HomeMy WebLinkAboutTB Minutes 1983-10-19 TOWN OF ITHACA
SPECIAL BOARD MEETING
October 19 , 1983
At a Special Meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca , Tompkins
County , New York , held at the Town Offices at 126 East Seneca Street ,
Ithaca , New York , at 5 : 30 P . M . , on the 19th day of October , 1983 ,
there were :
® PRESENT : Noel Desch , Supervisor
George Kugler , Councilman
Shirley Raffensperger , Councilwoman
Marc Cramer , Councilman
Henry McPeak , Councilman
Dooley Kiefer , Councilwoman
Robert Bartholf , Councilman
ALSO PRESENT : Mary Call , Board of Representatives
Martin Sheridan , American Community Cablevision
Ron Ronsvalle , 628 Coddington Road
Representatives of the Media :
J . C . McKinley , WTKO
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Supervisor led the assemblage in the Pledge of Allegiance .
SCHOOL CROSSING GUARD
Supervisor Desch stated that there were a number of additional items
to be discussed tonight that are not on the agenda .
Town Clerk Jean Swartwood reported that the School Crossing Guard at
the Northeast School was nearly hit by a car on Monday of this week .
Also there has been a continuing problem of cars speeding through the
school crossing . The Town Clerk went on to say that the Sheriff has
been called , however , the Sheriff cannot be there everyday to control
the speeding cars . Mrs . Swartwood went on to say that she was asking
the Board to petition the State to reduce the speed limit in the
school crossing zone .
Councilman Cramer questioned the possibility of petitioning the State
to reduce the speed limit because of the handicapped that use the
BOCES facility ?
Town Engineer Fabbroni responded that it was not necessary to even
mention the handicapped , the Board can just petition the State to
® reduce the speed limit .
Councilwoman Kiefer asked if it was feasible to install lights ?
Councilwoman Raffensperger noted that some school crossings have
flashing lights on the school crossing signs .
Supervisor Desch responded that the Board could request the County to
install flashing lights .
RESOLUTION NO . 147
Motion by Councilman Cramer ; seconded by Councilwoman Raffensperger ,
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Town Board 2 October 19 , 1983
RESOLVED , that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca hereby petitions
the State of New York to reduce the speed limit in the school crossing
zone at the Northeast School from 30 miles per hour to 15 miles per
hour , and
FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED , that the Town Board requests the County of
Tompkins to install flashing lights on the school crossing signs .
( Desch , Kugler , Raffensperger , Cramer , McPeak , Kiefer and Bartholf
voting Aye . Nays - none ) .
EASTERN HEIGHTS PARKING
® Supervisor Desch stated that he had received a letter from Robert
Schwarting , Co - chairman of the Eastern Heights Association requesting
the Town to enact a local ordinance banning overnight parking in the
Eastern Heights subdivision . He went on to say that perhaps a public
hearing could be held in January .
Councilwoman Kiefer asked if the area of Eastern Heights was clearly
defined ? She noted that the letter from the Association stated on or
adjacent to streets in the area known as Eastern Heights Subdivision ,
Supervisor Desch responded that the area covering the Eastern Heights
Subdivision was clearly defineable .
LAND SWAP
Town Engineer Lawrence Fabbroni stated that the Town owns a parcel of
land on Seven Mile Drive where the Highway Facility is located .
Millard Brink owns the land surrounding the Town ' s land . Mr . Brink
has purchased a large piece of land on the north side of the Town ' s
property and has proposed the swaping of a triangle piece of land ,
including the creek , for 2 . 24 acres of very usable land for the Town
for stockpiling . If the Town every wished to use the triangle piece ,
now owed by the Town , it would be necessary to clear the land and
build a bridge over the creek .
Councilwoman Raffensperger stated that she remembered when the Town
purchased the land for the Highway Facility and that there had been
considerable discussions held with the owner of the property on the
north side about buffering their property from the Highway Facility ,
Town Engineer Fabbroni responded that the lady who requested the
buffering no longer lived there .
Supervisor Desch asked if there was any chance that our water supply
could be in jeopardy if the land is swapped ?
Town Engineer Fabbroni responded no . Infact , I imagine Mr . Brink will
dam up the creek at a later date . Our water supplied from
underground .
