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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-05-12-RTB-minutesREGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING Town of Ulysses May 12, 2015 Audio of the minutes are available on the website at ulysses.ny.us. The meeting was held at the Ulysses Town Hall at 10 Elm Street, Trumansburg. PRESENT: Supervisor- Liz Thomas 2nd Deputy Supervisor- Michelle Wright Board members- John Hertzler, Rich Goldman Clerk- Carissa Parlato Highway Superintendent- Jim Meeker Planner/Zoning Officer- Darby Kiley Attorney for the Town- Mariette Geldenhuys ABSENT: 1St Deputy Supervisor- Nancy Zahler Board member- Dave Kerness OTHERS PRESENT: Diane Hillman, Phillip Antweiler, Jacksonville Community Association (JCA), Glynis Hart Notice of Town Board meetings are posted on the town's website and clerk's board. CALL TO ORDER: Ms. Thomas called the meeting to order at 7p.m. GENERAL BUSINESS: APPROVAL OF MEETING AGENDA Ms. Thomas made the following changes to the agenda: Removal of public hearing resolution Add a discussion of elected/appointed officials Move up approval of claims Add NYSERDA grant info RESOLUTION 2015-82: BE IT RESOLVED that the Ulysses Town Board approve the agenda for May 12, 2015 with those changes. Moved: Ms. Thomas Seconded: Mr. Goldman Ms. Thomas aye Ms. Zahler absent Mr. Hertzler aye REGULAR TOWN BOARD May 12, 2015 Mr. Kerness absent Mr. Goldman aye Vote: 3-0 Date Adopted: 5/12/15 PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR: (none) REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES: (none) TOWN REPORTS: (see appendix) OLD BUSINESS: APPROVAL OF CLAIMS RESOLUTION 2015-83: BE IT RESOLVED that the Ulysses Town Board approve payment of claims, 139-170, in the amount of $98,850.46. Moved: Ms. Thomas Ms. Thomas aye Ms. Zahler absent Mr. Hertzler aye Mr. Kerness absent Mr. Goldman aye Vote: 3-0 Date Adopted: 5/12/15 NEW BUSINESS: Seconded: Mr. Goldman RECOMMENDED ZONING CHANGES FOR GENERAL CODE PROJECT RESOLUTION 2015-84: BE IT RESOLVED that the Ulysses Town Board recommends that the amendments to the Town of Ulysses Zoning Law pertaining to zoning enforcement, penalties and building permits; and changes to the definition of "agriculture" and "farm," as provided to the Town Board, be added to the final draft of the General Code manuscript. Moved: Ms. Thomas Seconded: Mr. Goldman OA REGULAR TOWN BOARD May 12, 2015 Ms. Thomas aye Ms. Zahler absent Mr. Hertzler aye Mr. Kemess absent Mr. Goldman aye Vote: 3-0 Date Adopted: 5/12/15 DEVELOPING CODE ENFORCEMENT PRIORITIES Mr. Hertzler described the list of properties that he and Mr. Kerness have identified. Ms. Thomas relayed that Mr. Wertis (Town Historian) wanted to be sure that historical buildings be considered in the process. Ms. Geldenhuys discussed the new Code Enforcement local law passed last year and the procedures in enforcing. The board discussed the options moving forward and considered starting by addressing the properties that have received complaints. REVIEW OF FEES Ms. Thomas distributed a list of town fees for various purposes. Once they are verified and updated, the fees will be set by the board when the General Code codification project is passed. ENGAGE SERVICES OF SOLAR TOMPKINS FOR HEATSMART PROGRAM RESOLUTION 2015-85: WHEREAS the Town of Ulysses recognizes climate change as a pressing issue to which we must respond by reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions; and WHEREAS according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, residential space and hot water heating in New York accounts for 66% - 75% of energy consumption in single-family homes; approximately one- third for domestic hot water and two-thirds for space heating; and WHEREAS energy efficiency improvements such as air -sealing, improved insulation and sustainable technologies such as air -source and ground -source heat pumps can reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by 25% - 85% while making the home more comfortable and saving the owner money over the long term; and WHEREAS NY State General Municipal Law § 119-ee states that, "the legislature finds and declares that it is the policy of the state to achieve statewide energy efficiency and renewable energy goals, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the effect of global climate change, and advance a clean energy economy; and that to achieve such policy and goals the state must promote the deployment of renewable energy systems and energy efficiency measures throughout the state; and that municipalities would fulfill an important public purpose REGULAR TOWN BOARD May 12, 2015 by providing loans to property owners for the installation of renewable energy systems and energy efficiency measures;" and WHEREAS Solar Tompkins has developed a new program called HeatSmart Tompkins, which will use the Solar Tompkins model to educate the public about energy