Called to Order

 Ms. Herrera, Chair, called the meeting to order at 5:03 p.m.

Additions/Deletions to the Agenda

 Mr. Whicher provided information regarding modified assessment figures to Committee members.

 Ms. Herrera spoke of the October 18 agenda item relating to Rule VII – Rules of Voting, noting that following discussions among fellow Legislators there was agreement that the resolution should be set aside for the balance of the year and discussed in 2007.  She will poll members of the Committee to determine their preference.

RESOLUTION NO.     -   IN SUPPORT OF THE COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS’ GRANT APPLICATION FOR NEW YORK STATE SHARED MUNICIPAL SERVICES PROGRAM – LOCAL HEALTH INSURANCE INCENTIVE AWARD

 It was MOVED by Mr. Stevenson, seconded by Mr. Randall, and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present, to approve and submit the following resolution to the full Legislature for approval.  RESOLUTION APPROVED.

WHEREAS, the County of Tompkins has joined the Tompkins County Council of Governments, and
WHEREAS, the Council of Governments has resolved to apply for an incentive award under the New York State Shared Municipal Services Program, and
WHEREAS, the grant will assist the municipalities in Tompkins County to create a local health consortium, and
WHEREAS, the health care consortium will seek to develop health care coverage for all municipalities with the intent to provide a net savings to the taxpayers of Tompkins County, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Government Operations Committee, That the County of Tompkins shall be designated as the Lead Applicant and that the County Administrator is Authorized to act as the contact person for this grant,
RESOLVED, further, That the County Administrator or his designee is hereby authorized to act on behalf of the County to all matters related to this grant.
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RESOLUTION NO.         -  APPOINTMENT OF ELECTION COMMISSIONER FOR 2007- 2008

 It was MOVED by Ms. Kiefer, seconded by Mr. Stevenson, to approve and submit the following resolution to the full Legislature for approval.  A brief discussion took place during which it was noted that Ms. Cree’s appointment expires December 2007.  It was suggested that perhaps the appointment could be extended to a four-year term, and if a decision is made to do so, the Republican Election Commissioner’s position should also be extended to a four-year term.  No recommendation to extend the position to a four-year term was offered.  A voice vote on the resolution resulted as follows:  Ayes – 4 (Legislators Herrera, Kiefer, Randall, and Stevenson); Noes – 0; Excused – 1 (Legislator Sigler).  RESOLUTION APPROVED.

 WHEREAS, Election Commissioner Stephen DeWitt's term is due to expire December 31, 2006, and
WHEREAS, the Tompkins County Democratic Committee, at its September 20, 2006, meeting recommended Stephen M. DeWitt for reappointment to a two-year term, now therefore be it
 RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Tompkins County Democratic Committee and the Government Operations Committee, That Stephen M. DeWitt be and hereby is appointed Democratic Party Elections Commissioner for the two-year term commencing January 1, 2007, and ending December 31, 2008.
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RESOLUTION NO.    – URGING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO COMMENCE A HUMANE, ORDERLY, AND COMPREHENSIVE WITHDRAWAL OF UNITED STATES MILITARY PERSONNEL AND BASES FROM IRAQ

 Ms. Herrera said the resolution was submitted to the Legislature by Peter and Donald Quinn-Jacobs, and subsequently referred to the Committee for consideration.

 It was MOVED by Ms. Kiefer, seconded by Ms. Herrera, to recommend approval of the following resolution to the full Legislature.  The Committee received information on updated figures contained within the resolution.   Ms. Kiefer also desired to amend item 2 in the second WHEREAS, to read “hundreds of thousands of Iraqi citizens.”  The recommendations, with the exceptions of Ms. Kiefer’s suggested amendment for item 2, second WHEREAS, were accepted as friendly.

 Mr. Stevenson spoke of his contact with constituents in Newfield and Enfield, stating that often they indicated their lack of support for Legislature time being spent on issues such as the one before the Committee.  He said that given the present budgetary work being done this is a very bad time to bring forward such an item; he does not believe the Legislature should take up the topic.  For the reasons stated, he will not support the resolution.

 Mr. Sigler arrived at this time (5:15 p.m.).

 Ms. Herrera said this discussion is similar to what will occur on the floor of the Legislature.

 Mr. Randall does not feel the County Legislature should take up the issue; he believes his feelings are shown when he personally votes in Federal elections.  He will not support the motion as he believes it to be inappropriate.

 Mr. Sigler will not support the resolution.  He said there will be two varied opinions and is not a matter for discussion.  He will not debate the issue as there is not a legal question involved.

 Ms. Herrera said she would support the resolution with a suggested amendment indicating the Legislature is making the request and that it does not imply that all citizens of the County are in agreement, which was considered friendly.  She stated the cost of the war is undeniably a cost within the budget and it does come down to the local level; however, although there are costs, some may believe it to be an appropriate war to be involved in.

 A voice vote on the motion resulted as follows:  Ayes – 2 (Legislators Herrera and Kiefer); Noes – 3 (Legislators Randall, Sigler, and Stevenson).  RESOLUTION LOST.

 WHEREAS, the Tompkins County Legislature strongly supports the men and women serving in the United States Armed Forces in Iraq and recognize the sacrifices that each of them is making, and
 WHEREAS, the war and the occupation of Iraq:
1. Have caused the deaths of over 2,700, and serious injury to over 20,000 of our young soldiers;
2. Have resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of Iraqi civilians, and the devastation of Iraqi infrastructure;
3. Have created a training and recruitment ground for terrorists;
4. Have already cost more than three-hundred-seventy billion dollars, of which Tompkins County’s share is over $145 million, money that could be spent at home for education, health care, and property tax relief,
now therefore be it
 RESOLVED, That the Legislature of Tompkins County, on behalf of the people of Tompkins County urges our Federal government to commence a humane, orderly, and comprehensive withdrawal of United States military personnel and bases from Iraq,
 RESOLVED, further, That the Tompkins County Legislature directs the Clerk of the Legislature to send a copy of this resolution to President George W. Bush, U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, Senator Charles Schumer, Senator Hillary Clinton, Congressman Maurice Hinchey, and Congressman Sherwood Boehlert.
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 Ms. Herrera reiterated the information provided regarding the October 18th Rule VII – Rules of the Legislature for Mr. Sigler’s benefit.  In addition, information regarding an amended assessment value report will be discussed.

 Ms. Kiefer expressed disappointment that additional material regarding Rule VII – Rules of Voting was not attached to the agenda.  Ms. Herrera said it was her decision as Chair, based on discussions with the Chair of the Legislature, not to do so.

Adjournment

 On motion, the meeting adjourned at 5:20 p.m.