Tuesday, November 12, 2019

County health insurance premiums up

Supervisors Nov 7 2019


County health insurance premiums up
By PETE KLEIN
LAKE PLEASANT—When the Hamilton County Board of Supervisors met on November 7, they passed numerous resolutions, including the following concerning health insurance premiums.
RENEW COUNTY HEALTH INSURANCE BENEFITS FOR 2020
“WHEREAS, a review of the current health insurance rates received for the year 2020 indicated a 9.6% increase in premium for Excellus BlueCross BlueShield; a 6.1% increase in premium for MVP Gold PPO; and The Hartford has an increase in prescription premium of 3.54% for all enrolled, a 3.3% increase in medical premium for the Florida enrollee, and no increase in medical premium for the North Carolina enrollee, and WHEREAS, the Internal Management Committee has reviewed the insurance proposals offered by Burnham Financial, now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, Hamilton County will renew its health insurance benefits offered under Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, MVP Gold PPO and The Hartford, with no changes in coverage for 2020, and be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Supervisors authorizes the Hamilton County Personnel Officer to start meeting with employees to facilitate the renewal effective January 1, 2020, and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Personnel Officer is hereby authorized to disseminate this information as appropriate and the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors be authorized to renew the agreements with Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, MVP Gold PPO and The Hartford, for health insurance coverage for the year 2020 and the County Treasurer and Personnel Officer be notified.”
MORTGAGE TAX DISTRIBUTION DATED: NOVEMBER 7, 2019
“WHEREAS, it appears from the reports of the County Clerk and the County Treasurer for the period April 1, 2019 through September 30, 2019, that there remains for distribution of moneys received by taxation on Mortgages pursuant to the provision of Article Eleven, Section 261 of the Tax Law, the sum of $76,374.60, for the distribution among the Towns and Village of the County of Hamilton, now, therefore, be it
“RESOLVED, by the Board of Supervisors of the County of Hamilton that the sum of $76,374.60 be and the same hereby is apportioned as follows: Arietta - $1,974, Benson - 1,016.50, Hope - $2,562.10, Indian Lake - $14,038, Inlet - $26,291.50, Lake Pleasant - $16,329.45, Long Lake - $5,256.50, Morehouse - $107.50, Wells - $5,619, Village of Speculator - $3,180.05.”
AUTHORIZING TWO YEAR LEASE AGREEMENT WITH LISA BURGESS
“WHEREAS, the Hamilton County Board of Supervisors wishes to renew its lease with Lisa Burgess, and WHEREAS, this Board has determined it to be in the best interest of the County to extend this relationship, now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, that the Chairman of the Hamilton County Board of Supervisors is hereby authorized to enter into a two year lease with Lisa Burgess for January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2021, with the approval of the County Attorney, and be it also RESOLVED, that the monthly rent is hereby set at $400 per month for 2020-2021.”
SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH THREE+ONE
“WHEREAS, the County Treasurer has been approached by Three+One, an investment analyses company, to provide the County with services to maximize our investment opportunities, and WHEREAS, Three+One met with the Hamilton County Board of Supervisors to review their services and answer any questions presented by the Board, and WHEREAS, the Treasurer and the Board agreed after meeting with the three+one representatives this would be a worthwhile endeavor due to there being no cost to the County unless specified results are met, be it “RESOLVED, that the Chairman of the Board be authorized to enter into a professional services agreement with three+one to provide investment analyses to help maximize our investment opportunities, and the County Treasurer and Clerk of the Board be so advised.”
