Minutes of a Regular Meeting of the
Town Council of the Town of Ellicott
held at the
Administration Building,
November 17,
2003 at 7:00 P.M.
Present: Supervisor Tyler, Councilman Geisler, Councilman Lodestro, Councilman Miller, Councilman Taylor, Town Clerk Erlandson, Highway Superintendent Shellhouse, Attorney Lasker, Legislator Spicer.
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 Miller, seconded by Councilman Taylor to accept the minutes of
the October 20, 2003 meeting as presented by the Town Clerk.
Motion
by Councilman Miller, seconded by Councilman Lodestro to accept the minutes of
the October 24, 2003 special meeting as presented by the Town Clerk.
PUBLIC
HEARING (2004 Preliminary Budget)
Supervisor Tyler opened a Public Hearing on the Town of Ellicott Preliminary Budget for fiscal year
2004. The following public comments were heard:
Mr. Warren Gertsch, 103 N, Hanford Ave.
commented on the proposed budget. He
stated that the Town Council should consider contacting alternative health care
providers to determine if employees’ health care premiums could be reduced.
Councilman Lodestro expressed a number of concerns re allocations for the proposed 2004 budget. He specifically questioned whether enough monies have been allocated in the assessing, insurance & retirement accounts. Supervisor Tyler addressed his concerns.
Supervisor Tyler closed the
Public Hearing at 7:50 PM.
Town of Busti Supervisor
Dale Robbins addressed
the Town Council re a proposal to regionalize assessing services. Mr. Robbins briefly outlined the
proposal. He explained that the
regional service would consolidate the assessing of operations of five
municipalities: the City of Jamestown and the Towns of Busti, Ellicott,
Kiantone & N. Harmony. He noted
that the central office for the regional service would be located at Jamestown
City Hall. Mr. Robbins pointed out the
long-term benefits of regionalization.
The Council discussed the matter & asked Mr. Robbins a number of
questions re the logistics of regionalizing assessing services. Councilmen Taylor and Lodestro expressed several
concerns re the proposal. Mr. Robbins
recommended that representatives from the Town of Ellicott meet with officials
from the other municipalities to discuss the matter. Supervisor Tyler appointed Councilmen Miller & Geisler to a
committee to review options concerning the Town of Ellicott’s assessing
operations.
Mr. Robbins also stated that the Town
of Busti is interested in expanding municipal water service along a section of
Baker St. Ext. in the Town of Busti between Howard Ave. & Southwestern Dr. He asked if the Ellicott Town Council would
be interested in discussing the possibility of a joint operation to extend the
water service along sections of Howard Ave. and Baker St. Ext. within the Town
of Ellicott.
Town Clerk Erlandson read the
following items into the record:
1.
Notice
of an upcoming Public Hearing to be held by the Village of Falconer
Zoning Board of Appeals.
2.
Certificate of Satisfaction from the Chautauqua Co. Real Property Tax Office
re the 2003 Town of Ellicott Tax Warrant.
3.
Invitation
to the annual Falconer Volunteer Firemen’s Association Christmas Party.
4.
Falconer Fire Dept. Incident Report: Jan. – Sept. 2003.
5.
Notice
from New York State Dept. of State that Town of Ellicott Local
Law #2-2003 has been received & filed.
6.
Newsletter:
Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy.
Councilman Lodestro reported that the
reconstruction of the Dow St. Bridge has been completed & the bridge has
been re-opened.
Traffic Safety Concerns at
Southwestern Central School – Councilman Taylor reported that officials from the
Chautauqua Co. Dept. of Public Facilities want to apply for a $10,000.00
grant to purchase two (2) new Driver Feedback signs to be placed
on Hunt Rd. He explained that the signs
are needed to reduce the speed of vehicular traffic on Hunt Rd. near Southwestern
Central School. Mr. Taylor stated
that the DPF couldn’t proceed with the grant application without the support of
the Ellicott Town Council. In addition,
he pointed out that the total cost of the signs would be $13,500.00. Since the grant funding would be $10,000.00,
Mr. Taylor explained that the Town of Ellicott and SWCS would be
required to split the remaining $3,500.00.
Therefore, the Town of Ellicott’s share would be $1,750.00. He assured the Council that the Town would not
be required to pay the $1,750.00 if the grant request is denied. The Council discussed the matter.
RESOLUTION #132-03
Authorize Grant Application (Driver Feedback
Signs)
Motion by Councilman Taylor, seconded by Councilman
Geisler authorizing the Chautauqua County Department of Public
Facilities to apply for a grant for Driver Feedback signs to be placed on Hunt
Road and; furthermore, should the grant be approved, the Town of
Ellicott agrees to pay an amount not to exceed $1,750.00 for the remaining cost
for the signs.
