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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-08-17 - TB TOWN OF ULYSSES REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING AUGUST 17, 2004 PRESENT : Supervisor Doug Austic , Town Councilpeople Lee Scott, Roxanne Marino and Don Ellis ; Robert Weatherby absent; Town Clerk Marsha Georgia; Highway Superintendent James Meeker absent; Deputy Supervisor Richard Coogan; Attorney Bruce Wilson . Others Present : Mark Hasson, Deputy Zoning Officer, John Wertis, Planning Board Chair, Ithaca Journal Reporter Brian Smith . 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 — RTB 6/8/04 & 7/13/02 // STB 8/3/04,7/20/04-6/29/04 & 5/27/04 // PUBLIC INFORMATIONAL MTG 05/27/04 Mr. Scott moved to approve the minutes as presented by the Town Clerk with the exception of the changes and corrections presented, Mr. Ellis seconded . Ms . Marino was not sure of what changes Mr. Scott was referring to . Mr. Austic asked if any comment and or changes needed to be made on the following : • May 27th, 2004 Stormwater Public Informational . No comments and/or changes were heard. • May 27th, 2004 Special Town Board Meeting — No comments and/or changes were heard. • June 8th, 2004 Regular Town Board Meeting — Accept changes and corrections that were submitted by Ms . Marino . • June 29th, 2004 Special Town Board Meeting- Accept changes and corrections submitted by Ms . Marino . • July 20th, 2004 Special Town Board Meeting — No comments and/or changes • August 3rd, 2004 Special Town Board Meeting — No comments and/or changes . • July 13th, 2004 Regular Town Board Meeting — No comments and/or changes. Mr. Austic aye Mr. Scott aye Ms . Marino aye Mr. Ellis aye Adopted. APPROVAL OF MONTHLY CLAIMS Mr. Scott moved, seconded by Mr. Ellis to approve previously examined vouchers #378 through #416 in the amount of $48 , 726 . 12 . Mr. Austic aye Mr. Scott aye Ms . Marino aye Mr. Ellis aye Adopted. REPORTS OF REPRESENTATIVES Tompkins County Board of Representative Peter Penniman absent. . .. . . Regular Town Board Meeting 2 August 17, 2004 Trumansburg Fire Department no one in attendance. Planning Board Chairman John Wertis reported the Planning Board met and started the review Of "Site Plan Review" that the Town Board had requested them to review . They have scheduled a second meeting to continue to so this for next Wednesday evening at 7 : 30 PM . Mr. Ellis thanked Mr. Wertis for the copies of the Planning Board meetings and clarified that the Town Board did pass a resolution that they would continue the review of Al at their October meeting. Other Mark Hasson, Deputy Zoning Officer Mr. Austic introduced Mark Hasson who is the new Deputy Zoning Officer Mr. Rachun hired . Mr. Hasson stated at this time he would like to just introduce himself to the Board and put faces with names . When he and Mr. Rachun get better organized they plan on reviewing the zoning ordinance and reporting back to the Board in reference to permits and different fees . Ms . Marino would advocate that this be done . Michel Vonderweidt,. Ulysses Youth Representative to Recreation Partnership Mr. Vonderweidt stated the Recreation Partnership is going through a tough time with F 3 funding. Thee Partnership is looking for new ways to provide programs . The City of Ithaca pretty, much has a monopoly on providing programs and the lack of competition is creating a problem . The City has no real reason to keep costs down and some of the fees they are charging are extensive . From this there is a group at the monthly Supervisor' s meetings who have been looking at alternatives to the Recreation Partnership . They have been discussing what each municipality may have to offer, more satellite programming, utilize local programs and not rely on the centralized, large programs in Ithaca. But that could create transportation problems . Many things would have to be considered before leaping into ;changes . Supervisor Valentino (Town of Ithaca) sent the first potential resolution for all the municipalities in Tompkins County to consider (Town Board had copies of this) . Mr. Vonderweidt personally did not like this resolution . He thought it was overkill; inaccurate and added he feels the wording is very risky. The Town of Caroline had a meeting and Don Barber; Supervisor (member of the Recreation Partnership) came up with the resolution Mr. Vonderweidt is presenting tonight. This resolution puts things in a much more reasonable and civilized language . Mr. Vonderweidt feels this resolution would be wise to support because it is sending a message to the City to change their ways or we will look for alternatives . This may strengthen the partnership . The following is a sample of the resolution that Don Barber drafted : Whereas municipal entities in Tompkins County recognize the benefit of cooperation and