HomeMy WebLinkAboutTB Minutes 1994-07-11 OF1ry
TOWN OF ITHACA
21 �- 126 EAST SENECA STREET , ITHACA , N . Y . 14850
JWN CLERK 273- 1721 HIGHWAY 273- 1656 PARKS 273-8035 ENGINEERING 273- 1747 PLANNING 273- 1747 ZONING 273- 1783
FAX (607) 273- 1704
Town Board Meeting
July 11 , 1994
Agenda
1 . Call to Order
2 . Pledge of Allegiance
3 . Report of Town Officials
a . Town Supervisor
b . Town Engineer
C . Town Highway Superintendent
d . Town Planner
e . Town Building Inspector / Zoning Officer
f . Town Clerk / Receiver of Taxes
g . Assistant Budget Officer
h . Personnel Manager
i . Attorney for the Town
4 . Review of Correspondence
a . Marc W . Kaplan , Resignation Inter - municipal Youth Commission
b . US Postal Service - Mailboxes Danby Road
5 . Report of Town Committees
6 . Report of Tompkins County Board of Representatives
7 . 6 : 15 p . m . - PERSONS TO BE HEARD
8 . 6 : 30 p . m . - PUBLIC HEARING , " LOCAL LAW TO AMEND THE ZONING
ORDINANCE TO PERMIT PLACEMENT OF ELDER COTTAGES IN RESIDENTIAL
DISTRICTS "
9 . Consider SEQR related to a " LOCAL LAW TO AMEND THE ZONING
ORDINANCE TO PERMIT PLACEMENT OF ELDER COTTAGES IN RESIDENTIAL
DISTRICTS "
10 . Consider enactment of a " LOCAL LAW TO AMEND THE ZONING
ORDINANCE TO PERMIT PLACEMENT OF ELDER COTTAGES IN RESIDENTIAL
DISTRICTS " .
11 . Consider Order of Public Hearing for the extension of water on
Troy Road .
TB Mtg . 7 / 11 / 94
Agenda
Page 2 .
12 . Consider Order of Public Hearing for the extension of water on
Coddington Road .
13 . 7 : 30 p . m . - PUBLIC HEARING , consideration of extension of sewer
service on West Haven Road ,
14 . Consider SEQR related to the extension of sewer service on West
Haven Road .
15 . Consider progression of fire contract negotiations .
16 . Consider County proposal to add solid waste fee to the 1995 tax
bill .
17 . Consider resolution approving and / or authorizing the following :
a . Town Board Minutes - June 13 , 1994
b . TOWN OF ITHACA WARRANTS
c . BOLTON POINT WARRANTS
d . Budget Amendments
e . Town Justice ' s attendance mandatory training seminar .
f . Date for Fall Brush & Leaf Pick - up .
g . Ratification of acceptance SARA grant .
; ; h . Appointment Assistant Building / Inspector Zoning Officer
i . Appointment Account / Clerk Typist
j . Appointment Highway Mechanic
18 . Consider change for annual salary pool to cost of living and
longevity awards beginning 1995 .
19 . Consider appointment of Planning Board Member .
20 . Consider approval / acceptance of location of roads , utilities ,
and parks for Sanctuary Woods Subdivision ,
21 . Consider development of a storm water management and erosion
control plan with supporting ordinances .
22 . Consider appointment of Interviewing Committee for selection of
Zoning Board of Appeals member .
23 . Consider architectural services regarding new Town Hall ,
24 . Consider suggested items for Fall Newsletter .
25 . Consider Road Surfacing Agreement ,
26 . Consider EXECUTIVE SESSION .
27 . Consider ADJOURNMENT .
Town Board Meeting 7 / 11 / 94
Additional Agenda Items
1 . Consider Conservation Board ' s resolutions regarding protection
of sites of exceptional environmental and ecologic value and
importance within the Town of Ithaca .
2 . Consider resignation of Chair of the Conservation Board ,
3 . Consider appointment of Chair of the Conservation Board .
FINAL
Town of Ithaca
Town Board Meeting Minutes
July 11 , 1994
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 there were :
PRESENT : John G . Whitcomb , Supervisor ; Catherine Valentino ,
Councilwoman ; Karl Niklas , Councilman ; Carolyn Grigorov ,
Councilwoman ; Ellen Z . Harrison , Councilwoman ; Edward Conley ,
Councilman .
EXCUSED : David Klein , Councilman
ALSO PRESENT : John Barney , Attorney for the Town ; Joan Lent
Noteboom , Town Clerk / Receiver of Taxes ; Daniel Walker , Town
Engineer ; Fred Noteboom , Highway Superintendent ; Jonathan Kanter ,
Town Planner ; Andrew Frost , Building / Zoning Officer ; Sally Alario ,
Assistant Budget Officer .
Bruce Brittain ; Laura Marks ; Nancy Break ; Dooley Kiefer , Tompkins
County Board of Representatives ; Patricia Pollak ; David Stoyell ;
Becky Bilderback , Tompkins County Better Housing ; Mr . and Mrs . Jack
Little ; Steve Lucente ; Jon Lucente .
EXCUSED : Patricia Punger , Personnel Manager .
Call to Order : The Supervisor called the meeting to order at 5 : 31
p . m . , and led the assemblage in the Pledge of Allegiance .
Agenda Item No . 3 - Report of Town Officials :
a . Town Supervisor : Supervisor Whitcomb reported on his written
report , ( see attached ) . The Supervisor reminded those in
attendance the Annual Town Picnic will be held on July 22 , at the
upper pavilion Buttermilk Falls State Park .
b . Town Engineer : See attached report . Councilwoman Harrison
asked if there was any sewer pretreatment at the hospital , and do
they have unusual discharge ?
Mr . Walker said they do not pretreat , and there is a large amount
of latex and other solids . Three years ago there was a similar
situation of sewer blockage at the hospital with evidence of solids
which should have not been in the lines . The hospital has been
informed and a monitored manhole with a strainer will be used , the
hospital will be responsible to keep this clean . The sewer is very
old and has a great deal of root inclusion .
Councilwoman Harrison asked if those line repairs were on the
Capital Improvement Plan ?
TB Minutes 7 / 11 / 94
Page 2 .
Mr . Walker , it is on the plan as a fairly high priority for
replacement .
The NYS Office of Parks Recreation and Historic Preservation has
written they do not see any problems with the design of the Forest
Home Bridge . Questions raised will be answered during the final
design process . The Tompkins County , Public Works Committee will
be addressing this issue at their meeting on July 20 .
Supervisor Whitcomb said was somewhat annoyed the Town was again
being asked to make a decision on the Forest Home Bridge with a
minimal amount of information , and a minimum amount of time in
which to respond .
Dan Winch , Chair TC Public Works Committee agreed to not make a
decision at the July 20 , meeting allowing the Town of Ithaca Public
Works Committee to discuss it at their meeting on July 28 . The
issue will then be considered at the regular Town Board meeting in
August . A memo has been sent to Mr . Winch , and Liz Cameron ,
Project Engineer outlining the items needed by the Town for the
August meeting .
Mr . Walker reported work is proceeding to make fire hydrants
accessible across ditches . A culvert is being placed across the
ditch with a platform for maintenance in the winter . Longer flags
will be place on the hydrants for visibility .
c . Highway Superintendent : Mr . Noteboom referred the Town Board to
his written report , ( see attached ) and asked if there were any
questions .
Councilwoman asked if notices were posted along the roads and in
the parks that Roundup weed killer is used , and if the wood
preservative and sealer on park benches and playground equipment is
" kid safe " ?
Mr . Noteboom responded notices are posted in advance of spraying
the Roundup , and he believed the product used on park equipment is
safe , but he would check and report back .
Councilwoman Harrison asked if the final design of the walkway
along Pine Tree Road is wide enough to accommodate bicycles as well
as pedestrians ?
Mr . Noteboom , it will be ten feet wide .
d . Town Planner : See attached report . Mr . Kanter stated Louise
Raimondo , Planner I has resigned her position , the Planning
Department is recruiting candidates to fill the position .
TB Minutes 7 / 11 / 94
Page 3 .
e . Building Inspector / Zoning Officer : See attached report .
f . Town Clerk / Receiver of Taxes : See attached report .
g . Assistant Budget Officer : See attached report . Ms . Alario
asked if any Board Members had input for the format of next year ' s
budget ? The Finance Committee discussed the format and decided to
use the old format . The independent auditors will help with
formulas so that it will automatically go into the tax program .
Supervisor Whitcomb said presently the totals from the various
funds must be carried over to the tax calculation payment manually
and then reentered . Cornell ' s tax preparation program does those
things automatically , though the format is poor .
Ms . Alario mentioned that program would make it easier to do
several scenarios on how the tax rate may be effected by using
different numbers .
h . Personnel Manager : See attached report .
i . Attorney for the Town : No report .
Agenda Item 4 - Review of Correspondence :
a . Marc Kaplan has resigned from the Intermunicipal Youth
Commission , a replacement is being sought . A box advertisement
will be published for that position , Fire Commissioner , Zoning
Board of Appeals member , and Town Historian .
b . Post Office - Mailboxes Danby Road : The Post Office offers
little hope mail could be delivered on the house side of the road .
A survey was sent to residents along Danby Road to see if they
would like the mailboxes to be clustered , the response indicated
the majority did not wish the clustering , ( see attached ) .
Councilman Niklas said the disadvantage of clustering is that if
mailboxes are on the right side of the road residents have to walk
or drive across the road for a further distance . The Post Office
suggestion of clustering would not solve the problem .
Agenda Item No . S - Report of Town Committees :
Councilwoman Valentino attended a conference on cablevision put on
by the State Cable Commission , it was very informative . There have
been articles and letters to the Editor regarding service from ACC
and the way they have changed the tiers .
TB Minutes 7 / 11 / 94
Page 4 .
The State Cable Commission has said ACC is within the guidelines of
the federal laws . When this started it was stated they would
deregulate rates so they could be negotiated , the way the FCC has
interrupted the law and made changes has virtually taken away a
communities chance to negotiate . They have set criteria and
mandated what they can charge . Anything negotiated , such as a
discount for senior citizens or a better line extension service can
now directly be added to the franchise fee . Example ; the City of
Ithaca ' s rate is higher than others because they negotiated their
franchise before all the rules and regulations were clear to
anyone . The City negotiated these enhancements , but they now have
found those enhancements can be directly assessed into the charges .
The Town was wise not to go ahead and negotiate a new franchise
until things were sorted out . The Town can give a senior citizens
discount , but it would become a direct cost to all the subscribers .
The FCC has told the cable companies anything which is negotiated
can now have a separate price tag . The Town ' s negotiating leverage
has been lost .
Supervisor Whitcomb asked if there were an effort to negotiate as
a group of townships with the cable commission ?
Councilwoman Valentino said they are waiting to talk about a County
Cable Commission , but that looks bleak because the FCC is not
leaving much room to negotiate unless there is a willingness to
consider what costs should be incurred . It is unclear what a
County Cable Commission would do other than have other meetings .
As long as ACC does not have a new franchise agreement they must
continue to operate under the old one .
Councilwoman Valentino recommended the Town not try to negotiate ,
but wait to see what happens . A meeting date is to be scheduled to
talk about the past franchise fees that may be due the Town for not
complying with the contract . Even if those fees were not received ,
at least it may be possible to get ACC to comply in the future .
ACC has not responded well to even meeting about this .
Councilwoman Valentino told the Board if they are notified or
questioned by constituents to inform them the Town cannot do much
at the present time .
The Task Force on Recreation took a straw vote about the Town not
receiving a subsidy from other Towns to get the pilot program up
and going . The County personnel have met with the outlying Towns .
They seem interested in the pilot program , but they do not want to
participate in a program that would encompass most of the County
and the school district .
TB Minutes 7 / 11 / 94
Page 5 .
The Town of Ithaca , City of Ithaca , and the Town of Enfield were
partners in the recreation program . The rest of the Towns have
said they do not wish to subsidize youth programs . The City allows
individual children to pay a triple fee to participate . The
Village of Lansing subsidizes part of that fee for their children ,
even though that is illegal . These municipalities have said they
do not want to subsidize the programs as long as the children can
participate at a triple fee .
If the Town of Ithaca paid the triple fee for their children rather
than by contracting , it would have cut the Town ' s programming costs
programming almost in half .
There is more documentation about the costs and revenues of these
programs than ever before . People have complained strongly about
the triple fee , but it doesn ' t really cover the costs of the
program . The other townships are getting a real bargain .
Supervisor Whitcomb asked if Ithaca was subsidizing other townships
which were not participating ?
Councilwoman Valentino , yes , the City and Town are . The Town is
paying the actual costs for their children and the City is
subsidizing the other programs .
The decision has to be made if triple fees should be eliminated if
people are going to participate from other communities because the
real costs are known . The real cost per child would be used , the
City and the Town are not going to subsidize those costs anymore .
Several years ago the Town figured they could pay half and the City
said they would just discontinue the triple fees , the Town said
let ' s try to work on this so people would understand how it works .
The Town did not wish to be the culprit who denied children access
to programs . The Town stayed with the City to work this out . It
does not seem as if the other municipalities see this the same way .
Maybe it is time to cut the other Towns loose and say pay the real
costs . Or tell the people in those municipalities to go to the
Town representatives and tell them to subsidize .
Councilwoman Harrison said at a meeting at the Coddington Road
Community Center someone spoke about summer camp being free to
participants . The youth program was picking up the cost even
though there are participants from other municipalities .
Councilwoman Valentino did not feel that was right . The Town
subsidizes the Community Center ' s program , but they are separate
from the City Youth Bureau programs . The Youth Bureau ' s believed
they were paying for town children at the Community Center .
That is another issue .
TB Minutes 7 / 11 / 94
Page 6 .
Councilwoman Valentino said for over two years they have been
trying to make something , that is comfortable for the other
municipalities to buy into that would allow children access to more
programs and ones in their areas . Until the residents of those
towns go after their town representatives to subsidize , it will go
now where .
Councilwoman Valentino recommended no more triple fees , if you are
going to pay , pay the full costs .
Supervisor Whitcomb said at some point the program has to stand
alone .
Councilwoman Valentino asked for a consensus as to whether the
Board would like the triple fees eliminated , and residents of other
towns notified to pressure their representatives for subsidies .
The Board agreed that the triple fees should be eliminated and
residents should be notified to talk to their representatives .
Supervisor Whitcomb suggested this be discussed as an agenda item
in the future since the Town will have to decide the amount of
money to contribute , and whether we should participate in the pilot
program .
Councilwoman Grigorov reported the Planning Committee has been
working on the conservation districts and fees for park land .
