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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTB Minutes 1980-09-02 MEMORANDUM TO : Ithaca Town Board FROM : Noel Desch RE : Town of Ithaca Objectives 1980 DATE : September 2 , 1980 E In January , the Town Board established a series of objectives for accomplishment in 1980 . As we start the last quarter of the year and begin the preparation of the 1981 budget , we need to check our progress and look ahead to the plans for 1981 and beyond . A Capital Projects 1980 1 . Cliff Street Pump Station Bids for the renovation of the pump station will be opened at noon on September 9 . The work includes installation of one of the pumps from Pearsall Place , replacement of elec - trical switch gear , metering and structural repairs . During recent weeks we note a significant upsurge in consumption primarily due , we surmise , to the occupancy of the former Odd Fellows Home . The existing pump is sometimes required to run 21 hours per day , due in large part to high friction head in the 6 " line to the Trumansburg Tank . Reuse of the old hospi - tal will require the installation of a new. 8 " line to the tank : Such a line would be of maximum use if it were installed up Bundy Road and back to the tank through undeveloped land . This may be a primary objective for 1981 . No further changes in the Cliff Street Pump Station are contemplated . 2 . Trumansburg , Northview , Troy Road Tank Repainting T e project is complete except for final stages of the cathodit -. protection installation . This completes the critical maintenance phase of the painting program except for the Pine Tree � :Rpad- -Tank . Increasing demand in the area below this tank , fbr' example , , Eastwood, Commons , Summerhill Estates and the marginaI location of the pump station suggests we investigate the feasibility of increasing the tank capacity to .300 , 000 gallons from 200 , 000 gallons , by increasing the height from 30 to 44 feet . Planning for this capital improve - ment should also. be accomplished in 1981 . The painting pro - gram would then consist of one tank - the Ridgecrest Tank , only ten years bld . - Reasons for this selection will be out - lined in the 5 year plan of water system improvements . 0 0 - 2 - September 2 , 1980 3 . Pennsylvania Avenue Construction No progress in identifying a method of financing this project has been made , due primarily to the inactive state of the local housing industry and the financial condition of developers owning the land . In 1981 , we may wish to consider the possibility of using some combination of Town funds and property owner assessments . 4 . Forest Home By - Pass A corridor location between Pine Tree Road and Route 366 is about to be selected as a joint effort between Cornell , the County and the Town . Field surveys , by the Town , may be initiated this fall with the 1981 objectives being a construc - tion financial plan and method of construction determination . Actual construction could start in 1981 , but 1982 is more like - ly . The corridor from Route 366 to Hanshaw Road will also be identified but construction will be phased a year or so after completion of the initial leg of the bypass . 5 . Elmira Road Draina e schematic plan has been developed as a joint effort between the Town and City Engineer ' s office , using the old railroad right - of - way behind Morse Chain . Construction in 1981 is an achievable objective , but considerable field work and discussions with Morse Chain remain . 6 . Town Hall Rehabilitation Progress is evident and the initial phase , including access for the handicapped , will be completed on schedule . More is expected to be accomplished with budgeted funds due to timely bidding and use of CETA labor for interior work . Interior partition changes , including the moveable partitions in engineering , remain to be accomplished this fall . In 1981 , we should consider further , rather small , improvements basically in the line of furnishings to make our facilities more useful i . e . , accoustics , mounting aids for presenta - tions , etc . 7 . Sewer System Evaluation Survey Smo e testing tor in ow is virtually completed in the Town . In 1981 , infiltration and minor rehabilitation work on the overall Town system will be accomplished . Re - habilitation work will include repainting joints , raising manhole rings , etc . The 1981 budget will recommend a method of funding this work . 8 . Voting ,Machine Replacement Program Routine repairs once again proved adequate . If - 3 - September 2 , 1980 Revenue Sharing is renewed it may be worthwhile to consider a replacement program of one / year . 9 . Neighborhood Parks Phase II The approved project at Tareyton Road park , including the backstop , have been completed . The late approval at the State level of the CETA Program curtailed progress on this overall program . The Town Board needs to reassess the value of our participation in the CETA Program . Although much is accomplished at little direct cost , we do pick up extra costs in our insurance program , particularly workman ' s compensation . In 1981 , the CETA level should perhaps be 3 - 4 positions total . 10 . State Bond Issue - Highway Improvement The Town Board approved the program recommended by the staff on March 10 , 1980 . State allocation of funding is expected in October and paving of Dove Drive , Fidler Road , Happy Lane , Pheasant Lane , Sandra Place and Sesame Street will be accomplished in the summer of 1981 . 