Present: M. Koplinka-Loehr, Chairman; S. Davis; G. Totman; D. Kiefer; P. Penniman (arrived at 1:29 p.m.)
Staff: R. Erb, County Administrator; D. Squires, Finance Director; W. Skinner, Public Information Officer; J. Yoder, Personnel Assistant; A. Fitzpatrick, Personnel Commissioner
GUESTS: B. Rothfeld, Ithaca Journal Publisher
Called to Order
The meeting was called to order at 12:05 p.m.
Changes to Agenda
The following items were added to the agenda:
Mr. Koplinka-Loehr, Chairman, reported that if members of the Committee or staff have items they would like to have on the agenda to let Cathy Covert, Rick Erb, or himself know. He said the agenda-setting meetings are not being held this year.
Mr. Koplinka-Loehr asked about the fair housing law proposal. Mr. Erb said he will follow up on the status of it.
Ms. Davis requested that the proposal for a new Human Rights award be placed on next month's Committee agenda.
Report from the County Administrator
Mr. Erb reported that Common Council is studying the possibility of creating a City Manager's position and said he will be meeting with them to discuss his role as County Administrator.
Report from the Finance Director
Mr. Squires distributed and described the two auction proposals received and asked what level of involvement the committee wished to have in the selection process. He said the proposals are comparable and perform basically the same services. He will be meeting with the City next week to discuss the proposals. The biggest difference between the proposals is Reynolds Auction Service calls for a six percent commission and Scherrer Auctions is ten percent commission and recommends a buyer's premium whereas the other proposal does not recommend a buyer's premium and to pay the commission out of the proceeds. He said Scherrer Auction is the largest municipal auctioneer in New York State. He feels that the proposal from Reynolds Auction Service would be in the County's best interest. He noted references have been checked in both proposals.
Mr. Koplinka-Loehr asked what direction the Committee wished to give Mr. Squires. It was the consensus of the Committee to authorize Mr. Squires to use his best judgement in selecting a firm.
In addition, Mr. Squires reported that two members of his staff are out on medical leave. He is hoping that Bonnie Scutt, a former employee, will be able to come back on a temporary part-time basis.
Report from the Public Information Officer
Ms. Skinner announced that one of three public events have occurred. The next one is June 10th which is the study circle on tobacco settlement revenues. She said 12 people has expressed interest and several have confirmed. She said the open forum on the wireless communication project is June 12th at the Women's Community Building.
Ms. Kiefer asked who will be making the presentation(s) for the wireless communications project forum. Ms. Skinner said the usual suspects and Bill Benjamin, Deputy County Administrator. Ms. Kiefer felt that Mikel Shakarjian from the Planning Department who has been assigned to gather information for the EIS on this project and hase accumulated a lot of relevant information should also be included. Ms. Skinner said she will inquire about inviting Mikel Shakarjian as well as a technical person from Cornell. It is her hope also to have a questions and answers document available at the forum.
Ms. Skinner spoke briefly about her opinion on legal notices in the Ithaca Journal. She feels that those people seeking legals will find them. She said this item is not part of her program, but understands that certain legals are required in County government. She noted that last year she tried to get those parts of County government that generate legals to inform her so she could issue a press release, but found no takers. She suggested Mr. Lane should write a column as he has gone to high schools to explain what legals are and why people should look at them.
Approval of Minutes
It was MOVED by Mr. Totman, seconded by Ms. Davis, and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present, to approve the minutes of the May 4th meeting as corrected.
Report from the Tompkins 2020 Committee
Mr. Koplinka-Loehr reported that the Committee has met three times to select and recommend members of the community to serve on the Tompkins Quality-of-Life 2000 Committee. He said the program evaluation component has not been discussed at this point, however, Mr. Joseph will be talking to Mr. Erb about it.
Mr. Koplinka-Loehr reported briefly the activities of the Tompkins Quality-of-Life 2000 Committee and hopes that subcommittees will be created.
Ms. Kiefer referred to a document called "What Makes Us Great?" and thought it might be useful for the Tompkins Quality-of-Life 2000 Committee. The document was used by the consultant for TCAT on siting a bus terminal.
Naming Opportunities
Mr. Erb believes the one thing the Committee was undecided about was departments naming facilities. He feels that level of decision making belongs with the Board. However, he said there is not anything preventing departments putting up plaques commemorating employees. If there is a need for permanent naming, the decision should be made by the Board. If a committee is going to make recommendations to the Board on naming, he would like to see for criteria the contribution to the County. He is not in favor of commercial names. As far as criteria, he would like to see contribution to the County and appropriateness of the facility.
Ms. Kiefer agrees with the criteria suggested by Mr. Erb. She said it would be difficult to come up with criteria that applies to buildings, conference rooms, roads, and items or material things such as podiums. She feels the timing of naming something after someone needs to be addressed. It is her opinion that buildings should be named for their function. She also stated that departments should be allowed to informally name something.
Further discussion was postponed to later in the meeting.
Pay Equity
Ms. Davis stated her opposition for red lining.
Ms. Yoder reported she initiated a benefits and salary survey and sent it to six comparable counties and nine local employers. The surveys are due back by the 16th of June. She commented that the unions are not pressuring to begin negotiations right away.
