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Council Chambers Tonawanda, New York January 20, 2009
A Regular Meeting of the Common Council
Present: Council President Zeisz Present Councilmembers: Perkins, Waterhouse, Kossow Excused: Davis
Pledge of Allegiance led by Council President Zeisz
Prayer led by Council President Zeisz
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE MAYOR
A letter from the County Executive, dated January 12, 2009, informing the City that funding assistance through the Erie County Consortium Community Development Block Grant Program has been approved for Johnson Street pavement milling, overlay and sidewalk replacement for $95,000.00.
A letter from the County Executive dated January 13, 2009, stating that the New York State Housing Finance Agency (HFA) has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to develop projects under the Neighborhood Stabilization Program.
A letter to Kaitlin Dougherty, 69 King Street, appointing her to the Youth Board, term to expire June 30, 2009.
A letter to Scott Foster, 34 Wall Street, appointing him to the Youth Board, term to expire June 30, 2009.
A letter to James Clark III, 51 Penarrow Drive, appointing him to the Youth Board, term to expire June 30, 2009.
A letter to J.J. Lewis, 213 William Street, appointing him to the Youth Board, term to expire June 30, 2009.
A letter from Dennis J. Boyle Jr., President of the Woodbridge Contracting Group, stamped January 9, 2009, regarding the Water Front Condo Development 111 North Shore Drive.
A letter to Lane Jewelers dated January 9, 2009, congratulating them on their 70th anniversary of operation in the City of Tonawanda.
A letter to Sam Scinta, 221 Niagara Street, dated January 5, 2009, correcting the expiration date of his term on the Board of Appeals to December 31, 2012.
A letter to David Bernosky, 137 Brookside Terrace dated January 5, 2009, correcting the expiration date of his term of the Board of Appeals to December 31, 2011.
A letter to Peter Bognar, 130 Brookside Terrace dated January 5, 2009, correcting the expiration date of his term on the Board of Appeals to December 31, 2010.
A letter to Henry Hoffman, 196 Niagara Shore Drive, dated January 5, 2009, correcting the expiration date of his term on the Board of Appeals to December 31, 2010.
The quarterly report from the Department of Environment and Planning for (October 1, 2008 - December 31, 2008) dated January 15, 2009. Ordered filed
COMMUNICATION FROM CITY OFFICIALS AND CORRESPONDENCE
The following monthly reports were received by the City Clerk: December report of the Building Inspector December Executive Minutes of the City Clerk December Activity Report of the Fire Department December minutes of the Planning & Zoning Board Yearly report of the Building Inspector Referred to the Committee of the Whole Ordered filed
A letter from Richard B. Barnard, Chairman of the Cable Committee, to Ms. Maureen Rasp-Glose, dated January 19, 2009, regarding Verizon FIOS. Referred to the Committee of the Whole
A letter from City Assessor Patricia Bacon to Gary & Mary Lynne Bisone, 141 Clinton Street, dated January 19, 2009, regarding his assessment. Referred to the Committee of the Whole Ordered filed
COMMENTS BY THE PUBLIC ON RESOLUTIONS
There were no comments by the public on the resolutions.
MOTIONS AND RESOLUTIONS
8. By Councilmember Waterhouse seconded by Councilmember Perkins Resolved, that the bills be allowed as audited and the City Clerk be authorized to draw warrants on the Treasurer for the various amounts.
Ayes: Perkins, Waterhouse, Kossow, Zeisz Nays: None Resolution declared adopted
9. By the Council seconded by the Council Whereas, the Erie County Department of Social Services Program Contract for Senior Van Services between the City of Tonawanda and the County of Erie provides transportation service to high risk elderly residents, and Whereas, the agreement requires among other things that the City of Tonawanda shall provide insurance coverage in the following amounts:
$1,000,000 Comprehensive General Liability $1,000,000 Automotive Liability $1,000,000 Excess Umbrella Liability Workers Compensation and Employers Liability Disability Benefits
and Whereas, the City of Tonawanda has primary insurance coverage with P&C Solutions LLC/NYMIR and Public Employee Risk Management Association (PERMA) in the following amounts: $1,000,000 Comprehensive General Liability $1,000,000 Automotive Liability $4,000,000 Excess Umbrella Liability Workers Compensation and Employers Liability Disability Benefits
Now, therefore be it resolved, that Mayor Ronald J. Pilozzi be authorized to sign the agreement between the City of Tonawanda and the County of Erie for Senior Van Service for 2009.
