Chairman Harrington called the meeting to order at 10:15am and led the salute to the flag. The Clerk called the roll and all members were recorded as present. On the motion of Mr. Dwyer, seconded by Mr. Teeter and adopted, all members present voting aye, the minutes from the previous session were approved.

On the motion of Mrs. Price, seconded by Mrs. Brown and adopted, all members present voting aye, the Legislature recessed at 10:17 a.m. The Legislative Session resumed at 12:20 p.m. Mr. Stoker left for an appointment during the recess.

On the motion of Mr. Harrington, seconded by Mr. Teeter and adopted, all members present voting aye,

RESOLUTION NO. 585-00,

CHANGE DATE OF REGULARLY SCHEDULED LEGISLATIVE SESSION

WHEREAS, it is necessary to change the date of the regularly scheduled Legislative Session to effectively conduct the routine business of Cortland County,

RESOLVED, that the next regularly scheduled Legislative Session will be December 19^th, 2000 at 10:00a.m.

On the motion of Mrs. Price and seconded by Mr. Dwyer, Agenda No. 02 (Adopt 2001 County Budget) was introduced on the floor.

Mrs. Price offered the first amendment (Amend 2001 Tentative County Budget, General Fund Surplus) to the County Budget, was seconded by Mr. Dwyer and adopted, all members present voting aye, except Mr. Forbes voting nay and Mr. Stoker recorded as absent. Mrs. Price said she had a conversation with Ric McNeilly, independent auditor and it was determined that the County surplus was more than anticipated. By allocating another $500,000 from the surplus, the tax increase could be reduced to 5.6%. Mr. Plew expressed his concern about next year’s budget.

Mrs. Price and Mr. VanDee offered the second amendment (Amend 2001 Tentative County Budget, County Clerk) to the County Budget, was seconded by Mr. Teeter and adopted, all members present voting aye, except Mr. Boise, Mrs. Brown and Mr. Harrington voting nay and Mr. Stoker recorded absent.

Mr. VanDee offered the next amendment (Amend 2001 Tentative County Budget, Department of Social Services) to the County Budget, was seconded by Mrs. Contento and defeated (22,155 with 24,482 needed for passage), all members present voting aye, except Mr. Boise, Mrs. Brown, Mr. Cornell, Mr. Dwyer, Mr. Forbes, Mr. Law, Mrs. Price, Mrs. Richards and Mr. Harrington voting nay and Mr. Stoker recorded as absent. Before the vote, Mrs. Price cautioned everyone about using this money, since there would be no money to cover a shortfall. Mr. VanDee countered that every budget was risky, it was part of the process. Mr. Plew suggested our choice was to amend the budget or face the tax increase. Mr. Boise cautioned the Legislators to use care in reducing the surplus and not to reduce the funds in MMIS.

Mr. Dafoe offered the fourth amendment (Amend 2001 Tentative County Budget, J. M. Murray Center) to the County Budget, was seconded by Mr. Thomas and adopted, all members present voting aye, except Mr. Forbes, Mr. Law, Mrs. Meiczinger, Mr. O’Mara, Mrs. Price and Mr. Wern voting nay and Mr. Stoker recorded as absent. Mrs. Meiczinger said we were sending the wrong message to the community, when we cut funding for one service to give it to another. Mr. Law questioned if anyone had contacted J. M. Murray Center to see if this funding was part of the package used as matching funds. Mr. Harrington said matching funds were no longer required. Mrs. Brown wanted to be sure that the funding for the tobacco education program was being funneled through the Health Department. Mrs. Richards reassured her that it was the case. Mr. VanDee said he would support the amendment, but wanted to make sure everyone took a look at the book covers that were discussed at the public hearing. He said they were good book covers. Mr. Wern wanted to clarify the fact that no J. M. Murray clients were being affected by the elimination of the furniture refinishing business. Mrs. Richards stressed the importance of giving to the tobacco endeavor. Mrs. Meiczinger said it was not good to take away from one disabled group to give to another.

On the motion of Mr. Thomas and seconded by Mr. Dafoe, Amendment No. 5 (Amend 2001 Tentative County Budget, Family Counseling Services - Alcohol) was adopted, with all members present voting aye, except Mr. Dwyer, Mr. Forbes, Mr. Law, Mrs. Meiczinger, Mr. O’Mara, Mrs. Price and Mr. Wern voting nay and Mr. Stoker recorded as absent.

On the motion of Mrs. Richards and seconded by Mrs. Brown, Amendment No. 6 (Amend 2001 Tentative County Budget, Hospital) was adopted, with all members present voting aye, except Mr. Cornell, Mr. Dwyer, Mr. Forbes, Mr. Law, Mrs. Meiczinger, Mr. O’Mara, Mrs. Price and Mr. Wern voting nay and Mr. Stoker recorded absent. Mrs. Meiczinger asked if this cut would affect the emergency mental health services available at the hospital? Mrs. Richards said that $14k was not an appreciable amount and it should not have a large impact on the services. She reminded everyone that tobacco use prevention was also important. Mrs. Contento said the full amount was $70,500, so there should be minimal impact. Mr. Teeter said that considering the requests made at the public hearing, he wondered if people realized that the funding would come at the expense of other departments. Mr. Thomas added that the Finance and Administration Committee had come up with a bare bones budget, yet we could not turn our back on a public outcry. He said the rationale for the amendments was for a little from each agency to help make a difference in the tobacco education program. Mrs. Richards added that it was the only way to do it. Mrs. Meiczinger disagreed and said we should not take funds from other agencies. Mr. Law reminded everyone that the tobacco funds are not new money – the funds had been used to lower taxes this year and last year. Mr. Wern figured if every department reduced their budget by 1/16^th of 1%, the tobacco program could receive $40k.

