HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-02-07-TB-FINAL-minutesTOWN BOARD MEETING
Town of Ulysses
February 7, 2017
Audio of the minutes are available on the website at ulvsses.nv.us.
The meeting was held at the Ulysses Town Hall at 10 Elm Street, Trumansburg.
Notice of Town Board meetings are posted on the town's website and clerk's board.
ATTENDANCE:
PRESENT:
Supervisor- Liz Thomas
Board members- Michael Boggs, Rich Goldman, John Hertzler
2nd Deputy Supervisor- Michelle Wright
Town Clerk- Carissa Parlato
Highway Superintendent- Dave Reynolds
OTHERS PRESENT:
John Ullberg, Karen Powers, Barbara Nowogrodzki, Krys Cail, James Fruechtl, Roxanne Marino,
James Fruechtl
ABSENT:
1St Deputy Supervisor- Nancy Zahler
CALL TO ORDER:
Ms. Thomas called the meeting to order at 7 p.m.
GENERAL BUSINESS:
APPROVAL OF MEETING AGENDA
RESOLUTION 2017-49: APPROVAL OF MEETING AGENDA
BE IT RESOLVED that the Ulysses Town Board approve the agenda for February 7, 2017 with
moving Approval of Claims to the beginning, adding the Unique Natural Area topic up and
discussing an audit of the books.
Moved: Ms. Thomas
Ms. Thomas
aye
Ms. Zahler
absent
Mr. Hertzler
aye
Mr. Boggs
aye
Mr. Goldman
aye
Vote: 4-0
Date Adopted: 2/7/17
APPROVAL OF CLAIMS
Seconded: Mr. Goldman
RESOLUTION 2017-50: APPROVAL OF CLAIMS
BE IT RESOLVED that the Ulysses Town Board approve payment of claims #25-87 in the
amount of $642,955.81.
Moved: Ms. Thomas
Ms. Thomas
aye
Ms. Zahler
absent
Mr. Hertzler
aye
Mr. Boggs
aye
Mr. Goldman
aye
Vote: 4-0
Date Adopted: 2/7/17
Seconded: Mr. Goldman
CONTRACT FOR TOWN HALL SIDEWALK REPAIRS
Ms. Thomas presented some drawings for sidewalk repair and landscaping in front of the town hall.
Citizens in attendance and Mr. Fruechtl commented.
RESOLUTION 2017-51: CONTRACT FOR LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS FOR TOWN
HALL SIDEWALK REPAIRS
WHEREAS the sidewalk in front of town hall is indistinguishable from the road and parking
in that area making it a danger to pedestrians, and
WHEREAS due to the prevalence of asphalt on both sides of Elm Street which include 3
parking lots, stormwater has no ground in which to percolate, adding to the sedimentation and
salinization of Cayuga Lake; and
WHEREAS the only tree within the right of way is now dead, but before dying caused the
asphalt in the area of what is considered the sidewalk to heave and crack causing a danger to
pedestrians; and
WHEREAS municipalities are required to keep their sidewalks in a state which is safe for
pedestrians; and
WHEREAS the town has both capital reserves and building reserves to pay for sidewalk and
stormwater improvements in front of town hall, and
WHEREAS the Mayor of the Village of Trumansburg is in favor of this repair, and
WHEREAS the town staff investigated grant funding for this project; and
WHEREAS funding options are available for landscaping, and volunteers are willing to build
benches, but there are no state or county funding opportunities for the actual sidewalk or
curbing, and
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WHEREAS this project is expected to benefit from the cost savings of pairing its construction
with the large project beginning in May 2017 of replacing sidewalks throughout the town and
village, and
WHEREAS the Town Supervisor has consulted with three volunteer landscape architects for
design ideas, but the actual construction documents are very involved and require more work
than they can do on a volunteer basis.
Therefore be it
RESOLVED that the Ulysses Town Board authorizes the Town Supervisor to sign the contract
dated February 1, 2017 from Trowbridge, Wolff, and Michaels to provide a rendering of the
project, cost estimates, construction documents, construction specifications, and stamped
drawings which are required for the contractor to complete this work, and
RESOLVED that the Town clerk will forward the signed contract to Trowbridge, Wolff, and
Michaels.
