a certain Municipal Cooperation Agreement (the "Agreement"; effective date of October 1, 2010), and WHEREAS, Article 47 of the New York Insurance Law (the "Insurance Law") and the rules and regulations of the New York State Department of Financial Services set forth certain requirements for governance of municipal cooperatives that offer self-insured municipal cooperative health insurance plans, and WHEREAS, the Agreement sets forth in Section Q2 that continuation of the Consortium under the terms and conditions of the Agreement, or any amendments or restatements thereto, shall be subject to Board review and upon acceptance of any new Participant hereafter, and WHEREAS, the Municipal Cooperative Agreement requires that amendments to the agreement be presented to each participant for review and adopted by a majority vote by its municipal board, and WHEREAS, the Town of Ulysses is in receipt of the proposed amended Agreement and has determined that it is in the best interest of its constituents who are served by the Consortium to amend the Agreement as set forth in the Amended Municipal Cooperative Agreement, now therefore be it 6 RESOLVED, that upon receipt and review of the amended Agreement, the Town of Ulysses approves at a meeting of the governing body held on Jan. 14, 2025 and authorizes the Chief Elected Official to sign the 2025 Amendment to the Municipal Cooperative Agreement (Effective 1.1.25) of the Greater Tompkins County Municipal Health Insurance Consortium as recommended by the Board of Directors. Moved: Ms. Olson Seconded: Mr. Boggs Olson aye Boggs aye Bouchard aye Goldman absent Weatherby aye Vote: 4-0 Date Adopted: 1/14/25 INSERO AUDIT ENGAGEMENT LETTER RESOLUTION #43 OF 2025: AUTHORIZATION FOR SUPERVISOR TO SIGN ENGAGEMENT LETTER WITH INSERO FOR ANNUAL AUDIT RESOLVED, the Ulysses Town Board authorizes the Town Supervisor to sign the engagement letter with Insero for the Town’s annual audit. Moved: Ms. Olson Seconded: Ms. Bouchard Olson aye Boggs aye Bouchard aye Goldman absent Weatherby aye Vote: 4-0 Date Adopted: 1/14/25 TOMPKINS COUNTY 2025 YOUTH SERVICES CONTRACT RESOLUTION #44 OF 2025: AUTHORIZING CONTRACT EXECUTION FOR 2025 TOMPKINS COUNTY YOUTH SERVICES FUNDING WHEREAS, the Town of Ulysses and Village of Trumansburg jointly share the expenses of Youth Services, as overseen by the Youth Commission and managed by the Town of Ulysses; WHEREAS, Tompkins County has allocated $17,066 in matching funds for Youth Development Programming, College Tours and Civic Engagement, and $14,140 in matching funds for the Youth Employment Program; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT 7 RESOLVED, that the Ulysses Town Board approves the Town Supervisor signing the 2025 Funding Contract; and be it FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Ulysses Town Board directs the Town Clerk to provide the signed contract to Tompkins County Department of Youth Services. Moved: Ms. Olson Seconded: Ms. Weatherby Olson aye Boggs aye Bouchard aye Goldman absent Weatherby aye Vote: 4-0 Date Adopted: 1/14/25 UPCOMING EVENTS January 20 – Town Facilities Closed for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day January 28 – Regular Town Board Meeting, 7pm @ Town Hall February 11 – Regular Town Board Meeting, 7pm @ Town Hall APPROVAL OF MINUTES: RESOLUTION #45 OF 2025: APPROVAL OF MINUTES RESOLVED, that the Ulysses Town Board approve the meeting minutes, as amended, from December 10, 2024 (regular meeting), January 8, 2025 (special meeting), and January 9, 2025 (special meeting/organizational meeting). Moved: Ms. Olson Seconded: Ms. Weatherby Olson aye Boggs aye Bouchard aye Goldman absent Weatherby aye Vote: 5-0 Date Adopted: 1/14/25 PAYMENT OF AUDITED CLAIMS: RESOLUTION #46 of 2025: PAYMENT OF CLAIMS RESOLVED that the Town board approves payment of the following audited claims: • Abstract 13 (A-SW funds) voucher #639-672 in the amount of $57,166.13 • Abstract 13 (HA fund) voucher #6 in the amount of $21,964.11 • Abstract 1 (A-SW funds) voucher #1-29 in the amount of $130,456.57 8 Moved: Ms. Olson Seconded: Ms. Bouchard Olson aye Boggs aye Bouchard aye Goldman absent Weatherby aye Vote: 4-0 Date Adopted: 1/14/25 PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR (3 min limit per person): Ms. Marino said