Councilwoman Harrison said there have been meetings with DOT
regarding the Route 13 project about the width , and replacement of
bridges . This plan will have to be voted on by the City because of
the portion that is in the City . If the City were to vote no , it
would mean the number of lanes ( 2 or 4 ) would be in question and it
may mean a change to the area outside the City where there is no
veto power to DOT . It is hoped that will be avoided . Pedestrian
concerns , bicyclist concerns , and aesthetic concerns will be
addressed . The City may vote on this in August .
Agenda Item No . 6 - Tompkins County Board of Representatives :
Dooley Kiefer apologized to the Board that the Town had not again
heard about the Forest Home Bridge replacement project in a timely
manner .
The audit for the recycling and solid waste center requested by the
taxpayer advisory group and the County Board has been received .
There was a strong recommendation to carry on with what is being
done , and a feeling it was a strong plan .
TB Minutes 7 / 11 / 94
Page 7 .
Mrs . Noteboom mentioned two years ago the County Budget and Finance
Committee asked the Tax Collector ' s to devise anew bill . The new
bill was only to be used for one year , because the County would be
purchasing a machine which would allow a " blip pack " style . The
collectors have now been told that because the machine was $ 6 , 000
more than anticipated it would not be purchased and the bill would
not change .
The Town promised the taxpayers through newsletters and the media
that the bill in 1996 would be much better . Many people complained
the bill looked like junk mail and had thrown it away . It is
disconcerting to have worked for two years developing a new bill at
the Count ' s request and now the machine will not be purchased .
Mrs . Keifer said the format of the bill has not been lost , the
County is not going to change its mind about the machine . It was
agreed through the committee to accept the staff recommendation not
to purchase the machine .
Councilman Niklas felt they were two separate issues , one is the
machine that processes the bill for easier mailing and the other is
the format of the form . The form will be used , the machine that
expedites the mailing will not be .
Mrs . Noteboom said they asked when devising the form that it be
changed to be better understood , as well as being a different form
for easier mailing . When the bills go out there will as many or
more complaints , as people will remind us the form was to be
changed .
Agenda Item No . 7 - Persons To Be Heard :
Dooley Keifer stated she was happy to see the Town Board moving in
the direction of allowing Elder Cottages .
Mrs . Keifer has heard the Town may be able to acquire land along
Cayuga Lake for public access to the lake . Support would be
forthcoming if that were to occur . Room tax dollars the County
gets for tourism can be used , not to purchase property , but to help
the Town study ways to design uses of that land for public use type
concessions . This could help pay for the land acquired .
Agenda Item No . 15 - Fire Contract Negotiations :
Supervisor Whitcomb said the Fire Contract Committee is slowly
narrowing the issues down . Under the old contract the Town ' s
percentage share of the budget increased from 19 % to the present
amount of 27 % . The share of the property actually protected should
be around 32 % . It is recommended the Town move towards that number
by phasing it in over the next five years so that it does not
impact the taxes dramatically in one year . There has been a great
TB Minutes 7 / 11 / 94
Page 81
deal of discussion about the base budget year which --is presently
figured on actual expenditures two years ago . The City would like
to base it on their budget . Then if it turns out they have spent
more than or less than the budget an adjustment would be made the
next year .
In the last five years of the present contract only once did the
City spend less than what was budgeted . In most years more was
spent than budgeted . Right now there is a cap , if there is a five
percent variation one way or the other the Town does not pay unless
it goes over 5 % . If the City wants to base it on budget the Town
should still have a cap because the Town has no control over the
expenditures of the fire department once the contract is agreed to .
The City wishes to add their indirect costs associated with general
administrative duties from City Hall . They calculated a percentage
amount of $ 122 , 000 of their administrative time is spent on the
fire department activities . This was questioned , there is nothing
wrong with that principal , but some of the individual line item
costs should be looked at .
Councilwoman Harrison asked if the Town would be paying 32 % of the
$ 122 , 000 ? Are there things that the Fire department does for the
City , such as inspections ?
Supervisor Whitcomb said , yes it would be 32 % of the $ 122 , 000 . The
fire department does do City inspections but they do not hire
additional personnel , it is done during the fire departments time
when they are not fighting fires . The City turned it around and
said they could do the Town ' s fire inspections also , but they would
have to hire additional personnel . We told them we would do our
own inspections .
Payment in lieu of taxes was agreed upon . Instead of the City
taking the first $ 150 , 000 and then crediting the Town for any over
that , it was agreed to share the amount equally from the beginning .
Language would be included in the contact endorsing the goal to
move towards consistent fire codes and that those issues would be
decided outside of the contract .
It was agreed Town residents would not be excluded from hiring as
fire fighters , although the Mayor has yet to find the exact
mechanism to do so .
Councilman Niklas said having the City agree to share equally in
the in lieu of tax dollars is a major accomplishment . Ithaca
College is a significant hold out in this regard , the fire engines
frequently are going to calls at the college . It is unfortunate
Ithaca College has such an unwillingness to participate . Could
social pressure by publicity be brought to bear on the college ?
TB Minutes 7 / 11 / 94
Page 9 .
Supervisor Whitcomb said Ithaca College and Cornell University have
been written to . President Rhodes of Cornell said they are already
contributing , and Ithaca College has said they have never
contributed and never will .
Councilwoman Harrison asked that those letters be printed . It is
heard all the time that Cornell is pushed to do more and do its
share . Ithaca College is rarely in the news in that way .
Councilman Niklas felt Ithaca College may be sensitive to that sort
of negative publicity .
Councilwoman Valentino pointed out many of the malicious calls and
false alarms are from Ithaca College .
Supervisor Whitcomb said in the negotiations the possibility of a
charge per false alarm call may be included .
Councilwoman Valentino said anyone would have to be charged this ,
but Ithaca College and Cornell University would be the calls which
could be identified . People have called and asked that even if it
were a token amount , Ithaca College should pay something .
Mr . Frost clarified the number of false alarms as some being
malfunctions of the alarms . Some alarms are not pulled
maliciously .
Councilwoman Valentino said part of the false alarms are from
Cornell ' s older buildings having alarms which malfunction due to
lack of maintenance . If Cornell paid a hefty fine a few times they
may repair them .
When the trucks are out on a false alarm or malicious call and
there is a working fire , it is a burden on the whole community .
Agenda Item No . 17 - Consent Agenda Items •
Motion made by Councilman Niklas , seconded by Councilwoman Harrison
approving and / or adopting the Consent Agenda Item resolutions as
presented . Carried unanimously .
Mrs . Noteboom reported the amount received for the Records
Management Grant was a welcome surprise because most municipalities
who have had previous grants did not receive new funding .
Supervisor Whitcomb mentioned the Town received most of what was
applied for .
Councilwoman Valentino thanked Mrs . Noteboom for her hard work on
the records management .
TB Minutes 7 / 11 / 94
Page 10 .
Agenda Item No . 19 - Planning Board Appointment :
The Interviewing Committee was unable to meet to interview the
prospective members and will be meeting again on July 19 . The
appointment will be made later in the month .
Agenda Item No . 21 - Storm Water Management Erosion Control :
A resolution has been received from the Conservation Board
recommending the Town adopt , as soon as a possible , a storm water
and erosion control ordinance . A recommendation has been made by
the Town Engineer this be referred back to the engineering
department for a full report in October .
Motion made by Councilman Conley , seconded by Councilman Niklas
authorizing and directing the Town Engineer to study the NYS
Department of Environmental Conservation ' s model ordinance for
stormwater management to determine how it may relate to the
Comprehensive Plan and the goals , objectives , and Departments in
the Town . The Town Engineer shall use the DEC model ordinance to
analysis how it might be adapted or customized to meet the needs of
the Town in direct relationship to the findings . The Town Engineer
shall report and make a recommendation to the Board at the October
1994 meeting .
Councilwoman Harrison asked if there is presently an ordinance
related to this issue ?
Mr . Walker said in 1989 a stormwater ordinance was worked on , it is
still on the workplan but has not been a high priority .
Councilman Niklas said in 1989 the proposal was incorporated in the
EPOD legislation .
Councilwoman Harrison asked if stormwater were considered in the
site plan review process ?
Mr . Walker said it is considered in the site plan review and
subdivision process . The Town is using accepted standards from the
State model .
Mr . Frost said the building permit looks at how it effects the
house on a building site for drainage away from the building .
Supervisor Whitcomb said Mr . Walker is being asked to investigate
what is necessary to produce this ordinance and report to the Board
on how such a plan would be drafted , who would study it , and so on .
Mr . Walker said there are some technical issues like enforcement
and development standards to be studied before it could be enacted .
TB Minutes 7 / 11 / 94
Page 11 .
Councilman Niklas said proposed 1989 ordinance showed a developer
providing money in escrow until after completion of the project so
any damage would be paid for . You want to avoid damage , rather
than pick up the pieces .
Agenda Item No . 8 , 91 10 - Public Hearing Local Law Elder Cottages .
The Supervisor opened the public hearing at 6 : 30 p . m . The Town
Clerk had proof of posting and publication .
Councilman Niklas said COC looked at this last year and benefitted
from hearing from individuals who were in favor of this local law .
It is a privilege to propose this , the Committee and the Attorney
for the Town worked very hard .
This a law to be proud of . There are some people who may feel the
town has not gone far enough . This ordinance applies to the
parents or grandparents of at least one owner of the lot . It was
suggested the ordinance not restrict the usage of the cottage to a
parent or grandparent , but it would be more appropriate to expand
it to any family member .
This is an experimental legislation . The COC chose to be more
conservative than liberal , it was felt the opportunities of abusing
an elder cottage by allowing it to be open to any member of the
family was greater than initially restricting it to a parent and
grandparent . The issue of who could use the elder cottage is
subject to a variance . The ZBA is the lead agency because the need
for an elder cottage may surface very quickly . The criticism this
is a planning issue rather than zoning issue is met because the
local law already has the specifics of the size and qualifications
of occupying space on a conforming lot . Specific site plan
requirements will be dealt with by the ZBA . It is desirable to see
how this will work through case histories , and in a reasonable
period of time see if it needs to be amended . This not only
addresses the emotional issues , but the issue of affordable housing
for the elderly .
Councilwoman Harrison felt the local law was terrific , but wondered
how sewer systems to the cottage would be addressed ?
Councilman Niklas said the cottage would have to meet all health
standards . If there were a septic system and the elder cottage
could not be hooked up to it , it would not be possible to have an
elder cottage .
Attorney Barney said as a condition of granting a building permit ,
Mr . Frost will be satisfied the County Health Department has
reviewed the system .
TB Minutes 7 / 11 / 94
Page 12 .
Mr . Frost said the health department grants acceptance based on the
number of bedrooms , if number is increased there is the potential
they would deny the hook up unless a waiver was granted because it
was a temporary connection .
David Stoyell , Program Manager Host Program , Cornell Cooperative
Extension presented pictures of Elder Cottages to the Board . In
1992 , a reply was received from the Health Department saying as
long as the septic and water were adequate for number of people and
the system was up to code there would be not problem
It is a privilege to be here because the law would be a beginning
of something which is very favorable . The Cooperative Extension
for several years has been exploring and doing public education on
this concept . Studies of elder cottage programs in other countries
have been made with zoning the stumbling block because people were
reluctant to putting in an elder cottage which they know will have
to be removed . Elder cottages which have been privately purchased
or obtained through the lease program are not a problem in moving
for another ' s use .
These cottages help seniors and their supportive family members to
retain independence in their living circumstances while enjoying
the mutual support which can come to both . They are a decided
benefit in supporting the elderly who are frail , and who become
more frail .
The Cooperative Extension is grateful that Better Housing has taken
a lead in Tompkins County for proposing elder housing and hosting
an elder cottage lease program . The elder cottage as a removable
unit has gotten off the ground when governments have taken the
initiative to start programs . The Town of Ithaca should be
commended on its proactive stance of senior housing .
Becky Bilderback , Director Better Housing for Tompkins County said
thank you to the Supervisor and the Town Board for this law . There
are two concerns for the future . The local law says the owner of
the property must be the child or grandchild , there are presently
three applicants for this housing in the Town . One of the
applicants owns the main unit and plans to move into the elder
cottage allowing the children to live in the primary unit . Tax
purposes dictate that ownership of the main unit not be
transferred . A variance could be asked on that point . An
amendment in the future may have to be made to address these types
of tax possibilities .
The elder cottages are small modular houses . A question may be
raised with affordable housing of what is compatible in the
neighborhood .
TB Minutes 7 / 11 / 94
Page 13 .
Mr , Anderson , County Health Department will look at the occupancy
of the combined two units for septic use . If there is a three
bedroom house and the combined occupancy is no more than six there
should be no problem . How many three bedroom houses in reality
have six people in it ? By the time an elderly parent is moving in
most families have cut back on occupancy . Since the cottage is
tied to the owner it is not a matter of it being sold and having to
be dealt with the next owner . The issue of municipal sewer will
have to be dealt with along with calculations of the number of
units charged . Two of the three applicants from the Town have
municipal water .
The County Planning Board has discussed there are things which can
be done through intermunicipal cooperation . Zoning is each Town ' s
domain , but this type of program where the unit will be leased or
sold will be greater than the Town of Ithaca . The Town of Groton ,
Village of Lansing , and the Town of Dryden are actively looking at
making changes to make this possible across the County .
Better Housing has applied to the State for funding of six units
for the County . This will be a demonstration for the whole State .
Much of the work is based on Dr . Pollak ' s work , nationally she is
known as the best person in this field . The lease program would
have some income limits , $ 18 , 000 for a single person . The
advantage of working with people at the lower incomes will allow
them not to have to cover the up front costs to purchase a unit .
That is a significant cost when it is not known how long it will be
needed . The grant will purchase these units . A fund will also be
set up for moving these units based on the average of every four to
five years .
Patricia Pollack , Associate Professor Consumer Economics and
Housing , Cornell University ; Chair , American Planning Association
Housing Division agreed with Councilman Niklas that this is an
ordinance to be proud of . Attorney Barney has done a wonderful
job . The idea of a lease program assures the community units will
be moved and there will not be an enforcement problem taking a
difficult job off the shoulders of the Code Enforcement Officer .
The other municipalities in New York will be looking to the Town of
Ithaca ' s ordinance to see the experience and modifications which
will be made over time . Be prepared for questions , the whole
nation is very proud of what the Town of Ithaca is doing .
Attorney Barney thanked Professor Pollack for the articles she has
written from which a great deal of the ordinance was taken from .
Dr . Pollack was very helpful in drafting this law .
Public hearing closed by the Supervisor at 6 : 55 p . m .
TB Minutes 7 / 11 / 94
Page 14 .
Councilwoman Harrison asked what enforcement mechanisms would be
used if it is found the cottage remains after the elder person has
moved ?
Attorney Barney said the enforcement mechanisms are the same as
would be used in any zoning violation , injunctions and fines . The
local law sets up time frames for which the removal is to occur
with the opportunity for one extension .