Fiscal Impact: $ 19,750
Budget Account 7621.100: $19,000 Budget Account 7020.442: $ 750 Councilmember Kossow – I just want to say that this is a great service that we offer the seniors in our community. It is also great to see that the City of Tonawanda received a new van for this year with the County so I appreciate the County for that.
Ayes: Perkins, Waterhouse, Kossow, Zeisz Nays: None Resolution declared adopted 10. By the Council seconded by the Council Resolved, that the compensation for the position of Assistant Public Works Superintendent, Classification Group 2, of the Personnel Benefits and Policy Manual, be listed at $59,843.00.
Council President Zeisz – This position was left out in our last Council meeting when the salaries were addressed for 2009. For anyone who does not know, this position is not filled, it is not in existence, but for the purposes of our Personnel Manual, it is listed in there.
Ayes: Perkins, Waterhouse, Kossow, Zeisz Nays: None Resolution declared adopted
11. By the Council seconded by the Council Resolved, that resolution #160 from the Common Council meeting of July 1, 2008, be rescinded.
Ayes: Perkins, Waterhouse, Kossow, Zeisz Nays: None Resolution declared adopted
12. By the Council seconded by the Council Whereas, the cost of liability insurance for the volunteer companies has risen considerably over the past years, and Whereas, the Common Council has discussed increasing their annual amount to help cover that cost, now, therefore be it Resolved, that the City will pay the four volunteer companies of the City of Tonawanda an additional $600.00 for the year 2008 and be it further Resolved, that said insurance policies will name the City as “Additional Insured”, and be it further Resolved, that the four volunteer companies shall each provide the City with a copy of the certificates of insurance on an annual basis.
Ayes: Perkins, Waterhouse, Kossow, Zeisz Nays: None Resolution declared adopted
13. By the Council seconded by the Council Resolved, that the following certificates of insurance and bonds for plumbers have been accepted and approved by our Plumbing Inspector and therefore shall be filed and a license shall be issued for said plumbers to do business in the City of Tonawanda. They are as follows: Frank Dimaria of Franks Commercial and Home Services/Mr. Plumber; Mark Fremont of Mark’s Plumbing, Inc.,; Martin K. Hall of Marty Hall’s Plumbing and Heating, Inc.; Dean Luongo of L.C. Mechanical, Inc.; John T. Nuttle of Numarco, Inc.; Jeffre Miller of T-Mark Plumbing, Inc.; Joel Tucciarone of Waterworks Plumbing & Backflow, Inc.
Ayes: Perkins, Waterhouse, Kossow, Zeisz Nays: None Resolution declared adopted
14. By Council President Zeisz seconded by Councilmember Kossow Resolved, that in recognition and compliance with the “New York State Open Meetings Law”, this Common Council will meet in Executive Session in the Common Council Chambers for the purpose of pending exempt City business, and further be it Resolved, that upon conclusion of the above stated business matters, the meeting shall again be open to the general public. The reason for the Executive Session is to discuss contract negotiations.
