01 Chairman Harrington opened the first public hearing (Operating Budget of Tompkins Cortland Community College for the fiscal year September 1, 2002 to August 31, 2003) at 10:06 am and asked three times if anyone was present wishing to speak in opposition to the proposed budget. No one indicated they wished to speak in opposition. He then asked three times if anyone was present wishing to speak in favor of the proposed operating budget. No one indicated they wished to speak in favor of the proposed budget. Chairman Harrington declared the public hearing for the Tompkins Cortland Community College operating budget closed at 10:08 am.

02 Chairman Harrington opened the second public hearing (Local Law No. 05: Modifying the term of Office of Cortland County Legislators From Two Years To Four Years) at 10:08 am and asked three times if anyone was present wishing to speak in favor of the proposed change in the term of legislators. No one indicated they wished to speak in favor of the proposed local law. He then asked three times if anyone was present wishing to speak against the proposed local law. Reverend Matthew Smith, Tyler Woznek, John Carroll, Robert Neville, Joseph Balos, Steve Muka and Gene Palmer spoke against the proposed change in the term of legislators. Chairman Harrington closed the public hearing at 10:40 am.

Chairman Harrington led the salute to the flag. The Clerk called the roll and all members were recorded present. On the motion of Mr. Teeter, seconded by Mr. Wern and adopted, all members present voting aye, the minutes from the previous session were approved.

RESOLUTIONS

Mr. VanDonsel requested and was granted permission to abstain from voting on Agenda No. 03. On the motion of Mr. VanDee, seconded by Mr. Cornell and adopted on a roll call vote, with all members present voting aye and Mr. VanDonsel abstaining, Agenda No. 03 became RESOLUTION NO. 263-02: ADOPT 2002-2003 TENTATIVE OPERATING BUDGET, TOMPKINS CORTLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE.

On the motion of Mr. VanDee, seconded by Mr. Wern and adopted, all members present voting aye, Agenda No. 04 became RESOLUTION NO. 264-02: AUTHORIZE TRAVEL, REAL PROPERTY TAX SERVICE (W. CINQUANTI).

On the motion of Mrs. Richards, seconded by Mr. Teeter and adopted, all members present voting aye, Agenda No. 05 became RESOLUTION NO. 265-02: AMEND BOOKS AND RECORDS/AUTHORIZE AGREEMENTS FOR 2002, REINVESTMENT PLAN, MENTAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT (MENTAL HYGIENE AGENCIES – REINVESTMENT).

When Mrs. Richards indicated this was less money than the previous year, Mr. O’Mara said it was one more incident of the state not fulfilling their obligation to the counties.

On the motion of Mrs. Richards, seconded by Mrs. Brown and adopted, all members present voting aye, Agenda No. 06 became RESOLUTION NO. 266-02: APPROVAL TO FILL, HEALTH DEPARTMENT/NURSING DIVISION, REGISTERED PROFESSIONAL NURSE.

On the motion of Mrs. Richards, seconded by Mr. Ross and adopted, all members present voting aye, Agenda No. 07 became RESOLUTION NO. 267-02: AUTHORIZE AGREEMENT, HEALTH DEPARTMENT/JACOBUS CENTER FOR REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH (AHLERS & ASSOCIATES).

On the motion of Mrs. Richards, seconded by Mr. Dafoe and adopted, all members present voting aye, Agenda No. 08 became RESOLUTION NO. 268-02: AUTHORIZE AGREEMENT/ACCEPT FUNDS, HEALTH DEPARTMENT, WEST NILE VIRUS.

On the motion of Mrs. Richards, seconded by Mr. Steger and adopted, all members present voting aye, Agenda No. 09 became RESOLUTION NO. 269-02: ESTABLISH PETTY CASH ACCOUNT, HEALTH DEPARTMENT/CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS DIVISION.

On the motion of Mr. Teeter, seconded by Mr. Allen and adopted, all members present voting aye, Agenda No. 10 became RESOLUTION NO. 270-02: AUTHORIZE PERMANENT EASEMENT/PURCHASE AGREEMENT, HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT, BABCOCK HOLLOW.

On the motion of Mrs. Brown, seconded by Mr. Teeter and adopted, all members present voting aye, except Mrs. Contento, Mr. Dafoe, Mr. O’Mara, Mr. VanDonsel and Mr. Wern voting nay, Agenda No. 11 became RESOLUTION NO. 271-02: ACCEPT BIDS/AUTHORIZE PURCHASE, AREA AGENCY ON AGING/NUTRITION, MILK AND DAIRY PRODUCTS. Mrs. Brown indicated that the wording on the bids was ambiguous and that it would be addressed before the next bid went out. Mr. O’Mara suggested that perhaps by not accepting the bid from the local company, the county would end up spending more.

