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Home My WebLink AboutTB Packet 2026-03-09 MEETING OF THE ITHACA TOWN BOARD 215 N Tioga St. 5:30 p.m. March 9, 2026 hM2s://zoom.us/j/98910958241 YouTube Link AGENDA 1. Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance 2. Persons to be Heard 3. Authorizing the submission of an application for a NYS Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) Grant for the NYS Route 96/Trumansburg Road Pedestrian Improvements Project 4. Consider Appointment of Interim Town Board Member 5. Consider Consent Agenda a. Approval of Town Board Minutes b. Approval of Town of Ithaca Abstract c. Approval of Bolton Point Abstract d. Resolution Supporting the Deconstruction and Reuse of the Built Environment e. Ratify permanent appointments - GTCMHIC 6. Reports of Town Officials and Committees 7. Review of Correspondence TOWN OF ITHACA „ n NEW YORK DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING 215 N.Tioga St 14850 607.273.1747 www.town.ithaca.ny.us TO: Town Board Members FROM: Nicholas Quilty-Koval, Planner DATE: March 2, 2026 RE: 2025 Transportation Alternative Program (TAP) Grant Application for NYS Route 96/Trumansburg Road Pedestrian Improvements Purpose: This grant application would progress design and construction of new sidewalks along the east side of NYS Route 96 from the Cayuga Professional Center driveway near Hayts Rd to the existing sidewalk at the City of Ithaca boundary line; this project has been envisioned by the Town since 2007. Improvements including sidewalks, new curbing, a guide rail, a retaining wall, and landscaping will significantly enhance pedestrian safety and create a reliable, connected walking route between key facilities in the 1.3 +/- mile corridor, and promote active transportation while improving access to public transit. The Budget Committee and Planning Committee strongly encourage the Planning Department to pursue solutions that provide safe facilities for community members who use active transportation and public transit. Location: The project corridor limits along NYS Route 96/Trumansburg Road began at the Town/City of Ithaca municipal boundary to the south and extend approximately 1.3 miles north to Hayts Rd (County Road 139). Sidewalk facilities are proposed on the east side of the corridor. Community Benefits: Safety: NYS Route 96/Trumansburg Road is a relatively high-volume, high-speed highway having no pedestrian facilities. This corridor contains the Cayuga Professional Center and Cayuga Medical Center (CIVIC) along with other medical facilities/offices, low- and high-density residential developments, assisted living facilities, a museum, the West Hill Fire Station, and a church. These facilities have high community use, generating significant pedestrian movement within the corridor. Because there are currently no sidewalks, pedestrians often use the shoulder of the road to walk to and from the City of Ithaca, and internally within the corridor to the various facilities along Trumansburg Road. The significant number of pedestrians using the road shoulder—which has no physical separation from traffic with vehicles often travelling at speeds in excess of the posted 45mph limit—presents a significant safety concern. During the winter, snow storage along the roadway further reduces the area available for pedestrians to safely travel along this corridor. Connectivity: Implements City, County, and Town Comprehensive Plan goals to encourage active transportation and for safe and convenient access and mobility for all users regardless of age or ability across jurisdictional boundaries. Livability: Livable, healthy, and attractive neighborhoods depend on an integrated and connected network of transportation options. Many of the community's underserved do not have access to a vehicle and rely on walking and/or biking; planning for these improvements improves accessibility, particularly for non-drivers, which supports equity objectives. Cost: The scope of services includes preliminary &final design, right-of-way acquisition, construction, and construction inspection for sidewalk implementation in the corridor: $6,000,000.This grant requires a 20% match and is reimbursement-based, meaning the project sponsor (Town of Ithaca) pays 100% of the project cost, then requests reimbursement for 80% of the eligible project costs. Item 3 MEETING OF THE ITHACA TOWN BOARD March 9, 2026 TB Resolution 2026 - : Authorizing the submission of an application for a NYS Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) Grant for the NYS Route 96/Trumansburg Road Pedestrian Improvements Proiect Whereas, the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca after due consideration, has determined that it is desirable and in the public interest to submit a grant application under the NYS Transportation Alternatives Program(TAP); and Whereas, the Project shall be titled"NYS Route 