Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutTB Minutes 2026-06-08 MEETING OF THE ITHACA TOWN BOARD 215 N. Tioga Street June 8, 2026 @ 5:30 p.m. ZOOM LINK (989 1095 8241) YOUTUBE LINK (Members may attend by videoconferencing) Materials AGENDA 1. Call to order and Pledge of Allegiance 2. Persons to be Heard and Board Comments 3. Discussion regarding Emergency Medical Services in Tompkins County 4. Public Hearing and consider adoption of a proposed local law amending Chapter 135 of the Town of Ithaca Code “Revising the Distributed Energy Resources(s) and Eligible Investors definitions in Chapter 135, Community Choice Aggregation (Energy) Program and Distributed Energy Resources Program” in the Town Code. 5. Consider approval of contracts - South Hill Traditional Neighborhood Development a. Fisher Associates, P.E., L.S., L.A., D.P.C. b. Phillips Lytle, LLP 6. Consider approval of bid documents and authorization to post bid - Phase 2 – 2025 Miscellaneous Water Main Replacement Water Improvement project 7. Consider authorization to apply for grant - Vincenzo Iacovelli Park Playground Replacement and Site Improvements Project and associated SEQR determination 8. Consider Consent Agenda a. Approval of Town Board Minutes b. Approval of the Town of Ithaca Abstract c. Approval of the Bolton Point Abstract d. Approval of appointment of Director of Engineering – McNeal e. Ratification of appointment of Maintenance Supervisor - Barnes f. Approval of appointment of Deputy Finance Officer - Padgett g. Approval of sale of surplus equipment – Gradall h. Approval of designation and sale of surplus equipment i. Acknowledge receipt of annual wetland conservation easement inspections j. Authorization for the Town Supervisor to sign the Babe Ruth MOU k. Approval of Authorization for the Town Board to sign the 284 Agreement 9. Reports of Town Officials 10. Review of Correspondence TB 2026-06-08 (Files 6/18) Pg. 1 MEETING OF THE ITHACA TOWN BOARD June 8, 2026 @ 5:30 p.m. MINUTES Present: Board Members Rod Howe, Supervisor; Pamela Bleiwas, Susie Gutenberger, Dave McCune and Diana Sinton. Absent: Eric Levine and Rich DePaolo Judy Drake, Director of Human Resources; CJ Randall, Director of Planning; Marty Moseley, Director of Code Enforcement; Ashley Colbert, Deputy Town Clerk; Joe Slater, Director of Public Works; Jusin McNeal, Director of Engineering; Mike Smith, Deputy Director of Planning and Nathan VanWhy, Attorney for the Town. 1. Call to order and Pledge of Allegiance 2. Persons to be Heard and Board Comments Isabel Mendoza spoke about issues in and around the Commonland development, specifically, Penny Lane and Lois Lane and people parking there to visit the dam and speeding through as they come and go. She said it is a real safety concern because residents have almost been hit by cars as they walk around the neighborhood, and the visitors are parking in our spots and on the road, making it difficult to access and enjoy their neighborhood and they harass us, they drink and drive and litter and more. They do call the Sheriff’s office and they do ticket sometimes and have towed a few that parked on the emergency access road that goes through her property, but that hasn’t done much. She asked if the Town could address these issues in some way. Mr. Howe responded, saying this we are familiar with this issue and have tried things in the past. He referred the issue to the Public Works Committee. 3. Discussion regarding Emergency Medical Services in Tompkins County Mike Titley, Director, Department of Emergency Response spoke about a model for a program to relieve some of the stress on local fire departments in answering first response calls for medical emergencies. Most volunteer fire departments struggle with staffing the EMS/First Responder component of their departments. With the increase in calls being dropped due to staffing, they approached the County with their concerns which resulted in the County starting a model program called Rapid Medical Response Program or RMR which places EMS response vehicles strategically around the County to respond to calls for service. There are three RMR vehicles and their sole responsibility is to be the first medical responder to a call, regardless of how its screened by dispatch or the level of the service call. TB 2026-06-08 (Files 6/18) Pg. 2 Since then, an internal study was conducted to look at any