HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-11-08-TB-FINAL-minutesTOWN BOARD MEETING
Town of Ulysses
November 8, 2016
Audio of the minutes are available on the website at ulysses.ny.us.
The meeting was held at the Ulysses Town Hall at 10 Elm Street, Trumansburg.
Notice of Town Board meetings are posted on the town's website and clerk's board.
ATTENDANCE:
PRESENT:
Supervisor- Liz Thomas
1 st Deputy Supervisor- Nancy Zahler
Board members- Michael Boggs, Rich Goldman
Town Clerk- Carissa Parlato
OTHERS PRESENT:
Elizabeth Meg Williams
CALL TO ORDER:
Ms. Thomas called the meeting to order at 5 p.m.
GENERAL BUSINESS:
APPROVAL OF MEETING AGENDA
RESOLUTION 2016-180: APPROVAL OF MEETING AGENDA
BE IT RESOLVED that the Ulysses Town Board approve the agenda for November 8, 2016
with the addition of a new Youth commission representative and removal of outside users for
WD3.
Moved: Mr. Goldman Seconded: Ms. Zahler
Ms. Thomas
aye
Ms. Zahler
aye
Mr. Hertzler
aye
Mr. Boggs
absent
Mr. Goldman
aye
Vote: 4-0
Date Adopted: 11/8/16
PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR:
(none)
REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES:
(none)
2
TOWN REPORTS:
(see Appendix)
RESOLUTION 2016-181: APPOINTMENT OF ELEIZABETH MEG WILLIAMS TO
YOUTH COMMISSION
Whereas, the Joint Youth Commission serves those in the Trumansburg Central School
District and Town of Ulysses least likely to be involved in other school and community
programs and
Whereas, one of two Town -appointed seats is currently vacant and
Whereas, Elizabeth Meg Williams resides in the Trumansburg School District and is interested
in serving as a volunteer on the Joint Youth Commission and
Whereas, Ms. Williams has extensive background in serving children and youth and program
development which are skills needed by the Youth Commission, now therefore be it
Resolved, that Elizabeth Meg Williams is appointed by the Town of Ulysses effective
immediately to replace Heidi Dawes, who has resigned from one of the Town's two at -large
seats on the Joint Youth Commission.
Moved: Ms. Zahler Seconded: Ms. Thomas
Ms. Thomas
aye
Ms. Zahler
aye
Mr. Hertzler
aye
Mr. Boggs
aye
Mr. Goldman
aye
Vote: 5-0
Date Adopted: 11/8/16
OLD BUSINESS:
The board discussed future health care options based on a staff inquiry regarding potential increasing
deductibles.
The board discussed making changes to sections 104, 412, 702, 706 and 710 of the Personnel Policy.
RESOLUTION 2016-182: RESOLUTION TO AMEND THE PERSONNEL POLICY
Ms. Zahler moves to adopt revised version section 706 of the Personnel Policy to read as
follows:
(Section 706J
Health Savings Accounts
The IRS allows employers and eligible employees to contribute to HSAs. The Town will
contribute to a health savings account (HSA) for each employee who is eligible and signed up
for health insurance through the town. Annually, the town board will contribute the full amount
of the in -network deductible, provided that the deductible does not exceed 44% of the in-
3
network, out-of-pocket maximum. Employees or Elected Officials may contribute pre-tax
dollars to their HSA in addition to funds the town has contributed up to the combined allowable
limit as determined by the IRS. Funds belong to the employee or elected official, subject to IRS
regulations.
Moved: Mr. Goldman
Ms. Thomas
abstain
Ms. Zahler
aye
Mr. Hertzler
aye
Mr. Boggs
aye
Mr. Goldman
aye
Vote:4-0
Date Adopted: 11/8/16
NEW BUSINESS:
Seconded: Mr. Boggs
SETTING A JOINT PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE FIRE CONTRACT
RESOLUTION 2016-183: SETTING A JOINT PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE FIRE
CONTRACT
BE IT RESOLVED that the Ulysses Town Board hold a Joint Public Hearing on the 2017 Fire
Contract at 6:30pm on 11/22/ 2016 at the Ulysses Town Hall.
Moved: Mr. Goldman
Ms. Thomas
aye
Ms. Zahler
aye
Mr. Hertzler
aye
Mr. Boggs
aye
Mr. Goldman
aye
Vote: 5-0
Date Adopted: 11/8/16
PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR:
(none)
MONTHLY BUSINESS
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Seconded: Mr. Boggs
RESOLUTION 2016-184: APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 10/25 PH, 10/25 TB
BE IT RESOLVED that the Ulysses Town Board approve the minutes as edited by Ms.