Moved: Ms. Thomas
Ms. Thomas
aye
Ms. Zahler
absent
Mr. Hertzler
abstain
Mr. Boggs
aye
Mr. Goldman
aye
Vote: 3-1
Date Adopted: 2/7/17
Seconded: Mr. Boggs
PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR:
Krys Cail addressed the Community Choice Aggregation topic on the agenda, noting that there same to
be many of the same people on the various county energy committees and requested to instead have a
private citizen for a new perspective. She also inquired about whether both Darby and Liz are needed
on the committee. She suggested that Darby's time might be better spent on the Ag Committee.
REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES:
(See Appendix)
TOWN REPORTS:
(See Appendix)
OLD BUSINESS:
PAYMENT IN LIEU OF TAXES (P.I.L.O.T.) FOR LARGE-SCALE SOLAR
The board discussed this issue. Tompkins County Area Development is considering creating a county-
wide policy.
COMMUNITY CHOICE AGGREGATION (CCA)
RESOLUTION 2017-52: SUPPORT OF THE EXPLORATION OF COMMUNITY
CHOICE AGGREGATION
WHEREAS, the Town of Ulysses is interested in promoting energy efficiency and local
renewable energy generation, and also in reducing energy costs for its residents; and
WHEREAS the NY State Public Service Commission, in April 2016, authorized the
development of Community Choice Aggregation programs, that allows participating local
governments to work together through a shared purchasing agreement to procure natural gas
and/or electric energy supply on behalf of their residents and small businesses; and
WHEREAS, Community Choice Aggregation is a means to provide lower, more stable and
predictable energy costs, while also promoting energy efficiency, local renewable energy
development and local job growth; and
WHEREAS, residents and small businesses that are not interested in participating in CCA
energy procurement are able to opt out; and
WHEREAS, the Tompkins County Council of Governments (TCCOG) works to identify
shared services and procurement opportunities to provide better service and lower costs to our
residents; and
WHEREAS, TCCOG has established a CCA Advisory Committee made up of
elected/appointed officials plus community members to explore CCA and advise interested
municipalities on CCA administrative and procurement models, and to search for and
recommend a program administrator, and
WHEREAS, participation in the TCCOG CCA Committee does not obligate the Town of
Ulysses to participating in CCA, (which requires passage of a local law), but rather indicates
the Town of Ulysses' interest in exploring the option of CCA,
Therefore be it
RESOLVED, that Town of Ulysses selects Elizabeth Thomas to serve on the TCCOG CCA
Advisory Committee.
Moved: Mr. Goldman Seconded: Mr. Hertzler
Ms. Thomas
aye
Ms. Zahler
absent
Mr. Hertzler
aye
Mr. Boggs
nay
Mr. Goldman
aye
Vote: 3-1
Date Adopted: 2/7/17
0
APPOINTMENT OF AG COMMITTEE MEMBER
RESOLUTION 2017-53: APPOINTMENT OF NEW MEMBER TO THE
AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE
RESOLVED that the Ulysses Town Board appoints Mark Ochs to the Agriculture Committee
with a term ending 12/31/2019, and
RESOLVED the Ulysses Town Clerk's office will contact the new member to take the oath of
office and sign the ethics pledge.
