HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-10-09 - TB 3v-t
TOWN OF ULYSSES
TOWN BOARD MEETING
10/9/2001
PRESENT: Supervisor Doug Austic, Councilpeople Carolyn Duddleston, Andrew
Hillman, Sue Poelvoorde, and Robert Weatherby, Town Highway Superintendent Jim
Meeker, Code Enforcement Officer Alex Rachun, Town Clerk Marsha Georgia
ALSO PRESENT: Peter Penniman of Tompkins County Board of Representatives,
Richard Coogan of the Jacksonville Community Association, Joan Jurkowich and Tom
Lank of Tompkins County Planning's Vital Communities, Jennifer Smith of the
Trumansburg Free Press, Heather McDaniel, Tom Bennett, Boy Scout Troop 15 Ken
Murray, Roland Roy, Zack Bradford, Jed B. , Edward Colburn, Kyle Green, Travis
Howard, Seth Marcellas, and Jordan Murray.
Supervisor Austic called the meeting to order at 7 : 30 pm.
Supervisor Austic explained that Boy Scout Troop 15 had come to the meeting to learn
about the operations of local government. Boy Scout Troop 15 led those assembled in the
Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the Unites States of America.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: September 9, 2001
Noting minor corrections, Mrs. Duddleston moved, seconded by Mr. Hillman to approve
the minutes of the Regular Town Board Meeting of September 11 , 2001 as presented.
Mr. Austic aye
Mrs. Duddleston aye
Mr. Hillman aye
Ms. Poelvoorde aye
Mr. Weatherby aye
Adopted.
APPROVAL OF MONTHLY CLAIMS
Mr. Austic explained that the bill for archaeological studies for Water District #3,
conducted under contract with Barton & Loguidice is currently coming out of B fund
accounts. Once Water District #3 is established, the money will be paid back to the B
fund from Water District funds.
Mr. Weatherby moved, seconded by Ms. Poelvoorde to approve voucher numbers 373 to
416, totaling $58,971 .03 .
Mr. Austic aye
Mrs. Duddleston aye
Mr. Hillman aye
Ms. Poelvoorde aye
Mr. Weatherby aye
Adopted.
REPORTS OF REPRESENTATIVES
Tompkins County Board of Representatives: Peter Penniman
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Regular Board Meeting
10/09/2001
Mr. Penniman presented later in the meeting.
Tompkins County Planning' s Vital Communities Initiative: Joan Jurkowich,
Ms. Jurkowich presented later in the meeting.
TOWN REPORTS
Hi hwa Su erintendent James Meeker
Mr. Meeker reported that in the past month, the Highway Department seal-coated Curry
Road, Mayo Road, Iradell Road, and Colegrove Road, and helped the Town of Enfield to
seal-coat several of its roads. The Highway Department has also mowed roadsides and
helped Enfield with shoulder work.
Mr. Meeker reported that the winter order or in equipment ed of only minorolNOrkand so far
everything seems to be in working
Code Enforcement Officier Alex Rachun,
Mr. Rachun reported that his office has issued 4 permits this month, for total estimated
construction costs of $ 15 ,200 and $ 154 collected in fees.
Mr. Rachun reported that the Planning Board is still meeting with Independent Wireless
t a
One regarding an alternative or adjustments to the company's application to
Rachun stated
120' wireless communications tower at the Trumansburg Fairgr o
that, as far as he knows, the Planning Board' s current suggested alternative is to activate
one antenna on the Trumansburg Water Tower and one on the County Home's Water
Tower and run tests to see if these two antennas would provide sufficient coverage for
Independent Wireless One' s needs.
Mr. Austic reported that the tests have been run, but data has noi: yet been compiled.
Mr. Hillman asked what stage the Taughannock Farms Inn Site Plan Review procedures
are at. Mr. Rachun stated that the Site Plan Review was approved as presented.
Mrs. Duddleston asked about the old Ward' s Cabins / Restaurant on NYS Route 96. Mr.
Rachun reported that it will be reopening as cabins with a restaurant and store, but since
no structural changes are planned he has not and does not expect to address any permit
issues for this project.
Town Clerk Marsha Georgia
Mrs. Georgia reported that fees collected in September totaled $5 ,299. 50 . Of this amount,
$673 . 33 was turned over to Supervisor Austic and over $4,500 was sent to NYS DEC for
Sporting Licenses.
Mrs. Geor is reported that she and her deputy have completed the first of two TC3
Microsoft Access Courses for the Town' s Indexing Grant from the Local Government
Records M . e . gement Improvement Fund, funds from which are being used to set up and
conduct the initial labor on an index of Town Minutes.
Board Members and Committees
Mr. Hillman reported that he attended the Joint Youth Commission meeting. The Youth
Employment Program, and other summer programs were successful and school-year
programs have gotten off to a good start. This summer, 26 youths worked through h
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New York through a small grant.