Thomas.
Moved: Ms. Thomas
Ms. Thomas aye
Seconded: Ms. Zahler
0
Ms. Zahler
aye
Mr. Hertzler
aye
Mr. Boggs
aye
Mr. Goldman
aye
Vote: 5-0
Date Adopted: 11 /8/16
BUDGET MODIFICATION
RESOLUTION 2016-185: BUDGET MODIFICATIONS
BE IT RESOLVED that the Ulysses Town Board approve the following modifications to the
2016 budget.
SW3 FUND BUDGET Water Purification Increase $1,784.99
MODIFICATIONS Contractual
SW3-8330.4
Additional costs due to TTHM remediation work in water district: engineering work required for
funding opportunities. Preliminary engineering report and environmental report for NEPA.
Moved: Ms. Thomas
Ms. Thomas
aye
Ms. Zahler
aye
Mr. Hertzler
aye
Mr. Boggs
aye
Mr. Goldman
aye
Vote: 5-0
Date Adopted: 11/8/16
Seconded: Mr. Boggs
APPROVAL OF CLAIMS
RESOLUTION 2016-186: APPROVAL OF CLAIMS
BE IT RESOLVED that the Ulysses Town Board approve payment of claims #558-609 in the
amount of $40,496.62.
Moved: Ms. Thomas
Ms. Thomas
aye
Ms. Zahler
aye
Mr. Hertzler
aye
Mr. Boggs
aye
Mr. Goldman
aye
Vote: 5-0
Date Adopted: 9/13/16
Seconded: Mr. Boggs
ADJOURN:
Mr. Goldman moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:21pm; seconded by Ms. Zahler and passed
unanimously.
APPENDIX:
TOWN REPORTS:
PLANNING BOARD/ZONING OFFICER- submitted by Ms. Kiley
Planning Board
On October 18th, the Planning Board held a public hearing and subsequently approved an addition to
the Inn at Taughannock. The PB also approved a modification to the landscaping plan at the Girl Scout
Camp ranger house, and discussed solar regulations — provided comments to the sustainability council.
Board of Zoning Appeals
On October 19th, the Board of Zoning Appeals granted a variance for a rear yard setback for an
accessory building on a residential property in the A1 -Agricultural District.
Grants
Residential Energy Score Project — The project team held a meeting with the technical advisory
committee and continues to discuss funding and administration of the proposed program.
Zoning Updates Grant — The steering committee continues to review the ag section draft.
Other Meetin2s/Issues
Planning Advisory Board (PAB) — 10/26: the PAB discussed the preliminary housing needs
assessment results, and heard other updates from the Planning Commissioner.
Water Resources Council (WRC) — 10/17: the WRC heard a presentation on the City's issues with
manganese as a result of the drought and other factors.
County Planning, Development, and Environmental Quality (10/19): attended portion of meeting
to hear about the proposed Cargill mine shaft project.
Stormwater Coalition (SWC) — (10/19): the SWC discussed the upcoming draft MS4 permit, training
options, and the stormwater mapping project.
Conservation Partners — (10/26): the group discussed the county habitat connectivity project, the
county natural infrastructure program, and the Finger Lakes Land Trust's conservation agenda for the
Finger Lakes.
TCCOG Energy committee — (10/27): the group discussed the Climate Smart Communities and
Clean Energy Communities programs and possible options for moving forward. Liz and I met with a
CCE intern on 10/12 to discuss the Climate Smart Communities certification.
