March
15, 2007 at 7:30 am
DRAFT
MINUTES
Members: Ron VanDee, Chairman; John Troy, Vice Chairman; Sean Clark, Danny Ross, Dan Tagliente and Newell Willcox
Others Present: Marilyn Brown, Chairman of the Legislature; Scott Schrader, County Administrator; Sandy Price, Legislator; Carol Tytler, Legislator; Richard C. Van Donsel, County Attorney; Dennis Whitt, County Auditor; Katrina Spicer, Secretary to Administration; Don Ferris, County Treasurer; Carolyn Kennedy, Deputy County Treasurer; Sheriff Lee Price, Sheriff’s Department; Bob Duell, Fire & Emergency Management; Jim Dempsey; Convention and Visitors Bureau; Corey Preston, Cortland Standard; Eric Mulvihill, WXHC; and John Carroll
Absent:
John Daniels
Mr. Van Dee called the meeting to order at 7:30 a.m.
Mr. Troy moved adoption of the minutes of the February 16, 2007 meeting;
seconded by Mr. Clark. All
members present voted in favor; none opposed; minutes approved as printed.
BUDGET & FINANCE COMMITTEE RESOLUTIONS:
1. Authorize Payment Tompkins Cortland Community College (Operating Budget 2006-2007) – Mr. Tagliente moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Troy. No discussion occurred regarding this resolution. All members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.
2. Resolution of the Legislature of the County of Cortland, Extending Taxes on Sales and Uses of Tangible Personal Property and of Certain Services, and on Occupancy of Hotel Rooms and Amusement Charges, Pursuant to Article 29 of the Tax Laws of the State of New York – Mr. Tagliente moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Troy. No discussion occurred regarding this resolution. All members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.
3. Authorize Exemption From County Property Tax For Village of Marathon Real Property Utilized for Public Water and Waste Management System Located in the Town of Marathon – Mr. Troy moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Clark. No discussion occurred regarding this resolution. All members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.
4.
Authorizing an Agreement with Cortland County Convention and
Visitors Bureau
for Provision of Public Benefits Services For Promotion and Publicity – Mr. Troy moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Tagliente. No discussion occurred regarding this resolution. All members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.
5. Resolution directing County Treasurer to hold back last payment due to Highway Fund for FY 2006 – Mr. Troy moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Tagliente. Mr. Willcox made an inquiry in regards to which account the $79,000 is being placed. Mr. Schrader explained that actually the $79,000 is a deficit. All members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.
Mr. Van Dee introduced the Consent Agenda, Items 6 through 17, and asked if there were any items to be pulled for discussion.
Mr. Willcox requested that Consent Agenda Item Nos. 9, 11, 12, 14, 15 and 16 be removed and acted upon separately.
Chairman Brown requested that Consent Agenda Item No. 17 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. 9, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16 and 17.
Mr. Troy moved adoption of the Consent Agenda, with the exception of Agenda Item Nos. 9, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16 and 17, which were removed by the requests of Mr. Willcox and Chairman Brown to be acted upon separately; seconded by Mr. Tagliente.
CONSENT AGENDA
Referred from
Ag/Planning Committee: None
Referred from General
Services Committee: None
Referred from Health
Committee:
6. Authorize Agreement/Accept Funds Health Department/Nursing Division (Lead Poisoning Prevention Grant)
7.
Authorize Agreement/Accept Funds Health Department/ Jacobus Center
for Reproductive Health (State Grant)
Referred from Highway
Committee:
8. Transfer Funds,
Highway Department
9.
Authorize Agreement, Environmental Compliance Audit, Highway Department
Referred from Human
Services Committee:
10. Increase Hours, Area Agency on
Aging, Food Service Helper
11.
Accept Grant/Amend Budget Youth Bureau (“Healthy Heart” Grant) ~
Removed to be acted upon separately
Referred from Judiciary
& Public Safety Committee:
12.
Accept Grant Fire & Emergency Management Hazard Mitigation Grant
Program~ Removed to be acted upon separately
14.
Amend 2007 Budget/ Create Positions
Sheriff's Department/911 Center (Personal Services) ~ Removed to be
acted upon separately
15.
Authorize Grant Application
Sheriff's Department (Offender Watch) ~ Removed to be acted upon
separately
16.
