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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-10-13TB 10-13-22 Page 1 of 7 TOWN OF DRYDEN TOWN BOARD MEETING October 13, 2022 Zoom Hybrid Present: Supervisor Jason Leifer, Cl Daniel Lamb, Cl James Skaley (via Zoom), Cl Loren Sparling, Cl Leonardo Vargas-Mendez Elected Officials: Bambi L. Avery, Town Clerk Other Town Staff: Amanda Anderson, Bookkeeper Cassie Byrnes, Secretary to the Supervisor Budget Workshop The workshop opened at 5:00 p.m. Budget requests from the Recreation Department, Justice Court, Dog Control and Freeville Fire Department were presented and discussed. Supv Leifer opened the Town Board meeting at 6:24 p.m. Financials & Human Resources RESOLUTION #152 (2022) – APPROVE ABSTRACT #10 Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption: RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby approves Abstract #10, as audited, general vouchers #808 through #917 ($1,137,234.87) and TA vouchers #46 through #49 ($5,522.71), totaling $1,142,757.58. 2nd Cl Lamb Roll Call Vote Cl Sparling Yes Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes Cl Skaley Yes Cl Lamb Yes Supv Leifer Yes County Update No report. Discussion/Action Items Readopt Bond Resolution for Broadband – Because there was not a super majority of the board present when this resolution was adopted previously, it is necessary to adopt it again. RESOLUTION #153 (2022) - AUTHORIZING, SUBJECT TO PERMISSIVE REFERENDUM, THE CONSTRUCTION OF A TOWN-WIDE BROADBAND SERVICE SYSTEM, FOR THE TOWN OF DRYDEN, TOMPKINS COUNTY, NEW YORK, AT A MAXIMUM ESTIMATED COST OF $14,535,281 AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $14,535,281 SERIAL BONDS OF SAID TOWN TO PAY THE COST THEREOF. TB 10-13-22 Page 2 of 7 Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption: WHEREAS, the capital project hereinafter described has been determined to be an Unlisted Action pursuant to the regulations of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation promulgated pursuant to the State Environmental Quality Review Act, the implementation of which as proposed, the Town Board has determined will not have any significant adverse impact on the environment; and WHEREAS, in the Working to Implement Reliable and Equitable Deployment of Broadband Act of 2022, constituting part MMM of Chapter 58 of the Laws of 2022 (the “Broadband Act”), the State Legislature found and declared that access to high-speed, reliable and affordable broadband is “essential for education, economic growth and full participation in civic life” and that the “benefits of broadband access should be available to all”; and WHEREAS, in said Broadband Act, the General Municipal Law was amended by adding a new Section 99-y thereof authorizing any county, city, town or village to “establish, construct, and maintain broadband and related telecommunication infrastructure”; a nd WHEREAS, the Town of Dryden, Tompkins County, New York has determined to provide the availability of broadband service, as defined in the Act, to all residents of the Town, including the villages therein; and WHEREAS, it is now desired to authorize the financing of such capital project; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the affirmative vote of not less than two-thirds of the total voting strength of the Town Board of the Town of Dryden, Tompkins County, New York, as follows: Section 1. The construction of a Town-wide broadband service system, for the Town of Dryden, Tompkins County, New York, including original furnishings, equipment, machinery, apparatus, appurtenances, and other incidental improvements and expenses in connection therewith, is hereby authorized at a maximum estimated cost of $14,535,281. Section 2. The plan for the financing of the aforesaid maximum estimated cost is by the issuance of not exceeding $14,535,281 bonds of said Town, hereby authorized to be issued therefor pursuant to the provisions of the Local Finance Law; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that to the extent that any grants-in-aid are received for such purpose, the amount of obligations to be issued pursuant to this resolution shall be reduced dollar for dollar. Section 3. It is hereby determined that the period of probable usefulness of the aforesaid specific object or purpose is 15 years, pursuant to subdivision 35 of paragraph a of Section 11.00 of the Local Finance Law (provided, however, in the event that the State Legislature provides a specific period of probable usefulness for a broadband service system prior to the date of issuance of obligations hereunder, this bond resolution will be supplemented to conform thereto). It is hereby further determined that the maximum maturity of the bonds herein authorized will exceed five years. Section 4. The faith and credit of said Town of Dryden, Tompkins County, New York, are hereby irrevocably pledged for the payment of the principal of and interest on such bonds as the same respectively become due and payable. An annual appropriation shall be made in each year sufficient to pay the principal of and interest on such bonds becoming due and payable in such year. There shall annually be levied on all the taxable real