HomeMy WebLinkAboutTB Minutes 2005-10-17 REGULAR MEETING OF THE ITHACA TOWN BOARD
MONDAY, OCTOBER 17 , 2005 AT 5 : 30 P. M .
215 NORTH TIOGA STREET, ITHACA, NEW YORK
1 . Call to Order
2 . Pledge of Allegiance
3 . Report of Tompkins County Legislature — Frank Proto
4 . Report of City of Ithaca Common Council
5 . Report of Fire Commissioners
6 . 6 : 00 p . m . - Persons to be Heard and Board Comments
7 . 6 : 30 p . m . — Public Hearing regarding a Local Law Amending the Code
of the Town of Ithaca to grant the Town Board discretion to reduce
fees and extend the duration for temporary certificates of occupancy
8 . SEQR - regarding a Local Law Amending the Code of the Town of
Ithaca to grant the Town Board discretion to reduce fees and extend
the duration for temporary certificates of occupancy
9 . Consider Adoption of Local Law Amending the Code of the Town of
Ithaca to grant the Town Board discretion to reduce fees and extend
the duration for temporary certificates of occupancy
10 . 6 : 45 P . M . - Discussion of Hanshaw Road Walkway
11 . Consider Setting Public Hearing Regarding Adoption of Cayuga Lake
Waterfront Plan
12 . Report from Building and Zoning Department Committee and
Consideration of Study Committee ' s Recommendations
13 . Consider Approval of Temporary Wage Adjustment — Assistant
Director of Building and Zoning
14 . Consider Approval of Names for 2 Town Parks
15 . Consider Approval of Extension of Snow and Ice Removal Contract
16 . Consider Approval of Changes to the Recreation Partnership By-laws
17 . Consent Agenda
a . Town of Ithaca Minutes
b . Bolton Point Abstract
c. Appointment of Town Hall Laborers
d . Appointment of School Crossing Guard
e . Appointment of Project Assistant
1 . Report of Town Committees
a . Agricultural Committee
b . Agricultural Land Preservation Advisory Committee
c. Capital Projects and Fiscal Planning Committee
d . Cayuga Lake Watershed Intermunicipal Organization
e . City / Town Trail Committee
f. Codes and Ordinances Committee
g . Joint Youth Commission
h . Lake Source Data Sharing Committee
i . Pegasys Oversight Committee
j . Personnel Committee
k . Public Works Committee
I . Recreation and Human Services Committee
m . Recreation Partnership
n . Records Management Advisory Board
o . Safety Committee
p . Sewer Joint Committee
q . Southern Cayuga Lake Intermunicipal Water Commission
r. Supervisor' s Advisory Committee
s . Transportation Committee
2 . Report of Town Officials
a . Town Clerk
b . Highway Superintendent
c . Director of Engineering
d . Director of Planning
e . Director of Building and Zoning
f. Budget Officer
g . Manager of Human Resources
h . Network/Records Specialist
i . Recreation and Youth Coordinator
j . Attorney for the Town
3 . Review of Correspondence
a . 9/8/05 Letter from NYSDEC re SPDES Permit # NYR2
b . 9/6/05 letter from America Society of Landscape Architects re Inlet
Valley Project
c . 9/ 12/05 Liquor License Application Notification from Tower Cluib
d . 9/21 /05 email from Representative Hinchey' s Office re IRS Tax
Forms
e . 9/27/05 Letter from Village of Lansing re Codification of Local Laws
f. 10/8/05 Letter from G . Franz re Tutelo Park
4 . Consider Adjournment
Regular Meeting of the Ithaca Town Board
Monday, October 17 , 2005 at 5 : 30 p . m .
ADDITIONAL AGENDA ITEMS
1 . Consider Authorization to Sign Letter of Agreement with Stearns &
Wheler
2 . Consider Reaffirming Referral of Longview ( Ithacare) Zoning
Modification Request to the Planning Board for Recommendation
3 . Consider Authorization to move foreword with a public meeting
regarding shared services with the City of Ithaca
4 , Consider Setting Special Town Board Meeting
October 17, 2005 Regular Town Board Meeting
Approved November 14, 2005
REGULAR MEETING OF THE ITHACA TOWN BOARD
MONDAY, OCTOBER 17 , 2005
215 NORTH TIOGA STREET, ITHACA, NEW YORK 14850
THOSE PRESENT : Supervisor Valentino ; Councilwoman Grigorov; Councilman Lesser;
Councilman Burbank ; Councilwoman Gittelman ; Councilman Engman ; Councilman Stein ,
STAFF PRESENT : Tee-Ann Hunter, Town Clerk; Dan Walker, Town Engineer; Fred
Noteboom , Highway Superintendent ; Jonathan Kanter, Director of Planning ; Al Carvill ,
Budget Officer; Judy Drake , Human Resources Manager; John Barney, Attorney for the
Town .
OTHERS PRESENT : Frank Proto , Tompkins County Legislature ; Carol Turton , 1027
Hanshaw Road ; Louise Richards , 1023 Hanshaw Road ; David Klein , Town Justice ; Mark
Macera , Longview; Dian Feldman , 1404 Hanshaw Road ; Erica Jessup , 1442 Hanshaw Road ;
Zetta Sprole , 1031 Hanshaw Rd ; Sylvia Wahl , 1426 Hanshaw Road , Chris and Celeste Ptak ,
1018 Hanshaw Road , Deborah Cowan , 1022 Hanshaw Road , Benigno Barrero , 1315- 1317
Hanshaw Road , John and Gilda Yaley , 1021 Hanshaw Road
CALL TO ORDER : The meeting was called to order at 5 : 30 p . m . and Supervisor Valentino
led the assemblage in the Pledge of Allegiance .
Agenda Item No . 4 - Report of Fire Commissioner ( Attachment # 8 - Memo from
Chief Wilbur to Mayor Peterson )
Mr. Romanowski appeared before the Board on behalf of the Fire Commission . He read a
memo to the Board from Fire Chief Wilbur comparing the Mayor' s Budget with the budget
submitted by the Fire Department .
Since 4 or 5 new people were discouraged because training opportunities were not available ,
Councilwoman Gittelman wondered how many new people were not discouraged and stayed .
Mr. Romanowski responded that they have approximately 8 to 10 volunteers who are doing
standby work , fighting fires and generally assisting the fire department . They are fully
trained , equipped and ready to go The Fire Department would like to see that double or more
than double . It will help to take some of the pressure off the Fire Department on using a lot
of people for overtime . A properly trained volunteer can do just as good a job . Most of the
departments in the County are volunteer departments . Bill Gilligan , the other Town of Ithaca
Fire Commissioner, is a volunteer who does active fire fighting and standby work .
The board thanked Mr. Romanowski for his report . Mr. Romanowski thanked the Town of
Ithaca for their participation and loyalty, and being a partner in the Fire Department.
Agenda Item No. 3 — Report of Tompkins County Legislature
Frank Proto appeared before the board on behalf of the County Legislature and reported the
following :
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October 17 , 2005 Regular Town Board Meeting
Approved November 14, 2005
Local Government Records Management Grant
The Town received an $ 8600 grant from the State Archives and Records Admin stration for
the 2005-2006 grant year. The County received a total of $ 160 , 000 in SARA grans .
Water Resources Council
Mr. Proto felt certain that Supervisor Valentino would be re-appointed as a Municipal
Representative to the Water Resources Council .
Monitoring along Fall Creek and Six Mile Creek
Mr. Proto verified that the Town had received a funding request Steve Penningroth , for the
Community Science Institute .
County Budget
The County Legislature voted to move the budget to the next level . The zero increase was
accepted . Not all budget requests were funded and it is a compromise budget . The budget
does include funding for one additional Deputy Sheriff for road patrol . The public hearing on
the budget will be November 9th and the Legislature is supposed to vote on it November 15th
the can , however, choose to vote on the budget the night of the public hearing .
Communications Project
The legislature will look at the DEIS for the � roject on October 18th and is supposed to move
it ahead . It will be available October 19t for public comment with a public information
meeting scheduled that day from 5 : 00 to 7 : 30 p . m . at the Women ' s Community Building .
Veterans' Cemetery Site
The County is adding their sponsorship to the proposed Veterans ' Cemetery Site at the old
Sampson Air Force base . There are 200 , 000 vets that live in the Fingerlakes region and
there is not a Veterans ' Cemetery in the area . They have written to Veterans' organizations
and Federal Representatives for added support . At some point in the future , Mr. Proto may
be asking the Town for support as well .
TCAT
The ridership for August is up over 20 % and for September it is up over 36 % . September of
2004 there were approximately 256 , 000 rides and in 2005 there were 348 , 000 . Cornell staff
represents 38 % and Cornell students account for 18 % of the numbers .
Public Safety
Discussion continues regarding the Alternatives to Incarceration programs . The committee
has received the 2002 report from Marilyn Ray and will be coming up with statistics to show
that the amount of money being put into it is truly generating the value they hope it is.
Mr. Proto hoped that the lines of communication between the Town and the County Highway
Department remain open and active . Supervisor Valentino thought that John Lamp nan had
been very accommodating .
. I
Supervisor Valentino brought up Hanshaw Road and Coddington Road reconstruction
projects . She asked if the County Legislature had received and intended to respond to the
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October 17, 2005 Regular Town Board Meeting
Approved November 14, 2005
resolutions passed by the Town Board regarding those projects . Mr. Proto responded that
the legislators receive a summary of all correspondence at every meeting . The resolutions
have been part of the correspondence summary. He remembered seeing the resolution and
asked if the Town wanted support from the County. Supervisor Valentino replied that the
resolution asked the County to support the Town 's request for smaller footprints for both
projects . She thought it would be good if the State knew that the County was supportive of
the narrower roads . Mr. Proto asked for a copy of the resolutions and stated he would bring it
up at the next meeting of the legislature .
Agenda Item No . 6 — Persons to be Heard and Board Comments (Attachment #1 letter
from D . Klein )
Justice David Klein appeared before the board to request funding for a security officer for the
court. Justice Klein read from a prepared statement .
Supervisor Valentino asked the amount of the budget request . Justice Klein stated he was
asking for $ 7500 for both courts . If the Board decided to fund the request , Supervisor
Valentino thought that they would be looking for a retired police officer or an active duty
officer who had time available . Mrs . Drake had information on what other Town Courts in the
County do . Some courts have their own police force so it is figured in their police budget .
Lansing pays $50 per night to their guard . Supervisor Valentino asked Mrs . Drake for written
information for the Town at the next meeting .
Councilman Lesser asked if consideration had been given to having a secure lockbox for fine
payments . Justice Klein responded that the Court Offices recently had a safe installed and it
is a big help .
Councilman Stein stated the last time this was discussed there was a lot of talk about
whether the panic button actually worked . He asked if it has been tested and Mrs . Drake
responded that it works .
Supervisor Valentino thanked Justice Klein for attending the meeting and stated that the
Board would have consideration of his request as a regular budget item next month so that
the Board could discuss it in detail .
Longview
Supervisor Valentino explained that an agenda item was inadvertently left off the agenda .
The Town Board was supposed to consider reaffirming referral of Longview, Ithacare Zoning
Modification request to the Planning Board for a recommendation . Supervisor Valentino
asked Mr. Macera if he had any comments . Mr. Macera did not .
Mr. Kanter reiterated that the Board adopted a resolution at their September 12th meeting at
which time Councilman Stein asked to be allowed to draft an additional , related resolution for
consideration . Councilman Stein reported that he had determined it was best not to do so
and had nothing additional for Board consideration . Mr. Kanter then asked the Board to
reaffirm their adoption of the original resolution so that the issue could be put before the
Planning Board .
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October 17, 2005 Regular Town Board Meeting
Approved November 14, 2005
TB RESOLUTION NO. 2005- 148: Reaffirminq the Decision of September 12 Regarding
Ithacare.
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca reaffirms their
September 12, 2005 resolution referring the request by Longview (Ithacare) for a zoning
modification of Planned Development Zone No. 7 to the Planning Board.
MOVED: Supervisor Valentino
SECONDED: Councilperson Lesser
VOTE: Supervisor Valentino, aye; Councilwoman Grigorov, aye; Councilman Lesser, aye;
Councilman Burbank, aye; Councilwoman Gittelman, aye; Councilman Stein, aye;
Councilman Engman, aye. Motion carried.
Hanshaw Road Walkway
Supervisor Valentino announced that the discussion for the Hanshaw Road Walkway would
occur at 6 : 45 p . m . and asked if there was anyone present that wanted to address the Board
on an issue other than Hanshaw Road . There was no one .
Board Comments
Supervisor Valentino asked if there were any board comments .
Councilman Stein invited Pat Leary and Jeff Cowie to the Municipal Officials meeting on
Tuesday , October 18 , 2005 , 7 : 00 p . m . at Icabod ' s .
Supervisor Valentino invited Ms . Leary and Mr. Cowie to view the budget PowerPoint
presentation with Mrs . Drake so that they can get a good feel for the Town Budget .
Additional Agenda Item No . 1 - Consider Authorization to Sign Letter of Agreement
with Stearns & Wheler
Supervisor Valentino gave the Board a quick overview of ongoing problems at the Ithaca
Waste Water Treatment Plant . The cost of the proposed work by Stearns and Wheler is
already in the 2005 SJC Budget and the Town of Dryden and the City of Ithaca ha l a signed
the agreement . The resolution authorizes the Supervisor to sign the Letter of Agreement with
Stearns & Wheler.
Councilman Lesser asked if this contract is obtained in the same competitive basis as other
contracts or is it because Stearns & Wheler have worked on other aspects of the sewer
project . Mr. Walker explained the contract has not been competitive because Stearns &
Wheler has been the engineer on record for multiple projects . Competitive bids are not
required for technical service contracts . Councilman Stein did not think competitive bidding
would make any sense because Stearns & Wheler were intimately involved with all the
issues . Councilman Lesser thought it made perfect sense and it was just a question of
process .
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October 17, 2005 Regular Town Board Meeting
Approved November 14, 2005
Councilman Lesser and Councilman Burbank were surprised at the cost of merely estimating
the depth of the problem .
Mr. Walker explained the first phase is the study and identified some of the problems to be
addressed . Councilman Stein added that at first he thought it was a lot of money for an
estimate , but after learning more , realized it was not like calling a contractor to say how much
it would cost to put a new roof on a house . It is not routine . The number of people who could
be hired to do the job is small and it needs to be somebody who knows about sewer
treatment plants and some of the problems seem to be unroutine and there are a lot of
factors . It is not exactly clear what needs to be done on a number of the issues .
Councilman Engman asked if Stearns & Wheler was involved in approving the original
design . Mr. Walker responded that there are certain elements that Stearns & Wheler feels
some responsibility for and that they need to make good on , but reminded the board that the
plant is 20 years old .
Councilman Engman wondered about the concrete problem and thought the engineers
should have known about it. Mr. Walker explained that the concrete problem surfaced over a
period of time and it was the standard way of doing things at the time of construction .
Councilman Stein stated he shared the concern regarding the concrete when he first heard of
the problem and told the Board a concrete expert from Cornell had looked at the problem .
1 He reported it sounded as if that expert thought what was being done was the right thing .
TB RESOLUTION NO. 2005: 149 - Consider Authorization to Sign Letter of Agreement
with Stearns & Wheler
WHEREAS, the Special Joint Sewer Committee (SJC) has requested that a detailed
cost analysis study be performed for the previously approved Wastewater Treatment Plant
projects that constitute the five-year Project Plan, and
WHEREAS, Stearns & Wheler, environmental consultants, have submitted a proposal
to prepare a cost analysis study report of said projects, including reports on digester floating
cover problems, administrative space, additives, UV disinfection, concrete plant repairs,
septage and leachate facility improvements, deck water proofing and skylight leak repairs,
and
WHEREAS, the cost to complete said study has been estimated at $ 72, 240, now,
therefore, be it,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves a cost analysis study report of said
projects, the scope of which is outlined in the proposal from Stearns & Wheler, environmental
consultants, for a cost not to exceed $ 72, 240, and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Town Supervisor is authorized to sign the letter of agreement
with Stearns & Wheler dated September 7, 2005, and be it further
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October 17 , 2005 Regular Town Board Meeting
Approved November 14, 2005
RESOLVED, that this approval is contingent upon approval of the letter ofd agreement
by the other owners of the Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Plant, and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Town 's share of such cost shall not exceed ,he Town 's
percentage ownership interest in the Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Plant.
MOVED: Supervisor Valentino
SECONDED: Councilman Stein
VOTE: Supervisor Valentino, aye, Councilwoman Grigorov, aye; Councilman Lesser, aye;
Councilman Burbank, absent; Councilwoman Gittelman, aye; Councilman Engman, aye;
Councilman Stein, aye. Motion Carried.
Additional Agenda Item No . 3 - Consider Authorization to move foreword with a public
meeting regarding shared services with the City of Ithaca
Supervisor Valentino reported that she and Mayor Carolyn Peterson have been meeting once
a month to discuss shared services and how to move forward on a comm nity wide
discussion of shared services . They would like to have a large public meeting facilitated by
CDRC sometime in December where interested parties could come to the give their thoughts
and ideas . The cost for CDRC would be $750 ; $ 375 for both the Town andl City . The
expense is not in the 2005 budget , but Mr. Carvill and Supervisor Valentino looked at the 1
budget and they were able to come up with the Town ' s share . She asked the Board to
authorize the expenditure of the money and to move forward on the project .
Councilman Engman wanted to know if more information about what the possi ilities are
would be provided to the public. Supervisor Valentino explained that CDRC is helping to put
the information that they have together in an orderly way . CDRC has experience with shared
services and how they work .
Councilwoman Gittelman asked if the board was going to get a heads up on the shared
services before the public meeting . She wondered how the discussions have gone and what
things have been discussed . Supervisor Valentino responded that they have had a couple of
meetings and she could certainly provide the board with the information that they have so far.
The main thing that they are working on is obtaining grant money because it is going to take
a consultant and money . The State is starting to provide funding for shared services or
annexation .
Agenda Item No . 7 - 6 : 30 p . m . — Public Hearing regarding a Local Law Ame ding the
Code of the Town of Ithaca to grant the Town Board discretion to reduce Ifees and
extend the duration for temporary certificates of occupancy
Supervisor Valentino opened the public hearing at 6 : 30 p . m . The Town Clerk had proof of
posting and publication .
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October 17, 2005 Regular Town Board Meeting
Approved November 14, 2005
Additional Agenda Item No. 3 Cont' d
Councilman Lesser asked that information be made available to the public as soon as
possible . He thought it was much more effective for someone who is interested to really
consider something carefully before the meeting . Supervisor Valentino agreed . She
explained that they had been invited to speak at a meeting with the Chamber of Commerce
and a meeting with the Rotary Club . She felt that CDRC really needed to help organize a
public meeting .
TB RESOLUTION NO. 2005- 150: Consideration of Shared Services Agreement
RESOLVED, that the Town Supervisor is authorized to spend $375 to work with the City of
Ithaca and CDRC to have a large public meeting with the purpose of getting public input on
shared services or annexation.
MOVED: Supervisor Valentino
SECONDED: Councilperson Lesser
VOTE: Supervisor Valentino, aye; Councilwoman Grigorov, aye; Councilman Lesser, aye;
Councilman Burbank, aye; Councilwoman Gittelman, aye; Councilman Engman, aye;
Councilman Stein, aye.
Agenda Item No . 7 - 6 : 30 p . m . — Public Hearing regarding a Local Law Amending the
Code of the Town of Ithaca to grant the Town Board discretion to reduce fees and
extend the duration for temporary certificates of occupancy
No one was present to address the Board and Supervisor Valentino closed the public
hearing . The local law was discussed and a draft copy distributed at the September Town
Board meeting
Agenda Item No . 8 - SEQR - regarding a Local Law Amending the Code of the Town of
Ithaca to grant the Town Board discretion to reduce fees and extend the duration for
temporary certificates of occupancy (Attachment #2 — SEQR
TB RESOLUTION NO. 2005- 151 : SEQR: Proposed Local Law Amendinq Chapters 125
and 153 of the Code of the Town of Ithaca to Grant the Town Board Discretion to
Reduce the Fees and Increase the Duration of Temporary Certificates of Occupancy in
Limited Circumstances
WHEREAS, this action is the enactment of a local law amending Chapters 125 and
153 of the Code of the Town of Ithaca to grant the Town Board discretion to reduce the fees
and increase the duration of temporary certificates of occupancy in limited circumstances;
and
WHEREAS, said proposed local law would give the Town Board the authority under
certain circumstances to extend a certificate of occupancy for a period greater than six
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October 17, 2005 Regular Town Board Meeting
Approved November 14, 2005
months (not to exceed three years) after holding a public hearing, and to reduce or waive the
fee charged for a temporary certificate of occupancy under certain circumstances; and
WHEREAS, this is an unlisted action for which the Town of Ithaca Town Board is
acting as Lead Agency in conducting an uncoordinated environmental review with respect to
the enactment of local laws; and
WHEREAS, the Town Board, at a public hearing held on October 17, 2005, has
reviewed and accepted as adequate the Short Environmental Assessment Form, Parts I and
11 for this action, prepared by Town Planning staff,-
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 and Chapter 148 of the Code of the Town of Ithaca, titled
"Environmental Quality Review"; for the above referenced action as proposed and therefore,
neither a Full Environmental Assessment Form, nor an Environmental Impact Statement will
be required.
MOVED: Councilman Lesser
SECONDED: Councilwoman Grigorov
VOTE: Supervisor Valentino, aye; Councilwoman Grigorov, aye; Councilman Lesser, aye;
Councilman Burbank, aye; Councilwoman Gittelman, aye; Councilman Stein, aye;
Councilman Engman, aye. Motion carried.
