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Home My WebLink About2021-02-23-TB-FINAL-minutesTOWN BOARD MEETING Town of Ulysses February 23, 2021 Audio of the minutes are available on the website at ulysses.ny.us. The meeting was held via videoconference on the Zoom platform. Notice of Town Board meetings are posted on the Town’s website and Clerk’s board. CALL TO ORDER: Ms. Zahler called the meeting to order at 7:01pm. ATTENDANCE: The Town Clerk called the roll: TOWN OFFICIALS PRESENT: Supervisor- Nancy Zahler Board members- Michael Boggs, Katelin Olson, Mary Bouchard, Rich Goldman Town Clerk- Carissa Parlato Conservation & Sustainability Committee (CSAC) Chair- Roxanne Marino Planning Board Chair- Linda Liddle OTHERS PRESENT: Terry Carroll- Clean Energy Coordinator, Matt Bishop PRESENTATION: Mr. Carroll introduced Community Choice Aggregation- a bulk buying club for municipalities to purchase energy for residents in that municipality via a local law. Residents can choose to opt out. The more municipalities sign on, the bigger the discount. Mr. Carroll discussed pros (enhances energy literacy in the community, may be cheaper, uses renewable energy, can support local economy if a local administrator is used); and cons (may be more expensive). An intermunicipal work group is exploring costs and administration will keep the Town of Ulysses apprised of next steps. No decisions were made to join the work group or a buying cooperative since more information is needed but the Town Board thanked Mr. Carroll for his presentation. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: RESOLUTION #64 of 2021: APPROVAL OF MEETING AGENDA BE IT RESOLVED that the Ulysses Town Board approve the agenda for February 26, 2021 with the moving up of the old business items, and addition of discussion of the bookkeeper search. Moved: Ms. Zahler Seconded: Ms. Olson Ms. Zahler aye Ms. Olson aye Mr. Boggs aye Mr. Goldman aye Ms. Bouchard aye 2 Vote: 5-0 Date Adopted: 2/23/21 PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR: (none) OLD BUSINESS: ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATION FEE POLICY & RATES Ms. Marino shared the information that she and the CSAC committee had researched including: • Fees • Warranty/insurance • Ways to charge- by energy use (kwh) or time spent The board discussed and asked questions and directed Ms. Zahler and Ms. Parlato to follow up with Chargepoint for additional questions and to get the fee system set up by April 1st after publicizing the fee policy and availability of the charging stations. RESOLUTION # 65 OF 2021 ACKNOWLEDGING RECEIPT OF ELECTRIC VEHICLE (EV) CHARGING REPORT AND ADOPTION OF FEE-CHARGING PILOT WHEREAS, the Town of Ulysses is committed to reducing carbon emissions to protect our environment and WHEREAS, by taking a number of energy saving steps through the Clean Energy Communities initiative through New York State, the Town receive grant funding to install and operate a charging station for electric vehicles at Town Hall for cost by community members and tourists and WHEREAS, the three-year operating grant subsidizing the software program needed to gather and analyze use and process payments, ended in 2020 and the Town Board wishes to continue the EV Charging stations as a user-funded service and WHEREAS, the Town Board tasked the Conservation and Sustainability Advisory Committee (CSAC) with researching background on EV Charging Policies and costs to enable the Town to implement a policy and user fees during 2021, and WHEREAS, CSAC has reviewed the historical charging data, conducted research to answer the questions posed by the Town Board, now therefore be it RESOLVED, that the Ulysses Town Board acknowledges receipt of, and appreciation for the report from CSAC on EV Charging Policy Options and further RESOLVED, that the Ulysses Town Board task the Town Clerk and Supervisor to recommend specific rate recommendations to the Town Board by March 9, 2021 along with a recommended timetable for implementation, and further RESOLVED, that the Ulysses Town Board begin charging for an EV fee-charging pilot program beginning April 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021, to be evaluated in September for 2022, based on 2021 experience, and further 3 RESOLVED, that the fees will be publicized to alert users to the new policy. Moved: Ms. Bouchard Seconded: Mr. Goldman Ms. Zahler aye Ms. Olson aye Mr. Boggs aye Mr. Goldman aye Ms. Bouchard aye Vote: 5-0 Date Adopted: 2/23/21 UPDATES ON CLEAN ENERGY COMMUNITIES GRANT OPTIONS- ROXANNE MARINO Ms. Marino & Mr. Carroll shared opportunities for grant funds based on meeting clean energy thresholds. Ulysses already has some points that could be applied due to Clean Energy actions already taken. The Conservation and Sustainability Advisory Committee will recommend a proposal for Town Board consideration. Actions to gain more points include: • Adopting stretch energy code • Community energy campaigns- EV, heating cooling, community solar, demand response NEW BUSINESS: AUTHORIZATION TO PURSUE BRIDGENY FOR CURRY RD BRIDGE & MAPLEWOOD RD. Ms. Zahler noted that this is a first step in pursuing the grant. Ms. Wright noted that the bridges are not dangerous at the moment and are the 100% financial responsibility of the town. BridgeNY is strongly encouraging that applicants work with an engineer to complete the