11 . Salt Storage Facility The building is now completed and in partial use . 12 . Conversion to Natural Gas - Highway Facility All work is completed and ready for the heating season . The fuel oil tank is now in use for unleaded gasoline . B Policy Review Objective 1 . No Through Truck Traffic Ban T e an was adopted Fy the Town Board and implemented immediately . The Sheriff ' s Department has agreed to patrol the area to assure maximum enforcement . Response to the in - quiry concerning a traffic enforcement contract with the Village of Cayuga Heights was negative . The Supervisor is meeting with residents to review status of our efforts on September 4th . 2 . Polling Places Although the only objective was to relocate the District 2 polling place , we have also been required to move District 1 out of the hospital to Statler , West and District 7 from Cayuga Heights School to the Cayuga Heights Fire Station . The first two moves will be a definite improvement while the Cayuga Heights move will be tight on parking . Our - 4 - September 2 , 1980 Town Clerk deserves a great deal of credit for accomplishing these relocations without controversy . C Local Legislation 1 . Zoning Ordinance Initial public review , at the Town Board level , will be held in October . Extensive prior review by joint committees has already been accomplished . Each Town Board member should thoroughly review the draft prior to the October meeting . The amendments passed during the year with regard to radio towers and building heights were accomplished after thorough analysis of the proper restrictions and development of a sensible application review process . 2 . Sign Ordinance Adoption of a vastly improved ordinance including the matter of phasing out billboards has been accomplished . Imple - mentation is working effectively . 3 . SEQR Local Law This local law provides clear direction to Town boards , committees , staff and developers on the full cross section of changes possible in our Town . Administrative procedures are streamlined to avoid duplication of reviews and costly re - applications . 4 . Park Use Ordinance T e extensive wor on the other ordinances has pre - cluded work on this ordinance . The ordinance is under legal review at this time and will be carried forward as a 1981 objective . 5 . Benefit Formula Review Reviews of a variety of possible changes have been made by the staff during the past year , since the last hearing . The planned exemption for developers will encourage sound planning of water and sewer extensions in subdivisions , at little cost to the Town . Adoption of appropriate revisions are achievable before year end . 6 . Fire Protection Code Considerable behind the scene effort has been made during the year . Mr . Cartee has participated in a number of work sessions on this subject and we now belong to NFPA . The County Health Department has a new role with regard to motels . - 5 - September 2 , 1980 The Town code must balance need with cost of enforcement . Adoption of the State Code by reference is possible in 1981 . 7 . Bikewa Ordinance The Bikeway Ordinance was adopted in advance of the opening of the East Ithaca Bikeway . To date , no serious en - forcement problems have arisen . 8 . General Comment T e creation of the major pieces of legislation represented in the Sign Law and local SEOR are very substantial accomplishments , not otherwise possible without a close objec - tive working relationship between various board members , the sensitivity of elected officials and staff members to the " big picture " needs of our Town and the willingness of every member of the team to see the picture from the opposite view , as well as our own . The challenges in 1981 will no doubt require more of the same . D Intermunicipal Agreements 1 . Sewer System The joint City and Town planning committee has made considerable progress , in spite of the expenditure of a seemingly inordinate amount of time . The major Step I study is completed , including the decision on method of treatment , outfall location and the value of that portion of the City plant to be retained . Elements of the intermunicipal - agreement , including the method of assessing shares of debt retirement , must be completed and approved by December 31 , 1980 . Final agree - ment and operating mechanism must be in place by May 1982 . The first target date may not be achievable . Failure to meet the schedule may cause delays in the EPA reimbursement to the City - the resulting carrying costs would be shared by all participants . Failure to meet the deadlines may be less costly than a hastily conceived agreement binding both parties for 20 years . A financial plan for a Town sewer system must be developed in 1981 . 