HomeMy WebLinkAboutTB Minutes 1990-07-09 TOWN OF ITHACA
REGCTLAR TOWN BOARD MEETING
July 91 1990
At a Regular Meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca ,
Tompkins County , New York , held at the Town Hall , 126 East Seneca
Street , Ithaca , New York , on the 9th day of July , 1990 , there were :
PRESENT . Shirley Raffensperger , Supervisor
John Whitcomb , Councilman
Patricia Leary , Councilwoman
David Klein , Councilman
Frank Liguori , Councilman
Catherine Valentino , Councilwoman
Karl Niklas , Councilman
ALSO PRESENT * John Ozolins , Highway Superintendent
Daniel Walker , Town Engineer
Andrew Frost , Building Inspector/ Zoning
Officer
John Barney , Town Attorney
George Frantz , Assistant Town Planner
Edward Hallberg , Deer Run Development
Carolyn Grigorov , Planning Board
Beverly Livesay , Board of Representatives
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Supervisor led the assemblage in the Pledge of Allegiance .
REPORT OF TOWN OFFICIALS
Supervisor ' s Report
Supervisor Raffensperger remarked that she was aware that the Board
knew the Town would have a vacancy in the position of Highway
Superintendent as of August 10th . She stated that she knew all
were pleased for John and that he will be the new Highway
Superintendent for Cayuga County which will be a very nice
prcmotion for him and we wish him well . With a telephone consent
of the majority of the Town Board , the advertisement for the
position has been placed and interviews are tentatively scheduled
for the first full week of August . She stated that she would like
to set up a committee consisting of John Ozolins , the members of
the Public Works Committee , the Town Engineer and a representative
of the Personnel Committee . In the interim the position will be
covered by the Foreman with the assistance of the Town Engineering
Department ,
The Supervisor went on to say that George Frantz , David Klein and
she , had attended the Glenside Civic Association picnic on June
16th with the focus of the discussion on the Comprehensive Master
Plan process but they also discussed speed limits and the need for
a walkway in the area and concern over the adequacy of the water
extensions in that area , which we will be following up on latter
this week .
Town Board Minutes 2 July 9 , 1990
Supervisor Raffensperger went on to say that she has received
several telephone calls , one from the Cornell Graduate School
Council , expressing concern about pedestrian traffic along Mitchell
Street fran Maplewood to the East Hill Plaza , all requesting that
the Town proceed with a sidewalk . At the time of the Maplewood
approval , by the Town , Cornell made a contribution of $ 10 , 000
towards a sidewalk in that area and it was her understanding that
the Town is now negotiating with Ide ' s for a sum of money as a
contribution towards that sidewalk . The agreement with Cornell
says that their money must be expended by 1994 and she thought the
Town would need to make some accommodation in the 1991 budget for
at least minimal development of a pedestrian trail along there .
There are a large number of married students , small children ,
tricycles , strollers , etc . , going along that road which is quite
heavily traveled .
Supervisor Raffensperger noted that the Supervisor of the Town of
Danby has contacted her to explore the possibility of joint youth
activities between the Town of Danby and the Town of Ithaca with
the possibility of scene kind of a joint facility being planned in
the South Hill area . The Supervisor of the Town of Danby has
contacted County Planning and the Commissioner has said that County
Planning will consider support for a feasibility study for the
Towns and by the August Board meeting she should have sane kind of
a letter from the Town of Danby that the Board could consider .
Town Engineer ' s Report
Town Engineer Dan Walker stated that the 1989 Water and Sewer
Improvement Project was proceeding in the design phase and that
they will hold a meeting on Tuesday with Stearns & Wheler to review
the final design drawings so that hopefully they will be able to go
to bid soon . He went on to say that in the eastern area , up around
Pine Tree Road , they are starting to consider an extension of water
with the Town of Dryden and Cornell . The survey for the Quick
property has been completed and has set up a meeting with the
Quick ' s to discuss it . The Planning Board will be looking at one
lot which was of concern to the Quick ' s because our excavation did
extend somewhat beyond the easement . He stated that he had talked
to the County Highway Department regarding the Pine Tree/Judd Falls
Road intersection and we will be discussing transportation issues
there in a little more detail along with planning and the projects
that Cornell is planning for the area . The Trumansburg Road sewer
to the Fire Station has been completed and we are doing the final
inspections . There was some punch list work that has been pretty
well completed .
Councilman. Liguori asked if the fire station was open yet ?
Town Engineer Walker replied that he did not think so , but the
water and sewer had been connected .
Councilman. Klein noted that they were having their final committee
meting on. Tuesday .
Town Highway Superintendent ' s Report
Town Highway Superintendent John Ozolins stated that the two new
trucks are both in and they are both deprocessed , in fact , the ten
wheeler , Truck #3 , they have been using . Truck # 10 has been rust
proofed and the only item yet to be done is to install the radios .
We had Tracy Road Equipment work on the Badger to inspect it and
repair it because of sane problems with hydraulic leaks . We
replaced three stretches of the guard rails on Stone Quarry Road ,
Town Board Minutes 3 July 9 , 1990
since that time one section has been hit already . We finished
flaring out the driveways and placement of . the shoulders , the only
thing left: on the paving project is the surface treatment that was
scheduled and still needs to be done plus sealing the roads that we
paved this year and a couple that we skimmed over last year We
did some ditching as well .
He went on to say that on the Parks Activities , most of their time
this .past month has been spent up in the Troy Park , the new park
that is going in just below the Deer Run development . They have
most of the play structures installed but with the mowing , it has
taken longer than expected .
Building ]:nspector/ Zoning Officer ' s Report
Building Inspector/ Zoning Officer Andrew Frost reported that 18
building permits were issued for the month of June . He went on to
say that 1. 9 certificates of occupancy were issued , 4 new complaints
were investigated , two were for property maintenance in the Eastern
Heights area and have been corrected . 135 field visits were made
during the month .
Town Planner ' s Report
Assistant Town Planner George Frantz reported that essentially the
Planning :staff has continued to work with Stuart Brown Associates
on the Comprehensive Plan and are continuing to gather data and
mapping information for the plan . We have begun drafting portions
of the Oxnprehensive Plan that deal mainly with the inventory
aspects of it including demographics information , population and
development in the Town . Included in that is the preparation of
two maps , one showing land use in the Town of Ithaca in 1968 and
one showing land use of essentially today in the Town of Ithaca .
The tabulation of the residents survey continues , the Comprehensive
Planning Committee at the June 12th meeting established a
subcommittee which will review the results of that survey and
report back to the CPC at it ' s September meeting . Planning staff
has prepared a draft working definition of open space and a
proposed classification scheme for the CAC . We have also been
working with the COC on a number of revisions to the Zoning
ordinance .
Councilman. Klein remarked that two people on his street had
contacted him about Town recycling as apparently the people in the
Northeast are not participating in the project .
Supervisor Raffensperger replied that they were not in the pilot
program but she had been assured by the Tompkins County Solid Waste
Division that , they say by this fall the whole Town of Ithaca will
have recycling . She stated that she has been telling people by the
end of the! year as that seemed safer .
Councilman Klein asked if there was any reason why it took so long
to get it started?
Supervisor Raffensperger replied that she did not know except they
were trying to reorganize a fairly large extension of recycling .
REPORT OF COMMITTEES
Comprehensive Planning Committee
Councilman. Klein reported that they have a meeting scheduled for
Thursday and hoped to have some preliminary results from the survey
Town Board Minutes 4 July 91 1990
back . We also want to establish some subcanmittees but basically a
presentation to the committee of the work done by staff with some
of the c=rent land use mapping and a comparison with base line map
of 1968 .
Councilman Niklas asked if the computer information from the survey
would be available before the meeting?
Councilman Klein replied that he did not think so , apparently the
fellow at Cornell who is supposed to be compiling this has not done
his job . But we will probably have them available at the meeting .
Conservation Advisory Committee
Councilman Whitcomb stated that they were still working on the
development of the open space inventory and maps . We have sane
representatives working with the City on the Six Mile Creek
protection and should have a written report on that in August .
