Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutTB Minutes 2021-01-11ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING OF THE ITHACA TOWN BOARD Monday, January 11, 2021- 5:30 p.m. ZOOM.com ID# 9891095 8241 Call In (929) 436-2866 AGENDA 1. Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance 2. Persons to be Heard 3. Discuss and consider approval of Town Board Meeting Schedule for 2021 4. Acknowledge Supervisor's Town Board Committee Appointments and discuss and consider Town Board Appointments to the: Planning Board, Conservation Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, Citizen Advisory Committees and Intermunicipal Organizations 5. Discuss and consider 2021 Association of Towns' Resolutions and consider designation of 2021 Official Delegate and Alternate Delegate for the New York State Association of Towns 2021 Annual Meeting 6. Discuss and consider authorization for the Town Supervisor to sign annual service contracts approved in the Town Budget on behalf of the Town 7. Discuss and consider approval of the Highway Expenditures Agreement 8. Discuss and consider authorization for certain expenditures by the Superintendent of Highways without prior Town Board approval 9. Discuss and consider annual approval of: Ethics Disclosure Form and Distribution List, Procurement Policy, Cash Management and Investment Policy, Emergency Management Response Plan, Green Procurement Policy, Green Fleet Policy and the Board Protocol and Procedures Manual 10. Discuss and consider setting a public hearing regarding a proposed local law allowing for a monetary contribution to the City of Ithaca for its parks 11. Discuss and consider setting a public hearing regarding a Public Interest Order for the proposed King Road East Water Main Extension Water Improvement project and establishing the Town of Ithaca King Road East Water Main Extension Water Improvement Area, subject to Permissive Referendum 12. Discuss and consider a 2021 budget amendment to increase Joint Youth Commission Program budgets 13. Discuss and consider approval of, and authorization for the Supervisor to sign, a Stormwater Operation and Maintenance agreement and associated easements for Alex Way subdivision 14. Discuss and consider approval of the Bicentennial Proclamation 15. Consider Consent Agenda a. Approval of Town Board Minutes b. Town of Ithaca Abstract c. Bolton Point Abstract d. Designation of Official Depositories of Town Funds e. Designation of Official Newspaper of the Town f. Official Bonds of Town Officers and Employees g. Increase Open Space Plan Account 16. Report of Town Officials, Committees, and review of Correspondence 17. Consider adjournment ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING OF THE ITHACA TOWN BOARD Monday, January 11, 2021 Due to Governor Cuomo's Executive Orders relating to COVID-19 suspending certain aspects of Open Meetings Law, the meeting was held via the ZOOM platform. Minutes Present: Board Members - Rod Howe, Supervisor; Members Eric Levine, Rich DePaolo, Bill Goodman, Tee -Ann Hunter, Pat Leary and Pamela Bleiwas Susan Brock, Attorney for the Town; Judy Drake, Director of Human Resources; Marty Moseley, Director of Code Enforcement; Susan Ritter, Director of Planning; Paulette Rosa, Town Clerk; Donna Shaw, Director of Finance; Joe Slater, Director of Public Works and Dan Thaete, Director of Engineering 1. Call to order and Pledge of Allegiance - Mr. Howe called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. 2. Persons to be Heard Linda Woodard, Mayor of Village of Cayuga Heights addressed the Board about the 27% tax rate increase saying we received no prior warning that we were going to get an increase and the fact that there was a sales tax misallocation is water under the dam, but the fact that you decided to take three years' worth of misallocations and take them back in one year is extremely unfortunate, especially considering the fact that everybody is suffering the effects of COVID financially. There are people, there is a perception, that the Village of Cayuga Heights (VCH) is extremely wealthy and therefore, a 27% increase, people won't even notice, but there are a lot of people in the Village that this is a real blow and if they had at least known that it was coming and they could have saved for it, that would have been helpful. If you had not done three years' worth of error in one year, that would have also helped. The other thing is that people really started looking at the tax bills and looking at this Full Town Highway Tax and realizing that what that means is that the VCH is subsidizing the rest of the Town because that is how you are financing, basically, snow removal, in the Town and we have our own snow removal. Can you do it, yes; should you do, I don't think so. So I will leave it at that. Melanie McMurray, Member of the VCH Board of Trustees spoke saying that she is following what Linda said and what concerned her the most was the lack of communication surrounding it. Neither the Village or our residents were given any notice and at the very least, I think we deserved a heads up before the bills were mailed out and actually, I would have expected a lot more than that in the spirit of inter -municipal cooperation with which we usually operate. I would have expected the Town officials to reach out as soon as the accounting error was identified so we could have jointly found a solution. A public information meeting with Village residents to discuss how best to rectify the situation since these are the people you are expecting to bear the impact, would not have been unreasonable, in my opinion. TB 2021-01-14 Pg. 1 I feel that the way that this was rolled out demonstrates a certain lack of respect for our Village government and for our residents. We are