HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-04-20 Town Board Minutes
Meeting Minutes
Roll Call:
Town Board Joel Gagnon, Supervisor
Leslie Connors
Katharine Hunter
Sarah Schnabel
Patricia Woodworth
Highway Superintendent Keith Shipman
Town Bookkeeper Laura Shawley
Recording Secretary Janice Adelman, Town Clerk
Guest Speakers
Regina (Gina) Cassidy
Lou Vogel
Dan Klein
Vera (Veery) Evans
Clean Energy Communities Coordinator for
Tompkins County
President of Tatum Engineering; NY Stretch
Code Technical Expert
County Legislative Representative
Danby Youth Commission Applicant
1. Meeting Called to Order at 19:01 by Supervisor Gagnon
2. Additions/Deletions to Agenda
2.1. Application for Youth Commission — Vera Evans (Veery) and Inter view
2.2. Consider passing the Local Law to Allow for Remote Participation
3. Privilege of the Floor
3.1. Katharine Hunter, Resident and Town Board Member:
Spoke out to raise awareness of the fragility of democracies in the world and how
fragile human rights are right now. This is a concern for her and has been on her
mind regarding what the town may consider doing to support democracy and
human rights.
3.2. Ted Crane, Resident:
Mary Ann Barr 2021
T he Town of Danby, New York
1830 Danby Road, Ithaca, NY 14850
https://danby.ny.gov
Town Board Regular Meeting
Wednesday 20 April 2022
+1-607-277-4788 | townboard@danby.ny.gov
Town of Danby Board Meeting Wednesday 20 April 2022 at 7:00PM
Referenced the proposed resolution from the last meeting to recognize Gould
Colman; Crane indicated that the next issue of the Danby Area News has a
retrospective on him. Crane then repeated a point he made at the last meeting
that in an open meeting context, the public should be able to see and hear any of
the people speaking. In particular, he noted, elected officials participating in the
meeting should have videos *and* mics active at all times.
4. Correspondence — none
5. Announcements — none
6. Reports & Presentations
6.1. Clean Energy Stretch Code Presentation — Regina Cassidy, Clean Energy
Communities Coordinator for Tompkins County at the Cornell Cooperative
Extension
6.1.1.New York Climate Leadership & Community Protection Act of 2019 Goals
- 85% reduction in GHG emissions by 2050
- 100% zero-emission electricity by 2040
- 70% renewable energy by 2030
- 9,000 MW of offshore wind by 2035
- 3,000 MW of energy storage by 2030
- 6,000 MW of solar by 2025
- 22 million tons of carbon reduction through energy efficiency and
electrification
6.1.2.NYS Southern Tier Clean Energy Communities was created to work hand in
hand with NYSERDA to offer grants to communities adopting specific
cleaner energy actions.
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Town of Danby Board Meeting Wednesday 20 April 2022 at 7:00PM
6.1.3.Presentation included a clip from a presentation on 19 Oct 2021 by the
Central New York Regional Planning and Development Board about NY
Stretch featuring Josh Stark, residential construction manager, construction
consultant, land-use attorney, and NYStretch Circuit Rider. For resources
mentioned in the presentation, see https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/All-
Programs/Programs/Energy-Code-Training/NYStretch-Energy-Code-2020
6.1.4.A Q&A with Lou Vogel (Tatum Engineering; NY Stretch Technical Expert)
followed the presentation from Cassidy.
6.1.5.Next step is for the Board to consider whether this is something worth
adopting; there is a deadline at the end of May for deciding.
6.1.5.1.Jim Holahan could provide legal guidance
6.1.5.2.Board will set up a public hearing at the next meeting.
6.1.6.With thanks to Gina and Lou for participating tonight.
6.2. County Representative Dan Klein
6.2.1.Two Upcoming Opportunities to Challenge Property Value Assessment
6.2.1.1.Local Advisory Board of Assessment Review on Tues 10 May from
3pm-6pm at Town Hall. Walk-in only.
6.2.1.2.County Assessment Grievance Day on 24 May at Assessment
Office (. Both 128 E Buffalo St, Annex Building C, Ithaca, NY 14850)
pre-scheduled appointments and walk-ins available.
6.2.2.SWIFT-911 has been replaced with SIREN (Safety and Incident Real-Time
Emergency Notifications). To sign up for emergency notifications for all or
part of Tompkins, visit https://tompkinscountyny.gov/siren
6.2.3.Tompkins County will receive money from its first opioid settlement:
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Town of Danby Board Meeting Wednesday 20 April 2022 at 7:00PM
$192,000 in 2022; ever y year thereafter county will receive $110,000
through the year 2040.
6.2.3.1.Half of this settlement money is unrestricted
6.2.3.2.The other half is treatment specific, i.e., for new treatment
services.
6.2.3.3.The County has not yet decided how to spend the funds.