2 . Youth Services The analysis of program costs requested by the Town a year ago , has been accomplished and participation fee schedules adopted to minimize the cost escalation to the tax - payer . No significant fall off in participation has resulted . - 6 - September 2 , 1980 The Town share may increase to a maximum of $ 58 , 000 , considerably less than the requests of one year ago . Most important , the integrity of programming and administrative capability of the supervising structure ( City Youth Bureau ) can be preserved . In the months ahead , the framework for a 5 year agreement , with predetermined thresholds of support established in relation to program , needs development . The popularity of the completed neighborhood parks is continuing to increase , due both to the cost of transpor - tation but also the additional facilities available . The level of maintenance by the Town is inadequate . The 1981 budget should include a multi purpose mower for the parks and ancillary use in cutting the grass around Town pump stations . 3 . Fire Services At our request of a year ago , the City has now initiated discussions about the contract with the Town for the future . For the first time in recent years , the City has called to question a number of items in the Fire Department budget . However , the labor intensive nature of the operation and the heavy fringe loading ( greater than 40% ) offer little flexibility other than drastic cuts in service or the assign - ment of other duties to firemen when they are not committed to training or fire fighting . The educational institutions are beginning to ac - knowledge that they are placing a heavy burden on the commu - nity without adequate compensation . An agreement with Ithaca College is likely by the budget hearing . A meeting with Cornell is scheduled for mid September . Research efforts , with regard to the feasibility of a Town Fire Department , continue although response to the community meetings was disappointing . Before the Town Board , as a whole , should formally review a proposal for a Town Fire Department , the following tests must be met in documentation in the feasibility study : a . The Town will receive more reliable and more responsive service at lower total cost for each year of the first 10 years of service . b . A viable program of attracting and retaining sufficient qualified volunteers to serve all areas of the Town . Written commitment by each volunteer is required . C . Guarantees that educational institutions , hospital , and senior citizens housing will have 2 engine response service . - 7 - September 2 , 1980 d . Guarantee that no property owner in the Town will suffer from a higher cost fire insurance rating than existing . e . Assessment of total capital borrowing needs of the Town , i . e . , highway , water , sewer and determination that fire improvement debt is top priority . The proposal must include a schedule of critical decision points or plans of action including the following : ( 1 ) Extensive public participation in Feasibility Study Review . ( 2 ) Establishment of Implementation Schedule . ( 3 ) Declaration of Need by Town Board . ( 4 ) Establishment of Fire Improvement District and designation of Town Board as Board of Fire Commissioners , excluding areas served by Cayuga Heights . ( 5 ) Resolution of Borrowing ( subject to permissive referendum ) and schedule for debt retirement . If there is interest in pursuing this further , I recommend the Town Board reinforce the current efforts through the following expansion of the committee : Town Fire Department Feasibility Committee Vic Del Rosso , Chairman Marc Cramer , Member 4 . Traffic Enforcement - Cornell See Forest Home Truck Ban Report , also speed limits below . 5 . Dog Control New dog control law and contract with SPCA through County are working very effectively , including follow through procedure to get delinquent licenses . ®1 - 8 - September 2 , 1980 E Planning Studies In this broad category , accomplishments include reduction in speed limit on Pleasant Grove Road and extensive work on the 1980 Census . Efforts to create a bus service to East Ithaca are ex - pected to be successful in 1981 . The 10 year highway improvement program was approved . The Town Board also has a 10 year highway equipment replace - ment program available as part of the budget review cycle . At the September 8th Town Board meeting , the Supervisor will present a 5 year plan for water system improvements . Little progress has been made in finding an occupant ( s ) for the old hospital or a mechanism for deriving energy from our solid waste . These no doubt are objectives for 1981 . Other Possible Objectives for 1981 . Sewer. Planning As with the water system , there are needed improvements which will come to light in conjunction with the Sewer System Evaluation Survey . There are also desired extensions in existing developed areas which should be evaluated . For example : East Shore Drive West Shore There is both increasing evidence of overflowing septic systems and increasing interest to avoid investment in re - placing private systems , on the part of property owners . The possibility of federal funding is evident from recent awards to the Village of Seneca Falls for similiar work . Grinder pumping systems would be required . On East Shore , the Town of Lansing (McKinney ' s Point ) might also be interested in this improvement . On the West Shore , the Town of �J-Ilysses might be interested in such an improvement . In any event , dye tests of the entire area would be desirable . Administrative System Although the Town office does not routinely get involved - 9 - September 2 , 1980 with a number of large scale typing tasks that involve re - writes , the feasibility of incorporating the use of word processing equipment should be evaluated . It may also be feasible to computerize some of the financial reporting functions now done in a manual way . The small number of transactions may well show such computerization to be cost excessive , particularly because of the frequent changes in State and Federal mandated forms and records management control . ND / js BY- LAWS f TOWN OF ITHACA PLANNING BOARD Adopted July 22 , 1980 , Planning . Board . Approved Town Board , ARTICLE I NAME AND STATUTORY AUTHORITY Section 1 . The name of this organization shall be the Town of ' Ithaca Planning Board , Section 2 . The Town of Ithaca Planning Board is authorized by and operates pursuant to Town Law Article 16 , Sections .. 