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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-04-13 - TB ) C6 I TOWN OF ULYSSES REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING APRIL 13Th, 1999 PRESENT: Supervisor Douglas Austic; Councilpeople Carolyn Duddleston, Sue Poelvoorde, Andrew Hillman and Robert Weatherby; Code Enforcement Officer Alex Rachun ; Highway Superintendent James Meeker; Town Clerk Marsha L. Georgia . Others Present : Sue Brewer of the Trumansburg Free Press, Thomas Reitz, Catherine Stover, Orlando Turco and Lauren Bishop of the Ithaca Journal . Supervisor Austic called the meeting to order and lead those assembled in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America . APPROVAL OF MINUTES — Regular Meeting of 3/ 9 / 99 and Special 3/ 31 / 99 Mrs . Duddleston moved, seconded by Ms . Poelvoorde to approve the minutes of March 3rd and March 31st, 1999 . They reviewed with the clerk some errors (spelling and typo errors) . The clerk will correct. Hearing no further corrections the Board voted unanimously to approve the minutes as corrected . APPROVAL OF MONTHLY CLAIMS Mr. Hillman moved seconded by Mrs . Duddleston to approve the previously reviewed claims numbered 112 through 165 in the amount of $28,950 . 20 . Unanimously approved . REPORTS OF REPRESENTATIVES Peter Penniman of Tompkins County Board of Representatives reported that he is starting to work on the Biggs Building . The County is determined to do something with the building, one way or another. The configuration of the building makes it hard to sell and it needs a lot of work. Peter is also working with the County to try and reduce health insurance . He feels what the town is doing (reimbursement if employee goes on spouse's insurance) could benefit the County. He reported that a large part of Iradell Road, Halseyville Road, VanDorns Corners Road and various other places are scheduled for repairs on the highway improvement plan . Mr. Penniman asked about the road numbering on Iradell Road . Mrs . Georgia stated that she has spoken with Mary Riley at Tompkins County Fire and Disaster (911) and Mary assures that the situation of the four digit numbers has been taken care of. Mrs . Georgia offered to renumber the entire road (Town of Ithaca and Town of Enfield) to make it comply . The problem going back to three digits on that road is that the existing numbers are not correct. Why go back and have it wrong ? Mr. Penniman stated that the Planning Federation is having difficulty-getting people to the meetings . They have made the suggestion to broaden the scope of who can be a member and also have each town have a back up. Regular Town Board Meeting 2 4/ 13/99 Mr. Penniman stated that the County is possibly having a change of heart sponsoring the Cayuga Nature Center if they are successful with their grant . Mr . Austic stated that the Town would be glad to do that if the County opted out . TRUMANSBURG FIRE DEPARTMENT No one in attendance from the fire department . GREG HOFFMIRE Mr. Hoffmire was unable to attend the meeting . Mr. Austic has received a letter of resignation from Mr . Hoffmire from the Ulysses Planning Board . Mr. Hoffmire has six years left on his term . Mr. Austic asked the papers to indicate this in their article and also asked the clerk to advertise for any interested agriculture / business residents to apply no later than May 1 , 1999 . The town board will make a decision on May 11 , 1999 at the regular board meeting . This would give time to interview if needed . TOWN REPORTS Highway Superintendent James Meeker reported that they plowed and salted as needed and he hopes that they are done and the wind stops . He has started working on the equipment for summer work . They have been cleaning roadsides and replacing sod that was torn up by winter plowing . Mr . Meeker stated that the highway crew is required to go to a training session on drug and alcohol and they have one set up for May 13, 1999 . Mr. Meeker reported that in the next couple of weeks you might notice some plywood markers going up along the roads in places for GIS survey markers . The County will be flown again to update the existing maps adding better information on roads and bridges . The markers will be labeled . Mr. Meeker has a letter that he would like the board to join him in signing , in reference to state funding (Chips) . Governor Pataki is proposing to reduce the Chips funding by $ 26 million and decrease funding in highway