No preview available
HomeMy WebLinkAboutTB Minutes 2024-10-21MEETING OF THE ITHACA TOWN BOARD October 21, 2024, 4:30 p.m. 215 N Tioga St. AGENDA ZOOM LINK YOUTUBE LINK 1. Common Council Update – Clyde Lederman 2. Tompkins County Update – Code Blue – Shawna Black 3. Stormwater Study Presentation – B&L 4. Consider approval of purchase offer and associated survey – Pokorney property 5. Consider approval of contract for Laserfische / Canon 6. Consider approval of a Fee Reduction Request - Kelly 7. Committee Reports a. Budget i. Continuing discussion on Preliminary Budget b. Codes & Ordinances c. Personnel and Organization d. Planning e. Public Works f. Other 8. Consent Agenda a. Town of Ithaca Abstract b. Approval of Town Board Minutes c. Appointment of an Engineering Tech - Clapp d. Approval of Holiday List TB 2024-10-21 (Filed 11/1) Pg. 1 MEETING OF THE ITHACA TOWN BOARD October 21, 2024, 4:30 p.m. Minutes Board Members Present: Rod Howe, Supervisor; Members Eric Levine, Rich DePaolo, Susie Gutenberger, Pamela Bleiwas, Rob Rosen and Margaret Johnson Present: Judy Drake, Marty Moseley, CJ Randall, Paulette Rosa, Joe Slater, Chris Herbert, and David O’Shea Mr. Howe opened the meeting at 4:30 p.m. 1. Common Council Update – Clyde Lederman and Pierre Saint-Perez Mr. Lederman Clyde reported that they passed legislation to allow ministerial granting of certain variances to streamline the process for minimum requests. For example, an area variance of under 5% is reviewed by staff/mangers and determined at that level. The Council is kept in the loop, but it clears up time on the Planning Review Board. Passed the “No Cause Eviction Law’ which will take effect in August and apply to apartments buildings built before 2008 and they are taking a wait and see stance on further legislation. Passed their own Short Term Rental Law, modeled after the Town’s law, and found about 400 units that are non-compliant and will have to become compliant or change their rental format. Approved the Justice 50 framework where 50% of our capital spending needs to go to climate justice communities. Mr. Saint-Perez reported that they continue to work on the 2025 budget and with the Town on the fire protection and Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Facility budget. There is another budget meeting this week and the public hearing is set for November 6th with contingency meetings scheduled in case they are needed. Working on accessory dwelling unit legislation to encourage more of them and looking at revised zoning for the Southside neighborhood and a cohesive downtown plan. Mr. Rosen asked more about the granting of variances by management, saying wouldn’t that encourage people to just take the 5% and then come back for another and another. Mr. Lederman responded they use an extensive checklist to review the request and that they could deny the variances and the Council representatives in the area proposed are given an opportunity to comment. 2. Tompkins County Update – Code Blue – Shawna Black TB 2024-10-21 (Filed 11/1) Pg. 2 Ms. Black began by saying there has been a lot of public outreach about this project and there was an article in today’s Ithaca Times about St. John’s Shelter shutting down. The County is required to provide shelter when the temperature drops below a certain degree. The County has struggled with providing shelters for a long time and sent out a 3-pronged Request for Proposals to provide housing for individuals, families and then the Code Blue shelter. We only received one back. The County has purchased the Wiggins/Key Bank properties and that is being renovated for Code Blue sheltering. There will be privacy screens on the outfacing windows and outdoor storage of belongings that are not permitted inside the building as well as a trailer connected to the building with toilet facilities. We are looking for permanent shelter properties and working with local non-profits for staffing and assistance in running it, and we are looking to hire 10 full-time positions for the shelter. Ms. Black said they are aware of and recognize there are concerns from neighbors and business owners in the area and they will be working with the Sheriff’s department and the ratio of staff to people using the shelter will be key. There will be security cameras around the entire building. The building will