Tompkins County Legislature
Regular Meeting
September 19, 2006 -
5:30 p.m.
Legislature Chambers
Called to Order
Mr.
Joseph called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
Pledge of Allegiance to the
Flag
Members
and guests participated in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
Remembrance of Jacqueline
Yoder
Mr.
Joseph reported Jacqueline “Jackie” Yoder, former Benefits Manager, passed away
yesterday. He asked for a moment
of silence in her memory.
Roll Call of Members
Present: 15 Legislators. (Ms. Herrera arrived at 5:37 p.m.)
Presentation of
Proclamation(s)
Mr.
Joseph presented a proclamation to Sheriff Peter Meskill declaring the week of
September 17-23, 2006 to be Sheriff’s Week in Tompkins County.
Privilege of the Floor by
the Public
Ralph
Jones, City of Ithaca resident, spoke in support of Lifelong. He serves on the Lifelong Board of
Directors and the fundraising committee for that agency, and stressed how
important the activities provided by Lifelong are to him and other seniors in
Tompkins County. He stated there
is a growing awareness of the value of allowing people to continue to live in
their homes and the interconnection of regular wholesome activities for senior
citizens in maintaining their residence in the County.
Ms.
Herrera arrived at 5:37 p.m.
Louise
Shedden, spoke in support of Lifelong and its activities. She spoke of many services and her
personal experience with the Agency.
She also said Lifelong has a very able staff that provides quality
activities.
Ron Provis, County resident
and owner of CBord Group, spoke in support of the Human Services
Coalition. He stated the Human
Services Coalition is the umbrella agency for many of the not-for-profit human
services agencies within the County. Mr. Provis also serves on the Human Services Coalition
Review Committee which reviews the needs and requests of those agencies.
Howard London, Town of
Lansing resident, spoke in support of continued funding for Lifelong. Mr. London serves as a volunteer
for the Tax Assistance Program (tax counseling for low income, disabled, and
elderly). He said they rely on
Lifelong and RSVP for support and resources, including administrative support
and liaison services to the Internal Revenue Service. They serviced approximately 1,000 taxpayers last year from
that population who received approximately $650,000 in refunds. During the tax
season they have four open weekly walk-in sessions. They also provide services to Challenge Industries and other
agencies serving individuals with disabilities. They do a number of home visits to assist with tax return
preparation for those who are not able to leave their homes. Mr. London said this is a much-needed
service for the community and urged the Legislature to continue funding
Lifelong.
Marge Dill, Town of Lansing
resident and former Director of the Human Services Coalition, urged the
Legislature not to be “penny wise and pound foolish”. She said the Human Services Coalition programs have
many volunteers attached to those programs that are extremely important and
would like the Legislature to continue providing the same level of
support. She spoke of the many
human services that bring funds into Tompkins County and into individual’s pockets
for prescriptions that they otherwise couldn’t get.
Nels Bohn, Director of
Community Development for the Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency and a City of Ithaca
resident, spoke in opposition to the proposed reduction in funding to the Human
Services Coalition. He spoke of
the housing and the information and referral functions that the Coalition
provides and said that agency’s work plays a vital role in many activities of
the Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency.
John Bosak, Town of Ithaca,
spoke on behalf of T.C. Local concerning long-term
economic
development. T.C. Local is a group
of concerned citizens working to plan for the County’s future in an era of
decreasing fossil-fuel resources.
He read the following statement:
“Energy analysts and petroleum
geologists are agreed that world oil and natural gas production will reach a
peak within the next two decades and then begin an irreversible decline. A few experts believe that this peak
has already arrived; conservative estimates put the peak of production at
somewhere around the year 2020. No
credible analysis sees world oil and gas production continuing to increase past
2030. The combination of falling global
oil production and ever-increasing demand will result in astronomically high
energy prices. One recent
conservative estimate used for urban planning in Canada put the price of
gasoline in 2018 at about four times its cost today. Recent discoveries in the Gulf of Mexico will have a
negligible efect on this increase
in prices and the development of alternative sources of energy cannot occur
quickly enough to have any meaningful impact on its economic effect. The ever increasing rise in prices
following the peak of world oil and gas production will have a devastating
impact on the world economy, including the U.S. economy. The effects are hard to predict in
detail but overall we are looking at something that will resemble the great
depression, only it will be worse and it will last longer.