constantly reminded that while we are Village residents, we are also Town residents, and as a Town resident, I am extremely frustrated and disappointed in how this decision was made and presented. Peter Salton, Village Trustee , said his chief complaint, and I just learned this, is why am I buying salt for you, paying for your personnel and paying for your snow plowing? It makes no sense to me at all and I would hope that you would kindly revisit this town/non-town part that you do have discretion to set or levy to Village residents. I think it should stop. I don't think that it can be denied that we have our own Public Works Department and also that we are not entirely surrounded by the Town of Ithaca so any logic that could possibly be seen to assess us a non -town portion of your highway costs for snow removal seems to be blunted by the fact that we are not completely surrounded. So please take a look at it. It would be nice in the future, when the comptroller comes to your door and says you made a mistake, you share that information with us so we can deal with it together. Rich Robinson, Village Trustee said he didn't want to repeat the others, but he was also disappointed when he looked at the tax bill and compared it to prior years. You took a good amount of time in your letter or explanation in your letter that accompanied the tax bill, pointing out to the Town residents outside of the Village, that their taxes had gone down and neglected to tell the Village residents that their taxes had gone up. I think that was, I don't want to say a slap in the face, but you had the Village residents feeling somewhat marginalized by that. Again, as everyone has said, the snow removal costs on the highway with the snow removal and the salt, I don't see any justification for doing that other than the State allows towns to do that; spread the costs to the Village, but you actually provide no service and being Chair of the DPW at the Village and on the Finance Committee, I find it really disappointing to do that. I know that the decision came out in 2018 taxes where you actually broke it out as a line item, and at that time, no one really noticed it. We weren't informed at the Village, again, that something was being done and handled in that way, and I was a little disappointed in that. I will leave it at that. I really wish you would reconsider charging us for snow removal and in the future, be more communicative and transparent. Randy Marcus, Village resident, said, just to recap, I will reiterate that it was shocking to see a 27% increase in town taxes. I would suggest that, regardless of the reason for it, obviously in this case it was an accounting error, but for any reason that any constituents' taxes are going to go up by that vast amount in one year, it should be provided with not only an explanation, but some forewarning. He also said he would like to reiterate what Rich was explaining, with one additional factual information; It isn't only the fact that VCH is not surrounded by the Town of Ithaca, as is the case, for example, the Village of Dryden or the Village of Groton, it is somewhat unique in that the VCH boundaries are primarily with other municipalities, that being the Village of Lansing and the City TB 2021-01-14 Pg. 2 of Ithaca, and in looking into this questions, the Village Engineer made a determination that there are actually only two parcels in all of the Village that have to use Town roads to get to and from their properties. All of the rest of the Village, and as a practical matter, to get into and out of the Village, would be using either Village of Lansing roads, County roads, or City of Ithaca roads. So there is no practical explanation for the Village of Cayuga Heights to participate in the Town's road maintenance costs, although I am not arguing that it is not legal, it is permissible, but I think it is permissible because in most cases, villages are surrounded by their towns, and that is the perspective that underpins that provision of State law. Mr. Howe asked if there was anyone else wishing to speak on this topic or any other. There was none and he wanted to speak to the two issues; the taxes for this year and then there is the highway. Mr. Howe said "I will apologize, on behalf of the Board, that we should have communicated to the Trustees what was going to be impactful. I also want to apologize that we didn't nuance our message, that we did say there would be a decrease, and that was true for many town residents, but it should have been a more nuanced message." Mr. Howe noted that we did talk about this briefly at our budget committee and Linda is coming to present in February, more about the highway issue. He wanted to acknowledge that we had to make the adjustment, but we didn't step back and to think it didn't have to happen in one year, necessarily. So, we understand that there were some things that could have been handled differently. Mr. Howe added that he is glad no one asked him to explain because he would have had to recite from what was written because it is a pretty complicated situation why it needed to happen. As we develop next year's budget, we will be more communicative with Village Trustees. Mr. DePaolo asked, just for context, can someone weigh in on the impact per $1,000 of assessment that this adjustment has had on Village residents. Mr. Goodman responded that a good estimate would be $50 per $100K of assessment so for a $300K house, the increase would have been about $150. Mr. Howe thanked the speakers. 