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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTB Minutes 1977-04-11 DI TOM OF ITHACA REGULAR BOARD MEETING April 11 , 1977 - 5 *. 15 p . m . At a Regular Meeting of the Town Hoard of the Town of Ithaca , Tomp- kins County , New York , held at the Town of Ithaca Offices at 126 East Seneca Street , Ithaca , New York , on the 11th day of April , 1977 , there were PRESENTo Walter J . Schwan , Supervisor Andrew W . McElwee , Councilman Victor Del Rosso , Councilman Robert N . Powers , Councilman Catherine A . Valentino , Councilwoman Shirley Raffensperger , Councilwoman ALSO PRESENTS James V . Buyoucos , Town Attorney Lawrence P . Fabbroni , Town Engineer/Building Inspector Robert Parkin , Highway Superintendent Jonathan Bradley , Planning Board Walter Tliggins , Attorney- at-Laia John Gault , American Television Corporation (Vice President ) Larry Howe , American Television Corporation ( Project Analyst ) Beverly Livesay , County Representative Jay Kamin , 126 Tlfes'tbouxne Lane Charles Murphy , 90 Bailor Road , Brooktondale Representatives of the Media ABSENTS Noel Desch , Councilman REPORTS OF COUNTY REPRESENTATIVES Mrs . Livesay reported that the County will continue to have public meetings on the State Environmental Quality Review Act , and she recommended that the Town of Ithaca contribute as much in -put as possible for these meetings . PARK C0114ITTEE REPORT Councilwoman Raffensperger reported that the Park Committee of the Taman Board met recently in an attempt to implement the 'Town Board ' s recent assignment of a high priority to the development of parks . She said that in line with the approved Park Policy , the Committee began with a discussion of the progresa made on the Coy Glen project and how best to proceed from here with that project and others . In line with that discussion , the Committee decided that what is needed is the 1ollowingo ( 1 ) For Coy Glen . A packet of materials , first to be used for direct contacts with property owners in Coy Glen ; second , to be available to Town residents inquiring as to that projecto and third , to be incorporated in a Coy Glen Bureau of Outdoor Recreation request . ( 2 ) The Park Plan Policy that the Town now has should be produced in a finished form so that each Town Board member might have a copy , with copies to be available for reference in Town Hall . ( 3 ) Development plan . Before a coherent plan for develop- ment of parks in the Town can be devised , priorities set , time schedules drawn up , the Tot-in must have an analysis of the various components -- total cost , need , etc . of the various park plans in circulation . This would enable the production of an initial package for BOR ( Coy Glen , etc ) and would provide some sense of priorities and economics for the future . Town Board Minutes - 2 - April 11 , 1977 In view of these needs and because the Park Committee cannot expect- staff help in the near future , the Committee requested the allocation of $ 2 , 400 from the Park Reserve Fund for planning help this summer . This would , according to the ' Town Engineer , make posm sible the employment on a work- study or similar program of a student planner full time for the summer . The Town Engineer envisions that such a person could ' ( 1 ) take responsibility for prepaying copies of the Park Plan/Policy ; ( 2 ) assemble material for the Coy Glen presen - tation , do preliminary legwork for that project ; and ( 3 ) assemble cost/need/benefit figures for a development plan . The nark planning assistant ' s specific duties would be determined by the Town Board Park Committee and the Town Engineer . The Town Board acted as follows to implement the report and the request of the Park Committee : Motion . by Councilwoman Raffensperger ; seconded by Councilwoman Valentinn , RESOLVED , that the Tovm Board of the Town of Ithaca authorizes the employment of a park planning assistant for the summer of 1977 to further the development and implementation of the Town of Ithaca Park , Open Space and Recreation Policy and further authorizes , for that purpose , the expenditure of up to $ 2 , 400 . 00 from the Park Capi - tal Reserve Fund established by resolution of ' November 17 , 19. 75 . This appropriation is subject to a permissive referendum° ' (Del Rosso , Raffensperger , Powers , McElwee ; Valentino , and Schwan voting Aye . Nays - none . ) Mr . Fabbroni noted that the $ 2 , 400 figure was based on three months of employment at $ 5 . 00 per hour . ACTUAL USE REPORT - FEDERAL REVENUE SEARING - TOWN HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE FACILITY Supervisor Schwan reported that the Actual Use Report for Federal Revenue Sharing funds was published on March 9 , 1977 and that a resolution is needed at this time to certify that the funds were actually obligated for the period July 1 , 1976 through December 31 , 1976 to the new Town highway maintenance facility . Therefore , the Board acted as follows Motion by Supervisor Schwan ; seconded by Councilman McElwee , SOLVED , that this Town Board hereby certifies that Revenue Sharing funds received for the period ' July 1 , 1976 through December 31 , 1976 in the amount of $ 45 , 376 . 