HomeMy WebLinkAboutTB Minutes 2025-10-06MEETING OF THE ITHACA TOWN BOARD
October 6, 2025, 5:30
AGENDA
1. Call to order and pledge of allegiance
2. Persons to be heard
3. Public Hearing and consider adoption of a proposed local law creating a new Chapter 221
of the Town of Ithaca Code entitled “Solar Energy Systems (Large Scale) PILOT and
Host Community Agreements”
4. Consider amending TB 2024-140 – Cornell Botanic Garden Deer Management Program
to allow for archery equipment beginning Oct 1st
5. Discuss the 2026 Preliminary Budget for the Town of Ithaca
a. Consider any changes to the Preliminary Budget and setting a public hearing
6. Consider setting public hearings regarding: the proposed increase to Town of Ithaca
Water Rates and Sewer Rents, the 2026 Assessment Rolls for the Town of Ithaca’s
Special Benefit Districts and Special Benefit Areas
7. Consider award of the Inlet Valley Sewer Improvement Project Materials Contract
8. Consider Approval of the Contract Documents and Bid Specifications for the Inlet Valley
Improvement Project Construction Contract
9. Consider authorization to sign an Engineering Services Agreement for the Joint
Interceptor Study
10. Consider adoption of the revised Distributed Energy Resource (DER) Plan
11. Consent Agenda
a. Approval of Town Board Minutes
b. Town of Ithaca Abstract
c. Bolton Point Abstract
d. Proclamation – October is Community Planning Month
12. Reports by Town Officials
13. Correspondence
TB 2025-110-06 (Filed 10/8) Pg. 1
MEETING OF THE ITHACA TOWN BOARD
October 6, 2025
MINUTES
A courtesy video recording is available on YouTubeLiveMeeting.
Board Members Present: Rod Howe, Supervisor; Members Eric Levine, Rich DePaolo, Pamela
Bleiwas, and Margaret Johnson Absent: Susie Gutenberger and Rob Rosen
Staff Present: Susan Brock, Attorney for the Town; Judy Drake, Director of Human Resources;
Marty Moseley, Director of Code Enforcement; CJ Randall, Director of Planning; Paulette Rosa,
Town Clerk; Kelly Anderson, Director of Finance; Joe Slater, Director of Public Works; and
Justin McNeal, Town Engineer
1. Call to order and pledge of allegiance – Mr. Howe opened the meeting and lead the pledge.
2. Persons to be heard –
TCAT Presentation – Funding Request
Trevor Jensen, Planning & Scheduling Manager gave a presentation (Attachment1)
Proposal is to extend Rout 67 which traverses the entirety of the southwest shopping
district to include a loop via Elmira Rd, Seven Mile Dr, Bostwick Rd and Floral Ave.
Highlighted associated costs
Highlighted the dense residential areas that would be serviced
Highlighted the commercial/work locations that would be serviced
Questions
Mr. DePaolo asked what size bus would be used as we have had complaints from the Westhaven
Rd area about large busses running multiple times daily with very few passengers.
Mr. Jensen responded that the majority of the busses are 40’ feet long and although they have a
couple of smaller busses, they reach capacity when we have put them on a route, resulting in
overcrowding and poor customer service.
He added that there is a scheduled public meeting with the Westhaven Rd community on
October 9th to hear their concerns and answer questions.
Mr. DePaolo asked about the costs quoted and if that was net of revenue.
Mr. Jensen went through the funding streams and costs, including busses, administration, staff
etc.; the extension does not take out revenue as it will take time to build up usership and as that
builds, the request for support may go down.
TB 2025-110-06 (Filed 10/8) Pg. 2
Mr. DePaolo noted that the report lists “cost per mile” and he thought it would be more accurate
to list “cost per hour” as a more realistic formula.
Mr. DePaolo turned back to the Westhaven Rd route, and it seems an obvious choice to use a
smaller bus there, based upon the numbers quoted by the community.
Mr. Jensen responded that they are not cheaper to run because they break down more and during
some times, a larger bus is needed and the time to swap out buses affects everything down the
line with wasted operator time and more.
Mr. Jensen added that smaller buses are mainly used when maneuverability is an issue and they
hope to get more hybrid or electric buses, which would mitigate the noise complaints.
Mr. Howe thanked him for coming.
