Town of Rochester Town Board held the Workshop Meeting on May 11, 2023 at 6:30pm at the Harold Lipton Community Center, 15 Tobacco Road, Accord, NY 12404.
Livestream Broadcast on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCg7ykop50cWmqPFUpgDjRSQ
PRESENT:
Councilman Michael Coleman Councilwoman Erin Enouen
Councilman Adam Paddock Councilwoman Charlotte Smiseth
Town Supervisor Michael Baden Deputy Town Clerk Christina Ferrara
ABSENT:
Town Clerk Kathleen Gundberg
Supervisor Baden called the meeting to order and led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
RESOLUTIONS:
ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA:
Resolution # 211-2023:
Motion:Councilwoman Enouen
Second:Councilman Coleman
The Town of Rochester Town Board accepts the agenda as prepared by the Town Supervisor with the addition of moving the executive session to the end of the meeting and a brief discussion on Planning Board and Zoning Board secretary position.
Aye: 5 nay: 0 abstain: 0 motion carried
UPCOMING EVENT REMINDER:
Memorial Day service will be held at 12pm at the Veterans park and parade starting at 1pm from the Town Hall to the Accord firehouse.
The Audit meeting will be held on Wednesday 5/24 following the 6:00pm public hearing on the granary
Grievance Day is 5/25/2023 form 4-8pm.
UPDATE ON ELDERCARE PROGRAM:
Councilwoman Smiseth stated June 15th from 12:30-2pm Resources for seniors from the office of the aging. There will be a resource session on elder abuse awareness. Forms available and information regarding the Rochester Food Pantry. Refreshments served wear purple in support.
PROPOSED LOCAL LAW 6 OF 2023:
A LOCAL LAW PROVIDING FOR A MORATORIUM ON ACTIONS SUBJECT TO BUILDING PERMITS, SITE PLAN, SPECIAL USE PERMITS, OR SUBDIVISION REVIEW FOR THE PERIOD OF JUNE 5, 2023- OCTOBER 1, 2023:
REVIEW OF COMMENTS RECEIVED AND POTENTIAL AMENDMENTS:
Resolution # 212-2023
Motion: Councilwoman Smiseth
Second: Councilman Coleman
Discussion: It was agreed to add the recommendations submitted by the Ulster County Planning Board regarding the exemption of expansion within the hamlet and zoning EEO . Supervisor Baden stated he will get Attorney Christiana to figure out how we add that language in.
The Town Board authorizes the Supervisor to add an exemption for any proposals for housing with the set aside of 20 % or more units as affordable.
Aye: 5 nay: 0 abstain: 0 motion carried
CHANGE IN DESIGNATION:
Resolution # 213-2023:
Motion: Councilman Coleman
Second: Councilwoman Smiseth
The Town of Rochester Town Board redesignates Local Law _ – 2023, A Local Law Providing For A Moratorium On Actions Subject To Building Permits, Site Plan, Special Use Permits, Or Subdivision Review For The Period June 5, 2023 – Oct. 1, 2023 as Local Law 6 – 2023.
Aye: 5 nay: 0 abstain: 0 motion carried
SEQRA REVIEW AND DETERMINATION:
Resolution # 214-2023:
Motion: Councilwoman Enouen
Second: Councilwoman Smiseth
The Town of Rochester Town Board determines Local Law 6 -2023 will not have a significant adverse impact on the environment and should be classified as a Type II Action under the 6 NYCRR Part 617 criteria 617.5 (c)(36), adoption of a moratorium on land development or construction. No further SEQRA review is required.
ROLL CALL VOTE:
Councilman Coleman aye
Councilwoman Enouen aye
Councilman Paddock aye
Councilwoman Smiseth aye
Supervisor Baden aye motion carried
SETTING DATES FOR SPECIAL TOWN BOARD MEETINGS- ZONING CODE REVIEW:
Resolution # 215 -2023:
Motion: Councilwoman Smiseth
Second: Councilman Coleman
The Town of Rochester Town Board sets the dates of 5/30 and 6/15 for Workshop Town Board meetings commencing at 5:30pm at the Rochester # 2 Firehouse, 922 Samsonville Rd Kerhonkson, NY 12446. Furthermore the 6/29/2023 Audit meeting will begin at 5:30pm at the Harold Lipton Community Center 15 Tobacco Road Accord, NY 12404 and requests the Town Clerk circulate notices of the meetings and changes.
Aye: 5 nay: 0 abstain: 0 motion carried
QUOTES FOR HIGHWAY SIGNS:
Supervisor Baden asked the Board their thoughts of the no parking signs quote submitted. The total is
$ 14,365.00. The Board decided to table the discussion until more information is available.
POLICY FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES FOR AN EMPLOYEE ATTENDING TRAINING:
Supervisor Baden stated that there is no policy covering meal expenses when an employee is attending a training or conference. The Board agreed to cover the actual meal expenses with out the cost of alcohol.
PROPOSED FOIA POLICY:
The Board reviewed the proposed FOIA policy that Supervisor Baden submitted. It was agreed that the Board will vote at the June meeting.
PROPOSED LOCAL LAW X-2023, ETHICS CODE AMENDMENT:
The Board agreed to raise the fee from $ 25 to $ 75. Supervisor Baden stated that we will leave it to Attorney Christiana to decide if we need to go back out to public hearing or if we can move forward.
CEO MEMO RE: ADU ZONING CODE:
The Board reviewed the request from CEO Jerry Davis.
PROPOSED LIGHTING CODE:
Supervisor Baden asked the Board to review the proposed law and plan to work on it at the June workshop meeting.
PROPOSED CHIEF CONSTABLE EMPLOYMENT POSITION DESCRIPTION AND REQUEST TO ULSTER COUNTY PERSONNEL FOR POSITION CREATION:
Supervisor Baden informed the Board that the Town Board writes the job description and Ulster County Civil service will approve it or not. The Board does have a say in what duties we want in the description.
Councilwoman Enouen stated that she had some questions for HR that she would like to know more of.
PLANNING BOARD / ZBA SECRETARY POSITION:
Supervisor Baden thanked the Town Clerk’s office, the Building dept. and Chairman Grasso for their help getting the work done. The Board discussed hours of the position and rate of pay. Supervisor Baden stated HR consultant Michael Richardson stated that the pay rate is based on what the job is and the requirements and responsibilities of that job.You don’t reward longevity.
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
Motion: Councilwoman Smiseth
Second: Councilwoman Enouen
The Town Board enters into executive session at 8:38pm for the purpose of discussing elible candidates for the Agriculture Advisory Committee.
Aye: 5 nay: 0 abstain: 0 Motion carried
Motion : Councilwoman Enouen
Second: Councilwoman Smiseth
The Town Board reconvened the meeting at 9:14pm with no action taken nor monies expended.
Aye: 5 nay: 0 abstain: 0 Motion carried
ADJOURNMENT:
Motion: Councilwoman Enouen
Second: Councilwoman Smiseth
The Town Board adjourned the meeting at 9:15pm. Motion carried
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,
CHRISTINA FERRARA
DEPUTY TOWN CLERK