® RESOLUTION NO . 148
Motion by Councilwoman Raffensperger ; seconded by Councilman McPeak ,
WHEREAS , Millard Brink wishes to exchange ownership of equal acreage
in the amount of approximately 2 . 24 usable acres at the Town Highway
Maintenance Facility at 106 Seven Mile Drive , and
WHEREAS , it will leave both Mr . Brink and the Town of Ithaca with more
usable acreage ,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED , that the Town Board of the Town of
Ithaca authorizes the Town Supervisor to :
Town Board 3 October 19 , 1983
1 . Convey to Millard Brink the area bounded on the south and
west by other lands of Mr . Brink and on the north and east by the
centerline of a stream now on Town lands .
2 . At the time the above deed is delivered , a deed should be
received and recorded from Mr . Brink to the Town for a 105 foot by 942
foot strip of land abutting the existing north Town property boundary .
3 . It is understood that Mr . Brink will clear hedgerow on the
existing north Town boundary leaving only tree stumps for Town
disposal .
Councilman Kugler asked if Mr . Brink would bear the legal costs ?
® Town Engineer Fabbroni responded that each party will bear their own
costs . He went on to say that if there is a need to have the land
surveyed , each party will be responsible for their own survey .
( Desch , Kugler , Raffensperger , Cramer , McPeak , Kiefer and Bartholf
voting Aye . Nays - none ) .
OTTO SCHOENFELD DEVELOPMENT
Town Engineer Fabbroni stated that back in the late 1970 ' s the Town
had approved a subdivision by the Latter Day Saints Church , for the
east side of Lexington Drive , Now Mr . Schoenfeld is developing the
west side of Lexington Drive , approximately 1000 feet long . All the
work has been completed on the road except for the final surface
treatment . Mr . Fabbroni stated that he would rather have the road go
through a fall and spring before the Town accepts the road .
Therefore , he was recommending that the Town seek a Letter of Credit
for $ 7 , 500 , an insurance policy for $ 1 , 000 , 000 and a completion date
of September 1 , 1984 .
RESOLUTION NO , 149
Motion by Supervisor Desch ; seconded by Councilman McPeak ,
WHEREAS , Otto Schoenfeld , developer , wishes to obtain building permits
for lots fronting on the western portion of Lexington Drive
approximately 1 , 000 feet in length , and
WHEREAS , by Town Law permits cannot be issued prior to acceptance as a
Town Highway unless security sufficient to the Town Board is
established , and
WHEREAS , the best interests of the Town are served by the final
surface treatment ( oil and stone ) being delayed into the 1984
construction season , and
WHEREAS , the Town Engineer considers a sum of $ 7 , 500 more than
sufficient to cover the expense of surface treatment in 1984 ,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED , that the Town Board of the Town of
® Ithaca authorizes the Town Supervisor to prepare an agreement for Town
Board approval containing the following minimum provisions :
1 . A $ 7 , 500 Letter of Credit provided by Mr . Schoenfeld .
2 . Acceptance of the highway upon receipt of insurance policy
in the amount of $ 1 , 000 , 000 covering developer activities on the
highway .
3 . A highway completion date of September 1 , 1984 .
( Desch , Kugler , Raffensperger , Cramer , McPeak , Kiefer and Bartholf
voting Aye . Nays - none ) .
IVI
Town Board 4 October 19 , 1983
BURNS ROAD
Supervisor Desch noted that the ten points in the Statement of Intent
on the Burns Road came about because of the recommendations of the
Board of Public Works and the concerns of the Six Mile Creek
Preservation group . The Town was then asked to prepare a Statement of
Intent taking into consideration the points of concern of the Six Mile
Creek Preservation group .
STATEMENT OF INTENT
RESOLUTION NO . 150
® Motion by Supervisor Desch ; seconded by Councilman Cramer ,
The Town of Ithaca hereby requests that the City of Ithaca dedicate to
the Town a highway right - of -way across lands owned by the City and
formerly used by the City as a silt spoil area .