Moved: Mr. Hertzler
Ms. Thomas
aye
Ms. Zahler
absent
Mr. Hertzler
aye
Mr. Boggs
aye
Mr. Goldman
aye
Vote: 4-0
Date Adopted: 2/7/17
NEW BUSINESS:
Seconded: Mr. Goldman
RESOLUTION 2017-54: UNA
WHEREAS Tompkins County has designated numerous Unique Natural Areas throughout the
county based on either threatened flora, fauna, viewsheds or their impact on water quality; and
WHEREAS Tompkins County has no land use authority to protect the UNAs it has designated
that authority resides with the town as part of its right to Home Rule; and
WHEREAS parcel number 27.4-6 at 1284 Taughannock Boulevard is within UNA-62, the
Maplewood Glen and Lake Slopes UNA protected for its valuable tree species, some rare or
scarce plants, its scenic and aesthetic value along Route 89, and some examples of old growth
forest; and
WHEREAS Tompkins County states in the UNA description that the biggest threat to this
UNA is from logging and residential development; and
WHEREAS if this land is sold, it will likely be developed for residential use; and
WHEREAS this parcel has steep slopes leading into tributaries to Cayuga lake and protecting
UNAs along the lake helps preserve the long-term water quality of the lake; and
WHEREAS the newly opened Black Diamond Trail borders this land and will provide a good
buffer for the trail and recreational opportunities for residents; and
WHEREAS this parcel has been foreclosed and Tompkins County has been paying taxes
owed, including taxes to the Town of Ulysses.
THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED that the Town of Ulysses is interested in negotiating with Tompkins County to
acquire parcel 27.4-6 at 1284 Taughannock Boulevard.
Moved: Ms. Thomas
Ms. Thomas
aye
Ms. Zahler
absent
Mr. Hertzler
aye
Mr. Boggs
aye
Mr. Goldman
aye
Vote: 4-0
Date Adopted: 2/7/17
Seconded: Mr. Boggs
USE OF RESERVE FUNDS FOR AERATOR
RESOLUTION 2017-55: AUTHORIZING USE OF FUNDS FROM THE TOWN OF
ULYSSES RESERVE FOR REPAIRS (SW3-230) TO PAY FOR THE TOWN OF
ULYSSES SHARE OF AN AERATOR INSTALLED IN THE TOWN OF ITHACA
WATER TANK PER RESOLUTION 2016-90
WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of Ulysses passed a resolution to pay half, or up to
$57,500, to the Town of Ithaca upon completion of the installation of an aerator in Ithaca's
"Trumansburg" tank for the purposes of reducing chlorination by-products in the water it
supplies to the Town of Ulysses; and
WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of Ulysses by resolution adopted on February 11,
2003 established the reserve fund for the purpose of funding water district expenses; and
WHEREAS, the Town Board adopted the 2017 budget for the Town on October 25, 2016 and
the budget calls for the appropriation of $57,500 from the Water District 3 Repairs Reserve
Fund for the purposes outlined in resolution 2016-90; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to General Municipal Law §6-c, an expenditure from the Repairs
Reserve Fund requires authorization by the Town Board, and such authorization is subject to a
permissive referendum; and
WHEREAS, the above -referenced purchase falls within the purposes for which the Capital
Equipment Reserve Fund was established;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED that the Town Board authorizes the following expenditures from the Town of
Ulysses Repair Reserve Fund SW3-230 for the purchase of an aerator for the Town of Ithaca's
n
"Trumansburg" Tank; and be it further
RESOLVED that, pursuant to General Municipal Law §6-c, this resolution is subject to a
permissive referendum
RESOLVED that the Town Clerk will submit the required notice of resolution to the required
media outlets by February 10, 2017.
Moved: Mr. Hertzler
Ms. Thomas
aye
Ms. Zahler
absent
Mr. Hertzler
aye
Mr. Boggs
aye
Mr. Goldman
aye
Vote: 4-0
Date Adopted: 2/7/17
PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR:
(none)
Seconded: Ms. Thomas
AUDIT
The Town Board plans to schedule an audit of Town Supervisor, Town Clerk and Court Clerk
accounts.
MONTHLY BUSINESS
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
RESOLUTION 2017-56: APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 1/24
BE IT RESOLVED that the Ulysses Town Board approve the minutes as edited by Ms.
Thomas.
Moved: Ms. Thomas
Ms. Thomas
aye
Ms. Zahler
absent
Mr. Hertzler
aye
Mr. Boggs
aye
Mr. Goldman
aye
Vote: 4-0
Date Adopted: 2/7/17
An-ini iRN-
Seconded: Mr. Goldman
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Mr. Goldman moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:40pm; seconded by Mr. Boggs and passed
unanimously.
