Personnel Committee

April 10, 2008 – 9:00 am

DRAFT MINUTES

Present:                      Larry Cornell , Chairman; Tony Piombo, Vice Chairman; Steve Dafoe, Sandy Price, Dan Tagliente, John Troy and Kathie Wilcox

Others present:          Scott Schrader , County Administrator; Mark Suben, County Attorney; Carol Tytler, Legislator, Kathie Arnold, Legislator; Mike McKee, Legislator; Katrina Spicer, Secretary to County Administration; Annette Barber , Personnel Officer; Bob Howe, Board of Elections; Bill Wood, Board of Elections Jeremy Boylan, County Historian; Betsy Larkin, County Clerk; Sue Morgan, Clerk of the Legislature; Evan Geibel, Cortland Standard; and Eric Mulvihill, WXHC

Mr. Cornell called the meeting to order at 9:03 a.m.

Mr. Troy moved adoption of the minutes of the March 13, 2008 meeting; seconded by Ms. Price.  All members voting in favor; none opposed; minutes approved as printed.

Mr. Cornell expressed to Mr. Boylan how nice the Bicentennial Program was and how well planned everything was.  The committee applauded Mr. Boylan for a very well planned Bicentennial Program.  Ms. Price inquired about Cortland County having a float in the Bicentennial Parade.  Mr. Boylan agreed that the County, as a municipality, should have a float.  He added that each of the Towns are having a  float in the parade. 

RESOLUTIONS:

LEGISLATURE

1.                  Adopt of Changes to the Rules of Order, Cortland County Legislature – Mr. Tagliente moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Troy.  Ms. Price requested to strike the phrase “within the committee” on page 16 (Article IV, Section B, 1).  Committee members discussed making this change.  Ms. Tytler suggested changing the phrase to “under the jurisdiction of the committee.”  Ms. Price stated that last year this became an issue when Mr. Van Dee wanted to set up a sub-committee to investigate the South Main Street property acquisition.  Ms. Tytler stated that it is clear that the Sub-committee was to report to the Chairman of the standing committee with jurisdiction.  Mr. Schrader stated that this was to prevent a potential witch hunt.  Ms. Price stated that she was not aware of any witch hunt.  Mr. Schrader stated that he was not saying that there was one but he added that it could occur.  Committee members discussed making a change to this section of the Rules of Order.  Ms. Price made a motion to change Article IV, Section B, 1 by striking the phrase “within the committee” and adding the phrase “accountable to the committee as a whole” at the end; seconded by Ms. Wilcox.

1.         appoint a subcommittee within the committee to study any issue deemed appropriate, accountable to the committee as a whole;

All members present voting in favor; none opposed; change to the Rules of Order approved. 

Mr. Suben pointed out that the header at the top of each page should read Rules of Order, Adopted January 3, 2008.  He stated that the Rules of Order were adopted at the organizational meeting by the new Legislature.  All members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution approved.

COUNTY CLERK

Ms. Larkin invited everyone over to the Court House to see the renovations.  She discussed some of the changes that have been made.  Additionally, she stated that the use of credit cards is going extremely well.  She stated that they have had no problems and they are being reconciled within seven days. 

BOARD OF ELECTIONS

Mr. Wood discussed the HAVA Grant funding and explained that bills are paid first by the county and them the county is reimbursed.  Mr. Wood explained that he would like to request to set up a separate account to handle this.  He added that most is 100% reimbursable and other expenses are 90% reimbursable.  Mr. Schrader explained that he just met with a staff member from the Board of Elections yesterday and explained to her that she needed to discuss this with Mr. Wood and have him submit a budget amendment.  He added that a HAVA Project Account within the department will be set up once this is submitted. 

COUNTY HISTORIAN

Mr. Boylan explained that the bell ringing at noon on Tuesday went off nicely.  He explained that this fall there is a Heritage Weekend.  He stated that he is working on the digital documentaries.  Mr. Boylan discussed the Vintage Baseball Games planned for August 23, 2008 in Truxton.  He explained that the games will be played with 1860 Rules.

