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

        Monika Crispen, Cooperative Extension, said part of the review process of Agricultural District No. 2 is to hold a public hearing. In order for the continuation of the District they have taken a look at the land in the District and identified parcels that might be removed because they are no longer used for agricultural purposes, or parcels outside of the District that might be added because they are now used for agricultural purposes. She said there are criteria that have been developed by the Agriculture and Farmland Protection Board that identifies parcels for removal. Ms. Crispen said part of the reason they are looking at removing parcels from the District is because 50 percent of the land area that is in the agricultural district must be active agriculture. The review is done every eight years and this year they are fortunate to have two GIS maps to assist in the review process. Ms. Crispen distributed a copy of Article 25 of the Agricultural District Law and a document describing where they are in the process and the criteria the Agriculture and Farmland Protection Board is using for removing or adding parcels.

        No one else wished to speak. Chair Mink closed the public hearing at 5:35 p.m.

Called to Order

        Chair Mink called the regular meeting to order 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: 14 Representatives. Excused - 1 (Representative Davis).

Presentation of Proclamation(s)

        Chair Mink presented a proclamation declaring the week of February 13-18, 2000, as Immaculate Conception School Week in Tompkins County to John Farley, Principal of the Immaculate Conception School.

Privilege of the Floor by the Public

        No member of the public wished to speak.

Privilege of the Floor by Board Members

        Mr. Proto, District No. 7 Representative, spoke of the unfortunate death of Steven Fellows who passed away after a long struggle with multiple sclerosis. Mr. Fellows was a member of the Human Rights Commission between 1980 and 1985. During that time Mr. Proto and Mr. Fellows visited every polling place in Tompkins County to make sure they were handicap accessible. He recalled a time when Mr. Fellows put some members of the Commission in wheelchairs and made them go up the ramp at the Library to show how difficult that ramp was to use. Mr. Proto said Mr. Fellows had written amendments to both City and State policies that precipitated the curb-cuts and handicap parking places that exist around town. Mr. Proto suggested that the Board urge the Human Rights Commission to consider establishing a Steven Neil Fellows award.

        Mr. Koplinka-Loehr, District No. 10 Representative, announced that on Thursday the Community will hear from John Lewis from Atlanta who is coming to speak at the Martin Luther King Celebration in Sage Chapel at Cornell University at 4:30 p.m. Mr. Lewis walked with Martin Luther King on many of the freedom walks, is a long-time civil rights activist, and is a seven-term Congressman.

        Mr. Stein, District No. 3 Representative, reported he attended the NYSAC Conference. He said there was discussion at a previous Board meeting about the Family Health Plus Program that expands health care to more New Yorkers and the concern that a portion of the cost is being mandated to counties. Mr. Stein said there is a very clear move afoot in the State Legislature to take over the 25 percent. On Friday there was an announcement by the majority of the State Senate that they have unanimously produced a bill to take over this cost. He said a similar resolution has been introduced in the Assembly. He noted that whatever the impact of this law may be, it will not take effect this year.

        Mr. Stein said there was also discussion and presentations made on Kendra's Law. He reported that New York City is projecting that there will be 7,000 participants in the City with a population of 7 million this year. The estimated additional cost of this law is $3,500 per person. Mr. Stein said an anti-lobbying bill was passed before Christmas, and that this affects counties. He suggested that the Board obtain a copy of Assembly Bill 9094 and turn it over to the Ethics Committee to see exactly how this would effect Tompkins County.

        Mr. Penniman, District No. 15 Representative, said he, too, attended the NYSAC Conference and made the following comments. He said the Family Plus Program is at a political stalemate between the Republican majority of the State and the Governor, and may end up being included with other items in the State budget process. He said there was a meeting about the Performance Partnership in Chittauqua County where they have gotten business people and government leaders together and have developed a mission-driven budget. Steve Whicher, Tompkins County Director of Assessment, gave a presentation about ways to use assessment data outside the normal use of assessing properties and using it for land-use planning and other decision making. He said one county spoke of how they use assessment data to assist with 911 operations and that Tompkins County may wish to consider pursuing this. Mr. Penniman said he distributed a letter from the Chamber of Commerce about the sales tax exemption on clothing and footwear. Since the last Board meeting the Downtown Partnership in the City of Ithaca passed a resolution asking the County to drop the exemption on clothing and footwear.

