1. Authorize Agreements, Personnel/Civil Service (Several Agencies) – Mrs. Breed asked if there was an expense for these services or if there is just a contract. Mrs. Barber explained that the money is budget; we need permission to authorize the contracts. Mrs. Brown moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Elston. All members voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.

2. Introduce Local Law No. 1 for the Year 2005: A Local Law Rescinding Local Law No. 4 of 1982 and Adopting a Policy Requiring Written Notice to the Clerk of the of the Cortland County Legislature of any Defective, Unsafe, Dangerous or Obstructed Condition of County Highways and/or Other County Property Prior to Maintenance of Action Against the County of Cortland for Damages or Injuries to Persons and/ or Property – Mr. Elston moved adoption; seconded by Mr. McKee. Mrs. Breed indicated that this is on this agenda because the Clerk of the Legislature and County Attorney are both under this committee. Mr. Schrader indicated that in reviewing previous local laws, certain things become apparent. The County Attorney was contacted regarding Local Law No. 4 of 1982. There was a provision in that law that stipulated if a defect in a roadway or County property was in effect for a long period of time, it was construed as constructive notice and we would be liable if someone were injured. This has exposed us to possible litigation as someone could sue based on the fact that someone could say there was constructive notice of the defect. The recommendation from the County Attorney’s Office, the consulting attorney, and his experience, that clause needs to be removed. This also requires that notice of defect be provided to the Clerk of the Legislature so that it can be dealt with administratively. Mr. McKee asked if this has ever come to a head. Mr. Schrader indicated that we were sued about five years ago; this was not the issue, but this was identified as a potential problem for future litigation. Chairman Steve indicated that this needs to be included in the responsibilities of the Clerk of the Legislature to add this. Mrs. Breed indicated that this could easily be added to the Rules without making any major revisions. All members voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.

1. Vacancy Report – Annette Barber, Personnel/Civil Service. Mrs. Barber indicated that the report is current as of Monday, February 7, 2005. Mrs. Barber has finished interviewing for Deputy Personnel Officer. She will submit a letter to be received and file at the February 17, 2005, Legislative Session. Mrs. Breed asked where we stand with Dispatchers. Mrs. Barber indicated that we have exhausted the list for part-timers; we have not exhausted the list for full-timers. As of yesterday, there is a full-time vacancy; the approval has not come to the County Administrator for filling. Mrs. Barber indicated that for part-time dispatchers, we can now post and advertise. There is also an examination forthcoming for dispatcher.

2. MUNIS training list of people. Mrs. Breed asked where we stand with the Accounting Training. Mrs. Barber distributed a list of those who have signed up for the training. Participants will receive their materials in the near future, as well as directions on parking and further details, etc.

3. Mrs. Barber distributed the fourth quarter unemployment report. She indicated that most of these individuals will not appear on the next report, as they have exhausted their benefits.

4. Resolution tabled until February 17, 2005 session (Authorize Subscription Plan Amendment, Data Processing (Lexis-Nexis) – Mrs. Breed asked Mr. Schrader if he has received the other proposals. Mr. Schrader indicated that he received the rates from West Publishing and they are essentially the same as Lexis Nexis. He has been able to work with Lexis and two things came to his attention. The escalator for the second and third years can be eliminated; there is a research volume, which is in essence research materials for municipal law. West Law provides this as part of the subscription rate; Lexis cannot offer it because there is a proprietary agreement with West Law. There is a similar, somewhat comparable reference volume that Lexis offers and they will provide this for free. Mrs. Breed asked what "somewhat comparable" means. Mr. Schrader indicated that is has a long-standing reputation and name recognition with the Courts. Generally speaking, the information contained in both is the same. Mrs. Tytler asked why we would then want to go with mediocre. Mr. Schrader indicated that this is similar to Microsoft. Microsoft has a very good spreadsheet program, a mediocre word processing program, and an awful database program. In order to get the spreadsheet program, you must buy the bundle. Mr. Schrader indicated that this is the same case. You really have to pick and choose what you want. He would prefer the West Law research component, but he wants the Shepard’s capability of Lexis. Mr. Schrader is also looking at getting the CD Rom version of the McKinney’s books and placing it on the server instead of the various departments getting individual books.