Agenda Item No . 9 - Consider Adoption of Local Law Amending the Code of the Town
of Ithaca to grant the Town Board discretion to reduce fees and extend the duration for
temporary certificates of occupancy (Attachment #3 — Local Law No . 9 of 2005 )
TB RESOLUTION NO. 2005 - 152: Resolution Adopting a Local Law Amending
Chapters 125 And 153 of The Code of The Town of Ithaca to Grant The Town Board
Discretion to Reduce The Fees And Increase The Duration of Temporary Certificates of
Occupancy in Limited Circumstances
WHEREAS, a resolution was duly adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca
for a public hearing to be held by said Town Board on October 17, 2005, at 6:30 p. m. to hear
all interested parties on a proposed local law entitled 'A LOCAL LAW A VIENDING
CHAPTERS 125 AND 153 OF THE CODE OF THE TOWN OF ITHACA TO GRANT THE
TOWN BOARD DISCRETION TO REDUCE THE FEES AND INCREASE THE DURATION
OF TEMPORARY CERTIFICATES OF OCCUPANCY IN LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES and
WHEREAS, notice of said public hearing was duly advertised in the Ithaca Journal;
and
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October 17, 2005 Regular Town Board Meeting
Approved November 14, 2005
WHEREAS, said public hearing was duly held on said date and time at the Town Hall
of the Town of Ithaca and all parties in attendance were permitted an opportunity to speak on
behalf of or in opposition to said proposed local law, or any part thereof and
WHEREAS, the adoption of this local law is, pursuant to Part 617 of the Implementing
Regulations pertaining to Article 8 of the New York State Environmental Conservation Law
(which law and regulations thereunder, including the Town 's local law, are collectively
referred to as "SEQR') an Unlisted Action, and it has been determined by the Town Board
that adoption of said proposed local law would not have a significant effect upon the
environment and could be processed without further regard to SEAR; and
WHEREAS, the Town Board finds it is in the best interests of the Town and its citizens
to adopt the local law;
NOW, THEREFORE, be it
RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca hereby adopts said local law
entitled 'A LOCAL LAW AMENDING CHAPTERS 125 AND 153 OF THE CODE OF
THE TOWN OF ITHACA TO GRANT THE TOWN BOARD DISCRETION TO
REDUCE THE FEES AND INCREASE THE DURATION OF TEMPORARY
CERTIFICATES OF OCCUPANCY IN LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES " a copy of which
is attached; and it is further
RESOLVED, that the Town Clerk be and she hereby is directed to (i) enter said local
law in the minutes of this meeting and in the Local Law Book of the Town of Ithaca,
and (ii) file a copy of said local law with the Secretary of State of the State of New York
as required by law.
MOVED: Councilwoman Grigorov
SECONDED: Councilwoman Gittelman
Vote: Supervisor Valentino, aye; Councilwoman Grigorov, aye; Councilman Lesser, aye;
Councilman Burbank, aye; Councilwoman Gittelman, aye; Councilman Stein, aye;
Councilman Engman, aye. Motion carried.
Agenda Item No . 11 - Consider Setting Public Hearing Regarding Adoption of Cayuga
Lake Waterfront Plan
TB RESOLUTION NO. 2005- 153 : Resolution Setting a Public Hearing to Consider
adoption of the Cavuga Lake Waterfront Plan
WHEREAS, Town of Ithaca representatives have been participating with the other
Cayuga Lake waterfront municipalities, including the City of Ithaca, Villages of Cayuga
Heights and Lansing, and Towns of Lansing and Ulysses, in the preparation of the Cayuga
Lake Waterfront Plan (the Plan), and
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October 17 , 2005 Regular Town Board Meeting
Approved November 14, 2005
WHEREAS, the Tompkins County Planning Department has been coordinating the
preparation of the Plan under a grant from the NYS Department of State pursuant to the
Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP), and if adopted by the participating
municipalities and accepted by NYS, the Plan would become the LWRP and would provide
the participating municipalities with more leverage in acquiring state and federal funds for
implementing waterfront projects, and
WHEREAS, the Cayuga Lake Waterfront Plan — Final Report (December, 2004) has
been completed and circulated to the participating municipalities, and
WHEREAS, the Plan contains 13 Waterfront Revitalization Policies (outlined in
Chapter Three of the Plan), which would provide guidance to the participating m nicipalities
for planning and development in the waterfront area, and these policies are consistent with
the goals and objectives in the Town of Ithaca Comprehensive Plan (September 1993), and
WHEREAS, adoption of the Plan would require that certain local, county, state and
federal actions proposed within the waterfront boundaries are consistent with the adopted
policies in the Plan, and would provide a process for consistency review based on those
policies, and
WHEREAS, on August 22, 2005, the Town of Lansing Planning Board, acti 1 g as Lead
Agency to coordinate the environmental review of the Plan on behalf of the participating
municipalities, pursuant to the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act, 16 NYCRR
Part 617, made a negative declaration of environmental significance in regard to the adoption
of the Plan, and
WHEREAS, the Town of Ithaca Town Board referred the Cayuga Lake iWaterfront
Plan to the Planning Board for a recommendation regarding adoption of the Plan, and
WHEREAS, the Town of Ithaca Planning Board reviewed and considered tlh a Plan at
their meeting on August 2, 2005, and recommended that the Town Board adopt the Cayuga
Lake Waterfront Plan pursuant to the NYS Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (in PB
Resolution No. 2005-073), now therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca hold a public hearing at the
Town Hall, 215 North Tioga Street, Ithaca, New York, on the 14th day of November 2005, at
7: 00 p. m. for the purpose of considering adoption of the Cayuga Lake Waterfront Plan; and it
is further
RESOLVED, that at such time and place all persons interested in the proposed Plan
may be heard concerning the same; and it is further
RESOLVED, that the Town Clerk of the Town of Ithaca is hereby authorized and
directed to publish a notice of such public hearing in the Ithaca Journal published in the City
of Ithaca, Ithaca, New York, and to post a copy of same on the signboard of the Town of
Ithaca, said publication and posting to occur not less than ten days before the day designated
above for the public hearing.
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October 17 , 2005 Regular Town Board Meeting
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MOVED: Councilwoman Gittelman
SECONDED: Councilman Engman
VOTE: Supervisor Valentino, aye; Councilwoman Grigorov, aye; Councilman Lesser, aye;
Councilman Burbank, aye; Councilwoman Gittelman, aye; Councilman Stein, aye;
Councilman Engman, aye. Motion carried.
Agenda Item No . 10 - 6 : 45 P . M . - Discussion of Hanshaw Road Walkway
Supervisor Valentino — I want to say before we start this about_ some rules of giving everyone
a chance to speak . First of all , when you raise your hand and ask to be recognized by the
chair, then you need to come forward and sit down in front of the microphone , give your
name and address , where you live , so that we know that . I ' m going to set for the first round
going through so that everyone gets a chance to speak a 3 minute limit on the discussion so
please try to be concise . I will ask the board members to please not to engage in
conversations with the public during this time . Listen and take notes and after we have heard
everyone speak , I will bring it back to the board because some of the questions that you want
to ask I think might be more appropriately answered by the staff to make sure that you get
accurate answers . Then if we want to ask for more information from some of the people that
participated , then lets do it in that sort of orderly fashion . I think it will be easier for us to keep
record of what was said and how it was said and we can proceed that way. So please make
sure that both the audience and the board get acknowledgement from me to speak before
you engage in trying to have a conversation so that we can make sure that we keep our
record straight and everybody gets an opportunity to say whatever they want to say . So with
that , I will ask who would like to speak on the issue of the Hanshaw Road .
Sylvia Wahl , 1426 Hanshaw Rd
I am Sylvia Wahl . I live at 1426 Hanshaw Road . I have lived there for 47 years . My house is
one of the oldest houses on Hanshaw Road . You will find it on the map from 1852 and other
maps that are following that.
I was here a month ago talking with you about our concerns about the plans . I am still
very much concerned about the trees and that is what I would like to comment on . Those of
you who were at the_ presentation will remember the pictures that they showed us and I would
like you to imagine that scene without the trees because I am afraid that maybe what it will
look like . We are going to have that would be the impact of the walkway and also the impact
of cutting down for the drainage that would be under the swales .
I spoke with John Lampmen today and asked who is designated for maintenance and
jurisdiction of the walkways . He said that there was nothing in the Federal specs about the
sidewalks , just that they accommodate all modes of transportation and that bikes and walkers
could be accommodated on the shoulders . We would urge that Hanshaw Road be treated
the same as Warren Road . We have a number of books and articles that we would like to
present to you for your reference so that you can read this on your own time about the use ,
about the fact that trees are very, very important as a pollution abatement. They are very
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important for filtering the air and for producing oxygen . They are very important with regard
to heating and cooling and will have an impact on people ' s gas bills or oil bills and we will
provide you with those . So we would ask that you consider the walkway on the, south side
through the New York State land and the Golf Course and we would support that . Thank you
very much .
Debra Cowan , 1022 Hanshaw Road
My name is Debra Cowan and I live at 1022 Hanshaw Road and you will all forgive me if I do
a lot of this through reading because it is the only way that I can keep track of may thoughts .
Thank you .
I have been asked to present a petition by a group of Hanshaw Road neigh ors , about
40-so of us have been throughout the fall to discuss the concerns about the impact of the
project on Hanshaw Road . This petition has been brought to every house on Hanshaw
Road . It was distributed before the September 29th public meeting and some of the
signatures were obtained after the meeting . At the time we brought the petition around , our
information was that the Town would require residents to maintain and repair any sidewalks
that might be constructed . I had confirmed this personally with John Lampmen , the County
Highway Department , and Rich Brower, who is the project engineer, just before we went out.
The wording of the petition is taken from your own Town of Ithaca resolutions passed
unanimously by the Board on June 13th and September 12th . In the June resolution , the
Town said , "that sidewalks or walkways be included when wanted by the majority of the
adjoining residents" . Pursuant to this resolution , we wrote the petition and went to each of
the houses on Hanshaw .
There are 78 people who signed this petition . The petition asks for a limit to the width
of the roadway to 10 feet and the shoulder to 4 feet and that the shoulders be paved and
designated a combined bike path and walkway , much like Warren Road ; that any I swales be
minimal in size ; that traffic calming measures be included in the plan ; that a multiuse
recreation way be considered ; that sidewalks not be constructed . Hanshaw Road has 83
houses in all and 78 people in 55 of those houses signed the petition . Thirty1two of 50
houses or 64 % on the north side where the sidewalk would be built signed the petition .
Twenty-three of 33 houses on the south side , 69 % , also signed the petition .
There is unanimous concern in the neighborhood about speeding traffic . There is the
feeling of many of us that the increase in visual perception , which would be created by the
roadway shoulders , swale and sidewalk and the destruction of trees and bushes which
provide a sense of enclosure will result in more speeding and a less safe environment . There
is also a concern that any proposed sidewalk , which will end at the Village of Cayuga Heights
line , will result in a sidewalk to nowhere and dump people at the most dangerous portion of
the roadway , which is the top of the hill that leads down into the Heights . It leads down and
curves around . We are afraid there would be an additional danger when people try to cross
the road to get to the other side .
Supervisor Valentino — Excuse me , your three minutes are up . Could you just summarize?
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Ms . Cowan — One more . We endorse the unanimously approved resolution of June 13th and
September 12th and respectfully request that you honor their provisions . We feel that the
project has the potential to alter the nature of our street for many years to come and we feel
strongly that those who actually live on the road and not those who use it to pass through
should have the greatest voice in decisions affecting our homes , our property and our
neighborhood . Thank you .
David Collum 1456 Hanshaw Road
David Collum , Cornell University , also 1456 Hanshaw Road . There are a lot of arguments
about sidewalks being made . I understand the idea of common good . The problem I have
with this particular plan is the people who stand to benefit from it , the people on Hanshaw
Road , are opposing it . They don 't want it . I think in recent months eminent domain has
gotten a black eye , big time . Ithaca is not unblemished in that category, in my opinion . I
think you guys should take special care to listen to the people who are supposed to get the
sidewalk . Now, the Warren Road model works fine by us . We have come forward and said
. that on a number of occasion and public forums . I drive on Warren Road ; I used to live on
Warren Road . I now live on Hanshaw. I think the sidewalk is somebody' s master plan .
think somebody saw the money that the Feds got it and they deserve kudos for doing so , but
it smacks of we are from the government , we are here to help . We don 't want the help . Just
because the money can be spent, doesn 't mean that it should be spent . We really want a
more modest proposal and we think that it satisfies our needs and we are the ones who walk
on that road . We are the ones who live there . I think you should really dig deep and ask
yourselves why you want. If you want to make the case about safety, dig out some safety
records . Show us bicyclists who have been mowed over by cars . Show us pedestrians who
have been hit , but we are the ones who are going to bit . For some reason the safety reason
is more prominent than we think , but we don 't think it is . That is all I have to say .
Bernie Hutchins , 1016 Hanshaw Road
Yes , I am Bernie Hutchins . I live at 1016 Hanshaw Road . That is just on the north side , just
across from the tennis courts there . One of the first houses affected by this proposed
sidewalk . Being limited in time here , I didn 't realize that we were only going to have 3
minutes here , but at the moment we have just the 10 feet and the 4-foot shoulder. There is
no ditch ; there is no swale ; there is no storm sewer; we don 't need it . The reason that we
don 't need it is because the whole area there is all gravel . It is all gravel because courtesy of
the glacier when the glacier was returning home going north , it left . . . from an overflow channel
there are all kinds of. . . from the pond up there behind . . . in the Cornell ' s Golf Course , both golf
courses , the cemetery and coming back around us it is all gravel . There is 10 or 12 feet or
more . I dug down 12 feet and I still find gravel . As a result , the water soaks in and goes
percolating down peacefully into Renwick Creek . We do not need any storm sewers . If you
build them , they will be dry or they will recollpase ground water or they might temporarily
collect some service water, but we don 't want to add to the surface water. Now since we
don 't need that , we don 't need the swale . If we don 't need the swale , then we don 't need the
extra 1 . 5 feet.
Since I may be running out of time here , I should mention that there is question in our
mind about how big the easement really is right now. When we asked the County, they say
well we don 't have the papers . They are unable to provide us with the papers that tell us
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what the easement is at the moment. So we don 't know that it is 25 . They say they assume
it is the County standard of 25 , but we don 't have any reason to know that to be tr l e .
What is their solution to this , since we don 't have it? In Jon Kanter' s memo here , we
find out what they did . They said they wanted the Town to put in a 5 % match here) and then it
says the County would control the right-of-way and the Town would need toy obtain an
easement for the sidewalks . So they are saying it is up to you people . They are unable to
provide the easements . We have to see it . We have to see some form of paper that says we
have this right . Whatever needs to be done . So for those reasons , there is all the problems if
they take this extra 1 . 5 feet what is going to happen . We are going to have this extra mess ,
the extra stuff taken down . The big weed whacker is going to be 1 . 5 wider. Most of, I think ,
in just enlarging the shoulder it would be much easier maintenance for the Town because all
they would have to so is stick the bind plow a little more and it would be more acceptable to
the neighbors . Further, it would be exactly what the town resolutions already say that they
wanted .
Diane Feldman , 1404 Hanshaw Rd
Diane Feldman , 1404 Hanshaw Road . My concern about the sidewalks is . . . there was
suggestions made about making a pathway around trees instead of knocking down all the
trees , which I thought was a really good suggestion . The other thing is , is there a plan to do
other sidewalks in the neighborhood other than just making a sidewalk from Sapsuckers
Woods to Village of Cayuga Heights sign because having a sidewalk that leads to nowhere is
kind of pointless . But if there was a 5 or 10 year plan that said let' s connect Muriel Street and
Salem and all those other streets where people actually do walk and kids actually do walk to
Northeast Elementary School and the DeWitt Middle School because there is a path back
there . People do ride their bicycles back there . Has there been any thought in a
Comprehensive Plan to sidewalk the whole area without knocking down trees? Put in a
pathway where you don 't have to knock down trees .
I don 't think , me personally or my family, is against a sidewalk . It is the way that the
sidewalk is going to built . We were shown three plans that evening , which two were
immediately knocked out and everyone sort of focused on that third plan at our last meeting
and I wonder if there is some place in between those three plans to come up with a fourth or
a fifth plan if you want to accomplish the same task , which is to have people safe on a bike
path and people safe walking and cars not speeding on that road . I think there are other
ways to do it . Though , when I did speak to the people from the subcontracting company ,
their first comment to me when I said why don 't you put the sewers underneath the bikeway ,
they said it would cost too much money. When I asked that if you didn 't have to knock down
the trees and knock down the utility poles and knock down more land , what would bye the cost
efforts be the two and they said , oh a lot . Well , to me , that is not really an answer. I think
that we should look at other options to see if we could accomplish the same go1al without
destroying the trees and without upsetting all the neighbors in the community. I don 't know
all the neighbors . I met many of them that evening and I did ask a few neighbors who live on
Muriel Street and Salem , they were all gung ho for knocking down 15 feet of property on
Hanshaw Road , but when I asked them how would you feel about knocking 15 feet of all of
your trees that block the noise on the street , that block out all different things , they weren 't so
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quick to say let' s put a sidewalk up on their street . Hanshaw Road doesn 't affect them
personally .
So , not that they shouldn 't be considered , but I think it should be weighted on the
people who are most affected by what it is going to do to their property and noise in their area
and the pollution in their area and so forth . Thank you .
Gary Turton , 1027 Hanshaw Road
My name is Gary Turton and my wife and I , Carol , live at 1027 Hanshaw Road and have lived
there for the last 23 years . Primarily the reason that we are here tonight is to cast our vote
against sidewalks consistent with many of the folks who have spoken and cast a vote for the
Warren Road model , which seems to work well . I talked to some of my friends over there
that live there and they are very happy with it. I have been a jogger myself for the last 23
years and have ran on Hanshaw and Warren and it' s been fine . From an economic and from
a practicality sense , it seems like the Warren Road model is very sufficient . Thank you of the
opportunity to speak to you .
Erica Jessup , 1442 Hanshaw Road
Ms . Jessup read from a prepared statement . Please See Attachment # 4
John Yale , 1021 Hanshaw Road
Thank you . My name is John Yale , I live at 1021 Hanshaw Road , it' s the south side of the
road , and I ' m here because even though our property would be less impacted than others
along Hanshaw road , I still believe there are some basic problems with the project that we
would like to address .
am against sidewalks primarily more for a reason that we' re already talking about a
project that could very well end up with the problem of creepage . When I say that, the extent
of the project — the first two options that were considered in there were well over the budget.
The last option was only $ 100 , 000 over. We ' re starting to push the envelope on that . The
footprint of the roadway itself is being expanded by the sidewalk . In other words , the
sidewalk is on the outer boundary of that right of way limits , we ' re talking about the extra foot
and a half that' s needed . We' re talking about contingencies or deviations that are going to be
required : the state wanting 12 foot wide roadways , or lanes , and we can probably do 11 and
maybe even 10 . We propose 10 .
What I ' m talking about here is the concern that we' re already into a project that is
basically touching the envelope , and we ' re starting to look at deviations . Over the next year
or year and a half it' s very conceivable that in project work could very well , I know
contingencies have been built in . I am very concerned that creepage in other issues may
come up and there are going to have to be decisions made , they are going to basically have
to be very quickly , and they aren 't going to be able to be made what I ' ll call realistically
because the . boundaries are already set at the limit. Without the sidewalk , you move in a
number of feet . You don 't have to worry about the foot and a half, which could become
another two and a half or three feet. You don 't have to worry about getting that property from
the homeowners on the north side or the south , and basically what you ' re coming down to is
we 've got the envelope so filled up now, that if we really look back at the plan we ' re talking
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about and using the Warren Road model , takes you back into a very nice set of boundaries
that you can work with and you do have some contingency in there where things can be
moved as required and expanded . It also gives you the possibility , without a sidewalk there ,
you can 't do other things with the road , but maybe better that you use an extra two feet on
the side of the road than actually build it up with 8 feet on either side of the road for a
sidewalk , or, I ' m sorry , on the one side of the road . That' s my basic concern is that the
project is already at it' s boundaries and knowing how these things go we very well could run
into a problem with we have to expand that more . I ' d rather just see it built back into a nice
footprint that we can handle and we know we 've got some room to do some things with .
Carmen Lorallo , 1444 Hanshaw Road
Good evening , my name is Carmen Lorallo , I ' m at 1444 Hanshaw . Thank you for giving us
the opportunity to talk about this . I agree with everything my neighbors said about the
sidewalk . We basically do not want a sidewalk . But I wanted to bring up another issue that I
think appeared in the initial resolution of the Town Board when you started talking about the
Hanshaw Road rehabilitation , which included some kind of traffic calming meas I res , which
none of us have seen explicitly mentioned in the plans for the rehabilitation . We were told at
the September 29 meeting that the new layout with the sidewalk and the bikewalk and no
swale would actually give the impression of more neighborhood type surrounding which
would discourage motorists from speeding . Respectfully , I don 't believe so . I think as drivers
we drive as fast as the footprint of the road allows us to do , and having the sidewalks will not
necessarily make the motorists decrease the speed because they won 't have anyone to
worry about, they will drive as much as the road will allow them to do , so please do keep this
in mind , and we are thinking of maybe having the double line in the center of the road that will
not allow cars to take over, because now the speed limit is 40 miles per hour, but if one car
drives at 40 , and then somebody else wants to take over, the speed will be much igher, and
we are affected regularly by this . Our property is between Salem and Sapsucker and you
should see and hear the cars there , at moments of the day , they are racing . So the speed is
very high actually in certain moments , and I don 't see this decreasing with the plans that have
been put forward for now. Thank you very much .
i
Supervisor Valentino — Is there anyone else who would like to speak? OK , thank you very
much for your comments tonight . You 've handed in some written informations All your
statements will be transcribed and will be available for Town Board Members and other
people to read them over again and look at them more closely . I think you made a lot of
thoughtful and very good points for us to take into consideration . I wanted to say that we still
have quite a long ways to go in this project , as you know. I don 't know if any of you have had
your individual meetings yet with the consultant , they haven 't come back . I know that' s
supposed to take place .
One of the things that some of the board members and myself have talked about is
doing a field trip , that we should organize a field trip for the Town Board members for us to
come out , advertise the time that we' re going to be there so if some of you folks want to meet
with us then or show us special features or trees and things that we really need to look at and
protect that we would be coming out to look at that . Hopefully we could also contact the
consultant so that maybe they can also be available for this kind of walk around and look at
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what the needs are for the community . So , there still is a good amount of time because the
consultants haven 't come back after hearing and talking to people what their next proposal is
going to be , so I think that we need to keep all of you folks in the loop and come out and have
that meeting and make sure that every step of the way on this project that you get a chance
to have input and help us with the decision that has to be made . Peter?
Councilman Stein — I ' d like to ask a question to almost anybody because there was
something that came up that I wondered about. Let me ask David Collum because I know
him . The so-called . . . I live behind the Northeast School and I walk to Cornell pretty regularly
and you talked about the Warren Road model . I am scared to walk on Warren Road ; walking
on the shoulders of Warren Road it takes a gutsy guy to do that. The difference between
walking on Warren Road and Pleasant Grove Road is like night and day because Pleasant
Grove Road has a sidewalk back there . And I hear what you ' re saying , but the way you
talk . . . I don 't honestly believe that Warren Road offers a safe route for pedestrians to walk in
that particular direction , and I wonder if someone would like to comment on that .
