Regular session of the Lackawanna City Council met in the Council Chambers, Council President Ronald R. Spadone presiding. The meeting was preceded by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Council President Spadone
Meeting called to order
NB: Meeting being recorded.
Roll Call: Present: Kozub, Jaworski, Schiavi, Estrada, Spadone
Dept. Heads: Present: Law, Adm&Fin, PS, Rec.
Excused: Eng.
Approval of Minutes
Moved by Schiavi, seconded by Jaworski to adopt minutes of regular meeting of April 18, 2005 as written.
Yeas: Kozub, Jaworski, Schiavi, Estrada, Spadone. Carried.
Departmental Reports:
City Compt. – Cond. Of Appropriations as of March 31, 2005.
City Compt. – AP Check Listing #32, April 14, 2005.
City Compt. – AP Check Listing #33, April 22, 2005.
City Compt. - AP Check Listing #34, April 26, 2005.
Moved by Jaworski, seconded by Estrada to receive and file departmental reports.
Yeas: Kozub, Jaworski, Schiavi, Estrada, Spadone. Carried.
Communications from the Mayor
To: City Council
Enclosed you will find a resolution pass unanimously by the Amherst Town Board. I am requesting your honorable body review and approve this resolution. There are registered sex offenders living in our area. In some cases, an injunction has been issued which prohibits the release of any information regarding the offender to the public. This is upsetting to members of the community and I can understand their reactions in light of the recent deaths of two teenage girls in Florida by an individual with criminal records as sex offenders. Any questions on the resolution, please contact my office.
MAYOR NORMAN L. POLANSKI, JR.
Moved by Jaworski, seconded by Estrada, to receive and file, act on resolution.
Yeas: Kozub, Jaworski, Schiavi, Estrada, Spadone. Carried.
Communications from Department/Division Heads:
Sale of Property – Angel Mercado
My office has received an offer from Angel Mercado to purchase SBL141.11-1-16, located at 17 Kane Street, a vacant lot with the approximate size of 30 X 135. I recommend the sale of the property to Mr. Mercado for the amount of $700. His intended use is for a side yard.
FRANK KRAKOWSKI, ASSESSOR
Moved by Estrada, seconded by Jaworski to approve sale, ordinance to be written for the next council meeting.
Yeas: Kozub, Jaworski, Schiavi, Estrada, Spadone. Carried.
Entertainment License
Woody's Pub, 1841 Abbott Road, Class 1
Moved by Spadone, seconded by Kozub to table for study.
Yeas: Kozub, Jaworski, Schiavi, Estrada, Spadone. Carried.
Resolutions
Mandatory Monitoring for Convicted Sex Offenders
Resolution #8, 2005
Whereas, the residents of the State of Florida were recently shocked and stunned by the death of Jessica Lunsford, a little girl allegedly murdered by an individual with a criminal record as a sex offender, and
Whereas, as a result, the Florida House of Representatives is currently studying the passage of a law to be known as the Jessica Lunsford Act, which would include the electronic monitoring of convicted sexual offenders and
Whereas, it is known that sex offenders are often repeat offenders and as a result, many states including New York State, require convicted sex offenders to register with the local authorities in order to protect vulnerable members of society, but frequently, sex offenders fail to register as required, and
Whereas mandatory electronic monitoring of convicted sex offenders would allow the authorities to track such offenders even upon failure to register and
Whereas, New York State's Sex Offender Registration Act, Article 6-c of the Corrections Law does not currently authorize the use of electronic monitoring of convicted sex offenders.
Therefore be it resolved, that the Mayor and Council memorializes the Governor of the State of New York, the New York Senate, and New York Assembly to adopt appropriate legislation to authorize the mandatory electronic monitoring of convicted sex offenders; and
Be it further resolved, that a copy of this resolution be sent to Honorable George Pataki, Governor; Honorable Joseph Bruno, Senate Majority Leader, Senator Mary Lou Rath, Honorable Sheldon Silver, Speaker of the Assembly and Assemblyman James Hays.
