HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-04-24 - TB TOWN OF ULYSSES
SPECIAL TOWN BOARD MEETING
APRIL 24, 2008
Present: Supervisor Austic ; Council David Kerness, Lucia Tyler and Liz Thomas; Rod
Ferrentino absent ; Town Clerk Marsha Georgia
Others Present : Alan Vogel, Geoffrey Hart, Sue Henninger and son, and Mr. and Mrs .
Ullberg
Supervisor Austic opened the meeting with reviewing and explaining the Town ' s
financial statement .
Fund Balances
A $32 ,400
B 80,000
DA 50,000
DB 17,000
Mr. Austic said that these do not appear on the monthly financial report that he provides
because they are not revenues and explained why.
Inter-fund Transfers
Mr. Austic reviewed the Inter-fund transfers that had been done and how to read them in
the report .
A $3 ,000 Benefit Reserve
6, 000 Audit
6, 000 Building fund
B 6,000 Benefit/ Water monitoring
DA 5 ,000 Snow & Ice Reserve
86,000 Transfer to building reserve
50,000 Equipment Reserve
40,000 Bridge repair Reserve
DB -0-
The Board requested further information, more detail and a further breakdown of sub-
categories . Also they would like copies of all the savings account statements.
Discussion of Trumansburg Telephone Building Purchase
Mr. Vogel asked to address the Board about the opportunity again to purchase the
building out back of the Town Hall for the purpose of using it for a Community Center
and possibly for a skate park for the youth. Mr. Vogel said that it may only be a small
window of time to make an offer before the Phone Company puts the building on the
open market. Last year at about this time there was an agreement with the Village and the
Town to buy the building for up to $ 60,000 but based on information and a better look at
the building with an engineer, Mr. Austic and Mr. Thomas, based on that meeting, said it
may cost several hundreds of thousands of dollars to remove the asbestos and bring it up
to code, therefore the Village and Town backed out of the agreement. Mr. Vogal has new
estimates showing the cost of remediation would be much less, in the neighborhood of
$9000 for asbestos and an unknown amount to paint the building. He feels the Town
could purchase the building for $ 30-40, 000 .
Mr. Vogel and others looked into other ways to pursue a Community Center and a not-
for-profit.
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Mr. Vogel explained what he would like to see the building used for. Mr. Vogel said that
the Town and Village would only be responsible for the purchase of the building and all
of the upgrades and renovations would be with volunteers and donated monies .
Mr. Austic is very concerned that once it is a Town or Village property the liability risk
and the expenses will start, and become the Town or Village responsibility.
Mr. Kerness asked if Mr. Vogel had any sort of design or cost for this project.
Mr. Vogel said to do a lot of design would be expensive and the community has not had
the opportunity to say what they would like to see.
Mr. Ullberg handed out a brochure to the Board.
Mr. Ullberg said the Board should weigh the cost of liability against the benefit to serve
the community.
The Board felt at this time there was not enough information to resolve this at this time.
The Board is not against the idea but requested more information.
Mr. Vogel has not yet approached the Village with his idea.
Dog Control Officer
Mr. Austic has received the job description for this position from Tompkins County
Personnel and it is a non-competitive position. Description follows :
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS :
This is a Public Officer position charged with the responsibilities for carrying out the
provisions of the Agriculture and Markets Law and local municipal ordinances dealing
with the general control of dogs including their seizure, impoundment and destruction.
An employee in this class must possess skill in handling small animals and be able to
operate independently in the field. The work is performed under the general direction of
the board of Supervisors in accordance with established policies and procedures . Does
related work as required.
TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES :
Seizes and impounds stray and dangerous dogs ;
Destroys unclaimed and dangerous dogs in accordance with the provisions of law;
Receives and answers complaints from the public regarding dog nuisances ;
Issues appearance summons and arrest warrants and participates in court proceedings
including the preparation of reports and providing information, testimony and evidence;
Enforces quarantine laws and orders applicable to dogs ;
Attempts to locate owners of seized dogs ;
Tranquilizes uncontrollable animals ;
May investigate reports of cruelty to animals ;
Reports sick or injured animals to veterinarian for corrective action;
Maintains records of work performed including a record of all dogs impounded, returned
to owners, sold, destroyed or otherwise disposed of;
Makes reports to the legislative body as required;
May assist in taking a dog census .
