HomeMy WebLinkAboutTB Minutes 1998-03-09 TOWN OF ITHACA
TOWN BOARD MEETING
MARCH 9. 1998
5 : 30 P. M.
At a regular meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca, Tompkins County, New York,
held at the Town Hall , 126 , East Seneca Street, Ithaca , New York, there were present:
PRESENT: Catherine Valentino, Town Supervisor; Carolyn Grigorov, Councilwoman ; David Klein ,
Councilman ; Edward Conley, Councilman (arrived at 6: 00 p. m . ) ; Mary Russell , Councilwoman ; John
Wolff, Councilman .
EXCUSED: Ellen Harrison , Councilwoman .
ALSO PRESENT: Joan Lent Noteboom , Town Clerk; John Barney, Attorney for the Town ; Daniel
Walker, Director of Engineering ; Fred Noteboom , Highway Superintendent; Jonathan Kanter, Director
of Planning ; Andrew Frost, Director of Building and Zoning ; Alfred Carvill , Budget Officer.
OTHERS: Robert Romanowski , Ithaca Fire Commissioner, Came Sladich , Ithaca High School;
Erica Eisenstein , WHCU-AM; Fred Wilcox, 109 Juniper Drive; Tim Joseph , Tompkins County Board of
Representatives .
CALL TO ORDER: Supervisor Valentino called the meeting to order at 5: 32 p. m . , and led the
assemblage in the Pledge of Allegiance .
AGENDA ITEM NO. 3 - REPORT OF TOMPKINS COUNTY BOARD OF REPRESENTATIVES:
Tim Joseph , Tompkins County Board of Representatives - In December 1999 the State will be removing
the sales tax on clothing and footwear that sells for under $ 100: The State has given counties and
cities the option to remove their share of the sales tax on those same items. The County has to make
the choice of whether to remove the sales tax on these items or leave it. The decision could be
changed anytime during the following five years. Removing the sales tax would have a big impact on
towns Counties and cities have the right to remove, but the towns who share in that revenue do not
have 'any right to choose.
The New York State Association of Counties did a study to estimate how much revenue would be lost.
It was., estimated that approximately $ 1 million will be lost in Tompkins County throughout all the various
municipalities. The Town of Ithaca estimated loss would be $80, 000 a year. The Town Board received
a chart showing the different municipalities and how much they would loose.
I am interested in receiving input from this Town Board and the other towns and villages as to what the
County should do. I do not know what the impact to the town would be if they lost that revenue . Would
this be a loss the town could absorb, or would property taxes have to be raised? What would the Town
prefer the County to do?
Included in the letter to the State is a suggestion that we did not like the law they passed for two
reasons. Giving the option to the counties and cities creates competition between them . That is bad
public policy . Also , if we decide to take this action . it will lead to a shift from sales tax to property tax.
Not every municipality losing this revenue will simply absorb it. Some municipalities will raise property
taxes and that would raise the issue as to which tax is fair. The County should not be put into that
situation with the shifting of monies .
TOWN BOARD MEETING 2 MARCH 9, 1998
APPROVED — APRIL 13s 1998
However, what the State is doing about the sales tax on their own is good because sales tax is a
regressive tax. Some municipalities could compensate the loss by raising other taxes. The State is in
a good financial position to do this because they have a surplus. They also have the prospect of the
surplus getting even larger. This is a good time to increase local revenue sharing to Towns, Villages,
and Counties . One possibility is to promote a conservative move by local governments to demand the
State increases local revenue sharing .
Councilwoman Mary Russell - Was that idea proposed to the State when this legislation was passed?
Mr. Joseph - No, it was not. The State did not seek input when this was passed. It is an idea that was
approached at the New York State Association of Counties. They are working to see if there is enough
support to build a movement. I think there is potential to build a public movement. This is not just
governments who are involved . Does the public want to be taxed through sales tax, property tax, or
income tax? The preferred answer is not at all , but that is not an option . Taxes will be levied , but
which way is the better method.
Supervisor Valentino - What was the Town's sales tax revenue from last year?
Town Budget Officer Alfred Carvill - The revenue was approximately $ 1 .2 million in 1997.
Councilwoman Carolyn Grigorov - I think that all the Counties should be the same.
Councilman David Klein - I think the State should pick up the difference. It is totally inappropriate to
shift this to the property tax owners. The Towns should express that opinion through the Association of
Towns .
Councilman John Wolff - Would the sales tax be removed for each item under $ 100 , or up to $ 100?
Mr. Joseph - It will be per item under $ 100. 1 am not surprised to hear support for the concept of the
State paying for this .
Supervisor Valentino - We do not want to see competition among communities. A loss of $80 , 000 in
sales tax revenue , even if the Town Budget were maintained as it is , would create an increase either in
direct property tax or the fire district tax. One of those taxes would need to absorb that cost, and it
would probably be the property tax.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 4 - REPORT OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS :
Robert Romanowski - I would like to personally thank Superintendent Fred Noteboom for his work on
the lighting project on Bundy Road and Perry Lane. The street light has been installed and motorists
are avoiding collisions.
The Training Center Committee of the City Common Council and the Tompkins County Board have
approved the proposed structure for the Joint Operations Committee . The committee will review the
usage of the facility, maintenance and fee schedules, and future needs planning .
The date for the presentation of the Program Analysis Committee will be April 13, in the Common
Council Chambers at 7: 30 p . m . Part of this process will be department feedback. It is a program to
improve, modify, or enhance services to the public in a more efficient and less costly manner. The City
of Ithaca has asked what needs to be done and how does it need to be done. This type of review is
happening to all the city departments because of the budget problems.
TOWN BOARD MEETING 3 MARCH 9. 1998
APPROVED = APRIL 13, 1998
Meetings to discuss the Ithaca Fire Department Volunteer issues of support and organization will be
held March 10th and March 19th . These meetings will identify and structure issues of the volunteer
portion of the Ithaca Fire Department to develop direction and focus. Such issues include time
commitment, government regulations, new technology and techniques , and demands from friends,
family, and work. The volunteer program has been a problem because of the declining public support
due to the expensive taxation rate .
One fire truck would cost approximately $500, 000 to $ 1 million . To outfit one firefighter with
government regulated equipment, and OSHA regulated equipment is approximately $ 12 , 000. Each
firefighter usually needs two sets, one for wearing and the other for drying out. Per � year it costs about
$600 per volunteer firefighter, and approximately $36, 000 for a career firefighter. The Fire Department
is looking for many volunteers as possible to supplement the career firefighters.
This is the final year of the Town of Ithaca contract with the . Fire Department. Joint contract
negotiations and discussions will be starting soon . Most discussions and ongoing work are focused on
the budget and department directions .
Councilwoman Russell - Is there any limitation on the number of volunteers needed versus the number
of career firefighters?
Mr. Romanowski - No . OSHA came up with final regulations. There must be two people per truck
responding to a call . If there are two people going into a burning structure there needs to be two more
fully equipped people standing outside the structure in case the two inside are in trouble. There would
need to be four people to do one unit of work. OSHA does not care if they are career firefighters or
volunteer firefighters as long as they have had the mandatory training . It is tremendously difficult to
keep volunteer firefighters due to commitments of work and families. A lot of concentration has been
made in utilizing student bunkers because they receive a place to stay for their service. They only need
to be on stand by for a certain number of hours per week. The more volunteers the Fire Department
recruits, the better the situation .
AGENDA ITEM NO. 5 as PERSONS TO BE HEARD.
No member of the public came forward to be heard .
AGENDA ITEM NO. 6 as REVIEW OF CORRESPONDENCE:
A. Planning Board Resignation - See attached .
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The Town Board reviewed the letter of resignation from Candace Cornell , a member of the Planning
Board due to health reasons.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 7 - CONSIDER RESOLUTION OF APPRECIATION TO CANDACE CORNELL.
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RESOLUTION NO. 38: Motion made by Councilwoman Grigorov, seconded by Supervisor
Valentino that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca on behalf of the Town, its citizens and residents,
expresses its sincere gratitude to Candace E. Comell for her diligent and service to our
community. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows.
Supervisor Valentino , aye; Councilwoman Grigorov, aye; Councilman Klein , aye; Councilman Conley,
aye ; Councilwoman Russell , aye ; Councilman Wolff, aye . . Motion carried unanimously. (NOTE:
Formal adopted resolution is hereto attached . )
TOWN BOARD MEETING 4 MARCH 9, 1998
APPROVED - APRIL 13, 1998
AGENDA ITEM NO. 11 - CONSIDER POSTPONEMENT OF PUBLIC HEARING AND DISCUSSION OF
"A LOCAL LAW REVISING THE TERM OF OFFICE FOR PLANNING BOARD MEMBERS
Supervisor Valentino - The Planning Board members have indicated they would prefer that their "Term
of Office" to remain at seven years. The Town Board was supplied with a copy of a letter from
Assistant Town Planner George Frantz noting the Planning Board's concerns.
Chairperson of the Planning Board , Fred Wilcox - Our primary concern was to preserve as much as
possible the independence of the Planning Board . It is my opinion that a four year administration would
have the ability to appoint either five or six members of a seven member Planning Board during the four
years they sit in office. That would be a majority that might not be appropriate. I think it would take
away the independence of the Planning Board which is very important.
Other members of the Planning Board mentioned they did not think the seven year term was a
hindrance for people applying to the Board . It takes two to three years to become a knowledgeable
member of the Board , to limit the term to five years would probably be counter productive .
Councilwoman Grigorov - As a former Planning Board . Member, I agree with Chairperson Wilcox.
Councilman Klein - A seven year term with seven members means one term would expire each year.
There were concerns about that.
Supervisor Valentino - Councilwoman Harrison could not be here tonight, but she said she was willing
to yield to the majority regarding this matter.
Councilwoman Russell - The Town Board needed to hear what the Planning Board had to say.
Councilman Conley - I do not have a problem with the length of the term , but wouldn't there be
problems getting people to agree to serve a seven year term?
Supervisor Valentino - People who have been on the Planning Board seem to think it is not a problem .
People ; could resign at any time during their term of office.
RESOLUTION NO. 41 : Motion made by Supervisor Valentino, seconded by Councilwoman
Russell that the governing Town Board of the Town of Ithaca hereby rescinds Resolution No. 25 of
February 9, 1998, which provided for a public hearing to be held to consider a, "LOCAL LAW
REVISING THE TERM OF OFFICE FOR THE PLANNING BOARD MEMBER" A vote on the
resolution resulted as follows.
Supervisor Valentino , aye ; Councilwoman Grigorov, aye; Councilman Klein , aye; Councilman Conley,
aye; Councilwoman Russell , aye; Councilman Wolff, aye. Motion carried unanimously. (NOTE:
Formal adopted resolution is hereto attached . )
AGENDA ITEM NO. 12 - CONSIDER APPOINTMENT TO THE PLANNING BOARD :
RESOLUTION NO. 42a Motion made by Councilwoman Russell, seconded Councilwoman
Grigorov that the governing Town Board of the Town of Ithaca hereby appoints Lawrence G. Thayer, 7
Perry Lane, Ithaca, New York 14850 to serve as a member of the Town of Ithaca Planning Board for a
term of ` office filling the unexpired term of Candace Comell, commencing March 9, 1998 through
December 31 , 2001 . A vote on the resolution resulted as follows .
TOWN BOARD MEETING 5 MARCH 9. 1998
APPROVED - APRIL 13. 1998
Supervisor Valentino, aye; Councilwoman Grigorov, aye; Councilman Klein , aye; Councilman Conley,
aye ; Councilwoman Russell , aye; Councilman Wolff, aye. Motion carried unanimously. (NOTE:
Formal adopted resolution is hereto attached . )
Councilwoman Grigorov - I represent the town at a focus group for Economic Development in the
County. I have been asked to reflect the Town Board's opinion of how economic development in the
county affects the town .
Councilman Wolff - How broad is the scope of activities being considered in the county for economic
development?
Councilwoman Grigorov - It is a county committee set up to develop revenue resource ideas .
Director of Planning Jonathan Kanter - The main focus is job creation and enhancement of training
opportunities.
Councilman Conley - There is bonding available to promote those type of things. I think they are
looking for opportunities to stabilize and strengthen what we already have. They look at things like
Come[[ University helping professors and graduate students starting an industry. They are looking for
clean types of industries rather than the production type of industries.
Supervisor Valentino - There are not many potential industries left. How long have they been talking
about this issue?
Director of Planning Kanter - Approximately two years. There was the County Economic Alliance
before this Countywide Economic Development effort.
Supervisor Valentino - We spent approximately two years talking about the same things they are
surveying people about now. It is good to do the survey, but they are only presenting the same issues
that have already been raised .
Director of Planning Kanter - I am not sure how the focus groups relate to the overall planning efforts.
Barbara Blanchard mentioned that the County Economic Development initiative is the prestige planning
effort to address coordinating functions . They, are trying to develop that type of mode.
Councilman Wolff - How many of those statewide agencies are actually doing something? How could
the Town make sure those efforts focus in the portions of the State where jobs are being eliminated?
Councilman Klein - Another issue is how heavily the town relies on sales tax. Sales tax is generated
through the purchase of goods. The town is seeing an erosion in the retail sector in the County. The
town benefits countywide from sales tax revenue. As more retail stores close, some of the existing
businesses pick up the slack, but essentially people go out of town to shop because there are not many
options; left in the town . We need people to support the retail sector.
Supervisor Valentino - I do not think the town can emphasize strongly . enough the positive things in this
community. We have talked to people who have moved here. What we hear is that they come here
because we have a school system they would like to have their children involved in . Even with some of
the crimes that happen , the town is still considered a safe community. We need to publicize and
promote the school system so that it will stay one of the best.
Another thing that brings in business is having a community based health plan that is cost effective .
That is a benefit employers can give their employees , It reduces cost if it has a good central core and
TOWN BOARD MEETING 6 MARCH 9, 1998
APPROVED - APRIL 13, 19070a
provides a good health system in the community. These are things people come into a community
looking for. That is not emphasized all that much here.
Councilwoman Russell - What about our efforts to conserve areas in the Town?
Supervisor Valentino - That is also needed , people coming to our town have mentioned they like living
next to parks, trails , and open spaces .
Councilwoman Grigorov - So you feel that part of the Economic Development would begin by getting
more people to come here?
Councilman Conley - It is not the Town's responsibility to get people to come here. This is not a
retirement community. We need to help find . jobs for people. It makes no sense to , try and work on
recruiting retail business because there would be too many people willing to protest their development.
Supervisor Valentino - If the town wants a good stable community we need to have a well paid labor
force with health insurance benefits so a drain is not imposed on the rest of the community. An industry
could come into the town that which pays people minimum wage with no benefits. That would cause
hospital costs to escalate along with unemployment, because then the community will have to pay for
what that business is not paying for. People need to think about the whole cycle when dealing with the
economy.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 8 - PUBLIC HEARING : TO CONSIDER. "A LOCAL LAW ESTABLISHING A (90)
NINETY DAY MORATORIUM ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF TELECOMMUNICATION TOWERS IN
THE TOWN OF ITHACA" :
Supervisor Valentino opened the public hearing at 6: 30 p. m . The Town Clerk had proof of posting and
publication . As no one from the public wished to be heard , Supervisor Valentino closed the public
hearing at 6: 31 p. m .
AGENDA ITEM NO. 9 - CONSIDER SEQR RELATED TO. "A LOCAL LAW ESTABLISHING A (90)
NINETY DAY MORATORIUM ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF TELECOMMUNICATION TOWERS IN
THE TOWN OF ITHACA
RESOLUTION NO. 39: Motion made by Councilman Klein, seconded by Councilman Wolff that
the Town of Ithaca Town Board hereby makes a negative determination of environmental significance
in accordance with the New York State Environmental Review Act for the referenced action as
proposed, and therefore, neither a Full Environmental Assessment Form, nor an Environmental Impact
Statement will be required. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows .
Supervisor Valentino , aye; Councilwoman Grigorov, aye; Councilman Klein , aye; Councilman Conley,
aye ; Councilwoman Russell , aye; Councilman Wolff, aye . Motion carried unanimously. (NOTE:
Formal adopted resolution is hereto attached . )
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AGENDA ITEM NO. 10 - CONSIDER ADOPTION OF Al "A LOCAL LAW ESTABLISHING A (90)
NINETY DAY MORATORIUM ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF TELECOMMUNICATION TOWERS IN
THE TOWN OF ITHACA" :
There was a brief discussion between the Town Board and the staff in reference to telecommunication
towers located on agricultural lands .
TOWN BOARD MEETING 7 MARCH 9, 1998
APPROVED - APRIL 13, 1998
RESOLUTION NO. 40a Motion made by Supervisor Valentino, seconded by Councilwoman
Russell that the governing Town Board of the Town of Ithaca does hereby consider a, `LOCAL LAW
ESTABLISHING A (90) DAY MORATORIUM ON THE. CONSTRUCTION OF IFlECOMA&IICAT QN
TOWERS IN THE TOWN OF ITHACA '; and be if further
RESOLVED, the Town Cleric is hereby authorized and directed to advertise and file the said local law
as required by Town Law. A roll call vote on the resolution resulted as follows .
Supervisor Valentino , aye ; Councilwoman Grigorov, aye; Councilman Klein , aye ; Councilman Conley,
aye ; , Councilwoman Russell , aye; Councilman Wolff, aye. Motion carried unanimously. (NOTE:
Formal adopted resolution is hereto attached . )
AGENDA ITEM NO. 13 - CONSIDER RESOLUTION RECOMMENDING APPOINTMENT OF THE
TOWN OF ITHACA REPRESENTATIVES ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COUNCIL AND
THE TOMPKINS COUNTY PLANNING FEDERATION:
Town Clerk, Joan Lent Noteboom - It was discovered through the information provided by Fred Wilcox,
Planning Board Chair that he has been appointed to the Tompkins County Planning Federation. It will
not be necessary to include that recommendation within the resolution presented to the Town Board.
RESOLUTION NO. 43 & Motion made by Supervisor Valentino, seconded by Councilman Wolff that
the governing Town Board of the Town of Ithaca hereby nominates Kara Hagedom, 327 West King
Road, Ithaca, to serve as the Town of Ithaca representative on the Environmental Management
Council. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows.
Supervisor Valentino, aye; Councilwoman Grigorov, aye; Councilman Klein , aye; Councilman Conley,
aye; Councilwoman Russell, aye; Councilman Wolff, aye. Motion carried unanimously. (NOTE:
Formal adopted resolution is hereto attached . )
AGENDA ITEM NO. 14- SET PUBLIC HEARING DATE TO CONSIDER REZONING OF
MECKLENBURG HEIGHTS TO MULTIPLE RESIDENCE:
The Town Board had a brief discussion regarding a public hearing date .
RESOLUTION NO. 440 a Motion made by Supervisor Valentino, seconded by Councilman Conley
that the Town Clerk of the Town of Ithaca is hereby authorized and directed to advertise for a Special
Town Board meeting to be held on March 30, 1998, at 5:30 p. m. , in order that the Town Board may
consider enacting, "A LOCAL LAW AMENDING THE TOWN OF ITHACA ZONING MAP REZONING A
PORTION OF TAX PARCEL NO. 27443. 12, LOCATED ON NYS ROUTE 79 FROM RESIDENCE
DISTRICT (MECKLENBURG HEIGHTS) " A vote on the resolution resulted as follows .
Supervisor Valentino , aye; Councilwoman Grigorov, aye; Councilman Klein , abstain ; Councilman
Conley,; aye; Councilwoman Russell , aye ; Councilman Wolff, aye. Motion carried . (NOTE: Formal
adopted resolution is hereto attached . )
RESOLUTION NO. 45: Motion made by Supervisor Valentino, seconded by Councilwoman
Russell that the Town Clerk of the Town of Ithaca is hereby authorized and directed to advertise for a
public hearing to be held at a special meeting of the Town Board on March 30, 1998, at 5:35 p. m. , in
order that the Town Board may consider enacting, "A LOCAL LAW AMENDING THE TOWN OF
ITHACA ZONING MAP REZONING A PORTION OF TAX PARCEL NO. 27 443. 12, LOCATED ON
TOWN BOARD MEETING 8 MARCH 9. 1998
APPROVED - APRIL 139 1998
NYS ROUTE 79 FROM RESIDENCE DISTRICT (MECKLENBURG HEIGHTS)" A vote on the
resolution resulted as follows.
