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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-05-11TB 5-11-23 Page 1 of 8 TOWN OF DRYDEN TOWN BOARD MEETING May 11, 2023 Zoom Hybrid Present: Supervisor Jason Leifer, Cl Daniel Lamb, Cl Leonardo Vargas- Mendez, Cl Christina Dravis, Cl Spring Buck Elected Officials: Bambi L. Avery, Town Clerk Other Town Staff: Amanda Anderson, Bookkeeper Cassie Byrnes, Secretary to the Supervisor Chris O’Connor, Fire Coordinator Ray Burger, Planning Director Supv Leifer opened the meeting at 6:06 p.m. Loren Sparling has resigned from the board, and Supv Leifer moved to appoint Spring Buck to fill the unexpired term. Cl Lamb said he has known her for about 15 years and worked with her on the Environmental Management Council. She is a good team player and he believes her experience in sustainability will be an asset to the board. Resolution #86 (2023) – Appoint Town Board Member – Buck Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption: RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby appoints Spring Buck to the Dryden Town Board to complete the unexpired term of Loren Sparling, December 31, 2023. 2nd Cl Lamb Roll Call Vote Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes Cl Dravis Yes Cl Lamb Yes Supv Leifer Yes Financial & Human Resources RESOLUTION #87 (2023) – APPROVE ABSTRACT #5 Cl Lamb offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption: RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby approves Abstract #5, as audited, general vouchers #375 through #476 ($1,224,689.84) and TA vouchers #76 through #79 ($5,629.89), totaling $1,230,319.73. 2nd Supv Leifer Roll Call Vote Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes Cl Buck Yes Cl Dravis Yes Cl Lamb Yes Supv Leifer Yes TB 5-11-23 Page 2 of 8 Highway/DPW Department No report Fire Coordinator Chris O’Connor has emailed a report to board members. He recently attended Dryden’s roll-in drills and took some photographs. They are using an abandoned house next to the Dryden Elementary School for the drills. Other departments will be doing the same thing at other locations. Last night Freeville & Etna joined forces for a rural water supply drill in the Incodema parking lot. Varna is doing their roll-in drills at Ithaca Fire Department Training Center. C O’Connor will be sitting in on future Dryden Fire Department/Ambulance board meetings to get a better sense of their issues and perhaps help them work through some. Yesterday he had a meeting with the lead reporter for 14850.com. As part of the town- wide recruitment campaign for the fire departments, the reporter will be interviewing people in the fire departments. The good news is that the 2024 state budget includes state funded stipends of up to $2,000 per firefighter to be paid directly to them for completion of certain training courses. The state will be allocating funds for improvement of the NYS Academy of Fire Science in Montour Falls and hiring up to 22 new staff members, including some to assist with outreach programs. There was a discussion of the recent fire fatality in Freeville and the post-incident meeting, as well as fire inspections and public education for fire prevention. R Burger noted the town’s part-time code officer is focusing on getting fire inspections up to date. He added that those inspections are required for 3-family units and above, so the duplex fire would not have been inspected. Discussion/Action Items Resolution #88 (2023) - Appointment of Loren Sparling as Deputy Town Clerk Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption: RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby acknowledges the appointment of Loren Sparling to the position of Deputy Town Clerk with a start date of May 1, 2023, and approves a pay rate of $22.50/hour. 2nd Cl Lamb Roll Call Vote Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes Cl Buck Yes Cl Dravis Yes Cl Lamb Yes Supv Leifer Yes Resolution #89 (2023) - Authorize Signers on Bank Accounts Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption: RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby appoints and authorizes the following individuals as signers on the Supervisors Fund, Trust & Agency, CD, Health Reimbursement TB 5-11-23 Page 3 of 8 Account, Recreation, and Combined CDBG Sewer bank accounts at The First National Bank of Dryden: Jason Leifer, Bambi L. Avery, Lee Ann Parker, and Loren Sparling. 