On the motion of Mrs. Brown, seconded by Mrs. Contento and adopted, all members present voting aye, Agenda No. 12 became RESOLUTION NO. 272-02: APPROVAL TO FILL, AREA AGENCY ON AGING, DIRECTOR AREA AGENCY ON AGING. Mrs. Richards said the minutes should reflect that it is ‘with regret’ that the resignation is accepted. Many of the legislators expressed appreciation for the dedication demonstrated by Sharon Stevans and wished her well in her new endeavors.

On the motion of Mrs. Brown, seconded by Mr. VanDee and adopted, all members present voting aye, Agenda No. 13 became RESOLUTION NO. 273-02: AMEND BUDGET, DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES (TRANSFERS).

On the motion of Mrs. Brown, seconded by Mr. Teeter and adopted, all members present voting aye, except Mr. Allen and Mrs. Price voting nay, Agenda No. 14 became RESOLUTION NO. 274-02: APPOINT COMMISSIONER, DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES.

Mrs. Price said she had a problem with the salary and Mr. Allen suggested that "acting commissioner" might be appropriate since there was talk of merging. Mrs. Brown contended that the county had to keep good people and that wage was appropriate. Mr. Guido added that the salary was not out of line.

On the motion of Mrs. Brown and seconded by Mr. Ross, Agenda No. 15 (Increase Salaries, Department of Social Services) was introduced. Mrs. Price suggested that this agenda item should be two separate resolutions. Chairman Harrington tabled Agenda No. 15 to the end of the session.

Mr. Dwyer withdrew Agenda No. 16 (Authorize Local Law No. 05 for the Year 2002: Modify the Term of Office of Cortland County Legislators from Two Years to Four Years).

Mr. Dwyer withdrew Agenda No. 17 (Amend Term of Office, Commissioners of Election).

On the motion of Mr. Dwyer and seconded by Mr. Teeter, Agenda No. 18 (Amend Rules, Move Accountability of Safety Office from Buildings & Grounds Committee to the Personnel Committee) was defeated. Mr. Dafoe said the Buildings & Grounds Committee did not support the move and questioned how it was put on the agenda. Mrs. Contento reminded the legislators that the Safety Office was previously under the Personnel Office and it should go back to that position. Mr. VanDonsel said this was just a continuation of the piecemeal approach that was used for county business. Mrs. Price suggested the rational for the move was because of the close association between insurance and safety. Mr. Dwyer said the Personnel Committee had spent two months considering the move.

Mr. Dwyer withdrew Agenda No. 19 (Authorize Public Hearing, Proposed Local Law No. 06 for the Year 2002, Retirement Incentive Program).

Mr. Cornell withdrew Agenda No. 20 (Authorize Agreement [Water Monitoring], Solid Waste).

Chairman Harrington declared a recess at 11:12 am. The legislative session resumed at 11:28 am. The Chairman stated he was leaving Agenda No. 15 (Increase Salaries, Department of Social Services) as it was presented. On the motion of Mrs. Brown, seconded by Mr. Wern and adopted, all members present voting aye, the legislature went into executive session at 11:28 am to discuss personnel matters. On the motion of Mr. VanDee, seconded by Mr. Wern and adopted, all members present voting aye, executive session ended at 11:36 am. Mrs. Richards said she was unhappy with the discrepancy in the salary increases. With all members voting aye, except Mrs. Price and Mrs. Richards voting nay, Agenda No. 15 became RESOLUTION NO. 275-02: INCREASE SALARIES, DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES.

On the motion of Mr. Teeter, seconded by Mr. Dwyer and adopted, all members present voting aye, one special article was introduced. On the motion of Mr. VanDee, seconded by Mrs. Brown and adopted, all members present voting aye, Special Article No. 01 became RESOLUTION NO. 276-02: AMEND BUDGET, AUTHORIZE AGREEMENT, EMPIRE STATE GAMES. Mr. O’Mara and Mr. Allen expressed their pleasure at having the Empire Games in Cortland. Mr. Steve repeated his contention that there was need for a budgetary plan for the increased revenue from the occupancy tax.

On the motion of Mr. Teeter, seconded by Mr. Wern and adopted, all members present voting aye, the session was adjourned at 11:42 am.

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