“TC Local is researching ways the County can meet this challenge, particularly in the areas of food production and distribution, transportation, and heating. Obviously this research goes far beyond what I can describe today. We would be delighted to give the Legislature an in-depth briefing at any time that would be convenient.
“For today I would like to
say that it is essential for the future well-being of County residents that the
Legislature take the likely effects of energy descent into account when
planning for the County’s economic development.”
Joan Adler, Town of Enfield
resident, spoke in support of reinstatement of funding for the Ithaca Breast
Cancer Alliance. Ms. Adler said
she was one of the founders of the Alliance approximately 12 years ago that
provides services to both women and men.
She spoke of the many resources the Alliance provides to individuals who
have been diagnosed with cancer and provided specific examples of how those
services have helped people.
Shawn Galbreath, Executive Director of the Ithaca Breast Cancer Alliance (IBCA) and Tompkins County resident, thanked the Legislature for the funds that were provided to the Alliance last year. She said as of September 12 the State of New York has officially changed their articles of incorporation so that IBCA now serves individuals who have been diagnosed with breast cancer or gynecological cancer. Ms. Galbreath urged the Legislature to restore funding to the Alliance so that they can serve and support people who come to them with those cancers. She spoke of upcoming grants and stated they will be doing aggressive outreach into local communities of people who are traditionally uninsured or underinsured.
Distinguished
Youth Award
Mr. Koplinka-Loehr, District No. 11 Legislator,
presented the September, 2006, Distinguished Youth Award to 12-year-old Tessa
Friedeborn, a student at Ithaca’s Lehman Alternative School. As a cast
member for the Hangar Theatre’s production, “The Wiz”, she raised $3,500 in
donations for the Red Cross to assist Hurricane Katrina victims from patrons
attending five nights of performances, days after the hurricane hit.
Privilege of the Floor by
Legislators
Ms.
Robertson, District No. 13 Legislator, announced the Scenic Resources Inventory
Open House will be held on September 27 at the Women’s Community Building. She said people can vote up until
October 2nd on Tompkins County’s most scenic views. Ms. Robertson responded to
an editorial that appeared in today’s Ithaca Journal with regard to the 2007
budget and stated the article referring to last year’s election, the article
stated that many of the six new Legislators who were elected to office ran on a
platform to hold down County spending and taxes. She noted that five of those seats were filled by new
legislators because the previous legislator retired. She also noted that eight of the current Legislators were
re-elected or unopposed in the last election.
Mr.
Dennis, District No. 15 Legislator, spoke of gas prices and stated that
gasoline prices in Tompkins County are significantly higher than surrounding
areas. He urged the public to
contact elected State representatives to let them know about this.
Mr.
Proto, District No. 7 Legislator, expressed concern over the high price of
gasoline in Tompkins County and said he agreed with comments made by Mr.
Dennis. He said earlier this year
a resolution was drafted regarding ethanol and supporting alternate fuel
review. That resolution was taken
to the Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board and will be forwarded to the
State. The Environmental
Management Council is also reviewing this resolution and considering adopting a
similar one.
Mr.
Shinagawa, District No. 4 Legislator, announced the Worker’s Center, along with
the U.A.W., the S.C.I.U. and the Cornell Organization for Labor Action and many
other community partners are organizing a series of rallies around the
Gubernatorial debates on September 26th. It will begin on the Commons with music and speakers and
will move to Cornell where they will join a contingent of community leaders and
Cornell students. He said they
will be pushing the Gubernatorial candidates to take a stand and discuss their
plans for implementing a universal single-payer health care system in the State
of New York. He said they
also hope to have a question posed to the candidates during the debate on that
subject.
Ms.
Herrera, District No. 5 Legislator, announced September is Latino Heritage
Month. She said the Latino Civic
Association of Tompkins County has organized activities that are posted on the
Association’s website: www.latinocivicassociationtc.org. She noted that many cultural activities
are supported by Room Tax funds.
Mr. Joseph reported he sent all Legislators a memorandum regarding a letter he received from Judith Jacobs, a Nassau County Legislator. The subject of the letter was approaching the State about a cigarette tax for counties. He urged Legislators who have not yet done so, to let him know their thoughts on this.
Mr.
Joseph said a copy of letters submitted to the Legislature with regard to the
2007 budget are filed with the Clerk of the Legislature and may be viewed by
Legislators at any time.
Mr.
