Public Hearing – Community Development Needs and the 2000 Small Cities Program
Chair Mink called the public hearing to order at 5:31 concerning Community Development Needs and the 2000 Small Cities Program and asked if anyone wished to speak.
James Hanson, Commissioner of Planning, read the following statement:
"Tompkins County is proposing to continue and expand the Homeownership Program originally developed and funded in 1993, and re-funded in 1994, 1996, and 1999. A $600,000 grant is requested that will enable the County to assist an additional 28 households beyond September, 2000.
The terms, conditions and policies now being utilized will be continued as part of Tompkins County's Homeownership Program V. Basic terms include the following:
Local lenders have recommitted themselves to participating in the program, and have committed $3,750,000 in additional mortgage funds to the program. They have also agreed to continue to reduce fees and closing costs associated with home purchases."
No one else wished to speak and the public hearing was closed at 5:33 p.m.
Chair Mink called the regular meeting to order at 5:33 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 Blanchard and Koplinka-Loehr).
Presentation of Proclamations
Chair Mink presented the following proclamations:
Insurance Professionals Week in Tompkins County – April 24-30, 2000;
Community Action Awareness Month in Tompkins County – May, 2000, to Joyce Walker, Executive Director of Tompkins Community Action; and
Earth Day in Tompkins County – April 22, 2000, to Dooley Kiefer, District No. 10 Representative.
Ms. Walker accepted the Community Action Awareness Month proclamation. She announced that she will soon be leaving her position at Tompkins Community Action (a.k.a. EOC) and will be succeeded by Lee Dillon. Ms. Walker thanked the Board for their help over the past eight years.
Ms. Kiefer accepted the Earth Day proclamation and said she will see that it is delivered to Stewart Park for Saturday for the Earth Day celebration.
Presentation of Service Awards
Ms. Mink presented Board members will the following awards recognizing their service to Tompkins County:
Charles V. Evans – 10 years
Thomas L. Todd – 10 years
Frank P. Proto – 15 years
Daniel Winch – 15 years
Vice Chairman Lane presented Ms. Mink with an award for ten years of service.
Privilege of the Floor by the Public
Ed Cope, Town of Caroline, spoke on the subject of communication towers. He said he has spoken with a number of residents from the Town of Caroline and there is a fair amount of interest and concern regarding the high cost of the proposed project. He questioned whether the Board needs to spend $8 million on this project when there are other programs the Board could be investing in that also save lives but are less expensive. He said when people make a decision to live in a rural community they understand that there are some trade-offs that come with that decision.
Margaret Modlaugh, Alternative Community School student, spoke in support of the use of solar panels in the new Tompkins County Public Library. She noted there is lots of talk about saving our planet but we never really do anything. She said we must do our part; and using solar power is a wonderful way to preserve the future of the earth and encourage others to do the same.
Robin Schmidt, Alternative Community School student, spoke in support of the use of solar panels in the new Tompkins County Public Library. By using the solar panels in the new Library building he believes this would set a precedent for other places in the County and would be putting the sun’s energy to good use at the same time. He feels that since a public library is a place to further a person’s education it would be the ideal place to lead the way for more solar energy use in Tompkins County.
Alex Glass, Alternative Community School student, spoke in support of using solar panels as the energy source for the new Tompkins County Public Library. He said it is important that people start using alternative energy sources now so that the future of the earth can be protected. He said by using solar panels in the Library, Ithaca could become a model for establishing environmental standards and would lead the way for other communities to use alternative energy sources.
Privilege of the Floor by Board Members
Mr. Stein, District No. 3 Representative, congratulated Representative Lane for being elected to serve as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention this year.
Ms. Kiefer, District No. 10 Representative, said the League of Women Voters Natural Resources Committee has been working with the Northeast Regional Climate Center at Cornell University to get them to post solar insolation data on the World Wide Web. She said this should be happening soon.
Mr. Todd, District No. 6 Representative, reported that he and Representative Kiefer attended a meeting in Lansing last night that was presented by the AES Cayuga Power Plant regarding some new equipment they are going to purchase and install to remove nitrogen oxide emissions from the stack. Mr. Todd said he has distributed brochures to Board members that explain the actual process that will take place. He said this will make the plant one of the cleanest in New York State.