2nd Cl Vargas-Mendez Roll Call Vote Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes Cl Buck Yes Cl Dravis Yes Cl Lamb Yes Supv Leifer Yes Supv Leifer reported that at the AOT conference he met with folks from NYClass, a municipal banking and investments group. Interest paid on deposits with them last week was 4.7% and Dryden Bank is paying .2%. We will still use The First National Bank of Dryden for services, and we can move money between the two as needed. We will move the fund balance for the time being, and see how it goes. It is a variable rate, but is completely liquid and we won’t lose the value that we put in. It is allowed by the state, and this is a big difference in the monthly interest earned by the town. Supv Leifer talked with the President of Dryden Bank before making the move, but they were not inclined to raise the interest rate paid to us. The President indicated he will come to a board meeting to explain what they do for the community. RESOLUTION #90 (2023) - Municipal Cooperation to Join NYCLASS Resolution Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption: WHEREAS, New York General Municipal Law, Article 5-G, Section 119-o (Section 119-o) empowers municipal corporations [defined in Art icle 5-G, Section 119-n to include school districts, boards of cooperative educational services, counties, cities, towns and villages, and districts] to enter into, amend, cancel, and terminate agreements for the performance among themselves (or one for the other) of their respective functions, powers, and duties on a cooperative or contract basis; WHEREAS the Town of Dryden wishes to invest portions of its available investment funds in cooperation with other corporations and/or districts pursuant to the N YCLASS (New York Cooperative Liquid Assets Securities System) Municipal Cooperation Agreement Amended and Restated as of March 28, 2019; WHEREAS the Town of Dryden wishes to satisfy the safety and liquidity needs of their funds; Now, therefore, it is hereby resolved as follows; That Jason Leifer, Supervisor and CFO of the Town of Dryden is hereby authorized to participate in the NYCLASS program under the terms of the NYCLASS Municipal Cooperation Agreement Amended and Restated as of March 28, 2019. 2nd Cl Lamb Roll Call Vote Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes Cl Buck Yes Cl Dravis Yes Cl Lamb Yes Supv Leifer Yes TB 5-11-23 Page 4 of 8 A group of employees have been meeting to update our workplace violence prevention policy. The policy has been reviewed, edited, and improved by the town attorney. The committee has also made suggestions regarding the building to improve public and employee safety. Resolution #91 (2023) - Adopt Workplace Violence Prevention Policy Cl Dravis offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption: Whereas, a group of Town Hall employees have been meeting for the past 4 months to review the safety of employees and the public at the Town Hall. One of the first steps the group did was to update the Town’s Workplace Violence Prevention Policy. RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby approves the updated Workplace Violence Prevention Policy that is required by New York State Labor Law Art 2 Sec 27 -b and the new policy (attached) will replace the prior policy that was approved in 2011. 2nd Cl Lamb Roll Call Vote Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes Cl Buck Yes Cl Dravis Yes Cl Lamb Yes Supv Leifer Yes Ray Burger said the International Code Council (ICC) has distributed material on building safety and the importance of code enforcement officers. There is a link on the website for education of residents. Resolution #92 (2023) - Building Safety Month Proclamation Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption: Whereas, our Town is committed to recognizing that our growth and strength depends on the safety and essential role our homes, buildings and infrastructure play, both in everyday life and when disasters strike, and; Whereas, our confidence in the resilience of these buildings that make up our community is achieved through the devotion of vigilant guardians––building safety and fire prevention officials, architects, engineers, builders, tradespeople, design professionals, laborers, plumbers and others in the construction industry—who work year-round to ensure the safe construction of buildings, and; Whereas, these guardians are dedicated members of the International Code Council, a nonprofit that brings together local, state, territorial, tribal and federal officials who are experts in the built environment to create and implement the highest-quality codes to protect us in the buildings where we live, learn, work and play, and; Whereas, these modern building codes include safeguards to protect the public from hazards such as hurricanes, snowstorms, tornadoes, wildland fires, floods and earthquakes, and; Whereas, Building Safety Month is sponsored by the International Code Council to remind the public about the critical role of our communities’ largely unknown protectors of public safety — TB 5-11-23 Page 5 of 8 our local code officials—who assure us of safe, sustainable and affordable buildings that are essential to our prosperity, and; Whereas “It Starts with You,” The theme for Building Safety Month 2023, encourages us all to raise awareness about building safety on a personal, local and global scale, and; Whereas, each year, in observance of Building Safety Month, people all over the world are asked to consider the commitment to improve building safety, resilience and economic investment at home and in the community, and to acknowledge the essential service provided to all of us by local and state building departments, fire prevention bureaus and federal agencies in protecting lives and property. NOW, THEREFORE, I, Jason Leifer, Supervisor of the Town of Dryden, do hereby proclaim the month of May 2023 as Building Safety Month. Accordingly, I encourage our citizens to join us as we participate in Building Safety Month. 