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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-05-26-WTB-MinutesWORKING TOWN BOARD MEETING Town of Ulysses May 26, 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 1St Deputy Supervisor- Nancy Zahler 2nd Deputy Supervisor- Michelle Wright Board members- Dave Kerness, Rich Goldman Clerk- Carissa Parlato Environmental Planner- Darby Kiley ABSENT: Board member- John Hertzler OTHERS PRESENT: Phil Antweiler, Diane Hillman, Dave Schurman, Glynis Hart, Anthony Ouckama, 2 local middle school students, Tim Lynch, Shelley Lester, Bill Davis, John Wertis MEETING NOTICE: 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 7 p.m. GENERAL BUSINESS: APPROVAL OF MEETING AGENDA RESOLUTION 2015-87: BE IT RESOLVED that the Ulysses Town Board approve the agenda for May 26, 2015 with the following changes: the addition of a report from the youth commission and moving foreclosed property up to after public comment. Moved: Ms. Thomas Seconded: Ms. Zahler Ms. Thomas aye Ms. Zahler aye Mr. Hertzler absent Mr. Kerness aye Mr. Goldman aye Vote: 4-0 Date Adopted: 5/26/15 PRESENTATIONS: Trumansburg/Ulysses Youth Services - Mr. Ouckama, Rural Youth Services Program Manager, described the Trumansburg/Ulysses Youth Services program. Two middle school participants spoke of their experiences in the programs. Update on Village water and sewer projects - Mr. Lynch, the Village Water & Sewer Commissioner, described the impetus for the Village's second source of water by saying that it was mandated by the Dept. of Health. The second source must have a capacity and flow rate that will sustain the village, not just supplement it. A new well has been dug at Taughannock Park. It will follow Falls Road up to the Village. Once final approval is received from the Dept. of Health, the project will go out to bid. Construction is estimated to begin this fall and will take about a year. WORKING TOWN BOARD May 26, 2015 Mr. Davis, project engineer from MRB Group, described the new system infrastructure. In response to questions from board members, he added that water may be available in the future for Falls Road residents but not until after the project has been completed and a new district formed. At that time they will have a better idea of what the costs would be to connect. The current estimated cost of the entire project is $4 million. Mr. Lynch shared information about the waste water rehabilitation project. Bids came in last month and were higher than anticipated. They are now trying to secure additional funding and are hoping to start this summer. The project should take about one year and the entire system will be rehabbed with "state of the art" components. PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR: Mr. Antweiler stated that after careful consideration, he is resigning from the TTHM Working Group. GENERAL UPDATES: Ms. Thomas updated the board on the shared services tax credit/tax freeze. The county is taking the lead on this issue. Mr. Kerness read a note from Don Smith on the progress of the ambulance access template. Surveys should be ready to send out in a few weeks. Ms. Zahler reported that the Health Consortium will meet next week. POTENTIAL PURCHASE OF PROPERTY IN FORECLOSURE Ms. Kiley presented information on a 2.6 acre parcel that may go up for sale at the County's June foreclosure auction. It is located on Route 89 in one of the County's designated Unique Natural Areas (UNA). The board discussed whether they should pursue purchasing this property. RESOLUTION 2015-88: BE IT RESOLVED that the Ulysses Town Board is interested in looking at the potential uses of property # 27.4-6 and would like to have 6 months to evaluate the options. Moved: Mr. Goldman Ms. Thomas aye Ms. Zahler aye Mr. Hertzler absent Mr. Kerness aye Mr. Goldman aye Vote: 4-0 Date Adopted: 5/26/15 Seconded: Mr. Kerness OLD BUSINESS: APPROVAL OF ACCOUNTING SOFTWARE PURCHASE RESOLUTION 2015-89: WHEREAS the Ulysses Town Board recognizes the need to update its accounting system, and WHEREAS the Ulysses Town Board has been made aware of the systematic review of accounting system options, and WHEREAS the accounting software developed by Williamson Law Book Company rated higher than its competitors, and WHEREAS a bidding process will need to take place to