July 20, 2006 at 7:30 am
DRAFT MINUTES
Members: Ron VanDee, Chairman; John Troy, Vice Chairman; John Daniels, Danny Ross, Dan Tagliente and Newell Willcox
Others Present: Scott Schrader, County Administrator; Dennis Whitt, County Auditor; Carol Tytler, Legislator District 3; Richard Van Donsel, County Attorney; Katrina Spicer, Secretary to Administration; Donald Ferris, County Treasurer; Carolyn Kennedy, Deputy County Treasurer; Susan Morgan Clerk of the Legislator; Bill Wood, Board of Elections; Bob Howe, Board of Elections; Evan Geible, Cortland Standard; and John Carroll
Absent: Sean Clark
Mr. VanDee called the meeting to order at 7:32 a.m.
Mr. Troy moved adoption of the minutes of the June 15, 2006 meeting;
seconded by Mr. Willcox. All
members present voted in favor; none opposed; minutes approved as printed.
RESOLUTIONS:
Mr. VanDee introduced the Consent Agenda, Items 1 through 19, and asked if there were any items to be pulled for discussion.
Mr. Willcox requested that Consent Agenda Item Nos. 1, 2, 7, 9, 11, 13, 14 and 15 be removed and acted upon separately.
The following agenda items were removed from the Consent Agenda to be acted upon separately; Consent Agenda Item Nos. 1, 2, 7, 9, 11, 13, 14 and 15
Mr. Troy moved adoption of the Consent Agenda, with the exception of the items that Mr. Willcox had asked to be removed; seconded by Mr. Daniels.
CONSENT AGENDA
Referred from Buildings and Grounds:
1.
Removed from Consent Agenda to be acted
upon separately
Referred
from Health Committee:
2.
Removed from Consent Agenda to be acted
upon separately
3. Establish Petty Cash Account/Jacobus Center
4. Accept Funds Jacobus Center (SUNY Cortland Power Planet for Women)
5. Transfer Funds/Nursing Division
6. Authorize Agreement / Accept Funds Administration/Special Programs (Cancer Services Program)
7.
Removed from Consent Agenda to be acted
upon separately
Referred from Highway
Committee:
8. Amend 2006 Budget/Recognizing Insurance Recovery
Referred from Judiciary & Public Safety Committee:
9.
Removed from Consent Agenda to be acted
upon separately
10.
Authorize Agreement/Amend Budget
(Electronic Ticket & Accident Report Project) Sheriff's Department
11.
Removed from Consent Agenda to be acted
upon separately
12.
Amend 2006 Budget (District Attorney’
Office)
13. Removed from Consent Agenda to be acted upon separately
Referred from
Human Services Committee:
14.
Removed from Consent Agenda to be acted
upon separately
15.
Removed from Consent Agenda to be acted
upon separately
17.
Amend Budget Youth Bureau (Youth
Development/Delinquency Program)
Referred from
Personnel Committee:
18. Establish Fees for Election Workers Board of Elections
19. Create Temporary Safety Officer/ Amend Budget Safety Department
All members voted in favor; none opposed; consent agenda adopted.
The following items were pulled
from the Consent Agenda to be acted upon separately.
NON -CONSENT AGENDA:
2. Authorize Agreement/Accept Funds/Lead Poisoning Prevention Grant – Mr. VanDee moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Troy. Mr. Willcox asked about how many children are involved in the lead poisoning program and questioned the accountability and tracking process of the program. Mr. Schrader explained that this is a requirement to ensure that all children are screened for lead poisoning prior to their entry into Kindergarten. Ms. Tyler expressed that the numbers regarding this testing have been constant. Mr. Schrader expressed that he will obtain additional information and pass it on to Mr. Willcox.
1.
Relocation of Emergency
Operations Center and Dispatch –
Mr. Willcox moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Troy.
Mr. Willcox inquired about the
cost break down. Mr. Schrader
explained that the cost of a new generator is approximately $200,000 and the
cost of the move is $75,000, which includes the cost of a new console and new
furniture. Mr. Willcox
additionally commented about the budget being so tight and not being able to
drop the sales tax on fuel; why not bond for this?
Mr. Schrader explained that it is not worth it financially for the
County to bond for this amount. Mr.
Willcox asked how much money is in Fund Balance.
Mr. Schrader explained that there is approximately $13 million
currently. Mr. Willcox asked how
much Fund Balance was increased last year?
Mr. Schrader explained that it was approximately $1.8 million.
7. Amend Agreement/Amend Budget (NYS Office of Alcohol & Substance Abuse Services) - Mr. Troy moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Daniels. Mr. Willcox asked about the rationale on this resolution. Mr. Schrader explained that Catholic Charities had applied for additional funding from the state for alcohol and substance abuse services and was approved. He added that this is to accept the additional funding. Ms. Tytler added that Catholic Charities initiated this.
9.
Amend 2006 Budget –
Sheriff’s Department (Personal Services)
- Mr.
Troy moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Daniels.
