HomeMy WebLinkAboutTB Minutes 2024-11-25MEETING OF THE ITHACA TOWN BOARD
November 25, 2024, at 4:30 p.m.
Town Hall, 215 N. Tioga St.
ZOOM
AGENDA
1. Report – City of Ithaca Fire Department - Chief Rob Covert
2. Report – Village of Cayuga Heights Fire Department – Chief Tamborelle
3. Report/Update - Lake View Cemetery Board
4. Public Hearing and consider approval of the proposed Increase to Sewer Rents - $7.22 from
$6.56 and reaffirming adoption of TB 2024-113 enacting same.
5. Town of Ithaca 2014 Comprehensive Plan – A 10-year lookback
6. Acknowledge GTC Health Consortium Health Wage Scale and Employee Wages
7. Consider setting a public hearing regarding a proposed local law Amending Enforcement
Provisions in Chapter 270 (Zoning) of the Town of Ithaca Code
8. Consider setting a public hearing regarding Pokorney (282 Hayts Road) Purchase of
Development Rights (Permissive Referendum)
9. Consider approval of a permanent water easement – 1115 Trumansburg Rd
10. Committee Reports
a. Public Works – CIP Project Updates Memo
b. Planning
c. Codes & Ordinances
d. Personnel & Organization
e. Budget
i. Other
11. Consent
a. Approval of Minutes
b. Approval of the Town of Ithaca Abstract
c. Recommendation to Tompkins County re Environmental management Committee
d. Appointment of Zoning Board of Appeals Member – Sallinger
e. Budget Amendments
TB 2024-11-25 (Filed 12/17) Pg. 1
MEETING OF THE ITHACA TOWN BOARD
November 25, 2024 4:30 p.m.
Minutes
Board Members Present: Rod Howe, Supervisor; Members Eric Levine, Rich DePaolo, Pamela
Bleiwas, Margaret Johnson, Susie Gutenberger and Rob Rosen
Staff Present: Judy Drake, Director of Human Resources; Marty Moseley, Director of Code
Enforcement; CJ Randall, Director of Planning; Ashley Colbert, Deputy Town Clerk; Joe Slater,
Highway Superintendent and David O’Shea, Director of Engineering
1. Report – Village of Cayuga Heights Fire Department – Chief Tamborelle
Chief Tamborelle reported that they are still hovering around 50 members. Some of their
members came up with the idea to have a field training officer assigned to each new
member to have as a mentor.
They have a PHD candidate living next door to the fire house and she is doing her PHD
in Homeland Security. She had asked the fire department if she could do a study with
them. They are focusing on recruiting and doing a community member only recruit class,
as well as having it smaller for 5 to 6 people.
Last summer they finished their station roof project, which went well, and they no longer
have any leaks. They also applied for an air pack grant from New York State, which they
just heard they did not get. At the same time, they were saving up for new air packs
regardless, so once they found out they didn’t get the grant they went ahead and
purchased new ones.
The last big item to report is they did purchase a new engine in 2024 in hopes to see it in
2025, but that has been pushed back to April of 2026. Other than that delay everything is
going well and they have been running a lot of calls.
Mr. Howe asked if the calls have been consistent this year compared to others.
Chief Tamborelle responded that they are up about 30 calls from where they normally
are, so they are but about a whole months’ worth of calls. They are ahead of where they
were the last few years.
Mr. Howe asked how the bunker program was doing.
Chief Tamborelle replied that they have a group of 8 bunkers and they run the majority of
the calls, especially at night and they also take the forefront in training. They are the field
TB 2024-11-25 (Filed 12/17) Pg. 2
training officers, and they work with people to get training done and maintain the
equipment. The program is fantastic.
Mr. Rosen asked about recruitment and the details of it.
Chief Tamborelle responded that they post and distribute flyers that they are recruiting,
then they have a recruitment dinner where they invite interested people to come in and
have a dinner and then the do a final recruit dinner where they lay out the training
program and make it very clear from the beginning that it is not a club and it is a very
serious business. Of the 55 people that attended the last one 28 submitted applications
and they took 14 into the recruitment class. They do usually recruit once or twice a year.