The Town intends to use this right - of - way in order to permit the
construction of a new alignment of the public highway known as " Burns
Road " . Construction drawings and additional information concerning
the design , environmental review , and landscaping requirements of this
project are presented in the project ' s Final Environmental Impact
Statement ( F / EIS ) , which is incorporated into this statement by
reference . In exchange for this right- of - way , the Town will :
1 . At such time as this highway is completed , surfaced , and
inspected to the satisfaction of the Town Engineer , and a suitable
bridge across the Six Mile Creek has been constructed , the Town
intends to abandon that existing section of Burns Road which is
duplicated by the new highway .
2 . At the time of such abandonment , the Town intends that the
right - of -way used for the old Burns Road be transferred to the City of
Ithaca , which shall have the responsibility for whatever maintenance
it deems appropriate . Hereafter , this right - of -way shall be referred
to in this document as the " driveway " .
3 . It is the intent of the Town to , at its own expense , remove
the old bridge across the Six Mile Creek , install a lockable gate
across the north end of the driveway , and provide a permanent barrier
across its south end .
4 . The Town intends to minimize the visibility of the 60 foot
dam reservoir impoundment area from the surface of the new roadway ;
the location and species mix used in revegetation will form an
effective screen .
5 . The landscaping plan described in the F / EIS provides for
the extensive revegetation of the project area with native and
complementary species . The intention and effect of this revegetation
will be to discourage access to the 60 foot dam reservoir impoundment
area from the new highway . The Town in conjunction with the City will
evaluate the success of this revegetation program at the end of two
® years and may recommend additional vegetation or other measures , if
necessary , to accomplish the revegetation objectives .
6 . The new highway embankments will be too steep for parking .
Parking will be further discouraged on the four foot wide shoulders
through the adoption by the Town of a no parking ordinance .
79 It is the intent of the Town that this new highway not
become a " racetrack " or " speedway " . To that end , the highway has a 50
mph design speed . The Town will apply to the New York State
Department of Transportation for a 45 . mph posted speed limit .
89 It is the intent of the Town that all costs pertaining
directly to the relocation of this highway , including but not limited
i
9 �
Town Board 5 October 19 , 1983
to surveyor ' s costs , engineering and attorney ' s fees , construction
materials and equipment charges , and all costs pertaining to the
transfer of the rights - of -way between the City and the Town shall be
paid for by the Town . It is the understanding of the Town that all
costs pertaining to the construction of the new bridge shall be paid
for by Tompkins County .
90 It is the intent of the Town to include in the scope of
work on this project the relocation of the intersection of Slaterville
Road and Burns Road .
100 It is the intent of the Town to work in cooperation with
the Superintendent of Public Works , the City Engineer , and any other
® person or agency the Common Council may authorize , in order to bring
about the timely completion of this project as described . The scope
of such cooperation shall include , but is not limited to , review and
comment on the final design and construction plan for the highway .
Councilman Cramer referring to point number 2 , questioned if the
present road would then be left intact , with a hard cover ?
Supervisor Desch responded yes , this will allow the City to get to
their firing range , etc . Also , this is what the City requested .
Councilwoman Raffensperger questioned if there is anything in the
Statement of Intent that would significantly increase the cost to the
Town ?
Supervisor Desch responded no .
Councilwoman Kiefer referring to point number 8 , questioned why the
City was not sharing the costs ?
Supervisor Desch responded that the cost would not be shared because
the Town made the request . Usually the requestee pays all costs .
Councilwoman Kiefer questioned why the Town had not yet received a
Letter of Intent from the City .
Town Engineer Fabbroni stated that the City felt the first draft
should come from the Town , then the City will know the Town ' s
concerns .
Supervisor Desch added that Common Council will take action to grant
our request . This is the same thing as the Letter of Intent . We will
have a " yes " Letter of Intent .
( Desch , Kugler , Raffensperger , Cramer , McPeak , Kiefer and Bartholf
voting Aye . Nays - none ) .
SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT
Supervisor Desch stated that he wished to make a brief report on the
progress of the sewage treatment plant . The State DEC Priority List
® has been approved by EPA . We will be receiving $ 9 , 547 , 000 , this is
$ 2 , 000 , 000 more than we expected . The Supervisor went on to say that
the funding of the first segment will cover the construction of
pilings , caps , pump station and the deep cut crossing of Route 13 . He
noted that EPA was in the final stages of their review and we expect a
grant offer within a month .
Councilman Cramer questioned the site location .
Supervisor Desch responded that the plant will be located behind
Grossman ' s on Route 13 . He added that all of the facilities will now
be located on the northside of the road .