be used approximately the first week of November through April and the intent is to build a permanent shelter in the future elsewhere. Ms. Black said people should direct any questions to her. 3. Stormwater Study Presentation – B&L (Attachment 1) Roxy Johnston, City of Ithaca and Rebeca Minas, and Grace DeSantis, Barton & Loguidice Please refer to the presentation slides and the submitted report. Ms. Randall gave an introduction, saying that NYS DEC created a program called the Drinking Water Source Protection Program (DWSP2) as a pilot program to develop watershed protection plans with the hope that local input knows best. The City of Ithaca, Bolton Point and Cornell have programs underway in Tompkins County. The presentation was focused on the Six-Mile Creek Watershed, which is the City’s water supply but is located largely in the Town of Ithaca. Comments/Questions Mr. Howe commented that the Town is doing many of the suggested protective and mitigation strategies. Mr. DePaolo added that the City continues to build and build and asked what the City is doing to protect its own watershed or is it simply a question of land use along the Six Mile Creek. TB 2024-10-21 (Filed 11/1) Pg. 3 Ms. Johnston responded that this program will help set the stage for protective actions and the City is starting to set aside funds to address watershed protection and many of the efforts will be collaborative with neighboring municipalities and those funds can help in those efforts. Mr. DePaolo asked about the methodology of the study, saying that the Six Mile Creek corridor doesn’t have a lot of sewer and therefore there will be limited densification there, and whether that was taken into consideration for these results. Ms. Johnston responded that this is the first step and zoning restrictions, and sewer availability will impact buildout I the City and Town, but Danby will be able to use this report and comment on the mitigation strategies as they build out. She said there are climate resiliency recommendations the Town might be interested in or interested in working with another community to move forward, but it is understood that some things will not fit for the Town and that some things are already being done by the Town. 4. Consider approval of purchase offer and associated survey – Pokorney property Mr. Smith gave an overview and noted that this has been discussed here a couple of times and at the /Planning and Budget Committee level. He noted that this had been done in parallel with the Holmes property but that one is moving smaller and so we have separated them. The next step is to do this survey to inform a purchase offer and then there would be an easement drafted with a public hearing and permissive referendum process to execute the purchase of the easement. Mr. Smith added that he did walk the property last week and took a lot of pictures and started the baseline documentation for the project. TB Resolution 2024 – 108; Authorization to proceed with contracting for survey services and authorization to proceed with purchase contract for potential purchase of agricultural conservation easement on Tax Parcel No. 24.-1-34.2 (Pokorney) Whereas, the owner of Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No. 24.-1-34.2 (Denise C. Scott-Pokorney / 282 Hayts Road) has expressed interest in the potential sale of the development rights to her property through the purchase of an agricultural conservation easement by the Town of Ithaca; and Whereas, on March 16, 2023, the Town’s Planning Committee reviewed the application and property details and recommended that an appraisal be completed for the property, which was authorized by the Town Board on April 10, 2023; and Whereas, an appraisal was completed in January 2024 with the easement value determined to be $127,000; and TB 2024-10-21 (Filed 11/1) Pg. 4 Whereas, the Planning Committee (04/18/2024 mtg) and the landowner concur with the appraised easement value, and the landowner has offered to donate ¼ of the value ($31,750), reducing the cost of the easement to the Town to $95,250; and Whereas, the Planning Department has received a proposal from T.G. Miller, P.C. to perform a boundary survey and conservation easement mapping, with a total cost of $5,750; and Whereas, a Purchase of Development Rights Agreement and Sales Contract has been prepared to outline the process, costs, and responsibilities for this conservation easement project; now, therefore, be it Resolved, that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca authorizes the Town Supervisor to execute the “Purchase of Development Rights Agreement and Sales Contract” with C. Denise Scott- Pokorney regarding the potential purchase of an agricultural conservation easement at 282 Hayts Road (Tax Parcel No. 24.