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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-01-28-TB-FINAL-minutesTOWN BOARD MEETING Town of Ulysses January 28, 2020 Audio of the minutes are available on the website at ulysses.ny.us. The meeting was held at the Ulysses Town Hall at 10 Elm Street, Trumansburg. Notice of Town Board meetings are posted on the Town’s website and Clerk’s board. ATTENDANCE: TOWN OFFICIALS PRESENT: Deputy Supervisor- Nancy Zahler Board members- Richard Goldman, Michael Boggs, Katelin Olson Town Clerk- Carissa Parlato Second Deputy Supervisor- Michelle Wright ABSENT: Supervisor- Liz Thomas OTHERS PRESENT: Rich Bennett, Partnership Specialist, US Bureau of Census; Roxanne Marino; Jack Masters; Joseph Morpurgo CALL TO ORDER: Ms. Zahler called the meeting to order at 7pm. PRESENTATION- 2020 Census Outreach Mr. Bennett shared a brief history of the census and noted the difference between it and the ACS (American Community Survey), stressing the privacy aspects of the census. He also stated that there will be no citizenship question on the census and that an accurate count is necessary for fair representation and federal funding. They are seeking applicants for census taker positions. Surveys will be mailed on March 12 to every location (not addressed to specific people). The Town agreed to help with communications to our residents to encourage full participation. APPROVAL OF MEETING AGENDA RESOLUTION 2020-45: APPROVAL OF MEETING AGENDA BE IT RESOLVED that the Ulysses Town Board approve the agenda for January 28, 2020 with the additions listed on the updated agenda: designation of individuals authorized to open HVAC bids; acknowledgement of town board audits; appointments to BZA; and discussion of an urban forestry grant. Moved: Mr. Goldman Seconded: Ms. Olson 2 Ms. Thomas absent Ms. Zahler aye Ms. Olson aye Mr. Boggs aye Mr. Goldman aye Vote: 4-0 Date Adopted: 1/28/2020 PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR: Highschool students Jack Masters and Joseph Morpurgo noted that they were attending to fulfill a class requirement for AP Government & Economics. REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES & COMMITTEE CHAIRS: Ms. Marino reported that the CSAC (Conservation & Sustainability Advisory Committee) met today with Ms. Olson as the Town Board liaison. They are discussing applying for an Urban Forestry grant to become a “Tree City”. More funding opportunities are available once this designation is attained. GENERAL REPORTS: (none) OLD BUSINESS: RESOLUTION 2020-46: AUTHORIZATION TO INSTALL A NO PARKING SIGN ON CEMETERY ROAD BEFORE THE FALLS ROAD STOP SIGN WHEREAS, per resolution 2019-164, the Town Board authorized the Highway Superintendent to install a stop sign on the southwest corner of Cemetery Road in conjunction with a similar action by the Village of Trumansburg on the northeast corner to create a safer, four-way stop intersection and WHEREAS, to assure adequate visibility of on-coming traffic and safe passage through the intersection, a no parking from here to corner sign is needed on south side of Cemetery 30’ before the Town Stop Sign and WHEREAS, the prohibition of parking before the stop sign will remove approximately 2 parking spaces for those visiting Smith Woods, now therefore be it RESOLVED, that the Town Board authorizes the Highway Department to purchase and place a no parking sign on Cemetery Road and further RESOLVED, that the Highway Department is directed to create an equal number of additional off street parking spaces on Cemetery Road to replace those lost to the no parking sign. Moved: Ms. Olson Seconded: Mr. Boggs The board discussed sign locations and ownership. The Town and Village will collaborate on placement of signs. Mr. Boggs asked that the Village be notified of our action. 