CREATION, HIRING AND FUNDING GIS TAX MAP SPECIALIST
“WHEREAS, Gail Doherty, Senior Tax Map Technician in the Real Property Tax Office, has served notice of retirement from part-time employment with Hamilton County Real Property Tax Services effective December 31, 2019, and WHEREAS, careful consideration was given to future technical and administrative staffing needs for the Real Property Tax Office, and advancements in digital imagery require the use of current Geographic Information System (GIS) technology, and WHEREAS, a GIS Tax Map Specialist position does not exist in Hamilton County, and WHEREAS, with Board of Supervisors approval the Hamilton County Personnel Office advertised for a GIS Tax Map Specialist, applicant Marc A. Martz interviewed for the position, and upon recommendation from the Real Property Tax Office Director and authorization to hire from Deputy Chairman Brian Wells in his memo dated October 16, 2019, an offer to applicant Martz was extended and accepted to fill the forthcoming vacancy in the Real Property Tax Office, now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, that effective this day, the Board of Supervisors authorizes creation of the position of GIS Tax Map Specialist (Grade 12), with budget line A 1355.0107, and effective December 9, 2019, Marc A. Martz, Town of Morehouse, is authorized for hire to fill the position of GIS Tax Map Specialist on a full-time basis at the hire rate of $21.264 per hour, and the County Treasurer and Personnel Officer shall be so authorized.”
PURCHASE SKI-DOO GRAND TOURING LIMITED 600R E- TEC ES
“WHEREAS, the Hamilton County Emergency Management Department was awarded a NYS 2019 SHSP grant through the FY2019 State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) SH19- 1020-D00 in the amount of $49,985.00, and WHEREAS, $16,000.00 of DHSES Grant SH19-1020-D00 was allocated for a 2020 Ski- Doo Grand Touring Limited 600R E-TEC ES snowmobile, and WHEREAS, the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office received three quotes for the snowmobile as follows: Village Motorsports - $12,551.98, DDS Motor Sports - $13,088, and Alpin Haus Ski Shop$14,962.98.
“WHEREAS, Village Motorsports, Inc, Speculator, New York submitted the lowest quote for a 2020 Ski-Doo Grand Touring Limited 600R E-TEC ES in the amount of $12,551.98, therefore, be it RESOLVED, that the Director of the Hamilton County Emergency Management Department is hereby authorized to purchase a 2020 Ski-Doo Grand Touring Limited 600R E-TEC ES from Village Motorsports for $12,551.98.”
AGREEMENT WITH NEW YORK STATE UNIFIED COURT SYSTEM
“WHEREAS, Hamilton County has received a new 5-year agreement from the Unified Court System for security services to the courts of Hamilton, and WHEREAS, the contract begins on April 1, 2019 and ends on March 31, 2024, and WHEREAS, the contract stated in pertinent part, “All subsequent periods of the contract, the maximum compensation and where necessary new staffing schedule for that period are to be established by mutual written agreement of the parties.”, and WHEREAS, the State Unified Court System has provided a proposal wherein the period of the contract begins on April 1, 2019 and ends on March 31, 2020, the maximum compensation for the period is Thirty-nine Thousand Dollars ($39,000) and the Hamilton County Sheriff provides an attendant staffing schedule, and WHEREAS, the Hamilton County Sheriff has provided an Attendant Staffing Schedule to the State Court System, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Chairman of the Hamilton County Board of Supervisors is authorized to execute an agreement with the New York State Unified Court System to provide Court Attendant Staffing by the Hamilton County Sheriff for the maximum compensation of Thirty-nine Thousand Dollars ($39,000) for the period of time beginning on April 1, 2019 and ending on March 31, 2020.”
AUDIT ANNUAL CONSOLIDATED FISCAL REPORTS
“WHEREAS, Hamilton County Community Services (HCCS) began filing a full annual Consolidated Fiscal Report (CFR) in 2016 when state revenue exceeded the cap under which HCCS had been allowed to file an abbreviated CFR, and WHEREAS, a full CFR under Mental Hygiene Regulations requires that it be audited by an independent auditor and a Compliance Review Letter signed by the independent auditor be submitted with each CFR, be it RESOLVED, that Hamilton County will sign a letter of engagement with the accounting firm Drescher and Malecki, LLP to perform these audits at a cost of between $100 and $200 per hour dependent upon the staff used to perform each audit and provide a Compliance Letter for each CFR, and be it further RESOLVED, that the cost of this service will be charged to Community Services Account No. A4310.403 Supplies and Service, and be it further RESOLVED, that the Hamilton County Board of Supervisors hereby authorizes the Chairman to sign the letter of engagement.”
