The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutTB Minutes 2020-09-28MEETING OF THE ITHACA TOWN BOARD Monday, September 28, 2020 at 4:30 p.m. !�iii.L).//WWW.Zoo Fla. tills/ or call 929-436-2866 ................................................................................................................................ Meeting ID 991 1230 1523 AGENDA 1. Discuss and consider authorization for the Town Supervisor to sign a contract with Barton & Loguidice for the Final Design and Bid Phase Services associated with the Forest Home Walkway Improvements Project 2. Discuss and consider acceptance of the additional portions of Larissa Ln associated with Phase 3 of the Westview Subdivision Project 3. Discuss and consider approval of Signatories for Bank of New York Mellon 4. Presentation of The Town Supervisor's Tentative 2021 Budget 5. Committee Reports a. Budget b. Planning c. Public Works d. COC e. Personnel and Organization 6. Report of Town Officials 7. Consent Agenda a. Approval of Town Board Minutes b. Town of Ithaca Abstract c. Ratification of promotional appointment — Working Supervisor 8. Adjournment MEETING OF THE ITHACA TOWN BOARD Monday, September 28, 2020 at 4:30 p.m. Meeting held via ZOOM due to Governor Cuomo's Executive Order(s) MINUTES Board Members Present: Rod Howe, Supervisor; Members Eric Levine, Rich DePaolo, Bill Goodman, Tee -Ann Hunter, and Pat Leary Excused: Pamela Bleiwas Staff Present: Judy Drake, Director of Human Resources; Marty Moseley, Director of Code Enforcement; Susan Ritter, Director of Planning; Paulette Rosa, Town Clerk; Joe Slater, Director of Public Works; Mike Solvig, Director of Finance; and Dan Thaete, Director of Engineering; Becky Jordan, Deputy Town Clerk; Donna Shaw, Asst. Dir. Finance 1. Call to order - Mr. Howe called the meeting to order at 4:32 p.m. 2. Persons to be Heard and Board Comments There was no one wishing to address the board and no board comments. 3. Discuss and consider authorization for the Town Supervisor to sign a contract with Barton & Loguidice for the Final Design and Bid Phase Services associated with the Forest Home Walkway Improvements Project Mr. Howe reported that the Public Works Committee, Barton Louguidice representatives and Forest Home Resident representatives participated in a zoom call regarding the contract and it was clarified that more input would be gathered from stakeholders. The PWC recommended moving forward with the contract as submitted. Ms. Leary asked what happened to the concerns raised by residents regarding the options of a slope or step design? Mr. Howe responded that those details are yet to be worked out, but residents will be able to attend Public Works Committee meetings to share input. TB Resolution 2020 - 127: Authorization for the Town Supervisor to sign a contract with Barton & Loguidice for the Final Design and Bid Phase Services associated with the Forest Home Walkway Improvements Proiect Whereas the Town Board was presented with conceptual designs for the Forest Home Walkway Improvement Project (Project) in September of 2019 and chose Option D, and Whereas the Town wishes to advance to the Final Design and Bid Phase for the project, and TBS 2020-09-28 Pg. 1 Whereas Barton & Loguidice has submitted a proposal for said services for a flat fee of $25,000, and Whereas the Town Engineer has reviewed the proposal and recommends it to the Board, now therefore be it Resolved that the Town Board hereby approves the proposal as submitted and authorizes the Town Supervisor to execute the contract, subject to the approval of the Attorney for the Town. Moved: Rich DePaolo Seconded: Bill Goodman Vote: Ayes — Hunter, DePaolo, Levine, Howe, Leary, Goodman 4. Discuss and consider acceptance of the additional portions of Larissa Ln associated with Phase 3 of the Westview Subdivision development Project Mr. Thaete reported that the section was inspected and meets town standards. TB Resolution 2020 - 128: Acceptance of completed portion of Larisa Lane associated with Phase 3 of the Westview Subdivision Development Project Whereas, Westview Partners, LLC ("Developer") owns two parcels; Parcel A, Tax Parcel 36.-2- 3.56, (a .644-acre portion of Larisa Lane) and Parcel B, Tax Parcel 36.