Supervisor Valentino , aye; Councilwoman Grigorov, aye; Councilman Klein , abstain ; Councilman
Conley, aye; Councilwoman Russell , aye; Councilman Wolff, aye. Motion carried . (NOTE: Formal
adopted resolution is hereto attached . )
AGENDA ITEM NO. 15 - DISTRIBUTION AND DISCUSSION OF REVISED EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
FOR THE PARKS OPEN SPACE PLAN .
Director of Planning Kanter - The Town Board was supplied with information about what the Planning
Department intends to print and make available to the general public in regards to the Open Space
Plan .
Supervisor Valentino - This is for the Town Board to review and make comments.
Director of Planning Kanter - If the Town Board has any ideas the Planning Department will be happy to
take suggestions.
Supervisor Valentino - Is there a cost estimate on the printing?
Director of Planning Kanter - Not at this point. We would like to make enough copies so it would not
need to be reprinted every year. The full Park and Open Space Plan report will be available for people
to look through the exact details .
Councilwoman Grigorov - The Executive Summary should also indicate that the plan will be
implemented as the funds are available.
Supery isor Valentino - At the April Town Board meeting cost proposals for the printing of the Plan can
be considered .
AGENDA ITEM NO. 16 - DISCUSS DESIGNATION OF POLLING PLACES :
Town Clerk Noteboom - The Town needs to designate the election polling places by May 1 st. Several
concerns were raised last year regarding the use of the Trinity Lutheran Church by the election
inspectors and members of the public. Some members of the public felt uncomfortable voting there
because of their religious affiliation . John Guttenberger of Comell will get back to me about using the
tennis center as a polling place rather than the Lutheran Church . I will be making a recommendation at
the next Town Board meeting in regards to this issue.
Councilwoman Grigorov - How many people objected to the location at the church?
Supervisor Valentino - I received a fair amount of complaints from residents. Some election inspectors
felt uncomfortable having the polling place at the church .
Councilman Klein - Would this be for the primaries?
Town Clerk Noteboom - The polling places are used for all the elections.
Councilwoman Grigorov - What happens if Cornell will not allow the Town to use the tennis center?
TOWN BOARD MEETING 9 MARCH 9. 1998
APPROVED - APRIL 13, 1998
Town Clerk Noteboom - Then the Town would need to find another location .
Supervisor Valentino - All locations need to be handicapped accessible.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 17 - CONSIDER ENTERING INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF ITHACA
POLICE DEPARTMENT ALLOWING JURISDICTION ON TOWN OF ITHACA SCHOOL DISTRICT
PROPERTIES .
Councilman Wolff - How did the Town arrive at the payment figure of $ 19 , 000?
Supervisor Valentino - It was estimated it would equate to the salary of one part time patrol officer. The
only time an officer would be in the junior high or high school would be when they get called for any
type of disturbance or problem .
RESOLUTION NO. 46: Motion made by Supervisor Valentino, seconded by Councilman Conley
that Town Supervisor is hereby authorized and directed to enter into an agreement on behalf of the
Town of Ithaca with any changes or amendments as may be deemed necessary upon the advise of the
Attorney for the Town for the City of Ithaca Police Department to be allowed jurisdiction on Town of
Ithaca School District Properties and be it further
RESOLVED, the goveming Town Board hereby approves payment to the City of Ithaca Police
Department in an amount not to exceed $20, 000 to be expended .from General Fund Appropriation
Account No. A3120. 450, for the services to be provided under the terms of the said agreement. A vote
on the resolution resulted as follows .
Supervisor Valentino , aye; Councilwoman Grigorov, aye; Councilman Klein , aye; Councilman Conley,
aye; Councilwoman Russell , aye; Councilman Wolff, aye. Motion carried unanimously. (NOTE:
Formal adopted resolution is hereto attached . )
AGENDA ITEM NO. 18 - REVIEW AND RATIFY SUBMISSION OF THE 1997 COMPTROLLER'S
ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT.
RESOLUTION NO. 47: Motion made by Supervisor Valentino, seconded by Councilman Conley
that the governing Town Board of the Town of Ithaca does hereby ratify the submission of the 1997
Annual Financial Report to the NYS Comptroller's Office as reflecting the financial activities and
conditions of the Town of Ithaca for the year 1997. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows.
Supervisor Valentino , aye; Councilwoman Grigorov, aye ; Councilman Klein , aye; Councilman Conley,
aye; Councilwoman Russell , aye; Councilman Wolff, aye. Motion carried unanimously. (NOTE:
Formal adopted resolution is hereto attached . )
AGENDA ITEM NO. 19 = CONSIDER APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS FOR EXPENDITURES RELATED
TO THE ACQUISITION OF A NEW TOWN HALL.
RESOLUTION NO. 48: Motion made by Supervisor Valentino, seconded by Councilman Klein that
the governing Town Board does hereby authorize and direct the Chief Fiscal Officer and the Budget
Officer to make the said budget amendment in the 1998 General Fund Budget to pay the preliminary
expenses related to the acquisition, renovation, and construction of a new Town Hall. A vote on the
resolution resulted as follows .
TOWN BOARD MEETING 10 MARCH 9, 1998
APPROVED - APRIL 13* 1998
Supervisor Valentino , aye; Councilwoman Grigorov, aye; Councilman Klein , aye ; Councilman Conley,
aye; Councilwoman Russell , aye; Councilman Wolff, aye. Motion carried unanimously. (NOTE:
Formal adopted resolution is hereto attached . )
AGENDA ITEM NO. 20 - DISCUSS DRAFT SCHEMATIC DESIGN OF NEW TOWN HALL:
Supervisor Valentino - We have been working on the draft schematic design with the Department
Heads and the staff. The work area is of a size similar to that of HOLT Architects. The staff has had a
chance to walk through that office layout and to see the work stations . We received some good
feedback, and staff is feeling very comfortable with this type of alignment.
Director of Engineering Walker explained the work station lay outs and changes made to the design
throughout the past few weeks.
Director of Engineering Walker - HOLT Architects made a presentation to staff about the new Town
Hall. Staff made some suggestions for changes. Discussions included the keeping the large windows
to provide light to the open space. HOLT Architects did a functional analysis of the building showing
the existing public area, semi-office , production or work area, and the lobby of the building .
The main entrance to the public lobby off Tioga Street will have a handicap ramp . The Town Clerk's
office will be in the side lobby where the post office boxes are located currently. The Town Justice
section will be on the far right side of the lobby and will include a small court room , two private offices
for the Justices, and office space for the court clerks with library/conference areas . There will be two
public rest rooms located in that portion of the building . The Town Board room of approximately 1 , 100
square feet will be off the main lobby.
The . Town Justice's have disclosed they are unhappy with the small size of the court room space.
Through discussions with the Department Heads and . the Town Justice's the possibility of combining
both rooms (Town Board Room and Town Court Room) into a multi-function room was considered.
Based on the monthly meetings scheduled and the potential for conflicts, it appears that with good
planning we can use one large room with one large conference room to serve the needs for meeting
space. ! The architects have redesigned the separate Town Board Room and Town Court Room to be
used as one big room with approximately 1 ,600 square feet of space. We are looking for furniture to
be multipurpose. Access to the adjoining conference room could serve as an executive session or jury
room . `
Supervisor Valentino - The current Town Board Room is cramped . We are hoping to provide enough
space for everyone to spread out. The larger room will create more space so people feel more
comfortable.
Director of Engineering Walker - There could be a space for applicants to sit and present their appeals.
Director of Planning Kanter - A projection screen could be added to the room for some presentations.
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Director of Engineering Walker - The walls in the Town Board Room could have a fabric covered cork
board for hanging maps and presentations .
Attorney Barney - Which nights do the Town Justice's hold court?
Director of Engineering Walker - They hold court on Tuesday and Wednesday nights .
TOWN BOARD MEETING 11 MARCH 9, 1998
APPROVED - APRIL 13. 1998
Councilman Conley - The plan is to have one Justice convene in the daytime, and one convene in the
evenings.
Supervisor Valentino - Some of the smaller committees or groups could meet in one of the ,conference
rooms when court is being held .
Director of Engineering Walker - The schedule of meetings would need to be coordinated for all the
boards and committees .
Attorney Barney - The removing the court room to have a one unit multipurpose room would set up the
need for more space . If the court room and the Town Board room were divided , the Justice's could
hold their court when they need it, and the Town Board room would be available for other meetings .
Councilman Conley - I am disappointed that there are not separate facilities for the courts . I am also
disappointed that the space came out this way. I thought when we looked at the building it would be
big and there would be plenty of room for everything .
Councilman Klein - My opinion is to have the courts in the basement. It is occupied space served by an
elevator which can be replaced with a passenger elevator. There are two means of regress from the
basement. The courts could have their entrance in the back of the building . There is enough space in
the basement for the whole court function .
Director of Building and Zoning Andrew Frost - The State Code has provisions for variances. If the
space is under 2 , 000 square foot and no dimension is greater than 50 feet one exit would be allowed .
A second provision would allow a top story of not greater than 2 , 000 square feet to have one exit.
Then there is a provision for basements below grade and less than 2 , 000 square feet can have one
exit.
Councilman Klein - There are two stairways for two exits .
Director of Building and Zoning Frost - There are also provisions to deal with not having an exit.
Councilman Conley - There would need to be handicap access to the basement.
Supervisor Valentino - If it is not handicap accessible people would have to go through the whole
building to get into the basement.
Director of Engineering Walker - There is room for a ramp at the back of the building . The architects
are concerned about are budget and finishing the first floor and basement within that budget. Making
the Town Board Room and Court Room into one room does not preclude using the basement. There is
approximately 8, 000 square feet in the basement that could be used . There is one section in the
basement available for records management because it is a secured area. The mechanical room and
boiler will be located in the basement.
Councilman Klein - What is the enclosed space in the basement near the east wall?
Director of Engineering Walker - That is a storage room with sheet rock walls .
Councilman Klein - Is that part of the covenants?
,Director of Engineering Walker - Yes . There is a stairway with adequate fire exits that comes up to
grade from the basement. There are some windows in the basement which would allow for offices. It
TOWN BOARD MEETING 12 MARCH 9, 1998
APPROVED - APRIL 13, 1999"
could provide continuity from a functional stand point of having the public going to one central location
during the day. If the court was downstairs, the court clerks would be located downstairs. Right now
the court clerks are located off the lobby. The Town Clerk would be located at the other end of the
lobby with the public coming in one- entrance way.
Supervisor Valentino - That would provide us with better control over the people entering the building .
Director of Engineering Walker - We could control access to the basement. The back entrance could
be used for night meetings in the conference room , and the hallway could be secured so people are not
wandering through the whole building . The conference room is 370 square feet which would be
adequate for smaller meetings.
Councilman Klein - Would it be difficult for just the court room to be located in the basement, that would
leave the Justice's and clerks upstairs?
Director of Engineering Walker - One of things the Justice's have stressed is the need to access their
records and files , and having access to chambers for private discussions with attorneys.
Councilman Klein - That could be built downstairs also.
Director of Engineering Walker - The records would be where the court clerk is.
Councilman Conley - The court clerk would be located near the court room .
Councilman Klein - Do they need access to all their file cabinets?
Councilman Conley - The public is not being served when someone comes into the Town Hall and
wants to pay a fine or talk to the Justice. There needs to be a place where the public can talk to the
court personnel during the daytime .
Town Clerk Noteboom - Court documents are now in the Town Hall vault. The Justices cannot carry
them back and forth to the County Courthouse . When they need a record they come to Town Hall,
Councilman Conley - Have the Justices seen the new schematic design?
Supervisor Valentino - Justice Bordoni stayed after the meeting and discussed this matter further, and
felt comfortable with the concept.
Director: of Engineering Walker - The Justices have not seen this schematic design .
Councilwoman Russell - I am concerned about the Court Clerks being located in the library. I would like
to be able to enter the library and do research .
Director; of Engineering Walker - That is the law library.
Councilwoman Russell - That library would only be used for the Justices?
Supervisor Valentino - "Yes . "
Councilwoman Russell - Where would the Town's library be located?
Supervisor Valentino - The Town's library would be located in one of the conference rooms.
TOWN BOARD MEETING 13 MARCH 9, 1998
APPROVED - APRIL 13, 1998
Town Clerk Noteboom - The law books located in the hallway now are not Justice law books, those are
Town Law books. Those books would be located in the Town Clerk's space.
Supervisor Valentino - The lobby is a big space and there have been discussions of having benches
and display cases located there. There would be enough space for people to discuss their cases
outside the court room or room for small meetings to happen .
Director of Engineering Walker - It would be best to preserve as much open space in the lobby as
possible.
Supervisor Valentino - The biggest problem to deal with is the scheduling of the Board Room . The
conference rooms and lobby can be spaces where people could meet.
Councilman Klein - I think the Board should see a schedule of the current meetings held in the Board
Room . We cannot rely on always have a daytime court. I assume that the nights the Town Court is
held may be determined by the Town Board in the future. The Town Board , Planning Board, and the
Zoning Board of Appeals meet on certain dates, they take top priority. It may be that the Planning
Board could meet the first and third Tuesday nights, and the Zoning Board of Appeals could meet the
second and fourth Tuesday nights. Then the courts could meet Wednesday and Thursday nights .
Director of Building and Zoning Frost - That seems foolish . One of the purposes of the new Town Hall
was to get everyone into one building and to have the space that is needed . Now we are considering
compromising and putting everyone into one meeting room .
Councilman Klein - I agree with that.
Director of Building and Zoning Frost - It does not seem that the Town has explored all the options,
including utilization of the basement space. Stairwells could be added for entrances and exits to the
outside .
Councilman Klein - In other towns, courts are much smaller and do not have the intensity of meetings
the Town of Ithaca has. The City of Elmira Court meets during the day. They have a shared court
room . During the day it is the city court and at night it is the city board room . They have a smaller court
room that is used for smaller committees .
Councilman Conley - The City of Elmira has a City Judge that is available during the day.
Councilman Klein - The Town cannot tie these schedules to the current Justices, it needs to be flexible
into the future . Having the combined space did not really work in terms of scheduling .
Director of Building and Zoning Frost - Offices could be located in the basement. There are things that
could be worked out.
Councilman Klein - I read the minutes of the last meeting where Justice Larkin was talking about the
2 , 300 square feet the Town of Groton has . For our purpose, what is being proposed could function as
a Town Board room and meeting room , but not in a situation of sharing it with the Justices . In terms of
the budget, the lobby space is 1 , 350 square feet, that is more than what would have been at the
OB/GYN Building . The OB/GYN building was planned to be 13 , 000 square feet. We would be looking
at a smaller footprint than what was looked at with the OB/GYN Building .
We need to have the architects look at putting the justice department downstairs. This is an option that
we have not seen yet. It may not worts, but I want to see it. I want to know what the dollar impact would
TOWN BOARD MEETING 14 MARCH 99 1998
APPROVED - APRIL 139 1998
be. In terms of cost per square foot, I have heard some good things. We do not have to replace all the
mechanical systems, some of the fans were all right, and the boiler was okay. The electrical service to
the building is huge. The building will need to be rewired , but we would not have to bring in $ 10, 000
worth of switch gears. There are certain costs that are to the Town's benefit. If the Town was buying
an abandoned warehouse we would have to pay, for all those things. The office space will have to be
hand wired with roof top equipment, that is generally inexpensive.
Even with the lobby being restored we are not going to spend $ 100 per square foot on it. The Town will
not spend $ 135, 000 restoring the lobby. The lobby is largely intact. Looking at the 11, 000 square feet,
and I do not see it using up the entire budget. I feel that there is enough flexibility to put the court in the
basement, unless there are some physical things that I am not seeing .
Supervisor Valentino - There are some concerns about having a court room of that size in the
basement.
Councilman Klein - I have been hearing these concerns, but I am not convinced.
Attorney Barney - Moving the court room into the basement cannot be done because of the access and
ceiling heights, correct?
Director of Engineering Walker - The ceiling height is too low. We will be touring the building to do a
complete code review.
Councilman Klein - The architect's should go through the building with our Director of Building and
Zoning to review those code issues.
Supervisor Valentino - Could there be an entrance into the court space in the basement that would be
separate from the upstairs?
Director of Engineering Walker - That could be done with the current configuration . The back entrance
could be a second lobby, but then there would be uncontrolled access to the building unless a
receptionist is placed back. there.
Supervisor Valentino - I do not want a receptionist back there.
Director of Engineering Walker - That is part of the program problem . Having one entrance off the
central lobby was an important feature of the program for daily service of customers. If someone needs
to pay a fine they would go to the court office, but if they need a building permit they could go to the
clerk's office and be directed to the right location . Daily function operations should not be located in the
basement, other than the records management. There may be some people that need to review the
historic documents, but that is more of a controlled situation .
Councilman Klein - Where and how are the fines paid now?
Director of Engineering Walker - People come to the Town Clerk's office, but they cannot get a receipt.
They would need to go to the court at night to get a receipt.
Councilman Klein - People are supposed to pay the fine on the way out.
Town Clerk Noteboom - The Town Clerk' s office accepts a lot of telephone calls for the Town Court and
they are referred to the Court Clerk. People come into the Town Hall to drop off payments for justice .
fines . They say they were told to drop it off here. We are not bonded to collect Justice fines. We tell
TOWN BOARD MEETING 15 MARCH 9, 1998
APPROVED - APRQ. 13, 1998
them they have to get a money order or a bank check we can leave in the court box for the clerk or
justice to pick up. Sometimes people come back several times because they are worried if the justice
got their payment and they want us to issue a receipt. We can not do that as we are not the Justice or
Court Clerk, we do not have the authority to collect those payments or issue a receipt.
One of things we are looking forward to with the new building is knowing that someone paying a fine
will be able to talk with the court cleric and receive a receipt. Presently, it creates duplication because
people come to Town Hall expecting to have someone from the courts answer their questions. When
we can't, they sometimes check back several times to find out whether the Justice received what they
left.
Councilwoman Russell - The court function could be separated by having the court clerk upstairs off the
lobby with the court room and Justice office's in the basement.
Attorney Barney - It would not• be feasible for the court clerk to have the records on one floor and the
court on another.
Supervisor Valentino - The Town Board should not make a lot of compromises in the board room
space. The meetings schedule of the Town Hall each day is very busy and time consuming.
I mentioned to the Justices that if the smaller court room is not adequate to conduct the number of jury
trials they hold each year we could use the County Courtroom . I would not like to compromise on that
when jury trials may happen only twice a year. I do not want to have to compromise the functions of
the Town Clerk's office which deals with the public every single , day for so few jury trials. Before the
Town Board makes any giant leaps to move the courts into the basement, we need to think about using
that space.
I think Councilman Klein's suggestion to look at the scheduling of the board room is a good idea.
Maybe we are over reacting with the number of other conference rooms and spaces that would be
available which are not available in the current Town Hall . We need to look at that schedule, then if
there are serious conflicts we need to look at utilizing more space in the basement.
Councilwoman Russell - At the same time someone could figure out what the requirements are for
public access to those meetings.
Director of Engineering Walker - That is being done right now.
Town Clerk Noteboom - It needs to be handicap accessible.
Supervisor Valentino - All of the conference rooms will be handicap accessible.
Councilman Conley - Would all the rest rooms be handicap accessible?
Director of Engineering Walker - There will be two rest rooms in the back of the building and two rest
rooms in the front of , the building . One of those rest rooms in each location would be handicap
accessible at the very minimum . They may not be separated as male/female .
Councilman Conley - I think the rest rooms should be separated for males and females .
Councilman Klein - In the OB/GYN facility every restroom was handicap accessible . In new
construction that is required . If this was existing space we could renovate it to create a unisex restroom
to take care of the whole floor. We cannot do that here.
TOWN BOARD MEETING 16 MARCH 9. 1998
APPROVED - APRH. 139 19900"
Director of Building and Zoning Frost - There may be some leeway in terms of compliance with
handicap accessibility. I cannot tell the Board how may different state variances I get involved with on
issues that are much more significant. We have the ability to_ seek variance from the State Board and
have things work for us or against us . There are ways to get variances from the State . The Town
Board does not need to lock itself into thinking something cannot be done that can be done.
Town Clerk Noteboom - Staff has shared rest rooms in this building for several years now, and there
are different grooming habits and necessities between males and females.
