Budget and Finance Committee

July 14, 2005 at 7:30 am

DRAFT MINUTES

 

Committee Present: Dr. Paul DiGiovanni, Vice Chairman; Kay Breed, Marilyn Brown, Danny Ross, Carol Tytler, Newell Willcox – ABSENT: Kurt Behrenfeld, Chairman

Others Present: Scott Schrader, Scott Steve, Angie Wyatt, Don Ferris

The meeting was called to order at 7:33 by Vice Chairman, Paul DiGiovanni

APPROVAL OF MINUTES JUNE 9, 2005: MOTION BY NEWELL WILLCOX, - 2ND BY MARILYN BROWN – ALL VOTED IN FAVOR – PASSED………………………….. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM THE JUNE 14, 2005: MOTION BY CAROL TYTLER 2ND BY NEWELL WILLCOX – ALL VOTED IN FAVOR - PASSED

RESOLUTIONS:

 

Budget and Finance Committee Resolutions:

     

  1. Authorize Appropriation of $380,000. Fund Balance to Pay for County Share

    2. Of the Initial Cost of the Implementation of the Tompkins Cortland Community

    College Master Plan – MOTION BY MARILYN BROWN - 2ND BY DANNY ROSS - ALL VOTED IN FAVOR

    Discussion: Tompkins County does not want to be the lead county for the bonding because they are almost to their bonding limit. A resolution for the bonding of this project will need to be done. There is a great potential that we could have a better bond rating with this bond. A meeting is being scheduled with the Bonding Company to determine this.

  2. Designate Tourism Promotion Agency, Finger Lakes Tourism, Inc. – MOTION BY MARILYN BROWN – 2ND BY CAROL TYTLER – ALL VOTED IN FAVOR – PASSED

        Discussion: Kay Breed commented that the publicity for Cortland County is being very well received. This is part of the "I Love New York" campaign.

CONSENT AGENDA:

 

MOTION TO APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA ITEM NUMBERS: 4, 6, 7, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 30, 31 MADE BY KAY BREED – 2ND BY CAROL TYTLER – ALL VOTED IN FAVOR - PASSED

 

Pulled: 3, 5, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 21, 22, and 32

 

Referred from Agriculture/Planning and Environmental Committee:

     

  1. Authorize Participation in Joint Bid Process and Accept Bid – Purchase Bus, Chemung

    2. County and Cortland County, Planning Department – MOTION BY MARILYN BROWN – 2ND BY CAROL TYTLER - ALL VOTED IN FAVOR – PASSED

    Discussion: Kay Breed just wanted to check on the numbers.

     

  2. Authorize Agreement to Participate in Joint Bid Process – Purchase Buses, Chenango

    3. County and Cortland County, Planning Department - CONSENT AGENDA

     

  3. Authorize Holding of Grant between New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets and Cortland County Acquiring Conservation Easements on the Darrell and Ann Henderson Farm and the Russell and Janice Sears Farm in the Town of Preble and the Leslie and Lorraine Chace Farm in the Town of Homer and the Assignment of the Annual Monitoring of the Conservation Easements of the Darrell and Ann Henderson Farm and the Russell and Janice Sears Farm in the Town of Preble and the Leslie and Lorraine Chace Farm in the Town of Homer to the Cortland County Business Development Corporation/Industrial Development Agency (BDC/IDA) Planning Department – MOTION BY CAROL TYTLER – 2ND BY DANNY ROSS – MOTION WAS NOT VOTED ON – FAILS

MOTION BY KAY BREED – 2ND BY NEWELL WILLCOX TO REFER RESOLUTION BACK TO THE AGRICULTURE, PLANNING & ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE – ALL VOTED IN FAVOR – PASSED – THIS RESOLUTION IS REFERRED BACK TO THE A-P-E COMMITTEE

Discussion: It will cost the County $5,000 per farm to hold the easements. Scott Schrader pointed out the Towns do their own code enforcement and code permit issuance – if we hold the easements we would have to be part of that process. The 2 original resolutions were allowing the Towns to hold the easements. Kay Breed commented that with the new expense of HAVA regulations, the County does not need additional expense, so she feels the Towns should be bearing the financial burden. Danny Ross advised the Committee that the Farmland Trust will be up and running in 9 to 18 months. Danny Ross further indicated that both Town Supervisors are in favor of holding the easements.

