Capital Program Discussion
Courthouse.

Ms. West spoke of the State’s court system’s space needs and said most of what they need can be accommodated by the Office for the Aging moving out of the building and if there is a centralized center for records storage. She said within a couple of years, however, the County will need to realize that the State’s criminal trial courtroom needs cannot be accommodated in the old courthouse. Although there is a courtroom and jury room there, the jury room is inadequate for a 12-person jury trial. She said the space could be modified to meet the State’s specifications but there is no security in that building either. Ms. West said the proposed capital program includes what it would cost. Ms. West said there needs to be an additional judge’s chambers because a Supreme Court Justice will be continuing for up to three more years. The Law Guardian’s Office is looking for new space so that Judge would take over that office. Ms. West noted Russ Oeshele of the New York State Court System has been very reasonable and has always been willing to work with the County.

Mr. Joseph asked why the County is being required to add another criminal trial courtroom. Ms. West responded that all counties in the State are required to have two of these courtrooms and that Tompkins is one of only two counties in the State who do not yet have two.

Mr. Kazda said space needs for the Board Office and Chambers can be met in the Old Library building. Although the needs could be met by renovating the Old Courthouse, items which have been identified by Board members as being important would be compromised.

Mr. Kazda said there are still concerns being expressed over the space in the County Clerk’s office and they are trying to address them. He said they believe they have identified the air quality problem, put in a new HVAC system, air tests have been conducted, and a buried tank was identified and removed. He said although they believe the problem has been eliminated, employees are still exhibiting some physical problems that the Engineering Division is trying to address. He said employees can become sensitized to a specific space.

Ellis Hollow Road Construction.
Mr. Todd said there is complete agreement by the Committee that reconstruction of Ellis Hollow Road needs to be done, however, they recognize that there are people in the community who do not agree with this project. Mr. Kazda said the project hasn’t reached the point where public meetings are held. He said it is normal for people to not fully understand why a project is being done at the beginning. He noted it is too premature at this point to get public input.

Mr. Joseph questioned why this is being proposed as a capital project and not part of the road program. Mr. Kazda said over the years they have been paving 15-20 miles of roadway. If the Department’s operating resources are devoted to doing a project like this, their regular program will be comprimised. He said they have been trying very hard and have been extremely successful with moving some of these projects into the state and federal budgets at 95 percent funding.

Mr. Proto asked about the MPO funding pool. Mr. Kazda said there may be some funding available through those types of projects; however, they are looking at needing to complete this within two to three years. He said if they were to wait for funding from the State or federal government, it could delay this project for up to ten years. He said the road may last for two years but they would have to invest $200,000 to get it to last for three years.

Mr. Penniman said he thinks there is a liability issue because of the condition of the road and feels a warning should be posted. He also asked what type of standards the Public Works Division is trying to achieve with County roads.

Mr. Kazda said they would like to develop a capital projects plan with the thought of pulling the entire the entire bridge and structures account out of the operating budget because those are projects that span years. Because they span years, the feel this money should be placed in a capital project account that would stand over time. He said there is a need to construct roadways at specific intervals. A lot of bridges were rebuilt in the 1960’s; that is why there seems to be a need to work on so many at the same time.

Mr. Proto said the demands on the County’s roads have changed over the years and feels more people will be using Ellis Hollow Road as a connector road.

Approval of Minutes of June 1, 2000

It was MOVED by Mr. Todd, seconded by Mr. Proto, and unanimously adopted by voice vote, to approve the minutes of June 1, 2000 as submitted. MINUTES APPROVED.

Report from the Finance Director

Mr. Squires distributed a Contingent Fund report dated June 15, 2000 and an Operating Budget Summary dated May 31, 2000. He reported on sales tax figures and said they are on target.

RESOLUTION NO. - APPROPRIATION FROM CONTINGENCY FUND - CREATION OF COMMUNITY JUSTICE DIRECTOR - COUNTY ADMINISTRATION

MOVED by Mr. Joseph, seconded by Ms. Davis.

Mr. Proto expressed concern that a position is being created without a program. He said he would be more comfortable if this were being proposed on a temporary basis before making a long-term commitment.

Mr. Benjamin said the goal of this is to accomplish a couple of things at the same time that are very much in conflict with the County’s budget policies. He suggested making these pilot programs and that they be required to show results that have been produced. He stated that to the extent the Board allows him, he wants to have program evaluations available during the discussion of possible construction of a new jail. He said the person who is hired is going to have to know a great deal about the criminal justice system.

