Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-02-14 Town Board Minutes, DraftRoll Call: The Town of Danby, New York 1830 Danby Road, ltbaca, NY 14850 https://danby.ny.gov Town Board Special Meeting Monday 14 February 2022 +1-607-277-4788 1 townboard(a danby.ny.gov Meeting Minutes Town Board Joel Gagnon, Supervisor Leslie Connors Katharine Hunter Sarah Schnabel Patricia Woodworth Recording Secretary Janice Adelman, Town Clerk 1. Meeting Called to Order at 19:03 by Supervisor Gagnon 2. Context for calling this meeting: 2.1. At the last Town Board meeting, Supervisor Gagnon was authorized by the Town Board to sign the contract with the Danby Community Council (DCC) excluding any contributions to production of the Danby (Area) Newsletter. 2.2. The DCC provided a revised contract excluding funding for the Newsletter while continuing to serve the role of Danby Youth Commission to the Tompkins County Youth Programming. 2.3. Gagnon and Councilperson Hunter met with Teresa Albert (TC Administrative Coordinator), Meghan Guerra Lyons (Community Youth Services Coordinator), and Kate Shanks -Booth (Director of Youth Services Department); the TC Youth Programming people were concerned regarding the poor quality working relationship they experienced with DCC and asked the town to address the issue. TC Youth Services also offered assistance in pursuing alternatives or resolving questions that were raised. 2.4. The two questions Gagnon wanted to see answered tonight were: 2.4.1. What are we willing to contract for the DCC to do? 2.4.2. What might remain to be funded if it's not everything, and what might we do otherwise regarding Youth Programming Services? 3. Privilege of the Floor 3.1. Pamela Goddard, DCC President, spoke on behalf of the DCC: When Town of Danby Board Meeting + Public Hearing Tuesday 2 November 2027 at 7 0OPM 3.2. Gagnon forwarded his report of the January 19 meeting to those who were not able to be there, he included the wording of the motion or resolution which stated that the Town Board was going to fund the contract as written with the removal of the Danby News. We were we were working on that assumption that it was going to be approved and funded as written without revisions, on that basis we revise the contract removing the Danby News and sent the contract to the Town Board only to learn afterwards that we —apparently, the Town Board and the DCC had a very different understanding of what "fund as written" means. So we're collectively disappointed that this is still in process, and I hope that this can be resolved as quickly as possible. We're doing our best to address and work on the other issues, the bylaws and appointments. Admittedly, it's been less than a month, our meeting on February 3 was just two weeks after that resolution and that discussion happened. I'm here to listen and to correct any basic misunderstandings or gaps in information and I will add that by the time that Joel and Katharine had a meeting wi eghan and the others, there had been a meeting that Thursday m ing, uring which it was reported that the contract had not yet been ne So t information was available or should have been available t the time for that THursday meeting. I will also note that Meghan and I c versation on Friday morning at 9:30 which I thought wen p ive and that we were making good progress in adjusting th o he meeting so that I could be there as the primary contQ ad ressing some concerns about better diversity equity aon n the programs. I will say that now, when I asked Meghan if ts anything else that I should know about, I was not informed that theeen a meeting on Thursday afternoon. So we're working both sides on some gaps in information and it might be important to have those filled out. The most important thing to the DCC and I'm sure to the Town Board as well, is that we all do our best to work together for the residents of Danby, the youth of Danby, the elders, and the families in Danby. THis is the mission and purpose of the DCC and we have been doing our best in this time of the pandemic to meet that in a quality way, and I think we've done a good job; we have not wavered. So again, I'll just repeat, it's to the benefit of all of us that this be resolved as quickly and as equitably as possibly. That's all I have to say for now. I do hope that if there are times when there's some piece of information that would be important to clarify, that I will be given that opportunity. Thank you. Marnie Kirchgessner, Danby Resident, lives in the house that her parents bought when she was born. She has been trying to be participate in the DCC for approximately 3 years. The message she consistently hears from the Page 2 of 6 Town of Danby Board Meeting + Public Hearing 11 Tuesday 2 November 2027 at 7 00PM Community Council is that they are an autonomous organization. Kirchgessner has great respect for autonomy and thinks that that is fine if they want to be an independent organization. Her issue is that as a tax- payer, I expect to have oversight for tax dollars. She questions whether with the current organizational structure and the individuals involved, whether that is in the best interest of the Danby tax payers. She requested that the Town Board investigate a youth commission because she thinks it affords the town the oversight that is necessary for quality youth programming to continue. Thank you very much. 3.3. Sarah Schnabel noted that their should be an agenda for all meetings, even special meetings. Board Discussion ensued around the two questions at hand 4.1. What are we willing to contract with DCC to do 4.1.1. What are the options? Meghan Guerra Lyons from Youth Services responded. 