Director of Engineering Walker - There have been changes to the building design . The public access
point to the courts would be on one end of the lobby, and the Town Clerk and town staff will be on the
Buffalo Street side. The Town Board was supplied with a new schematic design for the new Town Hall.
Off the lobby there will be a door to separate for security purposes . If someone wanted to pay a water
bill they would pay it at the Town Clerk front desk. If they needed to get a building permit application or
planning application they could either wait in the lobby or they could be let back through a hallway to
the first work station . The first work station group would be an application counter where the Planning ,
Engineering , and Zoning clerical staff will be located . This would allow Town Clerk staff to call that
work station to let staff know someone would be coming back to their station . There would always be
someone at this work station since there will be three people working at this station . People could fill
out the program of information at this station , and if more detail was needed the conference area could
also be used .
There are two distinct types of copier processing in the building . One is for high speed copier
duplicators and the other will be for the larger formatted engineering documents and maps . The copier
room near the front would have the high speed copier with space for collating and processing meeting
packets. The mailing function would probably be located in that room . This copier room will be
accessible to all clerical staff in the front end of the building . Hopefully, the plotter and the large copier
will fit into this room also .
There will be five offices along the inner wall for the Department Heads. They will have nine feet high
walls with open space above mechanical and ventilation systems . The natural light from the north side
of the building would come across the open space to those offices .
There are a few different configurations for the clerical staff. One configuration shows 18 work stations,
which are a few more than we need at the moment. This gives a total of 23 work stations including the
Department Head offices. This would also allow the functions of Planning and Engineering from the
stand point of the GIS system . Two staff people who are primarily involved with that process would
have work stations next to each other with the out put device of the plotter located in that area also.
Other work stations are clustered where the departments are so people could communicate with those
they need to most. There are a couple individual cubicles set up for the personnel clerk. In the back of
the building there will be the Supervisor's office which will have a table and chair for small conferences
to be held . There will a 370 square foot conference room that would serve a dual purpose for
conferences during the day and a meeting room at night.
There would be an employee lounge for coats , refrigerator, coffee pot, and microwave for the staff to
use. There would be access for employees from the back of the building which would be locked at all
times. Configurations of the wall could help isolate people from the main offices if meetings are held in
the back conference room . There is plenty of room in the back for a overhang and a secondary ramp.
There would be a small loading dock for bringing the voting machines inside and out of the building .
TOWN BOARD MEETING 17 MARCH 9. 1998
APPROVED - APRIL 13. 1998
Town Clerk Noteboom - How many parking spaces would be lost with the construction of the loading
dock?
Director of Engineering Walker - There will not be any parking spaces lost.
Councilman Conley - How many parking spaces are there?
Director of Engineering Walker - There are 32 parking spaces.
Councilman Conley - How many of those parking spaces would be used for the Town employees?
Director of Engineering Walker - Approximately 25 parking spaces. We would need to double park cars
during the day.
Councilman Conley - Would Mayor Cohen be putting parking meters near the building?
Supervisor Valentino - The proposal is to keep the parking open to 15 minutes, with no parking meters.
Councilwoman Russell - Could the current elevator handle the voting machines?
Director of Engineering Walker - The current elevator is rated to hold 3, 000 pounds: It is not suitable as
a passenger elevator because of the clamp shelve doors. That will. be replaced with a hydraulic
elevator. There is a great deal of storage in this building.
Councilman Klein - Who will be occupying the five private offices?
Supervisor Valentino - Director of Engineering , Director of Planning , Director of Building and Zoning ,
Town Budget Officer, and the Human Resource Specialist.
Director of Engineering Walker - The Town Clerk and the Town Supervisor will have their own office
space2 There will be a phone in the conference room and space for any of the Board members wanting
to do research .
Councilman Klein - Planning has a lot of file cabinets. How many file cabinets would be located
upstairs?
Director of Engineering Walker - Most of the file cabinets in the Planning Department contain archival
material . They would be located in the records management area in the basement. There will be some
areas between the work stations for storage of materials. A lot of the flat file cabinets will not be
needed . Some drawings could be placed in smaller cabinets. A lot of the drawings we never look at.
They could be put into the archive vault. One. of these work stations could be set up for tax mapping.
Within the next few years we are hoping to have everything on the computers so we do not have to
refer to' the paper copies as much .
Town Clerk Noteboom - The Records Management Advisory Board will be meeting at the end of this
month . ; There are a lot of policies , procedures , and legislation the Town Board needs to review
according to the standards established by SARA to determine what constitutes archival records .
There will not be the necessity of having as much filing space within individual offices , but the RMA
Board needs to make some recommendations to the Town Board as to what is considered official.
There are a lot of things that need to be worked on .
t
TOWN BOARD MEETING 18 MARCH 99 1998
APPROVED - APRIL 13. 1998
Councilman Klein - People who are bringing in projects will bring in roles of blue prints and the
building/zoning office will still be filing paper copies for projects, so there is still the need for a fair
amount of work surfaces . Would any of the 19 work stations be used for some of the storage
functions?
Director of Engineering Walker - They will be work stations with storage incorporated within those
stations. There is approximately eight to ten feet of surface area in each of those work stations. The
space underneath could be used for storage.
Councilman Klein Would 19 work stations be adequate for the programs at Town Hall?
Director of Engineering Walker - Yes. The Town Hall has approximately 25 employees. The Town
Board was supplied with another configuration of having 26 work stations in the back.
Councilman Klein - I do not like that configuration .
Director of Engineering Walker - Staff toured the HOLT Architect facility to see what the work stations
would be like because they are similar to what we are proposing . Staff at HOLT are willing to give tours
of their building anytime.
Councilman Klein - Are you recommending that we build these in?
Director of Engineering Walker - This is just a recommendation . The cost is about the same.
Councilman Klein - It would cut down on the flexibility. We have moved things in this building so many
times, if we do the same in the new Town Hall it will be locked in .
Director of Engineering Walker - The cost was about the same for built-ins versus re-building . We want
plan this so there will not be a lot of changes .
Supervisor Valentino - People who have to be in the building on a daily basis would like more
permanent walls. We received a lot of good comments.
Councilman Klein - The concern is the scheduling of the Board Room. Every aspect would need to be
looked at. I would like to see is how the basement area could be utilized. If the court clerk's were in the
basement by themselves there could be security problems.
Supervisor Valentino - We will look at the scheduling , and look closer at how the space in the basement
could be utilized .
s
Director of Engineering Walker - The lobby will remain the same for the historic significance. I know the
concerns about the shared space. As far as the traffic pattern and accessibility for the public other
than the court clerk, does it seem appropriate for there to be the service counter in the Town Clerk's
office to be in close proximity to the service counter for planning , engineering, and zoning?
The Town Board was in agreement with the concept Mr. Walker was referring to above.
Town Clerk Noteboom - The area is very workable . The vault would be more accessible if moved
closer to the Deputy Town Clerk's. The windows will be nice and give the space an open feeling . The
other concept only had two work spaces , but we really need three. Would the big windows keep the
area cooler for the front office?
TOWN BOARD MEETING 19 MARCH 99 1998
APPROVED - APRIL 13. 1998
Director of Engineering Walker - We will want to keep the structural integrity of the windows to make
them more energy efficient.
Supervisor Valentino - We need to make a note about the handicap accessible rest rooms.
Councilwoman Grigorov - Would these be public access rest rooms?
Director of Engineering Walker - The rest rooms in the front of the building will be accessible to the
public. During the day the bathroom should be key controlled if someone needs to use it.
Town Clerk Noteboom - Why couldn't the public restroom be left opened during the day time?
Councilman Klein - Homeless people loiter at the public library and use the rest rooms for bathing
facilities.
Director of Engineering Walker - The key could be put onto a big ring so they could not walk out of the
building with it. With a bigger building there will be more maintenance issues to be addressed.
Town Budget Officer Alfred Carvill - I see Accounting and Personnel viewed as low profile
administration staff. I feel that this design looks very much like a Planning and Engineering firm.
Accounting and Personnel functions have been given very .little .credence related 20-the irportance of
the movement of cash activities , and security.
Councilman Klein - I think Mr. Carvill makes a good point.
Councilwoman Grigorov - Do you think that you have enough space?
Town Budget Officer Carvill - The Accounting staff is historically a composition of three to four people
which is now shared by two people . I have had conversations with the Town Clerk and Supervisor
Valentino that our eight hour day is well encapsulated into at least an 11 hour day per person . We put
out a lot of work, and we are in need of more help.
The Town Clerk's office is presently below staffing levels. We are technically down two staff people
who were historically handling a very lighter load which now has been greatly expanded. I see
expansion in creating greater levels by moving into another Town Hall . I would anticipate that we are
movingi into a new Town Hall to service more needs to the public, and with those needs will arise more
work. 1 feel that these departments seem quite small and less prioritized . They do have some
importance within the administrative functions .
Councilman Klein - Mr. Carvill raised some points . Planning, Engineering , and Zoning all really share a
lot of the same aspects .
Director of Building and Zoning Frost - I am also concerned about how well my office will function with
the changes at the new Town Hall because of the way we deal issues and the public as a team within
my department.
Councilwoman Grigorov - Do you work better when you are in one room?
Director of Building and Zoning Frost - Yes . It is a team effort. My secretary is my administrative
assistant. Not only do we take building permit applications , but the secretary could answer building
questions at the same time . We need to handle that team effort without having to run back and forth
L from one part of the building to the next.
TOWN BOARD MEETING 20 MARCH 9,, 1998
APPROVED - APRIL 13, 1998
Councilwoman Russell - Is that how Mr. Carvill feels , that he wants to be in the same room as the other
people he works with closely?
Town Budget Officer Carvill - I do not necessarily think so, but I do . not see the Accounting or Personnel
Departments having the ability for more expansion .
Director of Engineering Walker - There has been no designation of individual seats or offices in this
design. This is a schematic representation showing that 19 work stations will fit in the new Town Hall.
One of those four seat clusters could be the accounting office. The only , staff member that has
expressed concern about having more privacy is the Personnel Department because of the nature of
some of the documents. That is why I mentioned earlier that one of the single work stations would be
designated for personnel functions .
There are four people in Planning and four people in Engineering . There are three clerical people
upstairs . That makes 11 work stations out of 19 workstations .
Director of Planning Kanter - The numbers of current staff members and those currently projected this
year adds a records management person and a network administrator. There are a total of 21
workstations needed . There are 22 work stations available on this plan with two or three people in the
front.
Town Clerk Noteboom - I agree that there are enough work stations for current staff, but some other
things have been overlooked in some ways. Efficiency of program and making sure that we are not
duplicating work is important. The plan does not lend itself well in some of the back areas for
efficiency.
Open Work stations for accounting may not work. There may be someone working on abstracts writing
hundreds of checks. Where is the security for that person to leave their work out and feel comfortable
to leave their station. It would be an open work space. Before the Town Board instructs the architects
to redesign the space we might need to think more about the program issues.
We have not dealt with the room in the basement. Maybe maintenance supplies should be on the first
floor, along with the electrical and mechanical systems for the computers.
There may be some logistical things to decide regarding the Justice space. For example, a prisoner
was arraigned here last week, Justice Larkin asked me to look in the bathroom to make sure that there
were no sharp objects in the bathroom before they would allow him to use the bathroom . Security
issues have to be addressed .
Director] of Engineering Walker - I agree with that. This schematic shows a few different ways to layout
the work stations to meet the program needs. The next step is for the Department Heads to have an
extended work session to place staff in locations according to program . This needs to be a cooperative
effort. Ido not think it is a good idea to put the Personnel and Accounting offices to the back. Maybe it
is more important to have them up front with the support team.
Supervisor Valentino - The Town Board could refine this space if we want to spend our time doing that.
Realistically, if someone went to HOLT Architects and looked at their work stations and work areas, we
could figure out our work stations to make them functional within the space we are going to use .
Councilman Wolff - It is interesting to hear people talk about these issues . Plans are not as thoroughly
thought out as they could have been Big changes need fine tuning for any project. Cultures in the new
Town Hall will need to be sculptured from scratch . Are we doing the right thing in this plan in trying to
TOWN BOARD MEETING 21 MARCH 9. 1998
APPROVED - APRIL 13, 1998
determine what those effects will be . There are some things that we are not going to be able to
foresee .
Supervisor Valentino - No matter what it is , it is going to be better than what we have now. We want to
do the best we can with what we have, but there will need be a limit to what we can do with space. We
need to work together and be realistic. When we first talked about the program we talked about being .
able to have one floor space to integrate and interchange our work and function as one group who can
change from one work station to another.
We are not going to double the size of the current staff. We are not seeing that type of growth in the
Town, and we are not going to see a lot of additions. We will have space in the basement to
accommodate other spaces, other work stations for interns. The space in the Town Hall that will be
needed over the next 20 years or more is there.
Councilman Klein - If we do put the courts downstairs and the Board Room was moved over, there
would be space created for Personnel and Accounting . I think that the accounting functions need
security and not an open work station .
Supervisor Valentino - They can lock checks and other sensitive items in drawers before they leave
their work station . Personnel should also lock up any confidential information before that person leave
their work stations.
Director of Engineering Walker - If we wanted to have more working space, the conference office could
be made into a smaller area for accounting . The employee lounge does not have to be on the first
floor, it could be moved into the basement. There is a lot of space in the basement depending how the
Code Enforcement Officer rates it. We could have a coffee maker on the first floor for the employees
to use: A larger lounge with a refrigerator and microwave could be located in the basement: This may
encourage people to get away from their work stations for their lunches and breaks as they should .
Supervisor Valentino - We will get together with HOLT Architects to continue fine tuning schematic
design'.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 21 - CONSIDER RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE WATER/SEWER SPECIAL
DISTRICT ASSESSMENT REVIEW COMMITTEE REGARDING REQUEST FOR REFUNDS OF
WATER AND SEWER BENEFIT ASSESSMENT CHARGES.
i
RESOLUTION NO. 496 Motion made by Councilman Conley, seconded by Councilwoman
Grigorov that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca hereby authorizes a refund of $247. 32 for water, to
be paid to Noel Desch, 132 Updike Road, Ithaca, New York 14850. A vote on the resolution resulted
as follows .
Supervisor Valentino , aye ; Councilwoman Grigorov, aye ; Councilman Klein , aye; Councilman Conley,
aye; Councilwoman Russell , aye; Councilman Wolff, aye. Motion carried unanimously. (NOTE:
Formal adopted resolution is hereto attached . )
RESOLUTION NO. 50: Motion made by Councilman Klein, seconded by Supervisor Valentino that
the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca hereby authorizes refunds of $ 186. 26 for water and $218. 23 for
sewer [total of $404. 49] to be paid to Fred Rolfe, 358 Bostwick Road, Ithaca, New York 14850. A vote
on the resolution resulted as follows .
TOWN BOARD MEETING 22 MARCH 9. 1998
APPROVED - APRIL 13, 1998
Supervisor Valentino, aye; Councilwoman Grigorov, aye; Councilman Klein , aye; Councilman Conley,
aye; ' Councilwoman Russell , aye; Councilman Wolff, aye. Motion carried unanimously. ( NOTE:
Formal adopted resolution is hereto attached . )
AGENDA ITEM NO. 22 - CONSIDER CHANGE ORDER FOR THE SCLIWC MATERIAL STORAGE
BUILDING PROJECT:
Director of Engineering Walker - When the contractor started to layout the work he found there was
interference from the piping underneath the tank. He suggested cutting 12 inches off the existing
concrete slab . Doing that work would add $ 1 , 040 . 00 to the cost of the project.
RESOLUTION NO. 51 : Motion made by Supervisor Valentino, seconded by Councilman Klein that
the Town Board hereby approves Change Order No. 1 , to, the Contract for the Material Storage Building
at SCLIWC, and authorizes an increase in the contract sum in the amount of $ 1, 040. 00. A vote on the
resolution resulted as follows.
Supervisor Valentino, aye ; Councilwoman Grigorov, aye; Councilman Klein , aye; Councilman Conley,
aye; Councilwoman Russell, aye ; Councilman Wolff, aye. Motion carried unanimously. (NOTE:
Formal adopted resolution is hereto attached . )
AGENDA ITEM NO. 23 - CONSIDER AUTHORIZATION TO AMEND RESOLUTION, AND APPROVAL
OF BUDGET TRANSFER RELATED TO THE HIGHWAY FACILITY STUDY:
Superintendent Noteboom - We only budgeted $6, 000 from the Appropriated Fund Balance when the
proposals were received and opened . The lowest bid was $ 12 , 500 . In the resolution of approval last
month , I mentioned $ 12 , 000, which should have been $ 12 , 500 . The proposed resolution just shows
the transfer of the money being added to that line item to cover the additional amount.
Councilman Klein - At the last meeting the Town Board authorized $ 12 , 000, and the MRB proposal was
$ 12 , 500 .
RESOLUTION NO. 52: Motion made by Councilman Klein, seconded by Councilwoman Grigorov
that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca does hereby amend Resolution No. 3411998, dated
February 9, 1998, "to expend no more than $ 12, 500, from General Fund Account No. A5132. 418, and
be it further
RESOLVED, that the goveming Town Board has reviewed said request and herein approves and
authorizes the said 1998 General Fund Budget Amendment. A vote on the resolution resulted as
follows .
Supervisor Valentino , aye ; Councilwoman Grigorov, aye; Councilman Klein , aye; Councilman Conley,
aye ; Councilwoman Russell , aye ; Councilman Wolff, aye. Motion carried unanimously. (NOTE:
Formal adopted resolution is hereto attached . )
AGENDA ITEM NO. 24 - CONSIDER ACCEPTANCE OF BIDS, AND APPROVAL OF PURCHASE OF
THE FOLLOWING HIGHWAY AND ENGINEERING EQUIPMENT:
RESOLUTION NO. 53: Motion made by Supervisor Valentino, seconded by Councilman Conley
that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca accepts the respective bids from Metro Ford, and be it
further
TOWN BOARD MEETING 23 MARCH 9. 1998
APPROVED - APRIL 13, 1998
RESOLVED, that the Highway Superintendent and the Town Engineer are hereby authorized and
directed to purchase
A. TRUCK # 1 - NEW ONE (1) TON CREW CAB AND CHASSIS 4X2 - $25, 676. 00.
B. TRUCK #2 - NEW ONE (1) TON CAB AND CHASSIS - $25, 771 , 80.
C. TRUCK #3 - NEW ONE (1) TON CAB AND CHASSIS - $25, 744. 80.
D. TRUCK #4 - NEW ONE (1) THREE QUARTER TON PICKUP - $24, 390. 00, and
with $54, 810. 80 to be taken from the DB5130. 200 account, $21 , 000. 00 to be taken from the
B7140. 200 account, and $25, 771 . 80 to be split equally between the F8340. 200 and G8140. 200
accounts. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows.
Supervisor Valentino , aye; Councilwoman Grigorov, aye; Councilman Klein , aye; Councilman Conley,
aye; Councilwoman Russell , aye; Councilman Wolff, aye. Motion carried unanimously. (NOTE:
Formal adopted resolution is hereto attached . )
AGENDA ITEM NO. 25 - CONSENT ITEMS: CONSIDER RESOLUTION APPROVING AND/OR
AUTHORIZING THE FOLLOWING :
RESOLUTION NO. 54 (a) - 54a): Motion made by Supervisor Valentino, seconded by Councilman
Klein that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca hereby approves and/or adopts the resolutions for
Consent Agenda Item No. 25 (a) - 25 (i) and 25 (k) as presented and/or amended, j. .Consent Agenda
Item No, 25 6) will be considered separately. A vote on the resolution resulted as follows.
Supervisor Valentino , aye; Councilwoman Grigorov, aye; Councilman Klein , aye; Councilman Conley,
aye ; ;Councilwoman Russell , aye; Councilman Wolff, aye. Motion carried unanimously. (NOTE:
Formal adopted resolution is hereto attached . )
AGENDA ITEM NO. 25 ( i):
Councilwoman Russell - We are being asked to appoint Debby Kelley as a Deputy Town Clerk with the
appointment taking place March 9, 1998 , but yet she would not receive a raise until May 10 , 1998 .
Supervisor Valentino - The Deputy Town Clerk's were given temporary wage increases for taking on the
additional work created with the resignation of the previous Deputy. The new person that will be hired
for the keyboard Specialist position will not be starting until May.
