CORTLAND COUNTY LEGISLATURE

DECEMBER 12TH, 2002 3rd DAY OF ANNUAL SESSION

MINUTES

PUBLIC HEARING

Prior to the start of the legislative session, a public hearing was held to allow for public comment on Proposed Local Law No. 07 for the Year 2002: A Local Law Establishing The Office Of County Administrator For The County Of Cortland. Chairman Harrington asked three times if there was anyone present wishing to speak in favor of the proposed local law. Mr. John Carroll spoke in favor of the county administrator. Chairman Harrington asked three times if anyone wanted to speak against the proposed local law. No one wished to speak against the local law and Chairman Harrington declared the public hearing closed at 5:36 pm.

Chairman Harrington called the legislative session to order at 5:37 pm and led the salute to the flag. The Clerk called the roll and all members were recorded as present, except Mr. Mudge recorded absent. On the motion of Mr. Teeter, seconded by Mrs. Richards and adopted, all members present voting aye, the minutes from the previous session were approved.

CORRESPONDENCE

On the motion of Mrs. Price, seconded by Mrs. Richards and adopted, all members present voting aye, the resolution from Town of Virgil (demanding the NYS Legislature cap property tax support of Medicaid payments at a maximum of 2002 levels and preferably remove this burden entirely from the property tax), was ordered received and filed.

RESOLUTIONS

Chairman Harrington moved Agenda No. 28 (Adopt Proposed Local Law No. 07 For The Year 2002, Establish The Office Of County Administrator For The County Of Cortland) to the start of the session. Mrs. Richards, Mrs. Brown, Mr. VanDee, Mr. VanDonsel and Mr. Wern voiced their displeasure at the recent editorial in the Cortland Standard. Each legislator emphasized the thoroughness and hard work that went into the process. Each praised Mrs. Price for her hard work and dedication as chair of the ad hoc committee. Mr. VanDonsel suggested that the Cortland Standard was an embarrassment for that kind of writing and they personally owed an apology to Mrs. Price. Mr. VanDee said the editor had never attended any of the meetings and needed to be better informed before penning such an editorial. Chairman Harrington praised Mrs. Price and the entire committee and staff for the long hours of hard work and also took exception to the editorial. On the motion of Mr. VanDee and Mr. Dwyer, seconded by Mrs. Contento and adopted on a roll call vote, all members present voting aye, Agenda No. 28 became RESOLUTION NO. 494-02: ADOPTED PROPOSED LOCAL LAW NO. 07 FOR THE YEAR 2002, ESTABLISH THE OFFICE OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR FOR THE COUNTY OF CORTLAND.

On the motion of Mr. Harrington, seconded by Mr. Steger and adopted, all members present voting aye, Agenda No. 02 became RESOLUTION NO. 469-02: APPOINT MEMBERS, YOUTH BUREAU/YOUTH BOARD (NICOLE ALBRO, MATHEW MEDFORD & ALICE WALKER).

On the motion of Mr. VanDee, seconded by Mrs. Brown and adopted, all members present voting aye, Agenda No. 03 became RESOLUTION NO. 470-02: REVISE 2003 TENTATIVE BUDGET. Chairman Harrington thanked the committee and praised them for completing a difficult task, particularly in light of the Medicaid costs. Mr. VanDee thanked the committee and the department heads for their cooperation during a difficult time.

On the motion of Mr. VanDee, seconded by Mrs. Brown and adopted, all members present voting aye, Agenda No. 04 became RESOLUTION NO. 471-02: AUTHORIZE PUBLIC HEARING.

Mr. VanDee withdrew Agenda No. 05 (Establish Policy, Vacant Positions).

On the motion of Mr. VanDee, seconded by Mr. Teeter and adopted, all members present voting aye, Agenda No. 06 became RESOLUTION NO. 472-02: AUTHORIZE THE ADDITION OF SEPARATE LINE ITEM (S) TO THE CORTLAND COUNTY REAL PROPERTY TAX BILLS, COMMENCING JANUARY 1, 2003.

On the motion of Mrs. Richards, seconded by Mr. Ross and adopted, all members present voting aye, Agenda No. 07 became RESOLUTION NO. 473-02: AUTHORIZE AGREEMENTS, HEALTH DEPARTMENT/JACOBUS CENTER FOR REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH (ZAP).

