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

Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag and Roll Call of Members

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

Present: 14 Representatives. Excused - 1 (Representative Stein)

Privilege of the Floor by the Public

Fay Gougakis, City of Ithaca resident, read from a study published recently by Cornell environmental psychologists that low level noise in open style offices seems to result in higher levels of stress and lower task motivation. She said the reason she is speaking to the Board about this is because she has been distressed over situations she has experienced in the Library recently because of other Library patrons who do not lower their voices during their presence there.

Michael Raffe, Varna resident, read and submitted the following statement:

"First, I would like to wish former County Administrator, Rick Erb, good luck. He was a gentleman and true professional. And I count myself lucky to have had the opportunity to work with him. Goodbye Rick and enjoy having Tuesday evenings off.

"Next, I would like to commend the whole Board, the Public Safety Committee, and Barbara Mink for their continuing actions in making Tompkins County a safer place to live. Over the past twelve months, the Board under Ms. Mink's leadership has created an Emergency Management Council, provided funding for additional response equipment for the Sheriff's Department, and continued to examine the need for an improved communication network for emergency response personnel.

"In the area of disaster planning and response, your commitment to sustaining the momentum initially created during Y2K was critical. Your future support will encourage increased public and private sector cooperation in preparedness, planning, and response. This in turn will only strengthen our County.

"I know it is difficult to stay excited about disaster planning in Tompkins County. We have not had a disaster with Countywide implications since January of 1996. However, over the past three years four large scale disasters have occurred within one hundred miles or less of our county: the January, 1998 North Country Ice Storm, the July, 1998 Tornadoes in Broome County, the Labor Day 1998 Wind Storm in Syracuse and the March, 2000 Winter Storm in Rochester. And if you examine our history, you will see that mother nature can at any time and in any season confront us with a natural disaster. With that in mind, I must urge you to continue to support the concept of disaster preparedness and planning. In addition, it is critical that you encourage all your department heads to participate in this effort both conceptually and programmatically.

"Thank you for your time and patience. And please keep up the good work".

Mr. Raffe announced for the third year in a row the Central New York women have won the gold medal in rugby in the Empire State Games and two women representatives from this area have been selected to represent the United States in international competition.

Privilege of the Floor by Board Members

Mr. Proto, District No. 7 Representative, reminded Board members that the archives presentations and submissions are due from town boards and municipalities. He also spoke of the President's proposal in regard to income tax and said he is in the process of preparing a resolution that will address the impact that will have on Tompkins County residents. He also reported on Mr. Theisen, County Attorney, who has been ill recently, and said he is home and doing well.

Ms. Davis, District No. 1 Representative, said a celebration of the life of Rashad Richardson took place over the weekend. She said the family and community has suffered a tragic loss and offered support to Rashad's family and friends. She also spoke of a friend who has come upon difficult times and asked that she continue to stay strong. Ms. Davis relayed a message of appreciation for all the support she has received, particularly from the Beverly J. Martin Preschool Headstart preschool family and from this Board.

Mr. Penniman, District No. 15 Representative, reported on the Vital Communities Workshop that took place on January 20. He said this workshop was conducted by the Tompkins County Planning Department and there were several individuals in attendance from this Board and many other municipalities and institutions. He said the goal was to envision the County fifty years from now. He said there was a general consensus for where everyone felt the County should be in fifty years, but there wasn't consensus on how it should get there. He said a report will be out in the near future.

Chair's Report and Appointments

Ms. Mink, Chair, read the following statement into the record that was submitted by Alan Cohen, City of Ithaca Mayor:

"I wanted to take this opportunity to congratulate you on the opening of the new Tompkins County Public Library. It is a first rate facility and reflects well on the County Board's commitment to equal access to information for all members of our community.

"We are very pleased that the Board chose to keep the Library in downtown Ithaca, also the location of the County seat. The City is proud to host many fine institutions, including the quality facilities of the County.

"I am also proud of the collaboration that took place during the planning of this new Library. City officials spent innumerable hours working with County staff and others to make sure that the Library was well integrated into the downtown environment, to ensure its long term success. To that end, the City is also proud, as a result of changes to our sales tax, MOU, to be an annual contributor to the County Library's operating budget. We feel, as you do, that public access to information is critically important.

"Once again, congratulations. And thank you for your commitment to the betterment of our community".

Appointments

Ms. Mink made the following appointments to the Communications Capital Projects Committee:

George Totman, Chair of the Public Safety Committee

On motion and duly seconded and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present, Steve Whicher was appointed to the position of County Administrator.

Report from the County Administrator

Mr. Whicher thanked the Board for their support and the appointment as County Administrator. He said he would like to meet with all Board members in the next two weeks. Mr. Whicher presented the Board with the appointment of Valeria Coggin to replace him as the Director of Assessment.

It was MOVED by Mr. Proto, seconded by Mr. Totman, and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present, to appoint Valeria Coggin to the position of Director of Assessment.

