HomeMy WebLinkAboutTB Minutes 2010-09-13 Regular Meeting of the Ithaca Town Board
P Monday, September 13 , 2010 at 5 : 30 p . m .
y� 215 N Tioga St, Ithaca, NY 14850
Agenda
1 . Call to Order & Pledge of Allegiance
2 . Persons to be Heard
3 . Report from City & County Officials and Board Comments
4 . 5 : 45 p . m . Public Hearing - Hungerford Hill Pump Station Water Improvement
a . Consider Approval of Public Interest Order
5 . Consider Resolution of Support for County Animal Population Control Program
6 . 5 : 55 p . m . Public Hearing re . : Noise Permit for Fall Splash at Ithaca College .on
10/2/201Of rom 11 : 00 -2 : 00
a . Consider approval
7 . Presentation — Student Work Initiative
8 . Continue Discussion of Elected Officials ' Pay
9 . Report of Town Officials
10 . Public Works — Inventory of Highway Machinery and Equipment
11 . Consider setting a Public Hearing for the Snyder Hill Road Water Main
Improvement Project
12 . Discuss request of EcoVillage to amend the PDZ regarding community centers
and solar panels
a . Consider referral to Planning Board for a recommendation
13 . Consider approval of amendments to the Stearns and Wheler Agreement of
2005 for Miscellaneous Plant Improvements at the Ithaca Area Waste Water
Treatment Plant
a . Amendment 7
b . Amendment 8
14 . Consider supporting the TCCOG Intermunicipal Cell Tower Initiative
15 . Consider recommendation from Personnel Committee re : Approval of Eligible
Employees for the NYS & Local Retirement Incentive Part A
a . Consider Approval
16 . Consent Agenda
a . Town of Ithaca Abstract
b . Bolton Point Abstract
c . Approval of Minutes of August 23 , 2010
17 . Report of Town Committees
18 . Intermunicipal Organizations
19 . Review of Correspondence
20 , Consider Adjournment
TOWN OF ITHACA
AFFIDAVIT OF POSTING AND PUBLICATION
I , Paulette Terwilliger, being duly sworn , Town Clerk of the Town of Ithaca , Tompkins County,
New York say that the following notice has been duly posted on the sign board of the Town
Clerk of the Town of Ithaca and the notice has been duly published in the official newspaper,
Ithaca Journal:
ADVERTISEMENT : NOTICE OF ADOPTION
ORDER CALLING PUBLIC HEARING
AND
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS
TOWN BOARD of the TOWN OF ITHACA
MONDAY , SEPTEMBER 13 , 2010
Date of Publication : Friday, August 27 , 2010
Location of Sign Board Used for Posting : Town Hall Lobby
Public Notices Board
215 North Tioga Street
Ithaca , NY 14850
Date of Posting : Friday, August 27 , 2010
Paulette Terwilliger
Town Clerk
STATE OF NEW YORK)
COUNTY OF TOMPKINS) SS :
TOWN OF ITHACA)
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 30th day of August , 2010
Nota blic
1�y
Debra
ublic - state 9of New York
No. 0.1DE6148035
Qualified in Tompkins county
My Canmission Expires. June $9, 20
TOWN OF ITHACA bond anticipation Dote, the
Public Hearings to issuance of serial bonds of I
be held on I said Town of Ithaca to ma- I
September 13, 2010: lure in annual installments j
over a period not to exceed
i Notice of Adoption of 20 years, such bonds to be
Order Setting Public paid from assessments lev-
Hearing: In the Matter of ied upon and collected from
A Proposed Water Im- the several lots and parcels
provement in the Town of
Ithaca, Tompkins County, of land in said Town of Itha-
ca water system benefited .
New York, pursuant io Arti area which are deemed
cle 12-C of the Town Law, ` benefited by said Improve-
; to be known as the Town ment, so much upon and
of Ithaca Hungerford Hill I I from each as shall be in
Pump Station Water lm- ; just proportion to the
provement amount of the benefit which
I WHEREAS, a plan, report the Improvement shall con-
and map, including an as ti- fer upon the samp, and
mate of cost, have bee n + WHEREAS, it is now de-
duly prepared in such man- I sired to call a public hearing
ner and in such detail as for the purpose of consid- I
has heretofore been deter- l ering said plan, report and
mined by the Town Board ' map, including estimate of
If the Town of Ithaca, i cost, and the providing of
Tompkins County, New 1
#1 the Improvement,. and to
York, relating to the crea: hear all persons interested
Lion and constructign, pur- in the subject thereof con-
suant to Article - l2-C. of the
Town Law, of waters stem coming the same, all - '
Y cordance with the provi vi-
; improvements to be known I sions of Section 209-q of
and identified as the Town the Town Law;
i of Ithaca Hungerford Hill NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS
Pump Station . Water . Im- HEREBY ORDERED, by the
t also and hereinafter Town Board of the Town of
Also referred to as "Im- i Ithaca, Tompkins County, '
provement," to provide New York, as follows:
such water Improvemennt in- Section 1 . A public hear-:
a . luding extensions, to the ling shall be held by Town,
_present Town water im-' Board of the Town of Itha-1
_ . provement, such watersys- f ca, Tompkins County, New'
t•tem Improvement to. be York, at the Town Hall, 2151
5 constructed and owned by North Tioga Street, in Itha
the Town of Ithaca, and ca, New York, in said
3 WHEREAS, said plan, re- Town, on the 13th day of
_ port and map, including es- , September, 2010, at
;j.jtimate of cost, were, pre- 15:45 o'clock P.M
pared by a competent pre- 'e
1,vailing Time, to consider,
I- (leer, duly licensed by the ; 'the aforesaid plan, report'
j State of New York, and + and map, including estimate ,
have been filed in the office 'of cost, and the question ofl
d Tof the Town Clerk of said ; providing the Improvement, '
own, where the same are ,
! available during regular of. and land to hear all persons in-
fice hours for public ins ec rterested in the subject
I tion, and P thereof concerning the
(same and to take such ac- 1
,WHEREAS, the area of l Lion thereon as is required '
l _'said Town determined to Eby law.
�be benefited by said Town . 2. The Town '
f Ithaca Hungerford Hill by
is hereby authorized l
- Pump Station Water Im- Viand directed to cause a
!- Prevenient consists of the '�,copy •of this Order with 6 ,
entire area of said Town ex-
[ cepting therefrom the area Notice of Adoption to be
)'.contained within the Village ,Published once in the offi- �
Of Ca 9 cial newspaper, and also to
f yoga Heights, and , ;post a copy thereof on the
WHEREAS, the proposed '
Improvement consist itown signboard maintained
s of Iby the Town Clerk, not less`
' -the water improvemepts I 'than ten ( 10) nor more than
set forth below, and in the twenty (20) days before the ,
-area's of the Town as set
I forth below, and as more , ' day designated for they
hearing as aforesaid, all in
particularly shown and de,- accordance with the provi-
scribed in said plan, report - sions of Section 209-q of '
3 and map presently on file in the Town law.
the office of the Town Section 3. This . Order
'f Clerk: Ish, ta ke effect immediate-
The placement of a 17 foot ll
'- X 26 foot pre-cast concrete ly. The question of the
buildin adoption of the foregoing
9. . installation of Order was duly put to a
Pumps, meter and control ! I vote on roll call, which re-
valves within the building, . I sulted as follows: Supervi-
and installation of 1 ,300 i
r feet of 8° water main that isor Engman - Good'
will connect the Hun erford I man, Leary. ns: Good
- ' 9 man, Leary, DePaolo, Riha,
Hill Tank directly to the Hunter, and Levine - All
'I East Hill Transmission 'Ayes The Order was there.
I Tank, together with related I mpon declared duly adopt-
ancillary facilities, and
WHEREAS, the maximum
proposed to be expended ,l lPublic Hearing at 5:
� 50
by the Town of Ithaca •for.1 �P.m. regarding proposed
the aforesaid Improvement
Regulations for the Tempo- !
J is $ 400,000,00. The pro- I ra ry Closure of Roads
laid? posed method of financing I
., , ; ; ; •" i d .G,A to be employed by said � �
r �`.°. , ., ,. 1 ; ,:t- ? !; 1i;::, • � Town of Ithaca consists of I Public Hearing at 5:55
t temporary financing p.m. regarding a noise per-
temporary
, fltiidti �,iSi�{,dd f iUIL("� a bond anticipating nodterI Imit for an event at Ithaca
(College . on 10/22/2010
and upon maturity of the
lrrom 11 :00 - 2:00 on the
Center Quad.
Information regarding the
_- above Public Hearings is
Is al
lab labl
eat Town Hall dur-
ling normal business hours.
i
Paulette Terwilliger
Town Clerk
8/27/2010__
TOWN OF ITHACA
TOWN BOARD
SIGWIN SHEET
I�
DATE : September,,9','2010
(PLEASE PRINT TO ENSURE ACCURACY IN OFFICIAL MINUTES)
PLEASE PRINT NAME PLEASE PRINTADDRESS / AFFILIATION
t l r�L J cam.
( r) mid C
� aT ` Regular Meeting of the Ithaca Town Board
Monday, September 13 , 2010 at 5 : 30 p . m .
q� 215 N Tioga St, Ithaca, NY 14850
MINUTES
Call to Order & Pledge of Allegiance
Meeting was called to order at 5 : 30 p . m .
Present : Herb Ingman , Supervisor; Councilpersons Goodman , Leary, Hunter, Levine ,
DePaolo and Riha
Staff : Bruce Bates , Jonathan Kanter, Jim Weber and Deb DeAugistine
Persons to be Heard — There was no one wishing to address the Board at this time .
Mr. Engman introduced the Representatives from the Cayuga Heights Fire Department
Jeffrey Silber, Treasurer, and George Tamborelle
Mr. Silber gave a summary stating that they are starting the process for replacing an
engine and the Town is responsible for 33% of the cost and they wanted to keep the
Town informed . The approximate cost to the Town is $ 122 , 000 and they have begun
talking about how much should be bonded . The more of a down payment , the less
interest paid and the Village is starting their discussion the next night . The cost for the
Town would not be due until calendar year 2012 . Discussion followed .
Mr. Engman introduced Katie Stoner who is the new sustainability planner working with
the Towns of Ithaca and Dryden
Board Comments
Ms . Hunter thought that there should be some dialogue on the comments heard at the
West Hill Community meeting sponsored by West Hill and attended by some board
members . Ms . Riha added that at the last Planning Committee , it was decided that
different development scenarios should be discussed by the board at the next study
session . This approach was acceptable to the Board .
Report from City & County Officials None
Public Hearing — 5 : 45 p. m . Hungerford Hill Pump Station Water Improvement
Mr. Engman opened the public hearing at 5 : 45 p . m . and invited public to speak . Hearing
no one , Mr. Engman closed public hearing at 5 : 45 p . m .
a . Consider Approval of Public Interest Order
TB 9- 13-2010
Mr. Weber presented information on the tank project with visuals and answered
questions from the Board . The project increases efficiency , it does not add to available
services , no services will be offered off of this line .
TB Resolution No . 201 0=1 58 Public Interest Order — Hungerford Hill Pump Station
Water Improvement Project
At a regular meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca , Tompkins County ,
New York , held at the Town Hall , 215 North Tioga Street , in Ithaca , New York , in said
Town , on the 13th day of September, 2010 , at 5 : 30 P . M . , Prevailing Time .
PRESENT : Herb Engman , Supervisor; Bill Goodman , Councilman ; Pat Leary,
Councilwoman ; Susan Riha , Councilwoman ; Eric Levine , Councilman ; Tee-Ann Hunter,
Councilwoman ; Rich DePaolo , Councilman
In the Matter
of
A Proposed Water Improvement in the Town PUBLIC
of Ithaca , Tompkins County, New York, INTEREST
pursuant to Article 12 -C of the Town Law, to ORDER
be known as the Town of Ithaca Hungerford
Hill Pump Station Water Improvement .
WHEREAS , a plan , report and map , including an estimate of cost , have been
duly prepared in such manner and in such detail as has heretofore been determined by
the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca , Tompkins County, New York, relating to the
creation and construction , pursuant to Article 12 -C of the Town Law , of water system
improvements to be known and identified as the Town of Ithaca Hungerford Hill Pump
Station Water Improvement , and hereinafter also referred to as the " Improvement , " to
provide such water Improvement including extensions , to the present Town water
improvement , such water system Improvement to be constructed and owned by the
Town of Ithaca , and
WHEREAS , after said plan , report and map , including estimate of cost , were
prepared by a competent engineer, duly licensed by the state of New York, and filed in
the office of the Town Clerk , the said Town Board did , on August 9 , 2010 , duly adopt an
Order reciting the proposed Improvement , a description of the boundaries of the
proposed benefited area , the maximum amount proposed to be expended for the
Improvement, the proposed method of apportioning the costs of such Improvement , the
proposed method of financing to be employed , the fact that a plan , map and report
describing the same are on file in the Town Clerk' s office for public inspection , and
specifying that said Town Board shall meet at the Town Hall , 215 North Tioga Street , in
Ithaca , New York, in said Town , on the 13th day of September, 2010 at 5 : 45 PM
Prevailing Time , for the purposes of conducting a public hearing on such proposal to
provide said Improvement , and to hear all persons interested in the subject thereof
concerning the same , and
Page 2 of 18
TB 9- 13-2010
WHEREAS , copies of said Order were duly published and posted according to
law, and said Town Board did , at the time and place specified in said Order, duly meet
and consider such proposal and held a public hearing in which it heard all persons
interested in the subject thereof , who appeared at such time and place , concerning the
same , and
WHEREAS , the Town Board now desires to authorize the Improvement based on
the evidence offered at such time and place , and
WHEREAS , at its regular meeting on September 13 , 2010 , the Town Board has
determined approval , construction and implementation of the Improvement are a Type
II Action pursuant to the regulations of the New York State Department of
Environmental Conservation promulgated pursuant to the State Environmental Quality
Review Act , because the Action constitutes " construction or expansion of a primary or
accessory/appurtenant , non - residential structure or facility involving less than 4 , 000
square feet of gross floor area and not involving a change in zoning or a use variance
and consistent with local land use controls , but not radio communication or microwave
transmission facilities , " and " extension of utility distribution facilities , including . . . water
. . . connections to render service in approved subdivisions or in connection with any
action on this [Type II] list , " and thus approval , construction and implementation of the
Improvement are not subject to review under SEQRA ;
NOW , THEREFORE , BE IT RESOLVED , by the Town Board that it be and
hereby is determined as follows :
( 1 ) The notice of hearing was published and posted as required by law and is
otherwise sufficient .