Town Board 6 October 19 , 1983
Councilwoman Kiefer stating that she had several questions , went on to
note that the Planning Board minutes reported on the Sewer Use
Ordinance . She asked if the ordinance would now be coming to the
Board ?
Town Engineer Fabbroni responded , perhaps toward the end of November .
We are not consolidating our ordinance with the City ' s Sewer and Water
Ordinance . Trying to organize it so that permits are in one section ,
etc . He went on to say that at some point in time , with Stearns &
Wheler ' s efficient work , we may end up having a public hearing on a
small part of the ordinance .
Supervisor Desch noted that the Board would not see any substantial
® changes in the ordinance because the State is using our ordinance as a
model .
Councilwoman Kiefer questioned the status of the subdivision
regulations .
Town Engineer Fabbroni responded that there have been several meetings
with the Town Attorney and the regulations will be ready for the
public hearing .
Councilwoman Kiefer questioned the designation of a part of Six Mile
Creek as a critical wildlife environmental area ?
Supervisor Desch responded that this was really the City ' s
responsibility .
Mrs . Kiefer then asked if the City can designate the Town ' s part ?
Supervisor Desch responded no .
Town Engineer Fabbroni noted that the discussion was very much in the
early stages , as to what is a critical environmental area .
Councilwoman Kiefer asked what has happened to the Coddington Road
Community Center ?
Supervisor Desch stated that he had received a number of inquiries
from mothers who were interested in providing a day care center . The
Supervisor stated that he has told the people to put together a
proposal . Also , he had responded to Robert Berggren . He went on to
say that in the past , the Town has allocated $ 1 , 500 in budget for
heat , etc .
Councilwoman Kiefer stated that she had heard something on the radio
about the fire contract and that she thought she heard a three year
contract was proposed instead of the two year contract that the
Supervisor had talked about .
Supervisor Desch responded that the Board of Fire Commissioners were
proposing a three year contract . He stated that he still feels three
years is too long .
® Councilwoman Kiefer reminded the Board that when Councilman David
Jennings resigned , it was decided that he would continue on the
committee ,
Supervisor Desch responded , we will let the City know that David
Jennings will be acting officially .
Supervisor Desch assured Mrs . Kiefer that the City would be informed
that David Jennings will be continuing as an official of the Town on
any negotiations with the City pertaining to the fire service .
CODES & ORDINANCES
Town Board 7 October 19 , 1983
Councilman Cramer reported that the Town Board will be considering a
local law on Subdivision Regulations at the November Board meeting and
a local law to govern Unsafe Buildings at the December meeting . He
went on to say that he has asked Town Planner Peter Lovi to assemble
the necessary documents .
EAST HILL PLAZA
Councilwoman Raffensperger noted that the Sheriff ' s Department has not
been enforcing the no parking and handicapped parking at the East Hill
Plaza . The dangers from the lack of enforcement is increasing
drastically .
® COUNTY BOARD OF REPRESENTATIVES REPORT
Mary Call , County Representative reminded the Board of a
Reapportionment Committee meeting at noon on October 24th at the
County Planning offices . Mrs . Call went on to report that $ 15 , 000 be
included as a line item in the County ' s budget for Summer Youth
Workers . With the same conditions attached as was the case this year .
She noted that it was reported that the Town of Ithaca was the biggest
violator of the program because of their hiring 18 and 19 year olds .
Town Engineer Fabbroni asked how much of a study was done by the
County on the 18 and 19 year olds there were hired . Did the County
bother to find out that those persons who were hired were residents of
the County ?
Mrs . Call responded that the County felt that the job market for 18
and 19 year olds was better than it was for 16 year olds .
Town Engineer Fabbroni noted that supervision for 16 year olds was an
immediate problem . He went on to say that given the Town ' s type of
work it is not easy to hire younger persons . Also , the CETA program
was much more oriented to the younger group . Based on the number of
applicants we received from the age group of 18 and 19 you can only
conclude that there was not a good job market for this age , or why
else would 18 and 19 year olds take a job for $ 2 . 00 an hour .
Representative Call stated that she thought the committee wanted to go
back to Representative Shurtleff ' s original proposal . Are you saying
the Town will not be able to hire the same number of youth workers ?