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS :
Good knowledge of the laws and regulations dealing with the seizing, impounding and
destruction of stray and dangerous dogs ;
Good knowledge of the methods and procedures for handling dogs and other domestic
animals;
Good knowledge of local geography;
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Working knowledge of the identification features, temperaments and characteristics of
the breeds and kinds of dogs commonly found in domestic ownership ;
Working knowledge of safety practices in the use of firearms including tranquilizing
darts ;
Ability to meet and deal effectively with the public ;
Ability to understand and carry out moderately complex oral and written instructions ;
Ability to maintain records and prepare reports ;
Tact, courtesy, and physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS : Graduation from high school or possession of a high
school equivalency diploma AND :
(a) One year of work experience involving the handling and caring for dogs or other
domestic animals ;
OR
(b) One year of experience as a law enforcement officer with a police department,
sheriffs department or college security department (experience as a guard is not
qualifying) ; OR
(c) Any equivalent combination of training and experience as described in (a) and (b)
above .
NOTE :
(a) As a Public Officer one must be at least 18 years of age, a citizen of the United
States, a resident of the municipality in which employed and must not have been
convicted of a violation of selective training and service acts of the United States .
(b) If the position involves the operation of a motor vehicle, possession of the
appropriate level New York State Driver's license is required.
(c) If the position involves the use of firearms, possession of a license to carry
firearms is required.
(d) Additional experience may be substituted for the education requirements on a
year- for-year basis .
The Board felt that there should be a letter of agreement with the Dog Control Officer
spelling out his duties. Mr. Kerness will work on this .
Mr. Austic moved, seconded by Mr. Kerness the following :
WHEREAS the cost of the dog control for the Town of Ulysses has increase
dramatically for the 2007 contract with the Tompkins County SPCA;
WHEREAS under the agreement with the SPCA the Town of Ulysses has the
ability to provide the same or better dog control services to the residents by
having a Town Dog Control Officer, contracting with the TCSPCA for kennel
services and ;
WHEREAS the Tompkins County Personnel Office has a position on record
know as Dog Control Officer for the Town of Caroline and
WHEREAS this position can be extended to include the Town of Ulysses under
Civil Service rules as a non-competitive position for the Town of Ulysses and
meet all requirements of Tompkins County Personnel as well as the specifications
required for the Town ' s Dog Control Officer;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the position of Dog Control Officer
be created for the Town of Ulysses .
Mr. Austic aye
Mr. Ferrentino absent
Ms . Tyler aye
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Mr. Ellis aye
Ms. Marino aye
Adopted.
A2 and Markets Grant Application
The Board discussed the amendment that the Board would need from Bergman Assoc. to
increase the original contract.
Ms. Tyler moved, seconded by Ms. Thomas the following:
BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Ulysses authorize
Supervisor Austic to sign the grant application to Ag & Markets .
Mr. Austic aye
Mr. Ferrentino absent
Ms. Tyler aye
Mr. Ellis aye
Ms . Marino aye
Adopted .
TCCOG Motions
Mr. Austic moved, seconded by Ms . Thomas the following:
In Support of the Council of Governments ' Review Health Benefits for the NYS
Shared Municipal Services Program
WHEREAS , the Town of Ulysses joined the Tompkins County Council of Governments
(TCCOG), and
WHEREAS , in 2007, the County, on behalf of TCCOG, accepted an incentive grant
award under the NYS Shared Services Program,
WHEREAS , the grant will assist the municipalities in Tompkins County to create a local
health care consortium, and
WHEREAS , the health care consortium will seek to develop health benefits coverage for
all municipalities with the intent to provide a net savings to the taxpayers of Tompkins
County, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Ulysses Town Board that Douglas Austic the
Town Supervisor is authorized to execute an inter-municipal agreement with TCCOG
members to participate in the review of the development of the health benefits
consortium, and
FURTHER RESOLVE that the Town of Ulysses understands that upon a complete
review and plan design of a health benefits program, the Town of Ulysses will have the
option of joining a health benefits consortium that would require the Town of Ulysses to
sign another inter-municipal agreement.
Mr. Austic aye
Mr. Ferrentino absent
Mr. Kerness aye
Ms . Thomas aye
Ms . Tyler aye
Adopted
TCCGOG Alternate
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Ms . Tyler moved, seconded by Mr. Kerness the following :
BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Ulysses appoint
Elizabeth Thomas to serve as the alternate to attend the TCCOG meetings.
