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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTB Minutes 2010-03-08 OF Regular Meeting of the Ithaca Town Board to 1 Monday, March 8, 2010 at 5 : 30 p. m . 215 North Tioga Street, Ithaca, NY 14850 Y Agenda 1 . Call to Order & Pledge of Allegiance 2 . Persons to be Heard and Board Comments 3 . Report from Common Council 4 . Report from Tompkins County Legislature 5 . & Report from Fire Commissioner Quarterly Report 6 . 6 . p . m . Public Hearing regarding a LOCAL LAW AMENDING CHAPTER 250 OF THE TOWN OF ITHACA CODE , TITLED "VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC , " TO PROHIBIT VEHICLES FROM STANDING WITHIN 125 FEET OF EITHER SIDE OF THE WINTHROP DR CROSSWALK LOCATED EAST OF BRANDYWINE DR a . Consider Adoption 7 : Ithaca Beer Co . proposed rezoning/development on Mancini Dr: off Route 13 ( New Brewery, Beer Garden , Restaurant/Pub) a . Consider referring to Planning Committee for recommendation b . Consider referring to Planning Board 8 . Conifer/Cornell proposed rezoning/development parcel on Route 96 (Senior Apartment , Assisted Living Facility, Park-and- Ride Lot , etc . ) a . Consider referring to Planning Committee for recommendation 91 Authorization to Enter into an Agreement with the Greater Tompkins County Municipal Health Insurance Consortium 10 . Consider Authorizing Town Supervisor to enter into a contract for a Deferred Compensation Administrator and Trustee Agreement from RFP proposals . 11 . Discuss proposed changes to the Official Map of the Town of Ithaca a . Referral of proposed changes to the official map of the town of Ithaca to the Planning Board for a report and recommendation 120 Discussion regarding changes to 2010 Capital Projects 13 . Consent Agenda a . Town of Ithaca Abstract b . Bolton Point Abstract c . Approval of Town Board Minutes of January 8tn , 22"d and February gm d . Approval of refund for 2006 water and sewer units assessed to Janivar Inc . / Summerhill Apartments , tax parcel #62 . -2 - 1 . 12 149 Report of Town Officials 15 , Intermunicipal Organizations 16 . Consider adjournment Town of Ithaca Town Board 215 North Tioga Street March 8 , 2010 5 : 30 p .m. PLEASE SIGN - IN Please Print Clearly , Thank You Name Address r S e �'� AA TOWN OF ITHACA AFFIDAVIT OF POSTING AND PUBLICATION I , Paulette Terwilliger, being duly sworn , say that I am the Town Clerk of the Town of Ithaca , Tompkins County, New York that the following notice has been duly posted on the sign board of the Town Clerk of the Town of Ithaca and the notice has been duly published in the official newspaper, Ithaca Journal: D VERTISEMENT TAO,OFITHACA NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS tINOTICE,OFPUBLIC 4 HEARING'p r1` a, PL+EASE !JAKE: NOt;. t TI�C,EyE;� hat the ,_ Towns, Local Law Amending Chapter 250 of the Town of tf3oard oPthe To of Itha. 'ca, will hold":a 511 h � � e hear Ithaca Code, Titled Vehicles and Traffic, „ to Prohibit on March 8, 2010 at Vehicles from Standing within 125 Feet of Either Side I 2AOS NorthogaWStreeter of the Winthrop Drive Crosswalk Located East of Ithaca, Ne York, to hear public comment regarding BrandBrandywine Drive. a 1Lrdeal law emending ` ywine ter 250 •of: the Towna offltfia`ca Code', Titled �'I �hiclesfdijb Traffic' to ,P,ro rr 4ibit,*,'Sicles from Stand`- ..' ng� witthn� 125rFeet oFy�r' iherj,Sde of the Wihthropl Location of Sign Board Used for Posting . Drive raps ine' n e • Eas[ of+8 andywme Dnv Info, r rnyregardmg the Town Clerk's Office publchearig °jop> ISro� . I fileandav`ailablefocrevievi Y f ° U. m the Town Clerk s'Office 215 North Tioga Street atTlownHalldunng 'no { Ithaca NY 14850 business hours ,.Myonday, [`through_ Fnday' 8 OOaa Ithaca , t o Ea 7+t'�' �In vidualSJneeding- 'assis=t: _ Date 0qP sting • tanoe'j kbuld Contact the : Date I ••Qn ; 1 Town Cle ks . toct timeffI 1 "48jhour � oor to the time• I of=the "public. eariij ihy11 X Debra DeAugistine. i'Qep�uty TowrnCledcff= tlDated: Febr ary 25, 2010 Paulette Terwilliger 25�27� 00 4 Town Clerk STATE OF NEW YORK) COUNTY OF TOMPKINS) SS : TOWN OF ITHACA) Sworn to and subscribed before me this /1'— day of 2010 • N tary Public DEBRA DEAUGISTINE ` NOTARY PUBLIG$TATE OF NEW YORK No. O1 DE6148035 QUallfled in Tompkins County = ' My cetnr1t1861en IN0001 June 1 /f @ @I@ r , Regular Meeting