HomeMy WebLinkAboutTB Minutes 2020-06-22Study Session of the Ithaca Town Board
Monday, June 22, 2020
AGENDA
ZOOM Meetine ID 991 1230 1523 or call 929-436-2866
1. New Neighborhood Code review and discussion
2. Consider approval of the issuance of Public Improvement Refunding (Serial) Bonds and related
matters
3. Committee Reports
a. P&O
b. COC
c. Planning
d. Public Works
e. Budget
f. Ad Hoc Committees
g. Other
4. Consent Agenda
a. Approval of Minutes
b. Town of Ithaca Abstract
5. Review of Correspondence
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MEETING OF THE ITHACA TOWN BOARD
Monday, June 22, 2020 at 4:30 p.m.
Minutes
ZOOM ID 9911230 1523 Call In 929-436-2866
Board Members Present: Rod Howe, Supervisor; Members Tee -Ann Hunter, Pat Leary, Pamela
Bleiwas, Rich DePaolo, Eric Levine and Bill Goodman
Staff Present: Judy Drake, Director of Human Resources; Donna Shaw, Deputy Director of
Finance; Marry Moseley, Director of Code Enforcement; Susan Ritter, Director of Planning; Dan
Thaete, Director of Engineering; Dan Tasman, Senior Planner; Joe Slater, Director of Public
Works; Paulette Rosa, Town Clerk; and Becky Jordan, Deputy Town Clerk
1. New Neighborhood Code (NNC) review and discussion
Mr. Tasman started the discussion by answering a question from the last meeting; where does the
NNC fit in to the grand scheme of things because we have our Zoning Code, we have Subdivision
Code, PDZ regulations and others scattered throughout the Town's Code that deal with land use
planning.
He thought the best way to think of the NNC is as an accessory code that supplements the sections
of the Code that is available to anyone that wants to subdivide or develop in parts of the Town
where we want to see more intensive mixed-use development.
Ms. Ritter asked him to talk about what would be enacted, versus Zoning. What are we doing
now, and then what the next steps would be.
Mr. Tasman responded that we are adopting the NNC and not changing the zoning at all. The
Zoning Map stays the same with the NNC and if somebody decides, or if the Town decides, they
want to see land developed in a certain area, whether it is a single owner or a group of owners, of
the Town wants to preemptively rezone the area in anticipation of development fearing that if we
don't do it now, what might be developed under our existing zoning might not be what we want.
The developer would then follow the rules in the NNC for designing the neighborhood from laying
out the parks and the streets and so forth.
There is a rezoning process that is in the NNC, which is called a regulating plan. The idea behind
a regulating plan is similar to a master plan for the entire neighborhood. That is where the Town
Board would act to rezone an area to layout the parks and streets and infrastructure. It is a
collaborative process that would involve a charrette with all stakeholders. The outcome would be
a rezoning of a particular area for traditional development.
Mr. Howe asked how involved the Planning Board has been on this and if he envisioned additional
training for them.
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Mr. Tasman responded that the NNC was presented to the Planning Board and there will need to
be more education on what role would be. Not just their role in the design process, but once the
regulating plan is in place, how that affects subdivisions. Or modifying existing buildings under
Site Plan.
The Planning Board's role would be much the same as it is now, but the threshold where they get
involved is a little bit higher. They would be involved in reviewing the regulating plan and
submitting comments to the Town Board.
Mr. Tasman added that Ms. Balestra is working on the SEQR for the NNC and doing a great job.
Mr. Goodman added that we have been working on this for a number of years and it is
implementing our Comprehensive Plan that was adopted in 2014 and he is hoping that people have
had their questions answered and we can move forward as soon as the SEQR is drafted. This is
just the first step of a longer-term process to try and encourage the traditional neighborhood
development in the three areas of the Town that the Comp Plan focused on.
It is time to get it adopted and move on to the charettes and get community input and although
with the pandemic there is not as much development pressure as we thought might happen, at some
point the economy will pick up again and at some point Cornell will want to develop East Hill
Plaza and it would be great to get this in place so we can move on to the next step, which is
charrettes and community input and developing a regulating plan.
Ms. Hunter commented on the cover which depicts the park on South Hill that is on the road but
added that she did appreciate that park land cannot be under private ownership.
