Tompkins County Legislature
Regular Meeting
October 17, 2006 -
5:30 p.m.
Legislature Chambers
Mr. Joseph called a public hearing to order at 5:30 p.m. concerning the Small Cities Community Development Block Grant Program for the purpose of discussing general housing, public facilities, and economic development needs in the County.
Chair
Joseph asked if anyone wished to speak.
Ed Marx, Commissioner of Planning and Public Works, read the following
statement:
“The Small Cities Community Development Block Grant Program
is a federally funded program authorized by Title I of the Housing and
Community Development Act of 1974.
“The Small Cities Program provides grants to smaller
communities to ensure decent affordable housing, to provide services to the
most vulnerable community members, to create jobs and expand business
opportunities for implementing a variety of community and economic development
activities directed toward neighborhood revitalization and economic
development, and to provide improved community facilities and services.
Approximately $50 million of CDBG funds are available each Program Year.
“Tompkins County and many of the towns and villages
have utilized the CDBG program for a number of projects. The County has
received 14 separate grants totaling over 6 million dollars which have
primarily been used to support the county’s very successful first time home
buyer program as well as a handful of economic development projects.
“Identifying the need for CDBG funding must be
initiated and developed at the local level. It must be based upon the
community’s analysis of its local needs, priorities, and benefits to the
community. Each eligible applicant pursuing funding must be responsible for
meeting all of the state and federal requirements including the eligibility of
each activity and compliance with one of the following national objectives:
ท
benefit low- and
moderate-income households,
ท
aid in the prevention or
elimination of slums or blight, or
ท
meet community
development needs having a particular urgency.
“The Program is divided into two separate components:
the Annual Competitive Grant Round, and the Open Round for Economic Development
grants.
“Projects submitted under the Annual Competitive Round
must address and resolve a specific community development need within one of
the following three areas: (a) Housing, (b) Public Facilities, or (c)
MicroEnterprise. The notice of funding for the competitive round is generally
published in December and applications are due in April. Economic development
activities are accepted by the Governor's Office for Small Cities (GOSC) in a
non-competitive, open round format throughout the year.
“I will now take any questions, comments on community
needs, or suggestions for projects to be considered for 2006 Open Round for
Economic Development projects or the 2007 Annual Competitive Grant Round.
“Written
comments may be submitted to the Commissioner of Planning, Tompkins County
Planning Department, 121 E. Court Street, Ithaca, NY 14850”.
No
member of the public wished to speak and the public hearing was closed at 5:35
p.m.
Mr.
Booth arrived at 5:35 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: 15 Legislators.
Presentation of Proclamation(s)
Chair
Joseph presented the following proclamations:
Home Health Aide Appreciation Week in
Tompkins County - November 12 thru 18, 2006, to Betty Falcao, Health Planning Council; and
Breast Cancer Awareness Week in Tompkins
County - October 23-29, 2006, to Bob Ritter, Associate Director of the Ithaca
Breast Cancer Alliance
Privilege of the Floor by the Public
No
member of the public wished to speak.
Privilege of the Floor by Legislators
Ms.
Herrera, District No. 3 Legislator, announced the annual Ithaca CROP Walk is
this weekend with registration taking place on October 22nd at Dewitt
Park. She said there are at least
three other CROP Walks that will take place around Tompkins County and
encouraged everyone to participate as this provides benefits at both the local
and national levels.
She also announced there is a Tompkins County team for the Ithaca Breast
Cancer Alliance Walk-a-thon and encouraged others to support this important
cause as well.
Mr.
Stevenson, District No. 8 Legislator, spoke of the importance of changing
batteries in smoke detectors, as they are the most important life-safety
devices that can be used in a home.
He encouraged everyone to do this as they set their clocks back for
daylight savings time.
Mr. Koplinka-Loehr, District No. 11 Legislator,
announced the Chamber of Commerce is hosting its annual fundraising auction on
October 19th and stated he has an extra ticket for any interested
Legislator.
Ms. Robertson, District No. 13 Legislator, announced
the Ithaca Free Health Clinic will host a free clinic every fourth Tuesday each
month and will have health educators on site. She stated this is a free health clinic for children without
health insurance.
Mr. Dennis, District No. 15 Legislator, reported the Tompkins County Health Department is conducting a series of flu shot clinics over the next few weeks. Information can be obtained by contacting the Health Department.
Report from the Chair
Mr.
