HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-10-27-TB-FINAL-minutesREGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING
Town of Ulysses
October 27, 2020
The meeting was held via Zoom videoconference and noticed on the website at ulysses.ny.us.
CALL TO ORDER:
Ms. Zahler called the Ulysses Town Board to order at 7pm.
ATTENDANCE:
TOWN OFFICIALS PRESENT:
Supervisor- Nancy Zahler
Board members- Michael Boggs, Katelin Olson, Rich Goldman, Marc Devokaitis, Katelin Olson
(7:15pm)
Town Clerk- Carissa Parlato
Deputy Supervisor- Michelle Wright
Planning Board chair- Ms. Liddle
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
RESOLUTION #208 OF 2020:
RESOLVED that the Ulysses Town Board approve the agenda for Oct. 27 with the addition of a
resolution for a grant application and moving up the voucher approval resolution.
Moved: Ms. Zahler Seconded: Mr. Goldman
Ms. Zahler aye
Ms. Olson aye
Mr. Boggs aye
Mr. Goldman aye
Mr. Devokaitis aye
Vote: 5 -0
Date Adopted: 10/27/20
PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR:
(none)
BRIEF TOWN REPORTS:
Ms. Zahler reminded everyone that the Public Hearing for the 2021 Preliminary Budget is scheduled
for on October 29, 2021.
Ms. Wright shared updates on capital projects:
• Cemetery bridge easements /designs under way
• HVAC is complete, just a few reports needed
• Aerator project in WD3 tank has begun
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Ms. Zahler shared that the community education program for middle schoolers has concluded. They
will continue the program pending a new location for winter program.
OLD BUSINESS:
Ms. Olson arrived at this time (7:15pm)
AUTHORIZING FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR THE TOMPKINS COUNTY BROADBAND STUDY
RESOLUTION #209 OF 2020: AUTHORIZING FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR THE TOMPKINS
COUNTY BROADBAND STUDY
WHEREAS the lack of broadband access impedes the ability of our residents to do work,
attend school, have medical appointments, run their businesses, and even to have virtual
face-to-face conversations with loved ones; and
WHEREAS access to broadband services is not a luxury but a necessary public need that must
be addressed; and
WHEREAS there are still households in the Town of Ulysses that lack access to highspeed
broadband service and others experience barriers to access based on affordability and
physical distance from the road; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Ulysses adopted resolution #202 of 2020 on October 13, 2020 urging
the Tompkins County Legislature to undertake a countywide study to improve broadband
access and
WHEREAS, The Tompkins County Legislature has given tentative approval to a 2021 funding
request to enable Tompkins County to enter into a contract to study the current status of
broadband coverage within all municipalities in Tompkins County and the portion of Seneca
County served by the Trumansburg School District and to develop recommendations for
affordably expanding access to all households in throughout Tompkins County, including the
Trumansburg School District, in collaboration with the Southern Tier Network,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Ulysses pledges the amount up to $5000,
payable to Tompkins County in 2021 to financially support the Countywide Broadband study
that will provide the following deliverables to identify a possible path forward for a county-
wide buildout of both middle and last mile fiber optic cable in Tompkins County:
Market assessment - identifying the unserved and underserved areas, what the
competition is in the county, where do the current providers provide service, what the
terms are and what they are charging, and will outline demographics.
Design - outside (geographic layout and design, redundancy and diversity, how to
reach each address point, comparison of a distributed or central architecture) and
inside plan design (where should co-location centers be placed, convergence points,
OLTs, etc...).
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Business and operations model - what are the different models out there for municipal
based fiber to the home. What does it look like and what are the different models of
operation?
Operations and maintenance - a complete look at what would it take to operate the
infrastructure, what type of service, what are the staffing needs, what is a
recommended maintenance schedule? How often do you need to replace a core
router etc…?
Financials - for both capital and operations (including take rate opportunities) - what
kind of revenue can you expect since it needs to cover costs for many decades?