application. RESOLUTION #66 OF 2021: AUTHORIZATION TO PURSUE BRIDGE NY FUNDING TO REPLACE CURRY ROAD BRIDGE AND TO REPAIR THE MAPLEWOOD ROAD HAIRPIN CURVE WHEREAS, the Highway Superintendent and Deputy Town Supervisor have determined that the condition of existing Curry Road bridge and the culvert at the hairpin turn on Maplewood Road are in serious need of replacement to assure that vehicles traveling on these town roadways are safe and WHEREAS, New York State funds an infrastructure improvement program that provides 95% of the cost for eligible projects through BridgeNY and WHEREAS, there is $8,000 available in the DA account for Engineering Consulting and WHEREAS, the Highway Superintendent and Deputy Supervisor recommend that the Town should pursue funding in the upcoming cycle for both projects by seeking assistance from a qualified engineering firm to prepare the application, now therefore be it RESOLVED, that the Ulysses Town Board authorizes the Highway Superintendent and Deputy Supervisor to seek interested and qualified firms to assist with the preparation of grant applications and further 4 RESOLVED, that the Ulysses Town Board will need to review and approve any applications for grant funding that clearly identify any local share commitments before an application may be submitted. Moved: Ms. Zahler Seconded: Ms. Olson Ms. Zahler aye Ms. Olson aye Mr. Boggs aye Mr. Goldman aye Ms. Bouchard aye Vote: 5-0 Date Adopted: 2/23/21 AUTHORIZATION TO INCREASE DEPUTY SUPERVISOR HOURS Ms. Zahler noted that due to the resignation of the Bookkeeper, Ms. Wright will help cover duties while the town transitions. RESOLUTION #67 of 2020: AUTHORIZING A TEMPORARY INCREASE IN THE HOURS OF DEPUTY SUPERVISOR WHEREAS the Town of Ulysses will have a vacancy in the Supervisor-appointed Bookkeeper position, which is essential for accounting for revenue and expenses and paying bills as well as other critical aspects of the Town’s operation; and WHEREAS, 2nd Deputy Supervisor Michelle E. Wright is willing to temporarily take on the duties of the Bookkeeper until a permanent Bookkeeper can be appointed by the Supervisor; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Ulysses Town Board authorizes an increase in hours for Michelle E. Wright, from 32 to 40 hours/week, starting March 7th, 2021 on a temporary basis at the current Deputy Supervisor hourly equivalent rate of $26.26 until a permanent Bookkeeper is appointed. Moved: Ms. Zahler Seconded: Ms. Bouchard Ms. Zahler aye Ms. Olson aye Mr. Boggs aye Mr. Goldman aye Ms. Bouchard aye Vote: 5-0 Date Adopted: 2/23/21 APPOINTMENT TO BROADBAND ADVISORY COMMITTEE RESOLUTION #68 of 2020: APPOINTMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE TO TOMPKINS COUNTY BROADBAND ADVISORY COMMITTEE 5 WHEREAS, the Town of Ulysses is contributing to a countywide study of broadband access to improve fast, reliable and affordable access to the internet for all interested residents and businesses and WHEREAS, contributing municipalities may appoint a representative to the Broadband Advisory Committee, now therefore be it RESOLVED, that the Ulysses Town Board hereby appoints Linda Liddle to represent the Town of Ulysses on the Broadband Advisory Committee. Moved: Ms. Zahler Seconded: Mr. Boggs Ms. Zahler aye Ms. Olson aye Mr. Boggs aye Mr. Goldman aye Ms. Bouchard aye Vote: 5-0 Date Adopted: 2/23/21 BRIEF ANNOUNCEMENTS: NEW BOOKKEEPER RECRUITMENT Ms. Zahler presented the current position description and discussed next steps moving forward. HIGHLIGHTS FROM ASSOCIATION OF TOWNS CONFERENCE Mr. Boggs shared that he attended classes for planning and justice topics. Ms. Wright attended comptroller courses. AERATOR PROJECT UPDATE/ MICHAEL BOGGS Mr. Boggs shared that in addition to the new aerator, updates have been made to tank monitoring (including chlorine residual levels). OTHER Ms. Zahler noted that no petition has been submitted for Grassroots annexation and that the state & county have released guidance on summer recreation programming. PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR (3 min limit per person): In response to praise from Mr. Boggs for former supervisors Marino and Thomas for their fiscal stewardship of the town which created a foundation that enabled Ulysses to weather the economic impacts of COVID, Ms. Marino noted Ms. Bouchard’s past contributions to the town’s current fiscal stability. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: RESOLUTION # 69 OF 2021: APPROVAL OF MINUTES RESOLVED that the Ulysses Town Board approves the minutes from Town Board meetings: Special Town Board meeting February 8, Public Hearing on Tree Law Feb 9, 2021, Regular Town Board meeting Feb. 9, 2021, and Special Town Board meeting on Feb.11, 2021 Moved: Ms. Zahler Seconded: Mr. Boggs 6 Ms. Zahler aye Ms. Olson aye Mr. Boggs aye Mr. Goldman aye Ms. Bouchard aye Vote: 5-0 Date Adopted: 2/23/21 EXECUTIVE SESSION For matters relating to employment of a specific individual Ms. Zahler moved to go into Executive Session at 8:51pm to discuss matter relating to the employment of a particular person. This was seconded by Ms. Olson and passed unanimously. The board returned from Executive Session at 9:23pm. ADJOURN: Ms. Bouchard moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:24pm. This was seconded by Mr. Goldman and passed unanimously. Respectfully submitted by Carissa Parlato, Town Clerk 3/5/2021