RESOLUTION NO. 55: Motion made by Supervisor Valentino, seconded by Councilwoman Russell
that the Town Board ratifies the appointment made by the Town Clerk, of Deborah Kelley as Deputy
Town Clerk. Said appointment will be effective March 9, 1998, with the position being in job
classification "K" at a full time status of 37. 5 hours a week. Mrs. Kelley's hourly wage of $ 10. 77 will be
effective May 10, 1998 to coincide with the starting of the new Keyboard Specialist. A vote on the
resolution resulted as follows.
Supervisor Valentino , aye ; Councilwoman Grigorov, aye; Councilman Klein , aye; Councilman Conley,
aye; Councilwoman Russell , aye ; Councilman Wolff, aye. Motion carried unanimously. (NOTE:
Formal 'adopted resolution is hereto attached . )
AGENDA ITEM NO. 26 - REPORT OF TOWN COMMITTEES:
TOWN BOARD MEETING 24 MARCH 9. 1998
APPROVED - APRIL 13, 1999"
Councilman Klein - The Codes and Ordinances Committee is working on the zoning revisions. A great
deal of time has been spent on the agriculture section . The Committee reviewed cell tower legislation .
The Public Works Committee spent a lot of time looking at the progress made by the Engineering and
Highway Departments on the Northeast Stormwater Management, The Town Board set a public
meeting date of Tuesday, March 31 , to discuss the Northeast Stormwater. Management with the
residents.
Supervisor Valentino - The individuals from the County who are working on the television franchise
agreement talked at the Tompkins County Municipal Officers meeting . They are moving ahead with the
City of Ithaca to hire a consultant to negotiate the contract. The City asked the Town to participate in
that contract by contributing to the $ 150, 000 total cost. But at the time we did not wish to expend the
money for the consultant.
The County Cable Commission and the City of Ithaca have discussed this with the other towns and
villages in the county. Most of the other towns and villages are interested in participating with the City
to hire the consultant. The City would pay the bulk of the cost of hiring the consultant. During a special
meeting of the Cable Commission a formula was developed to determine the cost for each municipality
to contribute to hiring the consultant. The formula shows that each town and village would pay their
share based on how many subscribers are in each municipality, $2 . 00 for each subscriber. Based on
the formula, the Town of Ithaca would pay approximately $ 10, 000 .
1 would like the Town Board to advise me as to whether that cost would be appropriate .
Councilman Wolff - My understanding was that although the Towns would be paying for this service at
the beginning , the final document would stipulate that all the towns be reimbursed for the cost of the
consultant. That was the case in the last agreement.
Supervisor Valentino - There is no guarantee that we would be reimbursed the $ 10 , 000 for the
consultant, even though that did happen after the last agreement was finalized .
Councilman Wolff - It is absolutely necessary that if we are going to do the cable franchise correctly, it
has to be done with the kind of expertise a consultant can provide.
Supervisor Valentino - The municipal officers who have gone to the meetings with the consultants felt
they were very knowledgeable. These consultants have a very good record for negotiating these type
of franchise agreements . There is something to be said for having more power at the °bargaining table"
as a group rather than each municipality negotiating separately.
The Town receives approximately $40 , 000 from the franchise fees . Some of that money should be
used to provide negotiating services to get the best possible contract for our users. I feel very
comfortable in saying the Town of Ithaca should participate in the cost of hiring the consultant.
Councilwoman Russell - Has a consultant been selected?
Supervisor Valentino - Yes. I went to a meeting with the consultant where we had a chance to ask
questions.
Councilman Wolff - The process of finding the consultant has been ongoing . They have had open
meetings for people to ask questions and get involved . This was a process done by the City, but the
County Cable Commission was also involved .
TOWN BOARD MEETING 25 MARCH 9. 1998
APPROVED - APRQ, 134 1998
Councilwoman Russell - Is this consultant from out of the state, or are they from New York?
Supervisor Valentino - They are an agency that deals with City' s on these type of issues. They are a
group , they have attorney's on staff, and there are people who have a great deal of experience in
researching these type of telecommunications agreements. They focus on this one issue.
Attorney Barney - I would assume that we would have a chance to look at whatever, they developed .
Councilman Conley - I think the $ 10 , 000 contribution seems fair.
Supervisor Valentino - At this point the County Cable Commission is saying most of the towns and
villages are willing to go with this concept. The City would pay $ 100 . 000 of the total $ 150, 000 cost.
They were going to do it on their own if they had to. Most of the towns and villages felt, as I do, that we
would receive value through this process and we should contribute.
Councilwoman Russell - Is the County going to contribute to the cost?
Supervisor Valentino - No, just the municipalities that have the cable service. The County does not
have any cable subscribers.
I am very enthusiastic this year about the Tompkins County Municipal Officers Association. They have
been working very hard at getting re-organized and working on issues as a group either with the County
or other entities. I have been disappointed that I am the only official from the Town who has attended
these meetings . We are members and staff and Town Board members are welcome.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 27 - REPORTS OF TOWN OFFICIALS:
i
A. i Town Clerk/ Receiver of Taxes we See attached .
Be ; Highway Superintendent - See attached .
Superintendent Noteboom - The President of Ithaca College has encouraged students to become
involved in the community. Some of the students are interested and will be working on the South Hill
Trail to build some fences . They will be supervised by the Ithaca College maintenance crew.
Councilwoman Grigorov - Someone from the Town will be showing them how and what should be
done?
Superintendent Noteboom - Yes, we will coordinate the work: It looks as if this involvement will be
ongoing .
Attorney Barney - Does our insurance cover this type of activity?
Supervisor Valentino - Some of the other insurance we should check on is the insurance for the new
Town Hall .
Attorney Barney - This project with Ithaca College is somewhat worrisome because we have had some
workers compensation cases in the past when summer student workers were injured using some of the
maintenance equipment, like chair saws .
Superintendent Noteboom - Before progressing we will investigate the insurance implications .
TOWN BOARD MEETING 26 MARCH 99 1998
APPROVED - APRIL 13, 1998
co Director of Engineering - See attached .
Director of Engineering Walker - Should the water study group be mentioned?
Supervisor Valentino - Six members of the Water Study Committee attended a meeting with the City
Mayor to talk about the consolidated water. All felt the smaller group was very productive. There is .
progress towards a partnership arrangement for the consolidated water. We may get help from the
NYS SMART program through the State Comptroller's Office. They have people with expertise in
putting together these consolidated efforts . They also can help us with the State beauracracy and
provide information regarding grant funding that may be available.
Director of Engineering Walker - When Cornell is out of session next week we will be opening some
water valves to supply water to portions of the City to see how the flow works. The Sheldon Road tank
in Cayuga Heights and the Maple Avenue tank in the City were built as "sister tanks". When the City
stopped supplying us with water the valves were shut . off and r
some "dead ends" were created. This
test will allow us to see whether the old pipes work.
D. Director of Planning on See attached .
Director of Planning Kanter - I provided the Board with an outline of what may be happening with the
Cornell Lake Source Cooling Project in terms of pre-planning arrangements. The Town Board may
wish to have a special meeting to hold a public hearing towards the end of April . We had some
communication from Cornell about the public access issue near the lake shore . It seems that we will
need another meeting to decide some of those issues .
New York State has asked to be the lead agency for review on the Black Diamond Trail which is to be
constructed by the State Parks system . There is really no problem with that since they are doing it, but
the Town Board may wish to be considered as an interested agency. This involves acquisition , funding,
and construction by the State Parks. They sent an Environmental Assessment Form . With permission
from the Town Board and the Planning Board , I could send a response that we have no problem with
them doing the review.
Councilman Conley - It would be nice if they kept us informed about the entire process.
Director of Planning Kanter - We have asked the State to come to one of the Town Board meetings to
give an overview of the plans . Probably, it would be a good thing to do in the next few months .
Councilwoman Russell - Do we have to ask them to be classified as an interested agency?
Director of Planning Kanter - We would be considered an "interested agency" just because there are
lands through the Town that will be affected . We would only be an "involved agency" if we actually had
to provide some type of approval . It does not look like we would need to provide any approval , unless
they asked us to help with some part of the plans.
The study of the adult entertainment businesses by the Codes and Ordinances Committee is under
way. Hopefully, a draft will be ready for the next meeting .
Supervisor Valentino received a letter from the County Planning Department about a parcel that will
probably be placed on the auction listing . The County will more than likely be taking possession of the
parcel for non payment of taxes. This is a parcel near the Coy Glen area that the Conservation Board
has been reviewing . It is a 12 . 5 acre parcel at the comer of the unique natural area known as "Bill
TOWN BOARD MEETING 27 MARCH 9. 1998
APPROVED - APRIL 13. 1998
Dresser's Woods". It is also known as the "Culver Creek Gorge Unique Natural Area" by the County. It
is an area that has not been looked at very closely.
When the County's Environmental Management Council did their Unique Natural Area Study they could
not get permission from the landowners to look at that parcel so they did not have any specific
information about the parcel . When any parcels come up for pending auctions they have the County
Planning Department look at the properties to see if there are any Unique Natural Areas involved, or
other things that may need special attention . It was good that the County notified us about this.
Does the Town Board have any problem with it going to public auction , or do we want to ask the County
to postpone putting this property up for auction because of the potential natural qualities. It was shown
in the Town's Park, Recreation , and Open Space Plan as recommended for Conservation Zoning , but it
was not recommended for the Purchase of Development Rights Program ,
The Town could send a letter to the County suggesting they postpone putting this property up for
auction until they have a better chance to look at the property and conduct and inventory of the natural
characteristics. Assuming the County takes it over, they will no longer will have to get permission from
the landowner to look at it because the County will take title to it. It may also be appropriate to give the
County a bigger message to perhaps start thinking about a long range policy of looking at these parcels
when they take over ownership for various reasons. The County should hold some of these properties
long term if they were designated by the County as Unique Natural Areas: The County provides very
little in terms of preserving, areas other than making recommendations to Towns and Villages to do so.
Supervisor Valentino - The County should take a bigger role, and perhaps preserve some of these
areas themselves.
Councilwoman Russell - The Town should coordinate these efforts with our representative, Dooley
Keifer because she has been pushing hard for that to happen .
Director of Planning Kanter - All Town of Ithaca representatives should be notified . I will draft a letter
for Supervisor Valentino to review. There will be limited funds for the first Development Rights
Program ,
Councilwoman Grigorov - Is the Sterling House a new developer name or just the new name for the
Woven Hearts development?
Director of Planning Kanter - It is a new name, it is a combined , Woven Hearts and Sterling House.
The Alzheimer's portion is Sterling House, and the Assisted Living is Woven Hearts. It is still the same
developer, but it is under new corporate structure.
Councilwoman Grigorov - I wonder if something like this is needed in the Town of Ithaca .
Councilman Klein - Did the architect make further revisions to the building for the Lake Source Cooling
Project?
Director of Planning Kanter - It was exactly what the Town Board saw in December. Most additional
changes were in the landscaping . The Planning Board was pleased with the plans the Town Board
saw.
Councilman Klein - Would the March 17'h , Planning Board meeting have a public hearing on the Lake
Source Cooling Project?
TOWN BOARD MEETING 28 MARCH 9. 1998
APPROVED - APRIL 13, 1998
Director of Planning Kanter - That will be a public hearing for the "Statement of Findings". There will be
another public hearing on April 7th to consider the site plan , subdivision , and recommendation to the
Zoning Board of Appeals . The reason for the first separate public hearing on the "Statement of
Findings" , is to open the discussion to the public for comments on any aspect of the Lake Source
Cooling Project.
E. Director of Building and Zoning - See attached .
Director of Building and Zoning Frost - There was a fire in November on Westview Lane, part of the
Grandview Subdivision off of Honness Lane. The building remains unchanged since the fire, and the
Zoning Board of Appeals considered that the neighborhood wants the building rebuilt.
For months now, we have been talking with the owners of each side of the townhouse building . There
have been some disagreements between the owners in terms of the rebuilding . One of the owners did
go before the Planning Board to receive approvals because it was in a subdivision with conditions .
The Town Board should know that there may be a petition from the neighborhood people wanting to
see the building rebuilt. We are trying to work through the process of issuing building permits, and
having an agreement as to how the building will be rebuilt because of the "party wall" .
Councilman Klein - A variance was granted by the Town?
Director of Building and Zoning Frost - One of the conditions of the subdivision was that any change in
the building would be approved with a modified site plan from the Planning Board . That was
accomplished last week. Ivar Johnson , owner of one half of the building came before the Planning
Board . He wants a mechanical room in part of the garage.
Councilman Klein - The part of the building that burned belonged to Ivar Johnson?
Director of Building and Zoning Frost - Yes, that is where the fire started . The fire damaged both sides
of the "party wall'. Mr. Johnson wants to rebuild his side of the wall with a slightly different roof height
than the other side, but the other owner does not want that to happen .
Director of Planning Kanter - The Planning Board conditioned it upon the owners agreeing to where the
party wall joins so one side would not adversely affect the other owner's ability to connect the way they
want to on the other side.
Director of Building and Zoning Frost - A resident was going to appear tonight to ,speak about having a
basement apartment in their Northeast home. We asked them to sign an affidavit, or remove the
kitchen; I have been postponing a decision because the owner wished to address the Town Board.
This involves a two family home with an apartment that was added .
The second unit was added in 1991 without any permits or certificates and is non-compliance according
to the building code. I asked them to remove the kitchen or the cooking facilities, then the definition
would be taken out of the space and it would no longer be a dwelling unit. The property owner can sign
an affidavit certifying they are not renting an illegal space. The property owner called Supervisor
Valentino and did not want to remove the kitchen . This issue will be pursued further.
Councilwoman Russell - Could this space be brought into compliance?
TOWN BOARD MEETING 29 MARCH 9. 1998
APPROVED - APRIL 13, 1998
Director of Building and Zoning Frost - There was a problem with the finished grade on the outside and
the space is really a cellar. There would need to be adjustments to the grade on the outside of the
building , but that would cause some expense .
Supervisor Valentino - Are the affidavits filed with the Clerk so that if someone sells the property we
know there is a problem?
Director of Building and Zoning Frost - There have been discussions about doing that. 1 talked to the
County Clerk's office, and there would be a filing fee of $ 13 . 00.
There were no fire occurrences in the Town this past month . We conducted nine fire safety
inspections.
F. Human Resources Specialist - See attached .
G. Budget Officer - See attached .
Town Budget Officer Carvill - Interest earnings are down due to the decrease in the U . S. Treasurer rate
for the bonds. Interest rates have dropped as of December 1997.
The decline in sales tax revenue is here to stay. The Town had the luxury during 1997 to appreciate
access contributions from the County of $ 198, 000, and an appreciated value of approximately
$ 136, 000 for 1996, and $195, 000 in 1995. The State wants to get out of the distribution of sales tax.
The Town is already short $39 , 000 in fund balance from support of sales tax for the Fire Fund . An
$80 , 000 loss will certainly have an impact.
The Town is in good financial position . Discussions with the Department of Audit and Control included
questions about prior year's reporting , especially in the Water Fund .
AGENDA ITEM NO. 28 on DISCUSSION OF SEWER JOINT SUBCOMMITTEE BONDING FOR PLANT
IMPROVEMENTS,
Supervisor Valentino - There have been many discussions with the City regarding paying cash for the
improvements to the plant as there was plenty of capital reserve money to do so . We finally won that
debate and decided that we would pay for those improvements out of the cash reserves. Larry
Frabbroni and I talked about the New York State Plan for bonding sewer projects. I mentioned that this
project' is already finished , and Mr. Frabbroni mentioned that the State is interested in bonding projects
that are finished . The State has bond money available at a rate of 2. 5 percent including the expense
costs . IThe Town currently has that money in investments that are making 5 percent or more. The City
of Ithaca is asking if the Town would revisit bonding because of the favorable interest that we could
earn? The City of Ithaca never rescinded their bonding resolution , and we could move forward to bond ,
if we wanted to .
Councilman Wolff - Would this mean refinancing a bond?
Supervisor Valentino - The Town never bonded because we had enough money in the capital reserve
fund to' pay for it.
Director of Engineering Walker - The $460 , 000 amount is not for the sewer treatment plant. The STP
modification is $690 , 000 , that is probably 90 percent complete. There are pumps that need to be
installed and testing to be done. Phase II and Phase III of the sewer treatment plant plans were never
a
TOWN BOARD MEETING 30 MARCH 9. 1998
APPROVED - APRIL 13, 1998
supplied to us for review. The sewer treatment plant modification should have a higher score than what
is listed on the sheet. The City of Ithaca bonds the money for one reason , and uses the money for
something else.
Town Budget Officer Carvill - The proposed resolution looks fine. If we join forces and agree to
bonding that debt affects the Town 's credit rating . The Town of Ithaca has a "AA" rating , and the City of
Ithaca has "A" bond rating . The Town is trying to raise our bond rating . Every time the town is in a
partnership , commission or joint venture we are in harmony within that market place for our own
indebtedness. How does this effect the Town's credit? How does this place the Town in the bond
market with our water and sewer, or is the City looking for improvement for their mutual gain? What
impact does this have on the Town? These questions need to be addressed prior to future bonding
considerations and decisions.
Councilman Klein - Does the City of Ithaca have a better credit than the Town?
Town Budget Officer Carvill - The City's credit has been better, but their bids are harder. The Town's
flow is good on the crediting rating . I am working with Moody Investment Services to get the Town a
better credit rating .
Councilwoman Russell - The City bonding and using the money to pay for something else does not
sound right.
Director of Engineering Walker - I am not sure of that.
Supervisor Valentino - The Joint Sewer Fund we have with the City is a separate fund within the City's
budget. That money should stay within that budget.
Attorney Barney - Is that a segregated fund?
Supervisor Valentino - The only fund that is segregated is the Joint Sewer Fund . The interest from the
Fire Department Fund , which we have interest in , goes into the City's General Fund . The Recreation
Partnership members have mentioned the City does the same thing with that fund . We all pay into the
partnership, but if there is excess money over the budget amounts it goes into the City's General Fund.
The partners are not sharing it. All of those things should be segregated funds if we are all partners.
Director, of Engineering Walker - The interest on the investment of the money has been staying in the
Reserve Fund ,
Supervisor Valentino - The sewer investment shows up on the financial reports. That is the only fund
that shows the interest and money on the financial reports for the joint entity. We should be okay with
that part of it.
Town Budget Officer Carvill - Is the City earning this in excess of five percent? That may be true from
funds that were invested and rolled over between 1997 into 1998. Would the two percent spread stay
there?
Supervisor Valentino - I am not totally sure about the interest because I have not seen any
documentation from the City. Reports show what the interest will be with the points, but does not show
how long they are invested and at what rate. All we see is the total amount of interest.
Attorney. Barney - The Town could lose its tax exempt classification if we bond for a project, not expend
all of it, and invest the money to make more money.
TOWN BOARD MEETING 31 MARCH 9, 1998
APPROVED - APRIL 13, 1998
Supervisor Valentino - Beyond the laws and rules, this money does not belong to the Town , it belongs
to the taxpayers. The taxpayers do not pay their taxes for the Town ' to bond things and make
investments. The taxpayers pay their taxes for the Town to pay what we owe on money we have to
borrow for projects. There is a healthy fund that could pay for this project, and I have not seen any
clear documentation of reasoning to bond for a project that has already been completed and paid for
with cash .
Councilman Wolff - If the Town needs a project done there needs to be some investigating as to how it
would be paid for. Would the Town use cash reserves, or bond and use the cash for something else?
Attorney Barney - That is another issue. I do not think the Town could use the cash for something else.
That is a capital reserve fund and it is there for capital projects only.
Town Clerk Noteboom - If the State of New York could borrow money at 2 . 5 percent, and then invest it
for 5. 5 percent, would they let the Town do it without doing it themselves?
Supervisor Valentino - That is correct.
Councilwoman Russell - Aren't bonds subject to permissive referendum?
Town Clerk Noteboom - It depends on the project.
Director of Engineering Walker - The City has exemptions from that requirement. The City is providing
money to the municipalities at 2 . 5 percent.
Councilwoman Russell - The Town Board is not discussing our responsibility. We are discussing the
responsible way to fund necessary projects when they need to be done.
Attorney Barney - The method the City is proposing does not bear a lot of responsibility.
Supervisor Valentino - Why is the State giving out bond money for projects that are completed or
almost 'completed? If the State wants to tell the public what they have done, all of these projects look
good because they are already finished . The Town wanted to pay for this out of the capital reserve
because there was enough to complete the project without borrowing.
