A. Convey Title in Real Property Acquired in Tax Sale (County of Cortland to Antonette Donenko) – Mrs. Tytler moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Ross. Mr. Bardsley explained the purpose of this resolution. He received a letter in December 2004 indicating that parcels had been foreclosed upon for 2001 taxes. At the July 17, 2003, session, the Legislature extended the redemption period for the 2001 taxes; these parcels were included in that redemption extension period. The title needs to go back to the landowner as the landowner has paid the back taxes and is the rightful owner of the parcels. Mr. Willcox asked how this affects the other parcels. Mr. Bardsley indicated that we do not know of any further parcels involved. Mrs. Breed asked if there is any fee charged to the property owner for the foreclosure procedure. Mrs. Kennedy explained that there is a $150 fee and the owner paid that fee when she paid the taxes. Mrs. Kennedy explained that the owner previously thought that parcel was going to be sold so she didn’t pay the taxes; when the property didn’t sell, she didn’t pay the taxes. All members voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.

4. Authorize Agreement, Cortland County (Federation of Sportsmen) – Mrs. Brow moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Willcox. Mr. Behrenfeld asked if this is the typical amount; the response was that it is. Chairman Steve indicated that this was a tourism account not properly funded before, so it is now a budget item. All members voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.

5. Declare Negative Declaration of Environmental Impact under State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) for the Cortland County Consolidated Agricultural District, Authorize SEQR Form, Planning Department – Mrs. Brown moved adoption; seconded by Mrs. Breed. Mr. Behrenfeld asked what changes occurred in the Ag District. Mr. Ross explained we went from four to one so we had to do a SEQR amendment. All members voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.

6. Rescind Resolution 32-05, And Authorize Grant Application, Planning Department (Technical Assistance Program – Strategic Visioning Plans) – Mrs. Tytler moved adoption; seconded by Mrs. Breed. Mr. Behrenfeld asked what resolution 32-05 was? Mr. Schrader explained that 32-05 contained two errors – the dollar amount and the agency with which we will contract. Mrs. Brown asked about technical assistance? Mr. Ross indicated that it was planning for zoning purposes. All members voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.

7. Abolish/ Create, Buildings and Grounds Department Building Maintenance Foreperson/ Assistant Buildings & Grounds Supervisor

8. Accept Proposal/ Authorize Agreement, Buildings and Grounds (Water Treatment Boilers)

9. Authorize Agreements/ Accept Funds, Health Department/ Administration (Cancer Services Program)

10. Authorize Agreement, Mental Health Department (Richard McNeilly, CPA) – Mrs. Tytler moved adoption; seconded by Mrs. Brown. Mr. Behrenfeld asked if this is the same amount. The response was that it is the same amount. Mr. Schrader explained the purpose of the audit. Mr. Willcox asked if we couldn’t bid this in the future. Mr. Schrader indicated that there are six different audits being performed, primarily by two individuals. It makes sense to consolidate that work and put it out as one package. We have to try to time these things so they all come due at the same time. Mrs. Breed indicated that she feels this should be bid out next year. Mr. Schrader indicated that it might be possible; he’ll have to check in to it. Mr. Behrenfeld asked if we can’t receive a one-page report on the results of this audit. Chairman Steve indicated that it might be best for Mr. Behrenfeld

All members voting in favor; except Mrs. Breed voting no; resolution adopted.

11. Approval to Fill Above Midpoint, Mental Health Department, (Program Director- Continuing Day Treatment) – Mr. Willcox moved adoption; seconded by Mrs. Brown. This is a new person, but not a new position. All members voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.

12. Increase Hours, Mental Health Department (Mental Health Practitioner) – Mrs. Brown moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Willcox. Mrs. Tytler said this is a revenue-generating position. All members voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.

13. Authorize Amnesty Week, Highway Department/ Landfill – Mrs. Tytler moved adoption; seconded by Mrs. Brown. Mr. Behrenfeld asked how this will be advertised. It is up to the municipalities. Mrs. Tytler would like to see the City participate in this program. All members voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.

14. Authorize Plow Truck Purchase, Highway Department/ Landfill – Mrs. Brown moved adoption; seconded by Mrs. Tytler. Mr. Willcox asked what type of equipment this is. Mr. Schrader responded it was a utility truck with a plow. Mrs. Tytler asked why we are buying this for the Recycling Center to be used at the Landfill. A smaller truck will be transferred to the Recycling Center. All members voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.

15. Authorize Agreement- NYSDOT, Tioughnioga River Waterfront Development P.I.N. – 375404 / P.I.N. – 395027 – Mrs. Tytler moved adoption; seconded by Mrs. Breed. Mr. Behrenfeld asked how much is going to be reimbursed. Mr. Schrader indicated that all of it will be reimbursed. Mrs. Brown asked when we will know if we will get the money. Mr. Schrader responded that we have been awarded $1.2 million dollars – it is reimbursement; we up front the money and get reimbursed. Mr. Willcox asked who is responsible for maintenance and what happens in a flood. Mr. Schrader responded that we are responsible for maintenance and if there is a flood without a Federal declaration, then the County would be fully responsible. Clean up and grass maintenance may be able to be done by another association or entity. The language "upon review and approval of the County Attorney" was inserted by unanimous consent. All members voted in favor; except Mr. Willcox opposed; resolution adopted.

17. Authorize Agreement, McLean Road and McLean Road Extension Overlay Project Highway Department – Mrs. Tytler moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Ross all members voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.