3. Discuss and consider approval of Town Board Meeting Schedule for 2021 There was no discussion regarding the schedule. TB Resolution 2021-001: Set Dates for 2021 Meetings of the Town Board Whereas the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca meets on the second Monday of each month at 5:30 p.m., and TB 2021-01-14 Pg. 3 Whereas the Town Board also sets aside the fourth Monday of each month for an additional meeting. These second meetings are commonly called study sessions which begin at 4:30 and are held in a smaller meeting room. These study sessions focus on reports from committees and presentations to the board with action items added only when necessary, and Whereas the Town Board also sets aside the first Thursday in October for a meeting dedicated to the review and discussion of the Tentative Town of Ithaca Budget, and Whereas the Town Board also schedule's an End of Year Meeting which shall be scheduled for Wednesday, December 29, 2021 at 11:00 a.m., now therefore be it Resolved that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca hereby approves the meeting schedule as detailed above, with adjustments when needed for holiday observances. Moved: Eric Levine Seconded: Rich DePaolo Vote: Ayes — Bleiwas, DePaolo, Hunter, Howe, Levine, Leary and Goodman 4. Acknowledge Supervisor's Town Board Committee Appointments and discuss and consider Town Board Appointments to the: Planning Board, Conservation Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, Citizen Advisory Committees and Intermunicipal Organizations Mr. Howe noted that Ms. Leary will be on the Community Housing Fund. TB Resolution 2021- 002: Acknowledte Supervisor's Town Board Committee Appointments and Confirm Citizen and Intermunicipal Committee/Board Membership Appointments and Recommendations to the City Resolved, that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca acknowledges the Town Supervisor's annual Town Board Committee appointments and be it further. Resolved, that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca makes the following appointments for Citizen Committees/ Boards, Staff Committees, and Intermunicipal Organizations for annual terms unless otherwise indicated. Town Board Appointments: Town of Ithaca Planning Board Ariel Casper — Regular member; through December 31, 2026 Jamie Vanuccni — Regular member; through December 31, 2027 Margaret Johnson —Alternate member through 2021 Leibe Meier Swain — Chair for 2021 Town of Ithaca Zoning Board of Appeals Bill King —Regular member — through 2025 TB 2021-01-14 Pg. 4 Rob Rosen - Chair for 2021 David Filiberto — Alternate member — through 2021 David Williams — Alternate member — through 2021 Conservation Board Members - through 2022 Elizabeth Hageman James Hamilton Eva Hoffmann Carolyn Lee Associate Members — through 2021 Lindsay Dombroskie Karen Johnson Feltham Chair Appointment - Lori Brewer Supervisor's Appointments to Committees Budget Eric Levine, Chair Pat Leary Pam Bleiwas Personnel and Organization Pam Bleiwas, Chair Pat Leary Rod Howe Codes and Ordinances Bill Goodman, Chair Pat Leary Eric Levine Ad Hoc Committees Economic Development Rod Howe, Chair Rich DePaolo Pam Bleiwas Sidewalk Committee Bill Goodman, Chair Rich DePaolo Pat Leary Green New Deal Nick Goldsmith Bill Goodman Rod Howe Tee -Ann Hunter Planning Rich DePaolo, Chair Bill Goodman Pat Leary Public Works Tee -Ann Hunter, Chair Rich DePaolo Rod Howe Yvonne Fogarty — Planning Board Eva Hoffmann — Conservation Board Bill King — Zoning Board of Appeals Short Term Rentals Rich DePaolo Tee -Ann Hunter Pat Leary Bicentennial Committee Rod Howe Pat Leary Paulette Rosa David George TB 2021-01-14 Pg. 5 Staff and Citizen Committees Employee Relations Pam Bleiwas — Chair Pat Leary Rod Howe *Staff representatives are appointed by fellow staff Records Management Tee -Ann Hunter Eric Levine Rod Howe Agriculture Bill Goodman (Liaison) Intermunicipal Committees/Organizations Paulette Rosa — Facilitator John Little Cayuga Lake Watershed Intermunicipal Organization Tee -Ann Hunter Rich DePaolo (Alternate) Cayuga Medical Center Rod Howe Community Housing Development Fund (CHDF) Program Pat Leary — Town Representative Ithaca -Tompkins County Transportation Council (ITCTC) Policy Pro _gram Rod Howe Sue Ritter Bill Goodman (Alternate) Joe Slater Ithaca College Community Work Group Rich DePaolo Joint Youth Commission Rich DePaolo Eric Levine (Alternate) Through 2022: Christianne White Evelyn Karnes Lorraine Moran Chelsea Benson Cable Access Oversight Committee (Recommendation to the City Council) Rich DePaolo Recreation Partnership TB 2021-01-14 Pg. 6 Eric Levine Pam Bleiwas Southern Cayuga Lake Intermunicipal Water Commission (Bolton Point) Bill Goodman Rod Howe E&O — Bill Goodman Public Policy — Rod Howe Personnel — Bill Goodman Special Joint Committee of the Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Facility Bill Goodman Rich DePaolo Tee -Ann Hunter Tompkins County Council of Governments Rod Howe Bill Goodman (alternate) Tompkins County Municipal Health Consortium Judy Drake Subcommittee - Joint Committee on Plan Design Rod Howe (alternate) Judy Drake Rod Howe (alternate) Moved: Eric Levine Seconded: Pamela Bleiwas Vote: Ayes — Bleiwas, DePaolo, Hunter, Howe, Levine, Leary and Goodman 5. Discuss and consider 2021 Association of Towns' Resolutions and consider designation of 2021 Official Delegate and Alternate Delegate for the New York State Association of Towns 2021 Annual Meeting Mr. Howe asked for volunteers for the Official Delegate and Alternate and Ms. Hunter and Mr. DePaolo volunteered respectively. Discussion followed on determining support, opposition or changes to the AOT resolutions and the time restraints on the process. The Board decided to remove the references to the AOT resolutions and discuss them at the Study Session and simply name the Official Delegate and alternate. TB Resolution 2021-003: Naming of Official Delegate and Alternate for the Year 2021 to the New York State Association of Towns Annual Meeting Whereas, the NYS