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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-05-11 - TB TOWN OF ULYSSES REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING MAY 11 , 1999 PRESENT: Supervisor Doug Austic; Councilpeople Carolyn Duddleston , Andrew Hillman , Sue Poelvoorde, and Robert Weatherby; Marsha Georgia , Town Clerk; Tompkins County Representative Peter Penniman ; Highway Superintendent James Meeker absent; Alex Rachun Code Enforcement Officer absent. Others Present : Free Press Reporter Grace Wolf, Ithaca Journal Reporter Lauren Bishop; Tom Reitz, Catherine Stover, Sheriff Peter Meskill , and George Kennedy . Supervisor Austic called the meeting to order at 7 : 30 PM and led those assembled in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America . APPROVAL OF MINUTES : REGULAR BOARD MEETING 4113 / 99 Supervisor Austic entertained the approval of the Regular Board Meeting of April 13, 1999 . Mrs . Duddleston and Mss . Poelvoorde pointed out some corrections that the clerk will take care of. Mrs . Duddleston moved seconded by Mss . Poelvoorde to approve the corrected minutes . Unanimously approved . APPROVAL OF MONTHLY CLAIMS Mr. Weatherby moved seconded by Mr. Hillman to approve the previous examined vouchers # 166 through 201 in the amount of $ 12,446. 24 . Unanimously approved . REPORTS OF REPRESENTATIVES Tompkins County Representative Peter Penniman reported that the County Library design was presented and it is a very dramatic change to the building . Mr. Penniman feels positive about it and the County says they are staying within the budget. The anticipated opening is for August of 2000 . The entrance will be moving to enter on Cayuga Street and parking on the South Side, East Side, the garage and also along the street. Parking meters may be removed and have short-term parking in the front. Mr. Reitz asked what is to become of the old library? Mr. Penniman stated that a committee is looking into all of the space in the County buildings . There maybe several offices that are running out of space and the old library would be used for that. Mr. Penniman reported that he just received a notice about the bridge replacement over Glenwood Creek on Route 89 . It is scheduled to be out for contract in the fall of 2000 . Mr. Penniman is attending a hearing in Albany and the topic is "Localities that Host Large Tax Exemption Properties of Higher Learning ', chaired by Assemblyman Martin Luster. Mr. Penniman handed out a copy of his statement and also a spreadsheet summarizing the tax-exempt properties . In some states the State has a program to reimburse some of the lost tax revenue . Trumansburq Fire Department The Fire Department had no representative in attendance tonight. Town of Ulysses 2 Regular Board Meeting 5/11/99 Tompkins County Sheriff Peter Meskill stated that he is trying to get around to different Towns and Villages to make sure if there is an issue, complaint, or concern that involves a police agency. Whether it involves the Sheriff's Department of someone else or you need service or you don't think you are getting service, please call him and he will see what can be done to rectify that. Sheriff Meskill stated that there was a good discussion at the Village's Meeting about the issue of the Town perhaps for the future, some type of Local Law in reference to gatherings . What brought this about are the activities that are coming up at the Fairgrounds in June? It is a large gathering and not only did the Sheriffs Department not know but neither did the Fire Department or Village Police . This event is taking place at the same time the State Troopers are scheduled to be elsewhere for a large gathering . A Local Law for the future that could have a checklist of guidelines for someone that's promoting to follow and have the Town check this out. Mr . Hillman asked if he was talking about security, health safety and portable john 's etc in this checklist? Sheriff Meskill stated yes all that and maybe if they have any idea the size crowds . The general consensus of the Board was that not to get into a permit situation but lists just getting the information . TOWN REPORTS Highway Superintendent James Meeker was absent and Mrs . Georgia read his report as follows : April through May 11th , 1999 -Tractors and mowers ready for spring - Plows and salt boxes cleaned up and put away - Roads all patched -Cleaning up cemeteries - Drug & alcohol training session May 13t", drivers & supervisors must attend Code Enforcement Officer Alex Rachun absent and Mr. Austic read his report . There were 3 permits issued for single-family homes and four ZBA hearings . Town Clerk Marsha L. Georgia reported that a total of $ 1166 was collected in fees and of that $579 .48 was turned over to the Supervisor along with her monthly report. A total of $687 . 61 in penalties and second notice fees was turned over also . Mrs . Georgia stated that she has been going over the house numbers and u pdating the book with the lake roads that were not previously included . Some duplication was found and has been straightened out but will be leaving the n umbers as is instead of changing them to four digits . For now she is more concerned with getting them into the system . Although there fe sequences of n umbers that do not make sense and may have tothange later. $he has been working with the 911 systems . Mrs . Georgia asked the Board what they would want to charge for copies of the Site Plan Review and the Comprehensive Plan in the future . Mrs . Georgia Town of Ulysses 3 ! `t Regular Board Meeting s/11/99 suggested $5 . Mr . Austic stated that it would depend on the cost to print and $5 seems reasonable to him unless someone needs a copy for a specific project and that should be charge . The final copy of the Comprehensive Land Use Plan will be provided to the Town Board , Planning Board, Alex Rachun, Town Attorney and the towns and village that received the draft copy . Board Members and / or Committees Councilwoman Carolyn Duddleston reported that yesterday the grievance board for assessment met and one property owner came in . Mr. Bortz of County Assessment will check out the property . Councilman Andrew Hillman reported that he attended the Joint Youth Commission last week and they reported on a couple of Arbor Day and Green Team events that were very productive . There also was a lot of talk about the future of the Recreation Partnership . Councilwoman Sue Poelvoorde reported that she is sitting on the committee to up-date the Countywide Transportation Plan . They are going trough the document and updating . Supervisor Austic reviewed the financial report. No questions were heard . He went on to report that he has attended several meetings on Intermunicipal Recreation . He has determined, along with the other Supervisors of the other towns, that there is no partnership with the City of Ithaca . Basically the towns are contracting with them for services and they are trying to make out like there is a partnership . There will be no agreement until we know what they want and than we will agree or not agree . Mr . Austic feels that they will not have another agreement in place for this year. The City did ask how much of an increase would the towns like to see and Mr. Austic stated nothing, go with last year's budget. The bottom line is they are providing services to the towns and they need to state what they want to charge for those services. OLD BUSINESS Decision on Water Engineering Study The Board previously reviewed the estimates of an engineer study for water from Hunt Engineering and Barton & Loquidice . Mss . Poelvoorde moved seconded by Mr. Hillman the following : RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Ulysses selects Barton & Loquidice to perform the engineering study as set fourth in their proposal . FURTHER RESOLVE to hire them once the Town receives funding for a consulting firm . Mr. Austic aye Mrs . Duddleston aye Mr. Hillman aye Mss Poelvoorde aye Mr. Weatherby aye Adopted . Town of Ulysses 4 TKG\ Regular Board Meeting 5/11/99 NYSEG Solutions Mr. Austic reported that NYSEG Solutions has signed the town up for reduced rates in electric power even though he never signed the contract. He has found out that there is a 2% kick back/ pay back, the consultant will receive 1 % of the total collected and the two counties involved will each receive 1/2 % . His opinion is to pay a consultant 1 % of all electricity sales in Tompkins and Tioga County for two years is a lot of bucks . He is not comfortable with this and he protested and withdrew . He feels that it is not proper to negotiate an agreement and than municipalities expect to be paid for that negotiation , when basically it is their job . He called NYSEG and they suggested to wait until August when de-regulating will become affective and do our own negotiations . Other The Town has received a grant from the County under the revitalization of rural commercial for $2750 . NEW BUSINESS Planning Board Appointment Supervisor Austic stated that there are two vacancies on the Planning Board and have received several letters of interest . The Board has interviewed the interested residents . The first planning board seat has a term to expire 12/31/ 2004 . Mr . Hillman nominated George Kennedy for the Planning Board position to expire 12/31/ 2004 and seconded by Mss . Poelvoorde . Mrs . Duddleston nominated Lauren Hammond for the Planning Board position to expire 12/31/ 2004 and seconded by Mr . Weatherby . The vote was called . KENNEDY HAMMOND Mr. Austic nay Mr. Austic aye Mrs . Duddleston nay Mrs . Duddleston aye Mr. Hillman aye Mr . Hillman nay Mss . Poelvoorde aye Mss . Poelvoorde nay Mr . Weatherby nay Mr . Weatherby aye Defeated Adopted . Mr. Lauren Hammond has been appointed to the Ulysses Planning Board to take the place of Greg Hoffmire starting immediately and expiring 12/31/ 2004 . Mr . Austic opened nomination for the second position to fill Peter Demjanec's resignation for a term to expire 12/31/ 2001 . Mss . Poelvoorde nominated George Kennedy seconded by Mr . Hillman and Mr . Weatherby nominated Rose Hilbert seconded by Mrs . Duddleston for the Planning Board position to expire 12/31/ 2001 . KENNEDY HILBERT Mr. Austic aye Mr. Austic nay Mrs . Duddleston nay Mrs . Duddleston aye Mss . Poelvoorde aye Mss . Poelvoorde nay Mr. Hillman aye Mr. Hillman nay Mr. Weatherby nay Mr . Weatherby aye Adopted Defeated Town of Ulysses 5 DCO Regular Board Meeting 5/11/99 Mr. George Kennedy has been appointed the new member of the Ulysses Planning Board for a term to expire 12/31/2001 . Mr. Austic stated that the other two candidates that were interviewed would be kept on file until January 2000 . A chairman will have to be appointed . Tompkins County Proposal for Zoning Ordinance Work Mr. Austic asked if the Board members had read the proposal from the Tompkins County Planning Department on working on the Ulysses Zoning Ordinance? The County Planning Board would require research work from the Town that would reduce the cost. Mr. Austic moved seconded by Mrs . Duddleston the following : RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Ulysses accepts the estimate, of $6200 for nine months, from Tompkins County Planning Department to work on the Zoning Ordinance to be ready by December 1999 . FURTHER RESOLVED that it is understood there could be reductions to this estimate due to Town work and no more than $6200 would be allocated to the County. Mr. Austic aye Mrs . Duddleston aye Mr. Hillman aye Mss . Poelvoorde