she is interested to hear that there are problems with NYSEG as it relates to the solar panels. She was the supervisor or board member when the town got the funding and would like to be a part of future discussions about it. ADJOURN: Mr. Boggs made a motion to adjourn at 8:16pm. This was seconded by Ms. Bouchard and passed unanimously. Respectfully submitted by Carissa Parlato, Town Clerk 1/21/25 9 APPENDIX: Please find these documents on the following pages: • Staff reports • Budget modification Planning & Zoning December 2024 Report to Town Board Town Board Meeting Date, 01.14.2025 Submitted by Niels Tygesen, 01.07.2025 Planning Board The Planning Board held a meeting on December 3 to discuss the following items: • The Board conducted final site plan with a public hearing and approved the ‘Lex Site Plan’, a proposal to construct a new detached dwelling unit on a vacant lot. • The Board conducted a public hearing for the ‘Friedman Site Plan’, a proposal of a change of use from residential to retail in an existing building in a Business zone, and postponed issuance of a decision to a later date. • The Board conducted final plat review and approved the ‘Bartishevich Subdivision, a proposal to subdivide the existing 17.75 acre lot into three lots. • The Board conducted site plan review and approved the ‘New Park Sign’, a proposal for a new freestanding sign. • The Board set their regular scheduled meetings for 2025. • Draft minutes link; recorded meeting video link. Comp Plan Steering Committee The Committee held a meeting on December 4 to discuss the following items: • Results of Focus Group #2: Environment & Natural Resources and Climate Change & Resilience. • The committee conducted their own SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges) for Environment & Natural Resources and Climate Change & Resilience. • The committee deliberated proposed questions for a community survey. Results of interviews with local leadership. • The committee outlined future meeting topics including a joint visioning exercise with the Town Board, reviewing drafts of elements of the Comp Plan, and a SWOT exercise for Capital Facilities & Utilities, Transportation, and Community Well-Being. • Draft minutes link; recorded meeting video link. Board of Zoning Appeals The BZA did not conduct any business this month. Planning Projects • 2025-45 Comp Plan Update o 2024 4Q report tracking to DEC for CSC grant. o Coordination and ongoing work with Consultant . o Winterfest 2025 public outreach. o Stakeholders Focus Group #3: Capital Facilities & Utilities, Transportation, and Community Well-Being. Zoning Enforcement • Ongoing research on code enforcement cases. • Town Court on December 17 related to two accusatory instruments filed for two code violators: o Joseph Allen, 6200 & 6211 Brook Road (parcels 23.-1-12 and 23.-2-4 respectively) and parcels 23.-1- 14.4 and 23.-2-5.2. 39 Counts of violations against the Fire Code of New York State, New York State Property Maintenance Code, Ulysses Zoning Code, and breaches of Board of Zoning Appeals Special Permit Determination and Use Variance Determination. o Keith Dodge, 1942 Trumansburg Road (parcel 20.-3-9.22). 35 Counts of violations against the Fire Code of New York State, New York State Property Maintenance Code, and Ulysses Zoning Code. Miscellaneous • Stormwater Coalition Meeting: MS4 permit and associated reporting requirements. • Building, Planning, and Zoning permit reviews. • Customer support pertaining zoning information and permitting process. • Research in CDBG (Community Development Block Grants) and ties with brownfields grants. • Continued outreach for members for boards and committees. • Updates to webpages and applications. • Continued training with Office Project Assistant. 