MINUTES
GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS COMMITTEE
JUNE 12, 2003
2:00 P.M.
SCOTT HEYMAN CONFERENCE ROOM
Present: M. Koplinka-Loehr, Chair; K. Herrera; L. McBean; M. Lane (arrived at 2:15 p.m.)
Excused: T. Todd
Staff: S. Whicher, County Administrator; D.
Squires, Finance Director; J. Wood, County Attorney; E. Marx, Planning Commissioner;
K. Borgella, Planning Department; J. Thomas, County Administration; J. Yoder,
Personnel Department; B. Kominos, Personnel Department; J. Franklin, Assessment;
V. Coggin, Assessment Director
Called to Order
The meeting was called to order at 2:05 p.m.
Changes to Agenda
Three transfers from Records Management, Central Services,
and Assessment were presented to the Committee for information only.
The following item was withdrawn from the agenda:
Review of Annual Report - Human Rights
Report from the Chair
Mr. Koplinka-Loehr did not have a report.
Report from the County Administrator
Mr. Whicher briefly reported on the Annual Report his
office prepared and commented that it included two employees that are actually
employees of Personnel. He apologized for the oversight and said future
reports will only include employees of Administration.
An update on the reorganization in the Facilities Division
was provided by Mr. Whicher. He said it is moving forward and maintenance
staff is being moved around including some promotions and demotions.
There maybe one employee losing their position; however, he feels confident
this is the right direction for the Division. Mr. Koplinka-Loehr commented
on the receipt of a letter from CSEA. Mr. Whicher said the Personnel
Commissioner has been very helpful through the process.
Mr. Whicher reported briefly on a reclassification review
process at the staff level. The Personnel Commissioner did the initial
review with an appeal following from the staff person. He met with
the Department Head and staff person and will be reporting back the conclusions
in the next week or two. A policy for a reclassification appeal process
is being drafted as one does not currently exist.
Mr. Lane arrived at this time.
Ms. Herrera noted she also received the CSEA letter referenced
above and said that she is following up with the Personnel Commissioner and
has received information outlining the situation. She wants the County
to act consistently with the contract, mission and vision statements and
believes the County is acting in the best of faith.
Mr. Koplinka-Loehr reported the performance review for
the County Administrator will be a self-evaluation process this year and
will request a committee to be appointed to review the evaluation.
He asked Committee members to let him know if they were interested in participating
in the process.
Report from the County Attorney
Mr. Wood said he did not have a report.
Report from the Finance Director
Mr. Squires updated the Committee on the installment tax
program and said 3000 people opted to pay taxes by installments. The
due date for said payment is July 1st. There are currently 174 properties
that will be subject to foreclosure if the taxes are not paid by October.
Mr. Squires said he will be bringing a recommendation for handling
redemptions. He will be proposing a flat fee to be made by the final
redemption date or assessed value.
The other issue he reported on is the number of certificate
of residencies being requested due to summer school. One issue is Tompkins
County is an international community and the question of how to handle immigrant
status. The Law currently states that if you reside in New York State
for one year, you qualify as a resident. The County passed a law for
refugees that states you are a County resident upon application. He
feels this is a conflict and will be bringing this issue back to Committee
at a future date for discussion.
Mr. Squires reported briefly on the status of his staff.
There will be a vacancy in the Purchasing Division at the end of June and
anticipates another vacancy in another area of his department in the near
future. He will not be proposing to fill the vacancy in the Purchasing
Division until the budget is finalized.
At this time, two students from Lansing Central School were
introduced and said they are observing the meeting for a government class.
Report from the Public Information Officer
Ms. Skinner was not present.
Approval of Minutes
It was MOVED by Ms. McBean, seconded by Ms. Herrera, and
unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present, to approve the minutes
of the May 6th and May 8th meetings as corrected. MINUTES APPROVED.
Revised SEQR Policy
Mr. Marx briefly reviewed the revised policy language
being proposed. Mr. Koplinka-Loehr reminded Committee members that
the policy statement is the section Committee approval is required; however,
the Committee must see that procedures are also being followed. Mr.
Koplinka-Loehr suggested changing the last sentence to read as follows and
the Committee agreed:
"It is also the intent to initiate the SEQR review process
as practically or reasonably possible in the project development process…"
Mr. Marx said that consensus has been reached with all
appropriate staff and most comments have been incorporated. A brief discussion
followed on the PARS forms and it was noted that a policy needs to be prepared
for that process. Mr. Whicher commented that Mikel Shakarjian
is handling all SEQR reviews for capital projects.