(2) That all of the property within the proposed benefited area is benefited by the
proposed Improvement .
(3) That all of the property benefited is included within the proposed benefited
area .
(4) That the proposed method of apportioning the costs of the Improvement
should not be changed .
(5) It is in the public interest to authorize , establish , and make the Town of Ithaca
Hungerford Hill Pump Station Water Improvement as hereinafter described , and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED , that the Town Board does hereby approve , authorize
and establish the Town of Ithaca Hungerford Hill Pump Station Water Improvement in
the area of the Town described as follows and as more particularly shown and
described in said plan , report and map presently on file in the office of the Town Clerk:
The placement of a 17 foot X 26 foot pre -cast concrete building , installation of
pumps , meter and control valves within the building , and installation of 1 , 300 feet of 8"
water main that will connect the Hungerford Hill Tank directly to the East Hill
Transmission Tank , together with related ancillary facilities , and be it
Page 3 of 18
TB 9- 13-2010
FURTHER RESOLVED , that the area hereby determined to be benefited by said
Town of Ithaca Hungerford Hill Pump Station Water Improvement is all of that portion of
the Town outside of the Village of Cayuga Heights , and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED , that all of the allocable costs of said Improvement shall
be borne wholly by property within the Town of Ithaca water improvement benefited
area , being the entire area of the Town outside of the Village of Cayuga Heights , and be
it
FURTHER RESOLVED , that the maximum proposed to be expended by the
Town of Ithaca for the Improvement , including costs of rights of way, construction costs ,
legal fees and other expenses , is $ 400 , 000 , which shall be financed as follows :
temporary financing under a bond anticipation note , and upon maturity of the bond
anticipation note , the issuance of serial bonds of said Town of Ithaca to mature in
annual installments over a period not to exceed 20 years , such bonds to be paid from
assessments levied upon and collected from the several lots and parcels of land in said
Town of Ithaca water system benefited area which are deemed benefited by said
Improvement , so much upon and from each as shall be in just proportion to the amount
of the benefit which the Improvement shall confer upon the same , and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED , that this Order is subject to a permissive referendum in
the manner provided in Town Law Article 7 and Town Law Section 209-q , and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED , that the estimated expense of the aforesaid
Improvement does not exceed one -tenth of one per cent of the full valuation of the
taxable real property in the area of said Town outside of villages and , therefore , in
accordance with the provisions of subdivision 13 (a) of Section 209 -q of the Town Law,
the permission of the State Comptroller is not required for such improvement .
FURTHER RESOLVED , that pursuant to subdivision 6 (d) of Section 209-q of the
Town Law, the Town Clerk is hereby directed and ordered to cause a certified copy of
this Order to be duly recorded in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Tompkins
within ten days of the date this Order becomes effective pursuant to Town Law Section
91 , which when so recorded , shall be presumptive evidence of the regularity of the
proceedings and action taken by the Town Board in relation to the aforesaid
improvement .
The question of the adoption of the foregoing Order was duly put to a vote on roll
call , which resulted as follows :
Herb Engman VOTING Aye
Bill Goodman VOTING Aye
Pat Leary VOTING Aye
Susan Riha VOTING Aye
Eric Levine VOTING Aye
Tee -Ann Hunter VOTING Aye
Rich DePaolo VOTING Aye
Page 4 of 18
TB 9- 13-2010
Moved by Susan Riha ; seconded by Bill Goodman
The Order was thereupon declared duly adopted .
Consider Resolution of Support for County Animal Population Control Program
Mr. Engman explained that the Town had received a request for support from the
Tompkins County Clerk' s Association to pursue the option of a local spay/neuter
program .
TB RESOLUTION NO . 2010=159 : Support for Creation of a County Animal
Population Control Program
WHEREAS, the New York State 2011 Budget contains new legislation concerning dog
licensing and Animal Population Control Funds , and
WHEREAS , the new legislation gives a county the authority to create its own Animal
Population Control Program , thereby receiving the Animal Population Control Funds
collected within such county, and
WHEREAS , the Tompkins County SPCA and the Tompkins County Town Clerks
Association have expressed a desire to create a plan for Tompkins County Animal
Population Control , and
WHEREAS , the Tompkins County Administrator has indicated that the County would be
in favor of such a plan , and
WHEREAS , the Town of Ithaca is in favor of such a plan , therefore ,
BE IT RESOLVED , that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca designates the Town
Clerk' s Office to represent the interests of the Town of Ithaca in the creation of a
Tompkins County Animal Population Control Program , with the understanding that final
determination and approval rests with the Town Board .
MOVED : Councilwoman Riha
SECONDED : Councilwoman Hunter
VOTE : Ayes : Engman , Goodman , Leary , Riha , Levine , Hunter and
DePaolo
Motion passed unanimously .
Public Hearing : 5 : 50 p. m . re. : Noise Permit for Fall Splash at Ithaca College
Mr. Engman opened the public hearing at 5 : 58 . Hearing no one , Mr. Engman closed the
public hearing at 5 : 58 p . m .
Page 5 of 18
TB 9- 13-2010
TB Resolution No . 2010-160 : Approval of a Noise Permit for IC Fall Splash
WHEREAS a noise permit application was submitted by Ithaca College for a " Fall
Splash" to be held on October 2 , 2010 from 11 : 00 a . m . thru 2 : 00 p . m . with a DJ and
associated amplification located in the Center Quad .
WHEREAS , a public hearing was duly held at the September 13 , 2010 regular
meeting of the Town Board
Therefore be it .
RESOLVED , that the Town Board approves a Noise Permit for the function on
said date at said time .
MOVED : Councilman DePaolo
SECONDED : Councilman Levine
VOTE : Ayes : Engman , Goodman , Leary , Riha , Levine , Hunter and
DePaolo
Motion passed unanimously .
Presentation — Student Work Initiative
Ms . Kirchgessner presided over the presentation with Mr. Engman handing out
certificates to the participants .
Parents addressed the Board stating that it is a wonderful program that teaches the
children life skills and they were grateful for the Town 's support .
Continue Discussion of Elected Officials ' Pay (Attachment #1 )
Mr. Engman opened the discussion stating that this was discussed at the previous study
session and there is a recommendation from personnel committee to increase the pay
of elected officials . A resolution was moved and seconded for discussion .
Ms . Leary explained that the resolution was to set a figure to be put in the tentative
budget so that real figures can be discussed during the budget process and by adopting
this resolution , publishing deadlines are met in the event the board does receive an
increase .
Discussion followed with Ms . Riha and Mr. Engman not in favor of the resolution or an
increase and the other Board members generally in favor of an increase because the
responsibilities and time commitments have changed and the position needs to be re-
graded to keep in line with the reality . Some members also felt and increase may
-attract a broader pool of people interested in the position .
In general , five of the seven members felt some kind of raise was warranted and each
member spoke . After lengthy discussion and back-and -forth , at 7 p . m . , Mr. Goodman
called the question . Seconded by Ms . Leary . Vote 5 : 2 . The motion was brought to the
floor for a vote .
Page 6 of 18
TB 9- 13-2010
TB RESOLUTION NO . 2010-161 : Resetting Salaries for Town Councilpersons and
Town Justices
WHEREAS , Town Law provides that the elective offices of Town Councilperson and
Town Justice may be compensated with salaries ; and
WHEREAS , the salaries of elected officials in the Town of Ithaca have remained
unchanged for years , excepting small cost-of- living increases by a percentage formula ;
and
WHEREAS , the population and assessment of the Town of Ithaca have grown
dramatically in the last 20 years , as have the responsibilities of the Town Board for
making decisions involving development , environmental protection , municipal services ,
and regional issues ; and
WHEREAS , due to the dramatic growth in the population and assessment of the Town
of Ithaca in the past 20 years , the time commitment required to responsibly carry out the
requirements of office has greatly expanded , including a doubling of regularly occurring
Town Board meetings , an expanded committee system , and higher overall workload to
meet the demands of increasingly complex and interrelated planning , fiscal , and
intermunicipal issues ; and
WHEREAS , the population increase of the Town of Ithaca has significantly increased
the workload of Town Justices ; and
WHEREAS , the Town of Ithaca is a certified Living Wage Employer, a designation . for
which Alternatives Federal Credit Union has set a living wage in Tompkins County for
2010 at $25 , 180 when the employer does not pay for health insurance ; and
WHEREAS , the compensation for Town Board members in the Town of Ithaca includes
a potential 50% premium payment for health insurance , if a member chooses to buy into
Town insurance , but no buyback supplement if a member does not take the insurance
option , as the town provides for its other employees ; and
WHEREAS , elected officials in the Town of Ithaca receive no other compensation such
as vacation and sick time or other fringe benefits that can be converted to a cash
buyback which , for other employees , increases the value of compensation and cost to
the town by 40% , such that a salary increase for elected officials would carry minimal
additional benefit costs ; and
WHEREAS , time logs kept by Town Board members for the New York State Retirement
System have documented that , in recent years , councilpersons , on average , work the
equivalent of half-time , which would warrant a salary of $ 12 , 590 by living wage
standards ; and
Page 7 of 18
TB 9- 13-2010
WHEREAS , a survey this year by the Personnel Committee of 48 towns across the
state with populations between 10 , 000 and 100 , 000 indicated that the Town of Ithaca , at
$8 , 797 , is well below the average of $ 11 , 422 for councilmember compensation , with the
finding holding for towns of a population more similar, plus or minus 5 , 000 , to the Town
of Ithaca ; and
WHEREAS , the same survey indicated that the Town of Ithaca's Town Justice salary , at
$ 16 , 818 , is slightly more than half the average salary paid by towns statewide ; and
WHEREAS , the workload and complexity of the cases coming before the Town Justices
make it highly desirable to attract licensed attorneys , willing to forgo some private work ,
to the position , and
WHEREAS , the Town of Ithaca wishes to increase the pool of candidates able to serve
on the Town Board to reflect the diverse working population of the town , and recognizes
that compensation competitive with alternative half-time employment at a living wage
would expand that opportunity to a wider range of citizens ; and
WHEREAS , the Town of Ithaca recognizes that adequate compensation for work is an
issue of fairness , from which government work , whether elective or appointed , should
not be exempted ;
NOW , THEREFORE , BE IT
RESOLVED , that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca recommends the inclusion of
councilpersons ' salaries of $ 12 , 590 each in the 2011 budget , subject to advertizing and
final adoption ; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED , that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca recommends
the inclusion of Town Justice salaries at $20 , 818 each in the 2011 budget , subject to
final adoption ; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED , that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca recommends
that salaries of elected officials be reviewed no less frequently than once every five
years by the Town Board to evaluate the adequacy of the compensation .
MOVED : Councilwoman Leary
SECONDED : Councilman Levine
VOTE : Ayes : Leary, DePaolo , Goodman , Hunter, Levine
Nays : Engman , Riha Motion passed 5 to 2
Report of Town Official ' s (See Attachments)
Public Works — Inventory of Highway Machinery and Equipment (Attachment #2)
Page 8 of 18
TB 9- 13-2010
Mr. Weber submitted an inventory as required by law listing vehicles and heavy
equipment . Discussion followed on expected life/use , different factors that reduce life
expectancy , cost increases from recent regulations by the federal government and
progress on a more detailed spreadsheet for the equipment with expected useful life
and replacement schedules .
Consider setting a Public Hearing for the Snyder Hill Road Water Main
Improvement Project
Minor typos were changed and a brief explanation of the project given .
TB Resolution No. 2010=162 At a regular meeting of the Town Board of the Town
of Ithaca, Tompkins County, New York, held at the Town Hall , 215 North Tioga
Street, in Ithaca, New York, in said Town , on the 13th day of September, 2010, at
5 : 50 P. M . , Prevailing Time.
PRESENT : Herb Engman , Supervisor, Bill Goodman , Councilman ; Pat Leary,
Councilwoman ; Susan Riha , Councilwoman ; Eric Levine , Councilman ; Tee-Ann Hunter,
Councilwoman ; Rich DePaolo , Councilman
In the Matter
of
A Proposed Water Improvement in the Town ORDER
of Ithaca, Tompkins County, New York , SETTING
pursuant to Article 12-C of the Town Law, to PUBLIC
be known as the Town of Ithaca Snyder Hill HEARING
Water Main Water Improvement
WHEREAS , a plan , report and map , including an estimate of cost , have been
duly prepared in such manner and in such detail as has heretofore been determined by
the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca, Tompkins County , New York , relating to the
creation and construction , pursuant to Article 12-C of the Town Law of water system
improvements to be known and identified as the Town of Ithaca Snyder Hill Road Water
Main Water Improvement , and hereinafter also referred to as " Improvement , " to provide
such water Improvement including extensions , to the present Town water improvement ,
such water system Improvement to be constructed and owned by the Town of Ithaca ,
and
WHEREAS , said plan , report and map , including estimate of cost , were prepared
by a competent engineer, duly licensed by the State of New York , and have been filed
in the office of the Town Clerk of said Town , where the same are available during
regular office hours for public inspection , and
WHEREAS , the area of said Town determined to be benefited by said Town of
Ithaca Snyder Hill Road Water Main Water Improvement consists of the entire area of
said Town excepting therefrom the area contained within the Village of Cayuga Heights ,
and
Page 9 of 18
TB 9- 13-2010
WHEREAS , the proposed Improvement consists of the water improvements set
forth below, and in the areas of the Town as set forth below, and as more particularly
shown and described in said plan , report and map presently on file in the office of the
Town Clerk :
It is proposed to install 2800 ft of new 8" water main , replacing the existing main ,
on the east side of Snyder Hill Rd . together with related ancillary facilities , and
WHEREAS , the maximum proposed to be expended by the Town of Ithaca for
the aforesaid Improvement is $ 300 , 000 . The proposed method of financing to be
employed by said Town of Ithaca consists of temporary financing under a bond
anticipation note , and upon maturity of the bond anticipation note , the issuance of serial
bonds of said Town of Ithaca to mature in annual installments over a period not to
exceed 20 years , such bonds to be paid from assessments levied upon and collected
from the several lots and parcels of land in said Town of Ithaca water system benefited
area which are deemed benefited by said Improvement , so much upon and from each
as shall be in just proportion to the amount of the benefit which the Improvement shall
confer upon the same , and
WHEREAS , it is now desired to call a public hearing for the purpose of
considering said plan , report and map , including estimate of cost , and the providing of
the Improvement , and to hear all persons interested in the subject thereof concerning
the same , all in accordance with the provisions of Section 209-q of the Town Law;
NOW , THEREFORE , IT IS HEREBY ORDERED , by the Town Board of the Town
of Ithaca , Tompkins County, New York , as follows :
Section 1 . A public hearing shall be held by Town Board of the Town of Ithaca ,
Tompkins County , New York, at the Town Hall , 215 North Tioga Street , in Ithaca , New
York , in said Town , on the 18th day of October, 2010 , at 5 :45 P . M . , Prevailing Time , to
consider the aforesaid plan , report and map , including estimate of cost , and the
question of providing the Improvement , and to hear all persons interested in the subject
thereof concerning the same and to take such action thereon as is required by law.