Joseph provided the Legislature with an update on the Tompkins County Council
of Governments. At this time there
are only three municipalities who have not yet joined the Council: Towns of Newfield and Danby, and the Village
of Lansing. He said they are
hopeful those municipalities will be coming on board to be members of that
organization. He said they have
been meeting for a couple of years as the Intermuncipal Cooperation group;
however, they decided to form a more formal Council to assist in improving
attendance by members of that body as well as having a better avenue for
communication. That meeting was
held; the next meeting will be September 28th at 3 p.m. when a Chair
will be elected.
Maria
Coles, City of Ithaca Common Council Member, said she has been reporting to the
Common Council about the cost of the Iraq war, including the human cost. She said cuts from the federal
government are passed along to the local communities and then the service
providers of many programs plead with the County for funding. She said to date, the United
States has expended $360 billion on the Iraq war; Tompkins County’s share of
that is $124 million; the City of Ithaca’s share is $22 million. Ms. Coles said there are varied
estimates as to the number of Iraq deaths from 42,000 to 100,000 or
higher. There are 2,687 dead young
American people; 118 deaths of Ukranians, and 115 deaths from other
countries. She said there are over
19,910 young Americans who are wounded, most severely.
Ms.
Coles said the Mayor is presently assembling the budget and is consulting with
the Controller and department heads during the month of October. There will be meetings on the budget
and public hearings will be held on October 16, 19, and 25th. She said the rules governing the
budget meetings have been restructured and they will be reviewing that
process.
Ms.
Coles said the Mayor and other members of Common Council are attempting to
refocus the group that was working on the possible renaming of State Street to
Dr. Martin Luther King Street. The
final meeting of the working group that had been trying to resolve what to do
about the City’s potable is almost ready to present the City its report, which
includes two alternatives: to
rebuild the City’s water plant or to purchase water from Bolton Point. Either option is extremely
costly. She noted federal funding
is no longer available for water treatment plants.
Mr.
Whicher spoke of gasoline prices and stated Tompkins County used to follow very
closely to the national average but is now consistently approximately ten cents
above.
He
said he provided all Legislators a copy of a summary of the SWN (Statewide
Wireless Network) financing.
Mr.
Whicher spoke of the temperature in the Legislature Chambers and said they are
continuing to work on the system and are beginning the balancing process. He asked that everyone be patient while
this work continues.
Mr.
Wood had no report.
Mr.
Squires reported he received an e-mail from a resident who was concerned about
the high gasoline prices. He said
the only nearby county that removed the sales tax on gasoline was Cayuga
County. He said Mike Connors of
Albany County has a website that is devoted to this issue.
Ms.
Lynch reported on the community public budget forum that will be held September
21st at 7 p.m. at the Greater Ithaca Activities Center. She invited everyone to attend to
learn, discuss, and let their feelings known about the budget. She spoke of the format that will be
used for the forum. Mr.
Koplinka-Loehr proposed that the format begin with open microphone and if time
permits, to split into small groups for dialogue.
Mr.
Proto asked that there be a written record of the forum that capsulizes the
comments that are made by the public.
On
motion and duly seconded and unanimously adopted by voice vote, the following
resolution(s) were added to the agenda:
Ratification of Bargaining agreement for the Civil and Non-Interest
Arbitrable Issues Between
Tompkins County, Tompkins County Sheriff, and the Employees’ Union of the
Tompkins County Sheriff’s Department;
Amendment to Resolution No. 294 of 2003 for Federal 5311 and new York
State Transportation Funding for a Capital Project to Purchase Four Busses and
Ancillary Transit Equipment for Rural TCAT Routes
Withdrawal of Resolution(s) from
the Agenda
There were no resolution withdrawn from the agenda.
Consent Agenda
There
were no items approved under the Consent Agenda.
Report from the Facilities and
Infrastructure Committee
Ms. Kiefer, reported the Committee met on September
12 and heard a report on many items, included the following:
There is no Over Target request from the Highway
Division because of the Motor Vehicle Use Fee which provides dedicated revenue;
the Facilities Division has an Over Target request for $400,000 to cover
deferred and ongoing maintenance with buildings and equipment.
The Health Department Capital project was discussed;
there is $250,000 in the 2007 budget for design; the Committee agreed that Mr.