Councilman Niklas said part of the application is the owner signs
on to the agreement to abide by the law . It is agreed to up front
that the owner is responsible for costs incurred by the Town if
enforcement is necessary . This is a renewable situation , the
Building Officer will review yearly that the conditions are being
met . The law has been carefully crafted to balance the need of the
elder person and the need of the community to be protected from any
abuse of this type of housing unit .
Councilman Niklas said he would move this legislation on behalf of
all those who worked so diligently on it , it was a team effort .
Motion made by Councilman Niklas , seconded by Councilwoman
Valentino making a negative determination of environmental
significance in accordance with the NYS Environmental Quality
Review Act for the proposed , " LOCAL LAW TO AMEND THE ZONING
ORDINANCE TO PERMIT PLACEMENT OF ELDER COTTAGES IN RESIDENTIAL
DISTRICTS " , therefore , neither a Full Environmental Assessment
Form , nor an Environmental Impact Statement will be required .
Carried unanimously .
Motion made by Councilman Niklas , seconded by Councilwoman
Valentino approving and enacting a , LOCAL LAW TO AMEND THE ZONING
ORDINANCE TO PERMIT PLACEMENT OF ELDER COTTAGES IN RESIDENTIAL
DISTRICTS " , the Town Clerk is hereby authorized and directed to
file and publish said Local Law as required by law .
Councilwoman Valentino stated it is seldom the Town Board members
feel this good about legislation , so much time is spent doing our
best for the community and it is wonderful that we can do so much
good with this legislation .
Roll call voted carried unanimously .
Agenda Item No . 11 - Order of Public Hearing , Troy Road :
Supervisor Whitcomb recalled the Town Board did set a Public
Hearing for this meeting but it was discovered there were some
legal technicalities which had not been met so the Public Hearing
could not be held .
TB Minutes 7 / 11 / 94
Page 15 .
Motion made by Councilwoman Valentino , seconded by Councilman
Niklas adopting the Order for Public Hearing , ( see attached ) , be
held at a special meeting of the Town Board at 7 : 00 p . m . , July 26 ,
1994 to consider the extension of water on Troy Road . Carried
unanimously .
Agenda Item No . 12 - Order for Public Hearing , Coddington Road :
Motion made by Councilman Niklas , seconded by Councilman Conley
adopting the Order for Public Hearing , ( see attached ) be held at a
special meeting of the Town Board at 7 : 15 p . m . , July 26 , 1994 to
consider the extension of water on Coddington Road .
Councilwoman Harrison said she did not see the information in the
packets on the answers to the questions of Coddington and Troy
Road . Can they be provided before the public hearings ?
Mr . Walker said they would be provided .
Motion to adopt the Order for Public Hearing carried unanimously .
Agenda Item No . 16 - Solid Waste Fee 1995 Tax Bill :
Supervisor Whitcomb reported he and the Town Clerk met with
representatives of County staff , other Town Clerk ' s and some other
Town Supervisor ' s in which this issue was discussed at length .
Apparently there are a number of people on the County Board who are
lobbying to have the solid waste fee added to our January tax bill
as a separate line . In order to do that they must receive the
unanimous permission of the Towns .
The County people seem to be convinced to put this off for another
year until all the questions and concerns have been answered . It
is hoped this Town Board will adopt a resolution to that effect and
have it forwarded to the County Board ,
Councilwoman Niklas said he would not like to see something done
which might be challenged through litigation . The concerns raised
by the Town Clerk shows there may be some citizens groups who might
take action . They may do so just to test the legality of the
addition of the fee to the tax bill .
Dooley Keifer said members of the Solid Waste Committee on the
County Board also had many concerns . The first was it legal , and
the answer is yes . The second is still being debated , whether the
fee should be added to the same tax bill or whether it would be
simpler for the recipients to have a separate bill in the same
envelope . The recipient has to understand this is not a tax but a
fee , they have the option of refusing to pay it in a way they can
not refuse to pay a tax . The Solid Waste Committee will be
considering a resolution to that effect tomorrow morning , July
-
TB Minutes 7 / 11 / 94
Page 16 .
12th . That is probably the direction the County Board will go in .
The County is not anxious to put it off for another year , it has
already been put off for one year . The savings that would be had
in doing a single mailing instead of two is significant to the
County . The County did not make out as well in the State budget
this year as the Towns , Cities , and Villages ; some revenue has been
restored to those entities not to the County .
The County is trying to economize in every way possible , and
cutting down a billing to all County residents is one way to do it .
The meeting Supervisor Whitcomb referred to was done at the County
Administrator ' s initiative . He had decided to go to a meeting of
the Town Clerk ' s , this was not quite the way it was understood to
happen . Beverly Livesay , Chair Government Affairs Committee very
much wants to convene a meeting of the Town Supervisors with
members of the committee to talk about a number of things dealing
with intermunicipal cooperation . The meeting should be set up in
the near future and if the Supervisor ' s wished to have the Town
Clerk ' s attend that would make sense , but that is up to Ms .
Livesay .
It is good the Town Board responds to the Town Clerk ' s concerns .
The County is trying to be as reasonable as possible .
Supervisor Whitcomb mentioned that in the County ' s attempt to save ,
the costs are being transferred to the Town ' s because it will cost
for additional staff to administer the collection of those fees .
Mrs . Keifer said that is one of the things which needs to be talked
about .
Councilwoman Harrison asked if the fee came as a separate bill in
the same envelope , would it be a fee payable to the County directly
rather than through the Towns ?
Mrs . Keifer said the question would be whether the County would
want to convenience the municipal administrations , or whether they
wish to convenience residents . That decision hasn ' t been made , or
has to be made until the separate bill is prepared .
Councilman Niklas asked that this issue could be an agenda item for
the special meeting on July 26 , to hear what the Solid Waste
Committee ' s vote was ?
Councilwoman Harrison felt it should be discussed now so that Mrs .
Keifer could bring the Town concerns to the Solid Waste Committee
before their vote tomorrow . Mrs . Noteboom could explain what she
felt the problems may be with the fee as a separate bill in the
envelope .
TB Minutes 7 / 11 / 94
Page 17 .
Mrs . Noteboom said the County is proposing the Town Clerk ' s would
collect the fee even with a separate billing in the envelope .
Mrs . Keifer said that is one possibility , it is either to have the
resident take both the fee bill and the tax bill to the Town Clerk
and pay it , or have them take the fee bill to the County and the
tax bill to the Town Clerk , that needs negotiation .
Mrs . Noteboom said there would be a lot of problems with that . If
the Town Clerk collected the fee the Town should request
compensation to do so because another staff member during tax
collection would be needed . When the fee bill is enclosed with the
tax bill taxpayers will assume it goes to one place and will write
their check for the total of both the fee and bill . That will add
more responsibilities onto the Town Clerk to forward the monies for
the fees to the County .
The biggest concern is that the Town Clerk ' s voted to change the
computer software package for Tax Collection and Tompkins County
Data Processing will be writing their own program . It will be a
nightmare to train on a new software package , send the tax bills
out in time , and have the additional responsibilities of the solid
waste fee . There are always " bugs " in a new computer program ,
which will add more stress and difficulty to the normal collection
process .
The Town Clerk has no problem in trying to cooperate with the
County and finding a way this could be done . The biggest
frustration is that ever since this possibility came to light the
Town Clerk ' s found out about it just before a vote by a committee ,
or just afterwards . It seems that if the County wants the Town ' s
to offer cooperation they should include them long before they are
going to make final decisions .
Mr . Keifer said the meeting the County Administrator had with the
Supervisors and Clerks , which was not a bad thing , was not the
route the County Board had decided on . The decision had to be made
as to whether the County wanted to do this next year , or whether to
wait . Do we bill again in August of next year retroactively from
January , or do we try to get the bill out in January ? If it is
decided to be done in January it makes sense to do it in a single
mailing with the County / Town tax bill . Once that decision the way
the fee is to be collected can be made , directly to the County or
at the Town office .
Mrs . Keifer did not think the County was doing anything backwards ,
but clearly the Town Clerk and Town Board feel the County did . If
it had not been heard about at that meeting , this much time would
not have been spent on this already .
TB Minutes 7 / 11 / 94
Page 18 .
Mrs . Noteboom said the Town heard about this the first time when
Beverly Livesay came to the April meeting and made a note of it in
her report , then it was looked into .
Councilwoman Grigorov asked Mrs . Keifer if she understood correctly
that if just one of the Town ' s did not wish to do this , they
wouldn ' t have to .
Mrs . Keifer said that is not the legal advice the County has
received and she was amazed that is characterized in the concerns
written by the Town Clerk ,
Councilman Niklas said he was concerned there are a number of
parties involved when talking about convenience . There are the
taxpayers , the Town Clerk , and then the County ; on everyone ' s side
is the issue of saving money . If you save money in the postage and
mailing , the Town may end up spending a great deal more in terms of
the actual time of staff . How many people pay their taxes in
person , how many mail them ? The condition of convenience would be
that the person pay the solid waste fee through the mail to the
County but that the mailing be done together with the Town / County
tax bill . It is very clear with the way the bills are provided
that the recipient of the check or the money is clearly
distinguishable , the Town receives one check and the County the
other .
Councilwoman Valentino felt it would be a major problem with two
bills being in the same envelope , if you can put everything on one
check you will . The average person will do that , it would have to
be flagged that there be two different places to send the bill .
There would be a lot of mixups . There was an issue about two years
ago where every single Town Clerk was opposed to something , and the
County Board voted it in anyway . There is a perception about
things that are important to the Towns and the County not being
sensitive to some of the real problems Towns have . The County
tries at this late date to change the way of billing the fee , this
is not a good idea for January .
Mrs . Keifer said , not from the data processing point of view .
Councilwoman Valentino , but from the point of view of negotiating
and making it clear there would not be an extra burden . Right now ,
if the Town Board sent a resolution to the County , send one
opposing the solid waste fee being added to the County / Town tax
bill for this January . The Town Board may not be opposed to it
forever , but the Town feels for this year there is not enough
information and it looks like the burden on the Town would be
substantial and that it needs to be worked on together . Saving the
cost to the County is clearly saving costs to all the taxpayers .
If it is a savings at the County level , but it is an extra expense
to the Town there is no real savings when there is extra work
TB Minutes 7 / 11 / 94
Page 19 .
involved . It needs to be looked at more closely .
Councilwoman Harrison asked Mrs . Keifer what the cost to the County
was for mailing the solid waste fee ?
Mrs . Keifer did not have the number .
Mrs . Noteboom responded at a meeting with Lisa Stephens , County
Budget and Finance it was said to be about $ 25 , 000 for mailing ,
administration , staff time , and data processing .
Councilwoman Harrison said that will all not be saved , data
processing will still be done , printing of the bills will be done ,
the only thing to be saved would be the cost of the stamps . If it
were included in the County / Town bill it would be paid by the Town .
Councilman Niklas said if lines of communication save money this is
a golden opportunity for Mrs . Keifer to transmit to the Committee
this . Town Board ' s concern to forestall something which might cause
the Town not to participate , and it only takes one to say no . It
would be better not to deal with this at that level of
confrontation . The Town should not sign onto this without knowing
the dollar figures of costs and savings to the County and the Town
being evaluated .
The Town has had a history with previous County Boards of being
informed of things after committees voted to do something , or
shortly before . An example is the Forest Home Bridge , a time line
was given that only gave one day to respond in decision making .
More lead time is needed from the County .
Mrs . Keifer said it would be useful from the County ' s perspective
to have a sense of what the actual additional costs to the Town
Clerk ' s office would be to keep a second column of figures when
something comes in .
Attorney Barney said it is not only a second column of figures , the
County is talking about the most controversial fee that the County
has enacted in recent years . If you are the person who has to
collect that fee you take a lot of grief and time explaining , that
is immeasurable . As a resident of a Town , if the County wants to
impose that fee they should face the people they are imposing it
on , and collect the fee for a few years until the people understand
it . The comments and complaints should not be subjected on the
Town Clerks .
Councilman Niklas read the resolution as prepared and said he would
feel more comfortable not voting on it tonight and deferring it to
the next Town Board meeting until Solid Waste Committee and the
County have decided . If there is a spirit of cooperation the vote
may be different .
i
i
TB Minutes 7 / 11 / 94
Page 20 .
Councilwoman Harrison asked if a scenario could be conceived in
which adding the solid waste fee to the tax bill in January 1995
would be workable ?
Councilman Niklas said it could be conceived in the sense of a
single mailing be used to deliver two bills to residents , the one
bill clearly coming from the County / Town to be paid to the Receiver
of Taxes , and the other bill clearly to be sent to the County , with
the Town having nothing to do with receiving the money for that
bill .
Supervisor Whitcomb did not feel that would be at odds with the
prepared resolution , as the resolution deals with adding a line on
a single bill saying " solid waste fee " , rather than two separate
bills in the same envelope .
Councilman Niklas said you could pass this resolution , but to what
effect , waiting until July 26th when there is additional
information might make this resolution unnecessary .
Councilwoman Harrison said the reason to adopt this resolution
would be to forestall County action , once they have taken action it
is harder .
Councilman Niklas said it would be clear to even the dispassionate
listener that this Board would probably vote to withdraw from that
kind of an agreement . It only takes one Town to withdraw and it is
the end of the issue .
Supervisor Whitcomb said that is not yet clear .
Attorney Barney said if the Town were not willing to participate
they may have a number of options .
Supervisor Whitcomb asked Mrs . Keifer if any key decisions would be
made by the County between now and July 26th ?
Mrs . Keifer said if the resolution which will be voted on tomorrow
at the Solid Waste Committee meeting is passed it will direct
County staff to take the necessary steps to have a billing ready
for January 1 , that resolution does not need to be acted upon by
the County Board ,
Councilwoman Harrison asked if action could be taken tomorrow which
would set this in motion ? What other decisions would have to be
made between this and the bills being given to the Town Clerk ' s for
mailing ?
Mrs . Keifer said it would set in motion staff preparing the work ,
the County Board may not have to take any action on this issue .
TB Minutes 7 / 11 / 94
Page 21 .
Motion made by Councilman Niklas that no action be taken on this
issue until the special Town Board meeting of July 26th . Seconded
by Councilman Conley .
Councilwoman Harrison said Mrs . Keifer has a sense of the Town
Board regarding this , but the Town Board should go further and make
a motion that will be seen by the whole County Board ,
Agenda Item No . 13 - Public Hearing , West Haven Road Sewer :
The Supervisor interrupted the present discussion to open the
Public hearing at 7 : 30 p . m . Public hearing will continue upon
finalization of Agenda Item No . 16 .
Agenda Item No . 16 - Solid Waste Fee , Tax Bill - Cont ' d :
The Supervisor called the motion to delay action on this issue
until the meeting on July 26th . Councilman Niklas , aye ; all other
members , nay . Motion defeated .
Supervisor Whitcomb asked for a motion to accept the prepared
resolution , ( see attached ) .
