June 15, 2006 at 7:30 am
DRAFT MINUTES
Members: Ron VanDee, Chairman; John Troy, Vice Chairman; Sean Clark, John Daniels and Danny Ross
Others Present: Marilyn E. Brown, Chairman of the Legislature; Scott Schrader, County Administrator; Sandy Price, Legislator District 19; Carol Tytler, Legislator District 3; Richard Van Donsel, County Attorney; Katrina Spicer, Secretary to Administration; Dennis Whitt, County Auditor; Donald Ferris, County Treasurer; Carl Haynes, President, TC3; Eric Mulvihill, WXHC; Corey Preston, Cortland Standard; John Carroll and Matt Penello
Absent: Dan Tagliente and Newell Willcox
Mr. VanDee called the meeting to order at 7:30 a.m.
Mr. Troy moved adoption of the minutes of the May 18, 2006 meeting; seconded
by Mr. Daniels. All
members present voted in favor; none opposed; minutes approved as printed.
PRESENTATION: Carl Haynes, President, TC3 - Mr. Haynes distributed and discussed
Tompkins Cortland Community College, 2006-2007 Operating Budget (attached).
Mr. Troy expressed that he has worked with the Dual Credit program in the area of Calculus and
he has spoken with parents regarding this program. He discussed that parents are impressed that
the children receive the credits and are very happy with the program.
Chairman Brown discussed briefly her experience and the history with TC3. She further
expressed that the 5% increase that is a minimum as compared to what they could request. She
went on to express that everything at TC3 is very impressive and we should be proud of them
and provide this support.
RESOLUTIONS:
Budget and Finance Committee Resolutions:
1.
Adopt 2006-2007 Operating Budget,
Tompkins Cortland Community College – Mr. Troy moved adoption; seconded
by Mr. Daniels. Mr. VanDee opened
the meeting to any questions to be asked of Mr. Haynes.
All members present voted in
favor, none opposed; resolution approved.
Mr. Haynes asked for direction from the committee as to what should be presented at next weeks Legislative Session meeting. Chairman Brown expressed that she would like to see him present a similar presentation because she thought that it was important that the community knows this information. The consensus of the committee was that he should present the same presentation as he did at this meeting to the full Legislature next week.
2. Designate Tourism Promotion Agency Finger Lakes Tourism, Inc. – Mr. Daniels moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Troy. All members present voted in favor, none opposed; resolution approved.
3.
Authorize Treasurer to Accept
Delinquent Tax Payments – Mr. Daniels moved adoption; seconded by Mr.
Troy. Chairman Brown inquired
about any how much money is involved. Mr.
Van Donsel discussed that this does not involve much money at all, it was more
less a request to give additional notice.
He stated that it is not a large amount of money just an extra
opportunity for them. All members present voted in favor, none opposed; resolution approved.
3a.
Authorize Transfer of County
Property, 33 north Main Street, Homer – Mr. Daniels moved adoption;
seconded by Mr. Troy. Mr.
Schrader addressed his concerns about possibly changing some language as it
relates to the offer to purchase as referred to in the fourth whereas.
Mr. Van Donsel explained that the language could be put in the deed.
All members present voted in
favor, none opposed; resolution approved.
Mr. VanDee introduced the Consent Agenda, Items 4 through 7, and asked if there were any items to be pulled for discussion.
Mr. Daniels moved adoption of the Consent Agenda, with no resolutions being removed; seconded by Mr. Troy.
CONSENT AGENDA
Referred
from Health Committee:
4.
Abolish/Create/Create Health Department Part Time Public Health
Hospital Coordinator/Temporary Part Time Public Health Hospital
Coordinator/Assistant Director of Patient Services
Referred from
Human Services Committee:
5.
Create and Fill Position Area
Agency on Aging/Nutrition Program (Temporary Food Service Helper)
6.
Amend
2006 Budget Department of Social Services (Home Energy Assistance
Program/HEAP)
7.
Amend Budget Department of
Employment and Training (Title V – Senior Community Services Employment
Program)
All members voting in favor; none opposed; consent agenda adopted.
