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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-06-11-RTB Town of Ulysses Regular Town Board June 11 , 2013 Audio available at http ://www.ulysses .ny . us/council/tbmeetings/ Present : Supervisor Elizabeth Thomas ; Councilpersons Lucia Tyler, Nancy Zahler, David Kerness (via Skype) ; Environmental Planner Darby Kiley; Highway Superintendent James Meeker; Town Clerk Marsha Georgia Absent: Kevin Romer Others Present : Jacksonville Association President Diane Hillman, Free Press Reporter Louis DiPietro , Charles and Kathy Schlough, and Eloise and Daniel Barrett. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Ms . Zahler moved, seconded by Ms . Thomas to approve the agenda as presented. Unanimously approved. APPROVAL OF CLAIMS Ms . Thomas moved, seconded by Ms . Tyler the following : BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Ulysses approve the previously examined vouchers #208 through 257 in the amount of $37, 815 . 51 . Ms . Thomas aye Ms . Tyler aye Ms . Zahler aye Mr. Kerness aye Adopted APPROVED MINUTES Ms . Thomas moved, seconded by Ms . Zahler the following : BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Ulysses approve the minutes of the Working Town Board meeting of May28 , 2013 as edited. Ms . Thomas aye Ms . Tyler aye Ms . Zahler aye Mr. Kerness aye Adopted REPORTS OF REPRESENTATIVES no representatives in attendance PRIVILEGE OF FLOOR Jacksonville Association President Diane Hillman reports that they had a very successful picnic with over 145 residents attending . Ms . Hillman said that she hopes that the Town is still moving forward on the old church. Ms . Thomas said that Ms . VanDerHeide has done a lot of research on this and she will have her share that with Ms . Hillman Ms . Hillman also hopes that the zoning requests are moving forward . TOWN REPORTS Regular Town Board Meeting 2 June 11, 2013 PLANNING BOARD / ZONING BOARD - Environmental Planner Darby Kiley submitted the following report: Planning Board; • reviewed language changes to the Zoning Law, Article III Administration, focusing in on Site Plan Review. • approved a two-lot subdivision on the west side of Taughannock Blvd . • Discussed Open Space: Requesting Town Board ' s approval to start working on developing an Open Space Plan for the Town. The Planning Board agreed that they could discuss a holistic approach to analyzing the reasons for open space protection, the locations to protect, and the protection mechanisms, especially funding. Ms . Kiley introduced a resolution to the Town Board that the Planning Board would like them to consider as follows : Whereas, the 2009 Comprehensive Plan Action Item #1 . 1 A states that the Town should "Develop and implement an Open Space Plan to identify and protect open space in the Town; " and Whereas, the New York State Local Open Space Planning Guide provides the rationale, the process, the types of resources, and the tools for open space planning; and Whereas, the Planning Board has discussed the need to identify areas and mechanisms for protection and is willing do the work as the meeting schedule allows; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Town Board of the Town of Ulysses assigns to the Planning Board the task of developing an Open Space Plan using a holistic approach to analyzing the reasons for open space protection, the locations to protect, and the protection mechanisms. The plan is to be completed as the Planning Board meeting schedule allows, and the Planning Board will provide monthly progress reports. The Board discussed this concept of allowing the Planning Board to look into "Open Space" but they felt that they needed more information and that possibly other areas need priority . Ms . Kiley will work out more detail with the Planning Board . BZA The BZA granted an area variance for the width at the front lot line for the two-lot subdivision on the west side of Taughannock Blvd that the Planning Board subsequently approved . Ad Hoc Zoning Committee • The committee met three times and discussed accessory buildings, water rights, driveways and parking, moorings, lot coverage, and boat hoists • At the May 30th meeting with all members present, recommendations were voted on: docks, boat hoists, accessory buildings, water rights, driveways and parking, and lot size. • at the upcoming June 13 meeting, the Committee will be finalizing recommendations, which will come back to the Town Board for your review. Development District # 11 Development district # 11 , the mini-golf course, is for sale. A future buyer might not want to operate the uses as listed in the development district description. The Town Board might want to consider a zoning change . Part of the parcel (the rear) is in the Al -Agricultural District, which is also the zoning across Route 96. The parcel is bordered by B1 -Business to the north (Stover' s) . The Town Board should review the uses listed in the Al and B1 to determine which district designation is more reasonable for the location. The 2009 Comp Plan does not provide much guidance - this area is part of the expansive " Agricultural Priority Area, " which is perhaps