Board of Representatives Minutes

Regular Meeting
April 17, 2001

Called to Order

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 guests participated in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

Present: 13 Representatives. Excused – 2 (Representatives Stein and Winch).

Presentation of Proclamation(s)

Chair Mink presented a proclamation declaring April 28, 2001 to be Youth Empowerment Day in Tompkins County to Sonya Harper, Eric Merklein, and Thomas Huntington who are members of the Rock the Arts Committee.

Privilege of the floor by the Public

No member of the public wished to speak.

Presentation by the Department of Social Services on Staffing

Mary Pat Dolan, Commissioner, provided the Board with the following presentation:

Department of Social Services

AN OVERVIEW OF STAFFING CHANGES

1995 - 2001

12/31/95 - 175 DSS Staff

12/31/00 - 183 DSS Staff

Special Services has grown by six staff, all of whom were reassigned from other areas.

Emergency Housing: Everyone, individual or family, who enters emergency housing is in contact with Special Services. Though there was a significant drop in shelter stays for 1996 and 1997, total shelter bed nights (8,822 for calendar year 2000) has returned to 1995 levels. In addition to shelter at both the Red Cross and Task Force for Battered Women, Special Services staff are also responsible for school attendance for children in shelters, assisting some shelter residents in locating permanent housing, and eviction prevention.

Day Care has seen the largest increase in staff. Over the most recent twelve months, total day care spending was $1,759,872 for a total of 4,776 children, or an average of 415 per month. Staff also work with the Day Care Council to insure that the providers of child day care are in compliance with two major new sets of regulations NYS OCFS issued in the last fourteen months. Those are Health and Safety Requirements for Legally Exempt Providers and the Child Care Improvement Act of 2000, which requires fingerprinting and criminal record checks of all child day care providers. The unit is working with approximately 150 legally exempt providers and the parents using them at any point. Previously, the parent and provider dealt directly with one another and our involvement consisted of offering incentives for quality through a contract with the Council. The process of working with the parents and the Council to insure that we have complied with the Health and Safety regulations, and have payment approvals in place are now a major component of the unit's workload. This is exacerbated by the very high (60% every three months) turnover of providers in this category. Additionally, staff process and pay bills from every provider once per month. This remains a completely manual activity which consumes between 18 and 20 workdays each month for three staff, with additional workload during the summer season when we add approvals and processing for summer camps. Community initiatives in the child day care field can be expected to increase the numbers of families seeking assistance from this unit.

Domestic Violence: Our work in Domestic Violence includes the process of evaluating the claims of applicants and recipients of assistance for waivers and good cause, which allows individuals to be exempt from the requirements to cooperate with the establishment of Child Support and/or work requirements associated with Welfare Reform. We work directly with the TFBW to house, support and re-locate victims of domestic violence.

The Security Letter and Inspection Program has replaced cash security deposits for clients. It continues to save tax dollars - $143,000 over the projected cost of security deposits last year.

The staff who moved into Special Services include: 1 Senior SWE from the Services Division, 3.5 SWEs (1 from Services, 2.5 from Temporary Assistance), 1 clerical and .5 Account Clerk-Typist (from the Accounting Division).Special Services handles Emergency Housing, Day Care and Domestic Violence response for all Economic Security programs, as well as the Security Letter and Inspection Program for our clients.

Child Assistance Program (CAP): The CAP Program involved 4.5 new positions and 2 half-time positions re-assigned from other areas. The new positions were: 1 Head Examiner, 2 Senior SWE Case Managers, 1 clerical and 1 half-time Child Support Investigator. Two half-time SWE's were re-assigned from Employment and Temporary Assistance to create the "Pre-CAP" SWE. In February, 2001 we will upgrade and re-assign an SWE to join the Pre-CAP worker, so that all Temporary Assistance cases with earnings are being followed by a Senior SWE Case Manager.