3. Public Hearing and consider adoption of a proposed local law creating a new Chapter
221 of the Town of Ithaca Code entitled “Solar Energy Systems (Large Scale) PILOT
and Host Community Agreements”
Mr. Howe opened the public hearing; there was no one wishing to speak and the hearing was
closed.
There were no comments or questions from the Board.
TB Resolution 2025 - 110: Adoption of Local Law 13 of 2025 creating Chapter 221 of the
Town of Ithaca Code, entitled “Solar Energy Systems (Large-Scale) Pilot and Host
Community Agreements”
Whereas, the Planning Committee, during meetings on March 20, 2025, April 17, 2025, May 29,
2025, and August 21, 2025, along with Town staff, researched and considered legislative options
for capturing revenue from large-scale renewable energy installations through payment-in-lieu-
of-taxes (PILOT) agreements and host community agreements, and
Whereas, the Town Board, at a meeting held on August 25, 2025, reviewed and discussed a
preliminary draft of the legislative language prepared by the Planning Committee, and
Whereas, at a meeting on September 8, 2025, the Town Board reviewed the local law and
scheduled a public hearing for October 6, 2025, at 5:30 pm to hear all interested parties on the
proposed local law entitled “A Local Law Creating a New Town of Ithaca Code Chapter 221
Entitled “Solar Energy Systems (Large-Scale) Pilot and Host Community Agreements”,” and
Whereas, said public hearing was duly published, posted and held on said date and time, and
Whereas, pursuant to the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act (“SEQRA”) and
its implementing regulations at 6 NYCRR Part 617, adoption of said local law is a Type II
TB 2025-110-06 (Filed 10/8) Pg. 3
Action pursuant to 6 NYCRR Part 617.5 c (26) and (33), which requires no further
environmental review, and
Whereas, the Town Board finds it is in the best interest of the Town and its citizens to adopt the
local law, now, therefore, be it
Resolved, that the Town Board adopts said local law entitled “A Local Law Creating a New
Town of Ithaca Code Chapter 221 Entitled “Solar Energy Systems (Large-Scale) Pilot and Host
Community Agreements.”
Moved: Rich DePaolo Seconded: Margaret Johnson
Vote: ayes – DePaolo, Johnson, Levine, Howe and Bleiwas
4. Consider amending TB 2024-140 – Cornell Botanic Garden Deer Management
Program to allow for archery equipment beginning Oct 1st
Mr. Bitner, Cornell, explained that archery season starts on October 1st and the current waiver
doesn’t start until November 1st, removing that portion of the deer culling program and deer
population control program. He added that the current waiver also implies that firearms can be
carried from November 1st but that season doesn’t start until the 3rd Saturday in November.
The changes requested reflect correcting those items.
Discussion
Mr. DePaolo asked about the timeline for the improvements to the Town’s Culver Preserve (next
spring) and suggested limiting the waiver to two years to see if there are any issues once the
Preserve is finished and more people may use it.
The Board agreed and the change was made to the draft resolution to be through the 2026/2027
season.
TB Resolution 2025 - 111: Amend TB Resolution 2024-104 to allow archery equipment and
clarify when non-archery season starts – Cornell Botanic Gardens Deer Management
Program
Whereas the Town Board passed TB Resolution 2024-104 extending the prior Waiver for access
through the Culver Road Preserve by the Cornell Botanic Gardens Deer Management Program
(Program) participants, with a condition setting the terms of the waiver from November 1st
through April 30th of each year, through the 2026/2027 seasons, and
Whereas archery season begins on October 1st of each year in this region, and the Program has
requested an amendment to the existing condition to allow archers to carry their equipment
beginning on October 1st of each year to manage the deer population, and
TB 2025-110-06 (Filed 10/8) Pg. 4
Whereas non-archery firearms are not allowed to be used by New York State regulations until
the 3rd Saturday in November, as opposed to November 1 as the resolution currently reads,
now, therefore be it
Resolved that the Town Board amends TB Resolution 2024-104’s Condition 4 to read:
4. This variance is valid through the 2026/2027 hunting seasons, from October 1st
through April 30th for archery hunting implements and from the third Saturday in November
through April 30th, for non-archery, New York State approved firearms.