other problems with EMS responses. What we found was a lack of ambulances for transport to hospitals. People calling 911 could wait up to 30 minutes for a first responder and then more for the ambulance when needed. Rordan Hart, Mayor of the Village of Trumansburg explained the history of the Trumansburg EMS, which is a 24/7 paid ambulance service. They contract with Ulysses, Covert, and Hector to provide ambulance services to them, which is about 115 square miles and when combined with the calls that they take outside of that contracted service area, it is about 400 square miles that they cover. He said a good portion of those outside calls are in the Town of Ithaca with some in the City of Ithaca. The municipalities that they contract with are asking where their tax dollars are going in support of the service, which led to the conversation with the County. He said that they are in favor of and support the RMR program and the expansion of it. He said both the Town and City have benefited over the past decade from their service because neither one contracts or funds Bangs Ambulance Services. They provide a good service, without an agreement or enforcement in place. Dan Lamb, Town of Dryden Deputy Supervisor stated that the Town of Dryden doubled their ambulance tax in 2019, which is now about 20% of their budget at about $1.2M a year. He gave an overview of studies that he helped put together at the Tompkins County Committee of Government’s (TCCOG) request. They found that the 57 counties in NYS use 57 different systems for providing EMS and ambulance services, running off a patchwork system based on the people who decided to start and incorporate volunteer services and private companies such as Bangs. Mr. Lamb then explained the disparities and inequities within that type of system. Everyone knows there are fewer volunteers and a steady increase in calls, costs and longer response times. Holistically we need to make changes to the system to better serve the people in the County. 4. Public Hearing and Consider adoption of a proposed Local Law Amending Chapter 135 of the Town of Ithaca Code “Revising the Distributed Energy Resources(s) and Eligible Investors definitions in Chapter 135, Community Choice Aggregation (Energy) Program and Distributed Energy Resources Program” in the Town Code. TB Resolution 2026 – 35: Adoption of Local Law of 2026, Revising the Distributed Energy Resource(s) and Eligible Investors Definitions in the Town of Ithaca Code, Chapter 135, Community Choice Aggregation (Energy) Program and Distributed Energy Resources Program Whereas, the Town Board unanimously passed the Green New Deal Resolution in March of 2020, which calls for an equitable transition to carbon neutrality Town-wide by 2030, and TB 2026-06-08 (Files 6/18) Pg. 3 Whereas, to help accomplish this transition, the Town Board has adopted and subsequently amended Town of Ithaca Code Chapter 135, Community Choice Aggregation (Energy) Program and Distributed Energy Resources Program, and Whereas, the Town has determined additional amendments to Chapter 135 are needed to further clarify that the Community Choice Aggregation program and Distributed Energy Resources program are two legally separate programs, Whereas, a duly published and posted notice of the public hearing was held on June 8, 2026, 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 adoption of the proposed local law 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 adopts Local Law of 2026, entitled “A Local Law Revising the Distributed Energy Resource(s) and Eligible Investors Definitions in the Town of Ithaca Code Chapter 135, Community Choice Aggregation (Energy) Program and Distributed Energy Resources Program.” Moved: Susie Gutenberger Seconded: Pamela Bleiwas Vote: ayes- Howe, Bleiwas, Gutenberger, McCune, and Sinton 5. Consider approval of contracts – South Hill Traditional Neighborhood Development Ms. Randall noted that this project has been discussed many times, and this is the award of contracts associated with the RFP. a. Fisher Associates, P.E., L.S., L.A., D.P.C. TB Resolution 2026 - 036: Authorization to enter into contract with Fisher Associates, P.E., L.S., L.A., D.P.C. for professional services associated with environmental review and regulating plan adoption for the Danby/King Roads area of South Hill Whereas, the Town of Ithaca Comprehensive Plan (2014) recommended