-2-3.53, (a .308-acre portion of Schickel Rd), and Whereas, the Developer has constructed an additional section of the planned extension of Larisa Lane, along said parcels, to the Town of Ithaca's specifications, and Whereas, the Developer is offering for dedication and transfer to the Town of Ithaca, said additional section of Larisa Lane constructed under Phase 3 of the project, shown as Parcel A and Parcel B on the map entitled "Survey Map Showing Phase 3 of Larisa Lane to be Dedicated to the Town of Ithaca" prepared by TG Miller PC, dated February 2020. Whereas, the Town Superintendent of Highways and Town Engineer have reviewed the road construction and verified said additional road section has been constructed in accordance with the Town of Ithaca's Highway specifications, Whereas, the Town Superintendent and Town Engineer recommends the acceptance in fee of Parcels A and B and the roadway thereon for highway, transportation and pedestrian purposes as well as other utility, water, sewer, stormwater and related purposes, and Whereas, the Attorney for the Town has reviewed title and the proposed deed transferring ownership of Parcels A and B in fee to the Town of Ithaca, now therefore be it Resolved, that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca hereby accepts Parcels A and B as fully described in the deed and accepts dedication of the additional section extending Larisa Lane as TBS 2020-09-28 Pg. 2 shown on the survey map referenced above, as an extension to the existing Town Road — Larisa Lane, subject to the approval of the Attorney for the Town, and be it further Resolved, that the Town Supervisor and Town Highway Superintendent are authorized to execute all documents necessary to effectuate the transfer and dedication to the Town. Moved: Tee -Ann Hunter Seconded: Eric Levine Vote: Ayes — Hunter, DePaolo, Levine, Howe, Leary, Goodman 5. Discuss and consider approval of Signatories for Bank of New York Mellon Mr. Solvig explained that these accounts were opened a number of years ago to hold collateral from a group of municipalities. BNY Mellon is going to start charging a fee for these accounts and we have been trying to close them and transfer the funds for quite a while. This resolution will allow that to happen. TB Resolution 2020 - 129: Validation of Signatories Whereas the Town of Ithaca is seeking to close certain accounts at Bank of New York Mellon (BNY), and they have requested a resolution certifying that authority of the signatories of and for certain documents, now therefore be it Resolved that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca hereby certifies the following people are authorized in carrying out the Administrative Matters; Asset Transfers, Investments and Payments and Benefit Distributions associated with any and all transactions with the Bank of New York Mellon: Town of Ithaca Michael Solvig, Finance Officer Southern Cayuga Lake Intermunicipal Water Commission Pamela VanGelder, Finance Manager Moved: Eric Levine Seconded: Tee -Ann Hunter Vote: Hunter, DePaolo, Levine, Howe, Leary, Goodman 6. Added item: Draft Post Office Lease Mr. Howe reported that the Personnel and Organization Committee discussed the current draft and looked back at the original lease and incorporated the maintenance and equipment riders that were of concern. The proposed lease is for a 5-year term with option for two additional 5-year terms. The differences are the Town providing 5 parking spaces in the garage at our cost and the rent schedule. TBS 2020-09-28 Pg. 3 He noted that he was seeking consensus from the Board to forward it to the Post Office for review and if they approve it with no changes, a resolution to authorize signature will be scheduled or changes they submit will be reviewed. The Board was in favor of moving forward and presenting the proposed lease to the Post Office for review. 7. Presentation of The Town Supervisor's Tentative 2021 Budget Mr. Howe noted for the record that the Tentative Budget was presented to the Town Clerk on September 16, 2020, which Ms. Rosa verified and officially presented the Tentative 2021 Budget to the Board. Mr. Howe reviewed his budget highlights. (Attachment 1) Ms. Drake noted that the County and the City have not included the Apprenticeship Program in their budgets for 2021. Mr. Levine noted that the budget as it stands is under the 2% tax cap and represents a decrease of approximately 4% for residents' tax bills. The Budget Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 1, 2020 with a tentative public hearing to be held on October 19, 2020. 