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Town of Ulysses pledges up to $5,000 to be paid to
Tompkins County in 2021 when the contract for the above deliverables is executed and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Ulysses Town Clerk shall send a certified copy of the approved
resolution to the Tompkins County Administrator as evidence of the Town’s pledge of support
of the proposed Broadband study.
Moved: Ms. Zahler Seconded: Mr. Boggs
Ms. Zahler aye
Ms. Olson aye
Mr. Boggs aye
Mr. Goldman aye
Mr. Devokaitis aye
Vote: 5-0
Date Adopted: 10/27/20
NEW BUSINESS:
COVID-19 SAFETY PROTOCOLS FOR TESTING AND BACK UP PLANS FOR HIGHWAY STAFF
The group discussed staff testing, parameters, and re-opening phases.
APPROVAL OF PAYMENT FOR GUIDE RAIL INSTALLATION TO CLAIM STATE REIMBURSEMENT
RESOLUTION #210 OF 2020: APPROVAL OF PAYMENT FOR GUIDE RAIL INSTALLATION TO
CLAIM STATE REIMBURSEMENT
WHEREAS, to protect the roadway along Maplewood Road in the Town of Ulysses, the
Highway Superintendent has arranged for the purchase and installation of a guide rail at a
cost of $15, 654 and
WHEREAS, the Highway Department solicited bids in accordance with the Town’s
Procurement Policy, and
WHEREAS, funds for this project are available in the 2020 Town of Ulysses Budget DB 5112.2
Account and
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WHEREAS, this expense is 100% reimbursable by New York State through the CHIPS program
and
WHEREAS, the deadline for submission to New York State is November 13, 2020 and requires
a copy of the cancelled check from the vendor and
WHEREAS, to hold the voucher until the Town Board’s normal payment cycle scheduled for
November 10, 2020 would make it difficult to submit all documentation needed to request
NYS reimbursement by the deadline, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the Ulysses Town Board authorizes the early payment of Voucher # 464 in the
amount of $15,654 from account DB112.2 to expedite reimbursement from the New York
State CHIPS program.
Moved: Ms. Zahler Seconded: Mr. Boggs
Ms. Zahler aye
Ms. Olson aye
Mr. Boggs aye
Mr. Goldman aye
Mr. Devokaitis aye
Vote: 5-0
Date Adopted: 10/27/20
AUTHORIZING USE OF A FUND CAPITAL RESERVE EXPENDITURE FOR ASSET DATABASE
RESOLUTION #211 OF 2020: AUTHORIZING USE OF FUNDS FROM THE TOWN OF ULYSSES
A234 / A878 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT RESERVE FUND FOR AN ASSET DATABASE
WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of Ulysses adopted a resolution on September 12,
2017 establishing the type capital reserve fund to cover the cost of future capital expenses in
the A Fund; and
WHEREAS, the current balance of the A234 / A878 Capital Improvement Reserve Fund is
$31,047.20; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to General Municipal Law §6-c, an expenditure from a capital equipment
reserve fund requires authorization by the Town Board, and such authorization is subject to a
permissive referendum; and
WHEREAS, Local Finance Law § 11.00 contains the list of periods of probable usefulness for
various items and purposes for which a municipality may issue debt and for which the term
equipment is linked; and
WHEREAS, Local Finance Law § 11.00 states that “The expenses incurred by a municipality, for
the acquisition and installation of a new computer assisted integrated financial management
and accounting system” is a capital expense that falls under the term equipment; and
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WHEREAS, the intent of this custom asset database is to maintain data pertaining to Town
owned capital assets in order to comply with the Governmental Accounting Standards Board
(GASB); and
WHEREAS, the Town purchased a custom asset database for $3,120 in April of 2020 (voucher
number 152); and
WHEREAS, the Town received verbal guidance on August 7th 2020 from the Accounting Firm
Insero, in the presence of Town Counsel, that appropriating money from a reserve for an
expense is not problematic as long as the expense is an appropriate use of said reserve;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board authorizes the following
expenditures from the Town of Ulysses A234 / A878 Capital Improvement Reserve Fund for
the purchase of an asset database for $3,120;
RESOLVED that, pursuant to General Municipal Law §6-c, this resolution is subject to a
permissive referendum; and be it further