If a recruit is not keeping up with training requirements and membership in the first year
and not meeting the standards they will cut people.
2. Report – City of Ithaca Fire Department - Chief Rob Covert
Chief Covert commented that they have a good working relationship with the Cayuga
Heights Fire Department. They provide aid when needed and CHFD will help cover their
station if they have multiple incidents going on. The CHFD has a good training program and
often IFD will end up hiring Cayuga Heights Volunteers to come work for them.
Chief Covert gave a few highlights of what has been happening. They hired 6 people in July
5 of which completed academy. They currently have three vacancies, and they will be putting
out a request to see if there are people on the current list that are interested as well as canvas
the list for the next fire fighter exam.
Chief Covert reported that as of today they were up 174 calls from last year, about a 3
percent increase. There have been a couple of significant calls in the Town. There was a
brush fire on Enfield Falls Rd which was not as big as the one that happened in Lansing on
East Shore Dr, and the other was a structure fire on Kings Way where one fire fighter was
injured, but no occupants were injured.
He also updated that the new fire station is coming along. They have been able to do some
masonry work that they thought would have to wait until spring. They will have the building
closed up by the end of this month. They are still on schedule to start occupying the new
building in May of 2025. For the other stations the report is back from Bell and Spina. There
are a lot of renovations that need to happen. The buildings have been pretty much untouched
since they were online in 1990.
Chief Covert mentioned that the City Budget passed and the overall the Fire Department
budget went up 6%, this reflects contractual obligations over a 5 year period. With inflation
being factored the budget is smaller that it was for last year even though the number has gone
up.
TB 2024-11-25 (Filed 12/17) Pg. 3
Chief Covert also gave an update on the capital project for a heavy rescue which was funded
for $850,000 and the quotes were coming in for around $1.3-$1.4 million. To cover the gap
they came up with the idea to look at apparatus companies that sometimes will build
demonstration units or spec units and some times they build more than on to take to trade
shows and shop it around. This is a good option since the vehicle is available now. One of the
Assistant Chiefs found a vehicle that came in at $822,000, which is less than the capital
project, but it is not up to IFD’s specs. To have them build it out it will be a little over the
budget, but they are still looking for funds. He also gave an update on some other grants that
were awarded.
Mr. Rosen asked when they would be able to get the Heavy Rescue vehicle.
Chief Covert responded that since it is already built and in Albany, once they pay for it the
vehicle gets lettered to say Ithaca as part of the deal and then the FD goes up and inspects it
and then takes delivery and then it will hopefully get upfitted in December which will have to
be put out to bid as well as the cascade system. One of the companies that they have talked to
said it would take them about a month to do the work and build the brackets. It should be on
the floor and in service the first quarter of 2025.
Mr. Rosen asked what they would do with the old one.
Chief Covert replied that the old one would be stored in the fire station until they are able to
use certain auction houses to sell surplus equipment and once sold that money would be used
to offset some of the costs associated with the new vehicle.
Mr. Slater asked if they were still pursuing anything with the Green New Deal initiatives
with the turnover in trucks still.
Chief Covert responded that the current day costs of a new engine is $1 million and the cost
of an electric fire engine is $2 million. They have talked with their sustainability coordinator
to see if there were any grant funds, but nothing has appeared to be available yet. For the new
East Hill Fire Station, they are putting in infrastructure like the transformer and conduit for
future planning of electric apparatuses.
3. Report and Update – Lake View Cemetery Board
Mr. Eden gave a report on the Lake View Cemetery. They fully restored the board to its nine
members, and they do not have any employees, they do all the work themselves. They are not
able to raise much revenue as it is a land constrained Cemetery and has very few burial sites
left. They also have fixed expenses like insurance and equipment repairs. They made an
investment in the caretaker’s cottage, by replacing some of the rotten wood, shingles and
repainted the inside and they have had a new tenant since October.