DISCUSSION:

1.         Tuition, Annette Barber – Ms. Barber explained that according to the Management Comp Plan, committee approval is required for tuition reimbursement.  She added that Laurie Gosse is taking two courses in regards to Labor and Policy.  She stated that the cost is $2,390.55 and in accordance with the Management Comp Plan committee approval is required for her reimbursement.  Additionally, she explained that reimbursement includes tuition, books and fees.  Ms. Price made a motion to approve tuition reimbursement for Laurie Gosse in the amount of $2,390.55 to include tuition, books and fees; seconded by Mr. Troy.  All members present voting in favor; none opposed; motion approved.

2.         Health Committee – Ms. Tytler explained that an issue surfaced in Health Committee regarding a lengthy period of time to gain approval from the state in regards to new hires and the child abuse registry.  She asked if there was any way this process can be expedited.  Mr. Schrader stated that he was not aware of the problem but will look into it. 

3.                  Vacancy Report, Annette Barber – Ms. Barber explained that things are going fairly well.  She added that Mr. Schrader and she are still discussing the Accountant position in the Treasurer’s Office.  Ms. Wilcox inquired about the numerous resignations for nurses and case management workers.  Ms. Barber explained that they have received better job offers.  She added that the county tends to be the training ground for state case management workers.  Also, Ms. Barber explained that there has always been a struggle with Nurses and added that we don’t have the turnover that the county used to have with nurses.

4.         Insurance, Workers Compensation – Mr. Schrader stated that he is still researching this issue.  He explained that he started research in 1956 and is working forward.  He stated that there is a desperate need for codification.  He discussed the need to codify proceedings.  He explained that once the codification is established, records can be easily maintained.  Ms. Price agreed that this was a good idea and suggested that Mr. Schrader obtain proposals and come back to committee with them.  Mr. Schrader stated that he would do that. 

5.         Health Insurance – Mr. Schrader explained that he has received and reviewed the annual health insurance report and added that the report shows the county being over budget.  He explained that there were a couple of high claims this year and is hopeful that the alternative drug program will assist in bringing down these high costs.  Mr. Howe discussed an experience he has in regards to the alternative drug program not being able to provide all the maintenance prescriptions he needs.  He explained that a number of people are looking for “one stop” shopping.  Mr. Schrader discussed prescription drugs that are on the program and added that ones that do not appear on the program are cheaper to purchase domestically.  He added that there is a savings to the individual if they use the alternative drug program or the mail order program. 

6.         Code of Ethics – Mr. Troy explained that this was discussed at the Committee Chair Meeting.  He discussed the portion pertaining to Department Heads and Appointed individuals running for Legislature and the need to have that rewritten.  He stated that there will be a joint caucus on April 24, 2008 at 4:30 to exclusively discuss the Code of Ethics.  Mr. Cornell inquired if there was an updated version of the Code of Ethics.  Ms. Tytler addressed her concerns that 30 minutes is not enough time to discuss this.  She stated that she does not plan on resolving this in 30 minutes.  Mr. Suben explained that he has not looked at this in its entirety and he is hopeful that he can complete it by the joint caucus.  Mr. Troy stated that he would make sure the notice was sent out about the meeting and that it is a public meeting. 

Mr. Wood stated that there is a misconception which has been perpetuated by the newspaper in regards to the Election Commissioners/Party Chairmen.  He discussed statements made as being untruthful and representatives from the newspaper being tyrants.  He stated that the Election Commissioners do not count votes, the machines count the votes.  He also discussed there being no problems in the past or present and also there have been no problems in regards to Election Commissioners and Party Chairs.  He stated that this is a personal vendetta and that he is looking at the local party possibly suing the County in regards to this issue. 

7.         Unemployment Report, Annette Barber – Ms. Barber distributed a copy of the copy f the Confidential Unemployment Report to each Legislator in attendance.  She discussed the report and collected each copy. 

Ms. Price inquired about changing the hours of operation at the County Clerk ’s Office.  Mr. Schrader stated that the Legislature sets the hours of operation for the County Clerk and added that they need to be coordinated with the State. 

Ms. Morgan announced that the Public Defenders Office had called to inquire about a matter they requested to be discussed in Personnel Committee.  She expressed that she knew nothing about this.  Mr. Schrader explained that he has spoken to Mr. Dayton about this and has an additional message in for Mr. Dayton to give him a call.  He stated that the last he knew there was no reason for this to be discussed in Personnel Committee.

Mr. Cornell adjourned the meeting at 9:46 a.m.