of the Ithaca Town Board Monday, March 8 , 2010 at 5 : 30 p . m . "yn 215 North Tioga Street, Ithaca, NY 14850 Minutes Call to Order & Pledge of Allegiance Supervisor Engman called the meeting to order at 7 : 02 p . m . He requested that an item be added to the Agenda to discuss the appointment of an Assessment Review Board , The Board approved the addition . Agenda Item Persons to be Heard and Board Comments -- None Agenda Item Report from Common Council -- None Agenda Item Report from Tompkins County Legislature Legislator Burbank gave an update on the County's reorganizing of committees and liaisons as well as the impact of the potential cuts from the State and the increase in retirement costs . He also conveyed Legislator Kiefer's thanks for the Board ' s support of the sugar tax. He also thanked the Board for the link to the Census on the website and reminded the Board that there will be a kickoff event at the public library on Wednesday. Agenda Item Report from Fire Commissioner Quarterly Report Bill Gilligan discussed his written report . (See Attachment # 1 ) Agenda Item Public Hearing regarding a LOCAL LAW AMENDING CHAPTER 250 OF THE TOWN OF ITHACA CODE , TITLED "VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC, " TO PROHIBIT VEHICLES FROM STANDING WITHIN 125 FEET OF EITHER SIDE OF THE WINTHROP DR CROSSWALK LOCATED EAST OF BRANDYWINE DR Supervisor Engman summarized the issue and explained the very specific wording for the amendment . The local law and the public hearing notice referred to no "standing" and it should read no "stopping" . The public hearing will be re-advertised and adoption will be considered at the April regular meeting . Supervisor Engman then opened the public hearing . Mrs. McEwen addressed the Board . She and her husband were the ones that brought the issue to the Town ' s attention . She explained the safety hazard and thanked the Board for their action . Peter Stein addressed the Board as a resident and agreed that this is a very dangerous spot with a lot of pedestrian traffic during dropoff and pickup times . Final TB 3-8-2010 Page 2 of 11 Supervisor Engman closed the public hearing . Board Comments Jim Weber and Supervisor Engman answered questions from the Board and distributed the photographs that the McEwen 's had submitted . The school has tried to encourage parents to use the parking lots , but it does take a little longer and many park on the road . This causes a line of sight issue and a danger to the children . The no "stopping" amendment will hopefully reduce the problem . TB RESOLUTION NO . 2010 - 054 Set Public Hearing for the revised Local Law amending Chapter 250 of the Town of Ithaca Code, titled "Vehicles and Traffic , " to prohibit vehicles from stopping within 125 feet of either side of the Winthrop Dr crosswalk located east of Brandywine Dr. RESOLVED , that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca hold a public hearing at the Town Hall , 215 North Tioga Street , Ithaca , New York , on the 12th day of April , 2010 , at 6 p . m . for the purpose of considering a proposed LOCAL LAW AMENDING CHAPTER 250 OF THE TOWN OF ITHACA CODE , TITLED "VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC , " TO PROHIBIT VEHICLES FROM STOPPING WITHIN 125 FEET OF EITHER SIDE OF THE WINTHROP DRIVE CROSSWALK LOCATED EAST OF BRANDYWINE DRIVE ; and FURTHER RESOLVED , that at such time and place all persons interested in the proposed amendment may be heard concerning the same ; and FURTHER RESOLVED , that the Town Clerk of the Town of Ithaca is hereby authorized and directed to publish a notice of such public hearing in the Ithaca Journal published in the City of Ithaca , Ithaca , New York , and to post a copy of same on the signboard of the Town of Ithaca , said publication and posting to occur not less than ten days before the day designated above for the public hearing . MOVED : Councilwoman Riha SECONDED : Councilwoman Hunter AYES : Engman , Goodman , Leary, Riha , DePaolo , Hunter, and Levine NAYS : None AGENDA ITEM Ithaca Beer Co . proposed rezoning/development on Mancini Dr. off Route 13 (New Brewery, Beer Garden , RestauranVPub) Dan Mitchell , owner of the brewery, gave a brief summary of the project . He is looking at the 82 acres that sits right behind the brewery . He stated that his business has grown 25% each