        Mr. Penniman reported he attended the "Balancing Justice" forum which is a community group being sponsored by the Women's League of Voters. He said he has extra booklets from that meeting if anyone is interested.

        Mr. Joseph, District No. 12 Representative, said about a week ago he stopped to help a woman who had pulled over to the side of the road and had smoke coming out from under the hood of her car. He said when he approached the car it was apparent that the car was on fire and he used a fire extinguisher from the women's trunk to put the fire out. He said this incident impressed on him how easily she could have been standing there helpless, watching her car burn if she hadn't had that extinguisher. Mr. Joseph urged everyone to place one in their vehicle.

        Mr. Lane, District No. 14, announced on Saturday, February 5^th, the Dryden Sertoma Club will be holding a pancake breakfast and invited all to attend. He said for over 20 years the Club has sponsored this event. This year the proceeds will be donated to the family of Dan Gonzalez who is the police officer who was badly injured in a recent accident in Dryden.

        Mr. Evans, District No. 13 Representative, spoke of Kendra's Law and said to date the Tompkins County Mental Health Department has had five referrals for this Law; three of these have been judged to be not valid based on the law. The other two cases will soon enter the court system. Mr. Evans said to determine the validity of these cases, it has taken at least two full employee workdays. Mr. Deluca, Commissioner of Mental Health, will be giving a report to the Health and Human Services Committee at an upcoming meeting.

Chair's Report

        Ms. Mink had no report.

Report from the Intermunicipal Resource Sharing Group

        Ms. Mink reported the group has not yet met; however, a meeting is scheduled for February 4^th at 1 p.m.

Report from the Library Construction Committee

        Ms. Mink, Chair, reported the Committee met today and reviewed various financial reports. She said everything is on schedule and the budget if flexible enough to absorb new costs and exploit savings in other places. She said the Committee is looking at final design considerations. Ms. Mink spoke of the cost of solar panel for buildings as an issue that has implications for future capital projects. At the request of Representative Kiefer, the Committee pursued obtaining a project estimate with a company that has done studies in areas similar to this. She said she will be distributing information so the Board can discuss this in detail at a later time.

Report from the County Administrator

        Mr. Erb reported he was very pleased with the news that came out of Albany last week on Family Health Plus. He hopes this will proceed to the Governor's desk for signature. He announced NYSAC will be sponsoring a symposium on the historic tobacco settlement on March 2^nd at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Albany.

Report from the County Attorney

        Mr. Theisen had no report.

Report from the Finance Director

        Mr. Squires said as the result of a constituent complaint last year, a policy was instituted of notifying all people whose taxes have been returned by the Ithaca City School District for collection by the County.

Addition of Resolution(s) to the Agenda

        On motion and duly seconded and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present, the following resolution was added to the agenda:

            Correction of Tax Roll - Gates

Withdrawal of Resolution(s) from the Agenda

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

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

        It was MOVED by Ms. Blanchard, seconded by Mr. Koplinka-Loehr, and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present, to approve the following resolutions and appointments under the Consent Agenda:

RESOLUTION NO. 16 - AUTHORIZATION TO EXECUTE A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH THE TOWN OF DRYDEN - RED MILL ROAD BRIDGE REPLACEMENT DESIGN (BIN 3209790)

        MOVED by Ms. Blanchard, seconded by Mr. Koplinka-Loehr, and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present under the Consent Agenda.

        WHEREAS, Tompkins County and the Town of Dryden cooperatively maintain a bridge on Red Mill Road (BIN 3209790) over Fall Creek in accordance with Resolution Nos. 43 of 1946 and 259 of 1998, and
        WHEREAS, in response to deterioration of the Bridge, the County and Town are preparing plans, specifications and estimates for the replacement of this bridge, and
        WHEREAS, Resolution No. 75 of 1999 authorized an agreement with the State of New York whereby State and Federal sources will furnish up to 95 percent (95%) of the funding necessary to design and construct a replacement bridge, now therefore be it
        RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Facilities and Infrastructure Committee, That the County Administrator be and hereby is authorized to execute a Memorandum of Understanding with the Town of Dryden to fund design of the bridge whereby the Town will be responsible for 20 percent (20%) of the local share (five percent) of design costs.
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RESOLUTION NO. 17 - AUTHORIZATION TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH THE TOWN OF ULYSSES AND THE VILLAGE OF TRUMANSBURG - LAKE STREET BRIDGE RECONSTRUCTION AND FUTURE MAINTENANCE (BIN 3210350)

        MOVED by Ms. Blanchard, seconded by Mr. Koplinka-Loehr, and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present under the Consent Agenda.