RENEWAL FOR PSYCHIATRIC SERVICES AT COMMUNITY SERVICES
“WHEREAS, it has been determined that there is a need for psychiatric services, and WHEREAS, funding for psychiatric services was requested for the 2020 Community Services budget, be it RESOLVED, that Psychiatrist Eileen Ehrenberg, MD, of 23 Featherfoil Way Malta, NY 12020, who provides this service, be paid $1,500 per day not to exceed an annual amount of $45,000, and be it further RESOLVED, that said contract would be in effect from January 1, 2020 until December 31, 2020, and be it further RESOLVED, that upon the approval of the County Attorney, the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors is hereby authorized to execute a contract on behalf of the Hamilton County Community Services with Dr. Eileen Ehrenberg and the County Treasurer be so advised.”
CONTRACT WITH DR. HOWARD AXELROD
”WHEREAS, the Hamilton County Community Service Board has recommended contracting with Dr. Howard Axelrod, of 13 Stony Brook Drive, Rexford, NY 12148, for psychological services at the Hamilton County Office Building, located at White Birch Lane, Indian Lake, New York, on a bi-weekly basis, now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, that the Hamilton County Board of Supervisors does hereby authorize contracting with Dr. Howard Axelrod to perform psychological services at the County Office Building, located at White Birch Lane, Indian Lake, New York, on a bi-weekly basis, and be it further RESOLVED, that Dr. Howard Axelrod shall be paid One Thousand One Hundred Dollars ($1,100) per day for the services rendered with the total annual cost not exceeding Thirty-Six Thousand Dollars ($36,000, and be it further RESOLVED, that said contract would be in effect from January 1, 2020 until December 31, 2020, and be it further RESOLVED, that the Chairman of the Hamilton County Board of Supervisors is hereby authorized to sign a contract with Dr. Howard Axelrod, upon approval of the County Attorney, and the County Treasurer be so advised.”
CLINICAL EVALUATIONS AND CLINICAL COUNSELING
“WHEREAS, it has been determined that during the year there may be a need to expand Community Services’ capacity for clinical evaluations and clinical counseling, and WHEREAS, Clinical Services were requested for the 2020 Community Services budget, be it RESOLVED, that Patrice J. Hicks, of 166 Spier Falls Rd., Gansevoort, NY 12831, a Clinical Social Worker with R Certification, who provides these services, be paid $100 per hour for clinical evaluations not to exceed an annual amount of $2,000 and $80 per hour for clinical counseling not to exceed an annual amount of $12,500 for a total of $14,500, and be it further RESOLVED, that said contract would be in effect from January 1, 2020 until December 31, 2020, and be it further RESOLVED, that upon approval of the County Attorney, the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors is hereby authorized to execute a contract on behalf of the Hamilton County Community Services with Patrice J. Hicks and the County Treasurer be so advised.”
SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT SERVICES
“WHEREAS, the Hamilton County Community Services Board and the Hamilton County Community Services Department (HCCS) has identified a need for substance abuse services in Hamilton County, and WHEREAS, Citizen Advocates Inc. of Franklin County, DBA North Star Chemical Dependency Services, has agreed to maintain licensed substance abuse clinics at the Indian Lake and Lake Pleasant offices of HCCS, and WHEREAS, Citizens Advocates, Inc. will provide administrative and management support to HCCS clinical staff co-located at these locations such that HCCS clinical staff can provide both mental health and licensed substance abuse services to Hamilton County residents, and WHEREAS, this administrative and management support will include operational management of the substance abuse clinics, supervision of county clinical staff for the provision of substance abuse services, quarterly utilization of services reports to the Local Government Unit and other supports as necessary to comply with applicable state and federal regulations, be it RESOLVED, that a contract with Citizens Advocated Inc. of Franklin County, in the amount of $3,510 be made, and the Chairman be authorized to sign said contract upon approval of the County Attorney, for the purpose of operating this Clinic, to be paid in monthly installments, and be it further RESOLVED, that said contract would be in effect from January 1, 2020 until December 31, 2020, and the County Treasurer be so advised.”