Joseph announced a meeting in the form of a panel on affordable housing will be
hosted by Mayor Carolyn Peterson, and will feature a discussion of the local
housing market. It will be
held Thursday, October 19th from 9 to 11 a.m. in Common Council
Chambers.
Report from the County Administrator
Mr. Whicher said he has provided a General Revenue
Summary to all Legislators this evening in addition to a letter showing how
responsibilities have been delegated in the Department of County Administration
in his absence
Report from the County Attorney
Mr. Wood had no report
Report from the Finance Director
Mr. Squires reported on the Sheriff’s contract
settlement and Arbitrator’s award in which the County is required to make
payment for whatever was in the award within 30 days. He praised staff in the departments of Information
Technology Services, Finance, and Personnel, for completing this task in a
quick and efficient manner in order to allow for payments to be made which
represent a dispersement in the amount of $407,000.
Addition of Resolution(s) to the
Agenda
There were no resolutions added to the agenda.
Withdrawal of Resolution(s) from the
Agenda
Chair
Joseph gave the appropriate committee chair permission to withdraw the resolution
from the agenda entitled Urging the Federal Government to Commence a Human,
Orderly, and Comprehensive withdrawal of the United States Military Personnel
and Bases from Iraq.
Approval of Resolution(s) Under the
Consent Agenda
It
was MOVED by Mr. Proto, seconded by Ms. Mackesey, and unanimously adopted by
voice vote, to approve the following resolution(s) under the Consent Agenda:
RESOLUTION
NO. 174 - IN SUPPORT OF THE COUNCIL OF
GOVERNMENTS’ GRANT APPLICATION FOR NEW YORK STATE SHARED MUNICIPAL SERVICES
PROGRAM – LOCAL HEALTH INSURANCE INCENTIVE AWARD
MOVED by Mr. Proto, seconded by Ms. Mackesey, and unanimously adopted by voice vote under the Consent Agenda.
WHEREAS, the County of Tompkins
has joined the Tompkins County Council of Governments, and
Whereas, the Council of Governments
has resolved to apply for an incentive award under the New York State Shared Municipal Services Program, and
Whereas, the grant will assist the
municipalities in Tompkins County to create a local health consortium, and
WHEREAS,
the health care consortium will seek to develop health care coverage for all
municipalities with the intent to provide a net savings to the taxpayers of
Tompkins County, now therefore be it
Resolved, on recommendation of the
Government Operations Committee, That the County of Tompkins shall be
designated as the Lead Applicant and that the County Administrator is
Authorized to act as the contact person for this grant,
RESOLVED,
further, That the County Administrator or his designee is hereby authorized to
act on behalf of the County to all matters related to this grant.
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MOVED by Mr. Proto, seconded
by Ms. Mackesey, and unanimously adopted
by voice vote under the Consent Agenda:
WHEREAS,
Election Commissioner Stephen DeWitt's term is due to expire December 31, 2006,
and
WHEREAS, the Tompkins County
Democratic Committee, at its September 20, 2006, meeting recommended Stephen M.
DeWitt for reappointment to a two-year term, now therefore be it
RESOLVED,
on recommendation of the Tompkins County Democratic Committee and the
Government Operations Committee, That Stephen M. DeWitt be and hereby is
appointed Democratic Party Elections Commissioner for the two-year term
commencing January 1, 2007, and ending December 31, 2008.
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MOVED
by Mr. Proto, seconded by Ms. Mackesey,
and unanimously adopted by voice vote under the Consent Agenda:
RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Health and Human Services, and Public Safety Committees, That the Director of Finance be directed to make the following budget adjustments on his books:
Health
Department – Planning and Coordination
Revenue Acct Title Amt
Approp
Acct Title(s)
Explanation:
Extension of Innovative Dental program contracted 7/1/06 – 3/31/07
(contract with Department of Social Services).
Health
Department – Community Health Services
Revenue Acct Title Amt
Approp
Acct Title(s) ญญญญ
4016.43489 Other
Health Income $5,000 4016.54442 Professional
Service
Explanation:
Extension of Diabetes Grant. Fees
Sheriff
Revenue Acct Title Amt
Approp
Acct Title(s) ญญญญ
3113.42770 Other
Miscellaneous $9,085 3113.52231 Vehicles
Revenues
Explanation:
Payment for damage to patrol car; budget adjusted to allow for repair
expense from the proper account.