RESOLVED that the Town Clerk will post and publish the following notice of the permissive
referendum in accordance to law and provide a copy of such notice to the Town Supervisor:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that at a regular meeting held on the 27th day of October,
2020, the Town Board of the Town of Ulysses, New York duly adopted Resolution #
211 of 2020, an abstract of which follows below, which is subject to a permissive
referendum pursuant to General Municipal Law section 6-c. The resolution authorizes
the Town of Ulysses (“the Town”) to use up to $3,120 from the Town of A234 / A878
Capital Improvement Reserve Fund. The resolution shall take effect 30 days after
adoption, i.e., on November 27th, 2020, unless by such date there is filed in the office
of the town clerk a petition, signed, and acknowledged or proved, or authenticated by
electors of the town qualified to vote upon a proposition to raise and expend money,
in number equal to at least five percent of the total vote cast for governor in the Town
at the last general election held for the election of state officers, but not be less than
100 in a town of the first class, protesting against the resolution and requesting that it
be submitted to the qualified electors of the town, for their approval or disapproval.
Moved: Ms. Olson Seconded: Mr. Goldman
Ms. Zahler aye
Ms. Olson aye
Mr. Boggs aye
Mr. Goldman aye
Mr. Devokaitis aye
Vote: 5-0
Date Adopted: 10/27/20
Ms. Wright was excused at this time (8:29pm).
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RE-CLASSIFY CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER POSITION TO EXPAND ENFORCEMENT DUTIES
Ms. Zahler shared that she has inquired with the county about updating the Code officer job title to
better reflect his duties.
AUTHORIZATION TO CONTRACT FOR COMMUNITY EDUCATION SPACE RENTAL FOR MIDDLE
SCHOOL PROGRAM
RESOLUTION #212 of 2020: AUTHORIZATION TO CONTRACT FOR SPACE RENTAL FOR MIDDLE
SCHOOL PROGRAM
WHEREAS, the COVID -19 Community Education Program for Trumansburg Middle School
Students needs to secure an appropriate venue to continue the successful program through
the rest of the Fall 2020 school session and
WHEREAS, negotiations for space are underway for the program to resume before the next
Town Board meeting, and
WHEREAS, the program costs are included in the 2020 budget and are offset by parent fees
and donations, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the Ulysses Town Board hereby authorizes the Town Supervisor to execute a
space rental agreement for an amount not to exceed $2000 for the balance of the fall school
session and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Ulysses Town Supervisor shall report to the Town Board on the
agreement and shall file an executed copy of the agreement with the Town Clerk.
Moved: Ms. Zahler Seconded: Mr. Boggs
Ms. Zahler aye
Ms. Olson aye
Mr. Boggs aye
Mr. Goldman aye
Mr. Devokaitis aye
Vote: 5-0
Date Adopted: 10/27/20
VIDEOCONFERENCE PROPOSAL TO ENHANCE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT
RESOLUTION #___ OF 2020: APPROVAL OF VIDEOCONFERENCE PROPOSAL TO ENHANCE
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT
WHEREAS, due to COVID-19, the Governor of New York State has required the Ulysses Town
Board to meet remotely since March 2020 and
WHEREAS, to assure that the public had continued access to the deliberations of the Town
Board and opportunities to provide comments to the Town Board during public hearings and
Town Board meetings, the Town Board has used Zoom as a videoconferencing platform to
conduct meetings and
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WHEREAS, when the Town Board is required to resume in-person meetings at the Town Hall,
it wishes to continue to continue to provide greater and more flexible access to enable the
public to engage with their local government, and
WHEREAS, the attached proposal outlines a cost-effective way to adapt the Town Hall court
room to enhance both in -person and remote participation by the public and remote
arraignments by the Justice Courts, and
WHEREAS, funds for the purchase of equipment and consultation needed to create a hybrid
meeting capacity for in-person and remote participation are available in the 2020 budget, now
therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the Ulysses Town Board approves the proposal and authorizes the
expenditure of up to $3350 from the 2020 budget.