8. Consider Consent Agenda Items TB Resolution 2020 - 130: 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 c. Ratify promotional appointment of Working Supervisor — D Thomas Moved: Eric Levine Seconded: Rich DePaolo Vote: ayes — Hunter, DePaolo, Levine, Howe, Leary, Goodman TB Resolution 2020 - 130a: Approval of Minutes Resolved, that the Town Board hereby approves the draft minutes of September 14, 2020 as submitted with non -substantial corrections suggested and approved by the Board made. TB Resolution 2020 -130b: Town of Ithaca Abstract No. 18 for FY-2020 TBS 2020-09-28 Pg. 4 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. 1052 - 1108 General Fund Town Wide 37,074.37 General Fund Part -Town 1,512.45 Highway Fund Town Wide DA 1,197.48 Highway Fund Part Town DB 28,028.49 Water Fund 15,857.38 Sewer Fund 7,482.79 PWF Renovations Project — H22 17,762.50 Risk Retention Fund 2,648.00 Fire Protection Fund 280,000.00 Forest Home Lighting District 174.07 Glenside Lighting District 68.18 Renwick Heights Lighting District 80.53 Eastwood Commons Lighting District 173.78 Clover Lane Lighting District 20.11 Winner's Circle Lighting District 67.94 Burlei h Drive Lighting District 68.30 West Haven Road Lighting District 205.67 Coddington Road Lighting District 122.65 TOTAL 392,544.69 TB Resolution 2020 — 130c: Ratify Promotional Appointment to Working Supervisor Whereas, there is a vacant Working Supervisor position due to a retirement; and Whereas, the Highway Superintendent has determined through interviews and evaluation that Dustin Thomas, Heavy Equipment Operator, possess the necessary knowledge, skills and ability to satisfactorily perform the duties of the Working Supervisor position; and Whereas, the Highway Superintendent is promotionally appointing Dustin Thomas, to the Working Supervisor position, effective September 28, 2020; now, therefore, be it Resolved, the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca does hereby ratify the Highway Superintendent's regular promotional appointment of Dustin Thomas, as full time Working Supervisor for the Public Works Department, effective September 28, 2020; and be it further TBS 2020-09-28 Pg. 5 Resolved, this is a 40 hour a week position, at the hourly wage of $30.12, which is an estimated annual salary of $62,649, in Job Classification "V", with full time benefits; and be it further Resolved, if the said successfully complete the mandatory eight (8) week probationary period there will be no further action required by the Town Board. 9. Report of Town Officials and Committees Planning — Mr. DePaolo reported they continued discussion on changes for the EcoVillage PDZ to allow seasonal/recreational camping; draft legislation to allow food trucks as an accessory use for businesses in an effort to not allow them in residential areas; regulating pools by classifying them as buildings and setting placement and setback requirements Public Works — Ms. Hunter reported they discussed the Forest Home Walkway as mentioned earlier; sewer billing with Cornell University regarding their using estimates and not paying some benefit assessment fees. A meeting has been set with Cornell to discuss the issue. Project updates; renovations of the Public Works Facility are winding up with the goal of a November 1st reopening. They were able to make changes to the HVAC system to accommodate higher level filters and we were also able to install higher level filters at Town Hall. Codes & Ordinances — Mr. Goodman reported that they continue discussion of telecommunications law revisions and the implications of 5G and review of the 9th Circuit Federal Court of Appeals decision that backed up a lot of the FCC regulations and dismissed most of the challenges from municipalities around the country. The next meeting will focus on 5G and proposed aesthetic regulation changes. He noted that the City is working on this as well and they are attempting to negotiate with Verizon on a master license agreement to allow placement