Association of Towns Annual Meeting is held in New York City, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, will be held virtually in 2021 and Whereas, the Town of Ithaca is a member in good standing with the NYS Association of Towns and is eligible to have voting rights at the said meeting and Whereas, it is necessary for the Town Board to appoint an Official Delegate and Alternate who TB 2021-01-14 Pg. 7 will have voting rights on behalf of the Town of Ithaca at the said meeting and Whereas, the Town Board has reviewed the Reported Resolutions from the Association of Towns of the State of New York received January 2, 2021, now, therefore be it Resolved, that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca hereby appoints Tee -Ann Hunter as the Official Delegate and Rich DePaolo as the Alternate Official Delegate on behalf of the Town of Ithaca at the 2021 NYS Association of Towns Annual Meeting. Moved: Pat Leary Seconded: Pamela Bleiwas Vote: Ayes — Bleiwas, DePaolo, Hunter, Howe, Levine, Leary and Goodman 6. Discuss and consider authorization for the Town Supervisor to sign annual service contracts approved in the Town Budget Ms. Hunter asked about the New Roots Program and Mr. DePaolo responded that there were some adjustments discussed this year about existing programs and there was a little money left over and it was felt that this was a good time to see if any new providers could provide more value than some of our ongoing programs. He said he doesn't know much about the program itself, but this does not mean it will be an ongoing item. TB Resolution 2021 - 004: Approval and Authorization for the Town Supervisor to Execute Annual Asreements, Contracts and Memorandums of Understanding Resolved, that the Ithaca Town Board hereby approves and authorizes the Town Supervisor to execute annual agreements, contracts and memorandums of understanding, which amounts were included as part of the 2021 Ithaca Town Budget or are recurring agreements, with the following service provider(s): a. Legal Services — Susan H. Brock, Guy Krogh and Lorraine Moynihan Schmitt b. Tompkins County Public Library ($15,000) c. Recreation Partnership ($73,353) d. Coddington Road Community Center - Counselor -In -Training Program ($20,061) e. Ithaca Youth Bureau - Youth Employment Program ($75,004) f Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County - Youth Development Program ($52,120) g. The Learning Web - Youth Exploration Program ($56,519) h. New Roots Charter School - Youth Entrepreneurship Market Program ($10,000) i. Gadabout ($12,000) j. Lifelong ($9,000) k. Human Services Coalition ($5,000) 1. Community Science Institute (CSI) - Water Quality Monitoring ($21,957) m. Ithaca Babe Ruth League MOU n. Federal Work Study Program Moved: Tee -Ann Hunter Seconded: Rod Howe TB 2021-01-14 Pg. 8 Vote: Ayes — Bleiwas, DePaolo, Hunter, Howe, Levine, Leary and Goodman 7. Discuss and consider approval of the Highway Expenditures Agreement Mr. Howe noted that this is an annual requirement in NYS law. TB Resolution 2021- 005: Approval of the 2021 Agreement for the Expenditure of Highway Monies Resolved that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca approves the following Agreement with the Highway Superintendent of the Town of Ithaca for 2021: AGREEMENT between the Town Highway Superintendent of the Town of Ithaca, Tompkins County, New York and the undersigned members of the Town Board. Pursuant to the provisions of Section 284 of the Highway Law, we agree that moneys levied and collected in the Town for the repair and improvement of highways, and received from the State for State Aid for the repair and improvement of highways, shall be expended as follows: HIGHWAY: 1. GENERAL REPAIRS. The sum of $200,000 shall be set aside to be expended for primary work and general repairs upon 7 miles of town highways, including sluices, culverts, and bridges having a span of less than five feet and walks or the renewals thereof. 2. PERMANENT IMPROVEMENTS. The sum of $200,000 shall be set aside to be expended for the permanent improvement of town highways, including paving, guide rails, etc. The sum of $300,000 shall be set aside to be expended for the permanent improvement of Sand Bank Road to re-establish shoulders and install an asphalt overly on 0.86 miles of road The sum of $170,000 shall be set aside to be expended for the permanent improvement of the Muriel/Rosehill to re-establish shoulders, gutters, drainage facilities, replacement of gravels and asphalt on 0.08 miles of road The sum of $200,000 shall be set aside to be expended for the permanent improvement of the Winston/Salem to re-establish shoulders, gutters, drainage facilities, replacement of gravels and asphalt on 0.08 miles of road The sum of $80,000 shall be set aside to be expended for the permanent improvement of the Birchwood/Sycamore to re-establish shoulders, gutters, drainage facilities, replacement of gravels and asphalt on 0.08 miles of road Executed in triplicate this 11th day of January 2021 (signatures on file on separate Agreement) TB 2021-01-14 Pg. 9 Moved: Pamela Bleiwas Seconded: Tee -Ann Hunter Vote: ayes — Bleiwas, DePaolo, Hunter, Howe, Levine, Leary and Goodman 8. Discuss and consider authorization for certain expenditures by the Superintendent of Highways without prior Town Board approval Mr. Howe stated that this also is our standard authorization for the Highway Superintendent to sign certain agreements and contracts. TB Resolution 2021 - 006: Authorizing Certain Expenditures by the Superintendent of Highways without Prior Town Board Approval Whereas, Section 142, Subdivision- 1(a) of the New York Highway Law authorizes the Town Board to adopt a resolution permitting the Town Superintendent of Highways to purchase equipment, tools and