2nd Cl Lamb Roll Call Vote Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes Cl Buck Yes Cl Dravis Yes Cl Lamb Yes Supv Leifer Yes Cl Dravis explained that National Police Week has been recognized on the Federal level since 1962 and many states and municipalities also recognize it. She said since we have several law enforcement agencies in our town, it would be nice to recognize them with this resolution for their service. Resolution #93 (2023) – Designating the Week of May 14 through May 20, 2023, as “National Police Week” Cl Dravis offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption: WHEREAS, Federal, State, local and Tribal police officers, sheriffs, and other law enforcement officers across the United States serve with valor, dignity, and integrity; and WHEREAS, the Town of Dryden is protected by the Village of Dryden Police Department, Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office, New York State Police Troop C Zone 3, Tompkins Cortland Community College Campus Police and Cornell University Campus Police; and WHEREAS, law enforcement officers are charged with pursuing justice for all individuals and performing the duties of a law enforcement officer with fidelity to the constitutional and civil rights of the public the officers serve; and WHEREAS, law enforcement officers swear an oath to uphold the public trust even though, through the performance of the duties of a law enforcement officer, the officers may become targets for senseless acts of violence; and WHEREAS, in 1962, President John Fitzgerald Kennedy signed Public Law 87-726 which authorizes the President to proclaim May 15 of every year as “Peace Officers Memorial Day” in honor of fallen officers and their families and U.S. flags should be flown at half -staff; and TB 5-11-23 Page 6 of 8 WHEREAS, Public Law 87-726 also authorizes the President to designate the week in which Peace Officers Memorial Day falls as “National Police Week”; and WHEREAS, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, dedicated on October 15, 1991, is the national monument to honor those law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty; and WHEREAS, Peace Officers Memorial Day, 2023 honors the 556 new names of fallen heroes who are being added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial this spring, including 224 officers killed in 2022 and 332 officers killed in previous years; now, therefore be it Resolved, the Town of Dryden hereby declares from May 14 through May 20, 2023 a time to honor the service and sacrifice of law enforcement officers, in particular members of the Village of Dryden Police Department, Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office, New York State Police Troop C Zone 3, Tompkins Cortland Community College Campus Police and Cornell University Campus Police; and be it further Resolved, the Town encourages its citizens to observe National Police Week by honoring law enforcement personnel and promoting awareness of the essential mission that law enforcement personnel undertake in service to the Town of Dryden community and in communities across the nation by displaying a blue light in the window of their place of business or residence. 2nd Supv Leifer Roll Call Vote Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes Cl Buck Yes Cl Dravis Yes Cl Lamb Yes Supv Leifer Yes The town does not currently have a flag policy. Cl Dravis will share what the county has in place and draft a policy for the town. Cl Dravis presented a proposed resolution designating a period of time to honor certified first responders, emergency medical technicians and paramedics in the town who responded to over 2400 calls in the town in 2022. Resolution #94 (2023) – Designating the Week of May 21 through May 27, 2023, as “National Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week” Cl Dravis offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption: WHEREAS, Emergency Medical Services are a vital public service provided throughout the country; and WHEREAS, access to quality emergency care dramatically improves the survival and recovery rate of those who experience sudden illness or injury; and WHEREAS, the members of Emergency Medical Services teams are ready to provide lifesaving care to those in need 24 hours a day, seven days a week; and WHEREAS, the Emergency Medical Services system within the Town of Dryden consists of Certified First Responders, Emergency Medical Technicians, and Paramedics; and TB 5-11-23 Page 7 of 8 WHEREAS, there are more than 50 dedicated Emergency Medical Services providers, either employed by Dryden Ambulance Inc. or volunteering with one of the fire departments located within the Town; and WHEREAS, Emergency Medical Services providers, whether