Councilwoman Harrison asked if the Town Board wishes to change the
language which says , " do not add the solid waste fee to the tax
bill " , which leaves open the possibility of a separate bill to go
in the mailing , is that a reasonable position to be in , this
resolution says do not add it to the tax bill . As written does
this resolution allow the County to think the Town will accept them
putting it in as a separate bill collectable by the Town or County .
Attorney Barney said this resolution will not control what the
County does , but if the Board wishes to express the opinion that
the matter of collection by the Town in 1995 should be deferred
until things are worked out , then say that .
Councilwoman Valentino said one thing that is missing from the
resolution is when it talks about the legal issues , administrative
concerns , and compensation to the Town for collection it again
causes the separation as all are different taxpayers . All will pay
it through the Town or the County . The wording should be what the
cost will be to the individual taxpayer whether it is on a County
or Town bill , before the Town or County can say this is a good
idea . The costs are dust being shifted from one group to another ,
isolating them does not accomplish anything .
Councilman Niklas said he would vote against the resolution , not
because of what it says , but because of the timing . If the
resolution were presented at the next meeting given the current
climate , he would vote to approve it .
TB Minutes 7 / 11 / 94
Page 22 .
Motion made by Councilwoman Harrison , seconded by Councilwoman
Grigorov that the Town Board strongly urges Tompkins County to
defer having Town Tax Collectors / Receivers bill or collect the
Solid Waste Fee beginning in January 1995 . The Town Board and the
Receiver of Taxes would consider billing and / or collecting the
Solid Waste Fee in January 1996 as long as the legal questions ,
administrative concerns , compensation to the Town for collection of
a County fee , and overall costs to the taxpayers are considered ,
negotiated , and agreed upon .
All members voted aye , except for the dissenting vote by Councilman
Niklas . Motion carried .
The Town Clerk will send a certified copy of the resolution to
Dooley Keifer on July 12th .
Agenda Item No . - Public Hearing , West Haven Road Sewer :
The Supervisor resumed the Public Hearing at 7 : 40 p . m . The Town
Clerk had proof of posting and publication . The public hearing was
closed at 6 : 41 p . m , as no member of the public wished to speak .
The Supervisor noted calculations have been done as to what the
cost of the sewer extension would do to the annual sewer benefit
fee . There are also estimated costs for Coddington Road if sewer
were extended the entire length of the road .
The money will be borrowed to install the sewer on West Haven Road
if approved . One calculation is for a bond anticipation note at
various interest rates . The current sewer benefit assessment is
$ 78 . 00 . The Board reviewed the calculations .
Councilwoman Harrison said if the sewer were not extended the
benefit charge could go down .
Supervisor Whitcomb said it could go down or used to build a
reserve for future extensions or repairs . It has traditionally not
gone down but used to build up the fund .
Ms . Alario said what is received for benefit assessment does not
cover the entire debt for the year . The retirement of debt would
not have to be used to decrease benefit assessments the rate could
be reduced .
Supervisor Whitcomb said the benefit assessment fee covers
approximately $ 500 , 000 of the debt service of approximately
$ 700 , 000 , there is $ 200 , 000 which is covered by fees .
Councilwoman Harrison noted there was enough capital funds on hand
to be able to spend $ 125 , 000 if the Town were to extend water to
Coddington Road , but there is not $ 215 , 000 to extend the sewer .
TB Minutes 7 / 11 / 94
Page 23 ,
Mr . Walker said water and sewer are separate funds . There is a
large balance remaining from the 1989 water and sewer project for
water sewer . The balance is about $ 2000 for the sewer .
Councilwoman Harrison asked how the five year time limit for the
borrowing was arrived at ?
Supervisor Whitcomb responded that is the maximum time limit for
spending money on a BAN .
Councilman Conley asked what the useful time limit was for a
project of this nature ?
Mr . Walker said normally it would be from 10 to 20 years . The life
of the sewer would be 30 to 50 years .
Attorney Barney said for bonding purposes the money could be
borrowed for up to 40 years .
Councilwoman Harrison asked what the difference was between a BAN
and a bond .
Attorney Barney said a BAN is what is purchased until you get a
bond . If you started out with serial bonds , but wished to wait a
couple of years for a better rate , a BAN would be purchased before
permanent financing with a bond .
Councilman Conley asked if it could be paid off during that five
years ?
Attorney Barney said it could be paid , but there are limits that in
no year could you pay less than 50 % of the principle than paid in
any other year . It was designed this way to keep entities from
floating a 40 year project and paying it back without arranging for
a bond .
Councilman Niklas said the cost compared to the number of people
who will benefit , against the sizable assessment is high . Projects
should be looked at by how much it costs everyone compared to the
number of people benefitted . A high ratio in this case is a bad
thing .
The issue is greater than just extending sewer service to West
Haven Road . What are the Town ' s tactics for evaluating its
priorities ? There is infrastructure which needs to be replaced .
When new lines are extended the general obligation to the taxpayers
is to look at how much it will cost and how many people immediately
benefit .
Councilman Conley said the Town started a project , and the people
on West Haven Road had every reason to believe that the Town would
TB Minutes 7 / 1 / 94
Page 24 .
extend the sewer . The Town went to a certain point and stopped .
There are people there with failed systems who need to know when
the extension will happen because it will be very expensive for
them to replace their private systems . These people are dealing
with property values . Houses with municipal sewer are worth much
more . It was a commitment made by the Town many years ago to
extend this sewer , that was not fulfilled .
Councilman Niklas said he was sensitive to that argument also , if
people buy property with the understanding the Town has made a
commitment that is an important issue . Historically is there a
commitment ?
Supervisor Whitcomb said the residents were informed when the
original sewer was installed on West Haven Road that it would only
be a short period of time before the complete road had sewer . It
is not known what commitments were made to them by previous Town
Board ' s , the Supervisor , or Town Engineer .
Councilman Niklas asked if the residents bought their homes before
or after the consequence of that so called commitment . Were these
people in their homes and then the commitment was made , or were
they buying assuming the sewer would be forthcoming ?
Councilwoman Harrison felt it would probably be some of both . Has
anyone looked at the minutes of previous meetings to see if there
were a commitment ?
Mr . Walker said the original plans included the whole of West Haven
Road . There was a request for sewer in 1983 , 1987 and then the
actual design was done and built in 1988 .
Councilwoman Valentino asked if the original plans showed the
extension then , why wasn ' t it done ?
Mr . Walker said there was not enough money . There was a problem
with the ground sloping away from the direction of the sewer to
control flow by gravity , they reached everyone they could and then
there was a gorge which made it impractical to cross at that point ?
Supervisor Whitcomb stated this extension would be a mid range
priority on the capital projects plan .
s
Councilman Conley said residents had called him and requested he
inform the Town Engineer that while he is designing the project
they wished to confer with him as to any problems or concern they
have such as trees , porches , etcetera .
Mr . Walker said he is proceeding with the design survey .
TB Minutes 7 / 11 / 94
Page 25 ,
Councilman Niklas asked that if a vote of yes was made on this
issue would it be saying the Town Board believes this project is a
priority 2 ? If it were voted down , would it change its current
status of priority 2 ?
Attorney Barney said you would be going beyond that , you would be
authorizing the project based upon a permissive referendum .
Mr . Walker said it would stay on the listing as a need .
Councilwoman Harrison asked in the present priority list where does
the Town stand in regard to the first priority ?
Mr . Walker one priority was the South Hill sewer which is in the
process of completion now , and the hospital sewer on the West Hill
is in the preliminary design stage . Those are priorities which
will hopefully be completed as maintenance items . There is also
maintenance on the northeast sewers as top priority .
Councilman Niklas asked if there any priority one projects not
being done , or are there ones being jeopardized because of this
extension ?
Mr . Walker said that as soon as a letter is received from the
County Health Department there will be a major push for an
extensive sewer project at the hospital .
Mr . Walker said there would be no other priority one projects which
would be jeopardized because of this project .
Councilwoman Grigorov said the residents had previously voiced
their wish to have the extension at other meetings this spring .
They were led to believe the issue would be non - controversial ,
because most of the Board seemed favorable .
Supervisor Whitcomb asked if the hospital sewer would have to be
bonded to be paid for ?
Mr . Walker said it would cost approximately $ 1 million if it were
done all at once , it is being proposed to be done in sections on an
annual basis . This would cost about $ 150 , 000 a year in sewer
maintenance projects .
Supervisor Whitcomb said to finance this project on the short term
as planned would allow for construction completion this winter , if
the bond were necessary the construction would not occur until next
year .
Councilwoman Harrison said there seems to be a critical need for
the residents to have this extension . While the additional $ 6 . 00
to $ 7 . 00 for benefit unit is a substantial amount of money it is
TB Minutes 7 / 11 / 94
Page 26 .
far less than some of the other items being considered . For the
public health issue and because this sewer extension is consistent
with the Comprehensive Plan the project should be done .
Supervisor Whitcomb asked if the Public Interest Order precludes
longer term financing if something better could be found ?
Attorney Barney said the Order was drafted for borrowing of 20
years , you could borrow for any time up to 20 years .
Ms . Alario said at one point it was discussed to use fund balance
for this project .
Mr . Walker said the money used for water is excess funds generated
for a capital project they are revenues above the normal ones
coming in that feed the General Fund . Deferment can be made to the
General Fund for debt by using those funds in the water , that
option is not available in the sewer .
Supervisor Whitcomb said the problem with using fund balance is
that it is the only fund where revenues last year did not equal
expenditures . That fund balance would continue decreasing unless
the sewer rates were adjusted . In all other funds revenues equal
or exceed expenditures , 10 % to 20 % fund balance should be
maintained in the sewer . It makes sense to use some of the fund
balance , borrow the remainder , and keep 20 % for fund balance .
Councilwoman Harrison asked what fund balance was ?
Ms . Alario said fund balance is the revenues over the expenditures
at year end for each fund . At the end of the year that is
considered excess money , by using a formula to make sure revenues
will be met , part of the fund balance could be appropriated for
other uses .
Does the Board wish to have different scenarios prepared showing
only part of this project from a BAN , it may not have as much
effect on the benefit assessment ?
Councilman Niklas asked if the method of funding could be
determined at a later date ?
Attorney Barney said the method has to be outlined in the ±
resolution , the funding can be authorized by the end of the month .
What you can ' t do is authorize the funding through the capital fund
and then issue bonds without going through the legal steps .
Motion made by Councilwoman Harrison , seconded by Councilman Niklas
that the Town Board makes a Negative Determination of Environmental
Significance in accordance with the NYS Environmental Quality"
Review Act for the above referenced action as proposed and ,
TB Minutes 7 / 11 / 94
Page 27 ,
therefore , neither a Long Environmental Assessment Form , nor an
Environmental Impact Statement will be required .
Councilwoman Harrison requested that the resolution include mention
that the project is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan . One of
the reasons there is not a significant negative impact is because
they are linked .
Attorney Barney said the resolution is making specific
determination of environmental significance which the law requires .
The SEQR is considering all issues , the Comprehensive Plan is only
one element , you have to review all elements . If you start signal
out the Comprehensive Plan and say it is environmentally
significant with that plan , what would it be with respect to
drainage , movement of soil , population , etcetera .
The Supervisor called for the vote on the resolution as written .
Motion carried unanimously .
Agenda Item No . 14a - Public Interest Order , West Haven Sewer :
The Supervisor entertained a motion to move the adoption of the
Public Interest Order in the matter of the Proposed Sewer
Improvement pursuant to Article 12 - C of the Town Law to be known as
the Town of Ithaca Sewer System Benefitted Area - 1994 , ( see
attached ) . Motion made by Councilwoman Grigorov , seconded by
Councilman Niklas .
Attorney Barney explained the Public Interest Order is making a
determination the project is in the public interest to complete and
authorizes the project up to $ 250 , 000 subject to permissive
referendum .
Councilwoman Harrison asked if it were not important in the law
itself to make statements finding consistency with the
Comprehensive Plan .
Attorney Barney said the Public Interest Order is literally taken
from the statue of Town Law as to the finding that needs to be
made . When you say this is in the public interest to do it , you
have made the Comprehensive Plan consideration . No , these are
technical orders and are the first step if it goes to bonding . It
is not a good idea to change them too much because a question may
be raised in the future as to why the Comprehensive Plan was
specially named .
Councilman Niklas asked to include in the meeting minutes that
these motions as approved were endorsed because they were in
consistency with the Comprehensive Plan .
Motion was called , and the roll call vote was carried unanimously .
TB Minutes 7 / 11 / 94
Page 28 .
Agenda Item No . 18 - Annual Salary Pool Change :
Motion made by Supervisor Whitcomb , seconded by Councilman Conley
that the Town Board approves a cost of living increase of 2 . 4 % for
all employees for 1995 . The Town Board also approves the attached
longevity award schedule and explanation for implementation in
1995 .
Councilwoman Harrison asked why the Town would reward longevity ?
The Town should not encourage inadequate staff to continue
employment through longevity .
Supervisor Whitcomb said to try and discourage staff turnover there
are other mechanisms for dealing with inadequate staff .
The Personnel Committee and Finance Committee met today and
recommended the amount be changed from the 2 . 4 % to 3 . 5 % because
they reconsidered the possibility of using a merit percentage of
approximately 1 % .
Councilman Niklas said personnel items are often delicate
negotiations , the reasons why things are done involve
personalities . The Town works well because the judgment of the
committees is listened to .
Councilwoman Harrison noted she defers to the judgment of the
Personnel Committee , but that personally she believes in merit pay .
In general this doesn ' t agree with her philosophy . Rewarding
someone for staying and not taking into account how well someone is
doing their job does not necessarily give people the correct
message regarding incentives .
Both Supervisor Whitcomb and Councilman Conley agreed to the
amendment from 2 . 4 % to 3 . 5 % . Motion with amendment called and
carried unanimously .
Agenda Item No . 20 - Sanctuary Woods Subdivision , Location of Road ,
Utilities , and Parks :
Mr . Kanter explained the first resolution presented deals with
temporary easements and the second deals with the location of
streets and utilities .
The Planning Board at its June 7 , meeting gave preliminary approval
to the Sanctuary Woods Subdivision . Mr . Kanter showed the location
of the 14 lot subdivision on maps provided .
Sanctuary Drive would be a temporary dead end cul - de - sac extending
into another parcel which in the future subdivision would be
extended . The exact location of the extension is not proposed at
this time .
TB Minutes 7 / 11 / 94
Page 29 .
The temporary easements deal with the future subdivision because
the first part is the temporary cul - de - sac of a 50 foot radius .
The other temporary easement results from a future subdivision
needing temporary easements for a gravel walkway until such time as
the other subdivision is completed .