of small cell facilities. There is the possibility and discussion happening regarding the Town joining with the City and working together on the Agreement and hiring Andrew Campanelli from Long Island as legal counsel because this is his forte. The Villages of Cayuga Heights and Lansing have also expressed interest and a meeting is being scheduled to discuss the matter. Short Term Rental — Mr. Goodman reported that a special meeting is set for Monday, October 5th at 4:00 pm to seek the advice of counsel with the intent to keep the regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, October 19th at 4:00 pm. open to the public. Green New Deal — Mr. Howe reported that they continue to work on goals and the intent is to bring some talking points to the Town Board in November for discussion. Report of Town Officials: Some members and staff have been attending Community Choice Aggregation webinars through TCCOG Early voting is set to begin October 24th here at Town Hall and at the CFR Building. TBS 2020-09-28 Pg. 6 Broadband access continues to be an issue on the outskirts of Town and in the County. We are trying to work with Spectrum and line density is an issue. 10. Review of Correspondence — None 11. Adjournment Meeting was adjourned upon motion and a second at 5:19 pm; unanimous. SubmitteaV Paulette Rosa, TBS 2020-09-28 Pg. 7 TOWN OF ITHACA FISCAL YEAR 2021 BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS • The Ithaca Town Budget will decrease from $26,266,830 in 2020 to $26,054,056 in 2021, a decrease of $212,774 or 0.81%. • The budgeted total for Personnel Costs increases from $6,672,728 in 2020 to $6,689,773 in 2021, an increase of $17,045 or 0.26%. Personnel costs represent 25.68% of the Town's total 2021 budget. • Total for Personal Services (employee salaries and wages) increases from $4,400,453 in 2020 to $4,465,798 in 2021, an increase of $65,345 or 1.48%. • The budgeted total for Employee Benefits decreases from $2,272,275 in 2020 to $2,223,975 in 2021, a decrease of $48,300 or 2.13%. Total employee benefits in 2021 are calculated at 49.80% of the total for employee salaries and wages. - Payments for employee retirement are budgeted for $597,000 in 2021, an increase of $60,000 from the $537,000 total budgeted in 2020. - Payments for employee health insurance are budgeted for $1,119,000 in 2021, a decrease of $61,000 from the $1,180,000 total budgeted in 2020. • Capital Projects budgeted in 2021 will total $3,240,000-1 an increase of $25,000 or 0.78% over the $3,215,000 total budgeted in 2020. Capital projects represent 12.42% of the Town's total budget. - $1,700,000 is budgeted for water infrastructure improvements, funded by new long-term debt. - $300,000 is budgeted for sewer and manhole rehabilitation. - $250,000 is budgeted for storm water drainage improvements. - $750,000 is budgeted for improvements to various Town roads. - $240,000 is budgeted for Town parks and trails improvements. • Contractual Services increase from $11,946,843 in 2020 to $12,016,547 in 2021; an increase of $69,704 or 0.58%. Contractual services represent 46.1 % of the total budget for 2021. • Equipment/Capital Outlay increases from $607,000 in 2020 to $945,000 in 2021; an increase of $338,000 or 55.7%. Equipment/Capital Outlay represents 3.61 % of the Town's total 2021 budget. - $778,000 is budgeted for the replacement of vehicles and other motor equipment in 2021. - $150,000 is budgeted to replace the Municity parcel management and building permit software which will no longer be supported beginning in 2023. • Funding for community organizations/programs will total $390,141 in 2021. Of this total, $368,181 is budgeted in the General Townwide Fund, with the remaining $21,960 budgeted in the Water Fund. - The Town's contribution to City of Ithaca waterfront parks will remain at $56,000 for 2021. - The Town's contribution to the Recreation Partnership is budgeted at $73,353 in 2021. This is the same amount budgeted in 2020. - 2021 funding for Joint Youth Commission programs is budgeted for $197,828. This is slightly less than the amount $200,695 budgeted in 2020. - The Town's contribution to the Tompkins County Public Library will remain at $15,000 in 2021. - The amount budgeted for the Town's contribution for the