6.2.3.4.County is also participant in other opioid settlements; potential
for additional money in the future.
6.2.4.Broadband
6.2.4.1.Looking at Danby Broadband map has been enlightening. NYS
Survey of Broadband Access to be released next month. Klein
suggested comparing the two maps when it becomes available.
6.2.4.2.For next steps in this area, Klein recommended addressing this at
the county level.
6.2.4.2.1.The county has applied for a grant through Southern
Tier 8; the application rate was so high they have
delayed awarding grants until 2023.
6.2.4.2.2.There is a new state program called Connect All
specifically for broadband initiatives, with a billion
dollars.
**With this in mind, each municipality should get a plan ready
because without a plan, no one will hand you money for it.
There will be more requests than consultants.
Klein also noted that Chuck Bartosh and Haefele may be able
to connect update portions of the town which could be done
as soon as possible.
After the state data comes out, look at county level to
determine what the county plan might look like.
Additionally, Klein recommended to continue nudging and
reminding people that this is an issue that needs attention.
6.2.5.Sales tax revenue for Q1
6.2.5.1.Went up 21% from last year. Good news for Town and County
budgets. Bad news for the residents who are paying more when
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Town of Danby Board Meeting Wednesday 20 April 2022 at 7:00PM
purchasing items.
6.2.6.Non-legislative news: the 30th annual plant exchange is happening 15 May
from 1pm to 3pm at the Danby Fire Pavilion.
6.3. Highway Superintendent Keith Shipman
6.3.1.Have started the spring clean-up after the plows' work is done for the
season.
6.3.2.The shoulder work needs to be re-done.
6.3.3.Started on ditching efforts with a lot of culverts
6.3.4.Gunderman Road bridge update: pipe that’s being built for the bridge has
an element that is unable to be obtained by the manufacturer. Highway is
currently on a wait list for another pipe. Currently estimating that this will
result in about a 40-day delay on getting the bridge fixed.
6.3.5.With Gunderman Rd Bridge on pause, there’s a project on Bruce Hill Rd
that is being moved forward to completion.
6.3.6.Focusing on Comfort Road between Lieb and Gunderman: re-profiling,
checking pipes, hauling materials, etc.
6.3.7.Resurfacing with oil and stone on the roads that need preventative
maintenance (e.g., King, E Miller).
6.3.8.Shipman brought up the rise in costs related to the rise of oil prices. This
will affect paving; they are working to keep costs within budget.
6.3.9.All of the Highway Crew is completing continuing education and training.
6.4. Application for Youth Commission — Vera Evans (Veery) and Inter view
7. Consent Agenda
7.1. Minutes
7.1.1. 5 April 2022
7.2. Warrants
7.2.1. General Fund Abstract 08 with Vouchers 112–124 for $8,226.2
Resolution 100 of 2022 To Schedule A Special Meeting to Review and Approve Both the
Above General Fund Vouchers as well as Highway Fund Vouchers on Wednesday 27 April at
2:00pm
Moved By:Schnabel Seconded By:Connors
Vote:
Councilperson Aye Nay Absent
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Town of Danby Board Meeting Wednesday 20 April 2022 at 7:00PM
Connors X
Hunter X
Schnabel X
Woodworth X
Gagnon X
Resolution 100 approved
Resolution 101 of 2022 To Approve Consent Agenda of Meeting Minutes from 5 April 2022
Moved By: Schnabel Seconded By: Hunter
Vote:
Councilperson Aye Nay Absent
Connors X
Hunter X
Schnabel X
Woodworth X
Gagnon X
Resolution 101 approved
8. New Business
8.1. Cayuga Lake Watershed Inter-Municipal Organization MOA
Resolution 102 of 2022 To Approve the Cayuga Lake Watershed Inter-Municipal Organization
MOA
Moved By: Gagnon Seconded By: Connors
Vote:
Councilperson Aye Nay Absent
Connors X
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Town of Danby Board Meeting Wednesday 20 April 2022 at 7:00PM
Hunter X
Schnabel X
Woodworth X
Gagnon X
Resolution 102 approved
8.2. Recreation Partnership Contract Proposal
Resolution 103 of 2022 To Approve the 2023 Inter-municipal Recreation Partnership
Agreement
Moved By: Gagnon Seconded By: Hunter
Vote:
Councilperson Aye Nay Absent
Connors X
Hunter X
Schnabel X
Woodworth X
Gagnon X
Resolution 103 approved
8.3. Repair and Partial Repainting of Town Hall Contract Approval
8.3.1. Blue Spruce Painting
8.3.2.Jeff Rockwell
8.3.3.Discussion involved the power washing that had been done in the year
prior. Also of note was the distinction between the two quotes given that
neither contractor could determine exactly what is causing the water
leakage. One quote included any necessary repairs, while the other quoted
only the cost for painting with add-ons for parts and labor to repair the
tower from the water leak.