career or volunteer, engage in thousands of hours of specialized training and continuing education to enhance their lifesaving skills; and WHEREAS, the residents of the Town of Dryden benefit daily from the knowledge and skills of these highly trained individuals; and WHEREAS, over 2,400 calls were handled by Emergency Medical Services teams within the Town of Dryden in 2022; and WHEREAS, the Emergency Medical Services system provides valuable service to the community and is the vital link between the patient and other healthcare providers; now, therefore be it Resolved, the Town of Dryden recognizes the value and the accomplishments of Emergency Medical Services providers by designating the week of May 21 through May 27, 2023 to be National Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week in the Town of Dryden, in honor of the men and women whose diligence and professionalism keep our town and citizens safe. 2nd Cl Lamb Roll Call Vote Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes Cl Buck Yes Cl Dravis Yes Cl Lamb Yes Supv Leifer Yes Request for Proposals for Zoning Update – In response to the Town Board’s request that the Planning Board manage and execute a general update to the town’s zoning laws, subdivision laws and design guidelines, the Planning Board has prepared an RFP (attached). Town Board members reviewed the RFP. It lays out what we would expect from a consultant working on the zoning rewrite. We are pushing for a more diverse housing stock. More options could result in lowering the cost of housing. RESOLUTION #95 (2023) – APPROVE REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR ZONING AND SUBDIVISION LAW UPDATE Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption: RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby approves the Request for Proposal for Zoning and Subdivision Law Update and authorizes its release and distribution. 2nd Cl Vargas-Mendez Roll Call Vote Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes Cl Buck Yes Cl Dravis Yes Cl Lamb Yes Supv Leifer Yes Next week there will be a public hearing on the CDBG grant program in connection with an application for $1,000,000 for the Hanshaw Village sewer extension. There is a meeting TB 5-11-23 Page 8 of 8 next week on this topic and R Burger said he should have more details to share next Thursday. The grant cycle opens May 15th. A proposed change to the town’s billboard regulation should be available for review next week. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:53 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Bambi L. Avery Town Clerk Town of Dryden Workplace Violence Prevention Policy PURPOSE The Town of Dryden is committed to providing a safe and secure work environment for all employees and ensuring that their well-being is protected. The purpose of this Workplace Violence Policy is to outline the Town's zero-tolerance stance towards workplace violence, which includes any act or threat of physical violence, harassment, intimidation, or other aggressive behavior, whether committed by employees, visitors, or any other individuals, at any location where Town staff are working, including remote work sites and sites owned by other entities. This policy is designed to meet the requirements of New York State Labor Law Art 2 Sec 27-b. The process of complying with this law includes a workplace evaluation that was designed to identify the workplace violence hazards to which our employees could be exposed. Authorized employee representatives will and have been involved in evaluating the physical environment and reviewing incident reports to identify trends in the types of incidents reported, if any, and the effectiveness of the mitigating actions taken. COVERAGE This policy applies to all employees, including full-time, part-time, temporary, and contracted staff, as well as visitors, volunteers, and members of the public, who are present at any Town- owned or leased facility or while conducting Town business offsite or remotely. This policy also covers any location where Town of Dryden staff is working, including remote work, and sites owned by other entities. DEFINITIONS As used in this policy, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated: Weapon: Includes but is not limited to, any offensive weapon, pistol, revolver, or other firearm, dagger, razor, stiletto, switchblade knife, or knife having a blade exceeding three inches in length. Designated Contact Person: Management, Human Resources, and duly elected Town Supervisor. Possession: Includes but is not limited to, the presence of a weapon on the employee, lunch box, tool kit, bag, purse, cabinets, office, etc. Weapons transported in vehicles must be legally stored in compliance with the laws of the State of New York and/or Town of Dryden Policy. Workplace Violence: may include but is not limited to: A. The use of physical force with the intent to cause harm; B. Acts or threats in any form or manner, which are intended to intimidate, cause fear, or cause harm; C. The act of creating a hostile or intimidating