00 is obligated to the new Town of Ithaca PI .lghw`y maintenance facility . ; ^ 1 Rosso , Raffensperger , Powers , McElwee , Valentino and Schwan Voting Aye . Nays - none . ) Y 1' R JONSON MULTI -FAMILY DEVELOP14ENT Mr . Fabbroni reported that the Planning Board had received a proposal from Ivar Jonson to build 101 units on some 8 . 73 acres . The first phase would be 36 units. This is on land immediately east of the proposed crosstown road and north of the Ellis Hollow apart- ments . The land is presently zoned for multiple dwellings and the proposal is appropriate to the zoning . Mr . Fabbroni said the pro - posal was favorably received by the Planning Board and he recommended. that the Town Board schedule a public hearing for its next regular meeting (May 9 , 1977 ) . These would be multi -family houses owned by the developers of the project and would be offered for rent . Tawas Board Minutes - 3 - April 11 , 1977 Councilwoman Ra £ fensperger asked if the Planning Board dis - cussed how this development fits in with density calculations and goals they set in the new zoning ordinance . Mr . Fabbroni said this particular parcel was zoned multi - family prior to the 30 % density determination , so that requirement does, not really apply . It is , however , over the 30 % density established for East Ithaca . Mr . Fabbroni said the situation is complicated because East Ithaca has so much Cornell University land . After the discussion , the Board acted as follows * Motion by Supervisor Schwan ; seconded by Councilman Powers , RESOLVED , that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca will conduct a public hearing on May 9 , 1977 at 7 : 00 p . m . for the purpose of con - sidering approval of the Ivar Jonson proposal of a multi- family development of 101 units to be constructed on some 8 . 73 acres immedi- ately east of the proposed crosstown road and immediately north of the Ellis Hollow apartments . ( Del Rosso , Raffensperger , Powers , McElwee , Valentino . and Schwan voting Aye . Nays � none . ) LOZIER REPORT ON CLIFF STREET PUMP STATION Supervisor Schwan reported he had received a report from Lozier Engineers , Inc . , Rochester , New York , on the condition of the Cliff Street Pump Station . He recited at considerable length the background of this - matter . Lozier Engineers , Inc . estimated it would cost $ 30 , 000 to repair the pump station and $ 50 , 000 to build a new one . They report that the electrical wiring at the pump station is in bad shape and in need of repair . . With the $ 30 , 000 expenditure for repairs there would be no extension capa- city , but it could continue to service the current customers . In order to provide for expansion , it would be necessary to build a new pump station . Lozier Engineers , Inc . recommended postponing decision on this until the fall . If a grant- in- aid is received for the 5 - area sewer system , then no Federal Revenue Sharing funds would have been obligated to that project , and a portion of the Revenue Sharing Funds could be used to finance repairing the old Cliff Street Pump Station (without increasing the benefit levy ) . The Board went along with the recommendation to postpone decision until the fall . In the meantime it was agreed that the people in the area should be apprised of the situation in order to have their opinion . SELECTION OF ENGINEER FOR CITY SETIAGE PLANT IMPROVEMENT Supervisor Schwan reported that three or four meetings have been held on this matter ; that P?r . Dingman had advertised in the Ithaca Journal and 32 replies were received . Mr . Fabbroni and Mr . Phil Cox ( new City Engineer ) screened all applications , and finally carne down to three firms - - O ' Brien & Gere , rtletcalf & Eddy , and Stearns & Wheler . Metcalf & Eddy were rejected because , as a new York City f1rin , contact with them would be limited . Stearns & Wheler ( Cazenovia ) were finally selected unanimously . They have experience and manpower and are a first rate firm which can do an excellent job . They will do the preliminary design , decide how much of the old material can be used in a new facility . The cost is estimated now as about $ 15 , 000 , 000 for an expanded City sewage treatment plant . Some 87 . 