Mr. Tasman responded that it actually could be privately owned but has to function as a public
park. The NNC requires maintenance and access in perpetuity. He used some examples; a golf
course, which would not be considered parkland, but if a homeowners' association had control
over some parkland which had a playground, that cannot function as just a resident -only park. If
you had garden plots that were just for residents, that wouldn't be considered as part of the common
parkland for the neighborhood but if anyone could have a plot, then it could be.
He added that even if the parkland was privately owned, it would still have to abide by all the
regulations and park siting conditions and couldn't just be tucked away in a corner. It would still
have to have the street frontage, groomed and maintained areas and so forth.
Ms. Hunter asked what the advantage to private ownership would be.
Mr. Tasman said this is something that would be negotiated when developing the regulating plan
and it could depend on the Town Board and whether they want to take on more parkland that they
would ultimately have to maintain where privately owned would be the responsibility and cost of
the owner while still getting the benefits of having it be accessible to the public.
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Ms. Hunter asked a number of questions regarding details and protections for parkland and what
the Town could require and Mr. Tasman responded that those are the types of things that would
be discussed, developed and negotiated during the charrette process and drafting of a regulating
plan. He added that the different aspects of private ownership versus municipal ownership have
come up throughout the development of the NNC because of the costs associated with things such
as added infrastructure, parks, paths, sidewalks, alleyways and roads etc., and it would depend on
the Town Board at the time what they were willing to do.
Mr. Howe asked what is next and is it envisioned to have this in place by the end of this calendar
year?
Ms. Ritter responded that Mr. Tasman is finishing up final edits and having conversations with
Engineering regarding road standards and SEQR is being drafted for review by counsel. She added
that there may be additional local laws needed throughout the Town Code to reference the NNC.
Ms. Ritter said she hopes to have a final draft ready to begin the adoption process by September.
2. Consider approval of the issuance of Public Improvement Refunding (Serial) Bonds and
related matters
Ms. Shaw stated that our Fiscal Advisor reached out last week letting us know there is potential
for substantial savings of approximately $160k over the next 10 years by refunding the 2009 &
2011 bond issues.
There were no questions on the action.
TB Resolution 2020 - 092: REFUNDING BOND RESOLUTION — Public Improvement
Refunding (Serial) Bonds and providing for other matters in relation thereto
At a regular meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca, Tompkins County, New
York, held at the Town Hall, in Ithaca, New York, in said Town, on the 22nd day of June, 2020,
at 4:30 o'clock P.M., Prevailing Time.
The meeting was called to order by Rod Howe, Supervisor, and upon roll being called,
the following were Present: Rod Howe, Supervisor; Members Tee -Ann Hunter, Pat Leary,
Pamela Bleiwas, Rich DePaolo, Eric Levine and Bill Goodman
The following resolution was offered by Eric Levine, who moved its adoption, seconded
by Pat Leary, to -wit:
REFUNDING BOND RESOLUTION DATED JUNE 22, 2020.
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE PURSUANT TO SECTION 90.00
AND/OR SECTION 90.10 OF THE LOCAL FINANCE LAW OF REFUNDING BONDS OF
THE TOWN OF ITHACA, TOMPKINS COUNTY, NEW YORK, TO BE DESIGNATED
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SUBSTANTIALLY "PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT REFUNDING (SERIAL) BONDS", AND
PROVIDING FOR OTHER MATTERS IN RELATION THERETO AND THE PAYMENT OF
THE BONDS TO BE REFUNDED THEREBY.