PREVENTION COUNCIL TO PROVIDE A PREVENTION PROGRAM
“WHEREAS, the Hamilton County Community Services Board (HCCSB), the HCCSB’s Alcohol and Substance Abuse Subcommittee, and the Hamilton County Community Services Department has identified a need for chemical dependency related prevention programming in Hamilton County, and WHEREAS, the New York State Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services (NYS OASAS) has approved the Hamilton Fulton Montgomery Prevention Council’s (HFM Prevention Council), 86 Briggs St., Suite 5, Johnstown, NY 12095, budget for $73,054, annualized, in recurring funding to support a chemical dependency prevention program in Hamilton County, and WHEREAS, NYS OASAS has determined that it will provide this funding to the HFM Prevention Council through Hamilton County’s OASAS funding, be it RESOLVED, that the Hamilton County Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, upon approval of the County Attorney, is hereby authorized to enter into contract with HFM Prevention Council for the purpose of providing chemical dependency prevention services in Hamilton County, and be it further RESOLVED, that the designated funding will be paid in quarterly installments based upon the annualized amount of $73,054 when confirmed in Hamilton County’s OASAS state aid letter for the contracted period, and be it further RESOLVED, that said contract would be in effect from January 1, 2020 until December 31, 2020”
TELEPSYCHIATRY IN HAMILTON COUNTY
“WHEREAS, the Hamilton County Community Services Board has identified a need to provide Telepsychiatry on location in the Hamilton County Jail, in Hamilton County Public Schools and at HCCS Clinic sites, and WHEREAS, Comprehensive Medicine, PLLC, of 105 Duffield Road, Rochester, NY 14618 has the capacity and appropriate licensure to develop and operate a Telepsychiatry program in New York State, be it RESOLVED, that the Hamilton County Board of Supervisors authorizes the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors to enter into a contract with Comprehensive Medicine, PLLC to provide this service at a rate of $120 per episode of treatment in the County Jail and schools, and $200 per hour in Community Services clinic sites, for a maximum of $30,000 per year, and be it further RESOLVED, that said contract would be in effect from January 1, 2020 until December 31, 2020 and the County Treasurer be so advised.”
FOSTER CARE SERVICES UNDER RAISE THE AGE
“WHEREAS, children placed in the care and custody of the Commissioner of Social Services as a result of abuse, neglect, maltreatment or voluntary surrender require out-of-home placement in Certified Foster Family Boarding homes, and WHEREAS, these foster homes are certified by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS), and WHEREAS, maximum state reimbursable rates are established by OCFS, be it RESOLVED, the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, upon review and approval of the County Attorney is hereby authorized and directed to enter into agreements with said Foster Family Boarding Home for a term of October 1, 2019 through December 31, 2020.”
AGREEMENT WITH NATHAN LITTAUER HOSPITAL
“WHEREAS, the Social Services District, pursuant to Section 367-g of the Social Services Law (SSL) and New York State Department of Health Regulation 18 NYCRR 505.33 may authorize personal emergency response services (PERS) to be provided to Medical Assistance (MA) recipients whom the Social Services District determines eligible to receive those services, and WHEREAS, the Social Services District is authorized pursuant to Section 365.1(d) of the SSL and 18 NYCRR 505.33(d), to enter into witness agreements for the provision of PERS for which reimbursement is available pursuant to Title XIX of the Federal Social Security Act (“SSA”), Section 367-g of the SSL, and 18 NYCRR 505.33, and WHEREAS, the Nathan Littauer Hospital (Provider) represents that it will provide PERS as authorized by the Social Services District pursuant to Title XIX of the SSA, Section 367-g of the SSL, and18 NYCRR 505.33, and WHEREAS, the Social Services District and the Provider have determined to enter into this written agreement pursuant to which the Provider will provide PERS to MA recipients home the Social Services District has determined eligible to receive these services, be it RESOLVED, that upon review and approval of the County Attorney, the Chairman of the Hamilton County Board of Supervisors is hereby authorized to sign said agreement with Nathan Littauer Hospital.”
