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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-04-08TB 4-8-21 Page 1 of 7 TOWN OF DRYDEN TOWN BOARD MEETING April 8, 2021 Via Zoom Present: Supervisor Jason Leifer, Cl Daniel Lamb, Cl James Skaley, Cl Loren Sparling, Cl Leonardo Vargas-Mendez Elected Officials: Bambi L. Avery, Town Clerk Rick Young, Highway/DPW Superintendent Other Town Staff: Amanda Anderson, Bookkeeper Ray Burger, Planning Director Marty Conger, Recreation Director Cassie Byrnes, Secretary to the Supervisor Supv Leifer called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. Financials & Human Resources Abstract Approval RESOLUTION #88 (2021) – APPROVE ABSTRACT #4 Cl Skaley offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption: RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby approves Abstract #4, as audited, general vouchers #224 through #312 ($260,625.62) and TA vouchers #15 through #18 ($4,513.60), totaling $265,139.22. 2nd Cl Vargas-Mendez Roll Call Vote Cl Sparling Yes Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes Cl Skaley Yes Cl Lamb Yes Supv Leifer Yes Budget Modifications Supv Leifer explained budget modifications are necessary for: • The compressor purchase for the fire departments. • Cost of updating the Personnel Manual. • Transfer funds from the kennel lease line to personal services for dog control. • To move funds from the Rec Assistant 2 line (because it won’t be filled) to the Director line. • From Supervisor travel to training to cover training expenses. RESOLUTION #89 (2021) – APPROVE BUDGET MODIFICATIONS Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption: TB 4-8-21 Page 2 of 7 RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby approves the following budget modifications: From To SF1-599 Fund Balance SF1-3410.4 Contractual Misc 75,000.00 A1320.4 Independent Audit A1320.41 Human Resources-Contractual 5,000.00 A3510.402 Dog Control Kennel Lease A3251.100 Dog Control Officer 1 19,960.00 A7020.102 Rec Assistant 2 A7020.100 Director of Recreation 12,000.00 A1220.454 Supervisor Travel A1220.455 Supervisor Training 6.00 2nd Cl Lamb Roll Call Vote Cl Sparling Yes Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes Cl Skaley Yes Cl Lamb Yes Supv Leifer Yes Communications Policy Update – The policy is not yet complete. Revisions were made as of April 1 regarding not using town media to promote private businesses. The board will vote on this next week. Cortland Road Sewer District – The Village of Dryden has increased its sewer rates. The town will need to take action to increase the rate for users in the district. HeatSmart Tompkins Lisa Marshall gave a presentation about the opportunities for home energy efficiency available through HeatSmart Tompkins and reviewed the available programs and incentives. Details are available on the web at solartompkins.org. The programs benefit the residents a s well as the town in that if a certain number of residents take advantage of the programs, the town can earn points toward the Clean Energy Communities Leadership Round and possibly a $5,000 grant. There will be a webinar on Tuesday, May 4, at 7:00 p.m. COUNTY BRIEFING Mike Lane said the County went through the process pursuant to the Governor’s executive order for reimagining police departments. They held public meetings and focus groups. The County and City of Ithaca worked together, and smaller police departments did their own. There was a lot of negative publicity when the draft report initially rolled out. People were not happy about the first proposal to basically completely change the Ithaca Police Department, rename it, defund a lot, and basically change it to less police and more social workers that might be dispatched instead of police in some situations. The county did not adopt that part of the report, but adopted parts that had to do with the county. There is a proposal for a sort of oversight agency, a joint city/county oversight group, that would be funded by both entities. It was sent to the state; they had to do it because if it weren’t done the state would withhold funding. In the budget that was just approved, there is authorization to withhold 50% of state or federal funds flowing to any municipality that has not complied. Most of the proposal submitted has to do with increased training and better data collection. Truck 99 that used to be an IPD SWAT vehicle will likely be repurposed to a rolling communications vehicle only. TB 4-8-21 Page 3 of 7 Regarding the George Road bridge, a resolution was passed by the facilities and infrastructure committee to reimburse the Town of Dryden $270,050 for the local share of that project. It still needs to go through the budget committee on Monday and it can then be approved by the full legislature in two weeks. With respect to the Freese Road bridge, committee members are not interested in paying the local share of a one-lane bridge and traffic signals and a cantilevered sidewalk. They felt the town should have gone with a two-lane bridge. Board members expressed their disappointment in that line of thought. It was noted this is early in the process. The committee had not yet passed a resolution with respect to their position, and the total cost