A budget public hearing and regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Arcade, Wyoming County, New York held on Tuesday, April 5, 2005 at 7:00pm there were:

PRESENT

Deputy Mayor Hugh Ely, Trustee Paul Burkett, Trustee Richard Kosmerl, Trustee Daniel Reisdorf, Superintendent Larry Kilburn, Clerk/Treasurer Joanne Offers

ABSENT

Mayor Michael Doster

ALSO PRESENT

Police Chief John Laird, Deputy Village Clerk Temporary Pam Beiersdorf, Justice Sheri BellBeyer, Sandie Dutton, Margaret Morgan, Phil Antonio, and Deborah Titus – Arcade Herald

NOTICE

Pursuant to Article 7 of the Public Officers Law, notice of this meeting was given to the media on the 28th day of March, 2005, published on the 31st day of March 2005, and the same posted on the 30th day of March, 2005.

PLEDGE TO ALLEGIANCE

Deputy Mayor Ely opened the meeting with the Pledge to Allegiance.

OATH OF OFFICE

Clerk/Treasurer Joanne Offers administered the oath of office to Trustee Richard Kosmerl, Trustee Daniel Reisdorf, and Justice Sheri Bell-Beyer.

PUBLIC HEARING – PROPOSED 2005-2006 VILLAGE BUDGET

Clerk/Treasurer Joanne Offers read the following budget summary on the proposed 2005-2006 Village Budget.

  • The budgets proposed for all Village departments for the 2005-2006 fiscal year have been thoroughly discussed and are balanced. The Water Department budget does not require a rate increase, the Electric Department requires an increase of approximately 5%, the Sewer Department will require an increase of nearly 5% (average residential customer) while the General Fund tax increase has been kept to 3.35%.
  • The Arcade area continues to grow. Work to provide for the continuing growth in the Arcade area includes utility and street extensions into two housing projects (funded by the developers), a line extension to a proposed industrial building in the old Gernatt Gravel Pit on NYS Route 16 (funded by the developer) and a transformer replacement for an expansion at Dry Creek products.
  • The Water fund includes expenses of $ 525,314.  This year projects include installing about 800’ of water line on North Street from West Street to Creekside Lane and installing about 100’ of water main on Liberty Street north from Clearview Drive (from material that is in stock).  The 1997 Ford one ton dump will be replaced with a larger dump truck.  Time and funding has been set aside for routine maintenance, such as exercising main line valves and flushing and maintaining fire hydrants.
  • The Electric fund balances at $6,263,340, which includes a rate increase of approximately 5%, anticipated to be effective with the September 2005 billing (the last increase was effective with the April 2004 billing).  In order to balance the budget, for the first time in our memory, we were forced to layoff two linemen.
  • Major line work planned includes reconductoring one of the Bixby Hill feeders from Main Street to North Street, (as an alternate to the replacement of the underground feeder cables along Main Street), replacing sections of the underground lighting cables on West Main Street and rebuilding the parking lot at the Church Street Office.
  • Included in the budget is approximately $160,000 for additional metering equipment, poles, wire, transformers, and the miscellaneous line materials that will be needed throughout the year.  Electric Department vehicle replacement has again been postponed until next year. Layoffs
  • The Sewer fund balances with expenses and revenues of $471,475, although a rate increase of nearly 5% is required (the last increase was effective June 2003).  The majority of the budget is to fund the normal day to day operations of the sewer system and the Wastewater Treatment Plant.
  • Additional planned activities at the Plant include replacing various motors that are failing and patching rusty tanks. The budget also includes funds for the replacement of an underground airline, funding for miscellaneous plant repairs and some miscellaneous small equipment.  As we have begun a full-scale sludge composting operation, we have discovered the need to upgrade some of the equipment.
  • The General fund balances at $1,942,347 with a 3.35% increase in the tax rate ($12.75 per $1,000 assessed value as compared to last years rate of $12.34).
  • The single largest expense to be funded is the construction of three flood control dams to the west of Park Street and south of the Arcade Cemetery.  The local share of about $74,000 is derived from tax revenue and does not obligate future taxpayers to any debt.
  • The fire and ambulance budgets are reduced about $50,000 from last year’s budget.  (Last year included the new siding on the Firehall.) Most of the budget this year is allocated for building maintenance and future equipment replacement.
  • The Police and Justice budgets are up approximately $27,000 for the purchase of a new police car.
  • The Streets and Parks budget is about $73,500 less than last year, primarily due to a reduction in the purchase of new equipment for the Park.  Street work planned for this fiscal year includes milling and paving the southernmost section of Park Street, placing an asphalt overlay on Steele Avenue and crack filling and slurry sealing most of the streets on the east end of the Village. A significant amount of money ($20,000) has been set aside for the repair and replacement of sidewalks.
  • The Youth Recreation and Adult Recreation budgets are the same as last year.
  • Once again this year, the Village of Arcade is able to provide the same services as in the past. Emergency services are provided, youth and senior activities have been funded, and streets and sidewalks are to be maintained.  We have also budgeted for the local share of construction cost of the flood control dams.  All this, and in spite of rising costs, the tax increase has been kept below 4%.
  • Deputy Mayor Ely opened the public hearing for comments.