Ayes: Perkins, Waterhouse, Kossow, Zeisz Nays: None Resolution declared adopted
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC AFTER RESOLUTIONS
Kevin O’Connor, 61 Elmwood Park W., and the Director of the former Tonawanda Police Underwater Squad. With the disbanding of the squad, the former members would like to turn in their badges, I.D. cards, and keys to the squad building. During our last meeting with the Chief of Police, we were informed that each member returning their badge would receive a $50 deposit from the department. We have a list and what they are turning in for the record. It is Dennis Atkinson, badge, ID, key; Nicholas DeMaria, badge, ID; Keith DiBello, badge, ID, key; Kevin O’Connor, badge, ID, key; James Hensel, badge, ID, key; Terence Clark, badge, ID; James Borzillieri, badge, ID, key; Paul Varga, badge, ID, key; John Reif, badge, ID, key; Scott Schlueter, badge, ID, key; Mark McDonald, ID, key; Scott Hedges, ID, key. We have all the items, they are all packaged individually with their names. Would somebody like to accept them?
Council President Zeisz – Yes, I’ll take them. Who gave you correspondence to get these items back because the Council didn’t ask for them.
Kevin O’Connor – No, they did not. We had a meeting with the Chief of Police and she asked for them.
Councilmember Perkins – Is that list in there? Do you mind giving me a copy of the list?
Richard Goodman, President Niagara Hose Co., 74 Wheeler Street – I’d just like to thank you for finally getting this resolution #5 taken care of. And I’d also like to remind you that our contracts are coming up and perhaps you could give us some consideration on an increase and update. You know this $600 wasn’t enough the last time because we came to you in 2007 and the 2008 price went up. I don’t know what’s going to happen. We haven’t gotten our bill yet for this year, so I hope you take into consideration for an increase. If you want to meet with the four Presidents again, we’d be happy to meet with you.
Council President Zeisz - We probably will do that because I’d like to get something resolved sooner than later.
COMMENTS FROM THE COUNCILMEMBERS AFTER RESOLUTIONS
Councilmember Kossow –As you mentioned earlier, again the historic day that we had today with the Inauguration with the swearing-in of President Barack Obama, a tremendous day for our nation. As he mentioned in his remarks, there is a lot of difficult days ahead of us, but hopefully he inspires a lot of us and hopefully we’ll turn this nation around and go forward. When you think about it, what he has to face as the President is the same type of work we have to do in the City of Tonawanda. I wish him the best of luck.
Mayor Pilozzi – I also would like to thank Erie County for the new Senior Van. It’s brand spanking new. We picked it up a week ago Friday and what it basically does for our senior citizens is give them independence so to speak, it allows them to go to doctor appointments, it allows them to go see their attorney, it allows them to go see their accountant, it allows them to do a little shopping, that they might not be able to do cost-wise when it comes to paying for taxi cab fairs, so it’s really a nice unit. I was there first hand to see it and take possession of the keys, so we’re very thankful for that. If you look at the communications, the very first item on that, underneath that header is the fact that we received $95,000 from Erie County Consortium for a Community Development Block Grant Fund. That’s going to do some nice things for Johnson Street. Basically milling, overlay, some sidewalk replacement, so that’s our project for this year in terms of Community Development Block Grant funds. Lastly, I think all of our thoughts and prayers are with our new President today. It’s a task that few of us will ever share and I think it’s important for the young people here today. It shows them that anything is possible. That’s what America is all about That’s why our ancestors came from the countries they came from. I myself am a product of immigrants from Italy in 1924. My grandmother was pregnant with my mother. They’re all dead now but I’m sure they would never think that their grandson could even be a Mayor of a City. That’s pretty low on the food chain, but the fact of the matter is, you young people have every reason to believe that you can do whatever your dreams bring. So, just stick to it. Get a good education and see what life brings you. My thoughts and prayers are with our new President. It’s a daunting task and one that hopefully he can shoulder.
Council President Zeisz – I have nothing further. I thank everyone for taking the time to come to tonight’s meeting. Have a great night and drive home safely.
ADJOURNMENT
15. By Councilmember Waterhouse seconded by Councilmember Perkins Resolved, that this Common Council adjourn until February 3, 2009.
Ayes: Perkins, Waterhouse, Kossow, Zeisz Nays: None Resolution declared adopted
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