3 Ms. Thomas absent Ms. Zahler aye Ms. Olson aye Mr. Boggs aye Mr. Goldman aye Vote: 4-0 Date Adopted: 1/28/2020 RESOLUTION 2020-47: DESIGNATION OF INDIVIDUALS AUTHORIZED TO OPEN HVAC RENOVATION BIDS ON Whereas the bid opening date for the NYSERDA grant funded HVAC Renovation project was set at the January 14, 2020 Town Board meeting to take place on Friday February 21st at 3pm, now therefore be it Resolved, that the Ulysses Town Board designates the Town Clerk to open the bids at the February 21, 2020 public meeting. Moved: Ms. Olson Seconded: Mr. Boggs Ms. Thomas absent Ms. Zahler aye Ms. Olson aye Mr. Boggs aye Mr. Goldman aye Vote: 4-0 Date Adopted: 1/28/2020 DISCUSSION OF 2020 TOWN BOARD WORK PLAN Ms. Zahler invited board members to add suggestions to the draft list before the board prioritizes its work plan for 2020. Additional items were added and Ms. Wright will send a survey to board members before the Feb. 11th meeting. UPDATE ON RECREATION DIRECTOR SEARCH Ms. Zahler shared that the search committee interviewed candidates and that more information would be shared in executive session. NEW BUSINESS: UPDATE ON CEMETERY BRIDGE PROJECT AND SETTING A PUBLIC MEETING Ms. Wright shared that the engineer will come to share info with TB on February 11, 2020 prior to the public info mtg. The Town will invite Village officials to the Feb. 11th presentation. 4 RESOLUTION 2020-48: SETTING PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETING ON CEMETERY RD. BRIDGE DESIGN WHEREAS, the Town of Ulysses has received grant funding to replace the bridge on Cemetery Road, project ID number 375659 and BIN number 3210360, owned by Tompkins County and located in the Village of Trumansburg; and WHEREAS, the project requires a Public Information Meeting to be held to inform the community about the preliminary design of the bridge and the project timetable and to invite questions and comments from the public on the design and project, now therefore be it RESOLVED, that the Ulysses Town Board sets the Public Information for the Cemetery Bridge Project on Monday, March 2 at 6:30pm at the Town Hall and further RESOLVED, that the Town Clerk shall advertise the Public Information Meeting at least 14 days prior to the meeting. Moved: Mr. Goldman Seconded: Mr. Boggs Ms. Thomas absent Ms. Zahler aye Ms. Olson aye Mr. Boggs aye Mr. Goldman aye Vote: 4-0 Date Adopted: 1/28/2020 DESIGNATING A TOWN REPRESENTATIVE AND ALTERNATE FOR ASSOCIATION OF TOWNS ANNUAL MEETING RESOLUTION 2020-49: DESIGNATING A TOWN REPRESENTATIVE AND ALTERNATE FOR ASSOCIATION OF TOWNS ANNUAL MEETING Whereas, the Town of Ulysses will be sending Councilman Michael Boggs and Deputy Supervisor Michelle E. Wright to the Annual Conference of the Association of Towns to be held February 16th to 19th and Whereas, the Town of Ulysses is entitled to just one vote on matters related to the Association’s governance, now therefore be it Resolved, that Michael Boggs is hereby designated by the Ulysses Town Board as the Town’s voting representative and further RESOLVED, that Michelle Wright is hereby designated by the Ulysses Town Board as the Town’s alternate authorized to vote on behalf of the Town if the voting representative is not available. Moved: Mr. Boggs Seconded: Ms. Olson Ms. Thomas absent 5 Ms. Zahler aye Ms. Olson aye Mr. Boggs aye Mr. Goldman aye Vote: 4-0 Date Adopted: 1/28/2020 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF TOWN BOARD AUDIT OF JUSTICE COURTS RESOLUTION 2020-50: ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF TOWN BOARD AUDIT OF JUSTICE COURTS WHEREAS, NYS requires an annual audit of the finances of the Ulysses Town Justice Courts, either as an internal audit by Town Board members or by an auditing firm, now therefore be it RESOLVED that the Town of Ulysses Board acknowledges an internal audit of the Ulysses Justice Courts was completed by Town Board members on January 24, 2020, and further RESOLVED that the Town Clerk will submit a certified copy of this resolution along with the results of the audit to the NYS Office of Court Administration. Moved: Mr. Goldman Seconded: Mr. Boggs Ms. Thomas absent Ms. Zahler aye Ms. Olson aye Mr. Boggs aye