HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-05-11-TB-minutesTOWN BOARD MEETING
Town of Ulysses
May 11, 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 7pm.
ATTENDANCE:
The Town Clerk called the roll:
TOWN OFFICIALS PRESENT:
Supervisor- Nancy Zahler
Board members- Michael Boggs, Katelin Olson, Mary Bouchard, Rich Goldman
Second Deputy Supervisor- Michelle E. Wright
Town Clerk- Carissa Parlato
Conservation & Sustainability Committee (CSAC) Chair- Roxanne Marino (at 7:02pm)
Planning Board Chair- Linda Liddle
OTHERS PRESENT:
Anne Koreman (Tompkins County Legislator)
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
RESOLUTION #95 of 2021: APPROVAL OF MEETING AGENDA
BE IT RESOLVED that the Ulysses Town Board approve the agenda for April 27, 2021, with the
deletion of the resolution that pertains to water tank/aerator safety.
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: 5/11/21
PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR:
(none)
BUDGET MODIFICATIONS:
RESOLUTION # 96 OF 2021: APPROVAL OF BUDGET MODIFICATIONS
Resolved that the Ulysses Town Board approve the following budget modifications:
A FUND BUDGET MODIFICATIONS
A7020.123 RECREATION PS – WINTER STAFF INCREASE $1,141.32
Evolving recreation programming in the context of COVID resulted in a higher than originally
budgeted staffing expense for winter programming.
A7020.124 RECREATION PS – SPRING STAFF DECREASE $1,141.32
Anticipated underspending in this line based on updates to programming plan.
HB FUND BUDGET MODIFICATIONS
To correct modifications approved on 4/13/21
HB1620.21 ENGINEER CE INCREASE $20,945.68
This is a budgeted expense. During the 2020 budgeting season, engineer design work was expected
to be complete at the end of 2020. This action moves this expense and related revenue below into
the 2021 financial year.
HB3097 ST AID - CAPITAL PROJECTS INCREASE $19,898.40
95% funded by BRIDGE-NY grant.
HB2397 CAPITAL PROJECTS-OTHER LOCAL
GOVERNMENTS
INCREASE $1,047.28
Per MOU, this project is 5% funded by Tompkins County, the owner of the Cemetery Road Bridge.
(Original Modifications from the 4/13 meeting:)
HB1620.21 ENGINEER CE INCREASE $35,140.59
This is a budgeted expense. During the 2020 budgeting season, engineer design work was expected
to be complete at the end of 2020. This action moves this expense and related revenue below into
the 2021 financial year.
HB3097 ST AID - CAPITAL PROJECTS INCREASE $33,383.56
95% funded by BRIDGE-NY grant.
HB2397 CAPITAL PROJECTS-OTHER LOCAL
GOVERNMENTS
INCREASE $1,757.03
Per MOU, this project is 5% funded by Tompkins County, the owner of the Cemetery Road Bridge.
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: 5/11/21
PAYMENT OF CLAIMS
RESOLUTION # 97 OF 2021: APPROVAL OF CLAIMS
RESOLVED that the Ulysses Town Board has reviewed and approves payment of claims for:
• HA fund (Water District 3 Capital Project) vouchers 33 and 34 in the amount of
$14,065.90;
• and for all other funds vouchers numbered 177 through 221 in the amount of
$208,431.11.
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: 5/11/21
STAFF/COMMITTEE REPORTS:
(see Appendix for reports submitted in advance of the meeting)
From Representatives & Committee Chairs:
Ms. Liddle shared a presentation on updates from the broadband committee and included the
following action items:
• conducting a study to develop a plan to deliver broadband to underserved communities
• developing an open access model
• making financial projections
• defining construction/maintenance costs
Ms. Marino reported that the Conservation & Sustainability Advisory Committee (CSAC) is working on
the Clean Energy Communities campaign for clean heating, cooling, and insulation.
Ms. Koreman gave the following updates from the Tompkins County Legislature:
• Started budget process
• About 50% of county residents have had first vaccination
Town Staff & Board Reports:
The following was shared:
From Ms. Wright-
• Cemetery Bridge- bids will be opened on Friday
• April financial report will be updated as it didn’t include Rec Dept revenue of $10K
• Sales tax payment was larger than expected
• Shared and explained the April financial report and how to make it more accessible to the
board
Ms. Zahler shared an update on the bookkeeper position.