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Town of Ulysses 3
Regular Board Meeting
10/09/2001
Mr. Hillman reported that the Youth Commission is still researching the idea of using
part of the old Post Office or the Masonic Temple for a youth space.
Supervisor Doug Austic
No questions were posed concerning the Supervisor's Financial Report.
Tompkins County Board of Representatives: Peter Penniman
Mr. Penniman updated the Board on the County Budget in the context of the U. S . and
New York State national disaster of September 11 , 2001 . Priority has been given to
dealing with this emergency, consequently, as a large amount of State funds have been
and will be funneled to New York City, the counties of New York State will not get as
much money as anticipated this year. This furthers the already tight budget situation that
resulted from a delayed New York State budget, because of which distribution of all State
funds was greatly delayed. To deal with these situations, Tompkins County is seeking to
minimize the budget, put forth realistic anticipated income estimates and set as much
money aside as possible. As of right now, an approximate 5% tax increase for the fiscal
year of 2002 is planned.
Mr. Penniman reported on some planned capital projects. As of right now, the County
needs space for offices currently housed in the old County Library, expects to need space
for records currently stored in Biggs Building A and equipment stored in that vicinity,
when and should that building sell, and needs space for offices currently housed in the
Courthouse, where New York State is requesting more space for District Court. Mr.
Penniman also reported that there have been some requests for the County to construct a
Local Archives Research Center, which could potentially be funded by a grant. The
County is beginning to look into possibilities of redistributing its space to meet these
demands without undergoing major structural renovations.
Mr. Penniman reported that the E-911 Consolidation Project has gone out for bid, and
that other work on the Emergency Communications System is expected to continue,
though the ultimate operation of the system is contingent on the completion of the
Statewide Project.
Mr. Penniman concluded by introducing Heather McDaniel, who is interested in taking
Jean Foley's place as the Town Representative to the Environmental Management
Council
Tompkins County Planning . Department - Vital Communities Initiative: Joan
Jurkowich
Ms. Jurkowich prefaced by noting that the Vital Communities Initiative started out of
concerns within Tompkins County about directing growth in the County. The Initiative
started in October of 2000. Two workshops have been held, to identify concerns and
ideas, and bring a variety of interests, such as business, agriculture, schools,
transportation, and youth services together in discussion.
Ms. Jurkowich presented the draft Development and Preservation Principles as drawn up
by the Vital Communities Initiative. The 7 principles identified represent the work of the
Vital Communities Initiative to identify countywide goals for good growth throughout
Tompkins County.
After presenting the draft Development and Preservation Principles, Ms. Jurkowich
opened the floor for questions.
Mr. Penniman stated that he feels the Initiative has done a good job and has invested a
great deal of time. Mr. Penniman noted that there was an amazing amount of agreement
throughout the County about desired goals and ideas of how the County's development
should be directed.
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Regular Board Meeting
10/09/2001
Mr. Rachun asked how the principles will be "promoted" . Ms. Jurkowich explained that
to promote the identified goals, the Tompkins County Planning Department is going to
encourage the adoption of the principles by local agencies. Ms. Jurkowich noted that
Tompkins County drafted a plan in the 1960's that never was approved.
Mrs. Georgia asked for information about HUD Programs, a question she also asked
about at the last regular Town Board meeting. Ms. Jurkowich noted one HUD Home-
Improvement service that is provided, but could not provide a great deal of information.
OLD BUSINESS
Update on Water Districts
Mr. Austic reported that the NYS Dormitory Authority has considered the Town's Water
District #3 SEQR as complete with all criteria met. Contracts fir the grant should be
received in the next week, it was also noted that the Dormitory Authority has established
that the $500,000 will be available.
Mr. Austic reported that he is working with the owners of a Woolf Lane Property on
which the Water District #3 Pumping Station may be located, and that the owner of
property on the corner of Van Dorns Corners and Iradell Road is still interested in selling
the parcel. An appraisal has been done to determine a fair purchase price for the Town to
offer.
Meeting with Town of Ithaca
Mr. Austic reported that he, Ms. Poelvoorde and Mr. Hillman met with the Town of
Ithaca Town Board and discussed concerns about potential sprawl problems that they felt
could be associated with Water District #3 . It seems that the explanation of the Town of
Ulysses current Zoning Regulations sufficed to ease Ithaca's concerns about the Water
District causing sprawl problems.
Mr. Austic also noted that the 30 days of permissive referendum has passed. It was
confirmed that the Town Board has not received any petitions. Since no petitions were
received, Mr. Austic stated, the Town of Ulysses Water District #3 is officially and
legally formed.
