The April 29, 2021 workshop meeting was held at 6:00pm via Livestream Broadcast on YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCg7ykop50cWmqPFUpgDjRSQ
Listening Dial in Number+1 929 205 6099 Meeting ID: 827 3544 2888 Password: 182836

PRESENT:

Councilwoman Erin Enouen Councilwoman Bea Haugen-Depuy
Councilman Chris Hewitt Councilman Adam Paddock
Supervisor Michael Baden Town Clerk Kathleen Gundberg

Supervisor Baden opened the meeting and led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

APPOINTMENT:
Resolution # 160 -2021:

A Motion was made by Supervisor Baden that the Town of Rochester Town Board authorizes the appointment of Timothy Hurley to the position of Clerk, Temporary for the period of April 23, 2021 – May 8, 2020 at a rate of $19.00 per hour not to exceed 35 hours per week. The employee is training with the Bookkeeper/Confidential Secretary to the Supervisor prior to assuming the position.
Second: Councilwoman Haugen-Depuy

ROLL CALL:

Councilwoman Enouen aye
Councilwoman Haugen-Depuy aye
Councilman Hewitt aye
Councilman Paddock aye
Supervisor Baden aye 5-0 aye, motion carried

WAIVER OF TOWN OF ROCHESTER TOWN CODE §107-6(B)(6) and §107-6(B)(8):
Resolution # 161 -2021:

A Motionwas made by Supervisor Baden Pursuant to Town of Rochester Town Code §107-6 andhaving held a public hearing on April 22, 2021 to receive public comment on the Accord Speedway Inc. request for waiver, the Town of Rochester Town Board approves the request by Accord Speedway, Inc. to waive Town of Rochester Town Code §107-6(B)(6) and §107-6(B)(8) to allow racing operations for three consecutive dates on Friday – Sunday September 24, 25, and 26, 2021 and to allow racing on Sunday September 26, 2021.
Second: Councilwoman Haugen-Depuy
Discussion:
Supervisor Baden stated that this is a Sunday event beginning at 2:00pm and will be done by 5:00pm. The speedway is limited to 40 races per year and in 2020 the held practices but races were not allowed. The Palmer family has always given back to the community, and I strongly honor this request.
Councilwoman Haugen-Depuy: stated that the concerns of traffic and volume of noise will not be the same for this event. There will not be actual racing for this event.
Councilwoman Enouen: supports this request as well. The Accord Speedway was the first thing I heard about when moving here. I know it is important to the people in the community. I heard the comments regarding traffic and I would be happy to work on improvements. There is a lot of activity in that area and I don’t think this isolated event is going to impact in a way beyond the average traffic concern.
Councilman Hewitt: thanked all those that sent letters they were very informative. It is important that this event is not going into the evening, we did not make this decisions quickly. I am in favor of the event but also see where traffic could be an issue, maybe the owner can work with volunteers that can help with the traffic.
Councilman Paddock: living off 209 I look forward to the spring and you know it’s summer-time when the Accord Speedway is up and running. One event day can really help out, it’s a big deal and I’m glad to see we are doing it.

ROLL CALL:

Councilwoman Enouen aye
Councilwoman Haugen-Depuy aye
Councilman Hewitt aye
Councilman Paddock aye
Supervisor Baden aye 5-0 aye, motion carried

AUTHORIZATION FOR ADDITIONAL RACE DATE:
Resolution # 162-2021:

A Motion was made by Supervisor Baden that the Town Board has received request from Accord Speedway for 1 additional racing date and amends a portion of resolution 248-2020, as amended with resolution 112-2021 to state:
“The Town Board further accepts the racing schedule as presented for 39 actual racing dates and 28 potential rain dates so as to allow racing on September 26, 2021. Dates listed as rain dates may be utilized only to replace a rained out approved event date.”
Second: Councilwoman Haugen-Depuy

ROLL CALL:

Councilwoman Enouen aye
Councilwoman Haugen-Depuy aye
Councilman Hewitt aye
Councilman Paddock aye
Supervisor Baden aye 5-0 aye, motion carried

DISCUSSION:

PROPOSED LOCAL LAW # 2: AMENDING CHAPTER 140: ZONING:

The Board reviewed changes to the proposed local law and made further changes based on discussions. Supervisor Baden stated that he will work with Attorney Christiana on the changes and propose to updated law to the Board at the Regular Town Board meeting.

