Tompkins County Legislature
Organizational Meeting
January 16, 2007 - 5:30 p.m.
Legislature Chambers

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Public Hearing – Application for Competitive Housing, Public Facilities, and Microenterprise Funds under the Small Cities Community Development Block Grant Program in 2007

Chair Joseph called the public hearing to order at 5:30 p.m. concerning an Application for Competitive Housing, Public Facilities, and Microenterprise Funds under the Small Cities Community Development Block Grant Program in 2007. Mr. Joseph asked if anyone wished to speak.

Ed Marx, Commission of Planning, stated Tompkins County is proposing to continue and expand the Homeownership Program, originally developed and funded in 1993. The program was refunded in 1994, 1996, 1999, 2000, 2002, and 2005. A $600,000 grant will be requested that will enable the County to assist an additional 1 8020 first-time homebuyers. The program is available to low and moderate income households that meet income qualifications set by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Participants must either live or work in Tompkins County. The basic terms and policies now being utilized will be continued as part of Tompkins County’s Homeownership Program. At this time Mr. Marx outlined the terms of the Program.

Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag and Roll Call of Members

Members and guests participated in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

Present: 14 Legislators. Excused: 1 (Legislator Shinagawa).

Presentation of Distinguished Youth Award

James Dennis, District No. 15 Legislator, presented the January, 2007 Distinguished Youth Award to Trumansburg High School senior Ben Dodge as this month’s recipient of the Tompkins County Distinguished Youth Award. An apprentice firefighter with the Trumansburg Fire Company, Dodge was nominated by company president Jacqueline Wright, who praised him as a “terrific person” who has “gone above and beyond” since he joined the department more than a year ago. Trumansburg Fire Chief Jason Fulton told the Legislature that Ben has completed well over 100 hours of training, responded to dozens of emergency calls and provided ongoing help at the fire station, all the while participating in three school sports and maintaining an A average in high school. He described Ben as “a dedicated professional.” Thanking the Legislature for the award, the recipient said he joined the fire department because he wanted to help people, not to be known as a “superman”.

Presentation concerning the Tompkins County Emergency Management Planning Committee’s 2007 Goals

Cheryl Nelson, Public Works Administrator, made the following presentation to the Legislature concerning the Tompkins County Local Emergency Planning Committee:

Presentation to the Legislature – Tompkins County Emergency Planning Committee

“Resolution Nos. 59 and 91 of 2006, the Legislature respectively approved the adoption of the Tompkins County Emergency Management Planning Committee’s bylaws and the adoption of the revisions to Administrative Policy 01-29 related to the County’s Emergency Action Plan.

“In October, the committee held its first election. I was elected to serve as Chair. Julie Conley-Holcomb, City of Ithaca Clerk, was elected as the Vice Chair. The two of us along with Lee Shurtleff, form the Executive Committee.

“From October to December, the committee developed a list of goals for 2007. You have received a packet in your mailboxes that contains these goals.

“In order to accomplish the goals, sub-committees have been developed based on the goals. As you will see in the packet, each sub-committee has a list of items on which they will be working. The sub-committees include:

· Municipal Relations

· Public Information Officers

· Human and Special Needs

· Public Education Outreach

· Training and Exercise Design and Development

· Recovery

“At the present time, we have nearly a full contingent of members. We anticipate that the remaining few vacancies will be filled in the near future.

“Since October, meeting attendance and interest has increased and the members seem anxious to forge ahead with the goals that they have identified.

“All of the goals and sub-committees are significant and important. However, there are three topics of particular importance:

1. Public Official Conference – as you will see, the first goal for the Municipal Relations sub-committee is to schedule and develop the agenda for this. Municipal officials and other key players in emergency management and response from across the county will be invited to attend the conference that will be scheduled by the end of March (tentatively set for March 29^th). Since there has been a significant turnover of municipal officials since the last conference several years ago, this will be a good opportunity for officials to get information on local, county, state, and federal responsibilities and processes related to emergency and disaster situations.
2. Human and Special Needs – is the place where all agencies, departments, and individuals that have been working on various pieces will come together to create a comprehensive, systematic, and unified process.

3. Recovery – the County’s action plan is quite lacking in this area so the sub-committee membership consists of a large cross-section of representation in order to develop a comprehensive recovery plan.

“I hope that you have had or will have an opportunity to review the packet that was supplied to you. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. I would like to return in about a year and provide you with the list of 2007 accomplishments.