construction and engineering . The board did agree with Mr . Meeker that they should not cut for these uses . The board signed the letter and copies will be mailed to Governor Pataki , Senator Kuhl and Assemblyman Luster . Code Enforcement Officer Alex Rachun reported that there has been three single-family home starts, one addition and four ZBA hearings, two for area variances, which were fairly routine, were granted . Also he had two residents ask for clarification on the Zoning Ordinance . The ZBA felt somewhat uncomfortable, so they have scheduled a meeting that the town attorney will attend on April 26, 1999 . The clarification is whether the repair of agricultural implements can be done in a residential zone . Town Clerk Marsha Georgia reported that the total fees for March were $ 1011 . 50, of which $760 . 25 was turned over to the Supervisor along with her monthly report. Mrs . Georgia has received some bids from suppliers of runner rugs and can do much better with a company called Coyne Textile Services . Also they would do better on the supplies that Mr . Meeker gets but his contract is not up right now . The Town will be switching to Coyne at the end of the month . Regular Town Board Meeting 3 4/13/99 Mrs . Georgia also received prices on copiers . The best buy is a price per copy deal that CMS offers . We have used this company for over twenty years. You would pay for this over a three-year plan and all supplies and service included in one price of $208 per month . At the end of the three years, if you wish to upgrade you could or buy out the one you have . Out of budgeted money for 1999, the amount would be $ 1664 less $700 that the town is getting for the old copier, which is going to the Ulysses Historical Society. Mr. Austic asked if the board would like to try this price per copy. He stated that there is no way to buy one outright. The consensus of the board was to try this . They did ask Mrs . Georgia to find out if they replaced the machine if it was to be found there was a lot of service and if they could stop at anytime . She will find these things out. Board Members and Committees Councilman Hillman reported that he attended the Trumansburg/Ulysses Joint Youth Commission meeting on the 6th and as always there are lots of things happening . They had their first Café Saturday and about thirty-five kids attended . They are planning to continue that. They have plans to plant some trees at the school . They also are offering cash register training, taking place at the Shur Save and tree pruning will be offered, which is run by Mr . Hillman . Supervisor Report Mr. Austic reviewed the operating statement and the financial report. No one had any questions , OLD BUSINESS Fair Board Meeting Mr. Austic announced that a meeting has been set with the Fair Board to discuss Grassroots . It is scheduled for April 14, 1999 at 7 : 30 PM at the fair office . Mrs . Georgia has notified Chris Wallace and Mrs . Hooper who asked to be notified when the board had this meeting . Other Insurance Reimbursement Mrs . Duddleston moved, seconded by Mr. Hillman the following resolution : RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Ulysses amend the personnel policy for reimbursement of health insurance as follows : Class A & B employees who wish to waive Town provided health insurance would be eligible to receive 50% of the Town 's share of this coverage for the period January 1 - December 31 in their paycheck on the last payroll in December, as a modification to wages, subject to taxes . This compensation would be prorated over a year when an employee is hired or terminated or requires the immediate reinstitution of coverage . Any employee desiring to waive this coverage will be required to notify the Town Supervisor by December 1St of the preceding year each year. Regular Town Board Meeting 4 4/13/99 To be reinstated the employee must notify the Town Supervisor at least one month in advance . Further resolved that the definition of class "A" and "B" employees be changed to read "at least 20 hours". Mr . Austic aye Mrs . Duddleston aye Ms . Poelvoorde aye Mr. Hillman aye Mr. Weatherby aye Adopted . NEW BUSINESS Action of Comprehensive Land Use Plan Mr . Austic moved seconded by Mrs . Duddleston the following : W HEREAS, the Town Board by resolution dated June 6, 1998, re- appointed a special board to draft a comprehensive plan for the Ulysses Township pursuant to Town Law § 272-a ; and W HEREAS, the special board