ACTING HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT- reported by Dave Reynolds
• The department attended a snow plow training
• Worked on road edges/shoulders
• Helped Village haul hot mix for street paving
• Hauled I stone to replenish stock pile
• One minor snow event
M
• Submitted CHIPS reimbursement with Michelle's help
• Worked on trucks and plow equipment for winter
• Mowed back further on ditch banks
• Mr. Reynolds commended the staff on the budgets
TOWN CLERK- submitted by Ms. Parlato
LICENSES/PERMITS issued:
#
Sporting licenses
30
Disabled parking permits
13
Dog licenses and renewals
50
Marriage licenses
2
Plumbing permits
0
Address assignments
1
Notarizations
7
FOIL requests
1
FINANCIAL REPORT:
$1720.00 TOTAL Collected for fees & licenses
$773.88 stays in the town
$946.12 goes to the state
CLERK's OFFICE TASKS:
• Research town records as needed for other town staff
• Contacted Trumansburg Telephone to inquire about cheaper rate, per Town Board member request
• Distributed sample ballots for 11/8 election
• Ran payroll in bookkeeper's absence
• Worked on update of old elected and appointed job descriptions manual per supervisor request
• Assisted Deputy Supervisor with "on -boarding" of new employees
• Created project plan for 2017 dog enumeration
• Managed town hall maintenance/repairs
• Routine tasks:
o Notarized documents for citizens
o Ordering supplies
o Mailed Welcome brochures to new town residents
o Retrieved, sorted, vouchered mail
o Answered inquiries on various topics
o Took and wrote up meeting minutes
o Kept website current
o Sent listsery mssgs. to keep residents updated.
o Issued dog tickets as needed for delinquent renewals
RECORDS MANAGEMENT:
• Worked on update of 2002 Record Mgmt Policy and Procedures manual
• Continued organization of electronic files on town server as well as in Laserfiche
• Researched e-mail/website platform made for municipalities to provide adequate back up to comply
with state retention regulations
WATER DISTRICT TASKS:
• Posted water bills
• Weekly check -ins with Water District Operator
7
• Updated water usage reports
MEETINGS/TRAININGS:- Health Consortium on 10/6/16
CITIZEN COMMENTS/INQUIRIES-
Comment/inquiry
Answer/referral
Elected to appointed propositions
Referral to Supervisor
CODE OFFICER- Submitted Mr. Myers:
• Issued: 1 permit, 2 Certificates of Occupancy (COO), 4 Certificates of Compliance (COC)
• Total cost of projects $425,000; $1356 collected as fees to town
• Many new houses near completion
• 38 open permits; 4 awaiting
• 7 buildings placarded with condemned signs
SUPERVISOR REPORT 10/10/16 to 11/7/16- submitted by Ms. Thomas
Budget
• Prepare Preliminary Budget after review by Town Board. Submit to Town Clerk for
advertising public hearing.
• Prepare Public Hearing documents and script. Convene Public Hearing (no attendance)
• Sales tax – enter September revenue into spreadsheet and analyze.
• Finalize budget after public hearing. Add final budget column. Connect all spreadsheet
equations (requires some trouble -shooting).
• Finalize budget narrative for public.
• Submit tax cap information to the Office of the State Comptroller
• Submit budget information to the Town Clerk for the Tompkins County Dept of Assessment.
Water Districts WD3
• Review Rural Development Grant with Michelle—this is an unbelievably complicated
application. Just getting access to the pre -application is a multi -day, multi -phase project.
• Advocate for a backup person to help the Water District Operator.
• Outside users – work on agreement for outside water users adjacent to WD3. Conference
call with attorney and engineer. Read agreement with Town of Ithaca. Reach out to Ithaca
and Bolton Point to have agreement put on their agendas.
• Lead agency details – letters to interested and involved agencies out.
• TTHM quarterly results – analyze.
WD5 – Falls Road
• Initiate next steps for Water District 5 (Falls Road). Review contract with MRB to
coordinate steps.
Energy
Climate Smart Community – inventory for Town of Ulysses
TCCOG Energy Roadmap Committee – write minutes, prep agenda, chair meeting on the
difference between Climate Smart Communities and Energy Smart Communities.
Community Choice aggregation – attend meeting on options to proceed. Take minutes and
distribute.
Parks and Recreation
• Trails Grant: Review trails website again, give feedback again.
Zoning update
• Read through updated zoning and comment. Attend zoning committee meetings.
• Read NYS documents regarding regulations within Ag Districts.
• Read several documents regarding conservation easements vs deed restrictions.
• Read through documents submitted by the Ag Committee.
Personnel Policy
• Health insurance — how it affects budget and how it affects employees.
• Make edits to clothing allowance, health insurance benefits, disability, and clarifying that sick
time and vacation accumulations are not for elected officials.
Other
• Meet with Clerk's Office to work on topics: website, budget, laserfiche,
• Fire and EMS contracts — urge Village to provide asap.
• Black Diamond Trail parking issues -discuss with Highway Superintendent.
• Jacksonville Community Association — help prepare document to be used for JCA meeting.
• Assist new Fire Inspector to be oriented.