work environment by means of words, actions, or physical contact, which would have the purpose or effect of alarming, insulting, or provoking another person. The intentional damage to Town of Dryden owned or personal property, or acts intended to deprive use of, or cause such property to fail to operate or to operate improperly. Worksite: Includes all property owned or occupied by the Town of Dryden, including Town of Dryden Vehicles where Town of Dryden staff is working including remote work sites and sites owned by other entities. PROHIBITED CONDUCT All employees, visitors, volunteers, members of the public, customers, vendors, and business associates should be treated with courtesy and respect at all times. Employees and volunteers should not place themselves in peril, nor should they attempt to intercede during any incident. Prohibited conduct could occur at any location where an employee or volunteer is fulfilling their job duties. Below is a non-inclusive listing of specific examples of conduct that are prohibited. • Causing physical injury to another person • Making threatening remarks • Aggressive behavior that creates reasonable fear of injury or emotional distress • Intentionally damaging Town of Dryden property or the personal property of a Town of Dryden employee, or any individual’s property • Committing acts motivated by sexual harassment or domestic violence • Unauthorized possession of a weapon while on Town property or a Town worksite. The weapons portion of this policy does not apply to court security personnel, active members of law enforcement, or other employees or volunteers that are operating within the normal scope of their duties and using weapons as tools of their profession. Any other employee or volunteer of the Town of Dryden must provide proof of a valid weapons permit and must have written approval from the Town of Dryden Town Board to carry a weapon on a worksite. Employees or volunteers performing duties at a remote worksite that is a personal residence are subject to the laws of the State of New York with respect to possession of a weapon. INVESTIGATION The Town of Dryden encourages employees and volunteers to bring potential issues to the attention of a Department Head or the Human Resources Department before the situation escalates. The Town of Dryden will not discipline employees or volunteers for raising concerns. All Town personnel are responsible for immediately notifying a designated contact person as defined above of any violent incidents or threatening behavior, including threats they have witnessed, received, or have been told that another person has witnessed or received. Members of management receiving reports of incidences of violence shall immediately notify the Town Supervisor. Town of Dryden employees or volunteers who obtain a restraining order against individuals are strongly encouraged to report the presence of a restraining order to their department head or appropriate Town Officer. The Town Supervisor will promptly and thoroughly investigate all reports of threats of violence or incidents of actual violence and of suspicious individuals or activities. The identity of the individual making a report will be protected as much as reasonably possible. The Town of Dryden will not retaliate against employees or volunteers making good-faith reports of violence, threats, or suspicious individuals or activities. To maintain workplace safety and the integrity of its investigation, the Town of Dryden may suspend employees or volunteers suspected of workplace violence or threats of violence pending investigation pursuant to policy, law, and any applicable Collective Bargaining Agreement(s). ENFORCEMENT Any individual found to be responsible for threats of or actual violence or other conduct that is in violation of these guidelines will be subject to prompt disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment. Violators may be subject to law enforcement proceedings as well as disciplinary action imposed by the Town of Dryden pursuant to Town policy, state law and applicable collective bargaining agreement disciplinary procedures. REVIEW, UPDATE AND COLLABORATION The Town of Dryden Workplace Violence Prevention Policy will be reviewed annually Whenever modifications or changes are made, they will be communicated to employees. The Town will have an ongoing role in the evaluation process, recommending methods to reduce or eliminate the hazards identified during the process and investigating workplace violence incidents or allegations. All employees and volunteers will participate in the annual Workplace Violence Prevention Training Program. The goal of this policy is to promote the safety and well- being of all individuals when on Town of Dryden property or at a Town worksite. Request for Proposal Zoning and Subdivision Law Update Town of Dryden, NY May 15, 2023 1.0 Purpose The Town of Dryden seeks to enter into an agreement with a qualified consultant who demonstrates the ability and proven experience in creating and revising municipal land use ordinances