Mr. Wood said he continues to have one concern with the
referral process under Unlisted actions and recommended the first paragraph
in number nine be amended and read as follows:
Each sponsoring agency shall notify the Planning Department, the Environmental
Management Council (EMC), other appropriate Advisory Boards, and the County
Legislator representing the district in which the project is located by submitting
to them a copy of the Environmental Assessment Form and the initial determination
of significance (Negative, Positive, or Conditioned Negative Declaration)
for any which may impact the environment Unlisted and Type I actions.
This notification shall be submitted to the Planning Department, the EMC,
other appropriate Advisory Boards, and the County Legislator representing
the district in which the project is located in time for adequate review
prior to action by the appropriate program committee(s).
Discussion followed and Mr. Marx feels the potential problem
is each agency having a different interpretation of what does or does not
affect the environment. Mr. Wood feels that without the proposed language
it could open the County up to a legal challenge. Further discussion
followed and the Committee chose not to change the paragraph as recommended
by the County Attorney.
It was MOVED by Ms. Herrera, seconded by Mr. Lane, and
unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present, to submit the SEQR
policy as recommended by the Planning Department to the Legislature for approval.
Assessment Department
Program and 2004 Budget Report
Ms. Coggin gave an overview of the proposal for the direction
of the Department's work plan. In order to continue with annual reassessment
as requested by the Department, fieldwork must begin in July and a new position
created next year. The cost for this request is a $122,000 target increase
for 2004. She asked direction from the Committee if it wished to continue
annual reassessments or to go back to updates every ten years.
Mr. Whicher spoke of his support for the Department's request and with adding
an additional staff person. Following a brief discussion, it was the
consensus of the Committee to support annual reassessments as it provides
an equitable market for assessed values.
County Attorney
Resolutions
It was MOVED by Ms. McBean, seconded by Ms. Herrera, and
unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present, to submit the following
resolution to the Legislature for approval:
RESOLUTION NO. - CONSENT TO ASSIGNMENT
OF AGREEMENT FOR PAYMENT IN LIEU OF TAXES (PILOT) - ELLIS
HOLLOW APARTMENTS
WHEREAS, by Agreement dated November 20, 1973, amended
June 22, 1994, the County approved payment in lieu of taxes under Section
125 of the Private Housing Law for senior housing, and
WHEREAS, the original owner, Ellis Hollow Associates sold
said housing known as Ellis Hollow Apartments to HOME PROPERTIES, L.P., in
2000, and
WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 289 of 2000 the County approved the transfer of the PILOT Agreement to HOME PROPERTIES, L.P., and
WHEREAS, Conifer Ellis Hollow Associates, LLC, is in the
process of purchasing the property from HOME PROPERTIES, L.P., and
WHEREAS, there appears to be no change in the use of the
apartments for senior citizens and the Town of Ithaca has already approved
of the transfer, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Government Operations
Committee, That the County approve the assignment of the existing PILOT Agreement
by HOME PROPERTIES, L.P., to Conifer Ellis Hollow Associates, LLC,
RESOLVED, further, That the County Administrator is authorized
to execute the assignment on behalf of the County of Tompkins,
RESOLVED, further, That this resolution shall not be considered
an extension or renewal of the original term of the PILOT Agreement.
SEQR ACTION: TYPE II-20
* * * * * * * * * *
It was MOVED by Ms. McBean, seconded by Ms. Herrera, and
unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present, to submit the following
resolution to the Legislature for approval:
RESOLUTION NO. - APPROPRIATION FROM CONTINGENT FUND TO UPDATE COUNTY CHARTER AND CODE
WHEREAS, the County Attorney’s Office has received a bill
from General Code Publishers in the amount of $3,519.63 for updating of the
County Charter and Code, and
WHEREAS, funding was set aside in the Contingent Fund
for payment of this anticipated expense, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Government Operations
and Budget and Capital Committees, That the Director of Finance be authorized
and directed to make the following appropriation on his books for 2003:
From:
A1990.54400 Contingent Fund
$ 3,000
To:
A1420.54442 Professional Services
$ 3,000
SEQR ACTION: TYPE II-20
* * * * * * * * * *
Rules of the Board
Mrs. Covert presented the Rules of the Board as revised
to conform with the County Charter as adopted in April. She also noted
that a request was made by the Chair of the Legislature to move reports of
special committees to reports of standing committees. A brief discussion
followed, and it was MOVED by Mr. Lane, seconded by Ms. McBean, and unanimously
adopted by voice vote by members present, to approve the revised Rules as
submitted.
Next Meeting
The July 10th Committee meeting is cancelled due to lack
of a quorum. A special meeting will be held if needed.
Advisory Board Vacancies
Mr. Koplinka-Loehr briefly reported on the list of vacancies for advisory boards.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 3:07 p.m.
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