county -wide Water Quality Monitoring Program will increase from $21,530 in 2020 to $21,960 in 2021. • The Town will transfer (re -designate) $100,000 from the unreserved fund balance in the General Townwide Fund to the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan account. The Town will transfer (re -designate) $50,000 from the unreserved fund balance in the General Townwide Fund to the new (for 2021) Tompkins County Housing Development Fund account. • The 2021 Property Tax Levy totals $8,728,300, an increase of $179,230 or 2.1 % over the prior year total of $8,549,070. This increase does comply with the property tax cap limit for 2021. Property taxes are the Town's largest revenue source, representing 35.6% of total budgeted revenues. • The property tax bill for a typical property in the Town of Ithaca will decrease to $1,994.78 in 2021 from $2,078.42 in 2020, a decrease of $83.64 or 4.02%. The typical property in the Town of Ithaca is a single-family residence with an assessed value of $300,000. The estimated property tax bill total shown below includes proposed water and sewer benefit assessment fees. PROPERTY TAX BILL FOR A TYPICAL PROPERTY IN THE TOWN OF ITHACA Major Components to Property Tax Bill 2016 F 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 GENERAL TOWNWIDE PROPERTY TAX RATE $ 1.9033 $ 2.1649 $ 1.8698 $ 1.9197 $ 1.8792 $ 2.4021 HIGHWAY TOWNW DE PROPERTY TAX RATE - - 0.5439 0.5162 0.4952 0.4804 HIGHWAY PART -TOWN PROPERTY TAX RATE 1.5388 1.2452 1.3192 1.3027 1.2416 - FIRE PROTECTION DIST. PROPERTY TAX RATE 3.3971 3.2488 2.8622 2.6535 2.5787 3.0001 WATER BENEFIT ASSESSMENT CHARGE/ UNIT 100.00 110.00 125.00 150.00 160.00 165.00 SEWER BENEFIT ASSESSMENT CHARGE/ UNIT 25.00 25.00 25.00 45.00 60.00 65.00 TOTAL TOWN TAX ON TYPICAL PROPERTY" $2,17t3.79 $2,132.6T $2,128.54 $2,112B7 $2,t)78.42%$"1,994.78 TOWN TAX INCREASE FROM PRIOR YEAR $ 90.62 $ (44.11) $ (4.13) $ (15.87) $ (34.25)'' $ (83.64) PERCENTAGE INCREASE FROM PRIOR YEAR 4.34% -1.70%'. -0.19%'. -0.75% -1.62% -4.02% ATypi al Propattyin the Town of Ithaca is a Single-Fam#y Residence with an Assess ed Value of $300,040. • The taxable assessed valuation of the Town of Ithaca increased from $1,616,447,157 in 2020 to $1,665,237,301, an increase of approx. 3.1 % over the prior year. • The total assessed valuation of the Town of Ithaca for 2021 is $3,245,930,691. Of this total, $1,580,800,890, or 48.7%, of property in the Town is exempt. The largest exempt category is Not -for - Profit - Educational Institution with an exempt valuation of $1,058,606,700 or 32.6% of the total assessed valuation of the Town. Most of this amount is for Cornell University and Ithaca College. The second largest exempt category is for New York State with an exempt valuation of $239,987,500 or 7.4% of the total assessed valuation of the Town. (See Exemption Impact Report on Page 23) • Sales Tax collections are budgeted at $3,250,000, representing 13.3% of the Town's 2021 budgeted revenues. Sales tax collections for the Town were weak in 2020 due to the 2"d Quarter business shutdowns in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, with collections falling short of both 2018 and 2019. Sales tax collections for 2020 are projected to total approx. $3,190,000. • Water rates are proposed to increase from $7.97/1000 gallons of consumption in 2020 to $8.26/1000 gallons of consumption in 2021, an increase of 3.6%. Sewer rents, billed on water consumption, are proposed to increase from $5.16/1000 gallons in 2020 to $5.34/1000 gallons in 2021, an increase of 3.6%. Based on these proposed rates, the quarterly minimum water and sewer charge would increase from $65.65 in 2020 to $68.00 in 2021, an increase of $2.35 or 3.60%. • The Water Benefit Assessment Fee will increase to $165.00/unit in 2021 from $160.00/unit in 2020, raising revenues of approx. $1,370,643 to be used to pay the annual debt service on the Town's outstanding long-term debt for water infrastructure improvements. The Sewer Benefit Assessment Feewill increase to $65.00/unit in 2021 from $60.00/unit in 2020, raising revenues of approx. $518,289 to be used to pay the annual debt service on the Town's share of outstanding long-term debt for improvements at the Ithaca Area Waste Water Treatment Facility.