implements without prior approval of the Town Board in an amount or amounts to be fixed by it from time to time; and Whereas, the Town Board adopted a 2021 Ithaca Town Budget which included monies for the purchase of vehicles, tools and equipment; and Whereas, it is determined by this Board to be reasonable and proper and in the best interests of the efficient functioning of the Public Works Department that the Town Superintendent of Highways be granted permission to purchase such items without its prior approval in amounts not to exceed the approved respective budgeted amounts; now therefore be it Resolved, that the governing Town Board of the Town of Ithaca does hereby authorize the Town Superintendent of Highways to spend amounts, not to exceed what is identified within the adopted 2021 Ithaca Town Budget, without the prior approval of this Board, for the purchase during fiscal year 2021 of vehicles, tools and equipment to be used for highway maintenance, construction, reconstruction, and/or snow removal; except when the lowest responsive and responsible bidder is not selected and be it further Resolved, that the authorization hereinabove granted shall be construed as meaning that the total amount spent on each item purchased by the Town Highway Superintendent during fiscal year 2021 shall not exceed the respective budgeted amount for that item in the adopted 2021 Town of Ithaca budget. Moved: Eric Levine Seconded: Tee -Ann Hunter Vote: ayes — Bleiwas, DePaolo, Hunter, Howe, Levine, Leary and Goodman 9. Discuss and consider annual approval of. Ethics Disclosure Form and Distribution List, Procurement Policy, Cash Management and Investment Policy, Emergency Management Response Plan, Green Procurement Policy, Green Fleet Policy and the Board Protocol and Procedures Manual TB 2021-01-14 Pg. 10 Mr. Howe noted that some of these are scheduled for review and revision this year at the committee level. TB Resolution 2021 - 007: Annual Approval of Ethics Disclosure Form and Distribution List, Procurement Policy, Cash Management and Investment Policy, Emergency Management Response Plan, Green Fleet Policy, Green Procurement Policy and the Board Protocol and Procedures Manual Whereas the Town Board reviews certain policies and procedures at its Organizational Meeting as required by the Town of Ithaca Code or at direction of the Town Board, and Whereas the Ethics Disclosure Form and Distribution List, Procurement Policy, Cash Management and Investment Policy, Emergency Management Response Plan, Green Fleet Policy, Green Procurement Policy and the Board Protocol and Procedures Manual have been submitted to the Town Board for review, now therefore be it Resolved, the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca hereby accepts, approves and affirms the above listed policies, procedures and forms as required for the year 2021. Moved: Pat Leary Seconded: Pamela Bleiwas Vote: Ayes — Bleiwas, DePaolo, Hunter, Howe, Levine, Leary and Goodman 10. Discuss and consider setting a public hearing regarding a proposed local law allowing for a monetary contribution to the City of Ithaca for its parks Mr. DePaolo asked if the usage numbers still underpin this $56K expenditure, and have they been considerably different this year due to the pandemic and is that a consideration for us. Do we just carry the same number forward every year? Mr. Howe said he thinks that is the case, but that doesn't mean that later in the year we can't ask for more clarification or adjust it. We haven't received the numbers yet, they usually come in February. Discussion followed with Mr. Goodman noting that about $18K is generally the pure gift with the other portion underpinned by the usage, but this is also for year 2021. Mr. Levine added that this amount used to be quite high, so this is pretty low and in terms of usage of Stewart and Cass parks, I used them a lot more and noticed a lot more during this pandemic and looking for things to do while safely distancing. Mr. DePaolo said he would like to know if there were reductions in staffing so we can allocate the correct numbers to the usage versus gift side of the line. TB Resolution 2021 - 008: Setting a public hearing regarding a proposed local law entitled TB 2021-01-14 Pg. 11 "Authorizing a Monetary Gift to the City of Ithaca to Support Cass Park and Stewart Park Recreational Facilities" Resolved, that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca will hold a public hearing on Monday, February 8, 2021 at 5:30 p.m. to hear all interested parties on the proposed local law entitled "Authorizing a Monetary Gift to the City of Ithaca to Support Cass Park and Stewart Park Recreational Facilities" in the amount of $56,000 (A7110.460). Moved: Tee -Ann Hunter Seconded: Bill Goodman Vote: Ayes — Bleiwas, DePaolo, Hunter, Howe, Levine, Leary and Goodman 11. Discuss and consider setting a public hearing regarding a Public Interest Order for the proposed King Road East Water Main Extension Water Improvement project and establishing the Town of Ithaca King Road East Water Main Extension Water Improvement Area, subject to Permissive Referendum There were no questions regarding the project. Ms. Rosa notes for the record that a roll call vote was not performed, but verifies that each member voted ayes both verbally and by raising their hand. TB Resolution 2021 - 009: Order Setting a Public Hearing Regarding a Proposed Water Improvement for the Town of Ithaca, Tompkins County, New York, pursuant to Article 12- C of the Town Law, to be known as the Town of Ithaca King Road East Water Main Extension Water Improvement and establishing the Town of Ithaca King Road East Water Main Extension Water Improvement Area. Present: Rod Howe, Supervisor; Members Bill Goodman, Pat Leary, Tee -Ann Hunter, Rich