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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTB Minutes 2025-06-23MEETING OF THE ITHACA TOWN BOARD 215 N. Tioga Street June 23, 2025, 4:30 p.m. ZOOM (ID 98910958241) YOUTUBE LINK AGENDA 1. Tompkins County Legislature Report – Shawna Black 2. Update on draft revisions to Short Term Rental legislation 3. Consider approval to apply for a Park Foundation Grant – Forest Home Update Traffic Calming Plan 4. Consider approval of an SOMRA and associated easement with Cayuga Medical Center 5. Reports from Committees a) Budget b) Personnel and Organization/ERC (i) Consider approval of a revised Classification List and Criteria c) Public Works d) Planning e) Codes & Ordinances f) Parks & Trails g) Economic Development h) Other 6. Consent Agenda a. Approval of Minutes b. Town of Ithaca Abstract 7. Review of Correspondence/Board Member Comments TB 2025-06-23 (Filed 6/27) Pg. 1 MEETING OF THE ITHACA TOWN BOARD June 23, 2025 MINUTES Board Members Present: Rod Howe, Supervisor; Members Eric Levine, Rich DePaolo, Pamela Bleiwas, Susie Gutenberger and Margaret Johnson Absent: Rob Rosen Others Present: Judy Drake, Director of Human Resources; Marty Moseley, Director of Code Enforcement; CJ Randall, Director of Planning; Ashley Colbert, Deputy Town Clerk; Kelly Anderson, Finance Officer; Joe Slater, Director of Public Works; and David O’Shea, Director of Engineering 1. Tompkins County Legislature Report Ms. Black reported that the County is changing her district lines will be changing and adding two new districts and legislators and they expect 9 or 10 new legislators coming into office this year. The new Government Center project – The old Key Bank and Wiggins Law buildings will be deconstructed with as many materials being recycled as possible. The pre-covid cost was estimated at $30 million and current estimates are $45-50 million. A survey asked whether the complex should be downtown, and the consensus was that it should. A parking study is planned to look at those concerns. will be conducted. The new shelter off Cherry Street is in the planning stage and an RFQ was put out for providers and the submissions will be discussed by the working group this week. There is no partnership planned with the city but there may be partnerships with non-profits to offer services. The County passed the tax cap override with the expectation that we will need to go over the tax cap to maintain services as revenues remain flat. Medicaid – There are 17,000 people in Tompkins County who rely on Medicaid and with the projected Federal cuts and work requirements, there is some talk about filling in shortalls with local government funds. Rapid medical response – There have been rapid medical responses programs in rural areas that have been successful, supported by $300,000 in state funds secured by Lea Webb. Many would like to see increased hours for those programs and $35,000 has been approved to do a feasibility study. The debate is whether the municipalities or the county should pay for the programs. Ithaca Downtown Alliance – Membership was increased by two positions for representatives from the school districts and the union on a rotating basis. Questions from the Board: TB 2025-06-23 (Filed 6/27) Pg. 2 Mr. DePaolo asked about the timeframe of deconstructing the buildings to make way for the new Center of Government and whether there would be any road closures associated with that. Ms. Black responded that it should be underway in the next 3 to 6 months and no closures are expected. Mr. Howe added that he hoped the price didn’t continue to go up. Ms. Black responded that the uncertainties in the market and tariff implications make is difficult for contractors to accurately bid jobs and they are not responding to RFPs and so forth. There may be a pause for 6 months or until things stabilize. 2. Update on draft revisions to Short Term Rental legislation Mr. DePaolo explained the issue was brought up by a resident, requesting the residency requirement be waived in the Conservation Zone and this change will hopefully balance the needs of the residents and keeping the open space preservation desired in a conservation zone while not opening it up to hospitality businesses. Ms. Bleiwas asked about any potential problems with the existing housing stock in that zone or is that area too sparsely populated for there to be a problem. Mr. DePaolo responded that the proposal limits the waiver to existing structures and caps the number of un-hosted rental days to 29 which should limit any unnecessary development for rental purposes. A public hearing will be set for August 11, 2025. 