Office for the
Aging
Revenue Acct Title Amt
Approp
Acct Title(s) ญญญญ
6780.43803 State
Revenue $56,477 6780.54491 Subcontractor
Explanation:
Increase revenue in the EISEP program for subcontract.
6793.44772 Federal
Revenue $7,000 6793.54491 Subcontractor
Explanation:
Increase revenue in the HIICAP program for subcontract.
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RESOLUTION NO. 177 – AUTHORIZATION TO EXECUTE A
FIVE-YEAR AGREEMENT WITH THE NEW YORK STATE DIVISION OF PROBATION AND
CORRECTIONAL ALTERNATIVES (CJATI)
MOVED by Mr. Proto, seconded by Ms. Mackesey, and unanimously adopted by voice vote under the Consent Agenda:
WHEREAS,
New York State has enacted laws to promote more efficient jail population and
prison population management and the development of Alternative to
Incarceration (ATI) projects, and has appropriated funds for the establishment
and operation of said ATI projects pursuant to Chapter 50 of the Laws of 2006,
and
WHEREAS,
the Criminal Justice Advisory/Alternatives to Incarceration Board of Tompkins
County, pursuant to New York State Executive Law, has for many years
participated in this contract through its annual Service Plan, and
WHEREAS,
the New York State Division of Probation and Correctional
Alternatives, in conjunction with the Office of the State Comptroller, has
developed a contract reflecting a five-year term rather than an annual
contract, reflecting the annual sum of $26,800, a total of $134,000, requiring
no matching local share, now therefore be it
RESOLVED,
on recommendation of the Public Safety Committee, That the County Administrator
or his designee is authorized to sign a five-year contract on behalf of the
County’s Criminal Justice Advisory/Alternatives to Incarceration Board with the
New York State Division of Probation and Correctional Alternatives for the
period of January 1, 2006, through December 31, 2010, for use in establishing
or continuing appropriate ATI programs and projects.
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Revenue Acct Title Amt
Approp
Acct Title(s) ญญญญ___________
It
was MOVED by Mr. Proto, seconded by Ms. Mackesey, and unanimously adopted by
voice vote, to approve the following appointment(s) under the Consent Agenda:
Auguste L. Duplan – Mental
Health Board representative; term expires December 31, 2007
Patricia Carey – DSS
representative; term expires December 31, 2007
Report from the Government Operations
Committee
Ms.
Herrera, Chair, reported the Committee met prior to this meeting. Of the three items considered, two were
approved under the Consent Agenda and the other failed by a 3-2 vote and will
be taken up for discussion later in the meeting as an individual member-filed
resolution. The next meeting will
be October 18th.
Distinguished Youth Award
Mr.
Joseph presented the October, 2006 Distinguished Youth Award to Daniel Swann
who recently turned 12 years old.
Daniel has been volunteering at “The Old Hundred,” a beautiful,
assisted-living facility in the Town of Ithaca. Every Sunday during the summer Daniel spent an hour reading
to and chatting with the residents there, six women in their ninth decade. Last year he also performed
community service during which he chose to rake and mow the lawn of an elderly
neighbor.
Report from the Planning,
Development, and Environmental Quality Committee
Ms. Robertson, Chair, reported the Committee will meet
October 19th and will receive an update on the Park and Ride
program, eminent domain, and the Lansing Sewer District.
Report and Presentation of
Resolution(s) from the Budget and Capital Committee
Mr. Koplinka-Loehr, Chair, had no report.
RESOLUTION NO. 179 - ADOPTION OF AMENDMENTS TO THE
2007 TENTATIVE
TOMPKINS COUNTY BUDGET AND 2007-2011 CAPITAL PROGRAM
MOVED by Mr. Koplinka-Loehr,
seconded by Mr. Dennis. Mr. Proto requested an explanation of how the budget
process will proceed from this point forward.
Mr. Joseph explained the Tentative Budget has legal
standing. If this Legislature is
unable to pass a budget then the Tentative Budget will become the budget for
the following year. He
stated when the County Administrator gives the Legislature a budget that is the
Tentative Budget. What the
Legislature is now doing is considering a motion to amend that Tentative Budget
in all of the ways that were
discussed and approved by a vote in the Expanded Budget Committee. Mr. Joseph said if this resolution
passes this will become the new Tentative Budget and will also be the default budget
if a new budget is not adopted by this Legislature. In order to amend the Tentative Budget you must have a
resolution that appears on the agenda in advance or is added by the Legislature
by ten affirmative votes at the meeting. At the meeting where the budget is offered,
Legislators may make motions to amend the budget; however, if the final budget
is not approved, the Tentative Budget as amended will go into effect.