“Thank you”.

Privilege of the Floor by Legislators

Mr. Joseph, District No. 12 Legislator, informed the Legislature that he has been giving serious consideration to running for the elected office of Town of Ithaca Supervisor. He was contacted today by the Ithaca Journal; therefore, he wanted to tell Legislators he was exploring this before they read a news article. He noted that he has not yet made a decision on whether he will enter that race.

Mrs. McBean-Clairborne, District No. 2 Legislator, thanked Legislators for their vote in support of her serving in the capacity as Vice Chair of this Legislature for another year. She was out of the country during the organizational meeting; therefore, was unable to be in attendance. Mrs. McBean-Clairborne stated it is extremely important to her to continue to push the County’s diversity efforts through the Workforce Diversity and Inclusion Committee and to make Tompkins County a model employer as well as a model organization for the rest of the country. In addition, she would like to spend more time and effort in the upcoming year looking at performance evaluations.

Ms. Herrera, District No. 5 Legislator, reported she had an opportunity to take part in the Skilled Trades Diversity Consortium today where Mrs. McBean-Clairborne presented on behalf of the County’s Diversity efforts, the steps that have been taken, journeys, and obstacles that have been encountered, and the ways the County has moved forward. Mrs. McBean-Clairborne represented the County well at this event that had representation from the County, City, Cornell University, and areas as far away as Rochester and Buffalo

Ms. Herrera announced the Light in Winter activities will begin on January 25^th. This is a marriage of science, art, and music and features activities that everyone can enjoy.

Ms. Robertson, District No. 13 Legislator, reported she participated in the Martin Luther King celebration yesterday at GIAC and particularly noted the poverty simulation that was run by Tompkins Community Action. This role-playing event demonstrated how difficult life is for people who deal daily with financial situations as a result of poverty.

Ms. Robertson announced she will be traveling to Washington, D.C. with United for Peace and Justice to demonstrate against the Iraq war. If anyone would like more information they should contact her. She also reported a benefit celebration will be held on February 3^rd for the Free Health Clinic which has been open one year.

Mrs. McBean-Clairborne, District No. 2 Legislator, thanked Ms. Robertson for reporting on the poverty simulation. She said when she first joined this Legislature there was a lot of talk about who can or cannot be part of a decision-making body. She said she endured some of the personal challenges witnessed by those during the simulation and said she is very proud to be in a place where people can see what she has achieved and where that experience and voice can continue to drive some of the decisions and votes she makes. She said those struggles that people encounter are real and very hard.

Chair’s Report

Mr. Joseph reported he traveled to Albany last week to attend a conference on property tax hosted by the Center for Governmental Research. There were two panel discussions; one discussed what the issues are around property taxes and why they are so high in New York State versus other states. There were several people in attendance from State government and Governor Spitzer’s administration. One of the most interesting events was in the first session with the think-tank panelists. These panelists presented the ideological positions on the different sides on why property tax is so high. The second panel was a discussion on real property tax assessment in New York State by two people from the Office of Real Property Services. They were critical about the way assessment is currently done and that there are no uniform standards, and also expressed non-support of assessment being done at the town level because of inefficiencies that come with not having a big enough base. Mr. Joseph said one of the reasons New York State has such high taxes is not exactly because things are done inefficiently but the structure is inefficient. He also said that the Office of Real Property Services is not the only office in State government where this problem exists; there are similar cases of inefficiencies at the town and county level of government as well.

Mr. Joseph noted that Tompkins County was congratulated for being the only one doing countywide assessment the way it ought to be done.

Chair’s Appointment(s)

Mr. Joseph made the following appointment(s):

Tompkins County Area Development Board of Directors

Martha Robertson

Chamber of Commerce

Tim Joseph

Frank Proto, Alternate

Extension Service

Duane Randall

Greg Stevenson

Local Advisory Board on Assessment Review

Caroline/Danby - Frank P. Proto

Newfield/Enfield – Greg Stevenson

Groton – Duane Randall

Dryden – Michael Hattery/Martha Robertson

Ithaca - Dooley Kiefer/Michael Koplinka-Loehr

Lansing - Michael Sigler/Dooley Kiefer

Ulysses – James Dennis

City of Ithaca – Nathan Shinagawa/Kathy Luz Herrera

Ithaca Metropolitan Planning Organization (Policy Committee)