On the motion of Mrs. Richards, seconded by Mrs. Price and adopted, all members present voting aye, Agenda No. 08 became RESOLUTION NO. 474-02: AUTHORIZE AGREEMENTS FOR 2003, HEALTH DEPARTMENT/JACOBUS CENTER FOR REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH (AUDITOR, NURSE PRACTITIONERS, CONSULTANTS).

On the motion of Mrs. Richards, seconded by Mr. VanDee and adopted, all members present voting aye, Agenda No. 09 became RESOLUTION NO. 475-02: AUTHORIZE AGREEMENTS/ACCEPT FUNDS, HEALTH DEPARTMENT/ CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS, NYS FACILITATED ENROLLMENT PROGRAM.

On the motion of Mrs. Richards, seconded by Mrs. Brown and adopted, all members present voting aye, Agenda No. 10 became RESOLUTION NO. 476-02: APPROVAL TO FILL, HEALTH DEPARTMENT/JACOBUS CENTER FOR REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH, ZAP PEER COORDINATOR.

On the motion of Mrs. Richards, seconded by Mr. Guido and adopted, with all members present voting aye, except Mr. VanDee, Mr. VanDonsel, Mrs. Contento, Mrs. Brown, Mr. Dafoe, Mr. Allen and Mr. Steve voting nay and Mr. Mudge recorded absent, Agenda No. 11 became RESOLUTION NO. 477-02: AUTHORIZE AGREEMENTS, HEALTH DEPARTMENT (CORTLAND CARE CENTER, NORTHWOODS, CORTLAND MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, CORTLAND MEMORIAL HOSPITAL NURSING FACILITY).

On the motion of Mrs. Richards, seconded by Mr. Teeter and adopted, all members present voting aye, Agenda No. 12 became RESOLUTION NO. 478-02: AUTHORIZE AGREEMENT, HEALTH DEPARTMENT/NURSING (LICENSED HOME CARE SERVICES AGENCIES).

On the motion of Mrs. Richards, seconded by Mr. Cornell and adopted, all members present voting aye, Agenda No. 13 became RESOLUTION NO. 479-02: AUTHORIZE AGREEMENT/ACCEPT FUNDS, HEALTH DEPARTMENT/ CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS, LOCAL DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES.

On the motion of Mrs. Richards, seconded by Mr. Ross and adopted, all members present voting aye, Agenda No. 14 became RESOLUTION NO. 480-02: APPROVAL TO FILL, HEALTH DEPARTMENT/NURSING, RPN/PHN.

On the motion of Mrs. Richards, seconded by Mrs. Brown and adopted, all members present voting aye, Agenda No. 15 became RESOLUTION NO. 481-02: AUTHORIZE INCREASE IN HOURS/APPROVAL TO FILL, HEALTH DEPARTMENT/ CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST (35 HRS/WEEK). Mrs. Gailor, Public Health Director, explained that the hours were a reflection of the CSEA contract.

On the motion of Mrs. Richards, seconded by Mr. Ross and adopted, all members present voting aye, Agenda No. 16 became RESOLUTION NO. 482-02: APPROVAL TO FILL, HEALTH DEPARTMENT/ENVIRONMENTAL, PUBLIC HEALTH SANITARIAN/PUBLIC HEALTH SANITARIAN TRAINEE.

On the motion of Mrs. Richards, seconded by Mr. Steger and adopted, all members present voting aye, Agenda No. 17 became RESOLUTION NO. 483-02: AUTHORIZE GRANT, AMEND BOOKS AND RECORDS, APPROVAL TO FILL/ MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM AIDES (PT), MENTAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT (FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES).

On the motion of Mrs. Richards, seconded by Mr. Steger and adopted, all members present voting aye, Agenda No. 18 became RESOLUTION NO. 484-02: AMEND BUDGET/AMEND AGREEMENTS, MENTAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT (RE-INVESTMENT FUNDS).

On the motion of Mr. Teeter, seconded by Mrs. Contento and adopted, all members present voting aye, except Mr. VanDonsel and Mr. Harrington voting nay and Mr. Mudge recorded absent, Agenda No. 19 became RESOLUTION NO. 485-02: APPROVAL TO FILL, HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT, MOTOR EQUIPMENT OPERATOR I.

On the motion of Mr. Teeter, seconded by Mr. Dwyer and adopted, all members present voting aye, Agenda No. 20 became RESOLUTION NO. 486-02: ABOLISH/CREATE/APPROVAL TO FILL, HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT, TWO WATCHPERSONS/WATCHPERSONS. Superintendent of Highways Eggleston explained that there was no change in the number of hours employed. The resolution allowed for more flexibility in fulfilling the needs of the department.