18. Award Material Bids, Highway Department – Mrs. Brown moved adoption; seconded by Mrs. Tytler. Mrs. Brown asked for clarification about the rejection of the bid and the bid on April 6, 2005. It was clarified that it was for unleaded gasoline. All members voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.

19. Abolish/ Create/ Amend Budget, Highway Department Engineering Technician/ Senior Engineering Technician – Mr. Ross moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Ross. All members voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.

20. Abolish/ Create/ Amend Budget, Highway Department Supervisor, Solid Waste Management/ Senior Engineer – Mrs. Tytler moved adoption; seconded by Mrs. Brown. Mrs. Brown asked why we need this position instead of the Supervisor. Mr. Schrader explained that we have a need for the Engineer; the Supervisor is now the Highway Superintendent and is assuming the responsibilities of the Supervisor. Mrs. Brown asked if this position will work only with the Recycling Center. The explanation is that this position will work with all of the Highway Department and is not restricted to the Recycling Center alone. Mr. Behrenfeld asked what the net effect is of this. Mr. Schrader explained that it is cost neutral; we are merely transferring funds from one account to another. All members voting in favor; none opposed resolution adopted.

25. Amend Budget, Fire & Emergency Management (Division of Criminal Justices Services – WMD Grant)

26. Amend Budget, Fire & Emergency Management/ Records Systems Grant (NYS Archives – Local Government Records Management Improvement Fund)

27. Authorize Agreement, Fire & Emergency Management (State of New York – FFY 2005 LEMPG)

28. Amend Budget, Fire & Emergency Management (NYS Office of Homeland Security – Weapons of Mass Destruction) – Mr. Ross moved adoption; seconded by Mrs. Tytler. Mr. Ross and Mrs. Tytler indicated that this is a lot of unspent money. Mrs. Breed asked how you increase two expense accounts. Mr. Behrenfeld explained that this is coming out of fund balance. We have received the money and now it has to be allocated as we have not spent it. All members voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.

30. Adopt Cortland County Indigent Burial Rate Policy (Cortland County Department of Social Services)

33. Amend Budget, Amend Contract, Area Agency on Aging (Office of Employment and Training)

34. Authorize Agreement, Area Agency on Aging (Cortland County Office of Employment and Training)

38. Amend Contracts, Department of Employment and Training Grant Administration (Disability Program Navigator)

39. Amend Budget/ Amend Contract, Office of Employment and Training (Title V Senior Community Services Employment Program)

40. Authorize Home Rule Request, Special Retirement Enrollment, Certain Deputy Sheriff’s – Mrs. Brown moved adoption; seconded by Mrs. Tytler. Mr. Willcox asked about the administrative oversight. The original oversight was ours; then the State lost the paperwork. All members voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.

Mr. Schrader reviewed the January 2005 and February 2005 revenue and expense reports, which were prepared by the Treasurer. Generally, he sees no problem with the revenue and/or expenses at this time. Mr. Schrader feels we are in good shape. Mrs. Brown asked the balance in the contingency fund. Mr. Schrader responded that we have not used anything out of contingency at this time. Mr. Behrenfeld asked if this information could be distributed prior to the actual meeting. Mr. Schrader indicated that he will try to get the information out with the agendas. Mr. Schrader indicated that with regards to retirement – the State has ‘stuck us’ again. The retirement payment was deferred by the State until early 2005 from November 2004. We therefore couldn’t claim any of those expenses. The State has now come out and said that we should have posted the retirement expense in the 2004 books; while the State didn’t have to pay us any State aid, we have to reflect this amount of the books. This amount being reflected on the books in this new manner will result in a reduction of fund balance – the amount that it will reduce the fund balance is not determined at this time. Mr. Schrader indicated that it will be over $1 million dollars. Mr. Willcox asked with the increase in gas prices, what can we reasonable expect as an increase in sales tax. Mr. Schrader indicated that the last report he ran showed that we had $60,000 to $70,000 in excess sales tax. Mr. Ferris indicated we are about $70,000 over budget at this time. Mr. Behrenfeld indicated that today we have taken approximately $2 million out of fund balance. Mrs. Tytler indicated that it is money we would have paid in 2004 but we are having to pay it now. Mr. Behrenfeld indicated the committee should direct questions on the report to the County Administrator.

Mr. Ferris indicated that the Balance Sheet was placed in members’ mailboxes yesterday afternoon. Mr. Schrader indicated that the Balance Sheet and the Budget are not that closely related. We have $1.5 million more in cash at this point in time than we had last year. Mr. Ferris indicated that overall, we are in a good position. We are not stressed for cash flow like we were a couple of years ago.

Mr. Whitt noted that the AUD was filed on 3/31/05 and the extension is no longer necessary. The document was filed in a timely manner. We are actually going to be ahead in the audit process this year. Mr. Schrader spoke with Rick McNeilly yesterday. He sent Mr. McNeilly a letter on April 7, 2005, explaining the resolution and that he was named as liaison. He had asked for a meeting with Mr. McNeilly regarding roles, responsibilities, and time frame. There will be a meeting on April 26, 2005, at 1:00 p.m. to discuss these issues. Mr. McNeilly has indicated to Mr. Schrader that the anticipated start date of the audit is in two weeks. Mr. Whitt indicated that it appears that we are ahead of schedule. Mr. Behrenfeld complimented those involved on their hard work.

Mr. Behrenfeld that the Audit Committee is in the process of being developed. The APAT team will meet in the near future and will pick the members of the Audit Committee. Everyone will be able to participate and have their thoughts heard.

Chairman Steve thanked Mrs. Kennedy for her hard work.

Mr. Ferris indicated that the IT department is working on the new software.

The meeting adjourned at 9:37 a.m.

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