and guidelines to meet comprehensive planning principles and best practices. Dryden’s existing zoning ordinance was created following the town’s 1968 General Plan and was amended following the 2005 Comprehensive Plan. Given the age of the ordinance and significant new principles for regulating land use, as defined in the recently adopted Dryden2045 Comprehensive Plan Update, town leadership recognizes the need for a thorough review and update to current regulations. The revised ordinance must encourage desired development, be easily understood by the public, and efficiently enforced by the town. 2.0 Introduction, Background and Legislative Basis The Town of Dryden is a large, primarily rural community located between the cities of Ithaca and Cortland. Recognizing development pressure from the two urban areas, Dryden’s 1968 General Plan set forth a vision based on a guiding principle to preserve the town’s rural, agricultural character. The resulting land use regulations allowed primarily low density residential development of single family homes. Nearly 40 years passed before Dryden prepared its 2005 Comprehensive Plan. During that time economic development in the Ithaca area surged while that in Cortland waned. Subdivisions of single family homes formed on lands near Ithaca. The rest of the town began to fill with single family homes on large rural lots. The 2005 Plan recognized that scattered development was eroding Dryden’s rural character and emphasized the need to direct development to “nodal areas” such as the town’s two incorporated villages and the two hamlets. Conservation Subdivision and Planned Unit Development ordinances were established to encourage higher density growth. However, residential development patterns are largely unchanged. Dryden2045 is an update to the 2005 Comprehensive Plan. Public outreach in preparation for Dryden2045 confirmed a desire to maintain Dryden’s rural character, but it was far more Dryden Zoning and Subdivision Laws RFP for General Update May 15, 2023 Page 2 nuanced than articulated in the 2005 Plan. People talked about the need for walkable, mixed-use communities with diverse housing options. They talked about increasingly heavy motorized traffic driven by commuters on both main arteries and rural roads. Dryden2045 recognizes the need for diverse housing options (e.g. work force, senior, fixed income, and starter homes) proximate to work, shopping and cultural venues. It acknowledges that Dryden’s land use regulations should be changed to remove regulatory obstacles for desired development locations and types. Dryden’s comprehensive planning documents and ordinances are available on the Town’s web page at https://dryden.ny.us/: • 2005 Comprehensive Plan • Dryden 2045 with Appendices • Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances • Residential and Commercial Design Guidelines New York Town Law §272-a, which provides the legislative authority for towns to adopt and periodically update comprehensive plans, states that among the most important powers and duties granted to a town government is the authority and responsibility to undertake town comprehensive planning and to regulate land use for the purpose of protecting the public health, safety and general welfare of its citizens. 3.0 Goals for Updating the Zoning and Subdivision Laws and Design Guidelines Goals for the update project are stated in a resolution (attached) approved by the Town Board that authorizes the update process. Overall goals for the update include: A. Preserving the rural character of Dryden by protecting its open spaces, natural areas, and farmlands. B. Creating a regulatory environment that supports more diversity in housing types and land uses and removes requirements that needlessly drive up the cost and complexity of desired development as defined in the 2005 Plan and Dryden2045. C. Ensuring each restriction, allowance and requirement in the Zoning and Subdivision Laws and Design Guidelines serve a desired and meaningful purpose, are easily understood, and have clear criteria for enforcement. D. Ensuring Dryden’s land use ordinances are consistent with New York State statutes. Dryden Zoning and Subdivision Laws RFP for General Update May 15, 2023 Page 3 4.0 Project Structure, Anticipated Tasks and Services The Dryden Town Board delegated the update project’s management to the Planning Board, which, along with the Director of Planning, will serve as the “Steering Committee” and the "customer" for the work. The Director of Planning will serve as point person for the project for administrative and contractual matters. The Planning Board meets in early evenings and the consultant will be expected to accommodate the Board schedule for project meetings. Dryden has adopted a hybrid meeting model that supports both in-person and virtual meetings. The hybrid model greatly increases Dryden’s ability to select a consultant based on skills and experience rather than home office location. Anticipated tasks and services include: A. Developing a working knowledge of Dryden’s