Mr. chuset gave a report on the mausoleum at the cemetery which is 120 years old. They are
looking to find out whether there is a way to designate individual structures or the entire
property, as that would open up some more sources of funding. The mausoleum is no longer
open because of the inside conditions. There are trees and other vegetation on the roof and
TB 2024-11-25 (Filed 12/17) Pg. 4
because of this there is water coming through the roof and the parapets, the mortar is
deteriorating and the way the roof was built there is not an adequate slope for water runoff.
There is also the problem of birds getting in there which is a threat to the marble.
The board still has a contract with Bell and Spina and they have come out and looked at the
mausoleum and figured out a strategic design for the building. They received a quote in
December of 2020 from Evans Roofing for $157,000. Bell and Spina have figured that with
an additional $50,000 for concrete work and contingency that to stabilize the building could
be achieved for $200,000. They are asking for the Town’s support in their outreach for
financing.
Mr. Howe asked Ms. Randall to research the new law that was initiated to see if the
designation would be possible.
Ms. Randall wanted to confirm that the cemetery was private. And Mr. Eden confirmed that
it is private.
Mr. Rosen asked, since there are no employees, what happens when someone is buried there.
Mr. Eden responded that they (board members) get the site ready by making sure no one else
is buried there and they mark it out, and then they hire someone to come dig it out and then
fill it in.
4. Public Hearing and consider approval of the proposed Increase to Sewer Rents - $7.22
from $6.56 and reaffirming adoption of TB 2024-113 enacting same
Mr. Howe noted that this was just to reaffirm the Incresased sewer rents, as there was a slight
discrepancy with the original notice that was sent out, and that it should have said $7.22.
The public hearing was opened. There were no persons wishing to speak and the public
hearing was closed.
TB Resolution 2024 - 123: Reaffirm TB Resolution 2024-113 Increasing Sewer Rents in all
of the Town of Ithaca Sewer Improvement Areas Effective November 15, 2024
Whereas, the Town Board adopted TB Resolution 2024-113, Increasing Sewer Rents following a
public hearing, and
Whereas, a fatal flaw was noted in the published legal ad for the action, and
Whereas, the Town Board held a properly published and posted public hearing on the proposed
increase to the Sewer Rents in all Town of Ithaca Sewer Improvement areas at their meeting held
on November 25, 2024, now, therefore, be it
TB 2024-11-25 (Filed 12/17) Pg. 5
Resolved, that the Town Board restates and reaffirms the adoption of TB Resolution 2024-113
Increasing Sewer Rents in all of the Town of Ithaca Sewer Improvement Areas Effective
November 15, 2024.
Moved: Pamela Bleiwas Seconded: Rich DePaolo
Vote: ayes- Howe, DePaolo, Bleiwas, Levine, Johnson, Gutenberger & Rosen
5. Town of Ithaca 2014 Comprehensive plan – A 10 year look back
Ms. Randall gave and overview of the Town’s Comp plan and also went over a document
that they have been working on for a while with all the departments as a series of interviews
and questions with people. Nick Qilty-Koval also created a packet that looks at the comp
plan and where we have landed in terms of goals. The comp plan review packet is available
to view in Laser Fiche.
Mr. DePaolo mentioned that there were a few things that stuck out to him, is that we have
been able to squeeze into area specific developments that have not proliferated through our
regular zoning. Could it be something we could take a harder look at with the new
neighborhood code coming up.
Ms. Randall responded they are paying attention to larger trends and in anticipation of the
new federal administration. They are looking at housing and zoning reform as the American
Planning Association Continues to bring as well as New York State. Out of the new
Administration could come updates to low-income housing tax credits and complete
restructuring of that program. We will continue to make small steps through things like the
pro housing communities.
6. Acknowledgement of GTC Health Consortium Health Wage Scale and Employee wages
Mr. Howe asked if anyone had questions before they moved on, and there were none.