Mr. Booth
said he will
oppose this resolution for several reasons. First, in
his opinion the tax rate as it presently stands is too high in the proposed budget. He said that
the tax rate increase must be understood in conjunction with the major
increases in assessments that have occurred in recent years and said he
believes any tax rate increase should be substantially below the rate of
inflation or the consumer price index. He also expressed concern about
cumulative tax increases City residents will pay for the combination of
City, School, and County taxes.
Second, Mr. Booth believes the County's labor contracts over the past couple of years are much too generous for what the county can fiscally support at this time.
Third,
he said that the tentative budget presented by Mr. Whicher, County
Administrator, required this Legislature to deal with five major
challenges (the first four of which involved proposed use of one-time
money to cover ongoing County costs that in his opinion should be covered by
ongoing tax revenues): (a)
money being spent next year for the County communications project in
anticipation of eventual contributions to the county from the statewide
wireless network; (b)money being spent next year for jail boardout
expenses; (c) money being spent next year for major facility repairs; (d)
money being spent next year to restore the County highway system, a commitment
the legislature made two years ago; and (e) the amount of surplus
funds left in the County budget above the target fund
balance. Mr. Booth does not think enough was done in any of these
areas, particularly with respect to repair of County facilities, rebuilding of
County roads; and the amount of surplus funds above the target fund
balance.
He said it is apparent to him that
at this time this Legislature cannot reduce existing spending and is not
willing to look realistically at long-term costs that need to be covered with
long-term funding.
Mr. Koplinka-Loehr spoke of the process and the lack
of tools to do a program evaluation.
He said he hopes that every legislator will dedicate themselves to a
more comprehensive process.
Ms. Robertson said there are many different ways to
reach a conclusion on the budget.
The tension between ongoing services and taxes resulted in immensely
difficult choices where agreement could not be reached on priorities. She thought the process was good in
balancing different needs, particularly at a time when the County is facing
cuts from the federal government.
She feels the Tentative Budget is responsible and reasonable.
Mr. Proto said he would like to obtain further input
from the public. He agrees with
many of the concerns expressed by Mr. Booth, as well as many of the comments
made by Ms. Robertson.
Ms. Kiefer said she shares many of the concerns raised
by Mr. Booth; however she feels this Tentative Budget represents a good balance
and a budget to take to the taxpayers for public comment.
Ms. Herrera said she is one of the Legislators who
called for a zero percent increase.
The process provided a great amount of education on several programs for
which she is grateful. She spoke
of the Tentative Budget and said although she would have liked to have it be
zero, she recognized the difficult choices that needed to be made. She still is not pleased with where the
tax rate increase presently stands, but said she holds out hope that it can be
reduced further this year before final adoption as well as in years to
come.
A voice vote resulted as follows: Ayes – 10, Noes – 5 (Legislators Booth,
Hattery, Randall, Sigler, and Stevenson).
RESOLUTION ADOPTED.
WHEREAS,
amendments to the 2007 tentative budget and 2007-2011 capital program, were
recommended and filed by the Expanded Budget and Capital Committee on October
16, 2006, and
WHEREAS,
a public hearing is tentatively scheduled for November 14, 2006, 7:00 p.m., at
the Legislative Chambers, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Expanded Budget and Capital Committee, That the 2007 Tentative Budget and 2007-2011 Capital Program submitted by the County Administrator is hereby amended in accordance with the recommendations of the Expanded Budget Committee, the action taken by this Legislature on this date, and the Rules of the County Legislature and Article 7 of County Law for a total tax levy amount of $34,787,446, resulting in an approximate tax rate increase of 2.6 percent.
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Report and Presentation of
Resolution(s) from the Public Safety Committee
Mrs. McBean-Clairborne, Chair, said the Committee met
on October 5 and approved a resolution appropriating funds to Offender Aid and
Restoration which appears on the agenda this evening. Nancy Rosen, Interim Director, was present at the meeting
and provided the Committee with an overview of the Bail Fund. The Committee also heard a follow-up
report to the Criminal Justice Advisory/Alternatives to Incarceration presentation. Paula Younger, Deputy County Administrator, reported
workgroups will be meeting to discuss specific areas. The Committee also received updates on the communications
project and emergency medical dispatch from Lee Shurtleff, Director of
Emergency Response. Ms.