Codes & Ordinances Committee
Councilman Niklas noted that they were currently working under
Section 70 of the Zoning Ordinance , involving the removal or
displacement of material on site or to another site . We are
currently also in a discussion in regard to non-conforming land use
issues such as irregular lots not conforming , occupancy , etc . , and
hope to have some legislation through the Planning Board to
recommend to the Town Board in the near future .
Ethics Committee
Councilwoman Valentino remarked that she had nothing to report .
The Committee should be getting comments from the staff shortly and
will be setting up a meeting .
Supervisor Raffensperger remarked that she thought she would
schedule for the August meeting a discussion item with the
possibility of setting the public hearing for September .
FINANCIAL REPORT
RESOLUTION NO . 173
Motion by Councilman Niklas ; seconded by Councilwunan Valentino ,
RESOLVED , that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca hereby approve
the June Financial Report as presented .
(Raffensperger , Whitcomb , Leary , Klein , Liguori , Valentino and
Niklas voting Aye . Nays - none) .
ASSEMBLY BILL NO . 8599-a AND SENATE BILL NO . 5675-a
Supervisor Raffensperger noted that the Board had not received
material on this item because this request for the enactment to
include fixe districts that are coterminous with the area of the
Town outside the Village as a part-town activity was initiated
about two and a half to three years ago . She stated that she had
received word from Senator Seward , earlier in the year , that it had
passed . For some reason , which she did not know, she had now
Town Board Minutes 5 July 91 1990
received a letter from Assemblyman Luster asking that the Board
pass a formal Home Rule message requesting the legislation .
The request reads as follows : "Pursuant to Article IX of the
Constitution , the Town of Ithaca requests the enactment of Assembly
Bill No . ;8500-a and Senate Bill No . 5675-a . It is hereby declared
that a necessity exists for the enactment of such legislation , and
that the facts establishing such necessity are as follows : The
local government does not have the power to enact such legislation
by local 'Law. "
The Supervisor went on to say that earlier in the year the Board
may recall she had told them that Assemblyman Luster had contacted
her saying this was old legislation that the Town had requested and
did the Town want them to proceed with it . She felt the reasons
for proceeding with it were somewhat diminished over the years
because we no longer return any funds to County as of this year to
reduce taxes and therefore , do not have that lump of money to put
towards fire protections costs . However , it seems for the future
for us and other Towns in New York State this is a useful bit of
legislation so she had written back to Assemblyman Luster telling
him that while it was not an immediate ant to the Town of Ithaca
now and would not urge him to put it on any kind of a priority
track that: she felt it was a useful piece of legislation . She went
on to say that she assumed this would go to the legislature next
year , she did not really know, but in her opinion we might as well
proceed with the request and the formal Home Rule request .
Councilman Klein asked the Supervisor to discuss what this actually
would do .
Supervisor Raffensperger replied , what it would do would be to
permit the Town of Ithaca to use sales tax revenues to off set fire
district costs and because all of the Town , outside the Village , is
in a single fire district , in other words its coterminous with the
areas of the Town outside the Village , it would authorize us to use
funds for fire protection . The State law does not now permit that .
She felt this was probably because at one time there were very few
town fire districts that were coterminous with the whole area of
the Town outside the Village , there were little bits and pieces
around the Town so you could not justify using funds that belonged
to all areas of the Town for small isolated districts . Our
districts are one and those funds would be properly used for that
purpose if' authorized .
RESOLUTION NO . 174
Motion by Supervisor Raffensperger , seconded by Councilwoman
Valentino ,
RESOLVED , that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca hereby approve
the Request by a Local Government for Enactment of a Special Law
pursuant to Article IX of the Constitution requesting the enactment
of Senate Bill No . 5675-a and Assembly Bill No . 8599-a .
The Supervisor called for a roll call vote .
Councilman Klein Voting Aye
Councilwoman Leary Voting Aye
Councilman Liguori Voting Aye
Councilman Niklas Voting Aye
Councilwoman Valentino Voting Aye
Councilman Whitcomb Voting Aye
Supervisor Raffensperger Voting Aye
The Resolution was duly adopted .
Town Board Minutes 6 July 91 1990
REPORT OF COUNTY REPRESENTATIVES
County Representative Beverly Livesay stated that she did not have
anything really to report but wondered if the Board had any
questions .. Also , had the Board had any change of opinion on the
installment tax issue .
Supervisor Raffensperger replied no , but she had agreed to have
Cathy West come to the August meeting to discuss what she
character:Lzes as the Towns lack of understanding of the system .
They want another resolution from us .
Mrs . Livesay replied , but as of now your resolution still stands .
Councilman Klein remarked that several residents on his street were
complaining that they were not participating in the recycling and
why was it. taking so long to include them?
Mrs . Livesay replied that the County Board had adopted a pilot
project for a recycling program which spelled out various time
lines , various areas to be covered and various materials to be
collected . The pilot project has been adjusted and various areas
have been added and various materials have been added but always
keeping i,z mind the purposes of the original pilot project which
was to gather specific information about in what particular areas
do curb side pickups work and in what areas is it more feasible to
have drop off centers . The fact that they have not been included ,
even though other areas were added , was that those areas were added
keeping in mind the original pilot project . It will be analyzed as
to how people respond to drop off points or if people respond
better to curb pick up and what are the costs . There is a whole
method bel ind all this .
LOCATION OF ROADS AND PUBLIC FACILITIES FOR SHALEBROOK DEVELOPMENT
Assistant Planner George Frantz stated that he wanted to report one
thing regarding the Shalebrook subdivision , as part of the
preliminary subdivision approval by the Planning Board , the Perry ' s
are dedicating approximately 1 . 2 acres for a " tot lot " . In
addition t.o that they were to contribute up to $5 , 000 in work of
improvements to the " tot lot " . He stated that he had met with Tom
Niederkorn , Dick Perry and Carl Sgrecci on Friday , to discuss this .
They have cleared the " tot lot " , the brush and the like and seeded
it to grass and the cost of that actually exceeds $ 5 , 000 , so they
have met that condition already . Mr . Frantz noted a walkway
connecting the end of Joseph Place with the " tot lot " and also a
walkway connecting Perry Lane with Joseph Place .
Highway Superintendent Ozolins questioned the possibility of having
a road connect the two proposed roads instead of two separate
cul-de-sacs . In the long term , as far as maintenance , especially
during the winter , it would be a lot easier to have a connecting
road instead of two cul-de-sacs .
Assistant Planner Frantz replied that one of the things about this
subdivision , which he felt was the reason they ended up with two
cul-de-sacs was the fact that the Planning Board was very concerned
about Riley Drive which may at some point be a West Hill connector .
In order to get lots on there as well as eliminate any driveways
onto this future Riley Drive they came up with this . Riley Drive
canes off Bundy Road and then Joseph Place connects to it .
Eventually Riley Drive will extend South past the " tot lot " .
Town Board Minutes 7 July 9 , 1990
Councilman Klein noted that if you extend Riley Drive you will have
four lots which will have a road on front and back , he asked if the
Planning Board was concerned about that?
Mr . Frantz replied , not really because of the depth of the lots .
They are between 200 and 300 feet in depth .
Town Planning Board Chairman Carolyn Grigorov remarked that would
be a buffer between their backyards and Riley Drive and their
entrances would be on the other lane . The idea was to keep their
houses away from what might be a future road .
Supervisor Raffensperger noted that there was a 40 ' buffer strip
shown on the map .
Councilman Niklas remarked that he did not see how this answers the
question of a connecting road instead of the cul-de-sacs and it
would seem reasonable to think about a connecting road .
Town Engineer Walker replied that there are some topography
questions as you come to the end of the cul-de-sacs . The slopes
are basically to the East and in the upper wooded areas the slopes
are from 5 to 10 % and toward the lake as you cone to the end of the
two cul-de-sacs you are getting close to Williams Glen and then the
slopes go to 15 to 20 % .
Councilman Niklas questioned lots 17 and 18 as shown on the map ,
are they fairly level ?