TB Resolution 2024 - 124: Acknowledge Greater Tompkins Co Municipal Health
Insurance Consortium Wage Scale and Employee Wages for 2025
Whereas, the Town of Ithaca was established as the “Employer of Record” for the Greater
Tompkins County Municipal Health Insurance Consortium (Consortium); and
Whereas, on September 26, 2024, the Board of Directors of the Consortium approved the 2025
budget which included the wages for the staff based on step increases for 2025; and
TB 2024-11-25 (Filed 12/17) Pg. 6
Whereas, on November 20, 2024, the Executive Committee of the Consortium approved the
2025 Job Classification and Wage Scale with a 4.5% cost of living increase: now, therefore, be it
Resolved, that the governing Town Board of the Town of Ithaca does hereby acknowledge the
Consortium’s 2025 wages as detailed in the Human Resources Office for payroll services and
civil service payroll certification.
Moved: Rod Howe Seconded: Pamela Bleiwas
Vote: ayes- Howe, DePaolo, Bleiwas, Levine, Johnson, Gutenberger & Rosen
7. Consider setting a public hearing regarding a proposed local law Amending
Enforcement Provisions in Chapter 270 (Zoning) of the Town of Ithaca Code
Mr. Howe noted that there was a memo from Ms. Brock and asked if Mr. Moseley could give
some highlights.
Mr. Moseley responded that some of the items were dealing with process and currently we
don’t have processes that are currently outlined in our zoning for violation notices to be sent
out or order remedies to be sent out with corrective dates, time limits or items of that nature.
This would provide processes for those individuals and would ensure those individuals would
receive a consistent time frame coming from the enforcement provisions. The other part that
Ms. Brock noted is putting in civil penalties which allows for junctions and making it clear
that there is processes for that as well. Wrapped into that is also the provisions for the
personal wireless service facilities. With other provisions that we have already added in the
zoning side.
Mr. Rosen mentioned that this had come the COC for discussion, that the codes department
was having a problem with scoff laws and the clock on the violations. It is a very small
percentage of cases that need enforcement, but the previous law had really no penalties that
were meaningful. This would put in some penalties that would motivate people to comply.
Mr. Depaolo asked under what circumstances would an occupant be cited versus an owner?
Mr. Moseley responded that there are provisions that occupants would be affected not the
property owner and a lot of those deal with property maintenance typically. If an occupant
who was renting and maybe doesn’t take care of it, then the occupant is really the one who
should be cited and, in that situation, it could also be associated with short-term rentals or
items of that nature. For example the occupant could be a lease and in that situation the
owner might not be aware and in those instances they would link it back to the occupant or
lease.
Mr. DePaolo asked in those situations is it ever linked back to the owner.
Mr. Moseley replied that it’s the occupant, but in addition the property owner as well. All
parties would be cited at the same time.
TB 2024-11-25 (Filed 12/17) Pg. 7
TB Resolution 2024 -125: Set a public hearing regarding a proposed local law amending
Enforcement Provisions in Chapter 270 (Zoning) of the Town of Ithaca Code
Resolved that the Town Board will hold a public hearing at its meeting on December 9, 2024,
which begins at 5:30 p.m. at Town Hall, 215 N Tioga St., regarding a proposed local law
amending Enforcement Provisions in Chapter 270 (Zoning) of the Town of Ithaca Code, at
which time all persons wishing to speak regarding the proposed legislation will be heard.
Moved: Rich DePaolo Seconded: Eric Levine
Vote: ayes-Howe, DePaolo, Bleiwas, Levine, Johnson, Gutenberger & Rosen
8. Consider setting a public hearing regarding Pokorney (282 Hayts Road) Purchase of
Development Rights (Permissive Referendum)
Mr. DePaolo asked for an update on the status of funds for this.
Mr. Howe replied that there is plenty of money and that it used to be called the open space
funds.
TB Resolution 2024 - 126: Setting a public hearing regarding Pokorney (282 Hayts Road)
Purchase of Development Rights (Permissive Referendum)
Resolved, that the Town Board will hold a public hearing at their meeting on Monday, December
9, 2024, which begins at 5:30 p.m. at Town Hall, 215 N Tioga Street, and broadcast via Zoom,
regarding the project as described below, pursuant to the Town of Ithaca Agricultural Land
Preservation Program. This action is subject to a permissive referendum. At which time, all
persons wishing to address the Board in favor or opposed to the proposed acquisition of an
interest or right in real property to preserve open space pursuant to Section 247 of the General
Municipal Law, including the purchase of a contractual right necessary to achieve the purposes
of such provisions, for such project shall be heard.