Mr. Whicher reported on the status of the recruitment process for an Information Technology Services Director, and said he employees should be moving into the Justice Center on February 12^th and it is expected to open in mid-March. He announced the 2001 final budget document has been printed, and he requested an executive session to discuss contract negotiations.

Report from the County Attorney

Mr. Wood, Deputy County Attorney, reported on the sale of the Biggs A building, and said a Chicago Realty firm is making a presentation to the Town of Ithaca Board on what their plan for the building is. He said their basic plan is common office space and to open an eatery.

Report from the Finance Director

Mr. Squires said he has distributed an update on the County's tax enforcement process. He said each October the County is required to send out potential foreclosure notices to taxpayers. There were 154 notices sent out and as of today 30 parcels are moving forward to the next stage in the process which is site inspection. He said a press release will soon be released on the year-end sales tax figure. He stated the County exceeded the budgeted figure by $1.7 million, and the total amount received in sales tax for 2001 was $21.5 million. He noted this is the largest amount the County has ever received in sales tax.

At Mr. Squires request, Mr. Wood reported on the negotiations that have taken place in regard to the purchase of property for Tompkins Community Action. He stated an agreement has been negotiated that is satisfactory to both parties and was forwarded to the County Administrator this week. Ms. Mink asked that Mr. Squires and Mr. Wood meet with the County Administrator and the Chairman of the Budget and Capital Committee and move this along the appropriate path for action.

Withdrawal of Resolution(s) from the Agenda

Chair Mink granted permission to the appropriate committee chairmen permission to withdraw the following resolutions from the agenda:

Consultant Service for the Preparation of a Wireless Communication Project

Revising 2001 Fringe Benefits Payment Rate

Reaffirming Rollover Policy

Amendment to Administrative Policy 05-02 - Fiscal Policy - Section 5.01 Transfers, Section 5.03 Appropriations from the Contingent Fund or a Fund Balance and Section 5.06 Reappropriation of Unspent Funds from previous Years

Addition of Resolution(s) to the Agenda

There were no resolution(s) added to the agenda.

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

There were no appointments or resolutions approved under the Consent Agenda.

Report from the Planning Committee

Mr. Penniman, Chairman, reported the Committee met and received a report from the EMC and discussed the pesticide notification law. There is a lot of research taking place at this time and they will plan to meet with the Health and Human Services Committee in approximately two months to discuss this further. He said the Committee received a report from the Planning Department on their work plan for 2001. The three main areas the Department will be placing emphasis on are the Public Safety Communications project, vital communities program, and the natural-resources inventory. Mr. Penniman reported the Committee also discussed and reviewed goals for the year including continued work on the vital communities program, review of the aquifer study proposal to more specifically create a work plan with objectives, and review and revise as necessary the commercial center revitalization program.

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 February 14^th at 9 a.m. She announced the Human Services Coalition annual meeting will be at noon on February 8^th.

Report from the Economic and Workforce Development Committee

Ms. Blanchard, Vice Chair, reported the Committee has not me since the last Board meeting. The next meeting will be February 20 at noon. At that time the committee will discuss the proposed tax abatement for the incentives for increased density in the downtown area.

Report from the Public Safety Committee

Mr. Totman, Chairman, reported the Committee has not met since the last Board meeting. The next meeting will be at 10 a.m. on February 8^th.

Report from the Budget and Capital Program Committee

Mr. Joseph, Chairman, reported the Committee met and the main topic discussed was whether rollover funds should continue to be available to departments. The two areas that were focused on in the discussion were asking the County Administrator to work with departments to try to find ways to reduce spending, and whether keeping or eliminating the rollover policy would be best to help the Board deal with budget problems that are expected in the 2002 budget.

RESOLUTION NO. 14 - REQUEST FOR AUTHORIZATION TO EXTEND THE ADDITIONAL ONE PERCENT LOCAL SALES TAX RATE IN TOMPKINS COUNTY

MOVED by Mr. Joseph, seconded by Mr. Todd. Mr. Proto said he thinks this begins to lose the identity of things such as the Solid Waste Fee, and he feels it is important that people have an opportunity to be kept informed of what taxes the Board is passing on their behalf. A voice vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Ayes - 11, Noes - 3 (Representatives Proto, Schuler, and Winch); Excused - 1 (Representative Stein). RESOLUTION ADOPTED.

WHEREAS, this Board in 1991, 1992, 1994, 1996, and 1998 requested and received authorization from the State of New York to enact an additional one percent local sales tax in Tompkins County in addition to the three percent authorization that all New York State counties possess by law, and

WHEREAS, the current authorization received in 1999 expires November 30, 2001, and

WHEREAS, this Board has been requested by the offices of Assemblyman Luster and Senator Seward to forward any request for an extension of this authority when legislation can be timely prepared and submitted at the beginning of a session of the legislature, and

WHEREAS, the expiration of the additional one percent local sales tax would necessitate, based on the most recent returns, 1) $6.8 million in reductions in County expenditures, which would have a major effect on the availability of services, or in a 34 percent increase in County property taxes, or some combination thereof, as well as 2) substantial reductions or tax increases for the City, towns, and villages of Tompkins County, now therefore be it

RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Budget and Capital Committee, That this Board requests that Assemblyman Luster, Senator Seward, and Senator Kuhl sponsor and support legislation extending the authority of the Board of Representatives of Tompkins County to extend the additional one percent local sales tax in Tompkins County beyond November 30, 2001, for a period of four years based on the same terms and conditions included in previous legislation, to provide local property tax relief.