Section 2 . The Town Clerk is hereby authorized and directed to cause a copy
of this Order with a Notice of Adoption to be published once in the official newspaper,
and also to post a copy thereof on the town signboard maintained by the Town Clerk ,
not less than ten ( 10) nor more than twenty (20) days before the day designated for the
hearing as aforesaid , all in accordance with the provisions of Section 209 -q of the Town
Law.
Section 3 . This Order shall take effect immediately .
The question of the adoption of the foregoing Order was duly put to a vote on roll
call , which resulted as follows : Moved by Councilman Riha ; seconded by Councilman
DePaolo Ayes : Engman , Goodman , Leary , Riha , Levine , Hunter and DePaolo
The Order was thereupon declared duly adopted .
Page 10 of 18
TB 9- 13-2010
Discuss request of EcoVillage to amend the PDZ regarding community centers
and solar panels
a. Consider referral to Planning Board for a recommendation
Mr. Goodman recused himself due to his involvement in EcoVillage .
Steve Nicholson from the Board of Directors was available for questions . Discussion
followed on process , timeframe , number of units and the height of the buildings .
TB RESOLUTION NO . 2010-163 : Refer Request of EcoVillage at Ithaca to Amend
Planned Development Zone ( PDZ) No . 8 Regarding Community Centers and Solar
Panels to Planning Board for a Recommendation
WHEREAS , EcoVillage at Ithaca has submitted a request to the Town Board of the
Town of Ithaca to amend Planned Development Zone ( PDZ) No . 8 regarding community
centers and solar panels , and
WHEREAS, this request is in part in conjunction with the proposal by the Third
Residential EcoVillage Experience (TREE) to develop a 30 unit cohousing
neighborhood at EcoVillage , located on Rachel Carson Way off of Mecklenburg Road
( Route 79) , which has been submitted to the Town of Ithaca Planning Board for
consideration of preliminary site plan and subdivision approval , and
WHEREAS , the proposed amendment to PDZ No . 8 would ( 1 ) allow dwelling units in
community centers , (2) authorize the Planning Board to grant special approval for
community center buildings with a height in excess of 40 feet but not to exceed 60 feet
in height , and (3) allow the installation of solar panels without having to obtain site plan
approval from the Planning Board as long as all other requirements of the Zoning Code
for solar panels are met , now , therefore , be it
RESOLVED , that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca hereby refers the request of
EcoVillage at Ithaca to amend Planned Development Zone ( PDZ) No . 8 regarding
community centers and solar panels to the Town of Ithaca Planning Board for a
recommendation .
MOVED : Councilwoman Hunter
SECONDED : Councilwoman Riha
VOTE : Ayes : Engman , Leary, Riha , Levine , Hunter, and DePaolo
Abstain : Goodman Motion passed .
Consider approval of amendments to the Stearns and Wheler Agreement of 2005
for Miscellaneous Plant Improvements at the Ithaca Area Waste Water Treatment
Plant
There was some question about the rate of pay to the engineers with Mr. Weber
explaining the standard pay scale types . A brief background of the lawsuit associated
with these amendments was given .
Page 11 of 18
TB 9- 13-2010
a. Amendment 7
TB RESOLUTION NO . 2010=164 : Approval of Amendment 7 to the 2005 Agreement
with Stearns and Wheler for Miscellaneous Improvements to the Ithaca Area
Wastewater Treatment Plant
WHEREAS Stearns and Wheler, LLC and the Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Plant ,
owners , entered into an agreement dated September 7 , 2005 to evaluate Miscellaneous
Plant Improvements and
WHEREAS except as expressly amended herein all other provisions of the original
contract dated September 7 , 2005 remain in full force and effect
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca
approves the attached Amendment No . 7 and authorizes the town supervisor to sign the
agreement .
MOVED : Councilwoman Hunter
SECONDED : Councilwoman Leary
VOTE : Ayes : Engman , Goodman , Leary, Riha , Levine , Hunter, DePaolo
b. Amendment 8
TB RESOLUTION NO . 2010=165 : Approval of Amendment 8 to the 2005 Agreement
with Stearns and Wheler for Miscellaneous Improvements to the Ithaca Area
Wastewater Treatment Plant
WHEREAS Stearns and Wheler, LLC and the Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Plant ,
owners , entered into an agreement dated September 7 , 2005 to evaluate Miscellaneous
Plant Improvements and
WHEREAS except as expressly amended herein all other provisions of the original
contract dated September 7 , 2005 remain in full force and effect
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca
approves the attached Amendment No . 8 and authorizes the town supervisor to sign the
agreement .
MOVED : Councilman DePaolo
SECONDED : Councilwoman Riha
VOTE : Ayes : Engman , Goodman , Leary, Riha , Levine , Hunter, DePaolo
Consider supporting the TCCOG Intermunicipal Cell Tower Initiative
Mr. Engman gave the background . There were changes to the proposed resolution
regarding the number of cell towers . The purpose and benefits were discussed .
Page 12 of 18
TB 9- 13-2010
TB RESOLUTION NO . 2010=166 : Supporting the Intermunicipal Cell Tower
Initiative
WHEREAS various municipalities in Tompkins County have received applications for
permission to construct cellular communication towers within their borders (and , in
some cases , on municipal property) , and some of these applications have elicited
substantial public concern or opposition and
WHEREAS at the same time some municipalities have areas where cell coverage is
desired , but it is substandard or absent and
WHEREAS to date each municipality has acted on its own , each with its own local
ordinances regarding cell towers , and sometimes seeking expert consultation to
evaluate an applicant's need or other assertions and
WHEREAS recognizing their shared interests and concerns several municipalities have
decided , through the Tompkins County Council of Governments (TCCOG ) , to explore
the possible benefits of a more coordinated approach to the issues surrounding cellular
communications . The participating municipalities want to learn what the current status is
of local jurisdiction in this area , and to determine whether some type of coordinated ,
intermunicipal approach could enhance their ability to focus cell tower siting at the most
appropriate and least disruptive locations . In addition , some participating municipalities
may want outside advice on whether their individual ordinances should be revised and
updated and
WHEREAS the participating municipalities (nine interested TCCOG members) issued
an RFP for legal services to advise them on these issues in December 2009 , and
received four qualified responses and
WHEREAS on consideration of these proposals and phone interviews with two of the
applicants the firm of Silverberg Zalantis , Tarrytown , NY , was selected as the preferred
vendor for this contract for a total of $ 10 , 250 as follows :
Presentation - $750 (flat fee)
Collaboration feasibility - $ 1 , 500 (flat fee)
Ordinance template - $3 , 000 (estimate)
Contingency - $5 , 000
Total to be divided among municipalities - $ 10 , 250
and
WHEREAS in addition individual municipalities can decide whether to seek an optional
review of their specific ordinance for an estimated $300-$500 per municipality , to be
arranged directly with Silverberg Zalantis , now therefore be it
RESOLVED that the Town of Ithaca recognizes that issues of cellular communications
affect all our residents and visitors and that the coordinated action of multiple
Page 13 of 18
TB 9- 13-2010
municipalities is more efficient and effective than separate and disconnected efforts and
be it further
RESOLVED that the Town of Ithaca desires to participate in this intermunicipal project
to support enhanced cell service with cell towers located and designed to cause the
least possible environmental and siting impacts , and be it further
RESOLVED , that the Town of Ithaca will contribute up to $ 1 , 500 as a share of this
contract , that share depending in the end upon the number of municipalities that agree
to share the cost and be it further
RESOLVED that the Town of Ithaca accepts the Tompkins County offer to serve as
fiscal agent to collect municipal contributions and handle the contract administration
subject to the approval of the participating municipalities .
Moved : Councilwoman Riha
Seconded : Supervisor Engman
Vote : Ayes : Engman , Goodman , Leary, Riha , Levine , Hunter, DePaolo
Consider recommendation from Personnel Committee re . Approval of Eligible
Employees for the NYS & Local Retirement Incentive Part A
a . Consider Approval
The motion was moved by Ms . Hunter and seconded by Mr. Goodman for discussion .
The Board had questions about the resolution for Ms . Drake who was not present . Ms .
Leary noted that it was not unanimous in the Committee to offer all the positions early
retirement . Board members were not convinced that the savings would be worth the
loss of knowledge and history with the Town . Mr. Engman noted that if someone would
like to retire , then that is their choice and this just gives them the opportunity. Ms .
Hunter and Mr. Goodman took back the motion and the Board decided to move the
discussion to the September Study Session .
Consider approval of three-year snow and ice agreement
Mr. Weber explained that the changes to the contract . We plow some of their roads ,
they plow some of ours and they end up paying us some money. Changes were made
to the proposed resolution . Changes were approved and a vote taken .
TB RESOLUTION NO . 2010-167 : Approval of Three-Year Snow and Ice Agreement
WHEREAS , the Town of Ithaca has contracted with Tompkins County for removal of
snow and ice from County and Town roads since October 2002 ; and
WHEREAS , the previous contract will expire on September 30 , 2010 ; and
Page 14 of 18
TB 9- 13-2010
WHEREAS , a new agreement for snow and ice removal from town and county roads
was established for a period commencing , October 1 , 2010 and ending , September 30 ,
2013 ; and
WHEREAS , it is the intent of Tompkins County , to pay to the Town of Ithaca , the first
quarterly installment of $4 , 001 . 43 , which covers the period between October 1 , 2010
and December 31 , 2010 , as per Schedule A (attached) ; and
WHEREAS , upon approval by the Town Board , and submission of the signed contract
to the County, Tompkins County will continue to pay equal installments of $4 , 001 . 43
through April 2011 , for a total contractual payment of $ 16 , 005 . 71 ; and
WHEREAS , the amount paid per mile will be adjusted each year by an amount equal to
the percentage change in the County's per mile costs for snow and ice removal
performed , comparing the two preceding winter seasons (October — September) ; and
WHEREAS , each party to this Agreement may request a change to the level of
reimbursement based on a formula taking in a comparison of the last two year average
of the fixed payment with the payment that would have been due under a time and
material basis ;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT
RESOLVED , that the governing body of the Town of Ithaca hereby authorizes the Town
Supervisor to enter into an agreement with Tompkins County for the purposes of snow
and ice removal commencing , October 1 , 2010 and ending , September 30 , 2013 ,
subject to the approval of the attorney for the Town .
MOVED : Councilman Levine
SECONDED : Councilwoman Riha
VOTE : Ayes : Engman , Goodman , Leary, Riha , Levine , Hunter, DePaolo
Consider approval and authorization to amend 2010 General Part-Town Highway
Fund for purchase of pavement line striping system equipment
TB RESOLUTION NO . 2010-168 : Approval and Authorization to Amend 2010
General Part-Town Highway Fund Budgeted Appropriations for The Purchase of a
Pavement Line Striping System Equipment
WHEREAS : The Highway Superintendent/Director of Public Works has identified the
need to upgrade the Town 's approach to pavement striping and markings application ,
and
WHEREAS : Town crews spend 4 to 5 weeks annually reestablishing pavement
markings with paint brushes and rollers and ,
Page 15 of 18
TB 9- 13-2010
WHEREAS : The Town 's responsibility to maintain pavement markings will increase
with the installation of Traffic Calming measures in the Forest Home Area and ,
WHEREAS : Town staff will be able to increase efficiency by 25% and reduce exposure
to traffic with the proposed equipment purchase and ,
WHEREAS : The purchase of the Line Striping System was discussed and
recommended for approval by the Public Works Committee at it's August 24 , 2010
meeting and ,
WHEREAS : The Highway Superintendent/Director of Public Works and the Town
Budget Officer confirm that there is money that will not be used in the appropriation
funds budget , and
WHEREAS : the Town Budget Officer seeks the approval and authorization from the
Town Board to amend the 2010 General Part-Town Highway Fund appropriations as
detailed , and therefore be it
BUDGET JOURNAL
DEBIT DB5130 . 218 Used Garbage Truck $ 3 , 525 . 00
CREDIT DB5130 . 221 Line Striping System $ 3 , 525 . 00
RESOLVED : That the Town Board approves this budget amendment transferring
$3 , 525 . 00 within the 2010 budgeted appropriations of the General Part-Town Highway
Fund for the purchase of a Pavement Line Striping System
MOVED : Councilwoman Riha
SECONDED : Supervisor Engman
VOTE : Ayes : Engman , Goodman , Leary , Riha , Levine , Hunter, DePaolo
Consent Agenda
a. Town of Ithaca Abstract
b. Bolton Point Abstract
The approval of the minutes was pulled from the consent agenda .