Pam Mackesey - Alternate representative

Workforce Diversity and Inclusion Committee

Leslyn McBean-Clairborne, Chair

Tompkins County Workforce Investment Board

Alan Pederson

Patricia Carey

Jeffrey M. Wesche

Lisa Holmes

Michael Talarski

John Rossi

John E. Little

Barbara Blanchard

Nancy Zahler

Dammi Herath

Patrick McKee

Michael Stamm

Report from the County Administrator

Mr. Whicher said in response to this Legislature expressing concerns, Tompkins County’s emergency preparedness, Cheryl Nelson has taken the lead in taking responsibility of the integration of authorities of the external group to the County; Shawn Martel-Moore has been asked to take responsibility for the internal coordination of emergency preparedness for the County; Lee Shurtleff is working with the emergency responders. In addition, there are multiple layers dealing with the communications systems, working with Cornell and the State. He said there is a lot of working taking place to make sure that Tompkins County is prepared to handle anything that happens.

Report from the County Attorney

Mr. Wood had no report.

Report from the Finance Director

Mr. Squires reported on the receipt of property taxes and said there are presently 18 properties, totaling less than $100,000 in outstanding property taxes that may be subject to foreclosure. He spoke of a policy adopted two years ago by which property owners are notified that there would be a fee to allow them to redeem after the final date of pay. Notices were sent out that identified what those fees would be and he believes this has motivated people to take the process seriously. Mr. Squires also reported on a note sale held last week for $3.5 million. The County received the lowest rate of the day at 3.61 percent.

Addition of Resolution(s) to the Agenda

There were no resolutions added to the agenda.

Withdrawal of Resolution(s) from the Agenda

There were no items withdrawn from the agenda.

Resolution(s) and Appointment(s) Approved Under the Consent Agenda

There were no resolutions approved under the Consent Agenda.

It was MOVED by Mr. Booth, seconded by Ms. Mackesey, and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present, to approve the following appointment(s) under the Consent Agenda:

Environmental Management Council

Terms expire December 31, 2008

Glynn Morgan Beebe - City of Ithaca representative

John Dennis – Village of Lansing representative

Mental Retardation/Developmental Disabilities Subcommittee

Term expires December 31, 2010

Brad Rudin - Community Mental Health Services Board representative

Board of Health

Term expires December 31, 2012

William S. Tyler - Physician representative

Criminal Justice Advisorv/Alternatives-to-lncarceration Board

Term expires December 31, 2009

Gwen Wilkinson -District Attorney representative

Family Court Advisory Council

Term expires December 31, 2009

Nancy Zook - At-large representative

Workforce Diversity and Inclusion Committee
Terms expire December 31, 2007

Betsy L. Doling - Community Member representative

Chantilise Demarco -County staff representative

Patricia Carey - County staff representative

Robert J. DeLuca - County staff representative

Larry Roberts - Community Member representative

Terms expire December 31, 2008

Martha Robertson - County Legislature representative

Heather A. Stewart - County staff representative

Kristina M. Belanger - County staff representative

Shawn Martel-Moore - County staff representative

David S. Richardson - Community Member representative

Terms expire December 31, 2009

Marcia E. Lynch - County staff representative

Carol Griep - County staff representative

Lisa Holmes - County staff representative

Constance Thompson - Community Member

Anita Fitzpatrick - County staff representative

Report from the Facilities and Infrastructure Committee

Ms. Herrera, Chair, reported the Committee will be meeting January 23^rd at 3:30 p.m.

Report and Presentation of Appointment(s) from the Personnel Committee

Mr. Dennis, Chair, reported discussion on a resolution concerning salaries for red-circled positions will be continued at the next meeting. He also stated that the subject of performance evaluations is one of the Committee’s goals for 2007. Mr. Dennis reported a meeting will be held tomorrow with the negotiating team for the road patrol with the expectation to exchange proposals.

Appointment to the Workforce Diversity and Inclusion Committee

It was MOVED by Mr. Dennis, seconded by Mrs. McBean-Clairborne, and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present, to approve the appointment of Kathy Luz Herrera, County Legislature representative, for a term expiring December 31, 2009.

Report from the Government Operations Committee

Mr. Stevenson, Chair, reported the Committee will meet tomorrow at 3:30 p.m.

Report from the Planning, Development and Environmental Quality Committee

Ms. Robertson, Chair, reported the Committee has not met since the last Legislature meeting. The next meeting will be February 12^th at 3:30 p.m.