WHEREAS, the Town of Ithaca, Tompkins County, New York (hereinafter, the "Town")
heretofore issued an aggregate $1,125,000 Public Improvement (Serial) Bonds, 2009, pursuant
to certain bond resolutions dated June 27, 2007 to pay the cost of improvements to the Town of
Ithaca water distribution system, such Public Improvement (Serial) Bonds, 2009, being dated
October 1, 2009 and maturing or matured on October 1 annually (the "2009 Bonds"); and
WHEREAS, the Town heretofore issued an aggregate principal amount of $2,650,000
Public Improvement (Serial) Bonds, 2011, pursuant to certain bond resolutions dated June 13,
2011 to pay the cost of various Town purposes, such Public Improvement (Serial) Bonds, 2011,
being dated September 1, 2011 and maturing or matured on September 1 annually (the "2011
Bonds"); and
WHEREAS, it would be in the public interest to refund all, or one or more, or a portion
of one or more, of the $430,000 outstanding principal balance of the 2009 Bonds maturing in
2020 and thereafter (the "2009 Refunded Bonds"), and the $1,365,000 outstanding principal
balance of the 2011 Bonds maturing in 2021 and thereafter (the "2011 Refunded Bonds",
together with the 2009 Refunded Bonds, the "Refunded Bonds"), each by the issuance of
refunding bonds pursuant to Section 90.00 or Section 90.10 of the Local Finance Law; and
WHEREAS, each of such refundings will individually result in present value savings in
debt service as so required by Section 90.10 of the Local Finance Law; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, by the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca, Tompkins County, New York,
as follows:
Section 1. For the object or purpose of refunding the outstanding aggregate
$1,795,000 principal balance of the Refunded Bonds, including providing moneys which,
together with the interest earned from the investment of certain of the proceeds of the refunding
bonds herein authorized, shall be sufficient to pay (i) the principal amount of the Refunded
Bonds, (ii) the aggregate amount of unmatured interest payable on the Refunded Bonds to and
including the date on which the Refunded Bonds which are callable are to be called prior to their
respective maturities in accordance with the refunding financial plan, as hereinafter defined, (iii)
the costs and expenses incidental to the issuance of the refunding bonds herein authorized,
including the development of the refunding financial plan, as hereinafter defined, compensation
to the underwriter or underwriters, as hereinafter defined, costs and expenses of executing and
performing the terms and conditions of the escrow contract or contracts, as hereinafter defined,
and fees and charges of the escrow holder or holders, as hereinafter mentioned, (iv) the
redemption premium to be paid on the Refunded Bonds which are to be called prior to their
respective maturities, and (v) the premium or premiums for a policy or policies of municipal
bond insurance or cost or costs of other credit enhancement facility or facilities, for the refunding
bonds herein authorized, or any portion thereof, there are hereby authorized to be issued not
exceeding $2,000,000 refunding bonds of the Town pursuant to the provisions of Section 90.00
or Section 90.10 of the Local Finance Law (the "Public Improvement Refunding Bonds" or
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the "Refunding Bonds"), it being anticipated that the amount of Refunding Bonds actually to be
issued will be approximately $1,610,000, as provided in Section 4 hereof. The Refunding Bonds
described herein are hereby authorized to be consolidated for purposes of sale in one or more
refunding bond issues. The Public Improvement Refunding Bonds shall each be designated
substantially "PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT REFUNDING SERIAL BOND" together with such
series designation and year as is appropriate on the date of sale thereof, shall be of the
denomination of $5,000 or any integral multiple thereof (except for any odd denominations, if
necessary) not exceeding the principal amount of each respective maturity, shall be numbered
with the prefix R-20 (or R with the last two digits of the year in which the Refunding Bonds are
issued as appropriate) followed by a dash and then from 1 upward, shall be dated on such dates,
and shall mature annually on such dates in such years, bearing interest semi-annually on such
dates, at the rate or rates of interest per annum, as may be necessary to sell the same, all as shall
be determined by the Supervisor pursuant to Section 4 hereof. It is hereby further determined
that (a) such Refunding Bonds may be issued in series, (b) such Refunding Bonds may be sold
at a discount in the manner authorized by paragraph e of Section 57.00 of the Local Finance
Law and pursuant to subdivision 2 of paragraph f of Section 90.10 of the Local Finance Law,
and (c) such Refunding Bonds may be issued as a single consolidated issue. It is hereby further
determined that such Refunding Bonds may be issued to refund all, or any portion of, the
Refunded Bonds, subject to the limitation hereinafter described in Section 10 hereof relating to
approval by the State Comptroller.
Section 2. The Refunding Bonds maybe subject to redemption prior to maturity
upon such terms as the Supervisor shall prescribe, which terms shall be in compliance with the
requirements of Section 53.00 (b) of the Local Finance Law. If less than all of the Refunding
Bonds of any maturity are to be redeemed, the particular refunding bonds of such maturity to be
redeemed shall be selected by the Town by lot in any customary manner of selection as
determined by the Supervisor.