96/TRUMANSBURG ROAD PEDESTRIAN IMPROVEMENTS, TOWN OF ITHACA AND CITY OF ITHACA TOWN LINE TO HAYTS ROAD TOWN OF ITHACA" (Project); and Whereas, this Project would progress design and construction of new sidewalks along the east side of NYS Route 96 from the Cayuga Professional Center driveway near Hayts Rd to the existing sidewalk at the City of Ithaca boundary line including new curbing, a guiderail, a retaining wall, and landscaping; and Whereas, this project will significantly enhance pedestrian safety; create a reliable, connected walking route between key facilities in the 1.3 +/-mile corridor; promote active transportation while improving access to public transit; and, has been envisioned by the Town since 2007; and Whereas, the total project cost is estimated to be six million dollars ($6,000,000.00) intended to cover the design and construction with reimbursement expected at the ratio of 80% grant funds and 20% local match; and Whereas, The Town Board acknowledges that, if the grant is awarded, the Town of Ithaca will pay in the first instance 100% of the cost of Engineering, ROW and Construction work for the Project or portions thereof, with the understanding that qualified costs may be eligible for grant reimbursement; and Resolved, the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca hereby authorizes the submission of an application for a NYS Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) Grant and authorizes the Supervisor, or his designee, to execute all related documents for this submission, and be it further Resolved, the Town of Ithaca is committed to completing the Project as per the project schedule provided in the application and will comply with all federal and state regulations. Moved: Seconded: Vote: Item 4 MEETING OF THE ITHACA TOWN BOARD March 9, 2026 TB Resolution 2026 - 00: Appointment of Interim Town Board Member DePaolo Whereas Robert Rosen, Town Board Member, passed away on February 16, 2026, creating a vacant Town Board Member position; and Whereas,under NYS Town Law §64 (5) and Public Officers Law §42, the Town Board, upon an affirmative vote by the majority of its members, is authorized to fill the vacancy with a qualified person to serve for the remainder of the calendar year, now, therefore be it Resolved, that the Town Board appoints former Town Board Member Rich DePaolo to fill the vacancy for a term beginning March 9, 2026, through December 31, 2026. Moved: Seconded: Vote: Item 5 MEETING OF THE ITHACA TOWN BOARD January 12, 2026 TB Resolution 2026—017:Adopt Consent Agenda Resolved, that the Town Board approves and/or adopts the following Consent Agenda items: a. Approval of Town Board Minutes b. Approval of Town of Ithaca Abstract c. Approval of Bolton Point Abstract d. Resolution Supporting the Deconstruction and Reuse of the Built Environment e. Ratify permanent appointment- GTCMHIC Moved: Seconded: Vote: ayes- TB Resolution 2026 - a:Approval of Town Board Minutes Resolved that the Town Board approves the minutes of February 23, 2026, as final with any non- substantive changes made. TB Resolution 2026 - b: Town of Ithaca Abstract No. 6 for FY 2026 Resolved that the Town Board authorizes the payment of the following audited vouchers in total for the amounts indicated: TB Resolution 2026 - c:Approval of Bolton Point Abstract TB Resolution 2026—d: Supporting the Deconstruction and Reuse of the Built Environment in the Town of Ithaca Whereas, the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca recognizes the benefits of deconstruction, and is among a handful of other municipalities nationwide supporting these measures; and Whereas, the Town Board recognizes the value of reuse and preservation of its cultural heritage by prolonging the lifespan of current building stock, its architectural features, and building material as much as possible; and Whereas, globally, buildings account for 39% of annual greenhouse gas emissions and more than 50% of resource extraction; and Whereas, the Town Board supports a circular economy approach to construction and deconstruction in the built environment; and Item 5 Whereas, the Town Board supports the reduction of landfill waste through careful deconstruction of buildings that have run their full course of use; and Whereas, the Town Board desires as much material as possible to be reused in the community; and Whereas, the Town Board desires as much material as possible to be recycled that cannot be easily reused; and Whereas, the Town Board recognizes that the process of deconstruction, and not mechanical demolition, will reduce the release of hazardous toxins into the environment; and Whereas, the Town Board desires to reduce the carbon emissions associated with the extraction and transportation of raw materials that make up our built environment; and Whereas, the Town Board, in supporting initiatives to preserve, protect, deconstruct, and reuse rather than