Budget and Finance Committee

April 13, 2006 at 7:30 am

DRAFT MINUTES

 

Members:                     John Troy, Vice Chairman; Sean Clark, John Daniels, Danny Ross, Dan Tagliente, Newell Willcox

Others Present:             Marilyn E. Brown, Chairman of the Legislature; Scott Schrader, County Administrator; Kay Breed, Legislator District 13; Sandy Price, Legislator District 19; Carol Tytler, Legislator District 3; Richard Van Donsel, County Attorney; Katrina Spicer, Secretary to Administration; Donald Ferris, County Treasurer; Carolyn Kennedy, Deputy County Treasurer; Eric Mulvihill, WXHC; Jeremy Boylan, Cortland Standard; John Carroll

 Absent:                         Ron VanDee

 Mr. Troy called the meeting to order at 7:34 a.m.

 Mr. Tagliente moved adoption of the minutes of the March 16, 2006 meeting; seconded by Mr. Daniels.  All members present voted in favor; none opposed; minutes approved as printed.

 RESOLUTIONS:

 

Budget and Finance Committee Resolutions:

 

1.                  Authorize Agreements, Cortland County (1890 House Museum and Historical Society) – Mr. Tagliente moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Ross.  All members present voted in favor, none opposed; resolution approved.

 

2.                  Authorize Agreement/Auctioneer Mr. Tagliente moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Daniels.  Mr. Schrader explained that the differences in proposals were the marketing components.  He added that of the two firms interviewed, Haroff is able to reach an increased number of people in advertisement.  Mr. Schrader discussed that Haroff has a 10% buyers premium, are able to take credit card payments for deposits and have the capabilities for Internet bidding.  He added that they have quite a following and with the buyers premium there will be no cost to the County.  Mr. Ferris discussed that both the firms interviewed have good reputations and added that Haroff has a better track record with property tax foreclosures.  He additionally discussed that the other company has a good track record with surplus equipment auctions and they have spoken with Highway Department regarding this.  Mr. Ferris recommended that this be looked into instead of hauling the surplus highway equipment to Lansing.  All members present voted in favor, none opposed; resolution approved.   

 

Mr. Troy introduced the Consent Agenda and asked if there were any items to pull and discuss. 

Chairman Brown requested that Consent Agenda Item Nos. 8 and 9 be removed and acted upon separately.

Mr. Clark moved adoption of the Consent Agenda, with the exception of above-mentioned items (Consent Agenda Item Nos. 8 and 9) being removed; seconded by Mr. Daniels.  All members voting in favor; none opposed; consent agenda adopted.

Chairman Brown requested the Consent Agenda Item Nos. 9 and 10 be removed instead of Consent Agenda Item Nos. 8 and 9 to be acted upon separately. 

Mr. Tagliente made a motion to reconsider adoption of the Consent Agenda, with the exception of above-mentioned items (Consent Agenda Item Nos. 9 and 10) being removed; seconded by Mr. Daniels.  All members voting in favor; none opposed; reconsideration of the consent agenda adopted.

 

 CONSENT AGENDA

Referred from Health Committee:

 

3.         Amend Resolution 95-06 Authorize Contract – Jean B. Heady

 

4.         Amend Agreement/Amend Budget – J. M. Murray Center, Inc.

 

Referred from Highway Committee:

 

5.         Landfill Purchase (Tractor) Highway Department Equipment

 

6.         Landfill Purchase (Several) Highway Department Equipment

 

Referred from Judiciary & Public Safety Committee:

7.         Amend 2006 Budget – Division of Criminal Justice Services – WMD Grant – FY’03

 

8.         Amend 2006 Budget – Division of Criminal Justice Services – WMD Grant – FY04

 

9.         Pulled to be acted upon separately

 

10.       Pulled to be acted upon separately

 

Referred from Human Services Committee:

 

11.       Amend Budget Area Agency on Aging/RSVP

 

Referred from Personnel Committee:

 

12.       Amend Budget – Kardveyer System

 

13.       Create Temporary Senior Account Clerk-Treasurer’s Department

 

14.       Creating the Offices of the Majority Leader and Minority Leader with Two-Year Terms of Office

 

Mr. Willcox entered the meeting.

 

NON -CONSENT AGENDA:

 

9.         Authorize Consultant/Agreement  – NIMS Compliance Program - Mr. Daniels moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Clark.  Chairman Brown inquired about a specific time frame for the end of the term.  Mr. Schrader explained that the term ends September 30, 2006.  Mr. Van Donsel additionally explained that it has been set forth in the contract and that this date for NIMS Compliance.  All members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution approved.

 

10.       Authorize Consultant Agreement- Preparation Jail Population Study - Mr. Daniels moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Clark.  Chairman Brown inquired about when this will be completed.  Mr. Schrader explained that in approximately 60 to 90 days, depending on the travel involved.  Mr. Tagliente discussed moving this along.  Mr. Willcox inquired about sending this out for a bid.  Mr. Schrader explained that he contacted three engineering firms and they all recommended Carter, Goble and Lee.  Mr. Schrader further explained that this firm will provide a detailed study and all the engineering firms have recommended that be done.  Mr. Ross inquired about involving the state in this.  Mr. Schrader stated that would be done.  All members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution approved.

Mr. Troy extended the opportunity for Mr. Willcox to discuss any items on the agenda.  Mr. Willcox stated that he would like to discuss Agenda Items Nos. 5, 10 and 14.  He acknowledged that the Committee had just discussed No. 10 and he was present for that discussion. 

 

5.            Landfill Purchase (Tractor) Highway Department Equipment – Mr. Willcox requested discussion of this item.  Mr. Willcox inquired about how the Highway Department arrived at $20,000 for the Tractor.  Mr. Schrader explained that he had spoken with the Highway Department and they told him that this price was arrived at by the use of an online inquiry similar to a “Bluebook”.  They will provide Mr. Schrader with a printout of the information they obtained.  Mr. Willcox stated that he questioned the unilateral pricing.  Mr. Schrader stated that once he will look into this and provide further information to Legislators. 

14.            Creating the Offices of the Majority Leader and Minority Leader with Two-Year Terms of Office - Mr. Willcox requested discussion of this item.  Mr. Willcox inquired about the purpose of this resolution.  Chairman Brown explained that if the Chairman were to become incapacitated this would give the legal authority to the Majority Leader or Minority Leader to sign documents on the Chairman’s behalf.  She further explained that it is a mechanism to protect the County.  Mr. Willcox asked how long we have been with out this.  Chairman Brown explained that since 1974 and it was discovered while doing research regarding the rules.   

DISCUSSION/PRESENTATIONS/REPORTS:

 

Mr. Ferris explained that committee members had copies of the County of Cortland, Annual Update for Fiscal Year 2005 and that this document was filed on April 6, 2006.  He pointed out that on page four, $9,200,562 is the unreserved fund balance – unappropriated.  He also discussed that he had received an extension to file and it needed to be filed by May 1, 2006 and this is within that deadline. 

Mr. Troy extended an invitation to those present to discuss anything further. 

Mr. Clark made a motion to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Mr. Daniels.  The meeting adjourned at 7:50 a.m.

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