Moved: Ms. Zahler Seconded: Ms. Olson
Ms. Zahler moved to withdraw her motion.
APPOINTMENT TO JOINT YOUTH COMMISSION
RESOLUTION #213 OF 2020: APPOINTMENT TO THE JOINT YOUTH COMMISSION
WHEREAS, the Memorandum of Understanding between the Town of Ulysses and the Village
of Trumansburg requires the Town of Ulysses to appoint two representatives to the Ulysses-
Trumansburg Joint Youth Commission to help identify youth needs and recommend programs
to address those needs, and
WHEREAS, there is a vacancy in one of the Town seats and
WHEREAS, a well-qualified Town resident has expressed interest in serving on the Joint Youth
Commission, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, that Zaun Marshburn be appointed as the second Town representative to the Joint
Youth Commission for the balance of a two-year renewable term ending December 31, 2021.
Moved: Ms. Olson Seconded: Mr. Devokaitis
Ms. Zahler aye
Ms. Olson aye
Mr. Boggs aye
Mr. Goldman aye
Mr. Devokaitis aye
Vote: 5-0
Date Adopted: 10/27/20
AUTHORIZING SUBMISSION OF GRANT FOR TBURG COMMUNITY DAY-SCHOOL PROGRAM TO
UNITED WAY OF TOMPKINS COUNTY
RESOLUTION #214 OF 2020: AUTHORIZING SUBMISSION OF GRANT FOR TBURG
COMMUNITY DAY-SCHOOL PROGRAM TO UNITED WAY OF TOMPKINS COUNTY
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WHEREAS, The Trumansburg Community School-Day Program for Middle Schoolers was
created to address an emerging need resulting from COVID-19 hybrid scheduling at
Trumansburg Middle School and
WHEREAS, the Recreation Program administers the program and collaborates with the Town-
sponsored Rural Youth Development program operated by Cornell Cooperative Extension
using parent fees to pay for extra staff and supplies not covered by the existing budget and
WHEREAS, the United Way of Tompkins County’s Youth and Philanthropy grant program
invited innovative and collaborative programs to seek funding to support new programs and
WHEREAS, the Trumansburg Community Day-School Program needs additional funding for
space rental and scholarships to keep fees low for families in need of supervision and
academic support for their 7th and 8th graders on the two days they are not in school, now
therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the Ulysses Recreation Program be, and hereby is, authorized to request
United Way funding in the amount of $ 6,950 in 100% funding to support the Trumansburg
Community Day-School Program for thirty weeks of the 2020 -21 school year and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Recreation Director and Town Supervisor are authorized to
accept and request payment of the grant funds, if approved.
Moved: Ms. Zahler Seconded: Mr. Goldman
Ms. Zahler aye
Ms. Olson aye
Mr. Boggs aye
Mr. Goldman aye
Mr. Devokaitis aye
Vote: 5-0
Date Adopted: 10/27/20
PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR:
Ms. Liddle inquired about details for the broadband study.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
RESOLUTION # 215 OF 2020: APPROVAL OF MINUTES
RESOLVED that the Ulysses Town Board approves the minutes from the Town Board meetings
held October 13, October 15, 16, 19, and 21, 2020.
Moved: Ms. Zahler Seconded: Mr. Goldman
Ms. Zahler aye
Ms. Olson aye
Mr. Boggs aye
Mr. Goldman aye
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Mr. Devokaitis aye
Vote: 5-0
Date Adopted: 10/27/20
ADJOURN:
Mr. Goldman moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:52pm. This was seconded by Mr. Devokaitis.
Respectfully submitted by Carissa Parlato on 11/6/20.