June
21, 2007 at 7:30 am
DRAFT
MINUTES
Members: John Troy, Vice Chairman; Sean Clark, John Daniels, Danny Ross, Dan Tagliente and Newell Willcox
Others Present:
Marilyn Brown, Chairman of the Legislature; Scott Schrader, County
Administrator; Kay Breed, Legislator; Richard C. Van Donsel, County Attorney;
Katrina Spicer, Secretary to Administration; Don Ferris, County Treasurer;
Carolyn Kennedy, Deputy County Treasurer; Carl Haynes, TC3; Jim Buttino; Kevin
Whitney; Sandra Aloi; Corey Preston, Cortland Standard and Eric Mulvihill,
WXHC
Absent:
Ron Van Dee
Mr. Troy called the meeting to order at 7:33 a.m.
Mr. Clark moved adoption of
the minutes of the May 17, 2007 meeting; seconded by Mr. Daniels.
All members present voted in
favor; none opposed; minutes approved as printed.
SUGGESTED LEGISLATIVE REVIEW
**The following items have been noted as items for suggested Legislative Review by the Vice Chairman of the Budget & Finance Committee. These items are also noted with ** and in bold print.
Adopt
2007-2008 Operating Budget, Tompkins Community College
Authorize
Contract, Systems East Credit Card Programs
Award Bid for Purchase and Installation of Emergency
Generator for County Office Building ~ please note that this item was pulled
at the request of the General Services Committee
Landfill
Phase II Engineering Services Agreement
Authorize
Project to Construct Phase II, Cell IIA & IIB Cortland County Landfill
Amend 2007 Budget Assigned Counsel
(Public
Defender’s Office)
BUDGET & FINANCE COMMITTEE RESOLUTIONS:
1.
** Adopt 2007-2008
Operating Budget, Tompkins Community College – Mr. Ross moved adoption;
seconded by Mr. Clark. Mr. Haynes
discussed highlights regarding the 2007-2008 Operating Budget for TC3. He explained an increase in state aid and the overall
percentage being greater due to the growth in enrollment.
He discussed the out of county support having increased but the actual
rate had decreased, he explained there has been an increase in the number of
out of county students. Mr.
Haynes also discussed the sponsor increases to five percent and the increase
in state aid. Mr. Haynes
explained the hiring of new staff and faculty.
He also discussed the significant decrease in the equipment line of the
budget. Mr. Haynes went on to
discuss the average FTD is $300, which is less than the state average. He stated that this past year produced a strong year of
graduates and the Nursing program had a record number of graduates.
He pointed out the increase in services to the community and students
with the recreation and athletic facilities.
He discussed new initiatives for the under serviced and at risk to keep
them involved. Chairman Brown
inquired about how many, on average, high school students take advantage of
the programs to earn credits prior to graduating high school.
Mr. Haynes explained that there were about 600 this year and they
expect about 650 next year. He
discussed the program briefly. Mr.
Troy expressed that it is a wonderful program and TC3 does a great job.
Chairman Brown agreed. All
members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.
2. Authorization for Chairman to execute Satisfaction of Mortgage, property at 17 Stewart Place, City of Cortland – Mr. Daniels moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Clark.
Mr. Van Donsel explained a Satisfaction of Mortgage in regards to property located at 17 Stewart Place, Cortland. He added that Mr. Knickerbocker was handling this for the County due to a conflict. He further discussed the property and validity of the mortgage. He added there is a buyer interested in buying the property and cleaning it up. He also informed Committee members of a questionable Surrogate’s issue. He expressed agreement with Mr. Knickerbocker’s recommendations. Chairman Brown inquired about the amount of money owed to Department of Social Services. Mr. Schrader expressed that it is about $9,000. Committee members discussed delinquent taxes, interest and the amount owed. Mr. Willcox asked Mr. Van Donsel if he was in agreement with this. Mr. Van Donsel stated that he was in this case. All members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.
3. Authorize Agreements, Cortland County (1890 House Museum and Historical Society) – Mr. Tagliente moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Daniels. Mr. Willcox inquired about the amount as compared to last year. Mr. Schrader stated that the amount was the same. All members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.
4. Amend 2007 Budget, Cortland County Chamber of Commerce – Mr. Daniels moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Clark. Chairman Brown inquired about the need for this change. Mr. Schrader explained that there was no money allocated. Mr. Willcox expressed that it was to cover the cost of fireworks. All members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.
5. Amend 2007 Budget, Cortland County Convention and Visitors Bureau – Mr. Tagliente moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Ross. Mr. Schrader explained that this was to play catch up with the contract previously approved. All members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.
6.
** Authorize Contract, Systems East Credit Card Programs –
Mr. Daniels moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Clark.
