Chair Mink called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.

Pledge of Allegiance and Roll Call of members

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

Present: 14 Representatives. Representative Winch arrived at 6:22 p.m.

Presentation of Proclamation(s)

Chair Mink presented the following proclamation(s):

Chair Mink announced the Planning Department won three of 11 awards at the American Planning Association’s (APA) Upstate meeting. The Department is the recipient of the APA’s 2000 Outstanding Planning Project Planning Implementation Honorable Mention Award for the Tompkins County Economic Development Strategy. The purpose of this award is to recognize significant contributions that have been made toward improving the quality of life for people throughout New York State. Chair Mink asked Representative Blanchard to make sure Martha Armstrong of TCAD receives recognition. The Planning Department also received honorable mention for the Cayuga Lake Scenic Byway Project, along with the CVB and the Wine Trail.

Chair’s Report and Appointment(s)

Mrs. Schuler, District No. 4 Representative, reported that the new building that will house the Library now has signage identifying it as the Tompkins County Public Library.

Mr. Proto, District No, 7 Representative, reported on a recent two-day State Archive conference held in Auburn. Several proposals are being brought back to Tompkins County, including one on establishing an archive and records retention center here in Ithaca. He said the Library and the Dewitt Historical Society are working on receiving grants to fund the County Historian position.
 
 

Report from the County Administrator

Mr. Erb reported for the second year in a row the amount of tobacco products shipped have declined more rapidly than had predicted. This is good news on the national front; however, it does affect the amount of money the County will receive. He attributes this decline to the increased taxation and the State’s education programs.

Report from the County Attorney

Mr. Theisen had no report.

Report from the Finance Director

Mr. Squires had no report.

Addition of Resolution(s) to the Agenda

On motion of the appropriate committee chairman and duly seconded and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present, the following resolution(s) were added to the agenda:

There were no resolution(s) withdrawn from the agenda.

Report and Presentation of Resolution(s) from the Planning and Intermunicipal Coordination Committee

Mr. Lane, Chairman, reported the Committee met on September 20^th. At that meeting the Committee discussed the third rural issues forum that was held in the Town of Danby. He said there wasn’t a large crowd, however, they had a good dialogue on several issues. He thanked Representatives Proto and Schuler for attending. Items that were discussed included the Vital Communities program, the Small Cities Community Development Block Grant Program, and the Boards’ recent decision to eliminate the sales tax on clothing and footwear. Mr. Lane said the most serious concerns residents had were on land use planning because some rural residents feel isolated from development in that they are not near Pyramid Mall or the City; they want to keep open space; they need a post office, and there is a need for senior housing. He said he hopes whatever committee succeeds the Planning and Intermunicipal Coordination Committee next year will continue these rural issue forums.

WHEREAS, the Commercial Center Revitalization Advisory Committee (Advisory Committee) was assigned responsibility for providing advice on the award of grant funds for the revitalization of rural commercial centers, and

WHEREAS, the Advisory Committee has reviewed the applications for funding and has made recommendations based on the program guidelines of the Commercial Center Revitalization Program, and

WHEREAS, the recommendations of the Advisory Committee are within the budget for the Commercial Center Revitalization program, now therefore be it

RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Planning and Intermunicipal Coordinating Committee, That the following project be approved:

Town of Caroline – Restoration of Town Hall Windows $7,500.00

RESOLVED, further, That the County Administrator be authorized to execute any contracts related to this project.

SEQR ACTION:

Town of Caroline - Type II-2

WHEREAS, the Commercial Center Revitalization Advisory Committee (Advisory Committee) was assigned responsibility for providing advice on the award of grant funds for the revitalization of rural commercial centers, and

WHEREAS, the Advisory Committee has reviewed the applications for funding and has made recommendations based on the program guidelines of the Commercial Center Revitalization Program, and

WHEREAS, the recommendations of the Advisory Committee are within the budget for the Commercial Center Revitalization program, now therefore be it

RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Planning and Intermunicipal Coordinating Committee, That the following project be approved:

Village of Groton – Replacement of sidewalk along

West Cortland Street in the vicinity of the Owasco Inlet $1,350.00

RESOLVED, further, That the County Administrator be authorized to execute any contracts related to this project.