identify a qualified CPA with expertise in data conversion from one accounting software to another, and WHEREAS the initial estimate for CPA work, installation, and start up for the accounting software is approximately $10,000, and WHEREAS the annual software support is $998.00 OA WORKING TOWN BOARD May 26, 2015 THEREFORE, be it resolved that the Ulysses Town Board authorizes the Town Supervisor to begin taking action on procuring a new and improved accounting software for the Town. Moved: Ms. Thomas Seconded: Mr. Kerness Discussion- Ms. Zahler and Mr. Goldman inquired about the costs. Ms. Thomas aye Ms. Zahler aye Mr. Hertzler absent Mr. Kerness aye Mr. Goldman aye Vote: 4-0 Date Adopted: 5/26/15 APPROVAL OF NYSERDA CONTRACT RESOLUTION 2015-90: WHEREAS, the Town of Ulysses applied for and was awarded $40,000 in grant funding through New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) Cleaner, Greener Communities Program, Phase IL• Category 2 for Zoning Law Updates; BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Ulysses authorizes the Town Supervisor to sign the grant agreement with NYSERDA. Moved: Ms. Thomas Ms. Thomas aye Ms. Zahler aye Mr. Hertzler absent Mr. Kerness aye Mr. Goldman aye Vote: 4-0 Date Adopted: 5/26/15 Seconded: Ms. Zahler Ms. Zahler inquired about the next steps in this process. NEW BUSINESS: AUTHORIZING THE TOWN SUPERVISOR TO SIGN TOURISM GRANT CONTRACT RESOLUTION 2015-91: Resolved that the Ulysses Town Board authorizes the Town Supervisor to sign the contract with the Tompkins County Planning Department to fund the Tompkins County Trail Users Information Website grant for a total of $14,500. Moved: Ms. Thomas Ms. Thomas aye Ms. Zahler aye Mr. Hertzler absent Mr. Kerness aye Mr. Goldman aye Vote: 4-0 Date Adopted: 5/26/15 Seconded: Ms. Zahler t, WORKING TOWN BOARD May 26, 2015 URGING THE NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY TO ADOPT A2177 -A AMENDING THE NYS TAX LAW TO ESTABLISH A TAX CREDIT FOR THE PURCHASE AND ISTALLATION OF GEOTHERMAL ENERGY SYSTEMS (H) #5635) RESOLUTION 2015-92: WHEREAS, the 2015 Tompkins County Comprehensive Plan has established greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals of at least 20% by 2020 and 80% by 2050 over our 2008 levels, and WHEREAS, the Tompkins County Environmental Management Council (EMC) has strongly supported these goals through public education, participation in County committees such as the Energy Road Map, and adoption of resolutions in support of the Tompkins County Public Library solar photovoltaic system and the Black Oak Wind Farm, and WHEREAS, the EMC Energy Committee has advocated for local programs that focus on energy conservation and energy efficiency to reduce demand as well as for the expansion of renewable energy systems to transition our community to one that relies on clean energy sources, and WHEREAS, the EMC's Energy Committee only recently learned of New York State Assembly bill A.2711 and brought the information to the May 14, 2015, EMC meeting, which resulted in a sense -of -the -body resolution (EMC Resolution 01-2015) recommending that the Legislature act expeditiously on this bill, and WHEREAS, the Solarize Tompkins SE program in 2013-2014 and the Solar Tompkins program in 2014-2015, resulted in homeowners contracting for more than 500 solar photovoltaic systems, and the creation of 50 new permanent jobs, and WHEREAS, Solar Tompkins is planning a new initiative for 2015-2016, Heat Smart Tompkins, featuring building efficiency upgrades combined with the installation of air -source and ground -source heat pumps, and WHEREAS, the 2015 Tompkins County Comprehensive Plan references the desirability of both air- and ground -source heat pumps, and WHEREAS, to foster public interest in and appreciation for these technologies, a financial incentive structure is necessary to encourage widespread adoption, and WHEREAS, solar photovoltaic systems in New York State receive New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) block grant incentives as well as state and federal tax credits, and WHEREAS, currently there are no NYSERDA incentives or New York State tax credits provided for the installation of air -source or ground -source heat pumps, and WHEREAS, the public costs associated with the subsidies made available for geothermal heat pump