Minutes of a Regular Meeting of the
Town Council of the Town of Ellicott
held at the
Administration Building,
April 3, 2006
at 7:00 P.M.
Present: Supervisor Tyler, Councilman Geisler, Councilman Pickett, Councilman Miller, Councilman Heintzelman, Town Clerk Erlandson, Highway Superintendent Shellhouse, Police Chief Ohnmeiss.
Supervisor Tyler opened the
meeting at 7:00 PM and led the Town Council in the Pledge of Allegiance. Town Clerk Erlandson called the roll.
Motion
by Councilman Heintzelman, seconded by Councilman Geisler to accept the minutes
of the March 20, 2006 meeting as presented by the Town Clerk.
Town Clerk Erlandson read the
following items into the record:
1.
Letter
from the Board of Trustees of the Fluvanna Free Library thanking the
Ellicott Town Council for its annual contribution to the library.
2.
Letter
from Dave Marsh, Commander, Henry Mosher Post #638, American Legion thanking
the Ellicott Town Council for its annual contribution to the legion.
3.
Notification
re the annual Southern Tier West Local Government Conference to be held
at Houghton College on May 18, 2006.
4.
Newsletter:
Chautauqua County Fire Service.
TOWN OFFICERS’ REPORTS
Councilman Miller reported that the Ellicott
Bldg. Committee met earlier today. He
outlined the issues the committee addressed concerning the Ellicott Administration
Bldg.
Councilman Geisler reported that he &
Councilman Heintzelman met with Town of Ellicott CSEA employees & the
Town’s health insurance brokers on March 29, 2006 to discuss employee health
insurance issues. He explained that the
brokers presented three prospective Community Blue health
insurance plans - including the current plan.
He distributed copies of the plans & outlined their respective
features. Mr. Geisler pointed out that
the plan currently in place is no longer a Community Blue product. However, he explained that the plan would
continue to be offered to Town employees albeit at an increasingly higher
premium. In fact, according to Mr.
Geisler, the premium for the current plan is projected to increase 16% in
2006. He noted that by switching to an
alternative plan (Community Blue 202 - with riders) the Town would save
approximately $23,000.00 while Town employees would retain essentially the same
benefits. He added that the Town could
save even more money by switching to the third option (Community Blue 202
- without riders) although employee benefits would be reduced. However, Mr. Geisler explained that, under
this plan, any loss in employee benefits would be covered through a new “health
savings account” which would be instituted in conjunction with the plan. He also noted that the new plan would
include a three-tiered prescription drug plan.
The Council discussed the various options. Councilman Heintzelman pointed out that if the Town can convert
to either 202 plan by June 1, 2006 it could “lock in” 2nd
quarter rates for the remainder of 2006 resulting in a savings of approximately
8% for the 2006 fiscal year. Mr.
Geisler stated that the CSEA employees would be meeting separately to discuss
the matter.
Mr. Shellhouse also reported that he is
looking into installing a 5-way stop sign at the intersection of Warwick
Ave./Woodworth Ave. and Westminster Circle.
Supervisor Tyler reported that he received a
phone call from Tanglewood Manor officials expressing concern that there
are no fire hydrants close to their facility. Highway Superintendent Shellhouse stated that a new waterline is
going to be installed in conjunction with a proposed new addition to the
facility. He pointed out that since the
new line would be over 600 feet long, the installation of fire hydrants would
be mandatory in accordance with the New York State Fire Code.
Abandoned House on Bentley
Ave. –
Supervisor Tyler reported that a probate judge has approved the
demolition of an abandoned house located at 2808 Bentley Ave. (Minutes 1/2/06 et. seq.) He stated that Town Attorney Lasker has
drafted an agreement with the property owner to remove the house. He noted that the demolition could
proceed as soon as both parties sign the agreement. Mr. Tyler reminded the Council that the Ellicott Highway Dept.
would be performing the demolition at a cost to the property owner of
$5,000.00.
Chautauqua Lake Local
Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP) - Supervisor Tyler recommended
that the Council accept a draft of the Chautauqua Lake Local
Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP).
(Minutes 3/20/06)
Accept Draft (Local Waterfront
Revitalization Program)
Motion by Supervisor Tyler,
seconded by Councilman Geisler to accept a draft of the proposed Chautauqua
Lake Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP). (see ‘LWRP’ for detail)
Water Pump Station on School
Ave. –
Highway Superintendent Shellhouse reported that the design phase for the
construction of a water pump station in the Howard Ave. - School Ave. area is
underway.
NEW BUSINESS
DMV Hearings at Town Hall –
Police Chief Ohnmeiss reported that the NY State Dept. of Motor Vehicles has
requested that they be permitted to utilize the Ellicott Administration
Bldg. once a month to conduct court proceedings. Chief Ohnmeiss assured the Council that
there would be no cost to the Town & that the proceedings would not
interfere with the Town’s daily operation.
Allow Use of Administration
Building for DMV Hearings
Motion by Supervisor Tyler,
seconded by Councilman Pickett to permit the New York State Department of
Motor Vehicles to utilize the Town of Ellicott Building to conduct court
proceedings once a month, at no cost to the Town of Ellicott.
RESOLUTION #50-06
Payment of Claims
Motion by Supervisor Tyler, seconded by Councilman Pickett to pay 2006
current claims #343-420, inclusive, in the amount of $82,081.27 and charge
to the proper fund or account.
Adopted.
Ayes - 5
Noes - 0
Absent - 0
RESOLUTION #51-06
Executive Session
(Personnel)
Motion by Supervisor Tyler, seconded by Councilman Pickett to convene Executive
Session for the purpose of discussing a personnel matter. 7:30 PM – 8:02 PM.
Adopted.
Ayes - 5
Noes - 0
Absent - 0
Motion
by Supervisor Tyler, seconded by Councilman Geisler to adjourn at 8:02 PM.
Carried.
Ayes - 5
Noes - 0
Absent - 0
_________________________________
Michael C. Erlandson, Town Clerk