coordination for the delivery of recreational activities for youth of their communities , and to efficiently provide such services the Recreation Partnership agreement was entered into and the Recreation Partnership Board formed : Whereas many rural youth are unable to participate in Recreation Partnership programs due to lack of transportation and ; Whereas many rural municipalities have recreation programs that run independent of the Recreation Partnership : Regular Town Board Meeting 3 August 17, 2004 Whereas continued dependence on the property tax as the major funding source for the Recreation Partnership will result in loss of programming as municipalities struggle to set priorities from this over used revenue stream : Now therefore be it resolved that the Town of Ulysses hereby finds that the following become the directive of our voting representatives to the Recreation Partnership Board : 1 ) Explore the formation of a 501 (c) (3 ) not for profit agency, to facilitate the acquisition of additional funding sources other than tax dollars, such as tax-deductible donations from individuals and corporations ; 2) Institute the Request for Proposal process for each specific program as planned in the Recreation Partnership agreement; 3 ) Explore and facilitate the coordination of partnering- municipalities recreation programs and administration as a means to expand program opportunities . 4) Explore transportation opportunities to get rural youth to city programs and city youth to rural programs ; 5 ) To facilitate blending of rural and city programs explore the concept of creating "in kind" contributions of staff time and programs toward a municipality' s financial contribution to the Recreation Partnership . Further resolved, this resolution shall be forwarded to the Recreation Partnership Board, and Further resolved that the Ulysses Town Board hereby directs its representatives to work to accomplish these goals before the end of 2005 . Mr. Ellis stated that he feels the 501 — not for profit makes a lot of sense. The Recreation Partnership is later on the agenda to further discuss this . Ms . Marino asked Mr. Vonderweidt for a contact number if she had any questions? Mr. Vonderweidt ' s number is 387-9850 and email is mvon(')twcny.rr. com . Mr. Austic stated that it is coming down to a cost issue because the City has raised the cost so much and dropped the number of programs that the municipalities were entitled to get that the cost per program is becoming unrealistic . TOWN REPORTS Highway Superintendent James Meeker - In the absence of Mr. Meeker, Ms. Georgia read his report as follows : July Report thru August 17th, 2004 • Cold mix paved Cayuga View Road • Helped Newfield with their paving and stone & oil projects i • Working on changing front springs, brackets, pins & bushings in Autocar plow & salt truck • Mowed all roadsides (again) • Helped Tompkins County stone & oil • Crack filled Penn. Ave. and Rabbit Run Roads in preparation for seal coat. Hope to seal coat these two roads starting Wednesday — weather permitting. • The Town of Ulysses ' tire collection made the northeast farm paper — article distributed. Ms . Marino was wondering if it would be possible for Mr. Meeker to include in his report not only the project but also the cost of the project . Regular Town Board Meeting 4 August 17 , 2004 Mr. Austic will ask Mr. Meeker about this . Code Enforcement Officer Alex Rachun reported that 4 permits for single- family residences, 6 for additions, and 2 for business permits were issued for August . One Zoning Board of Appeals meeting for an area variance on the lake was granted. Mr. Rachun reported that the old Alpha House on Rt 227 has been raised and seeded and the new Cayuga Recovery building is very close to being completed. Mr. Ellis asked what the two business permits were for and Mr. Rachun replied they are for the Trumansburg Golf Course maintenance building and Flo-Tech . Town Clerk Marsha L. Georgia reported that the total fees collected for the month of July was $ 1687 . 00 of which she turned over $ 1244 . 56 to the Supervisor along with her monthly report . Included in the total fees was $ 655 . 00 collected for Plumbing Permits and $285 . 