HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-04-08 - TB TOWN OF ULYSSES
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING
APRIL 8 , 2008
Present: Supervisor Austic ; Council David Kerness , Liz Thomas, Lucia Tyler, Rod
Ferrentino absent; Deputy Supervisor Richard Coogan; Town Clerk Marsha L. Georgia;
Highway Superintendent James Meeker.
Others Present : Rebecca Schneider, Geoffrey Hart, Jodi Marshall, Diane Hillman, Dave
Schurman, Roxanne Marino .
Supervisor Austic called the meeting to order at 7 : 30 pm and lead those assembled in the
Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
After previously distribution of the minutes of the Special Town Board meeting of
February 28`h, 2008 and the Regular Town Board meeting of March 11th, 2008 Ms . Tyler
moved to second the meeting of 3/ 11 /2008 and Ms . Thomas moved and seconded by Ms.
Tyler the following resolution was made.
Be it resolved that the Town Board of the Town of Ulysses approves the minutes
of the Special Town Board of February 28 , 2008 meeting and the Regular Town
Board meeting of March 11 , 2008 as discussed .
Mr. Austic aye
Mr. Ferrentino absent
Ms . Tyler aye
Ms . Thomas aye
Mr. Kerness aye
Adopted. .
Ms . Thomas asked about the Organizational meeting and the changes she thought had
been made . Ms . Georgia explained that an amendment to that meeting would have to be
done because what Ms . Thomas wanted included did not happen at that meeting.
APPROVAL OF CLAIMS
After the Board ' s examination of vouchers # 101 through # 142 Ms . Tyler moved,
seconded by Ms . Thomas the following :
BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Ulysses approve voucher
# ' s 101 through 142 in the amount of $30, 309 . 61
Mr. Austic aye
Mr. Ferrentino absent
Ms. Tyler aye
Mr. Kerness aye
Ms . Thomas aye
Adopted.
REPORTS OF REPRESENTATIVES
Jim Dennis, Tompkins County Board of Representatives absent.
Trumansburg Fire Department Representative absent .
Ken Zeserson Planning Board Report Chairman and Rebecca Schneider Planning
Board Member
Regular Town 1Board Meeting 2
April 8 , 2008
Mr. Zeserson said that they have a little presentation that he would like to have the Board
take a look at which is a preference to a resolution that Mr. Kerness is going to introduce
tonight. The Planning Board is hoping to be a little more pro-active then they have in the
past and Mr. Kerness has a very ambitious schedule of a way that the Planning Board can
help the Town' Board and the Comprehensive Plan Committee and of course the on going
interest in the new water district. Not everything can be done at once but the first thing
that the BoardI thinks that is important for the PB to look at is the UNA' s . Mr. Zeserson
and Ms. Schneider are asking the Town Board tonight for their approval and support for
the PB to proceed to investigate appropriate mechanisms to help protect the natural areas
for the benefits that they provide to our Town residents . These benefits potentially
include :
• Unique natural attractions that promote tourism
• Scenic views
• Vegetation on steep slopes that can prevent erosion and impacts to
Cayuga Lake water quality and out MS4 obligations
• Presence of rare, threatened or endangered plants, animals, and
ecosystems
• Old growth forests
• Native American archeological sites
• Contributions to groundwater recharge areas and surface water tributaries
• Components of Tompkins County, Ithaca City green spaces
Mr. Zeserson ! said the PB would like to work on this along side developing the
Comprehensive Plan and the PB has excellent people and very eager to work on this.
The PB will work with Sue Ritter of the Town of Ithaca who knows a lot about this and
she wrote the Town of Ithaca' s Conservation Zone and she is ready, willing and able to
help the Town of Ulysses to at least to start the process .
The PB would like to get some sense that the Town Board would like the PB to proceed.
Ms . Schneider asked if the Board would be willing to pass some type of resolution that
they could take back to the PB .
Mr. Austic said that Mr. Kerness is working on that and will be addressed at this meeting.
Ms. Tyler suggested that Mr. Kerness read his purposed resolution and the PB would
know what the TB is considering.
Mr. Kerness read his purposed resolution into the record.
Planning Board Areas of Focus
With significant focus by the Town Board on Water Requirements/District development
and the Comprehensive Plan, I would like the Planning Board in parallel to review
Zoning Laws for:
1 . Unique Natural Areas (6/08)*
2 . Conservation Zoning (3/09)
3 . Lake Front Zoning ( 10/08)
4 . Alternate Energy (TBD)
5 . Residential Zoning (7/09)
6 . Commercial Development (4/ 10) *
*Planning Board Recommendation to the Town Board
For Unique Natural Areas, Conservation Zoning and Lake Front Zoning significant work
has been done by the County and the Town of Ithaca and could serve as a template for
Ulysses review and implementation.