Mrs. Schuler, District No. 4 Representative, reported last week she attended a luncheon where tribute was paid to Joyce Walker who will soon be leaving her position as Executive Director of Tompkins Community Action. Mrs. Schuler read the following paragraph that was contained in the program:
"Under Joyce's leadership human service delivery has been redefined. Joyce's tirelessly forged collaborations within the community to create innovative solutions to help eradicate poverty. When others said we can't, Joyce said "we can." Mrs. Schuler said for eight years Joyce Walker did a fine job working with this community and bringing that agency to where it is today."
Presentation: Unique Natural Area Inventory
Lynn Leopold, former member of the Environmental Management Council (EMC), and Nancy Ostman of Cornell Plantations provided the Board with an overview of the Unique Natural Areas Inventory update. Ms. Leopold explained that the 2000 inventory represents a five-year intense collaborative effort between the EMC, Cornell Plantations, and County Planning Department and ITS to revise the 1990 edition which has been in all municipal offices for the last ten years. She said the purpose of the Unique Natural Areas Inventory was to identify and describe the areas that make Tompkins County special. These are areas that exhibit outstanding environmental qualities and most are well-known to people. It is hoped that this Inventory would be used as a planning tool to identify and protect areas.
Ms. Leopold said there are 192 unique natural areas defined in the inventory and they represent the best example of the diverse habitats and other features in Tompkins County. Many of the sites are located on private land and much of the data was gathered with the consent of the landowners. There were 23 total criteria that were used in identifying areas and this information is contained on the data sheet.
Nancy Ostman said areas contained in the natural area inventory include location, site and vegetation description, reasons for selection, special land-use information, conservation of the site information, and animal species information. She stated emphasis was placed on plants and rare animal species. She said once a site was included in the UNA, a database was created and this can now be easily updated. She said they were able to use GIS (Geographic Information System) information to map the boundaries of the natural areas. She said information will be placed on file in all municipalities and libraries throughout the County. This information will be used by municipalities as a planning tool, and also for community education, and conservation efforts.
Throughout the presentation color slides were used to illustrate the UNA report. In answer to questions it was explained that the EMC will be making similar but more detailed presentations to each municipality and will be notifying relevant individual landowners. It is important to note that UNA designation is a planning tool and not a regulatory one.
Chair's Report and Appointments
Ms. Mink reported she recently spoke at a Cornell University- and Ithaca Journal-sponsored conference on real estate development. She said she offered an invitation to Cornell to do what its other peer institutions are doing these days -- investing part of its endowment in very specific local economic development initiatives. She said Dartmouth is currently building a parking garage and retail complex in Hanover and is providing free parking to residents. She said she will be pursuing this with Cornell Administration.
Chair Mink had no appointments.
Report from the County Administrator
Mr. Erb reported on the status of financing for Family Health Plus Program and said the State's portion is included in the Health Care Reform Act with funding coming from a variety of proceeds, including tobacco settlement funds. He said the Governor has made it clear that he will not support language that assumes the County's share of cost directly for Family Health Plus. He stated both houses of the State Legislature are proposing a revenue-sharing program which is tied to county population. The revenue sharing program is proposed for the 2001 fiscal year for the State and the proposal is to fund a portion of it in this legislative session and a portion in next year's legislature because our fiscal years don't correlate. Mr. Erb said if the proposal were to go through right now Tompkins County would receive funds in the amount of $44,000 in 2001. Sometime after June 30th, Tompkins County would receive an additional $150,000, bringing the total to $194,000 in the 2000 fiscal year. He said the good news is the estimated cost of Family Health Plus in Tompkins County for 2001 is $116,840. It would more than offset our cost; however, the cost of the program will increase over the years. The estimated amount for 2002 is $248,551 and $356,894 in 2003. He said this raises concern because the revenue-sharing program is not guaranteed to continue from year-to-year, and if it is intended to offset our share of the program it will have to be increased every year as well as being renewed.