efficiencies that can be achieved with air -sealing, insulation and heat pumps for space and water heating; will identify qualified local installers who use best management practices; and will help homeowners identify incentives and financing options such as those described by GML § 119-ee; and will help homeowners achieve cost reductions through volume pricing; and WHEREAS the Town of Ulysses wishes to encourage homeowners to make these sort of energy efficiency improvements, and to take advantage of on -bill financing and other State incentives; and WHEREAS Solar Tompkins has proven to be an effective program model for educating the community about energy conservation options, incentives, and financing methods and has been very successful in stimulating the Solar market in Tompkins County — including the installation of $12 million in solar energy infrastructure on 400 homes and creation of over 50 full-time living wage jobs; and WHEREAS Solar Tompkins is a non-profit organization that has served and will continue to serve the public interest by increasing the quality and value of the housing stock; educating the community and achieving energy efficiency and greenhouse gas reductions; and strengthening the local economy and creating local jobs; and WHEREAS Solar Tompkins will provide specific services to the Town of Ulysses as detailed in their Proposal of Services; Now, therefore be it RESOLVED that the Town of Ulysses will contract with Solar Tompkins for HeatSmart programming in the Town of Ulysses in the summer and fall of 2015. Moved: Ms. Thomas Ms. Thomas aye Ms. Zahler absent Mr. Hertzler aye Mr. Kerness absent Mr. Goldman aye Vote: 3-0 Date Adopted: 5/12/15 Seconded: Mr. Hertzler Mr. Meeker was excused at this time (8:20pm). APPOINTED VS. ELECTED POSITIONS rd REGULAR TOWN BOARD May 12, 2015 Mr. Goldman distributed information to the board on the topic of whether the Town Clerk and Highway Superintendent positions should be switched from elected to appointed. The board discussed the issue. MONTHLY BUSINESS: APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 4/28 RESOLUTION 2015-86: BE IT RESOLVED that the Ulysses Town Board approve the minutes of 4/28. Moved: Ms. Thomas Seconded: Mr. Goldman Ms. Thomas aye Ms. Zahler absent Mr. Hertzler aye Mr. Kerness absent Mr. Goldman aye Vote: 3-0 Date Adopted: 5/12/15 PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR: Mr. Antweiler thanked the board for making code enforcement a priority. ADJOURN: Mr. Goldman moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:45pm; seconded by Mr. Hertzler and passed unanimously. APPENDIX: TOWN REPORTS: TOWN ENGINEER: (no report) HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT- Jim Meeker Mr. Meeker reported the following: Sod work done Cleaned ditch on Albrectsen Road Performed shoulder work on Garrett Road The 2003 pick-up and 550 truck were sold at the Palmyra auction for a total of about $8K E REGULAR TOWN BOARD May 12, 2015 Purchased a used Volvo plow truck Cleaned up cemetery Had water tank reading problems from lightning storm and trees to clean up also from storm Ms. Thomas added that she drove around with Mr. Meeker in response to complaints about certain roads and saw no issues. Mr. Meeker also reported that he must submit his winter salt request by end of month. PLANNING BOARD / ZONING OFFICER- Darby Kiley Planning Board At the April 21st meeting, the Planning Board revised their meeting schedule and will be reviewing applications at the first meeting of the month and working on planning and zoning proposals at the meeting on the third Tuesday of the month. The Planning Board discussed the procedure for reviewing signs. In the B I -Business District, site plan approval is required for new signs. There was a proposal to remove that requirement but that did not move forward. Part 3 of the SEQR Environmental Assessment Form was also discussed. At the April 21st and May 5th meeting, the PB discussed an open development area proposal for five properties along the lakeshore that do not have access to an official road. The PB voiced concerns about the access road condition. Additional information is needed. BZA The applicant did not show up for the April BZA meeting, so the appeal was postponed until May. Enforcement actions Zoning violation: 1942 Trumansburg Rd — Keith Dodge appealed the zoning violation, which is now under review by the County Court. Grants Residential Energy Score Project Grant —The project consultant is preparing a report summarizing the research conducted on existing home energy laws and programs. A Technical Advisory Group is meeting on Friday, May 8. Zoning Amendments Grant — NYSERDA is reviewing the contract documents. Other Meetings/Issues Water Resources Council (WRC) — The WRC heard a presentation on micro -beads and an update on hydrilla. Cayuga Lake Watershed Intermunicipal Organization (IO) — The IO and the Cayuga Lake