The Town of Rochester Town Board held a Special Meeting on November 23, 2020 at 8:45am via teleconference.
Livestream Broadcast on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCg7ykop50cWmqPFUpgDjRSQ
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 OF TEMPORARY COURT CLERK
Resolution #240 -2020:
A Motion was made by Councilwoman Haugen-Depuy toauthorize the employment of Michelle Dunning as temporary Court Clerk to the Justice Court, effective 11/23/2020 at a rate of $ 17.50 per hour at a maximum of 28 hours per week plus all court hours. The position shall be under the Supervision of Justice LaFlamme.
Second: Councilwoman Enouen
ROLL CALL:
Councilwoman Enouen aye
Councilwoman Haugen-Depuy aye
Councilman Hewitt aye
Councilman Paddock aye
Supervisor Baden aye
4-0aye, motion carried
ADJOURNMENT:
A Motion was made by Councilman Hewitt to adjourn the meeting at 8:50am.
Second: Councilwoman Enouen
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,
KATHLEEN A. GUNDBERG
TOWN CLERK
The November 30, 2020 Audit/Workshop Meeting was held at the Harold Lipton Community Center at 6:00pm.
Livestream Broadcast on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCg7ykop50cWmqPFUpgDjRSQ
Listening Dial in Number +1 929 205 6099 Meeting ID: 897 3040 5897 Password: 262553
PRESENT:
Councilwoman ErinEnouen Councilwoman Bea Haugen-Depuy
Councilman Chris Hewitt Councilman Adam Paddock
Supervisor Michael Baden
The Audit of abstract # 11-2020 was held at 6:00pm.
Supervisor Baden opened the workshop meeting at 7:12pm and led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
PRESENT:
Councilwoman ErinEnouen Councilwoman Bea Haugen-Depuy
Councilman Chris Hewitt Councilman Adam Paddock
Supervisor Michael Baden Town Clerk Kathleen Gundberg
PRESENTATION:
Europa McGovern, Senior Environmental Resource Technician gave an overview of the New York State Climate Smart Communities Program.
NYSDEC-administered program
• 313 + participating communities
• All levels of participation are voluntary
• Provides framework for local climate action planning
• Resources–Preferential access to grants–Free technical assistance–CSC Portal: https://climatesmart.ny.gov/
First Step:
Take the CSC Pledge
Access technical assistance & grant funding
Next Steps (optional):
Appoint CSC coordinator & task force
Assess completed CSC actions
Plan for future CSC actions
Apply for CSC certification
Tri-annual certification application cycle
•120 + actions available
•12 Pledge Elements
•Action Checklist(updated 11/27/2020)
•Certified CSCs–Silver-level
Ulster County: Climate Smart Communities participation
•Ulster County (2021 recertification planned)
•Kingston(City)
Bronze-level
•New Paltz (Tow n& Village)
•Saugerties(Town)
•Marbletown
•Woodstock
•Registered CSCs–Hurley, Shandaken, Olive, Rosendale, Esopus, Wawarsing, Shawangunk, Gardiner
Scope = County Government Operations
•Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Inventory = Baseline
•Inventory all energy usage/GHGemissions from:
•Buildings & Facilities
•Fleet Vehicles
•Transit Vehicles
•GHGreduction goals
•25% reduction in GHGemissions by 2025
•80% reduction in GHGemissions by 2050
•Outlines various actions to achieve goals, including:
•Buildings & Facilities- 1: Conduct additional building energy audits
•Buildings & Facilities-15: Evaluate brownfields for solar development
•Vehicle Fleet-6: Purchase electric grounds maintenance equipment
•Transit Fleet-7: Purchase full size electric buses
•Policy & Procedure-16: Right-size the local government fleet
Model Resolution:
WHEREAS, the Town of Rochester (hereinafter “local government”) believes that climate change poses a real and increasing threat to our local and global environments and is primarily due to the burning of fossil fuels; and
WHEREAS, the effects of climate change will endanger our infrastructure, economy and livelihoods; harm our farms, orchards, and ecological communities, including native fish and wildlife populations; spread invasive species and exotic diseases; reduce drinking water supplies and recreational opportunities; and pose health threats to our citizens; and
WHEREAS, we believe that our response to climate change provides us with an unprecedented opportunity to save money, and to build livable, energy-independent and secure communities, vibrant innovation economies, healthy and safe schools, and resilient infrastructures; and
WHEREAS, we believe the scale of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions required for climate stabilization will require sustained and substantial efforts; and
WHEREAS, we believe that even if emissions were dramatically reduced today, communities would still be required to adapt to the effects of climate change for decades to come,
IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED that Town of Rochester, in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to a changing climate, adopts the New York State Climate Smart Communities pledge, which comprises the following ten elements:
1) Build a climate-smart community.
2) Inventory emissions, set goals, and plan for climate action.
3) Decrease energy use.
4) Shift to clean, renewable energy.
5) Use climate-smart materials management.
6) Implement climate-smart land use.
7) Enhance community resilience to climate change.
8) Support a green innovation economy.
9) Inform and inspire the public.
10) Engage in an evolving process of climate action.
The Board thanked Europa for the Presentation and Councilwoman Enouen stated she would email the Board information regarding a grant being offered through the New World Foundation Center of Poughkeepsie. The application is due December 14, 2020 Madeline Russo from the ECC is ready to take it on if Board approves.
DISCUSSION:
Councilman Paddock thought it was a spectacular idea.
Councilwoman Haugen-Depuy explained her displeasure of the Board making fast decisions without having the information before her and getting feedback from the public and not knowing the repercussions that may take place later down the road if we sign the pledge.
Councilman Hewitt stated that there is no down-side and thinks it’s a great idea.
Councilwoman Enouen stated that we can opt out at anytime and we are not contractually bound.
The Board agreed to review the information that Councilwoman Enouen will provide and will discuss it at the 12/3/20 Board meeting.
PUBLIC HEARING DISCUSSIONS:
Supervisor Baden asked the Board how they felt about the scheduled public hearings for next week with numbers rising in Ulster County.
Councilwoman Haugen-Depuy stated that she doesn’t feel like the Board should be holding these important hearings where residents cannot physically see the Board members. She has received many complaints about this and feels it’s not right and the Board should wait.
Councilman Paddock stated that we are doing this in the safest way possible.
The remainder of the Board has heard nothing but positive feedback.
Supervisor Baden stated for those that will be coming to the community center it will be one at a time and the station will be sanitized in between users.
2021 TOWN FEE SCHEDULE:
Supervisor Baden reviewed with the Board some of the fees for the Code enforcement.
Fire safety inspections for Short term rentals, Apartments, seasonal camps/ bungalow colonies and business comparison prices were discussed.
Supervisor Baden stated he would talk with Becky in the Code Enforcement office.
ADJOURNMENT:
A Motion was made by Councilman Hewitt to adjourn the meeting at 8:40pm.
Second: Councilwoman Enouen motion carried
The Town Board held a meeting with the Town Attorney.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,
KATHLEEN A. GUNDBERG
TOWN CLERK