Chair Mink called a public hearing to order at 5:30 p.m. concerning the 1999 Small Cities Community Development Block Grant Program. Ms. Mink asked if anyone wished to speak.

Karl Heck, Community Economic Development Specialist said the deadline for applications is due on February 3, 1999 and if there is no opposition they will be submitting the $600,000 application.

Mr. Stein, District No. 3 Representative, asked if there were any economic development inquiries. Mr. Heck said some calls were received; however, no one came forward with any specific project (information pertaining to this public hearing for 1999 small cities community included in the minutes of the January 5, 1999 meeting).

No one else wished to speak and the public hearing was closed at 5:34 p.m.

Chair Mink called the regular meeting to order at 5:34 p.m.

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 Representatives; Excused - 1 (Representative Todd)

Appointment of Keepers of the Newfield Covered Bridge

Mr. Winch, District No. 8 Representative, introduced Betsy Lawrence and Janet Mara of the Newfield Historical Society. He said once every four years the Board must reappoint the Keepers of the Covered Bridge. Unfortunately, the Mussers' could not attend the meeting this evening. Mr. Winch said they will be the Keepers along with members of the Newfield Historical Society. Ms. Lawrence thanked the Board for the recognition and said they feel very proud that Newfield has a covered bridge.

Privilege of the Floor by the Public

Pat Louise Davies, District No. 11, responded to negative comments that were made during privilege of the floor at the last Board meeting. She said the politics of personal destruction are just that, destructive. She said there are many ways in which verbally attacking those who serve in our government can be destructive to our democracy and to our humanity. She said respectful, constructive criticism is an important right to exercise. She said at the last meeting Ms. Mink spoke of mutual respect between colleagues in our government. She appealed to members of the public to consider the importance of mutual respect also between the public and government officials.

Ms. Davies asked when the public can expect to hear more about the Y2K program and become active in committees in this program. Ms. Mink said a report will be given during this meeting.

Donald Barber, Town of Caroline Supervisor, reported at their December meeting the Caroline Town Board passed a resolution supporting a County-wide aquifer study. Mr. Barber said the study will provide very useful and needed information that will help several entities make better decisions. The town boards of Ithaca, Groton, Dryden, Danby, Enfield, Ulysses, and Caroline have all adopted resolutions supporting this study. He said City of Ithaca Mayor, Alan Cohen, has also written a letter of support.

Cathy Valentino, Town of Ithaca Supervisor, said the Town discussed the issue of an aquifer study at length at their town board meeting. The Board felt it would provide some, although limited benefit to the Town. She said it was clear to them that other municipalities can gain great benefits with moving forward and completing this study.

Kenneth Horst, Town of Danby Supervisor, said the Town of Danby is also very supportive of mapping the aquifers. He said whenever there is a development under consideration the first question that comes up relates to how it will affect neighboring wells and water supply. He said they are really unable to answer some of these questions. He urged the Board to support this resolution.

James Schug, Town of Dryden Supervisor, said although the Town of Dryden is co-owner of Bolton Point, 90 percent of the residents of Dryden are still on ground water. He said the Town supports this effort and urged the Board to support it also.

Theresa Robinson, Town of Groton Supervisor, said but although the Village of Groton has public water, during the past summer there was a very low amount of water in the hills, and said it costs a lot of money to drill wells. She said there is a real need to know where the aquifers are in the areas, and urged the passage of the proposed resolution.

Privilege of the Floor by Board Members

Mr. Lane, District No. 14 Representative, said today the Board was presented with a draft resolution regarding the aquifer study and prior to this meeting the Planning and Intergovernmental Relations Committee met and endorsed the resolution. He said the resolution needs to be approved by the Budget and Quality Planning Committee at a meeting scheduled for January 21, 1999. Mr. Lane said it will come to the full Board for consideration on February 4^th.

Mr. Joseph, District No. 12 Representative, said he was asked by a member of the public to remind Board members to use their microphones when speaking.