Marx should pursue updated information on potential sites and that eventually
the information should be made available for municipal and public input;
Don Ellis, Director of Weights and Measures,
reported all of his work for this year is on schedule and that all fees he
currently charges are at the maximum allowable levels. He also spoke about scanner accuracy. A draft law was passed by both Senate
and Assembly Committees and may be making its way through the Legislature in
the near future;
Bill Sczesny, Highway Manager, reported on the
status of road ownership discussions that have been taking place and the
possible transfers between the towns and the County. There are two draft memorandums of understanding being
circulated, with the Town of Ithaca and the Town of Ulysses;
The Committee listened to comments from the public
on the Ellis Hollow Road project, which is in its early design phase;
There was discussion and information shared by Ms.
Kiefer on single-stream recycling.
Ms. Herrera and Mr. Shinagawa spoke in favor of
proceeding with examination of single-stream recycling.
Mr. Proto spoke of the “swapping of roads” and
stated the Towns of Caroline and Danby are interested in similar arrangements
and asked what the protocol would be for them proceeding. Ms. Kiefer said Mr. Sczesny will be
contacting all highway superintendents.
Mr. Hattery said he received input from a resident
with regard to Coddington Road.
The resident informed him that final design didn’t reflect the input
that was provided by the public on the project. Ms. Kiefer said there is not a final design for that road at
this time. Mr. Wood said he
received a letter from an attorney who resides on Coddington Road; he said
there is no final design and as part of the process a right-of-way plan is
produced and reviewed by residents; therefore, it is premature to be talking
about final design. Mr. Wood said
his general understanding from the preliminary design is that almost all of the
roadwork will be done within the current use and most of what is being talked
about being done out of the current use is grading, which would be a benefit
for landowners.
Mr. Joseph spoke of Coddington Road and said the
County is constrained by the requirements of State and Federal funding in what
is being done on that road.
He said when the Highway Division first put out a proposed design they
had already gone to the State with something that was already substantially
less than State standards and received approval to do something smaller than
normal. That was what was
presented to the residents, many of whom said they wanted the road even
smaller. Mr. Joseph said the
Highway went back to the State with another proposal but it was rejected. He said it is true that the Highway
Division’s next design did not reflect the requests of the residents. He said this does not mean the
residents who spoke on this were not heard. Mr. Booth said the County needs to
consider many other factors as well as the comments from residents who live
along the road.
Report and Presentation of
Resolution(s) from the Planning, Development and Environmental Quality
Committeef
Ms.
Robertson, Chair, reported the Committee has not met since the last Legislature
meeting. The next meeting will be
September 21 at 3 p.m. At that
meeting the Committee will set up the Local Empire Zone Administration
Board. She asked anyone who would
like to suggest someone to serve on that board to do so before that
meeting. Mr. Proto
expressed concern over the short amount of time for members to solicit names
for this board. Ms. Robertson said
Martha Armstrong of Tompkins County Area Development has communicated that
there is an urgency in setting up this board and making it functional but
stated that additional appointments can be made at a later time.
RESOLUTION
NO. 158 – ACCEPTING AND COMMITTING TO IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 2006 TOMPKINS
COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY
MOVED
by Ms. Robertson, seconded by Ms. Herrera.
Ms.
Kiefer said she supports the mission and vision statement and certainly has no
objection to the focus on housing, workforce, and revitalization of commercial
districts but was startled by the lack of any discussion on the stress that
energy shortages will be bringing to people.
It
was MOVED Ms. Kiefer, seconded by Ms. Mackesey, to amend the resolution by
adding the following paragraphs:
WHEREAS, global as well as U.S. oil reserves are not only finite but are
at or near the time when production of oil has peaked and can only decline, a
concept known as “peak oil”, and this will have a profound effect on virtually
all aspects of our lives, since oil and gas in various forms are used not only
to power cars, trucks, planes, and electricity-generating plants and to heat
buildings, but also as feedstocks for chemicals, pesticides, fertilizers,
medicines, and plastics, and the recognition of peak oil calls for a further
look at our local Economic Development Strategy, now therefore be it
RESOLVED,
further, That as part of fulfilling the Economic Development mission of
cultivating “a prosperous and sustainable regional economy”, the Tompkins
County Legislature calls on TCAD and its collaborators to recognize the need to
grapple with how best to respond to peak oil locally, and, in addition to the
three goals enumerated in the Economic Development Strategy, to also focus on
ways to help our local economy incorporate renewable energy, remain healthy in
the face of the “peak-oil” economic challenge, and move in the direction of
being able to provide us locally with needed goods and services.