DePaolo, Eric Levine and Pamela Bleiwas Moved: Tee -Ann Hunter Seconded: Rich DePaolo Whereas, a map, plan and report, including an estimate of cost, have been duly prepared in such manner and in such detail as has heretofore been determined by the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca, Tompkins County, New York, relating to the establishment and construction, pursuant to Article 12-C of the Town Law, of water system improvements to be known and identified as the Town of Ithaca King Road East Water Main Extension Water Improvement, (the "Improvement"), to provide such Water Improvement to the present Town water system, such water system Improvement to be constructed and owned by the Town of Ithaca; to serve a benefitted area in said Town to be known as the Town of Ithaca King Road East Water Main Extension Water Improvement Area (the "Water Improvement Area"); and Whereas, said map, plan and report, including estimate of cost, were prepared by a competent engineer, duly licensed by the State of New York and have been filed in the office of the Town Clerk of said Town, where the same are available during regular office hours for examination by any person or persons interested in the subject matter thereof, and TB 2021-01-14 Pg. 12 Whereas, the area of said Town determined to be benefited by said Town of Ithaca King Road East Water Main Extension Water Improvement Area consists of the entire area of said Town excepting therefrom the area contained within the Village of Cayuga Heights; and Whereas, the Improvement proposed in connection with the establishment of the Water Improvement Area consists of the construction of approximately 2,175 LF of 8" and 10" ductile iron water main and installation of two (2) pressure reducing valves and precast structure(s) along King Road East, construction of approximately 1,610 LF of 8" ductile iron water main along Troy Road, and associated appurtenances and other related ancillary facilities, at an initially determined maximum estimated cost to said Water Improvement Area of $1,050,000; and Whereas, said $1,050,000 maximum estimated cost, which is the cost of the project, shall be authorized to be financed, at the option of the Town, by temporary financing under use of available reserves or a bond anticipation note, and upon maturity of a bond anticipation note, the issuance of serial bonds with a maximum maturity not in excess of the forty (40) year period prescribed by the Local Finance Law, or directly by the issuance of such bonds; and Whereas, it is proposed that the cost of the aforesaid improvements shall be borne by the real property in said Water Improvement Area by assessing, levying upon and collecting from the several lots and parcels of land within such Water Improvement Area, outside of any village, which the Town Board shall determine and specify to be especially benefited by the improvements, an amount sufficient to pay the principal and interest on serial bonds and bond anticipation notes issued in anticipation of the issuance of serial bonds, as the same become due and payable; and Whereas, it is now desired to call a public hearing for the purpose of considering said map, plan and report, including estimate of cost, and the providing of the Improvement, and to hear all persons interested in the subject thereof concerning the same, all in accordance with the provisions of Section 209-q of the Town Law; Now, therefore, it is hereby ordered, by the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca, Tompkins County, New York, as follows: Section 1. A public hearing shall be held by the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca, Tompkins County, New York, at the Town Hall, 215 North Tioga Street, in Ithaca, New York, in said Town, on the 8th day of February, 2021, at 5:30 o'clock P.M., Prevailing Time, to consider the aforesaid plan, report and map, including estimate of cost, and the question of providing the Improvement, and to hear all persons interested in the subject thereof concerning the same and to take such action thereon as is required by law. Section 2. The Town Clerk is hereby authorized and directed to publish a Notice of Public Hearing regarding the aforesaid Improvement to be published once in the official newspaper, and also to post a copy thereof on the town signboard maintained by the Town Clerk, not less than ten (10) nor more than twenty (20) days before the day designated for the hearing as aforesaid, all in accordance with the provisions of Section 209-q of the Town Law. TB 2021-01-14 Pg. 13 Section 3. This Order shall take effect immediately. The question of the adoption of the foregoing Order was duly put to a vote on roll call, which resulted as follows: Rod Howe, Supervisor, aye; Members Bill Goodman, aye; Pat Leary, aye; Tee -Ann Hunter, aye; Rich DePaolo, aye; Eric Levine, aye; and Pamela Bleiwas, aye. The Order was thereupon declared duly adopted. 