DRAFT MINUTES
Others Present: Scott Schrader, County Administrator; Marilyn Brown, Legislative Chairperson; Angie Wyatt, Secretary to County Administrator; Carol Deloff, Director-Office of the Aging; Carl Bullock, Director-Veterans Office; Manny Lann, Director-Youth Bureau; Ric VanDonsel, County Attorney; Kathy Arnold, Legislator-Elect
The meeting was called to order at 8:30a.m. by Chairperson Sandy Price
Ms. Price advised the Committee that Ms. Tytler had contacted her of her necessary absence from the Committee meeting thus Ms. Price excused Ms. Tytler.
MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 15, 2007
MADE BY MR. SPAULDING - 2ND BY MR. TROY - ALL PRESENT VOTING IN
FAVOR – MINUTES APPROVED
RESOLUTIONS:
Area Agency on Aging
Discussion:
Mr. Spaulding inquired if this was just for 3 months.
Ms. Deloff indicated that the miscellaneous groceries and frozen foods
bids are done quarterly.
Discussion:
Ms. Deloff commented that the paper goods and maintenance supplies bids
are done twice a year.
Discussion: Ms.
Deloff advised the Committee that the bulk of the funding is used for Adult
Day Care at the Cortland Regional Center Nursing facility. Mr. McKee commented that this is one example of consolidation
with agencies working together.
Employment & Training
3A. Amend Authorization for Lease Agreement - Department of Employment and Training (Calabro Properties, Inc.) – MOTION BY MR. TROY – 2ND BY MR. MCKEE – ALL PRESENT VOTING IN FAVOR – MOTION PASSES {Typo correction: “moth” should be “month”}
Discussion: The County cannot contract with the J.M. Murray Center for cleaning because J.M. Murray Center cannot pay NYS prevailing wage. The lease had to be amended so that the J.M. Murray Center could contract directly with Calabro Properties, Inc.
Youth
Bureau
Discussion:
Mr. Lann explained that after the towns and villages receive their
funding, agencies are able to apply for funding.
Discussion:
Mr. Lann indicated that this grant is similar to resolution no. 4
except it is a different funding stream.
The tutoring and high school equivalency courses are held in the
schools and the East Side Community Center.
Aging –
Ms. Deloff advised the Committee that her department is struggling with the
Medicare Part D. She said that
from November 15, 2007 to November 30, 2007 they had 144 clients; from
December 1, 2007 to December 15 they have 155 people scheduled and an
additional 94 who have not returned the paperwork and that the deadline is
December 31, 2007. Mr. McKee
asked why the state won’t extend the deadline.
Ms. Deloff indicated that it is the federal government not the state
and that the federal government will not allow any additional time.
Ms. Deloff continued that the Medicare Part D is not easy to
understand. There are 100
different options. Mr. McKee
commented that the staff must be well trained in order to help the seniors.
Ms. Deloff said that 2 staff members are well informed and she goes to
them if she needs clarification on anything.
Mr. Armstrong asked if there is anything the County can do to assist
the staff. Ms. Deloff said that
asking the state for funds for additional people would be a good start.
Mr. Schrader suggested contacting Senator Seward and Assemblywoman
Lifton. By Committee consensus it
was agreed that letters be sent to state representatives and our US Senators
and Congressman. Ms. Deloff asked
that the NYS Department of Aging also be included.
Ms. Deloff told the committee that they have vacancies as follows: Center Manager in McGraw; 2 Drivers and they will be losing a food service worker. Mr. Schrader said that the County has a lot of jobs but people are not interested in Human Service jobs and it is tough to hire this time of year.
Ms. Price asked Ms. Deloff where her department stands regarding the South Main Street property. Ms. Deloff indicated that they are at a standstill right now and they are waiting for a report from Barton and Loguidice. Mr. Schrader said that the resolution to approve Barton and Loguidice is going to the floor tonight and then they can set up a meeting.
Ms. Deloff thanked the Committee for a great year.
Youth
Bureau – Mr.
Lann advised the committee that SUNY Cortland applied for an Amicorp/Vista
(Volunteers In Service To America) grant.
These funds place volunteers in the County. They have asked Mr. Lann to serve as Coordinator.
The grant funds would reimburse the County for Mr. Lann’s time.
Ms. Price indicated that this program is very well received.
Mr. Troy told the Committee that his son was in the program in New York
City and believes it is a great program.
Veterans
– Mr. Bullock expressed his pleasure in President Bush’s appointment of
James Peak as Veterans Director. He
sees a great improvement for veterans. Mr.
Bullock said that his office is running very well and that they had 554
contacts in the month of November. Mr.
Spaulding asked if we had any homeless veterans in Cortland County.
Mr. Bullock is not aware of any at this time. The Syracuse V.A. has a good program for homeless veterans
but veterans in Cortland would not like to re-locate. If someone comes in for help, the Salvation Army can help for
a few days and then they have to be referred to the Syracuse V.A.
The V.A. Hospital funds this program.
The Disabled
Veterans have collect money and is donated it to the Toys-For-Tots program.
They have a new van for transporting veterans to Syracuse for
appointments. Former Legislator Joe Dwyer is one of the volunteer drivers
and also oversees the drivers for DAV.
Committee
Chairperson Price – Reiterated Ms. Deloff’s feelings and thanked the Committee
and the Departments Heads for a great year.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:03a.m.
Minutes taken and prepared by Angie Wyatt, Secretary to Mr. Schrader