The Refunding Bonds shall be issued in registered form and shall not be registrable to
bearer or convertible into bearer coupon form. In the event said Refunding Bonds are issued in
non -certificated form, such bonds, when issued, shall be initially issued in registered form in
denominations such that one bond shall be issued for each maturity of bonds and shall be
registered in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee of The Depository Trust Company, New York,
New York ("DTC"), which will act as securities depository for the bonds in accordance with the
Book -Entry -Only system of DTC. In the event that either DTC shall discontinue the Book -
Entry -Only system or the Town shall terminate its participation in such Book -Entry -Only
system, such bonds shall thereafter be issued in certificated form of the denomination of $5,000
each or any integral multiple thereof (except for any odd denominations, if necessary) not
exceeding the principal amount of each respective maturity. In the case of non -certificated
Refunding Bonds, principal of and interest on the bonds shall be payable by check or draft
mailed by the Fiscal Agent (as hereinafter defined) to The Depository Trust Company,
New York, New York, or to its nominee, Cede & Co., while the bonds are registered in the name
of Cede & Co. in accordance with such Book -Entry -Only System. Principal shall only be
payable upon surrender of the bonds at the principal corporate trust office of such Fiscal Agent
(or at the office of the Town Clerk as Fiscal Agent as hereinafter provided).
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In the event said Refunding Bonds are issued in certificated form, principal of and
interest on the Refunding Bonds shall be payable by check or draft mailed by the Fiscal Agent
(as hereinafter defined) to the registered owners of the Refunding Bonds as shown on the
registration books of the Town maintained by the Fiscal Agent (as hereinafter defined), as of the
close of business on the fifteenth day of the calendar month or first business day of the calendar
month preceding each interest payment date as appropriate and as provided in a certificate of
the Supervisor providing for the details of the Refunding Bonds. Principal shall only be payable
upon surrender of bonds at the principal corporate trust office of a bank or trust company or
banks or trust companies located or authorized to do business in the State of New York, as shall
hereafter be designated by the Supervisor as fiscal agent of the Town for the Refunding Bonds
(collectively the "Fiscal Agent").
Refunding Bonds in certificated form may be transferred or exchanged at any time prior
to maturity at the principal corporate trust office of the Fiscal Agent for bonds of the same
maturity of any authorized denomination or denominations in the same aggregate principal
amount.
Principal and interest on the Refunding Bonds will be payable in lawful money of the
United States of America.
The Supervisor, as chief fiscal officer of the Town, is hereby authorized and directed to
enter into an agreement or agreements containing such terms and conditions as he shall deem
proper with the Fiscal Agent, for the purpose of having such bank or trust company or banks or
trust companies act, in connection with the Refunding Bonds, as the Fiscal Agent for said Town,
to perform the services described in Section 70.00 of the Local Finance Law, and to execute
such agreement or agreements on behalf of the Town, regardless of whether the Refunding
Bonds are initially issued in certificated or non -certificated form; provided, however, that the
Supervisor is also hereby authorized to name the Town Clerk as the Fiscal Agent in connection
with the Refunding Bonds if said Refunding Bonds are issued in non -certificated form.
The Supervisor is hereby further delegated all powers of this Town Board with respect
to agreements for credit enhancement, derived from and pursuant to Section 168.00 of the Local
Finance Law, for said Refunding Bonds, including, but not limited to the determination of the
provider of such credit enhancement facility or facilities and the terms and contents of any
agreement or agreements related thereto.
The Refunding Bonds shall be executed in the name of the Town by the manual or
facsimile signature of the Supervisor, and a facsimile of its corporate seal shall be imprinted
thereon. In the event of facsimile signature, the Refunding Bonds shall be authenticated by the
manual signature of an authorized officer or employee of the Fiscal Agent. The Refunding
Bonds shall contain the recital required by subdivision 4 of paragraph g of Section 90.00 of the
Local Finance Law or subdivision 4 of paragraph j of Section 90.10 of the Local Finance Law,
as applicable, and the recital of validity clause provided for in Section 52.00 of the Local Finance
Law and shall otherwise be in such form and contain such recitals, in addition to those required
by Section 51.00 of the Local Finance Law, as the Supervisor shall determine. It is hereby
determined that it is to the financial advantage of the Town not to impose and collect from
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registered owners of the Refunding Bonds any charges for mailing, shipping and insuring bonds
transferred or exchanged by the Fiscal Agent, and, accordingly, pursuant to paragraph c of
Section 70.00 of the Local Finance Law, no such charges shall be so collected by the Fiscal
Agent.