Mr . Walker felt that it was basically that they would loose two
lots if the roads were to connect .
Councilman Liguori remarked that those two lots have the most
gorgeous view and they would hate to loose them .
RESOLUTION N0 . 175
Motion by Councilman Liguori ; seconded by Councilman Klein ,
WHEREAS , the Town of Ithaca Subdivision Regulations require the
approval by the Town Board of roads , park and open space , and other
public facilities as may be proposed in a subdivision , and
WHEREAS , the Planning Board has , on June 5 , 1990 , granted
Preliminary Subdivision Approval , with certain conditions , to the
proposed " Shalebrook " subdivision , proposed to be located on
approximately 29 acres on Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No . 6- 27- 11 . 2 ,
1138 Trumansburg Road , and
WHEREAS , the Planning Board , acting as Lead Agency for
environmental review of the proposed subdivision , has , on June 5 ,
1990 , made a negative determination of environmental significance ,
and
WHEREAS , the Town Engineer and Assistant Town Planner have
recommended approval of the location and preliminary design of
roads and other public facilities proposed in said subdivision ,
subject to the further requirements of the consideration of said
subdivision by the Planning Board ,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED , that the Town of Ithaca Town Board ,
acting as an involved agency in the review of this subdivision ,
accept and hereby does accept the location of the proposed roads ,
park and open space facilities , and utilities as proposed in the
Preliminary Subdivision Plat for the proposed " Shalebrook "
subdivision , dated March 12 , 1990 , subject to the requirements that
Town Board Minutes 8 July 91 1990
may be imposed by the Planning Board and any further requirements
of project approval .
(Raffensperger , Whitcomb , Leary , Klein , Liguori , Valentino and
Niklas voting Aye . Nays - none) .
REVIEW OF SOUTH HILL TRAIL DEVELOPMENT - 1990
Supervisor Raffensperger noted that in December of last year the
Town Board authorized the expenditure of almost $ 150 , 000 for the
acquisition and for the development of the South Hill Trail .
However , this years budget seems to include only $ 15 , 000 for it .
She stated that she had asked the Planning Department to come up
with a proposal for minimal development , we obviously must honor
the purchase agreements we have , that would improve the safety of
the trail once the Town had taken title to it . We will of course
not proceed with this until the time for the legal appeal has been
completed „
Assistant Town Planner George Frantz presented the following memo
to the Tom Board dated June 26 , 1990 :
"Attached is a budget for the South Hill Recreationway , for the
1990 construction season . It reflects the cost of purchasing the
NYSEG right-of-way , acquiring the easement over the Sincebaugh
land , and minimal development of the actual trail during 1990 .
Construction work will be limited to eliminating potential hazards
to the public , installing barriers and signs to bar motorized
vehicles , installing fences , gates and signs where needed to
protect adjacent landowners , and making some drainage improvements .
Clearing and grubbing of the recreationway route would be limited
trimming back brush and trees to a 4 to 6 foot wide clear area to
ensure a safe walking path only .
The work to be done this summer will be confined to the upper and
lower railroad beds . Because of the amount and cost of the work
necessary to develop the section of the recreationway through the
Si.ncebaugh parcel to a point where it would be safe for public use ,
I recommend that nothing be done to that section this year , and
have not allocated any money for improvements to that link .
Also , I recommend that no signs identifying the path as the South
Hill Recreationway be installed this year . I believe that we
should tr( to minimize the visibility of the recreationway as a
formal public trail , with resulting increased public use , until all
proposed improvements to the route are completed .
Please let. me know if you have any questions or comments regarding
this budget . "
SOUTH HILL RECCREATIONWAY BUDGET
Construction Budget - Minimum Site Development F . Y . 1990
Prepared 4 / 17 / 90
TOWN EQBA TOTAL
ACQUISITION COSTS
Land $ 23 , 780 $ 16 , 580 $ 40 , 360
Legal & Appraisal $ 5 , 000 0 $ 5 , 000
Town Board Minutes 9 July 91 1990
ACQUISITION TOTAL $ 28 , 780 $ 16 , 580 $ 45 , 360
CONSTRUCTION
Materials $ 0 $ 4 , 543 $ 4 , 543
Non-cash Labor & Equipment* $ 6 , 509 0 $ 6 , 509
CONSTRUCTION TOTAL $ 6 , 509 $ 4 , 543 $ 11 , 052
DESIGN & ADMINISTRATION $ 970 $ 11530 $ 2 , 500
PROJECT SUBTOTAL $ 36 , 259 $ 22 , 653 $ 58 , 912
10 % Contingency* * $ 51900 $ 0 $ 5 , 900
TOTAL PRA7EC.'T BUDGET $ 42 , 159 $ 22 , 653 $ 64 , 812
Minus Town non-cash contributions $-6 , 509
TOWN CASH SHARE - 1990 $ 35 , 650
*Town Parks and Highway Dept . personnel and equipment
* *For purposes of this budget the 10 % contingency is assumed to be
all cash . Portions of it , however , may be in the form of Town
personnel and equipment . No EQBA reimbursement is anticipated
for any contingency expenses .
Councilman Niklas remarked , the limited trim back of brush and
trees 4 to 6 feet wide , do you really mean 8 to 121 , in other words
4 to 6 ' on either side ?
Mr . Frantz replied that at this time it will really be 4 to 6 ' .
The idea is to make it safe for the public without getting into
heavy duty clearing .
Supervisor Raffensperger stated that it would probably be necessary
later in the year to make transfers of funds in order to implement
this plan , however , at this point it is not necessary . She stated
that she just wanted the Board to be aware of what was proposed to
be done this year .
RESURFACING OF NORTHEAST ITHACA RECREATION WAY
Supervisor Raffensperger noted that there was a small walkway which
services school children coming from the Winston Court area to
DeWitt School and the Northeast School . About five years ago the
Town surfaced the path and we plow it in the winter time so that
the children have safe access to the schools . Also , the chain
length fence has deteriorated .
RESOLUTION N0 . 176
Motion by Councilman Niklas ; seconded by Councilman Liguori ,
RESOLVED , that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca hereby
authorize the resurfacing of the Northeast Ithaca Recreation Way
and the repair of the existing chainlink fence at a cost for
materials not to exceed $ 7 , 000 .
( Raffensperger , Whitcomb , Leary , Klein , Liguori , Valentino and
Niklas voting Aye . Nays - none) .
FUEL BID ACCEPTANCE
Town Board Minutes 10 July 94V 1990
Highway Superintendent John Ozolins stated that last year when the
fuel was put out to bid we received three bids , however , this year
we received only one bid which was from Star Oil the same people
who received the bid last year . Diesel fuel , drawing it from their
tank is 60 . 9 cents , unleaded plus is 80 . 2 and diesel fuel delivered
to the Town facility is 70 . 9 cents per gallon . That is what it is
as of the beginning of the month and will fluctuate from month to
month depending on the price of the fuel on the market .
RESOLUTION NO . 177
Motion by Supervisor Raffensperger , seconded by Councilman Niklas ,
WHEREAS , Star Oil Company was the only bidder for the fuel service ,
the costs being in line with what we have been paying ,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED , that the Town Board of the Town of
Ithaca hereby accept the fuel bid from Star Oil Company for the
period frcm July 9 , 1990 to July 1 , 1991 in accordance with the bid
solicitation material and bid form submitted by such supplier .
(Raffensperger , Whitcomb , Leary , Klein , Liguori , Valentino and
Niklas voting Aye . Nays - none ) .
PERSONS Tt> BE HEARD
No one in attendance which to speak at this time
WATER ACCOUNT REFUNDS
RESOLUTION N0 . 178
Motion by Councilman Klein ; seconded by Councilman Liguori ,
( 1 )
WHEREAS , an incorrect meter reading was taken on the March 1990
water bill. ,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED , that the Town Board of the Town of
Ithaca hereby authorize a refund of $ 88 . 60 for water , $ 13 . 06 water
surcharge , $ 69 . 08 sewer and $ 6 . 20 sewer surcharge , total refund of
$ 176 . 94 be made to A . Thomas Kirsch , 202 Winston Drive , Ithaca , New
York , Account Number U-3099 .