From Ms. Bouchard-
• Village board discussed:
o National heritage approval
o Regulations regarding the legalization of recreational marijuana
• Rec partnership
o Discussion of funding formula and whether to include 2020 stats in the formula
From Ms. Olson-
• Youth commission is planning a needs-assessment survey for next fall
• No BZA meeting last month or this month
• Chamber of Commerce is in transition
From Mr. Goldman-
• Planning board met twice
From Ms. Zahler-
• Thanked Ms. Olson for taking care of stuff in her vacation absence
• Pop up COVID clinic on Thursday
• Exec Order for remote meetings continues through May 27
NEW BUSINESS:
OSC AUDIT- PROCESS OVERVIEW
Ms. Zahler and Wright gave an update on the current audit from the NYS Office of the State
Comptroller (OSC), noting that they are currently conducting board/staff interviews. The entire audit
process will take about 6 months.
2021 BUDGET PROCESS DISCUSSION
The board discussed the following:
• setting a time for a special meeting to discuss process
• ideas on how to create a policy for allocating funds to the community
o a sub-committee of Mr. Goldman, Ms. Olson, Parlato & Wright was named to help
develop a policy
• holding a community forum before the tentative budget is completed
UPCOMING MEETINGS:
• Mid-year Fire/EMS meeting- Thursday, May 20, 4-5:30pm
• Summer Recreation Program presentation 5/25
• Scheduling an Executive Session for matters leading to the appointment, employment,
promotion, demotion, of a particular person- Friday 5/21
PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR:
(none)
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
RESOLUTION # 2021-98: APPROVAL OF MINUTES
RESOLVED that the Ulysses Town Board approves the minutes from Town Board meeting on
April 27, 2021.
Moved: Ms. Goldman Seconded: Ms. Bouchard
Ms. Zahler aye
Ms. Olson aye
Mr. Boggs aye
Mr. Goldman aye
Ms. Bouchard aye
Vote: 5-0
Date Adopted: 5/11/21
ADJOURN:
Mr. Goldman moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:18pm. This was seconded by Ms. Bouchard and
passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted by Carissa Parlato, Town Clerk
5/--/2021
pg 1 Building & Codes Monthly Report
Building & Code Updates
Mark Washburn, NYS CEO, Certification No 1020-0364
Reporting Period April 1 – April 30, 2021
Plan Reviews
§ 3 New Home Meeting with architect/ homeowner /1 home build paused for Zoning issue, 2
discussions about upcoming projects
Site Visits
§ Ongoing monitoring of Erosion Plan, visited 4 times no issues
§ Pre-site visits x3 New Home builds
CEO Activity
• 5 Foundation/Footer inspections/ 1 reinspection’s needed issues fixed
• 3 Building envelope inspections/ 1 reinspection’s needed
• 5 Plumbing inspections/ 2 reinspection’s Issue resolved
• Total inspection time of 100 hrs. for March.
• 1 C of O’s issued, 5 C of C’s issued
• Continuing to work through back log
• Completed 4 credit hours NY energy code for Recert.
• Attended Software meeting
• Code research for 14 different issues approximately 12 hours
• Meet with John regarding possible way of enforcement for a few different issues.
• Field work with John regarding Zoning issues
Zoning Enforcement
SBL Violation Code Action Status
18.-1-3 Erosion control Not following site plan on file Reviewed plan Fixed/monitoring
2 visits were after heavy rain
4x Site visit
No issues
Ongoing
pg 2 Building & Codes Monthly Report
pg 1 Planning & Zoning Monthly Report
Planning & Zoning Updates
John Zepko, Environmental Planner, CPESC, CFM
Reporting Period 1 April – 30 April 2021
Planning Board
No Meeting in March
Board of Zoning Appeals
No Meeting in April
Planner Activity
15 April – Attended webinar: Linking Conservation & FEMA Community Rating System
20 April – Attended webinar: Model Local Laws to Increase Resilience
Zoning Enforcement
1377 Taughannock Blvd – property owner has obtained services of architect and general contractor.
Demolition of illegal addition scheduled to begin in May.
6211 Brook Road – property owner has agreed to submit a work plan, with milestone schedule, to
bring the property into compliance with conditions of variance approvals. Work plan was not
submitted by second week of April, as was previously agreed. Staff has attempted to contact the
property owner unsuccessfully.
Received complaint regarding barking dog that are used as animal deterrent for agricultural operation.
Researched possible remedies and referred to NYS Dept of Ag. & Markets.
8434 Falls Road- Received written complaint of camper being used as residence. Upon further
investigation, a notice of Apparent Violation was issued.
3201 Perry City- Received written complaint of camper being used as residence. Upon further
investigation, a notice of Apparent Violation was issued.
4026 Podunk - Received written complaint of camper being used as residence. Upon further
investigation, the camper is likely being utilized at the location of a fire-damaged structure. Incident
referred to CEO Washburn for further review under NYS Code.
