Chairman Steve called the meeting to order at 10:04 am and led the Salute to the Flag.

The Clerk called the roll and all members were recorded as present, except Mr. Willcox recorded as absent and Legislative District 5 recorded as vacant.

On the motion of Mr. Cornell, seconded by Mr. Behrenfeld and adopted by all members voting aye, the minutes of the January 2, 2004, session were approved as printed.

Chairman Steve granted Privilege of the Floor to Captain Lawrence Jackman of the New York State Police, Troop C, Zone Three, representing Tompkins, Cortland, and Tioga Counties. Captain Jackman thanked the body for the opportunity to speak to them. He spoke about the function of the NYS Police in the community and the cooperation with the Cortland County Sheriff’s Department. Captain Jackman stated that the Cortland County 911 System is the best of all the counties he oversees and is one of the best in the State.

Proclamation:

Chairman Steve recognized the Marathon Lady Olympians field hockey team as the 2003 New York State Champions. The Clerk read the Proclamation that Chairman Steve presented to: Ashley Abbatiello, Caitlin Barber, Shanna Barrows, Nikki Billings, Staci Billings, Rebecca Bliss, Grace Chrysler, Meghan Dean, Danielle Diaz, Heather Doran, Megan French, Jamie Gofgosky, Brittni Griep, Danielle Griep, Katie Gutchess, Leslieann Gutchess, Stefanie Hatch, Ashley Holbrook, Emily McDonald, Theresa Parker, Jacki Rose, Margo Stone, Frankie VanDeWeert, Sarah Veninsky and Katie Yudiciatis. Mr. Cornell, Mr. McKee, and Mr. Elston were asked to join Chairman Steve as Legislators representing their districts. Chairman Steve and Mr. Cornell congratulated the team members and their coach Karen Funk for their outstanding records. Karen Funk thanked the Legislature for the recognition.

Receive and File:

On the motion of Mr. Cornell, seconded by Dr. DiGiovanni and adopted by all members voting aye, the letter to the Jacobus Center for Reproductive Health was ordered received and filed.

On the motion of Mr. Wern, seconded by Mr. Steger and adopted by all members present voting aye, the Majority Leader Report designating Mr. Cornell was ordered received and filed.

On the motion of Mr. Cornell, seconded by Mr. Behrenfeld and adopted by all members present voting aye, the Minority Leader Report designating Mrs. Brown was ordered received and filed.

On the motion of Mrs. Brown, seconded by Mr. Tagliente and adopted by all members present voting aye, the Standing Committees List was ordered received and filed.

On the motion of Mr. Wern, seconded by Mr. Cornell and adopted by all members present voting aye, the Deputy Chairperson Letters were ordered received and filed.

On the motion of Mr. Cornell, seconded by Mrs. Brown and adopted by all members present voting aye, the Fourth Quarter Sales Tax Distribution from the Treasurer’s Office was ordered received and filed.

Article Tabled to Day Certain:

On the motion of Mr. Steve, Agenda item No. 09, Designate Official Newspaper was pending with the amendment to add the Post Standard immediately pending. Mrs. Brown stated the amount for adding the Post Standard was too high and requested that an item be added to the next Budget and Finance agenda requesting the County go out to bid for items such as sale of property, etc. The amendment to add the Post Standard was defeated by all members present voting nay. The main motion was adopted by all members present voting aye, Agenda item No. 09 became Resolution No. 05-04: Designate Official Newspaper

On the motion of Mr. Steve, seconded by Mr. Cornell and adopted by all members present voting aye, Agenda item No. 10 became Resolution No. 06-04: Set Amount of Bond for Chairperson, County Legislature

On the motion of Mr. Steve, seconded by Mrs. Brown and adopted by all members present voting aye, Agenda item No. 11 became Resolution No. 07-04: Appoint Members Cortland County Community Services Board, Alcohol and Substance Abuse Subcommittee and Mental Health Subcommittee

On the motion of Mr. Steve, seconded by Mr. Cornell and adopted by all members present voting aye, Agenda item No. 12 became Resolution No. 08-04: Appoint Members, Fire Advisory Board

On the motion of Mr. Steve, seconded by Mr. Cornell and adopted by all members present voting aye, Agenda item No. 13 became Resolution No. 09-04: Appoint Members, TC3 Financial Oversight Committee

On the motion of Mr. Steve, seconded by Mr. Elston and adopted by all members present voting aye, Agenda item No. 14 became Resolution No. 10-04: Appoint Cortland County Liasion, TC3 Board of Trustees

On the motion of Mr. Steve, seconded by Mr. Allen and adopted by all members present voting aye, Agenda item No. 15 became Resolution No.11-04: Appoint Members, Industrial Development Agency Board of Directors

On the motion of Mr. Steve, seconded by Mr. Steger and adopted by all members present voting aye, Agenda item No. 16 became Resolution No. 12-04: Appoint Members, Cooperative Extension Board of Directors

On the motion of Mr. Steve, seconded by Mr. Ross and adopted by all members present voting aye, Agenda item No. 17 became Resolution No. 13-04: Appoint Members, Southern Tier East Regional Planning Development Board (STERPDB)

On the motion of Mr. Steve, seconded by Dr. DiGiovanni and adopted by all members present voting aye Agenda item No. 18 became Resolution No. 14-04: Appoint Director, Capital District Regional Off-Track Betting Corporation

On the motion of Mr. Behrenfeld, seconded by Mr. Allen and adopted by a two-thirds roll call vote all members present voting aye, Agenda item No. 19 became Resolution No. 15-04: Create Audit Department. Chairman Steve stated that this was being done to create a trail. Mr. Dafoe asked who would oversee the department. Chairman Steve responded it was under Budget and Finance as per the resolution.