( 2 )
WHEREAS , the owner of the property at 1568 Slaterville Road was
overcharged on an estimated reading ,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED , that the Town Board of the Town of
Ithaca hereby authorize a refund of $ 3 . 39 for sewer be made to
Edward Szymanski , 1511 Slaterville Road , Ithaca , New York . Account
Number S- 1012 .
( 3 )
WHEREAS , a reading error was made on the June water bill for the
property located at 143 Lexington Drive ,
NOW THER 10RE BE IT RESOLVED , that the Town Board of the Town of
Ithaca hereby authorize a refund of $ 70 . 61 for water , $ 10 . 39 water
surcharge , $ 61 . 11 sewer and $ 4 . 94 sewer surcharge , total refund of
Kin Street Ithaca New York .
47 05 bey made to Klaus Romeis 106 ,
$ 1 g
Account Number U-3730 .
( 4 )
Town Board Minutes 11 July 9 , 1990
WHEREAS , -the property owner at 2 Renwick Place was overcharged on
the March and June quarterly water billing ,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED , that the Town Board of the Town of
Ithaca hereby authorize a refund of $ 21 . 44 for water , $3 . 14 water
surcharge ,, $ 25 . 31 sewer and $ 1 . 49 sewer surcharge , total refund of
$51 . 38 be made to David Hague , 23 Song Sparrow, Irvine , California
92714 . Account Number T- 1281 .
( Raffenspexger , Whitcomb , Leary , Klein , Liguori , Valentino and
Niklas voting Aye . Nays - none ) .
MODIFICATION OF SEQR ON TROY ROAD TANK
Town Engineer Dan Walker remarked that last month the Town Board
had approved the SEQR on the Troy Road tank and he wished to modify
the SEQR on the point that he incorrectly noted that the tank
height wa:a less than 30 feet when it is actually 47 feet high .
Also , there is a breather on top which is higher . The trees in the
area are , right now , range from 30 to 40 feet high with sane trees
being 50 high and with the tank being painted green he felt it
would blend in with the area quite well .
Supervisor Raffensperger added , we thought that since the question
was specifically asked last month at the meeting in reviewing the
environmental assessment form and the answer had been incorrect
that we should make the correction to the answer that say the tank
is 47 feet: high and that the Board should revisit the issue of the
negative determination of adverse environmental impact .
Councilman Klein asked if the new tank was going to replace the one
that is presently there ?
The Town Engineer replied that there was a 5 , 000 gallon tank
further down the hill .
Councilman Klein asked how far would the new tank be from the old
tank ?
The Town Engineer replied , about 1 , 000 feet . The new tank will
replace the current tank and improve the system and provide better
service for the Troy Road area and a better water supply to the
Ridgecrest. Pump Station which supplies Chase Farm and Deer Run and
all those other subdivisions .
Supervisor Raffensperger reminded the Board that they had proceeded
with SEQR determinations last year as to the water improvement
program which included the water tank . The environmental
assessment. that we did last month had only to do with location of
the tank because the exact location of the tank had not been set in
the preceding environmental review . In the process of doing that
the question was asked as to the height and you received an
incorrect answer and we felt it best to bring it back to the Board .
Councilman. Niklas asked what was the dimensions of the breather?
Town Engineer Walker replied , there is a little dog house on top
that is about 2 to 3 feet in diameter . The vertical tank is about
44 feet high then there is a dame that comes up and a couple feet
on top of that is a small breather . A hatch basically in the
center of the tank . It ' s about a foot and a half high . It will be
below the horizon line .
Councilman. Niklas remarked , so the done and the hatch are no more
than a total of three feet?
Town Board Minutes 12 July 91 1990
Town Engineer Walker replied , correct .
RESOLUTION N0 , 179
Motion by Councilman Niklas ; seconded by Councilman Whitcomb ,
WHEREAS , the Town of Ithaca 1989 Water Improvement Program has been
approved and funds allocated , and
WHEREAS , the location of the proposed Troy Road Water Storage Tank
has been finalized , and
WHEREAS , a revised Environmental Assessment Form has been completed
and a negative determination of environmental significance has been
recommended ,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED , that the Town of Ithaca Town Board
reaffirms its negative declaration of environmental significance
for the proposed water tank in the proposed location as determined
by said Board at its June 11 , 1990 meeting .
( Raffenspeerger , Whitcomb , Leary , Klein , Liguori , Valentino and
Niklas voting Aye . Nays - none ) .
ADVERTISEN114T FOR HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT POSITION
Supervisor Raffensperger stated that all of the Board members , who
were available , were called and that a majority had assented to the
advertisement to fill the vacancy .
RESOLUTION NO . 180
Motion by Councilman Niklas ; seconded by Councilman Whitcomb ,
WHEREAS , the Town Highway Superintendent has submitted a letter of
resignation effective August 10 , 1990 , and
WHEREAS , the Town Board concurs that the vacancy should be filled
as soon as possible , and
WHEREAS , the Town Board was surveyed by telephone for authorization
to place advertisements for the position ,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED , that the Town Board of the Town of
Ithaca hereby ratifies the placing of advertisements as of July 3 ,
1990 for the position of Town Highway Superintendent .
(Raffenspe:rger , Whitcomb , Leary , Klein , Liguori , Valentino and
Niklas voting Aye . Nays - none ) .
JUNE 1990 TOWN BOARD MINUTES
RESOLUTION N0 . 181
Motion by Councilman Whitcomb ; seconded by Councilman Niklas ,
RESOLVED , that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca hereby approve
the June 1.990 Town Board minutes as presented by the Town Clerk .
(Raffenspe:rger , Whitcomb , Leary , Klein , Liguori , Valentino and
Niklas voting Aye . Nays - none ) .
Town Board Minutes 13 July 9 , 1990
ACCEPTANCE OF DEED RESTRICTIONS WITH RESPECT TO PHASE III-B AND THE
MARCY COURT PHASE OF THE "DEER RUN " SUBDIVISION
Assistant Planner George Frantz noted that the proposed deed
restrictions for Deer Run Phase III-B are similar to those approved
by the Town Board for Phase III-A with the exception of additional
restrictions on fences and lawn maintenance for lots number 19
through 27 . These additional restrictions are designed to preserve
a band of natural area between those lots and the lots on Saranac
Way ,
Councilwoman Valentino asked , how does the enforcement of these
deed restrictions work?
Town Attorney Barney replied , two ways . Normally the way is for a
neighbor or the developer to enforce the restrictions if there is a
violation by bringing an action in court . The other way is for the
Town to enforce them if the Town is so inclined but not obliging
the Town to do so .
Councilwoman Valentino replied that the reason she was asking was
because when they had their subdivision , Eastern Heights in 1968 ,
we moved in there with all the subdivision rules and it turned out
that their developer chose not to follow through on a lot of the
rules that were there and to their amazement they found out the
only recourse they had as residents was to take it on their own
shoulders to start a law suit and pay for the attorneys to do that
and she has always felt that that was totally wrong . At least
people should know this . When you see this it looks all well and
good and people say wow , I ' m moving into this place with all these
wonderful restrictions and then they find out there is no way
except for them to sue in court to enforce the rules . Either it
should be clear that this is not the case , or the Town in passing
something like this should have some obligation then to make sure
they are enforced .
Town Attorney Barney replied the Town is not passing these , you are
basically approving them and he was not sure , in these two
instances , if it is even required that the Board approves them . We
don ' t have built into our scheme , the requirement that they be
submitted to the Town for approval . The clustered subdivision does
need to be approved , however . There are circumstances where there
are a group of neighbors who have found a certain circumstance in
the neighborhood to be unacceptable and they have banded together
and brought an action . But , the Town really doesn ' t act through
these regulations or these restrictions , we act through our Zoning
Ordinance and our Subdivision Regulations and those , of course , we
generally choose to enforce .