SEQR ACTION: TYPE II-20

RESOLUTION NO. 15 - DIRECTING THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TO REVIEW PROGRAMS AND SERVICES FUNDED BY THE 2001 TOMPKINS COUNTY BUDGET

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

WHEREAS, the General Fund Balance available to stabilize the 2002 Tax Rate may be considerably less than that which was available for the 2001 Budget, and

WHEREAS, the Board realizes that in order to maintain a minimal Property Tax increase, surplus funds must be available for appropriation, spending must be reduced, and/or revenues must be enhanced, and

WHEREAS, every attempt shall be made to retain services while capturing fiscal stability through prudent spending and financial planning, and

WHEREAS, to achieve this, a comprehensive review process must begin as soon as possible in order that departments and agencies have as much time as possible to analyze their budgets and determine how programs or services would be affected by having less surplus funds available this year than last, and

WHEREAS, the rollover policy, as described in Section 5.06 of the County Fiscal Policy, is explicitly designed to encourage long-range planning, and the wise allocation of resources, now therefore be it

RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Budget and Capital Committee, That the County Administrator be and hereby is directed to work with County departments and agencies on recommendations to be presented to the Board in early May, 2001,

RESOLVED, further, That such recommendations will demonstrate the fiscal savings that can be realized through reorganization, program consolidation, or the reallocation, reduction or elimination of services.

SEQR ACTION: TYPE II-20

Report from the Government Operations Committee

Mr. Koplinka-Loehr, Chairman, reported the Committee has not met since the last Board meeting. The next meeting will be February 8 at 1:30 p.m. Mr. Koplinka-Loehr reported the Affirmative Action Committee met on January 10 and is working on a work plan for the year and a possible name change for the Committee.

Report from the Public Works Committee

Mr. Lane, Chairman, reported the Committee has not met since the last Board meeting. The next meeting will be February 13^th at 10 a.m. Mr. Lane reported on awards that have been received in the Public Works Department. A "Superstar" recognition certificate was presented to Paul Cowles for helping an elderly man change a flat tire at the Recycling Center earlier in the year. Airport employees Mickey Carlisle, Louis Loiselle, and David Crawford were the recipients for excelling beyond the expected. Mr. Carlisle and Mr. Loiselle were rewarded for their efforts in trying to resuscitate a long-time Airport tenant and aviation enthusiast who suffered a fatal heart attack at the Airport. David Crawford was rewarded for taking the Airport operations and maintenance to a high level of efficiency which has resulted in a significant amount of higher level safety.

Mr. Proto announced the Board will soon be receiving information on the new fare structure for TCAT.

Report from the Communications Capital Projects Committee

Ms. Blanchard, Chair, reported the Committee met at noon today and spent most of the meeting hearing an extensive review of how the environmental review process will be done. The Committee also received several updates on equipment testing, the need to be more proactive with the County's relationship with the FCC, and the status of the acquisition on the option of the DOT site on Hanshaw Road. She reported there are still problems getting all of the cellular phone companies to cooperate in transfering their emergency calls to the County's 911 site and the Committee will continue to work on this. The next meeting will be the 27^th of February.

Report from the Charter Review Committee

Mr. Lane, Chairman, reported the Committee held its first meeting and discussed how the census will impact this year's election. He said there is concern about the possible changes in population in particular districts and whether there will be a need to redistrict, and if so how quickly that can be done.

Report from the Information Management Committee

Ms. Kiefer, Chair, reported the Committee has not met since the last Board meeting.

Report from the Intermunicipal Planning Committee

Ms. Mink, Chair, reported the Committee will meet again on February 23^rd. The Committee continues to look at large-range issues. Members feel the Committee needs to look at small, solvable issues and will try to define those at the next meeting.

Report from the Space Needs and Location Committee

Ms. Mink, Chair, reported the Committee continues to work and will be discussing whether to seek a short-term intermediate step or a long-term solution. The next meeting will be February 9^th.

Report from the Tompkins 2020 Committee

Mr. Koplinaka-Loehr, Chairman, reported the Quality-of-Life 2000 Committee continues to meet. The next meeting will be February 7^th. He expects a report to be presented to the Board in March.

Approval of Minutes

It was MOVED by Mr. Proto, seconded by Ms. Blanchard, and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present, to approve the minutes of January 16, 2001 as submitted. MINUTES APPROVED.

Executive Session

It was MOVED by Mr. Joseph, seconded by Mrs. Schuler, and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present to enter into an executive session at 6:34 p.m. to discuss contract negotiations. The meeting returned to open session at 7:35 p.m.

Mr. Todd was excused at 6:55 p.m.

Adjournment

On motion the meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m.