Staff:      C. Covert, Clerk of the Legislature; D. Squires, Finance Director; C. Nelson, Public Works
Administrator; B. Eckstrom, Solid Waste Manager; K. McCarthy, Solid Waste Intern; M. Lynch, Public Information; P. Carey, Social Services Commissioner; J. Wood, County Attorney; P. Younger, Deputy County Administrator; A. LeMaro, Facilities Manager; R. Kissinger, Facilities Assistant Manager; E. Marx, Planning and Public Works Commissioner; E. Cree, Election Commissioner

Guests:  J. Dennis, Legislator

Called to Order

 The meeting was called to order at 3:30 p.m.

Changes to Agenda

 The following items were added to the agenda:

· Assessment – Transfer (information only)
· Resolution – Authorizing the County Administrator to Enter into a Lease for Property Located on Elmira Road in Ithaca

Chair’s Report

 Ms. Herrera spoke about a report entitled Deter, Defect, and Defend Avoid ID Theft that she will refer to the Public Information Advisory Board for review.  There is a website and video as well that discusses identity theft.  She also reported on a project she did as an independent study at Cornell University and would be willing to give Committee members a presentation at the end of this meeting if interested.  The topics include  some of the issues this Committee addressed such as Internet access and bandwidth usage and the e-mail issues and the process that followed at the County level.  The final item she mentioned was the Committee’s meeting in December.  She will be canceling the last meeting, but will request a meeting be held prior to the December 19th Legislature meeting if necessary.

 Ms. Kiefer referenced a local law recently passed by the Town of Ithaca called Notification of Information Security Breaches which references identity theft. She asked if the County was moving forward in this direction.  Mr. Wood said he has spoken with Mr. Potter, Director of Information Technology Services, about this and noted Mr. Potter is drafting a policy for his review and will be forwarded to the appropriate Legislative Committee and the Legislature for approval.

Report from the County Administrator

 Ms. Younger, Deputy County Administrator, said she did not have a report.

Report from the County Attorney

 Mr. Wood said he did not have a report, but would like the Committee to consider renewing the lease for the property located on Elmira Road for one year.  The current lease expires December 31, 2006.

 Ms. Kiefer asked about the status of the County Attorney’s reorganization plan for his department as referenced in the October Committee minutes.  Mr. Wood said he hopes to have a plan to present at the next meeting.

Report from the Finance Director

 Mr. Squires distributed a copy of the current listing of properties in foreclosure.  The final date to pay is January 10, 2007.  There is one property on the list that was in foreclosure two years ago and the owner(s) had an agreement that had been paid off.  The same individual(s) is in default again and would like to enter into another agreement.  Mr. Squires said an agreement will be done, but noted that part of the agreement is that current taxes are paid.

 Mr. Squires also provided an update on the TCAT bus pass pilot program and distributed copies of the number of riders noting they are down.  One reason the numbers are down is that it was discovered the Library employees were getting passes, however, now they are not as they are not part of the program.  This subject was raised at the Department Head meeting and the consensus is the program should continue.  The Department Heads also heard a report on sustainability and Mr. Squires believes there is a connection between the two.  He will discuss the issue of extending the bus pass program another six months when the County Administrator returns.

 Ms. Herrera said she likes the idea of the bus pass pilot program continuing and would encourage a discussion with the sustainability team to see what the value is to County employees and taxpayers.

Report from the Public Information Officer

 Ms. Lynch said she did not have a report.  The next Public Information Advisory Board meeting is December 14th.

Approval of Minutes

 Approval of the minutes of August 16, October 17 and 18, 2006 were deferred to the next meeting.

Sustainability Program

 Resolution
 Mr. Marx provided an explanation of the resolution and an overview of the history.  The program aims at all elements and levels of the County organization.  County staff and others involved are extremely enthusiastic and he does not see any downsides at all.  There have been many items initiated already.  In most cases, these types of programs result in actual cost savings or cost-neutral approaches.  Mr. Marx believes an endorsement and support from the Legislature would be very meaningful to employees in terms of their involvement with this program.

 Ms. Kiefer asked if there were any mechanisms for appointing individuals outside County employment.  Mr. Marx said the County Administrator will be making the appointments and can appoint anyone.  This program needs to operate primarily within County government but there will be a number of opportunities to work with other entities such as the City, Cornell University, and Ithaca College and feels there will be productive interaction with their programs.