SEQR ACTION:

Village of Groton - Type II-2

WHEREAS, the Commercial Center Revitalization Advisory Committee (Advisory Committee) was assigned responsibility for providing advice on the award of grant funds for the revitalization of rural commercial centers, and

WHEREAS, the Advisory Committee has reviewed the applications for funding and has made recommendations based on the program guidelines of the Commercial Center Revitalization Program, and

WHEREAS, the recommendations of the Advisory Committee are within the budget for the Commercial Center Revitalization program, now therefore be it

RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Planning and Intermunicipal Coordinating Committee, That the following project be approved:

Town of Lansing – Development of a Strategic Plan $2,000.00

RESOLVED, further, That the County Administrator be authorized to execute any contracts related to this project.

SEQR ACTION:

Town of Lansing - Type II-21

RESOLUTION NO. 210 - ACCEPTANCE OF SMALL CITIES GRANT – HOMEOWNERSHIP V

MOVED by Mr. Lane, seconded by Ms. Kiefer. It was noted that this program has brought over $10 million into Tompkins County and has provided housing opportunities for many low to moderate income families. A voice vote resulted as follows: Ayes – 14, Noes – 0, Excused - 1 (Representative Winch). RESOLUTION ADOPTED.

WHEREAS, the County has been awarded Small Cities Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds from the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) administered by New York State for the purpose of continuing its successful existing home mortgage program for first-time homeowners, now therefore be it

RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Planning and Intermunicipal Coordination Committee, That the County hereby accepts Small Cities CDBG funds in the amount of $600,000,

RESOLVED, further, That the County Administrator be authorized to execute any contracts related to this project.

SEQR ACTION: TYPE II-20

WHEREAS, the purpose of the Water Resources Council is to identify problems, propose priorities and promote coordination of activities in the development and management of the County's water resources and to provide a public forum for the discussion and resolution of these problems and completion of proposed projects, and

WHEREAS, the quality of our waters cannot be adequately protected without the coordination of local, state and county agencies and organizations, now therefore be it

RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Planning and Intermunicipal Coordination Committee, That the Water Resources Council include two At-Large voting members in addition to the voting members established by Resolution No. 57 of 2000, such that the Water Resources Council consists of twenty-one (21) voting members as follows:

SEQR ACTION: TYPE II-20

WHEREAS, the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County (CCETC) has been a partner with County government in improving the lives of its residents for over 80 years, and is a subordinate governmental agency under County Law 224, and

WHEREAS, the CCETC office building at 615 Willow Avenue in Ithaca can no longer accommodate the organization’s space needs, and

WHEREAS, the adjacent building owned by the Automobile Club of Syracuse (commonly known as the AAA Building) at 303 West Lincoln Street is being vacated and is available for purchase, and

WHEREAS, CCETC has inspected the property and judged it to be suitable for the expansion of their office space, and

WHEREAS, the negotiated purchase price of $180,000 is contingent on financing being obtained from Tompkins County for said purchase, and

WHEREAS, the County wishes to assist CCETC in completing this purchase, now therefore be it

RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Planning and Intermunicipal Coordination and Budget and Fiscal Policy Committees, That $180,000 be appropriated from the General Fund Balance to CCETC to purchase the 303 West Lincoln Street property,

RESOLVED, further, That the CCETC shall prepare a plan whereby the County shall be reimbursed over a five year period; said plan to be submitted to the County by August 1, 2001.

SEQR ACTION: TYPE II-2

RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Budget and Fiscal Policy Committee, That a public hearing be held before the Board of Representatives at Board Chambers located at the Tompkins County Courthouse, 320 North Tioga Street, Ithaca, New York on November 14, 2000, at 7:00 o'clock in the evening thereof concerning the review of the 2001 Tompkins County Budget and on the 2001-2005 Tompkins County Capital Program. At such time and place all persons interested in the subject matter will be heard concerning the same,

RESOLVED, further, That the Clerk of the Board is hereby authorized and directed to place proper notice of such public hearing in the official newspaper of the County.