Fraud and Investigation: One Fraud Investigator position was reclassified in order to create a needed Building and Security Manager. One Receptionist was re-assigned from Administration. This individual has several duties - the primary one being the required finger imaging of all applicants and recipients for Temporary Assistance, Medicaid and Food Stamps. One clerical staff was moved from Services to Investigation in order to assist in handling the increase in reception volume since our move to State Street, to provide assistance to the Administrative Assistant in collecting overpayments, collecting money pursuant to fraud repayment agreements and preparing cases for Fraud.

Medicaid: The Principal SWE assumed the entire Chronic Care (nursing home) caseload. This had the effect of reducing caseloads for the remaining Social Welfare Examiners to more manageable levels.

Food Stamps: Three individuals from Food Stamps were re-assigned to Medicaid/Food Stamps, and as with Temporary Assistance and Food Stamps, the purpose was to reduce redundancy for clients, with one examiner responsible for both Medicaid and Food Stamp cases.

ADMINISTRATION Our need for computer support has increased dramatically. We converted two positions, an Administrative Assistant and a Senior Data Entry Operator, to Microcomputer Support Specialists. These individuals support the user needs for both county systems and the state's (5) systems. In 1997 we absorbed the Systems Analyst position from ITS which had been stationed at DSS for 1.5 years.

In 1998, the Long-Term Care Unit became part of DSS operations, though it continues to be operated with joint DSS/COFA oversight. In accomplishing that goal, we absorbed a casework position (formerly a COFA funded EISEP Case Manager) for the EISEP component. We continue to receive EISEP revenue to support that position. We have added an RN position to meet the demands in Long-Term Care by converting an existing casework position. In late 2000, a casework position in Adult Protective Services was added, supported by four-year funding from a NYS Hoyt Foundation Grant. With that additional staff, we will enhance community understanding and reporting of Elder Abuse and augment our ongoing capacity in Adult Protective Services. We have re-assigned a .5 Staff Development Specialist to provide program and clerical support to Adult Protective Services and Long-Term Care, without an additional position.

In 1999, a vacant Resource Assistant position was reclassified to Senior Caseworker to meet the growing demand of Child Protective Services. We added a case aide position in 2000 to meet the demands of supervised visitation for children in Foster Care. Data developed for the budget process demonstrated that we were arranging, transporting and supervising 220+ visits per month. One of two existing Youth Care Worker positions was increased to full-time from .75 time. This position supports the needs of Treatment Foster Care. Treatment Foster Care provides a high level of foster care within the County, and is one of the tools which has helped us to control the demand for (often) out-of-county placement in residential child caring facilities.

In order that we comply with the requirements of AFSA, the Federal Adoption and Safe Families Act, we increased a staff attorney position from half to full-time. A clerk position was approved in the 2001 budget process. Tompkins County has been cited by Margaret Burt, an AFSA expert from Monroe County and the American Bar Association, as perhaps the only county in NYS that would, today, pass a Federal audit on AFSA requirements. This status not only supports dealing with permanency decision for children in the fastest possible time frames, it also offers safeguards regarding current federal child welfare funding. It will also help us prepare for the possibility of Tompkins County being chosen as a site for the upcoming (2002) Federal IV-E audit. That audit will determine the status of millions of dollars in federal reimbursement for foster care payments and adoption subsidies. These audit requirements are in addition to an increase in the volume of Family Court activities which are driven by AFSA and the new Family Treatment Court.

The Department's first Planning and Program Development Specialist was ill for an extended period of time. During that time, we hired a second half-time person who has since become our sole Planning and Program Development Specialist. With her expertise, we have initiated the Welfare Reform Monitoring Study with the Children's Defense Fund, and have conducted numerous program evaluations: Family Resolutions, CAP, YAP and DAP. In addition, we reclassified two half-time vacancies to create a Quality Coordinator. This position will provide continuing support for the department's quality initiatives. Lack of staff support for quality initiatives has been an impediment to meeting continous improvement objectives. However, with the teamwork of the Planner, Quality Coordinator and Staff Development Specialist, we have a workplan in place which will insure that all units have worked on goal-related measurements by the end of 2001, which will be reported on a quarterly basis. All staff will receive Customer Service and Diversity training by July 1, 2002. The Quality Coordinator and Staff Development Coordinator provide training and professional support to staff at all levels in order to meet our agency goals, and the three concurrent tracks of job competency, remediation where needed, and opportunities for professional development.