TB RESOLUTION NO . 2010-169 : Consent Agenda
BE IT RESOLVED , that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca hereby approves
and/or adopts the resolutions for the following Consent Agenda items :
a . Town of Ithaca Abstract
b . Bolton Point Abstract
MOVED : Councilman Goodman
Page 16 of 18
TB 9- 13-2010
SECONDED : Councilman Levine
VOTE : Ayes : Engman , Goodman , Leary, Riha , Levine , Hunter, DePaolo
TB RESOLUTION NO . 2010=169a : Town of Ithaca Abstract
WHEREAS , the following numbered vouchers have been presented to the Ithaca
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 in total for the amounts indicated .
VOUCHER NOS . 8908 -8972
General Fund Town wide 41935 .67
General Fund Part Town 5668 . 18
Highway Fund Part Town 98550. 90
Water Fund 3406 . 82
Sewer Fund 1322 .63
Fire Protection Fund 258333. 00
Trust and Agency 2436 .00
jTOTAL 411653. 2d
MOVED : Councilman Goodman
SECONDED : Councilman Levine
VOTE : Ayes : Engman , Goodman , Leary , Riha , Levine , Hunter, DePaolo
TB RESOLUTION NO . 2010=169b : 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 : 1953 - 2017
Check Numbers : 12585 - 12650
Operating Fund $ 78 , 118 . 18
TOTAL $ 78 , 118 . 18
Less Prepaid $ 69784 . 82
$71 , 333 . 36
Page 17 of 18
TB 9- 13-2010
MOVED : Councilman Goodman
SECONDED : Councilman Levine
VOTE : Ayes : Engman , Goodman , Leary , Riha , Levine , Hunter, DePaolo
Approval of Minutes of August 23 , 2010
TB RESOLUTION NO . 2010=170 : Approval of Minutes of August 23 , 2010
WHEREAS , the draft minutes of the August 23 , 2010 of the Town Board have
been submitted for review and approval ;
THEREFORE BE IT
RESOLVED , that the governing Town Board hereby approves the submitted
minutes , with changes , as the final minutes of the August 23 , 2010 of the Town Board of
the Town of Ithaca .
MOVED : Councilman DePaolo
SECONDED : Councilman Goodman
VOTE : Ayes : Engman , Goodman , Leary , Levine , Hunter, DePaolo
Abstain : Riha
Report of Town Committees - None
Intermunicipal Organizations
Mr. DePaolo reported on the Cayuga Lake Watershed Intermunicipal Organization
passed a resolution similar to the one the Town did calling on the Governor to withdraw
the S -GEIS from review.
Review of Correspondence - None
Consider Adjournment
On a motion by Councilwoman Riha , the meeting adjourned at 8 : 30 p . m .
Submitte ,
Paulette Terwilliger
Town Clerk
Page 18 of 18
q�r �) io
Note: At the August 3, 2010 Personnel Committee meeting it was suggested that I
file a minority report on the topic of elected officials' salaries because I
dissented from the majority (2- 1 ) recommendation to the Town Board that the
report that follows be accepted, I suggested that my report take the form of a
track-change addition to this document and that idea was accepted by the
committee, The original report appears to have been written to support a large
increase in elected officials' pay, I hope my additions add some balance and
additional information to inform the decision -making process,
While I agree that the data gathered by Tee-Ann Hunter indicate an increase in
elected officials' pay may be justified, I disagree on the amounts, the timing and
some of the reasoning as expressed in this document.
Herb Engman, Town Supervisor 8/ 12/2010
Personnel Committee Report on Salary Revision for Elected Officials
The decision of a recently appointed Town Board member not to continue on the Town
Board because of time constraints illustrates again the need to raise councilpersons '
salaries of $8, 797 to a level commensurate with the time demanded by the position,
and to consider the compensation of other elected officials . The issue has been studied
by the Personnel Committee since late 2009 in anticipation of the 2011 budget To deal - Deleted: .
with time issues we should consider the causes of time demands and determine ways to
reduce time spent. Increasina the pay of elected officials is not the way to solve a time
problem .
Expanded Responsibilities
The responsibilities of the Town Board have expanded in the Town of Ithaca as the town
has grown and become increasingly complex over the years, with new demands on
development, infrastructure, transportation, staffing, and intermunicipal relations ,
Frequency of meetings and associated preparation has more than doubled with the
addition of an extra board meeting per month and the dramatic expansion of
committee work. The commitment to greater participation by the full board, a central
reform of the current administration, needs to be reflected appropriately in board
members ' compensation . No matter how the committee structure may be organized,
the workload cannot be anticipated to decline as long as the town itself continues to
grow. By this logic, a larger government like the County should have all full-time
legislators. Time and growth issues should be dealt with in other ways. Adjusting the
committee structure, trusfina the work done by committees, increasing efficiencies
setting priorities and allowing staff to carry out day-to-day responsibilities are better
ways to deal with the time and arowth challenges.
Expanding the Base for Recruitment
Democratic principles require that full participation in local government be accessible
to as broad a range of citizens as possible, not just those whose economic f
circumstances allow a very flexible schedule with ample spare time to work for minimal
compensation , Salaries for elected officials must be high enough to allow ordinary
working citizens to forego some income in order to spend the time required to fulfill the
responsibilities of office.
Allowing direct participation in governance to as wide a range of town residents as
possible is not only good for the residents themselves in having access to elective office,
it benefits the quality of decision making by the board , It brings to board decisions a
diverse range of experience and perspectives on issues affecting the public .
Public Service: Paid or Volunteer?
Public-sector jobs are no different than private-sector in terms of function; the same
variety of tasks and competencies are needed in public organizations as in private.
One substantive difference is in increased job security afforded by the Civil Service rules
in New York State, but it is generally not assumed that this difference should imply a
substantially lower rate of pay for public-sector employees; neither does the fact that
they are paid by tax revenues suggest that they should be exempt from minimum wage
laws or otherwise suffer a financial penalty relative to their private-sector counterparts ,
Civil Service positions are, in fact, competitive with prevailing market wages . Public-
sector employees also enjoy better benefits than their private-sector counterparts ;
According to a recently released Labor Department report (cited in the July 28, 20101
Governing Daily), as of March 2010, 88% of state and local government workers had
access to employer-sponsored medical plans, compared with 71 % of private-sector
workers . This probably reflects a higher commitment to worker rights that has been a
tradition among government employers, as opposed to the focus on maximizing profit
that is the primary goal of for-profit entities . Elected officials also are eligible for some
fringe benefits. These are often more valuable to an individual than the pay itself.
Elected officials are no different from other public-sector workers, except that they lack
the job security, since they are exempt from Civil Service protection . Every four years, in
fact, elected officials on Town Boards must reapply for their jobs . Elected officials are
very different from other public-sector workers Elected officials for the most part do not
have iob descriptions, are not required to have minimum iob qualifications are not
required to have experience in the field have no supervision face no performance
evaluations, and for all practical purposes can not be fired but every four years
If one argues that elective office should be considered a form of volunteerism, it is
noteworthy that New York State has the lowest rate of volunteerism in the nation ,
ranking 51St, behind all 50 states and Washington, D . C „ according to Volunteering in
2
America 2009, a report by the Corporation for National & Community Service. The
figure suggests a time-starved population with little flexibility for uncompensated work.
This interpretation is supported by the fact that locally, finding candidates to run for
town office has traditionally been difficult, and the ones that have come forward tend
to fit a uniform pattern : retired or semi-retired, independent business owners or
professionals, tenured academics ,
Perversely, what is viewed by some as a noble gesture of altruism in keeping elected
salaries low has skewed the profile of the governing board to the most privileged in the
community . The notion of 'giving back" for a life of plenty, often cited by town
candidates as a motivation for serving, implies a class of privilege not consistent with
democratic values. Those who have argued most strongly that adding $4000 to a salary
of $8000 would not make a difference in recruiting candidates are usually those
speaking from a position of personal financial security , The goal in diversifying the
governing board would be to attract those who have little economically to give back
for.
The argument above seems to suggest that lower income individuals are less likely to
volunteer than wealthier people. I know of no such data. It generally is not the
° privileged" who volunteer as firefighters construct plavgrounds help run community
festivals, serve in veterans' associations, etc . In all the conversations I have had with
potential board candidates, none have expressed concern about the level of pay , It
will be a truly sad day for the Town of Ithaca when people run for office mainly to
secure a part-time lob. It will be even worse if elected officials cling to office lust for the
pay. Public service should be the primary motivation . I know of no studies that show
that increased pay improves either the auality or diversity of candidates.
, Deleted: ¶
Salary and Expectation for Performance _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _, - '
Town Law refers to compensation for elected officials as "salary, " not "stipend " or
" honorarium . " Unlike unpaid citizen advisory boards that are typically more narrowly
focused and based on specialized expertise or interest, governance requires both
broad knowledge and perspective and a serious, sustained commitment of time and
attention , That level of commitment is hard to achieve with volunteers, who rightly
regard their time for what it is: a gift. Salary implies an obligation to render a service; the
expectation for that commitment is higher when a salary is paid . Service on the Town
Board should not be seen as a time of "giving back" following a successful career, a
hobby for retirees, or a sideline for elites whose main source of income is high enough to
allow setting aside large amounts of time for volunteer activity. Neither should it be for
those who are so driven by ideological fervor that they are willing to work for little or
nothing , The Town Board should be made up of citizens whose current life experiences
more or less reflect those of the residents of the community.
3
Volunteers are often as committed and valuable as paid board members A "salary "
does not imply any obligation on the part of an elected official - see the reasons under
Public Service - Paid or Volunteer, above .
Living Wage: Basic Minimum Compensation for Time Worked
The Town of Ithaca is certified as a Living Wage Employer by the Workers' Center,
based on its wages for regular staff, Both councilpersons and supervisor have minimal
duties prescribed by law, but the actual time commitment required to govern
responsibly - in a town of 20,000 with a budget of $20 million, growing at three times the
rate of the city, with a demanding committee workload - is substantial, and has been
amply documented by current and recent years ' time logs for the NYS Retirement
System .
NYS Retirement calculates full-time as 120 hrs/month , or 6 hrs/day, 5 days/wk
(calculated over a 7-day week= 4 hours/day for a 30-day month) .
These calculations are for retirement - not pay - purposes (and NYS is extremely
generous as evidenced by the many attempts over the years reflected in the different
tiers, to reduce benefits to a more manageable level)
Half-time would be 60 hrs/month (30 days), or 3 hrs/day, 5 days/wk (2 hrs/day over a 7-
day week, 30-day month) .
Again this is using retirement apples to apply to pay oranges
The Alternatives Federal Credit Union 's current annual Living Wage for an individual in
Tompkins County is $ 11 . 11 /hr, or $ 23, 104 annually. Adjusted by the Workers ' Center for
no health insurance employer subsidy (which is generally the case for elected officials
in the town), the living wage is $ 12 . 11 /hr, or $25, 180 annually. Half of that is $ 12, 590.
By way of comparison, the town 's lowest paid regular job category, laborer, earns in
excess of $ 17/hr. The salary for elected officials should be high enough at least to allow
a working mother to cover the cost of child care : the going rate for baby-sitters locally
is about $ 15/hr.
Qualitative Nature of Management Level Work
The time requirement is only one factor in evaluating an appropriate rate of
compensation for a position , Even if it were felt that Town Board members ' time
Investment either does not reach the threshold of 2 hrs/day, 7 days/week (or 3 hrs/day,
5 days a week), or that the State Retirement system is too generous in defining those
hours as half-time, there is an additional consideration in valuing officials'
compensation . The Living Wage standard is a lower-bound estimate of what it takes to
replace a half-time salary for the lowest paid workers in the community. But by the
4
town 's (and Civil Service ' s) rating system, the nature of the work of an elected official is
at a higher level than that of the lowest skilled occupation and should be
compensated at a commensurately higher rate, similar to that of department heads .
Again, elected officials do not face the same employment restrictions and oversight as
regular employees , The amount of time spent by elected officials is substantially
voluntary and varies considerably from person to person. Pay should reflect an
average time contribution, not the highest.
Growing Disparity between Elected and Staff Compensation
Increasing pay by an across-the-board percentage creates a growing disparity
between high-wage and low-wage earners, and this is true as well for elected officials
and staff. The practice of raising salaries of elected officials and regular staff by the
same percentage rate over the years has created an increasing disparity between staff
and councilpersons ' pay. To take last year as an example, a one percent increase for a
$90,000 department head is $900; on the Supervisor's pay of $48, 516, it's a $485 raise; on
a councilperson 's base pay of $8, 797, that I % is $88, This process over the years has
resulted in a town with one of the best-paid workforces of any municipality in the
county, but with an elected board that lags its peers, even the City of Ithaca, which
despite a lower total assessed valuation and lower pay for its staff (a multi-year study
released last year by the city, CSEA, and NYS Civil Service indicated the city pays its
staff 40-60% below peers), still pays its Common Council members more than the town,
$9, 641 .
Our Town study of staff compensation a few years ago indicated that middle
management staff is underpaid vet there has been no effort to correct this inequity.
�`pother local com arison is illustrative of the dis an the Town of Larldr with about - Deleted: ¶
- - - - - - - - - - - - p - - - - - - - - - - - iv - - - - - - - p ( - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 4' - - - - - - - - - -
half the population of the Town of Ithaca, pays its councilpersons $9, 645, its supervisor
just over $30, 000, and its Town Clerk $39, 259 (compared with $56,500 in the Town of
Ithaca) , If the Town of Ithaca paid its Town Board members in the same proportion that
the Town of Lansing pays its Town Board members in relation to its Town Clerk, their
salaries would be $ 13,880; if the Town of Ithaca paid its Town Board in the same ratio
that the Town of Lansing pays its board relative to its Supervisor, the Town of Ithaca
board members would make $ 15, 598 . The Town of Ithaca's Town Board salary is
disproportionately low by several measures compared to peer municipalities, including
relative to its own internal salary structure,
Percentage increases affect low paid staff in the same way. There is no
recommendation to correct that disparity. This argument also fails to recognize that as
department heads have retired we have cut each position ' s pay by around $20,000
per year. While the Town of Lansing appears quite generous, the Town of Dryden pays
its town board members only $6,269 per year,
5
Note that these comparisons are on straight salary alone : with the exception of an
optional health insurance participation for which the elected official would pay 501/o of
the premium, there are no fringe benefits (e .g „ vacation time accruals, for which
employees may opt to buy back for additional compensation) associated with elected
officials' salary, so the compensation is even less to the Town Board members than it
would be for regular employees. Even the 50% health plan option does not carry with it
a " opt out" cash benefit for elected officials: regular employees who opt out of the
benefit receive additional cash compensation, as they do for unused vacation time ,
Town Board members receive neither, (Again comparing with the city, Common
Council members receive health benefits on top of their $9,641 salary, for which they
share only a small part of the premium ,)
Board members can take as much time off as they wish There are no restrictions There
has been active discussion in the Personnel Committee concerning the possibility of
eliminating vacation buy-back for staff.