Moved: Rod Howe Seconded: Pamela Bleiwas
Vote: ayes – Howe, Bleiwas, Johnson, DePaolo and Levine
5. Discuss the 2026 Preliminary Budget for the Town of Ithaca
Mr. Howe began by stating that there are still a few unknowns, with the two largest being the
IAWWTF and the IFD Fire contract, so we put figures in, but they are not firm. We are
negotiating the contract and the administrative costs we are charged with and there will be
improvements needed at the IAWWTF but those will be bonded. Given that, we have been
cautious with our estimations.
Mr. DePaolo asked about the increase in the Personnel Services line.
Ms. Drake responded that there is an additional pay period in the year, which is a significant
amount of money. There is an Administrative Assistant promotion; the board/committee
stipends are done on the number of scheduled meetings, regardless of whether or not they are
held, we budget for all of them; Debby Kelly’s retirement and associated new position(s).
Discussion turned to the TCAT funding request.
Mr. Howe said that although the extension of the route is exciting to think about, he felt cautious
about 2026 given our current unknowns.
Comments centered on the actual costs of simply extending an existing route and how quickly
they could institute it.
Members were generally in favor of the funding by considering it next year when we are in a
better position or by supporting half the request this year and TCAT could start the route later in
the season rather than in January. They would then have hard ridership figures, even a starting
figure, to inform future requests.
Ms. Anderson will budget 50% funding and run the numbers for further discussion at the next
meeting.
6. Consider setting public hearings regarding: the proposed increase to Town of Ithaca
Water Rates and Sewer Rents, the 2026 Assessment Rolls for the Town of Ithaca’s
TB 2025-110-06 (Filed 10/8) Pg. 5
Special Benefit Districts and Special Benefit Areas and the Preliminary 2026 Town of
Ithaca Budget
TB Resolution 2025 – 112: Set Public Hearings – Budget related actions
Resolved that the Town Board will hold public hearings at its meeting on October 27, 2025,
which begins at 5:30 p.m. at Town Hall, 215 N. Tioga St., and via the ZOOM video conference
program for the publics’ convenience, at which time anyone wishing to comment on the
following budget related actions shall be heard:
1. Proposed increase to the Town of Ithaca Water Rates
2. Proposed increase to the Town of Ithaca Sewer Rents
3. The 2026 Assessment Rolls for the Special Benefit Districts and Special Benefit Areas
4. The adoption of the 2026 Town of Ithaca Budget
Moved: Pamela Bleiwas Seconded: Margaret Johnson
Vote: ayes – Bleiwas, Johnson, Howe, DePaolo and Levine
7. Consider award of the Inlet Valley Sewer Improvement Project Materials Contract
Mr. McNeal explained that they split the project into two parts to be able to get materials in a
timely manner due to long lead times for some materials.
TB Resolution 2025 - 113: Authorization to Award 2024 Inlet Valley Sewer Improvement
Project: Materials Contract
Whereas, on October 2, 2025, the Town of Ithaca Director of Engineering (Director) received bids
for the 2024 Inlet Valley Sewer Improvements Project: Materials Contract. and
Whereas, pursuant to the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act (“SEQRA”) and its
implementing regulations at 6 NYCRR Part 617, approval, construction and implementation of the
Improvement and establishment of the Town of Ithaca 2024 Inlet Valley Sewer Improvement
Area, together with the related actions and approvals required by other boards and agencies is an
Unlisted action for which the Town of Ithaca Town Board, acting in an uncoordinated
environmental review with respect to the Project, made a negative determination of environmental
significance on October 7, 2024, and
Whereas, at its meeting on October 7, 2024, the Town Board adopted a Public Interest Order (TB
Resolution 2024-101) establishing the Improvement and the Town of Ithaca 2024 Inlet Valley
Sewer Improvement Area and authorizing a maximum amount of $1,278,685.00 to be expended
on this Improvement this was subject to permissive referendum in the manner provided in Town
Law Article 7 and Town Law Section 209-q, no referendum was requested, and
Whereas the Director reviewed the sole bid and qualifications received and has determined the bid
in the amount of $366,840.00 made by Koester Associates Inc, 3101 Seneca Turnpike Canastota,
NY 13032 is both responsive and responsible, and now, therefore be it
TB 2025-110-06 (Filed 10/8) Pg. 6
Resolved, that the Town Board authorizes the award of the contract for the 2024 Inlet Valley
Sewer Improvement Project: Materials Contract to Koester Associates Inc.; and be it further
Resolved, that the Town Supervisor is authorized to execute such contract subject to review of the
final contract documents by the Director and the Attorney for the Town.