34 was sent to NYSDEC for sporting licenses . Mrs . Georgia also reported that she has been working with Williamson Law and Ti- Sales on the billing program for the Water Districts . The DEC Sporting Licenses started on sale Monday so the hunters are coming in for their licenses and japplying for Deer Management Permits . The hunters in this area are not happy because they only have a 40% chance of receiving . a permit to shoot an antler-less deer. Board Members and Committees Mr. Ellis addressed the "Legal Opinion" in reference to the Open Meeting Law as it relates to email . Mr. Wilson had stated the use of e-mail does not fit into the definitions of a public meeting it is addressed more as correspondence . Mr. Ellis asked about the request of Mr. Winch for water on VanDorns Corners Road. .t Mr. Austic stated that he has not heard any more from him. Mr. Ellis wanted to know if anything had been received on the request for the reduction of the speedilimit on Searsburg Road. Nothing has been received from NYS DOT . Mr. Ellis asked about the proposed "lighting district" for Trumansburg Country Estates . Mr. Wilson explained that we have two things going on, the lighting district and the road dedication. Mr. Ellis asked if the Town would have documentation from an engineer of the inspections On the road . Mr. Austic stated that Mr. Meeker has been inspecting the road as it is being constructed . Mr. Wilson 'stated that under the "Highway Law" the quality of construction is under the approval of the Highway Superintendent. If the Highway Superintendent approves it them it would come before the Town Board to accept . Mr. Wilson will be approving the deed description to make sure the road to be turned over to the Town would have title . Mr. Ellis thought he understood that the road was to be turned over to the Village. It was explained toil Mr. Ellis that the road is entirely in the Town of Ulysses . The buildings and the parking lot are in the Village of Trumansburg only. Mr. Wilson 'was in contact with the property owner' s lawyer and discussed what needed to be put together for a petition for the lighting district and the deed for the road. Mr. Ellis stated that he really has a lot of problems with someone building and inspecting their own road and than turning it over to the Town . Regular Town Board Meeting 5 August 17 , 2004 Mr. Austic stated again that they did not inspect their own road, Mr. Meeker was there inspecting the road, Mr. Meeker knows how to build a road, that is what he does . Mr. Ellis stated that Jim paves roads . Mr. Austic re- stated that Jim builds roads ; he is responsible for insuring that the Town roads are built to speck . Honey Bee Lane was done the same way, which is part of his job under NYS Highway Law. Mr. Wilson stated that the developer builds the road and the Highway Superintendent supervises and make sure that it is in compliance . Mr. Ellis stated that other Towns that he has worked with engaged an engineer for the purpose of inspecting the roads . Ms . Marino asked what would happen if the Town was not to accept the deed of the new road . Mr. Wilson said if you did not accept the road it would not become a Town road and without seeing the title work he is not sure what the ramifications would be. Mr. Austic stated that the only way the development was approved is that the road would be built because otherwise there is no road frontage . This was part of what the Village needed . Supervisor Doug Austic reviewed the previously distributed July Financial Report and . asked if anyone had any questions . Mr. Ellis thought he had a question but stated he could ask later. Mr. Austic stated he always is available to answer any questions . OLD BUSINESS Courtroom Bench Ms . Marino asked about the status of the courtroom bench. Mrs . Georgia received a packet from Dan Fuller of Ithaca Millwork with preliminary plans of the courtroom bench area, but no prices . Ms . Marino asked if the Town was going to try and acquire any plans from any one else? Mr. Austic stated others have been asked and no one has expressed any interest other than one that wanted over $ 10,000 for design only. The board will have to take a better look at the design that was submitted . Mr. Fuller will come back at any time to discuss the design . NEW BUSINESS Recreation Partnership Supervisor Austic stated the Board has heard the discussions about Recreation Partnership and they have had problems in the last few years . The idea is there but there may need to be some changes to make the partnership work. One of the big changes is that the County is dropping down what they will contribute and will continue to drop down. Supervisor Austic would support the resolution drafted by the Town of Caroline. Mr. Ellis asked if the resolution would be sent to Peter Penniman only or sent elsewhere. a.. .