Robertson, Liaison to the Family Court Advisory Council, reported to the
Committee on the opening of the out-of-school suspension project at the Community
School. This program is for
students who have been sentenced to a full-day of out-of-school suspension.
RESOLUTION
NO. 180 – APPROPRIATION FROM CONTINGENT FUND – BAIL FUND PROGRAM – OFFENDER AID
AND RESTORATION
MOVED by Mrs.
McBean-Clairborne, seconded by Mr. Koplinka-Loehr.
Mr. Hattery said he will oppose this resolution
because the program was initially started by community contributions and has
moved toward being supported by public tax dollars, which he cannot support.
Ms. Robertson said she supports this resolution and
thinks this is a wise use of taxpayer money as the majority of bails are
returned and there is interest charged to bails. She stated the Bail Fund also reduces the cost to the taxpayer
for boarding prisoners to other jails.
Mr. Proto suggested the Judges may be setting bails at
a higher rate than OAR can absorb.
He said the information provided by Ms. Rosen was very helpful; however,
a plea needs to be made to the Judges to reduce the level of bails being set.
Mrs. McBean-Clairborne said the Judges are not setting
bails outside of the levels established by law. Those individuals who are in jail have not been convicted of
a crime and in many cases are staying in jail because they cannot afford to pay
the bail. She feels adopting
this resolution is a wise and responsible action for the County to take.
A roll call vote resulted as follows: Ayes – 10 (Legislators Booth,
Dennis, Herrera, Joseph, Kiefer, Koplinka-Loehr, Mackesey, McBean-Clairborne,
Robertson, and Shinagawa); Noes – 5 (Legislators Hattery, Proto, Randall,
Sigler, and Stevenson). RESOLUTION
ADOPTED.
WHEREAS, Offender Aid and
Restoration (OAR), through its Bail Fund program, makes bail accessible for
low-income individuals when available funds are the only barrier to release
from the Tompkins County Jail pending trial, and
WHEREAS, bail amounts set by
judges have risen significantly over the years such that OAR is able to help
fewer people with the same amount of funding, and
WHEREAS, at the beginning of 2006, OAR lowered the maximum amount for which they would consider securing bail in amounts from $2,500 to $1,500 or less, simply because there was not enough money to go around and the agency decided to allocate smaller amounts to more people rather than larger amounts to fewer people, and
WHEREAS, in the first eight
months of 2006 there were ten inmates who met the agency criteria for bail,
with a mix of $500 to $1,500 bails (average about $1,000), but these inmates
remained incarcerated because the bail fund was depleted and OAR did not have
the money to lend them, and
WHEREAS, an additional $10,000 in the bail fund would result in the following:
ท Fewer jail days for the County to pay (Note: the Tompkins County Public Safety Facility costs about $100 per day, and a board-out at a neighboring jail costs about $105 per day; this would quickly add up to more than $10,000 saved);
ท Fewer people losing their jobs and health insurance due to absence from work and then needing to go on public assistance following jail time;
ท Greater equity between people with the means of paying bail and those who do not have sufficient income to post bail;
ท Reduced family trauma from having a family member jailed. Many of the people who are arrested and assigned bail have their cases dismissed; others are sentenced to non-jail alternatives. Having to wait for their court date in jail, rather than at home while maintaining their family life, harms their children and other relationships. Family trauma also results in clients losing their homes, requiring the County to pay for lodging at the shelter or other housing alternatives, and
WHEREAS,
OAR achieves a ninety percent return rate on its bails posted, with only very
few forfeitures in the last six years, so that the $10,000 would be replenished
and reallocated, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Public Safety and the Budget and Capital Committees, That the Director of Finance be authorized to make the following budget appropriation:
FROM: A1990.54400 Contingent Fund $10,000
TO: A6316.54400 Program Expense $10,000
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Report from the Workforce Diversity
and Inclusion Committee
Mrs. McBean-Clairborne, Chair, reported the Committee
will meet on October 25th at 3:30 p.m. at the Beverly Livesay
Conference room where discussion will continue on bylaws and membership.
Report and Presentation of
Resolution(s) from the Health and Human Services Committee
Mr. Proto, Chair, reported the Committee met on
October 4 and had a report from the Office for the Aging on the point of entry
situation. Ms. Holmes was impressed with other County departments that were
assisting with this. The Committee
also received an update from Nancy Zahler, Director of Youth Services, on the
Job Link and the Youth Violence Prevention Task Force. The Committee also received a
report from the Human Services Coalition on the status of the TompkinsRx
program.