A voice vote on the amendment resulted as follows: Ayes – 14, Noes – 1 (Legislator Hattery). MOTION CARRIED.
Mr. Booth said he hopes in the future these documents will stress how the County could take greater advantage of and contribute to the County’s leading industry – education.
Mr. Hattery said he is not in favor of approving this because he feels it contains a lack of concrete strategy and is uncomfortable turning it over to a collaborative that doesn’t return a strategy development on things like increasing a diverse housing supply and how that may lead to market-oriented strategies or public subsidy oriented strategies, one of which he would oppose, the other he would support. He said his opposition to this resolution is in part to the implementation piece and lack of detail about strategy.
Mr.
Proto said he does not feel the Economic Development Strategy is ready for
approval by the Legislature.
He expressed concern because the Planning Committee of the Legislature
has never received an update on what the status of the goals is, what the
outcomes have been, and if anything has been achieved or not achieved. Mr. Proto said he feels the
Strategy falls short in the areas of education and agriculture. He stated he would like to see
how well the County did on the first document before embarking on another set
of goals.
Ms.
Herrera spoke in support of the Economic Development Strategy and said economic
development in Tompkins County stands head and shoulders above those around
it. She said at every meeting TCAD
(Tompkins County Area Development) provides the Committee with a summary of
their activities to date. She
agreed with Mr. Proto in that a look should be taken at implementation
continually; however, she strongly supports taking action on this resolution
this evening.
Ms.
Robertson said Martha Armstrong reported that they found the previous Economic
Development Strategy to be too specific and very constraining. Some of the items that were felt to be
very important in 1999 weren’t at the same place on the priority list in
2001. Ms. Robertson said the
purpose of this is to create a working group that would be committed to broad
goals that would direct their specific resources in collaboration with other
organizations.
It was MOVED by Mr. Proto, seconded by Mr. Sigler, to Postpone action on this resolution to the October 3, 2006 Legislature meeting.
Ms.
Robertson said she would arrange for a presentation to be held at the October 3
Legislature meeting. Ms.
Mackesey said she does not object to postponing this resolution if members have
questions. Ms. Kiefer said she
would like a clear explanation as to why the format is the way it is currently
as opposed to the previous Economic Development Strategy, and agrees with Mr.
Proto that the full Legislature needs a real status report on the items in the
first Economic Development Strategy.
A
voice vote on the motion to postpone the resolution resulted as follows: Ayes – 9 (Legislators Booth, Dennis,
Hattery, Kiefer, Mackesey, Proto, Randall, Sigler, and Stevenson); Noes – 6
(Legislators
Herrera, Joseph, Koplinka-Loehr, McBean-Clairborne,
Robertson, and Shinagawa). MOTION
TO POSTPONE CARRIED.
RESOLUTION
NO. 158 – ACCEPTING AND COMMITTING TO IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 2006 TOMPKINS
COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY
MOVED
by Ms. Robertson, seconded by Ms. Herrera.