    • Chief John Laird asked the board to consider increasing his budget by $3,711 due to an unexpected increase in his health insurance budget.

    There being no further comments or concerns Trustee Burkett made a motion to close the budget public hearing that was seconded by Trustee Kosmerl. The motion was approved upon the following vote:

     Mayor Michael Doster            Absent
     Deputy Mayor Hugh Ely         Aye
     Trustee Paul Burkett              Aye
     Trustee Dan Reisdorf              Aye
    Trustee Richard Kosmerl        Aye

    Motion by Trustee Kosmerl and seconded by Trustee Burkett to amend the budget such as Public Safety has an additional $3,711 for insurance reducing Public Safety by $1000 to be determined by the Police Chief, sidewalks out of General budget by $2000, and general liability insurance by $711.

     

    REGULAR MEETING

    The regular meeting of the Board of Trustees followed the Public Budget Hearing.

    APPROVE MINUTES

    Motion by Trustee Reisdorf, seconded by Deputy Mayor Ely, and unanimously carried the minutes from a regular meeting held on March 14, 2005 and a special meeting held on March 29, 2005 be approved as presented.

    ADOPT CLERK OF THE COURT EMPLOYEE POLICY

    Due to comments from the Board and a request for clarification of NYS law, the adoption of the Clerk of the Court Employee Policy has been postponed until the regular meeting scheduled for April 19, 2005.

    RESOLUTION SALE OF PROPERTY ON HURDVILLE ROAD TO WYOMING COUNTY

    The following resolution was offered by Trustee Burkett and seconded by Deputy Mayor Ely:

    RESOLUTION

    WHEREAS, Wyoming County is replacing a bridge on Hurdville Road in 2005, and

    WHEREAS, Wyoming County desires to purchase a small parcel of land for the relocation of said bridge and also needs an easement during the construction phase,

    NOW, THEREFORE, Be It Resolved, that Mayor Michael R. Doster be empowered to endorse a Quit-Claim Deed, Deed Granting Easement, and Combined Real Estate Transfer Tax Return.

    This resolution was adopted upon the following vote:

       Mayor Michael Doster          Absent
       Deputy Mayor Hugh Ely       Aye
       Trustee Paul Burkett            Aye
       Trustee Richard Kosmerl     Aye
       Trustee Daniel Reisdorf         Aye

    RESOLUTION MEUA SEMI-ANNUAL MEETING

    The following resolution was offered by Deputy Mayor Ely and seconded by Trustee Kosmerl:

    RESOLUTION

    WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees of the Village of Arcade, New York, is a municipal member of the Municipal Electric Utilities Association of New York State, and

    WHEREAS, the Semi-Annual Conference of the Municipal Electric Utilities Association of New York State has been called on April 20 and April 21, 2005 to be held at the Holiday Inn, 441 Electronics Parkway, Liverpool, New York, and

    WHEREAS, in accordance with the bylaws of the Municipal Electric Utilities Association of New York State, each municipal member may cast one vote on each transaction properly brought before this meeting,

    NOW, THEREFORE, Be It Resolved, that Superintendent of Public Works Larry A. Kilburn be and is hereby designated as the accredited delegate of the Village of Arcade, New York.

    This above resolution was adopted upon the following vote:

       Mayor Michael Doster        Absent
       Deputy Mayor Hugh Ely     Aye
       Trustee Paul Burkett          Aye
       Trustee Richard Kosmerl     Aye
       Trustee Daniel Reisdorf       Aye

    RESOLTUION GROUP HEALTH CARE CONTRACT AND GROUP APPLICATION

    The following resolution was offered by Trustee Reisdorf and seconded by Trustee Kosmerl:

    RESOLUTION

    WHEREAS, BlueCross and BlueShield of Western New York is committed to provide the Village of Arcade with high quality health insurance coverage, and

    WHEREAS, according to New York State Insurance Law and applicable New York State Insurance Department regulations, BlueCross and BlueShield is required to have the following signed documents in order to provide group health care coverage:

    · Group Health Care Contract – An agreement between the group and BlueCross BlueShield whereby the group agrees to remit payment to BlueCross BlueShield in exchange for health care coverage for their employees.

    · Group Application – By signing the Application, the group agrees to abide by the terms and conditions of the Group Health Care Contract and are confirming that the information provided on the application is true to the best of their knowledge.