** NOAV – Notice of Apparent Violation
Town of Ulysses Clerk’s Office
MONTHLY REPORT for APRIL 2021
Submitted by Carissa Parlato 5/5/2021
LICENSES/PERMITS issued: #
Sporting licenses 6
Disabled parking permits 8
Dog licenses and renewals 43
Marriage licenses 4
Plumbing permits 1
Address assignments 1
Notarizations 8
FOIL requests-received 0
FOIL requests-completed 0
CLERK’s OFFICE TASKS:
• Routine tasks:
o retrieved, sorted, vouchered mail, answered inquiries on various topics, attended town board
meetings and took minutes, kept website current, provide notary services, issued marriage &
dog licenses and disabled parking permits,collect building & zoning fees
o participate in weekly Supervisor/Clerks office meetings
• Administer oaths of office for newly elected/appointed
• Emergency tasks during COVID-19:
o Participate in periodic meetings with county health dept., community leaders, town staff
o Send weekly e-newsletter messages to residents including COVID resources
• HR tasks- health & dental insurance changes
• Got trained on new videoconference/in-person hybrid meeting set up
• Coordinated town hall landscaping
• Participated in Bookkeeper interviews
• New addressing
SAFETY/EMERGENCY COMMITTEE:
• Met with Michelle & John to strategize for updating town emergency plan
TAX COLLECTION TASKS:
• Submitted final reports to Tompkins County. Awaiting settlement agreement.
WATER DISTRICT TASKS:
• Tracked water usage/testing/consumption/billing for annual spreadsheet
• Collected and posted water payments
• Monthly reporting to the bookkeeper to reconcile accounting
• Scheduled internal water working group meeting for May 20
HABITAT NATURE PRESERVE COMMITTEE:
• Held meeting on April 19
• Scheduled spring clean up work day for May 1
• Got new parking signage
OTHER COMMITTEES/ASSOCIATIONS:
• Health consortium- Joint Committee on Plan Structure & Design April mtg cancelled.
FINANCIAL REPORT:
$1110.50 TOTAL Clerk fees & licenses
collected
$906.09 stays in the town
$204.41 goes to the state
$2146.00 Building & Zoning fees collected
and deposited in supervisor acct.
Highway Report May 2021
Installed 3 Driveway Pipes [ HoneyBee Ln, 2 on Glenwood Hts ]
Improving Shoulders on Iradell, Brook, Agard and Curry Roads
Swept Stone, Mud from various roads caused by Farm Equipment.
Cold Patched various holes in roads
Placed LED lightbars on both of our Tractors for oncoming traffic to see us better.
Fixed multiple hoses on both tractors.
Chris and Steve attended 811 Dig Safe class
Scott Stewart attended Ditching Webinar. Rebecca Schnieder hosted
Helped County with sealing Halsyville, Podunk and Waterburg Roads
Updated Fire Alarm System an Added Cameras
Working on Capitol Plan
Building & Code Enforcement Office
607-387-9778 ext. 231
Buildings & Code Enforcement Report for April 2021
SUBMITTED AT MAY 2021 TOWN BOARD MEETING
Building Permits issued 7
Plan Reviews 3
Certificate of Occupancy issued 1
Permits Renewed 0
Complaints Received 1
Complaints Resolved 1
Inspections (Footers, Foundations, Plumbing, Insulation,
roofing, Pools, Etc.)
17
New Site Inspections 3
Building Review Consultations (pre-plan meetings, Future
Building/Remodeling)
5
Fire Safety Inspections Ongoing
Code Training Seminars 4 Energy code credits
County Assessment, Town, DOS Reports 3
Open property in violation cases 4
Property violations resolved 1
Value of Permits issued: $374,600.00
Building Permit fees collected for month: $1,565
Respectfully Submitted,
Mark Washburn
Mark Washburn – Building & Fire Code Enforcement Officer
TOWN OF ULYSSES
10 Elm Street, Trumansburg, NY 14886
ulysses.ny.us
Town Supervisor (607) 387-5767, Ext 232 supervisor@ulysses.ny.us
Town Clerk (607) 387-5767, Ext 221 clerk@ulysses.ny.us
Recreation Department Report
May 6, 2021
Created by: Will Glennon, Recreation Director
Spring Programs:
Baseball/Softball Program Update
●Tee Ball 1 - 40 participants (3 teams)
○Designed for four teams, could only find coaches for three teams
○Volunteers were very challenging to find and hold onto. Many volunteers initially
committed to coaching and then backed out.
●Tee Ball 2 - 36 participants (3 teams)
○Volunteers are very difficult to find, but all teams have coaches that took on the
roles.
○Recruited three SUNY Cortland baseball players to assist with the program. Two
of which are also Physical Education students.
●Coach Pitch - 28 participants (2 teams)
○Two very strong and committed coaches.
○Games are scheduled towards the end of the month of May/Beginning of June.
●Kid Pitch - 23 participants (2 teams)
○Strong committed coaches
○10 games scheduled for two teams.
Spring Track
●Program started on Wednesday 5/4
●44 participants in grades k-6
●Program operated by Andrew Burton for the 5th year.