 

Referred from Buildings & Grounds Committee:  NONE

Referred from Health Committee:

  1. Authorize Agreement, Health Department/Nursing

    2. (MOMS Programs Provider Physicians) – CONSENT AGENDA

     

  2. Authorize Agreement, Health Department/Nursing

    3. (Cortland Memorial Hospital/ Childbirth Classes) – CONSENT AGENDA

     

  3. Authorize Agreement, Health Department/Administration

    4. (Verizon Wireless) – MOTION BY MARILYN BROWN – 2ND BY CAROL TYTLER – MOTION NEVER VOTED ON - FAILED

    FRIENDLY AMENDMENT TO INCLUDE "PROVIDED THAT THE FUNDS ARE REIMBURSABLE THROUGH THE BT GRANT" – MOTION BY KAY BREED – 2ND BY MARILYN BROWN – ALL VOTED IN FAVOR – PASSED: WITH FRIENDLY AMENDMENT

    Discussion: Committee members asked if there is a contract for this service – Scott Schrader will find out from the Health Department.

  4. Abolish/ Create, Mental Health Department, Certified Social Worker( one full-time)

    5. Certified Social Worker (two part-time) – MOTION BY MARILYN BROWN – 2ND BY CAROL TYTLER – ALL VOTED IN FAVOR – PASSED

    Discussion: Scott Schrader explained that there is a waiting list for the Mental Health Clinic for Adults and Juveniles. Making 2 of the Consultants part-time would alleviate the waiting list and we could have flexibility of their working schedules. The Consultants were not allowing flexibility to accommodate the waiting list. Treating Consultants as employees is also against IRS and NYDOL regulations. The insurance benefits would be pro-rated for the positions.

  5. Authorize Agreement, Mental Health Department

    6. (Prevention Services for Youth – CAPCO) MOTION BY MARILYN BROWN – 2ND BY KAY BREED – ALL VOTED IN FAVOR – PASSED

    Discussion: This is the Head Start Program. The more they do the more we receive.

     

  6. Authorize Agreements, Mental Health Department and Department of Social Services

    7. (Provider Agreements)

    Referred from Highway Committee:
  7. Award Leachate Transportation, Highway Department/ Solid Waste – CONSENT AGENDA
  8. Award Material Bid, Highway Department – CONSENT AGENDA
  9. Amend Budget/ Transfer Funds, Highway Department – CONSENT AGENDA

  10. Authorize Amendment to Change Estimated Expenditure for NYSDOT, Snow/Ice

    11. Control Agreement, Highway Department – MOTION BY MARILYN BROWN – 2ND BY CAROL TYTLER – ALL VOTED IN FAVOR – PASSED

    Discussion: Committee members asked why there is no amount. This is just a modification to the original contract because the State hasn’t raised the equipment rate since 1986. We do not lose any money on this – the State pays us for the service.

  11. Transfer Funds, Highway Department – MOTION BY MARILYN BROWN – 2ND BY KAY BREED – ALL VOTED IN FAVOR – PASSED

          Discussion: The cost of personnel increased due to the flood in April.

 17.    Authorize Purchase of R.O.W., Highway Department – CONSENT AGENDA

         Landfill Survey Space Study, Engineering Agreement, Highway Department

Referred from Judiciary and Public Safety Committee:

  1. Create Senior Probation Officer/Amend Budget, Probation Department – CONSENT AGENDA
  2. Abolish/Create – A.T.I. Coordinator/Community Services Coordinator, Probation Dept. – CONSENT AGENDA
  3. Amend 2005 Budget, Fire and Emergency Management (Tower Project) –

    4. CONSENT AGENDA

  4. Amend 2005 Budget/ Authorize MOU with City of Cortland, Allocating

    5. Expenses for the 2004 Weapons of Mass Destruction Grant, Fire and Emergency Management – MOTION BY KAY BREED – 2ND BY CAROL TYTLER – ALL VOTED IN FAVOR – PASSED WITH A LANGUAGE AMENDMENT: "AND, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, THAT THE CHAIRMAN OF THE LEGISLATURE, UPON REVIEW AND APPROVAL BY THE COUNTY ATTORNEY, BE AND HEREBY IS AUTHORIZED TO EXECUTE A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH THE CITY OF CORTLAND FOR WEAPONS OF MASS GRANT PROGRAM IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE GRANT"

     

  5. Rescind Resolution 91-99 and Authorize County-Wide Specialty Teams, Fire and

    6. Emergency Management – MOTION BY KAY BREED – 2ND BY CAROL TYTLER – ALL VOTED IN FAVOR – PASSED

    Discussion: This is so that various volunteer fire/emergency personnel are covered by the County for VFBL.