Application for purchase of development rights (Scott-Pokorney) submitted for acquisition of an
conservation easement to be held by the Town of Ithaca, with respect to approximately 71-acre
parcel of property, Tax Parcel No. 24.-1-34.2, in the Town of Ithaca, New York, located at 282
Hayts Road in Tompkins County, New York. The Town’s cost is estimated not to exceed
$127,000.
Moved: Rich DePaolo Seconded: Susie Gutenberger
Vote: ayes-Howe, DePaolo, Bleiwas, Levine, Johnson, Gutenberger & Rosen
TB 2024-11-25 (Filed 12/17) Pg. 8
9. Consider approval of a permanent water easement – 1115 Trumansburg Rd
Mr. Howe noted that the Director of Code Enforcement identified that this would be a good
area for a fire hydrant.
Mr. DePaolo asked who we were seeking the easement from.
Mr. O’Shea answered that it is from William Avery and another name on the easement itself.
He also said the original request was to put it closer to Hill Crest Road, but there is a
highway right of way through there and its owned by a homeowners association and that was
a legal nightmare just for that. The proposed location was moved up the road a little way
from there.
TB Resolution 2024-127: Approval of and Authorization to Execute Permanent Water
Easement for Fire Hydrant Installation at 1115 Trumansburg Road.
Whereas, the Town of Ithaca proposes to install a fire hydrant at 1115 Trumansburg Road for the
purpose of enhancing fire protection services in the area, and
Whereas, the proposed hydrant will be located outside of the existing water main easement,
therefore an easement is required for the installation and maintenance of the hydrant, and
Whereas, the proposed fire hydrant and associated easement is shown on the drawing titled
“Town of Ithaca, 2024 Hillcrest Hydrant Installation, 1115 Trumansburg Road, Proposed
Easement”, sheet V100 dated 10/28/2024, prepared by the Town of Ithaca Engineering
Department, therefore be it
Resolved, that the Town of Ithaca Town Board hereby approves the Permanent Water Easement
and Right-of Way for installation of a fire hydrant at 1115 Trumansburg Rd, and authorizes the
Town Supervisor to execute the easement, subject to the approval of the Attorney for the Town.
Moved: Rod Howe Seconded: Margaret Johnson
Vote: ayes- Howe, DePaolo, Bleiwas, Levine, Johnson, Gutenberger & Rosen
10. Committee Reports
a. Public Works – CIP Project Updates Memo
b. Planning
c. Codes & Ordinances
d. Personnel & Organizational
e. Budget
f. Other
TB 2024-11-25 (Filed 12/17) Pg. 9
11. Consent
TB Resolution 2024 - 128: Consent Agenda
Resolved that the Town Board adopts/approves the following consent agenda items:
a. Approval of Minutes
b. Approval of the Town of Ithaca Abstract
c. Bolton Point Abstract
d. Recommendation to Tompkins County re Environmental management Committee
e. Appointment of Zoning Board of Appeals Member – Sallinger
Moved: Eric Levine Seconded: Susie Gutenberger
Vote: ayes – Howe, DePaolo, Bleiwas, Levine, Johnson, Gutenberger & Rosen
TB Resolution 2024 - 128a: Town Board Minutes
Resolved that the town Board approves the draft minutes of the November 4, 2024 meeting as
final with an non substantive changes made.
TB Resolution 2024 - 128b: Town of Ithaca Abstract No. 22 for FY-2024
Resolved that the Town Board authorizes the payment of the audited vouchers in total for the
amounts indicated.