completed its work and submitted its draft comprehensive plan by request of the Town Board to the Town Planning Board ; and W HEREAS, the Town Planning Board has reviewed, amended and held public meetings and a public hearing on said draft comprehensive plan ; and W HEREAS, the Town Planning Board has approved said plan with revisions and submitted same to the Town Board for action pursuant to Town Law § 272-a ; and WHEREAS, the Town Board held a duly noticed and published public hearing on said comprehensive plan on March 1 , 1999 and received public comment and further held a duly noticed public hearing on the submitted Environmental Assessment Form ( Part of the Comprehensive Plan application) and Environmental Review put forth in the Comprehensive Plan and opened same for public comment also on March 1, 1999; and . WHEREAS, the Town Board authorized and received and reviewed additional written comments submitted to the Board post public hearing ; and WHEREAS, the Town Board has received a written review pursuant to New York State General Municipal Law § 239-I and m relative to the draft comprehensive plan states that the Tompkins County Department of Planning has no recommendations and the Board is free to act on said plan ; and WHEREAS, the Town Board has reviewed the Environmental Assessment form submitted with the draft comprehensive plan and completed Part II thereafter and after a thorough review determined that because it is deemed a Type I action under §617 .4 (b) of SEQRA (being the adoption of a comprehensive management plan and land use plan) and has adopted a resolution (attached hereto) for a determination of significance 5 Regular Town Board Meeting 5 111 4/13/99 or positive declaration and requested a Generic Environmental Impact Statement; and WHEREAS, the comprehensive plan is not involving actual site or project specific development plans it was determined by the Board that a Generic Environmental Impact Statement would be all that could be used and that the comprehensive plan submitted reports to include in the document and appendixes the data for such Generic Environmental Impact Statement; and WHEREAS, the Board by resolution determined that Chapter 5 of the comprehensive plan , the EAF and appendixes was in fact a generic EIS review, the Board duly approved same as lead agency by a statement of fact findings pursuant to the Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) Article 8 of the New York Environmental Conservation Law, said resolution also being attached hereto; and WHEREAS, the Town Board has fully reviewed the comprehensive plan and taken public comment, reviewed the County Planning Department's review and reviewed the environmental consequences of adoption of a comprehensive plan and determined it is consistent with the purposes of Town Law § 272-a and in the best interest of town wide planning and future zoning to have such a plan ; and NOW, THEREFORE, the board has duly been called to vote on approval of said plan as amended, finds that it is in the best interests of the Town and serves the public health, safety and public good to adopt same hereby approves said comprehensive plan as amended for the Township of Ulysses (less the Village of Trumansburg) and declares by this resolution said plan to be stated public policy for the township . FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Comprehensive Plan be reviewed in five years pursuant to 272-a ( 10) . Mr. Austic aye Mrs . Duddleston aye Ms . Poelvoorde aye Mr. Hillman aye Mr. Weatherby aye Adopted Resolution Directing Planning Board on Zoning Ordinance Mr. Austic moved seconded by Mr. Hillman the following : WHEREAS, the Ulysses Town Board has voted to accept its Comprehensive Land Use Plan as revised at the meeting of March 31 , 1999' AND WHEREAS, the next progression in the zoning revision process should come as recommendations from the Planning Board . AND WHEREAS, the Ulysses Town Board was previously presented with a zoning revision document (known as the ZORC report) into which much research and many hours of meetings were involved in the report development. *2 Regular Town Board Meeting 6 4/ 1. 