 It was MOVED by Mr. Randall, seconded by Ms. Kiefer, and unanimously adopted by voice vote, to approve and submit the following resolution to the full Legislature for approval:
RESOLUTION NO.    - IN SUPPORT OF A SUSTAINABILITY PROGRAM FOR TOMPKINS COUNTY GOVERNMENT

WHEREAS, sustainability is often defined as meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs, and
WHEREAS, Tompkins County should promote sustainable practices including social, environmental, and economic stewardship to benefit future generations and to inspire other municipalities, public and private entities, and residents, and
WHEREAS, individuals from several County departments and Cooperative Extension’s Energy Smart Program have identified the need to develop a program to promote sustainable practices by Tompkins County government, and
WHEREAS, this group, referred to as the Sustainability Team, has defined sustainable practices as including:
· Reduction of green house gases and environmental toxins through energy reduction and conservation in county facilities and fleets and utilization of alternative and renewable energy sources and applications
· Solid waste reduction through increased reuse and recycling
· Environmentally preferable purchasing programs
· Employee involvement, participation, and endorsement
· A comprehensive approach to efficient infrastructure design and service delivery processes
· Protection of natural resources and development of communities in accordance with the Principles and Policies of the Tompkins County Comprehensive Plan
, and
WHEREAS, several initiatives and significant actions have been and continue to be underway in these areas through implementation of the Local Action Plan to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions for County Government Operations (2003), the Tompkins County Comprehensive Plan (2004), and the 20-Year Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plan (1993), all of which have been adopted by the Tompkins County Legislature, and
WHEREAS, it is recognized that further development and implementation of these and additional sustainability practices will require involvement, participation, and endorsement at all levels of the County organization, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Government Operations Committee, That a Tompkins County Sustainability Team be appointed by the County Administrator,
RESOLVED, further, That the charge to the Sustainability Team is to develop an action plan to promote sustainable practices by Tompkins County government,
RESOLVED, further, That the Sustainability Team shall report progress on the sustainability plan to the Legislature annually by Earth Day.
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Presentation - Organizational Development Initiatives

 Ms. Younger provided a presentation on “Organizational Effectiveness” and the framework she has been developing in moving the process forward.  The following information was distributed and reviewed:

Strength-based Organization Transformation
(vs. deficit-based change management)
· Concentrate on interventions that appreciate the strengths that people bring to the table.
· Introduce approaches that best capitalize on these strengths to accomplish organizational goals.
Getting to Know the TC Organization
· Department visits/tours
· Meeting with various management teams
· Participating in various Standing Committee meetings, cabinet meetings, and other ad hoc meetings
· Meeting one-on-one with each member of the Legislature

The “Collective YOU” seems to have great interest in:
· A new employee orientation program that really introduces one to the organization.
· A unified approach to performance reviews, stressing a strength-based focus that truly supports professional development.
· Easy-to-use processes and tools for insightful, strategic planning that start with the “end in mind” and define quality results in “measurable terms that make sense and that continually inform.”
· A process for assessing learning needs and designing a comprehensive training response that focuses on building organization capacity.
· A process for standardizing resource development practices “so that we’re not competing with each other for the same slice of the pie.”
· An organizational environment that allows for “a good laugh every now and then.” (climate survey)

Core Performance Dimensions for Developing Organizational Effectiveness:
· Customer Service – acknowledgment of principal internal/external customers and stakeholders, and understanding their needs and expectations; developing programs/service structures that meet customer needs and/or are responsive to emerging trends.
· Budget Development and Management – processes for determining projected costs, equipment, and resources; tracking actual spending; and monitoring spending rate against program and performance objectives.
· Policy and Procedures – rules of practice for ensuring consistency in the planning and delivery of services, including scope statements, action plans, WSB (schedules), timelines, etc.
· Quality Assurance/Risk Management – performance tools that relate efforts to accomplishments, and processes for identifying, controlling, eliminating or minimizing uncertain events that may affect resources and/or outcomes.
· Staffing and Team Confidence – a good complement of skills and experience needed to perform the work at the quality level prescribed, and positive group dynamics that embrace diversity, inclusivity, and collaboration.

Discussion followed concerning support for moving forward and next steps.  Mr. Dennis said he would like staff to be invested in this and is willing to make a commitment to do this and support it.    Ms. Herrera said in terms of performance reviews this could provide the necessary tool(s) and also supports the approach of a strength-based organization.  Ms. Kiefer believes the approach as presented is sensible and is supportive of it.  Mr. Randall also spoke in support of the strength-based approach.