Ms. Davis said the Board is charting in new territory and should have learned from the Workforce Development Center.

Mr. Joseph said it is important that whoever gets hired understand that the Board is prepared to fund this to start up and also is prepared to cut off funding if it doesn’t work out. There was discussion about what length of time the trial basis should be with suggestions ranging from 6 to 24 months.

It was MOVED by Ms. Davis to add the following wording: "That $68,684 be added to the Administration fiscal target as one-time to continue the program and position through December 31, 2001." MOTION DIED DUE TO LACK OF A SECOND.

It was MOVED by Ms. Davis, seconded by Mr. Todd, to add the following wording: "In addition to the $68,684 there would be a $37,606 target increase for next year for one year." A voice vote resulted as follows: Ayes – 3 (Davis, Penniman, and Todd); Noes – 2 (Joseph and Proto). MOTION CARRIED.

A voice vote on the resolution as amended resulted as follows: Ayes – 3, Noes – 1 (Proto); Excused – 1 (Penniman). MOTION CARRIED.

WHEREAS, the Public Safety Building (PSB) Space Study Committee has been charged with the responsibility of assessing the space needs for the Tompkins County Jail and to make recommendations for programs or interventions that can mitigate or address the amount of jail space required to meet the County's future needs, and

WHEREAS, the PSB Space Study Committee's research indicates that the creation of a Day Reporting Center as well as other Alternative to Incarceration (ATI), treatment, rehabilitation, and crime prevention programs have the potential to greatly reduce the size of the jail necessary to meet the County's future needs, and

WHEREAS, the County Board of Representatives will, in the upcoming County Budget process, be actively considering program proposals that will also be intended to reduce the need for additional jail bed space, and

WHEREAS, as a result, there will be an immediate need for an additional Administration staff planning resource person to provide the assessment, information gathering, committee guidance and ultimate Director management of these proposed ATI programs that are funded for the year 2001 and beyond, and

WHEREAS, this project is seen as a pilot project for eighteen months and will need to be given ample time to develop and show efficacy, generate appropriate reports - including evaluation of current and proposed initiatives, and also needs to be established as soon as possible, now therefore be it

RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Public Safety Building Space Study, Government Operations, and Budget and Fiscal Policy Committees, That the County appropriate $37,606 for County Budget year 2000 from the Contingent Fun to the County Administration budget to create a Community Justice Director through December 31, 2000, labor grade Q at 40 hours per week,

RESOLVED, further, That a one time 2001 Fiscal Target increase of $68,684 be approved for County Administration to continue this pilot program through December 31, 2001, and it is agreed that this new position shall, without further action by this Board, sunset on December 31, 2001.

Adjustments to be made by the Finance Director for Budget Year 2000:

From: Contingency Fund 1990.44400 $37,606

To: County Administration

1230.51000 July - December Salary (grade Q/40 hours @$53,699) $26,850

1230.58800 July - December Fringe 6,713

1230.52206 Computer Equipment 2,500

1230.52230 Computer Software 291

1230.52210 Office Equipment (desk, chairs, bookcase, file cabinet) 87

1230.54330 Printing 85

1230.54412 Travel/Training 100

1230.54414 Local Mileage 50

1230.54452 Postage 50

1230.54472 Telephone 180

TOTAL $37,606

SEQR ACTION: TYPE II-20

It was MOVED by Ms. Davis, seconded by Mr. Todd, and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present, to approve the following resolution and submit to the full Board:

RESOLUTION NO. – AUTHORIZATION FOR PUBLIC HEARING – TOMPKINS CORTLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE OPERATING AND CAPITAL BUDGETS – 200-2001
RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Budget and Fiscal Policy Committee, That a public hearing be held on Tuesday, July 18 at 5:30 p.m. at 5:30 o’clock in the evening thereof in Board Chambers of the Tompkins County Courthouse, 320 North Tioga Street, Ithaca, New York, concerning the 2000-2001 operating and capital budget requests for Tompkins Cortland Community College. At such time and place all persons interested in the subject matter will be heard concerning the same.

RESOLVED, further, That the Clerk of the Board is hereby directed to place such notice of public hearing in the official newspaper of Tompkins County.

Chair’s Report

Mr. Joseph said the Committee will consider acting on a resolution of intent for the tobacco money securitization at the next meeting. He referred to document he distributed with the agenda comparing the costs of securitization of tobacco settlement funds with general obligations bonds and said this explains his reasons for not supporting securitization. He feels that it would cost the County $1 million to let someone else assume the risks. He said he will explain this at the next Board meeting

Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 11:15 a.m.

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