Mr. Erb also spoke of securitiztion of tobacco settlement funds, and said NYSAC is moving forward with a proposal for counties. This proposal should be available near the second week of May. He said the Budget and Fiscal Policy Committee will be continuing discussion of this at its next meeting.
Report from the County Attorney
Mr. Theisen had no report.
Report from the Finance Director
Mr. Squires reported he will be electronically filing the County's
financial report with New York State this week. He has distributed the
first quarter sales information to all Board members and said there are
no significant changes. Sales-tax figures show receipts to be one percent
ahead of the budget estimate. He reported the County received the second
tobacco settlement payment for 2000. Mr. Squires also reported on mortgage
tax receipts and said they are down 38 percent from last year.
Addition of Resolution(s) to the Agenda
On motion and duly seconded and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present, the resolution entitled Budget Adjustments - Various Departments, was added to the agenda.
Withdrawal of Resolution(s) from the Agenda
There were no resolution(s) withdrawn from the agenda.
Resolution(s) Approved Under the Consent Agenda
There were no resolution(s) approved under the Consent Agenda.
Appointment(s) Approved Under the Consent Agenda
On motion and duly seconded and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present, to approve the following appointment(s) under the Consent Agenda:
Advisory Board on Indigent Representation
Olan Mack - Term expiring December 31, 2000
Gino Bush - Term expiring December 31, 2002
Ralph Nash - Term expiring December 31, 2002
Traffic Safety Board
Ward Hungerford - Highway Division Representative - Term expiring December 31, 2000
Tompkins County Youth Board
Kyri Murdough - Youth Representative - Term expiring August 31, 2000
A concern was raised over the residency of one of the above applicants. It was mentioned that the County had approved a policy to allow out-of-county residents to serve on advisory boards and committees. This statement was inaccurate. The County follows State law in that all applicants must be County residents unless a particular representative is required by virtue of the position they hold.
Report from the Public Safety Building Space Committee - Consideration of a Joint Facility with Cortland County
Mr. Joseph said the Committee was charged with looking into the possibility of having a regional jail and sent out a letter to all counties in the area. The only response that was received that expressed any interest was from Cortland County. He said a number of meetings have been held with the Cortland County Legislature and Sheriff's Department and have come to a point where direction needs to be given if they are going to move forward to the next step.
Mr. Joseph said at this time there is a need to hire a consultant to prepare a study on what it would cost to build a joint facility; he estimates this to be between $30,000 - $50,000.
He said the apparent cost savings would be in the economies of scale in the possible structure and in staff requirements. He noted there are different pay scales between Cortland and Tompkins County; therefore, it would be more expensive for the County that has to pay the higher wages. Discussions have centered around locating somewhere in the vicinity of Dryden. This would increase the costs for both counties as well as transportation costs for any other agencies that work with the Jail.
Mr. Joseph said he is bringing this concept to the Board to see whether the Board wishes to direct the Committee to prepare a resolution to move forward.
Mr. Lane introduced Pat O'Mara, Chairman of the Cortland County Public Safety and Judiciary Committee. He said Cortland and Tompkins Counties have a history of working together and referred to Tompkins Cortland Community College as a model of intermunicipal cooperation. He said both counties have recently elected sheriff's who are open-minded and have discussed the possibility of a joint facility. Both facilities are similar prisoner loads and are operating their Jails on waivers having a history of board-out problems. Mr. Lane said he does not know what the figures will show but feels the Board owes it to the taxpayers to at least explore this idea further.
Mr. Winch concurred with Mr. Lane's comments and said it is important that by going through this study, both counties will end up with a stronger program just for having looked at this. He said regardless of the outcome of the study, both legislatures will finally be able to answer questions that have come up so often over the years.
Mr. Totman agreed with Representatives Lane and Winch, and feels the Board should proceed with a study.
Mr. Stein asked about alternative to incarceration programs and asked how these would fit into a study. Mr. Joseph said both counties have a similar approach to alternative to incarceration and crime prevention programs.
Mr. Todd asked what the status is of the electronic appearance in relation to the location of the Courthouse. He said he would also like to have an explanation of what would happen to the existing facility on Warren Road.