Report from the Budget and Capital Committee

Mr. Koplinka-Loehr, Chair, reported the Committee met on January 8^th. At that meeting the Committee discussed the Public Information Advisory Committee and its interest in holding three public meetings prior to the Legislature’s retreat that will take place in April. The Committee also discussed results received in response to the budget process survey and will continue that discussion at the next meeting

Report and Presentation of Resolution(s) from the Public Safety Committee

Mrs. McBean-Clairborne, Chair, reported the Committee met prior to this Legislature meeting to set a meeting schedule for the year, approve appointments, and to take action on the resolution that will follow. The next meeting will be February 1^st at 3 p.m.

RESOLUTION NO. 4 – APPROPRIATION FROM CONTINGENT FUND – TERMINAL PAY

REIMBURSEMENT - DEPARTMENT OF PROBATION AND COMMUNITY JUSTICE

MOVED by Mrs. McBean-Clairborne, seconded by Mr. Hattery. A short roll call vote resulted as follows: Ayes – 14, Noes – 0, Excused – 1 (Legislator Shinagawa). RESOLUTION ADOPTED.

WHEREAS, the Department of Probation and Community Justice had a Probation Supervisor and a Probation Officer retire effective November 30, 2006 and October 28, 2006 respectively, and

WHEREAS, the Fiscal Policy of Tompkins County allows for terminal-pay reimbursement from the Contingent Fund, now therefore be it

RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Public Safety and Budget and Capital Committees, That the Director of Finance is hereby authorized and directed to make the following budget appropriation:

FROM: A1990.54440 Contingent Fund $12,167

TO: A3141.51000211 Probation Supervisor $ 1,203

A3142.51000211 Probation Supervisor $ 4,812

A3142.51000585 Probation Officer $ 2,738

A3141.58800 Fringes $ 469

A3142.58800 Fringes $ 2,945

SEQR ACTION: TYPE II-20

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Report from the Workforce Diversity and Inclusion Committee

Mrs. McBean-Clairborne, Chair, reported the Committee will meet on January 24^th at 3:30 p.m. in the Beverly Livesay Conference Room. Items to be discussed at that meeting include 2007 goals and future planning for diversity efforts.

Report from the Health and Human Services Committee

Mr. Sigler, Vice Chair, reported the Committee will meet February 7^th at 3 p.m.

Report from the Health Department Building Committee

Mr. Proto, Chair, reported the Committee met on January 11^th and reviewed the Committee charge from the Chair. He said copies of the executive summary that was done in 2005 was distributed to members with a request that members review it.

The Committee decided to have a representative from Labella Associates who was the consultant who helped the County through the preliminary space needs material attend the meeting to summarize an answer questions about the work of that Committee. Mr. Proto reported certain representatives have been asked to meet with the City of Ithaca, Town of Ithaca, Cayuga Medical Center, to see if any sites have developed since that report was done. The next meeting will be February 8^th at 3:30 p.m.

Individual Member-filed Resolution

RESOLUTION NO. 5 – AMENDMENT OF RESOLUTION NO. 1 OF 2007 – ESTABLISHING 2007 MEETING DATES

MOVED by Mr. Proto, seconded by Ms. Robertson. A voice vote resulted as follows: Ayes – 10; Noes – 4 (Legislators Hattery, Kiefer, Mackesey, and Sigler); Excused – 1 (Legislator Shinagawa). RESOLUTION ADOPTED.

WHEREAS, Resolution No. 1 of 2007 established the Tompkins County Legislature meeting dates for 2007, and

WHEREAS, it is preferred that the Legislature meets the first and third Tuesday of each month, and

WHEREAS, the meetings in July and August do not follow that schedule, now therefore be it

RESOLVED, That Resolution No. 1 of 2007 be amended as follows:

Tuesday, July 3, 2007 at 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday, July 17, 2007 at 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday, August 7, 2007 at 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday, August 21, 2007 at 5:30 p.m.

SEQR ACTION: TYPE II-20

__________________

Approval of Minutes of December 19, 2006 and January 2, 2007

It was MOVED by Ms. Robertson, seconded by Mr. Booth, and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present, to approve the minutes of the December 19, 2007 and January 2, 2007 meetings. MINUTES APPROVED.

Adjournment

On motion the meeting adjourned at 6:36 p.m.

Respectfully submitted by Michelle Pottorff, TC Legislature Office

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