The location of the road in the subdivision comes off Sapsucker
Woods Road . The utilities would serve the southern lots in the
subdivision . There exists in the northern portion of the property
water and sewer lines . The location of the new water line comes
off Sapsucker Woods Road and up through Lot 1 and to the new
Sanctuary Woods Drive . The sewer line connects to the new sewer
line through Lots 1 - 6 . The Town Board needs to accept the
locations of those elements so the Planning Board can give final
subdivision approval .
Councilwoman Grigorov asked if any park land was involved .
Mr . Kanter said the park land which is the temporary walkway
easements . There is a condition in the Planning Board resolution
which refers to the future park land dedication at the time the
back parcel is subdivided . There would be a condition for 2 . 46
acres for that parcel to be set aside , and an additional . 0 . 53
acres in conjunction with the 14 lot subdivision .
Councilwoman Grigorov asked if the cul - de - sac was only 50 feet
because it was temporary ?
Mr . Kanter said it is only 50 feet because of the temporary status ,
the intention in the future is for to be a road connection . The
issue of where the road goes will be determined later based on the
Town ' s lead .
Councilman Niklas asked why isn ' t the cul - de - sac the regular radius
of 60 feet ? The larger the radius the more easily emergency
vehicles could navigate the turning .
Mr . Walker said the minimum turning radius for snow plows and large
trucks is 40 foot . Permanent easements are requested to have a
radius of 60 feet when there are lots fronting on the cul - de - sac .
There are no lots fronting on this cul - de - sac so there are not the
normal constraints for road ditches outside the cul - de - sac . Here
the edge of the road will be to the edge of the right of way as
opposed to leaving another 15 feet for ditches . The topography
does not require a great deal of ditching .
Councilwoman Harrison said several months ago things which were
thought to take place contingent on another in the future never
took place . The Board needs to be assured that if there were to be
no further development of the other parcel this cul - de - sac could
stand on its own if this had to be made permanent ? Does the
TB Minutes 7 / 11 / 94
Page 30 .
walkway connect to where the Town would want it to be if nothing
else were to be built ?
Mr . Kanter said the temporary walkway provides access , and the
northern piece goes over the existing sewer easement which is an
existing facility . The length of the cul - de - sac is about 600 feet
so it is serving the lots there presently .
Mr . Walker said the Planning Board is considering this walkway
providing access through open land . There are some areas some
people would like to see stay open . The Planning Board felt this
was a good way to provide open space and recreation land .
Councilwoman Valentino asked how long is the walkway , who is going
to build and maintain it ?
Mr . Kanter said the developer has agreed to surface the walkway to
the Town ' s request as a six foot gravel walk . The maintenance with
the possiblity it may be permanent could be addressed in the final
subdivision approval .
Councilman Niklas said if you have a gravel walkway , snow and ice
will not be easily removed from that surface . Even though these
are temporary , do they meet the standards the Town would normally
ask of a walkway given the chance this temporary status should
change to permanent . Who will maintain this ?
Mr . Walker said there are several levels of walkways in the Town .
The South Hill Recreationway is not maintained in the winter . This
walkway would probably not be maintained in the winter , it may be
used for cross country skiing .
Councilwoman Valentino asked if it would be a walkway that connects
to an area people would want to use on a regular basis to get to
and from another recreation area ? Would this be deeded to the
Town ?
Mr . Walker said it is only for recreational purposes , it would
probably not be open in the winter . It is a temporary easement
which is permanent until something else is done with the land .
Councilman Niklas asked if the Town would post this walkway during
he winter ?
Mr . Walker said the normal walkway signs would be erected saying
there is no hunting , etcetera .
Motion made by Councilman Niklas , seconded by Councilman Conley
accepting the locations of the proposed aforementioned ( see
attached ) temporary easements subject to compliance by the
subdivider with all conditions and requirements that have been or
TB Minutes 7 / 11 / 94
Page 31 .
may be imposed by the Planning Board as part of further project
completion .
Attorney Barney asked if the Town Board wished to have any
conditions regarding maintenance in the resolution ?
Councilman Niklas said he would like to see a smooth surface on the
walkway because it would much easier to maintain .
Councilwoman Grigorov did not agree since many Town walkways are
not a smooth surface .
Mr . Walker said the walkway will go through the woods with a nature
walk area and the road will be paved between the houses .
Motion , carried unanimously .
Motion made by Councilman Niklas , seconded by Councilwoman
Valentino that the Town Board accepts the locations of the proposed
aforementioned ( see attached ) road right of way and utilities ,
subject to compliance by the subdivider with all conditions and
requirements that have been or may be imposed by the Planning Board
as part of further project consideration . Carried unanimously .
Agenda Item No . 22 - Interviewing Committee , ZBA Member -
Motion made by Supervisor Whitcomb , seconded by Councilwoman
Valentino instructing the Chair of the Zoning Board of Appeals to
select two members to serve with Councilman Klein and Councilman
Conley as the Interviewing Committee to select a new Zoning Board
of Appeals member . Councilman Conley shall serve as the Chair .
The interviews shall be held as soon as feasible in order that the
appointment be made in a reasonably short period of time . Carried
unanimously .
Agenda Item No . 23 - Town Hall Architectural Services -
Mr . Walker had nothing to report as the agreement will not be ready
until the meeting on July 26th ,
Mrs . Keifer said Beverly Livesay has a vision that the downtown
post office facilities should remain the same aesthetically , and
that it would allow ample space for a several story municipal
government building that the Town , County , and City could share .
It was not clear as to what the Town is considering and whether
that would be feasible .
Supervisor Whitcomb said what the Town is considering does not fit
in with that " vision " . The Town Board is authorizing a space needs '
study to determine what is necessary for a new Town Hall that could
be applied to any existing buildings available for sale or lease .
TB Minutes 7 / 11 / 94
Page 32 .
Agenda Item No . 24 - Fall Newsletter :
The Board approved the listing of suggestions for the newsletter ,
and requested the format of the tax bill be carefully explained .
The newsletter will be sent out mid September of early October
before the brush and leaf pick up .
The Town Clerk mentioned there may have to be two newsletters this
fall since there are so many items .
Agenda Item No . 25 - Road Surfacing Agreement :
Mr . Noteboom said the agreement is the same as outlined earlier in
the year .
Motion made by Councilman Niklas , Councilwoman Valentino approving
the Road Surfacing Agreement for the Expenditure of Highway Monies
for 1994 , ( see attached ) . The Town Clerk is hereby authorized to
file an original copy of the agreement in the Town Clerk ' s Office
and the County Highway Superintendent ' s office after lawful
execution of the agreement by the Town Board , Highway
Superintendent , and the County Highway Superintendent . Carried
unanimously .
Agenda Item No . Additional # 1 - Protection Sites of Exceptional
Environmental & Ecologic Value & Importance •
Mr . Kanter stated this issue should be referred to the Planning
Board as it will take a great deal of time in researching . There
was a map done on the unique natural areas which followed the lines
the County had done .
The Town needs to look at the boundaries and make sure they are
accurate . The criteria for critical areas should be looked at very
carefully comparing the designations . It may turn out some of the
unique areas were done for entirely different reasons and would not
qualify . There were also some areas proposed which were never
completed by the County . It will be a valuable and useful took as
long as it is prepared with care .
Supervisor Whitcomb said he would like to refer this back to staff ,
there seems to be a great deal of resolutions from the Conservation
Board which have not had the benefit of staff and Planning Board
input . This did not appear on the Priority Workplan for 1994
adopted in January . There are a number of items on that list which
have not been done yet .
Councilwoman Grigorov said all Board ' s and Committee ' s should be
conscience of overloading staff .
TB Minutes 7 / 11 / 94
Page 33 .
Councilwoman Harrison asked how this would relate to the
Environmental Atlas ?
Mr . Kanter said the Unique Natural Area Mapping is one of the
elements of the Environmental Atlas . The digitized map fits in
with the boundaries and would be looked at to sharpen up the
Environmental Atlas . It does go beyond in other areas .
Dooley Keifer said there is no way any Town should consider the
boundaries done in the Unique Natural Areas Inventory as accurate .
It is assumed the County staff has informed the Town regarding of
that .
Motion made by Councilwoman Grigorov , seconded by Supervisor
Whitcomb that the Town Board refers the proposed designation of
Critical Environmental Areas within the Town of Ithaca to the Town
Planner and the Planning Department for examination and inclusion
on the 1995 Town of Ithaca Workplan . Carried unanimously .
Agenda Item No . Additional # 2 - Resignation Chair Conservation
Board :
Motion made by Councilman Niklas , seconded by Councilwoman Harrison
that the Town Board accepts with regret the resignation of Candace
Cornell as Chair of the Conservation Board . The Town Clerk is
authorized to send a letter to Ms . Cornell expressing the Town
Board ' s gratitude for her dedicated service to the Town of Ithaca
while Chair of the Conservation Board . Carried unanimously .
Agenda Item No . Additional # 3 - Appointment Chair Conservation
Board :
Motion made by Councilman Niklas , seconded by Councilwoman Harrison
that based upon the unanimous recommendation of the Conservation
Board the Town Board appoints Janet Hawkes as the Conservation
Board Chair . Appointment shall be effective immediately through
December 31 , 1994 . Town Clerk is authorized to forward a certified
copy of this resolution to each member of the Conservation Board .
Carried unanimously .
Agenda Item No . 26 - EXECUTIVE SESSION •
Motion made by Councilman Niklas , seconded by Councilman Conley to
move into executive session to discuss possible litigation ,
personnel issues , and property acquisition . Carried unanimously .
The Board moved into executive session at 8 : 45 p . m .
Motion made by Councilman Niklas , seconded by Councilwoman
Valentino to move back into regular session . Carried unanimously .
TB Minutes 7 / 11 / 94
Page 34 .
The Board resumed regular session at 8 : 55 p . m .
As a result of the Executive Session , a motion was made by
Councilman Niklas , seconded by Councilwoman Valentino regarding a
personnel matter . ( Confidential file shall be kept in Town Hall
Archival Records Storage Center by Town Clerk ) . Motion carried
unanimously .
Agenda Item No . 27 - Adjournment :
As there was no further business to come before the Board , a motion
was made by Councilman Niklas to adjourn . Seconded by Councilwoman
Valentino . Carried unanimously .
The Supervisor adjourned the meeting at 8 : 58 .
Respectfully submitted ,
9"." 1'�+ zV,:LL 10 �
Joan Lent Noteboom , Town Clerk
* * * Special Town Board Meeting - July 26 , 1994 , 7 : 00 p . m .
* * * Regular Town Board Meeting - August 8 , 1994 , 5 : 30 p . m .
FINAL
Town Board Meeting 7 / 11 / 94
Agenda Item No . 9
SEQR - Local Law Elder Cottages
Resolution No , 137
BE IT RESOLVED , that the Town of Ithaca Town Board hereby
makes a negative determination of environmental significance in
accordance with the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act
for the proposed , " LOCAL LAW TO AMEND THE ZONING ORDINANCE TO
PERMIT PLACEMENT OF ELDER COTTAGES IN RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS " , and
therefore , neither a Full Environmental Assessment Form , nor an
Environmental Impact Statement will be required .
MOVED : Councilman Niklas
Carried Unanimously
SECONDED : Councilwoman Grigorov
DATED : July 11 , 1994
Joan Lent Noteboom , Town Clerk
F1
"It Town Board Meeting 7 / 11 / 94
Agenda Item No , 10
Enactment - Local Law Elder Cottages
Resolution No . 138
WHEREAS , the properly advertised Public Hearing has been held
for the purpose of considering the enactment of a , " LOCAL LAW TO
AMEND THE ZONING ORDINANCE TO PERMIT PLACEMENT OF ELDER COTTAGES IN
RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS " ; now therefore be it
RESOLVED , that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca does
hereby approve of and enact the said Local Law ; and be it further
RESOLVED , that the Town Clerk is hereby authorized and
directed to file and publish said Local Law as required by law .
MOVED : Councilman Niklas Roll Call Vote
Supervisor Whitcomb Aye
SECONDED : Councilwoman Valentino Councilwoman Valentino Aye
Councilman Niklas Aye
DATED : July 11 , 1994 Councilwoman Grigorov Aye
Councilwoman Harrison Aye
Councilman Conley Aye
Joan Lent Noteboom , Town Clerk
i
H
FINAL
Town Board Meeting 7 / 11 / 94
Agenda Item No . 11
Resolution No . 139
ORDER FOR PUBLIC HEARING
IN THE MATTER OF THE PROVIDING OF A PROPOSED WATER IMPROVEMENT AND
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A PROPOSED WATER IMPROVEMENT AREA TO BE KNOWN
AS THE TOWN OF ITHACA WATER SYSTEM BENEFITTED AREA - 1994 -
TROY ROAD IN THE TOWN OF ITHACA , TOMPKINS COUNTY , NEW YORK PURSUANT
TO ARTICLE 12 - C OF THE TOWN LAW .
At a Regular Meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca ,
Tompkins County , New York , held at 126 East Seneca Street , in
Ithaca , New York , in said Town , on the 11th day of July , 1994 , at
5 : 30 o ' clock P . M . Standard Time .
PRESENT : Supervisor John Whitcomb
Councilperson Catherine Valentino
Councilperson Karl Niklas
Councilperson Ellen Harrison
Councilperson Grigorov
Councilperson Edward Conley
ABSENT : Councilperson David Klein
WHEREAS , a plan , report and map has been duly prepared in such
manner and in such detail as heretofore has been determined by the
Town Board of the Town of Ithaca , Tompkins County , New York ,
relating to the creation and construction , pursuant to Article 12 - C
of the Town Law of water system improvements to be known and
identified as the Town of Ithaca Water Improvement - 1994 - Troy
Road , and hereinafter also referred to as " improvement " , to provide
such water improvement including extensions , to the present Town
water improvement , such water system improvement to be constructed
and owned by the Town of Ithaca , and
WHEREAS , said plan , report and map have been prepared by
Daniel Walker , P . E . , the Town Engineer , a competent engineer duly
licensed by the State of New York and have been filed in the office
of the Town Clerk where they are available for public inspection ,
and
WHEREAS , the area of said Town determined to be benefitted by
said Town of Ithaca Water system Improvement - 1994 shall be known
as the Town of Ithaca Water System Benefitted Area - 1994 - Troy
Road and consists of the entire area of said Town excepting
therefrom the area contained within the Village of Cayuga Heights ,
and
s
F ' AL
IN
troyrd.ph, wpSlith, July 13, 1994 1:07pm
Res , No , 139
Order for Public Hearing - Troy Road
Page 2 .