Moved: Rich DePaolo Seconded: Rod Howe
Vote: ayes – DePaolo, Howe, Levine, Bleiwas, and Johnson
8. Consider Approval of the Contract Documents and Bid Specifications for the Inlet
Valley Improvement Project Construction Contract
Mr. Howe noted that this is a standard procedure for public interest order actions.
TB Resolution 2025 - 114: Approval of Contract Documents and Bid Specifications for the
2024 Inlet Valley Sewer Improvement Project Construction Contract
Whereas New York Town Law Article 12-C, § 209-q(7) states that after a resolution authorizing
a sewer, drainage or water improvement becomes effective, contracts for the improvement may
be let in the manner provided by Town Law § 197, and
Whereas Town Law § 197 requires that the Town Board adopt definite plans, specifications,
estimates and the proposed contracts for sewer, drainage and water improvements, and
Whereas plans, specifications, estimates, and the proposed Construction Contract for the 2024
Inlet Valley Sewer Improvement Project are on file in the Town Clerk’s office and have been
available for review by the Town Board since October 1, 2025, now therefore be it
Resolved that the Town Board approves and adopts the plans dated September 02, 2025 last
revised September 18, 2025, and the specifications and proposed contract dated November 2025,
and authorizes the Town Clerk to advertise the request for bids for the project, and be it further
Resolved that the Director of Engineering is authorized to make minor changes to the plans,
specifications, and proposed contract.
Moved: Rich DePaolo Seconded: Rod Howe
Vote: ayes – DePaolo, Howe, Levine, Bleiwas and Johnson
9. Consider authorization to sign an Engineering Services Agreement for the Joint
Interceptor Study
Mr. Howe noted that this is a professional services contract to provide licensed engineering
reviews and certifications as needed while the vacancy in the position is filled.
TB 2025-110-06 (Filed 10/8) Pg. 7
TB Resolution 2025 - 115: Approval and authorization for the Town Supervisor to sign a
contract with LDG Engineers and Architects, P.C. dba Larson Design Group for
Professional Services for the Sanitary Sewer Joint Interceptors Study Task 1
Whereas, on June 20, 2025, the Director of Engineering (Director) received responses to a
request for qualifications for the Sanitary Sewer Joint Interceptor Study (Project), and
Whereas, Larson Design Group (Larson) has been selected based on adequately outlined related
work experience, project objectives, and timelines that meet and/or exceed our expectations, and
Whereas, Larson provided a proposal for the scope of work to be performed, dated September
29, 2025, and
Whereas, the Director has reviewed the proposal and recommends the Town Board award Task 1
of the Project for the preliminary investigation scope as identified by Larson, now, therefore be it
Resolved, that the Town Board approves and authorizes the Supervisor to execute a contract for
Task 1 of the Project to LDG Engineers and Architects, P.C. dba Larson Design Group, with an
office at 1 West Market Street, Corning, NY 14830, for an amount not to exceed Sixty-Eight
Thousand Four Hundred Dollars and Zero Cents ($68,400), subject to review by the Attorney for
the Town.
Moved: Margaret Johnson Seconded: Eric Levine
Vote: ayes – Johnson, Levine, Howe, DePaolo and Bleiwas
10. Consider adoption of the revised Distributed Energy Resource (DER) Plan
Mr. Howe noted the memo from Ms. Swartwood explaining that the revised Plan was necessary
to match updated regulations.
Mr. DePaolo asked what qualifies a “qualifying use of renewable energy was and whether the
sources of energy are generated by renewable practices. He said the burden seems to be on new
construction instead of equally across existing and new projects because there is no requirement
to upgrade existing buildings unless they have major renovations. Given that, the Net Zero by
2030 is unattainable.
Ms. Swartwood responded that people can enter a contract for renewable energy providers for a
minimum of 15 yrs. and quantifying the progress towards our 2030 goal would depend on the
amount of new construction or significant renovations that require the Energy Code regulations,
and we hope the availability of Community Choice Aggregation sources of clean energy will
inspire more existing buildings to transition.