Amend 2007 Budget Sheriff's
Department (Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee – STEP) ~ Removed
to be acted upon separately
Referred from Personnel Committee:
17.
Authorize Increase, County Clerk’s
Office, Cover Page Fee ~ Removed to be acted upon separately
All members voted in favor; none opposed; consent agenda adopted.
NON-CONSENT AGENDA
Referred from Highway
Committee:
9.
Authorize Agreement, Environmental Compliance Audit, Highway Department - Mr.
Troy moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Ross.
Mr. Willcox expressed that it was not clear to him why the County was
spending this $10,000. Chairman Brown inquired as to who mandates this and how
frequently it was required. Mr.
Willcox inquired further if this money was being spend in some way to protect
the County’s interests. Chairman
Brown and Mr. Willcox asked if this was annually.
Mr. Tagliente expressed that he believed that this was done annually.
Mr. Van Dee additionally explained that he believed that this is just a
different company than was used in the past.
He added that in the past he thought that the County used Barton and
Logudice for these services. Mr.
Schrader expressed that this is a new service that the Highway Department is
seeking. He further explained that this is for an audit in regards to
the new EPA compliance issues. He
further explained that Mr. Chambers has been made aware of new EPA compliance
regulations related to municipalities and that this audit would be completed
on a voluntary on the part of Cortland County.
Mr. Schrader explained further that if a non-compliant area were
discussed, the County would have the opportunity of correcting it before a
penalty was imposed. He further
stressed that if the EPA comes in a does an audit and an area of
non-compliance is discovered, the penalties could be severe.
All members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution
adopted.
Referred from Human
Services Committee:
11.
Accept Grant/Amend Budget Youth Bureau (“Healthy Heart” Grant) -
Mr. Troy moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Clark.
Mr. Willcox inquired about Gifts and Donations.
Mr. Schrader expressed that this grant is a gift from the Health
Department to the Youth Bureau to be used for signage on bicycle trails.
Ms. Price expressed that the signs were made by inmates in prison (not
from Cortland County) to try to help keep the costs low. All members present voting in favor; none opposed;
resolution adopted.
Referred from Judiciary
& Public Safety Committee:
12.
Accept Grant, Fire & Emergency Management Hazard Mitigation
Grant Program - Mr. Troy moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Clark.
Mr. Willcox inquired about what exactly the professional services will
be used for. Mr. Schrader
expressed that he will allow Mr. Duell to explain further but these funds
would be used in disaster mitigation and training.
Mr. Duell further expressed and discussed briefly that this is a
positive program and is being done by other surrounding counties.
All members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution
adopted.
14. Amend
2007 Budget/ Create Positions Sheriff's Department/911 Center (Personal
Services) - Mr. Troy moved
adoption; seconded by Mr. Clark. Chairman
Brown inquired if this includes the position of the person who is retiring.
Mr. Van Dee expressed that this is over and above.
Chairman Brown further inquired about the individual who is retiring
and was not dispatching. Sheriff
Price explained that these new positions will impact the 2008 budget.
Chairman Brown inquired about the affect these positions will have on
overtime. Sheriff Price explained
that the overtime should be significantly less.
Mr. Van Dee expressed that the decrease in overtime should offset the
cost of the new positions. Mr.
Willcox discussed that this has been a contentious issue for a longtime.
Sheriff Price explained that when the County took over dispatching for
the City of Cortland, he overlooked the impact it would have. He
further discussed that he was informed that this was to be a portion of the
sales tax negotiation between the County and the City.
Sheriff Price also discussed the 911 Surcharge funds that are collected
by the County. Sheriff Price
explained that this would allow for a supervisor to do more supervision and
training. He discussed the
training that is required of a dispatcher.
Mr. Willcox expressed that he is comfortable with part-time positions
but not with two full-time positions. Sheriff
Price expressed that part-time positions create managerial problems and
briefly discussed. Mr. Van Dee
expressed that money will be saved on overtime.
Chairman Brown inquired about the number of part-time dispatchers.
Shriff Price expressed that currently there are five part-timers.
Mr. Ross inquired about the annual impact this would have.
Mr. Schrader briefly explained, $85,000. Mr. Willcox inquired if Mr. Schrader’s position regarding
this had changed; part-time versus full-time.