incentives must be balanced by their environmental, social, and public health benefits, and WHEREAS, both houses of the New York Legislature have introduced a uniform bill (A.2177/S.2905) to provide tax credits for the installation of geothermal heat pump systems, and WHEREAS, 5.2905 was adopted on Earth Day 2015, now therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Ulysses Town Board urges the New York State Assembly to adopt A.2177 in the current session of the Legislature, RESOLVED, further, That the Town Clerk send copies to Governor Andrew Cuomo, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, Assembly Energy Committee Chair Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, and Assemblywoman Barbara Lifton, RESOLVED, further, that the Ulysses Town Board urges that, upon passage by the Assembly, the Governor should sign S.2905/A.2177 into law. SEQR ACTION: TYPE II -20 Moved: Ms. Thomas Seconded: Ms. Zahler Ms. Thomas aye Ms. Zahler aye Mr. Hertzler absent 12 WORKING TOWN BOARD May 26, 2015 Mr. Kerness aye Mr. Goldman aye Vote: 4-0 Date Adopted: 5/26/15 SUPPORTING A SINGLE -PAYER APPROACH TO HEALTH CARE IN NEW YORK STATE RESOLUTION 2015-93: WHEREAS, access to health care continues to be a major concern for all Americans and New York State residents [with over one million currently uninsured and a growing number underinsured], and WHEREAS, a single -payer approach, as the name implies, only federalizes how health-care providers are paid, leaving the choice of doctors and hospitals completely up to each individual and the choice of treatment up to each patient and his/her doctor, and WHEREAS, health-care costs continue to rise at rates above inflation and, under current conditions, the share of state income spent on health care and the administration of the health care system will rise to 18 percent by 2024, much faster than incomes are rising, and WHEREAS, the Ulysses Town Board continues to believe that controlling health-care costs and ensuring health care for all residents are both of paramount importance, and WHEREAS, the simplest approach is to move directly from the current multiple -payer approach, with its high costs of administration, marketing, and profits for shareholders of the many insurance companies, to a single -payer system, where the government is the insurer of all, a system used in other industrialized democracies, and WHEREAS, New York Health would generate savings by replacing the complicated, costly, and often chaotic claims procedure currently employed by thousands of public and private insurance providers, with a simple, one-stop single -payer system for all claims, and WHEREAS, Senator Perkins and Assemblyman Gottfried have introduced the New York Health Act, A.5062 (Gottfried)/S.3525 (Perkins), which would establish a comprehensive universal health insurance program for all New Yorkers, with access to medical services and providers of their choice, without regard to age, income, health, or employment status and would impact both individual health outcomes and public health outcomes, and WHEREAS, New York Health will replace the current multi -payer system of employer -based insurance, individually -acquired insurance, and federally sponsored programs (e.g. Medicare and Medicaid) with a single -billing system funded by progressively -graduated assessments collected by the State and based on ability to pay, and WHEREAS, New York Health will be publically financed by two assessments based on ability to pay (a progressively graduated state payroll tax similar to the Medicare tax on payroll and self-employment income, and a surcharge on non -employment income (e.g. interest, dividends, capital gains), WHEREAS, New York Health will pool all health revenue sources (e.g. assessments, federally - matched public health programs, ACA subsidies, and other revenue sources) into a dedicated New York Health Trust Fund and pay Providers directly, and WHEREAS, New York Health will reduce billing expenses, administrative waste, monopolistic pricing of drugs and medical devices, and fraud, overall health care spending would be reduced by 15 percent or $45 billion per year by 2019, and WHEREAS, New York Health will reduce healthcare costs for government, public schools districts, businesses, and individuals in New York State, eliminate the "local share" funding of Medicaid that has been such a financial burden for property taxpayers, and eliminate out-of- pocket expenses, insurance premiums, insurance co -pays, and deductibles [98% of New WORKING TOWN BOARD May 26, 2015 Yorkers will pay less for their health care than they do today; and businesses, especially small businesses, will benefit from reduced costs], and WHEREAS, the April 2015 Economic Analysis of New York Health, by Gerald Friedman, Professor and Chair of the Economics Department, University of Massachusetts at Amherst, reports savings from reduced health spending in the amount of $71 billion [most savings are from eliminating private health insurance overhead and profits, reducing doctor and hospital billing and insurance -related expenses, eliminating uncompensated care from health providers, public hospitals and health centers, and decreasing drug and medical device costs with enhanced negotiating power], and WHEREAS, the April 2015 Economic Analysis of New York Health reports a net savings of $44.7 billion, after projected program improvements and expansion of $25 billion for increased utilization due to universal coverage, expanded and more comprehensive health benefits, Medicaid and Medicare rate equity (increased provider reimbursement), unemployment insurance and job transition and retraining for lost insurance billing and claims jobs, and WHEREAS, New York Health would expand the network of providers to ensure continuity of care, and include a more comprehensive health care benefits package that includes preventive care, primary care, specialist, hospital care, rehabilitation care, occupational therapy, physical therapy, mental health care, dental care, vision and hearing care, reproductive health care, prescription drugs, and medical supplies/devices [a requirement for the development of a long- term care financing and benefits plan is included in the proposed legislation], and WHEREAS, New York Health would save enough in unnecessary costs to pay for the costs of universal health care coverage for all, extending coverage to all the uninsured and underinsured for basic necessary medical care, and would provide a more comprehensive benefits package at significantly less cost than the one offered through recent federal legislation, now therefore be it RESOLVED, That the Ulysses Town Board supports adoption of the New York Health Act, A.5062 Gottfried)/S.3525 (Perkins), RESOLVED, further, That the Ulysses Town Board urges the New York State Legislature and the Governor to recognize the widespread support for a new public approach, understand there is no stronger measure New York could take to cut our property taxes than to pass this bill into law, and take the opportunity to accomplish this major and long -needed reform, RESOLVED, further, That the Town Clerk send copies to Governor Andrew Cuomo, Senators John Flanagan, Jeffrey Klein, Kemp Hannon, Andrea Stewart -Cousins, James Seward, Michael Nozzolio, and Tom O'Mara, and Assemblyman Carl Heastie and Richard Gottfried, and Assemblywoman Barbara Lifton. SEQR ACTION: TYPE II -20 Moved: Ms. Thomas Seconded: Mr. Kerness Ms. Thomas aye Ms. Zahler aye Mr. Hertzler absent Mr. Kerness aye Mr. Goldman aye Vote: 4-0 Date Adopted: 5/26/15 PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR: (none) MONTHLY BUSINESS: APPROVALOF MINUTES: 5/12 WORKING TOWN BOARD May 26, 2015 RESOLUTION 2015-94: BE IT RESOLVED that the Ulysses Town Board approve the minutes of 5/12 meeting. Moved: Ms. Thomas Seconded: Mr. Kerness Ms. Thomas aye Ms. Zahler aye Mr. Hertzler absent Mr. Kerness aye Mr. Goldman aye Vote: 4-0 Date Adopted: 5/26/15 LANDSCAPING CONTRACT AUTHORIZING THE TOWN SUPERVISOR TO SIGN CONTRACT FOR GENERAL LANDSCAPING SERVICES FOR THE TOWN HALL After a brief discussion, the board realized that this service need not be bidded. EXECUTIVE SESSION: Mr. Goldman moved to go into Executive Session at 8:35pm to discuss matters of current or pending litigation. This was seconded by Mr. Kerness and passed unanimously. Mr. Kerness moved to end Executive Session at 10:35pm, seconded by Mr. Goldman and passed unanimously. ADJOURN: Ms. Thomas made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:35pm, seconded by Ms. Zahler and passed unanimously. Respectfully submitted by Carissa Parlato on 5/29/15. 7