Comparison of Elected Officials' Compensation with Towns Statewide
Councilpersons: A survey conducted this year (2010) of 48 towns across the state
showed the Town of Ithaca to be well below the average of $ 11 ,422 (the median was
$ 10A50), almost in the lower third, of towns between 10, 000 and 100,000 in size. The
finding held even when narrowed to towns of the same population as the Town of
Ithaca, plus or minus 5, 000 (15,000-25,000) , In fact, even among towns of the smallest
size, between 10,000 and 15,000 population, nearly half (9 of 20) paid their
councilpersons more than the Town of Ithaca (as illustrated locally by detailed example
of the Town of Lansing above, not included in the statewide sample) ,
The statewide data vary wildly, with little evident rationale The population of the
selected towns varies from 10,408 to 94.019 and the town board members pay ranges
from $3, 175 to $23,436. 1 selected a more constrained sample of those towns with a
population from 17, 351 to 20,365 which is much closer to the population of the Town of
Ithaca. In those 9 towns the average town board compensation averaged $ 10,834,
The Town of Ithaca Supervisor's salary ($48, 516) is in line with the state average
(between the median of $46, 331 and the mean/average of $51 , 500).
Using the some 9 towns indicated above the average town supervisor salary was
$558868,
The Justices' salary showed the greatest disparity from the state average, at $ 16,818
compared to an average of $31 ,003, a median of $32,000 (It is not clear whether the
pay levels of the other town justices is for full-time or part-time work The average of the
9 towns is $26,821 . Justices also have the opportunity to build public pensions in addition
to private enterprise ones .) . Time logs for our justices indicate that they work just under
6
half-time . By comparison, the court clerks, at an hourly rate of $24.42 working full-time at
37 ,5 hours/week, make $47,619 per year; the half-time (20 hr) equivalent is $25, 397 : their
administrative assistants therefore make more than the Justices, even before benefits
(absent in the Justices ' compensation) like vacation and sick pay are factored in . The
difference is further amplified by the fact that the Justices pay 50% of their health
insurance premium, compared to the town ' s full-time employees, whose premiums are
fully paid for by the town . Last year's I % raise in salaries was not enough to cover the
Justices ' contribution to the increase in health insurance premiums; they actually saw a
take-home pay decrease , Meanwhile, the productivity of the Town of Ithaca ' s Justices
in terms of cases heard and revenues generated is among the highest in the state,
ranking 206 out of 1 ,253 town and village courts for revenue earned in 2009.
Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals: Although not intended to be part of the
primary review, data collected for appointed boards indicated a wide range of
stipends per meeting or annual salaries .
Can the Budget Support a Salary Readjustment?
The Town of Ithaca has been fortunate among municipalities in that it has not relied
heavily on state aid for revenue, so it is largely unaffected by the state 's current budget
troubles , It also enjoys a low tax rate and healthy fund balances, thanks to realistic
taxing and budget decisions.
The only healthy fund balance projected for 2011 is the General Fund . Highway is
questionable and Part-Town, Water, Sewer and Fire will all need substantial increases in
the coming year,
The town has been showing higher-than-anticipated revenues for the first half of the
year. The local economy, which was less affected by the recession than other regions,
has also shown positive signs of growth in the first half of 2010. The Ithaca College Index
of Economic Activity for Tompkins County reported that year over year, March help-
wanted ads were up over 18%, building permits increased 95%, home sales were up
53%, and retail sales were nearly 9%. higher, Countywide second-quarter sales tax
revenues also ended strong, with a final June settlement payment that was 3 ,8 percent
higher than at the same time last year. Revenues are now projected to be ahead of
County Administrator Joe Mareane's optimistic 15% annual growth projection ,
The comparisons above are to the dismal 2009 year, Revenues in 2010 are still much
below 2008 levels .
The economic outlook in June also improved . The level of economic activity matched
the highs attained before the recession, according to the Ithaca College Index of
Economic Activity, which rose 1 .82% in Tompkins County to 157 , 76 from a revised mark
7
of 154 ,93 in May . Home sales, air traffic, and help-wanted advertising were on the rise .
Help-wanted advertising increased 4.44 % . Compared to June 2009, help-wanted
advertising was up 14 .44 %. Increases in help-wanted advertising often precede growth
in employment, Exceptionally strong home sales pushed the regional economy to new
highs in June : bucking the national trend, in which existing home sales in June fell 5. 1 %,
in Tompkins County home sales rose 77 ,93 % , Retail sales were up 4.31 % when
compared to June 2009, and overall economic activity was up 4.05% ,
Again, these are very selective statistics with comparisons to the recession year of 2009
Lost year Social Securitv recipients received a 0% increase The New York State
Retirement System has announced that retirees will receive a 1 .4% increase for the
2010-2011 year. Many local employees were laid off or forced into early retirement in
the post vear. Raises in the private sector rose a paltry 1 / 10 of one percent in 2008 (2009
figures are not vet available, but will likely not exceed that level) The Town gave its
employees a 1 % raise (1 , 5 for unionized employees) last year and the 2011 level will
likely not exceed 2%. The current cost of livina increase is around 1 .5% and deflation is a
worry for economists . In sum, both the national and local economies are in a delicate
state and great caution should be observed on all expenses
Cornell has reinstated salary increases for FY2010- 11 .
But many employees are now doing the job of two to compensate for previous
downsizing . Most Cornell employees received 0% increases in 2009
Meanwhile, the county tax levy is targeted to rise by 5%, and 3 , 74% in the Ithaca school
district, The decision to raise elected officials' salaries is more a political than a fiscal
question; like any budget item, it is a reflection of priorities , It should be noted that even
the Tompkins County Legislature, in one of its worst budget crises last year, found the
political will to raise its members ' $ 19,000 salary by $ 1000 . Even if a salary increase were
raised directly from taxes instead of from the (more likely) surplus fund balance, the
effect on a $20 million budget would be negligible . Both county and town taxes
combined are less than the proportion of property taxes raised by the Ithaca school
district.
The town ' s 2011 budget has identified many potential areas of saving (retirements,
staffing realignments), and some new discretionary spending (e , g „ sustainability
planner, intermunicipal water metering). A re-setting of elected officials ' salaries, long
overdue, is appropriate in this time of change and reevaluation .
Fair Compensation for Work
8
Finally, there is the matter of fairness , To pretend that compensation should be based
on the minimal duties prescribed by law (as if it were a comprehensive job description)
and to consider the rest - the responsible implementation of those duties - " optional ', is
to deny the reality that the effort, talents, and time required for decision making and
management in government organizations are qualitatively the same as that required
in other organizations . It is to minimize the importance of governance as a legitimate
activity; to carve out an exception that applies to no other field . The fact that the
enterprise of governance is for the public good does not mean that the practitioners of
governance should be penalized for their good works; the executives of insurance
companies, oil companies, and other for-profit firms for whom the public good is
secondary, if considered at all, should not be the only ones regarded as deserving of
fair compensation .
Recommendation to Raise Councilpersons' and Justices' Salaries
The Supervisor's salary does meet the test for Living Wage but is still well below many
senior positions in the town . The Town Clerk' s salary was recently revised downward
based on an evaluation of the duties of the position, yet it still pays considerably more
than the Supervisor, who has many more responsibilities . The 2000 study of the
Supervisor's salary recommended compensation that was an average of department
heads ' salaries in the town . The recommendation was never adopted . Although it is
worthy of consideration, the most glaring inequity at this time is the disparity in the
councilpersons ' and Justices ' salaries .
Town Board (Councilpersons) : Bringing the Town Board rate up to the Living Wage of
$ 12, 590 based on an assumption of half-time work is actually a minimal level . Since the
duties of Councilpersons and Supervisor are essentially the some as members of the
Town Board, allowing a differential for the Supervisor's additional statutorily mandated
fiscal duties (substantially supported by the staff budget officer) and administrative
tasks, a salary of approximately one-third to one-half the Supervisor' s salary of $48,516 is
a realistic differential for a Councilperson . The current six-fold gap reflects a legacy from
an earlier time when the Town Board ' s role was more or less a rubber stamp of the
Supervisor's decisions. (I am not arguing for an increase in the supervisor's pay, but
since a comparison was made to the County' s levels of compensation earlier in this
paper: the administrator's salary of $ 114, 748 has the same ratio to the County Board 's
level of $ 19, 323 .) The fact that the Supervisor's salary is in line with the state average but
the counciipersons' salary is well below average underscores the current disparity. A
narrower gap between the two salaries is more appropriate now that the Town Board 's
involvement in governance has grown to fulfill more closely what it is mandated to be
under Town Law: the legislative, executive, and administrative head of the town .
In the final analysis, the level of pay for local elected officials is not determined by
statewide data but by local culture, tradition and willingness of the public to pay and
9
for elected officials to serve . There is no need for Town of Ithaca officials to be the
highest paid in the county . We have a comparably large and talented staff to ease the
load and to carry out the responsibilities of the Town I suggest an increase of $500 (to
$9,297) for Town Board members. That puts Town of Ithaca pay near the highest in
Tompkins County while respecting the ability of the public to pay and acknowledging
the current severely constrained fiscal environment. The Personnel Committee
recommendation of a 43% increase is hard to defend most certainly in this current
economic situation ,
ustices: The broad case load that comes before the two Town Justices s _ans the - - Deleted: tI
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -p - - - - - - - - - -
range of crimes seen in the county court system, up to and including murder, Although
Town Justices are not required to be attorneys, and training is required to give non-
attorneys some familiarity with the law, a town of the size and complexity of the Town of
Ithaca deserves a professional attorney in the role of Justice, familiar not only with the
law but with the techniques of practicing attorneys who argue cases before the court.
This requires compensation high enough to allow an attorney to forgo enough work in
his or her private practice to devote adequate time to handle the town 's case load ,
Currently, only one of the Town Justices is a lawyer, the first in many years; the other, an
architect long associated with the town, will sooner or later retire . Since the Justice
salary of $ 16, 818 is little more than half the average paid by towns across the state, an
increase of $4, 000 beginning next year would bring the salary at least a respectable
way toward that average and closer to parity with their clerks . Increases could be
made incrementally over the next few years to reach the $31 ,000 mark.
recommend that town justices' salaries be raised $ 1 000 per year for each of the next
four years. That amount recognizes the valuable contribution of the iustices to the Town
while acknowledging the difficult financial times we are experiencing
It is also recommended that salaries for elected officials be reviewed every five years to , - - Deleted: ¶
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
maintain an appropriate level of compensation ,
Deleted: ¶
,August 2010
Track changes added 8/ 18/2010
10
A tw1m ),
t,�k Q .0 04 LAAP VKtit�
# Descr> #sari T e urchase Price Re lacement
112002 Sterling ( 10-wheeler) Plow Truck $ 121 ,496 . 00 Replace 2011
3 2004 Volvo ( 10-wheeler) Plow Truck $ 134,664000
4 2006 Med . Dut Truck Dump $ 71 ,662. 00
5 1996 Ford Areomax TractorTruc $ 22,000 . 00
6 1997 Ford F4501 Ton Su erDut $ 28,622 . 00 Auction 2010 **
7 2001 Volvo (Single axle) Plow Truck $ 101 , 175.00
8 2006 International (Single a Dump $ 59,445.00
9 1997 Ford F4501 Ton SuperDuty $ 26,493 .00
10 2002 Ford F250 Pickup Pickup $ 24,125 . 00 Replaced w / 61, Auction 2011
11 2006 Ford F3501 Ton 1 Ton $ 30,230 . 00
12 2008 Ford F250 Pickup $ 17,996 . 00
13 2007 Volvo ( 10-wheeler) Plow Truck $ 140,073 . 00
14 2001 Dodge Stake Rack 1 Ton $ 23,754.00
15 2009 International ( 10-whe Plow Truck $ 198,672.00
16 2003Ford 4x4 Su ercab Pickup $ 21 ,037000
17 2010 Ford F3501 Ton 1 Ton $ 24,932. 00
18 20114x4 F450 Ford 1 Ton $ 45,689 . 00
19 2006 Ford F3501 Ton 1 Ton $ 25 641 . 00
20 2009 Med Duty Ford Dump $ 73,161 .00
2001 Dodge Van Car $ 16,167. 00 Replace 2011
4 2005 Chevy Exress Van Car $ 19,070000
2001 Jeep Cherokee Car $ 18,886000
6 2006 Jeep Liberty Car $ 14,710.00
27 2003 Jeep Liberty Car $ 18,337. 00
28 2002 Chevy Venture Van Car $ 16,369600
29 2004 Dodge Intri id Car $ 14,875.00
31 2010 JD 624K Loader Equipment $ 135,500.00
32 2003 4wd Tractor / Mower Equipment $ 48,281 . 00
33 2006 JD Loader Equipment $ 173,900. 00
35 1985 JD Mower / Broom Equipment $ 17,000.00
36 1997 Badger E ui ment $ 156,900000
37 1997 Champion Grader Equipment $ 87,330. 00
38 1972 RT Roller Equipment $ 81000. 00
39 20011R Vib Roller Equipment $ 76,463. 00
40 2004 Gradeall Equipment $ 92,000. 00
412003 JD Front Mower Equipment $ 12,605. 00
J48432008 NewHolland Backhoe Equipment $ 54,445 . 00
1999 Daewoo Excavator Equipment $ 98,930 . 00
2002 ODB Leaf Collector E ui ment $ 17, 150 . 00
2003 Bobcat E ui ment $ 29,971 .00
2010 Gehl Skid-Steer E ui ment $ 25,977. 00
2006 Cat Dozer E ui ment $ 58,715. 00
1997 Case Backhoe Equipment $ 65,907000
5012001 Bobcat E ui ment $ 31 ,266 . 00
h: \ \AAwork\PUBLICWORKS\forms\vehdisc.xls
Revised 9/8/2010
# .
Desch ton T e; Purchase Pace Re lacement .