Alternate energy sources : wind mills, geothermal, etc . has also been reviewed and
adopted by many municipalities within the state and could be evaluated for our use .
Regular Town Board Meeting 3
April 8 , 2008
The last two, Residential and Commercial Zoning updates would be the natural
outgrowth of our Comprehensive Plan and Water District development, and assure the
orderly implementation of both.
These actions should be concluded by December 2010 and include reviews of existing
zoning, recommended language, public meetings for specific comments and a final Town
Board recommendations . The detail schedule for these reviews and recommendations are
outlined in the Water District Plan . This effort would allow the Town Board to evaluate
our Water Needs, Water District and the Comprehensive Plan concurrently with zoning
to assure we protect the natural beauty of our town and serve the needs of our
community.
Jacksonville Association President Diane Hillman
Ms. Hillman addressed the Town Board with a request to suggest that it is time to do
something about the Water Commission. When discussing Water District #3 the idea
was that the Town Board would operate as the Water Commission during the time of
construction underway and after that there would be some kind of representative or a
group that would actually monitor the progress of what is going on as an oversight
committee . Ms . Hillman feels like that time has come particularly since District #3 has a
heavy investment in the infrastructure and would like to be involved which would give
better lines of communications . It is time to move to a more permanent responsibility
and Ms . Hillman thinks that the Water Law says something to this regards . Ms . Hillman
feels that they are several districts but, district #3 is the biggest and should have more
representation. The other districts are small, but should be involved .
Ms . Hillman is suggesting gathering some volunteers ; two from District #3 and one each
from the other district as a Water Commission.
Mr. Austic has looked into this and there is a Water Commission formed in the Town of
Hector that he has inquired on how that was established . The Town Water Law does
have provisions for a Water Commission and they are an advisory board to the Town
Board but with a Water Commission the people that are paying for the district would
have recommendations of things that could come up in the future such as rates or
extensions because those are things directly the water users concerns .
Mr. Austic is thinking having five people, two from District #3 , one from District #4 and
one each from the Shur-save District and Alpha House and has maybe a quarterly
meeting
Mr. Austic will look more into the forming of this Water Commission and talk with Mr.
Dickens in the Town of Hector on how they went about forming, how it operates, and
would their function are.
PUBLIC PRIVILEDGE OF THE FLOOR
A Ulysses resident of Agard Road inquired about when his road may expect water and
stated that there are over 42 homes on the road and feels that would be significant enough
to run a waterline.
Ms. Tyler said that the Town will be sending out a water survey so that the Town Board
can hear from all of the residents . Ms . Tyler advised him to keep an eye out for the
survey and contact his neighbors that it is coming.
Ms . Thomas also advised him of the Comprehensive Plan workshops that are coming up
that he may be interested in attending.
Ms . Marino announced that sometime in April the Town of Ithaca will be dedicating a
playing field to Cathy Valentino for all her years of service. Also a web site is being
worked on and the idea is to be able to link municipalities so if you are looking for youth
recreation programs you could see where they are available .
Regular Town Board Meeting 4
April 8 , 2008
TOWN REP 0 RTS
Highway Superintendent James Meeker reported as follows :
• Working on picking up limbs, brush, etc . from the ice storms and heavy snow fall
• Repaired vehicles as needed
• Plow and salted as needed
• February salt order finally was received
• Sweptj all intersections to remove lb stone that was used for ice control
• Starting to rake up sod, gravel, etc . displaced from winter plow operations
• OSHA training April 15th
Mr. Meeker talked briefly about the property next to the Town Barns and that it is
coming up for sale and would like the Board to look into .
Code Enforcement Officer Alex Rachun absent. Mr. Coogan reported that Grass Roots
are inquiring about the property on Agard Road and the improvements that they would
like to do . Mr. Rachun has asked them to come up with a plan to further review .
Town Clerk Marsha L. Georgia reported that $723 . 50 was collected for the total fees
for March and $514 was turned over to the Supervisor along with her monthly report.
Ms. Georgia said that tax collection ended April 1St and is all in balance and will be
turning everything over to the County tomorrow.
