Chairman Harrington called the meeting to order at 10:20 am and led the salute to the flag. The Clerk called the roll and all members were recorded as present. On the motion of Mr. Teeter, seconded by Mr. Steger and adopted, all members present voting aye, the minutes from the previous session were approved.

On the motion of Mr. Harrington, seconded by Mrs. Price and adopted, all members present voting aye, Agenda No. 01 became RESOLUTION NO. 447-02: SUPPORT PASSAGE OF H.R. 1786 AND S.847, STABILIZATION OF MILK PRICES LIMITING IMPORTATION OF MILK PROTEIN CONCENTRATES.

On the motion of Mr. VanDee, seconded by Mrs. Brown and adopted, all members present voting aye on a roll call vote, except Mrs. Contento, Mrs. Price, Mr. Teeter, Mr. VanDee and Mr. Harrington voting nay, Agenda No. 02 became RESOLUTION NO. 448-02: RESOLUTION OF THE LEGISLATURE OF THE COUNTY OF CORTLAND, PROVIDING AN EXEMPTION FROM SALES AND COMPENSATING USE TAXES FOR RECEIPTS FROM RETAIL SALES OF, AND CONSIDERATION GIVEN OR CONTRACTED TO BE GIVEN FOR, CERTAIN CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF ARTICLE 29 OF THE TAX LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

The consensus was that no evidence had been supplied to support any of the previous claims, but it did hurt those who could least afford the additional expense.

On the motion of Mr. VanDee, seconded by Mr. Guido and adopted, all members present voting aye on a roll call vote, except Mr. Allen, Mr. Guido and Mr. Steve voting nay, Agenda No. 03 became RESOLUTION NO. 449-02: AUTHORIZE TREASURER TO MOVE $350,000 FROM DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES DEFERRED REVENUE ACCOUNT TO NYS SPECIAL MMIS AID ACCOUNT.

Mr. VanDee assured the legislators he was confident that the money would not have to be paid back. Mr. Allen and Mr. Guido considered it a risky move.

On the motion of Mr. VanDee, seconded by Mr. Teeter and adopted, all members present voting aye on a roll call vote, except Mr. Allen, Mr. Cornell, Mr. Guido, Mr. Steger, Mr. Steve and Mr. Wern voting nay, Agenda No. 04 became RESOLUTION NO. 450-02: A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF COMPUTER HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF CORTLAND, NEW YORK, AT A MAXIMUM ESTIMATED COST OF $350,000, AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $350,000 BONDS OF SAID COUNTY TO PAY THE COST THEREOF.

Mr. VanDee said the Finance & Administration Committee had committed to saving for future computer needs, but the current needs could not be met without bonding. Mr. Steve noted that we would still be paying after the life of the computer. Mr. Harrington noted that the estimate was on the high side and in all probability the county would use bond anticipation notes.

On the motion of Mr. VanDee, seconded by Mrs. Brown and adopted, with all members present voting aye on a roll call vote, except Mr. Allen, Mr. Cornell, Mr. Guido, Mr. Steger, Mr. Steve and Mr. Wern voting nay, Agenda No. 05 became RESOLUTION NO. 451-02: A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF POLICE VEHICLES AND EQUIPMENT IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF CORTLAND, NEW YORK, AT A MAXIMUM ESTIMATED COST OF $375, 000, AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $375,000 BONDS OF SAID COUNTY TO PAY THE COST THEREOF.

On the motion of Mr. VanDee, seconded by Mrs. Price and adopted, all members present voting aye, Agenda No. 06 became RESOLUTION NO. 452-02: APPOINT BUDGET OFFICER, BUDGET OFFICE.

On the motion of Mr. VanDee, seconded by Mrs. Contento and adopted, all members present voting aye, Agenda No. 07 became RESOLUTION NO. 453-02: APPOINT COUNTY AUDITOR.

On the motion of Mr. Mudge, Mrs. Brown and Mr. VanDee, seconded by Mr. Teeter and adopted, all members present voting aye, Agenda No. 08 became RESOLUTION NO. 454-02: RESCIND RESOLUTION NO. 30-01, TRANSFER POSITION/FUNDING, DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES/ BUILDINGS & GROUNDS DEPARTMENT, TELEPHONE OPERATOR.

On the motion of Mr. Mudge, seconded by Mrs. Brown and adopted, all members present voting aye, Agenda No. 09 became RESOLUTION NO. 455-02: ACCEPT PROPOSAL/AUTHORIZE AGREEMENT, ELEVATOR SERVICE, BUILDINGS & GROUNDS DEPARTMENT.

Chairman Harrington declared a recess at 10:48 am. The legislative session resumed at 10:53 am.

On the motion of Mr. Teeter, seconded by Mr. Ross and adopted, all members present voting aye, except Mr. VanDonsel and Mr. Harrington voting nay, Agenda No. 10 became RESOLUTION NO. 456-02: APPROVAL TO FILL, HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT, MOTOR EQUIPMENT OPERATOR I.