        WHEREAS, Tompkins County, Town of Ulysses and the Village of Trumansburg cooperatively maintain a bridge on Lake Street (BIN 3210350) over Trumansburg Creek in accordance with Resolution Nos. 43 of 1946 and 259 of 1998, and
        WHEREAS, in response to deterioration of the Bridge, the County is preparing plans, specifications, and estimates and will seek bids to build a replacement structure in 2000, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Facilities and Infrastructure Committee, That the County Administrator be and hereby is authorized to execute an Agreement with the Town of Ulysses and the Village of Trumansburg to fund reconstruction and to specify responsibilities for continued cooperative maintenance of the bridge.
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RESOLUTION NO. 18 - CORRECTION OF TAX ROLL - TOWN OF ITHACA - UNITED STATES SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

        MOVED by Ms. Blanchard, seconded by Mr. Koplinka-Loehr, and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present under the Consent Agenda.

        WHEREAS, this Board is informed that an error has been made in the 1999-2000 tax roll for the Town of Ithaca, namely, parcel 35.-1-9, assessed to the United States Small Business Administration, was charged $6,810.57 for Town and County Taxes, which should have been $0, and
        WHEREAS, taxes have not been paid on the erroneous value, now therefore be it
        RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Government Operations Committee, That a corrected tax bill be issued and $3,127.11 be charged back to the County and $739.83 to the Town of Ithaca, $187.38 to Ithaca Water, $260.24 to Ithaca Sewer, and $219.60 to Solid Waste.
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RESOLUTION NO. 19 - CORRECTION OF TAX ROLL - TOWN OF DRYDEN (GRAND VAIL REAL ESTATE)

        MOVED by Ms. Blanchard, seconded by Mr. Koplinka-Loehr, and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present under the Consent Agenda.

        WHEREAS, this Board is informed that an error has been made in the 1999-2000 Tax roll for the Town of Dryden, namely, parcel 46-1-4.21, assessed to Grand Vail Real Estate, was charged $25,286.40 for the Solid Waste Fee, which should have been $252.87, and
        WHEREAS, taxes have not been paid on the erroneous value, now therefore be it
        RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Government Operations Committee, That a corrected tax bill be issued and $25,033.53 be charged back to the solid waste account.
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RESOLUTION NO. 20 - CORRECTION OF TAX ROLL - CITY OF ITHACA (BLUMENTHAL)

        MOVED by Ms. Blanchard, seconded by Mr. Koplinka-Loehr, and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present under the Consent Agenda.

        WHEREAS, this Board is informed that an error has been made in the 1999-2000 tax roll for the City of Ithaca, namely, parcel 79.-3-1, assessed to Stephen Blumenthal, was charged $35,456.40 for the Solid Waste Fee, which should have been $354.57, and
        WHEREAS, taxes have not been paid on the erroneous value, now therefore be it
        RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Government Operations Committee, That a corrected tax bill be issued and $35,101.66 be charged back to the solid waste account.
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RESOLUTION NO. 21 - CORRECTION OF TAX ROLL - TOWN OF ITHACA (MCMASTER)

        MOVED by Ms. Blanchard, seconded by Mr. Koplinka-Loehr, and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present under the Consent Agenda.

        WHEREAS, this Board is informed that an error has been made in the 1999-2000 tax roll for the Town of Ithaca, namely, parcel 33.-2-7.1, assessed to Carolyn McMaster, was charged $7,113.60 for the Solid Waste Fee, which should have been $71.14, and
        WHEREAS, taxes have not been paid on the erroneous value, now therefore be it
        RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Government Operations Committee, That a corrected tax bill be issued and $7,042.46 be charged to the solid waste account.
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RESOLUTION NO. 22 - CORRECTION OF TAX ROLL - CITY OF ITHACA (GATES)

        MOVED by Ms. Blanchard, seconded by Mr. Koplinka-Loehr, and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present under the Consent Agenda.