Section 3. It is hereby determined that:
(a) the maximum amount of the Refunding Bonds authorized to be issued
pursuant to this resolution does not exceed the limitation imposed by subdivision 1 of
paragraph b of Section 90.10 of the Local Finance Law;
(b) the maximum period of probable usefulness permitted by law at the time
of the issuance of the respective Refunded Bonds, for the objects or purposes for which
such respective Refunded Bonds were issued is as described in Exhibit A attached hereto
and hereby made a part hereof,
(c) the last installment of the Refunding Bonds will mature not later than the
expiration of the period of probable usefulness of the objects or purposes for which said
respective Refunded Bonds were issued in accordance with the provisions of
subdivision 1 of paragraph a of Section 90.00 of the Local Finance Law or subdivision
1 of paragraph c of Section 90.10 of the Local Finance Law, as applicable;
(d) the estimated present value of the total debt service savings anticipated as
a result of the issuance of the Refunding Bonds, if any, computed in accordance with the
provisions of subdivision 2 of paragraph b of Section 90.10 of the Local Finance Law,
with regard to each of the respective series of Refunded Bonds, is as shown in the
Refunding Financial Plan described in Section 4 hereof.
Section 4. The financial plan for the aggregate of the refundings authorized by this
resolution (collectively, the "Refunding Financial Plan"), showing the sources and amounts of
all moneys required to accomplish such refundings, the estimated present value of the total debt
service savings and the basis for the computation of the aforesaid estimated present value of
total debt service savings, are set forth in Exhibit B attached hereto and hereby made a part
hereof.
The Refunding Financial Plan has been prepared based upon the assumption that the Refunding
Bonds will be issued in one series to refund all of the Refunded Bonds in the principal amount of
$1,610,000, and that the Refunding Bonds will mature, be of such terms, and bear interest as set
forth in said Exhibit B. This Town Board recognizes that the Refunding Bonds may be issued in
one or more series, and for only one or more of the Refunded Bonds, or portions thereof, that the
amount of the Refunding Bonds, maturities, terms, and interest rate or rates borne by the
Refunding Bonds to be issued by the Town will most probably be different from such assumptions
and that the Refunding Financial Plan will also most probably be different from that attached
hereto as Exhibit B. The Supervisor is hereby authorized and directed to determine which of the
Refunded Bonds will be refunded and at what time, the amount of the Refunding Bonds to be
issued, the date or dates of such bonds and the date or dates of issue, maturities and terms thereof,
the provisions relating to the redemption of Refunding Bonds prior to maturity, whether the
Refunding Bonds will be insured by a policy or policies of municipal bond insurance or otherwise
enhanced by a credit enhancement facility or facilities, whether the Refunding Bonds shall be
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sold at a discount in the manner authorized by paragraph e of Section 57.00 of the Local Finance
Law, and the rate or rates of interest to be borne thereby, whether the Refunding Bonds shall be
issued having substantially level or declining annual debt service and all matters related thereto,
and to prepare, or cause to be provided, a final Refunding Financial Plan for the Refunding Bonds
and all powers in connection therewith are hereby delegated to the Supervisor; provided, that the
terms of the Refunding Bonds to be issued, including the rate or rates of interest borne thereby,
shall comply with the requirements of Section 90.00 or Section 90.10 of the Local Finance Law,
as applicable. The Supervisor shall file a copy of his certificates determining the details of the
Refunding Bonds and the final Refunding Financial Plan with the Town Clerk not later than ten
(10) days after the delivery of the Refunding Bonds, as herein provided.
Section 5. T h e Supervisor is hereby authorized and directed to enter into an escrow
contract or contracts (collectively the "Escrow Contract") with a bank or trust company, or
with banks or trust companies, located and authorized to do business in this State as said President
shall designate (collectively the "Escrow Holder") for the purpose of having the Escrow Holder
act, in connection with the Refunding Bonds, as the escrow holder to perform the services
described in Section 90.10 of the Local Finance Law.
Section 6. The faith and credit of said Town of Ithaca, Tompkins County, New York,
are hereby irrevocably pledged to the payment of the principal of and interest on the Refunding
Bonds as the same respectively become due and payable. An annual appropriation shall be made
in each year sufficient to pay the principal of and interest on such bonds becoming due and
payable in such year. There shall be annually levied on all the taxable real property in said Town
a tax sufficient to pay the principal of and interest on such Refunding Bonds as the same become
due and payable.