WHEREAS , the proposed Town of Ithaca Water System Improvement
1994 - Troy Road consists of the water improvements set forth
below , and in the areas of the Town as set forth below , and as more
particularly shown and described in said map , plan and report
presently on file in the Office of the Town Clerk :
Construction and installation of new 8 " water main to provide
water service for a portion of the properties in the Ridgecrest
Road - Troy Road Area running from Ridgecrest Road across property
owned by John and Amy Little to Troy Road and running approximately
1500 feet along Troy Road , together with related facilities , and
WHEREAS , the maximum proposed to be expended by the Town of
Ithaca for the aforesaid improvement is $ 163 , 375 . 00 . The proposed
method of financing to be employed by said Town of Ithaca consists
of expenditure of current revenues and surplus funds from the Town
of Ithaca Water System Benefitted Area - Troy Road derived from
revenues assessed against the properties which are deemed
benefitted by said improvement ; and
WHEREAS , it is now desired to call a public hearing for the
purpose of considering said plan , report and map and the
establishment of said Town of Ithaca Water System Benefitted Area -
1994 - Troy Road , and the providing of said Town of Ithaca Water
System Improvement - 1994 - Troy Road therein , and to hear all
persons interested in the subject thereof , all in accordance with
the provisions of Section 209 - q of the Town Law ;
NOW , THEREFORE , IT IS HEREBY ORDERED , by the Town Board of the
Town of Ithaca , Tompkins County , New York , as follows :
Section 1 . A public hearing will be held at 126 East Seneca
Street , in said Town , on the _26th day of July , 1994 , at 7 : 00
o ' clock P . M . , to consider the aforesaid plan , report and map and
the question of creating said Town of Ithaca Water System
Benefitted Area - 1994 - Troy Road and the providing of said Town
of Ithaca Water System Improvement - 1994 - Troy Road therein and
to hear all persons interested in the subject thereof and
concerning the same and to take such action thereon as is required
by law .
32
FINAL
troyrd.ph, wpSlith, July 13, 1994 1 :08pm
Res . No , 139
Order for Public Hearing - Troy Road
Page 3 .
Section 2 . The Town Clerk of the Town of Ithaca , Tompkins
County , New York , is hereby authorized and directed to cause a copy
of this order to be published once in The Ithaca Journal , and also
to post a copy thereof on the Town signboard maintained by the
Clerk , not less than ten nor more than twenty days before the day
designated for the hearing as aforesaid , all in accordance with the
provisions of Section 209 - q of the Town Law .
Section 3 . This order shall take effect immediately .
The question of the adoption of the foregoing order was by
motion of Ms . Valentino , seconded by Mr . Niklas , duly put to a vote
on a roll call , which resulted as follows :
Supervisor Whitcomb Voting Aye
Councilperson Valentino Voting Aye
Councilperson Harrison Voting Aye
Councilperson Niklas Voting Aye
Councilperson Conley Voting Aye
Councilperson Grigorov Voting Aye
The order was thereupon declared duly adopted .
DATE : July 11 , 1994
Joan Lent Noteboom , Town Clerk
33
F si
AL
Town Board Meeting 7 / 11 / 94
Agenda Item No , 12
Resolution No , 140
ORDER FOR PUBLIC HEARING
IN THE MATTER OF THE PROVIDING OF A PROPOSED WATER IMPROVEMENT AND
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A PROPOSED WATER IMPROVEMENT AREA TO BE KNOWN
AS THE TOWN OF ITHACA WATER SYSTEM BENEFITTED AREA - 1994 ,
CODDINGTON ROAD IN THE TOWN OF ITHACA , TOMPKINS COUNTY , NEW YORK
PURSUANT TO ARTICLE 12 - C OF THE TOWN LAW .
At a Regular Meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca ,
Tompkins County , New York , held at 126 East Seneca Street , in
Ithaca , New York , in said Town , on the 11th day of July , 1994 , at
5 : 30 o ' clock P . M . Standard Time .
PRESENT : Supervisor John Whitcomb
Councilperson Catherine Valentino
Councilperson Karl Niklas
Councilperson Ellen Harrison
Councilperson Grigorov
Councilperson Edward Conley
ABSENT : Councilperson David Klein
WHEREAS , a plan , report and map has been duly prepared in such
manner and in such detail as heretofore has been determined by the
Town Board of the Town of Ithaca , Tompkins County , New York ,
relating to the creation and construction , pursuant to Article 12 - C
of the Town Law of water system improvements to be known and
identified as the Town of Ithaca Water Improvement - 1994 -
Coddington Road , and hereinafter also referred to as " improvement " ,
to provide such water improvement including extensions , to the
present Town water improvement , such water system improvement to be
constructed and owned by the Town of Ithaca , and
WHEREAS , said plan , report and map have been prepared by
Daniel Walker , P . E . , the Town Engineer , a competent engineer duly
licensed by the State of New York and have been filed in the office
of the Town Clerk where they are available for public inspection ,
and
WHEREAS , the area of said Town determined to be benefitted by
said Town of Ithaca Water system Improvement - 1994 - Coddington
Road shall be known as the Town of Ithaca Water System Benefitted
Area - 1994 and consists of the entire area of said Town excepting
therefrom the area contained within the Village of Cayuga Heights ,
and
L
Fli �
Order.ph, wp5lirh, July 13, 1994 1 :04pm
Res , No . 140
Order of Public Hearing - Coddington Road
Page 2 .
WHEREAS , the proposed Town of Ithaca Water System Improvement
1994 - Coddington Road consists of the water improvements set
forth below , and in the areas of the Town as set forth below , and
as more particularly shown and described in said map , plan and
report presently on file in the Office of the Town Clerk :
Construction and installation of new 8 " water main extensions
on Coddington Road , the water main itself to be installed on the
northeast side of Coddington Road running from the present terminus
of the water line on Coddington Road to the Coddington Road
Community Center .
WHEREAS , the maximum proposed to be expended by the Town of
Ithaca for the aforesaid improvement is $ 123 , 750 . 00 . The proposed
method of financing to be employed by said Town of Ithaca consists
of expenditure of current revenues and surplus funds from the Town
of Ithaca Water System Benefitted Area derived from revenues
assessed against the properties which are deemed benefitted by said
improvement ; and
WHEREAS , it is now desired to call a public hearing for the
purpose of considering said plan , report and map and the
establishment of said Town of Ithaca Water System Benefitted Area -
1994 - Coddington Road , and the providing of said Town of Ithaca
Water System Improvement - 1994 therein , and to hear all persons
interested in the subject thereof , all in accordance with the
provisions of Section 209 - q of the Town Law ;
NOW , THEREFORE , IT IS HEREBY ORDERED , by the Town Board of the
Town of Ithaca , Tompkins County , New York , as follows :
Section 1 . A public hearing will be held at 126 East Seneca
Street , in said Town , on the _26th day of July , 1994 , 7 : 15 o ' clock
P . M . , to consider the aforesaid plan , report and map and the
question of creating said Town of Ithaca Water System Benefitted
Area - 1994 - Coddington Road and the providing of said Town of
Ithaca Water System Improvement - 1994 - Coddington Road therein
and to hear all persons interested in the subject thereof and
concerning the same and to take such action thereon as is required
by law .
29
1 Nj A L
Order-ph, xP5lith, July 13, 1994 1 :05p,n
Res , No . 140
Order for Public Hearing - Coddington Road
Page 3 .
Section 2 . The Town Clerk of the Town of Ithaca , Tompkins
County , New York , is hereby authorized and directed to cause a copy
of this order to be published once in The Ithaca Journal , and also
to post a copy thereof on the Town signboard maintained by the
Clerk , not less than ten nor more than twenty days before the day
designated for the hearing as aforesaid , all in accordance with the
provisions of Section 209 - q of the Town Law ,
Section 3 . This order shall take effect immediately .
The question of the adoption of the foregoing order was upon
motion of Mr . Niklas , seconded by Mr . Conley , duly put to a vote on
a roll call , which resulted as follows :
Supervisor Whitcomb Voting Aye
Councilperson Valentino Voting Aye
Councilperson Harrison Voting Aye
Councilperson Niklas Voting Aye
Councilperson Conley Voting Aye
Councilperson Grigorov Voting Aye
The order was thereupon declared duly adopted .
DATE : July 11 , 1994
Joan Lent Noteboom , Town Clerk
30
F 'I
AL
Town Board Meeting 7 / 11 / 94
Agenda Item No . 14
SEQR , Westhaven Road Sewer Extension
Resolution No . 141
WHEREAS , the Town of Ithaca has received a request for the
extension of public sewer to the north end of Westhaven Road ; and
WHEREAS , the extension of sewer is an unlisted action for
which the Town of Ithaca Town Board is legislatively determined to
act as Lead Agency in environmental review with respect to sewer
extensions ; and
WHEREAS , the Town Board authorized the Town Engineer to
prepare a preliminary design , cost estimate and Engineers Report
for the extension of sewer to the north end of Westhaven Road and
the portion of Mecklenburg Road from Westhaven Road to the City
line ; and
WHEREAS , the Town Engineer has prepared the preliminary design
and Engineering Report and has prepared a SEAF for the proposed
project with a recommendation of a negative determination of
environmental significance ; now therefore be it
RESOLVED , that the Town of Ithaca Town Board hereby makes a
Negative Determination of Environmental Significance in accordance
with the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act for the
above referenced action as proposed and , therefore , neither a Long
Environmental Assessment Form , nor an Environmental Impact
Statement will be required .
MOVED : Councilwoman Harrison
SECONDED : Councilman Niklas Carried Unanimously
DATED : July 11 , 1994
Joan Lent Noteboom , Town Clerk
FINAL
Town Board Meeting 7 / 11 / 94
Agenda Item No , 14a
Resolution No . 142
At a regular meeting of the
Town Board of the Town of
Ithaca , Tompkins County , held
at the Town Hall , 126 East
Seneca Street , in the City of
Ithaca , New York , on the 11th
day of July , 1994 , at 5 : 30
o ' clock p . m . prevailing time .
PRESENT :
John Whitcomb , Supervisor
Catherine Valentino , Councilperson
Karl J . Niklas , Councilperson
Edward Conley , Councilperson
Carolyn J . Grigorov , Councilperson
Ellen Z . Harrison , Councilperson
ABSENT :
David L . Klein , Councilperson
In the Matter of
the Proposed Sewer Improvement in the Town of Ithaca ,
PUBLIC INTEREST
Tompkins County , New York , pursuant to Article 12 - C of
ORDER
the Town Law to be known as the Town of Ithaca Sewer
System Benefitted Area - 1994 .
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
WHEREAS , a plan , report and map has been duly prepared in such
manner and in such detail as heretofore has been determined by the
Town Board of the Town of Ithaca , Tompkins County , New York ,
relating to the creation and construction , pursuant to Article 12 - C
of the Town Law of sewer system improvements to be known and
identified as the Town of Ithaca Sewer Improvement - 1994 , and
hereinafter also referred to as " improvement " , to provide such
sewer improvement including extensions , to the present Town sewer
improvement , such sewer system improvement to be constructed and
owned by the Town of Ithaca , and
i
� F
Westhcnpe.pio, wp5lith, July 13, 1994 1 : 15pm
Res . No . 142
Public Interest Order - Westhaven Road
Page 2 .
WHEREAS , said plan , report and map have been prepared by
Daniel Walker , P . E . , the Town Engineer , a competent engineer duly
licensed by the State of New York and have been filed in the office
of the Town Clerk where they are available for public inspection ,
and
WHEREAS , the area of said Town determined to be benefitted by
said Town of Ithaca Sewer System Improvement - 1994 shall be known
as the Town of Ithaca Sewer System Benefitted Area - 1994 and
consists of the entire area of said Town excepting therefrom the
area contained within the Village of Cayuga Heights , and
WHEREAS , the proposed Town of Ithaca Sewer System Improvement
1994 consists of the sewer improvements set forth below , and in
the areas of the Town as set forth below , and as more particularly
shown and described in said map , plan and report presently on file
in the Office of the Town Clerk :
Construction and installation of new 8 " sewer main to provide
sewer service for a portion of the properties on West Haven Road
and Mecklenburg Road running from the approximate intersection of
the stream crossing West Haven Road and West Haven Road to
Mecklenburg Road and southerly along Mecklenburg Road to connect to
the sewer line currently located in Mecklenburg Road .
WHEREAS , the maximum proposed to be expended by the Town of
Ithaca for the aforesaid improvement is $ 215 , 000 . 00 ; and
WHEREAS , said $ 215 , 000 . 00 maximum estimated cost shall be
authorized to be financed by the issuance by the Town of Ithaca of
serial bonds with a maximum maturity not in excess of 20 years ; and
WHEREAS , said maximum estimated cost is not greater than
1 / 10th of 1 % of the full valuation of taxable real property in the
area of the Town of Ithaca outside of any villages ; and
WHEREAS , it is proposed that the cost of the aforesaid
improvement shall be borne by the real property in said Town of
Ithaca Sewer System Benefitted Area - 1994 by assessing , levying
35
FINAL
Westhave.pio, svp5lith, July 13, 1994 1 : 15pm
Res . No . 142
Public Interest Order
Page 3 .
upon and collecting from the several lots and parcels of land
within said Benefitted Area , outside of any village , which the Town
Board shall determine and specify to be especially benefitted by
the improvement , an amount sufficient to pay the principal and
interest on said serial bonds and bond anticipation notes issued in
anticipation of the issuance of serial bonds , as the same become
due and payable ; and
WHEREAS , the aforesaid improvement has been determined to be
an Unlisted Action pursuant to the regulations of the New York
State Department of Environmental Conservation promulgated pursuant
to the State Environmental Quality Review Act and the laws and
regulations of the Town of Ithaca , the implementation of which as
proposed , the Town Board has determined will not result in any
significant environmental effects ; and
WHEREAS , the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca duly adopted an
order on June 13 , 1994 calling a public hearing upon said plan ,
report and map including an estimate of cost and the question of
providing sewer improvements to be known as the Town of Ithaca
Sewer Improvement - 1994 , such public hearing to be held on the
11th day of July , 1994 , at 7 : 30 o ' clock p . m . , Prevailing Time , at
the Town Hall , 126 East Seneca Street , in the City of Ithaca , New
York , at which time and place all persons interested in the subject
thereof could be heard concerning the same ; and
WHEREAS , notice of said public hearing was duly posted and
published as required by law ; and
WHEREAS , said public hearing was duly held at the place and at
the time aforesaid and all persons interested in the subject
thereof were heard concerning the same ; and
WHEREAS , it is now desired to authorize the improvement to be
known as the Town of Ithaca Sewer Improvement - 1994 ;
NOW , THEREFORE , BE IT
RESOLVED , by the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca , Tompkins
County , New York , as follows :
36
Westhcrve.pio, wp5lith, July 13, 1994 1 : 16pm
Res . No . 142
Public Interest Order - Westhaven Road
Page 4 .
Section 1 . It is hereby determined that it is in the public
interest to establish said Town of Ithaca Sewer System
Benefitted Area - 1994 and to make the sewer improvement
hereinafter described and such sewer improvement is hereby
authorized . The proposed area hereby determined to be
benefitted by said Town of Ithaca Sewer Improvement - 1994 is
all of the Town of Ithaca outside of the Village of Cayuga
Heights .