APPENDIX:
REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES:
Ms. Marino reported on the Conservation and Sustainability Committee (CSAC):
• The payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) for large-scale solar arrays issue has been passed on to
Planning Board along with glare issue
• Talked with Dryden Planning Board member about their solar research.
• 2 CSAC members are working to submit an Urban Forestry grant
• Ms. Marino is on the board of Solar Tompkins- they will hold 2 meetings in each community of
Tompkins County this spring.
TOWN REPORTS:
PLANNING BOARD/ZONING OFFICER- submitted by Ms. Kiley
Planning Board
The Planning Board approved a residence in the B 1 -Business District and began the review of a 2 MW
solar project on Trumansburg Rd.
Board of Zoning Appeals
There were no zoning appeals in January.
Grants
Zoning Updates Grant — The steering committee held an open house in Jacksonville on 1/19.
Other Meetings/Issues
Cayuga Lake Watershed Intermunicipal Organization (IO) — 1/25: the IO discussed the draft
Restoration and Protection Plan and Floating Classroom. On 1/18, representatives from Seneca Lake
and Cayuga Lake met to discuss water quality issues
Planning Advisory Board (PAB) — 1/25: the board reviewed/discussed the County Planning Draft
Work Program, the Finger Lakes Land Trust conservation strategies for the Finger Lakes Region, the
Draft Natural Infrastructure Program Overview, large solar projects, and recruitment for open seats.
TCCOG Energy committee — 1/26: the committee heard about efforts to address energy usage during
the SEQR process for a Town of Ithaca project and discussed PILOT for solar. Several committee
members met on 1/25 to view a webinar on benchmarking municipal buildings.
Water Resources Council (WRC) — 1/23: the council discussed and established committees for 2017.
ACTING HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT- reported by Mr. Reynolds
• 8 snow storms
• Worked on snow plow equipment
• Purchased new air compressor
• A few limbs down from ice storm
N.
• Minor & major truck repairs
• Installed driveway pipe on Agard Road
• Going through years of old paperwork
TOWN CLERK- submitted by Ms. Parlato
LICENSES/PERMITS issued:
#
Sporting licenses
3
Disabled parking permits
14
Dog licenses and renewals
65
Marriage licenses
1
Plumbing permits
0
Address assignments
0
Notarizations
2
FOIL requests
1
FINANCIAL REPORT:
$1071.50 TOTAL Collected for fees & licenses
$918.04 stays in the town
$153.46 goes to the state
CLERK'S OFFICE TASKS:
• Tax collection- $4.1 million collected to date.
• Routine tasks:
o Notarized documents for citizens
o Ordered supplies
o Retrieved, sorted, vouchered mail
o Answered inquiries on various topics
o Took and wrote up meeting minutes
o Kept website current
o Sent listsery messages to residents (2/month)
o Mail and post dog licenses; issued tickets as needed
o Assist other departments when possible
WATER DISTRICT TASKS:
• Updated water usage reports
• Gathered information for water grant
• Met with MRB and Supervisor to discuss updating water unit determination
CITIZEN COMMENTSANOUIRIES:
Commentlinguin
Answer/re erral
Various tax/assessment questions
Answer as appropriate or refer to County Assessment
office
CODE OFFICER- Submitted Mr. Myers:
9
Building Permits issued
5
Plan Reviews
7
Certificate of Occupancy issued
4
Certificate of Compliance issued
5
Complaints Received
5
Complaints Resolved
3
Inspections (Footers, Foundations, Plumbing, Insulation, roofing, Pools, Etc.)
47
New Site Inspections
6
Building Review Consultations (pre -plan meetings, Future
Building/Remodeling)
14
Fire Safety Inspections
9
Code Training Seminars
0
County Assessment Report
1
Open property in violation cases
15
Property violations resolved
Value of Permits issued: $69,500 (Renovations included)
Building Permit fees collected for month: $543.50
In January, there were 5 Building Permits issued. All for small remodeling projects. Total value for the
new Permits is $69,500. Total fees collected were $543.50. 4 Certificates of Occupancy and 2
Certificates of Compliance were issued in January. There are 37 open Building Permits and 2
applications awaiting approval.