compact, mixed use neighborhoods in the form of a traditional neighborhood developments (“TND”) in specific emerging growth areas of the town and the Plan’s Future Land Use Map identified an area on South Hill, in the Danby and King Roads vicinity, for the TND High Density and TND Medium Density character areas / land use categories; and Whereas, the Town Board subsequently adopted the New Neighborhood Code on November 9, 2020 for the purpose of enabling and guiding the planning, zoning, platting, and building of new neighborhoods in the form of TNDs in the Town of Ithaca; and TB 2026-06-08 (Files 6/18) Pg. 4 Whereas, on August 21, 2021, the Town engaged the services of B&A Planning Group, led by Geoff Dyer, in association with CityBuilding Partnership and AVRP Studios, to conduct design charrettes and prepare South Hill TND concept plans; and Whereas, at a meeting on September 29, 2025, the Town Board discussed and expressed support for the Town’s continued active involvement in the South Hill TND area to ensure the creation of a unified and cohesive neighborhood plan and authorized the Planning Department to issue a Request for Qualifications for professional services for the South Hill TND environmental review process; and Whereas, a Request for Qualifications was prepared by Town Planning Department staff and published on the New York State Contract Reporter and BidNet platforms, as well as sent to consulting planning/design firms recommended as being experienced in design and engineering, environmental review, transportation planning, and developing TNDs; and Whereas, members of the Town Planning Committee, the Town Supervisor, and the Director of Planning reviewed three responses on November 20, 2025, including the qualifications submitted by Fisher Associates, dated November 10, 2025 and determined that Fisher Associates, P.E., L.S., L.A., D.P.C., in association with Cambridge Systematics, has adequately outlined related work experience, project objectives, and a potential scope of work that meets and/or exceeds the Town’s expectations for undertaking the South Hill TND environmental review, and recommend approval by the Town Board, not to exceed $325,000; and Resolved, that the Ithaca Town Board authorizes the Town Supervisor to execute a contract with Fisher Associates, P.E., L.S., L.A., D.P.C., subject to review by the Attorney for the Town. Moved: Diana Sinton Seconded: Dave McCune Vote: ayes- Howe, Bleiwas, Gutenberger, McCune and Sinton b. Phillips Lytle, LLP TB Resolution 2026 - 037: Authorization to enter into contract with Phillips Lytle LLP for legal services associated with the South Hill TND SEQRA Process Whereas, at a meeting on September 29, 2025, the Town Board discussed and expressed support for the Town’s continued active involvement in the South Hill TND to ensure the creation of a unified and cohesive neighborhood plan and authorized the Planning Department to issue a Request for Qualifications for professional services for the South Hill TND environmental review process; and Whereas, a Request for Qualifications was prepared by Town Planning Department staff and published on the New York State Contract Reporter and BidNet platforms, as well as sent to consulting planning/design firms recommended as being experienced in design and engineering, environmental review, transportation planning, and developing TNDs; TB 2026-06-08 (Files 6/18) Pg. 5 Whereas, members of the Town Planning Committee, the Town Supervisor, and the Director of Planning reviewed three proposals, including the qualifications submitted by Phillips Lytle, LLP, in association with Fisher Associates, P.E., L.S., L.A., D.P.C., dated November 10, 2025 and determined that Phillips Lytle LLP, has adequately outlined related work experience that meets and/or exceeds the Town’s expectations for undertaking the South Hill TND environmental review, and recommend approval by the Town Board; therefore be it Resolved, that the Town Board approves the Letter of Engagement with Phillips Lytle, LLP as submitted on March 11, 2026. Moved: Rod Howe Seconded: Susie Gutenberger Vote: ayes- Howe, Bleiwas, Gutenberger, McCune and Sinton 6. Consider approval of bid documents and authorization to post bid – Phase 2 – 2025 Miscellaneous Water Main Replacement Water Improvement Project Mr. McNeal stated that this is a required step to move forward with the bid