Met demand in emergency housing and shelter.
Expanded day care program both internally and through contracts.
Expanded work in domestic violence.
Created savings through Security Letter/Inspection Program.
Create CAP and TOPS case management approach to families on assistance.
Oversee 15+ new programs for families on, or leaving, assistance.
Streamline programs for customers by merging Temporary Assistance/Food Stamps and Medicaid/Food Stamps caseloads.
Met increased demand in Reception.
Met expanded finger imaging requirements.
Created computer support function and absorbed ITS position.
Created HSB Security Manager position.
Moved Long-Term Care Program to DSS & expanded capacity.
Created Elder Abuse information and outreach capacity.
Met increased demand in Child Protective Services.
Fostered community collaboration projects and community-based services: Neighborhood Mixer; CPS Mentoring; Agency foster parent teams; Family Resolutions; Family Group Counseling; Family Treatment Court; YAP.
Met increased demand for Supervised Visitation.
Met AFSA requirements; cut length of foster care stay, and promoted permanence through adoption.
Lead Welfare Reform Monitoring Study.
Produce regular program evaluations.
Provide increased staff recognition and support for quality process and continuous improvement.
Initiated a formal consumer feedback process.

Chair’s Report and Appointments

Ms. Mink had no report.

Appointment(s)

Chair Mink made the following appointment(s):

Representative Daniel Winch to the Charter Review Committee

Representative Dooley Kiefer to the Library Construction Committee

Addition of Resolutions to the Agenda

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

Audit of Final Payment - Advance Moving Company, Inc. - Tompkins County Public Library

Audit of Final Payment - Library Interiors - Tompkins County Public Library

Audit of Final Payment - Syracuse Office Environments - Tompkins County Public Library

Audit of Final Payment - Artistry in Wood of Syracuse, Inc. - Tompkins County Public Library

Audit of Final Payment - Hurbson Office Furnishings - Tompkins County Public Library

Audit of Final Payment - Henderson -Johnson Company, Inc. - Tompkins County Public Library

It was MOVED by Mr. Lane, seconded by Mr. Penniman, and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present, to add the following resolution to the agenda:

Requesting the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to Proceed with the New Flood Insurance Rating Maps for Portions of the Town of Dryden

Withdrawal of Resolution(s) from the Agenda

No resolution(s) were withdrawn from the agenda.

Report from the County Administrator

Mr. Whicher reminded program committee chairs that May is the month that they will see a preview of Capital requests for 2002-2006, requests for rollover funds, and program reconfigurations. Mr. Whicher reported that agencies will be getting notification to alert them the County is experiencing budget difficulties. He introduced Mr. George McClure, who has recently been hired as the Information Technology Services Director. Mr. McClure is formerly of Sullivan County. Mr. Whicher requested an executive session to discuss contract negotiations.

Report from the Deputy County Attorney

Mr. Wood reported the County Attorney's Office finally received an executed option on the Hanshaw Road location. He said this represents progress on the relocation of the Department of Transportation Facility.

Report from the Finance Director

Mr. Squires reported he has been busy working with external auditors in preparation of the County's annual financial statement that is required to be filed by May 1^st .