Supervisor Desch responded that the Town would be hiring a smaller
percentage .
Mrs . Call reported that the County had passed a resolution declaring
that certain parcels of the hospital and land were no longer need and
would be offered for sale .
Councilwoman Kiefer noted the Sewer Exclusion Proposition that will be
on the ballot this November , she questioned if this proposition was
something that should be publicized ?
® Supervisor Desch responded that he had thought about putting an item
in the Newsletter , however , the number of votes that would come from
the Town of Ithaca would not have much of an impact . Down state , this
item is very critical . He went on to say that he did not think the
Town should spend money on publicity .
Councilman Cramer suggested that the City be encouraged to publicize
their feelings on the proposition .
Supervisor Desch agreed that the proposition would have more impact on
the City than the Town .
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Town Board 8 October 19 , 1983
Councilwoman Raffensperger suggested that the Supervisor check with
the City to see if they are taking a stand and the Board could
authorize the Supervisor to take the necessary action .
TOWN OF ITHACA PRELIMINARY BUDGET
RESOLUTION NO . 151
Motion by Supervisor Desch ; seconded by Councilwoman Raffensperger ,
RESOLVED , that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca will meet and
conduct a public hearing at 7 : 15 p . m . , on November 10 , 1983 , at the
® Town Hall , 126 East Seneca Street , Ithaca , New York , to consider the
Preliminary Budget for the Town of Ithaca for the year 1984 and to
hear all persons in favor or opposed .
( Desch , Kugler , Raffensperger , Cramer , McPeak , Kiefer and Bartholf
voting Aye . Nays - none ) .
SOUTHERN CAYUGA LAKE INTERMUNICIPAL WATER COMMISSION PRELIMINARY
BUDGET
RESOLUTION NO , 152
Motion by Councilman Kugler ; seconded by Supervisor Desch ,
RESOLVED , that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca will meet and
conduct a public hearing at 6 : 30 p . m . , on November 10 , 1983 , at the
Town Hall , 126 East Seneca Street , Ithaca , New York , to consider the
Preliminary Budget for the Southern Cayuga Lake Intermunicipal Water
Commission for the year 1984 and to hear all persons in favor or
opposed .
( Desch , Kugler , Raffensperger , Cramer , McPeak , Kiefer and Bartholf
voting Aye . Nays - none ) .
1984 FEDERAL REVENUE SHARING
RESOLUTION NO , 153
Motion by Councilman Cramer , seconded by Councilman McPeak ,
RESOLVED , that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca will meet and
conduct a public hearing at 6 : 40 p . m . , on November 10 , 1983 , at the
Town Hall , 126 East Seneca Street , Ithaca , New York to consider the
proposed use of approximately $ 11 , 500 in interest earnings from
Entitlement Period Twelve and Entitlement Period Thirteen and subject
to congressional authorization , approximately $ 90 , 000 for Entitlement
Period Fifteen and to hear all persons in favor of or opposed to the
allocation .
( Desch , Kugler , Raffensperger , Cramer , McPeak , Kiefer and Bartholf
® voting Aye . Nays - none ) .
EASTWOOD COMMONS LIGHTING DISTRICT
RESOLUTION NO . 154
Motion by Supervisor Desch ; seconded by Councilman Kugler ,
RESOLVED , that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca will meet and
conduct a public hearing at 6 : 45 p . m . , on November 10 , 1983 , at the
Town Hall , 126 East Seneca Street , Ithaca , New York to consider the
Eastwood Commons Lighting District and to hear all persons in favor of
or opposed .
� 79
Town Board 9 October 19 , 1983
( Desch , Kugler , Raffensperger , Cramer , McPeak , Kiefer and Bartholf
voting Aye . Nays - none ) .
GLENSIDE LIGHTING DISTRICT
RESOLUTION NO . 155
Motion by Councilman McPeak ; seconded by Councilwoman Raffensperger ,
RESOLVED , that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca will meet and
conduct a public hearing at 6 : 50 p . m . , on November 10 , 1983 , at the
Town Hall , 126 East Seneca Street , Ithaca , New York to consider the
® Glenside Lighting District and to hear all persons in favor of or
opposed .
( Desch , Kugler , Raffensperger , Cramer , McPeak , Kiefer and Bartholf
voting Aye . Nays - none ) .
