CORTLAND COUNTY LEGISLATURE

FEBRUARY 27TH, 2002

MINUTES

Chairman Harrington called the meeting to order at 10:08 am and led the salute to the flag. The Clerk called the roll and all members were recorded present, except Mr. Steger recorded as absent. On the motion of Mr. Teeter, seconded by Mrs. Contento and adopted, all members present voting aye, the minutes from the previous session were approved.

REPORTS

On the motion of Mr. VanDee, seconded by Mr. Cornell and adopted, all members present voting aye, the Final Sales Tax Distribution Report (Treasurer’s Office) was ordered received and filed.

On the motion of Mr. Teeter, seconded by Mr. VanDee and adopted, all members present voting aye, the Ad Hoc Managerial Committee Report, as presented by Mrs. Price, was ordered received and filed. Mrs. Price gave a brief overview of the proceeding up to this date and encouraged all legislators to participate in the meetings.

On the motion of Mrs. Richards, seconded by Mr. Teeter and adopted, all members present voting aye, the NYSAC Report On The Status of NY Counties as reviewed by Mrs. Price, was ordered received and filed. Mrs. Price reviewed the report that was compiled by NYSAC, confirming the poor financial condition of most counties in New York State. The survey reported on property tax levies, the cost of mandates, the status of reserve funds, and the overall fiscal state of the respective counties.

RESOLUTIONS

On the motion of Mr. Harrington, seconded by Mr. Cornell and adopted, all members present voting aye, Agenda No. 04 became RESOLUTION NO. 85-02; APPOINT MEMBER, COMMUNITY SERVICES BOARD.

On the motion of Mr. VanDee, seconded by Mrs. Brown and adopted, all members present voting aye, except Mr. Wern, Mr. Steve and Mr. Allen voting nay, and Mr. Steger recorded absent, Agenda No. 05 became RESOLUTION NO. 86-02; AMEND BUDGET, TREASURER’S OFFICE, BDC SALES TAX RESERVE. Mr. Allen asked if it was possible to pay the Southern Tier East Planning & Development Board fees from this surplus. Mr. Harrington said it was not possible at this time and it should be discussed in the Finance & Administration Committee meeting. Mr. O’Mara asked if this was left over money and was told that it was. He also agreed that it should be discussed in Finance & Administration. Mr. VanDee reminded everyone that this money was part of the 2% sales tax agreement that the county had with the BDC.

On the motion of Mr. VanDee, seconded by Mrs. Price and adopted, all members present voting aye, Agenda No. 06 became RESOLUTION NO. 87-02; CORRECT TAX WARRANTS, ROLLS & BILLS, REAL PROPERTY TAX SERVICES (TOWN OF CUYLER).

On the motion of Mr. VanDee, seconded by Mr. Dwyer and adopted, all members present voting aye, except Mrs. Brown, Mr. Wern and Mr. Vandonsel voting nay and Mr. Steger recorded absent, the amended Agenda No. 07 became RESOLUTION NO. 88-02; AMEND RESOLUTION NO. 476-01, RESTRICT SPENDING. Mr. VanDonsel asked if this just effected travel and was told ‘yes’. Mr. Cornell asked about the effective date and County Attorney Knickerbocker said as written, it would become effective today. Two friendly amendments were offered. On the motion of Mrs. Price, seconded by Mr. Dwyer and adopted, all members present voting aye, the resolution will read "with the appropriate chair approval". On the motion of Mr. Dwyer, seconded by Mr. O’Mara and adopted, all members present voting aye, except Mr. Wern and Mrs. Brown voting nay, and Mr. Steger recorded absent, friendly amendment number 02 made the resolution retroactive to January 01, 2002.

On the motion of Mrs. Richards, seconded by Mr. Teeter and adopted, all members present voting aye, Agenda No. 08 became RESOLUTION NO. 89-02; AUTHORIZE AGREEMENT/ACCEPT FUNDS, HEALTH DEPARTMENT/ SPECIAL PROGRAMS (CHILDHOOD LEAD POISONING PREVENTION PROGRAM).

On the motion of Mrs. Richards, seconded by Mrs. Brown and adopted, all members present voting aye, except Mr. VanDonsel voting nay and Mr. Steger recorded absent, Agenda No. 09 became RESOLUTION NO. 90-02; AUTHORIZE INCREASE IN HOURS/AMEND BUDGET, MENTAL HEALTH CLINIC, CERTIFIED SOCIAL WORKER.