Progress continues to be made in bringing targeted properties into Code compliance. Of the 6
properties I have sent certified letters to, 3 have been sold, two have contacted me about correcting the
violations and I have been unable to locate one of the property owners. One of the new owners has
started the demolition process and is almost finished. I have consulted with the new owner of the other
2 properties about demolition requirements. I expect an application for Demolition Permits in the near
future. I have placarded 5 buildings and sent notices to the property owners. All the property owners
have contacted me, asking what they need to do. 2 of those are planning on demolishing the structures
in the next few months. From complaints I have received and personal observations, I have added 6
properties to my list.
Steven Cortright and I met with the new owner of Taughannock Farms Inn and the project architect.
They are hoping to renovate the third floor (currently used for only storage) into 2 guest rooms. There
are several Fire Code issues surrounding the use of any level above the second floor of an assembly
occupation. I was very impressed by Steve's breadth of knowledge of the Fire Code requirements and
his demeanor in explaining how it applies to the specific project. I was able to spend some time with
Steve and go over his inspection process. I am quite satisfied with what he is doing.
I have solicited two bids for the replacement of the Town Hall's 20 year old 30 gallon gas fired water
heater. I specified a high quality, low volume electric unit. Both bids came back virtually the same at
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$900+. The low capacity unit should be just fine for the office as not much hot water is used. The AO
Smith (a top brand) unit is 98% efficient. I am thinking about putting it on a timer as there is virtually
no demand between 9 PM and 8 AM.
FIRE INSPECTOR REPORT- submitted by Mr. Cortright
Fire inspections 5
Follow up Fire Inspections 4
Fire Inspections closed out 4
Correspondence relating to Fire 8
inspections
Meetings related to Fire Safety
Issues
SUPERVISOR REPORT - submitted by Ms. Thomas
Water Districts
WD3
• Rural Development grant — work with team of MRB staff, Michelle and Carissa to submit
the grant on 2/3. Grant itself is 41 pages. The attachments to the grant are 835 pages.
• Work with MRB to standardize how water units are assessed across all water districts.
• Progress report for last quarter (November through January)
Energy
• TCCOG Energy Roadmap Committee — write minutes, prep agenda, chair meeting. Work on 4
goals for Clean Energy Community program. Hear presentation on how to use SEQR to
increase energy efficiency.
• Community Choice aggregation — discuss RFP for administrator of program.
Parks and Recreation
• Trails Grant: Review trails website again, give feedback again.
o Submit final report and request for final funding
o Organize meeting of the TC Parks and Trails Network, attend and present final
IthacaTrails.org website, ready for press release and county -wide hikes in April.
Sidewalks
• Town Hall sidewalk
o Meet with 2 landscape designers to plan for phased approach to sidewalk project,
discuss multiple details.
Zoning update
• Outreach planning and implementation for Jacksonville.
• Review changes to ag zoning, review after legal review was completed.
Agendas
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• Prepare agenda and accompanying resolutions regarding: Lead agency for solar, solar
PILOTS, sidewalk in front of town hall, use of reserve funds, tree inventory grant, appointment
of ag committee members, appointment of water district operator assistant.
Other
• Census — meet with demographer working on US Census wanting help from Ulysses.
• Personnel — work on changes to health insurance package for workers
• Union — talk with union representative about Highway Department unionizing
• Code Enforcement — understand side effects of asbestos contamination in buildings set for
demolition.
• Work plan — help to organize and submit questionnaire.
• End of year budget modifications
• Forestry grant — work with volunteers and staff to start grant process.
• Recreation partnership contract — read and comment for next 5 year contract.