Mrs. Brown said there would be a $50, 000 savings from the Highway Department. Mr. Steve countered that it did not include the cost of retirement. Mr. VanDonsel reminded the legislators that there was a directive to report to the full legislature about the feasibility and economic impact of combining the Highway Department and Solid Waste Department and he asked why it had not been done. Mr. O’Mara said he had attended a meeting and the decision was that there would be no economic benefit from combining the two departments. Mr. Allen voiced his disappointment with the outcome of the early retirement. It was his opinion that there was little planning involved and the decisions should be collective. Chairman Harrington repeated the importance of everyone looking long and hard at each position to be filled.

On the motion of Mr. Teeter, seconded by Mr. Ross and adopted, all members present voting aye, except Mr. VanDonsel and Mr. Harrington voting nay, Agenda No. 11 became RESOLUTION NO. 457-02: APPROVAL TO FILL, HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT, MOTOR EQUIPMENT OPERATOR II (TWO).

On the motion of Mr. Teeter, seconded by Mrs. Price and adopted, all members present voting aye, except Mr. Allen, Mr. Cornell, Mr. Guido, Mr. Ross, Mr. Steve, Mr. VanDonsel, Mr. Wern and Mr. Harrington voting nay, Agenda No. 12 became RESOLUTION NO. 458-02: APPROVAL TO FILL, HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT, PARTS CHASER/PARK ATTENDANT.

On the motion of Mr. Teeter, seconded by Mr. Steger and adopted, all members present voting aye, except Mr. Steve and Mr. Harrington voting nay, Agenda No. 13 became RESOLUTION NO. 459-02: APPROVAL TO FILL, HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT, ACCOUNT CLERK/TYPIST.

On the motion of Mrs. Brown, seconded by Mr. Dwyer and adopted, all members present voting aye, Agenda No. 14 became RESOLUTION NO. 460-02: ACCEPT BIDS/ AUTHORIZE PURCHASE, AREA AGENCY ON AGING/NUTRITION, PAPER GOODS AND MAINTENANCE SUPPLIES.

On the motion of Mrs. Brown, seconded by Mr. Steger and adopted all members present voting aye, Agenda No. 15 became RESOLUTION NO. 461-02: AMEND BUDGET, DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES (TRANSFERS).

On the motion of Mrs. Brown, seconded by Mr. Dwyer and adopted, all members present voting aye, Agenda No. 16 became RESOLUTION NO. 462-02: AMEND BUDGET, DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES (TRANSFERS).

Mrs. Brown withdrew Agenda No. 17 (Authorize Agreements, Department of Social Services [Foster Care]) and Agenda No. 18 (Authorize Agreements, Department of Social Services [Day Care Services]).

On the motion of Mrs. Brown, seconded by Mr. Ross and adopted, all members present voting aye, except Mr. Allen, Mr. Guido, Mr. VanDonsel, Mr. Wern and Mr. Harrington voting nay, Agenda No. 19 became RESOLUTION NO. 463-02: APPROVAL TO FILL, DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES, CASEWORKER.

On the motion of Mr. Wern, seconded by Mr. Cornell and adopted, all members present voting aye, Agenda No. 20 became RESOLUTION NO. 464-02: AMEND BUDGET/ISSUE BUDGET NOTE, PUBLIC DEFENDER’S OFFICE. Mr. O’Mara explained the increased workload in the office. Mr. VanDonsel explained the need for the assigned council and suggested a contract arrangement so an unknown could become a known factor.

On the motion of Mr. Wern, seconded by Mr. Allen and adopted, all members present voting aye, Agenda No. 21 became RESOLUTION NO. 465-02: ABOLISH/CREATE/ APPROVAL TO FILL, DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE, ASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEY (FT). Mr. VanDonsel said the Judiciary & Public Safety Committee met and he was satisfied with the explanation of need that District Attorney Jewett had provided to the committee.

On the motion of Mr. Wern, seconded by Mr. Guido and adopted, all members present voting aye, Agenda No. 22 became RESOLUTION NO. 466-02: CREATE/ APPROVAL TO FILL, SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT, DISPATCHERS (TWO).

On the motion of Mr. Dwyer, seconded by Mr. Teeter and adopted, all members present voting aye, Agenda No. 23 became RESOLUTION NO. 467-02: AUTHORIZE AGREEMENT, COUNTY CLERK’S OFFICE (INDEXING AND RETRIEVAL INFORMATION SYSTEM).

Mr. Dwyer explained that the Commissioners of Election had requested the change in the length of their terms. Mr. VanDonsel made a motion to table Agenda No. 24 (Amend Term of Office, Commissioners of Election), was seconded by Mrs. Brown and adopted.

On the motion of Mrs. Price, seconded by Mr. Dwyer and adopted, all members present voting aye, one special article was introduced.

On the motion of Mrs. Richards, seconded by Mrs. Brown and adopted, all members present voting aye, except Mr. Allen and Mr. VanDonsel voting nay, Special Article No. 01 became RESOLUTION NO. 468-02: APPROVAL TO FILL, MENTAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT, MENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST.

On the motion of Mr. O’Mara, seconded by Mrs. Brown and adopted, all members present voting aye, the legislature went into executive session at 11:22 am to discuss pending litigation. On the motion of Mr. Guido, seconded by Mrs. Brown and adopted, all members present voting aye, executive session ended at 11:50 am.

On the motion of Mr. Teeter, seconded by Mr. Guido and adopted, all members present voting aye, the legislative session was recessed at 11:53 am.

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