-1-34.2), and be it further Resolved, that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca authorizes the hiring of T.G. Miller, P.C. to perform a boundary survey and conservation easement mapping for Tax Parcel No. 24.-1- 34.2, at a cost not to exceed $5,750. Moved: Rich DePaolo Seconded: Margaret Johnson Vote: ayes -- Howe, DePaolo, Bleiwas, Rosen and Johnson 5. Consider approval of contract for Laserfische / Cannon Mr. Howe noted that this has gone through a number of committees and was brought to the Town Board for approval to move forward with negotiating the contract. TB Resolution 2024 - 109: Approval and authorization to execute a contract with Canon Solutions America for Laserfische Software Whereas the Management Group, the Personnel and Organizational Committee and the Budget Committee have reviewed and recommended the Town invest in bringing the Laserfische in- house to increase utilization of the processes and programs it offers and to increase efficiency and transparency, and Whereas the Director of Information Technology has interviewed two providers and recommended Canon Solutions America as the preferred, most responsive and responsible bidder for supply such implementation and support services for Laserfische, and Whereas the Attorney for the Town has reviewed the proposal, now therefore be it Resolved that the Town Board approves and authorizes the Town Supervisor to execute an agreement with Canon Solutions America for initial implementation, installation and configuration support at a cost not to exceed $20,000 and an annual license(s) and basic support TB 2024-10-21 (Filed 11/1) Pg. 5 services at a cost not to exceed $20,000 annually, for a term ending five (5) years after execution of the agreement. Moved: Pamela Bleiwas Seconded: Rod Howe Vote: ayes – Howe, DePaolo, Bleiwas, Rosen and Johnson 6. Consider approval of a Fee Reduction Request - Kelly TB Resolution 2024 -110: Approval of a Fee Reduction Request – M Kelly Whereas the Town received a request for a reduction in fee for a roofing building permit, and Whereas the Review Committee reviewed the request and recommends reducing the fee to $50, now, therefore be it Resolved that the Town Board grants the Fee Reduction Request based upon the information provided in the request form and upon the recommendation of the Review Committee and sets the fee for BLD-24-194 at $50. Moved: Rich DePaolo Seconded: Rod Howe Vote: ayes – Howe, DePaolo, Bleiwas, Rosen and Johnson 7. Committee Reports a. Budget - Continuing discussion on the Preliminary Budget – Mr. Howe summarized the memo, saying that the outcome hasn’t changed as far as budget impact, but amounts and fund lines have been changed to meet the IAWWTF and IFD budget impacts. We are still on track to have the public hearing on November 4th. b. Codes & Ordinances – Draft changes to the subdivision chapter continue. c. Personnel and Organization – Started Union negotiations. Reviewed some policies to begin thinking about changes – Bereavement, Longevity, Vacation benefit to be able to use after 4 months, and Retiree Health Benefits. d. Planning – No meeting scheduled as we are waiting on Conifer and Maplewood 2. e. Public Works – No Report f. Other – TCAC – A 2-year contract is proposed for approval at the January meeting. The municipal Clerks met for the first time last week and will meet annually with TCAC to review any changes to suggest to the respective Town Boards. There were a few board members from other municipalities that were relatively new, and the history and efficacy of dog enumerations was discussed. 