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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-03-26-WTB TOWN OF ULYSSES WORKING MEETING MARCH 26 , 2013 Present : Supervisor Roxanne Marino ; Councilpersons Elizabeth Thomas, Kevin Romer, Lucia Tyler and David Kerness ; Deputy Town Clerk Patricia Halloran . Others Present : Tim and Betsy Fallon, Mario and Jeanne DelRosso, Lawrence and Cheryl McCann, Don Hartill, and Frank and Gail Flannery. Supervisor Marino called the meeting to order at 7 PM and open the floor to public comments . Tim Fallon read a statement into the record as follows : Ulysses Town Board meeting March 26, 2013 1 am concerned that citizens are simply not being heard. It is not clear from the Town Web site that citizen involvement is welcomed, other than saying the Town Council represents the citizens. The Lakeshore zoning in particular has the attention of your citizens, and yet little if any of their input is being heard. Our country is founded on discourse and debate in search of the best governance, common ground, and acceptance by a majority. The Lakeshore ad hoc committee may have capable people. What the committee does not have is balance and perspective. You have been asked on numerous occasions to include more citizens who are affected, and who do not have a vested interest in the original proposal that many citizens had issues with. Ifyou think that your lakeshore citizens do not care about Town issues, or the environment, you are quite mistaken. According to the 2009 Comprehensive Plan, of the 2200 surveys distributed, 709 were returned, for a return rate of 32 %. Of those 709 returns, 10. 3 % were from Lakeshore residents, meaning 73 of the 170 lakeshore properties responded for a return rate of 43 %. Though it was quite some time ago, Ibelieve we filled out the survey. Yes, we have concerns with the environment. Yes, we have concerns with the Lake. Yes, we are infavor of considering the pros and cons ofzoning. However, these answers would in no way, shape, or form lead me to the conclusions that we need what is being proposed My main point here is that the Lakeshore resident 's response rate to the Town 's 2009 Survey was a third greater than the rest of the Town. Yes, we care about the issues, and yes, we draw very different conclusions from the survey. Speaking of involvement and participation, the ULA found the recent Lakeshore zoning survey to be totally defective because of misinformation, biased questions, and uncontrolled distribution. For starters, there was no control of who had a right to respond as well as a lack of opportunity for response by non- internet equipped residents. The apparent use ofa ULA membership list included less than half of the 95 members. Most of the ULA membership elected to not even respond because the survey had so little credence and the questions were leading and obviously biased. In response by email to ULA 'Sconcerns regarding this flawed survey, Liz Thomas pointed out that the town did not generate this survey or supervise its content. She wondered if the town should initiate its own survey. (they did not) The ULA did offer in writing to fully participate in the construction, distribution, and analysis of a credible survey, but never received a response. Presently, the ad hoc committee is using thisflawed survey to make decisions. Seriously ? The lack of response to the ad hoc survey compared to the 43 % participation of the original town survey should be telling. Some passionate environmentalists would challenge the acceptance of any construction, whether it be road side ditching or building by a dry creek. I'd say show me the local examples and exactly why these are a problem. Ihave lived in Ithaca on the Lake for 37 years and have not seen anything close to the catastrophic issues that have been raised. In Ithaca, on Cascadilla Creek and Fall Creek there is creek side construction that has been there for a hundred years. All along the lake there is creek side, and over the creek construction that has been quite satisfactory for a very longtime . Yes, I'm sure someone can come up with just about any supporting document for a position. This is the nature of the Ithaca area. Experts on both sides of an issue will argue and present passionately for a position. At the end of the day for our Town, Ihave to look at the empirical evidence, and lam not seeing the dire consequences. Yes, we are impacting the earth just by our human presence. Yes, we have cars and black top driveways, and yes road side ditching helps protect and keep roads open. Yes, we care about fitting into the environment sensibly. Working Meeting 2 03/26/2013 The Town is seriously missing the boat by not including a broader range of citizens in their deliberations. Is this really the government you want? Ms . Marino said that the Town had nothing to do with the survey . Mario DelRosso supports Mr. Fallon ' s statement and commented on the makeup of the Ad Hoc Committee . Ms . Fallon reguested that the Town not apply to the State for regulatory authority of the lake shore until the deliberations are complete and public hearings have been set. Approval of Agenda Ms . Thomas moved to amend the agenda for tonight to include a resolution to clarify what the Town Board wanted to convey to the Ad Hoc Committee . Seconded by Ms . Marino . Ms . Marino aye Ms . Thomas aye Ms . Tyler aye Mr. Kerness aye Mr. Romer abstained Agenda Modified Quotes for Alarm System Justice Schlee said that a grant was received by the Court. He has gotten quotes for the fire alarm system and the panic alarm system . Mr. Schlee reviewed and explained the quotes from Tri County and Alarm Tech. Ms . Thomas moves , seconded by Mr. Kerness the following : BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Ulysses authorize the Supervisor, Mr. Romer and Mr. Schlee to review and revise the proposals as necessary from Tri County and Alarm Tech. once satisfied the Town Board authorizes the Supervisor to enter into a contract not to exceed $9000 . Ms . Marino aye Ms . Thomas aye Ms . Tyler aye Mr. Kerness aye Mr. Romer aye Adopted Meetin • Minutes of Janua 22 Februa 26 and March 12 