Ms. Fitzpatrick said she spoke with Joe Maratea of CSEA who represents both blue and white collar unions. One recommendation is Kevin Flaherty of PERB is available to do a mutual gains two-day training. The negotiating teams could be invited. In addition, large salary surveys have been compiled that were done by other counties. She said she is hoping by the end of June or early July to have completed this project and compile all the information collected and present it to the Committee.
It was noted that the County negotiating team is appointed by the Chair of the Board. It normally consists of the Personnel Commissioner, County Administrator and two members of the Board. Ms. Kiefer stated there may be questions raised about doing negotiations professionally. Ms. Fitzpatrick said the feedback she has received is that the unions have found that having Board members involved in the negotiations has been beneficial. Ms. Fitzpatrick said if the Committee requested, she could provide information on hiring a professional.
Ms. Fitzpatrick stated that most of the County's contracts expire in the next year.
It was the consensus of the Committee to keep negotiations for contracts status quo.
Legal Notices
Barry Rothfeld, Ithaca Journal Publisher, was introduced. Mr. Rothfeld briefly explained the changes with legal notices. He said the overall goal is to increase readership of the classified section. He said they looked at other newspapers. Also, thirteen ads were run inviting people to speak at a meeting on the subject. He said only positive comments were made. Some of the changes include moving real estate to the front and auto in the back. Ms. Kiefer asked how the specific new location for legals was decided. He commented that merchandise is very popular and it was felt the legal notices would be read more if they were located in that area. He said there is now a web site for classified ads, and the legals are included for free.
Questions were raised about type size and structuring classifieds alphabetically. There was also brief discussion concerning adding a banner that would make the legal notices stand out. Mr. Rothfeld agreed to ask the Editor to do this when there were a number of legal notices.
Mr. Rothfeld said he would make a request to add a reference to legal notices on the front page in the index and doing a banner.
Naming Opportunities (continued)
Following
a brief discussion, Mr. Erb agreed to develop a policy with Ms. Kiefer
for the Committee to review and consider.
Board Members' Salaries
There was discussion concerning the salaries for Board members for the next four-year term. Mr. Totman suggested the salaries be increased at the same average as the employees. Another alternative would be to just follow inflation. It was recalled that in 1996 the Charter Review Committee, after studying other counties and the time commitment of the job of County legislator, and considering the desirability of making it possible for a wide range of residents to serve, believed $15,000 a year was justified. However, in its report it suggested moving to $15,000 over four years as being more acceptable budgetarily. Following further discussion, it was MOVED by Ms. Davis, seconded by Mr. Koplinka-Loehr, to approve the following salary schedule:
2002
$16,250
2003
$17,500
2004
$18,750
2005
$20,000 (minimum a half-time job)
It was MOVED by Mr. Totman, seconded by Ms. Davis, and unanimously adopted by voice vote, to TABLE this motion to the next meeting to allow Committee members to discuss this subject with other members of the Board.
Appointment
It was MOVED by Mr. Totman, seconded by Ms. Davis, and unanimously adopted by voice vote, to submit the following appointment to the full Board for approval:
Community
Affirmative Action Committee
Cecilia Vargas
- community representative - term expires December 31, 2000
Mr. Penniman arrived at 1:29 p.m.
Resolution
It was MOVED by Mr. Totman, seconded by Ms. Davis, and unanimously adopted by voice vote, to submit the following resolution to the full Board for approval. Mr. Squires noted that the house on the property will be included in the auction if this is processed quick enough.
RESOLUTION NO. - AUTHORIZATION TO CONVEY PROPERTY ACQUIRED THROUGH FORECLOSURE TO CORNELL UNIVERSITY
WHEREAS,
the County of Tompkins acquired Town of Caroline parcel 25-1-24.2 (785
White Church Road), approximately 30 acres, through tax foreclosure proceedings,
and
WHEREAS, in
accordance with the County Land policy the unique natural areas within
this property can best be preserved by conveyance by private sale to Cornell
University in the sum of $11,000, now therefore be it
RESOLVED,
on recommendation of the Government Operations Committee, That upon sale
of said parcels and required payment in full, the County Administrator
is hereby authorized to execute quit claim deed conveying said parcel.
SEQR ACTION: TYPE II-20
Explanation: County interest in property accumulating from unpaid taxes is $10,913.04. Sales agreement provides for subdivision of the property with the County to retaining house on 1 acre with frontage on White Church Road. Estimated value of the parcel (unsubdivided) is between $12,000-$18,000.
Report on Foreclosed Properties
Mr. Squires reviewed the report and recommendations for 2000 public auction of foreclosed property. The list includes both City and County properties. It was noted that the City has a policy of foreclosing after two years whereas the County has three years for residential property foreclosures. Mr. Squires was asked to make additional attempts to work with two owner-occupied homes.
Copyrighting Policy
Ms. Kiefer referred to the NYSAC Weekly Wire with reference to County maps being copyrighted and not in the public domain. She asked if Tompkins County had a policy and if not if it could be researched. Mr. Erb and Mr. Squires said they would look into it.
Public Hearing on Residency Local Law
Ms. Kiefer asked if the committee wished to discuss this prior to the public hearing being held by the Board on June 6th. No discussion was held. Mr. Penniman commented that he would have supported any County in New York State.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 2:09 p.m.
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