On the motion of Mr. Behrenfeld, seconded by Mr. Ross and adopted by all members present voting aye, Agenda item No. 20 became Resolution No. 16-04: Designate Tourism Promotion Agency, Finger Lakes Tourism, Inc.

On the motion of Dr. DiGiovanni, seconded by Mr. Wern and adopted by all members present voting aye, Agenda item No. 21 became Resolution No. 17-04: Authorize Agreements, Health Department/Special Programs (Healthy Heart Programs)

On the motion of Dr. DiGiovanni, seconded by Mr. Wern and adopted by all members voting aye, Agenda item No. 22 became Resolution No. 18-04: Authorize Agreement Amendment/Accept Funds/Health Department/Children with Special Needs Division (NYS Facilitated Enrollment Program)

On the motion of Dr. DiGiovanni, seconded by Mrs. Brown and adopted by all members present voting aye, Agenda item No. 23 became Resolution No. 19-04: Authorize Agreements, Mental Health Department (Mental Health Consultants Services)

On the motion of Dr. DiGiovanni, seconded by Mr. Cornell and adopted by all members present voting aye, Agenda item No. 24 became Resolution No. 20-04: Amend Budget, Mental Health Department (Valueoptions, Inc.)

On the motion of Dr. DiGiovanni, seconded by Mr. Wern and adopted by all members present voting aye, Agenda item No. 25 became Resolution No. 21-04: Authorize Agreement, Mental Health Department (Family Counseling Services - Youth & Family Counseling Services)

On the motion of Dr. DiGiovanni, seconded by Mrs. Brown and adopted by all members present voting aye, Agenda item No. 26 became Resolution No. 22-04: Authorize Agreements, Mental Health Department (Mental Hygiene Agencies)

On the motion of Dr. DiGiovanni, seconded by Mr. Cornell and adopted by all members present voting aye, Agenda item No. 27 became Resolution No. 23-04: Authorize Agreement/Amend Budgets/Amend Agreements, Mental Health Department (NYS Office of Alcohol & Substance Abuse Services). Dr. DiGiovanni asked that Mrs. Medeiros be given Privilege of the Floor. Mrs. Medeiros explained the money was designated to FCS, however was not needed by them therefore, it was negotiated to keep the money in the community and transfer to agencies with a need. Mrs. Brown asked if this would reduce allocations through the 2004 budget. Chairman Steve indicated that this is additional and would not reduce any allocations.

On the motion of Mrs. Brown, seconded by Mr. Cornell and adopted with all members present voting aye, Agenda item No. 28 became Resolution No. 24-04: Authorize Agreement, Department of Social Services (Legal Aide Society of Mid-New York)

On the motion of Mr. Wern, seconded by Mr. Steger and adopted by all members present voting aye Agenda item No. 29 became Resolution No. 25-04: Accept Bids/Authorize Agreement, Cortland County Department of Fire & Emergency Management

On the motion of Mr. Wern, seconded by Mr. Ross, Agenda item No. 30- Amend County Budget Restore, Part-Time Assistant District Attorney Position was pending. On the motion of Mrs. Tytler, seconded by Mrs. Brown, an amendment, Amend the 2004 County Budget by adding: And be it further resolved, that the current ¾ time position be reduced to part-time effective January 19, 2004, And be it further resolved that the 2004 County Budget is amended as follows: Decrease A11655-1010(10) DA (PT) by $11,234; Decrease A11655-8020 DA retirement by $1,573; Decrease A1165-8030 DA FICA by $859; and Increase A19905-4775 Contingency by $13,699. Mrs.Tytler indicated that she felt the DA’s Office had not adequately investigated other opportunities. Mrs. Tytler stated that she understood the need for multiple bodies and felt that cutting a position from three quarter time to part-time would accomplish this. The amendment was defeated with members present voting aye except, Mr. Allen, Mr. Armstrong, Mr. Behrenfeld, Mrs. Breed, Mr. Cornell, Dr. DiGiovanni, Mr. Elston, Mr. McKee, Mr. Ross, Mr. Steger, and Mr. Steve voting nay. The main motion was adopted with all members present voting aye except, Mrs. Brown, Mr. Dafoe, Mr. Hartnett, Mr. Tagliente and Mrs. Tytler voting nay, and Agenda item No. 30 became Resolution No. 26-04: Amend County Budget, Restore Part-Time District Attorney Position

On the motion of Mrs. Breed, seconded by Mr. Cornell and adopted by a two-thirds roll call vote all members present voting aye, Agenda item No. 31 became Resolution No. 27-04: Amend Rules of Order, Cortland County Legislature. Mr. Allen stated that this is a start to respond to the voices of the public. Mr. Allen stated that now taxpayers may attend the meetings more easily and the opportunity for individuals from various backgrounds and work schedules will be able to seek election to office.

On the motion of Mr. Wern, seconded by Mr. Cornell the Legislature adjourned at 10:48 am.

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