Board Members and Committees
Ms. Tyler said that she talked with Court Clerk Ms. Townley and Justice Thomas Schlee
and everything has been worked out and she will be attending Justice Schlee ' s court on
Monday evenings .
Mr. Kerness reported that he looked into bulk mailings and explained briefly. Mr.
Kerness and Ms . Georgia will work together on this and look further into it with the
Trumansburg Post Master.
Ms. Thomas) stated that she had missed the Village meeting.
Supervisor Austic explained his monthly financial report. The Board had further
questions that they will discuss in more detail at the next meeting.
Deputy Supervisor Richard Coogan reported that the Planning Board will have a
meeting on DNA' s presented by the County. Mr. Coogan said that Mr. Zeserson, Mr.
Kerness and himself met with Ed Marx last week and talked about what is available from
County Planning.
Mr. Coogan said that the annual Stormwater Report which will need a public hearing and
that can be scheduled in June .
Mr. Coogan reported on his work on a new web page and server. Mr. Coogan would like
direction from the Board on how they would like him to proceed. The Board discussed
this briefly.
Ms . Thomas would like to work with Mr. Coogan on this and suggested meeting with the
Village Clerk and Mr. Hart who worked on the Village web page for some guidance.
The Corridor Study had focus groups with the businesses . On April 23rd the first public
hearing will be held.
Mr. Coogan had distributed the final report of the flyover imagery analysis completed by
PAR Government Systems Corporation. Due to equipment malfunctions, results of the
Regular Town Board Meeting 5
April 8 , 2008
study showed no solid conclusion of whether septic systems along Cayuga Lake were
leaking.
OLD BUSINESS
Dog Control Officer
The Board discussed the contract and the question came up contract for Dog Control
Officer vs . Dog Control Officer Town employee . One of the concerns is liability
insurance. The Board will look further into this with the Attorney. Mr. Austic has a
meeting with Mr. Austen and the SPCA on Friday morning.
Water District # 6 Motion
Ms . Tyler moved, seconded by Mr. Kerness the following :
Resolution Introducing Water District 6
Whereas the Town of Ulysses was notified on January 7 , 2008 that the New York State
Department of Health and the Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) had
reconsidered their position and allowed the Town of Ulysses additional time to submit a
completed application and package for the Water District 5 project (WD-5) and would
allow changes in the scope and service area of this project while retaining the current
financing offer (DWSRF project # 17468) ; and,
Whereas WD- 5 alternative plans and cost estimates, as presented by Eric Pond of Barton
and Loguidice on February 21 , 2008 were produced on a short time table; and
Whereas there is insufficient time for adequate review of WD-5 Alternative C with
revisions (revised WD-5 Alt. C) by elected officials and citizens nor enough time to meet
the required legal application process, environmental review, and inter-municipal
agreements needed by March 24, 2008 ; and
Whereas (revised WD-5 Alt . C) as presented on February 28 , 2008 is significantly more
costly than the original WD-5 , since it is geographically more extensive, and the total
estimated cost of $ 9 . 87 million is extremely close to the $ 10 million cap required to
retain zero percent interest financing from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund
(DWSRF) ; and
Whereas consideration of any alternate district is premature at this time due to the lack of
a town wide water needs survey; and
Whereas the quantity of water that can be provided to the Town of Ulysses from Bolton
Point through the Town of Ithaca infrastructure without improvements does not meet the
total requirements of WD-3 , revised WD-5 Alt. C, and the Village of Trumansburg
second source ; and
Whereas the revised WD-5 Alt. C is not in accord with growth patterns encouraged by
our current zoning; and
Whereas revised WD- 5 Alt. C impacts an identified Unique Natural Area and
environmentally fragile lands west of New York State Route 89 not having proper
conservation protections in place; and
Whereas revised WD-5 Alt. C cannot take into consideration the Comprehensive Plan
initiative under progress, which is based on broad citizen input and scheduled for
completion by October 2008 .
Therefore be it hereby resolved that Water District 5 Alternative C with revisions be
removed from consideration in favor of a cooperative effort using the inputs from the
newly formed Town of Ulysses Water Needs Committee, the Town of Ulysses
Comprehensive Planning Committee, the Town of Ulysses Planning Board, the Village
Regular Town Board Meeting 6
April 8 , 2008
of Trumansburg, Finger Lakes State Parks, and the Town of Ithaca to look at alternative
water solutions and to design more mutually agreeable, fundable water project hereafter
to be known a's Water District 6 .