Supervisor Valentino — Peter, I ' m going to let this one go , but I said specifically in the
beginning for us not to engage in . . .
Councilman Stein — I thought you meant while they were talking , I thought there would be a
time afterwards .
Supervisor Valentino — Right , but I think a lot of questions that we might pose can be
answered by the staff because I want to be careful how we do this . You put your question
specifically to this gentleman ; do you care to make a comment about that? You have to
come up to the speaker again .
Mr. Collum — Peter, it' s a trade off. There' s no question that a walk or a sidewalks are the
best options . It has to do with what we give up to have the sidewalk . As I drive down Warren
Road and I look at the Warren Road model , which has no picked up a name . I think if I were
to grand Pooh- Bah this whole operation , I would probably put another foot on the road on
each side to make it safer. I also would walk against traffic rather. than walk with traffic . And
we have talked about this off and on , and we are the ones that use it and we have decided
that when you weigh the different factors against each other. . . I personally really violently
oppose taking responsibility for a sidewalk . I ' m backed with a great example . If it was winter
right now, I don 't know if I would go and get a shovel and I don 't want the responsibility . I
most definitely don 't want some Town that has some vision for my road that isn 't shared by
us , telling me that by the way , you are going to live by our vision even though you don 't share
it . I think that's stepping over the dotted line that is more profound than the dotted line along
the road . There is the responsibility , there is the legal responsibility, there is the maintenance
responsibility. If it becomes our responsibility, there are some horror stories out there about
when maintenance time comes ; the sidewalk has to be maintained by the owner. The bills
can get huge , and I ' m going to be on the evening news if this shows . This is going to get
f butt- ugly as far as I ' m concerned . I don 't want it , and the other people don 't want it . We've
looked at , we walk it, it is almost not relevant in the sense that the people who would most
benefit and the people who are most impacted have weighed it and say that we don 't want it ,
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right? It seems pretty clear to me . And since it leads to nowhere , the common good
argument falls apart , if it led down to Community Corners .
Supervisor Valentino — Sir. Do you feel your question was answered , Peter?
Councilman Stein — Yes .
Supervisor Valentino — OK . This gentleman over here , I saw you raise your hand and you
haven 't spoken at all yet tonight . You 've got to come up front , sir.
Pete Romani , 1466 Hanshaw Road
My name is Pete Romani I live at 1466 Hanshaw Road ; I ' m the first house in the Town of
Ithaca from Dryden . I would like to maybe make an invitation for you to come into my
driveway and watch the snowplows come around the corner and drop everything in my front
driveway . I can see another sidewalk across there , no way . I would also like to have you
come down to my driveway and park and watch the cars come by at 50 miles an hour. By
the time they get to Salem they slow down a little bit . So that' s my issue , walking on
Hanshaw would be very dangerous , but the sidewalk too , because the cars are first of all
speeding , now they' re going to speed even more because the road is nice and clear, and
nice and straight , no bumps , now some of the holes actually stop cars from speeding . When
it' s nice and clean it will be nice for speeders . That' s what I have to say .
Supervisor Valentino — You spoke once .
Woman in audience asks to respond to Councilman Stein ' s question .
Supervisor Valentino — To Peter' s question ? Yes , please come back up front .
Woman —
It' s interesting that you ask that question because as I was driving on Pleasant Grove
Road , I did notice that there are sidewalks there and I was rather pleased that Ithere were
sidewalks there . But if you look at the distance between the centerline of that road and
where the sidewalk is , there ' s a huge difference between the distance between the centerline
and that sidewalk and what they are proposing to do on Hanshaw Road . That is a much
narrower sidewalk than they are proposing . They are not putting the swale or the bikeway on
that road . So , yes , the sidewalk is lovely on Pleasant Glove Road , but you ' re talking maybe 7
to 10 feet, here you ' re talking 15-20 feet I think is a huge difference . There are no trees that
were knocked down on Pleasant Grove Road , and here you are asking for Itrees to be
knocked down . So I agree that yes , sidewalks on Pleasant Grove are very nice and it would
be very nice to have them on Hanshaw Road , but I think the issue is the plan that they are
trying to come up with to accomplish that .
Supervisor Valentino — Thank you . I don 't really want to go all the way around again . I think
Peter' s question has been answered . This lady hasn 't spoken yet, so I want tol give people
that haven 't had the chance to speak to speak , please . `
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Carol Turton , 1027 Hanshaw Rd
My name is Carol Turton ; I live at 1027 Hanshaw Road . My only comment on this is that
don 't understand why when the whole neighborhood does not want this , why we need to
have it . I mean , people who don 't live there are saying well you need to have this . I don 't
think any of you folks would like to see the trees taken down in front of your houses . Take a
trip along Hanshaw and just observe the beauty of the road . It' s a thoroughfare , but the
trees , everything about it, it' s a neighborhood , and I don 't think any of you would want that
done to your neighborhood .
Supervisor Valentino — Thank you . OK , I think have we pretty heard . Herb ?
Councilman Engman — I had a comment , I don 't know if you were going to ask staff to
comment on any of this ?
Supervisor Valentino — Well , this is what I think . I think we took notes , they gave us a lot of
input and a lot of questions and things that we really need to talk about among ourselves and
get the answers to .
Councilman Engman — My point was somebody had asked about connectivity, and I wanted
to say as a resident of Forest Home , the Forest Home association has put forward a plan to
have sidewalks all the way from Forest Home Drive up Warren Road and connect with
Hanshaw. And there also is a plan for sidewalks up the other way by the upstream bridge , up
Pleasant Grove and connect up that way. So , indeed there are some connectivity plans . The
Forest Home Association has very very detailed plans for those sidewalks or walkways . So
there is a plan for that sort of connectivity from the Forest Home Association group .
Councilwoman Grigorov - Is it funded ?
Councilman Engman — No , it' s a plan at this point.
Supervisor Valentino — Will ?
Councilman Burbank — Question for Jonathan . Jonathan , could you maybe explain for
everybody's benefit, what is the Town 's role in this versus what is the County's role . And
secondly , I think there has been some confusion about sidewalks versus pedestrian
walkways , and maybe remind us what the differences are between those two models .
Mr. Kanter — Well , as I understand the County's role in coordinating this project, they are
using federal and state funds through what is called the TIP — the Transportation
Improvement Program , and walkways can be , but are not necessarily a part of a project like
that . The county' s position on walkways or sidewalks , which we can clarify in a minute , is
basically that it is part of what they have to look at in terms of pedestrian and bicycle safety
under the federal and state guidelines . But, ultimately, it' s up to the municipality where the
project is located in terms of determining the need for that kind of facility .
So , the Town does have a sidewalk policy that this board approved a couple of years
ago , and we did look at the criteria in that policy for whether the need for a walkway or a
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sidewalk in this particular Hanshaw road area would be warranted , and it matched up with
many of the criteria that are stated in that based on things like population of the area ,
connectivity is one of the things that is looked at, traffic volumes on the roadway and things
like that.
The county has I think made it clear in public meetings and in our discussions that if
there is going to be a walkway or a sidewalk , it is going to be the Town ' s responsibility and
they have said that the Town would have a five per cent local match for that portion of the
project cost. The Town Board has in a number of meetings discussed this issue ,, and has
basically indicated the willingness in the September resolution , the September 12 resolution ,
indicating that this particular road project meets the criteria that this board has established in
the sidewalk policy for having a town owned and maintained walkway.
So here 's the distinction between the sidewalk and the walkway is basicall , whether
the Town owns and maintains the facility and that' s a walkway, as opposed to whether the
residents along the roadway are responsible for the maintenance and upkeep and the cost of
repairs , and that's a sidewalk . And the Town actually adopted a sidewalk ordinance many
years ago , I think in the 1980s , which has been rarely if ever used actually , which has
mechanisms for allowing residents to get together and request a sidewalk under a sidewalk
district or in certain cases for the town to basically require that a sidewalk be built at the
owners expense in a sidewalk district . But , again here , we have the case where) the Town
Board has looked at the criteria in our policies and has indicated the willingness to consider
this being a Town-owned and maintained facility . So , I think that' s pretty much where we are
at this point .
Supervisor Valentino — I just wanted to point out, too , looking at the resolution from
September 12 , that the resolved is something that we should consider tonight too . ( There is a
Resolved that the Town Board refer to the Planning Board for a recommendation on the
question on whether a Town owned and maintained walkway would be appropriate along
Hanshaw Road as described above , and , has the Planning Board had a chance to look at
this yet? That was part of our resolution .
Mr. Kanter — No , it has not yet , but it will be soon .
Supervisor Valentino — But they will be soon , so that will be some more information that we ' ll
be able to get from the Planning Board on that . Bill ?
Councilman Lesser — Just a point and a question . First of all , I would very much support and
endorse the concept of the Board taking a field trip to the area to examine the individual
properties , to look in some detail at possible alternatives including using some of the Cornell
land that is open there and so on . I would hope that indeed , if we do that field trip that we do
it fairly soon . I think we' re all aware that the longer any plan is on paper exists . . .
Supervisor Valentino — Well , the weather too .
Councilman Lesser — Well , the weather is important . But also the plan generates more '
stature the longer it is in place . However, as part of that trip , I would very much like to meet
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with some of the representatives from Cayuga Heights , because if we are referring to
connectivity, the key connectivity is with Community Corners and there is a fairly substantial
gap , and at this point in time there is no official . . .
Supervisor Valentino — I have a little more information about that .
Councilman Lesser — OK , well , that would be helpful . That' s something I ' ll look at. I would
also mention , in terms of what Herb said about connectivity possibly down to Forest Home , I
believe at least the detailed plans that we saw that that plan was based on nine foot driving
lanes , and I think that given the issues that have been discussed , I think that' s pretty unlikely .
It' s possible they could do it larger, but the specific plans in my recollection have nine-foot
lanes . The question that I wanted to raise was about the gentleman who raised the issue
about the right of way , I know in these areas particularly older roads with houses like this , it' s
often difficult to know exactly what the stature of the right of way is , whether it's a deeded
right-of-way or a right-of-way by use . I wanted to ask our Town attorney how the residents
can resolve to their own satisfaction what type of right-of-way presently exists on Hanshaw
Road .
Mr. Barney — Can I put a pitch in for hiring lawyers? If it' s a deeded right-of-way, there is
obviously a deed recorded in the County Clerk' s office . Hanshaw Road , my guess , and it' s
purely a guess , is probably not a deeded roadway . I suspect it' s a right-of-way by usage .
And we have some resources that we lawyers go back and look at . The most useful one is
an atlas that was done I think in 1868 if I ' m right , I could be off a few years , and you look and
see if the road is there then , and if it is , then it is pretty much a road by use , deeding was
something that really something that started subsequent to that. So my guess is that it really
is a right-of-way by user, and there are some proscriptions against how much you can do with
it , and basically you are limited to just what the used portion is without either exercising rights
of eminent domain or getting easements from adjoining property owners . Is that sufficient to
answer that?
Supervisor Valentino — Isn 't the County's understanding that they have a right of way there ,
that it is not a right of way by use?
Mr. Noteboom — They have said that, yes .
Mr. Barney — That they have a deeded right of way?
Mr. Noteboom — No , but they have let it be known that they understand they have a 50 foot
right of way there .
Mr. Barney — Well , I should say they could have acquired a right-of-way by eminent domain
at some point over the years , too .
Mr. Noteboom — I have seen nothing to prove that.
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Supervisor Valentino — That was going to be my other thing . It' s really the County' s
responsibility to walk over to their clerk' s office and be able to verify to us exactly what the
status of that is . Would that be an appropriate thing for us to ask of them ?
Mr. Barney — Sure . An appropriated right of way would also be found in the courthouse
whenever they did the project.
Supervisor Valentino — Well , why don 't we ask the County to verify that deed for us so that
we know for sure , before we go much farther, exactly what the status is . Sandy?
Councilwoman Gittelman — I had a question about road width because I do drive on Hanshaw
Road and it doesn 't seem to me that presently it' s a great thoroughfare from one way to
another, and I don 't understand , I guess I ' m wondering if the County has or the State has
some . . .
Supervisor Valentino — They do . They have regulations from the state that we are operating
under, we are trying to get them to modify them to narrow our widths , that' s part of, the whole
discussion I had with Frank Proto when he was here . It' s not like they can just , with that kind
of money that we are getting , just do it without getting a variance .
Councilwoman Gittelman — No , I meant does the state have some expectation of making that
a through road that you would need wide roads for more traffic or trucks or whatever?
Supervisor Valentino — We have no idea what the state is thinking .
Councilwoman Gittelman — But at this point it' s not that kind of road .
Supervisor Valentino — It' s not kind of road , right. Fred ?
Mr. Noteboom — It' s a County road , so being a County road ; it has a certai standard ,
expectation of use if you may . We have that in a neighborhoods you know, I can feel these
people , but State roads actually sometimes comprise a neighborhood too .
Councilwoman Gittelman — Well , that' s what I ' m asking , if there is that possibility.
Mr. Noteboom — A County road is expected to carry heavier traffic , heavier foot traffic ,
heavier car traffic , it' s just an expectation . They are not quite to the level of state roads , but
they are the next tier. Town roads are a tier down from that if you may . We carry local traffic .
Although some of our Town roads carry a lot of traffic .
Supervisor Valentino — It' s sometimes hard to clarify which . Herb , and then Cali .
Councilman Engman — I ' m going to direct this to Fred , because I think I didn 't quite explain
my question before to Jonathan , so I ' m going to try again . I want to get real clear about this
overall project , of which the sidewalks , or pedestrian walkways are a part , but mostly building
a new road , correct? And it is a County project that is being done with federal and state
money , is that correct? To federal standards . Of which the Town ' s component is what?
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Mr. Noteboom — The walkway .
Councilman Engman — Solely. We have no other say in anything other than we can pass a
resolution saying we would like to have a ten -foot lane .
Mr. Noteboom — Exactly . We can encourage , we can . . .
Councilman Engman — So the decision-making is by the County Board , ultimately?
Mr. Noteboom — They are influenced by the money of the state and the federal standards .
You heard Rick there , they were going to apply for a narrower road , he thought they could
achieve it and get the state to give them special dispensation for that . But the only decision I
guess the Town Board has to make is really to have a walkway or not have a walkway as part
of this process .
Supervisor Valentino — Or where the walkway might be .
Mr. Noteboom — Exactly.
Councilman Engman — I didn 't hear you , Cathy .
Supervisor Valentino — That's the only authority we have is on the walkway , to have a
walkway , to not have a walkway or where we would like to have the walkway be placed and
still be eligible for the funding , because some of the spots , they won 't fund it . So that' s our
dilemma , but that's exactly why I was questioning Frank Proto about those narrower lanes
and having the County Legislature try to get on board with supporting the idea of the
narrower road there . I think all of us , I don 't think there' s any disagreement amongst the
group here that I ' m aware of that a big wide road needs to be built that I ' m aware of, but we
just don 't have the authority other than trying to convince the powers that be that that' s what
they should do .
just wanted to give you another little comment, because I was asked before to talk
with Walter Lynn , the mayor of Cayuga Heights , and I did get a chance to talk with him , and
he basically said that the information that we had heard from Brent Cross , their engineer, was
correct , that if the Town builds the walkway , they won 't let it end in a field , that they will
complete the walkway down to where it can connect up to another walkway. And he has a
meeting with his trustees tonight , and they were going to discuss it some more there , but he
said that I could definitely quote him . He was pretty confident that they wouldn 't just let that
walkway end there , if we decided to do it . So , I do have that piece of information . Cali ?
Councilwoman Grigorov — There are a couple of people that had there hands up that have
not spoken before .
+ Supervisor Valentino — But they spoke before . What? This lady didn 't speak and you didn 't
either, that' s right , you came in later. I ' m sorry.
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Zeda Sprawl , 1031 Hanshaw Rd
I have a question ; I wondered if the board plans to poll the majority of adjoining property
owners when deciding on sidewalks as was stated in their June 13th resolution ?
Supervisor Valentino — If we ' re going to do what?
Mrs . Sprawl — I was wondering if the Board planned to poll the majority of adjoining property
owners when deciding on sidewalks?
Supervisor Valentino — I think that' s what we ' re doing right now .
Mrs . Sprawl — OK , so this is it, then .
Supervisor Valentino — No , it' s not totally it . We are certainly looking for more input from
everyone . We have your petitions , we have your resolutions , we are going to go up and do a
field trip with folks . You ' ll have another chance to give us more input. There is going to be
another public meeting where that information . . . We' ve received I think about 12 e,mails from
folks that we have , so we are certainly in the process of gathering information at this point .
Mrs . Sprawl — Good , carry on .
Supervisor Valentino — We hope to try and hear from everyone . Sir, in the red jacket , you
didn 't get a chance to speak before .
Pete Caruthers , 1008 Hanshaw Rd
I ' m Pete Caruthers from 1008 Hanshaw Road ; I ' m just over Village line in Cayuga Heights on
the North side of the road . I ' m here because your plans will very definitely impact me . My
property is probably the most notorious and dangerous part of Hanshaw Road , I I ' m on the
slope , the curve , there' s a steep bank , cars slide into road in the winter. And I wanted to
express my concern that we ' re abandoning the sidewalk at the village line . Additionally , I
wanted to mention , I 've lived there 22 years , I saw the road widened in probably fhe late 80s
or early 90s . The traffic sped up , we subsequently petitioned to reduce the speed limit from
40 to 30 . There was no impact on the traffic speed because of lack of enforcement . I ' m
thinking maybe we missed the point at the Public Information Meeting . The road ' s been
classified as light arterial . I think maybe most of the residents would prefer no 1 to see that
grow over time to moderate and heavy arterial . Is there some way to actually divert the
traffic, slow the traffic? I don 't see that adding another foot to the shoulder is going to help
slow the traffic; I think it will simply increase the traffic speed again . Plan 1 and l2 out of the
three that were presented , the unaffordable ones , I think , might actually slow the traffic
because of the curbs . Personally , I walk on the road quite a bit . I don 't really like to walk on
that road , I get off as soon as possible , but I don 't find the sidewalk plans asl they stand ,
because they are so invasive to the north side residents to be acceptable .
Supervisor Valentino — Thank you . OK , again if people have more comments , you can either
e-mail us , or send us a note , call anyone of us on the board . What they hear, they will
transmit to the rest of us because we need to get all the information . Again , I want to thank
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October 17, 2005 Regular Town Board Meeting
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you for coming , and I want to thank you for your very thoughtful and very good input on your
concerns . So , thank you very much .
Councilman Burbank — So , Cathy , you ' ll be contacting to see about when we might do this
field trip .
Supervisor Valentino — Yeah , Jonathan , remind me to contact the consultant to see when
they might be available , and then we can do that and then we can get some . . .
Mr. Walker — I think they' re planning on doing that in the next two weeks .
Supervisor Valentino — They' re planning on coming out anyway .
Mr. Walker — They' re calling individuals , they ask for people to drop them a note or call them ,
and see if they wanted a site visit , and at the meeting they submitted an information request
sheet and they are setting up appointments either late October or early November. I talked to
Rich last week ; Rich Brauer and they were in the process of trying to schedule these
appointments , about 20 minutes with each resident.
Mr. Kanter — So it would make sense to do it sometime when they are going to be down
anyway, so what I can do is I can call Fischer Associates and find out potential dates that
they might be available , and then we can canvass the board .
Supervisor Valentino — And then I can canvass the board . OK. If folks are still talking , could
they go out and maybe we can close that door, because it sounds like they want to confer a
little bit out there and it' s hard for us to hear. All right, let' s try , so we' ll do that and we' ll get
back to you just as quickly as we can , because I think the sooner we do this field trip the
better. So we will do that .
Councilwoman Gittelman — Can I ask one more question ?
Supervisor Valentino — Sure .
Councilwoman Gittelman — Whatever happened to the concept of making the walkway in
back of, on the other side of the road ?
Supervisor Valentino — They won 't fund it . We can do it on the South side , but if we do it out
into the field , we will be on our own to pay for the whole thing , is my understanding , isn 't that
correct? They won 't fund it. So , our options are starting to get narrowed down on what we
can do if we want to do it .
Mr. Noteboom — The South side also has some other dilemmas , probably Cornell would be
very cooperative . The golf course , I can 't imagine them being real cooperative — I haven 't
checked with how it matched up with the greens and fairways or whatever. But it would also
bring people further up Warren Road , and we' d have a little dilemma on how to get them
back to where they belong . And then you 'd want people to use it going back out back and
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then coming back over to get to Cayuga Heights if that's where they' re going and other
destinations . It would just be an interesting dilemma to try to figure out . I f
Councilwoman Grigorov — I had a question . How wide is the shoulder on Warren Road ?
Mr. Noteboom — Right now?
Councilwoman Grigorov — The one that people like . Warren Road .
Mr. Noteboom — Warren Road is 5 feet . I was thinking Hanshaw, thank you .
Mr. Walker — Actually parts of Hanshaw Road have about an 8-foot shoulder now .
Mr. Noteboom — Parts of Hanshaw do have quite a wide shoulder.
Mr. Walker — It' s gravelly , but some are even eider than that .
Mr. Noteboom — It's getting broken up , but some of it , that's the upper portion . . .
Supervisor Valentino — We really need to go out there and look . This is one of those things
where you have to really eyeball it , I think .
Mr. Noteboom — Yes , and that is why a site visit is really good in this case .
Supervisor Valentino — It' s very important.
Councilman Burbank — Can we get any information on safety , both right now, number of
incidents or whatever. I know we have it in our transportation study . Accidents , but I ' m
talking pedestrian issues . I actually asked the consultant , how many potentially) would use
this if it was built? Well , we don 't know, there' s no way to know because you haven 't built it
yet . But can we tell , do we have any data that we can make it really understand better what
the safety issues are for pedestrians and cyclists ?
Councilwoman Gittelman — that would provide how many cars come through .
Supervisor Valentino — We have traffic , we have data on the speeding problem . . .
Mr. Kanter — I think Fischer Associates . . .
Mr. Noteboom — They should have some of that .
Mr. Kanter — I think Fischer Associates is collecting any available data and they are doing
some additional surveying type work of accidents , volumes , et cetera , so I ' m hoping at some
point they will make that available for us to see .
Supervisor Valentino — That would be good .
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Mr. Noteboom — You can actually request that to see if they do have the information , because
we don 't know if they do have it , it' s only that they' re supposed to be gathering it .