Section 7. All of the proceeds from the sale of the Refunding Bonds, including the
premium, if any, but excluding accrued interest thereon, shall immediately upon receipt thereof
be placed in escrow with the Escrow Holder for the Refunded Bonds. Accrued interest on the
Refunding Bonds shall be paid to the Town to be expended to pay interest on the Refunding
Bonds. Such proceeds as are deposited in the escrow deposit fund to be created and established
pursuant to the Escrow Contract, whether in the form of cash or investments, or both, inclusive
of any interest earned from the investment thereof, shall be irrevocably committed and pledged
to the payment of the principal of and interest on the Refunded Bonds in accordance with
Section 90.10 of the Local Finance Law, and the holders, from time to time, of the Refunded
Bonds shall have a lien upon such moneys held by the Escrow Holder. Such pledge and lien
shall become valid and binding upon the issuance of the Refunding Bonds and the moneys and
investments held by the Escrow Holder for the Refunded Bonds in the escrow deposit fund
shall immediately be subject thereto without any further act. Such pledge and lien shall be valid
and binding as against all parties having claims of any kind in tort, contract or otherwise against
the Town irrespective of whether such parties have notice thereof.
Section 8. Notwithstanding any other provision of this resolution, so long as any of
the Refunding Bonds shall be outstanding, the Town shall not use, or permit the use of, any
proceeds from the sale of the Refunding Bonds in any manner which would cause the Refunding
Bonds to be an "arbitrage bond" as defined in Section 148 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
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as amended, and, to the extent applicable, the Regulations promulgated by the United States
Treasury Department thereunder.
Section 9. In accordance with the provisions of Section 53.00 and of paragraph h of
Section 90.10 of the Local Finance Law, in the event such bonds are refunded, the Town hereby
elects to call in and redeem each respective series of Refunded Bonds which the Supervisor shall
determine to be refunded in accordance with the provisions of Section 4 hereof and with regard to
which the right of early redemption exists. The sum to be paid therefor on such redemption date
shall be the par value thereof plus the redemption premium, and the accrued interest to such
redemption date. The Escrow Agent for the Refunding Bonds is hereby authorized and directed to
cause notice of such call for redemption to be given in the name of the Town in the manner and
within the times provided in the Refunded Bonds. Such notice of redemption shall be in
substantially the form attached to the Escrow Contract. Upon the issuance of the Refunding Bonds,
the election to call in and redeem the callable Refunded Bonds and the direction to the Escrow
Agent to cause notice thereof to be given as provided in this paragraph shall become irrevocable,
provided that this paragraph may be amended from time to time as may be necessary
in order to comply with the publication requirements of paragraph a of Section 53.00 of the
Local Finance Law, or any successor law thereto.
Section 10. The Refunding Bonds shall be sold at public competitive sale or at private
sale to Robert W. Baird & Co., Inc. (the "Underwriter"), plus accrued interest from the date or
dates of the Refunding Bonds to the date or dates of the delivery of and payment for the Refunding
Bonds. Subject to the approval of the terms and conditions of such private sale by the State
Comptroller to the extent required by subdivision 2 of paragraph f of Section 90.10 of the Local
Finance Law, the Supervisor, is hereby authorized to execute and deliver a purchase contract for
the Refunding Bonds in the name and on behalf of the Town providing the terms and conditions
for the sale and delivery of the Refunding Bonds to the Underwriter. After the Refunding Bonds
have been duly executed, they shall be delivered by the Supervisor to the Underwriter in
accordance with said purchase contract or winning purchaser upon the receipt by the Town of said
purchase price, including accrued interest.
Section 11. The Supervisor and all other officers, employee's and agents of the Town
are hereby authorized and directed for and on behalf of the Town to execute and deliver all
certificates and other documents, perform all acts and do all things required or contemplated to
be executed, performed or done by this resolution or any document or agreement approved
hereby.
Section 12. All other matters pertaining to the terms and issuance of the Refunding
Bonds shall be determined by the Supervisor and all powers in connection thereof are hereby
delegated to the Supervisor. The Supervisor shall be further authorized to issue said Refunding
Bonds pursuant to Section 90.00 or Section 90.10 of the Local Finance Law as said officer shall
determine necessary, in consultation with bond counsel to the Town.
Section 13. The validity of the Refunding Bonds may be contested only if:
1. Such obligations are authorized for an objector purpose for which said Town
is not authorized to expend money, or
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2. The provisions of law which should be complied with at the date of publication
of this resolution are not substantially complied with, and an action, suit or proceeding
contesting such validity is commenced within twenty days after the date of such
publication, or
3. Such obligations are authorized in violation of the provisions of the
Constitution.