        WHEREAS, this Board is informed that an error has been made in the 1999-2000 tax roll for the City of Ithaca, namely, parcel 64.-10-15, assessed to Reeder and Sally Gates, was charged $10,789.20 for the Solid Waste Fee, which should have been $107.90, and
        WHEREAS, taxes have not been paid on the erroneous value, now therefore be it
        RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Government Operations Committee, That a corrected tax bill be issued and $10,681.30 be credited to the solid waste account.
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Appointments

        Environmental Management Council
        Walter Groman - Town of Dryden Representative - Term expires December 31, 2001
        Elissa Wolfson - Town of Ithaca Representative - Term expires December 31, 2000

        Regional Forest Practice Board
        Dan Winch - County Representative - Term expires December 31, 2001

        Fish and Wildlife Management Board
        Dan Winch - County Representative - Term expires December 31, 2001

Report from the Health and Human Services Committee

        Mrs. Schuler, Chair, said the committee did not meet. She said she received program and funding guidelines for comprehensive tobacco control programs by the National Association of Counties and City Health Officials and will place this on file in the Board Office.

Report from the Economic and Workforce Development Committee

        Mr. Stein, Chairman, reported the Committee met prior to this Board meeting to review resolutions that have been placed on the agenda.

RESOLUTION NO. 23 - AUTHORIZATION TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF ITHACA FOR THE PURPOSES OF ITHACA DOWNTOWN PARTNERSHIP

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

        WHEREAS, the Ithaca Downtown Partnership, as the Ithaca Downtown Business Improvement District (BID), is intended to provide programs and services that will benefit all property owners and tenants within its boundaries, and
        WHEREAS, Tompkins County is a property owner within the boundaries of the Ithaca Downtown BID, and
        WHEREAS, the BID program of services, including business retention and development, retail marketing, and promotion, are ones that will potentially benefit the County by expanding the sales and property tax base, and
        WHEREAS, the County is committed to the BID concept as a vehicle that establishes the partnership between the private and public sectors so essential to a successful economic development program, and
        WHEREAS, on the basis of an opinion issued by the State of New York Office of Real Property Tax Services stating that the enabling legislation for BIDs did not intend to impose financial liability regarding the BID assessment on tax exempt properties, these properties have been excluded from the BID assessment, now therefore be it
        RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Economic and Workforce Development Committee, That the County be authorized to execute an agreement with the City of Ithaca in an amount not to exceed $10,365 for the services described in the BID Plan dated July 1, 1996,
        RESOLVED, further, That the County Administrator or his designee be authorized to execute such an agreement.
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RESOLUTION NO. 24 - APPROVAL OF DESIGN AND PILOT PROJECT FOR SIGNAGE PROGRAM

        MOVED by Mr. Stein, seconded by Mr. Penniman.

        Ms. Kiefer said the last time this was discussed she understood that it would be appropriate for the County's share of money to come from room tax funds. She said this is not reflected in the resolution; therefore, will vote against the resolution for that reason although she supports development of uniform, useful signage County-wide.

        Mr. Penniman said this is a partnership of six entities: the two colleges, the City, the Downtown Partnership, the Convention and Visitor's Bureau, and the County. He thinks the $5,000 coming from contingent funds is a signal that the County supports this and does not expect the full burden to be placed on all of the other entities. He said Phase II of this project will be more expensive than phase I and the issue will be reopened again. Mr. Penniman said although this is a tourism project, it is a signage project and not all visitors to the County are tourists.

        Ms. Mink said the County's portion of the cost is $10,000 of which half is coming from the contingency funds, the Strategic Tourism Planning Board will be asked to allocate $2,500 from room tax funds; and the remainder will come from the Convention and Visitor's Bureau budget. Ms. Kiefer said if this is the precedent that is set in Phase I she thinks the Board will be asked to pay for this in the future with taxpayer money.

        Mr. Proto said the discussion that took place prior to this meeting centered around Phase II. He said the Committee was reassured that the Strategic Tourism Planning Board will be meeting tomorrow and Stuart Stein, the Board's liaison, will relate the concerns that have been expressed. He also said Committee members stated they would be agreeable to asking for the County's entire share in Phase II of the project to come from room tax dollars.