3/99 AND WHEREAS, the Town Board is familiar with the ZORC report and considers it to be well written and may need only minor revisions to be updated to our present needs . NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED : That the Ulysses Town Board direct the Ulysses Planning Board to start its revision process of our Zoning Ordinance using the ZORC document as a model , making any modifications it feels necessary to update the ZORC report . In addition, the Planning Board is directed to establish the various zone boundaries consistent with the approved Comprehensive Land Use Plan in order that the attorney for the Town and the Surveyor can produce a zoning map ASAP (PRIOR TO JULY 31sT. 1999) . Mr. Austic aye Mrs . Duddleston aye Ms . Poelvoorde aye Mr. Hillman aye Mr. Weatherby aye Adopted Public Hearing to Re-zone Area of Moratorium Mr. Austic moved seconded by Mrs . Duddleston the following : WHEREAS, the Ulysses Town Board has approved the Ulysses Comprehensive Land Use Plan (UCLUP) and WHEREAS, a moratorium for a specific area along Route 96, previously extended , will expire on June 16, 1999, and WHEREAS, the Town Board wishes too partially rezone the area affected by said moratorium prior to the date of its expiration , exclusive of Rascal 's, Ward Motel , Hammonds Plumbing and Heating, and SA's Banquet Hall . WHEREAS, A public hearing is required to take comments on any such rezoning, NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED : A public hearing to take comments on the rezoning issue be scheduled for May 11 , 1999 at 6 : 30 PM at the Ulysses Town Hall . Mr . Austic aye Mrs . Duddleston aye Ms . Poelvoorde aye Mr. Hillman aye Mr. Weatherby aye Adopted . Water Study Mr. Austic stated that TG Miller & Assoc . would not be giving the town a price for a water study because they do not have the time . He has received a price from Barton & Loquidice and Hunt Engineers . He asked the Board to read them over and figure out, if we get funding from legislators, which one to select. Both are for the same amount of money but he thinks Hunt is offering more . Regular Town Board Meeting 7 4/ 13/99 Budget Modifications Mr. Austic needs to modify the budget too increase A1220 .4 by $2000 and A1910 .4 by $757 . 71 by decreasing A1990 .4 by $2757 . 71 . Mrs. Duddleston moved seconded by Mr. Hillman : RESOLVED that the Town Board authorizes Supervisor Austic to increase A1220 .4 by $2000 and A1910 .4 by $757 . 71 by decreasing A1990 .4 by $ 2757 . 71 . Mr. Austic aye Mrs . Duddleston aye Ms . Poelvoorde aye Mr. Hillman aye Mr. Weatherby aye Other Mr. Austic stated that the Fire Department is discussing what they will be doing with the ambulance system . They are going to have a meeting and have invited Mr. Austic, someone from the Village, and the other Towns that they service . They need to discuss what options they may have because during the day they are having difficulty manning the ambulance . They may even discuss contracting from Bangs Ambulance Service . The date has not been set. Hearing from Groups and Individuals Mr. Reitz asked again what the Town would like to see from the Jacksonville Assoc . to contribute to a plan that the County Planning may work on . Mr. Austic will attend the next association meeting and explain . It was also suggested that the association could get someone to facilitate a workshop, maybe Susan Motheral . Mr. Turco asked if he could get some information on the northern boundary of Route 96 and Perry City Road west of the old County Home owned by Mary James and Staford Trust. He has a couple of purchase offers and he would like to know what could be done there . Mr. Austic stated that the Comprehensive Plan would put it back to residential/agricultural lands, which it has always been . Mr. Turco asked if storage sheds, nursery, or a house with an office would be able to go there . Mr. Austic stated no to the storage sheds, unless a variance was granted by the ZBA, yes to nursery and yes to home occupation . A copy of the zoning ordinance will be mailed to Mr. Turco and that is what is in effect until the ordinance is up-dated to follow the Comprehensive Plan . But even after the zoning is revised there are no plans to change that area . _ Correspondence Mr. Austic has a couple of reports he will leave if anyone would like to look at, one is a report from the Environmental Council, the other is a full report from Regular Town Board Meeting 8 \ 4/ 13/99 Robert Miller and Assoc . That report explains how they could get grants for the Town and the cost for their services . Hearing no further business Mr. Hillman moved seconded by Ms Poelvoorde to adjourn the meeting . Hearing no objection the meeting was adjourned at 9 : 30 PM . Respectfully submitted, Marsha L. Georgia Ulysses Town Clerk MLG : mg