Approval of Resolution(s)Under the Consent Agenda

RESOLUTION NO. 71 - BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS – VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS

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

RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Government Operations and Health and Human Services Committees, That the Director of Finance be directed to make the following budget adjustments on his books:

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE

Youth Bureau (#16))

Revenue Acct Title Amt Approp Acct Title(s) __________

7022 42702 ATI Programs $35,426 A7622 54400 Program Expenses

7028 43820 Programs for Youth $2,301 A7026 54400 Program Expenses

Explanation: The TCA Primary School Family Support Program has been allocated $35,426 in ATI funding to expand the program funded by the County Youth Bureau. For simplicity of contracting, payment, and reporting, the ATI funds will be passed through the Youth Bureau budget. As in past years, municipalities swap their state aid dollars for county dollars for simplicity of paperwork. Municipalities’ state aid was increased for 2001. (Revenue account is in 7028 however the appropriation account is in 7026.

GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS COMMITTEE

County Clerk (#17)

Revenue Acct Title Amt Approp Acct Title(s) __________

1410 43089 Other State Aid $50,000 A1410 54442 Professional Services

Explanation: State Archive grant funds to pay for software development for EDMS project in Clerk’s office.

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Appointments

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

Community Affirmative Action Committee

Aparajita Maitra - Citizen at-large representative; term expires December 31, 2001

Shella Chace - Emplyee, Under represented; term expires December 31, 2001

E911 Operations Committee

Douglas Cotterill - Eastside County Fire representative; term expires December 31, 2001

Report and Presentation of Resolution(s) from the Public Safety Committee

Mr. Totman, Chairman, reported the Committee met on April 12^th at the Public Safety Building. The Committee toured the building and observed operations in both the Sheriff's Department and the Jail. The next meeting will be May 10^th at the Dispatch Center on Green Street. Following a tour of that space the Committee will move to South Hill Station No. 5 and convene its meeting there.

RESOLUTION NO. 72 - ENDORSEMENT OF LEGISLATIVE BILLS S4485 AND A8443 - EXTENDING THE ADDITIONAL SURCHARGE ON TELEPHONE ACCESS LINES

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

WHEREAS, Resolution No. 70 of 2001 requested the New York State Legislature to introduce legislation permanently extending the 55 cent surcharge for enhanced emergency telephone systems in the County of Tompkins, and

WHEREAS, the New York State Legislature introduced S4485 and A8443 "AN ACT to amend chapter 607 of the laws of 1999, amending the county law relating to authorizing the county of Tompkins to impose fifty-five cents per access line per month surcharge for its enhanced emergency telephone system, in relation to extending the expiration of such provisions", now therefore be it

RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Public Safety Committee, That this Board of Representatives endorses and requests State approval of legislation known as S4485 and A8443 authorizing a one-year extension of a 55 cent surcharge for enhanced emergency telephone systems in the County of Tompkins.

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Report from the Budget and Capital Committee

Mr. Joseph, Chairman, spoke about the process the Board will embark upon as it heads into the next budget process. He said people have expressed concern that there is a lack of clarity in what the Board wants. He said fifteen Board members do not always agree, they don't want to limit creativity, and would not want to pick a tax rate without seeing the consequences first. Mr. Joseph also spoke of the role of the Administration and said they have been asked to lead a team effort of departments and agencies to identify where cutbacks and efficiencies can be found. Administration will then be presenting the Board with options. Mr. Joseph said he thinks the Board and everyone should make every effort not to attack them for what they have presented.

Report and Presentation of Resolution(s) from the Government Operations Committee

Mr. Koplinka-Loehr, Chairman, reported the Committee met on April 5^th and reviewed the County Land Inventory. They also looked at the list of properties scheduled for foreclosure and reviewed the policy on foreclosure at auction. The Committee decided to continue with the current policy of accepting payment up until the time of sale for owner-occupied residential properties.

RESOLUTION NO. 73 – AUTHORIZATION FOR NEW MEMBERSHIP – NATIONAL

ASSOCIATION OF COUNTY INFORMATION OFFICERS –

PUBLIC INFORMATION

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

WHEREAS, the Tompkins County Public Information program is seeking new membership in the National Association of County Information Officers (NACIO) at a cost of $35 per year, and

WHEREAS, this new membership in NACIO will serve as a valuable resource for the Public Information program, now therefore be it

RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Government Operations Committee, That the Public Information program is authorized for new membership in the National Association of County Information Officers,

RESOLVED, further, That no additional funding is required.