Mr. Willcox expressed that to the best of his recollection this was
going to pay for itself. Mr.
Schrader explained that this has more than paid for itself. Mr. Willcox expressed his concerns with the increase from
year to year. Mr. Willcox
inquired about the success of this. Mr.
Schrader explained the county had been very successful in fraud
investigations. Mr. Willcox asked
for more information regarding the numbers involved in this fraud
investigation.
11. Amend Budget 2006 (Public Defender) - Mr. Troy moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Ross. Mr. Willcox inquired about this increase for Assigned Counsel. Mr. Schrader explained that the state sets this rate and in the last few years this rate has been doubled. He went on to discuss that last year there was discussions regarding the creation of a Conflict Attorney position, which has not been done yet. He added that it is on the agenda today. Mr. Schrader added that the assigned counsel line in the Public Defender’s budget would fall short due to this bills regarding assigned counsel. He added that this is for professional services; outside attorneys are paid for providing these services.
13. Local Law Creating the Office of Conflict Attorney - Mr. Troy moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Ross. Mr. Willcox asked if this document support agenda item number 11. Mr. Schrader explained that this sets up the Office of Conflict Attorney and added that this was in the 2006 Budget for creation of this office. Mr. Schrader further explained that the creation of this office would save money for the county. He added that it will more than double in savings for the county. Mr. Schrader explained that this creates the procedure also and further discussed how it relates to private attorneys. He discussed that some of the bills that are submitted from private attorney’s are very large. Mr. Willcox asked for input from Mr. Van Donsel. Mr. Van Donsel had no comment. Mr. Schrader further discussed that this was a policy issue and he has complied the information with assistance from the Public Defender’s Office regarding this. Mr. Schrader further discussed the Cortland County Bar Association and the Administrative Law Judge and the attempts in the past to create a Conflict Attorney. Mr. Schrader explained and discussed the Home Rule Legislation and the authority to establish policy. Mr. Willcox commented that this would put accountability in place.
14.
Amend budget Area Agency
on Aging (Long Term Care Education Information and Outreach Program) -
Mr. Troy moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Daniels.
Mr. Willcox inquired about the outreach training involved in this
resolution. Mr. Schrader explained that the training that is involved is
required by state for employees to learn the program and additionally he added
that is covers the cost of seminars for seniors to obtain information about
long term care. Mr. Willcox
inquired about whether or not seniors have the money to buy long-term care.
Mr. Van Dee explained that he hopes that some of them do and the
information needs to be made available to them anyways.
15.
Abolish/Create Department
of Social Services Community Services Worker/Secretary I - Mr. Troy moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Daniels.
Mr. Willcox inquired about the reasoning for this position.
Mr. Schrader explained that the there is no supervision in the
reception area and the issue here is the need for supervision in the reception
area. Mr. Willcox asked how long it has been like this.
Mr. Schrader responded that for at least three years.
Ms. Tytler explained that Kristen Monroe supplied the Human Services
Committee with a document that supports this resolution and it was very
informative. She recommended that this be provided to the members of
Budget and Finance Committee that are not on the Human Services Committee.
Mr. Willcox inquired about the intake process.
Ms. Tytler addressed his concerns.
Mr. VanDee asked for a vote on all items pulled and Mr. Willcox expressed
that he was opposed to Agenda Items Number 2, 7, 9, 11, 13, and 15.
Mr. Willcox noted that he was objecting to Agenda Item Number 15
because of the lack of information available to him.
Mr. VanDee, Mr. Troy, Mr. Daniels, Mr. Ross, and Mr. Tagliente voted
in favor of Agenda Items Number 1, 2, 7, 9, 11, 13, 14 and 15 and Mr. Willcox
voted in favor of Agenda Items Number 1 and 14; Mr. Willcox was opposed to
Agenda Item Numbers 2, 7, 9, 11, 13, and 15; Agenda Items Number 1, 2, 7, 9,
11, 13, 14 and 15 were approved.
Mr. Troy commented on Agenda Item Number 16 – Accept Donation/Amend Budget Youth Bureau (Pall Trinity Union Donation) and asked if a thank you note is sent to Pall Trinity for this donation. Committee members discussed that the Youth Bureau sends out a letter thanking them for the donation. Mr. Tagliente requested that the Chairman also send a letter to them thanking them.
DISCUSSION/PRESENTATIONS/REPORTS:
1. Consideration for compromising lien (County Attorney) – Mr. Van Donsel distributed a copy of a memo and affirmation from Fitzsimmons Law Firm regarding a lien held by Cortland County. Mr. Van Donsel discussed this issue with the committee and informed them that it has no financial impact on Cortland County. Mr. Tagliente made a motion to allow Cortland County to issue a release of lien on the property that the County Attorney was referring to; seconded by Mr. Troy. All members present voted in favor; none opposed; motion approved.
Mr. Van Dee opened the floor for any other items to be discussed.
Mr. Troy made a motion to adjourn the meeting; seconded Mr. Ross. Mr. VanDee adjourned the meeting at 7:57 a.m.