On the motion of Mrs. Brown and seconded by Mr. Forbes, Amendment No. 7 (Amend 2001 Tentative County Budget, Nutrition) to the County Budget was defeated, with all members present voting aye, except Mr. Cornell, Mr. Dwyer, Mr. Law, Mrs. Meiczinger, Mr. O’Mara, Mr. Plew, Mrs. Price, Mr. Teeter, Mr. VanDee and Mr. Wern voting nay and Mr. Stoker recorded absent. Mrs. Brown said she was not against the raise, but objected to the piecemeal approach when the wages for all part-time employees needed to be addressed. Mrs. Contento said she would not support the resolution until all inequities are addressed. Mr. Boise added that it has been talked about for a long time and perhaps this would force some action. Mr. O’Mara wondered if this would have a domino effect and Mrs. Brown assured him it would and that the County could not afford it.

Mrs. Contento introduced Amendment No. 8 (Amend 2001 Tentative County Budget, Department of Social Services/Buildings & Grounds). Chairman Harrington declared the amendment out of order. Mrs. Contento persisted that this was the time for all legislators to introduce legislation and Chairman Harrington declared the member out of order. Mrs. Contento went to the podium and read the amendment and Chairman Harrington declared Mrs. Contento out of order. Mrs. Contento asked for a legal opinion from the County Attorney and Mr. Knickerbocker concurred with Chairman Harrington that Mrs. Contento did not have the authority to move positions between departments.

Mr. VanDee encouraged the legislators to vote ‘no’ because 5.6% was still too large a tax increase. Mr. O’Mara said he would vote ‘no’ because he was adamant against smoking but felt the federal and state governments had made the mistakes and they were the one who should contribute to the program. Chairman Harrington congratulated the Finance & Administration for the responsible budget they had produced. He felt that 5.6% was a reasonable increase, particularly since there had been no tax increase in the last five years. Mrs. Price reminded everyone that they had to have a budget in place by December 20^th, 2000 and in the event the budget was voted down, everything went down and the 9.2% budget would go into effect. Chairman Harrington called the question and the amended Agenda No. 02 (Adopt 2001 County Budget) was defeated on a roll call vote with all members present voting aye (21,490 with 24,482 needed for passage), except Mrs. Brown, Mrs. Contento, Mr. Dafoe, Mr. Forbes, Mr. Law, Mr. O’Mara, Mr. Plew, Mr. Teeter, Mr. VanDee and Mr. Wern voting nay and Mr. Stoker recorded absent.

On the motion of Mrs. Price, seconded by Mrs. Brown and adopted, all members present voting aye, two special articles were introduced on the floor.

On the motion of Mr. Teeter, seconded by Mrs. Price and adopted, all members present voting aye, except Mrs. Brown and Mr. Harrington voting nay, Special Article No. 01 became

RESOLUTION NO. 586-00

APPROVAL TO FILL

HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT

TEMPORARY LABORERS (TWO)

WHEREAS, there is an immediate need to fill two temporary laborer positions, (one autocad / one mechanic’s helper) in the Highway Department, AND

WHEREAS, the Highway/Finance and Administration Committees recommend that the two temporary laborer positions be filled, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT

RESOLVED, that the Cortland County Legislature hereby approves the filling of two temporary laborers (not to exceed one month, $5.25/hour, labor class) in the Highway Department on or after December 08, 2000, AND BE IT FURTHER

RESOLVED, that the County Treasurer be and hereby is authorized and directed to pay the persons holding the positions of temporary laborer (Highway) in biweekly installments.

Mr. Eggleston, Superintendent of Highways, said there was a need for the extra help and it was something that had been done previously. He said they were both college students home on semester break and would work for three or four weeks.

On the motion of Mr. Harrington, seconded by Mr. Teeter and adopted, all members present voting aye, Special Article No. 02 became

RESOLUTION NO. 587-00,

REAPPOINT MEMBER

SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS

(CARL RITTER)

WHEREAS, Carl Ritter's term on the Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Directors as a Farm Bureau representative will expire 12/31/00, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT

RESOLVED, that Carl Ritter, 5264 Bloody Pond Rd., Cincinnatus, NY 13040 be and hereby is reappointed as a member of the Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Directors, as a Farm Bureau representative, for a three year term to expire 12/31/03.

Mr. O’Mara commented that he serves on the board and this was a good choice.

On the motion of Mr. Teeter, seconded by Mrs. Contento and adopted, all members present voting aye, the legislative session recessed at 1:12p.m.

BACK