Chairman Steve opened the Public Hearing at 6:00 pm in the Cortland County Auditorium and welcomed everyone. Chairman Steve reviewed the procedure for the Public Hearing and read the rules the hearing would be conducted under. The Clerk read the roll and all members were recorded as present except Mr. Behrenfeld recorded as absent. The Clerk read the legal notice as published for consideration of Local Law # 1 for the Year 2004: A Local Law Abolishing the Office of County Treasurer and Creating an Appointive Office of County Comptroller for the County of Cortland and Causing a Proposition to be Submitted to the Electorate at the Next General Election. Chairman Steve called the speakers in order from the sign up sheets to come forward to speak in favor of or against Local Law # 1 for the Year 2004. Thirty-one speakers signed up to speak; two declined to speak; ten spoke in favor of Local Law # 1; nineteen spoke against Local Law # 1. Chairman Steve asked three times if there was anyone else wishing to speak for or against Local Law # 1 for the Year 2004. No one further indicated they wished to speak. Chairman Steve declared the Public Hearing closed at 7:05 pm.

Chairman Steve announced there would be a 15 minute recess to allow both parties to caucus and the session would resume in Legislative Chambers.

Chairman Steve called the meeting to order at 7:30 and led the Salute to the Flag.

On motion of Mr. Cornell, seconded by Dr. DiGiovanni and adopted by all members present voting aye, the minutes of July 29, 2004 were approved as printed.

On motion of Mrs. Breed, seconded by Mr. Cornell and adopted by all members present voting aye, the 2004 Second Quarter Sales Tax Distribution Report – Treasurer’s Office was ordered received and filed.

Chairman Steve asked if there were any amendments being offered to the Local Law? Mrs. Tytler stated she had intended to offer an amendment, however she had received so much feed back from the Legislators about this issue and also realized the amendment she had prepared was not legal because of form, therefore would not be offering the amendment. Mrs. Tytler stated that she supported the idea of this Local Law but had been looking for a compromise to the situation of changing in the middle of a term. Chairman Steve asked if there were any other amendments to be offered? There were no further amendments offered.

On motion of Mr. Steve, seconded by Mrs. Brown and adopted by a two-thirds roll call vote with Mr. Allen (2789); Mrs. Breed (2816); Mrs. Brown (2320), Mr. Dafoe (2,042), Dr. DiGiovanni (2362), Mr. Elston (3,207), Mr. Hartnett (2,334), Mr. McKee (3,351), Mr. Steger (2,775), Mr. Tagliente (2,357), Mrs. Tytler (2,317), Mr. Willcox (2,348), Ms. Wyant (2,362) and Mr. Steve (2,324) voting aye; Mr. Armstrong (3,369), Mr. Cornell (2,875), Mr. Ross (2,314) and Mr. Wern (1,973) voting nay; and Mr. Behrenfeld (2,364) recorded as absent, Agenda Item No. 1 became: Local Law # 1 for the year 2004, A Local Law Abolishing the Office of County Treasurer and Creating an Appointive Office of County Comptroller for the County of Cortland and Causing a Proposition to be Submitted to the Electorate at the Next General Election. Chairman Steve thanked the public for attending to voice their opinions regarding the Local Law stating he appreciated them sharing their thoughts. Mr. Cornell stated he will oppose the Local Law commenting that the Governance Evaluation Committee had done a good job bringing this forward, however, he thinks there are more options out there needing to be reviewed. Mrs. Brown stated there were over thirty people who came to speak for or against this and she would be voting in favor of Local Law # 1 for the Year 2004 to allow all the people of the County the opportunity to speak by casting their vote in November. Mrs. Breed stated she is an accountant and a comptroller and is very aware of the importance of the person managing the County finances possessing the experience and education needed. Mrs. Breed stated she will support Local Law # 1 for the Year 2004 knowing that she is not taking away the publics right to vote but is actually supporting the publics right to vote by allowing them to make this decision. Mr. Allen stated timeliness is very important with this issue and therefore he supports putting this forward at this time to allow the decision to be made by the public in the November election. Mr. Allen stated the Governance Evaluation Committee would be helping to educate the public before the General Election. Mrs. Tytler stated she would be supporting Local Law # 1 for the Year 2004 and commented that this issue should make the voters of Cortland County aware of the job they have at election time of looking more closely at the qualifications of the candidates that are seeking to be elected for positions to serve the public. Mr. Wern stated he would vote against Local Law # 1 for the Year 2004 because he thinks this decision is premature and there are professionals on staff who could help work through and correct the problems. Mr. Wern stated he thinks this is moving to fast and that more time needs to be taken. Mr. Tagliente stated that after 4½ years he thinks the County should know where they stand and where they are going and that he supports the idea of letting the public vote for this issue. Mr. Tagliente commented that accurate and timely financial information needs to be given to the Legislature to be able to do the job they were elected to do. Mr. Armstrong stated he was elected to fix the problems and doesn’t feel as though enough time has been given to trying to fix them, therefore would be voting no. Mr. Elston stated he was also elected to fix the problems and feels this is part of fixing the problem and will support Local Law # 1 for the Year 2004 giving the people of Cortland County the opportunity to vote on this issue.

