Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-08-14-RTB Town of Ulysses Regular Town Board Meeting August 14, 2012 Present: Councilpersons Elizabeth Thomas, Deputy Supervisor; Lucia Tyler; David Kerness and Kevin Romer; Deputy Supervisor Sue Poelvoorde ; Highway Superintendent James Meeker; Town Clerk Marsha L. Georgia; Environmental Planner Darby Kiley; and Attorney Mariette Geldenhuys . Absent : Supervisor Roxanne Marino Others Present : Sherriff Kenneth Lansing; Jason Fulton, Trumansburg Fire Chief; Diane Hillman, Jacksonville Community Association (JCA) ; Dave Schurman (JCA) ; and Bill Hilker Deputy Supervisor Thomas called the meeting to order at 7 : 00 p .m. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Ms . Thomas moved, seconded by Ms. Tyler the following : BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Ulysses approves the agenda for the Regular Town Board meeting of August 14, 2012 . Ms. Thomas aye Ms. Tyler aye Mr. Kerness aye Mr. Romer aye Adopted APPROVAL OF CLAIMS Ms . Thomas moved, seconded by Mr. Romer the following : BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Ulysses approves the previous examined voucher 288 through 339 in the amount of $ 107, 131 . 68 * * . * *Note the total reflects additional bills paid that did not have voucher numbers such as Excellus BC/BS . Ms. Thomas aye Ms . Tyler aye Mr. Kerness aye Mr. Romer aye Adopted APPROVAL OF MINUTES Ms . Thomas moved, seconded by Mr. Kerness the following : BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Ulysses approves the minutes as corrected for the Regular Town Board Meeting of July 10, 2012 and the Working Session of July 24 , 2012 . Ms. Thomas aye Ms . Tyler aye Mr. Kerness aye Mr. Romer aye Adopted Regular Town Board Mtg . 2 August 14,2012 SHERIFF KEN LA NSING Sheriff Lansing apologized for not getting to a Board meeting sooner. A major initiative for his office is to have good communications with all county communities . He noted that he maintains a "the door is always open" policy and the simplest way to reach him is through email klansing @tompkins-co .org. Sheriff Lansing left a copy of the 2011 Sheriff' s Report. Some items Sheriff Lansing discussed : • Fleet composition - looking into purchasing smaller vehicles • Budget has not been cut — staff the same • Correction Unit - saving money on food and cleaning supplies by paying attention to what is being ordered • Hired 2 new deputies Sheriff Lansing answered questions from the Board covering jail operations, availability of department call data for the Town of Ulysses, county coverage and feedback on the 2012 Grassroots Festival . REPORTS OF REPRESENTATIVES Tompkins County: Board Jim Dennis — not in attendance Trumansburg Fire Department & EMS Chief Jason Fulton reported that they are getting quotes for air-conditioning installation at the Fire Station. Mr. Fulton gave a brief report of the Fire Department' s activities and provided a written report to the Board. Trumansburg 'Village — no one in attendance from the Village Board . Ms . Thomas will give a report of the Villages ' meeting in her report. PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR I . Jacksonville Community Association Representative Diane Hillman Ms . Hillman said that she had met with Ms . Dean and Ms . Thomas to discuss the situation with the old church' s exterior condition on Jacksonville Road. The building really needs something done soon. She is requesting to have the Zoning and Building department explore code violations and enforcement. Ms . Hillman said that she circulated a letter to the Town Board in reference to the JCA ' s requests for the Town to look into zoning changes to help Jacksonville with some of the more recent issues occurring in the hamlet. Ms . Hillman again requested that the zoning discussion be placed on the Board ' s work plan for the near future . Dave Shurman, Jacksonville Resident Mr. Shurman expressed the same concerns that Ms . Hillman previously presented. Bill Hilker, Property Owner Mr. Hilker noted that he owns the storage facility on Rabbit Run Road. He expressed his concern that the property was originally zoned in a business district when he built the facility but now is in a moderate-density residential district, which does not allow him expand the storage business on that property . He would like to expand and build a heated storage facility. He felt that he should have been notified of the zoning change . I Attorney Geldenhuys explained the process and notification requirements for a Zoning Law change . Mr. Hilker noted that he has been in contact with Alex Rachun. Ms . Kiley reported that the current zoning for the property does not allow for self-storage units so Mr. Hilker' s proposal would be an expansion of a non-conforming use . } Regular Town Board Mtg . 