Supervisor Valentino — Peter?
Councilman Stein — Yeah , I have a question for either Bill or Jon , but I was trying to figure out
where is this light arterial traffic coming from exactly? Hanshaw Road goes into Route 13 ,
but it also goes into Lower Creek Road , and it' s hard for me to believe there ' s much traffic
coming from Lower Creek Road , so I wonder why do they go off onto Hanshaw when they
could take Route 13 into Town .
Supervisor Valentino — Probably to get to Cornell .
Mr. Kanter — There is a lot of Cornell Community Traffic . There is Sapsucker woods road , the
lab of ornithology . Hanshaw Road I would imagine does create quite a bit of the traffic
coming down .
Councilman Stein — I ' m sorry , what?
Mr. Kanter — I would imagine that traffic coming from Route 13 cutting down Hanshaw Road
is probably a large portion of the commuting traffic .
Councilman Stein — And going to Cornell ?
Mr. Kanter — probably to a large degree .
Councilman Stein — I mean it seems to me , if I were driving that , I would prefer to go into
Cornell , I would prefer to go on Route 13 all the way to Warren Road , and then go South on
Warren Road , it seems like the faster way.
Mr. Walker — Not if you try to make a left turn on Warren Road .
Supervisor Valentino — Not if you ' re going to Cornell , because you have to go through that
really slow school zone , plus traffic lights and such .
Mr. Kanter — If you look on the map on the wall right in back of you , it shows kind of the
neighborhood , and there are several hundreds of houses in the residential neighborhoods
there too , so they' re generating a good bit of the traffic as well .
Mr. Noteboom — They all empty out onto Hanshaw.
Mr. Kanter — Actually a lot of them have to channel out back down to Hanshaw because it' s
not that easy to get back up north .
Supervisor Valentino — Have we exhausted this issue for tonight?
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Mr. Kanter — Can I ask a question , you were asking about referring this to the Planning
Board , and we can do that soon , but I was wondering maybe if we try to set up the joint visit
with the Planning Board as well , and do that before we actually send it for the formal referral ,
then everybody could kind of get on the same wavelength .
Supervisor Valentino — Does that sound OK to everybody?
Many comments at once.
Mr. Kanter — I just think it might make sense to invite the Planning Board to the same site visit
so they could see first hand .
Supervisor Valentino — Instead of having two site visits , we can combine them because they
might want to see it .
Many comments at once.
Supervisor Valentino — Are we all set, OK, if there are other questions and like that, please let
us know and we' ll try to see what we can do .
Agenda Item No . 12 = Report from Building and Zoning Department Committee and
Consideration of Study Committee's Recommendations (Attachment #5 — Committee
Recommendations )
Ms . Drake describes what is found in the packet regarding this item .
Councilwoman Grigorov asks if there are any questions on the proposed changes .
Councilman Lesser reported that he and Councilman Engman were on the committee
discussing this . He notes that the current Building and Zoning Department does not need
three employees . If an employee was named Department Head , that would limit the amount
of field time . This proposal is a compromise to maximize field time .
Councilman Lesser thought that it was a compelling idea to combine the building and
engineering functions . The Code Enforcement Officers were interviewed and they
understood and accepted the idea . The plan offers substantial savings to the Town . The
cost savings comes in because a Director's position is eliminated .
Councilman Engman added that the committee talked with the. Chair of the Zoning Board and
received a good reaction from him on endorsing this proposal . He felt that overall it would be
cost efficient and more efficient and effective way of doing the work . Everyone is aware that
they are trying something different with the proposal , but he felt it was worth trying .
i
Councilwoman Gittelman asked how the workload of Mr. Kanter and Mr. Waller would be
affected .
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October 17, 2005 Regular Town Board Meeting
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Mr. Kanter explained that from the planning perspective , the workload would be affected a
little bit in the beginning , especially during the transition . However, a planner currently
attends all Zoning Board meetings and the department has been doing the SEQR reviews for
the Zoning Board . He thought that it resulted in a fair amount of duplication of effort at times
and the new arrangement would produce some efficiencies and savings . The change does
require more time to be devoted to processing Zoning Board actions and being more involved
in Zoning Code interpretation .
Overall , Mr. Kanter felt that the Planning Department could do it with the current staff
capabilities . The Planning Department does have an additional planner for the 2006 year
being funded by Cornell for the T-GEIS project. The department has also been evaluating
the 30-hour planner position to see if it would be necessary to make it a full time position .
Mr. Walker commented that from the engineering standpoint there has been some duplication
of inspections . The Engineering Department has been doing the stormwater management
and erosion control inspections , which are within the capability of the Code Enforcement
Officers to do the inspections . It would eliminate having two people going to the same site .
The Engineering Department also currently does the earth fill permits and they are looking at
having all permits come through the Code Enforcement Officers (CEO ) and processing those .
He does provide technical assistance to the CEOs now and as there are more stormwater
management requirements from the State , more inspections will need to be done and they
can be done by the CEOs as well . If there are additional manpower needs , it would be
appropriate to hire an entry level CEO .
Mr. Walker would administer the budget for the CEOs . Mr. Kanter would be overseeing the
clerical staff, which is another positive . Mrs . Holford and Ms . Polce would be under the same
supervisor because they share a lot of work and it will encourage them to work together more
efficiently . Mr. Walker felt it would take less of his and Mr. Kanter' s time to deal with things
than it has in the past because there won 't be as many conflicts .
Supervisor Valentino thought that as the committee looked at the reconfiguration , there were
more positives than negatives . There are a lot of municipalities that have the duties split up
in this manner. The Town always evaluates positions when someone leaves the Town to see
if changes can be made to make processes more efficient.
Councilman Burbank thought that this was a low risk venture . He would like everyone to
keep an open mind as to how it actually works and reconsider reconvening the committee
after a period of time to see how things are going . Supervisor Valentino agreed that it would
be a good idea to do so .
TB RESOLUTION NO. 2005454: Approval of Building and Zoning Department Study
Committee 's Recommendations.
WHEREAS, the Building and Zoning Department Study Committee has reviewed the
department and assessed the needs of the Town; and
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October 17, 2005 Regular Town Board Meeting
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WHEREAS, the Committee has determined that the needs of the Town constitute
making a change to the Building and Zoning Department and have prepared an outline of the
proposed changes (see attached); and
WHEREAS, the Committee recommends the Town Board approve of the proposed
changes to the Building and Zoning Department;
Now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca does hereby approve the
recommendation presented by the Building and Zoning Department Study Committee.
MOVED: Councilwoman Grigorov
SECONDED: Councilman Lesser
VOTE: Supervisor Valentino, aye; Councilwoman Grigorov, aye; Councilman Lesser, aye;
Councilman Burbank, aye; Councilwoman Gittelman, aye; Councilman Stein, aye;
Councilman Engman, aye. Motion carried.
Agenda Item No . 13 - Consider Approval of Temporary Wage Adjustment — Assistant
Director of Building and Zoning I
The Committee felt there needed to be compensation for the added responsibilities of the
Assistant Director of Building and Zoning until the reconfiguration was complete . Councilman
Burbank was concerned about the vague open -endedness and wondered if it was envisioned
to run out the clock on the Director of Building and Zoning position .
Mrs . Drake explained that Mr. Frost was on administrative leave until January 10th and he
was still the Director of Building and Zoning until that date . During that time period there
would be resolutions abolishing that position and changing the job description and title of the
Assistant Director of Building and Zoning position . The proposed temporary salary is the
same salary the committee is recommending for the promotional Senior Code Enforcement
Officer. Ms . Rice is taking on the additional responsibilities . Mr. Walker will be the Director in
regards to the administrative side , but there still needs to be a senior position in regards to
Code Enforcement .
TB RESOLUTION NO. 2005 — 155: Approval Temporary Wa_qe Adjustment Assistant
Director of Building and Zonin_g
WHEREAS, the Director of Building and Zoning will be on administrative leave
effective October 21 , 2005 until his retirement date of January 10, 2006; and
I
WHEREAS, Kristie Rice, Assistant Director of Building and Zoning, will be acting as
the director in his absence until the department's restructuring is completed; and 1P
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October 17, 2005 Regular Town Board Meeting
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WHEREAS, the Human Resources Manager recommends a temporary wage increase
for Ms. Rice from $22. 83 per hour to $25. 16 per hour, from October 23, 2005 and until further
action of the Town Board is taken;
Now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca does hereby approve the
temporary wage adjustment for Kristie Rice, Assistant Director of Building and Zoning, from
$22. 83 to $25. 16 per hour ; and be it further
RESOLVED, the said adjustment will be from October 23, 2005, until further action of
the Town Board is taken.
MOVED: Councilwoman Grigorov
SECONDED: Councilwoman Gittelman
VOTE: Supervisor Valentino, aye; Councilwoman Grigorov, aye; Councilman Lesser, aye;
Councilman Burbank, aye; Councilwoman Gittelman, aye; Councilman Stein, aye;
Councilman Engman, aye. Motion carried.
Agenda Item No . 14 - Consider Approval of Names for 2 Town Parks
Councilman Burbank expressed to the Board that in naming the parks , the Board has an
opportunity to incorporate in the park name a definition of what kind of space it is . He thought
that the word " park" gives the vision of a developed facility and thought that the Town was
moving toward having a wider range of park- like environments . Councilman Burbank wanted
to pull the item from the agenda and give the Board more time in considering the possibility of
conceptually or in naming the park a preserve . A Town preserve would give the expectation
that the land would be minimally developed .
Councilman Burbank would like to give the Board and staff an opportunity to look into the
issue . Attorney Barney said he would look into the issue over the next month and get back to
the board .
Agenda Item No . 15 - Consider Approval of Extension of Snow and Ice Removal
Contract
TB RESOLUTION NO. 2005456: Approval of Extension of Snow and Ice Removal
Contract.
RESOLVED, that the Town Supervisor be, and she hereby is, authorized to execute
an extension of the Snow and Ice Contract with the County of Tompkins from September 30,
2005 until December 31 , 2006.
MOVED: Councilman Lesser
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October 17, 2005 Regular Town Board Meeting
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SECONDED: Councilwoman Grigorov
VOTE: Supervisor Valentino, aye; Councilwoman Grigorov, aye; Councilman Lesser, aye;
Councilman Burbank, aye; Councilwoman Gittelman, aye; Councilman Stem, aye;
Councilman Engman, aye. Motion carried.
Agenda Item No . 16 - Consider Approval of Changes to the Recreation Partnership By-
laws (Attachment #6 — proposed changes to the bylaws )
Proposed By- Law changes were given to the Board in their packet .
Councilwoman Gittelman explained that the Recreation Partnership has a lot of trouble
getting a quorum . This often results in the Partnership only being able to suggest rather than
vote on business . Some smaller towns do not have a great investment and they are happy to
be part of the Partnership , but do not attend the meetings .
Supervisor Valentino further explained that some municipalities do not appoint a
representative and it leads to vacancies .
TB RESOLUTION NO. 2005 - 157: Ratify Changes to the Recreation Partnership Bv-
Laws
WHEREAS, the Recreation Partnership Board approved changes to their by-laws on
September 27, 2005; and
WHEREAS, amendments must be ratified by the governing bodies of the participating
municipalities prior to being adopted, and
WHEREAS, the Town of Ithaca Town Board has received and reviewed the changes to the
by-laws, now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca hereby ratifies the proposed
by-law changes. I
MOVED: Councilman Burbank
SECONDED: Councilwoman Gittelman
VOTE: Supervisor Valentino, aye; Councilwoman Grigorov, aye; Councilman Lesser, aye;
Councilman Burbank, aye; Councilwoman Gittelman, aye; Councilman Stein, aye;
Councilman Engman, aye. Motion carried.
Agenda Item No . 17 — Consent Agenda
Councilman Engman noticed that the two individuals being hired as part-time i laborers for
Town Hall were also in the Youth Summer Program . He asked what the process was to
make sure that all Town residents have an equal chance to apply for these jobs .
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October 17, 2005 Regular Town Board Meeting
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Mrs . Drake responded that she is not sure that they really advertise it. Much of the time it is
used as a transition if people have gone through the 100 hour program and they are good
students and they are used to working at Town Hall and want to continue , and sometimes
they don 't, the training level for the Town is minimal . Sometimes it is more beneficial to the
Town to hire them part-time . These two individuals wanted to continue working together and
to fill in each other' s hours . The Town wants to have one person available everyday from 3-4
p . m . It is also used when there is difficulty filling the positions through the job employment
program . The position has never been advertised , but many times the Town has contacted
the school to see if there were interested students . The position does not require the person
be a Town resident.
Ms . Hunter added that the Town does put out press releases inviting young people to apply
for the jobs .
Councilman Engman commented that on page 28 of the minutes he recalled having stated
that the law the read from was the SEQR regulations from DEC law.
Supervisor Valentino had a correction on page 20 . The amount of the budget should be
$ 13 , 000 , 000 instead of $ 3 , 000 , 000 .
TB RESOLUTION NO. 2005- 158: Consent Agenda Items.
BE IT RESOLVED, that the governing Town Board of the Town of Ithaca hereby
approves and/or adopts the resolutions for Consent Agenda Items as presented.
MOVED: Councilman Lesser
SECONDED: Councilwoman Gittelman
VOTE: Supervisor Valentino, aye; Councilwoman Grigorov, aye; Councilman Lesser, aye,
Councilman Burbank, aye; Councilwoman Gittelman, aye; Councilman Stein, aye;
Councilman Engman, aye. Motion carried.
TB RESOLUTION NO. 2005- 158a : Town Board Minutes of September 12, 2005
WHEREAS, the Town Clerk has presented the minutes for Town Board Meeting held
on September 12, 2005 to the governing Town Board for their review and approval of filing;
now therefore be it
RESOLVED, the governing Town Board does hereby approve for filing the minutes for
the meeting held September 12, 2005 as presented at the October 17, 2005 board meeting.
MOVED: Councilman Lesser
SECONDED: Councilwoman Gittelman
33
October 17, 2005 Regular Town Board Meeting
Approved November 14, 2005
VOTE: Supervisor Valentino, aye; Councilwoman Grigorov, aye; Councilman Lesselr, aye;
Councilman Burbank, aye; Councilwoman Gittelman, aye; Councilman Stein, aye,
Councilman Engman, aye. Motion carried.
TB RESOLUTION NO. 2005- 158b. Bolton Point Abstract.
WHEREAS, the following numbered vouchers for the Southern Cayuga Lake
Intermunicipal Water Commission have been presented to the governing Town Board for
approval of payment; and
WHEREAS, the said vouchers have been audited for payment by the said Town
Board; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the governing Town Board hereby authorizes the payment of the
said vouchers.
Voucher Numbers: 601 -608; 614- 690
Check Numbers: 8487
8563- 8569
8576-8652
Operating Fund $ 138, 886. 24
1998 SCADA Capital Project $ 15, 755. 90
2000 Bolton Road Project $ 221 . 00
2002 Office Space Addition $ 23, 966. 90
2003 East Hill Water Tank Proiect $ 85. 006. 00
TOTAL $263, 836. 04
MOVED: Councilman Lesser
SECONDED: Councilwoman Gittelman
VOTE: Supervisor Valentino, aye; Councilwoman Grigorov, aye; Councilman Lesser, aye;
Councilman Burbank, aye; Councilwoman Gittelman, aye; Councilman I IStein, aye;
Councilman Engman, aye. Motion carried.
TB RESOLUTION NO. 2005 — 158c: Appointment of Part time Laborer- Town Hall.
WHEREAS, there is presently a vacancy in the part time position of Laborer - Town
Hall, which affords high school students the opportunity to gain work experience; and
34
October 17, 2005 Regular Town Board Meeting
Approved November 14, 2005
WHEREAS, the Town Clerk and Human Resources Manager has determined that
Casey Clausen and Kathleen Valentino possess the necessary knowledge and skills to
satisfactorily perform the duties of the Laborer- Town Hall and makes the recommendation for
appointment to a job shared position working less than 10 hours per week each; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca does hereby approve the
appointment of Casey Clausen as a part time Laborer — Town Hall, as a job shared position,
retro active to September 13, 2005; and be it further
RESOLVED, the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca does hereby approve the
appointment of Kathleen Valentino as a part time Laborer — Town Hall, as a job shared
position, retro active to September 15, 2005; and be it further
RESOLVED, this position is a part time position not to exceed 20 hours per week, at
the hourly wage of minimum wage, from account number A 1410. 100. There are no benefits
included with this appointment.
MOVED: Councilman Lesser
SECONDED: Councilwoman Gittelman
VOTE: Supervisor Valentino, aye; Councilwoman Grigorov, aye; Councilman Lesser, aye;
Councilman Burbank, aye; Councilwoman Gittelman, aye; Councilman Stein, aye;
Councilman Engman, aye. Motion carried.
TB RESOLUTION NO. 2005 — 158d. Regular Appointment of Crossing Guard.
WHEREAS, there is presently a vacancy in the part time position of Crossing Guard
on Warren Road for the morning and afternoon crossings for Dewitt Middle School; and
WHEREAS, the Human Resources Manager interviewed candidates for the said
position and has determined that Dan Griffin possess the necessary knowledge and skills to
satisfactorily perform the duties of Crossing Guard and makes the recommendation for
appointment;
Now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca does hereby approve the regular
appointment of Dan Griffin as part time Crossing Guard, retro-active to September 7, 2005;
and be it further
RESOLVED, this is an average of 10 hours a week, at the hourly wage of $9. 70, from
account number A3120. 100, with no benefits; and be it further
35
October 17, 2005 Regular Town Board Meeting
Approved November 14, 2005
RESOLVED, if the said successfully completes the mandatory 26 week probationary
period, there will no further action required by the Town Board.
MOVED: Councilman Lesser
SECONDED: Councilwoman Gittelman
VOTE: Supervisor Valentino, aye; Councilwoman Grigorov, aye; Councilman Lesser, aye;
Councilman Burbank, aye; Councilwoman Gittelman, aye; Councilman Stein, aye;
Councilman Engman, aye. Motion carried.
TB RESOLUTION NO. 2005 — 158e: Appointment of Project Assistant for SARA Grant
WHEREAS, Town Clerk (Records Management Officer) has received notificl tion from
the State that the Town has been awarded a Records Management Grant to complete a
project utilizing the Town 's archival records to document the community's history; and
WHEREAS, the rant provides for 200 hours for the Coordinator to
I k on this
9 p s
specific project and to coordinate the work of 4-5 teenage workers; and
WHEREAS, the Town Clerk, Recreation and Youth Coordinator and Human
Resources Manager have interviewed several applicants to complete the grant project, under
the civil service position title of Project Assistant; and
WHEREAS, the interview committee has determined that David George, Assistant
Town Historian, possess the necessary knowledge and skills to satisfactorily perform the
duties of the this position and make the recommendation for appointment;
Now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca does hereby aQprove the
appointment of David George as a temporary Project Assistant, retroactive to September 23,
2005 with the project to be completed by June 30, 2005; and be it further
RESOLVED, this position is a temporary position to be paid in 3 quarterly �ayments of
$ 1 , 250 from account number A1460. 110. There are no benefits included with this
appointment.
MOVED: Councilman Lesser
SECONDED: Councilwoman Gittelman
VOTE: Supervisor Valentino, aye; Councilwoman Grigorov, aye; Councilman Lesser, aye;
Councilman Burbank, aye; Councilwoman Gittelman, aye; Councilman Stein, aye;
Councilman Engman, aye. Motion carried.
36
October 17, 2005 Regular Town Board Meeting
Approved November 14, 2005
Agenda Item No . 18 — Report of Town Committee (Attachment #7 — Monthly Reports)
Transportation Committee
Councilman Lesser reported that the Transportation Committee has finished discussions with
the Consultant and they will be starting the analysis of identified problem intersections .
City/Town Trail
Councilman Burbank reported that the Committee has not met in a few months , but will be
meeting in the near future .
Cayuga Lake Watershed Intermunicipal Organization
Mr. Kanter attended the meeting held at Town Hall and thought it was an interesting group
doing some pretty good things . Councilman Burbank thanked Ms . Hunter for providing
refreshments for the meeting .
Agenda Item No . 19 — Report of Town Officials
Town Clerk
Ms . Hunter reported that the Town rented 2 voting machines for the upcoming election and
they had been delivered . The Machine Custodian is coming in to make sure they are ready
for the November election .
Supervisor Valentino and Ms . Hunter are going to a meeting at the County on October 19th to
talk about HAVA implementation . There seems to be discussion pending regarding the
parceling out the various duties associated with running the election .
Councilwoman Gittelman asked if, as voters , people will know what the new machines are .
Ms . Hunter responded that the State has not certified anything . Once the State certifies
machines , the County Board of Elections will choose from the certified machines . She hopes
they intend to have hands-on demonstrations for the community prior to making their
selection . Councilwoman Gittelman asked if voters could have practice prior to using the
machines . Ms . Hunter thought that there was HAVA money for training and public education .
Councilman Engman noticed on the Town Clerk' s report that there is a split between
payments to the general fund and the part-town fund . He asked if that was by formula or
function . Ms . Hunter explained it is determined by function . The Town Clerk' s Office collects
certain fees for Planning , Zoning and Building that are part-town functions . Those funds then
become " B " revenues .
Highway Superintendent
Councilman Engman commented that in Mr. Noteboom 's report he noticed the Town had
been helping out a lot of other municipalities , but did not see the Town receiving help from
others and wondered if it balanced out over the years . Mr. Noteboom responded that that
was concept . The Highway Department does help a lot of people out , but they also work with
the Town a lot in trucking . The Town actually does not have a lot of trucks compared to
Lansing or other towns .
37
October 17 , 2005 Regular Town Board Meeting
Approved November 14, 2005
Councilman Burbank asked if Mr. Noteboom has talked with the property owner of, the shrubs
on Elm Street . Mr. Noteboom replied that he had and was hoping to do it next week .
Director of Planning
Councilman Burbank asked if there was any further information with regard to the
development of the steep slope area off Route 89 . Mr. Kanter responded that the has not
heard anything recently .
Councilman Burbank saw lot for sale signs on a property on Route 79 , west of IEcoVillage
and asked if there were any concerns about subdivisions . Mr. Walker commented that it was
the Drake property , who is talking about coming in for subdivision . Mr. Kanter add I�ed that Mr.
Drake was proposing 11 or 12 lots under the new agricultural zone and should be coming to
the Planning Board for approval fairly soon .