    Referred from Human Services Committee:

  6. Amend Budget, Area Agency on Aging (Health Insurance Information Counseling

    7. And Assistance Program – HIICAP) – CONSENT AGENDA

     

  7. Amend Budget, Area Agency on Aging (Title IIE – Family Caregivers Program) – CONSENT AGENDA

  8. Amend Budget, Area Agency on Aging (Expanded In-Home Services for the Elderly

    9. Program- EISEP) – CONSENT AGENDA

     

  9. Abolish/Create/ Approve Salary above Midpoint, Social Services Department

    10. Deputy Commissioner of Social Services/ Director of Social Services – CONSENT AGENDA

     

  10. Create Two Positions/ Amend Budget, Department of Social Services

    11. (Home Energy Assistance Program – HEAP) – CONSENT AGENDA

     

  11. Authorize Agreement, Department of Social Services (PINS Probation Services) – CONSENT AGENDA
  12. Accept Donation/ Amend Budget, Youth Bureau (Cayuga County United Way Donation) – CONSENT AGENDA

Referred from Personnel Committee:

  1. Oppose Legislation Before the Governor, Bill S3185 – CONSENT AGENDA
  2. Oppose Legislation Before the Governor, Bill A6343 – CONSENT AGENDA

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

Confidential Secretary to the County Legislature/ Secretary for County Administration – MOTION BY MARILYN BROWN – 2ND BY KAY BREED – PAUL DIGIOVANNI, KAY BREED, DANNY ROSS, NEWELL WILLCOX VOTING YES – MARILYN BROWN & CAROL TYTLER VOTING NO – MOTION PASSES

Discussion: Scott Schrader advised the Committee that this position is needed due to the heavy workload. Marilyn Brown has a problem with hiring a full time person and feels that a part time person would be sufficient because the County Attorney has hired a part-time secretary. We also should not "band-aid" the problem. Marilyn Brown wondered why a Secretary to County Administration is needed if Scott Schrader already has a full time secretary. Scott answered that the position is Secretary to County Administration not Administrator. Scott further indicated that at the present time, he does not have a full time secretary – his secretary is sitting here in this meeting and taking minutes, as she is presently doing for all Legislative Committee meetings. Scott added that this position would only be through 12/31/05 and that the third floor staff structure would be addressed in the 2006 County Budget. Kay Breed advised the Committee that Scott Schrader will be providing an organizational plan and organizational chart for the third floor staff at their September meeting. It would cost an additional $2,000 for this position because it is already in the budget and the person coming in would be at a lower salary then the person that vacated the position. Newell Willcox asked if the 2006 Budget would be out before the election. Scott Schrader said that the budget would be out before the election.

DISCUSSION/PRESENTATIONS/REPORTS:

Audit Committee Minutes – Paul DiGiovanni asked where the minutes from the Audit Committee are. Angie Wyatt commented that she and Carletta Edwards were not requested to take minutes at an Audit Committee meeting. Paul DiGiovanni advised the Committee that Dennis Whitt was going to take care of the minutes. Scott Schrader will speak to Dennis about it. Rick McNeilly’s letter indicated that he now has everything he needs except a letter from RMSCO. The letter from RMSCO is just support for what he already has.

Revised Balance Sheets for April 2004 and April 2005, Balance Sheets for May 2004 and May 2005, YTD Budget Reports of Revenues and Expenses May 2005 – Don Ferris distributed the revised balance sheets and revenues and expenses and briefly discussed them.

TC3 (Tompkins Cortland Community College) Board Appointment – The Budget and Finance Committee originally was making the TC3 Board Appointment and Scott Steve would like to have the B&F Committee to start making that appointment again. Scott Steve said that Sandy Price is the current TC3 Board member and she has been very good about reporting back to Scott Steve with updates. Cortland and Tompkins Counties each have 1 representative. Paul DiGiovanni has a problem with the appointment because Mrs. Price is not a Legislator. Scott Steve commented that since this is a 7 year term, appointing a Legislator would not be beneficial to the County. Paul DiGiovanni and Newell Willcox would like more time to decide. Scott Schrader will contact TC3 to find out if there will be an impact on not making the appointment right away.

County Financial Impacts – The Medicaid surplus went from $350,000 down to $125,000 in the last couple of weeks : The 911 Center’s New World software training has impacted overtime : The new HAVA regulations will eventually be a big expense for the County

Meeting was adjourned at 9:43a.m.

Minutes prepared by Angie Wyatt, Secretary to Scott Schrader, County Administrator

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