271 and 272 , having been established by the Town Board of the - Town of Ithaca by resolution on February 6 , 1937,.. ARTICLE II ORGANIZATION AND PURPOSES . Section 1 . The Town of Ithaca Planning Board is organized as a board of eight residents of * the Town of Ithaca , one of whom is devoted to agricultural pursuits . Section 20 The purposes of the Town of Ithaca Planning Board ( hereinafter referred to as " the Planning Board " ) shall be to consult with and to advise the Town of Ithaca Town Board ( hereinafter referred to as " the Town Board " ) on any matter relating to planning , including , but not necessarily limited to , the following : a . Assisting in the development of area-wide land use goals , objectives , policies , and priorities ; b . Assisting in the identification of specific plans and programs designed to achieve the area -wide land use goals , objectives , . policies , and priorities ; c . Assisting in the coordination of planning activi - ties in . the Town of Ithaca ; d . Serving as a forum for citizen participation and for the dissemination. of information on planning issues having area -wide implications ; e . Making comments and recommendations on any matter referred to the Planning Board by the Town Board pursuant to Sections 272a , 273 , 274 , and 275 of Town Law . Section 3 . The Planning Board shall be responsible for considera- tion of preliminary and final subdivision requests , The decision of the Planning Board with respect to these matters shall be the final approval of the Town of Ithaca pursuant to Sections 276 , 277 , 278 , and 281 of Town Law . 1C71V11 Vl 1 LL1f1Cin. Ylc11111111 �j 1JV [A1 LL 1-+ y — � u. .'/ .7 Adopted , Planning Planning Board , 7 / 22 / 80 Approved , Town Board , Section 4 . The Planning Board shall be responsible for those matters referred to it under the terms of the Town of Ithaca Zoning Ordinance and the Town of Ithaca Sign Law , ARTICLE III ' MEMBERS Section 1 . Membership Pursuant to Section 271 of the Town Law , members shall be appointed by the Town Board . There shall be a total of eight members of the Planning Board , seven of such members being authorized by Section 271 ( 1 ) of the Town Law and one additional member being authorized by Section 2.71 ( 2 ) of the Town Laiv � as . an agricultural member who derives more than one-half of his / her income from agricultural pursuits . Section 2 . � Term . Pursuant to Section 271 of -the Town Law , appointments are for a seven year term , except in the case of the agricultural member whose appointment is for a five year term . Members may serve more than one term . Section 3 . Nominations . . At public hearing duly and properly called for such purpose , the Planning Board Chairper- son shall appoint a nominating committee consisting of four members , two of whom shall be members of the Planning Board and two of whom shall be residents of the Town of Ithaca but not members . of said Planning Board . . It shall be the duty of the nominating committee to select at least one candidate for each Planning Board seat to be filled . Such recommendation ( s ) shall be presented to the Planning Board at. public hearing with . additional nominations from persons attendant at such - public hearing being permitted before any recommenda- . tion ( s ) are made to the Town Board , Section * 4 , Vacancies . Vacancies in the membership due to death or resignation shall be reported by the Planning Board Chairperson to the Town Board . Nominations to fill these vacancies shall be made in the same manner as set forth in Article III , Section 3 , above . Town . Board appointments to fill . vacancies shall be for the remainder of the unexpired terms . Section 5 . Duties . Members are expected to attend all regular Planning Board meetings and to participate actively in the work of the Planning Board . Absences caused by illness or by personal matters of importance are , , Town oz lznaca Planning Doara Dy - La. wS - s Adopted , Planning Board , 7 / 22 / 80 Approved , Town Board , excusable : Three consecutive absences , without prior notification , from regular Planning Board meetings by a member of the Planning Board shall be considered as basis for a recommendation by the Planning Board to the Town Board that such member - be relieved of duty . ARTICLE IV OFFICERS Section 1 . Officers . There shall be a Chairperson and a Vice - Chairperson selected from the membership . Section 20 Duties . 