Director of Building and Zoning
Councilman Engman noticed that there was a gigantic jump in the worth of the perrjnits issued
in 2005 over 2004 . He wondered if there was a possibility to extrapolate from that what the
potential new income might be from property tax based on that sort of data . Attorney Barney
guessed that a lot of the increase might be due to building at the hospital , Ithaca Clollege and
Cornell University .
Supervisor Valentino thought that when they do the budget, . they should do some kind of a
review of this type of information by setting up computer systems to be able to draw better
analysis of those items .
Budget Officer
Mr. Carvill brought the Board ' s attention to the analysis he provided them at the evening
meeting and explained it is an analysis of where fund balance is going .
Review of Correspondence
Supervisor Valentino noted that there is a letter in the correspondence from the Department
of Assessment and Ms . Hunter talked with Jay Franklin of the Assessment Department and
obtained further information about the exemptions . The County knows the numbers from the
County side and what they would mean to the Town . It allows the Board to see iflthese are
exemptions the Town is interested in updating . Supervisor Valentino would like to put it on
the agenda for November.
Ms . Hunter reported that she received notification from Wally Wiggins that he is applying for a
liquor license . She passed the letter around to the board .
Councilman Burbank brought the Board ' s attention to the letter from George Frantz Iregarding
the path at Tutelo Park . When they had the celebration last month , it was painfully obvious
that the existing path was not accessible to people with limited mobility . He talked with Mr.
Frantz a little bit about the path and realized it was not only the surfacing ;, but the
configuration of the path as well . Councilman Burbank asked if the Town was going to look
at it and try to change it .
38
October 17 , 2005 Regular Town Board Meeting
Approved November 14, 2005
Mr. Noteboom commented that it currently' was not part of the plan for the park . It is
something that they will have to go through the process to look at. Councilman Burbank
presumed it would be a capital item that they would have to review. Councilman Lesser
asked how the Board decided what part of the park service is supposed to be made ADA
accessible . Supervisor Valentino thought that it was a much deeper question than just the
one trail that the Town needs to look at and analyze .
Councilman Stein asked if the issue had been thought about before . Mr. Noteboom
responded that whenever the Town has built what is considered a trail , it has been built as
handicap accessible . There are a variety of nature trails out through the woods that are just
basically wood chip paths . It winds through the natural areas . It sounded as if there were
bigger and better things that are going to be happening there .
Councilman Stein asked if having a non-handicap trail or nature trail violated the ADA law.
Attorney Barney was not sure and he would have to look into it . Councilman Burbank added
that he regularly hikes the more primitive trails and loves them . He would hate for the Town
to be forced to pave everything . Tutelo is a particular case where there is a ceremonial
aspect that is being envisioned . Supervisor Valentino added that the Town had been talking
with the Indians and they were saying that they were going to raise funds because it is
specific to something that they want. The discussions are continuing .
Mr. Noteboom added that the Town is still in the process of making the trails happen .
Councilman Stein still wanted to know what the Town 's obligations were . Supervisor
Valentino thought he was right and the Town should look into it. Mr. Kanter added that the
ADA accessibility guidelines largely depend on the intended use of a facility is . In Tutelo
Park where there may be a Town sponsored event, then the ADA standards come into play if
it takes part in an area that the public needs to get to .
Supervisor Valentino directed the Board 's attention to the memo of CDRC meetings . She
asked the Board to mark down the times that they would be available on the memo and get
them back to Ms . Hunter so that a meeting can be arranged .
Adjournment
On motion by Councilman Lesser, the meeting was adjourned at 8 : 45 p . m .
Respectfully submitted ,
Carrie Coates Whitmore John Coakley
Deputy Town Clerk Deputy Town Clerk
Next Meeting November 10, 2005
39
October 17 , 2005 Town Board Meeting ATTACHMENT # 1
I
October 17, 2005
Members of the Ithaca Town Board:
Thank you for giving me this opportunity to address you this evening regarding courtroom
security as you work to finalize the Town ' s budget. Judge Bordoni before me requested your
support for courtroom security as I did last year. Unfortunately you ignored those requests, but
fortunately we — the court-- have not yet experienced any incidents here during the last three
years that might have compelled you to heed our requests.
In 2002, Judge Bordoni requested court security in light of a bomb threat that had been received,
as well as violence that happened in neighboring Schuyler County . Judge Burin, our interim
Town Justice, was assaulted a few years ago in Lansing Town Court, and that court now has
security in place.
Our local court deals with a tremendous number of individuals every day and a significant
number who attend court on Monday or Wednesday, and who are in some cases, very agitated.
The trend in our local court is an increasing workload, from 2662 new cases in 1999 to 3887 in
2004, and I believe on track to exceed that in 2005. On several occasions, I wished that there
were an extra, trained pair of eyes on duty in the courtroom.
I realize we have a panic button at the clerk' s desk in the courtroom, but with an officer present,
there would be a message that this court will not tolerate disturbances in the courtroom. If an
incident were to happen, time is of the essence, and the panic button cannot give us that
assurance.
Town courts are mostly for traffic cases, drunken drivers, neighborhood disputes and criminal
matters, up to "A" level misdemeanors, which carry maximum sentences of 1 year in jail. "The
courts closest to the people," as the State Magistrate ' s Association points out. But, it is those
unchained, unknown public that we justices worry about.
Town and village courts lie outside the protection arranged by the Office of Court
Administration. Town and villages must pay for securing their courtrooms. Metal detectors get
expensive because they require employees to staff them.
We cannot control who comes into our courtroom for arraignments or other matters . Recently , I
arraigned a defendant on a minor harassment charge and issued an order of protection on behalf
of the individual who filed the complaint. Later, I received this person ' s "rap" sheet and was
alarmed at the serious crimes this individual had committed. Let me share them with you without
identifying the individual . . . . .Did this individual behave? Yes , he did. But he also has previously
demonstrated his potential to commit serious crimes. In my court, held into the night, we often
collect considerable sums of cash as defendants pay their fines . This certainly could make us the
target for a misguided individual , especially when my clerk and I are the last persons left in
Town Hall when we lock up.
Speaking for the court, I would take great comfort in knowing that this Town Board understands
the potential risk to us and funds a court attendant to keep a watchful eye on the crowd and
intercede if necessary . In our budget request submitted at the end of the summer, we provided an
estimate of what it might cost to provide this added safety measure. The Town of Ithaca cannot
afford to ignore us any more, and can afford this modest sum for our well being.
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October 17 , 2005 Town Board Meeting ATTACHMENT # 2
❑ ❑ ❑ 110 0 ❑ Town Assigned Project ID Number
Town of Ithaca Environmental Review
SHORT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FORM
For UNLISTED ACTIONS Located in the Town of Ithaca, Tompkins County, NY ONLY
ART 1 - PROJECT INFORMATION To be completed by Applicant or Project Sponsor)
1 . Applicant/Sponsor 2. Project Name
Local Law Amending Chapters 125 and 153 of the Code of the
Town of Ithaca Town Board Town of Ithaca to Grant the Town Board Discretion to Reduce
the Fees & Increase the Duration of Temporary Certificates of
Occupancy in Limited Circumstances
3. Precise location (street address, road intersections, prominent landmarks, etc. or provide map: )
Townwide
Tax Parcel Number: N/A
4. Is proposed action :
NEW? EXPANSION? MODIFICATION/ALTERATION? X (Amendment of Town Code)
5. Describe project briefly: (Include project purpose, present land use, current and future construction plans, and other
relevant items):
Enactment of a local law amending Chapters 125 and 153 of the Code of the Town of Ithaca to grant the Town Board discretion to
reduce the fees & increase the duration of temporary certificates of occupancy in limited circumstances. The amendments would give
the Town Board the authority under certain circumstances to extend a certificate of occupancy for a period greater than six months
(not to exceed three years) after holding a public hearing, and to reduce or waive the fee charged for a temporary certificate of
occupancy under certain circumstances.
(Attach separate sheet(s) if necessary to adequately describe the proposed project.)
1HAmount nd affected : N/A (Townwide)
Acres (6-10 rs) (>10 rs Acres
oned presently? N/A (Townwide)
8. Will proposed action comply with existing zoning or other existing land use restrictions?
Yes NO If no, describe conflict briefly : N/A
9. Will proposed action lead to a request for new:
Public Road ? YES NO X Public Water? YES NO _X Public Sewer? YES NO X
10. What is the present land use in the vicinity of the proposed project? Residential Commercial
Industrial Agriculture Park/Forest/Open Space Other
Please Describe: N/A
11 . Does proposed action involve a permit, approval, or funding, now or ultimately from any other governmental agency
(Federal, State, Local?) YES NO_X
If yes, list agency name and permit/approval/funding:
12. Does any aspect of the proposed action have a currently valid permit or approval? YES NO X
If yes, list agency name and permit/approval. Also, state whether it will require modification.
I CERTIFY THAT THE INFORMATION PROVIDED ABOVE IS TRUE TO THE BEST OF MY
KNOWLEDGE
Applicant/Sponsor Name (Print or Type) : Catherine Valentino Su rvisor Town of Ithaca
Signature and Date: °
PART II - ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT (To be completed by the Town ; Use attachments as necessary)
Does proposed action exceed any Type I threshold in 6 NYCRR, Part 617. 12 or Town Environmental Local Law?
YES NO _X_ If yes, coordinate the review process and use the full EAF.
Will proposed action receive coordinated review as provided for unlisted actions in 6 NYCRR, Part 617.6
YES NO _2L__ If no, a negative declaration may be superseded by another involved agency, if any.
C. Could proposed action result in any adverse effects associated with the following:
( Answers may be handwritten, if legible)
C1 . Existing air quality, surface or groundwater quality, noise levels, existing traffic patterns, solid waste production
and disposal, potential for erosion, drainage or flooding problems? Explain briefly :
None anticipated.
C2. Aesthetic, agricultural, archaeological, historic, or other natural or cultural resources? Community or
neighborhood character? Explain briefly :
None anticipated.
C3. Vegetation or fauna, fish, shellfish, or wildlife species, significant habitats, unique natural area, wetlands, or
threatened or endangered species? Explain briefly :
None anticipated.
C4. The Town 's existing plans or goals as officially adopted, or a change in use or intensity of use of land or other
natural resources? Explain briefly:
None anticipated .
C5. Growth, subsequent development, or related activities likely to be induced by the proposed action ? Explain briefly :
None anticipated.
C6. Long term, short term, cumulative, or other effects not identified in C1 -05? Explain briefly:
None anticipated.
C7. Other impacts (including changes in use of either quantity or type of energy) Explain briefly :
None anticipated . The local law would result in administrative changes in the processing of certificates of occupancy, and
would not change any other aspect of the building permit, site plan approval, or other approval procedures in the Town.
D. Is there, or is there likely to be controversy related to potential adverse environmental impacts?
YES NO X If yes, explain briefly : See Attached.
E. Comments of staff _X__, CB., other attached. (Check as applicable.)
PART III - DETERMINATION OF SIGNIFICANCE ( To be completed by the Town of Ithaca)
Instructions : For each adverse effect identified above, determine whether it is substantial, large, important, or otherwise significant.
Each effect should be assessed in connection with its (a) setting(i . e. urban or rural); (b) probability of occurring; (c) duration; (d)
irreversibility; (e) geographic scope, and (f) magnitude. If necessary, add attachments or reference supporting material . Ensure that
the explanations contain sufficient detail to show that all relevant adverse impacts have been identified and adequately address.
Check here if you have identified one or more potentially large or significant adverse impacts which MAY occur. Then
proceed directly to the full EAF and/or prepare a positive declaration .
_X Check here if you have determined, based on the information and analysis above and any supporting documentation, that
the proposed action WILL NOT result in any significant adverse environmental impacts AND provide on Attachments as
necessary the reasons supporting this determination .
Town of Ithaca Town Board
Name of Lead Agency Prepa is Signature(If different from Responsible Officer)
Catherine Valentino, Supervisor
Name & title of Responsible Officer In Lead Agency Signature of Contributing Preparer
bt&/Z� DATE :
In=ature Responsible Officer in Lead Agency
October 17 , 2005 Town Board Meeting ATTACHMENT # 3
Local L a w Filing NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF STATE
41 STATE STREET, ALBANY, NY 12231
(Use this form to file a local law with the Secretary of State.)
i
Text of law should be given as amended. Do not include matter being eliminated and do not use
italics or underlining to indicate new matter.
-t✓vair y
, C� of ITHACA
- -
Town - - - - - - - - - - - . . . . . . . . . . . . - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - -- - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - -
Local Law No. . . . . . . . . ._ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ of the year 20. 05 _
A local law . . . . . .AMENDING CHAPTERS- 125 AND 153 OF THE CODE OF THE TOWN
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - -
(IasenTitle) - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - -- - - - -- - -- - - - - - - -
OF _ ITHACA TO _ GRANT_ THE TOWN BOARD DISCRETION TO REDUCE
- - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - -
_ _ _ _ _ _ THE _ FEES _ AND _ INCREASE_ - THE_ _ DURATION__OF_ _ TEMPORARY CERTIFICATES
_ I, IMITED_ _CIRCUMSTANCES . _ _ _ _ - -
Be It enacted by the - - - - - - - -- - - -TOM- _ BOARD - - - - - - -- - - - -- - - -- - - - - - - -- - - - - -- - - -- -- - - - - - - - of the
(Name ofLegiclalive Body)
m of - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- ITHACA
Town as follows :
if SEE ATTACHED , PAGES 1 - 3 .
(If additional space is needed , attach pages the same size as this sheet, and number each.)
LAOS-239 .(Rev. 11/99) (1 )
TOWN OF ITHACA
i
LOCAL LAW NO . 9 OF THE YEAR 2005
A LOCAL LAW AMENDING CHAPTERS 125 AND 153 OF THE CODE OF THE TOWN
OF ITHACA TO GRANT THE TOWN BOARD DISCRETION TO REDUCE THE FEES
AND INCREASE THE DURATION OF TEMPORARY CERTIFICATES OF OCCUPANCY
IN LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES
Be it enacted by the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca as follows :
Section 1 . Chapter 125 of the Town of Ithaca Code, ' 125 -6, subdivision B, subparagraph (8)
is amended by deleting said subparagraph and inserting instead the following : 1
(8) The temporary certificate of occupancy shall be issued for
such period as the Building Inspector may elect, but not in any
event to exceed six months, except as provided below.
However, the Building Inspector may renew the certificate for
one or more successive periods of not more than six months
per application upon payment of a fee calculated as if each
application were an application for the original iss l ance of
such a temporary certificate.
Section 2 . Chapter 125 of the Code of the Town of Ithaca, ' 125 -6, subdivisiol n B , is
amended by renumbering subparagraphs (9) and ( 10) as subparagraphs ( 10)
and ( 11 ) respectively, and by adding a new subparagraph (9) reading as
follows :
(9) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of subparagraph (8)
above, however, the Town Board may, after public hearing on
at least five days= notice upon the application of the property
owner, authorize the Building Inspector
(a) To issue a temporary certificate of occupancy for a
period greater than six months if the Board finds
[ 1 ] It is likely the conditions which require the
issuance of temporary certificate of occupancy
will extend for a period in excess of six
months ; and
[2] Denial of an extended period for the certificate
would create a significant hardshipi to the
applicant; and
i
1
[3 ] It is reasonably anticipated that the applicant
can complete the project and obtain a
permanent certificate no later than the
expiration date of the extended period; and
[4] The life of the temporary certificate, including
any extended period, is not greater than three
years ; and
[5] All other conditions for the issuance of a
temporary certificate of occupancy set forth in
this ' 125 -6 , subdivision B , have been met.
( 1 ) To reduce or waive the fee charged for a temporary
certificate of occupancy if the Board finds
[ 1 ] The fee for the original building permit was
sufficiently large to cover the costs to the
Town, including Building Inspector inspection
time and review time, of processing,
reviewing and overseeing the issuance and
implementation of the original building
permit, the final certificate of occupancy, and
any temporary occupancy certificates
including the one for which a reduction in fee
is requested; and
[2] The payment of the fee as normally
determined hereunder would be a significant
financial hardship to the applicant; and
[3 ] The need for the temporary certificate of
occupancy was not created by the lack of
diligence of the applicant in prosecuting the
work of the project to completion; and
[4] The reduction in fee is the minimum necessary
to alleviate the hardship to the applicant and
still cover the costs to the Town referred to
above.
[5 ] All other conditions for the issuance of a
temporary certificate of occupancy set forth in
this ' 125 -6, subdivision B, have been met.
2
jThe Town Board, in granting an application for a longer
i temporary certificate of occupancy or a reduction in fee may
impose such reasonable conditions as it deems appropriate
under the circumstances pertaining .
Section 3 . Chapter 153 of the Code of the Town of Ithaca, ' 153 -7 , subdivision A, is
amended by deleting said subdivision and inserting instead the following :
A . The fee for the issuance of a temporary certificate of occupancy
related to a building permit shall be the greater of $25 or 50% of the
building permit fee, unless reduced or waived pursuant to ' 125 -6 . B .
(9) of the Code of the Town of Ithaca.
Section 4 . If any provision of this law is found invalid by any court of competent
jurisdiction, such invalidity shall not affect any other provisions of this local law which shall remain
in full force and effect.
Section 5 . This local law shall take effect upon the later of its posting and publication or its
filing with the New York Secretary of State .
r
� II
I
3
I
(Complete the certification in the paragraph that applies to the filing of this local law and
strike out that which is not applicable.)
(]Final adoption by local legislative body only,)
hereby certify that the local law .annexed hereto, designated as local law No. - __ === _=9_ _ __ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ of 2005
of the (6s�i �A13Town)( c}lag�} of - - � T.. ....- - was duly passed b the
YP Y
- - - - - - -- - - -O B _ _ _ D - - - - - - - - - - - - - - onOCT o _ _ 17 _ _ 20 . 05
(Name of Legislative Body) in accordance with the applicable provisions of law.
2. (Passage by local legislative body with approval, no disapproval or repassage after disapproval
by the Elective Chief Executive Officer*.)
I hereby certify that the local law annexed hereto, designated as local law No. ____ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ of 20-_ _ _ _ _
of the (County)(City)(Town)(Village) of - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - _ . .. . .. . . . . _ . . . . . . . _ . .. . . ._ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ - -- - - - - - - - - - was duly passed by the
-
- - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - on - - _ - - - - - - _ _ _ - - - - - - 20 _ _ _ , and was (approved)(not approved)(repassed after
(Name of Legislative Body)
disapproval) by the - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - --- - _ - - - - - - _- - - - --- - - - - _ _ _ _ - - - - -- and was deemed duly adopted on _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 2p_ _ __
(Elective Chief Executive Officer*)
in accordance with the applicable provisions of law.
3. (Final adoption by referendum .) _
ereby certify that the local law annexed hereto, designated as local law No. __ _ _ _ __ _ __ __ _ _ _ _ __ __ _ - of 20- - - _ _ _
- - - -- - - - - - - - -
I I the (County)(City)(Town) (Village) of - - - - -- _ __ _ - - - - - - _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ . .... . . ..._ __ was duly passed by the-
. . .. . .. .. . . . - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - -- on - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - 20- - - - , and was (approved)(not approved)(repassed after
me of Legislative Body)
approval) by the - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - on- - - - - - - --
- - - - - - - - -- - 20- - . . . Such local law was submitted
(Elective Chief Executive Officer*)
to the people by reason of a (mandatory)(permissive) referendum, and received the affirmative vote of a majority of
the qualified electors voting thereon at the (general)(special)(annual) election held on _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 20L _ _ _ , in
accordance with the applicable provisions of law.
4. (Subject to permissive referendum and final adoption because no valid petition was filed requesting
referendum .)
I hereby certify that the local law annexed hereto, designated as local law No. .. . . .. _ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - _ . . . . . . _ _ _ of 20- _ _ _ _ _
of the (County)(City)(Town) (Village) of _ _ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - _ _ _ - - - - - - - - -- _ _ _ was duly passed by the
- - - - - - - - - - - . . . . . . . . . .. . - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - on _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ 2Q_ _ _ _ , and was (approved)(not approved)(repassed after
(Name of Legislative Body)
disapproval) by the _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
- - - - - - - - - - on - - - - - - -- _ _ _ _ - - - - - - 20 _ _ _ , Such local law was subject to
- - - - - - - - - - -
(Elective Chief Executive Officer*)
permissive referendum and no valid petition requesting such referendum was filed as of _ _ __ - - - - - - - - - - - - - _ 2Q _ _ _ , in
accordance with the applicable provisions of law.
t tive Chief Executive Officer means or includes the chief executive officer of a county elected on a county -
basis or, if there be none, the chairperson of the county legislative body, the mayor of a city or village, or
upervisor of a town where such officer Is vested with the power to approve or veto local laws or ordinances .
(2)�
5. (City local law concerning Charter revision proposed by petition .)
I hereby certify that the local law annexed hereto, designated as local law No. - - - - - - - - - - - _ _ _ - - - - - - - - - - - - _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ of 20
the City of - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - having been submitted to referendum pursuant to he provisions o
ction (36)(37) of the Municipal Home Rule Law, and having received the affirmative vote of a majority of the
,aalified electors of such city voting thereon at the (special)(general) election held on _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ X120 _ _ _ _
became operative . '
6. (County local law concerning adoption of Charter.)
I hereby certify that the local law annexed hereto, designated as local law No. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ - -- - -- - - - _ _ 1 of 20- - _ _ _ _
of the County of _ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - -- - - - - - - _- - - - State of New York, having been submitted to the electors
at the General Election of November _ _ _ _ __ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 20_ _ _ _ , pursuant to subdivisions 5 and 7 of section 33 of the
Municipal Home Rule Law, and having received the affirmative vote of a majority of the qualified electors of the cit-
ies of said county as a unit and a majority of the qualified electors of the towns of said county considerled as a unit
voting at said general election, became operative .
(If any other authorized form of final adoption has been followed , please provide an appropriate certification.)
I further certify that I have compared the preceding local law with the original on file in this office and (that the same
is a correct transcript therefrom and of the whole of such original local law, and was finally adopted In the manner in-
dicated in paragraph- - - - - _ 1_ _ _ _ , above .
Clerk of the County legislative body�6ity, Town orVillage Clerk
or officer designated by local legislative body
Seal •
) Date .
(Certification to be executed by County Attorney, Corporation Counsel, Town Attorney, Village Attorney or
other authorized attorney of locality.)