WHEREAS,
in 1997, the Tompkins County Board of Representatives charged Tompkins County
Area Development (TCAD) with the preparation of an Economic Development
Strategy to guide countywide activities related to economic development and
provide an agenda for positive action, and
WHEREAS,
the Economic Development (ED) Strategy prepared for Tompkins County was
accepted by the County Board of Representatives in July, 1999, and
WHEREAS,
the Economic Development Strategy included the formation of a Coordinating
Committee responsible for implementation of the strategy, and
WHEREAS, TCAD initiated
a planning process to update the ED Strategy in 2005, involving over
seventy-five civic, business and citizen leaders coupled with a research
component to provide in-depth information and background data, and
WHEREAS,
the Coordinating Committee, (including representatives from Tompkins County
Area Development, the Industrial Development Agency, the Workforce Investment
Board, the Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Ithaca
Downtown Partnership, the City of Ithaca Department of Planning and Economic
Development and the Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency, the Town of Ithaca Planning
Department, the Tompkins County Planning Department, the Ithaca-Tompkins County
Transportation Council, Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County, and the
Municipal Officials Association) has been meeting quarterly to assess progress
toward implementation of the 1999 ED Strategy, to ensure that all parties are
fully aware of the challenges and concerns facing committee members, and to
participate in creating the 2006 ED Strategy, and
WHEREAS, the Coordinating
Committee structure has proved valuable in uniting the economic development
professionals in the community to provide mutual support and assistance, and
WHEREAS, the process of
updating and revising the County’s Economic Development Strategy is complete,
bringing with it new challenges and opportunities that can be more fully
realized by formalizing the role of the Coordinating Committee and converting
it to an Economic Development Collaborative with a mission to:
“Cultivate
a prosperous and sustainable regional economy by building the economic
foundations, expanding opportunities, and fully engaging the community in ways
that reflect the community's strengths and values”, and
WHEREAS, while further discussion, analysis, and action will be needed to achieve implementation of the Three Five-Year Goals, a strategy document has been developed that offers a sound approach to economic development and will serve as the basis for continuing discussion by the Legislature and the community, and
WHEREAS, Tompkins County has adopted
a Comprehensive Plan and has a record of taking a comprehensive approach to
economic development and fostering collaboration to achieve planning and
development goals, and
WHEREAS, global as well as
U.S. oil reserves are not only finite but are at or near the time when
production of oil has peaked and can only decline, a concept known as “peak
oil”, and this will have a
profound
effect on virtually all aspects of our lives, since oil and gas in various
forms are used not only to power cars, trucks, planes, and
electricity-generating plants and to heat buildings, but also as feedstocks for
chemicals, pesticides, fertilizers, medicines, and plastics, and the
recognition of peak oil calls for a further look at our local Economic
Development Strategy, now
therefore be it
RESOLVED,
on recommendation of the Planning Development and Environmental Quality Committee,
That the Tompkins County Legislature hereby accepts the 2006 Economic Development Strategy for Tompkins County, dated July
18, 2006, as a guide to continuing and future economic development initiatives
and activities intended to benefit all residents of Tompkins County in the
years to come,
RESOLVED,
further, That Tompkins County supports the concept of the Economic Development
Collaborative and pledges to participate in strategies that will lead to
fulfillment of the mission,
RESOLVED, further, That as part of fulfilling the Economic Development mission of cultivating “a prosperous and sustainable regional economy”, the Tompkins County Legislature calls on TCAD and its collaborators to recognize the need to grapple with how best to respond to peak oil locally, and, in addition to the three goals enumerated in the Economic Development Strategy, to also focus on ways to help our local economy incorporate renewable energy, remain healthy in the face of the “peak-oil” economic challenge, and move in the direction of being able to provide us locally with needed goods and services.
SEQR ACTION: TYPE II-20
*
* * * * * * * *
RESOLUTION NO. 159 - AWARD OF GRANT FOR TOURISM
BROCHURE FOR TOWNS
MOVED
by Ms. Robertson, seconded by Mr. Dennis.
A short roll call vote resulted as follows: Ayes – 15, Noes – 0.
RESOLUTION ADOPTED.
WHEREAS,
the town historians within Tompkins County have developed a brochure that
visitors and local residents can use to learn about intriguing features and
points of interest within each town, and
WHEREAS,
funding exists within the Room Occupancy Tax budget for the production and
delivery of the brochures, and
WHEREAS,
the Strategic Tourism Planning Board (STPB) anticipates that the project will
encourage local pride and heighten awareness of local assets, and potentially
increase the tourism business in the County, and increase the income from the
Room Occupancy tax, and the grant award has been reviewed and recommended by
the STPB, and
WHEREAS,
each town will be asked to contribute $200 to this project, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Planning, Development and Environmental Quality Committee and the Budget and Capital Committee, That the County Administrator or his designee is authorized to sign all documents related to this project,
RESOLVED, further, That invoices shall be submitted to Tompkins County Administration for payment in a total amount not to exceed $6,625, and
RESOLVED,
further, That the funds be paid from the Room Tax Reserve Fund.
SEQR ACTION: TYPE II-20
*
* * * * * * * * *
RESOLUTION NO. 160 - AMENDMENT TO RESOLUTION NO. 294 OF 2003 FOR
FEDERAL 5311 AND NEW YORK STATE TRANSPORTATION FUNDING FOR A CAPITAL PROJECT TO
PURCHASE FOUR BUSES AND ANCILLARY TRANSIT EQUIPMENT FOR RURAL TOMPKINS
CONSOLIDATED AREA TRANSIT (TCAT) ROUTES
MOVED
by Ms. Robertson, seconded by Mr. Proto, and unanimously adopted by voice vote.