A brief discussion followed concerning program evaluations and the need for the Legislature to first prioritize topics and then ask the questions of what does the Legislature need, what does it need to know, and where is it the Legislature is trying to get.

 Ms. Younger said her next step is to meet with the Department Heads in December and have mini dialogue groups and brainstorm some of the ideas mentioned above and discuss and review a planned approach, for example expanding the orientation program.

 Mr. Stevenson was excused at 4:37 p.m.

Board of Elections

 Transfer
 It was MOVED by Mr. Sigler, seconded by Mr. Randall, and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present, to approve and submit the following transfer to the full Legislature for approval:

Revenue Acct              Title                   Amt   Approp Acct  Title______
1450.54400    Program Expenses     $10,000 1450.51000793    Sr. Voting Machine Tech.
1450.54400    Program Expenses     $  1,000 1450.58800          Fringes
1450.51000175    Deputy Commissioner     $  3,177 1450.51000201    Commissioner of Elections
1450.51000691    Sr. Clerk      $  2,588 1450.51000201    Commissioner of Elections
1450.54432    Rent       $  2,800 1450.51000201    Commissioner of Elections
1450.54422    Equipment Maintenance $  2,412 1450.58800    Fringes
1450.54422    Equipment Maintenance $  3,385 1450.51000201    Commissioner of Elections
Explanation:  Positions were created in order to pay Sr. Voting Machine Technicians (payment could not be made by voucher); to cover fringes for non-benefit employees; to cover reclassification of Commissioners, excess money because position started at hire rate; To cover reclassification of Commissioners, towns were paying rent to polling sites, election law states not required to pay rent to school and fire department; State voted to pick up a portion of the costs of statewide database.

Year-End Resolutions

 It was MOVED by Ms. Kiefer, 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 NO.  - RETURNED SCHOOL TAXES

 WHEREAS Article 13 of the Real Property Tax Law authorizes school district tax collectors to submit by November 15th a listing of unpaid taxes to the County Treasurer for enforcement, and
 WHEREAS the County guarantees the school districts payment of the unpaid taxes by April 1 of the year following the return, now therefore be it
 RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Government Operations Committee, That the Director of Assessment of the County be and hereby is authorized and directed to add to the respective 2007 tax rolls the amount of the uncollected school taxes that remain unpaid and that have not been heretofore relevied on town tax rolls and that have been returned by the collectors of the various districts, exclusive of the Ithaca City School District, to the County Finance Director and that said returned school taxes be reassessed and relevied on town tax rolls as they are returned, and that said school taxes returned in 2006 be reassessed and relevied upon the lots and parcels so returned with 12.0 percent annual interest in addition thereto.
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 It was MOVED by Ms. Kiefer, seconded by Mr. Sigler, and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present, to approve and submit the following resolution to the full Legislature for approval:

RESOLUTION NO.  - RETURNED VILLAGE TAXES

 WHEREAS Article 14 of the Real Property Tax Law authorizes village tax collectors to return to the County Treasurer a listing of unpaid taxes for enforcement, and
 WHEREAS the Villages of Cayuga Heights, Dryden, Freeville, Groton, Lansing, and Trumansburg are authorized to submit their unpaid taxes to the County for enforcement, now therefore be it
 RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Government Operations Committee, That the Director of Assessment of the County be and hereby is authorized and directed to add to the respective 2007 tax rolls the amount of the uncollected village taxes that remain unpaid and that have not been heretofore relevied on town tax rolls and that have been returned by the village tax collectors of the various villages to the County Finance Director, and that said returned village taxes be reassessed and relevied on town tax rolls as they are returned and that said returned village taxes be reassessed and relevied upon the lots and parcels so returned with 12.0 percent annual interest in addition thereto.
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 It was MOVED by Mr. Randall, seconded by Ms. Kiefer, and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present, to approve and submit the following resolution to the full Legislature for approval:

RESOLUTION NO.  - ADOPTION OF APPORTIONMENT OF TAXES FOR 2007

 WHEREAS, the report of equalization rates and totals (footings) of assessment rolls has been prepared and approved by the Assessment Director, now therefore be it
 RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Government Operations Committee, That the report of the Director of Assessment be accepted and adopted, and the valuation of real property and franchise be based on the 2007 final assessed values for the purposes of general tax levied against the several tax districts of the County and that the values determined therein be set forth as the basis for such general and highway tax levies for the year 2007,
 RESOLVED, further, That several amounts therein listed for State tax and County tax for general County purposes for 2006 be assessed against, levied upon, and collected from taxable property of the several towns and City liable therefore.
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 It was MOVED by Ms. Kiefer, seconded by Mr. Randall.  Mr. Randall asked if it was necessary to approve this resolution every year and questioned whether the Rules of the Legislature or Charter could be amended authorizing the Clerk of the Legislature to make manifest errors in minutes and reports.  Mr. Wood felt that could be an option; Ms. Herrera recommended this could be looked at in the future.  A voice vote resulted as follows:  Ayes – 4, Noes – 0, Excused – 1 (Stevenson).  RESOLUTION CARRIED.

RESOLUTION NO.  - CORRECTION OF ERRORS

 WHEREAS, it is important that official minutes and reports be accurately written, now therefore be it
 RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Government Operations Committee, That the Clerk of the Legislature be and hereby is authorized to correct any manifest errors in the 2007 minutes of the Legislature or in reports of any committees.
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 It was MOVED by Mr. Randall, seconded by Ms. Herrera, and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present, to approve and submit the following resolution to the full Legislature for approval.  Ms. Kiefer noted she was supportive of the resolution although not enthusiastically as legal notices are not posted prominently in the newspaper.

RESOLUTION NO.   - DESIGNATION OF NEWSPAPER

 WHEREAS, the Tompkins County Legislature must annually designate an official newspaper, now therefore be it
 RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Government Operations Committee, That the official newspaper for the County of Tompkins for the publication of all local laws, notices and other matters required by law to be published pursuant to County Law, Article 5, Section 214, Subdivision (2), and Local Law No. 1 of 1992 be designated from January 1, 2007, to December 31, 2007, as follows:
The Ithaca Journal, Ithaca, New York
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* * * * * * * * * *

 It was MOVED by Mr. Sigler, seconded by Ms. Kiefer, and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present, to approve and submit the following resolution to the full Legislature for approval.  Ms. Kiefer noted the Committee has not been receiving the reports monthly.

RESOLUTION NO. - DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY TO AUTHORIZE CERTAIN TAX REFUNDS AND CREDITS OF $2,500 AND UNDER

WHEREAS, Section 554 of the Real Property Tax Law authorizes a tax-levying body to delegate the correction of tax rolls due to a clerical error, an error in essential fact, or an unlawful entry (an unlawful entry is any information on the tax roll that violates the Real Property Tax Law), and
 WHEREAS, Section 556 of the Real Property Tax Law authorizes a tax-levying body to delegate the payment of tax refunds due to a clerical error, an error in essential fact, or an unlawful entry, and
 WHEREAS, it is the opinion of the Government Operations Committee, that such delegation would be more efficient in processing said refunds and therefore beneficial to the taxpayer, now therefore be it
 RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Government Operations Committee, That the County Director of Assessment shall transmit corrections and/or refund recommendations to the County Administrator,
 RESOLVED, further, That the County Administrator is hereby authorized to allow payments of bills where recommended refund or credit is $2,500 or less, without prior audit by the tax-levying body, in compliance with Paragraph 9 (a), (c) of Section 554, and Paragraph 8 (a), (c), (d), and Paragraph 9 and 10 of Section 556 of the Real Property Tax Law,
 RESOLVED, further, That any refund or credit over $2,500 must be approved by the Tompkins County Legislature pursuant to Paragraph 8 (a), 9, and 10 of Section 566 of the Real Property Tax Law, except for refunds amounting over $2,500 as a result of Real Property Tax Law Article 7 litigation ordered by the New York State Supreme Court,
 RESOLVED, further, That the County Administrator shall transmit on or before the 15th day of each month a report to the Tompkins County Legislature of all the corrections and refunds processed,
 RESOLVED, further, That this resolution shall only be in effect during the calendar year 2007.
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 It was MOVED by Mr. Randall, seconded by Mr. Sigler, and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present, to approve and submit the following resolution to the full Legislature for approval:

RESOLUTION NO.  - DATE OF ORGANIZATION MEETING

 RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Government Operations Committee, That in accordance with Section 151 of County Law, the organization meeting of the Tompkins County Legislature shall be held in the Legislative Chambers of the Tompkins County Courthouse, Ithaca, New York on Tuesday, January 2, 2007, at 5:30 o’clock in the evening thereof.
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 It was MOVED by Mr. Sigler, seconded by Mr. Randall.  It was MOVED by Ms. Kiefer to change the November 7th date to November 6th.  MOTION FAILED DUE TO LACK OF A SECOND.