comprehensive planning documents and land use ordinances. B. Providing a detailed analysis of Dryden’s land use ordinances, highlighting strengths and shortcomings. C. Devising and executing a communication plan to include and get input from Dryden boards that administer and oversee its land use ordinances, e.g., the Town Board and ZBA. D. Working closely with the Steering Committee to discuss and resolve consultant recommendations and create a draft update to the land use ordinances. E. Leading the preparation and execution of at least one public presentation and hearing to share key elements of the update and seek public input. F. Delivering a set of revised and updated land use ordinances to replace the existing zoning, subdivision and design guidelines. G. Assisting the Town Board in adoption of revised ordinances, including, but not limited to, providing guidance on compliance with New York State Environmental Quality Review requirements. 5.0 RFP and Project Schedule RFP Release 5/15/23 Last Date for Written Questions 6/9/23 Proposal Submission Deadline 6/30/23 by 3:30 PM Anticipated Contract Award 8/4/23 Anticipated Work Completion 6/30/25 Dryden Zoning and Subdivision Laws RFP for General Update May 15, 2023 Page 4 6.0 Proposal Requirements Please include the following with your proposal: A. A narrative indicating your understanding of the work and an outline of how you plan to conduct and complete the work. B. Roles and resumes of people who will work on the project including any subcontractors and the overall percent of work to be performed by subcontractors. Identify the proposed project manager and key personnel. C. Examples of similar projects/work scope elements done by the people proposed for this project. D. A description of your proposed process for meeting design and engagement of the Steering Committee and other members of the Dryden community, with an emphasis on conducting an open and transparent process. E. A schedule broken down into project phases and including on-site and virtual meetings. F. A cost proposal broken down into project phases and including fee and reimbursable expenses. Provide a project cash flow projection. G. A billing rate schedule indicating rates for the individuals who will work on the project. H. Exclusions, if any, to this Request for Proposal. I. Three references for similar work by your team proposed for Dryden’s project. J. Demonstration that your company has experience delivering municipal land use ordinances and updates, including experience in New York State. 6.1 Proposal Preparation Costs The Town shall not be liable for any costs associated with the preparation, transmittal or presentation of any response or materials submitted in response to the RFP. 6.2 Additional Terms and Conditions All documents prepared and furnished to the Town in the preparation of the Plan shall become the property of the Town. Consultant shall carry a minimum $1 million general and automotive liability insurance for the duration of the agreement. The general liability policy shall name the Town as an additional insured on a primary, non-contributory basis. 7.0 Award of Work Contract award will be based on demonstrated qualifications of the team proposed for the work, completeness of the proposal, the proposed schedule and work plan, and the proposed fee. Commented [NDV1]: A bit duplicative of paragraph B above – could be combined, potentially Commented [NDV2]: Also duplicative of B and I, or at least significant overlap Dryden Zoning and Subdivision Laws RFP for General Update May 15, 2023 Page 5 Following receipt and analysis of proposals, the Town anticipates an interview process to meet the staff and discuss the project with one or more proposers, prior to award of the work. Following receipt, evaluation, clarification, and strengthening of proposals, the town intends to enter promptly into discussions to finalize an agreement providing those services with the selected applicant whose proposal, in the judgment of the town, is most advantageous to the town. The town may, in its sole discretion, discontinue such negotiations at any time and begin negotiations with an alternate applicant or applicants responding hereto. The town specifically reserves the right to reject any or all proposals submitted, for any reason, in its sole discretion, or to reissue an RFP in identical or altered form, or not to issue further RFPs. 8.0 Questions and Proposal Submission Submit any questions in writing to the Director of Planning at the address below at least three weeks prior to the deadline set by the Planning Board for the receipt of proposals. Please do not submit email or verbal questions and do not approach members of the Dryden Town Board or Planning Board. An addendum to this RFP, if required, containing responses to questions will be published on the Town’s website at: https://dryden.ny.us and circulated to all parties that requested a copy of this RFP at least one week prior to the deadline set for submission of proposals. Interested proposers must submit three (3) paper