        Ms. Kiefer asked if the County Board will have an opportunity to review design options. Mr. Penniman said this has been put out to bid already and proposals have been received from a number of design firms. He said it is his understanding that all of the partners will have a voice in the design and functional aspects of the project. Mr. Penniman will notify Board members when the meetings of the working group on this will take place.

        A voice vote resulted as follows: Ayes - 13, Noes - 1 (Representative Kiefer), Excused - 1 (Representative Davis). RESOLUTION ADOPTED.

        WHEREAS, there is a Countywide need for a coordinated, systematic way-finding signage program that will highlight visitor attractions and amenities, and
        WHEREAS, in a spirit of regional cooperation, the following organizations representing tourism and community interests have joined together to plan for a regional way-finding signage system: the Tompkins County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Tompkins County, the City of Ithaca, Cornell University, Ithaca College, and the Ithaca Downtown Partnership, and
        WHEREAS, the signage program working group has prepared a two phase strategy for creating and installing a Countywide way-finding signage program: Phase One will create an acceptable way-finding sign system design and undertake a demonstration project focusing on the downtown Ithaca/Commons area; and Phase Two will analyze overall County signage needs and provide for the comprehensive installation of way-finding signs Countywide, and
        WHEREAS, the members of the signage program working group, including Tompkins County, have been asked to provide financial support to meet the estimated $31,000 Phase One portion of the program, and
        WHEREAS, the working group has solicited bids from qualified sign design firms that will meet the proposed $31,000 budget, now therefore be it
        RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Economic and Workforce Development and Budget and Fiscal Policy Committees, That the Tompkins County Board of Representatives does hereby agree to participate in the Phase One way-finding signage program,
        RESOLVED, further, That the Tompkins County Board of Representatives will provide $5,000 from contingent funds for Phase One,
        RESOLVED, further, That upon successful completion of Phase One, Tompkins County will work with the signage working group to pursue the Phase Two portion of the project.
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Report from the Public Safety Committee

        Mr. Totman, Chairman, reported the Committee has not met since the last Board meeting. He said all Departments and agencies reporting to the Committee have been asked to present their goals to the Committee.

        Mr. Proto inquired about a legal notice that appeared in last evening's Ithaca Journal regarding bids for unmarked patrol cars. He said he obtained a copy of the bid specifications from the Purchasing Division. He expressed concern over the engine size contained in the bid specifications and this is a high-speed chase car. He said he does not support this purchase and asked why this type of vehicle would be needed when the County has spent an enormous amount of money on communication equipment. Ms. Mink asked that these concerns be shared with the Chair of the Public Safety Committee.

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

        Ms. Blanchard, Chair, reported the Committee has not met since the last Board meeting. The next meeting will be February 8^th.

RESOLUTION NO. 25 - AMENDMENT TO CAPITAL PROGRAM AND AWARD OF BID - TOMPKINS COUNTY HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE FACILITY AND RECYCLING AND SOLID WASTE CENTER EXPANSION CAPITAL PROJECT

        MOVED by Ms. Blanchard, seconded by Mr. Todd, and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present.

        WHEREAS, the Tompkins County Finance Department has duly advertised for bids for the Tompkins County Household Hazardous Waste Facility and Recycling Solid Waste Center expansion project, and
        WHEREAS, twenty-two (22) bids were received and four (4) contracts bid and publicly opened and read on December 7, 1999, now therefore be it
        RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Facilities and Infrastructure and Budget and Fiscal Policy Committees, That the bids be awarded to the lowest responsible bidders as follows:
            General Construction Contract Paul Yaman $568,640
                    Cortland, New York
            Electrical Contract R.G. Burns $ 66,536
                    Stanley, New York
            Mechanical Contract Tri-Cities Temp Control $ 45,000
                    Binghamton, New York
            Plumbing Contract James L. Lewis $ 56,150
                    Chenango Forks, New York