Mr. Schrader expressed that he is in agreement with one new position
but not in agreement with two new full-time positions. Chairman Brown addressed her concerns regarding the two newly
proposed positions and not fully utilizing one position that is already there.
Mr. Schrader discussed utilizing one position that which is available
and adding one new position. He
further discussed revisiting this at budget time.
Chairman Brown discussed amending the resolution to reflect only
creating one new position and not two. Mr.
Van Dee expressed that it cannot be done in this Committee and further
discussed amending the resolution on the floor of the full Legislature.
Mr. Van Dee voted in favor; Mr. Clark, Mr. Ross, Mr. Tagliente, Mr.
Troy and Mr. Willcox were opposed; resolution failed.
15.
Authorize Grant
Application, Sheriff’s Department (Offender Watch) - Mr. Willcox moved
adoption; seconded by Mr. Troy. Mr.
Willcox inquired as to what Offender Watch is.
Mr. Schrader explained that it is a program that will show the address
of all Level 3 Sex Offenders which reside in Cortland County and this
information will be available online. Ms.
Price expressed that anyone who has access to the internet will be able to
access this. Mr. Willcox
expressed that he is not in support of this if there is no grant.
Mr. Schrader further explained that this is just in support of the
application for the grant. All
members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution adopted.
16.
Amen 2007 Budget, Sheriff’s
Department (Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee – STEP) - Mr. Troy
moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Clark. Mr.
Willcox inquired why this money is being placed in overtime. Mr. Schrader explained that when a grant, such as this, is
received the regular workforce is supplemented to enhance the supplemented
activities required in the grant. Sheriff
Price explained that this grant is to be used for the Tompkins Street/ Route
13 area. He added that additional
patrolling would be done in that area. Mr.
Willcox inquired about jaywalkers. Mr.
Price explained that the Sheriff’s Department has addressed it spoken with
many people regarding this. Committee
members discussed safety and crossing the road in that area.
All members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution
adopted.
Referred from Personnel Committee:
17.
Authorize Increase,
County Clerk’s Office, Cover Page Fee --
Mr. Troy moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Clark.
Chairman Brown inquired about these additional fees staying in the
County. Mr. Schrader expressed
that they would and that it is estimated to be about $40,000 annually.
All members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution
adopted.
DISCUSSION/REPORTS:
1. Update on Convention and Visitors Bureau, Jim Dempsey – Mr. Dempsey discussed research completed by Smith Travel in regards to revenue comparison and an increase in the recent years. He further discussed the fact there was a question in regards to the slow tart of the 2007 winter season but the reports that are in are showing that 2007 is ahead of where they were a year ago. He attributed this success to a large number of people working together.
2.
Recommendations
for 2007 Occupancy Tax Allocations – Mr. Dempsey discussed the Occupancy
Tax Allocation Committee and expressed that the committee formed two years
ago, at the recommendation of the County Legislature, to discuss the
distribution of the occupancy tax. He
further explained that the committee is comprised of three representatives
from the Chamber of Commerce, three representatives from the Convention and
Visitors Bureau and Mr. Dempsey, himself.
He explained that he does not have voting rights unless there is a tie
in voting and he will cast the vote to break a tie.
He further discussed the criteria involved in this committee’s
recommendations. Chairman Brown
inquired about the Main Street Series. Mr.
Dempsey explained that that funding is used to advertise events on Main Street
with the potential of bringing in additional revenue to Cortland.
He further discussed matching funds from New York State.
Mr. Schrader distributed a proposed occupancy tax distribution chart
for 2007. Mr. Schrader explained that this chart was developed after
discussions regarding occupancy tax took place in December.
Mr. Schrader expressed that the chart shows the recommendations of the
Occupancy Tax Allocation Committee. Mr.
Willcox inquired about why Mr. Schrader’s proposed allocation to the J. M.
McDonald Sports Complex is so much more that the recommendations of the
Occupancy Tax Allocation Committee. Mr.
Schrader explained that this was to match the funding from last year and
explained that the J. M. McDonald Sports Complex had made this request for
both last year and this year. Mr.
Dempsey expressed that he was in agreement with Mr. Schrader’s requests.