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______________ RESOLUTION NO. 74 – DECREASE IN HOURS OF PURCHASING CLERK – FINANCE DEPARTMENT
MOVED by Mr. Koplinka-Loehr, seconded by Mr. Lalley, and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present.

WHEREAS, the position of Purchasing Clerk in the Finance Department currently exists at 40 hours per week, and

WHEREAS, a reduction in the number of hours allotted to the Purchasing Clerk position is appropriate, now therefore be it

RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Government Operations Committee, That the normal work week for the position of Purchasing Clerk (8/630), labor grade H (8), competitive class be decreased from 40 to 35 hours per week effective April 29, 2001.

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RESOLUTION NO. 75 - APPROVAL TO PURSUE ACTION TO DISPOSE OF COUNTY LANDS IDENTIFIED IN THE 2001 COUNTY-OWNED LAND INVENTORY

MOVED by Mr. Koplinka-Loehr, seconded by Mr. Lalley. A roll call vote resulted as follows: Ayes – 13, Noes – 0, Excused – 2 (Representatives Stein and Winch). RESOLUTION ADOPTED.

WHEREAS, on October 6, 1998, the Tompkins County Board of Representatives passed Resolution No. 243 adopting a policy on County-owned land transactions, and

WHEREAS, the policy states that at least once every three years, beginning in 1998, the Planning Department, in cooperation with the County Administrator and the Public Works Department, shall prepare a report on the strategic value of all land holdings and make recommendations for changes to those holdings, and

WHEREAS, that report has been prepared and presented to the Government Operations Committee on April 5, 2001, and

WHEREAS, several parcels were identified as not needed for County use and for which it would be in the best interest of the County to sell or transfer ownership to others, now therefore be it

RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Government Operations Committee, That the County Administrator be authorized to pursue sale and/or transfer of the following parcels, as specified below:

1) Spring Brook Vacant Land, Town of Ulysses, parcel no. 23-1-19. – Sell at public auction.

2) Spencer Road Vacant Land, City of Ithaca, parcel no. 124-2-1 – Sell at public auction.

3) Irish Settlement Road Vacant Land, Town of Dryden, parcel no. 63-1-2 – Sell to New York State.

4) Portion of the Biggs Complex, Town of Ithaca, 12.272 acres of parcel no. 24-3-2.22 – Sell Building A and related land necessary for the sale.

5) Water Tank, Trumansburg Rd., Town of Ithaca, parcel no. 24-4-13 – Transfer land to Town of Ithaca.

6) Route 34/96 and Hillview Road Right-of-Way, Town of Danby, parcel no. 26-1-9.1 – Transfer land to New York State Department of Transportation.

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Report from the Public Works Committee

Mr. Lane, Chairman, reported the Committee met on April 10 and continued their review of the three-year highway plan. They also reviewed a five-year lease agreement for the Alcoholism Council of Tompkins County to continue occupying space in the Mental Health Building. Mr. Lane reported there will be a new telephone system in the Solid Waste offices, but noted people calling in will continue to be greeted by an individual rather than an automated system. The Committee also spent time reviewing the capital project status report and said any Board member who would like a copy should let him know.