SEQR ACTION: TYPE II-20

WHEREAS, Tompkins County has constructed and will be operating a Household Hazardous Waste Facility, and

WHEREAS, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation provides funding for such projects through the Household Hazardous Waste State Assistance Program that provides up to 50 percent (50%) for eligible costs incurred, and

WHEREAS, the County has received a grant offer for up to $601,715 as detailed below:

Construction of HHW facility $475,840

2000 HHW Operating Costs $124,875

(including public education costs)

TOTAL $601,715

now therefore be it

RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Facilities and Infrastructure Committee, That the grant offer from the NYSDEC of $601,715 be and hereby is accepted and that the County Administrator is authorized to execute the required documents.

SEQR ACTION: TYPE II-20

Report from the Health and Human Services Committee

Mrs. Schuler, Chair, reported the Committee has not met since the last Board meeting. The next meeting will be October 14^th at Tompkins Community Action.

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

Mr. Stein, Chairman, reported the Committee has not met since the last Board meeting. He reported on the Electric and Gas program and said a bid was received for natural gas as part of the Electric and Gas Alliance. The Committee approved the bid via telephone poll.

WHEREAS, the Tompkins-Tioga Electric and Gas Alliance, with the approval of the Board of Representatives, previously approved a contract with NYSEG Solutions to provide natural gas to non-residential customers if they wished to join the Alliance, and

WHEREAS, the Board of Representatives has previously approved a master agreement to be used by the County's municipalities for such purchases, and

WHEREAS, that contract expired on August 31, 2000, but NYSEG Solutions has agreed to continue to provide natural gas to Alliance customers under favorable terms until a new contract is approved, and

WHEREAS, the Tompkins-Tioga Electric and Gas Alliance has requested and received a bid for a new contract to purchase natural gas by non-residential customers, and

WHEREAS, the consultant to the County and the Alliance has recommended the selection of NYSEG Solutions to be the supplier of natural gas under this new contract, and

WHEREAS, any current member of the Alliance has the right to make a choice to continue as a member of the Alliance or to leave, and other non-residential customers will be offered the opportunity to join, and

WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of County government and its taxpayers to contract with the supplier (NYSEG Solutions), and further, that it is important to contract with the selected supplier as soon as possible because of the rapid fluctuation and rise of natural gas prices, now therefore be it

RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Economic and Workforce Development Committee, That the County Administrator or his designee is authorized to execute a contract for natural gas for County facilities,

RESOLVED, further, That a master agreement previously approved by the County continue to be used to offer the natural gas to other non-residential natural gas consumers according to the terms of the accepted bid,

RESOLVED, further, That this contract and agreement shall be reviewed and approved by the County's Contracts Coordinator and County Attorney before the County Administrator or designee executes it.

SEQR ACTION: TYPE II-20

Report from the Communications Capital Projects Committee

Ms. Blanchard, Chair, reported the Committee met on September 26 and were presented with reports from the E911 Committee. The main point of these reports was to bring together information that was in various stages that would allow the centralized 911 center to move forward. She said they have recommended that the County move forward with a temporary communications center because they are not ready to establish a permanent site at this time. The recommendation came in the form of a resolution that was unanimously adopted at the last E911 Operations Committee meeting which supported the move of the Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office Dispatching Center and the Ithaca Police Department police dispatchers into this consolidated center at the Green Street Fire Department location on a temporary basis. The resolution also made reference to the fact that they recognized that when this move happens there will be gaps in services that dispatchers do, other than dispatching. Ms. Blanchard said a copy of the minutes will be distributed to all Board members.

Ms. Blanchard reported the Committee also discussed the communications consultant proposals and three were selected for interviews. The Committee is still in the process of gathering background information on these firms. She also reported on the relocation of the Department of Transportation on Third Street, and said $3.8 million has been allocated in the Transportation Bond Act. This money is contingent on passage of the Bond Act in the State Legislature.

The Committee will meet next on October 10^th.

Ms. Kiefer requested information on what is included in the Transportation Bond Act. Mr. Hanson, Planning Commissioner, will see that she receives this.

Report from the Information Management Committee

Ms. Kiefer, Vice Chair, reported the Committee met today and reviewed a draft policy regarding employee use of e-mail. A subcommittee is continuing to work on a draft policy for internet/telephone use. She said the intent of this policy is to make clear to all employees that County equipment is to be used for County purposes and that the Information Technology Services Department has the capability of knowing what is in email and checking it; however, it sets up safeguards and procedures for when that may happen.