5 % of the project cost will be Federally funded . The Town of Ithaca ' s share of the remaining cost will be about $ 10 , 000 to $ 15 , 000 . As of now , however , all that is being requested is a resolution to approve the Committee ' s selection of Stearns & Wheler as engineer for the project . . p Town Board Minutes - 4 . - April 11 , 1977 Motion by Councilman McElweep seconded by Councilman Powers ,, RESOLVED , that this Town Board hereby approves % the selection by the Committee for Selection of a Consultant for the Preparation of a Facilities Plan for Ithaca City Sewage Treatment of yearns & Wheler as the engineers for the City of Ithaca Sewage Plant . ( Del Rosso , Raffensperger , Powers , McElwee , Valentino and Schwan voting Aye . Nays - none . - ) REVIEW OF PART-TIME EMPLOYEE The Town Clerk reported that the Town of Ithaca office staff all recommended continuing the employment of Rose Poole on a part- time basis ( 20 hours a week ) for an additional three months . After three months , there will be another review and determination . Motion by . Supervisor Schwan : seconded by Councilman McElwee , RESOLVED , that Rose Poole ' s employment shall be continued for an additional three months on a part- time basis ( 20 hours a week ) , and at the end of the three months ' period her employment will be re - viewed again . (Del Rosso , Raffensperger , Powers , McElwee , Valentino and Schwan voting Aye . Nays - none . ) ASSIGNMENT OF CERACCHE TV FRANCHISE TO AMERICAN TELEVISION CORPORATION ( ATC ) 1r . Walter Wiggins , attorney- at- law , appeared before the Board to request that a public hearing be set to consider approval of an assignment of the Ceracche TV franchise to American Television Corporation . He introduced Mr . John Gault , Vice President of ATC , and Mr . Larry Howe , Project Analyst of ATC . Iie described briefly ATC ' s background in television franchising . Mr . Wiggins emphasized that this would not be a new franchise but an assignment of the existing franchise . He said the Town board really had two things to consider , ( 1 ) the financial stability of the corporation , and ( 2 ) its basic capability and expertise in the television business . The Board noted several matters it would need to have in- formation about : ( 1 ) the corporation ' s policy regarding extensions of service ( particularly in sparsely populated areas ) and ( 2 ) policy with respect to installation of TV sets at the hospital and nursing home . Mr . Wiggans and Mr . Gault agreed to provide this and other information . In connection with approval of the assignment , Mr . Wiggins noted that although approval was requested , it could not unrea - sonably be withheld . ' Gault spoke briefly . He noted that with respect to extensions of service ATC has a specific corporate policy and said he would be happy to outline that ; that they would 1600k into the question raised about the hospital and nursing home . He requested that the Board nut together as many questions as possible prior to the public hearing so that he could be prepared with answers . Councilwoman Valentino noted that the County TV Cable Com- mission was now in being and would act as an advisory group to the communities in Tompkins County with TV cable franchises . Per . Gault made it clear that ATC ' s attitude toward the Commission will not necessarily be the same as Mr . Ceracche ' s . Supervisor Schwan noted that the Commission would advise the communities with regard to re- quests for rate increases and other policies of ATCs that the Com- mission would seek to examine financial statements as to the gS� Town Board Minutes - 5 - April 11 , 1977 corporate system as a whole , and would not be content to receive piecemeal financial statements for individual towns or villages served by the system . Mrs v=ault said he would be concerned over what he called another regulatory body , since they have enough of that to deal with now . Supervisor Schwan said the Commission was not a regulatory body in that sense ; it is an advisory body to which the municipalities under Town Law may not delegate any authority . Mr . Gault noted that in their formula for extensions , nothing is counted in a municipality where they do not have a franchise . Mr . Wiggins said that American Television Corporation would not be seeking a rate increase at this time , since Ceracche TV re - ceived an increase not too long ago . Pdr . Buyoucos summarized that the Board would expect to receive prior to the public hearing the following . ( 1 ) Statement of policy on extensions of service ( particu ° larly in areas of low density ) . ( 2 ) Statement of policy regarding installation of TV sets at the hospital and nursing homes . ( 3 ) Statement of policy regarding public access to community service programming . Motion by Supervisor Schwan , seconded by Councilman Powers , RESOLVED , that this Town .Board will conduct a public hearing on May 9 , 1977 at 7 .& 30 p . m . to consider the request of Ceracche Tele ° vision Corporation to assign its franchise with the Town of Ithaca to American Television and Cominu*nications Corporation . ( Del Rosso , Raffensperger , Powers , ricElwee , Valentino and Schwan voting Aye . Nays - none . ) REPORTS OF TOWN OFFICIALS Town Attorney . Mr . Buyoucos noted he would like to revise the resolution adopted with respect to the State Environmental Quali- ty Review Act , and requested that several Board members work with him on this . Councilwoman Raffensperger , Councilman McElwee , and Supervisor Schwan volunteered to do so . Town Engineer . Mr . Fabbroni reported issuing permits for five single famlly homes and three additions for a total of $ 174 , 250 in the month of T2arch . He said this indicated that building activi - ty is beginning to pick up again . Mr . Fabbroni reported that the bulk of his work at this time is involved with working with the sub-contractors on the new Town highway maintenance facility . He expected all the work would be completed by the end of the month . There were delays due to the cold weather and the schedule was pushed back . Realistically , he felt completion date would now probably be May 15 . He suggested a closing date of June 1 , 1977 on the existing facility . :3r . Fabbroni said the other major project is the work being done with respect to Vewitt Junior High School Recreation Site . He described the project with illustrated map . The area in question is south of Rt . 