Mr. Evans said he feels this is an appropriate thing to do and that a joint facility may offer cost savings in other areas. He said there is a lack of mental health services in the Tompkins County Jail; however, with a jail twice that size, it may be appropriate to provide greater services.
Mr. O'Mara, Cortland County Public Safety and Judiciary Committee Chairman, said the Cortland County Legislature is also struggling with whether it is makes sense to spend taxpayer money to investigate this.
Following discussion and a unanimous consensus by "straw vote", the Public Safety Building Space Committee was directed to draft a resolution and bring it to the full Board.
Report and Presentation of Resolution(s) from the Government Operations Committee
Ms. Kiefer, Vice Chair, reported the Committee has not met since the last Board meeting.
s. Mink asked that Item No. 4 - Announcement of Special Orders of the Day be taken under advisement by the Government Operations Committee and consideration be given to deleting it from the agenda format. She said there have been several instances when a member of the public has missed an opportunity to speak under Privilege of the Floor because they assumed a presentation was being given, when in fact, it was just an announcement that a presentation would take place. Ms. Kiefer responded and said presentations, such as the one on this evening's agenda, should have appeared under agenda item number six - Special Topical Presentations and/or Discussion. Only items that have a specific starting time attached to them should appear under agenda item number four - Special Orders of the Day. She stated it is useful to keep this item on the agenda, but to only use it when it needs to be used.
WHEREAS, the County Board of Representatives desires to increase the income limits for the Senior Citizens Real Property Tax Exemption, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Government Operations Committee, That M as stated in Local Law No. 3 of the year 2000 be defined as $19,500,
RESOLVED, further, That the following schedule of income limits and corresponding percentage exemptions be adopted:
Percentage Assessed Valuation
Annual Income Exempt from Taxation
$19,500 or less 50 percent
$19,501 -> $20,499 45 percent
$20,500 -> $21,499 40 percent
$21,500 -> $22,499 35 percent
$22,500 -> $23,399 30 percent
$23,400 -> $24,299 25 percent
$24,300 -> $25,199 20 percent
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WHEREAS, this Board is informed that an error has been made in the 1999/2000 Tax Roll for the Town of Dryden parcel 38.-1-30.12, assessed to Konstantinos Katsiroubas, and was charged $12,103.20 for solid waste fee, it should have been $121.04, 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 $11,982.16 be credited to the solid waste account.
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RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Government Operations Committee, That a public hearing be held before the Board of Representatives in Board Chambers of the Tompkins County Courthouse, 320 North Tioga Street, Ithaca, New York, on Tuesday, May 2, 2000, at 5:30 o’clock in the evening thereof concerning proposed Local Law No. e of 2000 - Amending Chapter 150, Article I of the Tompkins County Charter and Code Extending the Filing Deadline for Senior Citizen Exemptions Under Specific Circumstances. At such time and place all persons interested in the subject matter will be heard concerning the same,
RESOLVED, further, That the Clerk of the Board is hereby authorized and directed to place proper notice of such public hearing in the official newspaper of the County.
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WHEREAS, the State of New York took certain property along the side of Route 13 in the Town of Dryden from the County for highway use, and
WHEREAS, the County entered into an agreement to accept $11,700 from the State as an advanced payment, and
WHEREAS, the State requires a resolution from the Tompkins County Board of Representatives authorizing the County Administrator to sign particular documents, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Government Operations Committee, That the County Administrator is hereby authorized to sign a Land Claims Payment Voucher, an Affidavit of Title, and any other documents necessary to obtain payments from the State in relation to the taking designated by the State as Map 103, Parcel 123.