aye Mr. Weatherby aye Adopted . John Barney Proposal The Town has received a proposal from John Barney a Cornell Graduate Student who studies with Planning Board member Paula Horrigan . He would like to have a project for this summer that relates to his graduate work. He wants to develop mapping and typical ideas of what landscapes or structures may look like in the various zones that may be created along Route 96 . He has asked for $3840 for this work. Mr. Austic stated that personally he does not know if this is going to be to late when the planning board is three quarters through the ordinance when they get this or do we need him . Mr. Hillman asked how the Planning Board felt about this proposal ? Mr . Austic stated that one person seems to think it is fairly important and that is whom he is working for. Mrs . Duddleston added that she has been in contact with some that feel it is not important. Mss . Poelvoorde stated that she does not doubt that the maps are important but she is wondering how it works with the County Planning and what they will be doing . She would like to see the correlation of the two together. Town of Ulysses 6 Regular Board Meeting 5/11/99 The board felt that Mr. Barney should be able to get funding and not be paid by the Town . Cornell may be supplementing him on top of what he is asking the Town for . Mr . Hillman suggested that Paula Horrigan try to subsidize this through a grant of some sort. Mr. Austic stated that at a meeting Mr. Barney stated he would do it for nothing because he does need it for his course study . Mr. Austic will ask him or he will have him come in and speak to Mr. Austic and Mr . Hillman . Reschedule Public Hearing Commercial Rezone The public hearing scheduled for May 11th, 1999 has been rescheduled for June 8th, 1999, at 10 Elm St. , Trumansburg , NY at 6 : 30 PM . It is on the consideration of rezoning the area affected by said moratorium prior to the date of its expiration of June 16th, 1999 . Jacksonville Community Association Meeting 5 / 20 / 99 at 7 : 30 PM Mr . Austic announced that there would be a meeting next week with the Jacksonville Association on Thursday the 20th at 7 : 15 at Close Hall . He will attend along with Kyrs Call, Alex Rachun and John Anderson . It is an informational meeting on what's going on as far as we know on the water situation . Anyone that is interested may attend . Mr . Austic does have some information on estimated cost for water. Municipal Officials Meeting There will be a meeting of the Municipal Officials on May 24th, 1999 and they would like a count on how many will attend by May 20th, 1999 . Let Mr . Austic know, and he will call for reservations . Mass Gathering Regulations Mss . Poelvoorde and Mr. Hillman will get together and get some basic information . After that they could get together with the Village and who ever else is concerned to at least formulate some kind of idea and if the Town does it the Village can do the same . Village Meeting Mr. Austic attended the Village Meeting last night and informed the Village of the Town 's plan to do the engineering study and it would be nice to know what their plan is for the future . They should consider what they are going to do for water; they need to think of alternatives . Also he talked with the Town of Covert. Now is the time to plan ahead . Its time that everyone thinks about getting together and being reasonable . Trumansburg Ambulance A date has not been set to get together and discuss the ambulance situation . They need to figure out how to get someone there during the daytime . Once Mr. Austic hears he will let everyone know when the meeting is . Cayuga Nature Center Street Light NYSEG is having a problem with the street light that they installed in front of the Cayuga Nature Center . Apparently Judge Rector called Assemblyman Luster to Town of Ulysses 7 aoft, Regular Board Meeting 5/11/99 have him waves the NYSDOT rule of three streetlights . Previously NYSDOT had told Mr. Austic and NYSEG that it had to be three lights now NYSDOT is saying one light is okay. Mr. Austic has requested a letter from NYSDOT saying that it is okay . Now NYSDOT is saying he will have to check with a supervisor. Mr. Austic stated that he would wait for a letter from NYSDOT relieving the Town of Ulysses of any liability. Mr. Austic stated that if it turns out to be okay the Town needs to pass a separate lighting district for that light and than the NYSEG can bill it alone and not included in the other street light bill the Town receives . Mr. Hillman moved seconded by Mrs . Duddleston the following : RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Ulysses creates a new light district for the single streetlight at the Cayuga Nature Center, which will be billed to the Town of Ulysses on a separate bill . Mr. Austic aye Mrs . Duddleston aye Mr. Hillman aye Mss . Poelvoorde aye Mr. Weatherby aye Adopted . Cayuga Lake Municipal Water Shed Krys Call has been attending the Cayuga Lake Municipal Watershed as part of her continuing education at Cornell . Mr. Austic stated that there is several water shed organizations but he feels this one may be important because of the grants that they are in touch with . Ms . Call wanted to know if the Town wanted her to be the representative for the Town than if anything comes up the Town can be involved . POW Flag The County has asked if the Town would be interested in flying the POW flag . Mr. Austic will look into acquiring one. HEARING FROM GROUPS AND INDIVIDUALS CORRESPONDENCE Previously reviewed . ADJOURNMENT Hearing no further business Mr. Hillman moved seconded by Mrs . Duddleston to adjourn the meeting . Unanimously approved . Meeting adjourned at 9 : 20 PM . Respectfully submitted, Marsha L. Georgia Town Clerk MLG : mg