2013 January 22 , 2013 — tabled Ms . Marino moved, seconded by Ms . Thomas the following : BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Ulysses approves the edited minutes of February 26 , 2013 . Ms . Marino aye Ms . Thomas aye Ms . Tyler aye Mr. Kerness aye Mr. Romer aye Adopted . . .r .,. Working Meeting 3 03/26/2013 March 12 , 2013 — tabled Cellular Communications Upgrade for Water District — Revised Contract & Payment Schedule from Aqua Logics Ms . Thomas moved, seconded by Mr . Kerness the following : WHEREAS quotes for a new remote cellular communication system to monitor the Town of Ulysses water supply system were obtained from Aqua Logics Systems and Phoenix Sentry, and WHEREAS the lower quote from Phoenix Sentry was accepted but subsequently was determined to not include the extra engineering charges required to synchronize properly with the town's existing monitoring system; and WHEREAS the Town requested and obtained updated quotes of which the Aqua Logics System quote was the lesser. THEREFOR BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Ulysses rescinds Resolution 120 of 2012 passed on 11 /27/2012 accepting the quote from Phoenix Sentry because the quote did not include $2 , 500 of extra fees listed in their updated quote of 2/20/2013 . Also BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Ulysses accepts quote # Q1 - 12 - 122B from Aqua Logics Systems Inc. dated 3 / 11 /2013 for $ 9 ,275 to convert the water district monitoring system to remote cellular communications . This contract can be executed by the Town Supervisor. Ms . Marino aye Ms . Thomas aye Ms . Tyler aye Mr. Kerness aye Mr. Romer aye Adopted Ms . Marino moved, seconded by Mr. Kerness the following : BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Ulysses authorize the Supervisor to modify the 2013 Budget by taking Water Fund Balance money of 2012 and transferring to Water Transmission and Distribution in the amount of $9,275 in the 2013 Budget. Ms . Marino aye Ms . Thomas aye Ms . Tyler aye Mr. Kerness aye Mr. Romer aye Adopted Proposed Resolution Lakeshore Ad Hoc Committee Ms . Thomas listened to the tape of the Town Board meeting on 3 / 12 trying to determine specifically what the Board asked the Lakeshore Ad Hoc committee to do in reference to regulatory authority over the lakeshore . Ms . Thomas felt that the Town Board was not clear and feels the Board should put the request to the committee in writing ( in resolution format) as follows : WHEREAS if the Town of Ulysses plans to apply for authority to regulate docks, boat hoists, and moorings, the application process needs to be initiated in April 2013 in order to be taken up by the State Legislature before they recess in June, and WHEREAS the Lakeshore Ad Hoc committee is currently working to revise the proposed lakeshore zoning based on feedback from the public, and Working Meeting 4 03/26/2013 WHEREAS the Town Board of Ulysses needs time to consider any recommendations coming from the Lakeshore Ad Hoc committee before initiating the application process, and WHEREAS the Town Board of Ulysses feels it best to finalize the proposed zoning on docks, boat hoists and moorings before asking for regulatory authority, and WHEREAS if the proposed zoning is not complete in time to apply for regulatory authority, the Town can finalized the lakeshore zoning and apply for regulatory authority to enforce such zoning during the 2014 State Legislative session . THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the Town Board of Ulysses requests a response from the Lakeshore Ad Hoc committee as to whether their work on reviewing the zoning over docks, boat hoists and moorings will be complete by the end of March . The Board discussed the foregoing resolution and it was tabled. Quote for Internal Audit Ms . Marino said that under #6a of our town procurement policy, for professional services the Board can decide that multiple quotes will not be in the best interests of the town. There are only two accounting firms in Ithaca that do municipal auditing . Ciaschi, Dietershagen, Little, Mickelson & Company LLP did the 2008 audit and the Town Board found it satisfactory. They have the records from the previous audit and procedures review, which makes the audit process more efficient and hence likely less expensive than another firm starting new with Ulysses . Ms . Thomas moved, seconded by Mr. Kerness the following : BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Ulysses authorize the Supervisor to proceed to request a quote for an outside audit from Ciaschi, Dietershagen, Little, Mickelson & Company LLP for an outside audit of the Town ' s Financial Statements and Internal Control procedures to take from time after April 10, 2013 . Ms . Marino aye Ms . Thomas aye Ms . Tyler aye Mr. Kerness aye Mr. Romer aye Adopted Chamber of Commerce Request for Signs at the County Lines Ms . Marino updated the Board on Highway Superintendent James Meeker' s understanding of how signs work in the right- of-way . It is different than the description that the Town got from the Chamber. Mr. Meeker is checking with the County about the signs and getting some clarification. This is tabled for further review. Public Forum Tompkins County Assessment There is a public forum that the Tompkins County Assessment has scheduled for March 27 , 2013 to talk about the recent increase of assessment for agriculture land. Town ' s Newsletter The draft of the newsletter was distributed to the Board for their review and comments . Sidewalks The sidewalk project is moving forward. Executive Session Working Meeting 5 03/26/2013 Ms . Marino moved, seconded by Ms . Tyler the following : BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Ulysses moves to go into executive session to discuss matters related to the appointment, promotion, demotion, discipline, or removal of particular personnel. Ms . Marino aye Ms . Thomas aye Ms . Tyler aye Mr. Kerness aye Mr. Romer aye Adopted The Town Board adjourned to executive session at 8 : 20 p . m . The Board reconvened the working meeting and adjourned the meeting. Respectfully submitted, Marsha L . Georgia Ulysses Town Clerk II r A i