Ms. Robertson reported on the TompkinsRx program and
said the program which has been in effect for over a year and a half has saved
Tompkins County taxpayers over $350,000.
There have been 1,500 prescriptions filled monthly on average with a 24%
savings. She reminded the public
that there are no County taxpayer funds involved in this and it results in very
little work. She also spoke of the
Urgent RX program that received a contribution of $25,000 from the United
Way. This program helps to pay for
urgent needs when someone goes to the emergency room at facilities such as
Cayuga Medical Center or the Convenient Care Center, and needs costly
post-emergency room prescriptions.
Mr. Proto concluded the Committee will meet next on
November 1st. At that
meeting there will be discussion on the Committee’s work plan.
RESOLUTION NO. 181 – APPROPRIATION
FROM CONTINGENT FUND –
TERMINAL REPLACEMENT PAY – HEALTH DEPARTMENT
MOVED
by Mr. Proto, seconded by Ms. Robertson.
A short roll call vote resulted as follows: Ayes – 15, Noes – 0.
RESOLUTION ADOPTED.
WHEREAS,
the Health Department had a Senior Public Health Engineer retire effective
September 8, 2006, and
WHEREAS,
the Fiscal Policy of Tompkins County allows for terminal pay replacement from
the Contingent Fund, and
WHEREAS,
a portion of the terminal pay has been authorized and paid, now therefore be it
RESOLVED,
on recommendation of the Health and Human Services and the Budget and Capital
Committees, That the Director of Finance is hereby authorized and directed to
make the following budget appropriations:
FROM: A1990.54440 Contingent
Fund $11,241
TO: A4090.51000240 Senior
Public Health Engineer $ 8,087
A4090.58800 Fringes $ 3,154
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Report from the Facilities and
Infrastructure Committee
Mr. Randall, Chair, reported the next meeting will be
October 24th
Report from the Personnel Committee
Mr. Dennis, Chair, reported the next meeting will be
November 8th. He
announced three sexual harassment workshops have been scheduled by the
Personnel Department at the Beverly Livesay Conference Room. He also said a Request for
Qualifications is in process for establishing a contract with a negotiator for
the next round of road patrol negotiations.
Individual Member-Filed Resolution
MOVED by Ms. Kiefer, seconded by Ms. Robertson. Ms. Kiefer explained changes in the resolution to reflect updated death, injury cost figures, and to indicate the Legislature is speaking for itself and not necessarily all of the residents in Tompkins County.
It was MOVED by Mr. Hattery, seconded by Mr. Randall,
to Table this resolution. A voice
vote resulted as follows: Ayes – 7
(Legislators Booth, Dennis, Hattery, Proto, Randall, Sigler, and Stevenson);
Noes – 8 (Legislators Herrera, Joseph, Kiefer, Koplinka-Loehr, Mackesey,
McBean-Clairborne, Robertson, and Shinagawa). MOTION FAILED.
Ms. Herrera said this resolution did not make it out
of the committee process when initially taken up but that time has allowed
people to hear about it and weigh in on it with their Legislators. Ms. Herrera believes there is a local
reflection of these national events and said it is a local issue with
appropriate timing.
She also appreciates the update and changes Ms. Kiefer has
inserted.
Ms.
Robertson called attention to a website containing the Iraq Body Count Database
and stated the comparison to the United States is the equivalent of losing
535,000 Americans as the United States has a population of 300 million compared
to Iraq’s population of 26 million.
Mr. Dennis said when 911 occurred his sons lost very
close friends in that event. He
was personally impacted and felt that although something should be done, he did
not expect this war to take place.
He said it seems lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle believe
there needs to be an exit policy for this war and he will support this as it
may go a small way towards ending a terrible situation that is taking place in
another part of the world.
Mr. Stevenson said he will not support this
resolution. At the beginning of
the budget process this Legislature endeavored to produce a budget with a zero
percent tax increase. In his opinion,
the Tentative Budget is bigger than it ought to be. One thing that frustrates him is that this legislative body
spends time debating issues that are not the County’s or are not appropriate to
debate. He doesn’t doubt the
County could use federal tax dollars; however, he thinks this resolution sends
the wrong message as it shows the County is spending time debating this when
the County’s budget and relevant county business needs to be discussed.