Councilwoman Valentino felt the deed restrictions should be clear
because a lot of developers when they start selling lots sort of
mislead lead people by saying that the Town has approved them .
Councilman. Niklas remarked that he really wanted to be assured that
modification of the deed restrictions would not jeopardize the Town
zoning . ]3e asked if # 10 was part of the restrictions that is
referred to in the modification , " these restrictions may be
amended , varied or changed only upon the affirmative
vote . . . . . . . . . . . . " . He asked if it could be possible that
accidently a Town Board could vote to approve a modification to the
Deer Run Subdivision Community Association that would not place our
Zoning Ordinance ahead of any of their restrictions ?
Town Attorney Barney replied that he did not see how that could
occur . The Zoning Ordinance , outside the Village , is a Town wide
law that applies across the board . They are not saying , by that
Town Board Minutes 14 July 9 , 1990
approval and nothing here says that , that they are modifying nor
does the Town Board have the authority to modify the Zoning
Ordinance . The Zoning Ordinance can only be amended through the
normal amending process either by local law or ordinance .
Councilman Liguori asked , why does the Town get involved anyway?
Town Attorney Barney replied , the Town law says that if you cluster
then . . . . . .. .
Councilman Liguori remarked , other than that ?
Town Attorney Barney replied , we don ' t normally . He felt the
reason here was because up until the Marcy Court the balance of the
Deer Run Subdivision has been clustered subdivision and each phase
has been clustered and have their own restrictions and they needed
to be approved pursuant to Town Law and the Town ' s Subdivision
Regulations .
Assistant Town Planner Frantz added , the only other exception has
been Teton Court , it ' s a cul-de-sac with conventional lots .
RESOLUTION NO . 182
Motion by Councilman Niklas ; seconded by Councilman Whitcomb ,
RESOLVED , that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca hereby approve
the deed :restrictions for the Deer Run Phase III-B and Marcy Court
as proposed .
(Raffensperger , Whitcomb , Leary , Klein , Liguori , Valentino and
Niklas voting Aye . Nays - none ) .
ACCEPTANCE OF TEION COURT AS A TOWN HIGHWAY
Town Engineer Walker remarked that the road was basically complete
as far as basic construction . He noted that both he and the
Highway Superintendent have inspected the road and found the base
to be satisfactory and he agreed with the Highway Superintendent
that it was best to let the base set before the surface treatment
was applied which is the last remaining step to make the road
complete which will be subject to a letter of credit for
completion .
RESOLUTION N0 . 183
Motion by Supervisor Raffensperger ; seconded by Councilwoman
Valentino ,,
WHEREAS , with respect to Phase III-a and the Teton Court Phase of
the "Deer Run " Subdivision located at the intersection of Troy and
East King Roads , backlot , Hallberg Associates has substantially
completed construction of Teton Court , culverts , storm drainage
improvements , and water and sanitary sewer mains , except for final
surface treatment of said Teton Court , and
WHEREAS , preliminary inspection has been performed by the Town
Engineer and the Town Highway Superintendent on the northern 600+/-
feet of said Teton Court ,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED , that the Town Board of the Town of
Ithaca hereby accepts said Teton Court as a Town highway , the
length being 600+/ - linear feet measured along its centerline from
the end of the existing portion of Teton Court to the center of the
cul-de-sac , as shown on the Final Subdivision Plat as approved by
Town Board Minutes 15 July 9 , 1990
the Town of Ithaca Planning Board on November 21 , 1989 , subject to
surface treatment ,, acceptable to the Town Engineer and the Town
Highway Superintendent , of the northern 600+/ - linear feet of Teton
Court , and further subject to the receipt of a letter of credit in
the amount of $ 7 , 500 , in form acceptable to the Town Attorney , to
ensure the proper completion of said road , and further subject to
the receipt of a deed and marketable title for such highway lands ,
and further subject to the receipt of a deed and marketable title ,
satisfactory to the Town Engineer and the Town Attorney , for the
water tank site and the 20-foot-wide access from the Teton Court
cul-de-sac: to the water tank site .
(Raffensperger , Whitcomb , Leary , Klein , Liguori , Valentino and
Niklas voting Aye . Nays - none ) ,
Councilman Niklas remarked that the Town has accepted three
cul-de-sacs roads , and with the comment from our Highway
Superintendent that these roads are difficult and expensive to
clean during the snow season . He stated that he would like the
Chairperson of the Town Planning Board to take note that he for one
thinks some effort should be made not to have cul-de-sacs as they
are expensive in terms of maintenance .
PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER AMENDING LOCAL LAW # 14 , 1987 TO
AUTHORIZE THE ASSISTANT BUILDING INSPECTOR AND THE DEPUTY TOWN
SUPERVISOR TO ISSUE BUILDING PERMITS AND CERTIFICATES OF OCCUPANCY
Proof of posting and publication of a notice of public hearing to
consider amending Local Law # 14 , 1987 to authorize the Assistant
Building Inspector and the Deputy Town Supervisor to issue Building
Permits and Certificates of Occupancy having been presented by the
Town Clerk: , the Supervisor opened the public hearing .
Supervisor Raffensperger noted this was discussed at the last
meeting when the Board scheduled the public hearing . It was
originally to allow the Assistant Building Inspector to issue these
permits and certificates of occupancy and the Board decided to add
to it the Deputy Town Supervisor so that four persons could perform
this function in an emergency .
Building Inspector/ Zoning Officer Andrew Frost stated that he had
had some input on this and he just wanted to bring up that the
Supervisor in the past has been listed in the local law for a
number of years now . He stated that he felt somewhat responsible
for the Deputy Town Supervisor being added but one of the concerns
that was given to him and he shares some of it , as the Building
Inspector or as the Assistant Building Inspector we have obviously
a set of criteria based on our technical knowledge in giving
consideration when we issue a building permit or a certificate of
occupancy . That technical knowledge we would assume that neither
the Town Supervisor or the Deputy Supervisor has . He thought that
from the standpoint of that if both himself and the Assistant
Building Inspector were out of town and something came up that
somebody needed a permit or a certificate and he was reachable by
phone and he authorized something over the phone , then he did not
think anybody would have compromised or sacrificed the quality in
issuing the permit or certificate . The point he was trying to make
was that , clearly there is a distinction between the Building
Inspectors and the Supervisors in terms of technical background and
he thought: some , as it was voiced to him today by somebody , the
fear is that there may be compromise of technical consideration
given if the Supervisor or Deputy issues a permit or certificate of
occupancy . He stated that he could not imagine either issuing a
building permit without knowing that the plans had been reviewed
Town Board Minutes 16 July 91 1990
and are in compliance . He went on to say , that as somebody had
suggested ,, the politics of it perhaps are inappropriate .
Councilman Whitcomb replied that he had the sane reservations as he
did not feel he had the qualifications to review a building permit
application and say yes or no . He also wondered what the rush was
if the Building Inspector or the Assistant Building Inspector were
out of town , why would it not be appropriate for the person to wait
a few day; or a week or whatever?
Supervisor Raffensperger replied that she felt it was a highly
unlikely event that either the Supervisor or Deputy Supervisor or
persons in our positions would issue either building permits or
certificates of occupancy . It is possible to have both members of
the department out of town , to consult with them and then to
proceed to do it . There probably should be that kind of backup .
Town Attorney Barney remarked that there was a point in time when
the Town was minus anybody in the department and also there was a
time when the Town wanted to revoke a building permit and the
Building Inspector was not available and the Supervisor wrote the
letter revoking the permit and he felt it was wise to have that
kind of authority available in an emergency .
As no one present wished to speak , the Supervisor closed the public
hearing .
Councilman Niklas remarked that he had no objections to this
amendment but for a very long time he had been concerned about
having the status of an application for building permit up to date
and on file here in the Town Hall . He stated that he was involved
with the .issuance of some building permits in College Circle and
the issue here is whether or not certain commitments made by the
developer were filled before the issuance of the building permit .