Report from the Intermuncipal Resource Sharing Committee

Ms. Mink, Chair, reported the Committee met and looked at the Recreation Partnership agreement, sales tax history, and a letter written by Don Barber on resource sharing and what is in it for rural municipalities. Mr. Squires will provide copies of the sales tax history to all Board members. The next meeting will be November 17^th at 9:30 a.m.

Mr. Winch arrived at 6:22 p.m.

Report from the Library Construction Committee

Ms. Mink, Chair, reported the Committee met today. The project is proceeding well with the grand opening scheduled for January.

Report from the Old Library New Futures Committee

Mr. Lane, Chairman, said two years ago Chair Mink appointed this Committee to make a recommendation on the future of the old Library building. He said the Committee originally began with three members: Representatives Koplinka-Loehr, Totman, and himself. Later it was expanded and now includes Representatives, Stein, Blanchard, and Proto. He said the task of the Committee was expanded to also look at the relationship of that building with the County’s general office space needs in the downtown area. Mr. Lane thanked Mr. Hanson, Planning Commissioner; James Kazda and Jeanne Boodley from the Engineering Division; and Kathy Smithers, Deputy County Administrator; for all their work during this process.

Mr. Lane said the report comes in two parts. The Space Use Master Plan is a compilation of the review done through the Engineering Division of the surveying of all downtown departments and looking at space needs for the near and long-term future and how they would be accommodated. He said a meeting was held with representatives of the State Court System and said they have a need for accommodations for the new Supreme Court Judge and Family Court. Some of the departments that have space needs include the Economic and Workforce Development Office, Records Management, Office for the Aging, Criminal Justice, as well as others.

The Committee determined that over the next 15 years the County would need the equivalent of floor space that is in the Old Library. Mr. Lane said they did not come to a conclusion as to what offices should be located where. He said the Committee has recommended it would be in the County’s best interest to keep the Library property but did not determine whether it would be better to renovate the current building or construct a new one.

Mr. Lane said the Committee made a great effort to see if there was a buyer who could make it worth the County’s while to purchase the building; however, they did not receive any responses. He said subsequently, two offers for the building have been received, however, it was determined that they were not the best offers at this time.

Mr. Lane read the following recommendation of the Committee:

Since the Space Use Master Plan Analysis indicated that if the County decided not to keep the Old Library for its value in solving its space needs for the next seven to fifteen years, it would be necessary to either construct a new building or lease additional space from the private sector. The Committee concluded that lease arrangements would result essentially in the County paying itself taxes through private leases. The Committee also felt that leasing is a short-term solution and would simply put off the hard decisions for future elected officials to make. The Committee, therefore, recommends that the County keep the Old Library building property for County use and urges that another committee work with County Administration and the Engineering Division, to examine and recommend solutions for overall County space needs. We feel that we have completed our task and have made a recommendation with respect to the building that we should, for now, retain that property. Our further recommendation is that another committee continue the work of making recommendations of how to implement the Space Use Master Plan issues that we have seen.

Mr. Lane added that there is a great deal more backup information that is available. Anyone wishing to review this can do so in the Planning Department.

Report from the Tompkins 2020 Committee

Mr. Koplinka-Loehr, Chairman, reported the Quality-of-Life 2000 Committee will meet tomorrow evening. They are in the process of taking the surveys and finding categories to measure. He said he expects a report will be available by the end of the year.

Report from the Public Safety Building Space Committee

Mr. Joseph, Chair, had no report.

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

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

Water Resources Council

Katrina Greenly – Municipal Official Representative – term expires December 31, 2001

Deborah Grantham – At –large Representative – term expires December 31, 2001

Recess

Chair Mink declared recess from 6:37 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 6:45 p.m.
 
 
 
 

Approval of Minutes of September 19, 2000

It was MOVED by Ms. Kiefer, seconded by Ms. Schuler, and unanimously adopted by voice vote, to approve the minutes as submitted. MINUTES APPROVED.

Executive Session

It was MOVED by Mr. Todd, seconded by Ms. Blanchard, and unanimously adopted by voice vote, to enter into executive session at 6:45 p.m. to discuss contract negotiations. The meeting returned to open session at 7:20 p.m.

Adjournment

On motion the meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m.

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