Mr. Randall said he did not support this resolution in
Committee. He agreed with the
comments made by Mr. Stevenson that this is not the appropriate place to
discuss this, and said he will be representing all of his constituents when he
makes his choice clear as he votes.
Ms. Kiefer said everyone is feeling the effects of the
use of taxpayer dollars outside the United States these days and thinks it is
legitimate to bring this before this legislative body. She would be glad to
have members just vote rather than discuss.
Mr. Proto said there were several votes and issues
about the public not being involved and informed with regard to the Town of
Danby resolution. He said it took
a long time to rework the resolution and the final resolution passed by a vote
of 3-2. Mr. Proto said he
empathizes with veterans and recalled the events of 911 during which he lost
friends and relatives as well.
Mr. Proto, a member of the local Veteran’s Chapter, said others who are
truly supportive of our men and women in the United States Armed Forces, are
extended an invitation to come to any of the veterans events that take
place.
Mr. Sigler does not believe this is a local issue and
instead is a matter of opinion whether the United States should be at war in
Iraq. He spoke to the comments
regarding lost funding to localities and said that impact is not being felt yet
and it is being applied to the deficit, an impact that will be felt later by
our children and grandchildren.
He spoke of the handout from Ms. Robertson showing death counts and
stated the counts include civilian deaths caused by insurgent and terrorist
attacks as well. Mr. Sigler
said the majority of national democrats agree there should be a change in
course but immediate withdrawal is not the right action.
Ms. Herrera said one of the reasons this is being
brought up is about the federal government telling the County to support
programs that were initially started with federal funds and no longer providing
support for them.
Mrs.
McBean-Clairborne, stated she represents individuals who have gone to jail over
opposing this war and also knows people who are dying as a result of this
war. She strongly feels the war
needs to end.
Mr. Booth said that any
individuals who wish to comment on the war in Iraq should do so. He noted
that his constituents did not elect him to serve on this Legislature for the
purpose of taking positions on foreign policy decisions by the United States
government or on the movement of American armed forces. He stated that he
does not believe the County Legislature has any "jurisdiction"
flowing from its legal responsibilities that justify its commenting on choices
made by the federal government regarding Iraq. He stated further that the
County Legislature lacked any institutional competence to comment on these matters.
Regarding the substance of
the resolution, he noted that wars are terrible, that they are
generally not popular and should not be, and that they usually
involve great human sacrifice and immense loss. He noted further
that the language regarding deaths in Iraq suggested that American forces
are responsible for all of those deaths, whereas in fact many of those
deaths are being caused by people who are intentionally attempting to shock the
world by slaughtering innocent men, women, and children. In addition, he
stated that this resolution does not present a plan for strategic
withdrawal from Iraq but only calls for the United States to withdraw
immediately; he said this position could not gain support from any major
candidate for President and could not be adopted by either house of
Congress, whether controlled by Republicans or Democrats. In his opinion,
immediate withdrawal by American forces from Iraq would lead to disastrous
consequences for Iraq, America, Israel, and the entire world.
A
voice vote resulted as follows:
Ayes – 9 (Legislators Dennis, Herrera, Joseph, Kiefer, Koplinka-Loehr,
Mackesey, McBean-Clairborne, Robertson, and Shinagawa); Noes – 6 (Legislators
Booth, Hattery, Proto, Randall, Sigler, and Stevenson). RESOLUTION ADOPTED.
RESOLVED,
That the Legislature of Tompkins County, on behalf of the people of Tompkins
County urges our Federal government to commence a humane, orderly, and
comprehensive withdrawal of United States military personnel and bases from
Iraq,
RESOLVED,
further, That the Tompkins County Legislature directs the Clerk of the
Legislature to send a copy of this resolution to President George W. Bush, Vice
President Dick Cheney, U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, Senator Charles
Schumer, Senator Hillary Clinton, Congressman Maurice Hinchey, and Congressman
Sherwood Boehlert.
Approval of Minutes of September 19
and October 3, 2006
It
was MOVED by Mr. Booth, seconded by Mr. Shinagawa, and unanimously adopted by
voice vote, to approve the minutes of September 19 and October 3, 2006 as
corrected. MINUTES APPROVED.
Adjournment
On
motion the meeting adjourned at 7:23 p.m.
Respectfully
submitted by Michelle Pottorff, TC Legislature Office