3. Consider approval to apply for a Park Foundation Grant – Forest Home Update Traffic Calming Plan Mr. Howe explained that the Town has re-engaged with the Forest Home Community to look at ways to slow down traffic within the community to make it safer for pedestrians and bicyclists, noting that the focus is not to reduce traffic, but to slow it down. Ms. Randall referred to her memo, noting that a significant part of the grant budget will go toward public engagement and research evaluating road geometry, utility analysis, renderings etc., and it will include an implementation matrix and costs for to use for future grant funding applications. Mr. DePaolo asked what happens if the Town does not get the grant and if the expectation is the Town would then fund the study? TB 2025-06-23 (Filed 6/27) Pg. 3 Mr. Howe responded that the grant request is for $175,000 and if it isn’t awarded, the topic would come back to the Board for further discussion. Mr. Slater added that there will be minor road repaving and grading and maintaining existing crosswalks this summer in Forest Home. TB Resolution 2025 - 065: Authorization to Apply for Funding through the Park Foundation to update the Forest Home Traffic Calming Plan Whereas the Park Foundation is currently accepting funding request proposals and includes a funding priority for “Sustainable Ithaca” with a category for “Smart Growth,” and Whereas, the Forest Home Improvement Association (FHIA), with the participation of the Town of Ithaca and other interested stakeholders, prepared the 2007 Forest Home Traffic Calming Plan with the intent of reducing vehicle speeds and increasing driver attentiveness in this residential neighborhood, thereby improving pedestrian, bicycle and vehicular safety, and creating a more livable residential environment, and Whereas, the Town of Ithaca, with the participation of the Forest Home Improvement Association (FHIA) and other interested stakeholders, intends to engage active transportation planning and engineering services, community relations support services, and agency strategic guidance for the Forest Home neighborhood in accordance with the Town’s Complete Streets policy (April 15, 2015) and Vision Zero policy (June 9, 2025), and Whereas, the Town estimates the total cost to be approximately $175,000 for the project, and Whereas Park Foundation applications are due by July 8, 2025; now, therefore, be it Resolved, that the Supervisor of the Town of Ithaca, or designated representative, is hereby authorized and directed to file an application to update the Forest Home Traffic Calming Plan through the Park Foundation for $75,000, and upon approval of said request to enter into and execute a project agreement with the Park Foundation for such financial assistance to the Town of Ithaca. Moved: Rod Howe Seconded: Susie Gutenberger Vote: ayes - Howe, DePaolo, Bleiwas, Levine, Gutenberger and Johnson 4. Consider Approval of a SOMRA and associated easement with Cayuga Medical Center Mr. O’Shea explained that this SOMRA will combine the new agreement needed with many existing agreements and make access and enforcement a lot easier for the Town. TB Resolution 2025 – 066: Authorization for Supervisor to sign the Campus Wide Stormwater Operation, Maintenance, and Reporting Agreement and stormwater related easement associated with Cayuga Medical Center TB 2025-06-23 (Filed 6/27) Pg. 4 Whereas, the Cayuga Medical Center (CMC) has many stormwater management and treatment facilities that have been installed over the years during various projects. Each project has an individual Stormwater Operation, Maintenance, and Reporting Agreement (SOMRA) and associated easements, and Whereas CMC wishes to terminate the individual agreements and easements and enter into a campus wide SOMRA and easement that will replace the prior individual agreements, and Whereas, pursuant to the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act (“SEQRA”) and its implementing regulations at 6 NYCRR Part 617, it has been determined by the Town Board that approval of the proposed Operation, Maintenance and Reporting Agreement, and the proposed Permanent Stormwater and Access Easements and Right-of-Way, is a Type II action because it constitutes “routine or continuing agency administration and management, not including new programs or major reordering of priorities that may affect the environment,” and thus