WHEREAS, Tompkins County
submitted a request (Resolution No. 294 of 2003) for a grant of $1,233,800 to
the New York State Department of Transportation, pursuant to Section 5311,
Title 49, United States Code, for a capital project to purchase: four 40-foot
heavy-duty, low-floor transit buses, twenty-two mobile radios, four bus
shelters, and fifteen bus stop signs on behalf of Tompkins Consolidated Area
Transit (TCAT), and
WHEREAS, New York State
Department of Transportation increased Tompkins County’s grant award by $20,000
to $1,253,800 and approved a revised project description as follows: four
40-foot heavy-duty, low-floor transit buses, twenty-four mobile radios, four
bus shelters and eight solar bus stop signs for TCAT, and communication and
safety equipment for Tioga Transport, Inc., and
WHEREAS, the Project’s
revised funding sources are as follows:
|
FTA Sec 5311 |
$1,003,040 |
|
NYSDOT |
$125,380 |
|
TCAT |
$125,380 |
|
Total |
$1,253,800 |
, and
WHEREAS, Tompkins County and
the State of New York are entering into an Agreement that authorizes the
undertaking of the Project and payment of Federal and State shares of the
project, and the local share of the project was committed in TCAT’s capital
budget for 2005, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Tompkins
County Legislature amends Resolution No. 294 of 2003, revising the scope and
budget as stated, authorizes said application and agreement for this project
and that the Contracts Coordinator/Risk Manager is authorized to sign:
1.
Any
and all Agreements between Tompkins County and the State of New York for the
above named Project;
2.
Any
and all Agreements between Tompkins County and any third party subcontractors
necessary to complete the project, if applicable;
3.
Any
Municipality/Vendor Contracts for the purchase and or installation of vehicles
and equipment.
SEQR
ACTION:
TYPE II-20
________________
Mr.
Dennis, Chair, had no report. The
next meeting will be October 11th.
RESOLUTION
NO. 161 – AUTHORIZATION TO PAY INTEREST ARBITRATION COSTS FROM THE CONTINGENT
FUND
MOVED
by Mr. Dennis, seconded by Mrs. McBean-Clairborne. A short roll call vote resulted as follows: Ayes – 15, Noes – 0. RESOLUTION ADOPTED.
WHEREAS,
the Employees Union of the Tompkins County Sheriff’s Department has been
working without a contract since March 1, 2004, and
WHEREAS,
the Employees Union of the Tompkins County Sheriff’s Department has, by Section
209.4 of the Civil Service Law, been given the right to Compulsory Interest
Arbitration, and
WHEREAS,
Compulsory Interest Arbitration has never before been exercised in Tompkins County
and the amount of these interest arbitration expenses could not have possibly
been anticipated or budgeted in advance, and
WHEREAS,
no funds have been budgeted or allocated for these or future interest
arbitration costs, and
WHEREAS,
the Personnel Department has paid previous negotiation and interest arbitration
costs from its own rollover funds and these funds are now depleted, and
WHEREAS,
additional funds are necessary to pay these expenses, now therefore be it
RESOLVED,
on recommendation of the Personnel and the Budget and Capital Committees, That
attorney fees to date in the amount of $16,300.47 associated with Compulsory
Interest Arbitration will be paid from the Contingent Fund,
RESOLVED,
further, That the Director of Finance is hereby authorized and directed to make
the payments from the contingent fund:
FROM: A1990.54440 Contingent
Fund $16,300.47
SEQR ACTION:
TYPE II-20
___________________
RESOLUTION NO. 162 - AUTHORIZING NEGOTIATING TEAM THE OPTION TO HIRE A
NEGOTIATOR THROUGH A REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS PROCESS – ROAD PATROL
NEGOTIATIONS
MOVED
by Mr. Dennis, seconded by Ms. Mackesey, and unanimously adopted by voice vote.
WHEREAS,
the Employee’s Union of the Tompkins County Sheriff’s Department agreement
expired February 28, 2006, and
WHEREAS,
the negotiating team for Tompkins County will begin negotiations for the road
patrol of the Sheriff’s Department, and
WHEREAS,
if an outside negotiator is needed, the Personnel Committee proposes the
selection process be through a Request for Qualifications, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Personnel Committee, That the negotiating team for the road patrol of the Deputy Sheriff’s union be given the option to hire an outside negotiator, if necessary, through a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) process and that the negotiating team has the authority to hire said negotiator.