On the motion of Mr. Teeter, seconded by Mr. Ross and adopted, all members present voting aye, Agenda No. 21 became RESOLUTION NO. 487-02: ABOLISH/ CREATE/APPROVAL TO FILL, HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT, OPERATIONS TECHNICIAN/AIRPORT MAINTENANCE WORKER.

On the motion of Mr. Teeter, seconded by Mr. Ross and adopted, all members present voting aye, except Mrs. Brown, Mr. Guido, Mr. VanDonsel and Mr. Harrington voting nay and Mr. Mudge recorded absent, Agenda No. 22 became RESOLUTION NO. 488-02: APPROVAL TO FILL, HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT, MOTOR EQUIPMENT OPERATOR II.

On the motion of Mr. Wern, seconded by Mrs. Brown and adopted, all members present voting aye, Agenda No. 23 became RESOLUTION NO. 489-02: AMEND BUDGET/ ISSUE BUDGET NOTE, SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, JAIL DIVISION & 911 CENTER.

On the motion of Mr. Wern, seconded by Mr. Cornell and adopted, all members present voting aye, except Mr. Ross, Mr. VanDonsel and Mr. Harrington voting nay and Mr. Mudge recorded absent, Agenda No. 24 became RESOLUTION NO. 490-02: APPROVAL TO FILL, SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, SENIOR COOK.

On the motion of Mr. Wern, seconded by Mr. Ross and adopted, all members present voting aye, except Mr. VanDonsel and Mr. Harrington voting nay and Mr. Mudge recorded absent, Agenda No. 25 became RESOLUTION NO. 491-02: APPROVAL TO FILL, SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, DISPATCHER.

On the motion of Mr. Wern, seconded by Mrs. Brown and adopted, all members present voting aye, except Mr. Allen, Mr. Dafoe, Mr. VanDonsel and Mr. Harrington voting nay and Mr. Mudge recorded absent, Agenda No. 26 became RESOLUTION NO. 492-02: APPROVAL TO FILL, SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, CIVIL DEPUTY.

On the motion of Mr. Wern, seconded by Mr. Teeter and adopted, all members present voting aye, except Mr. Allen, Mr. VanDonsel and Mr. Harrington voting nay and Mr. Mudge recorded absent, Agenda No. 27 became RESOLUTION NO. 493-02: APPROVAL TO FILL/ BACKFILL, PROBATION DEPARTMENT, SENIOR PROBATION OFFICER, PROBATION OFFICER OR PROBATION OFFICER TRAINEE.

On the motion of Mr. Dwyer, seconded by Mrs. Brown and adopted, all members present voting aye, Agenda No. 29 became RESOLUTION NO. 495-02: AMEND MANAGEMENT COMPENSATION PLAN AND CREATE AND FILL COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR POSITION. Prior to the vote, Mr. Dwyer requested a friendly amendment to change the wording so the second Resolve would read 'unclassified' instead of 'non-competitive'.

On the motion of Mr. Cornell and seconded by Mr. Steger, Agenda No. 30 (Rescind Resolution No. 220-02, Solid Waste Department) failed on a roll call vote, with all members present voting aye, except Mrs. Brown, Mrs. Contento, Mr. Dafoe, Mr. Dwyer, Mrs. Price, Mrs. Richards, Mr. Ross, Mr. Teeter and Mr. VanDee voting nay and Mr. Mudge recorded absent. The opposition centered on the increased possibility of the tires being tossed at the roadside and the health risk of stagnant water and West Nile Virus. Mr. O'Mara and Mr. Cornell explained the cost to the county for disposing of the tires.

On the motion of Mrs. Price, seconded by Mrs. Richards and adopted, all members present voting aye, one special article was introduced.

On the motion of Mrs. Brown, seconded by Mr. Dwyer and adopted, all members present voting aye, except Mr. Allen, Mr. Guido, Mr. Steger, Mr. Steve and Mr. Wern voting nay and Mr. Mudge recorded absent, Special Article No. 01 became RESOLUTION NO. 496-02: AMEND BUDGET, AREA AGENCY ON AGING/NUTRITION (TRANSFER FUNDS) .

On the motion of Mr. Teeter, seconded by Mrs. Contento and adopted, all members present voting aye, the session was recessed at 6:21 pm.

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