On motion of Mr. Steger, seconded by Mrs. Brown and adopted by all members present voting aye, Agenda Item No. 2 became Resolution No. 266-04: Authorize Agreement, Buildings and Grounds - Bell and Spina for Preliminary Design Services (Court House)

On motion of Mr. Steger, seconded by Mr. Cornell and adopted by all members present voting aye, Agenda Item No. 3 became Resolution No. 267-04: Authorize Renewal Agreement, Buildings and Grounds (Simplex/Grinnel)

On motion of Dr. DiGiovanni, seconded by Mr. Cornell and adopted by all members present voting aye, Agenda Item No. 4 became Resolution No. 268-04: Authorize Agreement/Accept Funds, Health Department/Jacobus Center for Reproductive Health (State Grant)

On motion of Dr. DiGiovanni, seconded by Mrs. Brown and adopted by all members present voting aye, Agenda Item No. 5 became Resolution No. 269-04: Authorize Agreement, Health Department/Administration (Verizon Wireless)

On motion of Dr. DiGiovanni, seconded by Mr. Cornell and adopted by all members present voting aye, Agenda Item No. 6 became Resolution No. 270-04: Authorize Agreement, Amend 2004 Budget Mental Health Department (Family Support Services)

On motion of Mr. Allen, seconded by Mr. Elston and adopted by all members present voting aye, Agenda Item No. 7 became Resolution No. 271-04: Close Projects/ Transfer Funds, Highway Department

On motion of Mr. Allen, seconded by Mr. Steger and adopted by all members present voting aye, Agenda Item No. 8 became Resolution No. 272-04: Authorize Extension of State Snow/Ice Control Agreement Highway Department

On motion of Mr. Allen, seconded by Mr. Elston and adopted by all members present voting aye, Agenda Item No. 9 became Resolution No. 273-04: Award Bid/ Authorize Contract, Highway Department/ Landfill (Landfill Compactor)

On motion of Mr. Allen, seconded by Mr. Ross and adopted by all members present voting aye, Agenda Item No. 10 became Resolution No. 274-04: Authorize Amnesty Days, Highway Department (Soil and Water Conservation District)

On motion of Mr. Allen, seconded by Mr. Armstrong and adopted by all members present voting aye, Agenda Item No. 11 became Resolution No 275-04: Award Bid/ Authorize Contract, Highway Department/ Recycling

On motion of Mr. Allen, seconded by Mr. Cornell and adopted by all members present voting aye, Agenda Item No. 12 became Resolution No. 276-04: Support of and Urging Funding Multi-Modal Transportation Grant Funds, Highway Department

On motion of Mr. Wern, seconded by Mr. Dafoe and adopted by all members present voting aye, Agenda Item No. 13 became Resolution No. 277-04: Accept Fixed Asset Gift, Fire and Emergency Management (Fire Truck)

On motion of Mr. Wern, seconded by Mrs. Breed and adopted by all members present voting aye, Agenda Item No. 14 became Resolution No. 278-04: Accept Grant/Amend Budget, Fire and Emergency Management Records Systems Grant (NYS Archives – Local Government Records Management Improvement Funds)

On motion of Mrs. Brown, seconded by Mr. Elston and adopted by all members present voting aye, Agenda Item No. 15 became Resolution No. 279-04: Create Position/ Amend Budget, Department of Social Services (HEAP)

On motion of Mrs. Brown, seconded by Mr. Elston and adopted by all members present voting aye, Agenda Item No. 16 became Resolution No. 280-04: Authorize Agreement, Department of Social Services (Managed Care Providers)

On motion of Mrs. Brown, seconded by Mr. Cornell and adopted by all members present voting aye, Agenda Item No. 17 became Resolution No. 281-04: Authorize Agreement, Department of Social Services (Liberty Resources Prevention Services)

On motion of Mrs. Brown, seconded by Dr. DiGiovanni and adopted by all members present voting aye, Agenda Item No. 18 became Resolution No. 282-04: Accept Donation/ Amend Budget, Youth Bureau (Cayuga County United Way Donation)

On motion of Mrs. Brown, seconded by Mr. Cornell and adopted by all members present voting aye, Agenda Item No. 19 became Resolution No. 283-04: Accept Donation/ Amend Budget, Youth Bureau (Wal-Mart Foundation)

On motion of Mrs. Brown, seconded by Mr. Armstrong and adopted by all members present voting aye, Agenda Item No. 20 became Resolution No. 284-04: Establish Petty Cash Account, Area Agency on Aging (Nutrition Program). Mrs. Brown extended a thank you to WalMart Foundation for the contribution.

On motion of Mrs. Brown, seconded by Mrs. Breed and adopted by all members present voting aye, Agenda Item No. 21 became Resolution No. 285-04: Authorize Agreement, Area Agency on Aging (Walden Place – Respite Services)

On motion of Mrs. Brown, seconded by Mr. Elston and adopted by all members present voting aye, Agenda Item No. 22 became Resolution No. 286-04: Authorize Agreement, Employment and Training (Operation of Year Round Youth Program)

On motion of Mrs. Brown, seconded by Mr. McKee and adopted by all members present voting aye, Agenda Item No. 23 became Resolution No. 287-04: Abolish Positions, Employment and Training Department

On motion of Mrs. Breed, seconded by Mr. Cornell and adopted by all members present voting aye, Agenda Item No. 24 became Resolution No. 288-04: Authorize Agreement, Data Processing (All-Mode Communications, Inc.)

On motion of Mrs. Breed, seconded by Mr. Allen and adopted by all members present voting aye, Agenda Item No. 25 became Resolution No. 289-04: Authorize Home Rule Request, Personnel Committee/ Cortland County Legislature

Mr. Steve stated there would be a special meeting called in September after the regular one to act on resolutions to accept bids regarding the Recycling Center Building.

Dr. DiGiovanni announced the meeting of the Audit and Assessment Performance Team will be at 8:00 am August 20^th instead of at 7:00 am.

Mr. Cornell stated the CTVS meeting would follow session in room 304.

Mr. Allen announced the Governance Evaluation Committee would meet on September 2, 2004 at 7 pm.

On motion of Mrs. Brown, seconded by Dr. DiGiovanni the meeting was adjourned at 7:50 pm.

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