8.3.4.Blue Spruce did the painting fourteen years ago which held up really well.
8.3.5.The funds would come from the building capital reserve line.
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Town of Danby Board Meeting Wednesday 20 April 2022 at 7:00PM
Resolution 104 of 2022 To Accept Jeff Rockwell’s Proposal to Repair the Tower Leak and Paint
North Side of Town Hall and Tower with the Caveat That The Contract Note That Repair of
Roof Leakage be Included Should There Be Any
Moved By: Schnabel Seconded By: Connors
Vote:
Councilperson Aye Nay Absent
Connors X
Hunter X
Schnabel X
Woodworth X
Gagnon X
Resolution 104 approved
8.4. Town Mowing Contract Approval Gagnon noted that he had not succeeded in
getting competitive quotes, despite advertising in the town newsletter.
Resolution 105 of 2022 To Approve We Mow Proposal
Moved By: Gagnon Seconded By: Connors
Vote:
Councilperson Aye Nay Absent
Connors X
Hunter X
Schnabel X
Woodworth X
Gagnon X
Resolution 105 approved
8.5. Appointment of Danby Youth Commission Members
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Town of Danby Board Meeting Wednesday 20 April 2022 at 7:00PM
Resolution 106 of 2022 To Appoint the Following Individuals to the Danby Youth Commission:
Alexis Dengel, Jaime Sorrentino, Madeline Ulinski, Matt Jarman, Nina Arnold, & Vera Evans
Moved By: Hunter Seconded By: Connors
Vote:
Councilperson Aye Nay Absent
Connors X
Hunter X
Schnabel X
Woodworth X
Gagnon X
Resolution 106 approved
8.6. County Youth Services Contract
Resolution 107 of 2022 To Approve the Tompkins County Youth Services Contarct
Moved By: Schnabel Seconded By: Hunter
Vote:
Councilperson Aye Nay Absent
Connors X
Hunter X
Schnabel X
Woodworth X
Gagnon X
Resolution 107 approved
8.7. Use of ARPA Funds Committee Designation
8.7.1.Proposed Committee Composition: Supervisor, Planner, Highway Rep,
Additional TB Member
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Town of Danby Board Meeting Wednesday 20 April 2022 at 7:00PM
8.7.1.1.Funding allotment was previously severely limited; this restriction
has since loosened.
8.7.1.2.Discussion around the purpose of this committee involved
looking at long-term capital projects, as well as short-options.
Resolution 108 of 2022 To Create A Committee to Research Ways to Spend ARPA Funds to
Consist of Supervisor Joel Gagnon, Planner David West, Bookeeper/Highway Laura Shawley,
Town Councilperson Leslie Connors, and Town Clerk Janice Adelman
Moved By: Gagnon Seconded By: Hunter
Vote:
Councilperson Aye Nay Absent
Connors X
Hunter X
Schnabel X
Woodworth X
Gagnon X
Resolution 108 approved
8.8. Town Board Meetings Start Time Change to 5pm or 6pm
8.8.1.Schnabel recommended moving the meeting times to at least 6pm.
8.8.2.Schnabel also recommended implementing a fixed stop of 2 hours with a
resolution required to continue. Discussion on this is separate from the
start time issue.
8.8.2.1.Schnabel will look up previous resolutions on this issue and
report back at the next meeting.
Resolution 109 of 2022 To Move Town Board Meeting Start Times to 6pm.
Moved By: Gagnon Seconded By: Connors
Vote:
Councilperson Aye Nay Absent
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Town of Danby Board Meeting Wednesday 20 April 2022 at 7:00PM
Connors X
Hunter X
Schnabel X
Woodworth X
Gagnon X
Resolution 109 approved
8.9. Review Town Levels of Operation
8.9.1.Board consensus was that the town should definitely should not be
unmasking since we have the highest covid rates in the country.
8.9.2.Level of Operation remains at Level Two which includes masking. Revisit
next time.
8.10. Local Law for passing Videoconferencing meetings under extreme circumstances
8.10.1.Governor Hochul signed Chapter 56 of the Laws of 2022 around the 2022-
2023 budget that included an amendment to the Open Meetings Law
making the expanded use of videoconferencing by public bodies to
conduct open meetings under extraordinary circumstances and
regardless of a declaration of emergency permanent through 1 July 2024.
8.10.2.Schnabel asked to include this initial discussion tonight for the Board to
start thinking about it. Schnabel will have something to present on this at
the 3 May 2022 board meeting.
9. Discussion of Next Meeting Agenda
9.1. Resolution for meetings to have a hard stop after 2 hours.
9.2. Current Level of Operation
9.3. OML Amendment Local Law
9.4. Recognition of Gould Colman and Ed Inman
9.5. NY Stretch Code
10. Meeting Adjourned at 21:27.
Submitted by Janice R. Adelman
Town Clerk
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