8. Consent Agenda TB 2024-10-21 (Filed 11/1) Pg. 6 TB Resolution 2024 - 111: Consent Agenda Resolved that the Town Board adopts the following consent items: a. Town of Ithaca Abstract b. Approval of Town Board Minutes c. Appointment of an Engineering Tech - Clapp d. Approval of Holiday List e. Approval of Interim Finance Officer – Shaw Moved: Margaret Johnson Seconded: Pamela Bleiwas Vote: ayes – Howe, DePaolo, Bleiwas, Rosen and Johnson TB Resolution 2024 - 111b: Town of Ithaca Abstract No. 20 for FY-2024 Resolved that the Town Board authorizes the payment of the audited vouchers in total for the amounts indicated: VOUCHER NOS. 956 – 1003 General Fund Town Wide 25,878.13 General Fund Part-Town 10,118.37 Highway Fund Town Wide DA 658.62 Highway Fund Part Town DB 245,070.33 Water Fund 16,872.98 Sewer Fund 2,350.04 Trust and Agency 30,520.02 TOTAL 331,468.49 TB Resolution 2024 - 111c: Acceptance of Floating Holidays for 2025. Whereas, there is an annual poll conducted of all Town Hall, Public Works Facility, SCLIWC and GTCMHIC employees to determine their preference for next year’s floating holiday for each location; now, therefore, be it Resolved, the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca does hereby accept the Floating Holiday for 2025 for Town Hall staff as Friday, December 26, 2025, as requested by a majority vote of the employees of Town Hall; and be it further Resolved, the Town Board does hereby accept the Floating Holiday for 2025 for Public Works Facility staff as Monday, July 7, 2025, as requested by a majority vote of the employees that work at the Public Works Facility; and be it further TB 2024-10-21 (Filed 11/1) Pg. 7 Resolved, the Town Board does hereby accept the Floating Holiday for 2025 for SCLIWC staff as Monday, July 7, 2025, as requested by a majority vote of the employees that work for SCLIWC; and be it further Resolved, the Town Board does hereby accept the Floating Holiday for 2025 for GTCMHIC staff as Friday, December 26, 2025, as requested by a majority vote of the employees that work for GTCMHIC. TB Resolution 2024 – 111d: Approve Provisional Appointment of Engineering Technician I - Clapp Whereas there is a vacancy in the Engineering Technician I position in the Engineering Department; and Whereas the Interview Committee interviewed five candidates from an open recruitment for the position; and Whereas the Committee has determined that Madison Clapp possess the necessary knowledge and skills to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position; and Whereas Dave O’Shea, Director of Engineering, appointed Madison Clapp as Engineering Technician I, effective November 4, 2024; now, therefore be it Resolved the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca does hereby approve the provisional appointment of Madison Clapp as Engineering Technician I for the Engineering Department, effective November 4, 2024; and be it further Resolved the position is at 40 hours per week, at the hourly wage of $31.38, which is an estimated annual salary of $65,270 from F8340.101, in Job Classification “IV”, with full time benefits; and be it further Resolved, the said appointment is a provisional appointment pending the results from the next civil service exam for this position. TB Resolution 2024 – 111e: Approve Appointment Interim-Finance Officer -Shaw Whereas there is a vacancy in the position of Finance Officer; and Whereas the Town Supervisor recommends appointing Donna Shaw, retired Finance Officer, as the Interim Finance Officer on a part time per diem basis until the position is filled; now, be it Resolved the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca does hereby approve the appointment of Donna Shaw as the Interim Finance Officer, effective October 19, 2024; and be it further Resolved the position is a part time per diem position at the average of 20 hours per week at the hourly wage of $47.76, with no benefits applied. City of Ithaca Build Out Analysis TOWN OF ITHACA PRESENTATION | OCTOBER 21, 2024 ▪The City of Ithaca’s DWSP2 ▪The Build-Out Analysis •Project Selection & Funding •Methodology & Findings •Recommendations ▪Next Steps ▪Q&A Agenda CITY OF ITHACA BUILD-OUT ANALYSIS | TOWN OF ITHACA The City of Ithaca’s DWSP2 CITY OF ITHACA BUILD-OUT ANALYSIS | TOWN OF ITHACA ▪Safe Drinking Water Act (1996) •required state to evaluate source water •SWAP reports by the NYSDOH •“Top down” statewide assessment of public water supplies did not lead to local protection ▪DWSP2 Framework (2017) •“Bottom up” voluntary program with focus on local stakeholders •State funding for Technical Advisor to develop Plan •City of Ithaca awarded funds