Mr. Willcox inquired about how many other internet providers were
surveyed. Mr. Schrader expressed
none and added that there were three other companies and this was the most
comprehensive. Mr. Buttino
explained that due to the software being used their program allows for
payments to be made from home or at the County.
He also discussed facilitating permits and passes.
Ms. Breed inquired about the discount that Systems East would receive.
Mr. Buttino explained that the charge would go the User and added that
a credit card payment had a fee of 2.7% plus $.60 per transaction charged to
the User. Mr. Willcox inquired if
Mr. Ferris was alright with implementing this system. Mr. Ferris expressed that he was. Mr. Buttino further discussed a flat fee charged to the User
in regards to electronic checks. He
expressed that no other competitor provides the complete services that he
does. Mr. Troy explained that Mr.
Schrader has looked into this. Mr.
Ferris expressed caution in regards to the start up lag time before all
payments are acceptable. He added
that the County accepts payments for delinquent taxes only.
Mr. Buttino explained that he is working with the Towns in regards to
accepting credit card payments. All
members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.
6A. Accept Legislative Initiative Grant for UHF Paging, Authorize Grant Agreement and Amend Budget in relation thereto – Mr. Tagliente moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Clark. Mr. Schrader explained that he had received notification from Senator Seward’s Office in regards to assisting volunteers in the EMS response to acquire UHF pagers. He explained the need to expedite this resolution and added that he had spoken with the Chairman of the Judiciary and Public safety Committee to request to be able to present this to the Budget and Finance Committee. Mr. Daniels agreed. All members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.
Mr. Troy introduced the Consent Agenda Items 7 through 27, and asked if there were any items to be pulled for discussion. He announced that Agenda Items 7 and 16 have been pulled and pointed out that Agenda Item 10 has been amended and all members have been provided with an amended version.
Mr. Willcox requested that Consent Agenda Item Nos. 8, 11, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 25, 26 and 27 be removed and acted upon separately.
Mr. Troy requested that that Consent Agenda Item No. 10 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. 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 25, 26 and 27.
Mr. Tagliente moved adoption of the Consent Agenda, with the exception of Agenda Item Nos. 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 25, 26 and 27, which were removed by the requests of Mr. Willcox and Mr. Troy to be acted upon separately and Agenda Items Nos. 7 and 16 which were pulled; seconded by Mr. Daniels.
CONSENT AGENDA
Referred from
Ag/Planning Committee: None
Referred from General
Services Committee: None
7.
** Award Bid for Purchase and Installation of Emergency Generator
for County Office Building (Pulled
at the request of the General Services Committee)
Referred from Health
Committee:
8.
Abolish/Create Temporary Part Time Public Health Hospital
Coordinator/Per Diem Public Health Hospital Coordinator– Removed
to be acted upon separately
9.
Authorize Agreement/Accept Grant Funds/Amend Budget, Health
Administration (Health Heart Disabilities Initiative)
10.
Create Clinical Fellow in Speech Language Pathology, Children With
Special Needs AMENDED -– Removed to be acted upon separately
11.
Authorize Hiring of Headhunter, Psychiatrist, Mental Health Clinic
– Removed to be acted upon separately
Referred from Highway
Committee:
12.
** Landfill Phase II Engineering Services Agreement– Removed to be
acted upon separately
13.
** Authorize Project to Construct Phase II, Cell IIA & IIB Cortland
County Landfill– Removed to be acted upon separately
14. Authorize Supplemental Agreement Recycling/Highway Department J.M. Murray Center-Recycling Sorting Services
15. Abolish Recycling Product Sorter (PT)
16.
Resolution Authorizing Application for and Acceptance of Grant
Agreement From the Federal Aviation Administration and New York State
Department of Transportation for Improvement Project at Cortland County
Airport (Pulled at the
request of the Highway Department)
Referred from Human
Services Committee:
17.
Amend Budget Area Agency on Aging (AAA Transportation) –
Removed to be acted upon separately
18.
Amend Budget Area Agency on Aging (Title VII Ombudsman)
19.
Create Aging Services Specialist Area Agency on Aging– Removed to be
acted upon separately
20.
Create Temporary Caseworkers (2) Department of Social Services– Removed
to be acted upon separately
21.
Amend Budget Department of Social Services
22.
Accept Grant/Amend Budget Youth Bureau (Cortland Community Service Club)
23.
Accept Grant/Amend Budget Youth Bureau (Cayuga County United Way Donation)
Referred from Judiciary
& Public Safety Committee:
24.
Authorize Agreement Probation Department New York State Division of
Probation and Correctional Alternatives (DPCA) (Supervision of Sex Offender
Registration Act (SORA) Risk Levels 2 and 3 Sex Offenders)
25.