Mr. Van Dee discussed the J. M. McDonald Sports Complex and Ms. Price
inquired about how the sports complex did last year. Mr. Dempsey expressed that he did not have that information
but would obtain it. Chairman
Brown complimented the J. M. McDonald Sports complex and other Committee
members agreed and briefly discussed this.
Mr. Schrader discussed the J. M. McDonald Sports Complex and their need
for more visibility and advertisement of events.
Mr. Ross discussed that he is in favor of out of Cortland County
advertising. Mr. Clark explained
that the sports complex draws a large number from out of town.
Mr. Willcox inquired about the County auditing the sports complex.
Mr. Schrader explained that yes the County can.
Ms. Price expressed that she is not against the complex but she would
like to “get the best bang for a buck.”
Mr. Willcox inquired about funding for new events that may arise.
Mr. Dempsey explained that they do help out new events.
Mr. Schrader expressed that he is not in favor of last minute support
because there is an application process.
Mr. Van Dee inquired if Mr. Dempsey supports Mr. Schrader’s
recommendations. Mr. Dempsey stated that yes he does. Mr. Schrader suggested that changes be made to the resolution
that was passed earlier in the meeting; agenda item number 4, Authorizing an
Agreement with Cortland County Convention and Visitors Bureau for
Provision of Public Benefits Services For Promotion and Publicity.
Mr. Tagliente made a motion to amend Agenda Item Number 4,
Authorizing an Agreement with Cortland County Convention and Visitors Bureau for
Provision of Public Benefits Services For Promotion and Publicity to coincide
with the recommendations that were made by Mr. Schrader as reflected in the
document he distributed; seconded by Mr. Ross.
Mr. Dempsey inquired
if the contracting procedures will remain the same.
Mr. Schrader explained that they would.
Mr. Van Dee discussed the Occupancy Tax Allocation Committee
handling these allocations and being appointed by the Legislature. Mr. Ross inquired if there was a Legislature on the
committee. Mr. Dempsey expressed
that there was not on the Occupancy Tax Allocation Committee but Mr. Williams
was on the Convention and Visitors Bureau Board.
Mr. Schrader discussed making recommendations for additional
information in the application process. Mr.
Van Dee discussed looking at the Occupancy Tax Allocation Committee process in
the future. Mr. Dempsey expressed
that the Occupancy Tax Allocation Committee is work in progress.
He added that other counties, like Erie County, is looking at the way
Cortland County distributed the occupancy tax and using our process as an
example. Mr. Ross inquired about
the term on the committee. Mr.
Dempsey expressed that the terms are from year to year.
Mr. Troy inquired about the Celtic Festival.
Mr. Ross expressed that they are planning it downtown this year and
there will be no admission charged. Committee
members discussed the Celtic Festival. All
members present voting in favor; none opposed; amendment to Agenda Item Number
4, Authorizing an Agreement with Cortland County Convention and Visitors
Bureau for Provision of Public
Benefits Services For Promotion and Publicity adopted.
3. Bonding for Projects –Committee members discussed that this was inadvertently placed on the agenda and no discussion specifically occurred in regards to this item.
Letter regarding 12 Stewart Place, Cortland - Mr. Van Dee distributed and briefly discussed a letter that he and Mr. Troy received from Sandy Aloi regarding property on 12 Stewart Place, Cortland. Mr. Van Dee explained that he is not requesting any action from the Committee at this time but would ask that the Committee request the County Attorney to look into this. Mr. Schrader expressed that the County Attorney has a conflict with this. The Committee members, Mr. Schrader and Mr. Van Donsel discussed the conflict. Mr. Van Donsel expressed that he would have Mr. Knickerbocker investigate this if there were no objections. Committee members voiced no objection to having Mr. Knickerbocker looking into this matter for the County.
Richard McNeilly Agreement – Mr. Ferris discussed the agreement between Mr. McNeilly and Cortland County regarding auditing services. Mr. Tagliente discussed the status of the agreement. Mr. Van Donsel explained that there are no contracts being held up in his office. He also stated that there is not an open contract with Mr. McNeilly at this time. Committee members discussed the contract needed with Mr. McNeilly regarding auditing services. Mr. Van Donsel expressed that his office would expedite the contract.
Mr. Van Dee asked for a motion to adjourn. Mr. Clark made a motion to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Mr. Troy. Mr. Van Dee adjourned the meeting at 8:20 a.m.