Regular Town Board Meeting 3 June 11, 2013 a good argument for Al designation. Ms . Kiley provided language from Town Law regarding Zoning change . The Board discussed the different districts and what would be allowed . MINI-GOLF - Request from Potential Purchaser (full request can be heard at http ://www.ulysses . ny. us/council/tbmeetings/ ) Pastor Daniel Barrett and his wife Eloise from the Greater Bethlehem Tabernacle church located in Ithaca, NY and are currently co-sharing the Quaker Meeting House in Ithaca. Pastor Barrett gave some history of their Church. They are currently seeking property to establish themselves with the community. The Church is more than a place for worship . Mr. Barrett listed some other uses they would like to see on the property : • Community Programming • After school programming • Meetings and conferencing • Banquet space • Community kitchen • Wedding Services • Plan to build on and adding other structures • Day Care / summer camp The Board asked Mr. Barrett some questions . The Board said that there are many questions and they will have to talk more with the Zoning Officer and the Attorney. Ms . Thomas thanked the Barrett ' s for coming in and sharing their vision for the property. Mr. and Mrs . Schlough just wanted to hear what the Board thoughts were on this property . The Board discussed changing it to R1 /A1 with Site Plan review. Ms . Kiley recommends moving forward with changing zoning TOWN REPORTS Highway Superintendent James Meeker reported the activities that the Highway Department completed. Mr. Meeker is in receipt of a petition from residents on Searsburg Road requesting a reduction in the speed limit. Mr. Meeker said that the process is that if the Board passes a resolution in support of the petition he would then send a form to the County Highway Department and from there it would be forwarded to NYS DOT who makes the final decision. Ms . Zahler moved, seconded by Mr. Kerness the following : BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Ulysses supports the request of the Searsburg residents to lower the speed limit from Curry Road to the County Line /Mount Road. Ms . Thomas aye Ms . Tyler aye Ms. Zahler aye Mr. Kerness aye Adopted Mr. Meeker said that the Seneca Road Bridge is progressing nicely and that he did speak with Jerry Stevenson on getting a price for the sidewalk. Town Clerk Marsha Georgia reported the following : • Attended Tompkins County Consortium Joint Committee on Plan Structure & Design Regular Town Board Meeting 4 June 11, 2013 • Announced Town Clerk Office new hours ; staying open until 5 PM on Tuesday and Fridays • Working on Indexing Older Minutes — have indexed 2003 to current • Working on Indexing Local Laws Total fees collected for May $ 1821 . 50 Breakdown : Total to Supervisor : $ 716 . 21 which are $68 . 71 local fees for Conservation and $647 . 50 local fees forpogs : $55 to NYS Ag & Markets, $ 105 . 20 to NYS Conservation and $45 to NYS Health Department. Code Enforcement Officer Alex Rachun was not in attendance . Left copy of his report with the Board. Budget Modifications Ms . Thomas moved, seconded by Ms . Tyler the following 2013 Budget modifications : A1010 .4 Town Board CE increase $4 , 500 . 00 A1990 .4 Contingency decrease $4, 500 . 00 To cover HR Consultants fees, for revision of employee handbook. A1110 .4 Town Justice CE increase $8, 000 . 00 A917 Unassigned Fund Balance decrease $ 8, 000 . 00 To reflect spending from Court Grant funds not budgeted for the current year. A5132 . 2 Highway Barn EQ increase $8, 315 . 65 A878 Capital Reserve decrease $8, 315 . 65 To move money from the reserve account to cover the expense of new radios, unbudgeted for the current year. B 9040 . 8 Worker's increase $ 1 ,468 . 00 B 1990 .4 Contingency decrease $ 1 ,468 . 00 To cover additional Workers Compensation costs . SW3 -8310 .4 Water District 3 increase $ 1 ,000 . 00 SW3 -915 Assigned Unappropriated decrease $ 1 ,000 . 00 To cover cost of new software unbudgeted in the current year. Ms . Thomas aye Ms . Tyler aye Ms . Zahler aye Mr. Kerness aye Adopted Supervisor Thomas reported : • Signed contract with Village after changes were made for Police Court coverage • Talked with Chief Ferretti and Trustee Hart about allowing the Village Police to have full law enforcement authority in the Town under an agreement • Interviewed for Historian — both candidates were excellent. Ms . Thomas moved, seconded by Ms . Zahler the following : BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Ulysses appoint John Wertis as the Historian for the Town of Ulysses at a yearly salary of $ 1000 FURHER RESOLVE to appoint Michele Mitrani as Deputy Historian at a yearly salary of $ 500 . Ms . Thomas aye Ms . Tyler aye . i. f 7I Regular Town Board Meeting 5 June 11, 2013 Ms. Zahler aye Mr. Kerness aye Adopted • Amicus Brief - letters being prepared to all the coalition municipalities that were involved before to pass new resolutions • Received request from three residents on Swamp College Road where water main stops to hook up to Water District #3 • Community Foundation awarded a $ 1500 grant to the Youth Department for "Garden to Market" pilot