RESOLUTION NO. 76 - REQEUSTING THE NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION TO PROCEED PROMPTLY

WITH NEW FLOOD INSURANCE RATING MAPS FOR

PORTIONS OF THE TOWN OF DRYDEN

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

WHEREAS, significant periodic flooding events along Fall Creek and its tributaries have caused, and have the potential to cause, physical disruption to private property, public-sector infrastructure, the quality of drinking water drawn by the Cornell University water system and private wells, and sediment deposition in the southern reaches of the Cayuga Lake Watershed, and

WHEREAS, the existence of an accurate Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Flood Insurance Rating Map (FIRM) is essential to pre-disaster hazard mitigation, flood-plain protection, prevention of erosion leading to sediment deposition in Cayuga Lake, and development planning within the Fall Creek Watershed, and

WHEREAS, several successful completed flood-control and infrastructure protection measures were undertaken within the last five years, including:

the 1998 completion of the Natural Resources Conservation Service-funded Dr. Donald H. Crispell Flood Control Project, which, according to the Soil Conservation Service, will "provide 97% flood protection" from a hundred year storm, and
the 1999 completion of the Penny Lane streambank stabilization and bio-remediation project, funded through the Tompkins County Flood Hazard Mitigation program, and
the 2000 completion of FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant #1095-1122 to remove accumulated sand and gravel in Virgil Creek, rebuild creek channel embankments, and construct a low-flow channel to protect public infrastructure as well as residential and commercial properties, and
the reconstruction of two bridges along New York State Route 38 as well as reconstruction of the New York State Route 13 bridge above Virgil Creek within the Village of Dryden have eliminated (or greatly mitigated) much of the flood threat reflected in the 1985 FIRM, thereby rendering the maps obsolete, and

WHEREAS, mortgaging (or refinancing) properties within the 1985-defined Special Flood Hazard area with federally insured lenders now obliges owners to carry flood insurance, even though upstream flood protection since 1998 may functionally protect them from flooding, the 1986 designation still applies, and

WHEREAS, 129 Dryden Village homes in the 1985-designated Special Flood Hazard Area could avoid premiums averaging $400, revising the FIRM to reflect actual flood-mitigation activities could save local residents as much as $1.5 million in premiums over the lives of their mortgages, and

WHEREAS, certain portions of Virgil Creek and its tributaries within and affecting the Village of Dryden have NEVER been mapped and urgently need FIRM mapping, including, but not limited to:

the neighborhood, roughly circumscribed by Pebble, Greystone, and Brookside, consisting of homes built long after the FIRM map was created. Though not mapped at all, we believe all, or portions, of the neighborhood to lie within the Egypt Creek flood plan, and
along Egypt Creek, both within the Village and in the immediately contiguous area to the north in the Town of Dryden, and
a tributary in the Lee Road and Logan’s Run neighborhood mapping, and

WHEREAS, apparent inaccuracies document in Zone A and C classifications in the 1985 FIRM for outlying portions of Fall Creek outside the Villages of Dryden and Freeville are impeding efforts to secure housing rehabilitation grants, and WHEREAS, Department of Environmental Conservation official Lawrence Lapak’s summary report of his January 24, 2001 Community Assisted Visit to the Village of Dryden requests remapping for the Village and the two other Project IMPACT! Communities (Town of Dryden and Village of Freeville), and

WHEREAS, both the Town and Village of Dryden have previously made requests for FIRM revisions in their biannual reports, now therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the Tompkins County Board of Representatives officially endorses the formal joint request made this March 2, 2001, by Mayor Thomas Lyson of the Village of Freeville, Mayor Reba Taylor of the Village of Dryden, and Supervisor Mark Varvayanis of the Town of Dryden asking for:

Year 2001 FIRM remapping of the Village of Dryden and for the stretch of Fall Creek fronting the Forest Home Drive mobile home community. We concur this is a matter of great urgency; and

Year 2002 FIRM remapping of the balance of the Project IMPACT! Communities, specifically the lower reaches of Egypt Creek, Virgil Creek below the north boundary of the Village of Dryden, and Fall Creek from the confluence of Virgil Creek downstream to the Town of Ithaca border.

SEQR ACTION: TYPE II-20 __________________ Report from the Planning Committee

Mr. Penniman, Chairman, said the Committee has not met since the last meeting. The next meeting will be tomorrow. The beginning of that meeting will be with the Health and Human Services Committee to jointly discuss the aquifer and groundwater study.