of the project is unknown at this point. Town board members will reach out to members of the committee. Supv Leifer noted that vaccine rollout in the County has been phenomenal. PLANNING DEPARTMENT Ray Burger reported the department is getting together a backlog of property maintenance concerns and getting an inventory of vacant structures and unsafe structures. It will probably result in a proposed amendment to the local law to deal with vacant structures. When they have a complete inventory, he may ask for a part-time, short term position to attack the situation and get better compliance. Courts are back in session and they will have that tool to use. We know of six structures that are, through death or some other circumstances, not occupied or maintained. There are no public hearings for projects next month. He anticipates some action soon for the codification project and for the stretch code. Cl Lamb reported the Planning Board had passed a resolution in support of adopting the stretch code. DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS Heat/Air Duct Update (Town Hall) – The board has been provided with three quotes to repair/replace and address the problems with the heating and cooling system at town hall. R Young asked the board to pass a resolution selecting a vendor so he can proceed. The lo west estimate came in from the contractor who came out and looked at the building. The board chose the option from Van Hee Heating Service, Inc. to replace the existing forced air heat pumps (attached). RESOLUTION #90 (2021) – AUTHORIZE CONTRACT WITH VAN HEE HEATING SERVICE, INC. Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption: RESOLVED that this Town Board hereby approves the proposal from Van Hee Heating Service, Inc. to replace the existing forced air heat pumps at the town hall for a cost not to exceed $104,100.00 and the Town Supervisor is authorized to execute the document. 2nd Cl Lamb Roll Call Vote Cl Sparling Yes Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes Cl Skaley Yes Cl Lamb Yes Supv Leifer Yes TB 4-8-21 Page 4 of 7 Ladder Truck Update - Mike Hall reported that the ladder truck that was damaged has been sent to the manufacturer for repair or replacement, depending on the damage they find. In the meantime, they have purchased a used ladder truck from their reserve fund and are up and running 100%. He thanked Rick Young & Mr Bell who spent a lot of time getting the one purchased up and running. The majority of repair costs will be covered under their insurance policy. The truck purchased was well cared for. They plan to sell it when they are done with it and will likely break even. Youth Services Agreement – The contract for youth services has been received and reviewed. M Conger noted the contract allocates a small amount of funding for the Freeville Summer Camp that will not be held so that should be removed. The membership list for DRYC on the document should be corrected. RESOLUTION #91 (2021) – AUTHORIZE CONTRACT WITH TOMPKINS COUNTY FOR YOUTH SERVICES & FUNDING Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption: RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby approves the 2021 Contract with Tompkins County for youth services and related funding as shown in the 2021 County Funding document for the town and authorizes the Town Supervisor to sign the same. 2nd Cl Sparling Roll Call Vote Cl Sparling Yes Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes Cl Skaley Yes Cl Lamb Yes Supv Leifer Yes Dog Park – The Village of Dryden has been discussing constructing a dog park near the Wall Street ball field and have asked if the town would like to be involved. Supv Leifer has not yet spoken with the DPW about it. The town could still provide a letter of suppo rt for the Village’s grant application. Newsletter – The first newsletter has gone out. People can sign up through the link on the town website. It went out through a few listservs and people can sign up on the link in the newsletter if it has been forwarded to them. Cassie Byrnes said it seems like it was successful, and people enjoyed it. The deadline for submission of articles is the Tuesday after the business meeting. Supv Leifer will send guidelines to staff and advisory board chairs. Waste Reduction Committee - Ed Swayze of Ithaca City Council has sent some information on this committee. Any interested board member can contact him directly, or if members know someone who may be interested, the information can be shared. Owasco Lake Watershed Management Council – The town is a member, but has not had anyone attending meetings on our behalf. Cl Sparling will check into it. Broadband Committee – Supv Leifer said they will be applying for grant funding through the Appalachian Regional Commission POWER Initiative and a resolution for that is necessary. TB 4-8-21 Page 5 of 7 RESOLUTION #92 (2021) – APPROVE & ENDORSE A GRANT APPLICATION TO APPALACHIAN REGIONAL COMMISSION POWER INITIATIVE 2021 PROGRAM Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption: WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of Dryden is applying to the Appalachian Regional Commission POWER Initiative 2021 Program for a broadband project to implement the Town of Dryden STN Extension