RENWICK HEIGHTS LIGHTING DISTRICT
RESOLUTION NO . 156
Motion by Councilwoman Kiefer ; seconded by Supervisor Desch ,
RESOLVED , that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca will meet and
conduct a public hearing at 6 : 55 p . m . , on November 10 , 1983 , at the
Town Hall , 126 East Seneca Street , Ithaca , New York to consider the
Renwick Heights Lighting District and to hear all persons in favor of
or opposed .
( Desch , Kugler , Raffensperger , Cramer , McPeak , Kiefer and Bartholf
voting Aye . Nays - none ) .
FOREST HOME LIGHTING DISTRICT
RESOLUTION NO . 157
Motion by Councilwoman Kiefer ; seconded by Councilman McPeak ,
RESOLVED , that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca will meet and
conduct a public hearing at 7 : 00 p . m . , on November 10 , 1983 , at the
Town Hall , 126 East Seneca Street , Ithaca , New York to consider the
Forest Home Lighting District and to hear all persons in favor of or
opposed .
( Desch , Kugler , Raffensperger , Cramer , McPeak , Kiefer and Bartholf
voting Aye . Nays - none ) .
CLOVER LANE LIGHTING DISTRICT
RESOLUTION NO . 158
® Motion by Councilman Kugler ; secondec by Councilwoman Raffensperger ,
RESOLVED , that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca will meet and
conduct a public hearing at 7 : 05 p . m . , on November 10 , 1983 , at the
Town Hall , 126 East Seneca Street , Ithaca , New York to consider the
Clover Lane Lighting District and to hear all persons in favor of or
opposed .
( Desch , Kugler , Raffensperger , Cramer , McPeak , Kiefer and Bartholf
voting Aye . Nays - none ) .
FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICTS
Town Board 10 October 19 , 1983
RESOLUTION NO . 159
Motion by Supervisor Desch ; seconded by Councilman Cramer ,
RESOLVED , that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca will meet and
conduct a public hearing at 7 : 10 p . m . , on November 10 , 1983 , at the
Town Hall , 126 East Seneca Street , Ithaca , New York to consider the
Fire Protection Districts and to hear all persons in favor of or
opposed .
( Desch , Kugler , Raffensperger , Cramer , McPeak , Kiefer and Bartholf
voting Aye . Nays - none ) .
® 1984 TOWN OF ITHACA BUDGET
Supervisor Desch stated that he had taken a closer look at the budget
and had decided that by eliminating all equipment , contractual
expenses for the Town Attorney , reducing the Park Maintenance
Equipment budget to $ 1 , 200 , cutting $ 16 , 000 from Highway Item I
Permananet Improvements plus the $ 139 , 000 in Town -wide unexpended
balance , the 1984 tax increase could be held to a 10 % increase .
Councilwoman Raffensperger asked what equipment are you cutting out ?
Supervisor Desch responded , replacement of adding machines ,
typewriters , etc .
CABLE TV FRANCHISE
Councilwoman Kiefer stated that the TV Franchise performance bond and
the level of fees need to be resolved . The committee is still waiting
for the reports they requested from ACC . Also , there is another
question that needs to be considered . Present subscribers can supply
their own converters . Some Town residents have invested in cable
ready sets , which is their right under the present franchise . ACC now
plans on scrambling the signal so that people with cable ready set
will need to rent a converter . She went on to say that we may wish to
use this in the negotiations when the rate increase is discussed .
Town Attorney Peter Grossman stated that he had a concern regarding
the Security Bond has it is now written . It doesn ' t give us much
leverage . He questioned if the Board wanted Town subscribers to
individually be an attorney general or would the Board rather take
action after several complaints have been received . He stated that he
would like the Board feelings on this .
Supervisor Desch stated that there is a need to identify the purpose
of the bond and what will happen to the money . He went on to say that
normally a bond is for building a road .
Councilman Cramer asked Mr . Sheridan if there was much of the Town not
being serviced ?
Mr . Sheridan responded there are only parts in areas of the Town that
® are not in line areas .
Councilman Cramer suggested that the Performance Bond be refunded on
servicing of the areas now without service . The bond could be taken
to insure the timely extension to service to areas that do not now
receive service .