Report from the Health and Human Services Committee

Mrs. Schuler, Chair, reported the Committee will meet tomorrow at 9 a.m.

Report from the Economic and Workforce Development Committee

Ms. Blanchard, Vice Chair, reported the Committee rescheduled its Apri117 meeting to April 24. She reported two items of good news. The Workforce Development Board received a grant in the amount of $453,813 to train people already employed in high-tech occupations to upgrade their skills. This grant award was the result of the consortium of employers surveyed and the grant was prepared by Tompkins County Area Development and Tompkins Cortland Community College. Ms. Blanchard also reported another grant in the amount of $385,000 was received that will be used towards the development of a GIS map that will show where people, jobs, and day care are throughout the County. There will also be an emphasis on transportation tailored to people who have special needs, such as third-shift employees.

Ms. Blanchard also reported on the Municipal Electric and Gas Alliance and stated they are in the process of establishing a not-for-profit organization.

Presentation of Resolution(s) from the Library Construction Committee

Mrs. Schuler presented the following resolution(s):

RESOLUTION NO. 77 - AUDIT OF FINAL PAYMENT– ADVANCE MOVING CO., INC. –

TOMPKINS COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
MOVED by Mrs. Schuler, seconded by Mr. Penniman, and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present.

WHEREAS, Advance Moving Co., Inc. has completed their moving contract for the Tompkins County Library project, now therefore be it

RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Library Construction Committee, That the following claim against the County of Tompkins be and hereby is audited by the Board of Representatives:

Vendor Payment Request Account No. Amount

Advanced Moving Co., Inc. 3 (Final) HL7480.74.80 $6,603.00

RESOLVED, further, That the Finance Director be and hereby is authorized and directed to pay said claim from Account No. HL7480.59239.74.80.

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RESOLUTION NO. 78 - AUDIT OF FINAL PAYMENT – LIBRARY INTERIORS –

TOMPKINS COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
MOVED by Mrs. Schuler, seconded by Mr. Penniman, and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present.

WHEREAS, Library Interiors has completed their furniture package contract for the Tompkins County Library project, now therefore be it

RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Library Construction Committee, That the following claim against the County of Tompkins be and hereby is audited by the Board of Representatives:

Vendor Payment Request Account No. Amount

Library Interiors 2 (Final) HL7480.74.80 $4,325.30

RESOLVED, further, That the Finance Director be and hereby is authorized and directed to pay said claim from Account No. HL7480.59239.74.80.

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________________ RESOLUTION NO. 79 - AUDIT OF FINAL PAYMENT – SYRACUSE OFFICE ENVIRONMENTS – TOMPKINS COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Moved by Mrs. Schuler, seconded by Mr. Penniman, and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present.

WHEREAS, Syracuse Office Environments has completed their furniture package contract for the Tompkins County Library project, now therefore be it

RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Library Construction Committee, That the following claim against the County of Tompkins be and hereby is audited by the Board of Representatives:

Vendor Payment Request Account No. Amount

Syracuse Office Environments 5 (Final) HL7480.74.80 $5,349.70

RESOLVED, further, That the Finance Director be and hereby is authorized and directed to pay said claim from Account No. HL7480.59239.74.80.

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______________ RESOLUTION NO. 80 - AUDIT OF FINAL PAYMENT – ARTISTRY IN WOOD OF SYRACUSE, INC. – TOMPKINS COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
MOVED by Mrs. Schuler, seconded by Mr. Penniman, and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present.

WHEREAS, Artistry in Wood of Syracuse, Inc. has completed their furniture package contract for the Tompkins County Library project, now therefore be it

RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Library Construction Committee, That the following claim against the County of Tompkins be and hereby is audited by the Board of Representatives:

Vendor Payment Request Account No. Amount

Artistry in Wood of 5 (Final) HL7480.74.80 $8,152.40

Syracuse, Inc.

