Staff: D. Squires, Finance Director; B. Hillick, Records Management; S. Whicher; County Administrator, W. Skinner, Public Information; C. Kammen, County Historian; A. Valenti, County Clerk; M. Teeter, Finance Department; L. Eaton, Finance Department; S. Zifchock, Elections; E. Cree, Elections
Guests: T. Joseph, B. Blanchard
Called to Order
The meeting was called to order at 12:04 p.m.
Changes to Agenda
The following items were added to the agenda:
It was MOVED by Mr. Penniman, seconded by Ms. Davis, and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present, to approve the minutes of the February 8th meeting as corrected.
Chair's Report
Mr. Koplinka-Loehr said he did not have a report.
Report from the County Administrator
Mr. Whicher announced George McClure was appointed the new Information Technology Services Director and will report it to the full Board March 6th.
Report from the Finance Director
Mr. Squires reported that he began touring the properties that are on the foreclosure list. There were a total of 30 properties, however, since the visits two have been paid off. He also noted that there are two residential properties that could result in families losing their homes. The auction is scheduled for May 19th.
Mr. Lalley asked about the Cash Management and Investment Policy. There was a brief discussion concerning the amendment offered by Representative Stein to delete the reference to domestic corporations in Appendix B. Mr. Squires stated he is not opposed to deleting the language because the County would not invest in a public trade. Mr. Squires also mentioned that Representative Lane has asked to remove the repurchase agreements, but he advised against doing that, since they are convenient for banks.
Report from the Public Information Officer
Ms. Skinner said she did not have a report.
Ms. Kiefer arrived at 12:13 p.m.
Resolution - Management and Confidential Salaries and Benefits
It was MOVED by Mr. Lalley, seconded by Ms. Davis. Mr. Lalley said he would like to remove all references to the white collar contract and feels there should be a separate salary schedule established for each group. The Committee agreed with Mr. Lalley's comments and proposed friendly language that is reflected in the following resolution.
A voice vote resulted as follows on the resolution: Ayes - 4; Noes - 0. RESOLUTION ADOPTED.
RESOLUTION NO. - ESTABLISHING SALARIES AND BENEFITS OF MANAGEMENT AND CONFIDENTIAL EMPLOYEES, 2001
WHEREAS, this Board previously determined that the salary schedules for Management, Confidentials, should be reviewed for equity, and
WHEREAS, this process will take several years, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Government Operations Committee, That Management and Confidential employees newly hired, reclassed, or who change positions after January 1, 2001, be salaried based upon the relevant schedule,
RESOLVED, further, That the incumbents in Management positions on January 1, 2001 shall receive an increase not less than 3.1875 percent nor greater than 4.25 percent annually effective January 1, 2001,
RESOLVED, further, That the incumbents in Confidential positions on January 1, 2001 shall receive an increase not less than 3.71875, nor greater than 4.25 percent effective January 1, 2001,
RESOLVED, further, That effective January 1, 2001 Management and Confidential employees shall contribute 20 percent towards the cost of health insurance and be entitled to a VEBA (Voluntary Employee Benefit Account) equal to the differential between the employee share of health insurance at 15 percent and the employee share at 20 percent,
RESOLVED, further, That Management and Confidential employees shall receive longevity payments as provided for in the CSEA White Collar agreement and shall be entitled to all other fringe benefits specified in that agreement except where different fringe benefits are provided for in Administrative Policy 03-01, fringe benefits for non-unionized employees.
SEQR ACTION: TYPE II-20
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Records Management
Resolution
It was MOVED by Mr. Penniman, seconded by Ms. Kiefer. Mrs. Smithers stated there have been discussions over the last several years related to storage of records, public access to records, and historical records. She said staff has also traveled to other counties visiting records research centers. A records research center is a facility where the public can come and sign in, sit at a table, see someone, ask for certain documents, and get information they are looking for. Ontario County has an impressive center that generates tourism.
Ms. Valenti said if the Board were to consider such a center that the Clerk's office be an integral part of the building. She commented that her employees are capable and willing to do the work in such a center.
Mrs. Smithers commented that she does not feel staff would have to be added immediately, but it would depend on what happens with the Department of Social Services records. Ms. Kammen reported that the Dewitt Historical Society receives 500 requests per year.
A voice vote resulted as follows on the resolution: Ayes - 4; Noes - 0. RESOLUTION CARRIED.