Councilwoman Raffensperger stated that she thought a Performance Bond
was used only if there was a substantial pattern of non - service .
Supervisor Desch stated that it will be necessary for us to decide the
criteria for calling in a bond . It would not be good for the Town to
get into situations where they were correcting problems on private
lands .
Town Board 11 October 19 , 1983
Town Attorney Grossman added it would be an all in all , outright
non - preformance penalty . We have not intention of getting the Town
into the business of cable television .
Supervisor Desch stated that he couldn ' t see , in his mind , the need
for a Performance Bond .
Attorney Grossman responded , to insure that repairs are made in a
timely form .
Martin Sheridan stated that the State requires a bond on new
construction . In talking with a representative in Albany , he found
out that this franchise is the only one requiring a bond where there
® is no new construction . He went on to say that there is a certain
amount of good faith . There have been no instances of failure by ACC
to comply with any segment of the franchise . The franchise can be
revoked if we don ' t perform . He stated that he did not think a
Performance Bond was necessary .
Councilwoman Kiefer noted that during the committee ' s discussions with
Mr . Sheridan , he had stated that ACC intended to add more telephone
lines and they have not done this yet .
Mr . Sheridan responded that it takes time for the telephone company
plus and independent company to evaluate the telephone needs and then
to get back to ACC with their proposals .
Councilwoman Raffensperger commented that she really believed that the
public does not know that the Town has any jurisdiction over TV or the
Franchise .
Town Attorney Grossman stated that he got the feeling a performance
bond was still needed to take care of continuing problems .
Supervisor Desch asked the Board members if they had any idea of how
the funds should be allocated that they should let Mr . Grossman know
by November 1st .
Martin Sheridan requested that the Board consider the Franchise fee on
page 11 of the proposed franchise . At present the fee is 1 % . The
proposed fee is 2 % of everything except paid services . The maximum
level is 3 % , but this can go up to 5 % if you can prove the need for
the money to administer the franchise .
Supervisor Desch asked the Board for their preference .
The feelings of the Board was that 2 % was about the same as the 1 %
plus premium service now being received .
Peter Grossman remarked that the franchise as now written , show
channels 2 through 13 as Basic service , B through K as Augmented
service and A as a Premium station .
Supervisor Desch asked , of those who have approved their contracts ,
what percentage are they receiving ?
® Mr . Sheridan responded , they have stayed the same .
Councilman McPeak remarked , this is not a fund raiser for the Town .
Councilwoman Kiefer stated that on page 24 , ( 4 . 3 . 5 ) we took out the
notice to customers of increase as it was very difficult to breakdown
the bills as they come in one lump sum . We felt the franchise money
could be used to send a notice .
Martin Sheridan responded that new customers now receive a notice of
increase now . If we do an annual billing notice on one form the
notice of rates would involve another form .
Town Board 12 October 19 , 1983
Town Attorney Grossman asked why new customers could not be given the
rates by the installer ?
Mr . Sheridan responded that even if you print up rates , you have
pro - rates because of when they sign up .
Peter Grossman suggested that something should be printed up that say
these are the services and .the costs . Your first month ' s bill will be
$ Then have the installer give it to the new customer .
Councilwoman Kiefer stated that she liked getting statements . She
stated that she did not like the Supervisor ' s idea of having the rates
flashed on Channel 13 .
® Supervisor Desch responded that when the water and sewer rates change
we do not give the customer a notice .
Town Attorney Grossman asked why ACC did not want to give information
on their rate of return ?
Martin Sheridan responded that ACC had provided rate on return
statements to the committee . We provide the State also with this
information . These are statements that you could take to the bank .
He went on to say that they have a big problem with the way Mr .
Grossman wrote the part requiring more financial information and we
can ' t sign the contract with these requirements .
Councilwoman Kiefer stated that the committee is not happy with this .
Maybe Mr . Sheridan won ' t be here in ten years and may be the Board
will change . We need to include a list financial information required
so that future TV Committee ' s will know what information is needed .
We tried to write the franchise so that hopefully it would be a tool
for the future .
Supervisor Desch stated that he was comfortable with the more modest
wording of 7 . 5 on page 39 .
Supervisor Desch asked how the information pertaining to the Town
would vary from the overall information .
