August
16, 2007 at 7:30 am
DRAFT
MINUTES
Members: Ron Van Dee, Chairman; John Troy, Vice Chairman; Sean Clark, John Daniels, Dan Tagliente and Newell Willcox
Others Present: Marilyn Brown, Chairman of the Legislature; Scott Schrader, County Administrator; John Steger, Legislator; Richard C. Van Donsel, County Attorney; Katrina Spicer, Secretary to Administration; Don Ferris, County Treasurer; Dennis Whitt, County Auditor; William Cinquanti, Real Property Tax Services; Jim Dempsey, Cortland County Convention and Visitors Bureau; Corey Preston, Cortland Standard; Eric Mulvihill, WXHC; John Carroll, Kathryn Wilcox and Sandra Aloi
Absent:
Danny Ross
Mr. Van Dee called the meeting to order at 7:29 a.m.
Mr. Troy moved adoption of the
minutes of the July 19, 2007 meeting; seconded by Mr. Clark.
All members present voted in
favor; none opposed; minutes approved as printed.
Mr. Van Dee
stated that Kathryn Wilcox had requested a letter be attached to the minutes.
Mr. Van Dee distributed to all Committee Members a copy of the letter,
addressed to Cortland County Legislature, Budget & Finance Committee,
dated August 16, 2007, regarding the property at 17 Stewart Place, Cortland.
(labeled Attachment A)
BUDGET & FINANCE COMMITTEE RESOLUTIONS:
1. Designate Tourism Promotion Agency, Finger Lakes Tourism, Inc. Mr. Daniels moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Troy. No discussion occurred regarding this resolution. All members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.
2. Amend Agreement, Real Property Tax Services/Systems Development Group, Inc. Mr. Tagliente moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Troy. Mr. Troy inquired about the Annual SDG online support. Mr. Cinquanti explained this is to be paid in addition to the $4,800 payment. He described the software as being expensive and the purchasing of it being financed over five year at no interest; $4,800 annual payments. He further explained the $4,200 being a payment made for online support. Mr. Cinquanti discussed the cost of the software being offset by revenue gained from subscriptions. He also discussed the online services available to the public. Mr. Cinquanti extended an invitation to the members of the Budget & Finance Committee to stop by his office to see the software. All members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.
Mr. Van Dee introduced the Consent Agenda Items 3 through 9
Mr. Troy moved adoption of the Consent Agenda, with no exceptions; seconded by Mr. Daniels.
CONSENT AGENDA
Referred from General
Services Committee: None
Referred from Health
Committee:
3. Authorize Agreement/Accept Funds Health Department/Children with Special Needs (Children With Special Health Care Needs Grant)
4.
Authorize Agreement/Accept Funds Health Department/Administration/Special
Programs (Cancer Services Program)
Referred from Highway
Committee: None
Referred from Human
Services Committee: None
5. Amend Budget, Area Agency on Aging (Community Services for the Elderly Program Services)
6.
Amend Budget, Area Agency on Aging (Expanded In-home Services for the
Elderly)
Referred from Judiciary
& Public Safety Committee: None
Referred from Personnel
Committee:
7.
Accept LGRMIF, Amend Budget, County Clerk Project 0580-08-8421
8.
Accept LGRMIF, Amend Budget, County Historian Records Center Inventory
Referred from
Agriculture/Planning/Environment Committee:
9.
Accept Grant, Amend 2007 Budget, New York State Department of
Transportation Rural Transportation Assistance Program Cortland County
Planning Department
All members present voting in favor; none opposed; Consent Agenda adopted.
DISCUSSION:
1. Authorization for Chairman to execute Satisfaction of Mortgage, property at 17 Stewart Place, City of Cortland (pulled at the July 26, 2007 Legislative Session) Mr. Van Dee thanked Chairman Brown for providing Legislators with the packet of information regarding 17 Stewart Place, Cortland. Mr. Van Dee distributed information regarding property taxes on 17 Stewart Place, Cortland. (labeled Attachment B) He further discussed the back taxes owed on the property totaling $11,720.61 as of 9/1/7. Mr. Van Dee further discussed Mr. Van Donsel having a conflict in regards to this matter and stated that this was the reason Mr. Knickerbocker was hired by the County to look into this matter. Chairman Brown expressed that Mr. Knickerbocker would be at Legislative Session next week to discuss this. She added that she had discussed her concerns with Mr. Knickerbocker regarding who had the authority to do the demolition work inside the house. Mr. Van Dee addressed the issue regarding who has ownership of the property. Chairman Brown stated that Cortland County does not own the property and added that ownership remains with two deceased individuals who did not have Wills probated. Mr. Van Dee asked Mr. Van Donsel what date he received a letter in May from Mr. Knickerbocker regarding this property. Mr. Van Donsel explained the letter was received by him the same dated as on the letter, May 16, 2007. Mr. Van Dee inquired as to whom Mr. Van Donsel provided with a copy of the letter. Mr. Van Donsel explained that he provided a copy of the letter to Chairman Brown and to Mr. Van Dee. Mr. Van Dee discussed his filing system and attempts to locate this letter. Mr. Van Dee discussed the letter and stated the Legislators did not have all the information regarding 17 Stewart Place. Chairman Brown discussed the resolution should have gone before the Human Services Committee first since it was the Department of Social Services having the lien on the property. Mr. Van Dee distributed a copy of this letter to all members of the Budget & Finance Committee. (labeled Attachment C) Mr. Van Dee inquired about the legal rights of the County in regards to this property. He asked why this information did not go out. He also expressed that all the information should have been given out to everyone. Chairman Brown stated that the County doe not have the authority to release the lien that DSS has on the property. Mr. Van Dee expressed that he is glad that the Legislature is finally moving forward on this matter. He added that the money owed is the issue. Mr. Van Dee described himself as representing the City and discussed the money owed to the City of Cortland. Mr. Van Dee stated that he is a City of Cortland Representative. Chairman Brown added as a County Representative. Mr. Van Dee expressed that he would have liked to have all the information to discuss.
SUGGESTED LEGISLATIVE REVIEW:
No items were noted for suggested Legislative Review.
Mr. Van Dee adjourned the meeting at 7:40 a.m.
Discussions continued after
Mr. Van Dee adjourned the meeting.