advertisement. TB Resolution 2026 - 038: Approval of Contract Documents and Bid Specifications for the 2025 Miscellaneous Water Main Replacement Project Phase 2 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 2025 Miscellaneous Water Main Replacement Project are on file in the Town Clerk’s office and have been available for review by the Town Board since May 29, 2026, now, therefore be it Resolved that the Town Board adopts the plans dated May 15, 2026, and the specifications and proposed contract dated June 2026, which were filed in the Town Clerk’s office on May 29, 2026, 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: Dave McCune Seconded: Pamela Bleiwas Vote: ayes- Howe, Bleiwas, Gutenberger, McCune and Sinton 7. Consider authorization to apply for grant – Vincenzo Iacovelli Park Playground Replacement and Site Improvements Project and associated SEQR determination TB 2026-06-08 (Files 6/18) Pg. 6 Mr. Smith gave an overview on the process for planning for the playground and the grant application. TB Resolution 2026 - 039: SEQR: Design and Construction of the Vincenzo Iacovelli Park Playground Replacement and Site Improvements Project Whereas, this action is the design and construction of active and passive recreational facilities (accessible playground, walkways, parking area, benches, picnic tables, etc.) at the Town’s Vincenzo Iacovelli Park (Tax Parcel No. 53.-1-22.2), and Whereas, the park currently contains an old wooden playground and ½ basketball court that were installed in 1999-2000 along with a small pavilion, picnic tables, and benches, and Whereas, the Town of Ithaca is applying for funding from the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation (OPRHP) and the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York under the 2026 New York Places for Learning, Activity, and Youth Socialization (NY PLAYS) Initiative to assist in the design and construction costs (80% State funds), and Whereas, it has been determined that the above-described action is an Unlisted Action, pursuant to the State Environmental Quality Review Act, 6 NYCRR Part 617, and Town of Ithaca Code, Chapter 148 – Environmental Quality Review, for which the Town of Ithaca Town Board is acting as Lead Agency in an environmental review with respect to the design and construction project, and Whereas, the Town Board, on June 8, 2026, has reviewed and accepted as adequate the Short Environmental Assessment Form, Parts 1, 2, and 3 prepared by Town staff for this action; now, therefore, be it Resolved, that the Ithaca Town Board hereby makes a negative determination of environmental significance based on the information in the Short EAF Part 1 and for the reasons set forth in the Short EAF Parts 2 and 3 in accordance with the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act and Chapter 148 of the Town of Ithaca Code for the above referenced action as proposed and, therefore, neither a Full Environmental Assessment Form, nor an Environmental Impact Statement will be required. Moved: Susie Gutenberger Seconded: Diana Sinton Vote: ayes- Howe, Bleiwas, Gutenberger, McCune and Sinton TB Resolution 2026 - 040: Authorization to Apply for Funding through the 2026 New York Places for Learning, Activity, and Youth Socialization (NY PLAYS) Initiative for the design and construction of the Vincenzo Iacovelli Park Playground Replacement and Site Improvements Project Whereas, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation (OPRHP) and the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY) announced the availability of TB 2026-06-08 (Files 6/18) Pg. 7 funding under the 2026 New York Places for Learning, Activity, and Youth Socialization (NY PLAYS) Initiative, and Whereas, the maximum assistance allowed toward the cost of the project is capped at $2,500,000, with a 20% local match required, and Whereas, the Town of Ithaca is seeking to develop designs and construct new active and passive recreational facilities (accessible playground, walkways, parking area, benches, picnic tables, etc.) at the Town’s Vincenzo Iacovelli Park (Tax Parcel No. 53.