program Town Board Members and Committees Ms. Zahler attended the Village of Trumansburg meeting and said that it appears that the Village has decided a route for their secondary water source which is come up Taughannock Park Road to Rt. 96 turn right and go up Rt. 96 to hook to the Village system . The Village is not planning to hook up any residents along the way but if the Town wanted residents along that to have water the Town would have to form a water district . The Town Board talked about this process because there were a lot of unanswered questions as to where the Village is in there plan. Ms . Tyler felt that the Town may want to contact Eric Pond of Barton & Loguidice Engineer to get some advice . Ms . Zahler said that Mayor Petrovic is planning on meeting with the Westshore Homeowners Association to address concerns about the sewage problems . Ms. Zahler reported that the Youth Commission wants to hold a community forum to share the results of the youth survey. The tentative date is September 30th, 2013 . Ms . Zahler also said she has a person lined up to be appointed to the Youth Commission. NEW BUSINESS Health Care Consortium — Appoint Alternate Mr. Kerness moved, seconded by Ms . Thomas the following : BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Ulysses appoint Ms . Thomas to be the alternate on the Board of Directors for the Tompkins County Health Care Consortium. Ms . Thomas aye Ms . Tyler aye Ms . Zahler aye Mr. Kerness aye Adopted Permission for Sale of Wine at the Park Concerts Mr. Kerness moved, seconded by Ms . Thomas the following : BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Ulysses authorizes the Town Supervisor to sign a letter to the Division of Alcohol Controls seeking exemption to limitations for the permit to sell alcohol at the Taughannock Falls State Park during the summer concert series . Ms . Thomas aye Ms . Tyler aye Ms . Zahler aye Mr. Kerness aye Regular Town Board Meeting 6 June 11, 2013 Adopted OLD BUSINESS Septic Systems Mr. Kerness said that at a previous meeting there was a discussion about septic system testing and he thinks he has found someone who might take the leadership of a committee to do this and asked the Board if they would like Mr. Kerness to pursue . Ms . Thomas ' s inclination is to say yes . Ms . Thomas asked for more information. Mr. Kerness does not want to ask this person unless the Board wants him to . Ms . Thomas said to get a better outline of the whole project so the Board can talk about it. Personnel Policy Ms . Thomas created charts on "health care cost differences for retirees" and went over how she arrived at the figures . There are a lot of variables to review. The Board reviewed and discussed. Ms. Thomas said that she feels that this is a matter of ethics as much as or more then looking at the numbers ; that we need to be responsible to our employees to make sure that they get their health care coverage . Ms . Thomas would say that most people at the Town make a very moderate living so there are not a lot of opportunities for them to save for their retirement. If you are a lower income earner you have a lower retirement. Ms . Thomas feels strongly that this is an ethical argument and in some ways after seeing the numbers she created on the charts she provided to the l3oard she sees how little of an actual change there are to the Towns actual overall budget. It may be easier to go with what we think is right than the numbers ; while they change they do not change that much. The Board discussed the charts some more and asked questions . Ms . Thomas said that she has spent a lot of time on gathering these numbers for the Board and that means there are a lot of other things she is not able to get to . Ms . Thomas would like some ideas from the Board as to how to reach a decision. Mr. Kerness said he thought the Board could review the chart on their own and get back to Ms . Thomas with their ideas . Ms . Thomas is willing to meet with anyone one on one to discuss this . The Board placed a deadline on the feedback for this to be before the 19th of June . Executive Session Ms . Thomas 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 . Thomas aye Ms. Tyler aye Ms. Zahler aye Mr. Kerness aye Adopted The meeting adjourned at 10 : 05 PM for executive session. The Regular meeting reconvened at 10 : 10 PM. Deputy Town Clerk Position FP Regular Town Board Meeting 7 June 11, 2013 The Deputy Town Clerk has requested to go back to an hourly wage instead of salary. The Town Clerk has reviewed this and sent a request to the Board to pay an hourly rate of $ 18 . 92 per hour based on 31 hours into the salary of $ 30 , 500 . Ms . Thomas moved, seconded by Ms . Tyler the following BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Ulysses determined that the hours should be based on 35 hours per week making the hourly rate for the Deputy Town Clerk $ 16 . 76 . Ms . Thomas aye Ms. Tyler aye Ms . Zahler aye Mr. Kerness aye Adopted Hearing no further business Ms. Zahler moved, seconded by Mr. Kerness to adjourn the meeting . Unanimously approved and meeting adjourned at 10 : 15 . Respectfully submitted, Marsha L . Georgia Ulysses Town Clerk