Mr. Goldman aye Vote: 4-0 Date Adopted: 1/28/2020 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF TOWN BOARD AUDITS OF TOWN CLERK, TAX COLLECTOR AND SUPERVISOR’S OFFICE RESOLUTION 2020-51: ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF TOWN BOARD AUDITS OF TOWN CLERK, TAX COLLECTOR AND SUPERVISOR’S OFFICE WHEREAS, NYS requires an annual audit of the Clerk and Tax Collector as well as an annual audit of the Supervisor’s office, either as an internal audit by Town Board members or by an auditing firm, now therefore be it RESOLVED that the Town of Ulysses Board acknowledges that internal audits of the Ulysses Clerk, Tax Collector and Supervisor’s office were completed by Town Board members on January 24, 2020. Moved: Ms. Olson Seconded: Mr. Boggs Ms. Thomas absent Ms. Zahler aye 6 Ms. Olson aye Mr. Boggs aye Mr. Goldman aye Vote: 4-0 Date Adopted: 1/28/2020 APPOINTMENT OF CHAIR OF BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS RESOLUTION 2020-52: APPOINTMENT OF CHAIR OF BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS WHEREAS, Robert Howarth, the current Chair of the Board of Zoning Appeals has new responsibilities as a member of the New York State Assembly’s Climate Action Council and can no longer fulfill the duties of chair of the Board of Zoning Appeals and WHEREAS, the Town of Ulysses Board of Zoning Appeals needs a chair for 2020 and WHEREAS, Stephen Morreale has been a long-time member of the BZA and is willing to serve as chair for 2020, now therefore be it RESOLVED, that the Ulysses Town Board appoint Stephen Morreale to the one-year position of BZA chair effective January 28, 2020 and further RESOLVED, that the Ulysses Town Board appoint Robert Howarth fill the resulting BZA vacancy effective January 28, 2020 and further RESOLVED, that the Ulysses Town Board thanks Dr. Howarth for his dedicated service in the role of Chair of BZA and congratulates him on his appointment to the Climate Action Council. Moved: Ms. Olson Seconded: Mr. Boggs Ms. Thomas absent Ms. Zahler aye Ms. Olson aye Mr. Boggs aye Mr. Goldman aye Vote: 4-0 Date Adopted: 1/28/2020 PLAN FOR EXTERNAL CPA AUDIT AND UPDATE OF INVENTORY OF TOWN PROPERTY The board discussed the need for an independent audit due to the federal grant awards. A new asset tracking program is being built and populated to get more complete inventory to meet accounting standards. Ms. Zahler reminded everyone that the board that as a follow up to our internal audits, we would like staff to get quotes for safes for the bookkeeper and clerk’s offices. CONSIDERATION OF A NEW PHONE AND INTERNET SERVICE PLAN 7 Ms. Parlato shared information gathered on switching phone/internet service plans. The board appreciated her efforts and asked her to get more details on pricing and service and report back at the next meeting. URBAN FORESTRY GRANT Ms. Olson shared information on grants up to $1000 for activities such as Arbor Day celebrations, planting trees, forming a tree committee, etc., meant to encourage municipalities to establish forestry programs. Ms. Marino further added that this could be worked on in conjunction with the village. It may be a good fit for planting native trees at Jacksonville Park or Habitat Nature Preserve. GENERAL REPORTS: Mr. Boggs gave an update on the IO (Cayuga Lake Intermunicipal Organization). It seems to have goals similar to the Water Resources Council. The group discussed the IO’s budget. Ms. Marino offered to be an alternate for Ms. Thomas to represent the town on this committee. RESOLUTION 2020-53: APPOINTING MS. MARINO AS ALTERNATE TO IO Ms. Zahler moved to appoint Roxanne Marino to replace Mr. Boggs as alternate for the town of Ulysses to the IO. Moved: Ms. Zahler Seconded: Mr. Goldman Ms. Thomas absent Ms. Zahler aye Ms. Olson aye Mr. Boggs aye Mr. Goldman aye Vote: 4-0 Date Adopted: 1/28/2020 DISCUSSION OF RECOGNITION & ENDORSEMENT POLICY Ms. Zahler asked whether the board would like to consider a request from a local group to do a proclamation on their behalf. Ms. Olson agreed to take the lead on this. Ms. Olson shared that Falls Rd residents are still interested in exploring the formation of a water district. 