Councilman Klein - The capital reserve is getting larger. If the Town borrows the money, it will probably
be much too large.
Supervisor Valentino - If the Town spends this money it will bring it down to a reasonable level . We
need to have some fund balance.
Director of Engineering Walker - The Town was successful in eliminating the contribution. The Town
paid for some of the project out of current funds by not putting it into the capital reserve. There was
$250, 000 a year being taken from the operating fund that was into the capital reserve. That money
could be used for projects instead of making the reserve bigger.
Supervisor Valentino - The Town felt from the beginning that our portion for the improvements to the
sewer plant should be paid from the Town's share in the reserve fund . There is adequate money to pay
for those improvements. That is what needs to be done . The Town of Dryden will not be going to
bonding because their part is so small , and they will pay cash out of their portion . If the City wants to
bond their portion they can certainly do that. I will gather more information for the Town Board to
review at a later date .
TOWN BOARD MEETING 32 MARCH 9, 1998
APPROVED - APRIL 13, 1998
AGENDA ITEM NO. 29 - TIME PERMITTING : DISCUSSION OF FIVE YEAR CAPITAL PLAN .
Due to the time, this agenda item will be deferred to another meeting .
AGENDA ITEM NO. 30 - CONSIDER POLICY REGARDING WATER AND SEWER BILLING
REFUNDS:
Town Budget Officer Carvill - We have a situation of a landlord with multiple tenants who receives the
bill for the building instructs the tenants to pay us directly a percentage of the bill. When the tenants do
not pay their portion , the landlord does. Then the tenant will come in and pay after all , this creates a
credit on the bill . Then the landlord calls us and wants us to send them a refund for the credit amount.
Councilman Klein - Does the Town accept partial payments?
Supervisor Valentino - We should not, but we do . There are a few landlords that do not have separate
meters on their houses. They receive the bill and then notify the tenants of what they owe to them .
There are some tenants who pay the Town instead of the landlords, then the landlords mail in a
payment which includes what the tenants have already paid.
If a bill is in a particular persons name and they have a meter they are responsible for that bill . The
check we receive for the bill should come from the landlord. If landlords want to collect from their
tenants that is there business. The Town needs to have a clear policy about the water meters stating
that if they have a water meter in their name then they are the person responsible for that bill . We do
not want to see partial checks from the tenants. If the Town sees those checks we will be returning
them to the landlords because it is their responsibility to collect the money from the tenants.
Director of Engineering Walker - Do the tenants have the account numbers?
Town Clerk Noteboom - "Yes. "
Town Budget Officer Carvill - The landlord notifies the tenant of the amount to be paid with the account
number to refer to .
Councilman Klein - We should not collect amounts other than what is on the water and ',sewer bills.
Supervisor Valentino - The Town needs to get a policy in place.
Town Clerk Noteboom - What about an owner that wants to make a partial payment? , Would that be
allowed; or should we only collect the entire amount due?
Attorney Barney - Partial payments are okay on water and sewer bills , but not on tax bills.
Town Clerk Noteboom - If someone receives a water and sewer bill for the normal billing of $48 . 10 per
quarter and they want to pay $20 . 00 on that bill because they are short of money, the interest and
penalty will accrue on the balance. We still have the option to add the unpaid amount as a delinquent
water and sewer collection if we do not receive payment during the year. That is a policy to think about
because of customer relations. Some people might only to be able to pay a portion of the bill , and do
so to show good faith . How should we handle those situations?
Attorney Barney - How has the Town been handing those situations?
TOWN BOARD MEETING 33 MARCH 9. 1998
APPROVED - APRIL 13, 1998
Town Clerk Noteboom - Normally we accept a partial payment by the owner, but we explain that the
balance will accrue interest and penalty on the next billing .
Councilman Conley - Why explain it to the owner? If they come to pay $20 . 00 on a $48. 10 bill they will
know that there will be a balance that would need to paid sooner or later.
Town Clerk Noteboom - Some people do not understand about the accrued interest and penalties.
Some people come in again before the next billing cycle to pay the remaining balance.
Councilwoman Russell - Does the Town need to generate a bill every month?
Town Clerk Noteboom - We call Bolton Point to see what a balance is on a particular day when
needed . That creates more administrative work. The water and sewer bills are sent out quarterly.
Town Budget Officer Carvill - I do not believe that we could enact legislation saying we will take only full
payments.
Supervisor Valentino - The Town of Ithaca is the only municipality in the Bolton Point group that gives
people a full 30 days to make their payments . We give owners 30 days before interest and penalty
accrue. The Town has done that in good faith to help people make those payments, especially
landlords. The landlords should budget to pay their bills. The majority of people pay promptly and on
time.
Councilman Conley - I do not think employees should be taking partial payments, and then have to call
Bolton Point about what the balance is later. Why should they be doing that? The owners should send
the Town a check and that is what we will accept. If the owners owe next time and have a penalty they
should pay it, but I do not think that the Town should accept partial payments.
Town Clerk Noteboom - Most partial payments are received by mail . Should we take the time and
spend the money to send them back and request full payment?
Councilman Conley - No, accept what they send . Then the owner would have to pay a penalty at the
next billing cycle.
Director of Engineering Walker - The billing system will handle partial payments. It does create a
problem because the billing system does not split the money between water and sewer, it applies
everything to sewer first.
Attorney Barney - The Town Board has two choices , which are landlord problems and should the Town
Clerk accept partial payments.
Councilman Klein - Could the Town Board find out by the next meeting whether it is legal to do so?
Supervisor Valentino - "Yes . "
Councilman Wolff - Is it legal , and how much additional administrative and accounting work does this
create?
ADDITIONAL AGENDA ITEM NO. 1 - CONSIDER CONFIRMATORY SEWER LINE EASEMENT AND
LICENSE WITH MCALLISTER:
TOWN BOARD MEETING 34 MARCH 9. 1998
APPROVED - APRQ, 13. 1998
Attorney Barney - Fred Thomas in the 1960's gave an easement to the Town for the sewer line. At that
time there were many easements that were not processed as they should have been. The Engineering
Department found them and determined they needed to be recorded in the County Clerk's office, and
did so Through intervening years with different transactions questions have been raised about these.
This property has changed hands twice since the original easement was given by Fred Thomas. Mr.
Thomas gave the easement and the McAllister's lived on the property for a number of years. Sometime
after the easement was given , but before it was recorded , a carport was built over the easement line.
The current owner wants to sell the property and the attorney for the buyer raised the question that an
easement does not show on their abstract. An easement was found , but there is a question of carport
being legal because of the timing .
We entered into an agreement with McAllister where they acknowledged and consented to the
existence of this easement. The Town granted them a license to keep their carport over our sewer line
subject to the right of taking it down to work on the sewer line if necessary.
We needed to complete this in a rush because the transaction involving the new buyer was occurring
today. If we waited until after today the agreement with McAllister (buyer) would have had to have been
made the same as with Thomas. If it were not recorded today then we would need to deal with the new
owners. They are living in the Philippines, buying the property for their son who is going to Cornell
University, and dealing with a bank in Minnesota .
I recommended to Supervisor Valentino that the Town Board sign this easement prior to this meeting so
that it could be recorded before the sale takes place . This has happened , and the easement is
recorded . The Town Board needs to adopt a resolution ratifying that action .
RESOLUTION NO. 56: Motion made by Councilman Conley, seconded by Councilman Wolff that
the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca hereby ratifies and confirms the execution by the Town
Supervisor of a confirmatory easement agreement with John J. And Joyce McAllister pursuant to which
the Town confirms the existence of its easement for the maintenance of a sewer line and grants to the
McAllisters and their successors a license to maintain a carport within the easement area, subject to the
right of the Town to excavate and otherwise maintain and replace said line. A vote on the resolution
resulted as follows .
Supervisor Valentino , aye ; Councilwoman Grigorov, aye; Councilman Klein , aye; Councilman Conley,
aye; Councilwoman Russell , aye ; Councilman Wolff, aye. Motion carried unanimously. (NOTE:
Formal adopted resolution is hereto attached . )
Additional Business:
Councilwoman Russell presented information from Barry Appleton of an international law firm . He is
the attorney who has filed a $200 million lawsuit against the government of Canada on behalf of Ethel
Corporation under the NASA Treaty. (CORRECTION-TBMTG 4113 198AESOL. 71 (A)= "NAFTA"). He is
suing because a gasoline additive of MMT that the corporation manufactured has been banned by
Canada.
Councilman Conley - What does this have to do with our Town?
Councilman Wolff - This is an issue of jurisdiction . A company that is not based near here, but is
challenging the legality of local laws which are passed .
TOWN BOARD MEETING 35 MARCH 9. 1998
APPROVED - APRQ. 1391998
Attorney Barney - The MAI would impact the local municipality the most, but right now it is the
government against government. If the MAI as adopted and outlined by Mr. Barry, it would have an
impact on the Town because we could be subject to a lawsuit from someone outside the country. We
can discriminate against our own citizens, but if it were someone from Germany or Mexico that would
- - be different.
Councilwoman Russell - But it could be an international firm?
Attorney Barney - That is correct.
Councilwoman Grigorov - If the Town follows its own rules, and we apply them equally there should not
be any lawsuits .
Attorney Barney - No , that is not what this agreement seems to say.
Councilwoman Grigorov - The agreement needs to regulate the same rules that they use for the local
people.
Attorney Barney - It could also be defined much broader than what the Town wants to recognize. If the
Town does something that reduces a value significantly it would have an effect on land values .
Councilwoman Russell - The Town could impose a view shed protection on Axiohm land on Route 96B.
Attorney Barney - The Town could prohibit our own citizens from doing it, but it is when someone is an
international citizen the treaty comes into effect. Mr. Barry is trying to draft a rule of regulations that
would; be directed to localities to maintain the same treatment to everyone. The Town needs to
investigate this issue further.
AGENDA ITEM NO. 31 - EXECUTIVE SESSION .
Motion made by Councilman Wolff, seconded by Councilwoman Russell to enter into Executive Session
to discuss personnel and potential litigation . The Board entered Executive Session at 10 : 13 p. m .
Motion made by Councilman Conley, seconded by Supervisor Valentino to resume regular session .
The Board resumed regular session at 10 : 22 p. m .
RESOLUTION NO. 57: Motion made by Councilman Wolff, seconded by Councilwoman Grigorov
that the Town Board hereby authorizes the Highway Superintendent to submit a bid for the purchase of
a 1985 Tampo, RS166A Roller from L. B. Smith, subject to the Attorney for the Town confirming that
this pripcess qualifies under applicable State Laws, and be if further
RESOLVED, in order that the Town Law sealed bid requirements for the purchase are not jeopardized,
the bid submission shall not be disclosed through this resolution. Appropriation amounts shall not
exceed the amount allowed as discussed with the Town Board in Executive Session. A vote on the
resolution resulted as follows.
Supervisor Valentino , aye ; Councilwoman Grigorov, aye; Councilman Klein, aye; Councilman Conley,
aye; Councilwoman Russell , aye; Councilman Wolff, aye. Motion carried unanimously. (NOTE:
Formal adopted resolution is hereto attached . )
TOWN BOARD MEETING 36 MARCH 9. 1998
APPROVED - APRIL 139 199118
AGENDA ITEM NO. 32 - ADJOURNMENT.
As there was no further business to come before the Town Board a motion was made by Councilman
W olff,° seconded by Councilwoman Grigorov to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.
Supervisor- Valentino adjourned the meeting at 10:22 p. m .
Respectfully submitted ,
Joan Lent Noteboom,
Town Cleric
"Next Regular Monthly Meeting - April 13, 1998 at 5: 30 p. m.
*** SPECIAL TOWN BOARD MEETING - MARCH 30, 1998 AT 5:30 P.M. FOR THE MECKLENBURG
HEIGHTS PUBLIC HEARING.
****Minutes Transcribed by Deborah Kelley,
r
i
Resolution
of the
Town Board of the Town of Ithaca
Whereas, Candace E. Cornell was appointed to the Town of Ithaca Planning Board
effective May 11, 1992, and has served continuously on the Board since that date; and
Whereas, Ms. Cornell was appointed to the Town of Ithaca Conservation Board in
January, 1995, and served on that Board through December 31, 1996, having earlier served on
the Town of Ithaca Conservation Advisory Council; and
Whereas, the Town Board, in recognition of Ms. Cornell 's abilities and knowledge,
appointed her to a term as Chair of the Conservation Board and to a term as Chair of the
Planning Board; and
Whereas, Ms. Cornell retired from the Planning Board in February, 1998; and
Whereas, during her years of service to the Town in these several capacities Ms. Cornell
has demonstrated dedication to the interests of the Town, a respect and concern for the
environment including particularly the need for protection of wetlands, an earnest desire to
encourage maintenance of open spaces for the Town 's citizens, and has diligently and capably
utilized the planning processes of the Town in the matters before her; and
Whereas, the Town of Ithaca is indebted to Ms. Cornell for her dedicated service to the
Town as a Planning Board Member and Chair, Conservation Board Member and Chair, and
Conservation Advisory Council Member and wishes to express its appreciation to her;
Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca,
on behalf of the Town, its citizens and residents, expresses its sincere gratitude to Candace E.
Cornell for her diligent and faithful service to our community.
Adopted Unanimously this 9th day of March, 1998.
Supervisor Counci erson
L
'L i
Counci erson ou ilperson
RESOLUTION
MOVED : Councilwoman Grigorov 00f Council erson
SECONDED : Supervisor Valentino __ . .
Glami lok+ Tztfwml�� C u ilperson
Joan Lent Noteboom , Town Clerk
Town Board Meeting 3/9/98
Agenda Item No . 9
SEAR : Proposed Local Law No. 2/1998
Providing for a Moratorium on the Construction of
Telecommunications Towers for a Period of Ninety (90) Days
Resolution No . 39
WHEREAS , this action is the enactment of a local law providing for a moratorium on
the construction of telecommunications towers for a period of ninety (90) days; and
WHEREAS , said proposed local law would establish interim regulations prohibiting
the construction or establishment of telecommunications towers or facilities in the Town
of Ithaca for a period of ninety (90) days from the date of enactment of the local law in
order to provide a reasonable period of time for the Town of Ithaca Town Board to draft
and consider regulations regarding the construction or establishment of such facilities
within the Town of Ithaca ; and
WHEREAS , this is an unlisted action for which the Town of Ithaca Town Board is
legislatively determined to act as Lead Agency in environmental review with respect to
the enactment of local laws ; and
WHEREAS , the Town Board , at a public hearing held on March 9 , 1998 , has
reviewed and accepted as adequate the Short Environmental Assessment Form , Parts I
and II for this action ; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED , that the Town of Ithaca Town Board hereby makes a negative
determination of environmental significance in accordance with the New York State
Environmental Quality Review Act for the above referenced action as proposed and ,
therefore , neither a Full Environmental Assessment Form , nor an Environmental Impact
Statement will be required .
MOVED: Councilman Klein SECONDED : Councilman Wolff
Supervisor Valentino , aye ; Councilwoman Grigorov, aye; Councilman Klein , aye ;
Councilman Conley , aye ; Councilwoman Russell , aye ; Councilman Wolff, aye . Carried
unanimously.
DATED: March 9 , 1998
Joa Lent Noteboom , Town Clerk
Town Board Meeting 3/9/98
Agenda Item No . 10
Enactment - Local Law No. 2/1998
LOCAL LAW ESTABLISHING A (90) DAY MORATORIUM ON THE CONSTRUCTION
OF TELECOMMUNICATION TOWERS IN THE TOWN OF ITHACA
Resolution No. 40
WHEREAS , the properly advertised public hearing has been held to consider a ,
"LOCAL LAW ESTABLISHING A (90) DAY MORATORIUM ON THE CONSTRUCTION
OF TELECOMMUNICATION TOWERS IN THE TOWN OF ITHACX, now, therefore , be
it
RESOLVED , the governing Town Board of the Town of Ithaca does hereby adopt
Local Law No : 2/1998 a , "LOCAL LAW ESTABLISHING A (90) DAY MORATORIUM ON
THE CONSTRUCTION OF TELECOMMUNICATION TOWERS IN THE TOWN OF
ITHACA"; and be it further
RESOLVED , the Town Clerk is hereby authorized and directed to advertise and file
the said local law as required by Town Law.
MOVED : Supervisor Valentino SECONDED : Councilwoman Russell
Supervisor Valentino , aye ; Councilwoman Grigorov, aye ; Councilman Klein , aye ;
Councilman Conley , aye ; Councilwoman Russell , aye ; Councilman Wolff, aye . ROLL
CALL VOTE : Carried unanimously.
DATED: March 9 , 1998
Joa ent Noteboom , Town Clerk
Town Board Meeting 319198
Agenda Item No . 11
Rescind Resolution No . 25 of February 9 , 1998
Public Hearing Date :
Local Law Revising the Term of Office for Planning Board Members
Resolution No. 41
BE IT RESOLVED , the governing Town Board hereby rescinds Resolution No. 25 of
February 9 , 1998 , which provided for a public hearing to be held to consider a, "LOCAL
LAW REVISING THE TERM OF OFFICE FOR PLANNING BOARD MEMBERS" .
MOVED : Supervisor Valentino
SECONDED : Councilwoman Russell
Supervisor Valentino , aye ; Councilwoman Grigorov, aye; Councilman Klein , aye ;
Councilman Conley, aye; Councilwoman Russell , aye ; Councilman Wolff, aye . Carried
unanimously.
DATED : March 9, 1998
JoalfLent Noteboom , Town Clerk
Town Board Meeting 3/9/98
Agenda Item No . 12
Appointment Town of Ithaca Planning Board
Resolution No . 42
BE IT RESOLVED , the governing Town Board of the Town of Ithaca hereby appoints
Lawrence G . Thayer, 7 Perry Lane , Ithaca , New York 14850 to serve as a member of the
Town of Ithaca Planning Board for a term of office filling the unexpired term of Candace
Cornell , commencing March 9 , 1998 through December 31 , 2001 .
MOVED: Councilwoman Russell
SECONDED : Councilwoman Grigorov
Supervisor Valentino , aye ; Councilwoman Grigorov, aye ; Councilman Klein , aye ;
Councilman Conley, aye; Councilwoman Russell , aye ; Councilman Wolff, aye . Carried
unanimously.
DATED: March 9 , 1998 •� ��. ���
Joai Lent Noteboom , Town Clerk
Town Board Meeting 3/9/98
Agenda Item No . 13
Recommendation of Appointment
Tompkins County Environmental Management Council
Resolution No. 43
WHEREAS , the Town of Ithaca has representatives who serve on various Tompkins
County Advisory Boards ; and
WHEREAS , the Town of Ithaca has been notified by Tompkins County that an
appointment to serve on the Environmental Management Council is due to be made ; and
WHEREAS , the governing Town Board has been asked to nominate an. individual to
serve on the Environmental Management Council ; now, therefore , be it
RESOLVED , the governing Town Board hereby nominates Kara Hagedorn , 327 West
King Road , Ithaca , to serve as the Town of Ithaca representative on the Environmental
Management Council
MOVED: Supervisor Valentino
SECONDED: Councilman Wolff
Supervisor Valentino , aye ; Councilwoman Grigorov, aye ; Councilman Klein , aye ;
Councilman Conley, aye ; Councilwoman Russell , aye; Councilman Wolff, aye. Carried
unanimously.
DATED: March 9 , 1998 mot
Joarittent Noteboom , Town Clerk
a
Town Board Meeting 3/9/98
Agenda Item No . 14(a)
Special Town Board Meeting Date
Resolution No . 44
BE IT RESOLVED , the Town Clerk of the Town of Ithaca is hereby authorized and
directed to advertise for a Special Town Board meeting to be held on March 30, 1998 , . at
5:30 p. m . , in order that the Town Board may conduct a public hearing to consider
enacting , "A LOCAL LAW AMENDING THE TOWN OF ITHACA ZONING MAP
REZONING A PORTION OF TAX PARCEL NO. 27-01 -13 . 12 , LOCATED ON NYS
ROUTE 79 FROM RESDENCE DISTRICT R- 15 TO MULTIPLE RESIDENCE
DISTRICT (MECKLENBURG HEIGHTS) ."
MOVED : Supervisor Valentino
SECONDED : Councilman Conley
Supervisor Valentino , aye; Councilwoman Grigorov, aye ; Councilman Klein , abstained ;
Councilman Conley, aye , Councilwoman Russell , aye ; Councilman Wolff, aye . Motion
carried .