            TOTAL $736,326
        RESOLVED, further, That the County Administrator is hereby authorized to enter into contracts with the successful contractors and to execute change orders of up to ten (10) percent of the contract total,
        RESOLVED, further, That the Division of Solid Waste be authorized to implement this bid on behalf of the County, funds being available in Capital Account No. HH.8164.59239.81.69,
        RESOLVED, further, That the County Board authorizes and directs the Finance Director to amend the Capital Program for the construction of this work in an amount of $790,000 with a total contract not to exceed $944,000.
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Report and Presentation of Resolution(s) from the Budget and Fiscal Policy Committee

        Mr. Joseph, Chairman, reported at the last meeting the Committee discussed the Household Hazardous Waste Facility and the tobacco settlement. He said all Board members should have received a survey of the 2000 budget process, and urged members to complete them and return to Kathy West by the end of the week. The next meeting will be February 3^rd.

RESOLUTION NO. 26 - SUPPORT AND REQUEST FOR AN AMENDMENT TO THE TAX LAW ALLOWING THE COUNTY OF TOMPKINS TO OMIT THE COLLEGE TEXTBOOK TAX EXEMPTION

        MOVED by Mr. Joseph, seconded by Mr. Stein. A voice vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Ayes - 13, Noes - 1 (Representative Schuler); Excused - 1 (Representative Davis). RESOLUTION ADOPTED. Mrs. Schuler stated she voted no on this because the majority of her constituents are students who purchase textbooks.

        WHEREAS, the County of Tompkins is home to three academic institutions whose population represents nearly one-third of the total countywide population, and
        WHEREAS, the County of Tompkins has been significantly impacted by the legislation to exempt sales tax on text books, and
        WHEREAS, the annual impact of the college textbook tax exemption to Tompkins County is estimated to be $460,000 on $11.5 million in sales representing approximately 1.5 percent of the total countywide sales tax collection, and
        WHEREAS, the County estimates the direct impact on the County’s real property tax rate is $258,750 with the remaining $201,250 impact on the sales tax distribution to the towns and the City of Ithaca, now therefore be it
        RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Budget and Fiscal Policy Committee, That this Board supports and requests an amendment to Section 1210 of the tax law, adding a new subdivision, allowing the County of Tompkins to omit the college textbook tax exemption, provided for in paragraph thirty-four of subdivision (a) of Section 1115 of the same chapter,
        RESOLVED, further, That the County of Tompkins encourages Assemblyman Luster, Senator Seward, and Senator Kuhl to introduce and support this legislation to the State of New York.
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Report and Presentation of Resolution(s) from the Government Operations Committee

        Mr. Koplinka-Loehr, Chairman, reported the next meeting will be February 3^rd. He requested an executive session to discuss personnel matters.

RESOLUTION NO. 27 - AMENDMENT OF POLICY 01-21, SURPLUS EQUIPMENT - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES AND FINANCE DEPARTMENTS

        MOVED by Mr. Koplinka-Loehr, seconded by Ms. Kiefer, and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present.

        WHEREAS, the Tompkins County Finance and Information Technology Services Departments have identified the need for the County to dispose of surplus computer equipment in a timely manner to ensure that maximum use of equipment is achieved, and
        WHEREAS, the final draft of the proposed policy and related procedures has been reviewed and found to be acceptable by the Information Management Committee and the Government Operations Committee, now therefore be it
        RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Government Operations Committee, That Policy 01-21, titled Surplus Equipment, as amended, is hereby adopted.
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Report from the Planning and Intermunicipal Coordination Committee

        Mr. Lane, Chairman, reported the Committee met on January 19^th. At that meeting the Committee heard from the Environmental Management Council on the Unique Natural Areas Inventory report. He said he will be asking Chair Mink to allow them to make a presentation to the Board on that report at an upcoming Board meeting. Ed Tenorio from the State Division of Veterans Affairs was in attendance to discuss the possibility of establishing an outpatient veterans clinic in the Tompkins and Cortland area. The Committee will be pursuing this service issue due to the fact that there are a greater number of veterans in Tompkins County than in Cortland County. The Committee also heard from Todd Miller of the United States Geological Society who presented the surficial aquifer study. Mr. Lane said a master map has been produced that lays out aquifers throughout the County and that it will be very useful to all municipalities. Mr. Lane said the Committee discussed goals for the year 2000 and will continue this discussion at the next meeting.

