Present: M. Koplinka-Loehr, Chairman; G. Totman; P. Penniman; D. Kiefer (arrived at 12:06 p.m.)
Excused: S. Davis
Staff: R. Erb, County Administrator; D. Squires, Finance Director; W. Skinner, Public Information Coordinator; S. Whicher, Assessment Director; J. Wood, Deputy County Attorney; A. Fitzpatrick, Personnel Commissioner; J. Smith, Personnel Intern
Called to Order
The was called to order at 12:04.
Changes to the Agenda
The following item was added to the agenda:
Resolution - Amending the Rules of the Board of Representatives
Committee Chair Report
Mr. Koplinka-Loehr said he did not have report.
County Administrator's Report
Mr. Erb said he did not have a report.
Finance Director's Report
Mr. Squires gave the committee an update on the status of the proposed agreement with the City to handle their foreclosures. A draft agreement was sent to the City for their review. One issue that has been raised but he feels can be resolved is the City's process is ahead of the County's. The City elects to foreclose within two years whereas the County's process is to foreclose within three years for residential and two years for commercial.
Ms. Kiefer arrived at 12:06 p.m.
Mr. Squires also mentioned that his Department is sending out delinquent tax letters for the Ithaca City School District.
Public Information Officer's Report
Ms. Skinner said she did not have a report but the next meeting of the Public Information Advisory Board is next Friday. Ms. Kiefer asked if she has received any responses from Board members about utilizing her services. Ms. Skinner said she has seen greater awareness.
Approval of Minutes
It was MOVED by Mr. Totman, seconded by Mr. Penniman, and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present, to approve the minutes of the January 12th meeting as corrected (corrected copy is on file with the Clerk of the Board).
Personnel Intern
Ms. Fitzpatrick, Personnel Commissioner, introduced an intern who will be working in the Personnel Department. His name is Joseph Smith, a senior at Ithaca College; he has worked with Tompkins County government previously including the neighborhood project at the Department of Social Services.
Report on County-Owned Lands being Considered for Auction
At this time the Committee reviewed and discussed at length the report for the 2000 public auction on foreclosed real property that had been previously withheld from auction for further investigation. A copy of the report is attached to the original minutes on file with the Clerk of the Board.
Ms. Kiefer recommended that a phone call be made to the Department of Environmental Conservation regarding parcel 63-1-2 in addition to the two letters that were sent.
There was discussion concerning the Town of Dryden parcel 24-1-17.1. Ms. Kiefer requested to see a more current map of this parcel and the relevant unique natural areas. Mr. Wood said he would give the committee an update via memorandum on the status and ownership of the Town of Dryden property.
Assessment Department
Local Laws
Mr. Wood presented
the committee with copies of the following three proposed local laws:
Ms. Kiefer said she would like to see the information about the impact from Mr. Whicher before the committee acts on the two laws pertaining to tax exemptions for senior citizens and disabled persons.
It was MOVED by Mr. Penniman, seconded by Mr. Totman, and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present, to approve the local law providing for tax exemption for historic properties.
The committee requested the other two local laws come back to the March 2 meeting for consideration. Mr. Whicher agreed to provide the impact information.
Revaluation
Mr. Whicher
distributed copies of the Revaluation Summary and Analysis Report for the
Year 2000 and gave a brief overview. He said this project is the completion
of a three-year process. He noted that there are not a lot of shifts. Mr.
Whicher also pointed out that agricultural land exemption's were not yet
figured in.
The committee felt the 1990 information should be added to the report for comparison wherever it is possible. Ms. Kiefer also asked if an analysis of the roll section 8 could be included. It was also recommended that the last column on the County, Town and School Taxes for Property Assessed for $100,000 be eliminated.
A full presentation will be given at the February 15th Board meeting.
Community Affirmative Action Bylaws
It was MOVED by Mr. Totman, seconded by Ms. Kiefer, and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present, to approve the following resolution and bylaws with the suggested changes recommended by Ms. Kiefer and submit to the full Board for their approval. Mr. Koplinka-Loehr said he would review the suggested changes to the bylaws with the Community Affirmative Action Committee meeting tomorrow.
RESOLUTION NO. - ADOPTION OF COMMUNITY AFFIRMATIVE ACTION COMMITTEE BYLAWS
WHEREAS, the
Community Affirmative Action Committee (CAAC) was established in 1985 by
Resolution No. 265, and
WHEREAS, the
CAAC wishes to further develop and define its operating procedures, membership,
meeting guidelines, and roles and responsibilities, now therefore be it
RESOLVED,
on recommendation of the Government Operations Committee, That the Community
Affirmative Action Committee bylaws on file with the Clerk of the Board
are hereby approved.
SEQR ACTION: TYPE II-20
Resolution
It was MOVED by Mr. Totman, seconded by Mr. Penniman, to submit the following resolution concerning the order of business at Board of Representatives' meetings specifically moving Special Orders of the Day to follow Privilege of the Floor to the full Board for approval. Ms. Kiefer said it is unclear to her what is being requested and said she would like to discuss it with the Chair of the Board. She noted that a Special Orders of the Day is tied to a specific clock time, whereas it seems what Chair Mink wants is to schedule a special topical presentation or discussion for whatever time Privilege of the Floor ends. A voice vote resulted as follows: Ayes - 3 (Koplinka-Loehr, Penniman, and Totman); Noes - 1 (Kiefer); Excused - 1 (Davis). RESOLUTION CARRIED.
RESOLUTION NO. - AMENDING THE RULES OF THE BOARD OF REPRESENTATIVES
WHEREAS, it
is desirable the order of business at each session of the Board of Representatives
be reordered, now therefore be it
RESOLVED,
on recommendation of the Government Operations Committee, That Rule IV,
Order of Business, of the Rules of the Board of Representatives is hereby
amended as follows:
RULE IV - ORDER OF BUSINESS
The order of business at each session, except at such times as may be set apart for the consideration of special orders of the day, shall be as follows:
1. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
2. Roll Call of Members
3. Presentation of Petitions, Communications and Notices
5. [4. Announcement of] Special Orders of the
Day
4. [5.] Privilege of the Floor
A. Public
B. Board Members
6. Chair’s Report, and Chair’s Appointments
7. Reports by County Administrator, County Attorney,
and Finance Director
8. Resolutions Added to and Withdrawn from the Agenda
9. Consent Agenda
10. Standing Committees:
A. Report
B. Motions and Resolutions
11. Reports of Special Committees
12. Individual Member-Filed Resolutions
13. Unfinished Business
14. Minutes of Previous Meeting
15. Adjournment
SEQR ACTION: TYPE II-20
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 2:07 p.m.
Go to Tompkins County Homepage
Go to Board of Representatives Homepage