DATED: March 9, 1998
Joan Lent Noteboom , Town Clerk
Town Board Meeting 3/9/98
Agenda Item No . 14(b)
PUBLIC HEARING DATE
"LOCAL LAW REZONING PORTION OF , TAX PARCEL NO . 27-01 -13. 12 LOCATED ON
NYS ROUTE 79 FROM RA 5 TO MR (MECKLENBURG HEIGHTS APARTMENTS)"
Resolution No. 45
BE IT RESOLVED , the Town Clerk of the Town of Ithaca is hereby authorized and
directed to advertise for a public hearing to be held at a special meeting of the Town
Board on March 30 , 1998 , at 5 :35 p.m . , in order that the Town Board may consider
enacting a , "LOCAL LAW REZONING PORTION OF TAX PARCEL NO . 27-01 - 13 . 12
LOCATED ON NYS ROUTE 79 FROM R-15 TO MR (MECKLENBURG HEIGHTS
APARTMENTS)"
MOVED : Supervisor Valentino
SECONDED : Councilwoman Russell
Supervisor Valentino , aye ; Councilwoman Grigorov, aye ; Councilman Klein , abstained ;
Councilman Conley, aye; Councilwoman Russell , aye; Councilman Wolff, aye . Motion
carried .
DATED : March 9 , 1998
Joao Lent Noteboom , Town Clerk
I
4
Town Board Meeting 3/9/98
Agenda Item No . 17
Agreement - City of Ithaca Police Department
Jurisdiction on Town of Ithaca School District Properties
Resolution No . 46
WHEREAS , the governing Town Board wishes . to enter into an agreement with the
City of Ithaca Police Department to allow them jurisdiction on Town of Ithaca School
District properties ; now, therefore , be it
RESOLVED , the Town Supervisor is hereby authorized and directed to enter into an
agreement on behalf of the Town of Ithaca with any changes or amendments as may be
deemed necessary upon the advice of the Attorney for the Town for the City of Ithaca
Police Department to be allowed jurisdiction on Town of Ithaca School District Properties;
and , be , it further
RESOLVED , the governing Town Board hereby approves payment to the City of
Ithaca . Police Department in an amount not to exceed $20 ,000 to be expended from
General Fund Appropriation Account No . A3120 .450 , for the services to be provided
under the terms of the said agreement.
MOVED : Supervisor Valentino
SECONDED : Councilman Conley
Supervisor Valentino , aye ; Councilwoman Grigorov, aye ; Councilman Klein , aye ;
Councilman Conley , aye; Councilwoman Russell , aye ; Councilman Wolff, aye . Carried
unanimously.
DATED: March 9 , 1998 arn�
Joai#Lent Noteboom , Town Clerk
Town Board Meeting 3/9/98
Agenda Item No. 18
1997 Town of Ithaca Annual Financial Report
Resolution No . 47
WHEREAS , the Town Supervisor, Chief Fiscal Officer has submitted the 1997 Annual
Financial Report, including the Notes to Financial Statements to the NYS Comptroller's
Office by the deadline of February 28 , 1998 , as required by Town Law; and
WHEREAS , the Town Board has reviewed and discussed the said report; and
WHEREAS , the Town Clerk has properly advertised the availability of the said report
for public inspection as required by Town Law; now therefore be it
RESOLVED , the governing Town Board of the Town of Ithaca does hereby ratify the
submission of the 1997 Annual Financial Report to the NYS Comptroller's Office as
reflecting the financial activities and condition of the Town of Ithaca for the year 1997 .
MOVED: Supervisor Valentino
SECONDED : Councilman Conley
Supervisor Valentino , aye; Councilwoman Grigorov, aye ; Councilman Klein , aye ;
Councilman. Conley, aye ; Councilwoman Russell , aye ; Councilman Wolff, aye . Carried
unanimously .
DATED : March 9 , 1998
Joarittent Noteboom , Town Clerk
i
i
i
Town Board Meeting 3/9/98
Agenda Item No . 19
1998 Budget Amendment - New Town Hall Acquisition
Resolution No . 48
WHEREAS , the Town of Ithaca will incur architect, legal and other preliminary
expenses prior to establishing the Town Hall Renovation and Construction Capital
Project; and
WHEREAS , it has been determined by the Town Engineer that $50,000 should be
appropriated in the 1998 General Fund Budget to meet these expenditures; and
WHEREAS , the Chief Fiscal Officer is requesting the approval and authorization of
this governing Town Board to appropriate the following moneys from the General Fund ,
Fund Balance:
FROM : A599 APPROPRIATED FUND BALANCE $50 ,000
TO : Al 620 .445 TOWN HALL DEVELOPMENT $50 ,000
now, therefore , be it
RESOLVED , the governing Town Board does hereby authorize and direct the Chief
Fiscal Officer and the Budget Officer to make the said budget amendment in the 1998
General Fund Budget to pay the preliminary expenses related to the acquisition ,
renovation , and construction of a new Town Hall .
MOVED : Supervisor Valentino
SECONDED : Councilman Klein
Supervisor Valentino , aye ; Councilwoman Grigorov , aye ; Councilman Klein , aye ;
Councilman Conley, aye ; Councilwoman Russell , aye ; Councilman Wolff, aye . Carried
unanimously .
DATED : March 9 , 1998
JOW Lent Noteboom , Town Clerk
TOWN BOARD MEETING 3/9/98
Agenda Item No . 21 (a)
Water and Sewer Benefit Assessment Refund
Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel 46 .=1 -15 .2
Resolution No . 49
WHEREAS , Noel Desch has requested a refund of water benefit charges on the basis
that assessment units were incorrectly calculated , and ,
WHEREAS , the Special Benefit Assessment Committee and the Town Engineer have
reviewed the request for a reduction of water benefit units and have determined that the
correct number of units for the parcel is 7 .57 units for water , and that the assessment for
1998 was for 12 . 15 units for water and has recommended that a refund is due for 4 .58
water units in the amount of $247 .32 , and
WHEREAS , taxes have been paid in full for the affected tax parcel , now therefore be it
RESOLVED , the Town Board hereby authorizes a refund of $247.32 for water, to be
paid to Noel Desch , 132 Updike Road , Ithaca , New York 14850 .
MOVED : Councilman Conley
SECONDED: Councilwoman Grigorov
Supervisor Valentino , aye ; Councilwoman Grigorov, aye ; Councilman Klein , aye ;
Councilman Conley, aye ; Councilwoman Russell , aye ; Councilman Wolff, aye . Carried
unanimously.
DATED : March 9 , 1998
Joan ffent Noteboom , Town Clerk
TOWN BOARD MEETING 3/9/98
Agenda Item No . 21 (b)
Water and Sewer Benefit Assessment Refund
Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel 32 . - 1 = 14
Resolution No . 50
WHEREAS, Fred Rolfe has requested a refund of water and sewer benefit charges
on the basis that assessment units were incorrectly calculated , and ;
WHEREAS , the Special Benefit Assessment Committee and the Town Engineer
have reviewed the request for a reduction of water and sewer benefit units and have
determined that the correct number of units for the parcel is adval for water and adval
for sewer, and that the assessment for 1997 was for 1 . 39 units for water and 1 . 39 units
for sewer and has recommended that a refund is due for water units in the amount of
111 .20 and that a refund is due for 1 . 39 sewer benefit units in the amount of $ 113 . 98
for the year 1997, and
WHEREAS , the Special Benefit Assessment Committee and the Town Engineer
have reviewed the request for a reduction of water and sewer benefit units and have
determined that the correct number of units for the parcel is adval for water and adval
for sewer, and that the assessment for 1998 was for 1 . 39 units for water and 1 . 39 units
for sewer and has recommended that a refund is due for water units in the amount of
75 . 06 and that a refund is due for 1 . 39 sewer benefit units in the amount of $ 104,25,
for the year 1998 , and
,WHEREAS , taxes have been paid in full for the affected tax parcel , now therefore
be it
RESOLVED , the Town Board hereby authorizes refunds of $ 186 .26 for water and
218 . 23 for sewer [total of $404 . 49] , to be paid to Fred Rolfe , 358 Bostwick Road ,
Ithaca, New York 14850,
MOVED: Councilman Klein SECONDED : Supervisor Valentino
Supervisor Valentino , aye; Councilwoman Grigorov, aye ; Councilman Klein , aye ;
Councilman Conley, aye ; Councilwoman Russell , aye ; Councilman Wolff , aye . Carried
unanimously.
DATED: March 9 , 1998
Joa - ent Noteboom , Town Clerk
Town Board Meeting 3/9/98
Agenda Item No . 22
Approval of Change Order No . 1 for the Contract
Construction of Material Storage Building at SCLIWC
Resolution No, 51
WHEREAS , the Town Board has awarded a contract to Fingerlakes Construction co. ,
Inc . , Clyde , New York for the construction of the Material Storage Building at the
SCLIWC , and
WHEREAS , during the foundation layout a conflict with existing underground piping
necessitated shifting the building 12 inches west which required removal of 12" of the
existing concrete slab , and
WHEREAS , the Contractor has prepared a change to the contract to do the additional
work required for the modification for the sum of $ 1 ,040.00 , bringing the total contract
sum to $37 ,983 .00 , and
WHEREAS , the Town Engineer has recommended the Change Order, and
WHEREAS , the SCLIWC has approved the change order at the March 5, 1998
commission meeting , now, therefore , be it
RESOLVED, the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca , hereby approves Change Order
No . 1 to the contract for the Material Storage Building at SCLIWC , and authorizes an
increase in the contract sum in the amount of $ 1 ,040 .00 .
MOVED : Supervisor Valentino SECONDED: Councilman Klein
Supervisor Valentino , aye ; Councilwoman Grigorov, aye ; Councilman Klein , aye ;
Councilman Conley, aye; Councilwoman Russell , aye; Councilman Wolff, aye. Carried
unanimously.
DATED : March 9 , 1998
Joan ent Noteboom , Town Clerk
Town Board Meeting 3/9/98
Agenda Item No . 23
Authorization to Amend Resolution No . 34/1998 and Approve Budget Transfer
Highway/Parks Facility Study
Resolution No . 52
WHEREAS , the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca passed Resolution No . 34, dated
February 9 , 1998 , authorizing the expenditure of $ 12 ,000 for a Highway/Parks Feasibility
Study, and
WHEREAS , after further review , the Highway Superintendent determined the amount
of the lowest bid for the said study was misquoted at the February 9 , 1998 Town Board
meeting when the bid was awarded . The amount quoted should have been $ 12 ,500 ,
and
WHEREAS , the Highway Superintendent conjunctive to the discussion and review
with the Town Budget Officer requests the approval of the Chief Fiscal Officer and this
governing Town Board to approve the following 1998 Budget Amendment:
FROM : A599 Appropriated Fund Balance $62500000
TO : A5132 .428 Feasibility Study $69500900
now,. therefore , be it
RESOLVED , the governing Town Board of the Town of Ithaca does hereby amend
Resolution No . 34/1998 , dated February 9 , 1998 , "to expend no more than $ 12 ,500 , from
the General Fund , Account No . A5132 .418 , and be it further
RESOLVED , that the governing Town Board has reviewed said request and herein
approves and authorizes the said 1998 General Fund Budget Amendment.
MOVED : Councilman Klein SECONDED : Councilwoman Grigorov
Supervisor Valentino , aye ; Councilwoman Grigorov, aye ; Councilman Klein , aye ;
Councilman Conley, aye ; Councilwoman Russell , aye ; Councilman Wolff, aye . Carried
unanimously.
DATED : March 9 , 1998 cla J lze&xw •_
Joa Lent Noteboom , Town Clerk
Town Board Meeting 3/9/98
Agenda Item No . 24
Bid Acceptance and Approval of Purchase of Trucks
Resolution No. 53
WHEREAS, four bids were received for the following: Truck # 1 , New 1 Ton Crew
Cab and Chassis 4x2 ; Truck #2 , New 1 Ton Cab and Chassis; Truck #3, New 1 Town
Cab and Chassis; Truck #4 , New 1 Three Quarter Ton Pickup, and
WHEREAS , the Highway Superintendent has reviewed the bid specifications and
determined that Metro Ford is the low bidder who most closely met the bid
specifications , and
WHEREAS , upon the Highway Superintendent's findings, he recommends that the
governing Town Board of the Town of Ithaca accept the bids from Metro Ford ; now
therefore be it
RESOLVED, the governing Town Board of the Town of Ithaca accepts the
respective bids from Metro Ford ; and be it further
RESOLVED , the Highway Superintendent and the Town Engineer are hereby
authorized and directed to purchase the following for the amounts indicated
a. Truck # 1 , new 1 Ton Crew Cab and Chassis 4x2 = $25 , 676800
b . Truck #2 , New 1 Ton Cab and Chassis - 25,771 . 80
C. Truck #3, New 1 Town Cab and Chassis = $25 , 744080
d . Truck #4, New 1 Three Quarter Ton Pickup = $249390 . 00
with $54, 810. 80 to be expended from the DB5130 .200 equipment account, $21 , 000 . 00
to be taken from the B7140 .200 equipment account, and $25 , 771 . 80 to be spent
equally between the F8340 . 200 and G8140 .200 equipment accounts.
MOVED: Supervisor Valentino SECONDED: Councilman Conley
Supervisor Valentino , aye ; Councilwoman Grigorov, aye; Councilman Klein , aye;
Councilman Conley, aye ; Councilwoman Russell , aye; Councilman Wolff, aye. Carried
unanimously.
DATED: March 9 , 1998
Jo Lent Noteboom , Town Clerk
Town Board Meeting 3/9/98
Agenda Items No . 25(A)=25(I) , 25(K)
Consent Agenda Items
Resolution No's . 54(A)-54(J)
BE IT RESOLVED , that the governing Town Board of the Town of Ithaca hereby
approves and/or adopts the resolutions for Consent Agenda Items No . 25(A) = 25(I) ,
25(K) as presented and/or amended . Consent Agenda Item No . 25(J) will be considered
separately.
MOVED . Supervisor Valentino
SECONDED : Councilman Klein
Supervisor Valentino , aye; Councilwoman Grigorov, aye; Councilman Klein , aye ;
Councilman Conley, aye; Councilwoman Russell, aye; Councilman Wolff, aye. Carried
unanimously.
DATED: March 9 , 1998 .
Joar Cent Noteboom , Town Clerk
{
Town Board Meeting 3/9/98
Agenda Item No. 25(A)
Town Board Minutes
Resolution No. 54(A)
WHEREAS , the Town Clerk has presented the minutes for the special meeting held
on January 26, 1998, and for the regular meeting held on February 9, 1998 to the
governing Town Board for their review and approval for filing ; and
WHEREAS , the governing Town Board has reviewed the said minutes; now
therefore , be it
RESOLVED, the governing Town Board does hereby approve for filing the minutes
for the special meeting held on January 26, 1998 , and the regular meeting held on
February 9 , 1998 as written .
MOVED: Supervisor Valentino
SECONDED: Councilman Klein
Supervisor Valentino , aye ; Councilwoman Grigorov, aye; Councilman Klein , aye;
Councilman Conley, aye; Councilwoman Russell , aye; Councilman Wolff, aye . Carried
unanimously.
DATED: March 9 , 1998
Joj Lent Noteboom , Town Clerk
Town Board Meeting 3/9/98
Agenda Item No. 25( B)
Town of Ithaca Warrants
Resolution No. 54(B)
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 .
Vouchers No . 170=309
GENERAL FUND TOWNWIDE: $31 , 740 .13 WATER FUND : $ 11 , 677.77
GENERAL FUND PART TOWN : $ 4, 717 . 94 SEWER FUND : $ 2, 372 . 82
HIGHWAY FUND PART TOWN : $35 , 440. 93
LIGHTING DISTRICT FUNDS : $ 1 , 146. 88
MOVED: Supervisor Valentino
SECONDED: Councilman Klein
Supervisor Valentino , aye ; Councilwoman Grigorov, aye; Councilman Klein , aye,
Councilman Conley , aye ; Councilwoman Russell , aye; Councilman Wolff, aye . Carried
unanimously.
DATED: March 9 , 1998
Jo#i Lent Noteboom , Town Clerk
Town Board Meeting 3/9/98 .
Agenda Item No . 25 ( C )
Bolton Point Warrants
Resolution No. 54( C )
WHEREAS , the following numbered vouchers have been presented to the
governing 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.
Voucher No's: 15- 16, 64-75 $59, 733. 03
Voucher No's : 81 - 135 $440760426
MOVED: Supervisor Valentino
SECONDED: Councilman Klein
Supervisor Valentino , aye; Councilwoman Grigorov, aye; Councilman Klein , aye;
Councilman Conley, aye ; Councilwoman Russell, aye; Councilman Wolff, aye. Carried
unanimously.
DATED: March 9, 1998 rry
Joan Lent Noteboom , Town Clerk
Town Board Meeting 3/9/98
Agenda Item No. 25 (D)
1998 Budget Transfer - Purchase of Land
Resolution No . 54(D)
WHEREAS , Resolution No. 33 as passed at the February 9, 1998 Town Board
meeting directed the Budget Officer to return the amount of $ 12; 500 for the purchase of
land from Tompkins County to Unappropriated Fund Balance for future budget
consideration and use; and
WHEREAS, at the close of business dated 12/31 /97 the Town General Fund Budget
expensed and accrued for the land purchase from Tompkins County as approved and
authorized under Resolution No. 25 dated May 12 , 1997, and
WHEREAS , since funds have been accrued awaiting disbursement and legal
documentation for purchase of this land , the Town Budget Officer herein advises the
Town Supervisor and the Town Board that Resolution No . 33 of February 9, 1998 is not
necessary and can be rescinded , now therefore be it
RESOLVED , the governing Town Board does hereby rescind Resolution No . 33 of
February 9 , 1998 since funds for the purchase of land from Tompkins County are
awaiting disbursement under Resolution No . 25 dated May 12 , 1997, and be it further
RESOLVED , the Town Clerk is hereby authorized and directed to include a copy of
this resolution in the Town Board Minutes of February 9, 1998 to allow for accessible
documentation that said Resolution No. 33 has been rescinded by this governing Town
Board .
MOVED: Supervisor Valentino
SECONDED : Councilman Klein
Supervisor Valentino , aye ; Councilwoman Grigorov, aye; Councilman Klein , aye;
Councilman Conley, aye ; Councilwoman Russell , aye ; Councilman Wolff, aye. Carried
unanimously.
DATED: March 9 , 1998
Joan Lent Noteboom , Town Clerk
Town Board Meeting 3/9/98
Agenda Item No. 25(E)
APPROVAL FOR ASSISTANT TOWN PLANNER TO ATTEND
AGRICULTURAL CONSERVATION EASEMENTS CONFERENCE
Resolution No. 54(E)
WHEREAS , the Town Board has adopted an updated Park, Recreation and Open
Space Plan (December 1997) , and said Plan identifies the preservation of farmland and
agriculture as an important priority for the town , and
WHEREAS , the Park, Recreation and Open Space Plan proposes a voluntary
Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) program to further the goal of preserving
farmland and agriculture , and
WHEREAS , the American Farmland Trust is holding a conference on "Purchase of
Agricultural Conservation Easements : What Works ," on March 2e through March 31
1998 , in Boiling Springs , Pennsylvania , which will provide programs and workshops on
purchase of agricultural conservation easements , and in particular, how to set up and run
a program , and
WHEREAS , it will be beneficial to the Town to send the Assistant Town Planner to
this program , and
WHEREAS , the current Planning Department budget includes sufficient funds for this
purpose , now, therefore , be it
RESOLVED , that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca does hereby approve the
attendance of George Frantz , Assistant Town Planner, at the American Farmland Trust
Conference to be held on March 2e through March 31 't, 1998, in Boiling Springs ,
Pennsylvania , at a cost not to exceed $405 .00 , which includes registration ($ 125 .00) ,
accommodations for two nights including meals ($208 .00) , field trip ($45 ,00) , and other
miscellaneous travel expenses ($25 .00 +A) , charged to General Part Town Account
B8020 .403 .
MOVED: Supervisor Valentino SECONDED : Councilman Klein
Supervisor Valentino , aye ; Councilwoman Grigorov, aye; Councilman Klein , aye ;
Councilman Conley, aye ; Councilwoman Russell , aye ; Councilman Wolff, aye . Carried
unanimously.