3 August 14,2012 It was recommended that Mr. Hilker put together a proposal and present it to the Boards . TOWN REPORTS Planning Board/Zoning Officer Darby Kiley reported : Planning Board — Report from July 17 and August 7, 2012 The Planning Board approved a Simple Subdivision at their July 17th meeting. The Planning Board continued their review of the revisions to Article III of the Zoning Law and should complete the review at the August 21St meeting . The PB also began reviewing language for a flag lot definition and might have recommended language changes that will need to be incorporated into the Zoning Law. Two Planning Board members, Robin Carlisle-Peck and Ms. Kiley attended the Association of Towns/NY Planning Federation Planning and Zoning Summer School in Fairport, New York on August 3` 1. The presentation information was timely and useful . Topics covered comprehensive plans, case law updates, special use permits, variances and limitations, revitalization efforts in Fairport, and multi-generational planning . Board of Zoning Appeals — Report from July 18 , 2012 The Board of Zoning Appeals denied a request for a 450-square-foot accessory building proposed to be located 8 feet from the lake where 50 feet is required. Village of Trumansburg Zoning Village passed their updated Zoning Ordinance. Ms . Kiley noted that the comments she sent focused on uses listed in Commercial Industrial District, which didn' t appear to be considered in the final ordinance . Black Diamond Trail Ms. Kiley reported that she and Fernando de Aragon, Director of the Ithaca-Tompkins County Transportation Council completed a Consolidated Funding Application to NYS Department of State ' s Local Waterfront Revitalization Program for funding the culvert repairs and completion of the trail surfacing for Phase 1 of the Black Diamond Trail (Ithaca to Taughannock Falls State Park. ) The request is for over $ 1 million (submitted July 16th) . Stormwater The Stormwater Coalition is sponsoring a tour of green infrastructure projects. The date is either September 13 or 20 and will include technical descriptions of the Warren Road pervious-surface walkway and several projects at Ithaca College . Highway Superintendent James Meeker reported on the Highway Department' s activities for the month. Mr. Meeker also stated that he spoke to Mr. Weatherby about the purchase of approximately one-half acre of his land on Curry Road for the Seneca Road bridge project. Mr. Meeker made an offer and Mr. Weatherby counteroffered plus requested that the Town pay for his legal fees and closing costs . Mr. Meeker turned over all his files to Ms . Geldenhuys on the Weatherby property. The Board discussed the project with Attorney Geldenhuys . Ms . Thomas moved, seconded by Mr. Kerness the following : BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Ulysses authorize Attorney Geldenhuys to draft a purchase offer for . 553 acres of Tax Parcel # 11 . - 1 - 1 belonging to Robert Weatherby in the amount of $2,000 with closing costs up to $ 1 ,000 . FURTHER RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Ulysses authorizes Supervisor Marino to sign all associated documents to complete the purchase . Ms. Thomas aye Regular Town Board Mtg. 4 August 14,2012 Ms. Tyler aye Mr. Kerness aye Mr. Romer aye Adopted Mr. Meeker reported out on the informational meeting that Tompkins County Public Works Department held on the Waterburg Road Bridge replacement project in the hamlet of Waterburg. Town Clerk Marsha L. Georgia reported that the NYS Sporting licenses went on sale Monday August 13 , 2012 . T Ms . Georgia distributed spreadsheets for the 2011 and 2012 water usage that totals what the Town of Ulysses bills and what the Town of Ithaca bills the Town for the water in District #3 , District #4 and also the outside users . Ms . Georgia reviewed this with the Board. The Board will review it and get back to Ms . Georgia with their comments and questions. Code Enforcement Officer Alex Rachun was absent and left his written