WELFARE FRAUD INVESTIGATIONS
“WHEREAS, the Commissioner of Social Services of the County of Hamilton (hereinafter the “Commissioner”) is charged with the responsibility for the administration of all health and welfare services provided in Hamilton County, at public expense pursuant to the Statewide Managed Care Program, Chapter 165 of the Laws of 1991, directly or through an authorized agent, and WHEREAS, it is economically and organizationally feasible for the HCDSS to contract with the Provider for the provision of Supportive Investigative Services for the Social Services Programs, and WHEREAS, the HCDSS and Provider are desirous of further specifying their mutual obligations and responsibilities owed under this Agreement, and WHEREAS, the provider has secured liability insurance as part of the contract and the HCDSS is desirous of the provider to be reimbursed said expense to retain contract, be it RESOLVED, that the Commissioner of the Department of Social Services and the Chairman of the Hamilton County Board Of Supervisors, be and hereby are, authorized to enter into a contract between the Hamilton County Department of Social Services and the Welfare Fraud Investigator for a term of January 1, 2020 – December 31, 2020 in an amount not to exceed $14,000 to provide supportive investigative services for the Social Services Department.”
HEAP AGREEMENTS
“WHEREAS, the Department of Social Services requires a service agreement with a qualified provider to provide HEAP outreach and certification services to the low-income residents, be it RESOLVED, that upon the County Attorney’s approval, the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors is hereby authorized to sign an agreement with Warren/Hamilton Office for the Aging and Community Action Agency for HEAP services for a term of October 1, 2019 – September 30, 2020.”
COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT BETWEEN COUNTY ATTORNEY AND DSS
“WHEREAS, it is necessary for the Department of Social Services to enter into a cooperative agreement with the County Attorney in order to justify and obtain funding for such representation, and WHEREAS, the Office of the County Attorney provides representation to the Department of Social Services through appointment of the Assistant County Attorney, be it RESOLVED, that the Commissioner of the Hamilton County Department of Social Services, the Hamilton County Attorney and the Hamilton County Chairman of the Board of Supervisors are hereby authorized to execute a Cooperation Agreement for the term of August 1, 2019 through July 31, 2020 between the Department of Social Services and the Hamilton County Attorney upon review of the Hamilton County Attorney.”
SNOW AND ICE CONTRACTS
“WHEREAS, Article 6, Section 135a of the Highway Law provides that the County Highway Superintendent may contract with any town in the County for the removal of snow and ice from the County roads and for sanding or otherwise treating said roads, therefore, be it RESOLVED, that the County Highway Superintendent be authorized to contract with the various towns of the County, upon approval of the County Attorney.”
RENEWAL OF ANNUAL GIS APPLICATION HOSTING OF THE HOMS
“WHEREAS, the Board of Supervisors initially authorized the original agreement with Fountains Spatial, Inc., for hosting and maintaining the server-based County GIS Mapping application known as HAMCOMAPS.NET, and WHEREAS, Fountains Spatial, Inc., has continued to host, maintain and modify the HOMS application through coordination with the Hamilton County Real Property Tax Services Agency since the inception in 2010, and WHEREAS, on 2016 Fountains Spatial, Inc., merged operations with VHB, an engineering firm with offices in Albany, NY, and VHB will continue to provide the same service level agreements and application hosting to Hamilton County on a year to year basis going forward, and the Real Property Tax Services Agency recommends the Hamilton County Board of Supervisors renew the annual hosting agreement with VHB for 2020, therefore, be it RESOLVED, the Hamilton County Board of Supervisors hereby authorizes the renewal of a 1 year annual plan agreement (commencing January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020) with VHB, of 100 Great Oaks Boulevard, Albany, NY, and payment of the annual fee of $6,000 (Six Thousand Dollars) in quarterly payments of $1,500 (Fifteen Hundred Dollars) for hosting the Hamilton County Online Mapping System (HOMS) a.k.a HAMCOMAPS.NET.”
PHYSICAL THERAPIST
“WHEREAS, there is a need to provide physical therapy services to the residents of Hamilton County, and WHEREAS, Brett Darrow, is a duly licensed physical therapist by the NYS Department of Education, Office of Professions and is seeking a full time position with Hamilton County, therefore, be it RESOLVED, that the Director of Public Health be authorized to hire Brett Darrow of Ohio, NY as a full time physical therapist at a grade 19, step 1, with a salary of $55,674 based on experience, and be it further RESOLVED, that after two years of successfully working for Hamilton County as the full time Physical Therapist that he be eligible to move into the senior physical therapist position.”

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