___-- __ _■ _ Regular Town Board Meeting 6 August 17 , 2004 Mr. Austic stated it would go to the Recreation Partnership giving them direction from the Town Board. Mr. Ellis moved, seconded by Mr. Scott the following : Whereas municipal entities in Tompkins County recognize the benefit of cooperation and coordination for the delivery of recreational activities for youth of their communities , and to efficiently provide such services the Recreation Partnership agreement was entered into and the Recreation Partnership Board formed : Whereas many rural youth are unable to participate in Recreation Partnership programs due to lack of transportation and ; Whereas many rural municipalities have recreation programs that run independent 'of the Recreation Partnership : Whereas continued dependence on the property tax as the major funding source for the Recreation Partnership will result in loss of programming as municipalities struggle to set priorities from this over used revenue stream : Nowjtherefore be it resolved that the Town of Ulysses hereby finds that the following become the directive of our voting representatives to the Recreation Partnership Board : 2) Explore the formation of a 501 (c) (3 ) not for profit agency, to facilitate the acquisition of additional funding sources other than tax dollars, such as tax-deductible donations from individuals and corporations ; 3 ) Institute the Request for Proposal process for each specific program as planned in the Recreation Partnership agreement ; 4) Explore and facilitate the coordination of partnering- municipalities recreation programs and administration as a means to expand program opportunities . 5 ) Explore transportation opportunities to get rural youth to city programs and city youth to rural programs ; 6) To facilitate blending of rural and city programs explore the concept of creating "in kind" contributions of staff time and programs toward a municipalities financial contribution to the Recreation Partnership . Further resolved, this resolution shall be forwarded to the Recreation Partnership Board, and Further resolved that the Ulysses Town Board hereby directs its representatives to work to accomplish these goals before the end of 2005 . Mr. Austic aye Mr. Scott aye Ms . Marino aye Mr. Ellis aye Adopted . Mrs . Georgia will certify this resolution and forward to Mr. Vonderweidt and Peter Penniman. Hazard Mitigation Deputy Supervisor reported he had received comments on the Hazard Mitigation report from Supervisor Austic , Councilwoman Marino and himself and submitted those to the SS= Regular Town Board Meeting 7 August 17, 2004 County. The Village of Trumansburg was asked to review but heard no comments along with the Superintendent of Trumansburg School . The plan needs to be adopted no later than November 1st, 2004 . The final has been sent into the State and Federal government and when a final draft is received Mr. Coogan will review again so it will be able to be on the agenda for September or October. There was a meeting set up by the Red Cross, attended by representatives from the Village, Fire and Ambulance Departments, Trumansburg School, Police Agencies and many others held to organize, set up a command structure in case of an emergency, who has the material, who has contacts and just getting to know each other so that in a time of an emergency you would know who to contact . There will be a number of training courses that will be expected. Ms . Marino stated within the Hazard Mitigation Plan there are a lot of actions that the Town needs to do and she asked if all of those would have to be implemented by November 2004 . Mr. Coogan stated no, every year some will be carried out and the Town has five years to complete when the plan needs to be reviewed . You have to demonstrate you are working towards implementing the plan . Stormwater Progress o Deputy Supervisor reported the committee has had their first two meetings and one with the Genesee Finger Lakes Group and they have identified four areas they are considering the MS4 district, steep slopes, streams and ditches along the roads . These seem to be the largest conveyors of stormwater and the biggest problems for the Town. They are in the process of getting additional maps . The committee has asked Mr. Coogan to get one map that not only shows 15 % slope but will also show 7 % to 14% slope. They will be meeting again August 25 with the Finger Lakes group . The Finger Lakes Group would like to see ordinances drafted that are do-able for the Town and take the Town in the correct direction without being to harsh or to punitive with smaller municipalities . Unfortunately Nathan (who had been here at the Town and is the Senior Planner for the Group) was unable to make the meetings so he sent Brian who acknowledged he was not up-to-date on things so it was more of an information gathering on his part. Mr. Coogan stated they expect to have the committee work wrapped up by the end of the year. They have identified it will be Genesee Finger Lakes RPC who will do the actual drafting of the ordinance, getting the language correct, and the resulting ordinance will be presented to the Board for review . Mr. Wertis pointed out that nowhere in the current draft-zoning ordinance does it mention "stormwater". Mr. Coogan stated in the recommendations there are two paragraphs that the committee would like to see inserted; one of them into the zoning and also in subdivision. Basically what it would be telling anyone reading those is that there is a stormwater regulation and make sure this is read in conjunction with either subdivision or zoning. Deputy Supervisor Review Supervisor Austic asked Mr. Ellis how he wanted to handle review of Mr. Coogan. Mr. Austic furnished what Mr. Ellis requested as to what expenses have been reimbursed to Mr. Coogan as Deputy Supervisor and total salary paid to date (Mr. Austic explained) . Mr. Ellis did not have it with him as to what the original resolution stated as to salary or expenses . Mr. Austic informed him it was approved for $ 19 , 000 a year and an increase to the contractual account (A1220 . 