1 2001 ODB Leaf Vac Equipment $ 17,150.00
2 2001 JD Utility Tractor Equipment $ 19,341 .00
3 2005 Grasshopper Mower Equipment $ 10,116.00
54 2007 ToolCat Equipment $ 39,296.00
55 2009 Grasshopper Mower Equipment $ 12,722.00
56 2009 Kubota Tractor Equipment $ 25,955 .00
57 2010 Finn H droseeder Equipment $ 25,750600
58 2010 Reinco Mulcher Equipment $ 20,495 .00
60 2005 Ford F250 PU Pickup $ 26,944.00 New / Trade Down 2011
61 . 2000 Used Refuse Packer Truck $ 34,950 .00
6312005 F350 Ford Pickup $ 22,954. 00
64 2005 Jeep Laredo Car $ 18,087. 00
65 2008 F350 Ford Pickup $ 26,372. 00
66 2008 Ford F250 Pickup $ 28,793000
672008 Ford F250 Pickup $ 28,793 . 00
6912004 Ford F250 Ex. Cab Pickup $ 27,828 . 00
70 1997 Air Compressor Equipment $ 10,549 .00
71 1997 Chipper Equipment $ 18,261 .00 Replace 2011
72 1998 Chipper Equipment $ 23,997.00
A&3 , Shoulder Machine Equipment
Iff412004 Sewer Jet Trailer $ 48,484.00
2006 Sewer Vac Equipment $ 50,664. 00
6 2007 Chi er--Salsco Equipment $ 30, 133. 00
77 2004 Wacker Generator Equipment $ 33,707. 00
78 2004 Wacker Generator Equipment $ 33,707. 00
79 1966 Royer Shredder-Mixe Equipment $ 7,500 . 00
80 2006 D na ac Roller / Smal Equipment $ 13,500 . 00
816" Pump Equipment $ 26,012. 00
T1 2002 CarMate Trailer Trailer $ 2,024. 00
T2 1994 Custom Trailer Trailer $ 10,335.00
T3 1990 Owens OTT7000 Trailer $ 21634.00
T4 , 1990 Red River Trailer Trailer $ 33,885.00
T6 2001 Custom Trailer Trailer $ 2,300 .00
T7 1993 Trailer Trailer $ 11500 . 00
T8 2003 MidAtlantic Trailer Trailer $ 31621 . 00
T9 2005 Wells Cargo Trailer Trailer $ 41250.00
T11 2009 Sure-Trac Trailer Trailer $ 9,500900
*' Tdentified in Resolution from
August Town Board Meeting.
* Identified in the Proposed
2011 Budget. $ 3,2511730.00
h: \ \AAwork\PUBLICWORKS\forms\vehdisc.xis
Revised 9/8/2010
o � °F I ��9� TOWN OF ITHACA
215 N . Tioga Street, Ithaca, N . Y . 14850
�� �, � �4� www . town . ithaca . ny.us
TOWN CLERK 273-1721 HIGHWAY (Roads, Parks, Trails, Water &Sewer) 273-1656 ENGINEERING 273-1747
PLANNING 273-1747 ZONING 273-1783
To : Herb Engman, Supervisor Town of Ithaca
Susan Riha, Councilperson
Pat Leary, Councilperson
Tee Ann Hunter, Councilperson
Bill Goodman, Councilperson
Eric Levine, Councilperson
Rich De Paolo Councilperson
From: Marnie Kirchgessner, Recreation and Youth Coordinator
August, 2010 Activity Report
Another busy month has passed with tonight providing an opportunity to hear from
youth, their families and sites the significance of the Student Work Initiative Program not
only to the youth but the broader community. A prime example is Sarah Heath who has
diligently worked here in Town Hall to produce the education tool to be used with
Northeast School to meet the education and encouragement condition of the Safe Routes
to School grant. Delays in construction with my possible retirement and unknowns about
future staffing created an ideal opportunity to complete the tool for distribution through
the school once walkway is completed. Sarah possessed the needed skills and with
minimal direction developed the instrument. As with Keaton Dailey a real benefit was
realized by the Town at a modest investment. Hopefully the youth will share their stories
as their words are more meaningful and powerful than anything I can say. County Youth
Services has demonstrated a deep commitment to the youth of this county with a
carefully constructed program organizational structure . This year the county in an effort
to save a modest sum of money in the big picture eliminated funding to all municipalities
for youth employment programs after a banner year in 2009 . Both the state and federal
governments made deep cuts to this same effort resulting in CYS leading the
development of community service opportunities that were offered to youth where
funding was no longer available. At least 10 Town of Ithaca youth were offered this
option because neither funding nor work was available. Everyone appreciates the value of
prevention yet it is a difficult concept to measure . I have been privileged to be part of
children ' s lives where I know the risk factors and these same youth will come back to
share how they benefited and start down a path of success because of them. The benefits
are priceless to the entire community
The Garden Council ' s Open House that occurred on Thursday, August 19 from noon to
3p.m. was huge success . The weather was great and the acoustic music of Mutsu was a
perfect accompaniment. James Warren the magician amazed everyone. Youth garden
squad members Timm Smith and Jimmy Carstarphen led garden tours sharing their
accomplishments . Cornell POST (Pre-Orientation Service Trips) assisted with setup,
completed mulching the entire outside of the garden and then greeted and directed
visitors . Judy Drake although unable to attend supported the effort by loaning a pop-up
canopy and provided documents necessary for compliance with health department
regulations . It was a wonderful event that was followed up with a garden dish to pass on
Saturday, August 21 . The intent was to build on the community concept of the garden.
The weather was a little more questionable but the event appeared totally coordinated
with garden members providing every aspect of a complete meal from appetizer to
dessert. The garden council meets regularly with a monthly newsletter sent to all the
gardeners. Empowering increased participation and ownership towards communal work
activities of the project. The effort is being used as a blueprint for similar projects within
the larger community.
Just to give an update on routine aspects of the position in the month of August I assisted
with the facilitation of Mad City Money: A Budgeting Simulation for Teen: provided
refreshments (set up and clean) up for the West Hill Civic Associations meeting here at
Town Hall ; attended meetings of the Tompkins County Coordinated Transportation
Planning meetings on ITNeverywhere (a possible grant opportunity to create a program
of alternate transportation to address the needs of a rural community such as Tompkins
County) , meetings with work sites for check-ins and events such as the Sew Green
Summer showcase.
Y
Preliminary (as of 8/31/09)
Student Work Initiative Program Report for
2010
This was the sixth year of the Town operating the Student Work Initiative/Youth
Employment Program. Initially designed the effort focused on youth with little or no
employment history for training in a position in an area of their interest for youth who did
not qualify for state or federal programs . This changed dramatically this year with cuts to
state authorizations and no additional federal funding for summer positions for youth.
Thus this year at least 9 youth in the Town ' s program would have been eligible for other
programs had funding existed.
Demand remained high with 90 inquiries compared to 110 of last year when additional
money was available from both the state and federal appropriations . Did known and
anticipated cuts affect youth even seeking employment? The process here at the Town
remained a first come, first served opportunity. Qualifying youth, who completed the
application process (standard Civil Service application & brief program application) ,
interviews, and required documentation are placed in order of the date all information is
received. In the past a screening and referral was completed when a youth appeared to
qualify for other programs . This year due to the anticipated funding cuts youth were
guaranteed a position with the Town with a fall back to other programs if selected. The
system continued to work although hobbled by funding cuts because of effective
relationships within the Youth Employment Network. This collaboration is a success due
to facilitated communication of County Youth Services (Karen Coleman and Nancy
Zook.) The group man regularly to plan and respond to the anticipated and actual funding
cuts . Providers coordinated opportunities to avoid duplication with the City YES (Youth
Employment Program) providing de facto outreach for the Town ' s program with their
presence in the schools and knowledge of the program.
The Town process begins when an individual (caregivers or youth) contacts the
Recreation and Youth Coordinator for information . The first step is to screen for
residency in the Joint Youth Commission Jurisdiction. If not a resident of the Town of
Ithaca or the Villages of Lansing and Cayuga Heights individuals are referred to
appropriate alternatives . County Youth Services coordinates a meeting of youth
employment resources to facilitate what can appear to be a complicated system due to
different funding streams or in this year plan alternative opportunities for youth.
Participation begins with contact of the Recreation & Youth Coordinator for information.
The assessment process includes :
• Child' s age and any work history to determine appropriateness of direct referral
to known available employment
• Ascertain youth' s interest and skill level
• Determine availability and transportation requirements
• Develop plan with youth to address skill deficits i.e . interview skills , resume
writing, grooming, etc
w
When youth are coached all aspects of employment are discussed and youth encouraged
to inventory their strengths and interests for presentation at site interviews . Commitments
for placements are made .
The challenge with statistics is the fluid nature of the program. As funding for this year
has been expended youth and their families are being wait listed for first consideration in
2011 .
Statistics :
Age breakdowns :
05 06 08 09 2010
13 years old - 1 0 0 2 0
14 years old — 12 8 1 15 19
15 years old - 6 10 20 20 18
16 years old - 11 16 17 35 23
17 years old - 4 13 11 14 10
18 years old - 2 4 4 9 13
Over 18 0 2 3 13 7
Unknown - 15 11 7 2
Municipality : 08 09 2010
Town of Ithaca 58 64 48
Village of Cayuga Heights 11 16 19
Village of Lansing 5 10 7
Other 11 20 16
Disposition of Contacts 10 09 08
Graduate of program/volunteer 26 33 27
Current employee of Town 3 2 9
Failed to complete assignment 0 0 4
Past participant referred to another job 11 17 2
Was offered job & took 3 5 7
Did not accept job 1 1 4
Unknown/ no follow-up 0 7
Did not reside in JYC area 16 20 13
Qualified for other program 5 18 8
Did not follow up after initial contact 11 1 5
Did not complete process 10 3 3
Under Age of 14/ no visa to work 1 1 3
Currently pending 3 2 1
Total 90 73
Network referrals to Town 14 g
c,
Males 50 55 35
Females 40 55 51
Unknownspoke to parent
Total 90 110 86
Ethnicity 2010 09 108
Asian American AA 11 14 7
African American/Black B 8 14 9
1 0
Puerto Rican Hispanic/Latino 7 3 3
White W 64 86 64
Unknown U 0 0
American Indian AI 1 0
Biracial BR 1 3
Other O 0 0
Site determination
Healthy living seemed to be a theme for this year' s Student Work Initiative Program.
At the September 13 , 2010 regularly scheduled Town Board meeting 29 youth will be
recognized for their work as project assistants . Of the youth 11 worked on organic
garden or farm projects at the town ' s Community Garden ; Southside' s Summer Farming
Project at Three Swallows Farm and West Haven Organic Farm. Other sites included
both Town Hall & Public Works as well as Lifelong, Buffalo Street Books, Southside
Sound Studio, Coddington Road Community Center, Comet Skateboards , T-burg Mini-
Golf Family Entertainment, The Floating Classroom, Computer All Stars, Brookdale
Senior Living Center Clare Bridge Cottage, Sew Green, & YMCA. Ninety youth or their
families inquired of the program to date .
The program operates year round with the greatest demand for summer employment.
Participation in subsidized positions is limited to one 100-hour term of appointment. The
guiding principle for this program is the belief that each of us learns in a different way
and we all have something to offer. Positions are hands-on experience that gave youth an
opportunity to make a meaningful contribution and provide them with legitimate practice
in the world of work. These youth met that challenge and hopefully found the experience
useful as they continue their education, prosper and grow .
Services (references, resume writing etc.) to assist you locate private employment exist.
Call Marnie Kirchgessner at 273- 1721Ext. 136 anytime with your questions or feel we
can be of assistance . Forms for participation are available at the Town website
www .town .ithaca.ny.us .
w
w
The stories of the benefits of this endeavor are numerous and meet the goal of building
community and providing meaningful experiences for youth . A cornerstone of this
program is the premise that people are more likely to succeed in areas of their interest.
Sometimes the success is learning although one has an aptitude for a field the actual tasks
required are not a good fit for the participant. There are untold benefits for youth from
this aspect of the program.
6
Regular Meeting of the Ithaca Town Board , September 13 , 2010
Human Resources Report for August 2010
Personnel and Employee Relations Committees :
The committee continued discussions on the Elected Officials pay, Vacation Buyback
policy, early retirement incentive and a position change request for the 2011 budget .
The Elected Officials pay was referred to the Town Board , Vacation buyback will be
addressed during the next round of union negotiations , the retirement incentive was
recommended to the Town Board and the budget request process was discussed
with follow up at the next meeting .
Employee Relations meeting the committee discussed the process for approving the
notes before they go out to staff, past comment card topics which included ; enforcing
the no smoking policy, 360 degree feedback on PWD management staff , question
regarding having one person overseeing the mowing of parks , and DOT training
regarding weight limits for CDL drivers . A management review form is being
designed to come out at PWD this fall . The mowing crew lead person was explained
as a union issue and not a matter for ERC . Training has been arranged regarding
weight limits for CDL drivers . New topics from comment cards , which will be
discussed in more detail at the next meeting , include ; picnic and Dani 's pictorial
memorial .
Bolton Point's Personnel & Organization Committee received an update from each
manager. The committee discussed the request to increase the hours for the part
time Account Clerk Typist from 20 hours to 30 hours per week . This request was not
approved for the 2011 budget , but will continue to be reviewed prior to the next
budget process . The additional position of Valve and Hydrant Maintenance Worker
was discussed and recommended to the budget committee . Judy updated the
committee on the status of the July CPI -W ( 1 . 7%) , therefore the committee
recommended the COLA to be 1 . 75% for 2011 .