NEW BUSINESS
Consider Approval of Barton & Loguidice Proposal for Services
The Board discussed Barton & Loguidice's Proposal for Scope of Services. Mr. Austic
noted that the proposal is not a contract, but a proposal for services. In the proposal,
Barton & Loguidice is requesting an initial lump-sum payment, totaling approximately
$200,000.
Mr. Hillman asked if it would be wise to wait on signing the approval of the proposal
until the grant from the Dormitory Authority has been finalized .
The Board agreed that this sounded like the best idea, and decided to hold off on acting
on the proposal until the funds from the Dormitory Authority Grant are finalized.
Proposal for Mobil - Richard Coogan
Mr. Richard Coogan, of 1843 Trumansburg Road noted the following to the Board.
Exxon Mobil has sent a letter requesting that Exxon Mobil be exempt from further costs
for the remediation costs for the gasoline spills in Jacksonville. In March 2001 , at a
meeting in the Town Hall, Exxon Mobil acknowledged that the hamlet of Jacksonville
had suffered damages as a community as a result of the spill and that Exxon Mobil would
be willing to. listen to a proposal to make amends to the community in exchange for
bringing the spill cleanup to an end. Now that Ulysses Water District No . 3 has been
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Regular Board Meeting
10/09/2001
formed, the residents ofJacksonville are ready to work towards an agreement for the
community with Exxon Mobil. Mr. Coogan proposed that he himself take on the role of
facilitator for working through an agreement with Exxon Mobil, DEC, the Town of
Ulysses, Jacksonville residents, the Attorney General' s Office, Assemblyman Martin
Luster' s office, and the Blue Ox Corporation. (Blue Ox was not part of the March
meeting but Neil Bartle the President of Blue Ox has asked for relief from the DEC to
invest in the community).
Mr. Coogan's then proposed the following: that Exxon Mobil provide a sum of money to
be used exclusively to revitalize the hamlet ofJacksonville. The money could be treated
as a grant. Residents shall be able to request funds for specific business or residential
projects, used to develop the vacant lots in accordance with the street plan developed by
the county. Money will be provided in order for the residents to connect their households
to the water district, or other worthy projects for the hamlet. All projects would be
reviewed for appropriateness by a panel representing the Town and the hamlet and any
other agency that is fitting. It is important that the funds be used for Jacksonville since
that was the affected area of the spill and not the larger entity of the water district. Mr.
Coogan stated that he would expect to be compensated for his involvement and proposed
that 10% of the funds that are offered by Exxon Mobil and Blue Ox should be set aside as
administrative costs for his work.
If the Town Board thought that the proposal had merit, Mr. Coogan stated he would ask
the community of Jacksonville if they supported the proposal. If the community then
accepts the proposal, Mr. Coogan will contact Exxon Mobil and Blue Ox as well as the
other governmental agencies involved to see if such a plan could be put in place.
Mr. Austic stated that he feels that Mr. Coogan's proposal is worth considering, although
at this point nobody knows exactly how far Exxon Mobil and NYSDEC are willing to go
on this matter. The Board agreed that they should follow up on Mr. Coogan's proposal.
Budget
Mr. Austic asked if there were any matters for discussion on the Preliminary Budget for
the fiscal year of 2002, which was presented to the Board at the Special Board Meeting of
October 3 , 2001 . Mr. Austic reminded the Board that the Public Hearing for the
Preliminary Budget for 2002 will take place at 7 :00 pm, before the Regular Town Board
Meeting, on Tuesday, November 13 , 2001 .
Other
Appointment of George Kennedy as the Town Representative to the Cayuga Lake
Watershed Intermunicipal Organization
Ms. Poelvoorde reported that George Kennedy has asked to be appointed as the Town
Representative to the Cayuga Lake Watershed Intermunicipal Organization. Ms.
Poelvoorde noted that Krys Cail is the current representative and that she has not been
able to attend the meetings. Currently, Mr. Kennedy is the alternate representative and he
has been attending the meetings instead.
Ms. Poelvoorde moved, seconded by Mr. Hillman the following :
BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Ulysses appoints George
Kennedy as the Town Representative to the Cayuga Lake Watershed
Intermunicipal Organization.
Mr. Austic aye
Mrs. Duddleston aye
Mr. Hillman aye
Ms. Poelvoorde aye
Mr. Weatherby aye
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Regular Board Meeting
10/09/2001
Adopted.
Appointment Recommendation of Heather McDaniel as the Town Representative to
the Environmental Management Council (E.M.C. )
As was noted by Mr. Peter Penniman earlier in the meeting, the Town received a letter of
resignation from Jean Foley, the current representative to the Environmental
Management Council (E.M. C .) and also received a resume from one Heather McDaniel
stating that she would be interested in serving as the Town Representative.