Report from the Census 2000 Committee

        Mr. Proto, Chairman, reported the Committee met today and spoke with Richard Davis from the Census Bureau. He distributed a pencil and magnet with logos to all Board members. He said during the beginning on April 1^st for a two-week period there will be offices set up throughout the County to provide assistance to anyone needing help filling out forms. There will be another meeting on February 16 at 2 p.m. to discuss how to reach individuals in dormitories, hospitals, nursing homes, or the jail.

        Mr. Totman was excused at 6:40 p.m.

Report from the Communications Capital Project Committee

        Ms. Blanchard, Chair, reported the Committee met on January 25 and discussed the microwave towers and established a working group that will be Chaired by Representative Joseph. Jonathan Wood, Deputy County Attorney, believes the best way to proceed with this project is to purchase the sites and then go out and bid the equipment and towers portion of the project. Mr. Wood will be discussing this with the consultant and others, and will bring a recommendation back to the Committee. Ms. Blanchard said at the next meeting the Committee will consider a resolution to move forward on the project.

        At the last meeting there was discussion about some of the lost frequencies and the continued degradation of paging ability and how to replace radios of all the participating agencies in the public safety network. Brian Wilbur, Ithaca Fire Department Chief, stated he completed the operations plan for the E911 consolidation. This is the architectural program in writing that the consultants are using to draft a diagram of how the building might be configured. Ms. Blanchard said she drafted a memorandum of understanding between the various parties; however, this has been put on hold until water and sewer district concerns in the Town of Dryden are resolved. She said a proposal has been prepared that will be presented to Senators Seward and Kuhl asking them to help the County move forward with pieces of funding with this project. A Communications Capital Project team has been developed and consists of Sheriff Peter Meskill; Brian Wilbur, Ithaca Fire Chief; Jack Miller, Fire, Disaster and EMS Coordinator; and Lee Shurtleff, Deputy Fire, Disaster, and EMS Coordinator; and Ms. Blanchard. From February to March this group will be making presentations in various municipalities to talk about the need for communications projects and will make a presentation to the full Board on March 7^th. The next meeting will be regular Committee will be February 22nd.

Report from the Information Management Committee

        Mr. Evans, Chairman, reported today's meeting was cancelled. The next meeting will be March 7^th.

Old Library/New Futures Committee

        Mr. Lane, Chairman, reported the Committee will meet tomorrow at 4 p.m.

Report from the Public Safety Building Space Committee

        Mr. Joseph, Chairman, reported the Committee met yesterday and learned Cortland County is becoming increasingly interested in discussing this issue further and doing something cooperatively with Tompkins County. A meeting will be set up with representatives of Cortland County to discuss their interest. Mr. Joseph said the Committee received an engineering report from James Kazda, Senior Civil Engineer, on life-cycle costs of the various options the Committee is looking at. Mr. Kazda provided the Committee a financial model of each of the options into which you could plug any population projection. The Committee asked Mr. Kazda to make some changes and bring revised figures back to the next meeting. Mr. Joseph said they will be developing some costs estimates for programs that are designed to reduce jail population estimates.

Report from the Tompkins 2020 Committee

        Mr. Koplinka-Loehr, Chairman, met on January 19^th and discussed how to define and measure quality of life. The Committee decided it needed help from the community and created a Tompkins Quality of Life Committee. He said letters are being mailed to a broad spectrum of community members asking for their suggestions as to who should serve on this Committee. The Committee will meet again on February 16^th.

Report from the Library Coordination Committee

        Mr. Proto said the Committee will meet on February 7^th with the rural library directors to present phase two of the report. A resolution will to accept and approve that report will come to the Board at a subsequent meeting.

Approval of Minutes of January 18, 2000

        It was MOVED by Mr. Proto, seconded by Mr. Winch, and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present, to approve the minutes of January 18, 2000 as corrected. MINUTES APPROVED.

Recess

        Chair Mink declared recess from 6:58 p.m. to 7:06 p.m.

Executive Session

        It was MOVED by Mr. Winch, seconded by Mr. Koplinka-Loehr, and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present, to enter into an executive session at 7:08 p.m. to discuss personnel matters. The meeting returned to open session at 8:00 p.m.

Adjournment

        On motion the meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.