Section 14. A summary of this resolution, which takes effect immediately, shall be
published in the official newspapers of said Town, together with a notice of the Town Clerk in
substantially the form provided in Section 81.00 of the Local Finance Law.
The foregoing resolution was duly put to a vote which resulted as follows: Rod Howe, aye; Bill
Goodman, aye; Eric Levine, aye; Rich DePaolo, aye; Tee -Ann Hunter, aye; Pat Leary, aye; and
Pamela Bleiwas, aye.
The resolution was thereupon declared duly adopted.
3. Committee Reports
P&O — Ms. Bleiwas reported that they discussed the Post Office lease which is close to being
completed. The Town will pay for parking in the City garage but will also be slowing
increasing the rental rate to offset that. Began discussions on a draft "Working from Home"
policy and the County Emergency Management Policy which we recommended back to the
Management Team for comments before delving to deeply into it. The Deferred Compensation
Audit was accepted and will move on to the State. Approved a tentative wage scale increase
for non -collective bargaining staff to stay equal to collective bargaining staff at 2.75%. Budget
impacts from COVID 19 are still unknown, but that will be the working figure.
COC — Mr. Goodman reported that they finished a review of the changes to Chapter 125 and
determined that a review of Chapter 129 goes hand-in-hand with it so that has begun.
Telecommunications review continues and the consensus is to wait on the outcome of the
public forum being co-sponsored by the Town and City regarding 5G. He added that the 91h
Circuit Federal Court of Appeals has heard arguments on challenges to the FCC's regulations
because they are restrictive on what municipalities are allowed to do in response to these
installations and a number of municipalities have sued the FCC in an attempt to gain more
power to regulate wireless technologies. This discussion will continue at the next meeting and
the meeting after the Forum mentioned earlier.
Planning — Mr. DePaolo reported that they continued to discuss establishing a Historic
Preservation Board with the City and looked at some town properties that might fit the criteria
to get a better sense of the purpose and implementation of such a Board. Also discussed
changes to the Accessory Dwelling Unit definitions and requirements regarding setbacks and
what defines "attached" as there have been some instances of "attached" being a simple
breezeway which allows a significantly smaller setback from neighboring property lines.
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Public Works — Ms. Hunter reported that they discussed the sewer billing issue with Cornell
buildings where they have been reading their own meters and deducting a percentage off for
certain usages of water. Mr. Slater is working with them and informed them that it cannot
continue, and he is working with counsel on a letter and how far back to charge for these
reduced payments.
Discussed status reports on projects; moving ahead with Forest Home Walkway estimates;
fleet replacement schedule and reopening parks.
A resident complaint regarding parking on Towerview Rd was discussed and the history and
previous discussions and options were discussed. Mr. Howe was asked to reply to the resident
to request a petition from a minimum of 50% of the residents on the road to move forward to
any action(s).
Budget — Mr. Levine reported that they discussed the sales tax collection report which was
down about $43K for the first 4 months of 2020 which is about 4% down from 2019; reviewed
Certificate of Deposit(s) revenue and noted that rates are going down again so that revenue
stream will be less moving forward; moved forward the Tax Cap Override local law to allow
flexibility as we have in the past.
Ad Hoc Committees —
Short Term Rental (STR) - Mr. Goodman reported that they heard from Nick
Helmholdt, County Planning and Tourism Program Director who has been working on
the County's efforts to contract with a private company that does analysis that would
help municipalities with enforcement. The County issued an RFP and received two
responses. The intent is to develop this as a shared service that municipalities could
join. If the Town would like to piggy -back onto that for additional information, we will
need to discuss which of the services provided we might want to add for ourselves at
what costs and present that to the Board.
Spending most of the time discussing enforcement of the draft we have and hopefully
will be able to bring something to the full Board in the next few months.
The Green New Deal — Mr. Howe reported that they are now meeting once a month
and talking about how to create a Green New Deal action plan.
Bicentennial committee — Mr. Howe reported that they met recently and are
supporting 4 projects: the photography/video project has begun; working with The
History Center and town historian to put up displays in the lobby; ideas for the Ithaca
Festival and a reenactment of the first meeting of the Town in costume.
TB 2020-06-22 Pg. 12
Parks, Trails, Preserves, and Recreation — Mr. Howe reported that they have begun
meeting and off to a good start.
Economic Development — Meeting in July at the Inlet Valley to explore where a
potential laneway may go, so that work continues.
