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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTB Minutes 2011-01-24 Study Session of the Ithaca Town Board Monday, January 24, 2011 at 4:30 p.m. Minutes Call to Order Meeting was called to order at 4:34 p.m. All Board Members were present. Mr. Engman requested additional agenda items: 1. Discuss the Governor’s website soliciting feedback on unfunded mandates and, 2. executive session(s). Both additions were approved. He went on to note articles of interest in the Talk of the Town magazine the Town receives. Ms. Leary discussed the letters regarding the Vine Street Cottages and the concerns regarding the houses becoming rental properties and the assumption that all renters are students and therefore undesirable. Rentals are needed for non-students as well. Discussion followed with ideas on how the Town could promote affordable housing. REPORT OF TOWN COMMITTEES Budget – Mr. Levine reported that they will meet on the last Weds of the month. Mr. Solvig had distributed a new-look financials and Mr. Nahmin had some questions on those. Discussion followed and Mr. Solvig and Mr. Nahmin will meet separately. Personnel – Ms. Hunter reported that the meetings will be on the 1st Tuesday of the month and the committee approved the first reimbursement for college tuition per the revised program and they are beginning a general look at the classification structure and job descriptions as they relate to civil service. The Committee believes the Town needs to look at the long term costs of retirement benefits and staff benefit packages with projections and suggestions. Employee Relations Committee – Ms. Hunter reported that discussions and reviews of civil service job descriptions are also underway in this committee. It was thought that comments could be solicited from staff during yearly performance reviews regarding actual jobs duties and the job descriptions. Board/Staff luncheons were popular and will continue. Planning – Mr. DePaolo reported that they are meeting the next day and the main agenda items are Conifer’s request for a zoning change referral and discussing parameters for a possible moratorium on development on West Hill. TBS 1-24-2011 Page 2 of 4 Public Works – Mr. Goodman reported on the agenda for the next meeting; Ithaca Estates III, Christopher Circle Water Tank Site and the Forest Home Walkway. Operations – Mr. Engman reported that the meetings will be held on the 1st Wednesdays at noon. Codes and Ordinances – Mr. Goodman reported that the meetings will be held the 3rd W ednesday of the month and they are still reviewing the Conservation Zone Amendments and particularly the timber harvesting section as well as the Limited Historical District and Ms. Johnson-Kelly’s comments from the last Board meeting and comments from the Planning Board. Future topics include the definition of garages and possible ordinances for affordable housing. Comprehensive Plan – Mr. Engman reported that the Committee is looking at the last two section that have not had an initial review and some maps of areas. Records Management Advisory Board – Mrs. Terwilliger reported that a meeting schedule had not been determined but the board would continue to review the Policy and Procedures manual and separating the policy aspects from the procedure aspects for ease of future review and changes. ADHOC COMMITTEES Fire Protection – Mr. Levine reported that they already have literally 100’s of pages of documents to start reading and one of the first steps is to determine what the Town is legally required to provide and look at maps defining service areas and actual station locations. There is also going to be a field trip to the stations to see what we are dealing with. Mr. DePaolo asked about Town representation on the Fire Commission and budget input for the future with the City. Mr. Engman noted that they had not talked about that yet, but it was an excellent idea given the money spent. Mr. Engman noted a couple of articles in the Towns and Governing magazines. This is going to be a very challenging topic. Asset Management, Youth and Recreation and Police Protection are scheduled but have not met. INTERMUNICIPAL ORGANIZATIONS Recreation Partnership – Mr. Levine reported that they are meeting the next day with the first item being extending the 5-year agreement which expires this year. Mr. Horwitz asked what some of the activities are and Mr. Levine explained that there are too many to name, but they are contracted out to the Ithaca Youth TBS 1-24-2011 Page 3 of 4 Bureau and the members of the Recreation Partnership pays 50% less for programs. For example, municipalities in the partnership who want to have the Rotary soccer, tee-ball, coach pitch, drama and arts programs would pay 50% less than non-partners. Cayuga Lake Intermunicipal Commission – Mr. DePaolo noted that he needed coverage for the meeting, but he wasn’t 100% sure it would be meeting as scheduled. Mr. Engman said he would cover if needed. Special Joint Commission – Mr. Engman gave an update on the IAWWTP grant Public Interest Order and we may not need to go through the Comptroller’s approval. We are waiting for a response from Susan Brock. APPROVAL OF MINUTES TB RESOLUTION NO. 2011- 020: App roval of Minutes of January 11, 2011 WHEREAS, the draft minutes of the January 11, 2011 of the Town Board have been submitted for review and approval; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the governing Town Board hereby approves the submitted minutes as the final minutes of the January 11, 2011 of the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca. MOVED: Bill Goodman SECONDED: Rich DePaolo VOTE: Ayes: Engman, Goodman, Leary, Hunter, Horwitz and DePaolo Abstain: Levine Motion passed. OTHER BUSINESS Mr. Goodman asked if someone could cover his scheduled appearance at Common Council. Mr. Engman said he would. Unfunded Mandates – Mr. Engman noted that the Governor has solicited comments on unfunded mandates and a mechanism to deliver them. Discussion followed with items such as Stormwater Control, Building Codes, Dog Control, Sewer Improvements, Fireworks, Speed Limits, Insurance issues etc being discussed. Mr. Engman will put together a memo/resolution for the board’s discussion. TBS 1-24-2011 Page 4 of 4 Town of Ithaca Abstract TB RESOLUTION NO. 2011-021: Town of Ithaca Abstract WHEREAS, the following numbered vouchers have been presented to the Ithaca 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 in total for the amounts indicated. VOUCHER NOS. 0018-0085 General Fund Town wide 153,075.94 General Fund Part Town 16,142.43 Highway Fund Part Town 7,724.98 Water Fund 33,100.76 Sewer Fund 14,556.77 Fire Protection Fund 43,075.00 Risk Retention Fund 877.50 Forest Home Lighting District 115.04 Glenside Lighting District 42.80 Renwick Heights Lighting District 60.97 Eastwood Commons Lighting District 142.87 Giover Lane Lighting District 16.90 Winner's Circle Lighting District 55.44 Burleigh Drive Lighting District 57.27 West Haven Road Lighting District 174.84 Coddington Road Lighting District 104.16 TOTAL 269,923.97 S f MOVED: Eric Levine SECONDED: Pat Leary VOTE: Ayes: Engman, Goodman, Leary, Hunter, DePaolo and Horwitz Motion passed unanimously. Consider entering Executive Session to discuss collective negotiations, the employment history of a particular person, the medical history of a particular person and the possible acquisition of real property and sale of real property. Motion made by Ms. Hunter, seconded by Ms. Leary and approved unanimously. 5:40 p.m. Motion made by Mr. Goodman, seconded by Mr. DePaolo to reenter open meeting at 6:14 p.m. Unanimous Meeting adjpqmed at 6:15 p.m. Submitt^Dy Paulette Terwilliger, Town Clerk