STATE OF NEW YORK
COUNTY OF TOMPK I NS
I, the undersigned, hereby certify that the foregoing local law c ntains the correct text and that all proper proceedings
have been had or taken for the enactment of the local law ann x d reto.C / 6-L ✓
Signature
Title
i
— of ITHACA
Town
Village
Date : T-( r P � c J91)
(3 )
October 17 , 2005 Town Board Meeting ATTACHMENT # 4
To the Members of the Ithaca Town Board
215 North Tioga Street
Ithaca, NY 14850
October 17 , 2005
Less than a month ago , I purchased the property at 1442 Hanshaw Road,
which I chose because it provides a strong sense of country living so close to town.
Sharing the property with me is its most striking landscape feature, an enormous, healthy
oak tree more than 200 years old. I have spoken to previous owners of the property who
went to great lengths to protect this tree from road salt and other manmade hazards which
have threatened it since the property was converted from farmland in 1957 . My new
neighbors have spoken to me about how much they enjoy it and how it adds majesty,
shade and beauty to the neighborhood. As stated in Goal 7 of the Transportation Plan,
protecting the environment and the significant natural, agricultural, scenic, and historic
resources in the Town of Ithaca is part of the process you have undertaken to make
transportation better for all the citizens of the Town of Ithaca. It seems this tree is in the
way of human progress, and I am here to plead with you to find creative ways to progress
around it without endangering it further in the long term . I invite each of you to take the
time to visit the property and see this beauty for yourselves . Thank you for your
consideration of my request .
R ect ,
Erica J. Je p
1442 Hanshaw Road
Ithaca, NY 14850
1
�� OF' Ip October 17 , 2005 Town Board Meeting ATTACHMENT # 5
TOWN OF ITHACA
215 N . Tioga Street, Ithaca, N.Y. 14850
www .town . ithaca. ny .us
TOWN CLERK 273- 1721 ENGINEERING 273- 1747 PLANNING 273-1747 ZONING 273- 1783
PUBLIC WORKS FACILITY (Roads, Parks, Trails, Water & Sewer) 273- 1656
FAX (607) 273- 1704 or (607) 273-5854
MEMORANDUM
TO: Town Board
FROM : Judith C . Drake, PHR, Human Resources Manager
DATE: October 6, 2005
SUBJECT: Building & Zoning Department Review Committee' s Recommendation
The committee has conducted a review of the department and has assessed the needs of the Town. The committee
recommends restructuring the Town' s organization by dissolving the current Building and Zoning department. The main two
functions of the Department would be split and put under the Director of Planning and the Director of Engineering. Refer to
the attached Planned Changes of Building and Zoning Department outline for detailed information. Also refer to the cost
analysis of the restructuring.
The reasoning for this recommendation is to improve upon the Town' s organizational structure and to enhance the
performance of the employees and departments. The committee reviewed the demands and functions of the "department"
which include mostly field and review work that should not be done by Director level employee. A director level position t
should be 90% administration and management of the department, which we assessed could be done by directors of other
existing departments. This assessment allowed the committee to focus the decision on the needs to have at least two full
time staff focusing their attention on the building and code enforcement function, while monitoOring the overall staff work
load .
Some of the major benefits of the recommendation include:
•More efficient operations of the Town
*Better coordination between the planning, building and code enforcement and engineering functions
*Ability to match up functions of one department with functions from another department
*Work flow of current staffing enhanced and improved
*Cost efficiencies of less top management
*Enhanced autonomy and decision making of middle management
*Better coordination between Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals
Attached for your review and consideration is a draft resolution approving of the recommendation of the committee to
dissolve the current Building and Zoning department and restructure the operations of the department under the Planning
Department and Engineering Department.
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OUTLINE OF PROPOSED CHANGES
TO BUILDING AND ZONING DEPARTMENT:
• Building and Zoning Department would be dissolved and functions would be moved to other departments.
• Director of Building and Zoning position would be abolished.
• The Building and Zoning Department which has two major functions would be split up and moved to other
departments:
o Building Code, Zoning Code and other code enforcement (building permit review, inspections, fire
inspections)
o ZBA coordination, including zoning code implementation and SEQRA reviews.
• Planning Department would take on all coordination of the ZBA and be responsible for attending meetings .
• Process ZBA applications
• Scheduling the agenda for the Zoning Board.
• Interpret provisions in the Zoning and Subdivision Codes, upon referral from Sr. Code
Enforcement Officer
• Enforcement Officers would continue to investigate complaints and look for code violations when
in the field and when reviewing building permits . Take initial calls or inquires regarding the
zoning and other code provisions.
• Director of Engineering responsible for being the department head responsible for the Code Enforcement Officers .
See attached Organizational Chart.
• Reporting to Town Board any issues regarding building code violations .
• Represent Engineering and Code Enforcement at SAC meetings, especially issues that need John
Barney' s attention.
• Hires, fires, disciplines, trains, and supervises staff.
• Formulate and implement department policies and procedures .
• Prepares annual budget request.
o Assistant Director of Building and Zoning title will be promoted to Senior Code Enforcement Officer and
reclassified to "P" classification. Sr. Code Enforcement Officer would be responsible for coordination of
inspections, building permits, initial public contact (i .e. : zoning and other code questions) and office
coverage of subordinate Enforcement Officer(s).
o No changes for current Code Enforcement Officer position.
o Will be the need to evaluate to necessity to hire a second Code Enforcement Officer.
• Sr. Typist presently working for B/Z Department would be working under the direction of the Director of Planning.
The 2 Sr. Typists would be the administrative team for the entire PEZ staff.
Resolutions that will need to be approved to accomplish these changes:
• Town Board approves Committee' s recommendation for changes outlined
• Create Sr. Code Enforcement Officer position at the "P" classification and approve job description
• Abolish Assistant Director of Building and Zoning position
• Appoint Kristie Rice to the Sr. Code Enforcement Officer position as a promotional provisional appointment
requesting a non-competitive promotional exam.
• Changes to Zoning and other code sections if refers to Director of Building and Zoning
• Revise job descriptions for:
o Director of Engineering
o Code Enforcement Officer
• Abolish Director of Building and Zoning position (January 2006)
• Approve new Organizational Chart
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Cost Analysis of Building and Zoning
All wages based on projected 2006 wages:
I oil
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Current Structure: @ current 37. 5 hrs
Director of Building and Zoning $ 655032 .50
Assistant Director of Building and Zoning $ 45 ,844. 50
Code Enforcement Officer $ 43 ,056078
Sub total : $ 153, 933 .78
it
Director of Planning $ 79 ,287. 00
Director of Engineering $ 802579 .20
Total $ 313 ,799 .98
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Proposed Plan Abolishing Dir of B/Z
Based on 37 . 5 hrs Based on 40 hrs
Sr. Code Enforcement Officer $ 50 ,533. 86 $ 53, 902.78
Code Enforcement Officer $ 43 ,056 .78 $ 45 , 926 . 40 _
Sub total : $ 93 ,590 .64 $ 99 , 829 . 18
Director of Planning $ 79 , 287 . 00 $ 79, 287. 00
Director of Engineering $ 80, 579 . 20 $ 80 , 579 .20
Total $ 253,456 . 84 $ 259 ,695 . 38 j
Cost Savings : $ 60,34314 $ 54, 104.60
Plus benefits for Director $ 259850.00 $ 259850.00
Total Cost Savings: $ 86919114 $ 79,954.60
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Proposed Plan Abolishing Dir of B/Z but adding an additional Code Enf Off. i
Based on 37 . 5 hrs Based on 40 hrs
Sr. Code Enforcement Officer $ 50 ,533 .86 $ 53, 902 .78
Code Enforcement Officer $ 43, 056.78 $ 45 , 926 .40
Code Enforcement Officer $ 42, 081 . 00 $ 445886.40
Sub total : $ 135 ,671 . 64 $ 144 ,715.58
Director of Planning $
79 , 287. 00 $ 79 , 287 . 00
Director of Engineering $ 80 ,57920 $ 80, 579 . 20
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Total $ 295 , 537.84 $ 304 , 581 .78
II
Cost Savings : $ 18926214 $ 99218 .20
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October 17 , 2005 Town Board Meeting ATTACHMENT # 6
Tompkins , County _�
YOfTrV14 .BURSA
320 Wes>tlState,;iW4t i , `• -I `�
Ithaca, N&No" A485W
Telephone (60� 274 5310 •pFax SEP 3�(607) 274-5313 Q 2005 .�
E-mail youthbutea i A ins-co.org
11 + rte
MEMO
To : Town Supervisors
Lansing Village Mayor VV
City of Ithaca Mayor
Town & Village Clerks
Recreation Partnership Board Members
From : Janice M. Johnson, Coordinator of Youth Services
Date : September 28th, 2005
Re : Recreation Partnership By-law changes
Attached please find a copy of proposed by-law changes made to the Recreation
Partnership By-laws . These changes were voted on by the RP Board on Tuesday
September 27th, 2005 . There were 9 yes votes and 0 no votes, which constitutes a
majority vote of the entire board. All amendments voted on by the Recreation
Partnership Board must then be ratified by all the governing bodies of the participating
municipalities prior to the amendments being adopted.
Please take these'proposed changes to your Town, Village, or City Board for ratification.
Please send to me documentation that a vote to accepted the proposed changes has been
made, or reasons why you can not accept the recommended changes . If you have any
questions please feel free to call me at 274-5310 or jjohnson(a),tompkins-co .org.
Creating opportunities for youth: Our purpose, Our promise . . . Since 1977.
.,$ Recycled paper
1
1
2 BY-LAWS
3 Recreation Partnership Board
4
5 I. Name : The name shall be the Recreation Partnership Board.
6
7 II. Preamble : The Recreation Partnership Board is a unique inter-municipal
8 compact created to jointly plan, finance, provide, oversee and coordinate shared,
9 recreational services that supplement and complement those offered by
10 municipalities.
11
12 III. Purpose : The Recreation Partnership Board shall have the following duties,
13 powers, and responsibilities :
14 - Identify a set of shared services to be provided to residents of member
15 municipalities. Authorize additions or deletions of programs .
16 - Select providers to implement the programs.
17 - Approve a net operating budget that includes the costs of all services,
18 fees, revenues, sponsorship goals, and scholarship guidelines.
19 - Recommend a pro-rata share of municipal contributions based on a
20 mutually agreeable cost-sharing formula.
21 - Oversee contracted services, monitoring the quality and costs of the
22 service providers .
23 - Evaluate the performance of providers .
24 - Make regular reports to participating municipalities.
25
26 ,
27 IV. Membership : Each participating municipality shall have one seat on the
28 governing board. In 'addition the City of Ithaca, Town of Ithaca, and Tompkins
29 County may appoint one additional member to reflect their greater investment in
30 the Partnership . In addition, each municipality can appoint one voting alternate
31 ep r seat (per municipality) . Each participating municipality will strive to fill these
32 seats with elected officials willing and able to make policy decisions. Only if no
33 elected official is willing to fill a seat can a municipality appoint a lay designee.
34 The Recreation Partnership Board may determine if it wants to create any non-
35 voting at-large seats to add expertise or coordinating links . This may be done by
36 a 3/4 majority vote of the members at a regular meeting of the Board. The at-
37 large seats will be created for a two-year period of time and if the Board wants to
38 continue the seat it will be revoted on for another two-year term.
39
40 V. Selection of Members : Members and alternates will be appointed by resolution
41 at the pleasure of their municipal board for a term of two years .
42
43 VI. Terms of Office: Terms shall be for two years beginning January 1St and ending
44 December 31St the following year. Vacancies shall be filled as soon as possible
45 for the remainder of the unexpired term.
f
2
1 VII. Officers : Each year the Board shall elect a Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, and
2 Treasurer from among its members. The officers shall be nominated by a
3 nominating committee that shall be appointed in November and present their slate
4 of officers at the December meeting. Officers shall be elected at the January
5 meeting for the term of one year. New names for nomination can be put forth up
6 to and at the January meeting for consideration. Prior to a vote nominees must
7 have agreed to serve.
8
9 VIII. Duties of Officers :
10
11 Chair : shall develop the agenda in consultation with the Tompkins County Youth
12 Bureau staff and providers, chair the meetings, represent the Recreation
13 Partnership Board at inter-municipal or public meetings, assist as needed in
14 contract negotiations to implement the wishes of the Recreation Partnership
15 Board.
16 Vice Chair : shall act in the absence of the chair.
17 Treasurer : will work with the provider(s) and Tompkins County Youth Bureau
18 staff to develop a format for regular financial report that meet the needs of the
19 Recreation Partnership Board. Review the financial reports prior to the Board
20 meetings and present the report to the full Board, noting any significant changes
21 in expenses or revenue. The Treasurer will also recommend to the Board a
22 budget timetable and guidelines to enable providers to prepare budgets for the
23 upcoming year.
24
25 IX. Quorum : A quorum shall consist of a simple majority of the persons ap op inted
26 and acting as members of the overnin bg oatd(full membership)
27
28 X. Voting: Each member is entitled to one vote at any meeting for which the
29 member is present. An appointed alternate is permitted to vote when replacing
30 their official municipal representative. Passage of a motion requires a majority
31 vote of the persons appointed and acting as members of the governing board. (full
32 memberships) There shall be no proxy votes .
33
34 XI. Fiscal Year: The fiscal year shall be from January 1 to December 31 .
35
36 XII. Committees : The Chairperson shall appoint all committees, subject to the
37 approval of the Recreation Partnership Board. All Committee terms expire at the
38 end of the fiscal year, but persons may be re-appointed. All members of a
39 committee have equal vote if present. Non-board members may be invited to
40 serve as voting members of committees.
41
42 The Chairperson shall appoint any committee deemed necessary by the
43 Recreation Partnership Board.
44
45 The Nominating Committee shall be appointed in November and recommend a
46 slate of officers for the coming year by the following month in December.
G
3
1
2 The Finance Committee shall be appointed in the month following the election of
3 new officers. The Treasurer shall serve on the Finance Committee.
4
5
6 XIII. Amendments : These by-laws may be amended by a majority vote of the entire
7 board provided that the proposed amendment has been presented for consideration
8 of the Board at the preceding regular meeting. In addition, the proposed
9 amendment must be mailed at least ten days to all members before the meeting at
10 which the proposed change is to be voted upon.
11
12 All amendments voted on by the Recreation Partnership Board must then be
13 ratified by all of the governing bodies of the participating municipalities prior to
14 the amendment being adopted.
15
16 XIV. Saving Clause : In the event any part of these bylaws shall conflict with any
17 provisions of requirements of state, local, or federal Law, the provisions of any
18 state, local or federal Law shall control and the other provisions of these bylaws
19 shall not be invalidated by such conflict.
20
21 XV. Conflict of Interest: Anyone employed in or contracting with a program funded
22 by the Recreation Partnership Board is ineligible to serve as a voting member of
23 the Recreation Partnership Board.
24
i 25 If a member has a potential conflict of interest s/he must explain her or his
26 relationship to the program before the matter is discussed or voted on. Members
27 must abstain from discussing and/or voting on any specific actions that are, or
28 give the appearance of, being motivated by a desire for private financial gain for
29 themselves or others such as those with whom they have family, business, or
30 other ties .
31
32 XVI. Adoption : These Bylaws shall become effective upon adoption by a majority
33 vote of the members of the Recreation Partnership Board and approval of all of
34 the participating municipalities .
35
36 Presented to the Recreation Partnership Board on July 26th 2005 to be voted on at
37 the September 27th meeting. Words in (parentheses) to be deleted and replaced with
38 Underlined words.
39
40
41
TOWN CLERKS MONTHLY REPORT ATTACHMENT # 7
TOWN OF ITHACA, NEW YORK
October 17 , 2005 Town Board Meeting SEPTEMBER, 2005
T [nt SUPERVISOR: PAGE 1
I to Sec tion 27, Subd 1 of the Town Law, I hereby make the following statement of all fees and moneys received
b connection with my office during the month stated above, excepting only such fees and moneys the application
a ent of which are otherwise provided for by Law:
A1255
13 MARRIAGE LICENSES NO. 05097 TO 05109 227 . 50
5 MISC. COPIES 94. 80
1 ZONING ORDINANCE 12. 80
2 TAX SEARCH 10.00
1 RETURNED CHECK- W&S 5 .00
1 USE OF PARKS & BLDG 25 .00
2 MARRIAGE TRANSCRIPT 30 .00
TOTAL TOWN CLERK FEES 405. 10
A1557
1 SPCA IMPOUND FEES 40.00
TOTAL A1557 40.00
A2544
DOG LICENSES 663 . 15
TOTAL A2544 663. 15
T
16 BUILDING PERMIT 4, 195 .00
2 BUILDING PERMIT EXTENSIN 125 .00
5 ZONING BOARD MTG 500 .00
5 TEMP CERTIFICATE OCCUP 1 ,025 .00
3 OPERATING PERMIT 200.00
TOTAL B2110 69045900
B2115
2 SITE PLAN INIT. APL. FEE 200.00
1 SITE PLAN PRELIM. PLAN r 1 ,000.00
1 SITE PLAN FINAL PLAN 250.00
1 ADD. MTG . FEE AGENDA PRO 50.00
TOTAL B2115 19500.00
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TOWN CLERK' S MONTHLY REPORT
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SEPTEMBER, 2005
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Page 2
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DISBURSEMENTS
PAID TO SUPERVISOR FOR GENERAL FUND ! 13108 .25
PAID TO SUPERVISOR FOR PART TOWN FUND 73545 .00
PAID TO COUNTY TREASURER FOR DOG LICENSES 123 . 85
PAID TO AG & MARKETS FOR DOG LICENSES 21 .00
PAID TO NYS HEALTH DEPT FOR MARRIAGE LICENSES 292.50
TOTAL DISBURSEMENTS i 9,090.60
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OCTOBER 3 , 2005 '"e , SUPERVISOR
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STATE OF NEW YORK, COUNTY OF TOMPKINS, TOWN OF ITHACA
I
I, TEE-ANN HUNTER, being duly sworn, says that I am the Clerk of the TOWN OF ITHACA
that the foregoing is a full and true statement of all Fees and moneys received by me during the month ted, excepting
only such Fees the application and payment of which are otherwise provided W.
Subscribed and sworn to before me this
1 llt
Town Clerk
I day of 11G� �(.r�-/ 20 Q�
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Notary Public j
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CARRIE WHITMORE
I
Notary No blici Stale 287ew York
Toga County
Commission Expires December 26,
TOWN OF ITHACA
Public Works Department' s Monthly Board Report
September 2005 for the October 17, 2005 Meeting
ROADS: We installed shoulders on the roads we surface treated/ mix paved this summer: Sky-
vue Drive, Updike Road, Salem Drive and Burns Road .
We constructed a snowplow turn-a-around on the west end of Roat Street, which should
eliminate a yearly call from the resident there to repair lawn damage.
A diversion ditch was extended, re-graded, and seeded below Southwoods development to
eliminate a persistent flooding problem to several residences on the lower end of East King
Road .
Driveway culverts were installed at homes on Peach Tree Lane, Glenside Road, Lexington
Drive, and Juniper Drive.
Hot patching was done throughout the Town to repair potholes, settled excavations, broken
pavement edges, and water break sites.
A road-crossing culvert was jet rodded to clear it of accumulated gravel, which will increase its
flow capacity in a critical area on Blackstone Avenue.
Intermunicipal cooperation continued : We helped the Town of Lansing install their shoulders,
providing trucks, equipment, and operators; trucked for the Village of Cayuga Heights and the
Town of Ulysses; the City of Ithaca borrowed our excavator and chipper; our Bobcat and
pavement grinder worked at the Village of Cayuga Heights; and we did some sewer vacuuming
for the Town of Dryden.
Other miscellaneous work done this month include :
• Materials hauled in for stockpiling, including 1St stone and crushed limestone.
• Our tools, supplies, and equipment inventory was updated .
• Traffic counts were recorded at: Forest Home Drive and Winthrop Drive.
• Repairs were made on our salt mixing equipment.
• We excavated to locate utilities on Halcyon Hill Road to help determine how best to
repair the pavement.
• Cleaned up storm-damaged trees from a fast moving front the end of the month.
• Voting machines were put out for primary elections .
• Surplus vehicles, tools, and equipment were sold at the municipal auction in Lansing.
PARKS AND TRAILS: We continued working on various components of Tutelo Park: Finished
roofing and gables on comfort station, the parking lot was graded, stabilized siltation pond, and
mowed entire park and ceremonial area for Tutelo celebration.
The Honness Lane to Mitchell Street section of East Ithaca Recreation Way was trimmed out in
preparation for paving of the trail, using Penn-Can' s mix paving method . The addit ion of
several inches of pavement will aid in improving drainage off the trail bed, which has always
been a problem there .
The combination of drought and the ravaging effects of the viburnum leaf beetle on shrubs
throughout our park system have required us to cut down and remove dozens of shrubs .
Gravel was cleaned out of a creek at a critical culvert on the South Hill Recreation Way .
We completed the gravel sub-base of the William and Hannah Pew Trail from Snyder Hill Road
to Joanne Drive, along with re-grading of the planting/ screening berm at the parking lot and
backing up the trail edges with dirt material .
Regular grounds maintenance, mowing, trimming, and weekly site checks continued as lawns
began growing again.
Dead trees were replaced in the front lawn of the Public Works Facility . Tree stumps were dug
out and removed in the lawn area at Eastern Heights Park. Topsoil and seed was applied to the
holes created .
Several hundred spring flowering bulbs were planted in the front beds (N . Tioga St. side) at
Town Hall at part of our beautification grant.
WATER: A hydrant was replaced on Christopher Lane . We installed T-main hydrants at the
Burdick Hill Water Tank and Pearsall Pump Station for SCLIWC .
A damaged valve was repaired near the Judd Falls Road/ Forest Home Drive intersection.
We constructed pads and installed fiberglass buildings to house controls at the Ulysses Water
Tank, Ridgecrest Tank, and Danby Road Tank .
The water main back lots of Warren Road and Muriel Street was hydro axed to clear trees and
brush so we could install a diversion ditch to control flooding out several homes adjacent to our
easement.
Projects to be worked on in October:
1 . Town-wide brush pick-up is the week of October 17th through 21St.
2 . Fall cleanups at all parks and trails .
3 . Install shoulders with other Townships .
4 . Fall lawn repairs .
5 . Hazardous tree removals along various roads .
6 . Transplant and move hedge at corner of Coy Glen and Elm Street Ext.
7. Pave parking lot at Tutelo Park.
8 . Hydro ax water main at Pine Tree Water Tank.
9 . Finalize snowplow runs .
10 . Early leaf pick up .
s
Town Engineer' s Report for 10/17/2005
Town Board Meeting
GENERAL
Pre-Disaster Hazard Mitigation Plan
FEMA is continuing review of the plan.