** Amend 2007 Budget Assigned Counsel
(Public Defender’s Office) – Removed to be acted upon separately
Referred from Personnel Committee:
26.
Amend Budget/Authorize Contractual Agreement Board of Elections Info Quick
Solutions, Inc. – Removed to be acted upon separately
27.
Amend Budget, Transfer Funds Personnel/Civil Service – Removed to be
acted upon separately
All members voted in favor; none opposed; consent agenda adopted.
NON-CONSENT AGENDA
Referred from Health Committee:
8. Abolish/Create Temporary Part Time Public Health Hospital Coordinator/Per Diem Public Health Hospital Coordinator– Mr. Tagliente moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Willcox. Mr. Willcox asked what really changed in regards to this resolution. Mr. Schrader explained that the change is from temporary to permanent. Ms. Breed inquired as to why the change is being made. Mr. Schrader explained that because of the nursing shortage this was tried on a temporary basis and the County has discovered that it is a benefit to the Public Health Department. Ms. Breed asked what this individual exactly does. Mr. Schrader explained that they review discharge plans and ensure that the doctor’s directions are clear and concise. Ms. Breed stated that this saves time on the nurse’s part. Mr. Schrader agreed. All members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.
10. Create Clinical Fellow in Speech Language Pathology, Children With Special Needs AMENDED – Mr. Tagliente moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Daniels. Mr. Clark explained that this is an opportunity for the County to hire a good employee as a Fellow and further discussed it being easier to service out lying areas with an employee versus a contractor. He expressed the need for this service. Ms. Breed inquired about area school districts having speech pathologists. Mr. Schrader explained that this program services children from birth to five years of age, before they enter the schools. He discussed problems with speech therapy availability and the school districts. He also explained that two speech pathologists currently used would be going on maternity leave, he stated that one is an employee and the other is a contractor. He added that by creating this position, it would allow the County to service those in need of the services. Ms. Breed inquired about this being a new position. Mr. Schrader explained that it was. Mr. McKee discussed the estimated revenue being created at about $70,000 and covering the cost of the position. All members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.
11.
Authorize Hiring of
Headhunter, Psychiatrist, Mental Health Clinic AMENDED – Mr. Tagliente moved adoption;
seconded by Mr. Clark. Mr.
Willcox expressed that the County is going to pay about ten percent of the
salary to find a person to fill the position.
Mr. Schrader explained that it is about fifteen percent. Mr. Willcox inquired about this position being mandated.
Mr. Schrader explained that the Mental Health Department is not
mandated. He further explained
that this fee is not paid unless someone is hired for the position.
Mr. Willcox expressed that this is like running an auction.
Mr. Schrader explained that to a point it is but further expressed that
there is a need for this position or the other alternative is to eliminate the
services. Mr. Willcox stated that
he does not want to run an auction with taxpayer’s money.
Mr. Clark stated to Mr. Willcox that if he knew of another way of doing
this the Committee would like to hear it.
Mr. Tagliente expressed it is worth a shot to go this route.
Mr. Troy, Mr. Clark, Mr. Daniels, Mr. Ross and Mr. Tagliente voted
in favor; Mr. Willcox was opposed; resolution adopted.
Referred from Highway
Committee:
12.
** Landfill Phase II Engineering Services Agreement – Mr.
Daniels moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Ross.
Mr. Willcox expressed that he is looking at this as a contract for
$340,000 and there is no other opinion in regards to the price.
Mr. Tagliente explained this is the engineer on staff doing this and
further explained this being the rate to have this work done.
Mr. Schrader explained it being a professional service and there being
no need to go out for bid. He
added that a relationship has been established with the engineer and they have
overall knowledge of our landfill. Mr.
Willcox expressed that there is a large amount of money involved without going
out for bid. Mr. Schrader
expressed that the total project is estimated to be about $9 million.
Mr. Troy, Mr. Clark, Mr. Daniels, Mr. Ross and Mr. Tagliente voted
in favor; Mr. Willcox was opposed; resolution adopted.
13.
** Authorize Project to Construct Phase II, Cell IIA & IIB
Cortland County Landfill – Mr. Ross moved adoption;
seconded by Mr. Tagliente. Mr. Willcox inquired if this included any change order that
may be needed. Mr. Schrader
explained that he has no idea at this time if and what change orders will be
needed and added that money has been set-aside in regards to change orders.
Mr. Willcox inquired if this involves a large amount of money, who can
authorize it. Mr. Schrader
responded that the County Administrator and the Chairman.
He further explained that $40 million in tip fees is anticipated over
the life of this project. He also discussed $12 million being generated to pay debt
services. Mr. Willcox inquired as
to how Mr. Schrader can predict revenue on something he has no control over.
He added that the state is making it more difficult to use landfills.