year and they have outgrown their current building . He would like to expand the brewery and add crops , tours and a restaurant . There is no zoning now that will fit all of his ideas into one . Final TB 3-8-2010 Page 3 of 11 Jon Kanter added that Mr. Mitchell would like to have the Board refer the project to both the Planning Board and the Planning Committee for review and comments on different aspects of the project and the obstacles that would need to be surmounted . One obstacle is the Planning Board condition that requires Mancini Drive to be taken over by the Town if more development is done . Mr. Mitchell wants to know what that would require and who would be responsible for bringing the road up to whichever standard it needs to be raised to . Mr. Mitchell felt he would need to know that information to determine if it is at all feasible , but he doesn 't want to start the process if the Planning Board is not willing to consider rescinding the condition . Supervisor Engman agreed , stating that if there was strong opposition to the proposal , Mr. Mitchell should know now so he can evaluate his options . Councilman DePaolo asked about large events being held there such as the Brew Fest and Mr. Mitchell responded that he is not necessarily looking at moving that because of the size of the event , but he would like to keep other events on the table . Discussion followed . Proposed language submitted by the Planning Department in their memo was moved with a minor change being made after discussion . TB Resolution No. 2010=055 Refer consideration of the Ithaca Brewery Development Proposal to the Planning Committee and the Planning Board Resolved , that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca hereby refers consideration of the possible establishment of a Planned Development Zone ( PDZ) for the Ithaca Beer Co . Development proposal to the Town of Ithaca Planning Committee for recommendation , and Be It Further Resolved , that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca hereby refers the development proposal , concerning the status of Mancini Drive , to the Town of Ithaca Planning Board for initial review. MOVED : Councilman DePaolo SECONDED : Councilman Goodman AYES : Engman , Goodman , Leary, Riha , DePaolo , Hunter, and Levine NAYS : None Motion passed unanimously. Agenda Item Conifer/Cornell proposed rezoning/development parcel on Route 96 (Senior Apartment, Assisted Living Facility, Park-and-Ride Lot, etc . ) John Caruso from Passero Associates gave the Board a brief overview of the proposal stating that they are focusing on an age- in - place senior housing development . He added that they have worked on developing this proposal for many years and they believe they have looked at what is needed , what is in place and what is in coming and feel they have utilized existing topography and infrastructure to allay a lot of concerns that are commonly expressed . There will be a park-and - ride built that will help with transportation issues and the placement of the buildings will make the view of them Final TB 3-8-2010 Page 4 of 11 shielded by the topography. The entire build -out for the site is not known because Cornell has not decided what they are going to do with the rest of their land . There are possible scenarios from additional middle income housing to a school program and facility working with the elderly . John Gutenberger from Cornell was present and could not give the Board any firm direction they will be going in . The Hotel School is the steward of the land and they have not decided what they want to do . Tim Fournier with Conifer Realty gave a brief history of the company and their holdings in the area and they feel they have a strong local presence already and have proven to be good neighbors The Board had questions about the median price of the units , walkways to connect the different areas and the layout of the buildings . There was a lot of discussion about ways to make it a neighborhood by adding conveniences such as a small market so people would not have to drive into town . Councilman DePaolo asked how a Planned Development Zone could be developed when the plan is not complete . Discussion followed and Mr. Kanter answered questions about SEQR process and options such as a combination of a PDZ and a Generic Environmental Impact Statement . There was some question about why the unknown Cornell parcel was being considered in conjunction with the proposal . Suggested wording for the resolution from the Planning Department's memo was moved and seconded for discussion . Councilman DePaolo moved to amend the resolution by removing the second "further resolved" because he felt the Planning Committee should discuss the proposal first before beginning or drafting a zoning change . The change was approved unanimously . TB RESOLUTION NO . 