4. Consent Agenda
TB Resolution 2020 - 093: Adopt Consent Agenda
Resolved, that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca hereby approves and/or adopts the
following Consent Agenda items:
a. Approval of Town Board Minutes
b. Approval of Town of Ithaca Abstract
Moved: Eric Levine Seconded: Tee -Ann Hunter
Vote: ayes — Levine, Leary, Hunter, Howe, Goodman, Bleiwas and DePaolo
TB Resolution 2020 - 093a: Approval of Minutes
Resolved, that the Town Board hereby approves the draft minutes of June 8, 2020 with non -
substantial corrections suggested and approved by the Board.
TB Resolution 2020 -093b: Town of Ithaca Abstract No. 12 for FY -2020
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. 620-675
General Fund Town Wide
31,327.24
General Fund Part -Town
1,220.17
Highway Fund Town Wide DA
902.68
Highway Fund Part Town DB
127,968.32
Water Fund
344,801.61
Sewer Fund
57,965.72
State Route 96b Sidewalk — H7
9,975.69
PWF Renovations Project — H22
6,969.78
Risk Retention Fund
61.58
TB 2020-06-22 Pg. 13
Fire Protection Fund
280,000.00
Forest Home Lighting District
36.93
Glenside Lighting District
11.03
Renwick Heights Lighting District
18.44
Eastwood Commons Lighting District
25.81
Clover Lane Lighting District
3.42
Winner's Circle Lighting District
5.13
Burleigh Drive Lighting District
12.03
West Haven Road Lighting District
47.72
Coddin ton Road Lighting District
27.76
TOTAL
861,381.06
Added item — Resolution of Appreciation — John Shepardson
Ms. Drake reported that Mr. Shepardson has decided to retire and she read a draft resolution which
will be tweaked a bit then presented.
TB Resolution 2020 - 094: Recognition of John Sheyardson's Dedicated Years of Service
to the Community
Whereas, John Shepardson Jr., started his career as highway Laborer on April 8, 1996 and served
our community continuously since; and
Whereas, John was promoted to different levels thorough out his career, last serving as a Working
Supervisor for the past 11 years, in which he efficiently managed work crews; and
Whereas, as a responsible and highly dedicated snowplow driver, John was always available for
emergencies and often working many hours of overtime needed to provide safe roadways; and
Whereas, John thoroughly knew the operations of the Town including the abilities of the
equipment, tools, and techniques to accomplish a job and how to get the most from the staff he
was assigned; and
Whereas, John could be given any major or minor project with or without plans and he would use
the Town's resources to make something he could be proud of, such as reconstruction of Sand
Bank Road and Chase Lane; and
Whereas, the Town of Ithaca has greatly benefited from John's devotion, expertise, and his desire
to serve our community to make it a better place to live; and
Whereas, after twenty-four (24) years of dedicated service, John has chosen to retire from the
Town of Ithaca, effective June 27, 2020; now, therefore, be it
TB 2020-06-22 Pg. 14
Resolved, that this 22nd day of June 2020, the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca, on behalf of the
Town and its citizens, expresses its sincere appreciation, admiration, and gratitude to John
Shepardson Jr. for his distinguished and dedicated service to our community.
Moved: Eric Levine Seconded: Pamela Bleiwas
Vote: DePaolo, Hunter, Leary, Levine, Howe, Goodman and Bleiwas
5. Review of Correspondence
Mr. DePaolo asked about any progress on the gun range off Coddington Rd. He added that
activities heat up in the Fall and he would like to again bring the issue up. He would like to know
what our municipal authority may or may not be related to activities on a parcel owned by another
municipality within our jurisdiction. He wanted to know how the Board felt about bringing counsel
in on the topic.
Mr. Howe said he and Mr. Goodman spoke with the Mayor and his Executive Assistant back in
December.
Mr. Goodman said he thought the Assistant talked to the Chief of Police and we got an email back
and maybe the Chief was going to do additional research on other units that are using it, but he
wasn't positive about that.
Mr. Howe said he would circle back to the City about it.
Mr. DePaolo said it is a pretty objectionable use that many people dislike and maybe counsel could
answer if it could be a simple thing to enforce our zoning on land in the Town owned by another
municipality.
6. Adjourn
.otion by Mr. Levine, seconded by Ms. Hunter; unanimous.
TB 2020-06-22 Pg. 15