EARTH FILL PERMITS
No fill permits were issued in September.
WATER PROJECTS
SCLIWC Office Addition
The Phase II renovation of the existing office space is substantially complete and has been issued a Certificate
of Occupancy by the Village of Lansing. There are still a number of punch list items remaining to be
completed before the contracts can be closed.
East Hill Transmission Main and Storage Tank
LRS Excavating, a sub contractor to Natgun Corp, has started site clearing and excavation for the Three
Million Water Storage Tank. The project is a SCLIWC funded and contracted project and the Town
Engineering Staff is providing Construction Inspection and project management services with
reimbursement from the Commission.
Trumansburg Road Water Tank
On August the Trumansburg Road water tank was emptied to allow inspection of the tank interior. The
inspection showed that the tank is in good condition other than a failure of the coating . The Engineering
staff is preparing plans and specifications to make minor improvements to the tank overflow and for
recoating the interior and exterior of the tank in 2006 .
SEWER PROJECTS
South woods Subdivision Force Main
Final transfer of the property to the Town is pending.
Danby Road Sewer Extension to Schickel Road
The sewer main was accepted by the Town Board at the September meeting.
IAWWTF Phosphorus Removal Project
Installation of the process equipment is continuing with substantial completion expected in November.
Joint Interceptor Sewer Projects
The First Street Interceptor construction is proceeding with City of Ithaca forces doing the work. Town Staff is
monitoring the construction process, which has been proceeding smoothly.
i
TOWN ENGINEERS REPORT 10/ 17/2005
STORM WATER MANAGEMENT
I
The Town Engineers office is continuing to work on the watershed plan and model for the Town. Data that
was collected by the engineering interns will be processed and developed into a stormwater model for the
Town.
Northeast
Development of the drainage plan is continuing with an initial concentration of the Salem Drive area and the
Hanshaw Road drainage system. Drainage improvements are being .coordinated with the County plan for
reconstruction of Hanshaw Road.
The Town Public works department completed drainage improvements along the Town Line west of Uptown
Road, which should alleviate drainage problems on Lexington Ave. properties.
I
Storm Water Working Group
The Town of Ithaca is a participant in the Tompkins County Stormwater Working Group, which
was formed to meet the needs of municipalities that must comply with the NYSDEC Phase II stormwater
regulations . These municipalities are owners of municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s) and are
required to meet the "minimum measures" of the law. Failure to comply with these regulations (e . g . failu
to submit an annual report, failure to adopt required local laws, failure to enforce regulations) may result i
fines (up to $37 , 500 per day) . A second component of these regulations is a state-wide requirement for all
land disturbance activities (such as construction) that exceed one-acre in size to apply foi a stormwater
permit.
I
The Tompkins County Stormwater Working Group was established in October 2003 and is comprised of
representatives from Tompkins County; City of Ithaca; Towns of Caroline, Dryden, Ithaca, Lansing,
Newfield and Ulysses ; and Villages of Cayuga Heights and Lansing . The New York State Department of
Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), New York State Department of Transportation, Tompkins County
Soil and Water Conservation District (TCSWCD) , Tompkins County Cooperative Extension (CCE) , Cornell
University, Ithaca City School District, BOCES , T. G . Miller, Cayuga Lake Watershed Intermunicipal
Organization (IO) , and Cayuga Lake Watershed Network (Network) also participate in and contribute to the
group .
The purpose of the SWG is to facilitate cooperation among the municipalities in their efforts to comply with
the Phase Il Stormwater Regulations and thus maximize resources and save money . The SWG meets on a
monthly basis with meeting facilitation and minute recording shared among participants .
Past participation in the SWG was free and voluntary . No formal agreement exists to be a member;
however, starting in 2006 , a municipality must sign an intermunicipal agreement and pay an annual fee to
a member and receive benefits of the SWG . The SWG is proposing that the MS4 municipalities (Coun
City, 6 Towns, and 2 Villages) would each pay a membership fee of $ 1500 .
I
Town Engineer's Report October 17, 2005
Daniel R. Walker Page 2 10/ 11 /2005
i
TOWN ENGINEERS REPORT 10/ 17/2005
The Town Engineer has recommended that this fee be included in the 2006 Town Budget and is working
with the SWG along with the assistant Director of Planning to develop the memo of understanding of
participation in the SWG which will be brought to the Town Board for approval before the end of the year.
DEVELOPMENT REVIEW
LINDERMAN CREEK PHASE THREE
Linderman Creek Phase Three is substantially complete . The emergency access has been abandoned and
minor landscaping work is being completed.
CAYUGA MEDICAL CENTER
Engineering staff is monitoring the sediment and erosion control practices .
WEIDERMEIR SUBDIVISION
Sediment and erosion controls are being monitored . The common driveway and utilities are in place and the
area has being landscaped and stabilized . One of the lots has been sold and a house built. The NYS
stormwater monitoring regulations require a subdivision developer to maintain the sediment and erosion
control components of the entire site until all construction is completed on all lots in the subdivision.
SOUTHWOODS
Construction of phase II improvements is substantially complete . The developer is working on final
stabilization and restoration of the road cuts and drainage system. The Town is working with the developer
to complete aspects of the stormwater management system, which protects properties down stream of the
development. Legal responsibility for maintenance of the permanent storm water management measures is
in the process of being finalized .
WESTVIEW SUBDIVISION
Construction of Phase I of the roads and utilities has been substantially completed, and the Town Board has
accepted that portion of the project. The Engineering staff is monitoring the sediment and erosion control
program for the site, which is currently in compliance with the sediment and erosion control plan and
general permit from DEC .
OVERLOOK ON THE WEST HILL
Site work is underway with the mass grading for Phase 1 substantially complete. Both onsite and off site
water and sewer improvements are substantially complete . Dedication of the portions to be owned by the
Town will occur after all tests and certifications are complete and record drawings are received . The
roadway which will be come a Town road has been started with construction of the base . The road is being
used as the primary construction access to the site . Final details of the intersection design with Rte 96
including the new traffic signal have received approval from NYSDOT. The Engineering staff is monitoring
the site sediment and erosion control measures .
Town Engineer's Report October 17, 2005
Daniel R. Walker Page 3 10/ 11 /2005
r
o �yOFIr�
9 TOWN OF ITHACA PLANNING DEPARTMENT
U9 - 215 NORTH TIOGA STREET, ITHACA, N.Y. 14850
�� W X04
Jonathan Kanter, A.I.C.P. (607) 273-1747
Director of Planning FAX (607) 273-1704
Planning Director ' s Report for October 17 , 2005 Town Board Meeting
DEVELOPMENT REVIEW
September 6, 2005 Meeting :
Lot Line Modification, 101 Harris B Dates Drive : The Planning Board granted Preliminary and
Final Subdivision Approval for the proposed subdivision of +/- 300 square feet on the southeast
corner of Trumansburg Road and Harris B . Dates Drive to be conveyed to New York State
Department of Transportation for the installation of new traffic control devices, 101 Harris B . Dates
Drive, Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No . 24-3 -2 . 1 , Office Park Commercial Zone . Cayuga Medical
Center, Owner; Peter J . Trowbridge, Trowbridge & Wolf, LLP, Agent.
Cornell t-GEIS : The Planning Board heard a presentation of the Ten-year Transportation Impact
Mitigation Strategies (TIMS) and the associated transportation focused Generic Environmental
Impact Statement (t-GEIS) being jointly undertaken by Cornell University and the Town of Ithaca.
The t-GEIS will address transportation impacts on the community surrounding the campus related
to an increasing population traveling to Cornell . The TIMS will evolve in response to the feedback
obtained from the t-GEIS process, and may include recommendations for transportation demand
management, multi-modal transportation strategies, access and circulation modifications, and
zoning changes. The Planning Board declared their intent to be Lead Agency for the project.
Kathryn Wolf, RLA, Principal-in-Charge,
Sketch Plan Review for the Proposed Ithaca College School of Business, Ithaca College
Campus, Danby Road : The Planning Board considered a Sketch Plan for the proposed Ithaca
College School of Business building located north of Job Hall on the Ithaca College campus, Town
of Ithaca Tax Parcel No . ' s 41 - 1 -30 .2 and 41 - 1 -30 .4, Medium Density Residential Zone . The
proposal includes construction of a new +/- 42 ,000 square foot building for the School of Business
which will include new classrooms, faculty offices, conference rooms, and an atrium along with
approximately 26 parking spaces located on the lower level of the building. The project will also
include new landscaping, walkways, lighting, and stormwater facilities. Ithaca College,
Owner/Applicant; Fred Vanderburgh, Agent.
Review of Revised Sketch Plan for the Proposed Sky Gardens Condominiums and
Subdivision, Mecklenburg Road : The Planning Board considered a revised Sketch Plan for the
proposed Sky Gardens Condominiums located on the north side of Mecklenburg Road across from
Rachel Carson Way, Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No . 27- 1 - 14 .2, Agricultural Zone, and a 45 +/- lot
subdivision for single-family homes on approximately 65 . 6 +/- acres, on a portion of Town of
Ithaca Tax Parcel No , 27- 1 - 11 . 2 . The condominium proposal includes the construction of
approximately 200 condominium units in multiple buildings, a great hall, an indoor/outdoor
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swimming pool and entertainment area, a spa and fitness center, tennis courts, several miles of
walking paths, new roads and parking lots, and stormwater facilities . John Rancich,
Owner/Applicant. The next agenda item, the proposed Perry subdivision, involves subdividing off
a 65 . 6 +/- acre parcel from the Perry property, to be consolidated for development of 45 /- single
family lots, and will be discussed in conjunction with this proposal, with the SEQR determination
and Public Hearing for Perry following .
Perry 2-Lot Subdivision, 107 Bundy Road : The Planning Board granted Preliminary and Final
Subdivision Approval for the proposed 2-lot subdivision located at 107 Bundy Road, Town of
Ithaca Tax Parcel No , 27- 1 - 112 , Medium Density Residential Zone . The proposal involves
subdividing off a +/- 65 . 634-acre parcel from the +/- 119 . 966-acre parcel for consolidation with the
adjacent Tax Parcel No . 27- 1 - 14 . 2 (off Mecklenburg Road) , Richard A. and Mary IL. Perry,
Owners/Applicants ; Carl Sgrecci, Agent
September 20, 2005 Meeting :
Cleveland 3-Lot Subdivision, 1032 .5 Danby Road : The Planning Board granted Preliminary and
Final Subdivision Approval for the proposed 3 -lot subdivision located at 1032 . 5 Danby Road , Town
of Ithaca Tax Parcel No . 39- 1 -9, High Density Residential Zone . The proposal involves
subdividing the +/- 2 . 6-acre parcel into three parcels : one parcel of +/- 0 . 92 in the northeast portion
containing an existing residence, one parcel of +/- 0 . 56 in the southern portion, and one parcel of +/-
1 . 11 acres in the western portion of the lot. Travis & Kathy Cleveland, Owners/Applicants . This
proposal was postponed from the August 2 , 2005 meeting as a proposal for a 2-lot subdivision.
HSBC Bank Site Improvements, 302 Pine Tree Road : The Planning Board granted Preliminary
and Final Site Plan Approval for Site Plan Modifications at the HSBC Bank located at 302 Pine
Tree Road, Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No . 62- 1 -2 . 1 , Community Commercial Zone . The proposal
involves adding two parking spaces, new landscaping, and changing the building fa9ade by
eliminating the north entrance and adding additional windows on the north and east sides of the
building. Yunis Realty, Owner; The Property Advisory, LLC, Agent.
Indian Creek Farm Porch Addition, 1408 Trumansburg Road : The Planning Board granted
Preliminary and Final Site Plan Approval and a Special Permit for the proposed front porch at the
Indian Creek Farm located at 1408 Trumansburg Road, Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No . 241- 1 -25 . 21 ,
Agricultural Zone . The proposal involves adding a +/- 1 , 500 square foot open air porch to the east
side of the existing barn for vegetable and fruit display . Stephen Cummins, Owner/Applicant
Candlewyck Park Apartments Fitness Center, 1141 Trumansburg Road : The Planning Board
granted Preliminary and Final Site Plan Approval for the proposed fitness center at the Candlewyck
Park Apartments located at 1141 Trumansburg Road, Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No . 11 26-4-33 ,
Multiple Residence Zone . The proposal involves demolishing the existing swimming pool ! and pool
house to construct a +/- 850 square foot fitness center on the site for Candlewyck residents .) Triquad
c/o Integrated Acquisition & Development, Owner/Applicant.
Sketch Plan Review for Proposed Cornell Office Building, 391 Pine Tree Road : The � Planning
Board reviewed a Sketch Plan for the proposed Pine Tree Road Office Building project located to
the east of 391 Pine Tree Road, Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No . 63 - 1 -3 .4, Low Density Residential
2
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Zone. The proposal includes demolishing several existing barns and related abandoned buildings
and constructing a new three story, +/- 60,000 square foot office building for Cornell University.
The project will also include new lighting, landscaping, walkways, stormwater facilities and
approximately 240 parking spaces . Cornell University, Owner; Integrated Acquisition &
Development, Applicant.
Sketch Plan Review for Proposed Equestrian Center, between 1456 and 1460 Trumansburg
Road : The Planning Board reviewed a Sketch Plan for the proposed Equestrian Center located
between 1456 and 1460 Trumansburg Road, Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No . 24- 1 - 19 . 12 ,
Agricultural Zone . The proposal involves the development of an equestrian center including
pastures, trails, a hunter jumper exterior arena, paddocks, an interior arena, and a hay storage and
machinery barn. The project will also include a residence for the owners, three multi-family rental
units, stormwater facilities and parking. Bruce & Dorothy Babcock, Owners ; Russ & Paula
Wedemeyer, Applicant; Trowbridge & Wolf, LLP, Agent.
CURRENT PLANNING DEPARTMENT PROJECTS/FUNCTIONS
The following have been accomplished over the past month.
SEAR Reviews for Zoning Board: Three SEQR reviews for the Zoning Board were done since the
September report : ( 1 ) request for variance to modify an existing vineyard/winery with a building
expansion (also interpretation as to whether receptions are a normal function of vineyards), located
at 1551 Slaterville Road, Medium Density Residential Zone, DBA Six Mile Creek Vineyard,
Appellant; (2) request for variance to reconstruct a non-conforming single-family home, located at
1028 East Shore Drive, Lakefront Residential Zone, Michael and Timothy Moore, Appellants; and
(3 ) request for variance to replace an existing freestanding sign with a new 75 square foot +/- sign
(50 square foot limit), located at 380 Pine Tree Road, Community Commercial Zone, Courtside
Racquet and Fitness Club, Appellant.
Codes and Ordinances Committee (COQ : The Committee met on September 21 , 2005 to complete
review of the draft Outdoor Lighting Law, review a revised draft of the Stream Setback Law, and
discuss a possible Conservation Zone for the Indian Creek Gorge and Lake Slopes Unique Natural
Area. The draft Outdoor Lighting Law will be forwarded to the Town Board for consideration at
the regular meeting in November. The next COC meeting is scheduled for October 19, 2005 , which
will tentatively include continuation of review of the draft Stream Setback Law, and updates on the
proposed Lake Slopes and Coy Glen Conservation Zones .
Transportation Committee : The Committee met on Thursday, September 8 , 2005 to discuss several
items, including the status of the County road projects on Coddington and Hanshaw Roads, the
Town' s Sidewalk Policy, and issues associated with resident parking permit systems. The next
meeting will be scheduled for sometime in October. The Fisher Associates agreement to provide
consulting services for the Town has been signed by both parties. Fisher Associates has submitted a
specific description and cost break-down of tasks that could be done for the Town in conjunction
with the preparation of the Transportation Plan. This will be discussed at the next meeting.
3
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Cornell Transportation-focused Generic Environmental Impact Statement (T-GEIS) : The t-GEIS
Resource Committee had its kick-off meeting on October 6, 2005 . The Resource Committee
includes representatives from the Town and City of Ithaca, Villages of Cayuga Heights and
Lansing, Towns of Lansing and Dryden, Tompkins County, ITCTC, TCAT, NYSDOT, and others .
The agenda focused on providing members with background on the t-GEIS , introductions of the
principals involved in the study, and Committee organization, meeting schedule, and other logistics .
The study scope outline and study area identification will be the next task for the Resource
Committee to participate in. The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 24th, 2005 at 1 : 00
p.m. at the TCAT Transit Center.
Conservation Board : The Board met on October 6 , 2005 . Discussion items included tree planting
ceremony preparations for the Richard Fisher Award, committee reports and updates, status report
on the proposed conservation zone for the Indian Creek Gorge and Lake Slopes Unique Natural
Area, and possible nomination for Tompkins County EMC representative.
Capital Projects Committee : The Capital Projects & Fiscal Planning Committee met on September
16, 2005 . The Committee finalized its recommendations to the Town Board regarding 2006 capital
projects and the 2006-2010 Capital Program. These recommendations have been included in the
proposed Tentative Budget.
Hanshaw Road Reconstruction Project: Representatives from the Town of Ithaca attended the
second public information meeting on the Hanshaw Road project sponsored by Tompkins County
on September 29 , 2005 . The County and their consultants presented updated preliminary plans for
the road improvement project, and offered to meet individually with homeowners to assess the
impacts of the project on their properties . Issues discussed included lane and shoulder widths, a
proposed walkway, drainage issues, tree preservation, impacts on community character, etc.
Fall Newsletter: The Fall Newsletter was completed, printed and mailed the first week of October
2005 . It has also been placed on the Town' s website .
Building & Zoning Committee : The Planning Director has participated in meetings of the Building
and Zoning Committee. The Committee will present its report and recommendations to the Board
at the October 17th meeting.
MOA Planning Coalition: The Planning Coalition met on September 28 , 2005 . Agenda items
included the future direction of the Coalition and the Town of Danby proposal for a low
density/conservation zone . Coalition members felt that the Coalition provides a useful forum for
inter-municipal communication and cooperation, and discussed how to attract more participants at
meetings . It was agreed that future meetings should be targeted toward subjects of interest to a
broad range of municipalities. In addition, the Tompkins County Planning Depart ment has
indicated an interest in bringing several of its Comprehensive Plan implementation projects to the
Coalition for discussion and feedback, including a housing needs assessment, working landscape,
and natural features management, preservation and protection program, flood mitigation program
update, scenic resources inventory and plan, and integrating County Comprehensive Plan policies
into the General Municipal Law review process. The next meeting of the Planning Coalition is
tentatively scheduled for Thursday, October 27, 2005 at 4 : 30 p .m .
4
Y
ITCTC Planning Committee : The Planning Committee met on September 20, 2005 . Agenda items
included an update on the Park-and-Ride Study, and an update on the federal transportation bill
(SAFETEA-LU) recently passed by Congress and signed by the President. The Policy Committee
is scheduled to meet on October 18 , 2005 , and the Planning Committee ' s next meeting will be on
November 15 , 2005 ,
Historic Resources Survey: Town staff met with Barbara Ebert and Jessica Evans from the Cornell
University Historic Preservation program on October 5 , 2005 . The Historic Resources Survey that
was initiated in 1997 has been completed, and completed survey forms, photographs, and other
materials have been turned over to the Town. A final report was prepared and submitted
summarizing the methodology, results, and findings of the survey. Materials will be archived for
permanent record storage, and staff will look at the possibility of setting up a new database and GIS
mapping format for the historic survey information. Ms. Ebert and Ms . Evans indicated that they
would be happy to attend a future Town Board meeting (possibly in November) to discuss the
results of the survey with the Town Board and explore possible uses of the survey, such as
designation of historic districts, National Register listing of significant properties, or consideration
of a local historic preservation ordinance .
5
TOWN OF ITHACA REPORT OF BUILDING PERMITS ISSUED FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST 2005
MONTH YEAR TO DATE
TY rIL YEAR # OF PERN41TS AMOUNT # AMOUNT
SIN AM 2005 2 6769000 33 7,081 , 130
RE 2004 3 53I1357 30 51724,536
2005 0 0 2 277,000
TWO FAMILY RESIDENCES 2004 0 0 1 1499700
2005 4 1237950 15 212, 142
RENOVATIONS 2004 3 60,400 13 2395900
2005 0 0 0 0
CONVERSIONS OF USE 2004 1 67500 6 207,300
2005 1 19,500 13 6819014
ADDITIONS TO FOOTPRINT 2004 2 250,000 14 1 , 164, 192
2005 0 0 28 556757650
MULTIPLE RESIDENCES 2004 0 0 0 0
1 Ellis Hollow Rd Apts addition, conversion and renovation 3 , 1001000
1 Ellis Hollow Rd Apts shed 7,300
1 South Hill Business Campus interior renovation 29,200
1 Sam Peter's new window and refinish siding 147000
1 South Hill Business Campus create 3rd floor tenant space 26,000
2005 5 31176,500 16 26,661 ,744
BUSINESS 2004 10 0 8 3 ,0731700
2005 0 0 0 0
AGR URAL 2004 0 0 2 39,000
2005 0 0 0 0
IND IAL 2004 0 0 0 0
1 CU replace roof and walls on Bldg 102 - Machine Shop 229500
1 CU Wilson Lab install new electric panels and exhaust 487400
1 CU Palm Road electric system upgrade 31 ,000
1 CU Arthropod Building 1 ,489,000
2005 4 11590,900 46 48,060,329
EDUCATIONAL 2004 10 0 18 3,8433802
I Rebuild existing deck 19,800
1 Demolish barn 27500
1 Detached garage 18,500
1 Replace shingle roof with metal 7,000
1 Add patio roof 3,860
1 Replace existing deck 9,274
MISCELLANEOUS 2005 6 605934 36 307,569
CONSTRUCTION r2005 4 14,400 22 201 ,586
TOTAL NUMBER OF 22 556473784 189 8879569578
PERMITS ISSUED 13 862,657 114 1436435716
TOTAL FEES 18 81740 185 93,259
REC 2004 13 11960 1114 25,210
Date ed: September 8, 2005
Dani ford
August 2005, Page 2
TOTAL CERTIFICATES OF OCCUPANCY ISSUED THIS MONTH - 27
1 . 6 Peachtree Lane - construct addition behind garage.
2. 208 Forest Home Drive - remove load bearing wall.
3 . Palm Road (CU) - Mason Shop parking lot - temporary.
4. 126 Game Farm Road (CU) - 2 athletic fields - temporary.
5 . 340 Tower Road (CU) parking lot - temporary.
6. Danby Road (IC) - replace upper and lower balcony quad railing.
7. Danby Road (IC) - renovations of 1 st floor offices.
8 . Danby Road (IC) - renovate and add mechanical room in Garden Apartment #26.