    WHEREAS, these documents have been reviewed by the Village,

    NOW, THEREFORE, Be It Resolved, that Clerk-Treasurer Joanne Offers be empowered to endorse both the Group Health Care Contract and the Group Application in the name of the Village of Arcade.

    This above resolution was adopted upon the following vote:

       Mayor Michael Doster          Absent
       Deputy Mayor Hugh Ely       Aye
       Trustee Paul Burkett            Aye
       Trustee Richard Kosmerl     Aye
       Trustee Daniel Reisdorf       Aye

    PERMISSION TO ATTEND WYOMING COUNTY VILLAGE ASSOCIATION DINNER MEETING

    Motion by Trustee Reisdorf, seconded by Trustee Burkett, and unanimously carried permission be granted to the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Trustees, Superintendent of Public Works, Clerk/Treasurer, Deputy Clerk/Treasurer, Deputy Village Clerk Temporary, and Police Chief to attend the Wyoming County Village Association Dinner Meeting on Wednesday, April 20, 2005 at the Hole in the Wall Restaurant in Perry, NY.  The guest speaker for the evening is James Reger, Wyoming County Fire Coordinator.

    PERMISSION TO ATTEND THE 12TH ANNUAL SOUTHERN TIER WEST LOCAL GOVERNMENT CONFERENCE

    Motion by Deputy Mayor Ely, seconded by Trustee Burkett, and unanimously carried permission be granted to the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Trustees, Superintendent of Public Works, Clerk/Treasurer, Deputy Clerk/Treasurer, Deputy Village Clerk Temporary, and Clerk of the Court to attend the 12th Annual Southern Tier West Local Government Conference on Thursday, May 12, 2005 at Houghton College, Houghton, NY.

    PERMISSION TO ATTEND THE WESTERN NEW YORK WATER WORKS CONFERENCE

    Motion by Trustee Kosmerl, seconded by Trustee Reisdorf, and unanimously carried permission be granted to Dave Carr and Todd Wittmeyer to attend the Western New York Water Works Conference on Wednesday, April 6, 2005 in Lockport, NY.

    PERMISSION TO ATTEND NEW YORK STATE SOCIETY OF MUNICIPAL FINANCE OFFICERS PURCHASING MADE EASY

    Motion by Trustee Burkett and seconded by Trustee Kosmerl, and unanimously carried permission be granted to Pam Beiersdorf to attend the New York State Society of Municipal Finance Officers Purchasing Made Easy presentation on Thursday, April 28, 2005 in Fairport, NY.

    CLEANING CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

    The Board reviewed and commented on the proposed cleaning contract requirements detailing cleaning expectations. Final comments will be incorporated prior to release to prospective bidders.

    EMPLOYEE VACATION SCHEDULES

    The Board communicated their expectations with regard to vacation schedules so that primary and secondary responsible parties are not absent for extended vacations simultaneously.  This shall ensure proper coverage throughout departments.

    TIME REPORTING FOR CLERK OF THE COURT POSITION

    Justice Bell-Beyer approached the Board asking their opinion on the use of a time clock for recording the Clerk of the Court's hours worked. Consensus of the Board indicated that the use of a time sheet was sufficient. A complete and accurate record of attendance must be maintained. Supervisors are responsible to review time sheets and certify the accuracy of the entries by signing.

    PARK CABIN CLEANING

    Margaret Morgan, Senior Citizens representative, requested the weekly cleaning of the park cabin be changed from Friday to Monday. The Board will research the feasibility of this request.

    BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS

    Motion by Trustee Kosmerl, seconded by Trustee Burkett, and unanimously carried the following budget adjustment be approved as presented by the Clerk.

    Available upon request

    AUDIT BILLS

    Motion by Deputy Mayor Ely, seconded by Trustee Reisdorf, and unanimously carried the Village bills be audited and paid and that the Clerk be granted permission to transfer funds from the money market accounts to the checking accounts to cover such bills.

    LIGHTING COMPLIANCE

    It was reported by Trustee Kosmerl, that Tops Markets has resolved their lighting compliance issues and currently meet regulations.

    MUNICIPAL PARKING LOT SIGNS

    Deputy Mayor Ely inquired about erecting signs that direct motorists to the Municipal Parking Lot. Superintendent of Public Works Kilburn will research and follow-up on this inquiry.

    REPORTS RECEIVED

       Ambulance report for the month of March 2005 was received, reviewed and placed on file.

       Village Justice report for the month of March 2005 was received, reviewed and placed on file

    ADJOURN

      There being no further business to come before the board the meeting duly adjourned at 8:25pm upon motion by Trustee Burkett and seconded by Trustee Reisdorf.

     

           _______________________

           Village Clerk