-1-22.2), and Whereas, the Town of Ithaca estimates the total cost of this project to be approximately $250,783.00, based on cost estimates prepared by the Town of Ithaca’s Engineering, Public Works and Planning Departments, and Whereas, grant applications are due by June 15, 2026; 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 for design and construction costs for the Vincenzo Iacovelli Park Playground Replacement and Site Improvements Project under the 2026 New York Places for Learning, Activity, and Youth Socialization (NY PLAYS) Initiative in an amount not to exceed $250,783.00 ($92,613.00 Town of Ithaca local share), and upon approval of said request to enter into and execute a project agreement with OPRHP and DASNY for such financial assistance to the Town of Ithaca. Moved: Rod Howe Seconded: Pamela Bleiwas Vote: ayes- Howe, Bleiwas, Gutenberger, McCune and Sinton 8. Consider Consent Agenda TB Resolution 2026 - 041: Consent Agenda Resolved that the Town Board approves, accepts, or acknowledges the following Consent Agenda action: a) Approval of Town Board Minutes b) Approval of the Town of Ithaca Abstract c) Approval of the Bolton Point Abstract d) Approval of appointment of Director of Engineering – McNeal e) Ratification of appointment of Maintenance Supervisor – Barnes f) Approval of appointment of Deputy Finance Officer – Padgett g) Approval of sale of surplus equipment – Gradall h) Approval of designation and sale of surplus equipment i) Acknowledge receipt of annual wetland conservation easement inspections j) Approval of revised Babe Ruth league MOU k) Approval of amended Expenditure of Highway Monies Agreement TB 2026-06-08 (Files 6/18) Pg. 8 Moved: Susie Gutenberger Seconded: Diana Sinton Vote: ayes- Howe, Bleiwas, Gutenberger, McCune and Sinton TB Resolution 2026 – 041a: Approval of Town Board minutes Resolved that the Town Board approves the draft minutes of the meeting on May 11, 2026, and May 18, 2026, as final with any non-substantive changes made. TB Resolution 2026 - 041b: Town of Ithaca Abstracts No. 11 of FY-2026 Resolved that the Town Board authorizes the payment of the following audited vouchers in total for the amounts indicated: VOUCHER NOS. 2026 503 - 567 General Fund Town Wide 170,316.39 General Fund Part-Town 18,606.10 Highway Fund Town Wide DA 7,517.36 Highway Fund Part Town DB 382,241.00 Water Fund 21,464.80 Sewer Fund 30,135.31 Capital Projects 75,605.83 Fire Protection Fund 762.50 TOTAL 706,649.29 TB Resolution 2026 - 041c: Approval of Bolton Point Abstract Resolved that the governing Town Board approves and authorizes payments of the following audited vouchers in the amounts listed: Voucher Numbers: 198-239 Check Numbers: 21863-21904 Capital Impr/Repl Project $ 39,526.87 Operating Fund $ 126,318.00 TOTAL $ 165,844.87 TB Resolution 2026 - 041d: Approve Promotional Appointment of Director of Engineering- McNeal Whereas, there is currently a vacancy in the Director of Engineering position; and Whereas, Justin McNeal, Senior Civil Engineer, was appointed Acting “Town Engineer” effective October 5, 2025; and TB 2026-06-08 (Files 6/18) Pg. 9 Whereas, the interview committee comprised of Rod Howe, Town Supervisor, Rich DePaolo and Dave McCune, Town Councilpersons, and Joe Slater, Director of Public Works interviewed candidates from a recruitment and have determined that Justin McNeal possesses the necessary knowledge and skills to satisfactorily perform the duties of the Director of Engineering and make the recommendation of appointment; now, therefore, be it Resolved, the Ithaca Town Board appoints Justin McNeal as Director of Engineering, effective June 1, 2026; and be it further Resolved, that this will be a full-time salaried position based on 40-hours per week, in Job Classification “I”, at an annual salary of $109,516.80, due to not having a Professional Engineering license, with full time benefits from account A1440.100; and be it further Resolved, the said appointment is a non-competitive promotional appointment due to the position being classified as Non-Competitive under the NYS HELPS program; and be it further Resolved, that Justin McNeal will be required to complete a minimum twelve (12) week probationary period associated with this title, with no further action by the Town Board if there is successful completion of the probationary period as determined by the Town Supervisor. TB Resolution 2026 - 041e: Ratify Provisional Promotional Appointment to Maintenance Supervisor Whereas, there will be a vacant Maintenance Supervisor position due to retirement on June 26, 2026; and Whereas, the Director of Public Works/ Highway Superintendent has determined through internal