Mr . Sheridan responded that if the overall system was loosing money ,
the loss would be the same as if the City were loosing money but not
the Town . He went on to say that we are either making money or not .
We should be asking the Town for a much higher rate . Trends can be
obtained from the Profit and Loss Statement on a yearly basis , this
would give you enough information .
Councilwoman Kiefer stated that she had requested more financial
information from the State and felt that no action should be taken
until the information arrives and the committee has time to study the
financial information .
Mr . Sheridan noted that the State had told the City that a Return on
Investment Statement was not necessary .
® Councilwoman Raffensperger stated that if the committee felt that the
list of material they requested was necessary then the Board should
wait for this information to arrive .
Supervisor Desch stated that it was time for the Board to face the
rate schedule squarely .
Martin Sheridan read the following memo he had written to Noel Desch ,
date October 19 , 1983 :
" The following is an estimate of increased revenues for ACC from the
Town of Ithaca based on the new rates we have requested . The
estimates assume that the rates would have been in effect during the
ZE
Town Board 13 October 19 , 1983
last fiscal year ( this is for comparison to the previous date we
submitted ) .
Add ' l yearly inc .
Town of Ithaca average monthly basic subscribers :
3161 x 2 . 00 ( increase in basic rates ) _ $ 75 , 864
875 additional basic outlets x 1 . 50 increase = 15 , 750
( The above 875 is a best guess )
Installation rate : no change first outlet 0
® Installation rate : second outlet :
81 x 5 . 00 increase = 405
Custome installations : New rate
Time & Materials + 10o Negligible
Augmented service : We extimate about the
same number as now take HBO :
1043 x $ 1 . 00 increase ( HBO subs now rent
the converter for $ 2 . 00 ) = 12 , 516
Extra augmented outlets at $ 4 . 50 each
( The biggest " if " of all . What percentage
of the 1043 will take extra augmented
outlets ? 200 x $ 4 . 50 x 12 10 , 800
Disconnections . . . no charge 0
Relocations . . . $ 5 . 00 increase very few
Transfers . . . $ 5 . 00 increase very few
TOTAL ESTIMATED ADDITIONAL INCOME FROM
RATE INCREASES $ 115 , 335
Town Attorney Grossman asked Mr . Sheridan if the royalty payment was
based on the outlet ?
Mr . Sheridan responded , the more money we make , the more we pay .
Councilman Cramer questioned the possible loss of the New York City
channels .
Martin Sheridan responded , good news we are grandfathered so we can
keep the New York City channels .
RESOLUTION NO . 160
Motion by Supervisor Desch ; seconded by Councilman Cramer ,
® RESOLVED , that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca will meet and
conduct a public hearing November 21 , 1984 at 7 : 30 P . M . , to consider
approving the TV Franchise between the Town of Ithaca and American
Community Cablevision .
( Desch , Kugler , Raffensperger , Cramer , McPeak and Bartholf voting Aye .
Nays - Kiefer ) .
Councilwoman Kiefer , referring to the Town of Ithaca Budget , noted
that the numbers were out of order and that some of the number do not
agree . She also noted that there were a number of typographic errors .
Mrs . Kiefer asked where are the training school funds in the budget ,
she stated some schools are very expensive . She went on to say that
Town Board 14 October 19 , 1983
she had requested a list of those who had attended the training
schools and the cost of same for the year 1983 and a list and cost for
the proposed schools for 1984 , but had not received it yet .
Supervisor Desch responded that there were too many transactions .
Some of the schools can be planned , like the Association of Towns
Meeting , other we just take advantage of when they become available .
EXECUTIVE SESSION
RESOLUTION NO . 161
® Motion by Supervisor Desch , seconded by Councilman Kugler ,
RESOLVED , that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca hereby moves into
Excecutive Session to discuss Town Personnel salaries .
( Desch , Kugler , Raffensperger , Cramer , McPeak , Kiefer and Bartholf
voting Aye . Nays - none ) .
RESOLUTION NO . 162
. Motion by Supervisor Desch , seconded by Councilman Kugler ,
RESOLVED , that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca hereby moves out
of Executive Session into Regular Session .
( Desch , Kugler , Raffensperger , Cramer , McPeak , Kiefer and Bartholf
voting Aye . Nays - none ) .
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was duly adjourned .
wn Cler