HERITAGE DAY:

Town Clerk Gundberg stated she along with Ashley Sweeney are spearheading Heritage Day scheduled for October 2, 2021. Town Clerk Gundberg stated that we all missed out on so much last year, there are so many new residents to the area that don’t know what the Town has to offer. We want to combine a fun filled day with activities, education on the heritage of the Town while promoting local organizations and local businesses. We are looking for support from those wishing to get involved, and ask for the Town’s support in requesting to have Main St. Accord closed off for the event.

MUNICIPAY UPDATE:

Town Clerk Gundberg submitted the paperwork required for the set up of MUNICIPAY at the Transfer Station. A question was asked regarding purchase of equipment and spread sheet of pricing.
Councilwoman Enouen stated she would email Kate the spread sheet to submit to MUNICIPAY.
Town Clerk Gundberg stated that she would order the credit card reader. The cost was approximately $ 190.00.

MILL HOOK ROAD BRIDGE FUNDING:

Supervisor Baden asked the Board how they want to pay for this project. Bonds are at an all time low of less than 1%. We can pay out right, pay portion and bond the balance or pay with full bond.

AUTHORIZE SUPERVISOR TO INITIATE BOND:
Resolution # 163-2021:
A Motion was made by Supervisor Baden to initiate a bond in the amount of $ 150,000.00 for the cost of repair to the Mill Hook Bridge.
Second: Councilman Hewitt

ROLL CALL:

Councilwoman Enouen aye
Councilwoman Haugen-Depuy aye
Councilman Hewitt aye
Councilman Paddock aye
Supervisor Baden aye 5-0 aye, motion carried

AMERICAN TOWER LEASE:

After discussing the lease the Board agreed to check with Attorney Christiana to see if this discussion warrants an executive session where the Board can look at actual numbers and discuss it in detail.

CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER VEHICLE:

Supervisor Baden stated that the CEO vehicle’s back window fell off and we had budgeted for a new vehicle this year knowing the vehicle would need to be replaced soon. Supervisor Baden and Highway Superintendent Frey researched the auction international site and on Monday drove to test drive a suburban. Supervisor Baden stated the vehicle was valued between $ 12,000-$ 20,000 and was awarded the bid to purchase the vehicle for $ 16,100.00.

MVP HEALTH CARE:

Supervisor Baden asked the Board to review the email from the insurance company for possible recommendations. The Board discussed the flex spending account change offers and Supervisor Baden will propose to the Board resolutions at the May Town Board meeting.

CLIMATE SMART COMMUNITIES TASK FORCE:

Councilwoman Enouen stated that we want to establish a taskforce starting from the ground up with a broad representation of the community focusing on a climate smart community.

AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN:

Supervisor Baden stated that nothing new has come through on our level of government regarding the criteria of what we can use the money for. We just need to have a registered DUNN number.

PURCHASE OF TOWN PROPERTY:

Supervisor Baden stated this is the old Town owned gravel bank. We can discuss it at the Board meeting with Superintendent Frey to see what we want to do if anything.

Supervisor Baden received a EEO request – Accord LLC and a request for zoning designation change from R-5 to AR-3. Supervisor Baden sent both applicants the application form request that the Board created and has yet to received anything back.

AGRICULTURE ADVISORY COMMISSION:

Councilwoman Enouensent the Board background information on grant opportunities to create Agriculture protection plan for the Town of Rochester.

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

A Motion was made by Supervisor Baden to enter into executive session at 8:01pm for matters pertaining to discipline of a particular employee.
Second: Councilwoman Enouen 5-0aye, motion carried

Councilman Paddock recused himself at 8:04pm and left the meeting.

A Motion was made by Councilwoman Enouen to exit executive session at 8:51pm with no action taken and no monies expended.
Second: Councilwoman Haugen-Depuy 4-0aye, motion carried
Paddock absent

ADJOURNMENT:

A Motionwas made by Councilwoman Enouen to adjourn the meeting at 8:52pm.
Second: Councilman Hewitt motion carried

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,

KATHLEEN A. GUNDBERG
Town Clerk