4.1.1.1. Joint commission The Joint Youth Comm 4.1.1.2. 4.1.1.3. and Ithaca, and the of ever joining t t Danby Youth Co prises the Towns of Caroline ,sing. There is no possibility ommission. A Youth C ssi var�s from town to town since every area in th i so unique. Typically, it includes people wh are appointed by the Town Board. For the To of D nb , for example, this might require persons that mee er in criteria, such as being: (a) from West Danby, (b) a pare (c) an employee from the schools, (d) from the faith community, (e) etc. Number of seats on a commission varies from 7-12 people with a chair, vice -chair, secretary. With some groups Meghan offers more support in some efforts than others, eg., fund-raising, coordinating agendas, etc. The town decides the number of seats. Once appointed, the commission decides when to meet and create their own bylaws. Mentoring assistance is available from other commissions. 4.1.2. Board suggestions: 4.1.2.1. It is benefical to have people represented from multiple areas in Danby, as well as reaching out to schools where Danby kids go, including the Waldorf school, homeschoolers, and Candor. 4.1.2.2. If the possibility is available to join commissions with Newfield, Page 3 of 6 Town of Danby Board Meeting + Public Hearing 4.1.3. 4.1.4. Tuesday 2 November 2027 at 7 0OPM who has expressed interest in joining with others, then it would be appropriate to create a separate Youth Commission in which the Town appoints members. 4.1.2.3. No one on the Board wants to see the youth programming disappear. Goddard asked Meghan if the town were to create a Youth Commission now, if there would be any impact on current programming stating that the only concern from the DCC is that there not be any disruption to programs already in progress. 4.1.3.1. Meghan needs to talk with others in the County and would have to discuss how the youth would continue to be served. Goddard mentioned receiving funding from organizations such as the United Way to the DCC that go directly to the youth programs, since the UW cannot give money to a government agency. 4.1.4.1. Meghan responded that the g vernment cannot accept funding from United Way. ever, CCE is also a 501c3 and is how they do their fundr i ing. would probably be a hiccup for this year, but coul of tia work with the UW. 4.1.4.2. Gagnon asked h mu he UW contribution is. Answer is about $2500 for rogram. $1000 for youth grants. Resolution 59 of 2022 To Com Proposal Brought to theme!} Moved By Vote: ng a Youth Commission With a y- Seconded By: Connors Councilperson Aye Nay Absent Connors X Hunter X Schnabel X Woodworth X Gagnon X Resolution 59 approved Resolution 60 of 2022 To Have Pat Woodworth and Katharine Hunter, along with Page 4 of 6 Town of Danby Board Meeting + Public Hearing Tuesday 2 November 2027 at 7 0OPM Meghan Guerra Lyons Leading the Proposal for the Youth Commission. Vote: Moved By: Gagnon Seconded By: Connors Councilperson Aye Nay Absent Connors X Hunter X Schnabel X Woodworth X Gagnon X Resolution 60 approved 5. Issue about the Danby newsletter 5.1. Previous discussion around the Dan Town -based newsletter. 5.1.1. Woodworth reached out 5.1.2. 5.1.3. newsletter. It's the the town. Carolin4 Caroline SuuoP% his head. based ne was support for creating a of Caroline who has their own ns yal` the town reps to send out info from vWo Pro to print and prep the mailings. The �` that it was about $1k/issue off the top of ggests aiming for April to begin the town - Additional disc3rsion focused on information outreach to residents. There was interest in exploring different options to make sure Danby residents are well-informed. 5.1.2.1. sending out postcards to advertise events 5.1.2.2. Surveying the residents to find out what they want. Discussion around costs 5.1.3.1. The Spencer-Vanetten Hay Field(?) newsletter subscription is $12 5.1.3.2. Brooktondale has an email newsletter; if you want a paper copy it's $10/year. 5.1.3.3. To reach people who may move in to Danby not knowing that the newsletter exists, the town could mail out a quarterly free verison. 5.1.3.4. Goddard noted that the DCC hasn't ruled out funding their own newsletter and that it might be an advantage on all sides Page 5 of 6 Town of Danby Board Meeting + Public Hearing Tuesday 2 November 2027 at 7 0OPM to have both newsletters come out. She noted that the Brooktondale newsletter is an independent publication not affiliated with the government. 5.2. Goddard asked if the DCC removes the newsletter and the youth programs expenses from their contract, could they get a signed contract with the DCC, with the understanding that there are other tweaks that Gagnon has suggested? 5.2.1. The Board wants to again see a quick overview of expenses noting that the contract is not contigent upon this request. 5.2.2. Goddard will ask Bill Evans as past treasurer to work on that noting that there are other funds that come in from other donations. 6. Meeting Adjourned at 20:59. mitted by Janice R. Adelman Town Clerk Page 6 of 6