Committee Present: Kay Breed, Chairperson; Scott Elston, Vice Chairperson; Marilyn Brown, Steve Dafoe, Michael McKee, Carol Tytler, Tom Williams

Others Present: Scott Schrader, Scott Steve, Angie Wyatt, Bob Howe, John Bardsley, Annette Barber, Eric Mulvihill, Brian Liberatore

The meeting was called to order by Chairperson, Kay Breed at 8:04a.m.

MOTION BY MARILYN BROWN – 2^ND BY TOM WILLIAMS TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE JUNE 8, 2005 MEETING – ALL VOTED IN FAVOR – PASSED

1. Oppose Legislation Before the Governor, Bill S3185 – MOTION BY SCOTT ELSTON – 2^ND BY MIKE MCKEE – ALL VOTED IN FAVOR – PASSED

        Discussion: It would be of the best interest of all counties in the state to oppose this Bill.

2. Oppose Legislation Before the Governor, Bill A6343 – MOTION BY SCOTT ELSTON – 2^ND BY MARILYN BROWN – ALL VOTED IN FAVOR – PASSED

Discussion: It would be of the best interest of all counties in the state to oppose this Bill.

3. Abolish/ Create/Amend Budget, Cortland County Legislature/ County Administration,

Discussion: This would be a temporary position through 12/31/05. The entire Administration/Legislature Department structure will be addressed during the 2006 County Budget process. The office needs more staff because flexibility is needed for the entire department. Marilyn Brown is not comfortable with it and feels that a part-time position would be enough. Scott Schrader indicated that there is enough of a work load for a full time position. Scott further indicated that his secretary and the Clerk of the Legislature are doing a lot extra. COMMITTEE MOTION BY TOM WILLIAMS – 2^ND BY SCOTT ELSTON FOR SCOTT SCHRADER TO PROVIDE A PROPOSED PERSONNEL PLAN, RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES FOR THIRD FLOOR STAFF AND AN ORGANIZATIONAL CHART FOR THE THIRD FLOOR FOR THE SEPTEMBER 14, 2005 MEETING – ALL VOTED IN FAVOR - PASSED

1. Residency of Public Officers, County Attorney (John Bardsley, County Attorney) – According to Public Officers Law, a Public Officer should reside in the County where he/she works. Election Law defines "residence" as a domicile where you make your principal home. Examples of Public Officers are Sheriff, Legislators, District Attorney, 1^st District Attorney, Treasurer, County Administrator, Correction Officers, County Clerk and some Department Heads such as the Mental Health Director and the Commissioner of Social Services who have authority on behalf of the County. There are approximately 45 Public Officers in the County not counting Correction Officers or Deputy Sheriffs. John Bardsley indicated that some counties have made an exception for some of their positions (i.e. Tompkins County is allowed to hire deputy sheriffs that reside in Cortland). The County can submit a Home Rule Request and enact a Local Law to exempt some positions that fall under the Public Officers Law. The Home Rule request should exclude Correction Officers, Deputy Sheriffs, Assistant District Attorneys and Assistant Public Defenders. Each position should have their own Local Law.
2. Vacancy Report - Personnel/Civil Service (Annette Barber) – Annette provided an updated County Vacancy Report and an Unemployment Insurance report update (the Unemployment Insurance update was distributed to Committee members and then returned to Annette due to confidentiality issues).
3. HAVA presentation – Election Office (Bob Howe) – Bob distributed a Report Objective & Report and a HAVA Compromise Package. Besides being required to purchase new voting machines, the County will now be setting the salaries for the election machines’ custodians and also paying the salaries for all Election Inspectors. The Election Inspectors will now be required to have training every year instead of every 2 years. Bob Howe indicated that they will only be getting 42 machines for the 42 districts. Presently, they have 48 machines so they are able to place 2 machines in districts that are larger. The approximate cost of the machines will be $530,000. Bob would like to contact a representative from one of the companies that sells the new voting machines and ask him/her to demonstrate the machine at the next meeting of CCTVS (County-City-Towns-Villages-Schools) meeting on July 21, 2005 immediately following the Cortland County Legislative Session. Bob will make the arrangements.

Election Clerks: Bob Howe feels that both Election Clerks, as the Election Commissioners, should be paid the same since they have equal duties and responsibilities.

A.D.A. Compliance: Kay Breed feels that not all the polling places in Cortland County are A.D.A. compliant. She indicated that Cortlandville Town Hall is not A.D.A. compliant and she is surprised since the Cortlandville Town Hall is a public building. Bob Howe said that the Blodgett Mills is also not A.D.A. compliant. Kay Breed believes that since the County will have financial impact with all the new HAVA regulations that the County should require all polling places to be A.D.A. compliant.

Meeting adjourned at 9:40a.m.

Minutes prepared by Angie Wyatt, Secretary to Scott Schrader.

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