THIS RESOLUTION SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY
(Website address registered sex offenders: www.criminaljustice.state.ny.us )
Moved by Estrada, seconded by Kozub to adopt resolution as written.
Yeas: Kozub, Jaworski, Schiavi, Estrada, Spadone. Carried.
Moved by Spadone, seconded by Kozub to waive rules.
Yeas: Kozub, Jaworski, Schiavi, Estrada, Spadone. Carried.
Health Insurance
As you know, back in March the city council passed a resolution authorizing the mayor to enter into an agreement with Independent Health and providing an incentive to retirees. The incentive provided for debit cards in the amount of $500 for anyone receiving single coverage and for $750 for anyone with family coverage.
Subsequent, to this resolution we met with a number of retirees and explained the city's new health insurance plan. In response to their concerns, we now offer the proposed resolution, which increases the incentive from $500 to $600 for single coverage and $750 to $1000 for family coverage. In addition we are proposing to keep surviving spouses on the city's health plan provided that they pay 50% of the premium. This incentive was discussed with representatives of the Independent Health and we feel that it answers the questions and concerns presented to the city by many retirees. In that regard I would appreciate the council would entertain the proposed resolution.
RICK JUDA, CITY ATTORNEY
Moved by Jaworski, seconded by Estrada to receive and file, act on resolution.
Yeas: Kozub, Jaworski, Schiavi, Estrada, Spadone. Carried.
Resolution # 8, 2005
Whereas, the City of Lackawanna has been negotiating with prospective health insurance companies for a single plan; and
Whereas, the City stands to save a substantial amount of insurance premiums by using a single health care provider; and
Whereas, the Mayor, City Attorney, and representatives from Niagara Insurance Group have solicited proposals and bids for a new health insurance contract; and
Whereas, Resolution #6, 2005 was passed in March 2005 which provided for certain incentives and authorized the mayor to enter into an agreement with Independent Health; and
Whereas, a number of questions and concerns came up regarding the City's health insurance plan subsequent to the passing of resolution #6, 2005;
Now therefore be it resolved, that the mayor is authorized to enter into an agreement with Independent Health to provide health insurance accounts as an incentive to former city employees who retired prior to August 1, 2000 in accordance with a plan of benefits to be provided by Independent Health and to include therein annual power pay debit cards in the amount up to $600 for single coverage and up to $1000 for anyone receiving family coverage, said amounts to be non-cumulative and
Be it further resolved any surviving spouse of a retired city employee shall be allowed to continue on city health insurance coverage (excluding health reimbursement accounts) provided the surviving spouse pays an amount equal to 50% of the cost of said coverage and provided the retiree was a member of the Independent Health plan at the time of the retiree's death; and
Be it finally resolved, that the incentives set forth in this resolution be and the same are hereby open to all retirees who switch to the Independent Health Plan within sixty days from the day of adoption of this resolution.
THIS RESOLUTION SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY
Moved by Kozub, seconded by Jaworski to adopt resolution as written.
Yeas: Kozub, Jaworski, Schiavi, Estrada, Spadone. Carried.
Moved by Spadone, seconded by Kozub to waive rules.
Yeas: Kozub, Jaworski, Schiavi, Estrada, Spadone. Carried.
Poppy Day
Whereas the American Legion Auxiliary Matthew Glab Post 1477 will be stationed at all banks and businesses in Lackawanna on Friday, May 27, 2005
Now be it therefore proclaimed that the City of Lackawanna, hereby designates Friday, May 27, 2005 as “Poppy Day” and urges all citizens to support this worthy cause.
Moved by Jaworski, seconded by Kozub to designate, May 27, 2005 as Poppy Day.
Yeas: Kozub, Jaworski, Schiavi, Estrada, Spadone. Carried.
Moved by Spadone, seconded by Kozub, meeting is adjourned.
Yeas: Kozub, Jaworski, Schiavi, Estrada, Spadone. Carried.
RONALD R. SPADONE, COUNCIL PRESIDENT
JACQUELINE A. CAFERRO, CITY CLERK