RESOLUTION #133-03
Adopt
Local Law #3-2003 (Rezoning of Rte. 380)
Motion by Supervisor Tyler, seconded by Councilman
Taylor to adopt Town of Ellicott Local Law #3-2003 amending
Section 146-32 of the Town of Ellicott Code establishing a new ‘mercantile’
zone along a section of the Falconer Kimball Stand Road (Rte. 380). (see ‘Local Law #3-2003’ file for detail)
(Councilman Geisler Voted No)
RESOLUTION #134-03
Adopt
Local Law #4-2003 (Rezoning of Rte. 60)
Motion by Supervisor Tyler, seconded by Councilman
Taylor to adopt Town of Ellicott Local Law #4-2003 amending
Section 146-32 of the Town of Ellicott Code establishing a new ‘mercantile’
zone along a section of the North Main Street Ext. (Rte. 60). (see ‘Local Law #4-2003’ file for detail)
(Councilman Geisler Voted No)
Contract with Ellicott
Police Chief – The Town Council
discussed a proposed employment contract between Ellicott Police Chief Ohnmeiss & the
Town of Ellicott. Councilmen Taylor
& Miller expressed their concerns re the proposed contract. Councilman Lodestro stated that he supports
the contract. The Council discussed the
proposed contract. The Police Chief’s probationary period was addressed. Councilman Taylor asked who has the responsibility of overseeing
the probationary period (i.e. the Town Supervisor or the Town Council). Attorney Lasker was directed to look into
who administers the probationary period.
RESOLUTION #135-03
Contract
w/ Police Chief (Ohnmeiss)
Motion by Councilman Geisler, seconded by Councilman
Taylor to table discussions concerning a
proposed employment contract
between the Town of Ellicott and Town of Ellicott Police Chief William Ohnmeiss
pending the completion of the Police Chief’s probationary
period.
(Councilman Lodestro Voted
No)
Water Service On Royal Oaks – Highway Superintendent
Shellhouse reported that the design phase of the project has been
completed.
Water Service on Orchard Rd.
–
Highway Superintendent Shellhouse reported that the installation of the water
line on Orchard Rd. is nearly complete.
He noted that the original line on Orchard Rd. was extended 200 feet
to better accommodate the hookup for two homeowners. Mr. Shellhouse stated that the extension of the line would not
increase the overall cost of the project.
Preliminary Budget (2004) – The Council discussed the proposed budget for 2004. Councilman Geisler asked several questions re the allocation of funding for the Town Supervisor and Town Clerk salaries. Councilman Lodestro expressed his concern that the proposed allocations for 2004 will not be sufficient enough to cover expenditures.
RESOLUTION #136-03
Adopt Final Budget (2004)
Motion by Councilman Taylor, seconded by Councilman Miller to adopt the Town of Ellicott Preliminary Budget for fiscal year 2004 as the final budget for fiscal year 2004.
(Supervisor Tyler and
Councilman Lodestro Voted No)
NEW BUSINESS
RESOLUTION #137-03
BAN Renewal (Ninth St. Bridge)
Motion by Supervisor Tyler, seconded by Councilman Lodestro authorizing the
issuance of a Bond Anticipation Note
in the amount of $38,400.00 for repair of the Ninth St. Bridge. (see
‘BAN’ file for detail)
Vacancies of ZBA &
Planning Board – Town Clerk Erlandson reported that there would be one vacancy
on both the Ellicott Zoning Board of Appeals & the Ellicott Planning Board,
effective January 1, 2003. Mr.
Erlandson noted that five (5) candidates are currently on the waiting list for
positions on the ZBA & Planning Board.
The Council discussed the situation.
Town Clerk Erlandson was directed to advertise for candidates in the Jamestown
Post-Journal.
RESOLUTION #138-03
Budget Transfers
Motion by Supervisor Tyler, seconded by Councilman Taylor authorizing Town of
Ellicott Supervisor to make the following budget transfers:
Transfer the amount of $6,881.33 from Account #A1990.4 (Contingency) to Account
#A1355.1 (Assessor – Personal Services); transfer
the amount of $71.06 from Account #A1990.4 (Contingency) to Account
#A1680.4 (Data Processing – Contractual); transfer
the amount of $2,099.46 from Account #A1990.4 (Contingency) to Account
#1910.1 (Unallocated Insurance); transfer
the amount of $60.91 from Account #A1990.4 (Contingency) to Account
#A3510.4 (Dog Control – Contractual); transfer
the amount of $1,596.32 from Account #A7110.4 (Parks –Contractual) to
Account #A7110.1 (Parks – Personal Services); transfer the amount of $15,110.52 from Account #A9010.8
(Retirement) to Account #A9060.8 (Medical Insurance); transfer the amount of $316.83 from Account #B3620.4 (Safety
Inspection –Contractual) to Account #B9030.8 (Social Security); transfer the amount of $1,325.70 from
Account #B3620.4 (Safety Inspection –Contractual) to Account #B9060.8 (Medical
Insurance);
Adopted. Ayes - 5 Noes - 0 Absent - 0
RESOLUTION #139-03
Payment of Claims
Motion by Supervisor Tyler, seconded by Councilman Geisler to pay 2003 current claims #1206-1256,
inclusive, in the amount of $28,778.55 and charge to the proper fund or
account; and, further, to pay 2003
current claims #1257-1356, inclusive, in the amount of $115,764.50 and
charge to the proper fund or account.
Adopted. Ayes - 5 Noes - 0 Absent - 0
Motion
by Supervisor Tyler, seconded by Councilman Geisler to adjourn at 9:06 PM.
Carried. Ayes - 5 Noes - 0 Absent - 0
________________________________
Michael C. Erlandson, Town Clerk