2010=056 Refer Planned Development Zone Proposal to Planning Committee Resolved , that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca hereby refers consideration of the possible establishment of a Planned Development Zone ( PDZ) for the Conifer/Cornell proposal to the Town of Ithaca Planning Committee for a recommendation . MOVED : Councilman Goodman SECONDED : Councilman DePaolo AYES : Engman , Goodman , Leary, Riha , DePaolo , Hunter, and Levine NAYS : None Motion passed unanimously . s Final TB 3-8-2010 Page 5 of 11 Agenda Item Consider Authorization to Enter into an Agreement with the Greater Tompkins County Municipal Health Insurance Consortium Judy Drake gave a brief summary of the changes . Motion made and seconded for discussion . Ms . Brock requested a wording change and addition to require approval from the Attorney for the Town . The change was approved unanimously. RESOLUTION NO. 2010-057 : Authorization to Enter into an Agreement with the Greater Tompkins County Municipal Health Insurance Consortium WHEREAS, the Tompkins County Council of Governments (TCCOG ) is comprised of all the municipalities in Tompkins County; and WHEREAS, the Town of Ithaca is a member of the Tompkins County Council of Governments (TCCOG ) ; and WHEREAS, health care costs for Tompkins County and other local governments have been increasing each year at rates much higher than inflation , which can be addressed by the pooling of buying power of several municipalities ; and WHEREAS, in 2007 , the County , on behalf of TCCOG , accepted an incentive grant award under the New York State Shared Municipal Services Program to assist the municipalities in Tompkins County to create a local municipal health insurance consortium ; and WHEREAS, the Greater Tompkins County Municipal Health Insurance Consortium developed health benefits coverage for all participating municipalities with the intent of providing a net savings to the taxpayers of Tompkins County, a goal the Town of Ithaca supports ; and WHEREAS, TCCOG encourages the signature of an inter- municipal agreement by TCCOG members ; and WHEREAS, the Personnel Committee recommends the Town 's participation in the Greater Tompkins County Municipal Health Insurance Consortium and the execution of the municipal cooperative agreement ; Now, therefore , be it RESOLVED, on the recommendation of the Personnel Committee , the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca does hereby authorize the Town Supervisor to execute the final municipal cooperative agreement with the Greater Tompkins County Municipal Health Insurance Consortium , under the advice of the Human Resources Manager and subject to the approval of the Attorney for the Town ; and be it further Final TB 3-8-2010 Page 6 of 11 RESOLVED, the Human Resources Manager is directed to change the Town ' s health insurance provider to the Greater Tompkins County Municipal Health Insurance Consortium effective on or after May 1 , 2010 . MOVED : Councilwoman Hunter SECONDED : Councilwoman Leary AYES : Engman , Goodman , Leary, Riha , DePaolo , Hunter, and Levine NAYS : None Motion passed unanimously. Agenda Item Consider Authorizing Town Supervisor to enter into a contract for a Deferred Compensation Administrator and Trustee Agreement from RFP proposals . Judy Drake gave a summary on the presentations and ballot count from employees . No discussion . RESOLUTION NO . 