2024-12 Recreation Monthly Report January 7th, 2025 Created by: Will Glennon, Recreation Director 2024 Recreation totals (registrations, programs, individuals) ● 1984 total registrations for programs in 2024 ● 73 total individual programs opened for registration ● 263 total individual adults (18+) registered for programs in 2024 ● 432 total individual children (<18) registered for programs in 2024 Adult Recreation Programming ● Registration for the January-June adult programs are now open and ongoing until the end of the school year. ● Total registrations to date for all adult rec programs is 146. ● Current programs open are volleyball (3 programs), soccer (2 programs), basketball (1), and pickleball (1). Current youth programming ● The youth basketball clinic started in December. ○ Total of 56 participants in grades K-3 ○ Moved to three 1-hour sessions to minimize the number of players in the gym each hour. ○ The boys JV & Varsity basketball players will begin volunteering this Saturday. ● The youth basketball team program also started in December ○ Total of seven teams and a total of 66 participants for grades 3-6. ○ First season in the past five years with two 3rd/4th grade girl basketball teams. ● The youth winter track program started on Saturday, January 4 th. ○ Total of 33 participants in grades 3-8. ○ The program runs on Saturdays and will participate in three Sunday meets at Barton Hall, Cornell University. This is part of the finger lakes runners club series. ● Facilitating a couple of practices for youth wrestling. There is a wrestling tournament in Ithaca on January 19th. The volunteers that have been offering clinics will be providing 2-3 practices for individuals that are interested in wrestling that may be participating in a different sport right now. ● Space/facilities have been getting more scheduled than ever right now. The rec programs have reserved a lot of space for programming each week. ○ At this point in time, the HS/MS/ES gyms are booked beginning at 3:00 pm Monday-Friday and 8:00-5:00 pm Saturday/Sunday. ○ 25 hours per week for youth rec programs ○ 12 hours per week for adult rec programs ● Driver’s Education will be holding a 5-hour course on January 23 rd. General administration ● Scheduling and coordinating team practice spaces and times, along with rescheduling games and practices due to space cancellations. ● Reserving space and coordinating activities for spring recreation programs for the January-June session. ● Assigning referees for home games. ● Hired basketball clinic director and two assistants for the youth basketball clinic. ● Ordered jerseys for the winter track. ● Monitoring and registering late registrations for all programming. ● Communicating to coaches, facilitators, families, other teams, referees, and the school district continuously. December 2024 TOU Youth Services Report Tour of Tompkins Cortland Community College- Dec. 12 6 teens on the tour. Excellent tour and experience. Though TC3 info is regularly accessible to Tburg youth, a number of them mentioned that they would like to visit, see dorms, do a vibe-check. Admissions Advisor Earl De Los Santos gave an overview of academics, financial aid, student life- and then gave a tour. Due to one student getting ill, we returned to school to drop them off and then dined locally at Little Venice, as school lunch was done for the day. Civics Internship: Wrapped up the fall session December 9. Began developing a plan for spring session – with some adaptaƟons based on what we learned this fall (based on feedback from students and our own observaƟons.) Other: Three teens volunteered at our Winterfest table. Rachel completed first level Kingian Nonviolence Training Cer Ɵficate. Met with Ulysses Community Council affiliates- led to planning an upcoming “Ulysses Community Partners Forum” to build/strengthen relaƟonships, share challenges, idenƟfy possible opportuniƟes for collaboraƟon, generally strengthen web of service and community in Ulysses/Greater Tburg area. pg 1 Building & Codes Monthly Report Building & Code Updates Mark Washburn, NYS CEO, Certification No. 1020-0364 December 1 -December 31, 2024 Plan Reviews  5 discussions about upcoming projects  14 permit review  12 pre permit site visit Site Visits  Ongoing monitoring of Erosion Plan, visited 4 times no issues  6 Site meetings with contractors  Multiple Site visit for the CARS project CEO Activity  4 Permits issued/ Projects Cost= $92,243./ Fees collected= $870.  