 It was MOVED by Ms. Kiefer, seconded by Mr. Sigler, to collapse the July 17 and August 7 into one meeting on July 24th.  A voice vote resulted as follows:  Ayes – 3 (Kiefer, Randall, and Sigler); Noes – 1 (Herrera); Excused – 1 (Stevenson).  AMENDMENT CARRIED.

A voice vote resulted as follows on the resolution as amended:  Ayes – 3 (Kiefer, Randall, and Sigler); Noes – 1 (Herrera); Excused – 1 (Stevenson).  RESOLUTION CARRIED.

RESOLUTION NO.    - ESTABLISHING 2007 MEETING DATES

 RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Government Operations Committee, That the 2007 regular meetings of the Tompkins County Legislature are as follows:
 Tuesday,  January 2,  2007 at 5:30 p.m.
 Tuesday, January 16, 2007 at 5:30 p.m.
 Tuesday, February 6, 2007 at 5:30 p.m.
 Tuesday,  February 20,  2007 at 5:30 p.m.
 Tuesday, March 6, 2007 at 5:30 p.m.
 Tuesday, March 20, 2007 at 5:30 p.m.
 Tuesday,  April 3,  2007 at 5:30 p.m. (Passover)
 Tuesday, April 17, 2007 at 5:30 p.m.
 Tuesday, May 1, 2007 at 5:30 p.m.
 Tuesday,  May 15,  2007 at 5:30 p.m.
 Tuesday, June 5, 2007 at 5:30 p.m.
 Tuesday, June 19, 2007 at 5:30 p.m.
 Tuesday, July 3, 2007 at 5:30 p.m.
 Tuesday, July 24, 2007 at 5:30 p.m.
 Tuesday,  August 21, 2007 at 5:30 p.m.
 Tuesday, September 4, 2007 at 5:30 p.m.
 Tuesday,  September 18,  2007 at 5:30 p.m.
 Tuesday, October 2, 2007 at 5:30 p.m.
 Tuesday, October 16, 2007 at 5:30 p.m.
 Wednesday,  November 7,  2007 at 5:30 p.m.  (Tuesday, November 6 - Election Day)
 Tuesday, November 20, 2007 at 5:30 p.m.
 Tuesday, December 4, 2007 at 5:30 p.m. (Hanukkah begins at sundown)
 Tuesday,  December 18,  2007 at 5:30 p.m.
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County Attorney

 Resolution – Lease Renewal
 Following a brief explanation by Mr. Wood, it was MOVED by Mr. Randall, seconded by Ms. Kiefer, and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present, to approve and submit the following resolution to the full Legislature for approval:

RESOLUTION NO.      – AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TO ENTER INTO A LEASE FOR PROPERTY LOCATED ON ELMIRA ROAD IN ITHACA

 WHEREAS, Will-Ridge Associates, LLC (a company associated with Benderson Development Corporation) has constructed a retail commercial development on Elmira Road in the City of Ithaca including a road providing access to the development and a sign for advertising purposes, on an irregularly shaped .25 acre parcel, which parcel is owned by Tompkins County and located in a heavily developed urban corridor, and
 WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca has advised that the City has no interest in purchasing the property or in delaying a sale of said property, and
 WHEREAS, the County and Will-Ridge executed a lease Agreement commencing January 1, 2006, for a period of one year, and
 WHEREAS, the County desires fair compensation for the use of its property, now therefore be it
 RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Government Operations Committee, That the County Administrator is authorized to enter into an agreement to extend the lease for up to one year.
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Approval of Appointments

 It was MOVED by Mr. Sigler, seconded by Mr. Randall, and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present, to approve and submit the following appointments to the full Legislature for approval:

Library Board of Trustees
Michelle Benedict-Jones – term expires December 31, 2007

Terms expire December 31, 2009
Thomas B. Colbert
Barbara Page
Michael Stamm
Rochelle E. Proujansky
John H. Vineyard

Public Information Advisory Board
Terms expire December 31, 2008
Charles W. Broadhead – At-large representative
William (J.R.) Clairborne, Jr. – At-large representative

Review of 2006 Goals

 At this time, Ms. Herrera briefly reviewed the Committee’s goals and provided an overview of the actions and discussion areas on various topics the Committee had during the year.

Adjournment

 The meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m.