13 , west of the east Town line ; the area east of Triphammer Road , an area north of all the golf courses . He noted there is considerable re -grading necessary to make the area suitable for baseball and other activities , and there are some drainage prob- lems . There are virtually no holding areas to compensate for the . g ( Town Board Minutes - 6 - April 11 , 1977 increased paving , parking areas , etc . But Mr . Fabbroni said there will be a holding pond of three million gallons which should be good for a five or six hour storm . There will be areas for tennis , bas - ketball and squash , bowling green , ballfields , track , paddle tennis , picnic tables ® benches , and shelter , and provision for trees and stream crossings . It will be an all -year facility . The '."own of Ithaca local share would be $ 75 , 000 - - $ 30 , 000 for the Torn , $ 30 , 000 for the school district , and $ 15 , 000 for the Villanes of Lansing and Cayuga Heights . The recreation area would be open to all . The School District will apply for the BOR ( Bureau of Outdoor Recreation ) funds and must submit the application by April 30 , 1977 in order to be eligible for 1977 - 78 funds . The Board found the plan an excellent one . Supervisor Schwarz said it will be necessary - to have a public hearing to appropriate money out of the capital reserve fund . Therefore , the Board acted as follows * Motion by Supervisor Schwan , seconded by Councilman Powers , RESOLVED , that this Town Board will conduct a public hearing on May 9 , 1977 at 6e30 p . m . for the purpose of reviewing the plan for the alternative site for the DeWitt Junior High School Recreation Site , the Town of Ithaca ' s local share in the cost to be $ 30 , 000 which may be funded from the Town ' s Capital Reserve Fund established for parks and recreation or from Federal Revenue Sharing funds which will be available in the coming year under the new entitlement . ( Del Rosso , Raffensperger , Powers , McElwee , Valentino and Schwan voting Aye . 'lays - none . ) Councilwoman Raffensperger noted that she had. received com- ment from people that they do not know when public hearings are bel.ng held . Apparently people in great numbers do not read legal ads . Therefore , it was agreed that a box ad will be placed in the Ithaca Journal listing the three public hearings scheduled for May 9 , 19770 Highway Superintendent . Nr . Parkin reported that Spring Clean-Up Day will be `lay 2nd this year . The Town Clerk was instruc - ted to place the usual notice in the Ithaca Journal to this effect . Representative of Plannin Board . tire Jonathan Bradley reported that at its as meeting the Planning Board discussed the: proposed Ivar Jonson apartment complex for Ellis hollow Road . The Planning Board consider the proposal quite complete . Several ques - tions were raised at that meeting about drainage and run-off and h-ow it would affect the Ellis Hollow apartments . Some minor questions were raised about road materials and catch basis and locations of same . There were questions about plantings to deaden noise and to keep people from the Ellis Hollow apartment premises . At this point the Board went into executive session . No official actions were taken after the session . Town Board Minutes - 7 - April 11 , 1977 APPROVAL OF TOWN OF ITHACA 14ARRANTS Motion by Councilman McElwee ; seconded by Councilman Powers , RESOLVED , that the Town of Ithaca warrants dated April. 11 , 1977 in the following amounts are hereby approved : General Fund . . . . . . $ 55 , 345 . 57 Highway Fund . . . . . . . . 13 , 932 , 52 Water and Sewer Fund . . . 53 , 304 . 07 ( Del Rosso , Raffensperger , Powers , McElwee , Valentino and Schwan voting Aye . Nays - none . ) BOLTON POINT WARRANTS Motion by Supervisor Schwan $ seconded by Councilwoman Raffensperger , RESOLVED , that this Town Board , after review , and upon the recommenda tion of the Southern Cayuga Lake Intermunicipal Water Commission that they are in order for payment , hereby approves the Bolton Point war - rants dated April 11 , 1977 in the amount of $ 48 , 752 . 18 in the con- struction account and $ 79 , 151 . 21 in the operating account . ( Del Rosso , Raffensperger , Powers , McElwee , Valentino and Schwan voting Aye . Nays - none . ) ADJOURNMENT The meeting was duly adjourned at 7 .* 30 p . m . Edward L . Bergen Town Clerk , r x