TB Resolution 2025 – 116: Adoption of the Revised Town of Ithaca Local Distributed
Energy Resource Plan
TB 2025-110-06 (Filed 10/8) Pg. 8
Whereas, the purpose of the Town of Ithaca's Distributed Energy Resources (DER) program is to
expand access to solar and other local renewables and energy efficiency technologies through a
voluntary program for consumers of electricity and/or natural gas in the Town to host, use,
and/or invest in such local renewables and technologies, and
Whereas, the Town adopted a Local Distributed Energy Resource Plan for Community Choice
Aggregation on September 11, 2023, which Plan was consistent with then-Town Code Chapter
135 (Community Choice Aggregation (Energy) Program), and
Whereas, the Town of Ithaca replaced Chapter 135 with a new Chapter 135 “Community Choice
Aggregation (Energy) Program and Distributed Energy Resources Program,” on June 9, 2025,
and
Whereas, Local Power LLC and Town of Ithaca personnel drafted a proposed new DER Plan to
align with the new Chapter 135 of the Town Code, now, therefore, be it
Resolved, that the Town Board adopts the revised Town of Ithaca Local Distributed Energy
Resource Plan as submitted.
Moved: Rod Howe Seconded: Margaret Johnson
Vote: ayes – Howe, Johnson, Levine, DePaolo and Bleiwas
11. Consent Agenda
TB Resolution 2025 - 117: Adopt Consent Agenda
Resolved that the Town Board adopts the Consent Agenda actions:
a. Approval of Town Board Minutes
b. Town of Ithaca Abstract
c. Bolton Point Abstract
d. Proclamation – October is Community Planning Month
Moved: Rod Howe Seconded: Pamela Bleiwas
Vote: ayes – Howe, Bleiwas, Levine, Johnson and DePaolo
TB Resolution 2025 – 117a: Approval of Town Board Minutes of September 29, 2025
Resolved that the Town Board approves the draft minutes of September 29, 2025, as final, with
any non-substantive changes made.
TB Resolution 2025 - 117b: Town of Ithaca Abstract No. 19 for FY-2025
Resolved that the Town Board authorizes payment of the audited vouchers in total for the amounts
indicated:
TB 2025-110-06 (Filed 10/8) Pg. 9
VOUCHER NOS. 2025 917 - 946
General Fund Town Wide 29,250.25
General Fund Part-Town 5,014.64
Highway Fund Town Wide DA 175.73
Highway Fund Part Town DB 13,895.28
Water Fund 1,627.95
Sewer Fund 469,805.83
TOTAL 519,769.68
TB Resolution 2025 - c: Approval of Bolton Point Abstract
TB Resolution 2025-117d: Resolution Proclaiming October as Community Planning Month
Whereas change is constant and affects all cities, towns, and counties; and
Whereas planners can help navigate this change with data-driven insights and expertise that
provide better choices for how people work and live; and
Whereas the Town of Ithaca Chronology of Policy Decisions Establishing and Supporting
Comprehensive Planning Process dates to 1937, established the Town of Ithaca as a leader in
community planning; and
Whereas community planning provides an opportunity for all residents to be meaningfully
involved in making choices that determine the future of their community; and
Whereas the full benefits of planning require public elected and appointed officials who
understand, support, and demand excellence in planning and plan implementation; and
Whereas, the month of October is designated as National Community Planning Month throughout
the United States of America and its territories, and
Whereas the American Planning Association endorses National Community Planning Month as an
opportunity to highlight how planning is essential to every community, and how planners are
uniquely positioned to identify solutions to communities’ most difficult housing, transportation,
and land use questions, and
Whereas the celebration of National Community Planning Month gives us the opportunity to
publicly recognize the participation and dedication of appointed Planning Board members who
have contributed their time and expertise to the improvement of the Town of Ithaca; and
Whereas we recognize the many valuable contributions made by the professional planners of the
Town of Ithaca and extend our heartfelt thanks for the continued commitment to public service by
these professionals; now therefore be it
TB 2025-110-06 (Filed 10/8) Pg. 10
Resolved that each year, the month of October is hereby designated as Community Planning
Month in the Town of Ithaca in conjunction with the celebration of National Community
Planning Month.
12. Reports by Town Officials
Mr. Howe reminded everyone that there is a public hearing by the Ithaca Area Development
regarding the Carrowmore Solar project PILOT request tomorrow here at Town Hall.
13. Correspondence None
The meeting was adjourned upon a motion by Mr. Howe, seconded by Mr. DePaolo, unanimous.
Submitted by
Paulette Rosa
Town Clerk