Mr. Winch, District No. 8 Representative, announced that the Newfield Public Library was listed as one of the top ten libraries in the nation for its size. He said a lot of the credit goes to the Library Board of Trustees of which Mary Humpton is the Chair. Mr. Winch said this is a community library and has been so successful because of community support, financial support, and the volunteer efforts.

Mr. Stein, District No. 3 Representative, said he is pleased that the various town supervisors attended this meeting supporting an effort that has very positive potential environmental impacts. He said this is a positive and progressive way to look at land-use development in those communities. Mr. Stein said he is glad to see that there is now greater recognition about impacts of development on certain environments in the towns.

Mr. Penniman, District No. 15 Representative, thanked Pat Davies for her comments in support of public officials. He reported he attended the telecast Workforce Development Summit at BOCES hosted by Al Gore. He said it was well attended and there was a lot of emphasis placed on successful and innovative ways of teaming up employers with trainees. Mr. Penniman said he found it particularly interesting that in the last twenty years there has been an increasing wage gap between people with a high-school degree and those with a college education. He said this is a trend that really needs to be addressed.

Mr. Totman, District No. 9 Representative, said he spoke with Representative Todd today. Mr. Todd is still undergoing therapy but is doing very well.

Ms. Blanchard, District No. 1 Representative, said as Supervisor of the Town of Caroline, Mr. Barber received a letter from the Tompkins County Highway Department dated January 14 regarding the Lounsbury Road Bridge. In that letter, the Highway Department made a commitment to build that bridge in the year 20001. She said unfortunately Mr. Barber has already left the meeting; otherwise she would have let him know that was an error that will be corrected to state 2001.

Chair's Report

Ms. Mink made the following appointments to the Y2K Committee and said these members will focus on getting updates from their constituents on what is being done relative to this issue, and Wendy Skinner will publicize the information:

Barbara Mink, Chair

Lee Shurtleff, Deputy Fire, Disaster, and EMS Coordinator

Fred Bonn, Chamber of Commerce

Charles Nocera, American Red Cross

Wendy Skinner, Public Information Coordinator

Pat Vaughan, City of Ithaca

Ms. Mink will also invite Ms. Pat Davies to join.

Ms. Mink reported NYSAC has issued a news release regarding the effect of the clothing sales tax exemptions. She said an analysis indicates that reported State-wide clothing sales have decreased in successive temporary sales tax exemption on clothing weeks. This means that every holiday it gets less because the surprise factor is not there.

Ms. Mink requested that committee chairs submit goals for 1999 by the February 16 Board meeting.

Report from the County Administrator

Mr. Erb reported the final 1999 budget is being printed at this time and should be available for distribution next week. Ms. Kiefer inquired into the status of the recent budget survey. Mr. Joseph said ten Board members returned the survey.

Report from the County Attorney

Mr. Theisen had no report.

Report from the Finance Director

Mr. Squires said at the last Board meeting he distributed a preliminary list of properties that have delinquent taxes. That list has been updated and there is a remarkable reduction in the number of properties. He said it now shows what is the lowest amount of back taxes due in a long time. At this time there is less than 60 parcels and slightly over $100,000 in arrears.

Mr. Squires reported on the final payment of sales tax for 1998. He said the anticipated sales tax revenue for 1998 is close to the amount budgeted.

Mr. Proto asked about the installment method of paying back taxes and asked for an update on how this is going and whether this has been successful.

Mr. Stein requested a report on room tax revenue.

Addition of Resolution(s) to the Agenda

It was MOVED by Ms. Blanchard, seconded by Mrs. Schuler, and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present, to add the following resolution(s) to the agenda:

Authorization to Execute a Grant Agreement with the New York State Department of Transportation - Tompkins County Airport - Regional Air Service Study

Award of Contract - Architectural Services - Design of the New Tompkins County Public Library

Withdrawal of Resolution(s) from the Agenda

Chair Mink gave the appropriate committee chair permission to withdraw the following resolution from the agenda:

Approval of Contract between the County and the Chamber of Commerce/Convention and Visitors Bureau for Tourism Services

Approval of Resolution(s) and Appointment(s) Under the Consent Agenda

With the unanimous consent of those present, Resolution No. 8 was moved to the Consent Agenda.