property of said Town, a tax TB 10-13-22 Page 3 of 7 sufficient to pay the principal of and interest on such bonds as the same become due and payable. Section 5. Subject to the provisions of the Local Finance Law, the power to authorize the issuance of and to sell bond anticipation notes in anticipation of the issuance and sale of the bonds herein authorized, including renewals of such notes, is hereby delegated to the Supervisor, the chief fiscal officer. Such notes shall be of such terms, form and contents, and shall be sold in such manner, as may be prescribed by said Supervisor, consistent with the provisions of the Local Finance Law. Section 6. All other matters, except as provided herein relating to such bonds, including determining whether to issue such bonds having substantially level or declining annual debt service and all matters related thereto, prescribing whether manual or facsimile signatures shall appear on said bonds, prescribing the method for the recording of ownership of said bonds, appointing the fiscal agent or agents for said bonds, providing for the printing and delivery of said bonds (and if said bonds are to be executed in the name of the Town by the facsimile signature of the Supervisor, providing for the manual countersignature of a fiscal agent or of a designated official of the Town), the date, denominations, maturities and interest payment dates, place or places of payment, and also including the consolidation with other issues, shall be determined by the Supervisor. Such bonds shall contain substantially the recital of valid ity clause provided for in section 52.00 of the Local Finance Law and shall otherwise be in such form and contain such recitals in addition to those required by section 52.00 of the Local Finance Law, as the Supervisor shall determine. Section 7. This resolution shall constitute a statement of official intent for purposes of Treasury Regulations Section 1.150 - 2. Other than as specified in this resolution, no monies are, or are reasonably expected to be, reserved, allocated on a long -term basis, or otherwise set aside with respect to the permanent funding of the object or purpose described herein. Section 8. The validity of such bonds and bond anticipation notes may be contested only if: 1) Such obligations are authorized for an object or purpose for which said Town is not authorized to expend money, or 2) The provisions of law which should be complied with at the date of publication of this resolution are not substantially complied with, and an action, suit or proceeding contesting such validity is commenced within twenty days after the date of such publication, or 3) Such obligations are authorized in violation of the provisions of the Constitution. Section 9. Upon this resolution taking effect, the same shall be published in summary form in the official newspaper of said Town for such purpose, together with a notice of the Town Clerk in substantially the form provided in Section 81.00 of the Local Finance Law. Section 10. THIS RESOLUTION IS ADOPTED SUBJECT TO PERMISSIVE REFERENDUM. 2nd Cl Vargas-Mendez Roll Call Vote Cl Sparling Yes TB 10-13-22 Page 4 of 7 Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes Cl Skaley Yes Cl Lamb Yes Supv Leifer Yes Add Platinum Health Insurance Plan & Health Reimbursement Account for Employees – Amanda Anderson explained that with health insurance premiums increasing by six percent this year, the consortium investigated whether there were other plans that would be cost effective for both the employees and the town. Excellus has a Platinum Plan available through the consortium and the town could also offer a health reimbursement account to help employees with their out-of-pocket costs because the lower premium in the platinum plan comes with a higher copay. It was suggested that employees not be required to change plans, but may if they choose to. This plan has been approved by the Teamsters Union in their new contract. Beginning January 1, 2023, any new town employee or current employee with a new enrollment would only be enrolled in the Platinum Plan. The attached slides were provided. The reimbursement account can be used for dental, vision, prescription costs and medical expenses. The Platinum Plan will result in a savings to both the town and the employee. The benefit specialist at the Consortium will do a virtual meeting for all int erested employees. Resolution #154 - (2022) Approval of Adding Platinum Health Insurance Plan and Health Reimbursement Account for Employees Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption: Whereas, due to the rise in health care costs, the Town started the process this past summer to research other health insurance plans that might be financially beneficial but still provide comparable health insurance for the Town of Dryden staff. Whereas, it is recommended that the Town of Dryden add the Platinum Plan in addition to the current PPO plan that is offered. Whereas, all Town Hall and Highway staff are allowed to change to the Plati num Plan during open enrollment for the plan to start on 1/1/2023. Employees who prefer to stay on the current PPO plan are allowed to remain on the PPO plan. Whereas, all employees