Watershed Networks discussed the update to the Cayuga Lake Restoration and Protection Plan. The IO discussed options for a new website. Tompkins County Trails Network — the members provided updates on the Gateway Trail, Dryden Trail, South Hill Train, Black Diamond Trail, and Pine Tree Rd project. TOWN CLERK- Carissa Parlato rn REGULAR TOWN BOARD May 12, 2015 yCIAL REPORT for April: $1425.00 Collected in fees for licenses (dog, marriage, sporting)_ $934.01 Stays in the town LICENSES issued in April - Sporting pril: S ortin licenses 12 Disabled parking permits 13 Dog licenses and renewals 68 Marriage licenses 0 Plumbing permits 0 TACKC- Briefly attended NYS Town Clerk's Conference in Rochester. Participated in classes on: MS Excel, Records Mgmt & Cyber Security Policies and Procedures; What to Expect from an Audit- both presented by the Comptroller's Office Freedom of Information Laws- presented by Bob Freeman Also spent time networking with other clerks and attended a General Code dinner event Sent a listsery message to keep residents updated. After newsletter was sent, I received several requests from people who wanted to be added to listserv. We now have a little over 400 people. Energy accounts inquiries Met with county tax collectors regarding new bills/tax collection software options. Working on creating personnel binders for staff members with new personnel policy information, health care, and more. Routine tasks: retrieving, sorting, vouchering mail Answering inquiries on various topics Cross —reconciliation of town bank accounts with Michelle Meeting minutes MFFTTMC.q The Health Consortium hosted a Benefit Clerk's luncheon with Beth Miller from Excellus to discuss o rates/premiums o why costs have gone up o available plans o the claims process o wellness options COMMITTEES: 7 REGULAR TOWN BOARD May 12, 2015 Health Consortium- attended the May 7 meeting. They released the annual report and voted on recommending a Bronze "look-alike" plan to the Board of Directors for implementation. Labor is opposed to this. TRAINING: Participating in TCCOG Leadership/Supervisory Training Program which met on April 8, 24 and May 6. CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER- Alex Rachun: Date Tax Parcel Owner Name Project Cost permit No. Fee 9 -Apr -15 25.-2-1.6 J. Cone daycare renovation $1,000 3517 $58 15 -Apr -15 34.-2-12 J. Cope bathroom plumbing $800 3518 $55 22 -Apr -15 30.-3-16.12 M Newman accessory building $20,000 3519 $110 23 -Apr -15 28.4-2 C. Hilton foundation repair $9,000 3520 $91 23 -Apr -15 34.-1-21 G. Cameron photovoltaic solar $8,000 3521 $82 26 -Apr -15 23.-2-6 R. Loz photovoltaic solar $11,700 3522 $91 28 -Apr -15 22.-5-5.1 M Masters addition/renovation $40,000 3523 $200 29 -Apr -15 27.-1-2.1 J. Morse photovoltaic solar $9,000 3524 $76 29 -Apr -15 12.4-13.2 S. Soboroff photovoltaic solar $12,000 3525 $97 30 -Apr -15 27.-3-8.2 I. Shapiro photovoltaic solar $27,000 3526 $139 30 -Apr -15 21.-1-9.3 A Withiam photovoltaic solar $42,000 3527 $184 1 -May -15 11.4-4.2 J. Podkaminer photovoltaic solar $20,000 3528 $115 2 -May -15 20.-2-7.2 PAS Excavating storage building $112,000 3529 $845 5 -May -15 13.-7-2.11 F. Randall accessory building $165,000 3530 $325 6 -May -15 19.-3-26.3 M. Baehre single family house $400,000 3531 $425 8 -May -15 27.-3-2.11 S. Pape photovoltaic solar $29,000 3532 $132 SUPERVISOR- Liz Thomas: Shared Services Attend county -wide meeting on shared services reporting requirement for state tax cap legislation. Agree to be on task force looking at shared services or consolidation of courts across the county. Planning and Zoning Work with Darby, Mariette and Alex on potential changes to enforcement language in zoning law. Trails REGULAR TOWN BOARD May 12, 2015 Open Development Districts — work to understand the nuances of this requirement. Review with Mariette, Darby, John and attend Planning Board meeting on topic. Attend Village meeting to give input on the potential dissolution of their Planning Board. Provide written follow-up. Look into joint training opportunities for our PB and the Village PB, also county -wide training for Planning Boards. Talk to members of both Planning Boards to see what training options would be most useful. Begin RFP for computer programmer and web design specialist to work on trails grant. Attend Parks and Trails Network meeting. Speak at ground -breaking ceremony at the Taughannock Falls Overlook with state, regional, and local representatives. Stormwater and Flood Control Attend half day workshop on flood prevention and stormwater control. Agree to be on Cayuga Lake Watershed Intermunicipal Organization with Ken Zeserson as alternate. Review expectations and clarify role. Newsletter Continue to make edits and proof newsletter, again and again and again. Give mailing ok. Send out electronic version to Ulysses listserv. Post on web. Water District 3 Other Work with Hunt and MRB Group engineers