Section 2 . The proposed improvement shall consist of
construction and installation of a new 8 " sewer main to
provide sewer service for a portion of the properties on West
Haven Road and Mecklenburg Road running from the approximate
intersection of the stream crossing West Haven Road and West
Haven Road to Mecklenburg Road and southerly along Mecklenburg
Road to connect to the sewer line currently located in
Mecklenburg Road , at an initially determined maximum estimated
cost to said benefitted area of $ 215 , 000 . 00 . The method of
financing of said cost shall be by the issuance of serial
bonds of said Town of Ithaca to mature in annual installments
over a period not exceeding 20 years , and by the issuance of
bond anticipation notes issued in anticipation of the issuance
of serial bonds . The bonds and bond anticipation notes shall
be payable from assessments levied upon and collected from the
several lots and parcels of land deemed benefitted from said
improvement and located in said Town of Ithaca Sewer System
Benefitted Area - 1994 , so much upon and from each as shall be
in just proportion to the amount of the benefit which the
improvement shall confer upon the same .
Section 3 . It is hereby determined that the estimated expense
of the aforesaid improvement does not exceed 1 / 10th of 1 % of
the full valuation of the taxable real property in the area of
said Town outside of Villages and , therefore , in accordance
with the provisions of subdivision 13 of Section 209 - q of the
Town Law , the permission of the State Comptroller is not
required for such improvement .
37
Westhave.pio, µp5lith, July 13, 1994 1 : 16pm
Res . No . 142
Public Interest Order - Westhaven Road
Page 5 .
Section 4 . Pursuant to subdivision 6 ( d ) of Section 209 - q of
the Town Law , the Town Clerk is hereby directed and ordered to
cause a certified copy of this resolution to be duly recorded
within 10 days of the date of adoption in the Office of the
Clerk of the County of Tompkins , which when so recorded , shall
be presumptive evidence of the regularity of the proceedings
and action taken by the Town Board in relation to the
aforesaid improvement .
Section 5 . It is hereby further determined that all of the
cost of the aforesaid improvement shall be borne wholly by
property within the Town of Ithaca Sewer System Benefitted
Area - 1994 , being the entire area of the Town outside of the
Village of Cayuga Heights .
Section 6 . This order is adopted subject to permissive
referendum .
The question of adoption of the foregoing resolution was , upon
motion made by Carolyn Grigorov , and seconded by Karl Niklas , duly
put to a vote on a roll call , which resulted as follows :
Supervisor Whitcomb Voting Aye
Councilperson Valentino Voting Aye
Councilperson Niklas Voting Aye
Councilperson Conley Voting Aye
Councilperson Grigorov Voting Aye
Councilperson Harrison Voting Aye
The resolution was thereupon declared duly adopted .
38
Westhave.pio, wp5lith, July 13, 1994 1 : 17pm
Res , No . 142
Public Interest Order - Westhaven Road
Page 6 .
The undersigned , Town Clerk of the Town of Ithaca , does hereby
certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of a public
interest order duly adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca
on July 11 , 1994 .
Joan Lent Noteboom , Town Clerk
39
r
Town Board Meeting 7 / 11 / 94
Agenda Item No . 16
Solid Waste Fee - Addition 1995 Tax Bill
Resolution No . 143
WHEREAS , there is substantial interest on the County Board of
Representatives in collecting the Annual Solid Waste Fee beginning
in January 1995 on the tax bill sent by the Town of Ithaca ; and
WHEREAS , a meeting attended by the Town Supervisor and
Receiver of Taxes with the County raised many concerns and
questions regarding the legalities and administrative
responsibilities related to the addition of the solid waste fee on
the tax bill ; and
WHEREAS , the Town Board has discussed and reviewed the
questions and concerns brought forth ; and
WHEREAS , the Receiver of Taxes has recommended the Town Board
not approve the addition of the solid waste fee to the January 1995
tax bill because there are presently too many unknown variables and
questions ; now therefore be it
RESOLVED , the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca strongly urges
Tompkins County to defer having Town Tax Collectors / Receivers bill
or collect the Solid Waste Fee beginning in January 1995 ; and be it
further
RESOLVED , the Town Board and the Receiver of Taxes would
consider billing and / or collecting the Solid Waste Fee in January
1996 as long as the legal questions , administrative concerns ,
compensation to the Town for collection of a County fee , and
overall costs to the taxpayers are considered , negotiated , and
agreed upon ; and be it further
RESOLVED , a certified copy of this resolution shall be
forwarded to the Tompkins County Board of Representatives .
MOVED : Councilwoman Harrison
SECONDED : Councilwoman Grigorov
Councilman Conley , Aye ; Councilwoman Harrison , Aye ; Councilwoman
Grigorov , Aye ; Councilman Niklas , Nay ; Councilwoman Valentino , Aye ;
Supervisor Whitcomb , Aye . Motion carried .
DATED : July 11 , 1994
Joan Lent Noteboom , Town Clerk
Town Board Meeting 7 / 11 / 94
Agenda Item No . 17 a - j
Consent Agenda Items
Resolution No , 144
BE IT RESOLVED , that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca
hereby approves and / or adopts the Consent Agenda Items resolutions
as presented to the Town Board on July 11 , 1994 ,
MOVED : Councilman Niklas
Carried Unanimously
SECONDED : Councilwoman Harrison
DATED : July 11 , 1994
arc , 1
Joan Lent Noteboom , Town Clerk
Town Board Meeting 7 / 11 / 94
Agenda Item No . 17a
Town Board Meeting Minutes 6 / 13 / 94
Resolution No . 144a
WHEREAS , the Town Clerk has presented the Town Board Meeting
Minutes for the regular meeting held June 13 , 1994 to the Town
Board for their review and approval ; and
WHEREAS , the Town Board has reviewed said minutes as written ;
now therefore be it
RESOLVED , that the Town Board does hereby approve and adopt
the said minutes as the official minutes of the Town Board for the
meeting held June 13 , 1994 .
MOVED : Councilman Niklas
Carried Unanimously
SECONDED : Councilwoman Harrison
DATED : July 11 , 1994
Joan Lent Noteboom , Town Clerk
• • ` � Q.. L`.•C. fS�
Town Board Meeting 7 / 11 / 94
Consent Agenda Item No . 17b
Town of Ithaca Warrants
Resolution No . 144b
WHEREAS , the warrant with the following numbered listing of
vouchers has been presented to the Town Board for approval of
payment ; and
WHEREAS , said warrant has been audited for payment by the Town
Board ; now therefore be it
RESOLVED , that the Town Board does hereby authorize the
payment of said vouchers as numbered and listed on the warrant .
General Townwide Vouchers : No . 257 - 362
$ 27 , 801 . 66
General Outside Village Vouchers : No . 174 - 195 13 , 646 . 98
Highway Vouchers : No . 185 - 211 19 , 450 . 93
Water Vouchers : No . 129 - 166 , 905 . 91
Sewer Vouchers : No . 152 - 163 60 , 638 . 43
Lighting District Vouchers : No . 16 - 18 11062 . 89
Capital Projects Vouchers : No . 16 - 19 11211 . 26
Fire Protection Vouchers : No . 3 652 , 557 . 00
MOVED : Councilman Niklas
J Carried Unanimously
SECONDED : Councilwoman Harrison
DATED : July 11 , 1994
Joan Lent Noteboom , Town Clerk
i
fir, f ¢ ' 1 .
Town Board Meeting 7 / 11 / 94
Consent Agenda Item No . 17c
Bolton Point Warrants
Resolution No . 144c
WHEREAS , the warrant with the following numbered listing of
vouchers for Bolton Point has been presented to the Town Board for
approval of payment ; and
WHEREAS , said warrant has been audited for payment by the Town
Board ; now therefore be it
RESOLVED , that the Town Board does hereby authorize the
payment of said vouchers as numbered and listed on the warrant .
Operating Fund Vouchers : No . 415 to 480 $ 114 , 974 . 71
Capital Fund Vouchers : No . 481 31230 . 77
MOVED : Councilman Niklas
Carried Unanimously
SECONDED : Councilwoman Harrison
DATED : July 11 , 1994
0,"" j"+ Z&jt&' ,
Joan Lent Noteboom , Town Clerk
Town Board Meeting 07 / 11 / 94
Agenda Item No , 17d
Budget Amendment - Sewer Capital Improvement
Resolution No . 144d - 1
WHEREAS , an unexpected invoice for work done on Kline Road
sewer for $ 69 , 338 . 54 was paid at the May meeting and ,
WHEREAS , there will now no longer be enough in the budget to
accommodate the 1994 capital improvement project , therefore be it
RESOLVED , that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca does
hereby approve and authorize a budget amendment to increase G599
Appropriated Fund Balance and increase G8120 . 483 Capital
Improvements by $ 70 , 000 . 00 .
MOVED : Councilman Niklas
SECONDED : Councilwoman Harrison Carried Unanimously
DATED : July 11 , 1994
Gen � J L+ tra,
Joan Lent Noteboom , Town Clerk
a
s
1 . 1t
1
f' g ' A
Town Board Meeting 07 / 11 / 94
Agenda Item No , 17d
Budget Amendment - Honorarium
Resolution No . 144d - 2
WHEREAS , there is money residing in Trust & Agency Fund
donated to the Shirley Raffensperger Honorarium for the purchase of
playground equipment ; and
WHEREAS , the equipment has now been purchased and these funds
must be transferred to General Parttown Fund to cover payment ;
therefore be it
RESOLVED , that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca does
hereby approve and authorize a budget amendment to increase account
B2705 Gifts and Donations and increase B7140 . 410 Honorarium by
$ 1 , 308 . 49 to accommodate the purchase of playground equipment .
MOVED : Councilman Niklas
Carried Unanimously
SECONDED : Councilwoman Harrison
DATED : July 11 , 1994
Joan Lent Noteboom , Town Clerk
Ft `
Town Board Meeting 7 / 11 / 94
Agenda Item No , 17e
Authorization for Town Justices to Attend Mandatory
Advanced Training Seminar
Resolution No . 144e
WHEREAS , the annual Town Justice ' s training seminar is
scheduled for July 24 , 25 , 26 , and 27 , at St . Lawrence University
in Canton , New York ; and
WHEREAS , this advanced training seminar is mandated by the
State to be attended by all Town Justices within the State ; now
therefore be it
RESOLVED , that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca hereby
authorizes Merton J . Wallenbeck and Clarence Larkin , Town Justices
for the Town of Ithaca , Co attend the mandatory training seminar at
St . Lawrence University , in Canton , New York at a cost not to
exceed $ 750 . 00 , from account #A1110 . 403 .
MOVED : Councilman Niklas
Carried Unanimously
SECONDED : Councilwoman Harrison
DATED : July 11 , 1994
Qa� L47 dTLJOLrr ,.�
Joan Lent Noteboom , Town Clerk
A.
Town Board Meeting 7 / 11 / 94
Agenda Item No . 17f
Fall Brush and Leaf Pick Up
Resolution No . 144f
WHEREAS , the Highway and Parks Department provide yard refuse
disposal services for Town of Ithaca residents ; and
WHEREAS , twice annually the Highway and Parks Department will
collect brush and leaves from the roadsides ; now therefore be it
RESOLVED , that October 17 , 1994 through October 28 , 1994 , will
be the dates when the Highway and Parks Department will pick up
brush ; and November 7 , 1194 through November 18 , 1994 , will be the
dates the Highway and Parks Department will pick up leaves .
MOVED : Councilman Niklas
Carried Unanimously
SECONDED : Councilwoman Harrison
DATED : July 11 , 1994
Joan Lent Noteboom , Town Clerk
Town Board Meeting 7 / 11 / 94
Consent Agenda Item No , 17g
Ratification of SARA Grant
Resolution No . 144g
WHEREAS , the Town of Ithaca has been awarded a Local
Government Records Management Improvement Fund ( LGRMIF ) Grant in
the amount of $ 5 , 371 for an Archival Program project ; and
WHEREAS , the Supervisor has accepted this LGRMIF Grant as
required ; now therefore be it
RESOLVED , the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca does hereby
ratify the acceptance of the LGRMIF Grant awarded to the Town of
Ithaca for an Archival Program project .
MOVED : Councilman Niklas
Carried Unanimously
SECONDED : Councilwoman Harrison
DATED : July 11 , 1994
Joan Lent Noteboom , Town Clerk
A l •7 1
TOWN BOARD MEETING 7 / 11 / 94
AGENDA ITEM NO . 17h
APPOINTMENT OF PATRICIA KELLER AS
ASS ' T , ZONING OFFICER / BUILDING INSPECTOR
Resolution No . 144h
WHEREAS , the Selection Committee reviewed the resumes and
interviewed six candidates for this position , and
WHEREAS , the Committee feels Patricia Keller possesses the
necessary qualifications and skills to successfully perform the
duties of this position , now therefore be it
RESOLVED , the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca does hereby
approve the appointment of Patricia Keller as Assistant Zoning
Officer / Building Inspector at an annual salary of $ 24 , 000 . , charged
to account B8010 . 100 . A six month probationary period applies ,
after which a performance and salary review will be performed . Full
benefits apply .
MOVED : Councilman Niklas
Carried Unanimously
SECONDED : Councilwoman Harrison
DATED : July 11 , 1994
Joan Lent Noteboom , Town Clerk
i
d
9
. Ls
TOWN BOARD MEETING 7 / 11 / 94
AGENDA ITEM NO . 17i
APPOINTMENT OF GEORGE EBERHARDT AS FULL - TIME
ACCOUNT CLERK / TYPIST
Resolution No . 144i
WHEREAS , the promotion of Jacqueline White has left a vacancy
in the accounting support , financial control , and payroll
processing areas , and
WHEREAS , the Accounting Department continues to expand its
work load and services beyond present personnel capabilities ,
requiring the services of a full - time account clerk / typist , and
WHEREAS , George Eberhardt has been successfully performing the
duties of this position in a temporary , part - time capacity since
April 18 , and possesses the necessary skills and qualifications of
this position , now therefore be it
RESOLVED , The Town Board of the Town of Ithaca approves the
appointment of George Eberhardt as Full - time Account Clerk / Typist
at an hourly wage of $ 7 . 00 per hour , charged to accounts A1340 . 100
and A1430 . 100 , split 75 / 25 % respectively . This appointment is
subject to a six month probationary period after which a
performance and salary review will be performed . Full benefits
apply .