Mr. Schrader explained that if the volume anticipated decreases then
the life of the cell would be lengthened.
He explained that the only way revenue would not be received is if the
landfill closes. Mr. Schrader
discussed flow control and being able to dictate where the County trash is
disposed of. He explained that
flow control could be inputted now and fill up the landfill at a faster rate.
He expressed that it is not an issue at this time.
Mr. Willcox expressed that the problem is the position that the state
will take in regards to this in the future.
He added that he does not expect New York State continuing the way they
are now. Mr. Tagliente expressed
that a place is needed to put garbage. Mr.
Willcox expressed that he would like to discuss this with the haulers, large
and small, to get their perspectives on this.
Mr. Clark asked Mr. Willcox if he had contacted any haulers.
Mr. Tagliente expressed that this was done in the past but if Mr.
Willcox would like to have them at the next Highway Committee meeting he can
do that. He added that the
haulers major concern is the tip fee. Chairman Brown stated that they are all in the garbage
business and added that the people at the landfill have information regarding
this also. Committee members
discussed the future issues in regard to garbage and recycling. Chairman Brown explained that this is Phase II of the
project. Mr. Tagliente discussed
bringing in the haulers at the next Highway Committee meeting.
Ms. Kennedy inquired about this being a capitol project and
authorization to set it up. Mr. Schrader explained that he would take care of that.
Mr. Troy, Mr. Clark, Mr. Daniels, Mr. Ross and Mr. Tagliente voted
in favor; Mr. Willcox was opposed; resolution adopted.
Referred from Human Services Committee:
17.
Amend Budget Area Agency on Aging (AAA Transportation) –
Mr. Clark moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Tagliente.
Mr. Willcox inquired about how transportation turns into food.
Mr. Schrader explained that additional state aid was released for Meals
on Wheels. Chairman Brown
expressed that she is glad to see this with the price of fuel. All members present voting in favor; none opposed;
resolution adopted.
19. Create Aging Services Specialist Area Agency on Aging – Mr. Daniels moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Tagliente. Mr. Willcox inquired if this were state money. Mr. Schrader explained that this is an ongoing program and state money is received. All members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted
20.
Create Temporary Caseworkers (2) Department of Social Services –
Mr. Clark moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Daniels.
Mr. Willcox asked if these positions were in the budget.
Mr. Schrader expressed that additional state funding would be
addressing this. All members
present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.
Referred from Judiciary & Public Safety
Committee:
25.
** Amend 2007 Budget Assigned Counsel
(Public Defender’s Office) – Mr. Clark moved adoption;
seconded by Mr. Ross. Mr.
Schrader explained that currently there are over $50,000 in outstanding bills
and added that he is hopeful this $200,000 will take the County through the
end of the year. He further
discussed the Conflict Attorney beginning work on August 4, 2007 and this
helping relive the bills related to assigned counsel.
Chairman Brown discussed that state increasing the rate for assigned
counsel. Mr. Van Donsel explained
also a different attitude at the Courthouse in regards to this.
Mr. Willcox inquired about having the 2008 Tentative Budget out before
elections. Mr. Schrader expressed
that is this is the desire of the Legislature he would have it out.
All members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution
adopted
Referred from Personnel Committee:
26.
Amend Budget/Authorize Contractual Agreement Board of Elections Info
Quick Solutions, Inc. – Mr. Clark moved adoption; seconded by Mr.
Tagliente. Mr. Willcox inquired
about this coming out of Contingency and not Fund Balance.
Mr. Schrader explained that is because this is revenue that was
received. All members present
voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted
27. Amend Budget, Transfer Funds Personnel/Civil Service – Mr. Daniels moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Clark. Mr. Willcox inquired as to who was laid off and how this expense was incurred. Mr. Schrader explained the County’s obligations in relation to unemployment and added that unemployment goes back 52 weeks. All members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted
DISCUSSION/REPORTS:
1.
Harris Property, request for indemnification on tax sale property, County
Attorney – Mr. Van Donsel explained to Committee members an issue
regarding property on Route 41 that was sold last summer at auction.
He further discussed a problem with title insurance and the title
insurance company not being satisfied with the Quit Claim Deed issued by the
County. He discussed issues as
they relate to this. He explained that he does not recommend the request for
indemnification and suggests that the Harris’ they look for another title
insurance company. The
consensus of the Committee was that they were in agreement with Mr. Van Donsel’s
recommendation that the request for indemnification not be granted and the
suggestion that the Harris’ look for another title insurance company.
Mr. Troy thanked the Treasurer’s Office for providing updated information regarding sales tax at the last Legislative meeting.
Mr. Clark made a motion to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Mr. Daniels. Mr. Troy adjourned the meeting at 8:41 a.m.