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Report from the Budget and Fiscal Policy Committee
Mr. Joseph, Chairman, reported the Committee received a presentation from Paine Webber on tobacco securitization at its last meeting. He explained what securitization is and why a county would want to select this option. He said given the number of capital projects the County has coming forward, one option is to exchange that stream of payments for a lump sum now and pay for these capital projects with cash. In particular, the Paine Webber proposal is to sell tax-exempt bonds based on 80 percent of Tompkins County's expected annual tobacco settlement payments. Tompkins County would still receive 20 percent of its annual payments, but if there were a bond-revenue shortfall, Tompkins county would have to cover it out of the county's 20 percent. Thus, although Paine Webber assumes the risk of total collapse of tobacco company payments, Tompkins County bears the risk of fluctuation in payments. This proposal amounts to our having the opportunity to borrow money at about 6 1/2 percent interest by issuing bonds via Paine Webber. However, if Tompkins County wanted to raise money directly itself, we should do somewhat better, borrowing at 5 1/2 to 6 percent. The Committee will continue discussing securitization and other options for tobacco funds at its upcoming meetings.
Report and Presentation of Resolution(s) from the Planning and Intermunicipal Coordination Committee
Mr. Lane, Chairman, reported the Committee will meet tomorrow.
Report from the Health and Human Services Committee
Mrs. Schuler, Chair, reported the Committee met on April 13th and received updates from various departments and agencies. Margaret Dill, Executive Director of the Human Services Coalition, reported on the budget process and requested guidance from the Committee on it approval process. Discussion on this will continue at the next meeting. Alice Cole, Public Health Director, reported on the resignation of Dr. Ross of Auburn who has been performing the County's forensic autopsies. The Committee will be discussing this at the next meeting.
RESOLUTION NO. 82 - BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS – VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS
MOVED by Mrs. Schuler, seconded by Mr. Todd, and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present.
RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Health and Human Services and Public Safety Committees, That the Director of Finance be directed to make the following budget adjustments on his books:
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE
Social Services (#20)
Revenue Acct Title Amt Approp Acct Title(s) ___________
A6070 43670 NYS Svcs. For Rcpnts. $7,650 A6070 54400 Program Expense
Explanation: New York State announced the availability of these funds on December 31st and has just notified us that our plan to distribute them among three of our preventive programs (Youth Advocacy Program, Dispositional Alternatives Program, and Parenting Skills) has been approved.
Social Services (#26)
Revenue Acct Title Amt Approp Acct Title(s) ___________
A6010 44610 Fed: DSS Admin. $5,000 A6010 54442 Professional Services
A6010 44610 Fed: DSS Admin. $8,762 A6010 54442 Professional Services
Explanation: Enhanced LearnFare allocation, for counseling for TANF-recipient students in grades 1-6 whose school attendance is unsatisfactory.
Enhanced LearnFare allocation targeted toward development of computer information systems to facilitate information sharing between the department and the county's schools. We plan to use departmental staff for this project. This will entail no increase in local appropriation, but will result in increased federal reimbursement by the amount shown.
Mental Health (#25)
Revenue Acct Title Amt Approp Acct Title(s) ___________
A4329 54440 Program Expense $575,681 A4329 43495 OASAS
Explanation: New OASAS Funding for Challenge Industries employment retention advancement (New York Works) program to be channeled through Mental Health. Add to original budgeted OASAS funding.
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
District Attorney (#24)
Revenue Acct Title Amt Approp Acct Title(s) ___________
A1165 42626 Fed. Forfeiture Rev. $266.40 A1165 52214 Office Furnishings
A1165 42626 Fed. Forfeiture Rev. $228.60 A1165 52230 Computer Software
Explanation: Unbudgeted forfeiture revenues will be used to replace broken glass table top, and to purchase web-publishing software.
Sheriff (#22)
Revenue Acct Title Amt Approp Acct Title(s) ___________
A3113 42626 Drug Forfeiture $4,265 A3113 52220 Department Equip.
Explanation: Monies needed to cover the cost of 5 light bars and 3 traffic light bars.
Report and Presentation of Resolution(s) from the Economic and Workforce Development Committee
Mr. Stein, Chairman, reported the Committee met in special session a week ago for the purpose of reviewing proposals for tourism development grants. The next meeting will be April 25th.