DATED : March 9 , 1998
Jo Lent Noteboom , Town Clerk
Town Board Meeting 3/9/98
Agenda Item No . 25(F)
Approval of Attendance
New York State Town Clerks Association 1998 Conference
Resolution No . 54(F)
WHEREAS , the New York State Town Clerks Association will be holding their 16'x'
Annual Conference in Saratoga Springs , New York on April 19-22 , 1998; and
WHEREAS , the Town Clerk believes this conference will provide essential training
and information regarding the functions of the Town Clerk's office , including updates of
any New York State Law changes associated with the duties and responsibilities of the
said office ; now, therefore , be it
RESOLVED , the governing Town Board does hereby approve the attendance of Joan
Lent Noteboom , Town Clerk; Deputy Town Clerk, Mary Saxton ; and Deputy Town Clerk,
Debby Kelley at the New York State Town Clerks Association , 1 e Annual Conference ,
April 19-22119989 at Saratoga Springs , New York; be it, further
RESOLVED , the expenses for attendance at the said conference shall not exceed
$ 1100 .00 for registration , lodging , meals , and travel to be charged to the General Fund ,
Appropriation Al 410 .410 , Town Clerk - Conferences/Mileage .
MOVED: Supervisor Valentino SECONDED : Councilman Klein
Supervisor Valentino , aye; Councilwoman Grigorov, aye; Councilman Klein , aye ;
Councilman Conley, aye ; Councilwoman Russell , aye; Councilman Wolff, aye . Carried
unanimously.
DATED : March 9 , 1998
Joan Lent Noteboom , Town Clerk
Town Board Meeting 3/9/98
Agenda Item No. 25(G)
Director of Building and Zoning
Attendance at Conference
Resolution No . 54(G)
WHEREAS, Andrew Frost, Director of Building/Zoning has requested that he attend a
three-day conference entitled Finger Lakes Building Officials Association , Inc. , 23rd
Annual Educational Conference at the Rochester Marriott Thruway Hotel , Rochester,
New York from March 23 to March 25 , 1998, at a cost not to exceed $500.00; and
WHEREAS , attendance at this seminar will be beneficial in the performance of Mr.
Frosts duties as Director of Building/Zoning . . It is also a New York State requirement for
continuing education and training ; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED , that the Town of Ithaca Town Board hereby approves the attendance of
Andrew Frost at said seminar at a cost not to exceed $500.00 , to be paid from
Building/Zoning Account No, B8010 .403 ,
MOVED: Supervisor Valentino SECONDED : Councilman Klein
Supervisor Valentino , aye; Councilwoman Grigorov , aye ; Councilman Klein , aye ;
Councilman Conley , aye ; Councilwoman Russell , aye ; Councilman Wolff, aye. Carried
unanimously.
DATED : March 9 , 1998
Joan Lent Noteboom , Town Clerk
Town Board Meeting 3/9/98
Agenda Item No. 25 (H)
Approval to Participate in Cornell University
Community Work Study Program
Resolution No. 54(H)
WHEREAS, the Engineering and Planning Departments have budgeted the
necessary funds to cover the cost of participating in the Cornell University Community
Work Study Programs to provide student interns with a valuable work experience while
providing the Town of Ithaca with valuable technical support; and
WHEREAS, Cornell University covers 75% of the hourly wages and 100% of the
employment expenses of this program and the Town would be responsible.' for the other
25% of the hourly wages ; now therefore be . it
RESOLVED , the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca does hereby approve the
participation in the Cornell University Community Work Study Program for the year of
1998; and be it further
RESOLVED , the cost of participating in the said program shall not exceed
$7, 500 from General Fund Account , A1440. 406, Engineer Civitas Students; or exceed
$7,000 from General Fund- Part Town , B8020. 110 , Planning Student Interns.
MOVED: Supervisor Valentino SECONDED : Councilman Klein
Supervisor Valentino, aye ; Councilwoman Grigorov, aye; Councilman Klein , aye;
Councilman Conley, aye; Councilwoman Russell , aye; Councilman Wolff, aye. Carried
unanimously.
DATED: March 9 , 1998
Joan Lent Noteboom , Town Clerk
Town Board Meeting 3/9/98
Agenda Item No. 25 (1)
Abolishment of Planner II Position
Resolution No. 54(1)
WHEREAS , the Town Supervisor and the Town Board have determined that the
classification and position of a Planner II is no longer needed ; now therefore be it
RESOLVED , the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca does hereby abolish the Civil
Service Classification and Position of Planner II in the Planning Department effective
March 1 , 19980
MOVED: Supervisor Valentino SECONDED: Councilman Klein
Supervisor Valentino, aye; Councilwoman Grigorov, aye; Councilman Klein , aye,
Councilman Conley, aye; Councilwoman Russell , aye; Councilman Wolff, aye. Carried
unanimously.
DATED: March 9, 1998
Joan Lent Noteboom , Town Clerk
Town Board Meeting 319198
Agenda Item No. 25 ( k )
Approval of Salary Adjustment for Deputy Town Clerk
Resolution No. 54(J)
WHEREAS , there has been a vacancy in the Town Clerk's Department since
February 1 , 1998; and
WHEREAS , Mary Saxton has been working for the Town of Ithaca since April 20 ,
1994 as a Deputy Town Clerk; now therefore be it
RESOLVED , the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca does hereby approve of the
hourly wage adjustment for Mary Saxton from $ 11 .82 an hour to. $ 13 .35 an hour effective
March 9 , 1998; and be it further
RESOLVED, the said position is in job classification " K " at full time status of 37 .5
hours a week, any budgetary adjustments shall be done if required .
MOVED: Supervisor Valentino SECONDED : Councilman Klein
Supervisor Valentino , aye ; Councilwoman Grigorov, aye; Councilman Klein , aye ;
Councilman Conley, aye ; Councilwoman Russell , aye; Councilman Wolff, aye . Carried
unanimously.
DATED : March 9 , 1998
Joan Lent Noteboom , Town Clerk
K�
Town Board Meeting 3/9/98
Agenda Item No. 25 ( j )
Ratification of Town Clerk's Appointment of Deputy Town Clerk
Resolution No. 55
WHEREAS , there has been a vacant Deputy Town Clerk position in the Town
Clerk's Department since February 1 , 1998; and
WHEREAS , Deborah Kelley has worked for the Town since March 18, 1996 as
a Keyboard Specialist in the Town Clerk's Department; and
. WHEREAS, Mrs. Kelley has agreed to resign from the Title of Keyboard
Specialist in order to be appointed Deputy Town Clerk, which is an exempt position
under Civil Service Law; now therefore be it
RESOLVED , the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca does hereby ratify the
appointment made by the Town Clerk, of Deborah Kelley as Deputy Town Clerk; and
be it further
RESOLVED , the said appointment will be effective March 9 , 1998, with the said
position being in job classification "K' at a full time status of 37. 5 hours a week; and be
it further
RESOLVED , Mrs. Kelley's hourly wage of $ 10. 77 will be effective May 10 , 1998
to coincide with the starting of the new Keyboard Specialist.
MOVED: Supervisor Valentino SECONDED: Councilwoman Russell
Supervisor Valentino, aye; Councilwoman Grigorov, aye; Councilman Klein , aye ;
Councilman Conley, aye; Councilwoman Russell , aye; Councilman Wolff, aye. Carried
unanimously.
DATED: March 9 , 1998
Joan Lent Noteboom , Town Clerk
Town Board Meeting 3/9/98
Agenda Item Additional No . 1
Ratification of Easement with McAllister
Resolution No. 56
WHEREAS , the Town of Ithaca obtained a sewer line across property then owned
by Fred and Ingrid Thomas, at 1. 335 Slaterville road, Ithaca, New York 14850, which
property is now owned by John J . and Joyce H . McAllister; and
WHEREAS , such easement was not recorded for a number of years after its
execution ; and
WHEREAS, over the years a carport was constructed upon a portion of the
easement area; and
WHEREAS , the property is in the process of being sold by the McAllisters to
another party who are placing a mortgage on the property; and
WHEREAS, the McAllisters and the attorney for the buyers agreed to execute a
confirmatory easement to the Town , provided the Town granted a license for the
continuation of the carport within the easement area; and
WHEREAS , the Town Engineer and the Attorney for the Town are familiar with the
circumstances and both recommended the execution of such an instrument; and
WHEREAS , the closing for the transaction from the McAllisters to the new purchaser
was scheduled for March 9 , 1998 before this Town Board meeting; and
i
WHEREAS , to obtain priority in title to the purchaser and the new mortgagee it was
necessary to execute and record such confirmatory easement before the Town Board
could hold a formal meeting ; and
WHEREAS , the Town Supervisor consulted with several members of the Town
Board prior to the meeting , which members concurred with the desirability of
proceeding with the easement before the purchase transaction closed ; and
WHEREAS , the Town Supervisor, after such consultations, believed it was in the
best interests of the Town to execute such easement agreement so that it could be
recorded in the Tompkins County Clerk's Office prior to the sale transaction closing and
accordingly did so execute such document;
NOW, THEREFORE , the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca hereby ratifies and
confirms the execution by the Town Supervisor of a confirmatory easement agreement
with John J . and Joyce McAllister pursuant to which the Town confirms the existence of
TB Mtg. 3/9/98
Agenda Additional No. 1
Resolution No. 56
Page 2 .
its easement for the maintenance of a sewer line and grants to the McAllisters and their
successors a license to maintain a carport within the easement area, subject to the
right of the Town to excavate and otherwise maintain and replace said line.
MOVED: Councilman Conley
SECONDED: Councilman Wolff
Supervisor Valentino , aye; Councilwoman Grigorov, aye; Councilman Klein , aye;
Councilman Conley, aye ; Councilwoman Russell , aye; Councilman Wolff, aye. Carried
unanimously.
DATED: March 9, 1998
Joan Lent Noteboom , Town Clerk
ir
Town Board Meeting 3/9/98
Agenda Item No . 31
Highway Department Submission of Bid for Used Roller
Resolution No . 57
WHEREAS , the 1998 Highway Fund Budget included appropriations for the purchase
of one (1 ) Used Roller; and
WHEREAS , L . B . Smith will be advertising to received bids for a used 1985 Tampo ,
RS 166A Roller; and
WHEREAS , the Highway Superintendent has determined it will be financially prudent
for the Town to submit a bid on the said roller rather than the Town of Ithaca requesting
bids for a like piece of equipment; and
WHEREAS , the Highway Superintendent understands that Town Law allows for the
provision for municipalities to purchase used equipment by submitting a bid on such
equipment; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED , the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca hereby authorizes the Highway
Superintendent to submit a bid for the purchase of a 1985 Tampo , RS166A Roller from
L. B. Smith subject to the Attorney for the Town confirming that this process qualifies
under applicable State laws ; be , it further
RESOLVED , in order that Town Law sealed bid requirements for the purchase are not
jeopardized , the bid submission shall not be disclosed through this resolution .
Appropriation amounts shall not exceed the amount allowed as discussed with the Town
Board in Executive Session .
MOVED : Councilman Wolff SECONDED: Councilwoman Grigorov
Supervisor Valentino , aye ; Councilwoman Grigorov, aye ; Councilman Klein , aye;
Councilman Conley , aye ; Councilwoman Russell , aye ; Councilman Wolff, aye . Carried
unanimously.
DATED: March 9 , 1998
Joan Lent Noteboom , Town Clerk
4� OF I.?
TOWN OF ITHACA
d►4,� Yo4,
126 EAST SENECA STREET, ITHACA, N . Y. 14850
OWN CLERK 273-1721 HIGHWAY 273-1656 PARKS 273-8035 ENGINEERING 273-1747 PLANNING 273-1747 ZONING 273-1783
FAX (607) 273-1704
TOWN BOARD MEETING
March 9, 1998
5: 30 p.m. to 9: 00 p. m.
AGENDA
1 . Call to Order.
2 . Pledge of Allegiance.
34 Report of Tompkins County Board of Representatives.
49 Report of Fire Commissioners.
50 6:00 p.m. = PERSONS TO BE HEARD.
66 Review of Correspondence:
a. Planning Board Resignation .
7 . Consider resolution of appreciation to Candice Cornell .
8 . 6: 30 p.m. = PUBLIC HEARING : To consider, "A LOCAL LAW ESTABLISHING A
(90) NINETY DAY MORATORIUM ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF
TELECOMMUNICATION TOWERS IN THE TOWN OF ITHACA" .
90 Consider SEAR related to "A LOCAL LAW ESTABLISHING A (90) DAY
MORATORIUM ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF TELECOMMUNICATION
TOWERS IN THE TOWN OF ITHACA" .
10. Consider adoption of a, "A LOCAL LAW ESTABLISHING A (90) DAY
MORATORIUM ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF TELECOMMUNICATION
TOWERS IN THE TOWN OF ITHACA" .
11 ' . Consider postponement of Public Hearing and discussion of , "A LOCAL LAW
REVISING THE TERM OF OFFICE FOR PLANNING BOARD MEMBERS".
12 . Consider appointment to the Planning Board .
Town Board Agenda
March 9, 1998
Page 2.
13. Consider resolution recommending appointment of the Town of Ithaca
representatives on the Environmental Management Council and the Tompkins
County Planning Federation .
14. Set public hearing date to consider rezoning Mecklenburg Heights to multiple
residence.
15 . Distribution and discussion of revised Executive Summary for the Parks Open
Space Plan .
160 Discuss designation of Polling Places.
17. Consider entering into an agreement with the City of Ithaca Police Department
allowing jurisdiction on Town of Ithaca School District properties.
166 Review and ratify submission of the 1997 Comptroller's Annual Financial Report.
191 Consider appropriation of funds for expenditures related to the acquisition of a new
Town Hall .
20; Discuss draft schematic design of new Town Hall .
21 :8 Consider recommendations of the Water/Sewer Special District Assessment
Review Committee regarding request for refunds of water and sewer benefit
assessment charges.
22 Consider change order for the SCLIWC Material Storage Building project .
23 Consider authorization to amend resolution , and approval of budget transfer
related to the Highway Facility Study.
24: Consider acceptance of bids , and approval of purchase of the following highway
and engineering equipment:
a. Truck # 1 = New One ( 1 ) Ton Crew Cab and Chassis 4X2 .
b . Truck #2 - New One ( 1 ) Ton Cab and Chassis .
c. Truck #3 = New One ( 1 ) Ton Cab and Chassis .
d . Truck #4 = New One ( 1 ) Three Quarter Ton Pickup.
Town Board Agenda
March 9, 1998
Page 3.
256 Consent Items: Consider resolution approving and/or authorizing the following :
a. Town Board Minutes so 1 /26/98 , 2/9/98.
b. TOWN OF ITHACA WARRANTS.
c. BOLTON POINT WARRANTS.
d . Town of Ithaca 1998 Budget Transfer.
e . Attendance - Training Session , "Purchase of Agricultural Conservation
Easements".
f. Attendance - 16`h Annual NYSTCA Conference.
g . Attendance - Finger Lakes Building Officials Assn . 23`d Annual Educational
Conference.
h . Participation Cornell University Summer Job Program .
i . Abolish Planner II Position .
j. Appointment Deputy Town Clerk.
k. Deputy Town Clerk on Salary Adjustment.
266 Report of Town Committees.
274 Reports of Town Officials.
a. Town Clerk/Receiver of Taxes.
b. . Highway Superintendent.
c. Director of Engineering .
d . Director of Planning .
e. Director of Building/Zoning .
f. Human Resources.
g . Budget Officer.
28. Discussion of Sewer Joint Subcommittee bonding for plant improvements .
290 TIME PERMITTING : Discussion of five year capital plan .
30. Consider policy regarding water and sewer billing refunds.
31 . Consider EXECUTIVE SESSION .
32 , Consider ADJOURNMENT.
ADDITIONAL AGENDA ITEMS
1 . Consider confirmatory sewer line easement and license with McAllister.
AGENDA N6 : ! 6 (A)
d Wj
FMB 17
FINAL Candace E . Cornell I
1456 Hanshaw Road OF ITf,AC!'
. ..�__ . .
Ithaca , NY 14850
February 12 , 1998
Dear Fred ,
I am resigning from the Planning Board , effective immediately , due to
health problems . I regret having to leave the Board and have felt privileged
to serve the Town in this capacity. If my health improves in the future , I
will reapply when there is a vacancy.
Sincerely yours ,
d01L
Candace E . Cornell .
ccei Cathy Valentino
Jon Kanter
j
r
F1 NAL
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT TRUCK BIDS
BID OPENINGS - MONDAY, MARCH 2, 1998
TOWN OF ITHACA BOARD ROOM
COMPANY NAME. Metro Ford Sales Newcomb Motors Maguire Ford-Lmc Merc Spencer Ford Sales, Inc.
- - -- -- -- _ . _. _ . . _ . _ _ . _ .... . .._. .. _ . ....._ _. . .. - . . .. . .. _ ...
Attn : Barbara Attn : Phillip Em son 504 S ...
ADDRESS: 3601 State Street 3878 West Road Ithaca , NY 14850 Spencer, NY 14883
Schenectady, NY 12304 Cortland , NY 13045
------ _ .. _ ---- -- -- -- -- - - - - - - - - - . . _ _ .__ ....... - _ _ . ._ .. ._ .. -
518-382-1010
TRUCK #1
BID SHEET NUMBER: 1 11 5 7
NEW 1 TON CREW CAB&CHASSIS 4X2
— -- - ----_------------ ----------- . ----- --- - ------- ---.._...------------- --
BID OPENING : 1 :05 P.M .
NON-COLLUSION: Received _ _ -_ Received Received Received
TOTAL BID: $250676.00 $26,324. 80 $299318.00 $29, 301 .00
APPARENT LOW BIDDER: XXX
TRUCK #2 -- - ------ -- - - - - --- - - --
BID SHEET NUMBER: 1 11 — _ 5 _ 6
NEW 1 TON CAB & CHASSIS
BID OPENING: 1 :10 P.M .
NON-COLLUSION: Received Received Received Received
- -- ----- -- ----- -- - - - -._. _._ ..__.. .- ------ - -- - - - ------ - - -. ..---- -._. . - . ... -- - -- - - ---- - - ------- -
TOTAL BID: $251771 . 80 $261491 . 00 $30, 245. 00 $260191 . 00
APPARENT LOW BIDDER: XXX
-- - -- ------- - - - -- - ---- - --...---- - - - -- - --- --- --- ----- -- - - - --.._ .-- - __- - -- ----- _.. _ . ..
TRUCK #3
----- --- - --- ---- -- ------- ----- -- ------ --- ---- --- -- ----------- ----- ---------- - - -----------
BID SHEET NUMBER: _ 1 -- — 11 5 ___-- _6 -- _
NEW 1 TON CAB & CHASSIS
BID OPENING: 1 :15 P.M.
NON-COLLUSION: Received Received Received Received
TOTAL BID: $251744. 80 $26,464. 00 $30,091 . 00 29,
_ _ _ 939.00
- --- -- - -------------- ---------------- ------
APPARENT LOW BIDDER. XXX
TRUCK #4
- ---- ------------- -------- ---------- --- ---- ------ - --- ---------.._.__------- --
BID SHEET NUMBER: J 1 -- - _ 1.1 _ _— 5 --_ _ — 6
NEW 3 QUARTER TON PICKUP
BID OPENING: 1 :20 P.M.
NON-COLLUSION: Received Received Received Received
TOTAL BID: _ _--__ -_$24, 390.00 _ _ _ $25, 167. 80 $24, 829. 00
APPARENT LOW BIDDER: XXX
Agenda Item No. 27 (A)
Town Clerk/Receiver of Taxes
Monthly Report
Presented: Town Board Meeting 3/9/98
Town Clerk: The restructure of the operations of the Town Clerk' s office is continuing.
Staff reorganized the office and created an additional work space for the Keyboard
Specialist. Individual staff files are being reviewed and dispersed into one central filing
system for easier retrieval .
The Town Supervisor, Town Clerk, and the Human Resource Specialist reviewed the
options of staffing within the office. We concluded that due to the workload and nature
of the duties/responsibilities of the office under Town Law there continues to be a need
for two Deputy Town Clerk positions . Therefore, at the March 9, Town Board meeting
resolutions will be presented for the appointment of Debby Kelley as a Deputy Town
Clerk, and a salary adjustment for Deputy Town Clerk, Mary Saxton .