who enroll in the Platinum Plan are eligible to enroll in the Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) that will be fully funded and owned by the Town. Employees enrolled in the Platinum Family Plan would be eligible to be reimbursed for any out of pocket medical, vision, or dental expenses up to $3,000 annually. Employees enrolled in the Platinum Single Plan would be eligible for $1,000 annual reimbursement for any out of pocket medical, vision, or dental expenses. Unused employee HRA allotments will not rollover to the new calendar year. Whereas, starting January 1, 2023, any new Town Hall employee or current employee with a new enrollment would only be able to sign up for the Platinum health insurance plan with an HRA. Whereas, any Town Hall or Highway employee who elects to change from the PPO plan to the Platinum plan is not allowed to return to the PPO plan. Therefore, the Supervisor is authorized to sign the agreement with Lifetime Benefit Solutions who will be administering the HRA plan. Therefore, be it resolved that the Board approves adding the Platinum Plan with HRA to th e current health insurance plan through the Greater Tompkins County Municipal Health Insurance Consortium. 2nd Cl Lamb TB 10-13-22 Page 5 of 7 Roll Call Vote Cl Sparling Yes Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes Cl Skaley Yes Cl Lamb Yes Supv Leifer Yes Close George Road Bridge Capital Fund – Final payment has been made on this project and all reimbursements have been received. Resolution #155 (2022) - Close George Rd Bridge Capital Fund (HC) and transfer funds to Townwide Highway Fund (DA) Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption: Whereas, a capital project fund (HC) was set up for the accounting of the George Rd Bridg e project. Whereas, the work on the bridge has been completed and the Town has been reimbursed from the Bridge NY Grant and Tompkins County Highway. Whereas, there is a cash balance remining in the capital project fund of $16,735.90 as of October 1, 2022. Whereas, the cash balance should be transferred to the Townwide Highway Fund (DA) as when the project started this fund paid the initial costs. RESOLVED, that the Bookkeeper has permission to close the HC fund and transfer the cash balance as of October 1, 2022, from the HC fund to the DA fund. 2nd Cl Lamb Roll Call Vote Cl Sparling Yes Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes Cl Skaley Yes Cl Lamb Yes Supv Leifer Yes Community Housing Development Fund Program Agreement (Second Contribution)– A fiscal agreement needs to be in place prior to transfer of funds for a second project for the town. Not a lot of details are available for this, except that it will be a manufactured home via an INHS project in the Village of Freeville. This agreement does not authorize disbursement of funds and the board will have more information on the project soon. RESOLUTION #156 – AUTHORIZE AGREEMENT WITH COMMUNITY HOUSING DEVELOPMENT FUND PROGRAM Cl Vargas-Mendez offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption: RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby approves the agreement to Implement the Community Housing Development Fund (CHDF) Program between the County of Tompkins and the Town of Dryden and authorizes the Supervisor t o execute the same. 2nd Cl Sparling Roll Call Vote Cl Sparling Yes Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes TB 10-13-22 Page 6 of 7 Cl Skaley Yes Cl Lamb Yes Supv Leifer Yes Leave of Absence for Planning Board Member – The Planning Board Chair has requested the board authorize a leave of absence for a member dealing with a health issue. Town Code provides the board can authorize this for up to eleven months. The Planning Board currently has active alternates. RESOLUTION #157 (2022) – GRANT LEAVE OF ABSENCE FOR PLANNING BOARD MEMBER Cl Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption: RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby grants a leave of absence to Planning Board member Daniel Bussmann for a period of eleven (11) months beginning October 13, 2022. 2nd Cl Lamb Roll Call Vote Cl Sparling Yes Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes Cl Skaley Yes Cl Lamb Yes Supv Leifer Yes Affordable and Workforce Housing Committee Appointments – There are two community members interested in serving on this committee. Craig Anderson will serve as the Planning Board representative to the committee and Charles Geisler as a community member. RESOLUTION #158 – APPOINT MEMBERS TO AFFORDABLE AND WORKFORCE HOUSING COMMITTEE Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption: RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby appoints Craig Anderson and Charles Geisler to the Affordable and Workforce Housing Committee. 2nd Cl Vargas-Mendez Roll Call Vote Cl Sparling Yes Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes Cl Skaley Yes Cl Lamb Yes Supv Leifer Yes Broadband Committee Appointment – This committee lost a member because he is employed by the town’s law firm, Coughlin & Gerhart. Graham Dobson, who has been attending the meetings, is interested in serving on the committee. RESOLUTION #159 – APPOINT G DOBSON TO BROADBAND COMMITTEE Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its a doption: RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby appoints Graham Dobson to the Broadband Committee. 