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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. Special Town Board Meeting 2 04/24/2008 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; Special Town Board Meeting 3 04/24/2008 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 Special Town Board Meeting 4 04/24/2008 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 Special Town Board Meeting 5 04/24/2008 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 i 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 Special Town Board Meeting 6 04/24/2008 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 1 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 . Special Town Board Meeting 7 04/24/2008 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 MLG : mlg I