5. Mr. Howe and Mr. VanDonsel spoke to the group about HAVA. Mr. Howe distributed an article that was in last night’s Cortland Standard about what is happening with voting. Mr. Howe indicated that even though the State is dragging its feet, HAVA is still marching along. They have received an update of what we as a County can expect. We will be required to maintain a permanent record of when someone goes in to vote. Before an individual votes, a printout will come out under glass that you cannot take, but can only look at, to ensure the ballot is being cast as you want it. Then, your ballot will be cast. The report will be cut off and dropped in to a box. There will be no way to determine who voted how. The department must have verifiable audit trails. Three percent of their machines must be audited to ensure they are functioning properly. The State DMV and State Board of Elections must now enter in to an agreement to verify information. A voter will be checked with DMV and with Social Security. Mr. Howe indicated that consolidation must be looked at in HAVA, which means all the machines must be owned by the County, not by the municipalities. The machines must be tested four times per year and we must store the machines. There will be training requirements for the custodians of the machines. Mrs. Breed is concerned about the handicapped accessibility at some of our voting locations. She has spoken with the Town of Cortlandville several times and they don’t seem to have a problem, but she does. Chairman Steve indicated that he feels we should look at consolidating polling places so we have to purchase fewer machines. Mr. VanDonsel doesn’t feel it would result in the purchase of fewer machines, but we could consolidate polling places. We couldn’t purchase fewer machines because of the different districts within the same wards/legislative districts. Chairman Steve asked about the elimination of election districts. Mr. VanDonsel indicated that if there is going to be elimination of election districts, it needs to be done County-wide, not a Legislative District by Legislative District. Mr. VanDonsel reminded the group that the HAVA is only partly the machines. A good portion of the HAVA is the registration of the voter and the actual act of voting. Mr. VanDonsel indicated that even if the election districts are not eliminated, there are better locations for the polling places. This would provide the opportunity to have election clerks who help people with voting, and then the election inspectors can actually work with the maintenance of the machines, etc. Mrs. Breed asked about the payment of the election inspectors and custodians and how that will be set. Mr. Howe indicated that will be set by HAVA and will be higher than the current rate. There will be a school for the custodians and the inspectors. The largest difference will be experienced by the custodians. The process for the inspectors will basically be the same. Mr. VanDonsel indicated that the goal for the last use of our current machines is the village elections in 2006. Mr. Howe reported that the end of August 2006 is the last date that we can use our current mechanical machines.

6. Mrs. Tytler asked what is going on with the CSEA contract and what is happening with Management Comp. Mrs. Breed indicated that the CSEA negotiations are going slowly. CSEA is working without a contract at this time. At the February 25, 2005, negotiating session, all issues must be placed on the table by both parties. Mr. Schrader indicated that we have not yet discussed money issues at this point; we are still working on wording issues. Mr. Schrader and Mrs. Barber have been working on the implementation of the MSD study, which is critical to the financial issues. Mr. Schrader indicated that part of the reason for the delay in the MSD study is because titles for certain positions have changed. Employees were working out of title – either higher or lower. Those positions have been changed. Then, there will be a potential for employees to have to take examinations. Mrs. Barber is awaiting information from the State on who will be subject to examination. Chairman Steve indicated that the hold up on Management Comp is because time is being devoted to the MSD study. Mrs. Brown indicated that management has been without raises for three years; when will something be done. Mr. Schrader and Chairman Steve indicated that this will be dealt with. Chairman Steve indicated that we do need to give management raises. Mr. Schrader indicated that there is a meeting later this week with our insurance carrier regarding some insurance reform – tiered systems for drugs and premium payments.

7. There was a lengthy discussion about health insurance and in particular the prescription drug coverage.

The meeting adjourned at 9:00 a.m.

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