Year end totals/Permits issued-108/ Project cost $12,506,125.00/ Permit fees $83,831.00  3 Foundation/Footer inspections/ Slab / Backfill 0 reinspection’s  5 Framing inspections/ 0 Issue resolved during inspection  1 Plumbing inspections/ 0 reinspection  4 Final inspection/0 Reinspection  8 Pre-site inspections  Code research for 10 different issues approximately 7 hours  Fire code research regarding change of occupancy  2 Fire inspections completed Status is Current  Outreach regarding Fire inspections ongoing and multiple appointments scheduled  Multiple erosion control inspection site visits to the CARS project  Enforcement action 2 properties -Ongoing/Monitoring any progress for records/ progress on remediation steps  Multiple site visits on open projects for job status pg 2 Building & Codes Monthly Report Town of Ulysses Clerk’s Office MONTHLY REPORT for Dec. 2024 Submitted by Carissa Parlato LICENSES/PERMITS issued: # Sporting licenses 0 Disabled parking permits 10 Dog licenses and renewals 29 Marriage licenses 1 Notarizations 7 FOIL requests-received 1 FOIL requests-completed 1 CLERK’s OFFICE TASKS: General/routine tasks:  mail, answered inquiries on various topics, attended town board meetings and took minutes, kept website current, notary services, licensing (marriage, dog, sporting) and disabled parking permits, collect building & zoning fees, weekly Supervisor/Clerks office meetings, building use/equipment sign out, FOIL requests, ordered supplies, posted meetings & videos  Facilities: o Advertise parking lot bids o Open bids  Taxes: o Prepare for tax season o Begin collections  Water: o Troubleshoot water loss  Social media & website o Continue to share town updates on FB o Create weekly e-newsletter o Outreach & publicity for parking lot RFB  IT: o Check spam filter weekly o Interface with IT consultant on upgrades and issues o Transition to new computers in anticipation of Windows 10 ending  Records Mgmt o Continue to go through old boxes from past Supervisors to either retain or dispose of records. o Support other staff with retention  Cross reconciliation of bank statements with Bookkeeper  Safety Committee o Meeting held on 11/4- next meeting in Feb. FINANCIAL REPORT: $1707.70 TOTAL fees collected $1656.20 stays in the town $51.50 goes to the state Town of Ulysses January 2025 Bookkeeper Board Report 1/14/2025, Town Board Meeting Prepared by Blixy Taetzsch, 1/9/2025 1 Greetings Board Members: December 2024 Financial Statements will not be available until the second February Board meeting, due to the time needed for year-end closeout and audit. However, December bank statements are reconciled and cash activity posted through December 31, 2024. To that end, I have enclosed the December 31, 2024, Supervisor’s Report, which will not change with year-end closing entries. As detailed in the Supervisor’s Report, total cash balances as of 12/31/2024 were $788,535.81, a decrease of $121,008.75 from the end of November. A significant contributor to the decrease in cash is the advance payment of 2025 insurance costs, totaling almost $67,000 between General Liability, Cyber Liability, and Workers Compensation. At this time, I don’t see any surprises in the financial results for 2024 that would suggest a significant departure from projections previously reported to the Board. Bookkeeper/Budget Officer Activities Below are some highlights of monthly activities: • Personnel: Updates to the Personnel Policy were completed for Board review in December and approved at the 1/9/25 Organizational Meeting. • Finance Committee: I would like to see the Committee begin to meet again in January to develop a work plan for 2025. However, Board member availability may suggest that we begin our work in March. • General Accounting and Budget Support: Bank reconciliations and December cash transactions were finalized by January 3rd. I am now working on all of the year-end accrual entries needed to record revenues earned, but not received and expenditures incurred but not paid. I will also be updating all our fund balance and reserve information. I have scheduled our independent audit for the week of February 17th. • Budget Amendments: For the second Board meeting in February, I expect that there will be one final budget adjustment based on final 2024 results. • Other Administrative Support: I coordinated the completion of our insurance applications for 2025, and will continue to interface with our agent, Tompkins Insurance, on behalf of the Town. I also support various grant administration needs, particularly with financial reporting and recording and cash flow.