MOVED : Councilman Niklas
Carried Unanimously
SECONDED : Councilwoman Harrison
DATED : July 11 , 1994
r�
Joan Lent Noteboom , Town Clerk
TOWN BOARD MEETING 7 / 11 / 94
AGENDA ITEM NO . 17j
APPOINTMENT OF JOHN WILLIAMS AS HIGHWAY MECHANIC
Resolution No . 144j
WHEREAS , the Selection Committee reviewed the resumes and
interviewed five candidates for this position , and
WHEREAS , the Committee feels John Williams possesses the
necessary qualifications and skills to successfully perform the
duties of this position , now therefore be it
RESOLVED , the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca does hereby
appoint John Williams as Highway Mechanic , at an hourly salary of
$ 11 . 00 per hour , charged to account DB5130 . 100 . A six month
probationary period applies , after which a performance and salary
review will be performed . Full benefits apply .
MOVED : Councilman Niklas
Carried Unanimously
SECONDED : Councilwoman Harrison
DATED : July 11 , 1994
Q., L± itt"t, ,
Joan Lent Noteboom , Town Clerk
i -A "
TOWN BOARD MEETING 7 / 11 / 94
AGENDA ITEM NO , 18
APPROVAL TO CHANGE FROM AN ANNUAL SALARY POOL TO
ANNUAL COST OF LIVING AND LONGEVITY AWARDS BEGINNING IN 1995
Resolution No , 145
WHEREAS , the Personnel Committee has reviewed the current
salary pool process and its many inequities and misconceptions and
has determined that a cost of living increase of 3 . 5 % , applied
equally to all employees in 1995 , is an improved method that is in
line with local and national municipal trends , and
WHEREAS , in an effort to recognize the value of longevity , the
Committee recommends setting a longevity award schedule for lump
sum payment , a sum that will not be incorporated into individual
salary bases in an effort to keep salaries and overtime from
escalating , now therefore be it
RESOLVED , the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca does hereby
approve a cost of living increase of 3 . 5 % for all employees for
1995 , and be it further
RESOLVED , the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca does hereby
approve the attached longevity award schedule and explanation , for
implementation in 1995 .
MOVED : Supervisor Whitcomb
Carried Unanimously
SECONDED : Councilman Conley
DATED : July 11 , 1994
'
Joan Lent Noteboom , Town Clerk
i
fp t ti
d i• l: � C sh•
LONGEVITY AWARD SCHEDULE
Completed
Years of Service Award Amount
5 - 9 Years $ 250 . 00
10 - 14 Years $ 500 . 00
15 - 19 Years $ 750 . 00
20 Years and Up $ 11000 . 00
Longevity Awards will be made once annually as a lump sum payment
through the payroll process , subject to regular employment taxes
and NYS Retirement contribution requirements . Date of payment will
be determined annually by the Personnel Committee , upon
recommendation of the Budget Officer .
Longevity Awards will not become a part of any individual ' s salary
base and will remain separate from the annual salary review
process .
I.• C
Town Board Meeting 7 / 11 / 94
Agenda Item No . 20
Acceptance Location Temporary Walkway Easement and Temporary
Cul - de - sac Easement Sanctuary Woods Subdivision
Resolution No . 146
WHEREAS , the Town of Ithaca Planning Board , on June 7 , 1994 ,
granted Preliminary Subdivision Approval for Town of Ithaca Tax
Parcel No . 73 - 1 - 8 - . 2 , 24 . 6 + / - acres total , into two ( 2 ) parcels ,
1 . 22 + / - acres and 23 . 38 + / - acres , respectively , for the purpose of
completing the proposed Sanctuary Woods Subdivision ; and
WHEREAS , the Town Planning Board , on June 7 , 1994 , granted
Preliminary Subdivision Approval for Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No ,
73 - 1 - 7 . 21 5 . 33 + / - acres , into 14 parcels , for the Sanctuary Woods
Subdivision , located on the west side of Sapsucker Woods Road ,
Residence District R - 15 ; and
WHEREAS , the subdivider has offered to dedicate to the Town a
temporary walkway easement , as shown on the proposed Final
Subdivision Plat dated June 29 , 1994 ; and
WHEREAS , the subdivider has offered to dedicate to the Town a
temporary cul - de - sac easement , as shown on the proposed Final
Subdivision Plat dated June 29 , 1994 ; and
WHEREAS , a condition of preliminary subdivision approval is
that the temporary easements referred to above shall remain in
effect- until such time as there is a future subdivision to Tax
Parcel No . 73 - 1 - 8 . 2 and an alternative park and recreation
dedication is made acceptable to the Town of Ithaca Planning Board
and Town Board ; and
WHEREAS , Article IV , Section 21 of the Town Subdivision
Regulations requires that no dedication proposed by the subdivider
for an easement of a highway or other public use shall be shown on
a ( final ) plat unless accepted by the Town Board ; and
WHEREAS , the Town Board , on July 11 , 1994 , has reviewed the
location of the proposed temporary easements referred to above ; now
therefore be it
RESOLVED , that the Town of Ithaca Town Board hereby accepts
the locations of the proposed aforementioned temporary easements ,
subject to compliance by the subdivider with all conditions and
requirements that have been or may be imposed by the Planning Board
as part of further project completion .
MOVED : Councilman Niklas Carried Unanimously
SECONDED : Councilman Conley (]. L+ & Z&,"
DATED : July 11 , 1994 J n Lent Noteboom , Town Clerk
Town Board Meeting 7 / 11 / 94
Agenda Item No , 20
Acceptance of Location of Roads and Utilities
Sanctuary Woods Subdivision
Resolution No . 147
WHEREAS , the Town of Ithaca Planning Board , on June 7 , 1994 ,
granted Preliminary Subdivision Approval for Town of Ithaca Tax
Parcel No . 73 - 1 - 8 . 2 , 24 . 6 + / - acres total , into two ( 2 ) parcels ,
1 . 22 + / - acres and 23 . 38 + / - acres , respectively , for the purpose of
completing the proposed Sanctuary Woods Subdivision ; and
WHEREAS , the Town Planning Board , on June 7 , 1994 , granted
Preliminary Subdivision Approval for Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No .
73 - 1 - 7 , 21 5 . 33 + / - acres , into 14 parcels , for the Sanctuary Woods
Subdivision , located on the west side of Sapsucker Woods Road ,
Residence District R - 15 ; and
WHEREAS , a condition of preliminary subdivision approval is
that the road right of way , shown as Lot # 14 on the proposed Final
Subdivision Plat dated June 29 , 1994 be dedicated to the Town of
Ithaca ; and
WHEREAS , the proposed Final Subdivision Plat dated June 29 ,
1994 , shows a proposed water main within the proposed road right of
way , as well as crossing a portion of Lot # 1 ; and
WHEREAS , the proposed Final Subdivision Plat dated June 29 ,
1994 , shows a proposed sewer main within the proposed road right of
way , as well as crossing a portion of Lot # 7 ; and
WHEREAS , Article IV , Section 21 of the Town Subdivision
Regulations requires that no dedication proposed by the subdivider
for an easement of a highway or other public use shall be shown on
a ( final ) plat unless accepted by the Town Board ; and
WHEREAS , the Town Board , on July 11 , 1994 , has reviewed the
location of the proposed road right of way and above referenced
utilities ; now therefore be it
RESOLVED , that the Town of Ithaca Town Board hereby accepts
the locations of the proposed aforementioned road right of way and
utilities , subject to compliance by the subdivider with all
conditions and requirements that have been or may be imposed by the
Planning Board as part of further project consideration .
MOVED : Councilman Niklas Carried Unanimously
SECONDED : Councilwoman Valentino ,�
DATED : July 11 , 1994 Jo In Lent Noteboom , Town Clerk
1
� [ c1c Gig
Town Board Meeting 7 / 11 / 94
Agenda Item No , 21
Development Referral - Storm Water Management / Erosion Control Plan
Resolution No . 148
WHEREAS , the Town Board has reviewed the Conservation Board
resolution recommending development of a Comprehensive Stormwater
Management and Erosion Control Plan with supporting ordinances ; and
WHEREAS , the Town Board believes there is a need within the
Town of Ithaca for this type of plan ; now therefore be it
RESOLVED , the Town Board hereby authorizes and directs the
Town Engineer to study the NYS Department of Environmental
Conservation ' s model ordinance for stormwater management to
determine how it may relate to the Comprehensive Plan and the
goals , objectives , and Departments in the Town of Ithaca ; and be it
further
RESOLVED , the Town Engineer shall also use the DEC model
ordinance to analysis how it might be adapted or customized to meet
the needs of the Town in direct relationship to the findings ; and
be it further
RESOLVED , the Town Engineer shall report and make a
recommendation to the Town Board at their regular monthly meeting
in October 1994 .
MOVED : Councilman Conley
Carried Unanimously
SECONDED : Councilman Niklas
DATED : July 11 , 1994
Joan Lent Noteboom , Town Clerk
Town Board Meeting 7 / 11 / 94
Agenda Item No . 22
Interviewing Committee - ZBA Member
Resolution No . 149
WHEREAS , there exists a vacancy on the Town of Ithaca Zoning
Board of Appeals as a result of the resignation of Robert J . Hines ;
and
WHEREAS , the Town Board wishes to fill this vacancy as soon as
possible due to the important nature of the functions of the Zoning
Board of Appeals ; now therefore be it
RESOLVED , the Town Board hereby instructs the Chair of the
Zoning Board of Appeals to select two members to serve with the
Town Board representatives of Councilman David Klein , and
Councilman Edward Conley as the Interviewing Committee to select a
new Zoning Board of Appeals member ; and be it further
RESOLVED , that Councilman Edward Conley shall serve as the
Chair of the Interviewing Committee ; and be it further
RESOLVED , the interviews shall be held as soon as feasible in
order that the appointment may be made in a reasonably short period
of time .
MOVED : Supervisor Whitcomb
SECONDED : Councilwoman Valentino Carried Unanimously
DATED : July 11 , 1994
Joan
+-21=Z
Noteboom , Town Clerk
a
1
X74
y •a .n. L ISLE
Town Board Meeting 7 / 11 / 94
Agenda Item No , 25
Road Surfacing Agreement
Resolution No . 150
WHEREAS , the Highway Superintendent has presented the Road
Surfacing Agreement for the Expenditure of Highway Monies to the
Town Board for their review and approval ; and
WHEREAS , the Town Board has reviewed the said agreement and
approves the listed expenditures for the roads listed ; now
therefore be it
RESOLVED , the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca hereby approves
the Road Surfacing Agreement for the Expenditure of Highway Monies
for 1994 ; and be it further
RESOLVED , the Town Clerk is hereby authorized and directed to
file an original copy of the agreement in the Town Clerk ' s office
and the County Highway Superintendent ' s office after lawful
execution of the agreement by the Town Board , Highway
Superintendent , and the County Highway Superintendent .
MOVED : Councilman Niklas
Carried Unanimously
SECONDED : Councilwoman Valentino
DATED : July 11 , 1994
Joan Lent Noteboom , Town Clerk
TOWN BOARD MEETING 7 / 11 / 94
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Resolution No . 151
WHEREAS , the Personnel Committee has reviewed Town Policy
regarding the limit of vacation accrual to 1 - 1 / 2 times the annual
allowance , and
WHEREAS , the Committee feels a shortage of personnel and the
process of bringing an updated Accounting Program on line have
caused Sally Alario to accrue 44 days of vacation , an excess of 14
days that will be lost , per Vacation Policy requirements , and
WHEREAS , since it is not expected that Ms . Alario will be able
to schedule these 14 days off , the Committee feels a cash payment
should be made as fair compensation , now therefore be it
RESOLVED , the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca does hereby
approve awarding Sally Alario a one time cash payment of
$ 1 , 800 . 00 , charged to account A1340 . 100 .
MOVED : Councilman Niklas
Carried Unanimously
SECONDED : Councilwoman Valentino
DATED : July 11 , 1994
Joan Lent Noteboom , Town Clerk
Town Board Meeting 7 / 11 / 94
Agenda Item Additional No . 1
Referral - Protection of Sites of Exceptional
Environmental & Ecologic Value & Importance
Resolution No . 152
WHEREAS , the Town of Ithaca Conservation Board has presented
two resolutions adopted by them to the Town Board recommending the
designation of Unique Natural Areas that have been identified by
the Tompkins County Environmental Management Council as Critical
Environmental Areas , pursuant to the State Environmental Quality
Review Act ; and
WHEREAS , the Town Board and the Town Planner have reviewed and
discussed the said resolutions and the recommendation of the
Conservation Board regarding Unique Natural Areas ; now therefore be
it
RESOLVED , the Town Board hereby refers the proposed
designation of Critical Environmental Areas within the Town of
Ithaca to the Town Planner and the Planning Department for
examination and inclusion on the 1995 Town of Ithaca Workplan .
MOVED : Councilwoman Grigorov
Carried Unanimously
SECONDED : Supervisor Whitcomb
DATED : July 11 , 1994
Joan Lent Noteboom , Town Clerk
1 l i J L. 6 a Ltr
Town Board Meeting 7 / 11 / 94
Agenda Item Additional # 2
Acceptance of Resignation - Chair , Conservation Board
Resolution No . 153
WHEREAS , Candace Cornell has submitted her resignation as
Chair of the Town of Ithaca Conservation Board ; and
WHEREAS , the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca is appreciative
of the dedicated service to the Town by Ms . Cornell during her
tenure as Chair of the Conservation Board ; now therefore be it
RESOLVED , that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca hereby
accepts with regret , the resignation of Candace Cornell as Chair of
the Conservation Board ; and be it further
RESOLVED , that the Town Clerk is hereby authorized and
directed to send a letter to Ms . Cornell expressing the Town
Board ' s gratitude for her dedicated service to the Town of Ithaca
while Chair of the Conservation Board .
MOVED : Councilman Niklas
Carried Unanimously
SECONDED : Councilwoman Harrison
DATED : July 11 , 1994
Joan Lent Noteboom , Town Clerk
Town Board Meeting 7 / 11 / 94
Agenda Item Additional # 3
4P Appointment , Chair Conservation Board
Resolution No . 154
WHEREAS , Candace Cornell has resigned as Chair of the
Conservation Board as of July 7 , 1994 ; and
WHEREAS , the Conservation Board voted unanimously after
receiving Ms . Cornell ' s resignation to elect Janet Hawkes as the
new Conservation Board Chair to serve until her term expires
December 31 , 1994 ; now therefore be it
RESOLVED , based upon the unanimous recommendation of the
Conservation Board , the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca hereby
appoints Janet Hawkes as the Conservation Board Chair ; and be it
further
RESOLVED , said appointment shall be effective immediately upon
adoption of this resolution through December 31 , 1994 ; and be it
further
RESOLVED , the Town Clerk is hereby authorized and directed to
forward a certified copy of this resolution to each member of the
Conservation Board ,
MOVED : Councilman Niklas
Carried Unanimously
SECONDED : Councilwoman Harrison
DATED : July 11 , 1994
a�y �,.:.� r
Joan Lent Noteboom , Town Clerk