He stated that he would just like to know if any changes fron that
time have been made or if any safe guards have been put in place to
insure that that would not happen , not just the issuance of
building permits from the Building Inspector but also to provide
documented. information to anyone else listed in this local law
amendment that would assist say the Town Supervisor or the Deputy
Town Supervisor in their decision . He asked if any of his concerns
had been addressed?
Andrew Frost replied that he would say yes and no to that . He did
not think anything had appreciably changed in terms of the checks
and balances that we have in issuing the building permit . Things
sometimes fall through the cracks . What he thought Councilman
Niklas was referring to with College Circle , even though he was not
sure , was . . . . . . . . . .
Councilman. Niklas remarked , that the plantings had to be approved
by the Town Planner before building permits were issued . But the
building permits were issued before the check offs were set .
Mr . Frost replied , there is a variety of things that are reviewed
and considered prior to issuing the building permit , most based on
building and building code .
Councilman. Niklas replied , when the Town Planning Board gives final
site plan approval there are certain stipulations .
Supervisor Raffensperger asked to comment , she noted that they have
been holding meetings trying to work out basically better check
lists and one of the things that we are now moving toward is trying
out , on a trial basis , a plan specific compliance check list . The
check lists we have used before are very long . For instance it
Town Board Minutes 17 July 91 1990
says , is the pond designed right , there may not be a pond on it .
When there is a long list that does not pertain to a particular
project you have a tendency not to fill out the form . So one of
the things we are looking at is having the Planning Board Secretary
when she types the minutes of the Planning Board meeting , at which
all of these conditions are listed , she just turns around right
then and makes a compliance check list specific to that plan . So
if it says planting plan was to be approved by the Town Planner
that ' s there and it doesn ' t say pond if that is not part of it .
Councilman Niklas remarked that his vote on the amendment really
depends on the assurances that all of the individuals listed in
this proposed local law have access to documentation , check lists
with signatures which are the requirements for the issuance of a
building permit for a particular site . He stated that he felt it
was reall:y unfair to all of the people , including the Building
Inspector , without that kind of paper safeguard .
Supervisor Raffensperger replied that she did not think that they
could guar:antee that tomorrow there will be a perfect system but
she did feel they were trying to improve it . One of the
difficulties is that quite often the Planning Board resolution does
not contain all of the conditions . We talked about sending a
letter to all of the Boards to say , don ' t expect the Town to
enforce any conditions that are not in the body of the resolution
because you just can ' t expect staff to go through the minutes to
pick up scue of these goodies and try to enforce them .
Councilman Klein remarked that he was not the person who spoke to
the Building Inspector but what he reported echoed a lot of his
thoughts on this , in terms of having the technical expertise to
issue permits . Speaking to the Town Attorney he stated that the
other thing that he was a little bit confused about was that we are
dealing with the enforcement of the building code as opposed to the
enforcement of the Zoning Ordinance and he draws a distinction .
There are zoning regulations that say you can build a house on a
lot and you have certain setbacks but this is specifically the
enforcement of the New York State Building Code which is a higher
level of technical knowledge . He wondered if the back up persons
shouldn ' t be the Town Engineer as opposed to the Supervisor or the
Deputy Supervisor .
Town Attorney Barney replied , you may recall that at the last Town
Board meeting when we set the public hearing he had asked the Board
who they vranted in here . It ' s only a matter of putting it back on
the word processor . He stated that he did not have strong feelings
one way or another . We have , traditionally , had the Supervisor
have that authority we wanted to obviously broaden it out now that
we have a Deputy Building Inspector to have that authority beyond
that he dial not care . If you want to change the Supervisor to the
Town Engineer , he did not care . Nor did he have any strong legal
reason not. to do it or to do it .
Supervisor Raffensperger remarked , different supervisors have
different levels of expertise in building codes , etc . , and it
seemed to her an awful lot of discussion about not a great deal .
She asked the Board who did they wish to have be empowered to issue
permits , certifications and other notifications .
Town Attorney Barney remarked , the whole thrust of this was to have
someone around to sign something , obviously you are not going to
have any Supervisor looking to issuing building permits but it is
the type of situation where you have someone come in who wants to
build a house , it ' s not a terribly complicated thing , the plans end
up on the Building Inspector ' s deck , the Building Inspector looks
at them , didn ' t get a chance to issue the permits or may be said
Town Board Minutes 18 July 91 1990
there is one other thing you need to do , the Building Inspector
then goes on vacation . The applicant brings that needed piece of
paper in and then someone can issue the permit . That ' s what this
is for , it ' s not designed to have two more people reviewing
building permits .
Councilman Whitcomb remarked that he also felt that any responsible
Supervisor would be very reluctant to sign something he or she did
not understand fully .
LOCAL LAW # 8 - 1990
Motion by Councilman Niklas ; seconded by Councilman Liguori ,
A LOCAL LAW TO PERMIT THE ASSISTANT BUILDING INSPECTOR AND THE
DEPUTY TOM SUPERVISOR TO ISSUE BUILDING PERMITS AND OTHER
CERTIFICATES
Local Law No . 1 of the Town of Ithaca for the year 1981 entitled "A
LOCAL LAW TO ADOPT THE NEW YORK STATE FIRE CODE " as amended by
Local Law No . 14 of the year 1987 , by Local Law No . 5 for the year
1990 and Local Law No . 6 for the year 1990 and as the same may have
been otherwise amended , is hereby further amended as follows :
1 . Section 3 of said Local Law is amended to read as follows :
"Section 3 . Administration . The Building Inspector and
Zoning Enforcement Officer , (hereinafter "Building Inspector " )
is hereby designated to administer and enforce the Building
Code within the Town of Ithaca . In the event the Building
Inspector is not available , the Assistant Building Inspector
and Zoning Enforcement Officer , the Town Supervisor of the
Town of Ithaca or the Deputy Town Supervisor , are authorized
to administer and enforce the Building Code and to issue
permits , certifications , and other notifications thereunder . "
2 . This law shall take effect 20 days after its adoption .
Supervisor Raffensperger called for a roll call vote .
Councilman Klein Voting Nay
Councilwoman Leary Voting Aye
Councilman Liguori Voting Aye
Councilman Niklas Voting Aye
Councilwoman Valentino Voting Nay
Councilman Whitcomb Voting Nay
Supervisor Raffensperger Voting Aye
Local Law No . 8 - 1990 was thereupon declared duly adopted .
SET DATE FOR PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER AMENDING LOCAL LAW NO . 6 -
1987 (COLLEGE VIEW MOBILE HOME PARK)
Supervisor Raffensperger stated that she wished to draw the Board ' s
attention to the resolution of the Planning Board which reccmTended
this to the Town Board but also recoianended that any such amendment
permit such increase only at such time as public water and sewer
Town Board Minutes 19 July 9 , 1990
are available to the subjects . The Supervisor then asked the Town
Engineer when water and sewer would be available .
Town Engineer Dan Walker replied , water and sewer will probably be
available next summer .
Supervisor Raffensperger went on to say that the question before
the Board tonight is whether or not the Board wishes to now set a
date for a public hearing to consider amending this local law to
increase the number of mobile homes permitted . She stated that she
would like to now express her opinion about setting the public
hearing and that is that it seems to her that in a period of a year
it is possible for too many things to change in a year , including
the ownership of the mobile home park . She stated that she was a
little concerned about the Board setting a date for a public
hearing at: this time . It seemed more appropriate to her to set the
public hearing date when the requirement that public water and
sewer are available .
Councilman Liguori remarked , you could approve the plans , you could
approve the whole thing subject to completion of the water and
sewer . So we should go ahead and do it otherwise the person may
have to go through the whole process a year from now .
Supervisor Raffensperger replied no , all we need to do is set a
public hearing . In either case we set the date for a public
hearing now or we set a date for a public hearing a year from now
but they do not need to go back to the Planning Board unless there
are substantial changes in their plans or whatever . It is a matter
of timing not making the process more difficult or complicated .
It was the consensus of the Board ; that they would not now set the
date for a. public hearing to consider amending the local law as the
Board would not proceed to amend the law at this time .