It was MOVED by Mr. Joseph, seconded by Mrs. Schuler, and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present, to approve the following resolution(s) and appointment(s) under the Consent Agenda:

RESOLUTION NO. 8 - TO AMEND RESOLUTION NO. 29 OF FEBRUARY 3, 1998 - DETERMINATION AND CERTIFICATION OF COUNTY CLERK'S ALLOWANCE - ANNUAL EXPENSES FOR ADMINISTERING MORTGAGE TAX

MOVED by Mr. Joseph, seconded by Mrs. Schuler, and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present.

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 262 of the Tax Law, recording officers are entitled to receive all their necessary expenses for purposes of administering mortgage taxes in their offices on approval and allowance by the State Tax Commission, and

WHEREAS, the State Tax Commission, by resolution duly adopted July 1, 1946, did determine that such mortgage tax expenses be approved at the amount certified to the State Tax Commission by the County Board of Representatives provided it is a reasonable and necessary allowance for such expenses, and

WHEREAS, the County Clerk has conducted a cost analysis and has recommended that the allowance for mortgage tax expenses be increased from $43,679 per annum to $52,118 per annum, now therefore be it

RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Government Operations Committee, That the sum of $52,118 per annum be, and the same hereby is, determined as a reasonable and necessary allowance of the Tompkins County Clerk, the recording officer of the County of Tompkins, for the hire of clerks and assistants and other expenses to assist in the administration of the mortgage recording tax law in her office, and that said sum of $52,118 is hereby certified to the State Tax Commission as the reasonable and necessary allowance for such expenses,

RESOLVED, further, That the Clerk of the Board of Representatives is hereby directed to send a certified copy of this resolution, with her original signature thereon, to the State Tax Commission,

RESOLVED, further, That this resolution shall take effect immediately.

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Appointment(s)

Ms. Kiefer said when the Government Operations Committee considered this appointment, she was not aware that there were more applicants than those presented. Ms. Mink said that is a technical issue that the Committee can discuss. Ms. Kiefer requested that the appointment process in general be discussed at the Government Operations Committee. Ms. Kiefer requested that the appointment process in general be referred to the Government Operations Committee.

Ms. Davis noted the discussion that has taken place in no way casts aspersions upon the applicant, and that this is a technical matter in the appointment process and should not discourage them against service.

With the unanimous consent of the those Board members present, the appointment of Shamita Alwani was withdrawn from the agenda.

Report from the Health and Human Services Committee

Mr. Winch, Chairman, reported the January 14 meeting was canceled due to a snow storm. He said he has begun the process of looking at 1999 goals, having received the 1998 goals and recommendations for 1999 from Mr. Proto, former Chairman.

Report and Presentation of Resolution(s) from the Facilities and Infrastructure Committee

Ms. Blanchard, Chair, reported the Committee met today. The way the program is structured they will review some divisions at one meeting and other divisions on the second meeting of the month. Today's meeting focused on Engineering, Solid Waste, and the Airport. The Committee approved the submission of a pre-application to support a farm pesticide amnesty program. The grant will be for $25,000 and will come from the Environmental Protection Agency's Toxic and Clean Water programs and will be supplemented with $14,000 in-kind services from the Tompkins County Solid Waste. Ms. Blanchard said soon the Airport will be requesting proposals for telephone service in the terminal payphone area and for automatic teller machine services. Ms. Blanchard said the Committee heard an interesting presentation from APCOA, the parking lot operator. More information will be gathered on this subject, as the Committee prepares to execute a new contract. Ms. Blanchard said Mr. Erb presented the Committee with a summary of snow control costs for the season to date. That one-page summary should have been distributed to all Board members. The Committee also reviewed the status of capital projects.