SEQR ACTION: TYPE II-20
____________________
RESOLUTION NO. 163 -
RATIFICATION OF BARGAINING AGREEMENT FOR THE CIVIL AND NON-INTEREST ARBITRABLE
ISSUES BETWEEN TOMPKINS COUNTY, TOMPKINS COUNTY SHERIFF, AND THE EMPLOYEES’
UNION OF THE TOMPKINS COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT
MOVED
by Mr. Dennis, seconded by Ms. Mackesey.
Mr. Booth said he will oppose this resolution because he feels it is
excessively expensive.
A voice vote resulted as follows:
Ayes – 11, Noes – 4 (Legislators Booth, Hattery, Proto, and
Randall). RESOLUTION ADOPTED.
WHEREAS,
members of the Employees Union of the Tompkins County Sheriff’s Department have
been working without a contract since March 1, 2004, and
WHEREAS,
negotiations between the County and the Union for a successor collective
bargaining agreement began on or about February 10, 2004, followed by
additional bargaining sessions and a joint Fact Finding and Interest Arbitration
hearing on February 10, 2006, (PERB Case No. M2004-335), and
WHEREAS, several months after the February 10, 2006, joint Fact Finding and Interest Arbitration hearing, the State of New York Public Employment Relations Board, represented by Dennis J. Campagna, submitted its Fact Finding Report and Recommendation to the County and the Union, and
WHEREAS,
a tentative collective bargaining agreement for the civil and non-interest
arbitrable issues has been reached between Tompkins County and the Employees
Union of the Tompkins County Sheriff’s Department that covers the period of
March 1, 2004, to December 31, 2007, now therefore be it
RESOLVED,
That the collective bargaining agreement for the civil and non-interest
arbitrable issues between Tompkins County, Tompkins County Sheriff, and the
Employees Union of the Tompkins County Sheriff’s Department for the years 2004,
2005, 2006, and 2007, is hereby ratified and the County Administrator is
directed to sign the tentative collective-bargaining agreement on behalf of the
County.
SEQR ACTION: TYPE II-20
___________________
Ms.
Herrera, Chair, reported the Committee will meet on September 20th.
RESOLUTION
NO. 164 – APPROPRIATION FROM CONTINGENT FUND – TERMINAL PAY – ADMINISTRATION
MOVED
by Ms. Herrera, seconded by Mr. Booth.
A short roll call vote resulted as follows: Ayes – 15, Noes – 0.
RESOLUTION ADOPTED.
WHEREAS, Administration had a Public Affairs
Officer resign effective February 10, 2006, with terminal pay in the amount of
$4,176.22, and
WHEREAS, Administration had a Public Information Officer Trainee resign
effective July 28, 2006, with terminal pay in the amount of $365.59, and
WHEREAS, the Fiscal Policy of Tompkins County allows for terminal pay from the Contingent Fund, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Government
Operations, and the 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 $
4,541.81
TO: A1988.51000340 Public
Information Officer $
2,770.50
A1988.58800 Fringes $
1,771.31
SEQR ACTION:
TYPE II-20
___________________
Mr. Koplinka-Loehr, Chair,
reported the next Expanded Budget and Capital Committee meeting will be held
September 25th. A
proposed schedule has been prepared and is based on Legislators submissions of
budget priorities.
Mr. Booth asked that any
major items be brought back as soon as possible and that the list be as
specific as possible. Ms.
Robertson asked if there will be time for departments to come back and answer a
question with regard to significant increases in fuel costs. Mr. Whicher said departments should be
made aware in advance if being asked to attend meetings and provide specific
information.
Mrs.
McBean-Clairborne, Chair, reported the Committee will meet on October 5 at 3
p.m. She spoke of a recent incident which resulted in smoke being dispersed
through the building and stated there needs to be a discussion about the Jail
facility.
Mrs.
McBean-Clairborne, Chair, reported the committee will meet on September 27 at
3:30 p.m. At that meeting they will discuss bylaws and marketing strategies.
Mr. Proto, Chair, reported the Committee met on September 5th and again prior to this Legislature meeting. The next meeting will be October 4th. Mr. Proto announced flu clinics will be held in October. He also reported on the unfortunate incident with regard to the spinach supply in California that led to at least one death. During a me