RESOLUTION NO. 53 - BOARD CONFIRMATION OF INTENT TO PURSUE A TOMPKINS COUNTY PUBLIC RECORDS ARCHIVE AND RESEARCH CENTER
WHEREAS, public records are subject to statutory retention requirements and are currently housed in various locations throughout Tompkins County, and
WHEREAS, there is a growing need for more space to house and protect County records, and
WHEREAS, the current system of housing and protecting County records can be done more efficiently, and
WHEREAS, certain of those records are historic in nature and provide information relative to the history of one’s family or personal property, and
WHEREAS, centralization of this information would provide a setting for research on many levels and host to a civic center for enhanced learning for all ages, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Space Needs and Location and Government Operations Committees, That the Board of Representatives hereby confirms its intent to address growing space and record protection needs, and provide the public with a centralization of information in an effort to encourage historical and familial research,
RESOLVED, further, That the Space Needs and Locations Committee be directed to pursue the concept of a Records Archive and Research Center and the appropriate grant funding for such an endeavor.
SEQR ACTION: TYPE II-20
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Finance Department
Department of Motor Vehicle Custom Counter
Ms. Teeter asked the Committee for approval to award a bid of $20,000 for a custom counter at the Department of Motor Vehicle. Ms. McGuire commented that the current counter was built in 1981 and does not meet today's ergonomic standards. It was noted that no new money is needed for this. It was the consensus of the Committee to authorize the award of bid.
Change in Policy - Budget Adjustment
Mr. Koplinka-Loehr referred to the motion forwarded by the Health and Human Services Committee requesting this Committee to review the policy for budget adjustments. He recommended this proposal be referred to County Administration for their review and recommendation. Ms. Kiefer said she is not interested in changing the policy. Mr. Penniman feels the policy should be reviewed. Mrs. Smithers stated that Board approval is required for budget adjustments. Mr. Joseph commented that the policy was reviewed two months ago and the Budget and Capital Committee decided not to change it. It was the consensus of the Committee to refer the proposal to County Administration for review.
Resolution - Tax Abatement Proposal
Mr. Stamm explained the tax abatement proposal was developed by the City of Ithaca Planning and Development Department and presented to the Industrial Development Agency (IDA). The IDA reviewed it and felt the best way to proceed was for each taxing authority (Ithaca City School District, City, and County) to review the proposal and vote as to whether they approve it or not. He said Common Council and the School District have both voted to support it and now it is being presented to the County for review and approval. The IDA will consider the proposal following approval by the three taxing authorities. He said the proposal does not impact current tax rolls only future tax revenues.
Mr. Koplinka-Loehr spoke about concerns raised that this is only available in the City and that the towns should be approached to discuss the development and incentive packages available to them.
Mr. Penniman said he supports the proposal but is concerned with the type of development incentives and feels it will create competition with other businesses in the County such as retail. He asked how this differs from past IDA policy. Mr. Stamm said IDA generally targets projects with sales outside Tompkins County. It is also different because this would target facilities rather than tenants, and the likely tenants will be residential or retail and commercial.
Ms. Kiefer said her additional concern is the chart that ties percentage reduction linearly to the number of stories. She said it is not obvious that eight stories are automatically better than five, and she is concerned about Ithaca no losing its sense of being a human-scale City. She also has not seen engineering analysis that supports the claim that every additional story adds equal expense to a project.
Mr. Stein reported that at the Economic and Workforce Development Committee meeting it was recommended that there be a five-year sunset clause. He recommended the Government Operations Committee also support the five-year sunset.
Mr. Penniman spoke again about his concern that there be more development of a rural aspect of the program and make it Countywide. Mr. Lalley said this is not an anti-rural measure.
Ms. Blanchard stated that if more information is needed or Committee members wish to draft language related to the concerns raised that more time be provided for that to happen. Mr. Joseph feels it is important that this project is not equated with other IDA projects done in the past. He said this is a tool being used for a totally different purpose. It is not for a particular business because it brings more jobs and money to the County. He sees this as an anti-sprawl measure. Ms. Kiefer said this can be seen assx promoting vertical sprawl instead.
There was discussion about adding language to the resolution that states this program does not prevent municipalities considering their own tax incentive program. Mr. Penniman said he would like all areas of the County approached and given equal opportunities for developing a tax incentive program.
Mr. Koplinka-Loehr clarified the information needed before the Board considers the resolution March 6th. He said Ms. Kiefer would like more information concerning the overlay map in terms of heights and Mr. Penniman will propose language directing IDA to make this policy shift aware to other municipalities.
Ms. Kiefer said she would like to also get a sense of what the cost is for adding additional floors. Mr. Ferguson said it depends on the construction project, but he would provide zoning information on heights.
It was MOVED by Ms. Davis, seconded by Mr. Lalley, to submit the following resolution to the full Board for approval. A voice vote resulted as follows: Ayes - 4 (Representatives Koplinka-Loehr, Davis, Penniman, and Lalley); Noes - 1 (Representative Kiefer). RESOLUTION CARRIED.