2nd Cl Lamb TB 10-13-22 Page 7 of 7 Roll Call Vote Cl Sparling Yes Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes Cl Skaley Yes Cl Lamb Yes Supv Leifer Yes Rail Trail Task Force Offices – Cl Lamb explained that the Task Force would like to formalize the roles of Vice Chair and Secretary. RESOLUTION #160 (2022) – ADD OFFICES FOR RAIL TRAIL TASK FORCE Supv Leifer offered the following resolution and asked for its adoption: Whereas, the Rail Trail Task Force desires to establish Vice Chair and Secretary offices within the Task Force, in addition to the existing Town Board-appointed Chair position, and Whereas, the Task Force desires the new offices to be filled as needed from within the Task Force membership by majority vote of the Task Force, and Whereas, Alice Walsh Green has agreed to serve as Vice Chair, while yielding her long -term note-taking charge to Rose Borzik, who has agreed to serve as Secretary, Now Therefore, be it resolved that the Town Board approves the establishment of Rail Trail Task Force offices of Vice Chair and Secretary, and that the offices be filled by vote of the Task Force. 2nd Cl Vargas-Mendez Roll Call Vote Cl Sparling Yes Cl Vargas-Mendez Yes Cl Skaley Yes Cl Lamb Yes Supv Leifer Yes Game Farm Road – Cl Lamb reported that Game Farm Road has been resurfaced and the 45 mph speed signs are up. The County may make 35 mph advisory signs, but may not do that until they have approved a crossing plan. The plan has been amended twice. Discussions continue and the plan will be revised by B & L. The document contains a stamped crossing plan that the County has been asking for. They expect to have the new document to the County in about two weeks, and in the meantime the County will do another speed study under the new speed limit structure. It is unclear whether that will be conducted with the 35 - mph advisory speed limit signs. The board will continue budget discussions next week at the conclusion of the board meeting. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Bambi L. Avery Town Clerk 2023 Monthly Premium Comparison PPO $10 v. Platinum Plan PPO $10 Platinum Change  (Decrease) Individual $1,263.65 $776.31 $487.34 Family $2,738.83 $2,018.43 $720.40 Cost Sharing Basics PPO $10 and Platinum Cost Sharing  Category PPO $10 In Network Platinum In Network Deductible $0.00 Individual $0.00 Family $0.00 Individual $0.00 Family Out‐of‐Pocket   Maximum $2,000 Individual ($1,000 Rx/$1,000 Med) $6,000 Family ($3,000 Rx/$3,000 Med) $2,000 Individual $6,000 Family (Med and Rx Combined) Comparison of Commonly Utilized Services Below is a cost comparison of some of the most common types of services participants may need: Service PPO $10 Platinum Change Preventative Care (Including Telemedicine)Covered in Full Covered in Full No Change Office Visit –Primary Care (Including Telemedicine)$10 Co‐pay $15  Co‐pay $5 Office Visit – Specialist (Including Telemedicine)$10 Co‐pay $25  Co‐pay $15 Office Visit –Mental Health/Substance Abuse $10 Co‐pay $15  Co‐pay $5 Urgent Care Facility Visit $25 Co‐pay (Facility) $40 Co‐pay (Facility) $15 Diagnostic and Routine X‐Rays $10 Co‐pay $25 Co‐pay $15 Advanced Imaging Services (MRI, etc.)$10 Co‐pay $25  Co‐pay $15 Ambulance Covered in Full $150 Co‐pay $150 Emergency Room (Fee Waived  if Admitted)$10 Co‐pay $150 Co‐pay $140 Inpatient Hospitalization – Including Surgery,  Anesthesiology, Physician Visits, X‐Rays, MRIs,  Medications, etc. Covered in Full $250  Co‐pay $250 Maternity/Routine Newborn Nursery Care Covered in Full Covered in Full/ Except  inpatient care $250 co‐pay No change except for  inpatient care fee Outpatient Physical Rehabilitation (45 Visits per Year   PPO and Platinum) $10 Co‐pay $25 Co‐pay $15 Pharmacy Coverage Comparison PPO $10 and Platinum Tiers listed below is how Prescription plan splits certain types of medications Prescription Co‐Pay PPO $10 Platinum Change Retail Pharmacy  (30 Day Supply) Tier 1: $5 Co‐pay Tier 1: $5 Co‐pay No Change Tier 2: $10 Co‐pay Tier 2: $35 Co‐pay $15 Tier 3: $25 Co‐pay Tier 3: $70 Co‐pay $45 Mail‐Order Pharmacy (90 Day Supply) Tier 1: $10 Co‐pay Tier 1: $10 Co‐pay No Change Tier 2: $20 Co‐pay Tier 2: $70 Co‐pay $50 Tier 3: $50 Co‐pay Tier 3: $140 Co‐pay $90 CanaRx Mail‐Order  Pharmacy (90 Day  Supply) for Select  Medications Covered in Full Covered in Full No Change HRA‐Health Reimbursement Account Optional Benefit to bridge the gap  in out‐of‐pocket cost increases from moving from PPO  $10/100 to Platinum plan coverage Employer funded only Suggested amounts as $1,000 Individual/ $3,000 Family The employer who sponsors the HRA selects the following limitations or method of  administration ◦Can be used for in and/or out of network services ◦Can be used for dental and vision expenses (dental is not part of Platinum plan benefits) ◦Can have a credit card issued for the employee’s to swipe for copays at the providers office, copays at  the pharmacy or other medical expenses ◦Can be used for prescription copays Not a program offered by the Consortium.  Will be administered by Lifetime Benefit Solutions