DISCUSSION/PRESENTATIONS/REPORTS:
1. Audit of Jail Medical Expenses - Mr. Whitt reported that in May the NYS Comptroller’s Office notified Chairman Brown, Mr. Schrader and Sheriff Price that they would conduct an audit of the medical expenditure for jail inmates. Carol Mattson of the NYS Comptroller’s Officer met with Sheriff Price, Mr. Whitt and staff from the Jail regarding this audit. Mr. Whitt explained that the purpose of the audit was to determine if there was money that could be recovered from the medical expenses of inmate that were covered under a health care program elsewhere. He further explained that the intent of the County Audit Office was to participate with the NYS Comptroller’s Office. Mr. Whitt stated that the official report has not been published yet because they are still conducting other audits in other counties. He explained that he has spoken with the NYS Comptroller’s Office and reported that there appears to be about $9,000 that can be reimbursed from federal programs and possible $2,000 to $3,000 to be recovered from hospital costs; a total of approximately $12,000 that could be recovered. Mr. Whitt also discussed the lack of a clear policy as to who should be processing the reimbursements for inmate’s medical expenses. He explained that as part of this audit there would be training from the state regarding reimbursements and a policy developed for the future. Mr. Whitt explained that this is an opportunity for the Sheriff’s Department to develop a process, which will save money for the County.
2. Audit, Child Protective Services – Mr. Whitt reported that an audit that was done in Broome County, Sullivan County and Cortland County regarding Child Protective Services. Mr. Whitt explained that the audit was regarding efficiency and money savings. Mr. Whitt distributed two reports. The first report distributed was Child Protect Services, Broome, Cortland and Sullivan Counties, which is a “global” report for the three counties. The second is Report Number: P4-5-59, which was addressed to the Chairman of the Legislature, Members of the Cortland County Legislature and Commissioner Kristen Monroe and is specific to Cortland County. Mr. Whitt suggested that the Committee Members read through the reports and have further discussions after everyone has had time review the contents. Mr. Whitt pointed out that the reports finds few faults and generally complimentary.
3. Appeal of FEMA funding decision– East River Road Bridge – Mr. Whitt reported on the appeal of the denial of FEMA funding for the East River Road Bridge. Mr. Whitt stated the bridge was damaged during the 2005 Flood and that documents concerning the repairs were sent to FEMA for reimbursement but the request for reimbursement was denied. Mr. Whitt distributed his memorandum titled FEMA Funding – East River Road Bridge from the Audit department. He explained that he and the County Administrator had met and prepared an appeal regarding FEMA’s decision to deny a $210,000 reimbursement request. He further discussed that based on this appeal; FEMA authorized an additional payment to the county of $210,000. Mr. Whitt reported that Mr. Schrader and Mr. Chambers met with representatives from FEMA and NYS Emergency Management Office. He explained that the County could be recovering another $238,000 based on the appeal for a total of $448,000. Mr. Whitt complimented Mr. Schrader for the aggressive work concerning the appeal process, stating that the benefit to the County could total $448,000.
Mr. Van Dee opened the floor for any other items to be discussed.
Mr. Troy made a motion to accept NYS Comptrollers Office - Child Protect
Services, Broome, Cortland and Sullivan Counties, NYS Comptrollers Office -
Report Number: P4-5-59, and Cortland County Auditor’s Memo, FEMA Funding –
East River Road Bridge to be received and filed by the committee; seconded by
Mr. Daniels. All
members voting in favor; none opposed; NYS Comptrollers Office - Child Protect
Services, Broome, Cortland and Sullivan Counties, NYS Comptrollers Office -
Report Number: P4-5-59, and Cortland County Auditor’s Memo, FEMA Funding –
East River Road Bridge were received and file by the Budget and Finance
Committee and will be on file in the Clerk of Legislature’s Office.
Mr. Schrader explained that one of the Cortland County’s Child Protective Services issues that were audited was regarding the provision of safety of children in a timely manner. He further discussed that they are in compliance with New York State according to this audit. He further discussed that the cases that were pulled and audited were in compliance. He explained that there is a sense of comfort as to how the County handles the case and the safety of the children involved in those cases.
Mr. Daniels made a motion to adjourn the meeting; seconded Mr. Troy. The meeting adjourned at 8:08 a.m.