Further be it resolved that EFC and DOH be sent a letter that we will not be following
through with DWSRF project # 17468 and that we will be targeting submitting a new
IUP by 2009 .
Finally be it resolved that the estimated timeline for completion of a project plan and
submission to the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund and other applicable funding
sources is no later than October 2010 (see attachment for detailed schedule) .
Water Comprehensive Unique Natural Lake Front Resident
District Plan Area( UNA)/ ( LF) Zoning ial
Conservation Develop Commercial
Zone ment Development
Zoning (CD) Zoning
Yr Mon
08 Jan
Feb
Planning Board (PB )
Mar UNA Review
Public Workshop PB UNA
Apr Recommendation
Water Survey PB UNA Public
May Release Meeting
Land Use Plane - PB UNA PB LF Review
Public Workshop Recommendation ,
Jun with Design Std
Town Board (TB) PB LF
UNA Review Recommendati
Jul on
Water Survey TB UNA Adoption PB LF Public
Aug Results meeting
Draft
Comprehensive
Sept Plan
Public Hearing , PB Conservation PB LF
SEQR Zone (CZ) Review Recommendati
Oct on
Water Supply PB CZ TB LF Review
Nov Recommendation Recommendations
Town Board (TB)
Dec Approval
09
TB Workshop PB CZ Public
Initial Water Meeting
Jan District layout
TB LF Public Hearing
Feb / SEQR PB RD Review
TB Public PB CZ TB LF Zoning
Meeting , needs , Recommendation Approval
Mar impact, est. cost
TB CZ Review PB RD
Apr Recommendation
Submit IUP Pre
application , &
May Pre Eng report PB RD Public Meeting
TB CZ Public
June Hearing , SEQR
PB RD
Recommendati
July on
Aug TB CZ Approval TB RD Review PB CD Rev
Sept
Oct IUP Pre Score TB RD P H , SEQR PB CD Rec
Nov TB RD Zoning Appr
Hardship
Dec Application
Regular Town Board Meeting 7
April 8 , 2008
Submission
10
Jan PB CD Public Mt
Draft IMA, village ,
Town Ithaca,
Feb Bolton Point
Mar
Apr KEY PB CD Rec.
Hardship IUP - Intended Use Plan
Conformation
May letter TB CD Rat
Complete, MAP , SEQR - State Environment Quality
SEQR, Public Review Act
Jun Hearing
Public UNA - Unique Natural Area
Jul Referendum
Aug PB - Planning Board TB CD Public HI
Sept TB - Town Board I-heart nq
Submit DWSRF IMA - Inter-Municipal Agreement
Application &
Oct Support Doc. TB CD Zoning 4pv
DWSRF - Drinking Water State Revolving
Nov Fund
Award WD - Water District
Construction
Dec Contracts
Mr. Austic nay
Mr. Ferrentino absent
Ms . Tyler aye
Mr. Ellis aye
Ms . Marino aye
Adopted.
NEW BUSINESS
POSSIBLE ADVISORY BOARDS (AGRICULTURE / WATER DISTRICT
COMM.)
Agriculture Advisory Board
Mr. Austic feels that the Town having a Agriculture Advisory Board would be very
helpful for the information they could bring forward . Mr. Austic will look further into
the procedure to establish.
Water Commission
Previously discussed earlier in the meeting.
OTHER
Contract Updates with Bergman for Comprehensive Plan
Mr. Austic received the packet from Ag & Markets and how it will affect the contract
with Bergman. The Board felt that they need to talk with the Sue Poelvoorde and
Bergman Assoc . about this addition to the contract.
2ND Town Board Meeting
Ms . Thomas will not be available the 4th Thursday of April in the evening and the Board
re-scheduled the 2"a Board meeting for April 24th, 2008 for 8 : 30 AM for this month only.
The Board will review and discuss the resolution for the Planning Board that Mr. Kerness
read into the record previously at the April 24th meeting . (The schedule for the Planning
Regular Town Board Meeting 8
April 8 , 2008
Board and the Town Board are included in the schedule following the Water District #6
resolution.)
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Ms . Marino commented on the dates in the Water District #6 Resolution that was read
into the record .
The dates were miss read and the resolution will reflect the correct dates .
ADJOURNMENT
Hearing no further business Ms . Thomas moved, seconded by Ms. Tyler for adjournment.
Unanimously approved . Meeting adjourned at 9 : 35 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Marsha L. Georgia
Ulysses Town, Clerk
MLG : mlg