RESOLUTION NO. - TAX INCENTIVE PROGRAM FOR MULTI-STORY DEVELOPMENT
WHEREAS, sprawl is a nationally recognized environmental problem, and
WHEREAS, concentrated development is one means of reducing and combating sprawl, and
WHEREAS, taller buildings, which are necessary for denser development, are more expensive to construct than single-story suburban structures, and
WHEREAS, property taxes in Tompkins County and the City of Ithaca are a major expense for the developers of real estate, and
WHEREAS, reducing the tax burden on new construction can help stimulate denser development in the built up commercial areas of the City, and
WHEREAS, the Tompkins County Industrial Development Agency has the authority under New York State Law to abate property taxes for a variety of uses, and
WHEREAS, a tax incentive program has been reviewed and approved by the City of Ithaca Common Council at its meeting on July 5, 2000, and
WHEREAS, the Ithaca City School District Board of Education also reviewed, endorsed and supported the same t ax incentive program at its meeting on December 19, 2000, and
WHEREAS, the tax incentive program requests that the Tompkins County Industrial Development Agency provide a temporary and partial abatement of real property tax for specific types of development in specific areas of the City, and
WHEREAS, such an abatement program would result in no net loss of current tax revenue and would contribute to new development and rehabilitation of multi-story buildings, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Economic and Workforce Development Committee, That the Tompkins County Board of Representatives does hereby endorse and support a program of tax abatements as outlined in the Tax Abatement program dated July 5, 2000, and that are covered by the proposed abatement as shown on the map on file, an area which encompasses the downtown central business district, the West State Street corridor, the West End and Inlet Island,
RESOLVED, further, That the tax incentive program shall sunset in five years from adoption.
SEQR ACTION: ______________
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Board of Elections
Ms. Cree and Ms. Zifchock presented their proposal dated February 27, 2001, for updating equipment and systems in their Department. There was a brief discussion about a full-time custodian, and Ms. Zifchock felt it would need to be a year-round position, but not full time.
Mr. Lalley asked the Commissioners to draft a resolution requesting the State Legislature to approve the custodian positions at halftime instead of fulltime.
A brief discussion followed concerning Full Document Imaging. Mr. Whicher requested that he and Information Technology Services staff meet with the Commissioners to discuss their proposal.
Ms. Kiefer requested more information on paper ballots for local and absentee votes.
Mr. Lalley strongly feels there will be significant changes next year at the State level and recommended the County not move forward immediately.
Mr. Koplinka-Loehr outlined the following steps that need to be taken: Election Commissioners meet with Administration and provide an overlay with what is happening at the State level in terms of legislation changes.
Ms. Kiefer said she is interested in coming up with a subset of legislation for Tompkins County to consider. She asked that a resolution be prepared in regard to splitting inspector shifts. Mr. Penniman said he is interested in seeing what the amount is that is being saved if purchasing labor-saving devices.
The Commissioners agreed to draft the resolutions requested for consideration at the next Committee meeting.
Workforce Climate Survey
Mr. Lalley briefly explained the process for performing a workforce climate survey. He said it is a series of questions answered anonymously by all employees and is conducted about every 18 months. This information has been shared with the County Administrator as well as the Department Heads. Mr. Whicher spoke about the concerns raised by the Department Heads. He said they feel there is not much that gets done with the outcomes. It was the consensus of the Committee to move forward with this.
Personnel Department
Update on Programs
This item was postponed to the next meeting.
2001 Goals
Discussion followed on the direction the Committee would be taking on some of the goals.
Review of Administrative Manual Policy
Ms. Kiefer suggested and the Committee agreed that the development of a policy on protection of privacy of County residents could be listed as goal under this category and be completed by June.
Program evaluation
The Committee agreed with Mr. Whicher that Administration could handle this. Mr. Whicher suggested that his Department will do a core process analysis and align it to the County's Mission. Ms. Kiefer recommended that this information be incorporated in the budget when it is available.
Assessment - Cornell University's Tax Exempt Properties
Mr. Whicher and Mr. Penniman are currently in contact with Assemblyman Luster's office and will be requesting a meeting to discuss what opportunities and options there are. The Committee agreed to have a subcommittee work on this issue. The following people were appointed: Peter Penniman, Chair; Dooley Kiefer; Jay Franklin, Assessment Department.
Review of Advisory Boards
There was discussion concerning a process for review of advisory boards. Ms. Kiefer feels one area the Committee should look at is the consistency among advisory boards including the membership, advertising for vacancies, and attendance records. Ms. Skinner said the Public Information Advisory Board feels diversity and recruitment are important areas to also look at. The following subcommittee was appointed to work on this goal: Mike Koplinka-Loehr, Dooley Kiefer, and Wendy Skinner.
Ms. Kiefer commented that she would like the Committee, in its personnel function, receive Affirmative Action Committee reports periodically.
Ms. Kiefer also commented that she would like to Committee to continue the discussions with changing the Personnel Department to a Human Resources entity.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 2:05 p.m.
Board of Representatives
Karen Fuller, Staff
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