Agenda No. 10 (Authorize Extension of Services, Highway Department) was withdrawn. It was included in error.

On the motion of Mrs. Brown, seconded by Mr. Cornell and adopted, all members present voting aye, Agenda No. 11 became RESOLUTION NO. 91-02; AUTHORIZE AGREEMENT, AREA AGENCY ON AGING (LEGAL SERVICES). Mr. VanDonsel asked for particulars from previous years and was told that it was a state mandated service, the dollar amount was unchanged and New York State paid for 75% of the services with the Area Agency on Aging budgeting for the rest.

On the motion of Mrs. Brown, seconded by Mrs. Richards and adopted, all members present voting aye, Agenda No. 12 became RESOLUTION NO. 92-02; AUTHORIZE AGREEMENT, AREA AGENCY ON AGING (HOME CARE FOR CORTLAND COUNTY, INC.).

On the motion of Mrs. Brown, seconded by Mr. VanDee and adopted, all members present voting aye, Agenda No. 13 became RESOLUTION NO. 93-02; AUTHORIZE AGREEMENT, AREA AGENCY ON AGING (COMMUNITY ARTS PARTNERSHIP OF TOMPKINS COUNTY, INC.)

Agenda No. 14 (Approval to Fill, Department of Social Services, Systems Administrator) was withdraw. It was included in error.

On the motion of Mrs. Brown, seconded by Mr. Ross and adopted, all members present voting aye, Agenda No. 15 became RESOLUTION NO. 94-02; DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES (TO HOLD COUNTY TAXPAYERS HARMLESS FROM ADDITIONAL MEDICAID COSTS RELATED TO HCRA 2002). Chairman Harrington requested the Clerk to read the resolution in its entirety and Mrs. Brown encouraged everyone to write to the representative, reminding them that they are elected to serve us and we are unhappy with what has happened. She read the complete list of our representatives and their addresses. She stressed that it was important to let them know how we feel. Mr. O’Mara pointed out that this amounted to an automatic 2% increase in the County budget and we cannot do anything about it.

On the motion of Mr. Wern, seconded by Mr. Cornell and adopted, all members present voting aye, Agenda No. 16 became RESOLUTION NO. 95-02; APPROVAL TO FILL, SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT, CORRECTION OFFICER.

Mr. Dwyer withdrew Agenda No. 17 (A Resolution Authorizing The Purchase Of Computer Hardware And Software In And For The County Of Cortland, New York, At A Maximum Estimated Cost of $403,000, And Authorizing The Issuance Of $403,000 Bonds Of Said County To Pay The Cost Thereof).

On the motion of Mr. Cornell, seconded by Mr. Teeter and adopted, all members present voting aye, Agenda No. 18 became RESOLUTION NO. 96-02; EXTEND AGREEMENT/SOLVAY PAPERBOARD, SOLID WASTE/RECYCLING DEPARTMENT.

On the motion of Mr. Cornell, seconded by Mr. Mudge and adopted, all members present voting aye, Agenda No. 19 became RESOLUTION NO. 97-02; EXTEND AGREEMENT, SOLID WASTE/RECYCLING DEPARTMENT (RECYCLED NEWS- PAPER).

On the motion of Mr. Cornell and seconded by Mrs. Brown, Agenda No. 20 (Local Law No. 02 For The Year 2002, A Local Law To Amend And Restate Local Law Number 5 Of 1992, To Provide For Clarification Of The Manner In Which Tipping, User, And Permit Fees Are To Be Established For The Disposal Of Solid Waste At Cortland County Landfills) was defeated on a roll call vote with all members present voting aye, except Mr. Allen, Mrs. Brown, Mrs. Contento, Mr. Dwyer, Mr. Guido, Mrs. Price, Mrs. Richards, Mr. Ross, Mr. Steve, Mr. Teeter and Mr. VanDonsel voting nay and Mr. Steger recorded absent. Mrs. Price voiced her concern that without public impute into future changes, she could not support this Local Law. She said the intentions were good but they were setting the stage for possible major changes without allowing the public to voice their concern. Other legislators voiced the same concerns. Mr. Cornell made the distinction between tipping fees and permit fees.

On the motion of Mr. Teeter, seconded by Mrs. Contento and adopted, all members present voting aye, the meeting was adjourned at 10:53 am.

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