4) to cover travel and other miscellaneous expenses . Regular Town Board Meeting 8 August 17 , 2004 Mr. Ellis stated he does not see this as a quality issue but a value, issue . He states that the alternative that is used in the Village is assigning Trustees certain areas of responsibilities . Mr. Austic stated Village Trustees no way do as much as the Deputy Supervisor. Mr. Coogan stated he bills around 20 to 24 hours per week but his typical week is 30 to 40 hours and two weeks he has gone over 50 hours . Mr. Coogan stated he has prepared a statement of things he is working on because Mr. Ellis had stated value for the money. Mr. Austic asked Mr. Coogan to run through his statement . Mr. Cooganireviewed the following : • Hazmit — worked all the way through by attending meetings with the County, meetings with the various agencies . Direct value is the Town will have that comp' ompleted and will be able to get disaster funding. • MS41 — the Town is in for grant money — Hazmit is in there for grant money — we are looking into septic fly over (thermal imaging) — septic will be one of the hottest topics in the County next year — attending local law meetings and attending County local law meetings . • Administration — gives backup to the Supervisor for payroll, vouchering, water district meter readings and inspections - going through training to locate buried pipes and Class D water operator license . • Jacksonville sidewalk project grant funding • Intermunicipal Corporation — training programs for highway crews with possible reduction for workers compensation insurance, which could save 1 % to 1 . 5 % . • Possible use of hydro-seeder to correct some of the erosion controls where the water district is, instead of having the contractors come back and reseeding. • Attended a three-day training course on municipal laws, planning, zoning and case Studies of these . • SubnI litted information to Barton & Loguidice for the DWP storage of petroleum products to meet the new EPA requirements for Spill Prevention Control and counter measures . Intangible values are : Strengthening ties with County and other organizations, attending TCMOA meetings, working with Tompkins County Planning, Tompkins County Transit, Corporative Extension, and Inter Municipal Corporation sub-committee on the County level to look at insurance issues . Mr. Coogan stated he is willing to supply support to any of the Board members, any request of information they may need, additional or otherwise, point of contact with residents that may have concerns with water hook-ups, Exxon Mobil concerns . Mr. Ellis asked if Mr. Coogan was doing any of that, working with the residents? Mr. Coogan stated yes he is, he gets accosted ones or twice a day, usually when he walks into the Jacksonville post office someone will ask a question. Mr. Coogan is also setting up possible programs with the Highway Supervisor. They are looking at putting a program together to identify invasive plants to design an easy site so that we have an early detection system. Attended a workshop on the on site subject system — again this will be a big question in the County in 2005 — Ulysses is viewed as a very pro-active municipality in the County level . We attend meetings and are part of the discussions and that is what takes a lot of time — is just getting to know all these people. Mr. Austic stated in the meantime he is attending the meetings Mr. Coogan is not attending. Mr. Ellis stated he thinks that is terrific — all the stuff that seems to be out there was and is being attended. Mr. Ellis stated it clearly needs to get done and he thinks the responsible question to be looking at on behalf of the Town is — Is this the way to get Regular Town Board Meeting 9 August 17 , 2004 these done? He does not know . Mr. Ellis likes the way the Village handles it and designates Trustees . Mr. Austic stated the Village Trustees don ' t spend 20/30 hours per week and they do not attend many outside meetings or does the Mayor. Mr. Austic doesn ' t see the Board members having this additional time a week to attend these meetings . Ms . Marino stated it comes down to can the Town afford (paying for a Deputy Supervisor) or are there other ways to