plus Fred Dean and Jim Meeker to decide the best options to evaluate and how to proceed. Check what work still needs to be done as far as data gathering. Coordinate meeting with TTHM Working Group, present, provide background information to group, edit minutes, send out Department of Health letter from December, Write draft progress report for Dept of Health and draft letter to WD3 users. Have reviewed by engineer. Calculate annual quarterly average levels of HAA and TTHM Meet with Fred and Carissa to discuss all reporting requirements and designate lead person. Get word from Environmental Finance Center that they may have funding for WD3 remediation. Organize all water district folders. Create table of reporting requirements, timelines for reports, and designated lead person for all reports. Highway: respond to several complaints about roads. Tour roads with Highway Superintendent. Respond to complaints. Bookkeeping and accounting — review AUD calculations, discuss new accounting software that will offer a more transparent system which is geared toward municipal rather than business accounting. Review fund Admin: Comp time — how is it calculated and can we streamline the process. Create new time sheet template. 0J REGULAR TOWN BOARD May 12, 2015 Hydrofracking: Provide 2 hour interview for a documentary on the NYS ban on hydrofracking and the town of Ulysses role. Town hall: landscape maintenance — interview landscape company putting in bid for work on Town Hall plantings. Budget: Review budget for youth recreation programming. Historic preservation: double check historic inventory of buildings. Work with Carissa to complete. Transportation: respond to request from business owners in Trumansburg to investigate extended bus service into the evening to encourage more restaurant patrons. Ergonomics — use new ergonomic keyboard and encourage other staff members to try. Encourage group order of additional keyboards for those who desire one. Respond to constant flow of questions from residents, volunteers and staff. Weekly review of topics with attorney for the town. Daily check-in with Town Hall staff. Periodic discussions with Zoning Officer over a variety of topics. Prepare agendas, resolutions, background documents, review topics with TB members, conduct meetings, and review minutes. Review claims and budget, make suggested budget modifications to be approved by TB, review payroll, sign checks, Periodic check in with Town Clerk and Deputy Supervisor re work load and coordination. DEPUTY SUPERVISOR- Michelle Wright: Updates from Village meeting: HC meeting on June 12 for benefit plans They are updating housing part of comp plan Open container LL passed Police report- looking into getting body cams Was a broken part at treatment plant Old well rehab was a success Newsletter o Communications with printer and processing company o Distribution around the Village Emergency prep plan: o Continued work on an internal quick sheet o Signed up for free training on May 14th o Obtained example copy for contact made at April conference Attended Environmental Finance Center conference (report submitted for last board meeting) Agriculture advisory board support TAP Sidewalk project o Continued work on the development of draft MOU between village and town o Review of engineer applications Miscellaneous items (not time consuming but worth note) o Review of Comp Plan content that refers directly to areas where we are seeking funding/grants o Set up email for 10 REGULAR TOWN BOARD May 12, 2015 ■ water a,ulysses.ny.us ■ ulvssescourtggmail.com BOOKKEEPER- Michelle Wright: Research of accounting software that is a more appropriate fit with our accounting needs o Attended web -based demos for several software options o Systematic review of possible software in collaboration with the Clerk's office o Meeting with Leslie Spurgin from CPA firm regarding transition to new software Communications with OSC re: posting odd revenues and expenses AUD submission: see additional report o Subsequent fund balance research/work/communications Youth program work o Assistance with youth employees for county required paperwork Regular duties o Payroll ■ Several changes in in federal withholdings and direct deposit ■ FICA calculations and other accounting ■ Paid time off accrual calculations o NYSLRS (retirement system) monthly reporting ■ Error report submission o Payments: regular appropriations & vouchers ■ Vouchered expenses ■ Health Insurance Recalculation for retroactive charges and credits ■ SPCA ■ Town Hall Cleaner ■ Disability Insurance (quarterly) TOWN BOARD MEMBERS AND COMMITTEES - Mr. Hertzler reported - He and Mr. Kerness completed the assessment of properties in town that may be in code violation. Microbeads are sometimes used in fracking and called "sand". ATTORNEY FOR THE TOWN- (no report beyond what is already on the agenda items) Respectfully submitted by Carissa Parlato on 5/21/15. 11