this action is not subject to review under SEQRA; now therefore be it Resolved that the Town Board authorizes the Town Supervisor to sign the Campus Wide Stormwater Operation, Maintenance, and Reporting Agreement and stormwater easement associated with the Cayuga Medical Center and termination of the prior stormwater agreements and easements, subject to the review by the Attorney for the Town and approval of the Town Engineer. Moved: Eric Levine Seconded: Pamela Bleiwas Vote: ayes – Howe, DePaolo, Bleiwas, Levine, Gutenberger and Johnson 5. Reports from Committees a. Budget – No meeting Personnel and Organization/ERC - Ms. Bleiwas reported they are working through the Board Protocol and Procedures Manual chapter by chapter to accurately reflect our procedures and they discussed Town employment levels and a revised classification criteria rating system and listing, which was recommended to the Board for approval. (i.) Consider approval of a revised Classification List and Criteria TB Resolution 2025 – 067: Approve creation of a New Job Classification Criteria Rating System and Job Classification Listing for the Office and Field Systems Whereas, the Town had been using a job classification system that was created and approved of in 2012; and TB 2025-06-23 (Filed 6/27) Pg. 5 Whereas, the Personnel and Organization Committee has evaluated a simpler position rating system; as it was deemed that the 2012 system needed some revisions to better suit the Town’s growing staffing needs; and Whereas, the Personnel and Organization Committee recommends the revised Job Classification System, which includes the revised job evaluation criteria, and position classification listing; and Whereas the Personnel and Organization Committee is continuing to evaluate the wage scale for the revised Classification System; now, therefore, be it Resolved, the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca does hereby approve the revised Job Classification System, which includes the revised job evaluation criteria, and position classification listing; and be it further Resolved, the approved criteria shall be used to determine job classifications for new and existing positions. Moved: Pamela Bleiwas Seconded: Margaret Johnson Vote: ayes- Howe, DePaolo, Bleiwas, Levine, Gutenberger and Johnson b. Public Works Committee – Mr. Howe reported that they reviewed 2026 Fleet Replacement Schedule and Capital Improvements Projects; there will be a shared services agreement for one year with NYS Department of Transportation; a Public Works Facility open house will be held September 13th and the PWF MEP project is almost done. c. Planning Committee – Mr. DePaolo reported that they reviewed and revised the Vision Zero Policy and tightened up the proposed language for the STR legislation discussed already and continued to look at the draft local law requiring PILOT agreements associated with community solar systems. d. Codes & Ordinances – No meeting. e. Parks & Trails – Mr. Howe reported that the committee’s work is done, and staff is working on updating Parks and Trail Plan which the goal to have it ready by the end of the year. f. Economic Development – No meeting. g. Other The Town is continuing to work with the City regarding the next 5-year contract for Fire Protection. The partnership with the City on creating a joint Historic Preservation Committee and associated MOU are closer to being finalized. The Town is pursuing a bilateral Plant to Plant agreement with Cayuga Heights that allows our facility to accept overflow sewage from the Village.A meeting with the City of Ithaca is scheduled to hear their comments. •A, 6.Consent Agenda TB Resolution 2025 -068:Adopt Consent Agenda Approval of Minutes Town of Ithaca Abstract Ur b. Moved:Margaret Johnson Vote:ayes -Howe,DePaolo,Bleiwas,Levine,Gutenberger and Johnson Seconded:Pamela Bleiwas TB Resolution 2025 a:Approval of Town Board Minutes -none TB Resolution 2025 -068b:Town of Ithaca Ahstraet 12 for FY-2025 Resolved that the Town Board approves the audited vouchers be paid in full in the amounts indicated: VOUCHER NOS.2025 520-573 General Fund Town Wide 74.322.921 General Fund Part-Town 2,385.002 Highway Fund Town Wide DA ITighway Fund Part Town DB Water Fund 2,035.77 158,272.90 728,102.46 Sewer Fund 113,252.01 Capital Projects TOTAL 148,164.46 1,226,535.52 7.Review of Gorrespondence /Board Member Comments -None The meeting was adjourned upon motion by Mr.Howe,seconded by Mr.DePaolo,unanimous. Paulette Rosa Town Clerk TB 2025-06-23 (Filed 6/27)Pg.6