SET DATE FOR FALL CLEAN-UP
Highway Superintendent John Ozolins stated that the clean up will
cover the full week before Thanksgiving plus Monday , Tuesday and
Wednesday of Thanksgiving Week . The second item is dealing with
what type of containers are we going to accept the leaves in , he
remarked that brush was no problem , it ' s the leaves . The proposed
resolution. states that the only bags that the Town will pick up are
biodegradable paper bags . Last year we went through over two
dumpsters full of plastic bags . It was time consuming to dump them
and then the plastic bags have to be thrown away . We now have to
pay to have the dumpsters emptied .
Councilman. Whitcomb asked if paper bags were readily available ?
Highway Superintendent Ozolins replied , we are still pursuing that
through several different means . We have talked to Ithaca Agway
and they have checked with the distributors we had contacted
earlier and we have talked with the Solid Waste people . Or the
Town could buy the bags and sell them to the residents at the
Town ' s cost .
Councilman Niklas asked if brown paper grocery bags were
biodegradable ?
Mr . Ozolins replied , eventually yes . The bags he was :looking at
have the same capacity as the large plastic leaf bags .
Councilman Niklas remarked that his point was the biodegradable
0
ust means that it breaks down and any kind of a paper bags as long
Town Board Minutes 20 July 9 , 1990
as it is not lined with plastic or coated with scene kind of a wax
is essentially biodegradable .
Councilman Klein asked if they would be shredding the paper bags ?
Mr . Ozolins replied that he would like to be able to shred the
whole thing . We will only pick up loose leaves or leaves in
biodegradable bags .
Supervisor Raffensperger asked if the cost of the biodegradable
bags would be comparable to the cost of plastic bags ?
Mr . Ozolins replied , within a couple of cents .
RESOLUTION N0 , 184
Motion by Councilman Niklas , seconded by Councilwarnan Valentino ,
WHEREAS , the residents of the Town of Ithaca have cane to look at
the Town picking up brush and leaves because the trash haulers will
not , due -to landfill requirement for separation of trash and yard
waste , and
WHEREAS , in the last pickup residents used plastic bags for leaves
which required double and triple handling of the bags . There were
over two dumpster loads of just plastic bags ,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED , that the Town Board of the Town of
Ithaca hereby set November 12 - 21 , 1990 as the time to pickup
brush and leaves , and
BE IT FUROR RESOLVED , that only loose leaves in biodegradable
paper bags will be collected . Leaves in plastic bags will not be
picked up by the Town . Residents may bring leaves in plastic bags
to the Highway Department barn , empty the leaf bags in a designated
area and take the plastic bags when they leave .
(Raffensperger , Whitcomb , Leary , Klein , Liguori , Valentino and
Niklas voting Aye . Nays - none ) .
CENSUS COUNT
Supervisor Raffensperger noted that she had received a lot of
material promoting the "Were you counted campaign " to increase
participation in the census . She noted that the Assistant Town
Planner was going to put out a press release based on the proposed
resolution . Also , copies of the resolution will be sent to the
newspapers .
RESOLUTION NO . 185
Motion by Councilman Niklas ; seconded by Councilman Whitcomb ,
WHEREAS , the U . S . Bureau of the Census is conducting a WERE YOU
COUNTED? campaign to increase participation in the census , and
WHEREAS , the Town of Ithaca benefits fran a full and accurate count
of its residents in that such count is a determinant in various aid
formulas and county , state and federal proportional representation ,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED , that the Town of Ithaca urges all
Town residents who believe they have not or may not have been
included in the census count to contact the Town offices for
information or call the Bureau of the Census , 1-800-999- 1990 , and
Town Board Minutes 21 July 91 1990
FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED , that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca
urges local newspapers , both daily and weekly , to cooperate with
New York State ' s efforts to effect a full count by publishing
census form inserts , as supported by The New York Publishers
Association and the New York Press Association .
(Raffensperger , Whitcomb , Leary , Klein , Liguori , Valentino and
Niklas voting Aye . Nays - none ) .
TOWN OF ITHACA WARRANTS
Town Engineer Walker mapping services were provided for the Inlet
Valley Water and Sewer Project . The Town Board authorized the
mapping in June of 1989 . The bill for the services got lost in the
change of engineers and has just now come to our attention via a
reminder from TVGA that they had not been paid for their services .
RESOLUTION N0 . 186
Motion by Councilman Niklas ; seconded by Councilman Liguori ,
WHEREAS , the Town of Ithaca contracted with Tallamy Van Kuren
Gertis & Associates (TVGA) on June 22 , 1989 for mapping services
for our 1989 Water & Sewer Improvements in Inlet Valley in the
amount of $ 6 , 925 , and
WHEREAS , TVGA completed the mapping as contracted ,
NOW THII2EF'ORE BE IT RESOLVED , that the Town of Ithaca make payment
to TVGA in the amount of $ 6 , 925 .
( Raffensperger , Whitcomb , Leary , Klein , Liguori , Valentino and
Niklas voting Aye . Nays - none ) .
RESOLUTION N0 . 187
Motion by Supervisor Raffensperger ; seconded by Councilman Niklas ,
RESOLVED , that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca hereby approve
two additional items to the Warrants dated July 9 , 1990 as listed
below , $ 19 , 891 to Roberts Equipment , Order No . 04697 , and $ 14 , 657
to Action Chevrolet , Order No . 94848 to be remitted no earlier than
July 12 , the period for filing for a permissive referendum
regarding the expenditure of Highway Capital Reserve funds having
expired on. July 11 , 19900
General Fund - Town Wide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 148 , 608 . 88
General Fund - Outside Village . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 35 , 951 . 32
Highway F'und . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 541270 . 96
Water & Sewer Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 333 , 257 . 02
Fire Protection Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 362 , 098 . 54
Capital Projects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 6 , 469960
Lighting Districts Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 462 . 68
(Raffensperger , Whitcomb , Leary , Klein , Liguori , Valentino and
Niklas voting Aye . Nays - none ) .
BOLTON POINT WARRANTS
RESOLUTION N0 . 188
Motion by Supervisor Raffensperger , seconded by Councilman
Whitcomb ,
Town Board Minutes 22 July 9 , 1990
RESOLVED , that the Bolton Point Warrants dated July 9 , 1990 , in the
Operating Account are hereby approved in the amount of $ 128 , 342 . 22
after review and upon the recommendation of the Southern Cayuga
Lake Intermunicipal Water Comnission , they are in order for
payment .
(Raffensperger , Whitccenb , Leary , Klein , Liguori , Valentino and
Niklas voting Aye . Nays - none ) .
ROAD SURFACING AGREEMENT
Highway Superintendent Ozolins noted that the first agreement that
the Board signed in March or April was only for mixed paving . This
agreement will complete the second part of the scheduled paving
schedule which is surface treatment .
RESOLUTION NO , 189
Motion by Councilman Whitcomb ; seconded by Councilwoman Valentino ,
RESOLVED , that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca hereby approve
the Agreement To Spend Town Highway Funds , as presented by the
Highway Superintendent .
(Raffensperger , Whitcomb , Leary , Klein , Liguori , Valentino and
Niklas voting Aye . Nays - none ) .
ACCEPTANCE OF HACKBERRY LANE
Town Engineer Walker noted that the road had been completed and
inspected and he recommended that the road be accepted .
RESOLUTION N0 . 190
Motion by Supervisor Raffensperger ; seconded by Councilwoman
Valentino ,
WHEREAS , with respect to the Hackberry Lane Subdivision off Coy
Glen Road , Thomas Richard of Coy Glen Associates has substantially
completed construction of Hackberry Lane , culverts , storm drainage
improvements , and water and sanitary sewer mains , and
WHEREAS , final inspection of the roadway construction has been
performed by the Town Engineer and the Town Highway Superintendent ,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED , that the Town Board of the Town of
Ithaca hereby accepts said Hackberry Lane as a Town highway , the
length being 300+/- linear feet measured along its centerline from
the centerline of Coy Glen , Road to the center of the cul-de-sac , as
shown on the Final Subdivision Plat as approved by the Town of
Ithaca Planning Board on August 1 , 1989 , subject to the receipt of
a deed and marketable title , satisfactory to the Town Engineer and
the Town Attorney , for such highway lands , and further subject to
the receipt of a utility easement along the south side of said
Hackberry Lane , satisfactory to the Town Engineer and the Town
Attorney .