8 RESOLUTION 2020-54: AUTHORIZING THE DEPUTY SUPERVISOR TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH GENERAL CODE Resolved that the Deputy Supervisor is authorized to enter into an agreement with General Code to update the code with the new zoning law, for an amount up to $9000. Moved: Mr. Goldman Seconded: Ms. Olson Ms. Thomas absent Ms. Zahler aye Ms. Olson aye Mr. Boggs aye Mr. Goldman aye Vote: 4-0 Date Adopted: 1/28/2020 Ms. Zahler inquired whether the board would be interested in applying for another Park grant that could benefit Jacksonville. The board indicated a willingness to review a request to submit a grant. PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR: (none) MONTHLY BUSINESS: APPROVAL OF MINUTES RESOLUTION 2020-55: APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF 1/14/2020 RESOLVED that the Ulysses Town Board approves the minutes from the Regular Town Board meeting on 1/14/2020 as amended. Moved: Mr. Goldman Seconded: Ms. Zahler Ms. Thomas absent Ms. Zahler aye Ms. Olson aye Mr. Boggs aye Mr. Goldman aye Vote: 4-0 Date Adopted: 1/28/2020 APPROVAL OF BUDGET MODIFICATIONS RESOLUTION 2020-56: APPROVAL OF 2019 BUDGET MODIFICATIONS RESOLVED that the Ulysses Town Board approves the following budget modifications: 9 HA FUND BUDGET MODIFICATIONS The creation and implementation of use of the HA (Capital Fund for the WD3 Aerator Project) was simultaneous with the transition of the Bookkeeper position. These budget modifications reflect the amount spent out of the HA fund through the vouchering system during the 2019 budget year. This is a technical step to allow the Bookkeeper to create budget entries in the Williamson accounting program for this fund. Starting in the 2020 budget year, as seen in the 2020 budget for this fund, a fully adopted budget with cohesive budget lines will be implemented. HA1420.4 Attorney CE CREATE $20.00 The creation of this line is temporary as it is a vestige of an erroneous set up and subsequent use in Williamson. Expenses related to Attorney fees will be spent out of the HA1620.22 Legal & Bonding CE. HA1620.21 Engineer CE CREATE $14,608 Creation of budget line for the 2019 budget year. HA1620.22 Legal & Bonding CE CREATE $1,446 Creation of budget line for the 2019 budget year. Moved: Mr. Goldman Seconded: Ms. Olson Ms. Thomas absent Ms. Zahler aye Ms. Olson aye Mr. Boggs aye Mr. Goldman aye Vote: 4-0 Date Adopted: 1/28/2020 RESOLUTION 2020-57: APPROVAL OF 2020 BUDGET MODIFICATIONS RESOLVED that the Ulysses Town Board approves the following budget modifications: SW3 BUDGET MODIFICATIONS SW3-8340.4 WD3 Trans/Dist CE INCREASE $2552.72 This is in order to maintain the 2020 budgeted amount in this expense line. This line was decreased in order to pay for the hydrant that was destroyed in a vehicle accident. The funds are coming directly from the insurance of the individual involved in the accident. SW3-8340.1 Water District Operator INCREASE $138.00 10 This is in order to maintain the 2020 budgeted amount in this expense line. Labor associated with the hydrant. SW3-2680 Insurance Recoveries CREATE $2690.72 This revenue line was created to receive the insurance refund. Moved: Mr. Goldman Seconded: Ms. Olson Ms. Thomas absent Ms. Zahler aye Ms. Olson aye Mr. Boggs aye Mr. Goldman aye Vote: 4-0 Date Adopted: 1/28/2020 EXECUTIVE SESSION: Mr. Goldman moved to go into Executive Session at 8:53pm for the discussion of the appointment, promotion, demotion, discipline, or removal of a particular person. This was seconded by Ms. Olson and passed unanimously. Mr. Goldman made a motion to end Executive Session at 9:42pm. This was seconded by Mr. Boggs. ADJOURN: Ms. Zahler moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:42pm. This was seconded by Mr. Boggs and passed unanimously. Respectfully Submitted by Carissa Parlato, 2/4/2020