demolish, desires to provide opportunities for deconstruction and reuse businesses; and Whereas, the Town Board recognizes that reused materials will still need to meet the Uniform Code; and Whereas, the Town Board considers this resolution to be aligned with the circular economy objectives of Tompkins County Solid Waste Management Plan and the Town of Ithaca's Green New Deal Resolution goal to equitably transition to carbon-neutrality town-wide by 2030. Whereas, in accordance with 6 NYCRR Part 617.5 (c) (33), "adoption of regulations, policies, procedures and local legislative decisions in connection with any action on this list,"this action does not require State Environmental Quality Review; now, therefore be it, now, therefore, be it Resolved that the Town of Ithaca Town Board hereby affirms its support for deconstruction and reuse solutions as outlined above. TB Resolution 2026- e: Ratify Approval of Permanent Non-Competitive Appointment of Certain Positions Due to NYS HELPS Program at GTCMHIC Whereas, NYS Civil Service has developed the NY Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide (NY HELPS) Program, which allows for competitive positions to be filled via non- competitive appointment, which means examinations are not required, but candidates must meet the minimum qualifications of the titles for which they apply; and Whereas, the GTCM Heath Insurance Consortium's titles of Benefits Manager and Benefits Specialist have been approved under the NY HELPS program as being characterized as "Non- Competitive"; and Item 5 Whereas, the Consortium on February 25, 2026, approved the permanent non-competitive civil service appointments of Kylie Rodrigues, Benefits Manager and Jessica Maleski, Benefits Specialist retroactive to July 1, 2025, with no changes in their wages and benefits; now therefore be it Resolved, the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca does hereby ratify Consortium's permanent non-competitive appointments of Kylie Rodrigues, Benefits Manager and Jessica Maleski, Benefits Specialist retroactive to July 1, 2025,with no changes in their wages and benefits. Paulette Rosa From: Mike Smith Sent: Tuesday, March 3, 2026 11:20 AM To: David McCune; Diana Sinton; Eric Levine; Pam Bleiwas; Rod Howe; Susie Gutenberger Cc: Town Of Ithaca Clerks Department; CJ Randall Subject: Town Deer Management Program Update - March 3rd Attachments: Map of Parcels for Deer Management - 2026 - Status Update - 03-03-2026.pdf Town Board Members, As I have done in the past, I wanted to share a quick update on the Town's deer management program, since we are approximately halfway through this years'time frame (February 1st- March 31 st). So within the first few days of February, all feeders, trail cameras, and tree stands were set up. The first deer was taken on February 61h and at this point the participants have killed 10 deer(8 at this point last year). I have inserted the numbers below for each site and attached a quick map which shows the properties we are using this year and the number of deer that have been killed at each location (blue boxes). Number of deer killed as of 03/03/2026: • City/Winners Circle - 1 • City/Juniper- 2 • City/Slaterville Reservoir- 2 • Town / Pine Tree Wildlife Preserve- 1 • Town /Glenside Preserve -4 • Town /Culver Rd Preserve -0 • Carroll/ Five Mile Dr- 0 • D'Vileskis/Coy Glen Rd -0 The only small issue to report is that one evening at the Pine Tree Wildlife Preserve, someone called the police to report someone in the preserve walking around with a flashlight. The police quickly spoke with the participant that was in the process of recovering and loading a deer after dark. I haven't heard directly from the police or any other follow up or concerns regarding this. I have not heard of any other issues or problems from the participants or public so far. Please let me know if you have any questions. Thanks, Mike Michael Smith Senior Planner Town of Ithaca 21S North Tioga Street Ithaca, NY 148SO P: 607-273-1721 (ext. 123) 1 E: msmith@townithacany.gov 2 NYSDEC Deer Damage Permit Application Parcels where Activities will Occur - 2026 Town of Ithaca March 3, 2026 VIA HaytslRd ��'�' q��`�� V - • • I Hans WINa 1 �` •/��>�� ` vvv��> -� I „011 � � _ T r-ecklenburg'Rd�rT �r2 —A # 1 r s j , � I ° I— _II A a�� v IFl �d � �► � �� I ; j —� � �31►-1�142 r1 , 30.-1-1.3 \ I P I I r 1��3��1;2�T. r 11 WIV rA A ''�'9/�� '/ z T � 11 ti A,�-----�' ✓1pl (� _ k � 'rllr� ji -- : v ✓ —>� ——J .Ai•,id Ir �_ �� LKi�gT% �E*,..r ---4J r— �f�loFall'. s Rq T I , •'YS ITS Geospatial Services,Westchester County GIS N OF IT, Miles N- h 0 0.5 1 2 18 21 S VFW Y04- Deer Management Area Boundary (+/- 1.5 Miles from the City Boundary) Deer Management Parcels for 2026 10 Deer Killed as of 03/03/2026 Map Prepared by Town of Ithaca Planning Department Data from Tompkins County GIS Division and Town of Ithaca Planning Department Aerial Image Taken Spring 2023