12. Discuss and consider a 2021 budget amendment to increase Joint Youth Commission Program budgets TB Resolution 2021- 010: Budget Amendment - 2021 Ithaca Town Budget to Increase Joint Youth Commission Program Budtets Whereas, the Town values highly its Youth Programs for the many benefits provided for the Town's young people; and Whereas, the Joint Youth Commission (JYC) has ably facilitated many of the Town's youth programs for many years; and Whereas, the Town has received a communication from the JYC requesting an amendment to the 2021 Ithaca Town Budget to 1) increase the budget for the JYC Youth Programs from the adopted total of $197,828 to an amended total of $213,695, and 2) to adjust the budgets of the individual programs within the amended total to meet the goals established by the JYC for 2021; now, therefore, be it Resolved, that appropriations for Joint Youth Commission Programs in the 2021 Ithaca Town Budget be amended as follows: General Townwide Fund — Expenditures - Account A7320.464: Youth Employment Program (Ithaca Youth Bureau / Youth Employment Services) is increased from $70,000 to $75,004. - Account A7320.465: Youth Development Program (Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County) is increased from $46,908 to $52,120. - Account A7320.466: Youth Exploration Program (The Learning Web) is increased from $50,859 to $56,510. and be it further Resolved, that the Town Board appropriates the amount of $15,867 from the existing fund balance of the Town's General Townwide Fund to provide funding for the increase. Moved: Rich DePaolo Seconded: Eric Levine Vote: Ayes — Bleiwas, DePaolo, Hunter, Howe, Levine, Leary and Goodman TB 2021-01-14 Pg. 14 13. Discuss and consider approval of, and authorization for the Supervisor to sign, a Stormwater Operation and Maintenance agreement and associated easements for Alex Way subdivision There were no questions from the Board. TB Resolution 2021 - 011: Authorization for Supervisor to sign the Stormwater Operation, Maintenance, and Reporting Agreement and stormwater related easements associated with the Alex Way Subdivision Proiect Whereas the Alex Way Subdivision Project includes stormwater management and treatment facilities which necessitates a Stormwater Operation, Maintenance, and Reporting Agreement, along with associated stormwater easements, between Giora and Limor Fix and the Town of Ithaca, and Whereas, pursuant to the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act ("SEQRA") and its implementing regulations at 6 NYCRR Part 617, it has been determined by the Town Board that approval of the proposed Operation, Maintenance and Reporting Agreement, and the proposed Permanent Stormwater and Access Easements and Right -of -Way, is a Type II action because it constitutes "routine or continuing agency administration and management, not including new programs or major reordering of priorities that may affect the environment," and thus this action is not subject to review under SEQRA; now therefore be it Resolved that the Town Board does hereby authorize the Town Supervisor to sign the Stormwater Operation, Maintenance, and Reporting Agreement and stormwater easements associated with the Alex Way Subdivision Project, subject to the approval of the Attorney for the Town. Moved: Eric Levine Seconded: Rich DePaolo Vote: Ayes - Bleiwas, DePaolo, Hunter, Howe, Levine, Leary and Goodman 14. Discuss and consider approval of the Bicentennial Proclamation TB Resolution 2021 - 013: Town of Ithaca 2021 Bicentennial Proclamation Whereas, the Town of Ithaca is located on the traditional homelands of the Gayogoh6:nQ' (the Cayuga Nation), members of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, and of their refugee guests the Tutelos and Saponis. We honor the ongoing connection of Gayogoh6:nq' people, past and present, to these lands and waters, and Whereas, on March 16, 1821 the Town of Ithaca, consisting of a population of 1,000 people, was founded and incorporated by subdividing 36 square miles from the Town of Ulysses, and Whereas, at that time, the Town of Ithaca included the Village of Ithaca, formed on April 2, 1821, which was subsequently incorporated on June 1, 1881 as the City of Ithaca, and TB 2021-01-14 Pg. 15 Whereas, the first Town meeting was held on April 3, 1821 and a second special meeting called on April 28, 1821, at the request of 12 freeholders, regarding the necessity of electing 3 additional constables, and Whereas, in June 1915, a portion of the northeast area of the town was incorporated as the Village of Cayuga Heights, and Whereas, the Town of Ithaca, including our portion of the lake and the Village of Cayuga Heights, is about 30 square miles, and Whereas, the Town consists of East Hill, South Hill, Inlet Valley and West Hill forming a "donut" (some might say "croissant") around the city, and Whereas, a combination of the City and a portion of the Town comprises the 10 square miles often quoted in the phrase "10 square miles surrounded by reality," and Whereas, we are the connector between the City of Ithaca and our sister towns, and touches every town except two in the county, and Whereas, the Town of Ithaca has developed from a rural landscape to a diverse mix of farms, industries, businesses, academic institutions and two State Parks, and Whereas, the Town of Ithaca is a mosaic of rural, suburban, village, and urban landscapes that surround the City of Ithaca and is a college town, a farm town, a Finger Lakes community, and a tourist destination renowned for its scenic vistas, gorges, waterfalls and Cayuga Lake, and Whereas, our Town logo captures the essence of our landscape geography, and Whereas, the Town has been and is involved with numerous cooperative intermunicipal agreements and organizations covering a variety of issues including fire protection and provision of water and sewer services, and Whereas, by special State legislation, the Town shared office space with the City of Ithaca, followed by offices on East Seneca Street and ultimately acquiring the historic U.S. Post Office on N. Tioga St., which had opened in January 1910 and was set to close in 1997, and Whereas, the Town of Ithaca negotiated a purchase of the Post Office building in 1997 for one dollar which allowed a satellite Post Office to remain downtown, and Whereas the Town then embarked on an award-winning renovation of the building retaining many of the historical features for use as our Town Hall, and Whereas, in 2021, the Town of Ithaca now has a diverse population of 20,000 residents, 61 employees and an annual operating budget of $26 million, and TB 2021-01-14 Pg. 16 Whereas, scores of