interviews and evaluation that Patrick Barnes, Maintenance Worker, possesses the necessary knowledge, skills, and ability to satisfactorily perform the duties of the Maintenance Supervisor position; and Whereas, the Director of Public Works/ Highway Superintendent promotionally appointed Patrick Barnes to the Maintenance Supervisor position, effective June 27, 2026; now, therefore, be it Resolved, the Town Board of the Town of Ithaca does hereby ratify the Director of Public Works/ Highway Superintendent’s provisional promotional appointment of Patrick Barnes as full time Maintenance Supervisor in the Public Works Department, effective June 27, 2026; and be it further Resolved, this is a 40 hour a week position, at the hourly wage of $37.47 in Job Classification “V”, with no change to their full-time benefits; and be it further Resolved, if the said successfully completes the mandatory minimum eight (8) week probationary period there will be no further action required by the Town Board; and be it further TB 2026-06-08 (Files 6/18) Pg. 10 Resolved, the said appointment is a provisional appointment pending the results from the next civil service exam for this position or NYS HELPS request for Non-Competitive, whichever comes first. TB Resolution 2026 - f: Approve Appointment of Deputy Finance Officer -Padgett TB Resolution 2026 - 041g: Sale of Surplus Item-Gradall Whereas, the Town’s 2017 Gradall XL 3100 was deemed surplus and authorized to be sold in 2023, and Whereas, the Department of Public Works has attempted to sell the Gradall at auction several times and through the Superintendent’s Profile Magazine without receiving an acceptable bid, and Whereas the County of Greene’s Highway Department contacted the Town after the close of the latest bid advertisement with an offer of $130,000 for the machine, and Whereas the offer meets the appraised amount for the Gradall and is therefore the sale is recommended by the Highway Superintendent, now, therefore be it; Resolved, the Town Board reiterates the surplus declaration of the 2017 Gradall and approves the sale of said equipment for $130,000 as offered by the County of Greene and authorizes the execution of said sale. TB Resolution 2026 - 041h: Sale of Surplus Items Whereas, a municipal online auction is held from time to time hosted by Auctions International located in East Aurora, NY, and Whereas, the Town wishes to declare and place the following surplus equipment in said auction: • (fleet # 45) – 2012 ODB Leaf Vacuum • Dump Box Insert • Billy Goat Leaf Vacuum • Mikasa Plate Tamp • (4) 275/70/18 Tires • Aluminum Ramps • Tenco Plow Frame • Stake Body Sides • Tool Cat Tailgate • Dump Body Apron • Drag Rake • Tow Behind Roller • ADA Ramp • Diesel Fuel Transfer Tank and Pump TB 2026-06-08 (Files 6/18) Pg. 11 Resolved, the Town Board declares the listed equipment to be surplus and no longer needed by the Town and authorizes their sale at auction. TB Resolution 2026 - 041i: Acknowledge receipt of annual wetland conservation easement inspections Resolved, that the Town Board acknowledges receipt of the annual Wetland Conservation Easement Inspections for Ithaca College wetland mitigation sites, Raponi & Rich Road sites, and John and Amy Little, 159 Ridgecrest Rd. site. TB Resolution 2026 - 041j: Approval of a revised MOU with the Ithaca Babe Ruth League for use of Valentino Field Resolved that the Town Board approves and authorizes execution of the revised MOU with the Ithaca Babe Ruth League for use of Valentino Field. TB Resolution 2026 - 041k: Approval of a revised 2026 Expenditure of Highway Monies Agreement Resolved that pursuant to the provisions of Section 284 of the Highway Law, the Ithaca Town Board approves the revised 2026 Agreement for the Expenditure of Highway Monies detailing expenditures for the general repairs and permanent improvements of town highways as submitted. 9. Reports of Town Officials Mr. Howe: • Congratulations on Mr. McNeal on his promotion to Director of Engineering • Noted that the Board gets a lot of mail, but he hoped that they would read the Water Report from the Finger Lake Land Trust • Introduces Mr. VanWhy and explained he may attend some meetings by ZOOM depending on the agenda. Mr. McNeal gave an update on the Mezzanine Project at Town Hall. The meeting was adjourned upon a motion and a second; unanimous. Submitted by Ashley Colbert Deputy Town Clerk