in 1st round Drinking Water Source Protection Program (DWSP2) CITY OF ITHACA BUILD-OUT ANALYSIS | TOWN OF ITHACA A. Source Water Area Map CITY OF ITHACA BUILD-OUT ANALYSIS | TOWN OF ITHACA CITY OF ITHACA TOWN OF DRYDEN TOWN OF CAROLINETOWN OF DANBY TOWN OF ITHACA B. Stakeholder Group CITY OF ITHACA BUILD-OUT ANALYSIS | TOWN OF ITHACA City of Ithaca (City Council, Planning, Water Treatment Plant, Department of Public Works)Tompkins County Department of HealthTown of IthacaFinger Lakes Land TrustTompkins County Soil and Water Conservation DistrictTown of DrydenAgricultural RepresentativesTompkins County Planning •City of Ithaca DWSP2: C. Vision and Goals Goal #1 Protect public health Goal #2 Address existing water quality issues, including taste Goal #3 Evaluate current land use and prepare for future land use Goal #4 Create long-lasting partnerships Goal #5 Early detection and rapid response to invasive species Goal #6 Avoid treatment costs or the need to find a new supply CITY OF ITHACA BUILD-OUT ANALYSIS | TOWN OF ITHACA "In collaboration with neighboring municipalities and our broad range of community stakeholders, the City of Ithaca commits to implementing effective measures for protection and management of the Six Mile Creek watershed along with proactive measures for maintenance and surveillance of the drinking water reservoir. These collective actions are intended to maintain in City's public water supply as a reliable and cost-effective source of excellent quality potable water that meets the highest public health standards" Vision City of Ithaca D. Inventory Contaminant Sources CITY OF ITHACA BUILD-OUT ANALYSIS | TOWN OF ITHACA E. Complete Mapping (e.g., Land Use) CITY OF ITHACA BUILD-OUT ANALYSIS | TOWN OF ITHACA F. Protection Strategies CITY OF ITHACA BUILD-OUT ANALYSIS | TOWN OF ITHACA G. Implementation Timeline (cont.) CITY OF ITHACA BUILD-OUT ANALYSIS | TOWN OF ITHACA Implementation Project: Build-out Analysis (awarded NY Sea Grant) ▪Adopted November 2022 ▪Next steps = Implementation projects H. Final Plan CITY OF ITHACA BUILD-OUT ANALYSIS | TOWN OF ITHACA The Build-Out Analysis CITY OF ITHACA BUILD-OUT ANALYSIS | TOWN OF ITHACA Methodology & Findings Chapters: 1.Introduction 2.Literature Review 3.Model Build 4.Assess Existing Zoning 5.Define Study Area 6.Establish Future Land Use Scenarios 7.Model Findings (Pollutant Loads) 8.Recommendations 9.Conclusions and Next Steps Stormwater Build-out Analysis CITY OF ITHACA BUILD-OUT ANALYSIS | TOWN OF ITHACA Danby Ithaca Dryden Caroline Land-use planning method to: 1.forecast future development density within a study area; and 2.assess impact on pollutant load to the source water area Build-out Analysis Study CITY OF ITHACA BUILD-OUT ANALYSIS | TOWN OF ITHACA Town of Caroline 100% Build-Out Scenario Study Goals and Objectives CITY OF ITHACA BUILD-OUT ANALYSIS | TOWN OF ITHACA 1.Grow an understanding of the relationship between land use types and pollutant loading 2.Identify areas along the Route 79 and Coddington Road corridors where development impact could occur in the future 3.Explore the impacts that various development scenarios could have on pollutant loading 4.Recommend land use planning tools that would deter development with high pollutant loading potential, while inviting more sustainable development opportunities 5.Provide community leaders across several municipalities with a decision support tool for water-conscious land use planning Define Study Area and Existing Conditions CITY OF ITHACA BUILD-OUT ANALYSIS | TOWN OF ITHACA Land Use Up d i k e R d E King Rd Define Study Area and Existing Conditions CITY OF ITHACA BUILD-OUT ANALYSIS | TOWN OF ITHACA EnvironmentalConditions Up d i k e R d E King Rd Assess Zoning to Forecast Maximum Development Potential CITY OF ITHACA BUILD-OUT ANALYSIS | TOWN OF ITHACA Zoning Assess Zoning to Forecast Maximum Development Potential CITY OF ITHACA BUILD-OUT ANALYSIS | TOWN OF ITHACA Assess Zoning to Forecast Maximum Development Potential CITY OF ITHACA BUILD-OUT ANALYSIS | TOWN OF ITHACA Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Map The Build-Out Analysis CITY OF ITHACA BUILD-OUT ANALYSIS | TOWN OF ITHACA Recommendations ▪Districts and land use ▪Subdivisions ▪Stormwater management ▪Erosion control ▪Site design ▪Solar energy systems Code Review CITY OF ITHACA BUILD-OUT