4 The Chairperson. shall preside at all meetings and shall have the usual powers and duties assigned to that . . office. . The Vice - Chairperson shall perform the duties in them absence of the Chairperson . Section 30 Nominations . The Planning Board Chairperson shall appoint a nominating committee consisting of three Planning Board members at the first regular meeting of the Planning Board in November of each year . It shall be the duty of this nominating committee to recommend to the Planning Board at least one candidate for each office at the first regular meeting of the Planning Board in December of that year . The Planning Board , at that first regular meeting in December , shall consider the recommendations of the nominating . commit - . tee and any additional nominations from the membership and make their recommendation to the Town Board . . This recommendation shall be submitted by the Planning Board Chairperson to the Town Board for their designation to take . effect at the first regular meeting of the Planning Board in January of the following . year . In the event that the Town Board fails to designate such officer prior to the first regular meeting of the Planning Board in January of the following year , the Planning Board shall elect such officers from its own members . Section 40 Term of Office . The term of office shall begin at the opening of the first regularly scheduled meeting in January and terminate at the same time the following year , Section 5 . Filling of Vacancies . A vacancy in the office of Chairperson before the expiration of the term of office shall be filled by elevation of the Vice - Chairperson . A vacancy in the office of Vice - Chairperson during the term of office shall be frilled by appointment by the Town Board upon the recommendation of the Planning Board . 'Town of 1 Gnaca r .ianniiig jsuuru .Ay -t, u. WJ - } - Agdopted , Planning Board , . 7 / 22 / 80 Approved , Town Board , Appointments to fill vacancies occurring during the term of office shall be made for the remainder of the unexpired term . Section 6 . Voting . The Chairperson and Vice - Chairperson shall be eligible to .vote on all matters coming before the Planning Board ARTICLE V MEETINGS AND PROCEDURES Section 1 . Meetings . The - Planning Board shall hold monthly meetings on the first Tuesday of the month , except as otherwise order by the Chairperson. Special meetings may be called by the Chairperson and shall be called ' up.on written request of five members . The purpose of such meeting shall_ be stated in * the call ; notice sufficient for publication in th.e official newspaper ( s ) of notices of public hearing shall be- given . with no less than three days ' notice given in all . other cases . All such meetings shall be held in accordance with the Open Meetings Law of the State of New York . Any such meeting may be adjourned to a definite date by a majority vote of a quorum of members . Section 2 . Voting . Voting shall_ be by voice or a show of hands , unless a roll call is requested . A resolution or other business shall be considered adopted if a majority of the votes cast is in the affirmative , a quorum being present . An abstention from voting shall not be considered a vote cast in determining a majority . A quorum shall consist of five ( 5 ) of the members . Section 3 . Minutes of Meetings . Minutes of the meeting shall be prepared by the Recording Secretary employed. to per - form this duty and shall be presented to the Planning Board for approval . Section 4 . Special Orders . Each resolution , recommendation , or report which is directed to a particular unit of government , agency , board , or the public , shall specify _ to whom it is directed and to whom written. copies shall be forwarded . It shall be the duty of the Town Planner to transmit promptly any and all such resolu - tions , recommendations , or reports , Town of Ithaca Planning Boara try - Laws - 5- Atdopted , Planning Board , 7 / 22 / 80 Approved , Town Board , ARTICLE VI COMMITTEES Nominating Committees shall be created as specified in Article III , Section 3 , and Article IV , Section 3 . The Planning Board may create and terminate Standing and Ad Hoc Committees , composed of members of . the Planning Board . The Chairperson may also create and terminate Ad Hoc Committees . The Committees shall perform such duties as may be delegated to them by the establishing motion or by the Chairper- son . In the absence of specific Committee appointments in the establishing motion , - the Chairperson shall appoint Committee members , including the Committee Chairperson . The Committees may select such advisors from outside the membership as they may deem necessary to perform their. tasks . ARTICLE VII STAFF ' SUPPORT The Town Planning , Zoning , and Engineering staff shall provide such support as may be requested by the Planning Board , within. fiscal and staff limitations . ARTICLE VIII PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY The rules contained in the current edition of Robert ' s Rules of Order , Revised shall govern the Planning .Board in all cases to which they are applicable and when they are not inconsistent with State or Town Law , these By - Laws , and any special rules of order adopted by the Town Board . ARTICLE IX AMENDMENTS These By -Laws can be amended at any regular meeting of the Planning Board by a two - thirds vote , provided that the amendment has been submitted in writing at the previous regular meeting and circulated to all Planning Board members prior to the voting meeting . Any such amendment shall take effect upon approval of the Town Board .