2010 — 058 Acceptance of Proposed Model 457 Deferred Compensation Plan by Nationwide Retirement Solutions WHEREAS , Nationwide Retirement Solutions has been the provider of the Model 457 Deferred Compensation Plan since 1997 , and as a requirement of the " Model Plan" every 5 years the municipality has to administer a Request For Proposals ; and WHEREAS , the Town advertised as duly required and has accepted proposals for a 457 Deferred Compensation Plan for employees of the Town for the voluntary participation of all eligible employees ; and WHEREAS , the Budget Officer and Human Resources Manager have reviewed all three proposals submitted and have met with each of the companies individually, and asked them to do a informational meeting open to the staff for their input into the decision ; and WHEREAS , the staff , including the Budget Officer and Human Resources Manager have participated in information meetings with all three companies , and have deemed it advisable to remain with Nationwide Retirement Solutions ; now, therefore , be it RESOLVED , the governing Town Board hereby adopts the Model 457 Deferred Compensation Plan as submitted by Nationwide Retirement Solutions ; and be it further RESOLVED , that the Town Supervisor is hereby authorized and directed to enter into such agreements as are required or necessary for the implementation and maintenance of the Nationwide Retirement Solutions Model Deferred Compensation Plan ; and be it further Final TB 3-8-2010 Page 7 of 11 RESOLVED , the Town Board hereby authorizes the Administrative Service Agency to file a copy of this resolution and other required documents with the State Deferred Compensation Board , and The President of the State of New York Civil Service Commission . MOVED : Councilwoman Hunter SECONDED : Councilwoman Riha AYES : Engman , Goodman , Leary, Riha , DePaolo , Hunter, and Levine NAYS : None Motion passed unanimously . Agenda Item Discuss proposed changes to the Official Map of the Town of Ithaca Jim Weber discussed the changes being made to the Official Town Map and the reasons behind them . The current map is from 1968 and the inadequacy of it is causing problems with building permits being issued . The next step is to refer the map to the Planning Board for comments which will then come back before the Board . RESOLUTION NO , 2010-059 : Referral of Proposed Changes to the Official Map of the Town of Ithaca to the Planning Board for a Report and Recommendation WHEREAS , Section 270 of NYS Town Law authorizes the Town Board to establish an official map of that part of the town outside the limits of any incorporated city or village showing the streets , highways and parks theretofore laid out , and may also show drainage systems ; and WHEREAS , the current Official Map of the Town of Ithaca dates back to 1968 and has not been changed or amended since then ; and WHEREAS , Section 273 of NYS Town Law authorizes the Town Board to change or add to the official map of the town so as to lay out new streets , highways , drainage systems or parks , and any such change or addition to the Official Map must be referred to the Planning Board for a report thereon ; and WHEREAS , the Director of Public Works has prepared a draft proposed , revised Official Map , dated February 2010 , showing the current and proposed streets , highways and parks in the Town of Ithaca , which represents changes from the 1968 Official Map ; and WHEREAS , the Town Board has discussed the draft revised Official map as described above at its regular meeting on March 8 , 2010 ; NOW , THEREFORE , BE IT RESOLVED , that the Town of Ithaca Town Board hereby refers the draft proposed , revised Official Map of the Town of Ithaca , dated February 2010 , to the Planning Board for a report and recommendation . Final TB 3-8-2010 Page 8 of 11 MOVED : Councilman DePaolo SECONDED : Councilwoman Leary AYES : Engman , Goodman , Leary, Riha , DePaolo , Hunter, and Levine NAYS : None Motion passed unanimously . Agenda Item Discussion regarding changes to 2010 Capital Projects Jim Weber distributed handouts and explained the changes . Some projects are not going to be started on time , while others needed to be moved up . Discussion followed with both Jim Weber and Al Carvill answering Board questions about how the money allocations would be moved and/or funded . Approvals for BANs will be coming before the Board for approval soon . Added Agenda Item — Board of Assessment Review Supervisor Engman noted that in discussing this with Deb DeAugustine , some towns do not appoint town board members but residents instead . Discussion followed . It was decided to continue with Board Member appointments and Supervisor Engman asked for volunteers . Councilmen Levine and DePaolo volunteered with Councilwoman Hunter agreeing to be the alternate . Appointments were approved unanimously . Agenda Item Consent Agenda TB RESOLUTION NO . 