individuals have worked tirelessly over the past 200 years to make the Town strong and vibrant, and Whereas, the Town continues to strive to establish energy, sustainability, and climate change initiatives as evidenced by our recent renovation of our Public Works Facility according to the Green Building Policy, and Whereas, the goals of the Town's Bicentennial include celebrating our history, encouraging Town residents to learn more about and take pride in our Town, and Whereas, we have planned initiatives during 2021 to celebrate our Bicentennial, now therefore, be it Resolved, that the Town Board approves this 2021 Bicentennial Proclamation and hereby invites all residents and visitors to join us in celebrating. Moved: Pat Leary Seconded: Eric Levine Vote: Ayes - Bleiwas, DePaolo, Hunter, Howe, Levine, Leary and Goodman 15. Consider Consent Agenda TB Resolution 2021- 013 : Adopt Consent Agenda Resolved, that the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca hereby approves and/or adopts the following Consent Agenda items: a. Approval of Town Board Minutes — None b. Town of Ithaca Abstract c. Bolton Point Abstract d. Designation of Official Depositories of Town Funds e. Designation of Official Newspaper of the Town f. Official Bonds of Town Officers and Employees g. Increase Open Space Plan Reserve Account Moved: Tee -Ann Hunter Seconded: Pamela Bleiwas Vote: Ayes — Bleiwas, DePaolo, Hunter, Howe, Levine, Leary and Goodman TB Resolution 2021- 013b: Town of Ithaca Abstract No. I for FY -2021 Whereas the following numbered vouchers have been presented to the Ithaca Town Board for audit and approval of payment; now therefore be it Resolved that the governing Town Board hereby authorizes the payment of the vouchers in total for the amounts indicated. TB 2021-01-14 Pg. 17 VOUCHER NOS. 1-60 General Fund Town Wide 155,972.33 General Fund Part -Town 33,009.96 Highway Fund Town Wide DA 20,376.53 Highway Fund Part Town DB 75,712.27 Water Fund 48,813.60 Sewer Fund 336,283.92 Risk Retention Fund 2,500.00 Fire Protection Fund 39,049.83 Trust and Agency 27,818.00 Debt Service 34.25 TOTAL 739,570.69 TB Resolution 2021- 013c: Bolton Point Abstract Whereas, the following numbered vouchers for the Southern Cayuga Lake Intermunicipal Water Commission have been presented to the governing Town Board for approval of payment; and Whereas, the said vouchers have been audited for payment by the said Town Board; now, therefore, be it Resolved, that the governing Town Board hereby authorizes the payment of the said vouchers. Voucher Numbers: 574-617,1-16 Check Numbers: 19391-19445 #013 #001 Capital Impr/Reel Project $ 32,800.68 0 Operating Fund $ 91,569.51 $ 99,109.89 TOTAL $124,370.19 $ 99,109.89 Less Prepaid $ 16,569.96 $ 0 TOTAL $ 107,800.23 $ 99,109.89 TB Resolution 2021 - 013d: Designation of Official Depository of Town Funds Resolved, that the Town Board hereby designates Tompkins Trust Company as the official depository for monies coming into the hands of the Town Supervisor, Budget Officer, Town Clerk, and Receiver of Taxes for the year 2021; and, be it further TB Resolution 2021 - 013e: Designation of Official Newspaper Resolved, that the Town Board hereby designates the Ithaca Journal as its Official Newspaper for legal notices to the public. TB 2021-01-14 Pg. 18 TB Resolution 2021 - 013f: Official Bonds for Town Officers and Employees Resolved, by the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca, that the Faithful Performance Bonds for the Town Officials and Employees for the year 2021 are approved as follows: Town Supervisor/Fiscal Officer $3,000,000.00 Deputy Town Supervisor $3,000,000.00 Finance Officer $3,000,000.00 Receiver of Taxes $3,000,000.00 Town Clerk $ 25,000.00 Town Justice, James Salk $ 25,000.00 Town Justice, David Klein $ 25,000.00 Highway Superintendent $ 25,000.00 All Other Employees (Per Person) $ 25,000.00 Forgery & Alteration $ 5,000.00 TB Resolution 2021 - 013g: Increasing the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan account Whereas, the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan account was created by the Ithaca Town Board on October 2, 1997 for the future development of parks, preservation of open space, and acquisition of development rights; and Whereas, this Town Board indicated its intention to increase the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan account by the amount of $100,000 in the 2021 Ithaca Town Budget; now, therefore, be it Resolved, that this governing Town Board hereby designates an additional $100,000 of unreserved Fund Balance of the General Townwide Fund for the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan account, and be it further Resolved, that the Town Board approves, authorizes and directs the Town Finance Officer to transfer $100,000 from the General Townwide Fund account to the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan account. 16. Report of Town Officials, Committees, and review of Correspondence Mr. Howe reported that the bids for the Gateway Trail came in very high and we are waiting on the analysis from Fisher Associates. Mr. Goodman said he would like people to think about whether we would like to put in money or our own. We got this money from Maurice Hinchey back in the day and Fisher gave us some estimates and the low bid was quite a bit over that. If we want to go ahead, we can put in our own money. Mr. Howe mentioned that the conservation easement on Bostwick Rd is back to moving forward. TB 2021-01-14 Pg. 19 Mr. Goodman reported that a big topic associated with short term rentals is the lakefront and lie wanted the Board to start thinking about that. 17. Adjourn Meeting was adjourned upon motion and a second at 6:27 p.m. Submitted)'Y' Paulette I.0, a, Town Clerk TB 2021-01-14 Pg. 20