RESOLUTION NO. 83 - FUNDING OF TOURISM DEVELOPMENT GRANTS
MOVED by Mr. Stein, seconded by Mr. Penniman. Mr. Stein outlined the formal, clear-cut, and objective review process that the Strategic Tourism Planning Board followed in making these funding recommendations. He said $40,000 has been set aside for the coming year in room tax funds. A five-person committee comprised of three Board members and two outside individuals received and made recommendations on proposals and submitted those recommendations to the Economic and Workforce Development Committee. There were 17 applications submitted that totaled approximately $70,000. Mr. Stein said the Economic and Workforce Development Committee will be making additional recommendations in the future.
Mrs. Schuler requested that this resolution be separated and that the item Kitchen Theatre - Ithaca Summer Theater 2000 Brochure $5,000 be contained in its own resolution. Chair Mink granted permission for this item to be separated.
A voice vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Ayes - 13, Noes - 0, Excused - 2 (Representatives Blanchard and Koplinka-Loehr). RESOLUTION ADOPTED.
WHEREAS, Tompkins County has a grant program for tourism development using funds drawn entirely from the Room Occupancy Tax, and
WHEREAS, Tompkins County has requested and reviewed grant applications for recommendation to the Tompkins County Board of Representatives through the Economic and Workforce Development Committee, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Economic and Workforce Development Committee, That the following grants are recommended for approval using funding approved by the County Board and budgeted for Development Grants:
Community Arts Partnership - Ithaca Artists' Market $ 950
and Holiday Artists' Market
Cornell Cooperative Extension - Farm City Day $3,000
Cayuga Nature Center, Inc. - TreeTops 2000 Celebration $1,500
Southside Community Center - Juneteenth 2000 $2,000
Ithaca Downtown Partnership - Regional Tourism Brochure $3,500
Ithaca Festival - Ithaca Winter Festival $4,000
Center for Environmental Sustainability - Earth Day Festival $1,200
Varna Community Association - SummerFest2000 $ 750
RESOLVED, further, That Tompkins County is authorized to sign multi-year contracts with the Ithaca Festival and Earth Day Festival, as these projects will be implemented in 2001,
RESOLVED, further, That these grants shall be made from the Room Tax Account,
RESOLVED, further, That the County Administrator or designee shall be authorized to sign any documents related to the aforementioned projects.
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WHEREAS, Tompkins County has a grant program for tourism development using funds drawn entirely from the Room Occupancy Tax, and
WHEREAS, Tompkins County has requested and reviewed grant applications for recommendation to the Tompkins County Board of Representatives through the Economic and Workforce Development Committee, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Economic and Workforce Development Committee, That the following grant is recommended for approval using funding approved by the County Board and budgeted for Development Grants:
Kitchen Theatre - Ithaca Summer Theaters 2000 Brochure $5,000
RESOLVED, further, That this grant shall be made from the Room Tax Account,
RESOLVED, further, That the County Administrator or designee shall be authorized to sign any documents related to the aforementioned project.
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Report from the Public Safety Committee
Mr. Totman, Chairman, reported the Committee met on April 13th and received updates from the various departments and agencies that report to the Committee. Kathryn Lienthall, Director of Probation, presented the Department's goals for approval and reported there are five people currently on the electronic monitoring program and they expect to add two more within the week. Jack Miller, Fire, Disaster, and EMS Coordinator, reported his office is working on some grant proposals with Assemblyman Luster's Office. Mr. Totman also reported Sheriff Meskill is currently working on grants for alternatives to incarceration and the Traffic Safety Board. The next meeting will be May 11th.
Report and Presentation of Resolution(s) from the Facilities and Infrastructure Committee
Mr. Todd, Vice Chairman, had no report.
RESOLUTION NO. 85 - AWARD OF BID - AIRPORT EXTERIOR LANDSCAPING
MOVED by Mr. Todd, seconded by Mr. Proto. Ms. Kiefer said a few years ago the County’s Health and Safety Coordinator developed specifications for landscape maintenance that specify integrated pest management and use of least-toxic materials. She said they may have been developed with the County’s Buildings and Grounds Division in mind because they take care of most of the County’s facilities. She feels that those departments that do their own maintenance should employ companies that follow the same standards as County staff is expected to meet. She said when she reviewed the specifications for proposals she noticed they did not contain the wording that was developed by Mr. Croteau, Health and Safety Coordinator. Rather than delay this contract, Mr. Croteau worked with the low bidder to include language in the contract to try to achieve the same results. Ms. Kiefer said she initially felt this contract should be awarded for only one year and then go out to contract again with the proper language included in the next set of specifications. However, the County Administrator has told her it would be possible to check on the work of this contractor during the year and see whether going out to bid after one year would be necessary. She said she is concerned that all department heads recognize that when there are specifications for bids that reflect a policy for County staff, the same standards should be used for outside contractors.