Meetings:
o Cemetery Stones in Jacksonville (10/12)
o Ag Committee Meeting (10/13, 10/20)
o Office of the State Comptroller — tax cap info (10/13) o Water Operator — update on grants,
actions (10/20) o Ethics training (10/24)
o Zoning Committee (10/26, 11/3)
o Town Board meetings (10/25)
o Interview with WICB about Court Task Force work (10/27)
o TCCOG (10/27)
o TCCOG Energy Roadmap Committee (10/27)
o Community Choice Aggregation (10/28)
o Clerk/Supervisor coordination meeting (11/1)
o Rural Water Association contact comes to help with Rural Development grant (11/1)
Resident communications
o Outside water user o Elected or appointed
o Yacht club
o Taughannock Farms expansion
o Recreation
Repeating daily/weekly/monthly tasks:
• Work with each department on current topics.
• Respond to constant flow of questions from residents, volunteers and staff.
• Weekly review of topics with attorney for the town.
• Monthly review of county actions.
• Daily check-in with Town Hall staff.
• Periodic discussions with Zoning Officer over a variety of topics.
• Prepare agendas, resolutions, and background documents. Review topics with TB members,
conduct meetings, and review minutes.
• Provide oversight and follow-through on decisions and requests made at Town Board
meetings.
• Review claims and budget, make suggested budget modifications to be approved by TB,
review payroll, sign checks,
• Periodic check in with Town Clerk and Deputy Supervisor re work load and coordination.
• Respond to surveys when requested.
2ND DEPUTY SUPERVISOR & BOOKKEEPER REPORT -October 12 -November 4 2016
Submitted on 11/4/2016 by Michelle E. Wright
Deputy Supervisor
• Water District 3
o RD Apply process: time consuming and convoluted
o Substantial review of Preliminary Engineering Report from MRB
o Meeting with Doug Smorol of Rural Water Association
o Continued work with Rural Development contact Chris Cerio
• Work with Highway
o Submission of CHIPS and PAVE NY funding paperwork
o Work with Highway Superintendent on accounting related topics
o Snow plow safety training, hosting logistics
o Communications with County regarding future plans of bridges in the Town of Ulysses
• Ag Committee: website updates and administratively oriented work
• Meetings: Supervisor/Clerk office; Summer Recreation meeting at Village
• Communications regarding the County -wide EMS task force
Bookkeeper
• Budget work
o Assistance with data accuracy in final version of budget
o SM & SF fund reserve investigation
o Organizational knowledge/documentation of budget process
• Health insurance
o Fact finding re: HSAs
o Planning for November 21" employee benefits day
o Invoicing retirees for reimbursement
o Retiree sick time benefit calculations and handling
o Dental insurance communications to employees
• Personnel
o Paperwork and on boarding of new employees
County paperwork
NYSLRS paperwork
Youth employee: one new youth employee
• Regular duties
o Monthly close out
0
■ This past month included special entries for reserve accounts
o Payroll
■ Processing and accounting
o Banking
o Water district accounting
o NYSLRS (retirement system)
■ Annual payment calculation
■ Monthly reporting
o Payments: regular appropriations & vouchers
■ Vouchered expenses
■ Health Insurance
• Issue with billing this past month that had to be resolved, somewhat time
consuming
■ Other regular payments
1sT DEPUTY SUPERVISOR- submitted by Ms. Zahler:
Jacksonville:
• The Jacksonville Community Association held a meeting. Mr. Boggs and Mr. Myers attended.
Although she was not able to attend, she talked to some in attendance and shared some meeting
updates.
Youth Commission:
• welcomed a new member
• are planning for winter
Zoning Update Steering Committee
• Has been meeting twice/month to get a draft to circulate to stakeholders and other town
committees
• Have had lots of feedback on the proposed agricultural zone
Village of Trumansburg
• Ms. Zahler had a joint meeting to discuss the summer recreation program with Ms. Wright, Ms.
Badalamenti (Village Treasurer), Ms. Johnson (Tompkins County Youth Services)
MR. GOLDMAN:
Mr. Goldman reported that the Planning Board is interested in getting the zoning information.
MR. HERTZLER:
Mr. Hertzler reported that the Environmental Management Committee is re -invigorated with new
members.
MR. BOGGS:
Attended the JCA meeting and reported the following:
• it was well attended
• They talked a lot about park maintenance
• He gave updates on the zoning update and Exxon properties
• The community is trying to re-establish a neighborhood watch
10
Respectfully submitted by Carissa Parlato on 11/18/16.