ANALYSIS | TOWN OF ITHACA Tompkins County GIS Recommendations CITY OF ITHACA BUILD-OUT ANALYSIS | TOWN OF ITHACA Focus Area Danby Ithaca Dryden Caroline Clustered/Conservation Subdivisions Riparian Buffer Regulations Solar Energy System Regulations Comprehensive Plan Update Steep Slopes Regulations Critical Source Water Area Overlay District Unique Natural Areas (UNAs) Overlay District Use Schedule Impervious Surface Regulations I.Existing I.Zoning Law points to the Comprehensive Plan as a reference for land use decision-making (e.g. site plan review) II.Comprehensive Plan states that “certain Waters of the State are protected by the DEC due to their importance as drinking water supplies” and “any proposed activity that would result in disturbance to the bed or bank of a protected stream requires a permit from the DEC” II.Recommendation I.Consider, in the next updated, mapping the City of Ithaca’s source water area and including strategies that aim to protect it Comprehensive Plan Solar Overlay District I.Existing I.Two parcels in the study area are in the Solar Overlay District II.Generally excludes wooded areas, but not areas in proximity to waterways II.Recommendation I.Update to support water quality-conscious site planning per Model Local Solar Law I.Existing I.Town Code §270-189: “No site plan shall be approved which provides for construction or other disturbance of land in environmentally sensitive areas, including but not limited to, wetlands, watercourses, steep slopes, unique natural areas, or rare plant or animal habitats, unless the applicant demonstrates with professional evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Planning Board that such construction may occur without adverse environmental effects upon such areas.” II.Recommendation I.Utilize a UNA Overlay District or Environmental Protection Overlay District (that includes UNAs) to provide for a higher level of specificity regarding permitted uses, maximum amounts of impervious surface, and soil disturbance limits UNA Overlay District I.Existing I.Setback distances (which place restrictions on land uses and land development activities) are tiered based on stream drainage area II.Recommendation I.Apply the largest setback distance to all stream segments located within the critical and/or source water area Stream Setback Regulations I.Existing I.The Code discourages development on steep slopes in a few ways, such as: I.Certain development activities require a simple erosion and sedimentation control plan II.Site plan review must consider the effect of the development on steep slopes II.Recommendations I.Establish a steep slopes law or overlay protection district that regulates certain activities (excavation, stormwaterdischarge, etc.) II.Reference NYS Department of State’s model local law for steep slopes Steep Slopes Law/Overlay District I.Existing: Rules and Regulations for Clustered Subdivisions (Article V §234-31) I.Permits the application of clustered subdivision standards in almost all zoning districts II.A parcel >10,000 sf in area must be preserved as open space (otherwise no more than 10% of the gross area of the subdivision must be preserved) III.“location of structures and other improvements must place the highest priority on the preservation of environmentally sensitive areas and agricultural uses” II.Recommendation I.Define “environmentally sensitive areas” II.Require >10% of the gross area of the subdivision to be preserved in the source water area Clustered Subdivisions American Society of Planning Officials, Information Report No. 135, June 1960 I.Recommended I.Establish a Critical Source Water Overlay District that: I.Limits the density of development II.Prohibits uses that have high pollution potential (e.g. gas stations, bulk storage, mining) III.Incorporates previously stated recommendations Critical Source Water Overlay District CITY OF ITHACA BUILD-OUT ANALYSIS | TOWN OF CAROLINE Next Steps CITY OF ITHACA BUILD-OUT ANALYSIS | TOWN OF ITHACA ▪Opportunities exist to integrate drinking water source protection into regulations and/or site plan review ▪Regulations for the protection of the drinking water source area can provide co-benefits (e.g. tree cover, flood mitigation) Key Findings CITY OF ITHACA BUILD-OUT ANALYSIS | TOWN OF ITHACA Q&A CITY OF ITHACA BUILD-OUT ANALYSIS | TOWN OF ITHACA