(Raffensperger , Whitcomb , Leary , Klein , Liguori , Valentino and
Niklas voting Aye . Nays - none) .
CAC BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 1990
Town Board Minutes 23 July 91 1990
Councilman Whitcomb stated that New York State Department of
Environmental Conservation will cost share the efforts of the
Conservation Advisory Council . Originally when the legislation was
first passed the figure was 50 % , however , a more likely figure is
around 20 % . The State allocates "X " number of dollars to be
divided among all the CAC ' s and is divided once a year after the
invoices are submitted . Traditionally , it has cane up in the range
of 20% to 25% reimbursement . The budget is an attempt to allocate
many of the expenditures we would be spending anyway in the
conservation effort . Such things as consulting services fron
Brown , student interns . We have two fiscal year budgets here ,
fiscal year 1990 and 1991 . Technically the budget has to be
submitted to the State by August first of the year proceeding the
State fiscal year . The State fiscal year starts in April so we are
submitting our budget for fiscal 1991 . We did not have a CAC last
August first but we have been told they will accept our first year
budget anytime . The State also requires a work program so we have
a narrative of what we expect to accomplish and how these monies
might be spent for each of the years involved .
RESOLUTION NO . 191
Motion by Councilwoman Valentino , seconded by Councilman Liguori ,
RESOLVED , that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca hereby approve
the budgets for fiscal year 1990- 1991 and fiscal year 1991- 1992 for
the Conservation Advisory Council .
( Raffensperger , Whitcomb , Leary , Klein , Liguori , Valentino and
Niklas voting Aye . Nays - none ) .
CHANGES TO SEQR SHORT FORM ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FORM
Councilman Whitcomb stated that a committee had been formed on the
Conservation Advisory Council that was charged with development
review . He stated that they were trying to coordinate with
Planning Board review and staff review of development applications
that came in . We noted some shortcomings in the short
environmental assessment form . We would like to add a couple of
things to that . After Item #6 which says "Describe project
briefly" we would like to add another item which says "Describe the
purpose of the project " . Item # 8 , "Will proposed action comply
with existing zoning or other existing land use regulation" . It
would be good to know the existing zoning . Insert a new item after
# 81 "Will proposed action lead to a request for public road?
public water? public sewer ? " Part II , clarify that the
thresholds referred to are both New York State ' s and those of the
Town of Ithaca . Add a new section in Part II , "Planning staff ' s
reccmnendations and comments " and also , "Conservation Advisory
Council ' s recomTendations and comments " .
Councilman Niklas asked if the CAC planned further changes to the
short form?
Councilman Whitcomb replied , no not to the short form .
Councilman Niklas replied that he noticed there was no reference to
ground disturbance , fill or grading or changing of the topography
that° might have a significant effect . All of the additions are
very good .
Councilman Whitcomb remarked , we can attack this in two ways . We
can wait until we have thought of every revision we want made or we
can change it now with the revisions we have .
Town Board Minutes 24 July 9 , 1990
Supervisor Raffensperger remarked that when she heard about the
revisions she had thought they would go to the Planning Board first
but in checking she found that the only approval of the short
environmental assessment form was made by the Town Board in May of
" 87 without any input from the Planning Board .
Town Attorney Barney remarked that he was seeing the changes for
the first: time tonight and was not prepared to comment . He
understood that the Town Board had adopted the State form on the
recomnendations of the Planning Board . In view of the fact that
this form is used , not only by the Town Board but the Planning
Board and the Zoning Board of Appeals whether it wouldn ' t be
appropriate for them to make their comments on it before the Town
Board takes action . Also , he understood the concerns but the short
form is designed to be just that , a short form and if there is any
question at all that raises the need for additional information the
applicant can be directed to file a long form EAF . He felt the
short form was set up for those kinds of projects where there is
anticipated no great need for environmental review and then if
there is any question at all the long form is required before a
determination is made . He stated that he would like to look at the
specifics that are suggested .
Supervisor Raffensperger replied that she thought the Conservation
Advisory Council had just come up with the these proposals . She
asked the Board if they felt it was appropriate for the proposed
changes to go to the Boards who deal with the form for their
changes ?
Assistant Town Planner Frantz remarked that there is a lot more
information available on each project , not just what is given on
this form.. The information is already there in the plans that are
given .
The Board felt this was a good idea .
Supervisor Raffensperger remarked that she felt comments should be
received from the Planning Board , Zoning Board of Appeals , Town
Attorney and Town staff before the Town Board proceeded further and
then perhaps it can be discussed at the August Town Board meeting .
INCREASED MEMBERSHIP FOR THE CONSERVATION ADVISORY COUNCIL
Supervisor. Raffensperger stated that this item has been deleted by
the CAC .
EXECUTIVE SESSION
RESOLUTION NO . 192
Motion by Supervisor Raffensperger ; seconded by Councilman Niklas ,
RESOLVED , that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca hereby move
into Executive Session to discuss the possible institution of court
proceedings on the Sapsucker Woods Project , possible appeal of the
Hull decision and a matter of property maintenance .
(Raffensperger , Whitcanb , Leary , Klein , Liguori , Valentino and
Niklas voting Aye . Nays - none ) .
OPEN SESSION
RESOLUTION NO . 193
Town Board Minutes 25 July 9 , 1990
Motion by Councilman Klein ; seconded by Councilman Niklas ,
RESOLVED , that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca hereby moves
back into Open Session .
(Raffensperger , Whitcomb , Leary , Klein , Liguori , Valentino and
Niklas voting Aye . Nays - none )
HULL MATTER
RESOLUTION N0 . 194
Motion by Councilman Niklas , seconded by Councilwoman Valentino ,
RESOLVED , that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca hereby direct
the Town Attorneys to proceed to prosecute the appeal of the Hull
decision to the Appellate Division .
(Raffensperger , Whitcomb , Leary , Klein , Liguori , Valentino and
Niklas voting Aye . Nays - none ) .
SAPSUCKER WOODS PROJECT
RESOLUTION N0 . 195
Motion by Councilman Whitcomb ; seconded by Councilman Niklas ,
RESOLVED , that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca hereby direct
the Town Attorneys to institute the proceedings regarding the
Sapsucker Woods infractions .
(Raffensperger , Whitcomb , Leary , Klein , Liguori , Valentino and
Niklas voting Aye . Nays - none ) .
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was duly adjourned .
Clerk
AFFIRA VIA' OF P BLICATION
THE ACA JOURNAL
State of New York , Torapkins County , sso $
Gail Sullins being duly sworn , deposes and PLEASE TAKE NOTICE, that the :l
Town Board of the Town of .
says , that sheltie resides in Ithaca , county and Mate aforesaid and that Ithaca will meet and conduct ,
Clergy a public , hearing on July 9,
she/he is k 1990, at 7:00 P.W. at the
Town Hall, 126 East Seneca j
Street, Ithaca, New York, to '
of The Ithaca Journal a public newspaper printed and published in consider amending local Coo
EI 14, .'.1987, . to authorize the
Ithaca aforesaid , and that a notice , of which the annexed is a true Assistant Building - Inspector
and the Deputy Town Supervi=
copy , was published in said paper sor to issue building permits
and certificates of occupancy
and will at this time hear all
l persons in favor of or opposed
V 1r� L �� a io the adoption of said
amendment.
Jean H. Swartwood
'town Clerk
June 28, 1990
and that the first publication of said notice was on the �
day of 19 �—
ci2c;ll � �Au�
Subscribed and sworn to before me , this o2 day
of 19 Zko
Notary Public .
JEAN FORD
Notary Public, State of New Yc4o
No. 4654410
Qualified in Tompkins Count, .
Commission expires May 31, 19, 1/