WHEREAS, the purpose of the study was to ascertain the feasibility of attracting additional air service to the Tompkins County Airport, and

WHEREAS, the consultant's report shows that Tompkins County is unable to show sufficient demand to warrant additional air service from its own market area at the present time, and

WHEREAS, the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) has indicated a willingness to help with air service recruitment by financing an expansion of the air service study to incorporate the Elmira and Binghamton areas, and

WHEREAS, to this end, NYSDOT has made a grant offer in the amount of $27,778 to cover the cost of conducting the expanded air service study for the Elmira and Binghamton areas and that both Elmira and Binghamton airports have agreed to cover any additional costs over and above the grant amount that may be necessary, now therefore be it

RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Facilities and Infrastructure Committee, That the County does hereby accept the NYSDOT grant offer of $27,778, subject to all additional costs associated with this expanded study being borne by Elmira/Corning Regional Airport and by Binghamton Regional Airport,

RESOLVED, further, That the Finance Director be and hereby is authorized to advance County monies up to the amount of $27,778 until reimbursement is received from NYSDOT and from Elmira/Corning and Binghamton Regional Airports.

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Report from the Public Safety Committee

Mr. Evans, Chairman, reported the Committee has not met. The next meeting will be January 26 at noon.

Report from the Budget and Quality Planning Committee

Mr. Joseph, Chairman, reported the Committee has not met. The next meeting will be January 21 at 9:15 a.m.
 
 
 
 

Report from the Governmental Operations Committee

Mr. Koplinka-Loehr, Chairman, reported the Committee met on January 7. At that meeting the Committee authorized an RFP process for a County-wide flyover; this will enhance the County's GIS maps. The Committee reviewed and postponed a resolution endorsing federal and state versions of the Hate Crimes Prevention Act. That issue should come before the Committee at the next meeting with additional information. Mr. Koplinka-Loehr said the Committee also discussed its goals for 1999. Those goals include restructuring the Department of Administration, the Administrative Manual Policy, and setting quality of life indicators for the departments that report to that Committee. Mr. Proto requested that the Committee include review of the appointment procedure also.
 
 

Report from the Planning, Intergovernmental Relations and Education

Mr. Lane, Chairman, reported the Committee will meet on January 26. He reported he and Representative Joseph attended a meeting at the Chamber of Commerce along with representatives from the City to discuss the County's reasons for not lifting the sales tax on clothing and footwear. He said it was a good meeting and that the discussion went very well.

Report and Presentation of Resolution(s) from the Economic and Workforce Development Committee

Mr. Stein, Chairman, reported the Committee met on January 14. At that meeting Nemmeck Associates, the Airport Consultant made a presentation to the community. Mr. Stein said this year the arts and tourism responsibility has been folded into this Committee. One of the functions of the former Advisory Board on Tourism Development was to distribute guidelines and to receive and evaluate proposals for tourism grants that are paid out of the County budget through room tax. He said the Economic and Workforce Development Committee will be handling this responsibility until the Strategic Tourism Planning Board is ready to assume that responsibility. Ms. Mink said she hopes that those guidelines could be streamlined especially for groups who are asking for small amounts of money and having to fill out an extraordinary amount of paperwork. Mr. Stein said the Committee has been seeking applicants in the public to fill the membership of that board. The next meeting will be February 11.

RESOLUTION NO. 10 - AUTHORIZING 1999 FEDERAL SECTION 5307 GRANT - TOMPKINS CONSOLIDATED AREA TRANSIT (TCAT)

MOVED by Mr. Stein, seconded by Mr. Proto, and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present.

WHEREAS, the Secretary of the United States Department of Transportation is authorized to make grants for mass transportation projects pursuant to Section 5307 of Chapter 53, Title 49 of the United States Code (formerly Section 9, Federal Transit Act of 1964), and

WHEREAS, the County of Tompkins is the designated recipient of Section 5307 urban formula transit funds and will apply on behalf of Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit (TCAT) to receive and use said funds, and

WHEREAS, the County of Tompkins desires to submit a request for a grant of funds to the Federal Transit Administration, in the amount of $436,923, and

WHEREAS, the Federal Section 5307 funds will be used as follows: transit operating assistance - $257,123 and capital equipment - $179,800, and

WHEREAS, the projects were approved by the Ithaca-Tompkins County Transportation Council and are included on the 1994-99 Transportation Improvement Program, as amended, now therefore be it

RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Economic and Workforce Development Committee, That the Tompkins County Board of Representatives authorizes the County Contracts Coordinator to execute and file an application on behalf of the County of Tompkins with the United States Department of Transportation and the New York State Department of Transportation for the 1999 Section 5307 Grant,

RESOLVED, further, That the County Contracts Coordinator is authorized to execute grant agreements on behalf of the County of Tompkins with the United States Department of Transportation and the New York State Department of Transportation, and any third party subcontractor necessary to complete these projects.

