MINUTES
GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS COMMITTEE
SEPTEMBER 28, 2005          2:00 P.M.
SCOTT HEYMAN CONFERENCE ROOM
Present:  M. Lane (arrived at 2:07 p.m.); D. Booth; D. Kiefer, G. Totman; K. Herrera (arrived at 2:38 p.m.)
Staff:       C. Covert, Clerk of the Legislature; S. Whicher, County Administrator

Called to Order

    The meeting was called to order at 2:05 p.m. by Vice Chair Kiefer.

Changes to Agenda

    The Committee agreed to add the following resolutions to the agenda:
 Appointment of Election Commissioner for 2006-2007
 Approval of Designations of Successors
 Resolution of Opposition to Discrimination by the United States Military

Board of Elections

    Resolution
    It was MOVED by Mr. Booth, seconded by Mr. Totman, and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present, to approve and submit the following resolution to the full Legislature for approval:

RESOLUTION NO.        -  APPOINTMENT OF ELECTION COMMISSIONER FOR 2006-2007

    WHEREAS, Election Commissioner Elizabeth W. Cree term is due to expire December 31, 2005, and
WHEREAS, the Tompkins County Republican Committee, at its September 26, 2005, meeting recommended Elizabeth W. Cree for reappointment to a two-year term, now therefore be it
    RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Tompkins County Republican Committee and the Government Operations Committee, That Elizabeth W. Cree be and hereby is appointed Republican Party Elections Commissioner for the two-year term commencing January 1, 2006, and ending December 31, 2007.
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    Mr. Lane arrived at this time.

Executive Session

    It was MOVED by Ms. Kiefer, seconded by Mr. Totman, and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present, to hold an executive session to discuss a personnel matter concerning one individual.  An executive session was held at 2:10 p.m. and returned to open session at 3:07 p.m.

    Ms. Herrera arrived at 2:38 p.m.

    Discussion followed and direction given following the executive session.  Ms. Kiefer spoke of the importance in the County to have a position work on the Capital Program.  Mr. Whicher noted that responsibility is being moved to Planning and Public Works Departments and he will make sure there is continuity in the communications project. 

    Mr. Lane asked Mr. Whicher to prepare a final draft of the goals and objectives based on the comments made during executive session for the Committee to review and approve at the next meeting.  The information should be submitted one week prior to the meeting. 

    Ms. Herrera arrived at 2:38 p.m.

Resolution of Opposition to Discrimination by the United States Military

RESOLUTIO NO.    - RESOLUTION OF OPPOSITION TO DISCRIMINATION BY THE UNITED STATES MILITARY

    MOVED by Ms. Herrera, seconded by Mr. Booth.

    Ms. Herrera provided the Committee with background information on this issue.  She stated the U.S. Supreme Court has announced it will hear a case challenging the Solomon Amendment which requires schools to give military recruiters access to students and resources for recruitment as they would to other employers.   She referenced the County Code Chapter 92 which prohibits discrimination by an education corporation on the basis of gender identity.  She stated for an educational institution to turn away someone because of their sexual orientation (military policy - "Don't Ask, Don't Tell) it places them in a quandary because the institution is then in violation of County Law. 

    She spoke of the proposed resolution and said it was passed by the City of Ithaca Governance Committee and will be forwarded to Common Council. 

    With the exception of Mr. Totman, the Committee expressed support for the intent of the resolution; however, it was requested that the resolution be rewritten.  Ms. Herrera said although she could support language revisions she could not support any delay in the full Legislature acting on this.   No member of the Committee was prepared to offer suggestions for wording at the present time.

    It was MOVED by Mr. Lane, seconded by Ms. Kiefer, to postpone action on this until a special Committee meeting at 5 p.m. on October 4.  A voice vote resulted as follows:  Ayes - 3 (Booth, Kiefer, and Lane); Noes - 2 (Herrera and Totman). MOTION TO POSTPONE CARRIED.   Mr. Booth and Ms. Kiefer will work with Ms. Herrera on the wording of this resolution.

    Ms. Herrera was excused at 3:30 p.m.

Elections Charge Back Issue

    Mr. Whicher reported he met with municipal officials and discussed the elections charge back issue and he will be bringing a proposal to an upcoming second Expanded Budget Committee meeting.

RESOLUTION NO.     - APPROVAL OF DESIGNATIONS OF SUCCESSORS

    It was MOVED by Mr. Booth, seconded by Ms. Kiefer, and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present, to approve the following resolution and submit to the full Legislature: 

    WHEREAS, Section 31.07 of the County Charter specifies that the County Administrator and specified department heads shall designate in writing, and in order of succession, the deputies (or in the absence of officially designated deputies, the employees of the department) who shall possess the powers and perform the duties of the principal in the event of the latter’s absence from the County or inability to perform or exercise the powers of the office, and
WHEREAS, the Charter further requires those designations, except department heads elected on a county-wide basis, to be approved by the Tompkins County Legislature, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Government Operations Committee, That the following designations of successors are hereby approved,
RESOLVED, further, That this list is complete and supercedes all previous designations:

Airport Manager             Assistant Airport Manager
                                           Airport Terminal Services Coordinator
                                           Operations Supervisor

County Administrator:              Deputy County Administrator
                                                      County Attorney
                                                      Finance Director                   

County Attorney:            Deputy County Attorney
                                           Assistant County Attorney

Commissioner of Social  Services:           Director of Services               
                                                                      Director of Administrative Services
                                                                      Department of Social Services Staff Development Specialist
                                                                      Supervising Department of Social Services Attorney
                   
Director of Emergency Response                 CAD Systems Coordinator
                                                                           Administrative Assistant
       
Public Health Director:            Public Health Administrator   
                                                    Director of Patient Services
               
Medical Examiner:            Deputy Medical Examiner, William Klepack, M.D.
                                            Deputy Medical Examiner, David Newman, M.D.
                       
Mental Health Commissioner:        Deputy Commissioner Mental Health
                                                            Medical Director
                                                            Director of Mental Health Clinic
                                                            Clinic Supervisor

Director of Finance:            Budget and Finance Manager
                                               Director of Accounting Services

Commissioner of Personnel:        Deputy Commissioner of Personnel
                   
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Adjournment
   
    The meeting adjourned at 3:45 p.m.


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