Personnel — Civil Service :
Performance Reviews for Town Hall staff have begun , with many received back.
Herb is in the process of working on the management staff's reviews .
I worked with the Planning Department Review Committee to review the 60
applications for the Director of Planning position . Committee selected 6 candidates
for interviews , which will begin early September.
Prepared documents required for the early retirement incentive program . Budgetary
work consumed several hours as different scenarios were being discussed .
Commercial Insurance ( Ithaca Agency — NYMIR Insurance Companyh : A claim was
processed regarding window damage to a vehicle driving on a newly resurfaced road .
Workers' Compensation ( Public Employers Risk Management Assoc — PERMA) :
Audit for 2009/2010 policy year is in process .
Health and/or Dental Insurance :
The GTCMHIC Board of Directors heard back from the NYSID that they will be
issuing a Certificate of Authority, once all participants have signed the MCA , the
reserving funds are on deposit and 3 forms were approved and signed by the BOD .
The 3 forms were approved and signed at the August Consortium meeting .
Municipalities had until September 30 to remit the reserving contribution and to sign
the MCA . With these items finished they would be issuing the Certificate for an
effective date of October 1St, The BOD voted to put off the initial start up of offering
health insurance until January 1 , 2011 to ensure a smooth transition for the staff .
The Town did receive the Excellus 2011 renewal , which would result in an increase
over GTCMHIC of $ 100 , 000 . The rate increase for both was 9 . 5% .
The GTCMHIC will be also looking at options for ancillary benefits (dental , life , vision )
so I will evaluate them in comparison to our current providers .
Other Items :
Town Employee Appreciation picnic came off without a hitch . Thank you to all that
attended .
Submitted By: Judith C . Drake , PHR , Human Resources Manager
OF Ir TOWN OF ITHACA PLANNING DEPARTMENT
215 NORTH TIOGA STREET, ITHACA, N.Y. 14850
onathan Kanter, -
Director of Planning FAX (607) 273-1704
Planning Director' s Report for September 13 , 2010 Town Board Meeting
DEVELOPMENT REVIEW
August 3 , 2010 Planning Board Meeting:
South Hill Business Campus 2-Lot Subdivision, 950 Danby Road: The Planning Board granted
Preliminary and Final Subdivision Approval for the proposed 2-lot subdivision of the South Hill
Business Campus, LLC property located at 950 Danby Road, Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No. 39- 1 -
1 .2, Office Park Commercial Zone. The proposal involves subdividing the 70.916 +/- acre property
into two parcels , one 14. 682 +/- acre vacant parcel to be conveyed to Ithaca College and one 56 .234
+/- acre parcel remaining with the existing developed South Hill Business Campus . South Hill
Business Campus , LLC , Owner/Applicant; Andrew Sciarabba, Managing Partner; Agent,
Cornell University Energy Recovery Linac — Draft Scoping Document, Dryden Road (Route
366) and Pine Tree Road: The Planning Board discussed the draft scoping document for the
Environmental Impact Statement regarding the proposed Cornell University Energy Recovery Linac
(ERL) project, and requested revisions in order to accept the document as complete for purposes of
public comment. The project is located north of the Pine Tree Road and Dryden Road (NYS Route
366) intersection, Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No. ' s 63 - 1 -8 .2, 63 - 1 -2.2, 63 - 1 - 12, 63 - 1 -3 . 1 and 63 - 1 -
3 . 3 , Low Density Residential Zone. The proposal involves construction of an underground
accelerator tunnel ( 14-foot diameter and +/- 1 km long), a cryogenic facility, and an extension to the
existing Wilson Laboratory (+/- 185 ,000 gross square feet of building space) . The project will also
involve new stormwater facilities , parking, outdoor lighting, and landscaping. Cornell University,
Owner; Steve Beyers , P.E. , Engineering Services Leader, Agent,
Cleveland Estates 16-Lot Subdivision, 1044 Danby Road: The Planning Board granted
Preliminary Subdivision Approval for the proposed Cleveland Estates 16-Lot Subdivision located at
1044 Danby Road (NYS Route 96B ), Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No. ' s 39- 1 -9 . 3 and 39- 1 - 11 . 1 ,
High Density Residential Zone. The proposal involves combining the two existing parcels into one
+/- 5 .4 acre parcel which will then be subdivided into 13 new building lots , one new lot containing
the existing residence at 1044 Danby Road, and two lots for open space. The project will also
include the construction of a new road, stormwater facilities and a bike / pedestrian path. Birds-Eye
View Properties , LLC, Owner; Travis & Kathy Cleveland, Applicants ; Wayne C . Matteson, Jr. ,
P.E. , Agent.
Sketch Plan Review — Vine Street Cottages, Mitchell and Vine Streets : The Planning Board
reviewed a sketch plan for the proposed Vine Street Cottages project located on Mitchell and Vine
Street' s, Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No. ' s 59- 1 - 1 , 59- 1 -2, 59- 1 -3 and 59- 1 -4, High Density Residential
Zone. The proposal involves the development of up to 22 single-family houses and 10 attached
townhouse units on 3 .4 +/- acres . The proposal will also involve upgraded and new roads, new
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stormwater facilities, landscaping, a playground, and improved connections to the East Ithaca
Recreation Way. Susan J. and Harold Mix, Owners ; Agora Homes and Development, LLC,
Applicants .
August 17 , 2010 Planning Board Meeting:
Continuation of Sketch Plan Review — Vine Street Cottages, Mitchell and Vine Streets: The
Planning Board continued review of a sketch plan for the proposed Vine Street Cottages project (see
description above at August 3 , 2010 meeting) and heard additional comments from the public
regarding the proposal .
Chaffee 2-Lot Subdivision, 1584 and 1586 Slaterville Road: The Planning Board granted
Preliminary and Final Subdivision Approval for the proposed 2-lot subdivision located at 1584 and
1586 Slaterville Road (NYS Route 79), Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No. 56-3 - 16 , Medium Density
Residential Zone. The proposal involves subdividing a +/- 6,341 square foot parcel from the
northeast corner of 1584 Slaterville Road which will then be consolidated with 1586 Slaterville
Road. Scott & Ellen Chaffee, Owners ; Katherine Marchetto, Applicant.
Cornell University Energy -Recovery Linac — Draft Scoping Document, Dryden Road (Route
366) and Pine Tree Road : The Planning Board continued review of the draft scoping document for
the Environmental Impact Statement regarding the proposed Cornell University Energy Recovery
Linac (ERL) project (see description above at August 3 , 2010 meeting). The Planning Board
accepted the draft scoping document (revised as requested at the August 3rd meeting plus some
additional revisions) as complete for public comment and scheduled a public scoping session for
September 21 , 2010 to hear public comments on the draft scoping document.
Recommendation to Town Board Regarding Draft Stream Setback Law : The Planning Board
issued an affirmative recommendation to the Town Board regarding the draft Stream Setback Law.
CURRENT PLANNING DEPARTMENT PROJECTS/FUNCTIONS
The following have been accomplished over the past month.
Codes and Ordinances Committee (COQ : The Committee met on August 18 , 2010 and continued
review of the draft local law establishing a Limited Historic Commercial Zone, continued review of
comments regarding the proposed amendments to Conservation Zones regarding forest management
plan requirements , and discussed draft regulations regarding the permitting of fireworks displays .
The next COC meeting is scheduled for September 15 , 2010 at 7 : 00 p .m. Tentative agenda items
include continuation of review of the three items discussed at the August meeting.
Planning_Committee: The Committee did not meet in August. The next meeting is scheduled for
Thursday, September 9, 2010. The agenda will focus on review of the revised draft Scenic
Resources Report,
Comprehensive Plan Committee: The July and August Committee meetings were cancelled to
accommodate summer vacation schedules and to give staff time to assemble written sections of the
2
Plan update for discussion with the Committee. Sections will include an introduction and
background, a description of the public input process (including results of the residents survey), the
draft vision statement, updated goals and objectives with brief updates on existing conditions in the
Town, and key issues to address in the next 10 - 15 years . Staff is also working on a draft proposed
land use plan map to discuss with the Committee at a future meeting. The next meeting of the
Committee is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, September 23 , 2010 at 6 : 30 p. m.
Conservation Board: The Conservation Board met on August 5d` and September 2nd, 2010. Agenda
items included continuation of discussion regarding the draft stream setback law, discussion regarding
forest management practices and regulations , and update on swallow-wort eradication at the Town
water tank site. The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 7 , 2010,
Agriculture Plan: Cooperative Extension has added sections to the draft Plan. The steering
committee met on August 31 , 2010 and reviewed the draft plan and is scheduled to meet again on
September 15 , 2010 to continue review and revisions of the draft.
ITCTC Ad Hoc Committee on Traffic Speeding: The Director of Planning attended a meeting of the
Ithaca-Tompkins County Transportation Council Ad Hoc Committee on Traffic Speeding on
August 26 , 2010. The Committed was set up to investigate possible ways to address speeding
problems and to identify priority areas . ITCTC staff has prepared tables with speeding data for a
number of roads in Tompkins County, a number of which are located in the Town of Ithaca. The
Committee discussed possible strategies to address speeding problems , such as enhanced
enforcement, road design and re-construction, traffic calming, education and reduction of speed
limits . The Committee will evaluate the speed data and identify priority roads to target with
possible strategies to .reduce speeding problems and bring suggestions to the ITCTC Planning
Committee,
Performance Reviews : Staff performance reviews for the Planning Department were completed in
August and early September.
3
A
Town of Ithaca Codes Department
Monthly Activity Report — August 2010
Category Description Entries
Building Permit Inspection In the Field inspection tied to a building permit 165
Building Permit Consultation In-off ice or in-field consultation w/project managers
or contractors regarding building projects 21
Building Permit Review Review and rocessin of building permits 92
Complaint New Investigation New complaint investigation 20
Complaint Follow- up Processin of complaints 21
Continuing Education Training , seminars, CEO's 4
Fire Incident Investigation Fire Incident Investigation following dispatched call 0
Fire Safety/Operating Permit Fire Safety inspection for and/or operating permit. 6
Inspection Processinq of notes and issuance of permit,
Fire Safety/Operating Permit Processing of Fire Safety re-inspection notes and 2
Re- inspection rating perm it/fol low" u
Legal Processing Order to Remedy, issuing Appearance
Tickets , and actual court appearances
Meeting Attendance at Departmental meetings, Board 47
meetings, Committee meetings & Staff meetings, etc.
Miscellaneous Counter service, phone calls not associated with an
active file. 124
Stormwater Pollution
Prevention Plan Review Field Inspection/Report 1
Zoning Board of Appeals Review and research of ZBA applications 11
Addresses 911 All related work for address changes 0
1 ,
Town of Ithaca Code Enforcement Monthly Report
08/01 /2010 = 08/31/2010
Building Permits
BP # Date Value Description fee category
8663 8/3/2010 $400.00 Two Tents, each 20' x 30' $ 100.00 Temporary
Membrane
Structure
8664 8/3/2010 $ 18,000.00 Replace exterior wall covering and $75.00 Renovations and
reconstruct rear deck Addition to 1 & 2
Family Homes
8662 8/3/2010 $700.00 Tent 30' x 40' $50.00 Temporary
Membrane
Structure
8661 8/4/2010 $ 14,725.00 Reroof house $75 .00 Renovations and
Addition to 1 & 2
Familv Homes
8660 8/4/2010 $529.00 Tent 20' x 30' $50.00 Temporary
Membrane
Structure
8658 8/4/2010 $2, 150.00 Replace rear concrete deck with new $50.00 Renovations and
wood deck Addition to 1 & 2
Familv Homes
8646 8/4/2010 $ 150,000.00 Add garage, with master bedroom and $425.00 Renovations and
bath above Addition to 1 & 2
Familv Homes
8642 8/9/2010 $340,000.00 New Single-Family Home $800.00 New 1 & 2 Family
Homes
8654 8/9/2010 $500.00 Tent 20' x 30' $50.00 Temporary
Membrane
Structure
8659 8/12/2010 $ 18,910.00 Master bedroom renovation $75.00 Renovations and
Addition to 1 & 2
Familv Homes
8671 8/17/2010 $2,782.00 Install air conditioning system $ 110.00 Renovations and
Addition to 1 & 2
Familv Homes
8669 8/19/2010 $ 1 ,040.00 Tent 40' x 60' $50.00 Temporary
Membrane
Structure
8670 8/19/2010 $89000.00 Weatherize and finish interior of existing $60.00 Renovations and
2nd floor porch Addition to 1 & 2
Familv Homes
8673 8/19/2010 $33,000.00 Inground pool w/ fence $ 150.00 Renovations and
Addition to 1 & 2
Familv Homes
8645 8/19/2010 $3,500.00 Removal of old cement/brick entry steps, $55 .00 Renovations and
build new PT/Composite entry deck and Addition to 1 & 2
stair Familv Homes
8672 8/23/2010 $7,500.00 Install 9 replacement windows into new $60.00 Renovations and
openings Addition to 1 & 2
Familv Homes
8677 8/24/2010 $2500.00 Reroof $50.00 Renovations and
Addition to 1 & 2
Familv Homes
8676 8/24/2010 $29500.00 Reroof $50.00 Renovations and
Addition to 1 & 2
Familv Homes
8675 8/24/2010 $2,500.00 Reroof $50.00 Renovations and
Addition to 1 & 2
Familv Homes
Wednesday, September 01 , 2010 Page 1
Town of Ithaca Code Enforcement Monthly Report
08101 /2010 - 08131 /2010
8674 8/24/2010 $2 ,500.00 Reroof $50.00 Renovations and
Addition to 1 & 2
Familv Homes
8678 8/24/2010 $2 ,500.00 Reroof $50.00 Renovations and
Addition to 1 & 2
Familv Homes
8679 8/24/2010 $2,500.00 Reroof $50.00 Renovations and
Addition to 1 & 2
Familv Homes
8680 8/24/2010 $2,500.00 Reroof $50.00 Renovations and
Addition to 1 & 2
Familv Homes
8681 8/24/2010 $2,500.00 Re-roof $50.00 Renovations and
Addition to 1 & 2
Familv Homes
8683 8/24/2010 $7, 133. 15 Tent 50' x 100' $60.00 Temporary
Membrane
Structure
8684 8/24/2010 $2,000.00 Tent 40' x 180' $50.00 Temporary
Membrane
Structure
8597 8/24/2010 $250,000.00 Single family $650.00 New 1 & 2 Family
Homes
8685 8/27/2010 $465.00 Tent 30' x 45' $50.00 Temporary
Membrane
Structure
Totals 1 $881 ,334. 15 $3,445.00
Certificates of Occupancy
BP # Address Description CO Temp
8531 225 Pennsylvania Ave total renovation and upgrade of existing 8/3/2010 ❑
older house
8631 258 Bundy Rd New bathroom created within existing 8/3/2010 ❑
room in existing house
8275 1150 Danby Rd Build storage shed 8/4/2010 ❑
8432 4 Fairway Dr Re-roof house and garage 8/4/2010 ❑
8605 202 Westview Ln Re-roofing 8/5/2010 ❑
8606 204 Westview Ln Re-roofing 8/5/2010 ❑
8633 370 Stone Quarry Rd Tear off shingles and reshingle 8/5/2010 ❑
8596 150 Textor Cir Remove and install exterior cladding to 8/9/2010 ❑
Business School
8418 517 Warren Rd Reroofing of garage 8/9/2010 ❑
8639 104 Happy Ln Convert basement unfinished space into 8/9/2010 ❑
1 bedroom apartment, 788 sq ft
Wednesday, September 01 , 2010 Page 2
Town of Ithaca Code Enforcement Monthly Report
08/01 /2010 - 08131/2010
8635 1311 Hanshaw Rd Bath remodel 8/10/2010 ❑
8272 1150 Danby Rd Gazebo 2 - (John Thomas gazebo) 8/10/2010 ❑
8271 1150 Danby Rd Pending - Gazebo 4 8/10/2010 ❑
8429 216 King Rd E New roof with tear off 8/12/2010 ❑
8604 257 Pennsylvania Ave Repair damage from frozen water line; 8/12/2010 ❑
insulation, gypsum wallboard, interior
AnirMnn
8264 150 Lyceum Dr Build Athletics & Events Center 8/13/2010 D
8622 131 Textor Cir Reconfigure Rooms 112A-C to Research 8/16/2010 ❑
Room 11213, refurnish 112D to Research
Dnnw, 1 17 A Tnn* Dnn.nn 'f i A le) 1 C 1n
8621 125 Textor Cir Reconfigure classroom 333, storage 8/16/2010 ❑
room 332 into classroom
8464 320 Siena Dr addition to existing house 8/18/2010 ❑
8524 1020 Hanshaw Rd Build new residential home including 8/18/2010 ❑
phase II basement finsihing
8624 145 Textor Cir Removal of 2 walls 8/20/2010 ❑
8637 138 Grant Egbert Blvd E Build new stairs down to basement patio 8/20/2010 ❑ .