Mr. Austic aye
Mr. Ferrentino absent
Mr. Kerness aye
Ms. Thomas aye
Ms . Tyler aye
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Adopted
Request of Attendance of Deputy Supervisor
Ms . Tyler requested that Deputy Supervisor Coogan attend (when it is possible) the
working sessions of the Town Board held on the 4th Thursday of the month to give
reports on all of the meetings that he attends .
Mr. Austic will relay that message to Mr. Coogan.
Also the Board feels that they may still be missing some explanations to what is involved
on the County committees that Mr. Coogan may be able to find out one of them being the
TC Youth Committee.
Reports of Committees and/or Appointees
Ms . Thomas moved, seconded by Ms . Tyler the following :
BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Ulysses request all the
Town Board appointments to report at a minimum every six months or twice a
year preferably one in April and October at the Regular Town Board meeting or
provide a small written report.
FURTHER RESOLVE that Mr. Coogan will notify all the appointees.
Mr. Austic aye
Mr. Ferrentino absent
Mr. Kerness aye
Ms. Thomas aye
Ms . Tyler aye
Adopted
Water Resources Council
There is an opening on the Water Resources Council and Krys Cail is willing to fill that
vacancy.
Ms . Tyler moved, seconded by Mr. Austic the following :
BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Ulysses appoint Krys
Cail to serve on the Water Resources Council .
Mr. Austic aye
Mr. Ferrentino absent
Mr. Kerness aye
Ms . Thomas aye
Ms . Tyler aye
Adopted
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Planning Board Focus
Mr. Kerness asked that his proposed resolution addressing the Planning Boards focus on
various areas of the Town be placed on the agenda for the Regular Town Board meeting
of May 13th, 2008 .
Mr. Austic assured him that it would be on the agenda.
Water Commission
Mr. Austic hoped to have by the next meeting the criteria of the duties of a Water
Commission and the Board can also create what they do . The Town of Hector has a
Commission that Mr. Austic will get their criteria for the one established. Mr. Austic will
try and put something together before the next meeting.
Personnel
Mr. Kerness said that previously the Board has talked about personnel matters and he
would like to throw up a recommendation that we have someone come in and review the
Towns personnel process and procedures and all the documentations concerning our
employees . Mr. Kerness has a volunteer. Mr. Kerness has talked with Anita Fitzpatrick,
who lives in Jacksonville, and is the Commissioner of HR for TC . She said she would be
glad to do it free of charge.
Mr. Kerness said that he thinks she could look at it and tell the Board where they may
have short falls and also give recommendations as to what to do about them.
The Board will try to put a list together of what she would look at.
Web Site
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Ms. Thomas will continue to work on the web-site. She has talked with Rordan Hart who
established the Village ' s site . Ms . Thomas thought that if the Town could come up with
some kind of template on how it should look and asked if that is a direction the Board
would like her to investigate . The general consensus was to allow Ms. Thomas to
investigate this further.
Village Organizational Meeting
Ms . Thomas attended the Village of Trumansburg Organizational meeting and reported:
• Land on Curry Rd. owned by the Village will be sold
• Sidewalk grant they think is dead in the water because of large completion and
had problems with the grant
• Treatment plant has water quality problems
• Replacing two booster pumps at their wells
• Passed resolution for 30 minute parking in front of Ulysses Town Hall but the
Village does not want to pay anything to have that done but gave their permission
Other
Ms . Thomas also reported that at the Comprehensive Plan workshops attendance was
good and will get that information.
Ms. Thomas attended the Rt. 96 Corridor public information study and they are targeting
getting that completed by December 2008 .
Mr. Kerness asked how the Water Commission was coming along and asked if they could
get a sample survey to the Board.
Ms . Thomas had no information on this .
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Mr. Kerness announced that the Planning Board has a meeting on May 6th, 2008 with
Tompkins County to do a presentation on UNA ' s .
The second Board meeting will be May 22"d at 7PM.
Hearing no further business Ms. Thomas moved, seconded by Mr. Austic to adjourn the
meeting. Unanimiously approved, meeting adjourned at 10 : 40 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Marsha L. Georgia
Ulysses Town Clerk
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