report with the Town Board. Supervisor Marino joined the meeting via telephone . She reminded the Board that budget time is just around the corner and to be thinking any changes for 2013 . Deputy Supervisor Sue Poelvoorde said that she has been working with Ms . Kiley on finalizing the draft Agriculture and Farmland Protection Plan. She is also still working on the web site with Ms . Thomas . Town Board Members and Committees Mr. Kerness reported that he has been meeting with Ms . Thomas, Ms . Kiley and Don Smith to finalize the draft Lakeshore and Conservation zones, ironing out some problems and complete a more up-to-date draft of these to present to the Town Board. Deputy Supervisor Elizabeth Thomas/Town Councilwomen reported : • Attended Village Board meeting; they passed their Zoning Ordinance; discussed a leash law; working on water improvement project; exploring other water sources for their second source issue ; working on fixing the problems with wastewater treatment plant. • Working with Ms . Georgia to confirm the appointment dates for the Planning Board and Board of Zoning Appeals members . They will update the chart to see if all the dates are accurate and if anyone needs to be reappointed . • Newsletter has been distributed to the residents and the extras can be distributed around Town. Ms . Thomas has received several comments and requests to be on an email distribution list. • Attended the Tompkins County Council of Governments meeting ; group discussed shopping around for electric providers (Ms . Thomas has contacted a couple .) Most municipalities use MEGA. • United Way funding for the Youth Employment program has been cut over $2,000 and that will have to be looked into at budget time . This funding helps pay for youth workers . Ms . Thomas noted that staff and the Board has been discussing the air conditioning system issues and replacing the hot water heater at Town Hall . Ms. Thomas had distributed the different quotes to the Board for the water heaters . The quotes were for three different size hot water heaters . The Board discussed these and decided that an 8 gallon tank would be the best. Ms . Tyler moved, seconded by Ms. Thomas the following : BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Ulysses authorizes the Supervisor to spend up to $ 1 , 500 to purchase an 8 gallon electric, on-demand hot water heater installed at the same location as the present hot water heater upstairs . Ms . Thomas aye Ms . Tyler aye Mr. Kerness aye Regular Town Board Mtg. 5 August 14,2012 Mr. Romer aye Adopted Ms. Marino noted that a resolution had been passed at a previous meeting authorizing her to purchase a heater for up to $ 1 ,000 and wanted to clarify that this was a modification of the earlier resolution. The Board discussed the quote to install balancing dampers on the present air conditioning ductwork throughout the Town Hall for a total cost of $383 . Ms . Thomas noted that she felt that this might solve the problem of uneven air conditioning and different personal preferences and felt that this is a much less expensive option and worth a try . The Board discussed the merits of the proposal . Mr. Romer moved, seconded by Ms . Thomas the following : BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Ulysses authorizes the Supervisor to contract with HSC for $ 383 to install balancing dampers on the air- conditioning duct work throughout the Town Hall . Ms. Thomas aye Ms. Tyler aye Mr. Kerness aye Mr. Romer aye Adopted OLD BUSINESS Hydrilla Funding Mr. Kerness distributed a draft resolution that he prepared to contribute $3 ,420 to fund four Floating Classroom Hydrilla monitoring sessions and forty laminated Hydrilla plants to aid in Hydrilla identification. The Board discussed this and Ms . Poelvoorde recommended that at this time the Board not pass the resolution as there was a question whether the Floating Classroom would be continuing to assist with the monitoring program. The Board tabled the discussion. Hearing no further business and having no further public comments Ms. Thomas moved, seconded by Mr. Romer to adjourn to executive session for advice from counsel . Unanimously approved. Meeting adjourned to executive session at 9 : 10 pm. Meeting reconvened at 10 : 33 and was adjourned at 10 : 34 (moved by Ms . Thomas, seconded by Mr . Kerness, approved unanimously). Respectfully submitted, Marsha L Georgia Ulysses Town Clerk E '