9 . Danby Road (IC) - renovation at Garden Apartment #27 .
10. Danby Road (IC) - renovation of Garden Apartment #28.
11 . Danby Road (IC) - renovate and add mechanical room at Garden Apartment #29.
12. 105 Park Lane - convert single-family residence into a two-family.
13 . Danby Road (IC) - modernization West Tower elevator.
14. 101 Hams B. Dates Drive (CMC) - renovations 3rd and 4th floors.
15 . 1 John Street - 3 room addition on existing residence.
16. 836 Campus Street (CU) - parking lot - temporary .
17. 9 Lagrand Court - add 2nd story above existing garage.
18 . Palm Road (CU) - create contractor parking area.
19. 315 Coddington Road - new 6 bedroom residence.
20. 255 Coddington Road - new 6 bedroom residence.
21 . 301 Coddington Road - improvements to two-family home.
22 . 1404 Hanshaw Road - construct detached 2 car garage.
23 . 1404 Hanshaw Road - construct 34' x 18' addition and convert attached garage into living area.
24. 1083 Danby Road (Sam Peter) - install windows in showroom wall.
25 . 191 Seven Mile Drive - new 3 bedroom home with walkout basement.
26. 950 Danby Road (South Hill Business Campus) - create fire partitions for 3rd floor office tower.
27. 1 Bella Vista Drive (Ithacare) - storage room.
TOTAL CERTIFICATES OF OCCUPANCY YEAR TO DATE, 2005 - 128
TOTAL CERTIFICATES OF OCCUPANCY YEAR TO DATE, 2004 - 141
INQUIRIES/CONIPLAINTS INVESTIGATED THIS MONTH - 2
1 . 107 Pine Tree Road - property maintenance - pending.
2. 1251 Trumansburg Road - building code - abated.
From May 2095 :
1 . 182 Calkins Road - building code - pending new legal action.
From April 2005 :
1 . 823 and 825 Danby Road - signage - pending.
From December 2004 :
1 . 324 Blackstone Avenue - building code - pending.
From August •'_004:
1 . 312 Salem Drive - building code - pending state variance.
August 2005 , Page 3
I t
lav 1995 :
2 Danby Road - zoning and building code - Building Permit applied for corrections - sprinklers installed - partial abatement.
L COMPLAINTS INVESTIGATED YEAR TO DATE. 2005 - 16
L COMPLAINTS INVESTIGATED YEAR TO DATE, 2004 - 27
TOTAL FIELD VISITS THIS MONTH - 100
Uniform Building Code - 79
Local Law and Zoning Inspections - 13
Fire Safety - 7 (7 apartment buildings [35 units])
Fire Safety Reinspections - 1 (multiple business complex)
Fire/Emergency Occurrences - 0
Fire Occurrence Reinspections - 0
TOTAL FIELD VISITS YEAR TO DATE, 2005 - 761
TOTAL FIELD VISITS YEAR TO DATE, 2004 - 681
TOTAL SIGN PERMITS THIS MONTH - 0
TOTAL SIGN PERMITS YEAR TO DATE, 2005 - 2
TOTAL SIGN PERMITS YEAR TO DATE, 2004 - 4
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
1 MEETING, 2 CASES, AGENDA ATTACHED
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TOWN OF ITHACA REPORT OF BUILDING PERMITS ISSUED FOR THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 2005
MONTH YEAR TO DATE
TY PERMIT YEAR 4 OF PERMITS AMOUNT 4 AMOUNT
SIN . �AMIL.Y 2005 0 0 33 770813130
RESIDENCES 2004 0 0 30 5,7249536
2005 0 0 2 2775000
TWO FAMILY RESIDENCES 2004 0 0 1 1495700
2005 1 5, 142 16 217,284
RENOVATIONS 2004 1 100,000 14 339,900
2005 1 1272200 1 127,200
CONVERSIONS OF USE 2004 0 0 6 207,300
2005 2 31 ,500 15 712,514
ADDITIONS TO FOOTPRINT 2004 3 187,558 17 15351 ,750
2005 10 0 28 5,675,650
MULTIPLE RESIDENCES 2004 0 0 0 0
F20O5 1 Hospicare convert basement into office 254,659 17 263916,403
BUSINESS 0 0 8 35073,700
0 0 0 0
AGRICUL TURAL 0 0 2 397000
2005 0 0 0 0
INDUSTRIAL 2004 0 0 0 0
1 CU Baker Institute interior renovations 135717000
1 CU East Campus Research Facility lab building part of another BP
2005 2 125715000 48 4926315329
4CT NAI_ 2004 2 4825660 20 4,3263462
1 Demolish single family cottage 22500
1 Replace rotted will plate 19600
1 Tear off and replace roof 3,084
MISCELLANEOUS 2005 3 72184 39 314,753
CONSTRUCTION 2004 13 265000 25 227,586
TOTAL NUMBER OF 2005 10 13996,685 199 90,9532263
PERMITS ISSUED 2004 9 796,218 123 15,439,934
TOTAL FEES 2005 10 35275 195 96,534
RECEIVED 2004 9 23070 123 27,280
Date Prepared : October 3, 2005
Dani L. Holford
September 2005, Page 2
TOTAL CERTIFICATES OF OCCUPANCY ISSUED THIS MONTH - 16
1 . 590 Campus Road (CU) - parking lot - temporary.
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2. 109 Southwoods Drive - four bedroom single-family with attached 2 car garage.
3 . 101 Harris B. Dates Drive (CMC) - mobile tech unit - temporary.
4. 208 Dubois Road - convert portion of garage into family room.
5 . 269 Coy Glen Road - modifications to two-family home.
6. 997 Taughannock Boulevard - reconstruct deck and exterior wall .
7. 179 Calkins Road - storage building.
8. 8 John Street - add storage area behind garage.
9. 102 Westhaven Road - single-family home addition - temporary.
10. 143 Lexington Drive - reroof house.
11 . 188 West Haven Drive - four bedroom, single-family home with attached 2 car garage - temporary.
12. 143 Lexington Drive - cover over rear entrance.
13 . CU Engineering School - university sponsored solar powered residence.
14. 1125 Trumansburg Road - renovate outside wood deck.
15 . 106 Seven Mile Drive - addition to and renovation of Public Works Facility.
16. 212 Eldridge Circle - new 5 bedroom single-family home with attached garage.
TOTAL CERTIFICATES OF OCCUPANCY PEAR TO DATE, 2005 - 144
TOTAL CERTIFICATES OF OCCUPANCY YEAR TO DATE, 2004 - 156
INQUIRIES/COMPLAINTS INN'F,STIGATED THIS NIONTH - 2
1 . 208 Cypress Court - building code - pending.
2. 189 King Road East - noise - abated.
From August 2005 :
1 . 107 Pine Tree Road - property maintenance - pending.
From May 2005 :
1 . 182 Calkins Road - building code - pending new legal action.
From April 2005 :
1 . 823 and 825 Danby Road - signage - pending.
From December 2004 :
1 . 324 Blackstone Avenue - building code - no violation found.
From August 2004:
1 . 312 Salem Drive - building code - pending state variance.
From May 1995 :
1 . 1152 Danby Road - zoning and building code - Building Permit applied for corrections - sprinklers installed - partial abatement.
TOTAL CON'1PLAIN'TS INVESTIGATED YEAR TO DATE, 2005 - 18 I
TOTAL CON-1PLAINTS INNVESTIGAT'ED YEAR TO DATE, 2004 - 31
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September 2005, Page 3
f alAl, FIELD VISITS THIS MONTH - 110
rm Building Code - 101
Law and Zoning Inspections - 4
Fire Safety - 0
Fire Safety Reinspections - 5 (75 dwelling units and 1 business)
Fire/Emergency Occurrences - 0
Fire Occurrence Reinspections - 0
TOTAL. FIELD VISITS YEAR TO DATE, 2005 - 871
TOTAL FIELD VISITS YEAR TO DATE, 2004 - 767
FOT:AL SIGN PERMITS THIS MONTH - 0
TOTAL SIGN PERMITS YEAR TO DATE, 2005 - 2
TO"FAL SIGN PERMITS YEAR TO DATE, 2004 - 4
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
1 MEETING, 3 CASES, 1 ADJOURNED APPEAL, AGENDA ATTACHED
1
TOWN OF ITHACA ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2005
7 : 00 P.M.
I
By direction of the Chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals NOTICE IS HEREBY
GIVEN that Public Hearings will be held by the Zoning Board of Appeals of the Town of
Ithaca on Monday, September 19, 2005 , in Town Hall, 215 North Tioga Street, Tioga
Street Entrance , Ithaca, NY, COMMENCING AT 7 : 00 P .M . , on the following matter .
ADJOURNED APPEAL of Cornell University, Appellant, Michael S . Husar, Agent,
requesting a variance from the requirements of Chapter 225 of the Town of Ithaca Code, to
ranted be permitted to construct an Arthropod Research Facility without the installation of a Town
required sprinkler system. The New York State Building Code would not otherwise
require such an installation. The property is located off of Game Farm Road, Town of
Ithaca Tax Parcel No , 64- 1 -2 , Planned Development Zone #9 .
APPEAL of Nancy Battistella, DBA Six Mile Creek Vineyard, Appellant, requesting a
3journed variance from the requirements of Article IX, Section 270-66 of the Town of Ithaca Code,
to be permitted to modify an existing vineyard/winery with a building expansion, located
at 1551 Slaterville Road, Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No . 56-2- 1 . 1 , Medium Density
Residential Zone . Said vineyard has previously been granted a variance to allow its use
and an interpretation is being requested for consideration as to whether "receptions" are a
normal function of vineyards . Otherwise, a request for a modification of the previously
approved use variance is also being made .
APPEAL of Michael and Timothy Moore, Appellants, Attorney Gwen Seaquist, Agent,
requesting a variance from the requirements of Article XXV, Section 270-205 of the Town
ranted of Ithaca Code, to be permitted to modify a non-conforming building/lot with the
reconstruction of an existing single-family home, located at 1028 East Shore Drive, 1, own
of Ithaca Tax Parcel No . 19-2- 16, Lakefront Residential Zone . Variances from Article VII,
Sections 270-47 , -48 , and —49 may also be requested to further reduce size and area
requirements .
APPEAL of Courtside Racquet and Fitness Club, Appellant, Thomas Murray, Agent,
djourned requesting a variance from the requirements of Chapter 221 , Section 221 -7 of the Town of
Ithaca Code, to be permitted to replace an existing freestanding sign with a new 75 square
foot ± sign (50 square foot limit) , at 380 Pine Tree Road, Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No .
62- 1 - 5 , Commercial District.
Said Zoning Board of Appeals will at said time, 7 :00 p .m . , and said place, hear all persons in support of
such matters or objections thereto. Persons may appear by agent or in person. Individuals with visual or
hearing impairments or other special needs, as appropriate, will be provided with assistance, as necessary,
upon request. Persons desiring assistance must make such a request not less than 48 hours prior to the time
of the public hearing.
Andrew S . Frost
Director of Building and Zoning
607-273 - 1783
Dated : September 8 , 2005
Published : September 12 , 2005
Regular Meeting of the Ithaca Town Board , October 17, 2005
Human Resources Report for September 2005
Personnel Committee : Did not meet in September.
Safety Committee :
Committee met after the long summer hiatus . There were a few first aid claims discussed
and ideas for different training for next spring . Creig reviewed the work the Engineering
interns did regarding dangerous intersections . The committee discussed the progress on
the building assessment forms . Two members designated to attend a PERMA conference
on surviving a PESH inspection in November
Board Policy and Protocol Committee :
The committee has spent the last couple meetings dedicated to working on the edits of
Chapter 5 Parliamentary Procedures .
Personnel — Civil Service :
Justice Klein , Betty Poole and I spent many hours interviewing candidates for Court Clerk .
There were over 130 applications received . Linda Fetherbay will start October 3ra
Provisional employee Steve Williams , Code Enforcement Officer, was appointed to
permanent status after being one of the reachable candidates from the civil service exam .
Lee Baker, Laborer, resigned her position with the Public Works Facility.
Time was dedicated to working on the budget with the Town Supervisor and Budget
Officer.
Training and Development :
Town Hall staff received refresher safety training . The topics included ; Sexual
Harassment , Violence in the Workplace , General Office Safety , Hazardous
Communications , Evacuation Plan and Fire Extinguisher Training .
Town staff attended both Brainteaser programs offered in September.
Training for the Public Works staff on leadership development has been discussed with
TC3 .
Commercial Insurance ( Ithaca Agency — Selective Insurance Company) :
No new claims to report . Two prior claims have been settled .
Workers' Compensation ( Public Employers Risk Management Assoc — PERMA) :
No new claims to report .
Disability Insurance : No new claims .
Submitted By : Judith C . Drake , PHR , Human Resources Manager
0 F I T�,
TOWN OF ITHACA
t8 21 4� 215 N. Tioga Street, Ithaca, N. Y. 14850
www .town. ithacamy .us
TOWN CLERK 273- 1721 HIGHWAY (Roads, Parks, Trails, Water &Sewer) 273- 1656 ENGINEERING 273- 1747
PLANNING 273- 1747 ZONING 273- 1783
FAX (607) 273- 1704
To : Cathy Valentino, Supervisor Town Of Ithaca
Sandy Gittelman, Chair Recreation & Human Services Committee
Will Burbank, Councilperson
Peter Stein, Councilperson
Carolyn Grigorov, Councilperson
William Lesser, Councilperson
Herb Engman, Councilperson
From : Mamie Kirchgessner, Recreation and Youth Coordinator
September 2005
Youth Employment
September was another active month for youth employment. There was the recognition
component of the Town Board Meeting with an article in the Town Newsletter. Five
more youth sought employment through the program with two new sites accepting youth.
These sites are the Community Justice Center and the Alternatives Credit Union.
Movement on implementation of the current records management grant occurred with the
hiring of assistant Town Historian David George as the project coordinator. An excellent
pool of candidates was interviewed who are being considered as members of a proposed
history committee. David and I interviewed a number of youth with positions offered to
four of them . These youth based on information from Town historical records will create
a brochure and new lobby display with open house in Spring, 2006 . As there is little
historical information within the Town the youth will be researching at a variety of
community resources.
Joint Youth Commission
In September the JYC met to review and make recommendations on requests for
proposals for the 2006 budget process . A and passed motion was made for the following
recommendations :
Coddington Road Community Center $ 1100
Learning Web $ 57,035
Cooperative Extension $231863
WorkForce NY $ 2 ,265
Town Youth Work Corps $ 5 , 108
Town Youth Employment Program $ 8 , 867
Cayuga Nature Center Partnership Program $ 800
Community Unity Music Scholarship $ 500
$ 110, 039 Total
The figures in the preliminary budget were based on last year' s figures, as
recommendations did not occur until the September 19 meeting. It is anticipated because
of state, county and Village of Lansing reimbursements town tax accounts for $ 57, 615 of
the total . The aforementioned youth program is a recommendation of the JYC . It should
also be noted the Learning Web anticipates implement a participant fee for its summer
program that will be used toward future program costs .
On September 22 I monitored the first session in a series of a program provided by
Tompkins County Workforce entitled "Customer Service Excellence" . Diane Bradac
presented the program to eight, all male Town youth. Even at the end of the day sl ie was
able to keep them fully engaged with very useful information. A second series of five
sessions will be offered in November.
Recreation Partnership
The preliminary budget figure of $ 52 ,682 represents a 3 . 5 % increase with the county
assuming a full cash contribution of the same amount. With all member municipalities
participating the will permit the offering of all youth bureau programming and
contracting for fencing at no additional cost for participation (Middle school basketball
may be discontinued as a program option. )
The September meeting dealt primarily with bylaws changes to address q . .. concerns .
As well as issues resulting from notification from the Town of Ulysses that due to
declines in participation of its intention to withdraw from the partnership . Much
discussion occurred but no identifiable plan to address concerns was moved before the
meeting was adjourned.
Recreation and Human Service Committee
The Committee dealt with a variety of issues including a decision to postpone the mailing
of a recreational opportunities map enclosure with the newsletter until Spring . It was
decided that more coordination with the planning department was required to maximize
the investment . The Committee in accordance with the Park naming process and research
by the Town Historian moved parks at Glenside and West Haven be named accordingly
and should appear as an agenda item for the regular Board meeting . The committee also
agreed with the supervisor' s recommendation for "0" for GIAC ' s senior program request
given the increase in request to over $22 , 000 .
Related Activity
As previously reported Rich Schoch and I met with George Frantz at Tutelo Park to
discuss the annual ceremony held there by Tutelo descendents and other Native
Americans . George had concerns about access and the Town had concerns about aspects
of his proposal . A plan was agreed upon and the event, which is scheduled for at rday,
September 24 , will be open to the public . I contacted George on 9/ 19 to ascertain iFt he
work he had volunteered for was complete and was informed it had not even been started.
Rich was out of the office for that week so the Town was unable to implement and
mitigating measures . The ceremony did occur and some of the elders did have difficulty
negotiating the current path to the ceremonial site. Publics works has been advised as
they moved forward with the completion of the Park for formal opening next year.
On September 22 Town Historian Laura Johnson Kelley and I met Brooke Olsen of IC ' s
Native American Studies program and SHARE (Save Haudenosaunee — American Relations
through Education) to discuss planning of the Tutelo Park opening event in Spring of 2006 . She
was provided with a copy of the grant application completed by the Town and a lot of
information was exchanged . A Native American Multicultural Facility has been discussed for the
area and Brooke was introduced to Town Planner John Kanter. She also expressed an interest for
her and a colleague to participate in the town ' s history committee especially as it relates to Native
American issues including plans for interpretative signs at Tutelo Park. Her group wants to be
active in the opening of it.
I also met with student representatives of an Ithaca College Fraternity who were interested in
volunteering within the community. They reminded me the many potential resources that exist
within our community if nurtured .
I also attended The Village at Ithaca annual meeting. Two of the SWI youth worked for the
project this summer and were involved in the meeting. As well as training on working with
people with different thinking styles and the monthly Human Services Coalition Board Meeting.
Town Board Meeting October 17 , 2005 ATTACHMENT # 8
Page 1 of 3
Main Identity (OEMCOMPUTER)
From : "Brian Wilbur" <bdanw @cityofithaca .org>
To: "Paul Alexander ' < palexand @icsd . k12. ny . us> ; "William Gilligan" <wdg1 @cornell .edu> ; "Bob
Romanowski" <elboro m@ usadatanet. net> ; "Steven Williams" <swilliams @town .ithaca . ny . us> ;
"Dave Burbank" < burbank @ifd . cityofithaca . org> ; "Rob Covert" < covert @ifd .cityofithaca .org> ;
"Tom Deis" <deis @ifd . cityofithaca . org> ; "Tom Dorman" <dorman @cityofithaca . org> ; "Mahlon Irish
Jr. " <irish @ifd .cityofithaca . org> ; "Lee Labuff' < labuff @ifd .cityofithaca . org> ; "Chris O'Connor '
<oconnor @ifd .cityofithaca .org> ; "Tom Parsons" < parsons @ifd . cityofithaca . org> ; "Mike Schnurle"
<schnurle @ifd .cityofithaca .org > ; "Gillian Sharp" <Gi Ilia nS @ci .ithaca . ny . us> ; "Willis Sheldon"
<sheldon @ifd . cityofithaca . org> ; "Dan Tier" <dant @cityofithaca .org> ; "Rich Tracy"
<tracy @ifd . cityofithaca .org> ; "Guy VanBenschoten" <gvanb @baka .com> ; "Brian Weinstein"
<president @iaffl37.org> ; "Kimberly Spencer" <kspencer @ifd .cityofithaca . org>
Sent: Monday , October 17, 2005 4 :44 PM
Subject: Budget Comparison
Hi Everyone,
Here is a quick recap of Mayor Petersen's budget as compared with what
IFD submitted .
In general , the Mayor's budget appropriates the funds necessary to
maintain the staffing levels we have currently. The "current roster" was
submitted to hold most costs at 2005 levels, and maintain current
staffing levels . Differences from what IFD submitted under the "current
oster" scenario and the Mayor's budget are as follows :
05 - admin salaries : increased to reflect a 4 . 5% raise for the fire
chief and deputy fire chief, which adjusts slightly for past years of
lower than COL increases .
110 - staff salaries: same as submitted
125 - overtime : the current roster scenario calculated overtime for this
year to reach $368 ,696. Mayor's budget increases the appropriation from
2005 to 2006 from $200, 000 to $300 , 000 . If disabilities and
extraordinary incidents return to more normal levels , this amount will
allow us to have staff meetings , accomplish some specialty training , and
other discretionary activities that have been suspended due to overruns
in 2005 .
210 - office equipment: funds a document scanner for the Fire Prevention
Bureau . Other expenses that appeared in different scenarios were not funded .
215 - motor vehicles: appear in capital budget.
225 - other equipment: $43 , 979 includes rescue and haz mat equipment.
Other items that appeared in other budget scenarios were not funded .
405 - telephone: Historical funding level .
410 - utilities: Historical funding level , increased as recommended by
10/17/2005
Page 2 of 3
Controller's Office.
415 - clothing : same as current roster request.
420 - fuel : used Controller's Office recommendation, which is increased
about $6, 500 from 2005 appropriation.
425 - office supplies: historical funding level .
435 - contractual expenses: historical funding level .
440 - staff development: used current roster scenario level which is an
increase over recent years . This is an important increase.
445 - travel and mileage: historical funding levels.
450 - insurance: established by Controller' s Office.
460 - program supplies : used current roster submittal , which is based on
historical expenditure levels.
470 - equipment rental : Up slightly from 2005.
475 - property maintenance: Has a $ 17 , 026 increase from current roster
proposal . Reflects current experience.
476 - equipment maintenance: nearly a $45, 000 increase over 2005
appropriations. We project we will spend over $200, 000 in 2005. Mostly
related to fewer vehicles responding to more alarms over streets and
highways in poor shape or impeded by traffic calming .
477 - equipment parts and supplies : historical funding levels.
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480 - building maintenance supplies: historical funding levels.
I
Other lines in the budget are prepared and maintained by the Controller' s
Office .
While this budget does keep us whole , while providing a second year of
some increases, it does not address our long standing requests for
additional personnel . The budget submittal included an optional scenario
that requested ten additional fire fighters and a municipal training
officer. The increasing demands for services and continuing decline in
personnel work to create an increase in risk for the community and its
fire fighters .
Brian
Brian H . Wilbur, Fire Chief
10/17/2005