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Report from the Electronic Future Committee

Mr. Evans, Chairman, reported the Committee met on January 14 and will meet again on January 28 at 3 p.m.

Report from the Electric Power Committee

Mr. Stein, Chairman, reported he has been in constant contact with Gordon Boyd, Consultant. He said they have come to the end of their negotiations with NYSEG Solutions. It appears an agreement will be ready for consideration in the next week.

Report from the Information Management Committee

Mr. Evans, Chairman, reported the Committee met this morning and discussed the Y2K issue. At that meeting it became clear that the Information Technology Services Department does not have staff to take on the project. He said the Committee is looking at other options that include transferring a technical employee in the County to that Department or to put that project out to bid. Ms. Kiefer noted the Committee recommended an RFQ process. Ms. Kiefer noted the Committee recommended an RFQ process. Mr. Evans said he would prefer to do the project in-house. Mr. Evans said the Committee also discussed of proposed flyover for the GIS system. The next meeting will be February 2.

Report from the Library Coordination Committee

Mr. Proto, Chairman, reported an organizational meeting of the Committee will be held on January 22 at 10:30 p.m. in the Scott B. Heyman Conference Room. He asked that members bring copies of Ms. Mink's charge to the Committee and suggestions for carrying out that charge.

Report from the Public Safety Building Space Committee

Mr. Joseph, Chairman, reported the Committee met last week with the consultants and had discussion that was primarily focussed around the data that the consultants have been collecting. The consultant told the Committee that the County was doing a good job trying to keep the jail population down. Mr. Joseph said this means the easy answers have already been implemented, and the Consultants will need to focus on more creative ways to reduce the population. Mr. Joseph said the Committee also spent time constructing a survey that tries to get at attitudes towards the purpose of the Jail, alternatives to incarceration, crime prevention, and various other topics.

Report and Presentation of Resolution(s) from the Library Construction Committee

Ms. Mink, Chair, reported the Committee met this afternoon and business conducted at that meeting is reflected in the resolution. She said when the initial discussions took place about the Library moving to the Woolworth building, there was discussion about including some sort of coffeeshop, restaurant, or food venue in that building. She said it was popular at the time because it felt like what libraries across the country are doing and would be a service to patrons, another draw to downtown, and replacing something that had been part of the downtown scene for thirty years (the Woolworth's Diner). She said there has been tremendous pressure, resistance, and warnings from the City of Ithaca about putting any kind of food service in the Library. She said this issue has not yet been decided and she would like to hear from the community how they feel about having some type of coffeeshop in the Library.

RESOLUTION NO. 11 - AWARD OF CONTRACT - ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES - DESIGN OF THE NEW TOMPKINS COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY

MOVED by Ms. Blanchard, seconded by Mrs. Schuler, and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present.

WHEREAS, in November 1998, seven firms were invited to submit their architectural qualifications for the design of the new public library in the existing building at 115 East Green Street, and

WHEREAS, five firms submitted their qualifications and were interviewed, now therefore be it

RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Library Construction Committee, That the proposal submitted by Quinlivan, Pierik, and Krause of Syracuse, New York be accepted and that the County Administrator is hereby directed to execute a contract in the amount not to exceed $417,800 contingent upon successful completion of contract negotiations and that the funds are available in Capital Project Account HB 1641.9239,

RESOLVED, further, That the County Administrator is hereby authorized to execute change orders up to ten percent of the architectural contract.

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Approval of Minutes of January 5, 1999

It was MOVED by Mr. Evans, seconded by Mrs. Schuler, and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present, to approve the minutes of January 5 with the corrections submitted by Representative Kiefer.

Adjournment

On motion the meeting adjourned at 7:04 p.m.

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