VOUCHER NOS. 1048 - 1116
General Fund Town Wide 80,299.42
General Fund Part-Town 8,502.86
Highway Fund Town Wide DA 20,270.46
Highway Fund Part Town DB 58,366.75
Water Fund 22,012.16
Sewer Fund 9,920.58
Capital Projects 13,335.00
Risk Retention Fund 1,913.00
Trust and Agency 4,972.50
TOTAL 219,592.73
TB Resolution 2024- 128c: Bolton Point Abstract
Resolved that the governing Town Board authorizes the payment of the following audited
vouchers:
TB 2024-11-25 (Filed 12/17) Pg. 10
Voucher Numbers: 426-476
Check Numbers: 21778-21828
Capital Impr/Repl Project $ 1,827.90
Operating Fund $ 88,762.92
TOTAL $ 90,590.82
TB Resolution 2024 - 128d: Recommendation to Tompkins County Legislature for Re-
Appointment to the Environmental Management Council – Ingrid Zabel
Resolved that the Town Board recommends and requests that the Tompkins County Legislature
re-appoint Ingrid Zabel to serve as the Town of Ithaca Conservation Board Representative on the
Tompkins County Environmental Management Council.
TB Resolution 2024 - 128e: Appointment of Zoning Board of Appeals Member
Whereas there is a vacant Zoning Board of Appeals Alternate Member position due to a
resignation, and the Selection Committee recommends appointing Lawrence Sallinger, 14
Peachtree Lane, to the Alternate position for the remainder of 2024; and
Whereas, as there will be a vacancy in a full five-year term position come January 1, 2025, the
Selection Committee recommends appointing Lawrence Sallinger to the full member term of
January 1, 2025- December 31, 2029; now, therefore, be it
Resolved that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca does hereby appoint Lawrence Sallinger as
an Alternate Zoning Board Member for the term of November 25, 2024 through December 31,
2024 and then to a full Zoning Board of Appeals Member for the term of January 1, 2025
through December 31, 2029.
TB Resolution 2024 – 128f: Approval of Budget Transfers, Amendments and
Modifications for period ending October 30, 2024.
Whereas, the Town Finance Officer has reviewed all budgetary revenue and appropriation
accounts for the period ending October 30, 2024, and
Whereas, this review disclosed certain budgetary revenues and expenditures requiring transfers,
amendments or modifications summarized below:
General Town-wide Fund
Budget Transfers
Account Description From To
A1110.489 Court Security Officer 810
A1110.400 Contractual 200
A1110.401 Auditing Services 50
TB 2024-11-25 (Filed 12/17) Pg. 11
A1110.410 Conferences & Mileage 560
A1220.415 Telephone 1,910
A1316.410 Conferences & Mileage 1,700
A1316.411 Bank Fees 20
A1316.420 Dues & Publications 190
A1340.410 Conferences & Mileage 1,472
A1330.410 Conferences & Mileage 377
A1330.485 Printing Tax Bills 1,095
A1340.416 Cell Phone Reimbursement 100
A1330.408 Postage 100
A1340.420 Dues & Publications 358
A1330.408 Postage 358
A1990.499 Contingency Account 20,000
A1420.402 Legal Services 20,000
A1990.499 Contingency Account 4,500
A1430.423 Employment Ads 4,500
A1680.415 Telephone 9,470
A1680.400 Contractual 9,470
A1680.415 Telephone 390
A1680.421 Employee Education & Training 390
A5010.449 Furniture & Furnishings 600
A5010.427 Drug Testing 600
A5182.500 New Streetlights 4,000
A5182.447 Electricity 4,000
A7110.529 Babcock Ridge Trail 53,800
A9950.900 Interfund Transfer – H2 Babcock 53,800
Highway Fund
Budget Transfers
Account Description From To
DA5142.452 Road De-icing Supplies 69
DA1320.401 Auditing Services 69
Highway Part-Town Fund
Budget Transfers
Account Description From To
DB5112.450 Petroleum Products 433
DB1320.401 Auditing Services 433
DB5112.450 Petroleum Products 2,000
DB1420.402 Legal Services 2,000
DB5112.450 Petroleum Products 100
DB1670.405 Copier Paper 100
Water Fund
Budget Transfers