2010-060 : Consent Agenda Items BE IT RESOLVED , that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca hereby approves and/or adopts the resolutions for Consent Agenda Items : a . Town of Ithaca Abstract b . Bolton Point Abstract c . Approval of Minutes of January 8 , January 22 , and February 8 and February 22 , 2010 d . Approval of refund for 2006 water and sewer units assessed to Janivar Inc . / Summerhill Apartments , tax parcel #62 . -2 - 1 . 12 MOVED : Councilman DePaolo SECONDED : Councilwoman Riha AYES : Engman , Goodman , Leary, Riha , DePaolo , Hunter, and Levine NAYS : None Motion passed unanimously . Final TB 3-8-2010 Page 9 of 11 TB RESOLUTION NO. 2010=060a : Town of Ithaca Abstract 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 . VOUCHER NOS . 8040 - 8112 General Fund Town wide 120, 279. 07 General Fund Part Town 71411 . 11 Highway Fund Part Town 47, 743. 72 Water Fund 15 ,649 . 59 Sewer Fund 41660.20 Warren Road Walkway 18 . 11 Risk Retention Fund 983. 39 Fire Protection Fund 867, 071 . 05 Forest Home Lighting District 116. 74 Glenside Lighting District 43. 54 Renwick Heights Lighting District 61 . 93 Eastwood Commons Lighting District 144 . 98 Clover Lane Lighting District 17 .25 Winner's Circle Lighting District 56.30 Burlei h Drive Lighting District 58 . 19 Westhaven Road Lighting District 177. 33 Coddin ton Road Lighting District 105 . 70 Trust and Agency 71400. 00 TOTAL 11 , 071 , 998 .20 Unanimous TB RESOLUTION NO , 2010=060b : Bolton Point Abstract WHEREAS , the following numbered vouchers for the Southern Cayuga Lake Intermunicipal Water Commission 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 . Final TB 3-8-2010 Page 10 of 11 Voucher Numbers : 1576 - 1637 Check Numbers : 12208 - 12269 SCADA project $ 347 . 12 Bolton Point Road Project $ 1 , 395 . 00 Operating Fund $ 71 , 592 . 46 TOTAL $ 73 , 334 . 58 Unanimous TB RESOLUTION NO. 2010=060c : Town Board Minutes WHEREAS , the Town Clerk has presented the minutes for the Town Board meetings held on January 11 , 2010 , January 22 , 2010 , February 8 , 2010 and February 22 , 2010 to the Town Board for review and approval ; now therefore be it RESOLVED , the Town Board does hereby approve for filing the minutes of the meetings held on January 11 , 2010 , January 22 , 2010 , February 8 , 2010 and February 22 , 2010 . Unanimous TB RESOLUTION NO . 2010=060d : Approval of Refund for 2006 Water and Sewer Units Assessed to Janivar Inc. / Summerhill Apartments Tax Parcel #62 .=2-1 . 12 WHEREAS , the Town Budget Officer discovered an error was made in the 2006 Tax Roll of the Town of Ithaca , namely ; Janivar Inc . , tax parcel #62 . -2 - 1 - 12 , was incorrectly assessed and charged for Special District Sewer and Water charges , and NOW THEREFORE BE IT, RESOLVED , that the Town Board approves and directs the Town Budget Officer to refund Janivar, Inc in the amount of $2 , 320 in over assessed and paid water charges and $870 in over assessed and paid sewer charges . Unanimous Agenda Item Report of Town Officials Supervisor Engman reported that he and Jim Weber met with board members of the Town of Ulysses . There is a major issue with the billing of water to the Town of Ulysses and their subsequent payments . The proposal is to put a two-way meter in at the Woolf Lane location to accurately measure the water. The Town would pay for half of the meter. Discussion followed . The Board requested a copy of the contract be sent to Final TB 3-8-2010 Page 11 of 11 them . The Board was not comfortable with paying for half the meter without further review and discussion of the contract . Codes — Bruce Bates asked for comments on the Board wanted or did not want to see in the Monthly Reports Finance — Al Carvill reported that the NYS comptroller's report is on file in the Clerk's office and available for Board review . He also gave the over/under amounts for budget lines . Planning — Jon Kanter reported that Hollis Erb had been appointed Vice chair of the Planning Board Intermunicipal Organizations - None Consider Adjournment -- The meeting was adjourned at 9 : 32p . m . Respectfully submitted , Paulette Terwiliger Town Clerk Attachment # 1 3 - 8 - 2010 To: Town of Ithaca Board From : Bill Gilligan, Town Representative on the Ithaca Board of Fire Commissioners Subj : Board of Fire Commissioners Report- March 2010 Date : March 8, 2010 The following is a summary of items discussed at the February 9, 2010 Board of Fire Commissioners meeting. A separate copy of the Fire Chiefs and the Fire Marshal's reports will be sent to the Town Clerk. Common Council member JR Clairborne was introduced as the liaison from the Council to the Board . Department Staffing — With the exception of the Fire Chiefs position, all positions in the department are currently filled . Acting Chief Dorman, with assistance from Deputy Chief Parsons continues to cover the duties of the Fire Chiefs position on an interim basis. The Board will be discussing with the Mayor the plan and schedule for filling the Chiefs position . The position is expected to remain open for all of 2010. Fire Police and Volunteers in the Ithaca Fire Department The Fire Police Report was given by Dave Cornelius- they held a training meeting in January where all 9 active fire police members received CPR recertification training . The Fire Police group are in the process of identifying some equipment needs for the group to assure that they are able to provide service in a safe and effective manner. They will be working with the department and Board on a process for recruiting and training new fire police volunteers. They will be meeting on February 17 for additional training. Diversity Recruitment efforts — For the last several months, Deputy Chief Parsons has been working with other departments in the City and with members of the fire department, to increase the number of individuals from underrepresented groups, who are in the pool of candidates taking the Fire Fighters civil service exam . The exam was held on Saturday, March 6, 2010. There were approximately 350 individuals who signed up for the exam for Ithaca . The list of scores from this exam will be complied by Civil Service , Gamewell Fire Alarm Box System- Will be phased out over the next 6 — 9 months — there are currently 105 Master boxes on the system . Changes in code requirements and interface costs with the County dispatch system make continued use of the system cost prohibitive . No new subscribers are being added to the system . Properties required to have an alarm system will use 3`d party alarm/security systems or services . The user fee for those currently on the Gamewell system — supports a portion of the cost for the Department's Alarm Superintendent position . 2% funds The funds from the town for 2008 and 2009 were received by the city in February 2010 and approximately a week after the BFC meeting, individual checks were processed by the City Chamberlain and made available to the Vet Firemen's Association and the city Voluntary companies . The funds were distributed based on the proportionate distribution specified in the City Charter. City Charter Revisions — Concerns were raised in a letter from the Ithaca Veteran Volunteer Firemen's Association regarding restrictions in the City Charter in the level of support that can be provided to volunteer firefighters in need ($200- one time only) . This will be reviewed as part of the overall review of the Board of Fire Commissioners responsibilities and authority in the City Charter. JR Claiborne indicated that the City would be doing a review of the entire charter — so it was expected that the process would be a fairly extended one . A number of sections of the City Charter related to the Board of Fire Commissioners had been submitted previously and former Commissioner Bob Romanowski had agreed to continue working on those charter items. Resource Recovery Legislation - It was reported that the documentation on proposed resource recovery legislation pulled together by Bob Romanowski for the Board of Fire Commissioners had been provided again to the City Attorney's Office for review. The original information provided a few months ago had apparently been lost. Remediation of Traffic Calming devices- There was an update on the status of the speed humps on Wood and South Streets. Because of the impact of these items on Fire Apparatus the Board is interested in having them removed . It was understood that both of these were to be removed a year or more ago .