8638 113 Campus Center Way Suite 194, remove one wall and relocate 8/20/2010 ❑
two office walls (new carpet, paint and
nnilinnn\ nnr 'bmuinnn
8508 148 Conservatory Dr Interior renovations to portion of 1 st floor 8/20/2010 ❑
8055 953 Danby Rd Creation and expansion of parking lots 8/22/2010 EVI
8650 1413 Hanshaw Rd Enlarge garage door and repair fire 8/23/2010 ❑
separation
8284 218 Bundy Rd Post Frame storage building 36' X 54' X 8/23/2010 ❑
12'4'
8625 134 Conservatory Dr Enlarge women's locker room 8/23/2010 ❑
5660 16 Marcy Ct 14' x 31 ' inground swimming pool 8/24/2010 ❑
8269 1150 Danby Rd Modifications and improvements 8/24/2010 W
8466 120 King Rd E Basketball court repair 8/25/2010 ❑
8490 221 Sandbank Rd Construct 576 sf garage 8/27/2010 ❑
Wednesday, September 01 , 2010 Page 3
v
Town of Ithaca Code Enforcement Monthly Report
08/01 /2010 = 08/31 /2010
8400 231 Pennsylvania Ave Build new 4 bedroom 2 bath house 8/31 /2010 ❑
Complaints
Date Address Complaint Type Disposition
8/4/2010 Mitchell St fill Closed
8/5/2010 128 Crisp Apple Dr sign Pending
8/9/2010 305 Tareyton Dr BP not issued Abated
8/19/2010 1058 Danby Rd building code Investigation Only
8/18/2010 1442 Hanshaw Rd affidavit Other
8/19/2010 1442 Hanshaw Rd building code Pending
8/18/2010 214 King Rd E building code Pending
8/23/2010 1020 Ellis Hollow Rd building code Abated
8/24/2010 129 Snyder Hill Rd property maintenance No Violation Found
8/26/2010 823-825 Danby Rd Sign
Existing Building CO
Wednesday, September 01 , 2010 Page 4
Town of Ithaca Codes Department
Building Permits Received in August 2010
Date Recd CEO BP # St # .Street Name Status
8/2/2010 SW 8664 127 Hopkins Rd Issued
8/4/2010 KG 8666 130 Flora Brown Dr Pending
8/4/2010 KG 8667 130 Flora Brown Dr Pending
8/4/2010 KG 8665 130 Flora Brown Dr Pending
8/5/2010 SW 8668 1075 Taughannock Blv Pending--needs variance, Itr sent 8/20/10
8/9/2010 8669 213 Warren Rd Issued
8/9/2010 sW 8670 651 Five Mile Dr Issued
8/11 /2010 8671 305 Tareyton Dr Issued
8/1312010 KG 8674 210 Wildflower Dr #4 Issued
8/13/2010 KG 8675 210 Wildflower Dr #3 Issued
8/13/2010 KG 8676 210 Wildflower Dr #2 Issued
8/13/2010 KG 8677 210 Wildflower Dr #1 Issued
8/13/2010 KG 8678 211 Wildflower Dr #1 Issued
811312010 KG 8679 211 Wildflower Dr Issued
8/1312010 KG 8680 211 Wildflower Dr #3 Issued
8/13/2010 KG 8681 211 Wildflower Dr #4 Issued
8/1312010 SW 8672 126 Northview Rd Issued
8/13/2010 SW 8673 201 Bostwick Rd Issued
8/1612010 KG 8682 29 Renwick Heights Pending
8/17/2010 8683 189 Pleasant Grove R Issued
8/18/2010 8684 213 Warren Rd Issued
Wednesday, September 01, 2010 Page I of 2
Date Recd CEO BP # St # ,Street Name Status
8/24/2010 8686 14 Dove Dr Pending
8/25/2010 8687 1551 Slaterville Rd Pending
8/27/2010 KG 8688 341 Pine Tree Rd Pending
8/30/2010 8690 203 Tudor Rd Pending
8/30/2010 KG 8689 205 Tareyton Dr Pending
Wednesday, September 01, 2010 Page 2 of 2
Town of Ithaca Codes Department
Building Permits Issued in August 2010
Date Last name ,Street Number .Street Name Description
8/3/2010 Egbert Hall 318 Grant Egbert Blvd Two Tents, each 20' x 30'
8/312010 Tudi 127 Hopkins Rd Replace exterior wall covering and reconstr
8/3/2010 Plantations 528 Plantations Rd Tent 30' x 40'
8/4/2010 Wan 304 Salem Dr Reroof house
8/4/2010 Wilson Lab - Sy 161 Synchrotron Dr Tent 20' x 30'
8/4/2010 McElwee 114 Kay St Replace rear concrete deck with new wood
8/4/2010 Feldman 239 Coy Glen Rd Add garage, with master bedroom and bath
8/9/2010 Zifchock - Fox 786 Elm St Ext New Single-Family Home
8/9/2010 Plantations 528 Plantations Rd Tent 20' x 30'
8/12/2010 Mark Jauquet a 103 Rachel Carson W Master bedroom renovation
8/17/2010 Maley 305 Tareyton Dr Install air conditioning system
8/19/2010 RTJ Golf Cours 213 Warren Rd Tent 40' x 60'
8/19/2010 Carroll 651 Five Mile Dr Weatherize and finish interior of existing 2n
8/19/2010 Melly 201 Bostwick Rd Inground pool w/ fence
8/19/2010 Jessup 1442 Hanshaw Rd Removal of old cement/bNck entry steps, bu
8/23/2010 DePaolo and Pr 126 Northview Rd Install 9 replacement windows into new ope
8/24/2010 Hewett 210 Wildflower Dr #1 Reroof
8/24/2010 Takacs 210 Wildflower Dr #2 Reroof
8/24/2010 Reimers 210 Wildflower Dr #3 Reroof
8/24/2010 Gonzales and E 210 Wildflower Dr #4 Reroof
8/24/2010 Bligh 211 Wildflower Dr #1 Reroof
8/24/2010 Kretzmann 211 Wildflower Dr Reroof
8/24/2010 Robinson 211 Wildflower Dr #3 Reroof
8/24/2010 Evans 211 Wildflower Dr #4 Re-roof
8/24/2010 Country Club 189 Pleasant Grove R Tent 50' x 100'
8/24/2010 RTJ Golf Cours 213 Warren Rd Tent 40' x 180'
8/24/2010 Mecenas 179 West Haven Dr Single family
Wednesday, September 01, 2010 Page 1 of 2
r �
Date Last name .Street Number .Street Name Description
8/27/2010 Plantations 130 Comstock Knoll Dr Tent 30' x 45'
mss ..
Wednesday, September 01, 2010 Page 2 of 2
TOWN OF ITHACA
Public Works Department
Month of August Board Report
September 13, 2010 Meeting
Roads :
• Applied a surface treatment on the following roads: Orchard Hill Road, all the roads
in Eastern Heights, Penny Lane, Lois Lane, Westview Lane, Towerview Lane,
Terraceview Lane, Sunnyview Lane, Sand Bank Road, and Town Line Road . We
received trucking assistance from the Towns of Ulysses, Newfield, and Danby.
• Replacement of storm sewer on Snyder Hill Road continued .
• We cleaned obstructions in ditches on Elm Street Extension.
• We repaired shoulders at various locations .
• We assisted the Town of Ulysses with paving, jet rodding on culverts, grinding with
skid steer, and rolling.
• Roadside mowing continued .
• Various spots were hot patched.
• Summer youth and college students seasonal workers completed their service on
August 131h.
• Repairs were made to various catch basins including Kay Street.
• Crosswalks and stop bars painting was started .
• Clean up was performed on Culver Road due to blow down of a tree.
• Work was begun on the reconfiguration of the turn around at the end Sanctuary Drive .
• Assisted the Town of Newfield in cleaning a culvert.
• The salt mixer apparatus was cleaned and painted .
• NYS Police provided training for CDL drivers on truck weights, regulations, and laws
regarding enforcement. Answered questions from staff regarding these issues .
Parks, Trails, and Preserves :
■ Regular grounds maintenance continued .
■ Several sections of commuter trails were trimmed prior to colleges and schools
opening.
■ Installation of the Northview Park play ground continued, along with related site
work.
Wood fibar mulch surfaces were freshened up at older play structures.
■ Weeding and mulching at various sites continued .
■ Park benches and gazebos were sealed .
■ Tutelo Park pavilion was rented several times this month. The Town' s annual
employee appreciation picnic was held at the park on August 6th.
■ Improvements were made at the Juniper Drive parking area and entrance to the South
Hill Recreation Way.
■ Cornell's post community service crew assisted at the open house for theWest Hill
Community Garden on August 19th.
■ Parks staff observed spraying of invasive Pale Swallow Wort by Cornell Plantations
personnel. This served as an opportunity to ask questions .
Water:
♦ Fire Hydrant painting continued .
♦ The emergency generators were connected to water pump stations to verify operations
and connections.
♦ Repairs were made to the PRV on Mitchell Street.
♦ Repairs were made to several water valves .
♦ A water main break was repaired at 127 Muriel Street.
Sewer:
► Weekly sewer pump station checks were performed .
► A total of 90 Dig Safely New York mark outs were performed .
► Manholes on Maple Avenue were cleaned and two covers were raised .
► Measurements and elevations were obtained for manholes on Snyder Hill Road .
Engineering:
A Inspected 30 weekly simple SWPPPs.
4 Managed 10 full SWPPPs.
4 Development review on various projects.
t Provided information to the State for Warren Road Walkway project.
A Final design for Snyder Hill Road Water Main Project.
4 Awarded contraction Ridgecrest Water Tank Improvement Project.
t Construction administration on Forest Home Traffic Calming.
September Projects
1 . Continue work on Snyder Hill Road storm sewer, including replacement of a road
crossing pipe near Sharlene Drive .
2. Continue pavement markings.
3 . Start Town Hall beautification.
4. Fall lawn repairs and hydrosseeding.
5 . Tree removal work at some park and trails sites.
6 . Helen's Way tree replacement plantings.
70 Continue mowing of sewer easements and transmission mains.
8 . Guiderail work on Sand Bank Road .
9 . Play structure maintenance .
10 . Weekly sewer pump station checks.
Town of Ithaca
Department of Public Works
To : Ithaca Town Board
From: James Weber, Highway Superintendent/Director of Public Works
Re : Inventory of Highway Machinery and Equipment
As Part of the 2011 Budget request, I am proposing the following vehicle replacement
and new equipment:
• 10 Wheel Plow Truck $225 ,000 Highway
• 3/ Ton 4X4 Pickup w/Plow $409000 Highway/Parks
• Wood Chipper $40,000 Highway/Parks
• lh Ton 2X4 Pickup $25 ,000 Engineering
• Utility Chain Saw $ 1000 Water/Sewer
As Part of the 2011 Budget request, I have identified the following costs for vehicle and
equipment maintenance :
• Highway/Machinery $70,000
• Parks $ 189000
• Water $ 109000
• Sewer $ 10,000
• Engineering $ 1 ,000
$ 109,000