Ms. McDaniel introduced herself to the Board and briefly stated her background and
interest in seining as the Town Representative to the E.M.C .
Noting that it would be good to have a representative to fill the void left by Ms. Foley's
resignation A. S .A.P . , Mr. Hillman moved the following:
WHEREAS, The Town of Ulysses has received a letter of resignation from the
post of Town Representative to the Environmental Management Council from
Jean Foley, dated October 4, 2001 , and;
WHEREAS, The Town has also received a resume and letter of interest from one
Heather McDaniel, citing her relevant education and experience and her interest
in filling the position vacated by Ms. Foley,
BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Ulysses
hereby recommends Heather McDaniel for appointment as the official Town
Representative to the Environmental Management Council (E.M. C.).
Mrs. Duddleston seconded.
In discussion, Mr. Weatherby asked if the vacancy has to be advertised. Mr. Austic stated
that it would: be good to do this before Ms. McDaniel should he designated for
subsequent terms, but that any advertisement for the position would be a courtesy and not
required by statute. The Board noted that the motion should state that Ms. McDaniel is
only filling the term vacated by Ms. Foley.
Mr. Hillman and Mrs. Duddleston agreed to amend the motion to read as follows:
WHEREAS, The Town of Ulysses has received a letter of resignation from the
post of Town Representative to the Environmental Management Council from
Jean Foley, dated October 4, 2001 , and;
WHEREAS, The Town has also received a resume and letter of interest from one
Heather McDaniel, citing her relevant education and experience and her interest
in filling the position vacated by Ms. Foley,
BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED, that the Town Board ofthe Town of Ulysses
hereby recommends Heather McDaniel for appointment as the official Town
Representative to the Environmental Management Council (E.M. C.) for the
duration of the term vacated by Jean Foley.
Mr. Austic aye
Mrs. Duddleston aye
Mr. Hillman aye
Ms. Poelvoorde aye
Mr. Weatherby aye
Adopted.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
No public comments were heard.
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Town of Ulysses 7
Regular Board Meeting
10/09/2001
CORRESPONDENCE
Black Diamond Trail-Open House
An open house to present ideas of how issues brought up in previous public meetings will
be addressed in the development of the Black Diamond Trail will take place between 3
and 7 pm on October 23 , 2001 , in the Town Hall. Consultants and staff of the NYS
Department of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation will be present to answer
questions and address comments.
Workshops
Mr. Austic reported that there is a workshop titled, "How to Create Walkable
Communities", which will take place on November 8th and 9th, 2001 , in Glens Falls, New
York.
Mr. Austic also reported that a Hazardous Weather and Flooding Procedures Workshop
will take place on November 7th and 8th, at Tompkins-Cortland Community College.
Honey Bee Lane
The Town has received a proposal from Mr. Parker, the developer of the Honey Bee Lane
Subdivision to accept Mr. Parker's proposal to dedicate the road as Honey Bee Lane.
Mr. Meeker noted that action to accept Mr. Parker's proposal to dedicate the road as
Honey Bee Lane will not also be action to approve the road development project, and
that, consequently, the Town does not yet need a property survey for the subdivision.
Mr. Austic moved, seconded by Mrs. Duddleston the following :
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town of Ulysses accepts the proposal received by
the Town Board from Mr. Parker to dedicate the highway in the Honey Bee Lane
subdivision as "Honey Bee Lane", pending further and necessary documents as
will be required by law.
Mr. Austic aye
Mrs. Duddleston aye
Mr. Hillman aye
Ms. Poelvoorde aye
Mr. Weatherby aye
Adopted.
Executive Session
Mrs. Georgia had stated earlier in the meeting that she wished to discuss a personnel
matter in executive session.
Mr. Hillman moved, seconded by Mrs. Duddleston to adjourn to executive session to
discuss a personnel matter.
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Town of Ulysses 8
Regular Board Meeting
10/09/2001
Mr. Austic aye
Mrs. Duddleston aye
Mr. Hillman aye
Ms. Poelvoorde aye
Mr. Weatherby aye
The Board adjourned for executive session.
Upon concluding discussion of the matter for which the Board adjourned to executive
session, Mr. Hillman moved, seconded by Ms. Poelvoorde to adjourn the executive
session.
Mr. Austic aye
Mrs. Duddleston aye
Mr. Hillman aye
Ms. Poelvoorde aye
Mr. Weatherby aye
The Regular Town Board meeting reconvened.
ADJOURNMENT
Noting no further business, Mr. Hillman moved, seconded by Airs. Duddleston to adjourn
the meeting.
Mr. Austic aye
Mrs. Duddleston aye
Mr. Hillman aye
Ms. Poelvoorde aye
Mr. Weatherby aye
The meeting; adjourned at 9 : 30 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Marsha L. Georgia
Ulysses Town Clerk
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