Meetings:
o Meet with resident on questions about affordable housing (1/11)
o Water Units meeting (1/12)
o Future of TC Parks and Trails Network (1/12)
o Employee Benefits meeting (1/17)
o Resident to discuss solar (1/18)
o Sidewalk — meet with landscape architect (1/19, 2/6)
o Zoning — Jacksonville outreach (1/19)
o Zoning Committee (1/19,2/2)
o Town Board meetings (1/10, 1/24)
o TCCOG (1/26)
o TCCOG Energy Roadmap Committee (1/26)
o Sidewalk grant meeting (1/23)
o Community Choice Aggregation (1/27)
o Tburg Recreation (1/30)
o School Superintendent and budget officer (2/3)
Resident communications
o Question about tax rebate check
o Interest in buying condemned house.
o Housing concerns and economic development (2)
o Neighbor burning garbage complaint
o Suggestions about budget
o EV charging stations
Repeating daily/weekly/monthly tasks:
• Work with each department on current topics.
• Respond to constant flow of questions from residents, volunteers and staff.
• Weekly review of topics with attorney for the town.
• Monthly review of county actions.
• Daily check-in with Town Hall staff.
• Periodic discussions with Zoning Officer over a variety of topics.
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• Prepare agendas, resolutions, and background documents. Review topics with TB members,
conduct meetings, and review minutes.
• Provide oversight and follow-through on decisions and requests made at Town Board meetings.
• 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.
• Respond to surveys when requested.
2ND DEPUTY SUPERVISOR & BOOKKEEPER REPORT -Submitted by Michelle E. Wright
Deputy Supervisor
• Water District 3
o Continued work on RD Apply
o Financial advisor RFP
• TAP Sidewalk Project
o Communications with design engineers, Fisher Associates
■ Meeting to address the bid process and expectations regarding Village DPW and
Town Highway involvement
■ Phone meeting with Dave and Dana re: utility coordination
o Meeting with Village Treasurer regarding accounting related topics
• Task force work and meetings:
o EMS task force
■ Meeting Attendance
• Assistance with resolution drafting
• Employee benefits day: planning and presenting
• Emergency preparedness plan: initial communications re: key players in planning joint Village
and Town table top exercise
• Work plan follow up
Bookkeeper
• Insurance
• Water District Accounting
o Regular monthly tasks
• Health insurance
o Continued communications re: HSAs
o Communications with retirees re: health insurance
• Personnel
o Payroll and salary related communications with County
• End of year activities
0 2016 Budget modifications
o AUD activities
■ 1 spent the day with our accountant Duane on 2/2; we are very close to finalizing
the AUD but were slowed down by some technical issues with the data import
from Williamson into the AUD software
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■ There are preliminary fund balances figures that suggest that the process and
method we have used for fund balance estimates during the budget seasons is
much more accurate than what was used in the past. We have healthy fund
balances in all funds.
o 1099 Misc. IRS forms filled out
■ Thank you to Sara K. for helping ensure the accuracy for our 1099 vendor needs
Regular duties
o Payroll
■ Research and meetings with possible payroll options (ongoing)
■ Continued issues with inaccuracies
■ Regular duties of processing and accounting
o Banking
o NYSLRS (retirement system)
■ Annual payment calculation
■ Monthly reporting
o Payments: regular appropriations & vouchers
■ Vouchered expenses
■ Health Insurance
■ Other regular payments
Upcoming Projects:
The following are some major areas of focus for me in the next couple months:
• Opening the 2017 financial year in Williamson
• Closing January financial activities in Williamson
• Payroll process transition
• TAP sidewalk grant administration
• Hopeful the USDA RD grant administration
• Emergency preparedness planning:
o Work with Clerks on internal/Ulysses staff meeting
o Development of table top exercise in coordination with the Village (tentatively
scheduled for some time in late April), topic: severe storm event during GrassRoots
• Personnel Policy review: through the lens of internal system functioning and needs for changes
• Ambulance billing
• Addressing reserve balances for adequacy
MR. BOGGS:
Attended the Village Fire/EMS meeting and Cayuga Lake Intermunicipal Organization
MR. GOLDMAN:
• Attended Health Consortium meeting and Planning Board
Respectfully submitted by Carissa Parlato on 2/22/17.
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