●All participants will receive a t-shirt
Spring Tennis
●The tennis program started on April 26th.
●Beginner - 13 registered participants
●Beginner/Intermediate - 3 registered participants
●Program has experienced poor weather to date (4 cancellations due to weather).
Summer Programs/Camps:
●All camps except for one are at capacity.
●Camp application to operate has been submitted.
○Additional documents will be submitted once staff has been hired
●A Camp Director and Assistant Camp Director have been interviewed and second
interviews/offers are imminent. Background checks will be conducted and approved
prior to official hire.
●Plans to utilize TCAT and/or the TBurg bus company are being planned and reviewed.
Using TCAT for transportation to Taughannock park would create a village to park transit
that is currently unavailable. The cost is also significantly less than using the district
school buses.
●A half-day camp option is still being considered
●Pre and Post camp care will be available for families.Camp guidance for the summer of
2021 has not been announced as of yet. The guidance could alter how pre/post camp
and half-day camps operate.
●Current registration totals as of Thursday 4/8/21
○Week 1 - 50 registered
○Week 2 - 50 (18 waitlist)
○Week 3 - 41
○Week 4 - 50 (2 waitlist)
○Week 5 - 50 (4 waitlist)
○Week 6 - 50
Camp staffing
●Summer camp positions have been posted. Positions for at least half the camp have
been interviewed. Recruitment for counselors is on-going.
Additional initiatives:
●Program complaint process for the recreation programs is now being drafted and
considered for future complaints.
Page 1 of 2
Report to Town Board
Work between: 4/8 – 5/5/21
Meeting date: 5/11/2021
Submitted by Michelle E. Wright
Emergency Related
• Weekly calls with TC and DOH
Bookkeeper Search
• Review applicants
• Minor involvement in recruitment work
Active Grant Updates
• Cemetery Road Bridge over Trumansburg Creek (NYSDOT 95% funded with FHWA money, Barton &
Loguidice Engineers)
o Internal activities:
Continued submission for reimbursement through NYSDOT.
o B&L leading us through bid advertisement, opening, and award. Latest update will be provided at
meeting.
Cemetery Bridge Project Timeline
When What Status
September 2018 Project Awarded Bridge NY Funding Complete
October 2018 Project Added to STIP/TIP Complete
January 2019 State-Local Agreement Executed Complete
January 2019 Design Consultant Contract Executed Complete
January 2020 Design sent to NYSDOT for review Complete
March 2, 2020 Public Meeting Meeting held 3/2
January 2021 ROW Acquisition Completed NYS will conduct, this is in process
11/10/2020 ADP Complete Complete
12/28/2020 PS&E Submitted Complete
January 2021 PS&E Approved by County & State Complete
April 2020 Construction Phase Authorized Complete
April 2020 Advertisement In progress
5/14/2021 Bid opening Soon!
Spring 2021 Letting
Summer 2021 Pre-Construction Meeting
Summer 2021 Begin Construction
Fall 2021 Construction complete
• WD #3 WIIA Grant (EFC funded, MRB Engineers)
o Work with Municipal Solutions and MRB on financial reporting to EFC
o
Other Work
Miscellaneous
• Standing weekly meetings: Clerks office, Supervisor
Financially Related
• Preparation and communications pertaining to NYSOSC audit
• Meetings with several department heads regarding how to read and review monthly financial reports.
Page 2 of 2
o Culture of improvement: the goal is to turn the monthly financial monitoring process into a team
effort so that the operational staff who are most familiar with those account lines are empowered
to understand and review their status on a regular basis.
o I’ll be asking those department heads that I haven’t met with yet to schedule a 30 minutes session
to go over the monthly financial report review process.
HR/Payroll Related
• Payroll and human resource related work activities
• NYSLRS reporting problem solving
Bookkeeper Work and Supervision
• Financial month end close out and reporting through April, caught up!
• Transition communications
• Training and continued work temporary help
• Daily bookkeeper tasks (deposits, pre-pay vouchering and check writing)
• On-going review of expenditures, vouchering process
Water District 3
• Upcoming: it would be amazing to prioritize development of a WD3 capital plan prior to budget season.
o Timing of this unknown
BRIDGE NY Submission
Durling Road, Curry Road Structure Replacement & Maplewood Hairpin Turn
o BRIDGE-NY application process communications
o Submission for pre-review for all structures
o Letters of support drafting and requests
o Details at: https://www.dot.ny.gov/BRIDGENY
Upcoming
• Review of bids for Cemetery Bridge replacement
• Preparations for the 2022 budget creation season
• Bookkeeping work and tasks associated with recruitment of new bookkeeper
• BRIDGE-NY application submission
• Bid process for Cemetery Road Bridge
Meetings & Trainings
• Will report in June