RESOLVED, further, That the Finance Director be and hereby is authorized and directed to pay said claim from Account No. HL7480.59239.74.80.

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RESOLUTION NO. 81 - AUDIT OF FINAL PAYMENT– HURBSON OFFICE FURNISHINGS

– TOMPKINS COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY

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

WHEREAS, Hurbson Office Furnishings has completed their furniture package contract for the Tompkins County Library project, now therefore be it

RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Library Construction Committee, That the following claim against the County of Tompkins be and hereby is audited by the Board of Representatives:

Vendor Payment Request Account No. Amount

Hurbson Office Furnishings 4 (Final) HL7480.74.80 $3,853.58

RESOLVED, further, That the Finance Director be and hereby is authorized and directed to pay said claim from Account No. HL7480.59239.74.80.

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RESOLUTION NO. 82 - AUDIT OF FINAL PAYMENT – HENDERSON-JOHNSON

CO., INC. – TOMPKINS COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
MOVED by Mrs. Schuler, seconded by Mr. Penniman, and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present.

WHEREAS, Henderson-Johnson Co., Inc. has completed their furniture package contract for the Tompkins County Library project, now therefore be it

RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Library Construction Committee, That the following claim against the County of Tompkins be and hereby is audited by the Board of Representatives:

Vendor Payment Request Account No. Amount

Henderson-Johnson Co., Inc. 3 (Final) HL7480.74.80 $3,502.86

RESOLVED, further, That the Finance Director be and hereby is authorized and directed to pay said claim from Account No. HL7480.59239.74.80.

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__________________ Report from the Charter Review Committee

Mr. Lane, Chairman, reported the Committee met last Thursday and now have the block data and preliminary maps provided by Greg Potter of the Information Technology Services Department. Mr. Lane said in the northeast corner of the City of Ithaca near Cayuga Heights there is a problem with the placement of student residents in group residences. It appears that all Cornell residents were grouped on one block. The geographic department of the Census Bureau in Boston has been contacted and they have said Tompkins County can apply to have group residences adjusted. This is being done with the help of the City of Ithaca and Cornell University and he hopes a plan will be ready by the April 19 meeting to readjust those figures. Mr. Lane announced the Committee will now be holding weekly meetings and a workshop for elected officials will be held on May 5^th at the Women's Community Building for elected officials.

Report from the Communications Capital Project Committee

Ms. Blanchard, Chair, reported the Committee has not met since the last Board meeting. At the next meeting on April 14^th at noon they will be discussing the transportation relocation project and the Cingular Wireless company directing their 911 calls to the proper place.

Report from the Information Management Committee

Ms. Kiefer, Chair, reported the Committee will meet next month with the new Director of Information Technology Services Department.

Report from the Intermunicipal Planning Committee

Ms. Mink, Chair, reported the Committee will meet on April 27^th at 9:30 a.m. in the Scott Heyman Conference Room.

Report from the Space Needs and Location Committee

Ms. Mink, Chair, reported the Committee will meet on April 27^th at 11 a.m. in the Sherman Peer Room in the Old Library building.

Report from the Tompkins 2020 Committee

Mr. Koplinka-Loehr, Chairman, reported the Quality-of-Life 2000 Committee is no longer meeting; however, work continues on the final report.

Approval of Minutes of March 20 and April 3, 2001

It was MOVED by Mr. Totman, seconded by Mr. Joseph, and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present to approve the March 20 and April 3, 2001 minutes with the corrections submitted. MINUTES APPROVED.

Recess

Chair Mink declared recess from 6:43 p.m. to 6:50 p.m.

Executive Session

It was MOVED by Mr. Totman, seconded by Mr. Lalley, and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present, to enter into executive session at 6:50 p.m. to discuss contract negotiations. The meeting returned to open session at 7:05 p.m.

Adjournment

On motion the meeting adjourned at 7:05 p.m.

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