Three interviews were conducted for the position of Keyboard Specialist for the position
be vacated by the Debby Kelley. A qualified candidate was selected and approval
of appointment of this individual will be asked at the April , Town Board meeting .
The Deputy Town Clerk's worked with the Budget Officer to formulate a new method of
accounting for the water and sewer receivable. The newly created spreadsheet
enables our office and the accounting staff to process the billings more quickly , and in
a more concise manner.
Records Management: The Records Management Advisory Board meeting will be held
on March 24, from 10: 30 - 12 : 00 p . m . The Board will be charged with over site of the
work to be completed as outlined in the New York State Library grant application . The
RMAB will also review the Records Management Policies and Procedures Manual for
revisions needed for electronic media records, emergencies and disasters, and
identification of archival/historical documents.
Tax Collection : See attached monthly financial report.
1998 TAX COLLECTION
RECEIVER OF TAXES
February 1998 - Monthly Report
Presented March 9, 1998
1998 Tax Warrant - Town of Ithaca
Total Town Warrant (Levy): $397089360.98
General Fund Levy - $ 190059450. 98 Water Fund Levy $ 464, 360800
Sewer Fund Levy - $ 5989179. 00 Fire District Levy - $ 196281612. 00
Lighting Districts Levy - $ 119759 . 00
Total Payments for Warrant to Town of Ithaca Supervisor. $337081360. 98
TOTAL WARRANT BALANCE DUE: $ -0-
1 /31 /98 Receiver Checking Account - Interest Received $ 346. 51
2/28/98 Receiver Checking Account - Interest received
paid to Town Supervisor. 27038
Total : $ 373 . 89
3/5/98 - Int. & Penalties on Tax Bills - Paid to Supervisor: $ 1 ,368. 84
Total No. of Tax Bills on Warrant: 5 , 124 Total Tax Bills Processed: 4, 355
1998 In Lieu of Taxes
Due: Groff Associates, Ellis Hollow Elderly Housing $ 1 ,629. 13
Ithaca Elm- Maple Houses , Inc. $ 2, 681 . 05
TOTAL IN LIEU OF TAXES ESTIMATED TO BE RECEIVED: $ 4, 310. 18
Received : Groff Associates , Ellis Hollow Elderly Housing $29,01315
(Town Portion - $ 1 , 528.75 , School Portion - $21 , 381 . 96, County Portion - $6103004)
* In Lieu of Tax Elm- Maple Houses , Inc. , is unknown until received in April/May:
Payment based upon gross basic rents, calculated by HUD .
Receiver of Taxes - Monthly Report
Presented 319/98
Page 2.
Total Tompkins County Warrant. $ 490479312.46
Warrant Payments to Tompkins County:
2/10/98 1g' Payment - 1998 Warrant $2, 500, 000. 00
2/18/98 2"d Payment - 1998 Warrant 909000000
3/5/98 3d Payment - 1998 Warrant 1059000. 00
Balance Due Tompkins Co. Warrant. $1 ,352,312.46
Misc. Payment to Tompkins County:
2/13/98 First Installment Services Charges $30, 511077
3/5/98 Interest Receiver Checking Acct. $ 909. 98
03 / 05 / 98 01 : 39 : 01 .
TOWN OF ITHACA TAX COLLECTION
TRIAL BALANCE
02/ 28/ 98
ORIGINAL WARRANT $ 7 , 755 , 673944
ADJUSTMENTS 0000
r
ADJUSTED WARRANT 7 , 755 , 673 . 44
1ST INSTALLMENTS 610 , 238 . 65
SVC CHARGES 30 , 511 . 77
FULL PAYMENTS 51801 , 790 . 60
PENALTIES 1 , 368 . 84
2ND NOTICE FEES 0000
TOTAL COLLECTIONS $ 61443 , 909 . 86
TOTAL OUTSTANDING $ 733 , 408951
Agenda 27 (A)
'TOWN CLERK :5 Mc7N 'l1EiLY E2T•. FOI? •].'
TOWN OF ITHACA , NEW YORK FEBRUARY , 1998
TO THE SUPERVISOR : PAGE 1
Pursuant to Section 21 , Subd 1 of the town Law , I hereby make the following statement of all fees and moneys received by me
in connection with my office during the aonth stated above , excepting only such fees and moneys the application and payment
of which are otherwise provided for by law :
1997 SPORTING LICENSES
1998 SPORTING LICENSES 1950
1 MARRIAGE LICENSES NO . 98002 TO 98002 8 . 75
AGRICULTURE REPORT
COPY AERIAL PHOTOS
1 MISC . COPIES 7 . 40
2 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 24 . 00
1 ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW 2 . 50
2 MARRIAGE TRANSCRIPT 20 . 00
1 NOISE ORDINANCE 1100
RETURNED CHECK — CLERK
4 RETURNED CHECK — TAXES 44 . 00
RETURNED CHECK— W&S
OPEN SPACE REPORT
POSTAGE
SIGN ORDINANCE
4 SUBDIVISION REGULATIONS 12 . 00
9 TAX SEARCH 45 . 00
WATER & SEWER SEARCH
5_. ZONING ORDINANCE 42 . 50
A1255 TOTAL TOWN CLERK FEES 208 . 65
A1555 DOG ENUMERATION 72 . 00
A1556 SPCA CONTRACT 327 . 30
A1557 1 SPCA IMPOUND FEES 50 . 00
A2530 GAMES OF CHANCE LICENSES
BINGO LICENSES
BINGO FEES 8 . 03
A2540 TOTAL A2540 8 . 03
A2544 72 DOG LICENSES 144900
Paid to Supervisor for General Fund 809 . 98
Paid to NYS DEC for 1998 Sporting Licenses 14 . 50
Paid to County Treasurer for Dog Licenses 100_ 20
Paid to Ag & Markets for Dog Licenses 18 . 00
Paid to NYS Health Department for Marriage Licenses _ 11_25
Paid to State Comptroller for Games of Chance Licenses
Paid to State Comptroller for Bingo Licenses
Total Disbursements 953 . 93
MARCH 21 1998 �� „ Q VCt-� SUPERVISOR
STATE OF NEW YORK , COUNTY OF TOMPKINS , TOWN OF ITHACA
JOAN LENT NOIS OON , being duly sworn , says that she is the Clerk of the TOWN OF ITHACA
that the foregoing is a full and true statement of all Fees and Moneys received by her during the month above stated ,
excecting only such Fees the applicaticn and pa• aent of which are otherwise provided for by law .
Subscribed and sworn to before me this ±�.]S± 'w ti i�+�._..
Mary J. Saxton Town Clerk
3 day of _) y )wre.L 13 ! Notary Public, State of Now York
�ualliled in T�loga �
lull
My Commission Expires J '� 9
Agenda Item 27b
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT'S MONTHLY REPORT, FEBRUARY 1998
TOWN OF ITHACA TOWN BOARD MEETING, MARCH 9, 1998
Highway Superintendent' s
Due to the El Nino, we have had more time to work on General Repair projects. These
projects include hauling material for summer projects, working on extensive inventory
(Hazardous Materials, Property, etc.), patching roads, and cleaning ditches. This took
1 ,200 hours of time.
There were two separate times that snow removal was warranted. The total hours of
time spent on this is 411 .5 hours, of which 201 .5 were overtime hours. We used 315 tons
of salt in February.
We spent 211 .5 hours of time on water maintenance. Projects include rehabilitation of
some of the pump stations. We sent 104 hours of time locating man holes, and there
were two water main breaks. One on Route 79 and one on St. Catherine's Circle.
We spent 259 hours of time on machinery maintenance.
Park Maintenance Manager's
Snow removal for parks and trails required 75. 75 hours.
Field work at several new park and trail sites was begun for a total of 11 hours. "Future
Town of Ithaca Park and Trail" signs were also installed.
Various work shop projects totaled 140 hours . Routine maintenance tasks totaling 290
hours completed our work in February.
March Projects
1 . Preparation of mowing equipment.
2. Several trail drainage projects.
3 . Finish bird nesting box installations and maintenance of existing boxes.
4. Finish winter tree removals.
5 . Install rest of Historical signs.
6. Install soccer goals at Eastern Heights Park.
7. Start working on Wildflower Drive,
8 . Continue patching roads.
9 . Cleaning ditches .
ghk
Town Engineer' s Report for 3/9/98
Town Board Meeting
DEVELOPMENT REVIEW
Sanctuary Drive
Monitoring of drainage and sediment control measures continues. Will be coordinating with Highway
Superintendent to have developer clean road ditches and restore disturbed areas during the Spring of 1998.
Ithaca College
Construction of the HSHP and the Music Center building improvements continue to be monitored for
stormwater management impacts.
Ithacare
Court Street Companies , the General Contractor, has continued with site construction. Phase II erosion
and sediment control improvements are in place as the mass earth work is nearing completion and the site
drainage improvements are being installed. The contractor has made some minor adjustments to the final
grading to improve drainage and fire department access to the rear of the buildings.
Mecklenburg Heights
Final design will require additional detail and coordination with the City of Ithaca and State DOT to ensure
that downstream drainage systems will not be adversely effected. Water supply improvements are under
design and may provide the Town with an opportunity to reinforce the West Hill water system.
I
EARTH FILL PERMITS
Five Mile Drive, Immaculate Conception
No activity on the site during February. Final grading and site restoration will be completed in the Spring
of 1998 . Sediment control measures on the site are being maintained over the winter.
FLOOD CONTROL CHANNEL REHABILITATION PROJECT
No activity on the site during January. Final site cleanup and restoration will be completed in the Spring of
1998 .
WATER PROJECTS
The Town Engineer is continuing to work with the City Engineer and SCLIWC member municipal
engineers on the engineering evaluation to include the entire water infrastructure for the area.
The Buttermilk Falls Road Water Main replacement is substantially complete, with only site restoration
work remaining to be done in the Spring.
TOWN ENGINEERS REPORT 3 / 9 / 98 PAGE 2
Planning on a water connection and pump station at the City of Ithaca Oakwood Dr. water tank is
underway, to determine the feasibility of working with the Mecklenburg Heights Proposal to reinforce
the West Hill water supply grid.
SEWER
The Buttermilk Falls Road Sewer extension is substantially complete, with only site restoration work
remaining.
STORMWATER
Development of the Townwide watershed evaluation is continuing. Base maps were developed utilizing
the digital planimetric map.
Processing of the field data and development of the watershed model for the Northeast Ithaca area is
underway. The model will result in recommendations for drainage improvements that will be incorporated
into the 1998 work plan.
A preliminary evaluation of the data and watershed analysis indicates that infrastructure improvements for
stormwater management will be primarily capacity improvements for the existing road drainage system.
Some stormwater detention may be recommended prior to additional development of the area. The Town
Engineer is evaluating the large undeveloped parcels in the area for potential stormwater management
facility sites.
Prior to finalization of a stormwater management plan of work for the Northeast area, the draft plans will
be reviewed by the Town Board and the public will have an opportunity to review the plan. The public will
have an opportunity to ask questions and make comments at a public meeting to be scheduled.
TOWN HALL
The schematic design process for the renovation of the Tioga Street Post office continued during February.
A preliminary schematic layout was prepared by the Architect and reviewed by the department heads and
staff. Staff has had an opportunity to visit the HOLT&C offices which have work space very similar to the
proposed Town Hall space. The department heads and Town Justices have met with the Supervisor and
incorporated comments from staff onto a revised sketch of the floor plan which the architect is using to
create a revised draft of the floor plan to be available for discussion at the March Town Board meeting.
A project budget is being prepared by the Budget Officer and Town Engineer. This budget is based on the
original estimates provided by the Architect last Spring and will be updated as the project progresses.
i
C.I RPTSETVGR I ERF19803.REP
i
Town of Ithaca Town Board Meeting March 9 , 1998
Human Resources Monthly Report of February 1998
Agenda Item No. 27 ( f
Personnel :
Sent out canvas letters to those candidates on the Certificate of Eligibles for
the title of Keyboard Specialist. ,loan and I ended up interviewing 2 out of the 8
candidates on the listing . We offered the position. to Carrie Coates and she has
accepted on the condition of starting May 4, 1998 . Mary Saxton and Deborah
Kelley are presently handling the work of three in the Town Clerk's Department by
working extra hours . Their dedication has been extremely appreciated .
Deferred Compensation :
Suzanne Slimbaugh , Area Director for PEBSCO Deferred Compensation
Plan , did three presentations and individual meetings with the employees . There
was one held at each location . These meetings were to give the employees
information about PEBSCO and deferred compensation . Suzanne will be coming
back in March to actually start enrolling participants in the program .
Our first payroll deduction that will go to PEBSCO will be on May 1 , 19984
! Property Insurance :
I met with John Kuehn our representative from Sprague Insurance , to start
reviewing the coverage the Town has . I will be meeting with Mr. Kuehn every few
months to work on our coverage so that we have the exact coverage we need
before we request for proposals next Fall . I would like to thank Richard Tenkate
for inventorying the highway facility. Having this makes checking inventory with
the insurance Company easier. I would also like to thank Mike Ocello for his
i
inventory of the computers for the Town .
Human Resources Office :
Fred Noteboom and I met with Ward Hungerford from the County Highway
Department to compare notes . Some of the questions that we reviewed where
how they calculate hours for overtime and how they deal with Call Back time . The
County is now paying the guys overtime for the entire 4 hours of call back time .
However this time can not run in conjunction with the normal working hours. We
are presently paying them overtime only on the actual hours worked and straight
time on the remaining of the 4 hours .
In the beginning of the month I helped the Town Clerks Department with tax
collection as the last day to pay was technically February 1 , 1998 , and since the
department was down a staff member.
Completed the normal day to day task of the office.
Submitted By:
Judith C . Drake , Human Resources Specialist
TOWN OF ITHACA '
REPORT OF BUILDING PERMITS ISSUED
FOR THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY 1998
YEAR TO DATE
PE OF PERMIT PYEAR # OF PERMITS AMOUNT # I ' AMOUNT
SINGLE FAMILY ATTACHED 0 0 0 0 RESI DENCES 0 0 0 0
SINGLE FAMILY DETACHED 0 0 6 430,000
RESIDENCES 1997 0 0 2 180,000
1998 0 0 0 0
TWO FAMILY RESIDENCES 1997 0 0 0 0
1998 0 0 0 0
RENOVATIONS 1997 1 71000 4 I 36.558
1998 1 100 1 800
CONVERSIONS OF USE 1997 0 0 0 0
1998 0 0 0 0
ADDITIONS TO FOOTPRINT 1997 0 0 0 I 0
1998 0 0 0 0
MULTIPLE RESIDENCES 1997 0 0 0 0
1998 1 Renovation for doctors office 1009000 1 100,000
ISINESS 1997 10 0 0 1 0
1998 0 0 0 0
AGRICULTURAL 1997 110 0 0 I 0
1998 0 0 0 I 0
INDUSTRIAL 1997 0 0 0 0
1998 1 CU heating plant baghouse 569,500 1 569,500
EDUCATIONAL 1997 0 0 0 I 0
._ 1 Handicap ramp, stairs, wheelchair lift 109648
1 Demolish house 29500
I Farm greenhouse 4,200
1 28' x 30' detached garage 19.500
MISCELLANEOUS 1998 4 36,848 12 104,248
CONSTRUCTION 1997 3 29,625 4 33,225
TOTAL NUMBER OF 1998 7 -_== 7079148 14 955,848
PERMITS ISSUED 1997 4 36425 10 249,783
TOTAL FEES 1998 7 19050 14 19525
RECEIVED 1997 4 145 10 I 530
t uilto Prepared: March 2, 1998
i L. Holford
dinglZoning Department Secretary
I
- 2 -
T CERTIFICATES OF OCCUPANCY I.%SUED THIS MONTH - 9
1 . Stone Quarry Road - modify roof and interior space.
2 Warren Road - storage shed
3 . Eastern Heights Drive - natural gas heutmn system.
4. 107 Rich Road - convert garage into three Fllwyom home.
5. -1323 Mecklenburg Road, EcoVillage - cogrmupity center - temporary.
61 751 Elm Street Extension - building addition and renovations.
7. 392 Coddington Road - addition to and waver! a single•family dwelling into a two-family dwelling.
8. 629 Coddington Road - new single-family dwelling.
9. 210 Enfield Falls Road - addition of T x exterior sliding glass door.
TOTAL CERTIFICATES OF OCCUPANCY YEAR TO DATE. 1998 - 20
TOTAL CERTIFICATES OF OCCUPANCY YEAR TO DATE. 1997 - 20
FIQUIRIESICOMPLAINTS INVESTICjAT D THIS MONTH . 3
�. 803 Coddington Road - building code - pendi ag
10 611 Elmira Road - building code - pend 1t g.
�• 682CodfiRgton Road - U ldirrgcode '?o "bonfound
�rom January 1998:
J. 110 Winston Drive - property maintenapce 4t building code - pending
U7Tn=m=wnsburg Road - building code and zoning violation (illegal apartment) - pending.
From September 1997:
11 119 Woolf Lane - building code - pending-
From lulu 1997:
1, 527 Warren Road - occupancy • pending
d I .
From 1995:
1 . 1152 Danby Road - zoning and building code - pending legal action
From March 1994:
1 . 132 Forest Home Drive - building code - pending state hearing on 9/19/96 - variance granted - fire alarm installed - exterior stairway pending.
TOTAL COMPLAINTS INVESTIGATED YEAR TO DATE, 199S - 8
TOTAL COMPLAINTS INVESTIGATED YEAR TO DATE, 1997 -3
- 3 -
T FIELD VISITS THIS MONTH - 68
Un Building Code - 48
Local Law and Zoning Inspections - 8
Fire Safety - 9 (2 churches, 2 day care, 2 apartments [6 units], 1 institutional, I restaurant, I group home)
Fire Safety Reinspections - 3 (business offices)
FirvErnergency Occurrences - 0
Fire Occurrence Re inspections - 0
TOTAL FIELD VISITS YEAR TO DATE. 1998 - 151
TOTAL FIELD VISITS YEAR TO DATE, 1997 - 148
TOTAL SIGN PERMITS THIS MONTH - 0
TOTAL SIGN PERMITS YEAR TO DATE, 1998 - 3
TOTAL SfGN PERMITS YEAR TO DATE, 1997,- 0
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
1 MEETING, 2 CASES, AGENDA ATTACHED
TOWN OF ITHACA ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1998
7:00 P. M.
By direction of the Chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that
Public Hearings will be held by the Zoning Board of Appeals of the Town of Ithaca on Wednesday, .
February 11 , 1998, in Town Hall, 126 East Seneca Street, (FIRST Floor, REAR Entrance, WEST Side),
Ithaca, N.Y., COMMENCING AT 7:00 P.M. on the following matters:
APPEAL of Richard and Laura Cunningham, Appellants, requesting variances from the requirements of
Article IV, Sections 13 and 14 of the Town of Ithaca Zoning Ordinance, to be permitted to construct a
garage with a building height of 25 + feet ( IS foot height limit) and having a north and south side yard
setback of 5 + feet ( 10 foot and 15 foot setback required respectively) located at 941 Taughannock
Boulevard, Town of Ithaca Tax Parcel No. 25-2-2, Residence District R 15. A Special Approval under
Article XII, Section 54 may also be required as the property is nonconforming with current standards.
APPEAL of Yunis Realty, Inc., Appellant, Mary Jo Yunis, Agent, requesting variances from the
requirements of Article VII, Section 44 and 45 of the Town of Ithaca Zoning Ordinance, to be permitted to
maintain a business/light industrial building with a front yard building setback of 65 + feet ( 150 feet
required) and side yard building setbacks of 40 + feet (60 feet required) at 606 Elmira Road, Town of Ithaca
Tax Parcel No. 33-3-2. 1 , Light Industrial zone. Automobile parking spaces are also maintained in the
required front yard, where parking is otherwise prohibited.
Said Zoning Board of Appeals will at said time, 7:00 p.m., and said place, hear all persons in support of
such matters or objections thereto. Persons may appear by agent or in person. Individuals with visual or
hearing impairments or other special needs, as appropriate, will be provided with assistance, as necessary,
upon request. Persons desiring assistance must make such a request not less than 48 hours prior to the time
of the public hearing.
Andrew S. Frost
Director of Building and Zoning
273= 1783
Dated: February 3 , 1998
Publish: February 6, 1998