project within the Town of Dryden, a site located within the territorial jurisdiction of this Dryden Town Board; and WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of Dryden wishes to appoint the Town Supervisor as the authorized representative responsible for providing signatures, authorizing certifications, entering/updating applications, and submitting applications for consideration; and WHEREAS, the maximum grant award is $2,500,000 as defined by the Appalachian Regional Commission POWER Initiative 2021 Program; and WHEREAS, the Town of Dryden is located within Tompkins County and therefore the applicant must provide a matching share from non-ARC sources equal to 50% of the cost of the overall project; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Dryden resolves the following; 1. RESOLVED that the Town Board hereby does approve and endorses the Town of Dryden’s application of Town of Dryden STN Extension project for a grant under the Appalachian Regional Commission POWER Initiative 2021 Program. 2. RESOLVED that the Town of Dryden commits 50% of the project cost in local match. 3. RESOLVED that Jason M. Leifer, Supervisor of the Town of Dryden is the authorized representative responsible for providing signatures, authorizing certifications, entering/updating applications, and submitting applications for consideration. 2nd Cl Skaley Roll Call Vote Cl Sparling Yes Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes Cl Skaley Yes Cl Lamb Yes Supv Leifer Yes Congressional Earmark Funding – Requests are due to Congressman Reed’s office by Monday, April 12. The broadband project, Varna sidewalks, and the rail trail may qualify. Cl Lamb explained that these earmarks were banned for several years, but they have decided to bring them back to try and get some bipartisanship on the legislation. The House has decided to do this. The Senate hasn’t yet decided. It’s a very arbitrary process. We should put as many in as we think may be successful, but it will be up to this one congressional office to decide what to support. He believes they can choose ten projects. The process i sn’t like other grant programs. M Lane noted that if it hadn’t been for an earmark, we wouldn’t have the flood control project and Crispell dam. TB 4-8-21 Page 6 of 7 Cl Lamb said they also provided funding toward the Waterfront Trail, TCAT and a few other things in the area. Submissions will be sent directly to Alison Hunt at Congressman Reed’s office. Request Federal Funding for Sidewalks in Varna – Cl Skaley has prepared a resolution to request Federal funding for sidewalks in Varna. The project planned for this summer only includes sidewalks on one side of Route 366. Resolution #93 (2021) - Request Federal Funding for Sidewalks in the Hamlet of Varna Cl Skaley offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption: Whereas, Federal funds may be available under the recently announced Community Project Funding (CPF) program under the U. S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and related agencies to fund bike/pedestrian projects, and Whereas, the Town of Dryden has requested NYSDOT provide sidewalks on both sides of Rt 366 through the Hamlet from Forest Home Drive to the intersection of Freese and Mt. Pleasant, and Whereas, the NYS DOT is currently designing the upgrade to repave and make improvements including a sidewalk on the south side of Rt 366 through the Hamlet of Varna, and Whereas, a sidewalk on the south side is estimated to cost $700,000 going from Forest Home Dr to Mt Pleasant Rd, and Whereas, it is estimated a similar cost for a sidewalk to be constructed on the north side of Rt 366, and Whereas, the NYS DOT has indicated there are currently insufficient funds available in the STIP/TIP to fund sidewalks on both sides of the road, and Whereas, requests for these federal funds is required to be submitted by Monday April 12, 2021, therefore be it Resolved that the Town of Dryden will submit a request for $700,000 under the CPF for a sidewalk from Forest Home Drive to Freese Rd on the north side of Rt 366. 2nd Supv Leifer Roll Call Vote Cl Sparling Yes Cl Skaley Yes Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes Cl Lamb Yes Supv Leifer Yes Water/Sewer Update – Cl Skaley requested a special meeting on April 22 because of the 30-day rule to abide by for the SEQR review. Resolutions are drafted with that in mind. The board will review Parts 1, 2, and 3 followed by a SEQR resolution. The boar d will also need to set a public hearing for May 20 to move forward with the 202b process for bonding. TB 4-8-21 Page 7 of 7 The board can also hold a public hearing for the Fall Creek Streambank Stabilization Project SEQR. Supv Leifer said he has a matter for executive session regarding staffing in the Recreation Department. The board will address that next week. Supv Leifer reported that Steve Winkley of New York Rural Water Association has completed his work and prepared a Draft Water Source Protection Plan for the tow n. It will be shared with our other boards and committees. There being no further business, on motion made, seconded and unanimously carried, the meeting was adjourned at 8:22 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Bambi L. Avery Town Clerk