accomplish the work that needs to be done. Ms . Marino went on to state Mr. Coogan has been extremely helpful and forth coming. Ms . Marino asked him to provide in writing what he previously reported he has been doing and assign some rough proportion to the time on each individual item or group items ; this would be helpful at budget time . Also a list of what is coming up in the future to be done. Mr. Coogan agreed to do this . Mr. Austic stated personally he feels Mr. Coogan is doing a very good job and is well worth the money. Upstairs Renovations Mr. Austic asked Mr. Ellis what his questions were about the renovations to the upstairs of the Town Hall . Mr. Ellis stated he did not know how to pick the cost out of the vouchers and he had the impression that there was substantial over run from what the Board had originally approved, but he may be wrong. Mr. Austic stated he might be wrong. The Town paid Peter Cooke $ 13 , 800 and that was ;, what was agreed upon, with that Mr. Cooke put in a lot more stuff than was in the original plan. The plan did not include two closets down stairs, two closets upstairs nor did it include repairing the roof that was found to be leaking . Mr. Cooke only charged the Town $ 13 , 800 but Mr. Austic made an exchange with him because he was thinking it would go over. The exchange was that we did some of the painting. Mr. Austic personally supplied the wood base and the window casings and painted and primed them at home so that was no cost. The Town did have to pay Hubbard Plumbing & Heating to come over and extend the heating duct because he had originally insulted this . The cost for that was $ 340 . We also bought the paint, which cost between $ 300 to $ 400 . Mr. Austic fees that it did not go over more than a couple hundred dollars and we did get extra for that money. Mr. Scott added several years ago over $20 ,000 was budgeted for this project and set aside in the building maintenance capital reserve account . Mr. Scott feels Mr. Cooke did a great job . The other bids that were received for this project were over $20,000 . Mr. Austic asked Mr. Ellis and Ms . Marino if they had been up stairs to see the completed project. Mr. Ellis stated that he had not . Mr. Austic stated he should take a look because he feels it is well worth the money and it can be used not only for the youth but other things . Quick Review of Zoning Ordinance SEQRA The Board reviewed very briefly some areas of the SEQR for the draft Zoning Ordinance . They brought up some questions in a couple of pages . This will be reviewed in more detail at a later meeting before the public hearing . It was decided that each Board Regular Town Board Meeting 10 August 17 , 2004 member will review and it will be placed on the agenda for the next Board meeting for complete review. Other (Start Review of Subdivision) Because of the lateness of tonight ' s meeting the review of the Subdivision Regulations was tabled for now. Ms . Marino would like to have it considered that the Planning Board review this draft document, as it is now for their comments because they are the ones that deal with this more so than the Town Board. Mr. Wertis, Planning Board Chairman will see to it that the members have a current draft of this document and they will set a time to review . Technical Equipment Mr. Austic asked Ms . Marino what she wanted to say about this area? Ms . Marino 'stated she had discussed using a projector when reviewing the draft Zoning Ordinance with Mr. Coogan and how helpful one could be to see the changes immediately; made in the document as the meeting takes place . Mr. Coogan has been able to borrow a projector for a couple of the review meetings and now maybe the time to discuss purchasing one for the Town. Mr. Coogan had gotten a price from Dell around $ 900 that would be sufficient for the Town ' s use. Mr. Austic stated the Town could purchase one or could think about it, but there is money in the equipment fund. Ms . Marino stated it could be used for various different uses and various other boards or organizations could use it as well . It could be used routinely at board meetings to change a resolution right at the meeting . Ms . Marino also brought up the possibility of having a computer that members of other boards could have access to here at the Town Hall and having a wireless internet connection so that things could be called up to be looked at during a meeting . Ms . Marino made a suggestion that these ideas be looked into and know actually what it will cost. PUBLIC COMMENTS No comments heard. CORRESP a NDENCE Previously discussed . ADJOURNMENT Hearing no further business Mr. Ellis moved, seconded by Mr. Scott to adjourn the Regular Town Board Meeting. Unanimously approved, meeting adjourned at 9 : 30PM . Respectfully, submitted, Marsha L . Georgia Ulysses Town Clerk MLG : mg