copies and a digital copy (pdf) of the proposal on or before June 30, 2023 by 3:30 PM to: Ray Burger Director of Planning Town of Dryden 93 East Main Street Dryden, NY 13045 Dryden Zoning and Subdivision Laws RFP for General Update May 15, 2023 Page 6 DRYDEN TOWN BOARD RESOLUTION DRYDEN TOWN BOARD REQUESTING THAT THE PLANNING BOARD MANAGE AND EXECUTE A GENERAL UPDATE TO THE TOWN ZONING LAWS, SUBDIVISION LAWS AND DESIGN GUIDELINES WHEREAS, Dryden’s zoning and subdivision laws, adopted following the1968 comprehensive plan and amended multiple times, have not received a comprehensive review and update, and WHEREAS, recognized best practices for zoning and subdivision laws have changed considerably, for example, to meet community goals to allow greater diversity of uses and remove regulatory complexity and uncertainty for desired development types, and WHEREAS, incremental amendments and changes to existing zoning and subdivision laws have created a patchwork of documents that are sometimes difficult to navigate, creating a confusing regulatory environment, and WHEREAS, Dryden’s various boards that use the zoning and subdivision laws have, over the years, noted a variety of problems such as confusing language, impractical requirements, and obsolete references, and WHEREAS, the Dryden Town Board adopted Dryden2045, an update to the 2005 Comprehensive Plan, on July 21, 2022, and WHEREAS, the purpose of Dryden2045 is to inform an update to Dryden’s zoning and subdivision laws to meet its guiding principles and community goals, and WHEREAS, the Town has budgeted $50K for FY2023 to hire a consultant and begin the update process, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Board requests that the Planning Board manage a comprehensive review and update to the zoning laws, subdivision laws and design guidelines using an open and transparent process that includes town staff, boards, and the citizens of Dryden. Further, the Town Board requests that the Planning Board engage the services of a consultant to prepare the update and to complete and deliver the draft update to the Town Board no later than June 30, 2025, and ALSO BE IT RESOLVED, that the update be guided by the following actions and principles: 1. The update must be guided by the underlying tenet of the 2005 Comprehensive Plan to preserve the rural character of Dryden and protect its open spaces, natural areas, and farmlands. Dryden Zoning and Subdivision Laws RFP for General Update May 15, 2023 Page 7 2. The update should create a regulatory environment that supports more diversity in housing types. Methods include allowing multifamily housing by right in more zones, expanding use of accessory dwelling units and apartments, increasing density/reducing minimum lot sizes, using incentive zoning (for example, density bonuses, relaxed building height regulations, area and bulk regulations, etc.) to encourage desired development types, and, for large development projects, consider mandatory provisions for desired housing types to include "affordability" and "best practices for providing outdoor space for active and passive recreation.” 3. Critically examine the defined purpose of each of the zone types to ensure they accurately describe the desired uses. The fact that current zoning includes over 130 use types that are allowed but only with Special Use Permits suggests that the zone definitions themselves may be unclear or excessively narrow. 4. Simplify or remove regulatory provisions that create development uncertainty for desired types of development. For example, the aforementioned SUP table contains uses associated with multi-family housing types including senior housing facilities. Other regulated uses have the effect of discouraging diverse development that supports walkable/mixed use communities. 5. Review the zoning map and zoning and subdivision laws to ensure they align with nodal development areas and existing/future services such as transit, water, and sewer. Refer to the Future Land Use Plan in Dryden2045. 6. Critically examine the zoning and subdivision regulations that are intended to allow regulatory flexibility, to ensure the underlying criteria and structure encourages desired development outcomes such as diverse housing, walkable communities and preservation of open space. 7. Critically examine the Residential and Commercial Design Guidelines to ensure they support the goals and principles of the 2005 Comprehensive Plan and the Dryden2045 Update. 8. Critically examine the current regulation requiring the Town Board rather than the Planning Board to approve Special Use Permit applications. 9. Review New York State’s Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act and consider aspects of Dryden’s Zoning Law that should be updated. 10. Criteria for consultant selection should include that the project principle/manager for the update project has significant, proven experience writing and updating zoning and subdivision regulations in rural communities and using contemporary best practice methods to deliver the above actions.