Mr. Todd noted this contract is being awarded to a local contractor for the first time.
A voice vote on the resolution resulted as follows: Ayes – 13, Noes – 0, Excused – 2 (Representatives Blanchard and Koplinka-Loehr). RESOLUTION ADOPTED.
WHEREAS, the Department of Finance - Division of Purchasing has duly advertised for bids for exterior landscaping services at the Tompkins County Airport, and
WHEREAS, three (3) bids were received and publicly opened on March 21, 2000, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Facilities and Infrastructure Committee, That the bid be awarded to Pro-Lawn Landscaping of Ithaca, New York, as the lowest responsible bidder with an annual contract value of $16,000, for a period of one year(s) with the option to renew for two additional one year(s) terms,
RESOLVED, further, That the County Administrator is hereby authorized to execute a contract with Pro-Lawn Landscaping, funds being available in the Airport's budget.
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RESOLUTION NO. 86 - ESTABLISHING PETTY CASH FUND - HIGHWAY DIVISION
MOVED by Mr. Todd, seconded by Ms. Kiefer, and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present.
WHEREAS, the Highway Division desires to establish a petty cash account for miscellaneous and incidental purchases where normal purchasing procedure cannot be used and for team and individual recognition, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Facilities and Infrastructure Committee, That a petty cash fund for $200 be established for the Highway Division.
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WHEREAS, the County of Tompkins has heretofore entered into an agreement in 1974 with the State of New York pursuant to Section 12 of the Highway Law relating to control of snow and ice on State highways in towns and incorporated villages, and
WHEREAS, Sections 7 and 10 of said agreement respectively provide a method of modifying the map of affected State highways and for annually updating the estimated expenditures, and
WHEREAS, it would be in the best interest of the/County to extend said agreement currently set to expire June 30, 2000 as modified and updated, for an additional two-year period, now therefore be it
RESOLVED, on recommendation of the Facilities and Infrastructure Committee, That an extension of said snow and ice agreement is hereby authorized for a period of two years from July 1, 2000 through June 30, 2002, and the County Administrator be and hereby is authorized and directed to execute such extension on behalf of the County.
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Report from the Census 2000 Committee
Mr. Proto, Chairman, reported a Complete Count Committee meeting was held on April 12. The next meeting will be May 2 at 9 a.m. He provided the Board with an update on the status of the census and said the mail-in phase is over and Tompkins County did well, receiving 64 percent of the forms that were mailed out. The next phase is the door-to-door enumeration and will officially begin on April 27th. Mr. Proto said Dan Lamb of Congressman Hinchey’s Office, Wendy Skinner, Public Information Coordinator, and a group from Elmira have been putting together a public information campaign that will begin in approximately one week. He said he expects the job in Tompkins County will be finished in June; however, final census figures will not be available until April 2001.
Report from the Intermunicipal Resource Sharing Committee
Ms. Mink, Chair, reported the Committee will meet on Friday, April 21st.
Report from the Library Construction Committee
Ms. Mink, Chair, reported the Committee will meet on Thursday, April 27th. At that meeting the Committee will consider a resolution on solar panels for the new Library.
Report from the Old Library New Future Committee
Mr. Lane, Chairman, reported the Committee will meet on April 28th at 9 a.m.
Report from the Tompkins 2020 Committee
Ms. Davis reported the Committee will meet on May 3rd.
Approval of Minutes of April 4, 2000
It was MOVED by Mr. Todd, seconded by Mr. Totman, and unanimously adopted by voice vote by members present, to approve the minutes of April 4, 2000 as submitted. MINUTES APPROVED.
Adjournment
On motion, the meeting adjourned at 7:58 p.m.